​Warsaw - Linda Clifton Batts, 77, of Warsaw passed away Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Select Specialty Hospital of Durham Regional Hospital.  Linda was born in Wayne County July 18, 1947 to the late Wilbur Clifton and Inez Andrews Clifton.
Funeral services will be held Monday, December 9, 2024 at the Warsaw Baptist Church. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 1:00pm also at the Church. Entombment will follow the services at Devotional Gardens 

Linda leaves to cherish her memory, son, Derek Batts and wife, Ashley of Apex, grandchildren, Caitlin Edwards, Colby Trantham and Lexi Trantham; brother Wilbur Clifton and wife Elaine of PA.

​In addition to her parents, Linda was preceded in death by husband, Bobby Batts, and daughter, Daryn Batts Edwards.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Warsaw Baptist Church,  209 East College St., Warsaw, NC 28398.

Rose Hill - Margaret Angelita Martin Johnson, 96, passed away Monday, November 11, 2024 at The Gardens of Rose Hill.  Mrs. Johnson was born July 4, 1928 in Duplin County, NC to the late Charlie and Lessie Summerlin Martin.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Community Funeral Home in Rose Hill.  A funeral service will follow visitation at 11:00 am in the funeral home chapel with burial to conclude the service in Rose Hill Cemetery. 

Mrs. Johnson is survived by son, Dean Johnson and wife, Geraldine of Warsaw; daughters, Janet Frederick and husband, LeRoy of Warsaw, Joann B. Jones of Warsaw; special daughter, Marsha Ellis and husband, Frank of Rose Hill; brother, Billy Martin; sister, Eunice Simmons of Winston Salem; eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren.. 

She was preceded in death by husband, David Richard Johnson; granddaughter, Susan Blanchard; brother, Wilbert Martin; and sisters, Martha Knowles and Della Hill.

Warsaw - Donna Jean Braswell Lanier, 86, passed away November 7, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville, NC.  Mrs. Lanier was born October 2, 1938 in Duplin County to the late Charles Bradley and Bessie Mae Turner Braswell. 
 
Donna was a true people person, never meeting a stranger and was also well known for her Chicken and Pastry.

Visitation will begin at 10:00am, Wednesday November 13, 2024 at Warsaw United Methodist Church.  A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am. 

​Donna is survived by daughter, Gwen L. Grady and husband, Bill of Warsaw; grandchildren, Sonya Revels and husband, Jeffrey of Clayton and Chris Grady and wife, Amber of Warsaw; six great grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren. 
She is also survived by two brothers, Charles Braswell and wife, Karen of Surf City and Tony Braswell and wife, Jean of Faison.

She was preceded in death by husband, Joe Lanier; son, Jimmy Lanier; brothers, Glenn and Leon Braswell.

Warsaw - Grace Langston Whaley, 89, passed away at her home on November 5, 2024. Mrs. Whaley was born June 8, 1935 in Duplin County, NC to the late Ferney David and Emma Jean Sauls Langston.

Visitation will be held at 1:00pm, Friday, November 8, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, Inc. A funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm, in the funeral home chapel and burial will conclude the service in Pinecrest Cemetery, Warsaw, NC.

Mrs. Whaley is survived by daughter, Cindy Whaley Shaddeau and husband, Jimmy of Norfolk, VA, grandchildren, Brenda Silcox of Orlando, FL, Diane Jernigan of Pensacola, FL, Michael Saddeau and wife, Jane of Norfolk, VA; seven great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Roy Ferrell and sister-in-law, Dealie Langston.

Mrs. Whaley was preceded in death by husband, Lonnie Odell Whaley; daughter, Grace Whaley Garner; brother, Willie " Bud" Langston; and sister, Lillie Mae Ferrell.

** TRAVEL NOTICE: Due to the annual Veterans Day parade in town attendees coming from Raleigh direction East should use I-40 Exit 369 to avoid travel delays. **

​Joel Otto Kimrey, 92, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at Savannah Court and Cottages in Oviedo, FL.

Joel was born November 15, 1931 in Stanley County, NC to Samuel and Ruby Dennis Kimrey. He graduated at the age of 16 from Norwood High School in June 1948. He was sworn into the US Navy in November 1948 in Charlotte, NC. Serving his time on two ships, the USS Jackson APA-18 and the USS Dixie where his spent the majority of his time. Joel was discharged from the Navy in November 1952 in San Diego, CA, serving a few days shy of four years. After his service in the US Navy, Joel when on to pursue a degree in Geological Engineering at NC State University and graduated in June of 1958 with honors. He married his beloved Carolyn on March 14, 1964. He and Carolyn would spend the majority of their lives together traveling the world as Joel pursued his career but they made their home in Florida.

