Rocky Mount Telegram

ROCKY MOUNT - Dr. Jacob Reid Parrott, Jr. ("Reid"), age 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Born in Craven County, NC August 21, 1938, to his beloved parents, Jacob Reid Parrott, Sr. and Nola Benton Parrott, he was also preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Margaret Allen Parrott, and his beloved sister-in-law, Cotten Skinner Parrott. Reid is survived by his sons, Jacob Reid Parrott, III (husband Parker Davis) of Raleigh, NC and Benjamin Allen Parrott of Greenville, NC. He is also survived by his two cherished grandchildren, Benjamin Allen Parrott, Jr. and Dorsey Elizabeth Parrott of Greenville, NC; his brothers, Donald Benton Parrott (wife...

Mary Alice Trevathan Ezzell, age 91, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Born in Nash County, NC on June 3, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Robert Lee Trevathan and Mary Ella Harper Trevathan. A woman of great faith, Mary Alice was a member of Shenandoah Baptist Church for many years. She retired from the Rocky Mount and Nash County Health Department after over 20 years. Following her retirement, she dedicated herself to spending time and caring for her children and grandchildren, whom she cherished dearly. A loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and special friend to many, Mary Alice will be deeply missed and never forgotten. Mary Alice is...

Thomas "Tom" Dean Wright, age 94, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Born in Nash County, NC on September 12, 1929, he was the son of the late Edward Lafayette Wright and Lena Burgess Wright. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Edward Martin Wright; and his sisters, Mary Dollyhigh, Louise Coker, Lena Mae Wright, Irene Wright, and Emily Medlin. Tom is survived by his wife, Anne Carolyn Hardy Wright; his daughters, Denise Harrelson and husband, Donald, of Myrtle Beach, SC, Georgia Phillips and husband, Scott, of Rocky Mount, Angela Bartholomew of Rocky Mount, and Elizabeth Finez and husband, Jonathan, of Raleigh; his grandchildren, Ashley Johnson, Bradley Harrelson, Nicholas...

William "Billy" Douglas Etheridge, age 86, died in the early morning hours of Tuesday, April 9th, 2024. He was born in Martin County, NC on October 7, 1937 to John David and Daisy Lewis Etheridge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John David Jr. and June, his sister-in-law. Billy is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Ginny, whom he met while eating lunch outside the Nashville courthouse; five children and their families, all of whom he dearly loved: Sam Etheridge of Montgomery, AL; Paul Windley and wife, Diana, and grandchildren, Savannah Jane, Zeno, and Penelope, all of Winston-Salem, NC; Sarah James and husband, Adam of Raleigh, NC; and Will...

June Thomas peacefully went to meet our Lord on Saturday, April 6, 2024, surrounded by her family. June is preceded in death by her husband, John S. Thomas, and her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Marvin Godfrey of McCaysville, GA. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Debbie, of Rocky Mount; her grandsons Bryan (Kimberly) of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Erik (Kelci) of Raleigh; and her great-grandsons, Brooks, Brody and Baylor (Bryan and Kimberly), her great-granddaughter, Sarah (Erik and Kelci); and her five nieces and nephews, all living in GA. June was born in McCaysville, GA on February 25, 1934, to Cecil and Willa Mae Thomas. She was raised with her older sister...

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel Thomas Henry Spoons, Jr. (86), of Wilson, NC, died on Thursday, April 5th at Wilson Medical Center. Mr. Spoons' funeral will take place on Saturday, April 20th at 11 am at Calvary Presbyterian Church, USA, 209 Pender St. E., Wilson, NC. Rev. Maurice Barnes will be the eulogist. Burial with military honors will follow at Rest Haven Cemetery, 1700 Bishop LN Forbes Lane, Wilson. The family will assemble at 10:00 am at the residence for the processional to the church. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Barnes Spoons; three daughters: Solita Spoons of Burlington, NC; Sibyll Spoons and Sanchia Spoons, both of Charlotte, NC; three grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs....

Neill Connor of Wilson passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burrell and Ida Allsbrook Connor; brother, Mike Connor and his sister, Peggy Connor. He is survived by his wife of fifteen years, Linda Dawson Connor; nephew, Michael Connor (Ellen) of Pocomoke City, Maryland; nieces, Beth Shelton (Charles) of Henderson, and Ginny Atkinson (Michael) of Wilson; two great-nieces; three great nephews; one great-great-nephew, and his loyal K9 companion, Brownie Dawson Connor. In honor of Neill's wishes there will be no service and interment will be for the family at a later time. Neill was an integral part of the Community Soup Kitchen of Wilson County and...

