Faison - Carolyn Lloyd Carter Taylor, 87, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026.  She was born February 23, 1939 in Duplin County, NC to the late Elvin J Carter and Lillian Lloyd Carter.

Visitation will begin at 12:00pm, Friday, August 14, 2026 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.  A funeral service will begin at 1:00pm in the funeral home chapel and a graveside will conclude the service at 3:30pm in Onslow Memorial Park.

Mrs. Taylor is survived by sons, David Taylor and wife, Janet of Clinton and Billy Taylor and wife, Tiffany of Faison, sister, Tonya Fisher of Wilmington, grandchildren, Zachary Taylor, Lakanne Taylor, and Victoria Taylor, and great grandchildren, Zander, Khloe, Sophia, Hattie Grace, Gannon, Jameson, Silar, Avery, Haiden, Hunter, and Henry.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Taylor was preceded in death by husband, Victor Taylor and brother, Gene Carter.

Wallace - Helen Esther Brown Henderson, 91, of Wallace passed away Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at ECU Duplin.  Mrs. Henderson was born September 22, 1934 in Duplin County to the late Ennis Brown and Florence Sholar Brown.

A visitation will be held from 7 to 9 pm Friday August 7, 2026 at Community Funeral Home of Rose Hill.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30pm Saturday, August 8, 2026 at Oakdale PFWB Church.  Burial will follow in the Henderson Sholar Cemetery.

Left to cherish her memory are daughter, Wanda Henderson; brothers, Clifton Brown and wife, Frances of Wallace, Jackie Brown of Harrells Store and half brother, Bobby Mobley and wife, Love of Wallace; sisters, Doris Mott and Linda Mott and husband, J. W.  both of Harrells Store; grandchildren, Michael, Timothy, Kendall, Joshua and Jonathan Hunter, Sabrina Sutton, David Henderson, Helen Hughes, and step grandchild Angie Mitchell; 19 great grandchildren and 9 step great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Henderson was preceded in death by husband, Bronnie  Henderson, sons, David Henderson and Donald Henderson and great grandson, Christopher Hunter, ​brothers, Jessie Ferrell Brown, James Roosevelt Brown, Woodrow. Franklin Brown, and Jimmy Lee Brown, sisters, Polly Louise Brown and Shirley B Thornton.

Turkey - Melvin James Kornegay, 81, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026 at his home.  Mr. Kornegay was born November 28, 1944 in Duplin County, NC to the late Major Kornegay and Clara Mae Foss Kornegay.

A memorial service will be held 3:00pm, Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 290 Revelle Rd Warsaw, NC

Mr. Kornegay is survived by son, Joseph Ray Kornegay and wife, Tina of Turkey; grandchildren, Jaden, McKayla, Anthony and Antonio; brothers, Johnny Kornegay of Warsaw Ronnie Elton Kornegay of Magnolia and Leon Joseph Kornegay of Magnolia; sisters, Annie Ruth Hall of Magnolia, Clara Lee Copeland of Warsaw, and Teresa Harper of Swansboro.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Kornegay was preceded in death by brothers, Roy Kornegay, David Ray Kornegay, Major Allen Kornegay, and WIlliam Earl Kornegay; sisters, Lucille Kornegay Harrell, Joyce Kornegay, and Florine Kornegay.​

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announce when available.

Warsaw-Carolyn Diane Hodges Faust, 72, 0f Warsaw passed away Monday, July 20, 2026 at Warsaw Health and Rehab.  Mrs. Faust was born June 28, 1954 in Beaufort County to the late Mahew Plum Hodges and Geraldine Leggett Hodges.

Left to cherish her memory are daughter, Jennifer Cerny; grandchildren, Daniel Cerny and wife, Alexis, and Josh Cerny; great grandchildren, Bralynn and Raylan Cerny.

No services are planned at this time.

Warsaw- Melissa Dawn Turner Register, 52, of Warsaw passed away Friday, July 17, 2026 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro. Melissa was born June 4, 1974 in Sampson County to Brenda Quinn Turner and the late Donald Ray Turner.​

Left to cherish her memory are mother, Brenda Turner of Warsaw; son, William Register of Warsaw; daughter, Katlyn Register of Warsaw; brothers Donald Ray Turner, Jr., and Michael Paul Turner of Warsaw; grandchild, Elijah Lee Register; and niece Hannah Jane Turner of Warsaw.

