THE HERITAGE OF TYRRELL COUNTY BOOK NOW AVAILABLE!!!After a long wait, the Tyrrell County Heritage Book is ready. As with most things, good things come to those who wait, and the new Heritage Book is no exception. The 202 page hard bound book was edited by Gwen A. White and Virginia C. Haire and published by The Tyrrell County Genealogical & Historical Society in cooperation with County Heritage, Inc. The book consists of family histories contributed by Tyrrell County families, county history, fond memories, articles about local churches, and tributes/memorials. The book also contains many old photos of families, buildings, and sites around Columbia and Tyrrell County. Once you open the cover you will have a hard time putting it down. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, you can contact Virginia Haire via email at: vchaire@coastalnet.com. The Genealogical Society also plans to sell copies during the upcoming Scuppernong River Festival. SCUPPERNONG RIVER FESTIVAL 2004!ITS THAT TIME AGAIN!!!!! Time to make plans to attend the 13th annual Scuppernong River Festival in Columbia. This year the festival will commence at 8:30 am on Saturday, October 9th and end at midnight. Some of the events this year will be: The Festival Parade (the theme of which is "Proud to be an American", rides for the kids, antique cars, art show, craft vendors, food vendors, free music & entertainment, and much more. The evening will end with a terrific fireworks display and a street dance lasting until midnight. Come, join the thousands that annually line the streets of Columbia to enjoy the fun, festivities, food, and fireworks of the Scuppernong River Festival. "A FAMILY ORIENTED SMALL TOWN EVENT!" I hope to see you there! OGLETREE WINS OLYMPIC SILVER Charlie Ogletree and John Lovell won the silver medal for the US sailing team in the Tornado Class event in the recent Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Charlie is captain of the US Olympic Sailing Team and a three time Olympian. Charlie & John finished 8th in 1996 and 7th in 2000. Charlie has been sailing since about the age of 6. He sailed in high school for Tabor Academy and was a collegiate all-american sailer at Old Dominion University. Charlie is the son of Charlie and Midge Ogletree of Columbia. IT HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINAI know many of you have heard the old folk song about Tom Dooley. How many know that the song is about real people and a real event that actually took place in North Carolina? Laura Foster was stabbed to death by her boy friend, Tom Dooley, in Wilkes County in May 1865. The story goes that Tom was a handsome fellow who caught the eye of several young ladies. His choice was Ann Foster, but the Civil War interupted the romance. Tom went off to fight and was captured. His darling Ann, didn't wait for him to return and married a local fellow whose last name was Melton. When Tom returned home three years had passed. He began to date Laura Foster but supposedly carried on a secret affair with his past sweetheart, Ann Foster Melton ( while promising to marry Laura). On the day they were to wed , Laura rode off on horseback to meet Tom and disappeared. Her body was found in a shallow grave on a mountain ridge a few weeks later. Rumors soon spread that Ann Foster Melton may have stabbed Laura in a jealous argument. Tom Dooley fled but was soon captured and charged with the murder. He was defended in court by Zeb Vance (who later became governor of North Carolina) but was found guilty on circumstantial evidence. He was sentenced to hang and rode to his execution in a wagon sitting atop his coffin. He was hanged for the murder in Statesville on May 1, 1866. It was told that his last statement was, "I didn't touch a hair of that girl's head, but maybe I deserve this". Many locals still feel that Ann Foster Melton killed Laura and that Tom Dooley went silently to his grave to protect her. Both Tom Dooley and Laura Foster are buried in simple graves in Wilkes County, N.C. (Story condensed from: 'Tarheel Tombstones & The Stories They Tell' by Henry King) LOCAL OBITUARIES VIRGINIA LUDFORD RHODES, 90, of the Soundside community died on August 12, 2004 at her home. She was born in Tyrrell County on July 25, 1914 and was the daughter of the late Ephraim and Minnie Morris Ludford. She was married to the late James Lee Roy Rhodes. She is survived by one daughter: June Rhodes Belangia; one sister: Dixie L. Brock; one brother: Shelton Ludford; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church. FLORIDA PEARL ARMSTRONG, 80, of the Scuppernong community of Tyrrell County died July 9, 2004 at Washington County Hospital. She was born in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late John A. and Addie Sutton Pledger. She was a retired nurse from Columbia Memorial Hospital and bookkeeper with Armstrong Heating & Air Conditioning. She is survived by a step-daughter: Sandra A. Marriner; five stepsons: Albert, Ricky, Craig, Jimmy, and Tony Armstrong; two sisters: Evelyn Aidock and Laura Yoder; one