Andrews Mortuary

Frances Lena White, 71, of Wilmington passed away at home on Tuesday, February 17 after a brief illness. Frances was born on January 2, 1955 to the late Charles Edmond White Jr and Dorris Byrum White of Hertford, NC. She is survived by sister Martha Elizabeth While, brother Charles Edmond White lll, nephews Charles Trent White and Henry Sutton White, and furry companion Ellie Mae. Frances attended Perquimans County High School where she was class salutatorian, editor of the yearbook and member of the PCHS Marching Unit among other activities. Frances was a proud alum of UNC Chapel Hill where she earned a degree in art history. She also earned an associate degree in architectural design from...

William "Bill" Edwin Oakley, Sr. died on January 10, 2026, at the age of 86 in Wilmington, NC, due to complications from angiosarcoma, a form of cancer. He was born in Tampa, FL, on October 22, 1939, as the oldest child of the late Llewellyn Cardiff Oakley, Jr. and Mary Agnes Herring Oakley. Bill graduated in 1957 from Chattanooga's McCallie School, in 1961 from Vanderbilt University with a chemical engineering degree, and in 1974 from Baruch College in New York City with an MBA. Bill spent fourteen years working in the phosphate mining and manufacturing industry before moving to Wilmington, NC. In 1978, he became chief operating officer of Wright Chemical Corporation, and at age 65 he...

BARBARA "Bobbie" LINKOUS QUEEN of Wilmington, NC died on January 5, 2026. She was born on October 5, 1948 in Huntington, WV to Carl and Theresa Linkous. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Mike Queen; her children, Brett (Amy) Queen of Wilmington, NC and Amy (Jason) Knight of Greensboro, NC; and her four grandchildren, Joshua Knight, Jacob Knight, Kamryn Queen, and Emma Grace Knight. She is also survived by her brother Carl "Moe" (Becky) Linkous, Jr. of Huntington, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Bobbie is a graduate of Marshall University and taught first grade in Wayne County, WV. She and her business partner, Karen Harmon, owned and operated six Cold Stone...

Garnett Bradford passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Trinity Grove. He was born to George Henderson Bradford and Frances Robinson Bradford on September 7, 1935, in Harrison County, KY, near the North Licking River on his family's tobacco-livestock farm. Garnett graduated from Harrison County High School in 1953 and went on to earn a B.S. and M.S. degrees in agricultural economics from the University of Kentucky. After working two years in agribusiness, Garnett joined the economics faculty at North Carolina State University where he taught and conducted applied economics research and earned a Ph. D in applied economics and mathematical statistics. From 1954 through 1961 Garnett...

Kevin D. Longenecker, 66, of Hayesville, NC passed away peacefully at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Hospice on December 23, 2025. He was surrounded by the love of family and friends. Kevin was loved and adored by all who knew him. He was born on February 02, 1959, in Lafayette, IN. His family settled in Fredonia, NY, where he graduated from Fredonia High School. As a young man he developed a great love of the outdoors during camping, fishing and hunting trips with his friends and brothers. He carried this love of the great outdoors all throughout his life. If he was not out in the wilderness he was playing his guitar and sharing his love of music. He attended Alfred Tech and obtained an...

Our beloved mother, Mary Catherine (Kay) Henry Ballard, went home on October 20, 2025, to the welcoming arms of her parents, Helen Patricia and Maurice Kent Henry, her longtime love Jim Stras, as well as beloved pets including Pixie, Mac, and Dakota. She leaves behind, to cherish her life lessons and many memories, her children: Thomas Scott Ballard of West Jefferson, NC; Robin Kent Ballard Earp (Jeff) of Wilmington, NC; and Patricia Ballard Fleischman (Andrew) of Louisville, KY. Her grandchildren?blessed beyond measure by their time spent with their "Kaki"?are Wilbur, Henry, Mary Helen, Camden, Thomas, Bess, and Harris. Although she described herself in later years as, first and foremost,...

