​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. 

Ralph Earl Culbreth, 84, passed Monday, April 20, 2026 at his home in Magnolia, NC.  Mr. Culbreth was born March 18, 1942 in Duplin County, NC to the late Harvey G. Culbreth and Eliza Sutton Culbreth. 

A memorial service will be held 12:00pm, Sunday, April, 26, 2026 at Faith Independent Baptist Church, Magnolia, NC.  Mr. Culbreth will be buried in Magnolia Cemetery.

Mr. Ralph is survived by wife, Betty L. Culbreth of the home; son, Ralph Culbreth and wife, Jean of Kinston; daughter, Lynette Busbee and Ronald Pigott of Magnolia; grandchildren, David Culbreth and Missy, Aaron Busbee, Amie McClure and Amanda Wood and Gregory; great grandchildren, Barrett, GrayLynn, Braxton, and Bryson McClure; and sister, Jewel Hordinski of Willoughby, Ohio.

In additon to his parents, Mr. Culbreth was preceded in death by brothers, Bill and Dewey Culbreth and sisters, Goldie Stoddard and Margaret Culbreth. 

Robert Franklin Taylor, 85, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026 at The Gardens of Rose Hill.  Robert was born March 14, 1941 in Duplin County, NC to the late Eddie C. Taylor and Pearl Smith Taylor. 

A funeral service will be held 7:00pm, Monday, April 20, 2026 in Community Funeral Home Chapel in Warsaw, with visitation following the service.  A graveside service will be held 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, Myra P. Taylor of Warsaw; sons Eddie Taylor and wife, Karon of Warsaw and Phillip Taylor of Clinton; daughter-in-law, Charity Taylor of Beulaville; fifteen grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. 

In addition to his parents, Mr. Taylor was preceded in death by sons, Rodney Taylor, Kent Taylor and Jonathan "John Boy" Ryan Taylor; brothers, John Taylor and Alvin Taylor and wife, Barbara; sisters, Eleanor Pope Stevens and Inez Taylor.

Rose Hill, North Carolina — Emma Catherine Brown Usher, 93, of Rose Hill, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Warsaw Health and Rehab.
Mrs. Usher was born November 14, 1932, in Duplin County to Lawton Brown and Ruth Kissner Brown.
She attended East Carolina University (ECU), where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She had a lifelong love of learning and teaching and spent time as an educator. She especially enjoyed sharing the history of the “Old North State.” She was married to Marvin Usher.
Mrs. Usher will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great great-grandmother who had strong faith and found her greatest joy in her family. She had a kind and strong presence, a love for storytelling, and a passion for preserving the history and traditions she held dear. Her warmth, wisdom, and gentle spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew her, and her legacy will live on through the generations she so dearly loved.
Mrs. Usher is survived by her sons, Dr. Timothy Usher (Carolyn) of San Bernardino, California, and Jeffrey Usher of Rayne, Louisiana; her daughter, Mary Albertson of Clayton, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Virginia Usher (Derek Whiting), Christian Usher, M.D, Charlotte Burns, Cherie Mattox (Tommy), Dustin Allen Albertson, Jake Tucker (April), and Samantha Tucker; and her great-grandchildren, Oda Whiting, Audrie Outlaw, Lydia Bonds, Danielle Mattox, Benjamin Burns, Jacob Usher, Taylor Rae Pierce, Melodie Albertson, Mylayla Albertson, Mira Belle Albertson, Malachi Sanders, Madison Tucker, Austin Tucker, and Hunter Tucker. She is also survived by one great-great-grandchild, Piper Fowler, and her sisters, Hilda Fowler and Patsy Brown.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Usher was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Usher; her daughter, Reba “Penny” Joyce Tucker; her son-in-law, Robert Tucker; her grandson, Nicholas Usher; her sister, Nella Faye; and her brother, Lawton “L.E.” Brown.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Concord Baptist Church. Visitation will follow the service.

Margaret Elizabeth Wagstaff Henderson, 92, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Warsaw Health and Rehabilitation.  Margaret was born October 21, 1933 to the late James Seamore Wagstaff and Inah Langston Wagstaff.

Visitation will be held 1:00pm, Friday, April 3, 2026 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.  A funeral service will follow at 2:00pm in the funeral home chapel and burial will conclude the service in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC. 

Margaret is survived by daughter-in-law, Kathy Henderson of Kenansville; grandsons, Dustin Henderson and wife, Amanda and Jeremy Henderson and wife, Shelby both of Kenansville; granddaughter, Brooke Henderson Gwynn and husband, Kyle of Richlands; great grandsons, Dakota Henderson, Archer Gwynn, Bentley Henderson, Kole Gwynn, Brantley Henderson; great granddaughters, Taylor Henderson, Cayleigh Henderson, Malorie Henderson.  

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Margaret was preceded in death by sons, Jesse Henderson and Dennis Henderson and all of her siblings.

Turkey - Elizabeth J. Zappas, 85,  passed away Thursday, March  19, 2026 at Genesis Healthcare in Mount Olive, NC. Mrs. Zappas was born August 17, 1940 in Sampson County, NC to the late Luther A Jones and Lucille Smith Jones Bridger.  

Mrs. Zappos graduated Turkey High School in May 1958.  She married her husband, Louis G Zappas February 1, 1962 and went on to attend East Carolina University graduating in 1962 with a BS degree and a later her masters degree in 1972.  Elizabeth taught school in North Carolina for three years before moving to Howard Illinois where she taught 28 years, then another year in Burton Bridge Illinois.  She taught grades 3-8.  Elizabeth was a member of New Hope Baptist Church since 1951 and served as church treasurer in 2002. She was a member of Harvard WOTM #500 since 1982 attaining the Academy of Friendship Degree, College of Regents Degree and the Star Recorder Degree. 

She is survived by many cousins Smith and Jones and special friends.

In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Zappas; step-dad, Bob Bridger, sister, Carolyn Burnett, her in-laws, Gus and Lassie Zappas, and dear friend, Joan Lockwood.

A visitation will be held 2:00pm, Sunday, March 22, 2026 at New Hope Baptist Church in Turkey, NC.  A funeral service will follow at 3:00pm and burial will conclude the service in Pinecrest Cemetery in Warsaw, NC.