All Obituaries

CHARLES L. WATKINS Charles Leonard Watkins, 86, passed away on Tuesday evening at his home surrounded by his family. Charles was born in Wake County, a son of the late Aaron Proctor and Rosa Perry Watkins.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Rosella Watkins and brothers, Proctor Watkins, Donald (Tink) Watkins and Robert Watkins. He retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. A funeral service will be held 2 pm, Saturday, June 13, 2026, at New Hope Christian ...

HELEN W. WILSON Helen Wheless Wilson, age 99, of Louisburg, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 4th surrounded by her family. Helen lived a long and blessed life marked by faith, dedication, and love for her family. She was a proud graduate of Peace College, where she was a member of the college basketball team. The determination and spirit she displayed on the court remained with her throughout her life. Following graduation, Helen began a distinguished career with Yarborough and ...

LILLIE C. FULLER April 11, 1932 – June 2, 2026 Lillie Mae Crocker Fuller, 94, of Louisburg, passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at her home. Lillie was the daughter of the late Jason and Lillie R. Crocker. She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years Russell Moore “R.M.” Fuller, Jr.; daughter, Lynne Edwards; brothers, William Thomas, Jim Thomas, Jr., and Billy Crocker. Lillie was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church, having been part of the UM ...

BARBARA D. RICE July 3, 1935 - May 29, 2026 Barbara Driver Rice, 90, of North Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 29th at her home in Raleigh. Barbara was born in Franklin County, the daughter of the late Grover and Annie Driver.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Carey P. Rice and her brother, Edwin Driver. Barbara is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Brent and Suzanne Rice; Brad Rice; Brian and Simone Rice; 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She began ...

LINDA D. SHEARON April 11, 1945 - May 17, 2026 Linda passed away peacefully on May 17 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount. Linda was a daughter of the late Beecher Dorsey and Emily Honeycutt Dorsey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray L. Shearon; her daughter, Pam Leonard and her infant daughter, Linda Renee; brothers, Lawrence Elwood Dorsey, Bennett Talmadge Dorsey and Sherman Benton Dorsey; sisters, Vera Gray Tharrington, Barbara D. Layton and Brenda D Burnette. Linda is ...

REVEREND DAVID H. AVERETTE September 22, 1958 – May 15, 2026 David Hunter Averette, 67, of Franklinton, passed away Friday morning, May 15, 2026. David was the son of the late Edwin Hunter Averette and Clora Britt Averette.  He retired from Franklin County Schools, where he served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal.  He also retired as pastor of Franklinton Baptist Church.  Retirement was brief for David as God called him to serve at Louisburg Baptist ...

BETTY J. WHELESS October 28, 1942 – May 12, 2026 Betty Jane Wheless, 83, of Louisburg, passed away on Tuesday, May 12 at Transitions LifeCare. She was a daughter of the late Woodroe and Hazel Fuller Wheless. Betty was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Wheless and David Wheless and Joe Wheless.           Betty is survived by her niece, Sandy Wheless; nephew, Danny Wheless; sisters, Edith Nelson, Shirley Scott, Dorthey Church; brother, ...

Faye Mitchell Holton September 23, 1943 – May 7, 2026 On May 7, 2026, the Lord Jesus Christ took Faye Mitchell Holton by her hand and led her into His Heavenly Kingdom. In a divine stroke of timing, Faye arrived just in time to celebrate Mother’s Day with her own mother, Sudie Bell, after so many years apart. A woman of impeccable style, Faye never missed an opportunity to look her best. There is no doubt she entered the Pearly Gates radiant—hair perfectly styled, nails ...

JOSEPH R. EICHER March 28, 1940 – May 5, 2026 Joseph Richard Eicher, 86, of Zebulon, passed away Tuesday afternoon surrounded by his family.           Joe was a son of the late Solomon Eicher and Eva Foster. He was preceded in death by his son Michael Eicher. He retired from the United States Air Force and later from ESPN. Joe was a member of Louisburg United Methodist Church.       A memorial service will be ...

KANNIE LEE PERRY April 18, 1932 – May 5, 2026 Kannie Lee Horton Perry, 94, of Bunn, NC, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.            Kannie was born on April 18, 1932, the daughter of Willie Horton and Vivian Adcock Horton. She grew up in Franklin County, moving to the heart of Bunn in 1971, where she cleaned houses and lived for the remainder of her life. Kannie was well-known in her community for ...