Gerald Champness, 87, of Wilmington, NC, died Monday, October 13, 2025, at Davis Health Care Center. He was born in Baltimore, MD, on May 14, 1938, the son of the late Fredrick J. Champness and Mary Teevan Michaels. Also remembered are his wife, Judith Harrison Champness and a daughter, Jennifer Queen, and two grandchildren, Monica Cox and Kenny Klingmeyer, all of whom preceded him in death. Surviving are two daughters, Carol Klingmeyer of Savannah, GA, Cindy Cox of Wilmington, NC; two grandchildren, Kevin Klingmeyer (Dorothy) of Indianapolis, IL and Brian Cox of Wilmington, NC; three great-granddaughters, Kenna, Lowan, and Cecily Klingmeyer of Indianapolis, IL, and two...

Gerald Champness, 87, of Wilmington, NC, died Monday, October 13, 2025, at Davis Health Care Center. He was born in Baltimore, MD, on May 14, 1938, the son of the late Fredrick J. Champness and Mary Teevan Michaels. Also remembered are his wife, Judith Harrison Champness and a daughter, Jennifer Queen, and two grandchildren, Monica Cox and Kenny Klingmeyer, all of whom preceded him in death. Surviving are two daughters, Carol Klingmeyer of Savannah, GA, Cindy Cox of Wilmington, NC; two grandchildren, Kevin Klingmeyer (Dorothy) of Indianapolis, IL and Brian Cox of Wilmington, NC; three great-granddaughters, Kenna, Lowan, and Cecily Klingmeyer of Indianapolis, IL, and two...

Gerald Champness, 87, of Wilmington, NC, died Monday, October 13, 2025, at Davis Health Care Center. He was born in Baltimore, MD, on May 14, 1938, the son of the late Fredrick J. Champness and Mary Teevan Michaels. Also remembered are his wife, Judith Harrison Champness and a daughter, Jennifer Queen, and two grandchildren, Monica Cox and Kenny Klingmeyer, all of whom preceded him in death. Surviving are two daughters, Carol Klingmeyer of Savannah, GA, Cindy Cox of Wilmington, NC; two grandchildren, Kevin Klingmeyer (Dorothy) of Indianapolis, IL and Brian Cox of Wilmington, NC; three great-granddaughters, Kenna, Lowan, and Cecily Klingmeyer of Indianapolis, IL, and two...

Magdalena Bless, affectionately known as "Oma" passed peacefully on July 24, 2025,in Lower Cape Fear Life Care. She was born on August 3, 1931, in Filipowa, in the Batschka, the daughter of the late Josef and Rosalia Harjung. She was preceded in death by her husband Rudolf Bless, her brother Franz Harjung and her sister Katharina Reichelt. Magdalena came to the USA with her husband Rudolf in 1956 and settled in New Jersey. She was a member of the parish of St. Mark Catholic Church in Wilmington, NC. She is survived by her sons Rudolf A Bless of Charlotte, NC and Richard J Bless of Wilmington, NC, and 7 grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, August 2 at the...

Claire Pike Smith, affectionately known as "Mimor," passed away peacefully at the age of 87 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Please visit www.AndrewsMortuary.com for a complete obituary.

Claire Pike Smith, affectionately known as "Mimor," passed away peacefully at the age of 87 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Born in Fremont, NC, she was the beloved daughter of Evelyn Lewis Pike and Clarence Gurney Pike. Claire attended Fremont Elementary through High School?all under one roof?and was a proud member of the women's basketball team that competed in the state playoffs. She cherished her childhood in Fremont, maintaining lifelong friendships and a deep love of music nurtured through years of piano and voice lessons. Claire began her college education at Greensboro College before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After a brief time in Durham, she...

Claire Pike Smith, October 3, 1937 - April 29, 2025, affectionately known as "Mimor," passed in Wilmington, NC. Visit www.AndrewsMortuary.com for obituary.

