Raymond Stephen Ezzell, 89, passed away Monday, March 29, 2021 at Vidant Duplin Hospital in Kenansville.  Mr. Ezzell was born January 19, 1932 in Duplin County, NC to the late Curtis Ezzell and Lydia Hargrove Ezzell.

A visitation will begin at 11:00 a. m., Wednesday, March 31  at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.  A graveside will be held 12:30 p. m.,  Wednesday, March 31 in Roberts Family Cemetery on Beautancus Road, Mt. Olive, NC. 

Mr. Ezzell is survived by sons, Dexter Ezzell and wife, Sue of SC, Ray Ezzell of Mt Olive, NC, Len Ezzell of Mt. Olive, NC and Jimmy Radford and wife, Donna of VA; daughters, Pat Watson and husband, Eddie of Mt. Olive, NC and Ginger Warren and husband, Rodney of Dunn; seven grandchildren, Brandy Bishop, Tonya Dixon, Clint Summerlin, Mack Summerlin, Sammie Joe Smith, Megan Carter, and Mollie Warren; and 8 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by brothers, Travis Ezzell of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Lindwood Ezzell and wife, Joyce of Magnolia, NC, and Robert Ezzell and wife, Doris of Kitty Hawk, NC, and sisters Hilda Rivenbark and husband, Jerry of SC and Linda Brogden of Magnolia, NC.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Ezzell was preceded in death by wife, Mary Louise Ezzell.

Warsaw - Myrtle Knowles Beard, 87, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at her home in Kenansville attended by her loving and caring family.
Myrtle was born in Warsaw, Duplin County, June 8, 1933, to the late Edwin Carr Knowles and Sarah Ezzell Knowles.

​She grew up in Warsaw and attended the Warsaw schools which created many fond memories. In July 1951 she married Paul Beard Sr. and moved to Fayetteville where Paul was stationed in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg. After Paul was discharged from the Army they continued to live in Fayetteville for many years before moving to Elizabeth City and later in life moved back to her home town of Warsaw for retirement. Her last four years were spent living in Kenansville with her daughter Connie, and husband Woody, and their faithful dog Ollie for whom Myrtle had a special fondness and always shared part of her breakfast biscuit.
She was a loving believer of God and showed her Christian faith by her practicing the Serenity Prayer throughout her life. She loved her family with an extra special love shown for her grandchildren, many of whom she helped care for and taught them many values of life. And of course she loved spoiling her great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her three daughters, Connie Beard Brinson (husband Woody) of Kenansville, Laura Beard Beaver (husband Mike) of Wakefield VA, and Mary Ella Beard of Fayetteville, and a son Paul Beard Jr. (wife Brenda) of Fayetteville; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a brother Ernest “Buddy” Knowles of Warsaw; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Myrtle was predeceased by her husband Paul Beard Sr. to whom she was married for 46 years prior to his death in 1997; sisters Dolly Knowles Carroll and Willie Knowles Minshew; brother Edwin Carr Knowles, Jr.; grandchildren Amy Mitchell and Darrel Wilson; great-grandson Michael Bean; and great-great-grandson Sawyer Francis.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Community Funeral Home in Warsaw on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM with burial following at Lafayette Memorial Park, 2301 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, at 3:00 PM.
Visitation with the family is welcomed at her former residence at 109 East Grove Circle, Kenansville. 

Flowers are welcome. However donations in her memory are encouraged to be made to Duplin County Senior Center, c/o Duplin County Services for the Aged, PO Box 928, Kenansville, NC 28349 or Home Health and Hospice Inc. (3HC), 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, NC 27534, both of which provided services to Myrtle and her family which enabled her to remain at home during her last months, or a meaningful charity of one’s choice.

Warsaw - Mary Virginia Cottle Veach, 96, passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at her home. Mrs. Veach was born November 18, 1924 in Turkey, NC to the late Clyde Johnson Cottle and Ida May Howard Cottle.

A graveside service will be held 1:00 pm, Friday, March 26, 2021 in Devotional Gardens.

Mrs. Veach is survived by son, Samuel Veach and wife, Melissa of Supply; daughter, Jane V. Cooper and husband, Gary of Charlotte, NC; five grandchildren, Wes Veach, Blake Veach, Joshua Star, Racheal Star, and Troy Lockamy; and three great grandchildren, Brandon Boone, Arlo Veach and Bexley Veach.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Ralph Veach; daughter, Sandra Lockamy, grandson, Chuck Lockamy and brothers, Clyde Cottle, Jr., Billy Cottle, Jim Cottle, and Johnny Cottle.

​Rose Hill-Erma Daughtry Edwards, 94, of Rose Hill passed away Saturday, March 13, 2021 at The Gardens of Rose Hill. Mrs. Edwards was born September 5, 1926 in North Hampton County, NC to the late Lewis Cleveland Daughtry and Vassie Brewer Daughtry.
 
Mrs. Edwards was an avid gardener with a true green thumb.  She also enjoyed crafts, but her greatest pleasures revolved around her family, spending many days camping and enjoying the outdoors with those she loved.  She also gave 30 years of her life as a labor and delivery nurse.
A graveside service will be held 11:00am Monday, March 15, 2021 at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Mrs. Edwards is survived by children, William Brent Edwards and wife, Carolyn and daughter, Dale Edwards Garriss and husband, Pete; grandchildren, Brian Russell Warrick and wife, Laura, Cheryl Edwards Moore and husband, Ralph and William Robert Edwards and wife, Duchess; great grandchildren, Katie Moore Limer, Sam Warrick, Noah Warrick, Brayden Edwards and Gracie Edwards; great-great grandchildren, Landon Limer and Miles Limer.  A special thank you goes out to her second family, the staff of the Gardens of Rose Hill and Jennifer and Joyce of Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their love, care and support.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Edwards was preceded in death by her husband, William Ervin Edwards and brothers and sisters, Lewis Daughtry, Vernon Daughtry, L. C. Daughtry, Elmer Daughtry, Howard Daughtry, Inell Williams, Eletha Belle Fergerson and Floyd Daughtry.
The family ask that you be covid aware and follow the guidelines.