brother: J.A. Pledger; and many step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Robert Q. Davis and James A. Armstrong; one son: Ray Davis; a sister: Beatrice Vanhorn; three brothers: Melvin, James, and Walter Pledger; and two stepsons: David and James Armstrong. A funeral was conducted at Maitland Chapel and burial followed at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Alligator community. ULYLESS CLOUGH, 71, died at his Riverneck home on June 24, 2004. He was born October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late Douglas Irving and Dora Mae Spear Clough of Tyrrell County. He was a retired farmer but continued to operate Scuppernong Produce until his death. He was a 1952 graduate of CHS and a US Army veteran of the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served one term as a Tyrrell County Commissioner and was a past president of the NC Potato Association. He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Vera Patrick Clough; two daughters: April Vaughn and Tobi Kirkman; four grandchildren; four brothers: Bill, J.D., Mac, and David Clough; one sister: Faye McCullum; and 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: Lance Clough. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in the church cemetery. ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
SCUPPERNONG RIVER FESTIVAL 2004!ITS THAT TIME AGAIN!!!!! Time to make plans to attend the 13th annual Scuppernong River Festival in Columbia. This year the festival will commence at 8:30 am on Saturday, October 9th and end at midnight. Some of the events this year will be: The Festival Parade (the theme of which is "Proud to be an American", rides for the kids, antique cars, art show, craft vendors, food vendors, free music & entertainment, and much more. The evening will end with a terrific fireworks display and a street dance lasting until midnight. Come, join the thousands that annually line the streets of Columbia to enjoy the fun, festivities, food, and fireworks of the Scuppernong River Festival. "A FAMILY ORIENTED SMALL TOWN EVENT!" I hope to see you there! OGLETREE WINS OLYMPIC SILVER Charlie Ogletree and John Lovell won the silver medal for the US sailing team in the Tornado Class event in the recent Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Charlie is captain of the US Olympic Sailing Team and a three time Olympian. Charlie & John finished 8th in 1996 and 7th in 2000. Charlie has been sailing since about the age of 6. He sailed in high school for Tabor Academy and was a collegiate all-american sailer at Old Dominion University. Charlie is the son of Charlie and Midge Ogletree of Columbia. IT HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINAI know many of you have heard the old folk song about Tom Dooley. How many know that the song is about real people and a real event that actually took place in North Carolina? Laura Foster was stabbed to death by her boy friend, Tom Dooley, in Wilkes County in May 1865. The story goes that Tom was a handsome fellow who caught the eye of several young ladies. His choice was Ann Foster, but the Civil War interupted the romance. Tom went off to fight and was captured. His darling Ann, didn't wait for him to return and married a local fellow whose last name was Melton. When Tom returned home three years had passed. He began to date Laura Foster but supposedly carried on a secret affair with his past sweetheart, Ann Foster Melton ( while promising to marry Laura). On the day they were to wed , Laura rode off on horseback to meet Tom and disappeared. Her body was found in a shallow grave on a mountain ridge a few weeks later. Rumors soon spread that Ann Foster Melton may have stabbed Laura in a jealous argument. Tom Dooley fled but was soon captured and charged with the murder. He was defended in court by Zeb Vance (who later became governor of North Carolina) but was found guilty on circumstantial evidence. He was sentenced to hang and rode to his execution in a wagon sitting atop his coffin. He was hanged for the murder in Statesville on May 1, 1866. It was told that his last statement was, "I didn't touch a hair of that girl's head, but maybe I deserve this". Many locals still feel that Ann Foster Melton killed Laura and that Tom Dooley went silently to his grave to protect her. Both Tom Dooley and Laura Foster are buried in simple graves in Wilkes County, N.C. (Story condensed from: 'Tarheel Tombstones & The Stories They Tell' by Henry King) LOCAL OBITUARIES VIRGINIA LUDFORD RHODES, 90, of the Soundside community died on August 12, 2004 at her home. She was born in Tyrrell County on July 25, 1914 and was the daughter of the late Ephraim and Minnie Morris Ludford. She was married to the late James Lee Roy Rhodes. She is survived by one daughter: June Rhodes Belangia; one sister: Dixie L. Brock; one brother: Shelton Ludford; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church. FLORIDA PEARL ARMSTRONG, 80, of the Scuppernong community of Tyrrell County died July 9, 2004 at Washington County Hospital. She was born