November 12, 78,

James Allen “J.A.” Wilkins, 78, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center with his family by his side.

Jay was born in Wayne County on October 31, 1939 to the late Nathan Allen Wilkins and Hazel Langston Wilkins. He retired from H.D. Plumbing Supply Company and served as a Triple A Professional Softball Umpire for many years. Jay was named into their Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of the Grantham Volunteer Rescue Squad. Jay was an avid outdoorsman and loved walking in the woods and fields hunting for quail. He will be missed, but greatly remembered.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Falling Creek Baptist Church followed by a graveside service at 11:00 a.m. in the church cemetery with Rev. Kenneth Benton officiating.

Jay is survived by his wife, Linda Wilson Wilkins; children, James Allen (Jay) Wilkins, Jr. of Grantham, Amy Best of Charlotte, and Alicia Wilkins of Grantham; grandsons, Allen Ray Wilkins and Jacob Chandler Wilkins; brother, Joe Wilkins and wife Nan of Grantham; and several nieces and nephews he loved very much. He is also survived by his special feline friend and nurse, Sunshine.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, 107 Handley Park Court, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.

November 12, 56,

Leonard James Gurganus, age 56, died Sunday at the UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill. Born in Wayne County, he was the son of the late Willie James Gurganus and Annie Pearl Grady Gurganus. He attended Fellowship Baptist Church and was a long-time employee of Parks Septic Service.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday at 2:00 pm at the Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Stanley Kelly officiating. Burial will follow in Wayne Memorial Park. Family members will greet friends Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at the funeral home and at other times at the home.

Mr. Gurganus is survived by his wife, Michelle Sugg Gurganus; sons, James Edward Gurganus, John Calvin Gurganus, Corey Cordell and James Duane Gurganus; brother, Kenneth Gurganus and wife, Cherity; sisters, Teresa Diane Buchanan and husband, Mark and Annie Ruth Gurganus and husband, Cedric Jackson; grandchildren, Hannah, Zach, Blaze, Benjamin, Skylar, Erin Hope and Thomas Lee.

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Gurganus family and online condolences may be sent to www.shumate-faulk.com

November 12, 92,

Mr. Rufus O. “Buddy” Holloman, 92, life long resident of the Mount Olive area, passed away early Sunday evening, November 12, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.

After a long career of farming, he embarked on becoming a boat repairman and eventually opened Buddy’s Marina which he operated for a good many years.

Mr. Holloman is survived by a brother-in-law, Marvin Jernigan of Mount Olive; an uncle and aunt, Alex and Lois Malpass of Mount Olive; and nieces and nephews, Patricia Creel, Judy Price, Glenn Odom, Donna Wester, Doug Jernigan, Joy Lancaster, and Meg Jackson, along with their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents whom he loved so much, Andrew O. and Ruth Malpass Holloman; and his four younger sisters and their husbands, Rachel and Emmett Sutton, Inez and C.H. Odom, Alice and Calvin Price, and Dorothy Jernigan.

His was a simple life; therefore it is befitting that the celebration of his life be the same, simply with a graveside service to be held Wednesday, November 15, at 1 p.m. in the Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive. Mr. Holloman will lie in state at Tyndall Funeral Home during regular business hours of Tuesday, Nov. 14, and until noon on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Family and friends are welcome to call at the home of Glenn Odom, 310 Tadlock Road, Mount Olive.

November 13, 91,

Lucille Gray Lancaster, 91, peacefully departed this life at home surrounded by her family on Monday, November 13, 2017.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home followed by a service to celebrate Lucille’s life at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel with Pastor Bill Garner officiating. The family will also greet friends following the service on Wednesday evening and other times at the home, 578 LaGrange Road, LaGrange, NC. Burial will be at the Vinson Family Cemetery, 206 Vinwood Avenue, Goldsboro on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.

Lucille was born on November 1, 1926 to the late Claudie Gray and Virginia Hines Gray.
She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. She worked hard all of her life, at home and on the family farm and also other public jobs. Most recently, she was known as “Granny” at All Stars Family Fun Center. Lucille was a wonderful cook and talented seamstress. She will be remembered as a loving, hardworking woman.

