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Jimmy Fleming's

THE TYRRELL COUNTY "ENQUIRER"

Archives from the year 2005

Jimmy Fleming (Editor, Reporter, Janitor)

REYNOLDS REUNION 2005
The 38th Annual Reynolds Family Reunion and picnic was held May 1, 2005, at the Bethlehem Primitive Baptist Church near Columbia NC, with 40 members and guests in attendance. The event reunited the descendants of William Reynolds Jr. and his sister Matilda Jane Reynolds Spencer, both originally from Chelsea, England. William Reynolds Jr. lived in Tyrrell County and became a Primitive Baptist Preacher, while Matilda Jane Reynolds Spencer lived near Roper in Washington County and ran a local store. Registration and fellowship at the reunion began at 10:00, and the official business meeting started at 10:45. Mark Bateman, president, of Ledyard CT opened the meeting and welcomed family and guests. Next was a short devotional and hymn, with opening prayer by Rev Walter Reynolds of Farmville NC. Then a new reunion feature was announced – the Kids Corner. Children were invited to work on puzzles and coloring while the business session was conducted. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary Katie Swain Reynolds, and the treasurer's report was given by Gail Reynolds. A memorial service was led by Katie Swain Reynolds for the 9 family members who died during the past year, with the theme of the “Legacy Left to Us” by our ancestors. The program featured Mrs. Virginia Clough Haire of the Tyrrell County Genealogical and Historical Society. She spoke about the making of their recent book “Tyrrell County Heritage”, for which she served as chief editor. Mrs. Haire first related the history of Tyrrell County and Columbia, and how it grew from the first settlements near the river. She also told about how the Genealogical Society came together and about some of the projects they have undertaken. Then she told several of the interesting family stories that she has come across, including one on the theme of “leaving a legacy” which was actually about a “leg, you see” – a wooden leg! Mrs. Haire noted that the finished Tyrrell Heritage book arrived in August 2004 with 233 local family histories inside. She brought copies of the book and sold all of them to the eager Reynolds clan. Next was a discussion about the condition of the roof of the Bethlehem Church building, where the corners have rotted due to water damage. It was noted that repair is ongoing but that donations are needed to complete this work. From the Kids Corner time, Master James Smith, age 6 (son of Jeffrey and Amanda Hardy Smith from Grimesland, NC), was awarded a ribbon for his artwork that was displayed for all to see. Next, Mr. Dawson Reynolds was recognized as having travelled the farthest to attend, 739 miles from Tallassee AL. The youngest member was Whitley Waters, age 2-1/2, and the oldest was Mrs. Evora Parisher Bateman, age 93. Five people were recognized as attending the reunion for the first time. Colorful award ribbons were then presented to each of these people. The show-and-tell session featured old photos of W.T. “Uncle Tom” Reynolds taken in 1906, and a postcard written by original ancestor Matilda Jane Reynolds Spencer in her own handwriting. Copies were handed out to interested family members. It was noted that the annual Primitive Baptist preaching service will be held at Bethlehem on Sunday, May 23, 2005, at 10:30 a.m., led by Elder Johnny Ray Gardner. The reunion meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. with a barbecue and covered-dish picnic lunch provided by the families, held indoors on the still-wet Sunday afternoon. A meeting of the Preservation Society followed the picnic. (article contributed by Mark Bateman)

Please consider joining us next year on the first Sunday in May 2006!

IT'S HERE!!!! FLEMZ MARKET & DELI WEBSITE
I have completed work on the new webpage for Flemz Market & Deli. The site includes photos, a menu, and general thoughts concerning Flemz. As time goes on I hope to add other photos and articles to the site. I hope you will take a minute and check out my new site. Click here to visit the new Flemz Market & Deli Website.

TYRRELL COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Greater Tyrrell County Chamber Of Commerce came into being in 1997 under the leadership of President, Chip Jones. The group started with about 40 members and now boast about 100 members. Past presidents who served are: Chip Jones (1997-98), Bucky Pledger (1999), Frances Voliva (2000), Tessi Hollis (2001), J.D. Brickhouse (2002), Sharon Spencer (2003), and Lee Brickhouse (2004). The new president for 2005 is Sara Phelps. The Chamber had its 2005 Annual Banquet on March 22, 2005 at the North Eastern 4H Center in Bulls Bay. Past president Lee Brickhouse offered a review of 2004. Jimmy Fleming of FLEMZ Market & Deli, 2004 Business of the Year recipient, presented the 2005 Business of the Year Award to Bill Manning, owner of Columbia Pharmacy. Sara Phelps, 2004 Volunteer Of The Year, presented the 2005 Volunteer of The Year award to Greg & Betty Lassetter of Lassetter's Landing Cottages. A power point presentation was given by Peggy Langley about revitalizing the downtown area of Northeaster NC towns. She is the Main Street Leader for Elizabeth City and had much to share about the accomplishments in her town in improving the down town area. The chamber has a website that you might be interested in visiting to keep up with local events and news. You can visit the Tyrrell County Chamber at the following address: WELCOME TO TYRRELL COUNTY, NC.