in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late John A. and Addie Sutton Pledger. She was a retired nurse from Columbia Memorial Hospital and bookkeeper with Armstrong Heating & Air Conditioning. She is survived by a step-daughter: Sandra A. Marriner; five stepsons: Albert, Ricky, Craig, Jimmy, and Tony Armstrong; two sisters: Evelyn Aidock and Laura Yoder; one brother: J.A. Pledger; and many step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Robert Q. Davis and James A. Armstrong; one son: Ray Davis; a sister: Beatrice Vanhorn; three brothers: Melvin, James, and Walter Pledger; and two stepsons: David and James Armstrong. A funeral was conducted at Maitland Chapel and burial followed at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Alligator community. ULYLESS CLOUGH, 71, died at his Riverneck home on June 24, 2004. He was born October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late Douglas Irving and Dora Mae Spear Clough of Tyrrell County. He was a retired farmer but continued to operate Scuppernong Produce until his death. He was a 1952 graduate of CHS and a US Army veteran of the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served one term as a Tyrrell County Commissioner and was a past president of the NC Potato Association. He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Vera Patrick Clough; two daughters: April Vaughn and Tobi Kirkman; four grandchildren; four brothers: Bill, J.D., Mac, and David Clough; one sister: Faye McCullum; and 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: Lance Clough. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in the church cemetery. ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
OGLETREE WINS OLYMPIC SILVER Charlie Ogletree and John Lovell won the silver medal for the US sailing team in the Tornado Class event in the recent Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Charlie is captain of the US Olympic Sailing Team and a three time Olympian. Charlie & John finished 8th in 1996 and 7th in 2000. Charlie has been sailing since about the age of 6. He sailed in high school for Tabor Academy and was a collegiate all-american sailer at Old Dominion University. Charlie is the son of Charlie and Midge Ogletree of Columbia. IT HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINAI know many of you have heard the old folk song about Tom Dooley. How many know that the song is about real people and a real event that actually took place in North Carolina? Laura Foster was stabbed to death by her boy friend, Tom Dooley, in Wilkes County in May 1865. The story goes that Tom was a handsome fellow who caught the eye of several young ladies. His choice was Ann Foster, but the Civil War interupted the romance. Tom went off to fight and was captured. His darling Ann, didn't wait for him to return and married a local fellow whose last name was Melton. When Tom returned home three years had passed. He began to date Laura Foster but supposedly carried on a secret affair with his past sweetheart, Ann Foster Melton ( while promising to marry Laura). On the day they were to wed , Laura rode off on horseback to meet Tom and disappeared. Her body was found in a shallow grave on a mountain ridge a few weeks later. Rumors soon spread that Ann Foster Melton may have stabbed Laura in a jealous argument. Tom Dooley fled but was soon captured and charged with the murder. He was defended in court by Zeb Vance (who later became governor of North Carolina) but was found guilty on circumstantial evidence. He was sentenced to hang and rode to his execution in a wagon sitting atop his coffin. He was hanged for the murder in Statesville on May 1, 1866. It was told that his last statement was, "I didn't touch a hair of that girl's head, but maybe I deserve this". Many locals still feel that Ann Foster Melton killed Laura and that Tom Dooley went silently to his grave to protect her. Both Tom Dooley and Laura Foster are buried in simple graves in Wilkes County, N.C. (Story condensed from: 'Tarheel Tombstones & The Stories They Tell' by Henry King) LOCAL OBITUARIES VIRGINIA LUDFORD RHODES, 90, of the Soundside community died on August 12, 2004 at her home. She was born in Tyrrell County on July 25, 1914 and was the daughter of the late Ephraim and Minnie Morris Ludford. She was married to the late James Lee Roy Rhodes. She is survived by one daughter: June Rhodes Belangia; one sister: Dixie L. Brock; one brother: Shelton Ludford; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church. FLORIDA PEARL ARMSTRONG, 80, of the Scuppernong community of Tyrrell County died July 9, 2004 at Washington County Hospital. She was born in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late John A. and Addie Sutton Pledger. She was a retired nurse from Columbia Memorial Hospital and bookkeeper with Armstrong Heating & Air Conditioning. She is survived by a step-daughter: Sandra A. Marriner; five stepsons: Albert, Ricky, Craig, Jimmy, and Tony Armstrong; two sisters: Evelyn Aidock and Laura Yoder; one brother: J.A. Pledger; and many