Lucille is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, Ed Lancaster; daughter, Delores Mooring and husband Ronald of Morehead City; son, Carl Lancaster and wife Robbie of LaGrange; sister, Carrie Grant of Shine; sister-in-law, Ann Gray of Shine; grandchildren, Kevin Whitfield, David Lancaster and wife Laura, Michelle Hill and husband Ron, Leslie Lancaster, Jesse Lancaster and wife Heather, Nolan and Lee Anna Lancaster, eight great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Lucille was preceded in death by her son, Earl Lancaster, brothers, Marvin Gray, James “PeeWee” Gray and Joe Wayne Gray, and grandson, Mark Edward Mooring.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of Community Home Care and Hospice, especially her nurse, Crystal Sutton, as well as friends for their support during her illness.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.

November 13, 82,

Mervin Vaught, 82, of 438 Old Grantham Rd, died Monday at his residence.

November 13, 39, Dudley

Harold Lattimore Alston, 39, of 500 Rollingwood Drive, Dudley died Monday at home.

He was born February 17, 1978 in Wayne County to Leon Marshall and Rose Mary Musgrave Alston.

He is survived by his wife LaToya Alston; two sisters; three brothers; and a maternal grandmother.

Visitation will be held Friday from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, with family present to receive friends, at the Haskins Funeral Home.

Arrangements by Haskins Funeral Home.

November 14, 91,

Marion Ruth Culver was born June 25, 1926 in Conway, Massachusetts to James Francis and Effie (Jennings) Culver.  Marion passed to be with her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, on

Tuesday, November 14, 2017 after battling a prolonged illness.

She was the only surviving sibling in a family of seven children.  Marion was a graduate of Williamsburg High School and attended Northampton Community College.  She was an avid quilter, providing handmade quilts to her children and grandchildren and donating several quilts to the Cures for the Colors in Goldsboro, NC for their fundraising. She also was a prolific gardener and had a deep passion for orchids raising hundreds of them.

Marion was married to the deceased William C. Atkins of Amherst, MA.  They had five children, Chandler Atkins of Queensbury, NY; Elizabeth Vega of Goldsboro, NC; James (Sherry) Atkins of Goldsboro, NC; Linda (Floyd) Thompson, of Warrenton, VA and Holly (Charles) Pelissier of Nipomo, CA.  She married the deceased Robert Adair, Sr in 1991. Marion retired in 1992 after working as a secretary/bookkeeper for over 40 years.

She is survived by her five children, three step-children, nine grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, three step great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

A memorial service to celebrate Marion’s life will be held Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.  The family will receive friends following the service.

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory where you may light a candle at www.howellfuneral.com.

November 14, 73,

Farris Allen Duncan, 73, died on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Farris was born on October 22, 1944 in Person County, North Carolina to Alonzo and Gracie Duncan. Farris spent his childhood in Person County and attended Helena High School, where among many things, he was voted most popular and served as student body president before graduating in 1963.

After high school graduation, Farris attended North Carolina State University and was active in the advanced ROTC program while earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Farris also married his high school sweet heart, Joyce Bowling Duncan, while at NCSU and it was a union that lasted for more than 52 years. Farris was allowed a military deferment and attended law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1970.

Farris, with his young family in tow, began his military service as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the United States Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force base in California in May 1971. During his five and half years of active service, Farris was also stationed at Sembach Air Force Base in Germany, and Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Farris remained active in the Air Force Reserve and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in October 2004.

Farris moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina in August 1976 to work as an Assistant District Attorney, before joining the law firm of Langston and Duncan in 1980. It was during his tenure at Langston and Duncan that Farris hired Michelle Johnson, a woman that would become an essential part of his practice when he left to create his own firm in 1997. Farris was active in the legal community and was a member of various judiciary organizations.

On October 4, 1976, Farris joined the Sunrise Kiwanis Club of Goldsboro and remained a dedicated member for the next 41 years. One of the most active participants, Farris was a key element in various club-sponsored events, most notably the Greater Goldsboro Road Run, where he was often a participant. Farris was known to discuss club activities with an entertaining flare and held several offices including lieutenant governor for the district and club president. Farris was awarded the Kiwanian of the Year in 2015, but was most proud of his perfect club attendance which he held for 34 years.

