Warsaw - Stephen David Knowles, 69, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2023 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC.  Mr. Knowles was born September 3, 1953 in New Hanover County, NC to the late William James and Dorothy Hopkins Knowles.

A visitation will begin at 10:00 am, Thursday, July 27, 2023 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 am in Community Funeral Home Chapel and burial will conclude the service in Devotional Gardens.

​Steven is survived by sons, Stephen Knowles and wife, Katie of Rose Hill and Brian Knowles and wife, Kelsea of Maple Hill; three grandchildren, Parker, Wyatt and Payton Knowles; and brothers, Billy Knowles of Kenansville and Donald Knowles of Florida.

Rose Hill - Marianna Thomas Johnson Hill, 82, passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at Wallace Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Wallace, NC.  Mrs. Hill was born December 17, 1940 in Edgecombe County, NC to the late Edward Spencer and Eunice Powell Thomas.

A memorial service will held 2:00 pm, Monday, July 17, 2023 at Community Funeral Home in Rose Hill.

​She was the beloved mother of three sons, Edward S. Johnson of Four Oaks, Brian K. Johnson of Etowah, NC, Jay Johnson and wife, Karen of Atlantic Beach.  She is also survived by grandchildren, A. J. Johnson and Susannah Johnson and fiancé Mike and sister, Linda Beecher of Rose Hill. 

Warsaw - Nannie Mae Gurley Holloman, 93, passed away Monday, July 10, 2023 at Warsaw Health and Rehabilitation.  Mrs. Holloman was born October 2, 1929 in Johnston County, NC to the late Henry Howard and Peggy Moore Gurley. 

Visitation will be held 11:00 am, Friday July 14, 2023 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, the funeral service will begin at 12:00 pm Friday in Community Funeral Home Chapel and burial will conclude the service in Devotional Gardens.

Nannie is survived by brother, Owen Gurley and wife, Joy of Hope Mills; sister, Adell G. Anderson of Warsaw and several nieces and nephews. 

​In addition to her parents, Nannie was preceded in death by husband, Jim William Holloman; brothers, Ernest Gurley, R. F. Gurley, Lester Gurley, Needham Gurley, and Henry Gurley; and sister, Cherry Belle Holloman. 

With a heavy heart, Bill Faust of Warsaw, NC passed away on July 8, 2023 at his home surrounded by friends and family.  Born and raised in La Grange, NC, he was one of 6 children of the late Edna and Fred Rouse.
He worked at New River Nursery in Jacksonville for 11 years until he met Mary “Tina” Bland Jones from Bland’s BBQ on his many trips to Warsaw Floral Co.  With his two sons, Donny and Bill Jr and her two sons, Wayne and Doug and the promise of “going out every day after lunch with his dogs”, they married on June 25, 1965.  They later had a daughter, Cindy.  Bill opened his own nursery next to the restaurant in which he specialized in rose gardens. If you drive by a rose garden in Duplin County, it was most likely created by Faust Nursery.

Bill was a Scout Master for 11 years for Troop 20. His proudest accomplishment is helping 52 boys obtain their Eagle Scout status. He also led these scouts on 100-mile pilgrimages to Bath and Halifax. Because of his scouting achievements, he earned the Silver Beaver award.
He was an avid outdoorsman with quail, dove, and pheasant hunting. He was a judge in the National Wild Food Cooking Contest for 25 years which led him to be in the Wild Food Hall of Fame in Parkersburg, VA.  He helped establish the North Carolina Wild Food Weekends which has been going on for over 45 years. He was famous for his earthworm cake and loved the reactions of any new unsuspecting victims.  He also attended the Wild Flower Pilgrimage for 40 years at Blackwater Falls, VA. Bill was the President of the Duplin County Gun Club for 25 years where he hosted the Eastern Carolina Championship Bird Dog Trials.  His most famous dog was Mac who won the Eastern Carolina Championship.
If you didn’t know how to speak “dog”, “flowers”, “hunting” or his various interest, then he didn’t have too much to say. When bringing home friends, they were always warned that I hope you like hugs. Bill loved to hug a woman.  He always said he thought it helped brighten their day.  I know it did his.  His philosophy on life was “10 hugs a day and learn something new”.

He was preceded in death by his spouse Mary Grey Bland, sons William Eugene Faust and Robert Wayne Jones.  He is survived by sons Donald Wayne Faust, William Douglas Jones and wife Paulette, Tony Randal Faust and fiancé Lynn, Cynthia Diane Faust and wife Katherine and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. The greatest thanks to special friends Carolyn Quinn and Dr. Corazon Ngo who took on the primary role of caring for him after his automobile accident and during this journey as well. Special thanks to his granddaughter Buffie Niebauer Barnett who also helped with caregiving during this time.  Many thanks to ECU Hospice for your professionalism and compassion. Many thanks to the community of Warsaw and the many friends who he has touched with his generosity and kindness.
Visitation will be held at James Kenan High School gymnasium on Tues, July 11, 2023 from 10:00-11:00 am with a service at the gym from 11:00-12:00 with graveside at Devotional Gardens following.  Another visitation will be held at Bland’s BBQ that afternoon from 4-8pm. 
In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree or consider a donation to your local scout troop in his honor.