step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Robert Q. Davis and James A. Armstrong; one son: Ray Davis; a sister: Beatrice Vanhorn; three brothers: Melvin, James, and Walter Pledger; and two stepsons: David and James Armstrong. A funeral was conducted at Maitland Chapel and burial followed at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Alligator community. ULYLESS CLOUGH, 71, died at his Riverneck home on June 24, 2004. He was born October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late Douglas Irving and Dora Mae Spear Clough of Tyrrell County. He was a retired farmer but continued to operate Scuppernong Produce until his death. He was a 1952 graduate of CHS and a US Army veteran of the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served one term as a Tyrrell County Commissioner and was a past president of the NC Potato Association. He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Vera Patrick Clough; two daughters: April Vaughn and Tobi Kirkman; four grandchildren; four brothers: Bill, J.D., Mac, and David Clough; one sister: Faye McCullum; and 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: Lance Clough. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in the church cemetery. ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
IT HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINAI know many of you have heard the old folk song about Tom Dooley. How many know that the song is about real people and a real event that actually took place in North Carolina? Laura Foster was stabbed to death by her boy friend, Tom Dooley, in Wilkes County in May 1865. The story goes that Tom was a handsome fellow who caught the eye of several young ladies. His choice was Ann Foster, but the Civil War interupted the romance. Tom went off to fight and was captured. His darling Ann, didn't wait for him to return and married a local fellow whose last name was Melton. When Tom returned home three years had passed. He began to date Laura Foster but supposedly carried on a secret affair with his past sweetheart, Ann Foster Melton ( while promising to marry Laura). On the day they were to wed , Laura rode off on horseback to meet Tom and disappeared. Her body was found in a shallow grave on a mountain ridge a few weeks later. Rumors soon spread that Ann Foster Melton may have stabbed Laura in a jealous argument. Tom Dooley fled but was soon captured and charged with the murder. He was defended in court by Zeb Vance (who later became governor of North Carolina) but was found guilty on circumstantial evidence. He was sentenced to hang and rode to his execution in a wagon sitting atop his coffin. He was hanged for the murder in Statesville on May 1, 1866. It was told that his last statement was, "I didn't touch a hair of that girl's head, but maybe I deserve this". Many locals still feel that Ann Foster Melton killed Laura and that Tom Dooley went silently to his grave to protect her. Both Tom Dooley and Laura Foster are buried in simple graves in Wilkes County, N.C. (Story condensed from: 'Tarheel Tombstones & The Stories They Tell' by Henry King) LOCAL OBITUARIES VIRGINIA LUDFORD RHODES, 90, of the Soundside community died on August 12, 2004 at her home. She was born in Tyrrell County on July 25, 1914 and was the daughter of the late Ephraim and Minnie Morris Ludford. She was married to the late James Lee Roy Rhodes. She is survived by one daughter: June Rhodes Belangia; one sister: Dixie L. Brock; one brother: Shelton Ludford; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church. FLORIDA PEARL ARMSTRONG, 80, of the Scuppernong community of Tyrrell County died July 9, 2004 at Washington County Hospital. She was born in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late John A. and Addie Sutton Pledger. She was a retired nurse from Columbia Memorial Hospital and bookkeeper with Armstrong Heating & Air Conditioning. She is survived by a step-daughter: Sandra A. Marriner; five stepsons: Albert, Ricky, Craig, Jimmy, and Tony Armstrong; two sisters: Evelyn Aidock and Laura Yoder; one brother: J.A. Pledger; and many step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Robert Q. Davis and James A. Armstrong; one son: Ray Davis; a sister: Beatrice Vanhorn; three brothers: Melvin, James, and Walter Pledger; and two stepsons: David and James Armstrong. A funeral was conducted at Maitland Chapel and burial followed at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Alligator community. ULYLESS CLOUGH, 71, died at his Riverneck home on June 24, 2004. He was born October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late Douglas Irving and Dora Mae Spear Clough of Tyrrell County. He was a retired farmer but continued to operate Scuppernong Produce until his death. He was a 1952 graduate of CHS and a US Army veteran of the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served one term as a Tyrrell County Commissioner and was a past president of the NC Potato Association. He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Vera Patrick Clough; two daughters: April Vaughn and Tobi Kirkman; four grandchildren; four brothers: Bill, J.D., Mac, and David Clough; one sister: Faye McCullum; and 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: Lance Clough. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in the church cemetery. ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