Farris was extremely involved with the First Baptist Church of Goldsboro. He was a faithful member of the congregation, a deacon, an usher, and a trustee of the church. He held various other positions within the church and was currently heading the Stained Glass Restoration Fund, a project that was very dear to him.

Farris was very active within the Goldsboro community, serving on the Wayne County Library Board and the Library Foundation, as well as causes devoted to education and mental health.
For more than 40 years, Farris was an avid runner. He was notorious through his neighborhood for his predawn runs, especially when he was training for a marathon. Farris completed the Washington Marine Corps Marathon five times and the New York City Marathon once.
Farris was a dedicated family man and would often be found playing evening games with grandchildren, and more times than not, was the one that needed to be pulled away when dinner was ready. He was a loyal father that was always there in a time of need, regardless of the distress or distance. Most of all, he was the husband and best friend of Joyce. Outside of spending time with their family, they enjoyed walks on the beach, traveling the globe, and discovering new things.

Farris is survived by his wife, Joyce Bowling Duncan, and his two children: Monica D. Rollins and her husband Jeffrey Rollins of Gainesville, Florida; A. Scott Duncan and his wife Anne-Laure Duncan of Lyon, France; five grandchildren: Andrew Rollins, Michaela Rollins, and Hannah Rollins, of Gainesville, Florida; Theo Duncan and Ella Duncan, of Lyon, France. He was preceded in death by his sister Shelby Bass and his brother Colon Duncan. He is survived by his sisters Gracene Clayton and Anne Shaw, both of Roxboro, North Carolina, and his sister-in-law Jennifer Bowling of Durham, North Carolina.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Goldsboro with Rev. Scott Thrailkill officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Goldsboro, Stained Glass Restoration Fund, PO Box 1528, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Online condolences may be sent to family via www.seymourfuneralhome.com.

November 14, 88,

Jean Freeman Holloman, 88, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Brookdale Berkeley.

Jean was born in Guilford County on July 29, 1929 to the late William Edward Freeman, Sr. and Katherine Brooks Freeman. For more than 60 years, she was married to the late Richard Davis Holloman. Jean was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church.

A private graveside service for the family will be held at Willow Dale Cemetery.

Jean is survived by her sons, William E. Holloman of Raleigh and Douglas B. Holloman and wife, Cynthia, of Goldsboro; granddaughter, Emily Holloman; and sister, Ruth F. Oldham of Asheboro.

In addition to her husband and parents, Jean was preceded in death by her brother, William E. Freeman, Jr. and sister, Nancy F. Patrick.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church at 204 E. Chestnut Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.

November 14, 91,

Dorothy Marie Stallings Sullivan, 91, passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center surrounded by her family.

Marie was born in Franklin County, NC on July 14, 1926 to the late John Ernest Stallings and Mamie Champion Stallings. She was married to the late John Lawrence Sullivan, Sr. Dorothy was a member of First Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends on Friday, November 17, 2017 from 1:30 – 2:30 PM at Seymour Funeral Home followed by a service to celebrate Dorothy’s life at 2:30 PM in the chapel with Rev. Scott Thrailkill officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.

Marie is survived by her son, John Lawrence Sullivan, Jr. and wife Sara of LaGrange; daughters, Linda Love and husband Walker of Charlotte and Carolyn Sullivan of Goldsboro and sisters, Louise Sparks of Goldsboro and Lola Lee of Monroe. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Eva Almeida and husband Alejandro of Charlotte, Lee Love and wife Jennifer of Charlotte, Stacey Casey of LaGrange and Ashley Sullivan of Greenville and her great-grandchildren, William Cameron Casey, Walker Louis Love and Stella Mabry Love.

In addition to her husband and parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her sisters, Elsie Oddo, Sallie Brown and Inez Owens and brothers, Billy C. Stallings, Sr., John Ernest Stallings, Jr., Harrell Stallings and Bobby C. Stallings.

Although flowers are welcome, memorials may be made to Cures for the Colors, 203 Cox Blvd., Goldsboro, NC 27534 or First Baptist Church, 125 S. John Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.

November 15, 77, Mt. Olive

Dazelle King Artis, 77, of 110 King Dr., Mt. Olive, died Wednesday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

She was born February 15, 1940 in Duplin County to Earl and Mary Lee Goodman King and is survived by three children.