William Ronald Barnes, Sr., 77, of Rocky Mount, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 1, 2024. Born in Wilson, NC on February 12, 1947, he was the middle son of Stella and OJ Barnes. Ronald grew up in Rocky Mount and was a graduate of Rocky Mount Senior High. He was part of the elite group at Senior High during their multi-sport championship season in 1963. He loved those years and had many tales from that time. He entered East Carolina University where he studied for one year before the Vietnam War called upon him as it did so many other young men. Ronald spent four years serving our country in the Navy aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier. He married Pam McDonald in...

Dr. George Thomas Ward Sr., 85, passed away on March 31, 2024, at Carteret Health Care, surrounded by family. His memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., April 12 at Calvary Episcopal Church in Tarboro, NC. Interment will follow on church grounds. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., April 11 at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City, NC. To view his complete obituary visit www.mundenfuneralhome.net. Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home.

Elizabeth "Lib" Deal Blackburn went home to be with her Lord and Savior on March 30, 2024. She was born to Lewis Arch Deal and Ruby Adams Deal on December 13, 1944. In addition to her parents, Lib was preceded in death by her stepmother, Helen N. Deal; daughter, Stephanie Elizabeth Deal; and brother Lewis Arch Deal, II. She is survived by her husband, Reuben G. "Ben" Blackburn; son: Lewis E. Blackburn (Christina) of Englewood, Colorado; grandchildren, Kaitlynn B. Blackburn, Everette J. Blackburn, and Taylor Goubeaux. Lib was passionate about two things, education and community service. After graduating from Brenau University in 1967, she began her career as counselor and Director of...

Elsie Elizabeth Sharp Crisp, 92, passed away at home on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Her death was expected, and she was surrounded by family at the time of her passing. Elsie was born on June 15, 1931, in Brooklyn NY to Alice Odenwald Sharp and Robert Sharp. Elsie was the oldest of three daughters. Her sisters were Alice Marguerite Sharp Blaauw and Barbara Ann Sharp Gonzales. Elsie graduated from Sewanhaka High School in Floral Park, NY and later received her Registered Nursing Degree at Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn NYC. Years later she graduated from North Carolina Wesleyan College. After completion of nursing school in New York and prior to her marriage Elsie moved to Tarboro, North...

Hilda House Soden, age 88, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2024. Born in Franklin County, NC on December 8, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Eddie Hilliard House and Rhue Gupton House. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William Soden, IV; her sister, Lucille House Denton; her brother-in-law, JB Denton; and her special great nephew, Matthew McCormick. Hilda was a long-time member of Edgemont Baptist Church where she was embraced and loved by her church family and friends. She retired as a Trust Clerk from People's Bank after 37 years. A loving aunt and dear friend to many, Hilda will be deeply missed and forever loved. Hilda is survived by her niece, Ava D. Addington...

Joyce Brown Huneycutt, age 84, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loved ones, Wednesday afternoon, March 27, 2024. She was born February 12, 1940 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to George Washington and Mary Brock Brown. She graduated from Benvenue High School and later began a successful banking career, starting with First Union Bank and retiring as Branch Manager from Wells Fargo Bank. Joyce was crafty and skillful in many areas, but most especially so when it came to sewing and growing. As an excellent seamstress, she was known for being able to tackle most any sewing task that came her way, from simple alterations to detailed creations from scratch. Her passions grew...

Cicero Thomas Griffin, Jr., age 85, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Born in Nash County, NC on August 28, 1938, he was the son of the late Cicero Thomas Griffin, Sr. and Della Frances Jones Griffin of the Salem Community. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Ralph Clifton Griffin. Cicero graduated from Red Oak High School of Class of 1956. He worked in the public service-related career with over 60 years of dedicated service. Cicero was a longtime member and served as a Deacon with Lighthouse Baptist Church. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother. Cicero was very proud of all five of his children. All of them followed him in...

Ella "Joyce" Williams, age 83, passed away Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Nash UNC Health Care in Rocky Mount, NC. She was born on September 25, 1940, the only daughter of Elijah and Martha Kennedy Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sons, Ricky Griffin and Stewart Hendricks and brother, Rex Williams. She is survived by her brothers, James C. Williams (Linda) of Spring Hope and Billy D. Williams of Timberlake; nephews, Dean Williams of Timberlake, Johnathan Williams of Zebulon and Carlton Williams, Jr. of Rocky Mount. A private memorial will take place at a later date. Arrangements by Davis-Little Funerals, Rocky Mount.