Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home

Dr. Robert Worden "Bobby" Dougherty, Jr., 79, of Hertford, NC, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2023 in ECU Health Chowan Hospital, Edenton. Dr. Dougherty was born in Baton Rouge, LA on April 9, 1944, and was the son of the late Robert Worden Dougherty, Sr. and Katharine Medora Butler Dougherty. Raised on a dairy farm in Louisiana, he graduated from LSU where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as president of the College of Chemistry and Physics. He then attended Rice University in Houston, TX, graduating in 1973 with a Doctorate in Nuclear Physics. He was employed for 35 years at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Howard County, Md. One of...

Dr. Robert Worden "Bobby" Dougherty, Jr., 79, of Hertford, NC, passed away Wednesday, November 22, 2023 in ECU Health Chowan Hospital, Edenton. Dr. Dougherty was born in Baton Rouge, LA on April 9, 1944, and was the son of the late Robert Worden Dougherty, Sr. and Katharine Medora Butler Dougherty. Raised on a dairy farm in Louisiana, he graduated from LSU where he was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as president of the College of Chemistry and Physics. He then attended Rice University in Houston, TX, graduating in 1973 with a Doctorate in Nuclear Physics. He was employed for 35 years at The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Howard County, Md. One of...

Sharon White Ward, of 605 Gaston Drive, died Thursday, November 9, 2023 in ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville. Mrs. Ward was born in Chowan County on September 29, 1948 and was the daughter of the late David George and Mary Gordy White. She had retired as the Information Management Coordinator with Perquimans County High School. Surviving is her husband of 48 years, Paul Ward; her son, Brian Seay (wife, Kristina) of Warrenton, VA; her daughter, Erika Harris of Lincolnton; four grandchildren, Brittney Torrance (husband, Davey), Carter Seay, and Noah and Gavin Harris; and three great-grandchildren, Sam, Silas, and Matilda Torrance. In accordance with her wishes, no memorial...

John Morris Long, 74, of 442 Hurdletown Road, passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2023 in ECU Health Chowan Hospital, Edenton. Mr. Long was born in Pasquotank County on May 11, 1949, and was the son of the late Josephus "Joe" Long and Mary Frances Hollowell Long. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Wilson Hollowell Long. Retired from Harvey Point Defense Testing in Hertford, he was a firefighter for many years having started his career at Elizabeth City Fire Station No. 1 in 1971. Later he joined Winfall Volunteer Fire Dept. in 1985 and then served as Perquimans County Fire Marshall from 1991 to 2008. Other community involvement and service included...

Margie Nannette Williams Eason, 76, of 1367 Turnpike Road, Elizabeth City, passed away Monday, October 30, 2023 in her home where she was being cared for by family. Mrs. Eason was born in Pasquotank County on January 4, 1947, and was the daughter of the late Wallace Butler, Sr. and Hazel Marie Bembridge Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Frances Ann Curles (Gordon, deceased). A retired cosmetologist, for many years she also enjoyed operating her business, Glory Productions, making crafts and attending local craft shows. In particular, the Christmas season was her favorite and she enjoyed participating in Holly Days where she got to show off...

Mary Gardiner Wilson, 66, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and formerly a longtime resident of Plymouth County, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully, after a five-year battle with cancer, on Monday, October 9, 2023 in her home where she was being cared for by family. Born in Washington, D.C. on March 30, 1957, Mary was the daughter of the late Leo Franklin and Ellen McGrath Gardiner. A graduate of the University of Vermont with a bachelor's degree in Latin American Studies, she later completed her master's degree in Education from Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. Mary began her career in business with Fidelity Investments before she became an educator. She spent...

Calvin Ray Riddick, 88, of Smithfield, VA, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023 in Northern Cardinal Rehabilitation and Nursing, Suffolk, VA. Mr. Riddick was born in Gates County, NC, on July 2, 1935, and was the son of the late Emory Judson Riddick, Sr. and Mary Ward Riddick. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann Layden Riddick, a son-in-law, Skip Collins, sisters, Vivian Riddick Jones and Mary Louise Riddick, brothers, William Shirley Riddick, Gilbert Lawrence Riddick, Emory Judson Riddick, Jr., an infant brother, Robert Nelson Riddick, and by a grandson, Shaun Ray Riddick. He was a retired automotive mechanic. Surviving are his three...

Calvin Eugene "Gene" Sample, 87, of Elizabeth City, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2023 at his home following a long illness, where he was being cared for by family. Mr. Sample was born September 4, 1936 in a small house near the woods on Thunder Road in Elizabeth City. The son of the late Dallas Earl and Lina Pike Sample, he was a lifelong resident of Pasquotank County. A 1955 graduate of Central High School, he proudly served his country in the NC National Guard for a total of nine years. In earlier years he drove a delivery truck for Dr. Pepper and then for Wonder Bread before starting a career in the construction industry. Together Eugene and Shirley managed the C.E. Sample...

Robert George Exler, 77, of Hertford, NC, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2023, with his loving family by his side. Mr. Exler was born in Dearborn, MI on June 5, 1946, and was the son of the late George William Exler and Eleanor Pisaneschi Exler. The family moved to Tennessee and eventually settled in Pittsburgh, PA. His formative years were spent in Crafton, outside of Pittsburgh, and as a youth attended Saint Phillips and Bishop Canevin schools, and graduated from Langley High School. While at Canevin, he began a stellar football career as a halfback, and to this day still holds the record for the most touchdowns at two of the local fields. After he graduated from Langley High...

