Woman dies in TC house fire
By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com An apparently accidental house fire claimed the life of a bed-bound Tabor City woman Wednesday evening. Sharon Jernigan, 64, died in the fire at 102 Shay Street, Chief Jeff Fowler of the Tabor City Fire Department said. Fowler and other fire department leadership on the way back from a meeting in…
Read MoreDoris Watts Grainger: Green Sea
1928 – 2026 Doris Watts Grainger of the Carolina Community, Green Sea, died on Tuesday, April 14. She was 97. Born in Columbus County, she was the daughter of the late Albert Dow Watts and Edith Soles Watts. She was the widow of Ralph Livingston Grainger. She is survived by her three children, Steve L.…
Read MoreLeslie Anne Gore: Nakina
1954 – 2026 Leslie Anne Gore of Nakina passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, at 2:37 p.m. Monday April 13, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. She was 71. Leslie’s calling in life is family. Born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1954, she was the eldest daughter of Bruce Leslie Beaumont and Virginia…
Read MoreRobbery suspect caught after three day manhunt
By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com A robbery suspect who eluded capture while making his way through a significant stretch of Tabor City during nearly three days was in custody Tuesday evening, caught in a wooded area off of Canal Street, the focus of much of the search effort. Christopher O’Neil Strickland, 44, was taken into custody…
Read MoreJoann Johnson: Loris
1948 – 2026 Joann Johnson of Loris passed away Saturday, April 11, at her home. She was 77. Mrs. Johnson was born in Horry County, a daughter of the late R.J. Barnhill and the late Gracie Barnhill. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Johnson was predeceased by her husband, Earl Johnson; two brothers, Jimmy Barnhill…
Read MoreNaomi Faye Leigh: Seneca
1935 – 2026 Naomi Faye Leigh of Seneca passed away Jan. 16. She was 90. Born Oct. 27, 1935 in Horry County, she was the daughter of the late Leon Adolphus Fowler and Hattie Daisy Rogers. She is survived by one daughter, Lenora O’dell of Seneca; grandchildren Adam O’dell of Greenville, South Carolina…
Read MoreBerry Eugene Porter, Sr.: Winnabow
1949 – 2026 Berry Eugene Porter, Sr. of Winnabow passed away on Thursday, April 9, in Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. He was 77. Born Feb. 21, 1949 in Columbus County, he was the son of the late Grover Lee Porter and Ethel Ward Porter. He was a veteran of the United…
Read MoreMary Louise Graham Dudley: Whiteville
1942 – 2026 Mary Louise Graham Dudley of the New Hope Community, Whiteville, passed away on Saturday, April 11, in her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 83. Born Sept. 19, 1942 in Horry County, she was the daughter of the late Allard Daniel Graham and Louise Blackburn Graham. She is survived by…
Read MoreRobert Earl Ward: Whiteville
1938 – 2026 Robert Earl Ward of Whiteville passed peacefully on April 10, surrounded by his loving family. He was 87. He was born on Oct. 26, 1938, in the Williams Township community of Columbus County. He was the middle sibling of five children and the only son born to the late Joshua Ward and…
Read MoreJean Ward Baxley: Lumberton
1958 – 2026 Jean Ward Baxley of Lumberton died Saturday, April 4, at UNC Health Southeastern, Lumberton. She was 67. Born in Robeson County, she was the daughter of the late Lonnie E. Ward and Virginia Merritt Ward. She is survived by one daughter, Kelli Cummings of Lumberton; three sons, Robert “Robby” Cummings Jr. and…
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