GORDON BRICKHOUSE, Honorary Tyrrell Citizen
My friend, Grady Gordon Brickhouse, died March 8, 2004 in Phoenixville, PA of a sudden heart attack. He had just recently retired and was looking forward to doing some of the things he had wanted to do (travel and Brickhouse Family research). I met Gordon several years ago through our mutual friend, Camille Everton. I have to say, Gordon thought a lot of Camille and was devastated when she died. They spent many hours over the years researching and tromping throught the cemeteries of Tyrrell County. Gordon was born April 3, 1948 in Norfolk, Va and was the son of the late Grady Francis and Sybil Brickhouse. He is survived by his wife June, two sons: Aaron and Chris, one daughter: Janel, four grandchildren, two sisters and two brothers. The Brickhouse Family History 1642 - 1995 was first published in 1987 by Gordon Brickhouse after ten years of research. The book was reprinted in 1988, 1992 and 1995 and charts over ten thousand descendants of George Brickhouse and his wife, Hannah Luddington, who settled on the Eastern Shore of Virginia near Nasswadocks about 1654/5. Peter Brickhouse, a grandson of George and Hannah moved his family to Tyrrell County, North Carolina in 1755. The Brickhouse family has remained in Tyrrell County ever since. Gordon was also an integral part in the organizing of the Brickhouse Family Reunion which is in its 18th year. Gordon also started The Brickhouse Family Newsletter which is a publication of the Brickhouse Family Association. The newsletter keeps the family up to date on births, deaths, family reunions and other important events taking place in the lives of Brickhouse family members. The newsletter is published in the winter and summer of each year. The summer newsletter provides ticket and other vital information regarding the annual family reunion which takes place usually the second or third Saturday of August in either Virginia or North Carolina. Gordon also developed The Brickhouse Family Association Website, where a websurfer can view family charts, wills, photos, old newsletters, and much more. One of his last projects was to make The Brickhouse Family History 1642 - 1999 available on CD for anyone owning an IBM or compatible computer. The entire family history is now in an easy to use Microsoft Word format. Included on the same CD is a Family Tree Maker database with almost 9,000 Brickhouses and about one hundred and twenty five photographs that have been collected at past family reunions. Gordon accomplished so much during his short life- research, writing his book, organizing and orchestrating a family reunion, creating the website, and through it all he still took time to be a devoted husband, father, dedicated employee, and friend to many: including me. I miss your visits, but I know that Columbia and Tyrrell County will be a better place due to your contributions and people will be utilizing your wonderful research and knowledge for many years to come. Thanks again Gordon Brickhouse, though you were born in Virginia and lived in Pennsylvania, I believe Tyrrell County was your true home!


June and Gordon Brickhouse

LOCAL OBITUARIES

DEZZIE OLDINE ROSE, 76, of Edenton died May 8, 2005. She was born on April 8, 1929 in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late Johnnie and Dezzie Armstrong Rose. She was predeceased by her two husbands: James R. Payne and Jesse Burvil Voliva. She is survived by two daughters: Sandra Payne and Kathy Payne Etchison; two sisters: Gretchel Watson and Virgie Batemanm; two brothers: Jack and Melvin Rose; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son: James Terry Payne who was killed in Vietnam in 1968 and Myra Voliva Keyzer who recently died of cancer.

AARON DAVENPORT, 68, of the Travis community died April 13, 2005 at his home. He was born March 4, 1937 in Tyrrell County and was the son of late James L. and Mary C. Davenport. He is survived by his wife: Castella A. Davenport; two daughters: Pamela Alexander and Gretchen Davenport; one son: Torren Davenport; three brothers: Alton, George, and James Davenport; two sisters: Elizabeth Chesson and Louise Cherry; and two grandchildren.

JACQUELINE CRADDOCK REYNOLDS, 74, formerly of Creswell died April 3, 2005 at Wake Medical. She was born April 9, 1930 in Washington County and was the daughter of the late Henderson and Helen Craddock. She was married to US Army Ret. Sgt. Major Thurman B. Reynolds who survives. Other survivors include two daughters: Jaqueline Elaine Quinn and Julie Ann James; also several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

RODNEY SWAIN BATEMAN SR, 95, of the town of Columbia died April 4, 2005. He was born February 12, 1910 in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late James Henry and Mattie Virginia Swain Bateman. He was retired from the dairy business and Owens Supply Company. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Evora Parisher Bateman. Other survivors include one son: Rodney Swain Bateman Jr; one daughter: Joyce Giglioni; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers: James Henry Bateman Jr and Dr. Joseph C. Bateman and one sister: India Robbins.