Sylvia Prevost Vestal, 86, of Kenansville passed away early Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at her home. She was born in High Point to the late Charles Homer Prevost and Rachelle Gregory Prevost.

​Sylvia was a Navy wife(considered the hardest job in the Navy, moving 13 times), mother, nurse (RN in NC and VA) and teacher. She graduated from Thomasville High School and NC Baptist Hospital School of Nursing. She continued her career in nursing working as an office nurse, a hospital nurse and Home Care Nurse. She taught weekday preschool four years in Slidell, LA. She established the afterschool program at Kenansville Elementary School. Sylvia was a Statewide Preschool Specialist for NC Baptist State Convention, served on the NC Baptist State Convention Board of Directors for 5 years and served on the Carolina East Homecare and Hospice Board from 2001 to 2007. In addition she was very active in her church and led a weekly Ladies Bible Study at Kenansville Baptist Church for 15 years. She also loved to sew and was a talented seamstress.

A visitation will be held 2:00pm Sunday July 9, 2023 at Kenansville Baptist Church of Kenansville. Services will follow the visitation at 3:00pm also at the Church. Burial will take place after the service at Golden Grove Cemetery.

Sylvia leaves to cherish her memory husband, Ellis Brinson Vestal of Magnolia, daughters Laura Vestal Huster of Ellijay, GA and Dana Vestal Byrd and husband Pat of Magnolia. daughter-in-law Angie Hood Vestal of Marquette, Michigan, a brother, Charles Gregory Prevost and wife, Connie of Charlotte, a sister, Brenda P. Myers of High Point, 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Sylvia was preceded in death by son, Ellis Brinson Vestal, Jr.

​In lieu of flowers, memorials maybe made to Kenansville Baptist Church P. O. Box 865, Kenansville, NC 28349.

Warsaw - Joan Lanier Banks, 82 passed away Thursday, June 29, 2023 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville, NC.  Mrs. Banks was born June 26, 1941 in Duplin County to the late Arthur and Elizabeth Howard Lanier. 

Visitation will begin at 11:00 am, Monday, July 3, 2023 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.  A funeral service will begin at 12:00 pm, Monday in Community Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow the service in Devotional Gardens. 

​Mrs. Banks is survived by her husband, Wayne Banks of the home; daughter, Cindy Howery and husband, Darren of Goldsboro; three grandchildren, Brooke Henderson Gwynn and husband, Kyle of Richlands, Meghan Pittman Kornegay and husband, Blake of Grantham, Emily Pittman Massengill and husband, Jason of Goldsboro; six great grandchildren, Archer  and Kole Gwynn, Kendall and Kelsey Kornegay, Ellie and Christain Parrish and soon-to-arrive, Walker and Tucker Massengill.  She is also survived by sisters, Charlotte Henderson of Jacksonville, Linda Taylor and husband, Larry of VA, and Gaynell Parrish and husband, Donald of Durham; brother, Gerald Lanier of Beulaville, NC; two very special friends, Pam Banks and Gail "sissy" Rivenbark, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Banks, was preceded in death by brother-in-law, Jesse Henderson.

Warsaw - Thomas Brooks Boyette, 81, passed away Wednesday June 21, 2023 at ECU Health in Kenansville, NC. Brooks was born August 30, 1941 in Duplin County, NC to the late Elvin A. Boyette and Esther Hopkins Boyette.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, June 25, 2023 at Warsaw Baptist Church, with visitation to follow.

Brooks is survived his wife, Joyce Braswell Boyette of the home; sons, Tommy Boyette and wife, Susan of Wake Forest, NC and Patrick Boyette of Raleigh, NC; four grandchildren, Peyton Boyette, Tanner Boyette, Thomas B. Boyette, III, and Riley Boyette and two sisters, Faye Boyette of Warsaw and Doris Lee Neilson of Mississippi.

​In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Warsaw Baptist Church, 209 E. College Street, Warsaw, NC 28398.