LOCAL OBITUARIES VIRGINIA LUDFORD RHODES, 90, of the Soundside community died on August 12, 2004 at her home. She was born in Tyrrell County on July 25, 1914 and was the daughter of the late Ephraim and Minnie Morris Ludford. She was married to the late James Lee Roy Rhodes. She is survived by one daughter: June Rhodes Belangia; one sister: Dixie L. Brock; one brother: Shelton Ludford; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church. FLORIDA PEARL ARMSTRONG, 80, of the Scuppernong community of Tyrrell County died July 9, 2004 at Washington County Hospital. She was born in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late John A. and Addie Sutton Pledger. She was a retired nurse from Columbia Memorial Hospital and bookkeeper with Armstrong Heating & Air Conditioning. She is survived by a step-daughter: Sandra A. Marriner; five stepsons: Albert, Ricky, Craig, Jimmy, and Tony Armstrong; two sisters: Evelyn Aidock and Laura Yoder; one brother: J.A. Pledger; and many step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Robert Q. Davis and James A. Armstrong; one son: Ray Davis; a sister: Beatrice Vanhorn; three brothers: Melvin, James, and Walter Pledger; and two stepsons: David and James Armstrong. A funeral was conducted at Maitland Chapel and burial followed at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Alligator community. ULYLESS CLOUGH, 71, died at his Riverneck home on June 24, 2004. He was born October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late Douglas Irving and Dora Mae Spear Clough of Tyrrell County. He was a retired farmer but continued to operate Scuppernong Produce until his death. He was a 1952 graduate of CHS and a US Army veteran of the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served one term as a Tyrrell County Commissioner and was a past president of the NC Potato Association. He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Vera Patrick Clough; two daughters: April Vaughn and Tobi Kirkman; four grandchildren; four brothers: Bill, J.D., Mac, and David Clough; one sister: Faye McCullum; and 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: Lance Clough. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in the church cemetery. ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
VIRGINIA LUDFORD RHODES, 90, of the Soundside community died on August 12, 2004 at her home. She was born in Tyrrell County on July 25, 1914 and was the daughter of the late Ephraim and Minnie Morris Ludford. She was married to the late James Lee Roy Rhodes. She is survived by one daughter: June Rhodes Belangia; one sister: Dixie L. Brock; one brother: Shelton Ludford; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church. FLORIDA PEARL ARMSTRONG, 80, of the Scuppernong community of Tyrrell County died July 9, 2004 at Washington County Hospital. She was born in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late John A. and Addie Sutton Pledger. She was a retired nurse from Columbia Memorial Hospital and bookkeeper with Armstrong Heating & Air Conditioning. She is survived by a step-daughter: Sandra A. Marriner; five stepsons: Albert, Ricky, Craig, Jimmy, and Tony Armstrong; two sisters: Evelyn Aidock and Laura Yoder; one brother: J.A. Pledger; and many step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Robert Q. Davis and James A. Armstrong; one son: Ray Davis; a sister: Beatrice Vanhorn; three brothers: Melvin, James, and Walter Pledger; and two stepsons: David and James Armstrong. A funeral was conducted at Maitland Chapel and burial followed at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Alligator community. ULYLESS CLOUGH, 71, died at his Riverneck home on June 24, 2004. He was born October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late Douglas Irving and Dora Mae Spear Clough of Tyrrell County. He was a retired farmer but continued to operate Scuppernong Produce until his death. He was a 1952 graduate of CHS and a US Army veteran of the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served one term as a Tyrrell County Commissioner and was a past president of the NC Potato Association. He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Vera Patrick Clough; two daughters: April Vaughn and Tobi Kirkman; four grandchildren; four brothers: Bill, J.D., Mac, and David Clough; one sister: Faye McCullum; and 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: Lance Clough. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in the church cemetery. ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
