Allen Franklin Wood, 76, passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  Mr. Wood was born July 5, 1945 in Duplin County, NC to the late Coy C. Wood and Edna Whaley Wood.

​A graveside service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, October 30, 2021 at Devotional Gardens in Warsaw, NC. 

Allen was honest to a fault, he was a great caregiver and babysitter.  He was a loving and proud grandfather to his two grandchildren, who were absolutely his world.  He took great pride in the success of his two sons.  Allen worked for  Duplin County, where the majority of his career was spent at the bus garage, retiring from the county after a 30 year career.  He was a dedicated member of Kenansvillle Fire Department and took great pride in his service to the community.  He remained devoted to the department even after his retirement with forty years of service.  

Allen is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Faye Hall Wood of the home; sons, Allen Franlkin "Frankie" Wood and wife, Christal of Kenansville and David Kevin Wood and special friend, Elizabeth Lethola of Minneapolis, Minnesota; two grandchildren, Zachary Lane Wood and Ethan Caleb Wood; brother, Coy Chipman Wood and wife, Judy of Beulaville; sister, Lennetta Kay Knowles and husband, Donald of Wilmington. 

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wood was preceded in death by sister, Patricia Zirgis.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Warsaw-Blaine Arthur Blodgett, 61, of Warsaw passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday, October 21, 2021.  Mr. Blodgett was born February 9, 1960 in Somerset County, Maine, to the late Earlon Blodgett and Shirley Gibbs.

Mr. Blodgett is survived by his wife, Deborah W. Blodgett of Warsaw; son, Christopher Blodgett of Warsaw; nephew, Scott Walker of Warsaw; brothers, David Blodgett and wife Deanna, Wayne Blodgett and Eugene Blodgett all of Skowhegan, Maine; sister, Kathy Austin of Skowhegan, Maine; grandchildren, Melodi Nalley of Magnolia and Kaden Whipple of Faison.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Blodgett was preceded in death by sister, Naomi Akers.

The family request in lieu of flowers all donations be made toward funeral expenses, to Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.

As per Mr. Blodgett's request no formal services will be held.

Jennifer (Jen) Dawn Holland, born on January 20, 1977, in Pascagoula, Mississippi passed away on October 10, 2021.​

After graduating from North Duplin High School, Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science in History from East Carolina University. Jennifer was a passionate teacher for twenty-two years at various schools including Hobbton High, James Kenan High, Wakefield High, and South Mecklenburg High. Jennifer was a National Board Certified teacher and was working on completing a Master’s Degree in History. Over the years, she influenced countless students and enjoyed sharing her love of history. She was an avid ECU Pirate fan and regularly cheered them on. In addition, she was a devoted “cat mom.” Her beloved Alexander the Great, Angelo, and Bruce Wayne were spoiled rotten companions. Jennifer took great pride and experienced much joy in being an aunt to niece, Annabel, and nephew, Henry.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her mother, Lynn Tew Roberts. She is survived by her father, J.B. Holland of Faison, her brother, Kevin Holland and wife, Susan, of Carolina Shores, her niece, Annabel Holland, and her nephew, Henry Holland.

In lieu of flowers, and because of Jennifer’s love of animals, please donate to an animal charity of your choice.

Edith Brown Rich, 91, passed away Saturday October 9, 2021 at McLeod Hospice House.  Edith born Born February 3, 1930 in Duplin County, NC.

Edith is survived by sons, Craig Rich and wife, Vickie of Aikens, SC and Dwight Rich and wife, Phyllis of Garner, NC; grandchildren, Michelle Quinn and husband, Kim and Johnny Rich; great grandson, Holden A. Quinn; half brother, Truman Brown and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband, John Leonard Rich; foster parents, Sivie C. Ellis and Armatha Mae Jones Ellis; brothers, Garland Brown and Ed Cavenaugh; sisters, Ruthie Brown and Ruby Padgett. 

​A private burial was held in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC.

Warsaw-James Williams Romano, aka Crash, entered this world as a complete surprise starting the roller coaster of emotions and incredible prayer chain. 

​When he made his grand appearance at 0955 on Tuesday, October 5th, he had approximately 20 – 23 minutes without oxygen because his heart was not beating initially.  The doctors and nurses at Vidant Duplin Hospital in Kenansville, NC worked diligently to restore his heartbeat and allow him to breathe through chest compressions, intubation and doses of Epinephrine.  Dr. Chamberlain was the first of many angels we met this past week who touched our lives…she was a Godsend and gave Crash a chance!
Vidant Duplin Hospital contacted Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville and it wasn’t long before Vidant Eastcare was air lifting Crash to Greenville where an extremely skilled team of doctors and nurses were waiting for him.  After the initial assessment, Crash settled into his very own pod in the NICU – C159.

A plan was put in place to cool Crash’s body down to slow everything going on the inside including his brain.  This process was set to run a 72hour course before warming him back up slowly for retesting.

Crash had an initial MRI and was wired up for the first EEG at the beginning of the cooling process.

During the events of his first day, Crash had several seizures so the doctors kept working until they found the right combination of medications.
The 2nd morning didn’t hold promising news but no one gave up HOPE.  Nurse Betty, an angel in her very own right – straight forward but loving and compassionate, gave the unfortunate news that there was no brain activity on the EEG.  The doctors and nurses who were assigned to Crash took tremendous measures in making sure that the medications were getting the most positive results and they adjusted quickly when necessary,  They kept Mommy and Daddy as well as G-Maw Petey informed every step of the way.  They were so very honest with every step while being so incredibly compassionate and loving of this child and family they didn’t even know.