​Lynn Hardison, 60, of Warsaw passed away early Saturday, June 3, 2023 at her home.  Lynn was born in Duplin County July 29, 1962 to the late Claudell Hardison and Mary Elizabeth Armstrong Hardison.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, June 11, 2023 at Calvary Baptist Church in Warsaw.
Lynn is survived by sister, Mary Claudean Dover of Selma, and cousin and loving caregiver, Mary Elaine Best of Warsaw; nephews, Nick Beddingfield and Matthew Hardison; great nephews, Samuel Hardison, Ethan Beddingfield; great niece, Ashlyn Kephart and great great niece, Lillie Kephart.
In addition to her parents, Lynn was preceded in death by husband, Tony Ipock, and brother, Johnny Hardison.
In lieu of flowers the family request that all memorial donations be made to Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, Inc. P. O. Box 336, Warsaw, NC 28398 to help on funeral expenses.

​Sudie Jane Maready Arnette, 92, of Kenansville passed away at The Gardens Of Rose Hill Sunday, May 28,2023.  Mrs. Arnette was born March 5, 1931 in Onslow County to the late Riley Roe Maready and Geneva Lanier Maready.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at the Kenansville Baptist Church. A visitation will be held at 10:00 am one hour prior to the service  at the church.  The family will receive friends at other times at the home of Kayla Kilpatrick, 251 Stokes Gooding Road, Kenansville, NC 28349. A private entombment will be held at Devotional  Gardens.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Regina Kilpatrick and husband, Billy; grandchildren, Robin Mewborn and husband, Wesley of Kenansville, David Kilpatrick and wife, Taylor of Beulaville, Kayla Kilpatrick of Kenansville, Jason Arnette and wife, Robyn of Clinton and Shane Arnette of Florida; great grandchildren Macy Mewborn, Case Mewborn, Chloe Kilpatrick, Shep Kilpatrick, Jake Arnette, Harbor Arnette, Ashley Arnette and Rachel Arnette; brothers, Gurman Maready and wife, Reba of Cape Carteret, John Maready of Jacksonville, Edgar Maready; sisters, Rebecca Smith of Maysville, Jenny Collins and husband, Hadley of Maysville; sister-in-law Judy Maready of Jacksonville.

In addition to her parents, Mrs Arnette was preceded in death by husband, James Lee Arnette, son, James Franklin Arnette, great grandaughter, Layla Mewborn; brothers, Coy Maready and Arnold Maready and sister, Nadaline Lanier.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Love For Layla, 127 Circle Drive, Kenansville, NC 28349.

Ronnie Lee Torrans, 84, of Warsaw passed away Saturday, May 27, 2023 at ECU Duplin in Kenansville. Mr. Torrans was born January 3, 1939 to the late David Lee Torrans and Lucille Kerr Jordan Torrans.

A funeral service will be held at 6:00pm Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at James Kenan High School with visitation to follow. Burial will take place 2:00pm Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Devotional Gardens.

Left to cherish his memory are daughters, Debbie T. Campbell and husband, Jerry of Ocean Isle Beach and Sandy T. Griffin and husband, Johnny of Warsaw; son, Brian Torrans of Warsaw; grandchildren, Rebecca Brooke Torrans Casteen and husband, James, Sebastyan Treyvor Torrans, Jaxon Nyles Torrans all of Wallace, Jordan Griffin Williams and husband, Kevin of Warsaw, Tina Griffin Scott and husband, Jeremy of Stedman, Jason Thomas Campbell of Burbank, CA and Jessica Campbell Cadby and husband, Brandon of Oak Ridge, NC; great grandchildren, Carson Walter Casteen, Connor James Casteen and Karlee Sue Casteen all of Wallace, Griffin Hayes Williams, Graylee James Williams and Grantley Noah Williams all of Warsaw, Jennifer Brooke Thompkins of Stedman, Madelyne McCayla Cadby, Ella Leigh Cadby and Lane Campbell Cadby all of Oak Ridge, NC, Thomas Alexander Campbell Ian Nicholas Campbell and Linnea Brynn Campbell of Burbank, CA; great great grandchild, Thomas Wade Johnson of Stedman.

He was preceded in death by Ronnie Lee Torrans, Jr. and sister, Helen Rose Torrans.

​Flowers welcome or memorials may be made to James Kenan Athletics, P. O. Drawer 505, Warsaw, NC 28398.

Eloise Pate Beddingfield, 82, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023 in Raeford, NC. Mrs. Beddingfield was born October 4, 1940 in Duplin County, NC to the late Albert Pate and Elizabeth Miller Pate.

A funeral service will be held 6:00 pm, Sunday, May 21, 2023 in Community Funeral Home Chapel, Warsaw, NC, with visitation to follow. A graveside service will be held 10:00 am, Monday, May 22, 2023 in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw, NC.

Mrs. Beddingfield is survived by three sons, Larry Beddingfield and wife, Pat of Mount Olive, Mitchell Beddingfield and wife, Nikki of Chinquapin and Timothy Beddingfield and wife, Felicia of Kenansville; daughter, Kay B. Brock and husband, Victor of Raeford, 15 grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren, and a great great grandchild.