Joel leaves behind his beloved wife, Carolyn Jones Kimrey and son, Robert "Bobby" Kimrey both of Oviedo, FL.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, November 2, 2024 in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC.

 ​Born February 9 th , 1948, Vickey Carroll Peterson Blackburn passed away Saturday October 26th , 2024, in the afternoon at 76 years old. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Graham Hugh Blackburn of Warsaw. Additional survivors include: one son Michael John Blackburn and his wife Mary Hart Oswald Blackburn; two granddaughters Mary Lila Blackburn and Lizzie-O Blackburn, all of Rose Hill. Of her five siblings, Myril Peterson Garner, too survives. Also surviving are sister-in-law Faye Boney Peterson, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
     Vickey was predeceased by her parents: Carroll James Peterson and Ella Wells Peterson; two brothers: Gerald Dean Peterson and Jimmy Wells Peterson; and two sisters: Hazel Peterson Hall and Mickey Peterson, Vickey’s twin who died at birth.         In her life, Vickey was proud to have served as an employee at Southern Bank, mainly in Warsaw and Faison, for 42 years. She was a long-time member of Calvery Baptist Church where she was active, especially during her retirement, with the Bible School Program. Vickey was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother offering unwavering love and support wherever and whenever needed. Even to those she did not know, she offered kindness and care, a true testament of her Christian faith and desire to highlight the goodness of God.        When departing her grandchildren she often said, “See you Thursday!” as she had a standing Thursday night date with them.
     Her sense of humor, warm character, helpful nature, and positive attitude will long be remembered and cherished.
     Vickey will be interred at Devotional Gardens Warsaw with a graveside service to be held at 11:30AM on Tuesday, October 29. Prior to the graveside service, there will be a visitation held from 10:00AM until 11:00 AM at Community Funeral Home, Warsaw.
​     In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Calvary Baptist Church, 709 Memorial Dr., Warsaw, NC 28398

Kenansville - Janie Price, 85, passed away Saturday, October 19, 2024 at Wellington Park in Kenansville, NC. Ms. Price was born November 26, 1937 to the late Lannie Oliver Price and Martha Jane Barnette Price.

A funeral service will be held 7:00pm, Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in Community Funeral Home Chapel in Warsaw, with visitation to follow the service. A graveside burial will be held 11:00 am, Thursday, October 24, 2024 in Golden Grove Cemetery, Kenansville, NC.

Ms. Price is survived by brother, Ben Price of Kenansville; sister, Shirley Blackmon and husband, Cecil of Kenansville; sister-in-law, Nancy Price; nieces Amy Rhodes and husband, Chris, Jennifer Armstrong and husband, Craig, Krissy Johnson and husband, Tony and nephews, Jeffrey Jones and wife, Michelle, Clarke Price and Michael Price and wife, Jennifer; and 10 great nieces and nephews.

​In addition to her parents, Ms. Price was preceded in death by brother, Ed Price and Donald Price, brother-in-law, Herman Jones and sister-in-law, Carolyn Price.

Magnolia - Stanley Lemuel Johnson, Jr., 79, passed away Friday, October 18, 2024 at his home.  Mr. Johnson was born February 16, 1945 in Duplin County, NC to the late Stanley Lemuel Johnson and Minnie Ozelle Mathis Johnson. 

Mr. Johnson is survived by daughters, Robin Hardison and husband, Jack of Mesic, NC and Lori Ann Jalbert and husband, Tim of Arapahoe, NC; grandchildren, Josh Hardison and wife, Tina, Dayna H. Simpson and husband, Samuel, Devan Banks, Jayda Caraway; and great grandchildren, Kandyce Hardison, Skilar Hardison, and Lane Simpson.  He is also survived by brother, Malcolm Johnson of South Carolina; sisters, Sue Bryan of Wallace and Brenda Jackson of Beulaville and brother-in-law, Charles Bryan.

​Family was a great asset to Stanley, Jr. You would often hear him talking about his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom he dearly loved.  In addition, he had an unwavering love for uncles, aunts, cousin, nieces, and nephews.
He was known for his quick wit and always had a smile on his face. 
Stanley Jr. was an avid welder. During his career he was employed with Georgia Pacific, numerous shipyards, welded on many ships and barges.

In his later years after retirement, you  could find Stanley, Jr at KFC, Piggly Wiggly or Walmart where he would often greet customers while enjoying lunch at Subway and shooting the breeze with some of his close friends.