Funeral service will be held Saturday at 1:00 PM at St. Mark FWB Church, Mt. Olive. Burial will follow in the Carver Memorial Park, Mt. Olive.

Visitation will be held Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church. The family will receive friends at residence, where they will assemble in preparation for the funeral procession.

Arrangements by Haskins Funeral Home

November 16, 81,

Rose Marie Morrison Cooper, age 81, of 107 Leafwood Drive, died Thursday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. Born in Brownwood, TX, she was the daughter of the late Cecil & Loree Hammond Morrison and the wife of the late Lt. Col. Michael P. Cooper. A longtime member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church where in earlier years she was very active, she served on the St. Hilda’s Guild. She was also a member of the Goldsboro Woman’s Club and The Retired Officers Wives Club.

A Memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 2:00 pm at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. A family visitation will be held immediately following the service at the church. Burial will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.

Mrs. Cooper is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Caroline C. & Eddie Hinson of Goldsboro; her son, David Cooper of Raleigh; brothers, Donald Morrison of San Francisco, CA and Gary Morrison of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren, Ashley Cooper, Megan Cooper, Adam & Summer Hinson, Noah Hinson.

Along with her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Teddy Morrison.

In Lieu of Flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be directed to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 200 N. James Street, Goldsboro, 27530.

November 16, 81,

Oscar Milton Edwards, 81, known to many as Dick, life long resident of the Seven Springs area, passed away Thursday morning, November 16.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will be Sunday, November 19, from 4 until 6 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive. A private burial will take place in the Melvin Garris Family Cemetery, located adjacent to Pineview Cemetery, Seven Springs.
Candy welcomes family and friends to also reminisce with her at her residence.

A farmer of many years, he enjoyed his employment as a farm maintenance manager with Carolina Turkeys/Envirolink.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Otha Milton Edwards and Julia Frances Garris Williams Edwards; a brother, James Kenneth Edwards; a sister, Blanche Williams Wilson; dear uncle and aunts, Paul Barwick “P.B.” Garris, Rachel Garris, and Pennie Edwards.

Surviving family members include his daughter, Candy Edwards Alexander and husband, Rusty, of Seven Springs; two grandsons, Milton Jerry “M.J.” Herring and his special friend, Erin Casey, both of Goldsboro, and James Paul “J.P.” Alexander of Seven Springs; a sister, Marjoray Williams Shivar of Seven Springs, along with her family; a brother-in-law, Joseph Wilson of Mount Olive, along with his family; and special cousins, Donald Williams and wife, Mary, of La Grange, Paula Garris Craig and husband, Bob, of Goldsboro, and Jean Edwards Brinson and husband, L.H. of Richlands; extended family, Millie Edwards of Winston-Salem, and her son, Harley Edwards of Grantham; and a special family friend, Shelton Sutton of Seven Springs.

A Tyndall Service.

November 16, 75,

Mamie Louise Williams Whitted, 75, resident of the Mount Olive area, received her ultimate healing Thursday night, November 16, 2017 at Rex Hospital, as God’s angels came to take her home to Him in heaven.

Her life will be remembered in a service to be at 2 p.m. Monday, November 20, at Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church with Pastor Jeffrey Dail officiating, followed by interment in Wayne Memorial Park. Visitation will be at Tyndall Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, and at other times, the family will be at the home.

Mamie Lou, daughter of the late Robert B. and Thelma Louise Johnson Williams, grew up on the banks of Williams Mill Pond. She attended Rones Chapel United Methodist Church where she served as pianist/organist until recent years when she and her family united with Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church.

She attended Campbell College where she gained secretarial training, and her life’s work was that of a secretary, with a long tenure of service with Carolina Power and Light Company, and also she assisted in the family business, Holt & Whitted Milling Company, as office manager and bookkeeper. She had also been employed with Home Health and Hospice for a period of time. Known as a wonderful cook with a talent of food presentation to make it look as good as it tasted, she ministered to those around her with her cooking abilities, often taking home baked goodies to the sick, shut-ins, and those to whom grief had come, and she was also called upon to provide catering service at special events in the area.

