Area Obituaries

1941 – 2024      Carlyle Hilbourn of Tabor City died Monday, Sept. 30, in Tabor Commons Assisted Living, Tabor City. He was 82.      Born Dec. 19, 1941 in Columbus County, he was the son of the late Barcy Lee Hilbourn and Blanche Fowler Hilbourn.      He is survived by three children, Kevin Hilbourn and Keith Hilbourn of…

1952 – 2024      Roger “Rock” Edwin Fowler, Sr. passed away on Monday, Sept. 23, in his home in Loris. He was 71.      Mr. Rock Fowler was born Dec. 17, 1952, in Conway, the son of the late Owen Rochelle Fowler and the late Louvenia Tyler Fowler. He retired after 45 years of faithful service with…

1939 – 2024      James E. “Jim” Aull of Tabor City passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, Sept. 19. He was 85.      Born in Akron, Ohio, on May 27, 1939, he was the son of the late Evans and Carolee Aull of Batesburg-Leesville.      Survivors include his loving and devoted significant other, Betty Todd;…

1944 – 2024      Mary Joe Small of Tabor City went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, Sept. 22, in McLeod Seacoast hospital in Little River. She was 80.      Mary Jo was born Aug. 13, 1944. She was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Small; a son, Dwayne Ward; and four siblings, Edison…

1939 – 2024      Lillian Ward Cribb of Whiteville died Monday, Sept. 23, in Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, Whiteville. She was 85.      Born April 14, 1939 in Columbus County, she was the daughter of the late Simon T. and Mary E. Ward.      She was a member of Cypress Creek Original Free Will Baptist Church.      She is…

1948 – 2024      Katie Jane Graham Fowler of Loris died Friday, Sept. 20, in her home. She was 75.      Born Oct. 21, 1948, in Horry County, she was the daughter of the late D. Joe Graham and Lula Bell Graham.      She is survived by her husband, Ricky Wayne Fowler of the home; two daughters, Teresa…

1932 – 2024      Essie Watts Nealey of Tabor City died Wednesday, Sept. 18, in Tabor Commons Assisted Living, Tabor City. She was 91.      She was the daughter of the late Odell Watts and Eva Bell Watts. She was a member of Tabor City Holiness Tabernacle for 73 years where she was the church secretary.      She…

1937 – 2024      Azure Lee Nobles of Green Sea died Tuesday, Sept. 17, in McLeod Seacoast hospital, Little River. He was 8.      Born Oct. 19, 1937 in Columbus County, he was the son of the late Ardle Nobles and Melissie Norris Nobles.      He was a veteran of the United States Navy.      He is survived by…

1949 – 2024      Richard Douglas Grainger of Tabor City died Sunday, Sept. 15, surrounded by his loving family. He was 75.      Born Sept. 13, 1949 in Columbus County, he was the son of the late William Billy Grainger and Hazel Strickland Grainger.      He is survived by one daughter, Stephanie Grainger Ellis and husband Greg of…

1943 – 2024      Rev. Daniel “Junior” Tyler of the Emerson Community of Tabor City went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Sept. 5, at his residence, surrounded by his family. He was 81.      Junior was born on Aug. 25, 1943, in Columbus County, son of the late Daniel Elisha Tyler and…