 Jean Garnette Marsh Brown passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026 at her home. She was born in Greensboro, NC to the late Alton Harrell Marsh and Edith Pearl Driver Marsh. Jean enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and cooking for family.
An entombment service will be held 11:00am, Monday, May 11, 2026 at Devotional Gardens Mausoleum. Mrs. Brown is survived by her devoted husband, Billy Lee Brown of the home; sons, William Lee Brown of the home, Brian Barbee and wife, Ann of Hickory; step son, Timothy Brown of Wallace; brother, Jack Marsh of Clemmons; grandchildren, Jessica Barbee, Anthony Barbee; great granddaughter, Rylee Jackson; and special friend Diane Brown, who was always there to help. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by sons, William Barbee and Johnny Barbee; daughter, Karen Billmyers; grandchildren, Travis Mobley and Shawn Mobley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
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 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. .  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. Bertha Mae Bond Rogers, 90, passed away Wednesday March 18, 2026 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville, NC. Mrs. Rogers was born September 26, 1935 in Pender County, NC to the late Evander Bond and Exie Lanier Bond.
A funeral service will be held 1:00pm, Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Community Funeral Home in Rose Hill with burial to follow in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Rogers is survived by son, Delmar Rogers and wife, Patricia of Elizabethtown; daughters, Mary Catherine Leary of Wilmington, Linda Kaye Bristow, Sandra Rogers and Esther Pate all of Kenansville; grandchildren, Kenneth Leary, II, Aimee Gautier, Joani Usher, Tracy Rogers, Jamie Rogers, Kaye Griffin, David Leary, and Daniel Leary; 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by brother, Martin Lee Bond and wife, Pat of Suffolk, VA; sister-in-law, Alice Bond. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Rogers was preceded in death by husband, James Lee Rogers, brother, Allen Bond, sister, Louise Baker and great granddaughter, Julia Porter.  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.  🚨🚨 Due to the threat of inclement weather the service is postponed till Tuesday! 🚨🚨
Harold Dean Lane, 75, of Warsaw passed away after a short illness on March 12, 2026. He was born to the late James T. Lane and Betty Inez Lane on February 9, 1951. A graveside service will be held at 1:30pm on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC 28398. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Calvary Baptist Church, 709 Memorial Drive, Warsaw, NC 28398 or Warsaw Fire Department, 714 N. Pine Street, Warsaw, NC 28398. Dean is survived by brother Bobby Lane and wife, Julie of Warsaw, nieces, Sarah Lanier and husband, Curtis of Beulaville, NC and Amy Bauer and husband, Justin of South Dakota, nephews John Lane and wife, Brittany of Washington, NC and Justin Lane. In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by his brother, James Ray Lane.  Mary Catherine Burgett Brown Gregory
Birth- August 11, 1931 Death- March 4, 2026 Mary Catherine Burgett Brown Gregory, 94, formerly of Warsaw, NC, passed peacefully to her Heavenly home on March 4, 2026, in Mesa, AZ. She was born near Roseboro, NC, to the late Stephen Love and Ella Branch Burgett. "Cathy" was predeceased by her parents; 7 brothers and 2 sisters; husband, Joel C. Brown, Sr., and Alvin L. Gregory; sons Joel Jr. and Ronald She married Joel C. Brown, Sr., on May 11, 1947, and they had 5 children. Cathy was a farm girl who lived during the Great Depression and World War II. She attended Concord, McDaniels, and Mingo schools. Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 7-9 PM at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw and at other times at Faye Carter's home in Warsaw. A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 2PM at the Warsaw Community Funeral Home in Warsaw. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Cemetery. Her grandson, Dr. Mike Woods of Raleigh, will officiate. Basketball was her favorite sport, and she was a good player. Cathy developed her "fashion sense" from her friend Edna Baggett. She was an excellent cook and seamstress, loved old-time gospel music, and enjoyed entertaining at her home. As a young lady, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was active in her church. In 1964, she and her children moved to Moore, OK, where she met and later married Alvin Gregory in June 1969. In 2009, after retirement, they moved to Warsaw, NC, where they became dedicated members of Warsaw United Methodist Church. Cathy moved to Norman, OK, to live with her daughter, Vickie, and later to Mesa, AZ, where she lived with her daughter, Denise, until her death. Both of her daughters gave her exceptional love and care. She will be missed and remembered by all who loved and knew her. Left to cherish her memory are: daughters, Linda Overby, Coats, NC, Vickie Kelly and husband, Skip, Norman, OK, Denise Whitehouse and husband, Brad, Mesa, AZ; sister, Faye Carter, Warsaw, NC; 12 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. The family is grateful for the loving care provided by Hospice, doctors, nurses, and caregivers in AZ. A special thank you to her granddaughter, Vickie Dawn Morris, for her love and care for her grandmother. The family would also like to thank the Southwest Airlines family for their support. Community Funeral Home of Warsaw is proud to serve the family.  Magnolia - Ivey Lee "Buck" Mathis, 76, of Magnolia passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at ECU Duplin. Ivey was born May 4, 1949 in Duplin County to the late I. J. Mathis and Alice Dean Carter Mathis.