Mamie Lou is survived by her husband of 52 years, Leslie Ray Whitted, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Leslie Ray Whitted II and Kim Casey Whitted, and a daughter and son-in-law, Karen Whitted Lane and Kenton Lane, along with five beloved grandchildren, Elijah Blake Lane, Casey Alexis Whitted, Hunter Bryce Jones, Caleb Seth Whitted, and Logan Rae Jones, all of the Mount Olive area; a sister and brother-in-law, Gayle Williams Kabes and Tom Kabes, of Mount Olive; many special nieces and nephews, including two nieces who grew up behind her and who were like additional daughters, Lea Weeks Matthews and Becky Weeks Broadway.

In addition to her parents, Mamie Lou was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Williams Fields; and a brother, Murray Carroll Williams.

Flowers are welcome, and memorial gifts are suggested to be made to Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church, 130 Ed Edmundson Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365.

A Tyndall service.

November 17, 86,

Jane “Janie” Brown Lewis, 86, passed away peacefully Friday evening at Wayne UNC Health Care surrounded by her loving family.

Janie was born September 28, 1931, in Horry County, South Carolina to the late Rev. Lonnie and Minnie Tyler Brown. She was married to the late Herman “Bunny” Lewis. Janie was a charter member of White Savannah Free Will Baptist Church in South Carolina. She was a fine Godly southern lady, that required very little family, friends, and her flower garden to find peace here on earth.

The family will receive friends on Monday, November 20, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at other times at the home of Jimmy and Sandra Duke. A service remembering her life will be held at noon in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Poe Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Wayne Memorial Park.

Janie is survived by her son, William “Eddy Jo” Lewis of Goldsboro; daughters, Tina Lewis of Raleigh and Sandy Hodge and husband Craig of El Reno, OK; sisters, Ethel Grainger of Conway, SC; Eunice Clendenon of Johnson City, TN; Julie Surdyke and Joyce Smith both of Sequatchie, TN; and three grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her brothers, Harold Brown, Sam Brown, and Leroy Brown; and sisters, Betty Vereen and Celia Petit.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com

November 17, 70,

Douglas Earl Edwards, age 70, died Friday afternoon at Wayne UNC Healthcare. Born in Johnston County he was the son of the late Leon R. and Nancy R. Edwards and was preceded in death by his brother Bobby Wayne Edwards,
A Memorial Service to celebrate Douglas’s life will be held on Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Shumate-Faulk Memorial Chapel. The family will visit with friends after the service at the funeral home and at other times at the home of his sister Dianne, 140 Poinsettia Dr. Goldsboro, N.C. 27534.

Douglas had been a self-employed Truck Driver and attended New Hope Friends Church.

He is survived by a son; Travis Edwards of Dudley, two sisters; Yvonne Davenport and Dianne Kornegay both of Goldsboro, two grandchildren; Brian Edwards, Heather Phillips and three great- grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be directed to New Hope Friends Church 4451 U.S. Hwy 70 business Goldsboro, N.C. 27534

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Edwards family and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com

November 18, 88,

James Harold Smith, 88, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2017. James was born in Wayne County on December 12, 1928 to the late Allen and Mamie Smith of the Hood Swamp community. He graduated from New Hope High School. James was married to the late Christine Singleton Smith who preceded him in death on April 27, 2012. James was a member of Woods Grove P.F.W.B. Church.

James retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service. Many of his happiest times were spent farming, his first occupation, atop one of his tractors on the family farm. Four years ago James moved to New Hope Village where he made many new friends. Recently, he spent most weekends surrounded by family, enjoying the sunshine and views of the water at Morehead City.

The family will receive friends on Monday, November 20, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 in the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

James is survived by a daughter, Pamela Smith Brantley and husband, David, and a son, Michael James Smith, a sister, Carolyn Smith, and brothers Grover Smith and wife, Katherine, and Winston Smith. His four grandchildren – Scott Brantley, and wife Katherine, Kate Brantley, Steven Brantley, and Luke Smith held a special place in his heart. Three weeks ago, he was delighted to welcome his first great-grandchild, Parker Christine Brantley, into the world. He was quick to declare that she was the prettiest baby he had ever seen. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris Davis and brothers, Malcolm Smith and Billy Ray Smith.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.