The family will have a celebration of his life Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Magnolia Methodist Church.

Everyone is invited to attend 407 W. Main St., Magnolia, NC 29453.

Effie Moore Darden Hamilton, 106 formerly of Magnolia, NC, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Windsor Point Retirement Community in Fuquay-Varina, NC. She was born July 10, 1918, in Falling Creek Township, Lenoir County, NC, to the late Joseph Herring Darden and Gertrude Eliza Moore Darden.

Effie was valedictorian of her graduating class at Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, NC. After obtaining a degree in primary education from East Carolina Teacher's College (now East Carolina University), she taught school in a two room schoolhouse in Polk County, NC, and she also taught in Onslow County, NC. Later, Effie moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where she worked at the Old Pension Building in Washington, DC, taught at Peter Pan School and took graduate courses from the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia.

Effie married John Fisher Hamilton on March 15, 1947, in Washington, DC, and traveled with him to Texas, Virginia and New Jersey while he pursued his military career. Effie worked at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard when she lived in Virginia. Upon her husband's retirement from the military, they settled on the Hamilton family farm in John Fisher's hometown of Magnolia, NC, where Effie continued her teaching career in the Duplin County public school system. She loved young children and often spoke with pride of the many children she taught and their accomplishments. Following her husband's death in 1991, Effie continued to reside in Magnolia, NC until she moved to Windsor Point Retirement Community in Fuquay-Varina, NC in 2001.

Effie was a member of Magnolia Baptist Church, a life member of the Duplin County Historical Society, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and the NC Retired Government Employees' Association. She researched family genealogy extensively for over 50 years, much of which she did without the benefit of the internet, and enjoyed sharing her discoveries with others. When she was in her 70s, she bought a computer and took classes at James Sprunt Community College in Kenansville, NC to learn how to use it. During her retirement years, she also enjoyed painting, crocheting, quilting and traveling.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Mary Darden Mason, and her two brothers, Flavius Allen Darden and Robert Joseph Darden, and grandson Gregory Todd Hodges.

Survivors include daughter Phyllis Hamilton Rich and husband Dwight Rich of Garner, NC, daughter Joyce Hamilton and husband Joe Hodges of Newport, NC, grandchildren Johnny Rich of Clayton, NC, Theresa Hamilton Power of Aurora, Colorado, and Brian Hodges of Cary, NC. She is also survived by five great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks for the care and support given to Effie by the dedicated staff of Windsor Point, her many special caregivers over the years and Transitions LifeCare.

A graveside service celebrating Effie's life will be held 11:00am, Tuesday, October 15,2024 at Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC, with Minister Ricky Wood officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Effie's memory to her church, Magnolia Baptist Church, P.O. Box 96, Magnolia, NC 28453. Arrangements by Community Funeral Home, Warsaw, NC.

anFaison - Benson Bert Holland, 45,  passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC.  Mr. Holland was born May 27, 1979 in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Robert Donald Holland and the late Rona Ann Langley Holland.

A visitation will begin at 1:00pm, Monday, October 14, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, Inc.   A funeral service will follow at 2:00pm in the funeral home chapel.  Burial will conclude the service in Devotional Gardens.

Mr. Holland is survived by daughters, Jordyn DeLiso of Richardson, TX and Leia Renee Holland of Faison; father, Robert Donald Holland; brother, Robert Glenn Holland and wife, Melinda of Faison and Thomas Lee Holland and wife, Ashley of Wilson; and sister, Sandra Holland Evans and husband, David of Lumberton.

​Mr. Holland was preceded in death by his mother, Rona Ann Langley Holland.

Lois Ann Futrell Quinn, 59, passed away Monday, October 7, 2024 at Nash UNC Healthcare in Rocky Mount, NC.

A graveside service will be held 3:00pm, Saturday, October 12, 2024 in Rose Hill Cemetery, Rose Hill, NC.

Ann is survived by daughter, Jennifer Hernandez and husband, Candido; mother, Emma Lois Jackson, grandchildren, Nicholas Davis, Brandon Davis, Emanuel Davis, Alexandra Sanchez-Castillo, Leigha Sanchez-Castillo, three great grandchildren, brother, Roland Johnson, and sisters, Carolee King and Emma Jean Stanley.

​Donations toward funeral expenses would be greatly appreciated and can be made to Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, P. O. Box 336, Warsaw, N.C. 28398 or by Venmo @communityfhwarsaw or in person at the Warsaw office.