Phyllis Elizabeth McGovern, widow of Eugene F. McGovern, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the age of 84, with her children by her side. She was the devoted wife of Eugene, a construction industry icon and founder of Lehrer/McGovern Inc. Phyllis lived a life filled with warmth, kindness, and an unwavering dedication to her family and community. She will be remembered for her beauty, style, grace, generosity, and the love she shared with those around her. She leaves behind cherished family members, dear friends, and a legacy of strength and compassion. Phyllis's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Phyllis was born in 1940 in New York...

With profound gratitude and love, we celebrate the life of Margaret Ann Smith, born October 12, 1949, in Zanesville, Ohio. Margaret, affectionately known as Marg, resided in Wilmington, North Carolina, with her beloved husband of 51 years, Perry Smith. She was the daughter of Billie and Nelson McCoy and sister to Mac McCoy, all of whom precede her in death. Raised in Zanesville, Marg took great pride in her family's business, The Nelson McCoy Pottery Company, one of the nation's largest and most respected artware potteries. She actively preserved its legacy, supporting collector associations and celebrating its historical significance, including helping with its popular display at the...

June Leggett Pearce passed away peacefully on January 23, surrounded by her family and supported with love and prayers from her church community and friends. She was born in Lumberton, NC, September 3, 1940, the daughter of R. Frank Leggett and Inez Shaw Leggett. June was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband of 23 years, Buford Pearce and her brother Franklin Leggett, Jr. A graduate of Lumberton High School, June went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina Women's College. She was the first in her family to receive a college degree and this set the foundation for an emphasis on education and academic success which she shared with her...

Janie Cockrell, 83, faithful servant of the Lord was called home and reunited with her late husband, Al Cockrell on December 19th, 2024. She was born in McClain, Oklahoma on May 16th, 1941 to the late Henry and Viola Burrow. On June 24, 1961, Janie married Al Cockrell, and over their 60 years of marriage, they traveled to 40 countries, lived in 9 states, and together they led congregations in Kansas City, Missouri; Tampa, Florida, and Buffalo, New York, leaving an undeniable impact on each community and marking a lifetime of devotion to one another and to God's work. In 2018 Janie moved to Hampstead, NC where she attended and served at Renovation Church as a mentor, small group leader,...

Sept. 13, 2028- Dec. 18, 2024 Sadie "Sally" Mary Coccoma (Diorio) came to the natural end of a full and blessed life in the company of family on December 18, 2024. She was 96 years old. She was born on September 13, 1928, to Anna (Damato) and Michael Diorio, the oldest of five children, on Staten Island, New York. She was a registered nurse with a graduate degree in human resources working many years in this career. Her last position was as the nursing administrator at South Florida State Hospital. She is preceded in death by her husband of sixty- two years, Patrick Coccoma; sisters Frances Perricone and Anna Simmons; and brother, Vincent Diorio. She is survived by her beloved sister,...

Charles Edward Wills II, also known by family and friends as 'Chuck', departed this life on November 18, 2024 at NHRMC in Wilmington, NC. He was born on August 9, 1963 in Charleston, WV. The son of Margaret Wills and the late Charles Wills. Chuck was a devoted father, son, brother, uncle and grandfather. An avid fisherman, he always carried his fishing gear ready to fish in any waters. He also loved playing beach volleyball. Chuck was an OG in the 'Capt'n Bills' community. And he cherished spending time outdoors with his niece and three nephews. He is survived by his son Elliott Bailey-Wills, his brother Timothy Wills, and his sister Susan Kingsley. A memorial service will be held at...

Patricia Freeman, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on November 7, 2024, at the age of 83. She was born in Carteret County, on February 9, 1941. Patricia will be remembered as a loving and dedicated mother and for her work as a gifted educator for over 40 years. Her kind heart and gentle spirit will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Known for her gentle nature and selfless acts of kindness, Patricia leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion that will continue to inspire those she held dear. Her generous spirit will live on through all of the lives she touched. She is survived by her daughter Leigh Anderson Barnett. A small family memorial dinner will be held in...

Larry M. Wolfe, formerly of Charlotte, NC, passed away on November 5, 2024 at the age of 79. A celebration of life will be held at St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Charlotte on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 11:00 AM. For more information visit AndrewsMortuary.com