​A funeral service will be held 3:30pm, Tuesday, July 21, 2026 in Community Funeral Home Chapel, Warsaw, NC with burial to follow in Matthew-Quinn Cemetery on Bowden Rd, Turkey, NC.

​Warsaw - Donnie Ray Register, 86, of Warsaw passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at Wake Med in Raleigh. Mr. Register was born February 24, 1940 in Sampson County to the late Hallie Davis Register and Reda Williams Register.

A visitation will be held at 10:00am Friday, July 17, 2026 at Calvary Baptist Church in Warsaw.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00am at Calvary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Register Family Cemetery in Turkey, NC.

Left to cherish his memory, Mr. Register is survived by wife, Jewel W. Register of the home; sons, Steven Ray Register and wife, Donna of Clinton, Kenneth Wayne Register and wife, Kathleen of Warsaw, Kevin Lee Register and wife Jennie of Clinton; brother, Bobby Register of Kenansville, Cathy Carter and husband, Charles of Clinton; grandchildren, Kelly Williams and husband, Clint, Stephen Lee Register and wife Courtney, Brittany Drew and husband Aaron, Kenneth Wayne Register, Jr. and wife, Catherine, Brett Casey Register and wife, Amanda Hope Ashley Myrick and husband, Kevin, and Tyler Strickland and wife Hannah; great grandchildren, Autumn Williams, Kylee Register, Brody Hinson, Rylan Register, Carter Register, Connor Register, Paisley Drew, Levi Drew, Breanna Thomas, Hannah Register, Adyson Register, Reagan Register, Anna Myrick, Carson Myrick, Emalyn Myrick, Tatum Register, Jack Strickland and Ele Strickland.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Register was preceded in death by brother Ellis Register.

​Wilma Gray Martin Herring, formerly of Warsaw NC, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026 at the age of 95.  Wilma was born on Sept 2, 1930 to the late Irene Boney Martin and Irven Vance Martin.   Wilma (Wilma Gray when she was in “trouble” with her brothers”) was known for her determination, resilience and strength.  She faced life’s challenges with courage and grace, never backing down from hard work or adversity.  Throughout her life, Wilma devoted herself to caring for others, selflessly giving her time, energy and love to family, friends and her community.  
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Wilma married Melvin Herring on June 17, 1949.  Wilma and Melvin were integral members of Unity Methodist Church where Wilma served as the church pianist for many years. She was the planning force behind many events and programs at Unity: BBQ plate fundraisers, homecoming dinners, women’s teas, VBS, Easter egg hunts, and the church’s Backpack Buddy program.  
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Wilma was the owner of The Drapery House and was proud to have made window treatments for countless homes in Duplin County and the surrounding area.  Her work was featured in Colonial Homes magazine and once graced the rooms of the NC Governor’s Mansion.

Never one to take it easy, when she wasn’t designing and making draperies, she was helping Melvin run the farm.  In her “spare” time she was growing gorgeous ferns, tending to her flowers and garden, canning and freezing enough food to feed the county, assisting the elderly and shut ins in the community, and working at her brother Bobby’s store, The Florist at Warsaw.  
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Once she moved to an assisted living environment, Wilma quickly immersed herself into her new extended family, leading morning prayer and daily exercise while proudly serving as her community’s Resident Ambassador.  

Wilma juggled many roles, but the ones she mastered most of all were Mama, Grandma, Nana, and MeMe. She was the surrogate mother to many in her community, Mama Wilma to many who were unrelated to her and Aunt Wilma to anyone with even a smidgen of shared DNA.   
Wilma was predeceased by her husband Oscar Melvin Herring, Sr., an infant son Tony Lee Herring, son Danny Ray Herring, daughter-in-laws Shirley Edwards Herring and Lori Strickland Herring, son-in-law Douglas Kent Bettenhausen, brothers William (WC) Martin and Bobby Ray Martin.  
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She is survived by son Mel Herring, and daughter Sandra Bettenhausen; grandchildren Danna Westerbeek & husband Kraig, Toni DeVane & husband Clay, Jonathan Bettenhausen & wife Laura,  Allie Bettenhausen, Heather Catlin & husband Bryan; Great-grandchildren Kyndall Marshburn & husband Carries, Kari Roberts & husband Brady, Kelli Westerbeek (friend Isaiah) Karsyn Westerbeek (friend Mack), Cate, Claire & Carter DeVane, Kaile, Paisley, & Eliza Catlin;  great-great-granddaughter Leighton Marshburn, one joyfully anticipated great-great-granddaughter Willa Grace Roberts (due in October); brother Irven (Marty) Martin & wife Betsy; sister-in-laws Colleen Martin and Virginia Herring; daughter-in-law Bunny Herring and many dear nieces and nephews.   Wilma is also survived by her best friend forever, Mary Lou Hoy, proving you are never too old to make a new best friend.  
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The family will receive visitors on Monday, June 29 at 1pm at the Unity Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1760 W. Wards Bridge Rd., Warsaw, NC. A funeral service will follow at 2:30 in the church sanctuary, with burial immediately afterward at Pinecrest Cemetery in Warsaw.
Because of Wilma’s love of gardening, flowers are encouraged, but donations in her memory may also be made to Unity Methodist Church, c/o Shirley Byrd, 1229 Bowdens Rd, Warsaw, NC 28398.