Velma Faye Layden Owens, 100, of Wilmington, NC, and formerly a longtime resident of Hertford, NC, passed away Sunday, September 17, 2023 in North Chase Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Wilmington. Mrs. Owens was born in Perquimans County on August 19, 1923, and was the daughter of the late Thomas Parker Layden and Luna Ester Winslow Layden. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Carroll Layden (wife, Mary Elizabeth, deceased). Employed for many years as an accounting clerk with Jackson Wholesale in Hertford, one of her greatest joys in life was traveling and seeing different places, especially the times spent visiting Calabash, NC. ...

Michael Lee "Mike" Rethford, 76, of 1395 Harvey Point Road, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2023 in Windsor Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. Mr. Rethford was born in Mercer County, WV on February 9, 1947, and was the son of the late George Lee Rethford and Katie Louise Phelps Rethford Sutton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, George Gary Rethford, and by his stepfather, Sammie Bertram Sutton. A retired Network Technician from Sprint, many remember him as the owner and operator of Mike's Produce which he ran from his home on Harvey Point Road. A former member of the Currituck Ruritan Club where he had served as its Vice President and was...

Ferdinand Alfred D'Antonio, 87, of Elizabeth City, NC, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, NC. For the complete obituary and to leave an online condolence, please visit www.millerfhc.com.

Ferdinand Alfred D'Antonio, 87, of 201 Rosecroft Drive, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023 in Laurel Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Elizabeth City. Mr. D'Antonio was born in Waukegan County, IL on November 20, 1935, and was the son of the late Alfred and Rueay Anderson D'Antonio. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Bonnie Shenkle D'Antonio, his son, Larry D'Antonio (wife, Linda, deceased). Retired as a Chief Warrant Officer from the US Army, following his military service he owned and operated Bull Sharpening Service over 40 years. A crafted woodworker, he enjoyed membership in the Woodworker's Association. Surviving is...

Our community sadly lost an important member on Friday, July 28, 2023. Ronald Russell "Ron" McCall, 73, was a resident of Albemarle Plantation, Hertford, at the time of his death. Born in Scottsbluff, NE on July 24, 1950, Ron was the son of the late Russell and Phyllis Grouse McCall. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Pamela Buffington. Ron attended Gering public schools, graduating from high school in 1968. He furthered his education at the University of Nebraska where he graduated in 1972. A building supplies salesman, through the years his career led him to work in Lincoln, NE, Madison, WI, and Chicago, IL. Upon his move to Albemarle Plantation...

Lieutenant Colonel Leo Richard Orenstein, US Army Retired, 79, of Hertford, NC, died Thursday, July 27, 2023 in his home after losing his fight with cancer. Richard was born in Southport, NC on August 1, 1943. He moved often to follow his father's Navy and Coast Guard assignments, but periodically returned to Southport for schooling and graduated at age 16 from Southport High School as Salutatorian in May 1960. Leo enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1961 and served one tour in Laos and two tours in Vietnam. Ten of his 29 plus year career in the Army was spent overseas. Leo served in command and staff positions in Special Forces, Training Command, Mechanized Infantry, Fixed and...

Dr. Franklin Charles "Frank" Scudder, 86, of 170 Middleton Drive, Hertford, NC, and formerly of Linwood, NJ, passed away Monday, July 17, 2023 in Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, Elizabeth City, NC. Dr. Scudder was born in Bayonne, NJ on June 1, 1937 and was the son of the late James A. and Rita De Nucci Scudder. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Marie De Rosa Scudder and by a brother, Jay Scudder. Surviving are his three sons, Christopher, Jeff, and David Scudder; a daughter, Nicole Scudder; and six grandchildren, Harrison, Carter, Timmy, Emma, Matthew and Christian Scudder. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Miller &...

Dr. Franklin Charles "Frank" Scudder, 86, of 170 Middleton Drive, passed away Monday, July 17, 2023 in Sentara Albemarle Medical Center, Elizabeth City. Dr. Scudder was born in Bayonne, NJ on June 1, 1937 and was the son of the late James A. and Rita De Nucci Scudder. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Marie De Rosa Scudder and by a brother, Jay Scudder. Surviving are his three sons, Christopher, Jeff, and David Scudder; a daughter, Nicole Scudder; and six grandchildren, Harrison, Carter, Timmy, Emma, Matthew and Christian Scudder. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Miller & Van Essendelft, Funeral and Cremation Providers,...

Thomas Wade Stanton, Sr. 80, of 234 Winfall Blvd., passed away Monday, July 10, 2023 in his home where he was being cared for by family. Mr. Stanton was born in Perquimans County on June 20, 1943, and was the son of the late Willis Jesse and Ruth White Stanton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Mark Stanton, his sister, Kay Eason, and by his grandson, Barry McDonagh. A retired certified welder and pipefitter from Local Union 540 Plumbers and Pipefitters of Newport News, VA, other employment enjoyed through the years included commercial fishing, working with the Perquimans County Sheriff's Department in Animal Control, and also as a bridge tender...

Wilmer Brantingham "Red" Chappell, US Army Ret., 95, of 1803 Belvidere Road, Belvidere, NC, died Thursday, July 6, 2023 in his home where he was surrounded and cared for by his family. Mr. Chappell was born in Chowan County on September 23, 1927 and was the son of the late John Ervin and Rehem Dail Chappell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Christine Winslow Chappell; by sisters, Lessie Benton Hobbs and Lois Hobbs; and by grandsons, Grant Phillip and Mark Allen Chappell. Retired after 24 years of service, Mr. Chappell attained the rank of First Sergeant and was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After his military career, he...