All Obituaries

AILEEN M. HARRIS June 20, 1969 – February 28, 2026 Aileen Mills Harris, 56, of Louisburg formerly of Henderson, passed away on February 28, 2026, at her home. Aileen was the daughter of the late Bill Mills and Vivian Mills Hixson. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Steve Mills, Donald Mills, Bobby Mills, David Mills and William Mills. Aileen was proud of the fact she graduated in 2019 from NC State with a master’s degree in social work. Aileen is survived by her ...

Reverend Warren L. Thomas, Sr.   Reverend Warren L. Thomas Sr., 78, of Louisburg, stepped into his eternal home on February 28, 2026.  Warren was born to Roy and Helen (Pendergrass) Thomas in Henderson, NC. Warren gave his life to the Lord in January 1976.  He soon answered the call to preach the gospel.  He spent many years working a public job and evangelizing and had a prison ministry for years.  In 2017, he began pastoring Full Gospel Praise and Worship in ...

JUDY GAYNELLE F. EASON April 27, 1934 – February 25, 2026 Judy Gaynelle Finch Eason, 91, of Raleigh, died Wednesday evening in Raleigh. Gaynelle was a daughter of the late Otha and Onnie Smith Finch. She was preceded in death by her longtime partner, Eugene Hunter; sister, Murlene Haire; brothers, Ellis Finch, Graham Finch, Mack Finch, J.S. Finch and Hilton Finch. Gaynelle graduated from Edward Best High School in 1952. She then went on to Hardbarger Business School in Raleigh. She ...

Charles Graham Holmes January 20, 1947 – February 25, 2026 Charles "Charlie" Holmes, 79, passed away on February 25, 2026, in Beaufort, North Carolina. Born on January 20, 1947, in Louisburg, North Carolina, Charlie was the beloved son of the late Graham and Mary Charles Alford Holmes. Charlie was a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and a devoted fan of his Tar Heels. His love for his alma mater was a defining part of his life. He also had a deep affection for all dogs, ...

SHEILA C. PUCKETT July 11, 1952 – February 17, 2026 Sheila Carlyle Puckett, 73, of  Zebulon, NC, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.  Sheila was born in Nash County, the daughter of the late Thurman and Christine Barham Carlyle.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Phil Puckett who died on February 15, 2026. She loved life, her family, friends, her dogs, but most of all she loved God.  She never met a stranger and ...

CLOIA E. PAYNE October 5, 1933 – February 17, 2026 Cloia Elizabeth Rife Payne, 92, of Louisburg, passed away Tuesday morning at her home. Cloia was the daughter of the late Fred and Watie Rife. She was preceded in death by her husbands, James A. Tackett and Roger Payne; daughter, Brenda Tackett and son Rodney Tackett; sisters, Marie Griffith, May Jackson, Geneva Blankenship and Faye Hess; brothers, Hufford Rife, Junior Rife, Leonard Rife, Ervin Rife and Johnny Rife. Cloia is ...

MATTIE P. WHITLEY February 26, 1930 – February 13, 2026 Mattie Pearce Whitley, 95, of Zebulon, passed away Friday morning at Wake Med. Mattie was the daughter of the late Joe and Florence Perry Pearce. She was preceded in death by her, husband, Joe Whitley; daughter, Janet Phelan; grandchildren, Tracey Jovino and Matt Whitley; brother, Joe Lee Pearce; sisters, Helen Leonard, Mary Wilson, and Florine Johnson. Mattie is survived by her daughter, Joyce Stallings; sons and ...

Edith Jewell Bailey, age 103, of Bunn, North Carolina, was welcomed home into the loving arms of her Savior on the morning of February 11, 2026, after a long and beautiful life lived in faith, love, and strength. Edith Jewell—known lovingly as Jewell by family and friends—was born on November 16, 1922, to the late Clyde Blythe Mullen and Bertha Brewer Mullen.  She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Thurston Bailey, and her siblings: O’Deyne Mullen, Ann ...

LESLIE A. LEONARD February 2, 1994 – February 8, 2026 Leslie Anne Leonard, 32, of Castalia, passed away in an automobile accident Sunday afternoon. Leslie was preceded in death by her father, Bunnie Leonard. She is survived by her son Troy Carpenter; mother, Nancy S. Leonard; sister and brother-in-law, Amanda L. and Michael Holmes; maternal grandmother, Janet M. Stallings; nephew, Easton Holmes; special friend, Joey Dement; many aunts, uncles and cousins. The family will receive ...

“BILL” WILLIAM J. QUALK, JR. April 2, 1948 – February 3, 2026 William “Bill” Jacob Qualk, Jr., 77, of Louisburg, passed away peacefully Tuesday night. Bill was the son of the late William “Bill” J. Qualk, Sr. and Marian Roknick Massey. He was preceded in death by his brother, David M. Qualk. Bill graduated from Northeast High School in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1966 and then went on to the University of Miami and graduated with a degree in ...