Robert Wayne (Bob) Swain, 84, of Warsaw, NC made a peaceful transition to his heavenly home on September 16, 2020. He was born in Southport, NC on January 2, 1936 to Francis Herbert Swain, Sr. and Cassie Bennett Swain. He was married to his sweetheart Rose Swain for 62 years.

​Bob proudly served his country in the US Army and then the Army Reserve for 14 additional years.

He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from NC State University and remained a loyal supporter and fan of the Wolfpack, attending both football and basketball games for many years, even through this past season.
Bob had a long and successful career with the NC Cooperative Extension Service in Columbus and Duplin counties, as well as serving as an Area Swine Specialist. He also worked in the private sector for Carrolls of Warsaw and owned and operated Bob Swain Hog Farm as a contract farmer from 1971 until 2011. He was honored to be inducted into the NC Pork Council Hall of Fame in 2015.

Bob had a nurturing nature that was evident all around him, whether growing fruits and vegetables, raising animals, building lifelong friendships or growing the family of which he was so very proud. He was an avid gardener and shared generously with friends and neighbors. He and Rose have faithfully served as members of Kenansville Baptist Church for 52 years. Bob was a long-time deacon, Sunday School teacher, nursery worker, Wednesday night meal planner, and community service volunteer. He exhibited his strong belief in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in how he loved and served everyone around him.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother David Swain.

He is survived by his loving wife Rose, children Sharon (Bob) Currin, Greg (Ulla) Swain, Laurie (Randy) Bates, brother Herbert (Bennie) Swain, Jr. and sister-in-law Gloria Swain. Bob (best known as Papa) was most proud of his 8 grandchildren Meredith, Leslie and Taylor Currin; Daniel and Anthony (Brandy) Swain; Will, Elizabeth and Sarah Bates.

Memorial gifts may be made to Kenansville Baptist Church 114 Routledge Rd. Kenansville, NC 28349, Baptist Children’s Homes of NC P.O. Box 338 Thomasville, NC 27361, or Vidant Home Health and Hospice 750 S. Kenansville Bypass Kenansville, NC 28349.

Visitation will be held at 1:00 on Sunday September 20 at Kenansville Baptist Church, followed by a celebration of life service at 2:00. Due to social distancing requirements, limited seating will be available and masks are required. Friends are encouraged to watch the recorded service available on Youtube after 3:00pm by searching “Robert Swain Memorial Service”. The burial will be private for the family.

​Betty Jean Curtin 82, formerly of Warsaw, NC passed away peacefully on September 14, 2020 with her three daughters by her side. For the last four years Beaver, Pennsylvania was her home. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Jim Curtin. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Donna (Aubrey), Cathy (Woody), and Terri (Gary). Five grandchildren, Cory, Kyle, Logan, Donnie and Curtis and six great grandchildren. Betty had a gift for taking care of others, a love of gardening and a talent for decorating.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday September 22, 11:00 AM at Johnson Baptist Church with burial to follow at Devotional Gardens in Warsaw, NC

​Warsaw-James Franklin Harper, age 83, of Warsaw, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 12, 2020, at his home after a brief but brave battle with cancer.

James was born in Calypso, NC, on August 29, 1937, and remained his entire life in Duplin County. He was well known for his sense of humor, strong work ethic, love of people and his great head of hair.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Wilkins Harper Whaley and Benjamin F. Harper; his brother, Charles J. Harper; and his grandson, Joshua R. Wallace.
James is survived by his devoted wife and caretaker, the former Sheraldine Howard. They were married June 29, 1957, sharing over 6 decades of marriage. Also, surviving are their 5 children; Joyce H. Albertson (Dennis), of New Bern; Carolyn H. Smith (Bobby), of Mt. Olive; Janet H. Lewis (Glenn), of Warsaw; Bobby W. Harper, of Dudley; Jennifer H. Delisio (Doug) of Faison.
James was Grandpa or PaPa to 11 grandchildren: Sarah Bailey (Derrick), of New Bern; Robert Smith (Kelly), of Mt. Olive; Joshua Wallace (deceased) (Carly), Louisburg; Susan Lane (Josh), of Goldsboro; Lydia Dail (Spencer), of Snow Hill; Paige Pickett (Tim), of Beulaville; Ryan Albertson, of New Bern; Josh Lewis (Marissa), of LaGrange; Wesley Lewis, of Magnolia; Dynah Delisio, of Faison; and Triston DeLisio, of Faison, James was blessed with 7 great grandchildren; Ford Bailey, Harper Bailey, Lloyd Wallace, Gracelyn Quinn, Easton Lewis, Campbell Pickett, and Ella Katherine Smith.

At age 17, James enlisted with the Warsaw National Guard unit. He honorably served 3 years. James was a gifted man with uncanny mechanical and machinery abilities. His career included operation of heavy equipment for many years. He assisted in the excavation of Bay Tree Lakes, formerly Black Lake. He opened a welding business and years later transitioned to a muffler business. He was locally known as the “muffler man”. He continued this work until retirement in 2007. He was talented, determined and confident. During his working years he developed wonderful longstanding friendships with people from all walks of life. Especially close were his Trooper buddies. Life and work were synonymous for James. He never fully embraced retirement.

He enjoyed “piddling” on projects, mowing his and the church yard, watching westerns, listening to old country music, visiting with family and friends, and spending time with his dog, Bella.