A funeral service will be held 4:00pm Friday, March 6, 2026 at Community Funeral Chapel. A visitation will be held after the service. Left to cherish his memory are sons, Danny Mathis of Rose Hill and Edward Mathis of Beulaville; daughter, Melanie Merritt of Beulaville; brothers, Tommy Mathis of Kenansville; sisters, Elizabeth Spann of Chinquapin, Jean Blanton of Rose Hill and Betty Mathis Harris of Warsaw; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Ivey was preceded in death by brother Kenneth Wayne Mathis and sister, Nancy Mathis.  April 4, 1948 - March 1, 2026
Kathryn “Kitty” Eloise Glover Pope, resident of Kenansville Rehabilitation and Health Care Facility in Kenansville, North Carolina went to her heavenly home on March 1, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hubert Dennis Pope of Magnolia, North Carolina and parents Russell and Louise Glover Of Mt. Crawford, Virginia. She is survived by her sister Annette Glover Watts of Marquette, Michigan, Betty Glover Cornwell and husband Ronney of Mt. Crawford, Virginia, and one brother, Roland Glover and wife Diana of Rockledge, Florida, special friend (sister) Judy C. Sherron of Warsaw, North Carolina. She is also survived by her daughter, Connie Louise Pope of Virginia, and stepsons, Darrell Pope and wife, Wanda of Sneed's Ferry, Mark Pope of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, Walt Pope and wife, Carol of Warsaw, North Carolina, Jeffrey Kirk Pope and wife, Joy of Roseboro, North Carolina, Timothy Pope and wife Vickie of Clinton, North Carolina, grandchildren; Dennis Pope and wife Lori, Justin Pope, Joshua Pope, Jordon Pope and wife Kim, Jeffrey Pope and Abby Pope, Madeline Fetterman and husband Trey, Samantha Faison and husband Wyman, In addition, she leaves behind ten great-grand children. She is survived by nieces and nephew: Salem Prince and husband Loren of Green Bay Wisconsin, Rusty Cornwell and wife Chasity, of Mt. Crawford, Virginia, Jami Cornwell and wife Maria Brown of Mt. Crawford, Virginia, great nieces and great nephew: Zoey Prince, Anya Prince of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Avery Cornwell and McKenzie Cornwell, of Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Mrs. Pope was born on April 4, 1948 to Russell and Louise Glover in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was one of four children. She was a graduate of Turner Ashby High School in Bridgewater, Virginia, East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina with a Bachelor in Education, Science/Math, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. with a Master's Degree. Mrs. Pope was at one time employed at The Town Hall in Magnolia, North Carolina. She also taught at Penderlea School in Pender County, North Carolina, Charity Middle School, Warsaw Middle School, and Wallace Rose Hill High School all in Duplin County, North Carolina. Mrs. Pope was a respected educator and advocate for children. She was recognized numerous times by the Duplin County Board of Education as Teacher of the Year. Kathryn Pope was an active member of the Magnolia Methodist Church prior to returning to Virginia, where she became active in her hometown childhood church, Mt. Crawford Methodist Church. She was an avid crafter and versed in many craft skills. As a result, she won numerous blue ribbons at the Duplin County Fair, Duplin County and Rockingham County Fair in Virginia for her cross stitch pieces. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to: Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue 16th Floor, New York, New York 10001, Phone & Help Line:866-232-8484, [email protected] A graveside service will be held 11am, Friday, March 6, 2026 at Magnolia Town Cemetery.  Warsaw-Donna Kaye Johnson Ellis, 70, of Warsaw passed away Wednesday,February 11, 2026 at her home after an extended illness. Donna was born November 11, 1955 to the late Edward Daniel Johnson and Doris Rackley Johnson.
A graveside service will be held 11:00am Monday, February 16, 2026 at Devotional Gardens of Warsaw. The family will receive friend and family at the Ellis home after the graveside service, 1039 Carlton Chapel Church Rd, Warsaw, NC. Donna is survived by Significant Other Jimmy Quinn of Pink Hill; son, Christopher Shaun Ellis, daughter, Heather Nicole Melton both of Warsaw; brother, Edward Forest Johnson and Deborah of Magnolia; sister, Beth J. Bathcelor and Danny of Teachey; grandchildren, George Floyd Melton, III, and Haley Dawn Colee; great grandchildren, Bailey Kaye Colee, Gabriel Colee, Lilth Colee, Khole Melton, Levi Holmes, Beau Melton, Harlyn Holmes and Lori Holmes. In additiion to her parents, Donna was preceded in death by brother, Fred William Johnson. |
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