​In addition to her parents, Mrs. Beddingfield was preceded in death by husband, Mose David Beddingfield and son, Ray Beddingfield.

Warsaw - Robert "Robbie" Steven Pate, Sr., 69, of Warsaw passed away suddenly, May 14, 2023 at his home.  Mr. Pate was born February 12, 1954 in Duplin County, NC to the late Robert George Steven Pate and Emily Estelle Quinn Pate.

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw.  A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with burial to follow in the Pate Cemetery.  

​Mr. Pate is survived by his loving wife, Debra P. Pate of the home; sons, Robert Steven "Stevie" Pate, Jr. Christopher Dale Pate and Johnathan Wayne Pate all of Warsaw, brother, Ronald "Ronnie" Glenn Pate and wife, Diane of Magnolia; and sisters, Rebecca Sue Pate of Warsaw, Reba Gail Arnett and husband, Thomas of Rose Hill and several nieces and nephews.

Joseph Fussell Matthews, of Teachey, passed away Monday, May 8, 2023 at the age of 74.

​Joseph, known by his friends as Joe, was born May 4, 1949.  He was an avid farmer who loved tending his farm, working the land to provide fresh vegetables to the community at Matthews Produce. During the off season Joseph loved to fish at Topsail Beach.  He loved the sport of golf and played many courses across North Carolina for over 20 years. Joseph loved to cook for his family and friends at the "Pond House."  It was all considered a good days work to go fishing and come home and have a fish fry complete with all the fixings.  And let's not forget that famous collard soup.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife, Nancy, of 54 years.  In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Belinda English (Billy), Joe Matthews (Aretha), Kim Blanchard (Chris), and Timothy Matthews (Heather), his grandchildren, JoAnnah Escobar (Gil), Allyson Reaves (Allen), Marshall Matthews (Allena), Marrionna Matthews, Joshua Barber, Jack Barber, Brookelynn Matthews, Case Barber, Cooper Barber and Stallonne Matthews.  Great grandchildren Ryan, Annabel, Mattie Wray, Lucas, and soon to arrive, Austin and his sisters, Linda Mills (Bob) and Patsy Smith (Bobby).

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Alton and Mattie Lee Matthews, brothers, Jimmy and Elvin, sister, Anna Williams and his faithful companion, Maggie.

A graveside service will be held 2:00 pm, Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in the Fussell Cemetery, Rose Hill, NC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Fussell Cemetery, P. O. Box 611, Rose Hill, NC 28458, in memory of Joseph Matthews.

Rose Hill - Leonard Forest "L. F." Johnson, 77, passed away Thursday, April 13, 2023 at ECU Health Duplin in Kenansville, NC.  Mr. Johnson was born September 23, 1945 in Duplin County, NC to the late Fred William Johnson and Cora Eden Johnson. 
L. F. is survived by wife, Brenda M. Johnson of the home; daughter, Angie Johnson Stroud and husband, Parrish of Rose Hill; grandchildren, Riley, Karley, and Isaac Stroud; one sister-in-law Charlene Johnson. 

L. F. was a much loved friend by all his church family and neighbors and many others in his community.  He was a veteran, having served in the Army in Vietnam.
A funeral service will be held 2:00pm Sunday, April 16, 2023 at the Magnolia Baptist Church. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow the service in Rose Hill Cemetery.

In addition to his parents, L. F. was preceded in death by brothers Kenneth, Edward, Willie Grey, Alan, and Graham Johnson. 

In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, P. O. Box 758516, Topeka KS 66675 or online at ​www.woundedwarriorproject.org or Magnolia Baptist Church, P. O. Box 96, Magnolia, N. C. 28453.

Kenansville - Rudolph (Rudy) Fulton Hasty, Jr., 74, of Kenansville passed away Monday, April 10, 2023 at Transitions Life Care Center in Raleigh. Rudy was born December 26, 1948 in Lenoir County to the late Rudolph Fulton Hasty, Sr and Hortense Tyndall Hasty.

Left to cherish his memory are daughters, Brittney Skiff and husband, Mark of Fuquay Varina and Corrie Davenport and husband, David of Willow Springs; brother, Michael Hasty of Kenansville; grandchildren, Hadleigh Skiff, Bryton Davenport and Elodie Davenport.

​ In addition to his parents, Rudy was preceded in death by brother, Bobby Hasty.
​
A graveside service will be held 3:00pm, Sunday, April 16, 2023 in Golden Grove Cemetery in Kenansville, NC.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Rudy's name  may be made to the Transitions Hospice Center, 200 Hospice Circle, B5, Raleigh, NC 27607