JAMES CALVERT JONES, 81, of the Gum Neck community died March 23, 2005 at Pitt Memorial. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Len T. and Allean Everton JOnes. He was married to Alvenus Payne Jones who preceded him in death. He was a retired missionary and member of the local singing group, The Happy Followers. He is survived by one daughter: Ellen Jones Gibbs; one son: Leon C. Jones; and one brother: Burvel K. Jones.

CHARLIE COOVEN McCLEES, 73, of the Alligator community died Mar 5, 2005 at Chowan Hospital. He was born in Tyrrell County on Dec 23, 1931 and was the son of the late Dwight and Jestee J. McClees. He was married to Palestine S. McClees who survives. He is survived by two sons: Jefferson Barrow and Mitchell McClees; two daughters: Catherine Sykes and Shari McClees; one brother: Hoover McClees; and two sisters: Zula Pemberton and Piccola Bryant.

GEORGE SENTELL DAWKINS, 80, of Columbia died Mar 6, 2005. He was born Feb 21, 1925 and was the son of the late Crawford Paul Dawkins and Ida Mae Hammonds. He was a past Tyrrell County Commissioner, served on the Tyrrell County Social Services Board, and was a self employed general contractor. Survivors include two sisters: Geraldine Atkinson and Janice Squires; one brother: Joseph Dawkins; and two sons: Michael and Tommy Dawkins.

GERTRUDE SAWYER CUTRELL, 84, of the Newlands community died Mar 2, 2005 at Chowan Hospital. She was born in Tyrrell County on Feb 13, 1921 and was the daughter of the late Trestion and Kizzie Langley Sawyer. She was married to the late Guy Russell Cutrell. Survivors include one daugher: Myra Daniels Watson.

MACEO BRYANT, 95, of the Goatneck community died Feb 28, 2005 Laurels of Forest Glen in Garner, NC. He was born in Tyrrell County on July 10, 1910 and was the son of the late Benjamin and Josephine Bryant. He is survived by five sons: Caldwell, Ira, McKinley, Chatmon, and Fentress; two daughters: Mary Respass and Catherine Lilley; and one sister: Pocohantas McCleese.

JOSEPH THOMAS "JT" BRICKHOUSE, 75, of the Sound Side community died Feb 26, 2005 at Pitt Memorial. He was the son of the late Ned and Peach Armstrong Brickhouse. He was married to Eunice Jones Brickhouse who survives him. Survivors include one son: Ned; three daughters: Sheila Reynolds, Marie Armstrong, and Monica Liverman; three brothers: Vernon, Lawrence, and Ronald Brickhouse; and one sister: Carolyn B. Davis. He was preceded in death by one brother: Russell Brickhouse.

ALICE CAHOON SMITH, 80, of Gum Neck community died Feb 18, 2005 at Columbia Medical Center. She was born in Tyrrell County and was the daughter of the late William Thomas and Martha Cartwright Cahoon. She was married to Ernest W. Smith who preceded her in death. She is survived by five sons: Doug Cahoon, Wade Smith, Lawrence Smith, Chris Smith, and Vance Smith; one sister: Etta Mae Cutrell; and two brothers: Delmo and Ted Cahoon.

BILLY PATRICK, 76, of the Scuppernong community died on Feb 1, 2005 at Chowan Hospital. He was born July 23, 1928 and was the son of the late Thomas Cleveland and Susie Bateman Patrick. He was married to Ella Mae Sykes Patrick who preceded him in death. He is survived by two daughters: Denia and Billie Carol; one sister: Corrine Phelps; and one brother: Jack Patrick.

JAMES RICHARD CAMMER, 63, of the River Neck community died Jan 29, 2005 at Chowan Hospital. He is survived by his wife Ellen Pait Cammer; one daughter: Mary Evelyn Speer; and two sisters: Linda Elmore and Dottie Parker.

MARVIN BRICKHOUSE, 86, of the Soundside community died Jan 28, 2005 at Chowan Hospital. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late Charles F. and Ella Brickhouse. He was married to Lola Sawyer Brickhouse who survives. He is survived by two daughters: Lorretta and Ann; one sister: Clara Mae Sykes; and was preceded in death by one brother: Nedum and three sisters: Louise Philbrick, Pauline Sawyer, and Myrtle Turner.

ROBERT DELBERT CAHOON, 63, of the Kilkenny community died on Jan 24, 2005 at Pitt Memorial. He was born in Tyrrell County and was the son of the late William Thomas and Martha Cartwright Cahoon. He was married to Glenda Swain Cahoon who survives. He is survived by two sons: Robert and Steven; one daughter: Sandra; two brothers: Delmo and Ted; two sisters: Alice Smith and Etta Mae Cutrell.