FLORIDA PEARL ARMSTRONG, 80, of the Scuppernong community of Tyrrell County died July 9, 2004 at Washington County Hospital. She was born in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late John A. and Addie Sutton Pledger. She was a retired nurse from Columbia Memorial Hospital and bookkeeper with Armstrong Heating & Air Conditioning. She is survived by a step-daughter: Sandra A. Marriner; five stepsons: Albert, Ricky, Craig, Jimmy, and Tony Armstrong; two sisters: Evelyn Aidock and Laura Yoder; one brother: J.A. Pledger; and many step-grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands: Robert Q. Davis and James A. Armstrong; one son: Ray Davis; a sister: Beatrice Vanhorn; three brothers: Melvin, James, and Walter Pledger; and two stepsons: David and James Armstrong. A funeral was conducted at Maitland Chapel and burial followed at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery in Alligator community. ULYLESS CLOUGH, 71, died at his Riverneck home on June 24, 2004. He was born October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late Douglas Irving and Dora Mae Spear Clough of Tyrrell County. He was a retired farmer but continued to operate Scuppernong Produce until his death. He was a 1952 graduate of CHS and a US Army veteran of the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served one term as a Tyrrell County Commissioner and was a past president of the NC Potato Association. He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Vera Patrick Clough; two daughters: April Vaughn and Tobi Kirkman; four grandchildren; four brothers: Bill, J.D., Mac, and David Clough; one sister: Faye McCullum; and 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: Lance Clough. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in the church cemetery. ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
ULYLESS CLOUGH, 71, died at his Riverneck home on June 24, 2004. He was born October 22, 1932 and was the son of the late Douglas Irving and Dora Mae Spear Clough of Tyrrell County. He was a retired farmer but continued to operate Scuppernong Produce until his death. He was a 1952 graduate of CHS and a US Army veteran of the Korean War where he earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He served one term as a Tyrrell County Commissioner and was a past president of the NC Potato Association. He is survived by his wife of 50 years: Vera Patrick Clough; two daughters: April Vaughn and Tobi Kirkman; four grandchildren; four brothers: Bill, J.D., Mac, and David Clough; one sister: Faye McCullum; and 19 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son: Lance Clough. A funeral was held at Soundside Missionary Baptist Church and burial followed in the church cemetery. ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
ESTHER GRAY HOLTON DAVENPORT, 69, of Columbia died at her home on June 21, 2004. She was born in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Herbert R. and Allie Ambrose Holton. She was a former librarian with the Tyrrell County Public Library and a sales representative for the Uniway Corporation. She is survived by two sons: Forest Lee Davenport and Hugh Thomas Davenport Jr; three sisters: Dolores Alexander, Lena Brown, and Mary Brown; and one brother: Herbert Holton Jr. She was preceded in death by one brother: Julian R. Holton and one sister: Eula Gray. A memorial service was held at Creswell United Methodist Church. CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
CHARLIE SPRUILL, 45, of Columbia died unexpectedly at his home on Soundside on June 19, 2004. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of Lindsey Earl and Adelia Clifton Spruill who survive. He owned his own logging and trucking business in Tyrrell County. He is survived by his wife Christy C. Spruill; two daughters: Jessica and Karen Spruill; four sons: Randy, Charlie Jr, Stephen, and Taylor Spruill; three sisters: Rhesa Davis, Lisa Meiggs, and Sharon Miller; and one brother: Joseph Miller. He was preceded in death by one brother: Lindsey Earl Spruill III. A funeral was held at Philippi Church of Christ in Cherry and burial followed in the church cemetery. STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
STEANIE FLOWERS SIMMONS, 70, of the Riverneck community of Tyrrell County died June 12, 2004 at Albemarle Hospital following a long battle with cancer. He was born December 10, 1933 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Olies B. and Myrtle Sykes Simmons of Frying Pan. He was a carpenter and a commercial fisherman. He was married to Lorretta Roughton Simmons and is survived by one son, Hal Simmons; and one grandson. Burial was in Azalea Memorial Gardens. HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .
HELEN VIRGINIA HASSELL, 59, of Columbia died May 28, 2004 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Philidelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late W.P. and Helen Fossett Fallon. She was married to the late Gene F. Hassell and was a retired seamstress from Flair Manufacturing. She is survived by two daughters: Michele Tarkington and Taurus Hassell; one son: Gene Hassell, Jr; one sister; four brothers; and 10 grandchildren. She was buried in the Hassell family cemetery. .