Area Obituaries

1953 – 2021      Marilyn McPherson Beck of the Beaverdam Community, Chadbourn, died Friday, Aug. 13, in New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington. She was 67.      Born Sept. 8, 1953 in Columbus County, she was the daughter of Hazel Hinson McPherson and the late Jacob “Jake” McPherson.      In addition to her mother, she was survived by…

1942 – 2021      Dr. Sarvis Joel Hedgecoe of Fayetteville died on Tuesday, Aug. 10. He was 78.      Joel was a giant of a man, in stature and in heart. He lived each day of his 78 years with integrity, love, passion, and commitment. He was completely devoted to his family, his dental practice, and his…

1939 – 2021      Minnie Elease Godwin of the Beaverdam Community, Clarendon, died on Aug. 12, surrounded by her loving family, in Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, Whiteville. She was 81.      Born Se[t/ 24, 1939 in Columbus County, she was the daughter of the late Cornelius Franklin Neal Powell and Gladys Mae “Pet” Ward Powell and the…

1989 – 2021      Tyler Blake Britt of Fair Bluff died Sunday Aug. 8. He was 31.      Born in Columbus County, he was the son of Debbie Bridgers Sasser and husband Dean of Fair Bluff and Richard Wayne Britt Sr. of Conway.      In addition to his parents he is survived by his wife, Danielle Sullivan Britt of Hallsboro;…

1950 – 2021      Yanner Hemingway of Tabor City wife of Alford Hemingway, passed away on Aug. 9, at McLeod Seacoast. She was 71.      Mrs. Hemingway was born May 15, 1950 in Tabor City to the late Buster Hemingway and the late Daisy Jackson Hemingway .      In addition to her husband, survivors include three daughters, Lenora…

1931 – 2021      Betty Jean Harbaugh of Elizabethtown died Thursday, Aug. 5, in her home surrounded by family. She was 89.      Born Sept. 26, 1931 in Proctor, Vermont, she was the daughter of the late Russell and Lillian Johnson Robinson and the widow of Jack Harbaugh.      Betty spent her 41 year working career as a…

1931 – 2021      Lois Juanita Nealey Wheeler of Loris passed away on Saturday, Aug. 7, at McLeod Loris hospital. She was 89. Mrs. Wheeler was born Dec. 17, 1931 in Loris. She was the first child of the late William “WM” Jefferson Nealey and the late Dorothy Ruth Heniford Nealey.      Mrs. Wheeler married John Thomas…

1942 – 2021      Gordon Woodell of Tabor City died Thursday, Aug. 5, in Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center, Whiteville. He was 78.      Born Nov. 30, 1942 in Robeson County, he was the son of the late Colon Ray Woodell and Hallie Bass Woodell.      Mr. Gordon was a member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church.      He is…

1931 – 2021      Ancel “Ann” Alford of Jacksonville, Florida died peacefully on Friday July 30. She was 90.      She was born Ancel Riley on Feb. 13, 1931 in Tabor City to Virginia and Clay Riley.      She was preceded in death by her mother, father and sister Elaine Eyers. Her father Clay died at a young age…

1953 – 2021      Judy Grey Watts King of Chadbourn died Friday, July 30, in her home. She was 67.      Born Aug. 7, 1953 in Columbus County, she was the daughter of the late Leon F. “Bill” Watts and Edith Grey Blackburn Watts.      She is survived by two sons, Christopher David Watts and wife Erin of…