Unfortunately, we never made it to the 72hour mark.  Dr. Joe Ginski, God broke the mold when He created this amazing soul, entered our room at 0450 to let us know Crash’s vitals weren’t cooperating and it might be getting close to “time”.
We all were allowed to be with our little man while they quietly but swiftly removed the extensive array of tubes and IVs and then placed him in Mommy’s arms.  We had roughly 3 hours to talk to him, touch him and sing to him before we reached this point.  Although his EEG had shown a flat line, his vitals increased whenever he was stimulated with touch and voice so we chose to accept that as he knew we were there.

At 0840 Friday morning, Oct 8th, James Williams aka Crash went back Home to God.

His Mommy said she felt as if the world had ended until Dr. Joe re-entered his pod to let us know there was another baby in need of a heart valve and Crash was an excellent candidate to help.   The reply was an immediate “absolutely”.
After all was said and done, Crash was going to have the opportunity to save TWO babies with both of his heart valves.
What a Blessing our little man was to all of us and now to two more families in just 3 short days.  He is our Hero!!

Thank you to the incredible medical staff at Vidant Duplin Hospital Emergency Room and Labor and Delivery.  We could NOT have asked for more professional treatment or any more rapid response to a critical situation.
Thank you to the medical staff at Maynard Children’s Hospital Labor and Delivery and also the family therapist, Deb, and both social workers.  They were so very supportive and helpful in our journey.

To the NICU of Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville, NC, there just are NOT enough words.  ‘Thank you’ just does not seem to cover it.  You are truly angels on earth and true blessings to all the family’s lives you touch!!  There is an additional doctor but we did not get her name and she was working with Dr. Joe on the last day.  She had a gray coat and dark rimmed glasses but she was crying as much as we were when Crash had to go Home.

Our lives have been changed forever by Crash, all of you who prayed for our little family and all of the medical personnel who took such good care of Charly and Crash – THANK YOU to all!!!

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to June’s Bouquets (junesbouquets.com) in Greensboro, NC.  Katie Jones’ “story” behind the bouquets can be found on that website.
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A funeral service will be held at 6:30 pm Monday, October 11, 2021 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.  A visitation will follow the service.

In addition to his parents, James leaves to cherish his memory maternal grandparents, Peggy O'Neal Doran and Curtis Boone of Warsaw, paternal grandmother, Jennifer Romano of Clayton, aunt Rebecca Mann and husband, Nick; uncle, Cody Boone and Chelsey of Kenansville; great uncle, Jim O'Neal and wife, Sheila of Lawrenceville, GA; special aunts, Jennifer Fowler Blizard of Goldsboro, Debra Stricklalnd Futreal of Beulaville; special aunt and uncle Megan Stancil Dunn and Johnny Dunn of Warsaw; great grandparents, Tom an Mayo Boone of Warsaw; great aunt, Marianna O'Neal and great uncle Jim Blackburn.

James was also preceded in death by great grandmother (Maw Maw), Peggy Moody O'Neal; great grandfather (Grandy) , James Harold O'Neal; uncle, Dallas Ray Foss; step-grandfather, Jody Adams; great uncle, Ritchie Williams O'Neal; great grandmother (MeMe) Marjory Delaney Romano.  

Magnolia - Catherine Robinson Johnson, 94,  passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at the Brian Center in Wallace.  Mrs. Johnson was born February 15, 1927 in Duplin County, NC to the late Stanley J. Robinson and Lila Mae Hanchey Robinson.

A graveside service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, October 9, 2021 in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC.

Catherine is survived by son, Kenneth Johnson, Jr. of Kelly; daughters, Betsy J. Chestnutt of Burgaw, Terry J. White of Magnolia, Peggy Newell of Rocky Point, NC, seven grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Catherine was preceded in death by husband, Kenneth Edens Johnson; daughter, Lydia Johnson, and brother, James Ray Robinson.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to a special caregiver and friend Cynthia Williams, she was a blessing to Catherine. 

Ann Bowden English, 88, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2021 in Atlanta, GA after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.  She formerly resided in Hampstead, NC for many years.

Ann was born March 9, 1933 in Rocky Mount, NC.  She attended Warsaw High School and Flora MacDonald College.  She taught elementary School for over thirty years, and especially loved teaching third graders.  She enjoyed traveling, shopping, reading, church activities, and spending time with family as long as she was able.

​Ann is survived by her daughter, Charlotte (Ken) Bexley; son, David (Elaine) English; sister, Dorothy Bowden Johnson; grandchildren, Andrew English, Alan Bexley, Lauren Bexley, and Brian English; and her nephew, David (Sue) Clark and niece, Sarah (Eddie) Pope and their families.  She was predeceased by her husband, Myron D. English; parents, Samuel R. and Sarah A. Bowden; sisters, Sarah Bowden Scarbrough and Nell Bowden Clark; brother, Samuel R. Bowden, III; nephew Neill Clark and Ray Johnson, and niece Jan Scarbrough.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, October 9, 2021 at Pinecrest Cemetery in Warsaw, North Carolina.  Donations may be made in Ann's memory to the Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org