James was a faithful member of Friendship United Methodist Church, in Warsaw, NC.

The family will receive guests at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 from 10:00am to 11:00am. A Celebration of Life service will be held immediately following the visitation, at 11:00am. Pastor Delores Summerlin and Pastor Bobby Smith will officiate the memorial and graveside services. Burial will follow at the Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC.

The family request that because of several at risk family members that you wear a face covering to the visitation and service. Thank you for your cooperation.

Warsaw - Rayford Kennedy, husband, father, PaPa, builder, and Jesus Follower died in his home on September 9, 2020, at the age of 77.  Born on January 12, 1943, he leaves a legacy of hard work, generosity, and most importantly family.  

Rayford is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rachel.  Together, the two of them raised 6 children:
Sons: Steve (Tammy) and their children: Isaiah (Anne); Gabriel (Abby); Angel, and Nicholas
Bryan (Joy) and their children: Brenton (Brooke)-Blaize and Addie; Brandy (Grant)-Falyn and Fisher; and Devan            
Daughters: Dianne Everett (Lee) and their children: Michael (Amanda)-Lacey and Quinn; Matthew; Allison (Matt Wrenn); Morgan Chestnutt (Matt)-Dakota and Landon          
Rebecca Brown (Dodd) and their children:  Hanna and Ashton
Sharon Painter (Jonathan)
Beth Beckwith (Jonathan)

Rayford was quick-witted, generous, and hard-working.  Everyone who knew him was blessed.

A graveside service will be held 1:00pm, Saturday, September 12, 2020 in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: West Duplin FWB Church, Christmas Cheer Program, 987 NC 24 and 50 Hwy, Warsaw, NC 28398 or Samaritan’s Purse, P. O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Betty Sue Clifton Hall, 68, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at her home in Turkey, NC. Mrs. Hall was born March 12, 1952 in Sampson County, NC to the late Richard Harold Clifton, Sr. and Katie Lovesteen Parker Clifton.

A graveside service will be held 3:30pm, Sunday, September 13, 2020 in Turkey Cemetery, Turkey, NC.

Mrs. Hall is survived by her husband, James Michael Hall of the home; daughters, Susanne Hall Reaves and husband, Chris of Eureaka Springs, AK and Magon Ashley Hall and fiance, Nicholas Johnson of Turkey, NC; grandchildren, Allen Reaves and wife, Allyson, Zachery Reaves and wife, Leah, Aysha Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, Matthew Reaves and one great grandchild on the way. She is also survived by brother, Richard H. Clifton, Jr. and wife, Janice Jones of Turkey and sister, Wanda Clifton Powell of Surf City.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hall was preceded in death by sister, Joan Clifton Bordeaux.

Warsaw - John Clayton Frederick, 86, died Thursday, August 27, 2020 at Vidant Duplin Hospital. Mr. Frederick was born December 24, 1933 to Isham David Frederick and Margaret Louise Blanchard Frederick.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2020 in Pinecrest Cemetery, Warsaw, NC.

Mr. Frederick leaves behind brothers, Wade Frederick of Warsaw, Leroy Frederick and wife, Janet of Warsaw; sisters, Peggy Westbrook and husband, Julian of Warsaw; brother-in-law Bobby Cashwell of Fayetteville and numerous nieces and nephews to cherish is his memory.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Frederick was preceded in death by brother, W. D. Frederick and sister, Margaret Cashwell.

Beulaville - Kirk Lee Toler, 62, passed away Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. Mr. Toler was born May 24, 1958 to the late John Ashley Toler and Mary Whitlow Toler.

Mr. Toler is survived by wife, Joyce Toler of the home; children, April and Tristan Toler; step-children, Billy Keith Jackson and wife, Alexandra of Durham and Clarissa Joy DeLeone and Thomas Bolden of Beulaville, and five step grandchildren, Aiden Jackson, Sarah Stewart, Gramly, Zinan, and Arien DeLeone.

A memorial service will be held 2:00pm, Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the family home, 1138 Jackson Store Road, Beulaville, NC 28518.

​-Ronald Deluca, 67, of Warsaw passed away Saturday, August 8, 2020 at Warsaw Health and Rehab. Mr. DeLuca was born May 7, 1953 in Lenoir County to the late James DeLuca and Flonnie Hobbs DeLuca.

Mr. DeLuca is survived by sons, Shane DeLuca and wife, Alyssa and Shaun DeLuca and wife, Monica; brothers, Jarvis Anderson of Faison, Sheldon Anderson and wife, Betty Lou of Pink Hill, Mike Deluca, James Deluca and wife, Becky of Warsaw; sisters, Linda Deluca of Fayetteville, Gloria Whaley of Burgaw, Barbara Jackson and husband, Glen of Warsaw, Rose Blanchard and husband Alan of Wasaw; grandchildren, Scarlett DeLuca, Syris DeLuca, Shelby Deluca, Sawyer DeLuca and Sebastian Quinn ; sister-in-law, Robin DeLuca.

In addition to his parents, Mr. DeLuca was preceded in death by brothers, Donald DeLuca; sisters. Lois Precise and Ola Mae Francis.

A memorial service will be held 2:00pm, Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Johnson Baptist Church. Visitation will be held 7:00 - 9:00pm, Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.