Hampstead - Marie Judith Harris Hanchey, 60, passed away Friday, June 5, 2026 at Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.  She was born June 10, 1965 in Providence Rhode Island. 

Mrs. Hanchey is survived by father, Joseph Whaley of Teachey; daughters, Antonetta Hanchey of Charlotte; Amanda Chitty and husband, Seth of Jacksonville, Samantha Hare and husband, Nicholas of Leland; one grandson, William Bryce Hare; brothers, Michael Harris of Magnolia, Albert Whaley of Wallace; sisters, Emily Cavenaugh of Teachey and Frances Nino of South Carolina. 

She was preceded in death by mother, Judith DeCorpo Whaley; brother, Joseph Thomas Whaley and Kristina Whaley Brock.

A private service will be held.

Magnolia-Shelby Ann Batts, 83, of Magnolia passed away Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Wallace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Wallace, NC.  Shelby was born in Duplin County October 15, 1942 to the late Leslie Batts and Nellie Bradshaw Batts.

A graveside service will be held 2:00pm, Sunday, May 10, 2026 at the Magnolia Cemetery.

Left to cherish her memory are sister, Sue Batts Grafton and husband, Bob of Williamsburg, VA; nephew, Scott Robert Grafton and wife, Michelle of Williamsburg, VA; niece, Kendal Grafton.

'On Monday at 4:30am Brenda Lee Blanchard Sheffield took her first stroll down the streets of gold.  She entered her heavenly home at ECU Medical Center in Greenville surrounded by her loving family.  Brenda was a person of great faith and strong convictions.  She was a hard worker, shown by working along beside her husband in the business they owned for years.  Brenda loved to work in her yard, keep her flowers up.  And she loved people.

Brenda was born November 27, 1949 in Wayne County to the late Edwin Lee Blanchard and Fannie Atlee Frederick.   Brenda grew up in a relatively large farm family where they got their roots for hard work.

A visitation will be held at 10:00am Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Community Funeral Home.     A memorial service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Community Funeral Home Chapel of Warsaw.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Rev. Jerry Sheffield, daughter, Christi Sheffield and fiancee Chris Powers of  Wilmington; grandchildren, Jack, Greer, Ethan, Laney and Christian; sisters, Betty Gail Purdee of Warsaw, Lorraine Jackson of Beulaville, and Kelly Chestnutt and husband, Michael  of Clinton; brother, Edwin Blanchard and wife, Liz of Warsaw; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers  the family request that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023, or online to diabetes.org/donate or St Judes Children's Research Hospital, 501 Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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Warsaw-Bobby Augustus Best, 82 of Warsaw passed away April 30, 2026 at ECU Duplin.  Bobby was born November 3, 1943 in New Hanover County to the late Rhodolph Best and Ammie Matthews Best.  He was married to the late Lynda Yancey Best.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00am Monday, May 4, 2026 at Devotional Gardens of Warsaw.

Left to cherish his memory are daughters, Bobbi Torgeson and husband, Matt of Teachey and Susie Smith of Warsaw; brother, Larry Best and wife, Betsy of Southern Pines; grandchildren, Bo Henderson and wife, Alicia, Samantha Cook and husband, Kevin, Rachel Smith, Alexis Lacock, Abigail Lacock, Dane Stewart and wife, Danielle, Jacob Stewart and wife, JoAnna and Lauralynn Torgeson; great grandchildren, Madilynn Grady, Cameron Grady, Gregory Stewart and Addlaide Stewart.

Mr Best was preceded in death by, wife, Lynda Yancey Best, parents Rhodolph and Ammie Best,  daughters, Brenda Watkins and Kelly Stewart, and brother, Nelson Best.