Bladen Journal

On August 3, 2021, Heaven celebrated as they welcomed home one of their angels who lived a full and meaningful life and carried Christ in her heart in every endeavor she embarked upon. This angel's given name was Patsy "Pat" Grainger and while she was born and raised in Clarkton, NC she spent the majority of her life in Cary, NC. Pat was the daughter of Mary Gertrude Fisher Evans and Charles Eubie Evans. She is survived by her siblings; Ada Byrd Davis (Bruce) and Charles Eubie Evans Jr. (Jean), and her two children and their spouses; Michelle Lee Grainger (R. Zalon Thurman Jr.) and Hiram Frank Grainger II (Kristen). She was known affectionately as Momma Pat to Roger Zalon Thurman III...

Harris Ray Heustess, 91, of Bladenboro, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Friday, June 4, 2021. Harris was born on April 16, 1930 in Columbus County to the late Edgar Rufus and Jeanette Devane Heustess. As a young man, Harris worked in the shipyard at Newport News, VA before returning home to begin his lifelong career as a farmer. He was an excellent carpenter and enjoyed woodworking, especially building birdhouses. He was a long-time member of New Center Baptist Church where he served many years as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and Song Leader. He was a very generous man and was always willing to lend a hand and serve others, expecting nothing in return. He was...

Harris Ray Heustess, 91, of Bladenboro, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Friday, June 4, 2021. Harris was born on April 16, 1930 in Columbus County to the late Edgar Rufus and Jeanette Devane Heustess. As a young man, Harris worked in the shipyard at Newport News, VA before returning home to begin his lifelong career as a farmer. He was an excellent carpenter and enjoyed woodworking, especially building birdhouses. He was a long-time member of New Center Baptist Church where he served many years as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, and Song Leader. He also served as a Gideon. He was a very generous man and was always willing to lend a hand and serve others,...

Emily Huffstetler Shipman, a loving wife, sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully at Duke University Medical Center on January 28, 2021 at the age of 57 years. Born in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, Emily was the youngest daughter of the late Robert Sae and Velna McDuffie Huffstetler. Emily was Steven's beloved wife for 35 years and a wonderfully devoted mother to their sons Alex Shipman (Andrea) of Raleigh and Andrew Shipman (Sara) of Wilmington. She was also the proud Mimi of Brayden Justice-Mintz, Brantley Shipman, and Easton Shipman. In addition to her immediate family, Emily is survived by her brother Bobby Huffstetler (Freida) of Whiteville; sisters Sherry...

Taylor "TJ" Tatum, 81, received his wings after a battle with many health issues. He passed away September 21, 2020 in New Hanover Regional Medical Center. TJ loved life, enjoyed singing gospel music and was very active in church. He was a loving and caring person who never met a stranger. He retired from the City of Wilmington, NC in 2012. TJ was preceded by his parents Taylor & Mary Jane Tatum and his brother Robert Tatum. He is survived by sisters, Jayne Lawson of Myrtle Beach, SC, Lucille Jernigan of Elizabethtown, NC and brother's Lloyd Tatum of Elizabethtown, NC and Rev Charlie Tatum (Sharon) of Clarkton, NC. He is also survived by his special nieces, nephews and cousins....

Lenora Burney of Athens, Georgia passed away on August 19, 2020. Lenora was born to parents, Oscar Joseph and Rebecca Anne Richardson on June 15, 1944 in Conway, South Carolina. She married her childhood sweetheart, Max Burney, and moved to Georgia where she worked at Gulf Oil for many years, and later retired from the Gwinnett County Department of Public Utilities. An avid gardener, Lenora never met a plant she couldn't save, and always kept a beautiful garden. After her retirement, she moved to Lexington, Georgia, where she owned an antique business. Lenora loved her children and grandchildren deeply, and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Lenora is survived by her...

Kenneth B. Storms, 79, passed away on July 21, 2020 surrounded by family after a brave and grueling battle against cancer. He will be incredibly missed by his beloved and devoted wife of 53 years Beverly, daughter Cheryl, son Steven, granddaughters Katheryn and Anne Marie, and former daughter- in-law Chichi. He will also be sadly missed by friends and extended family both near and far. He was preceded in death by his mother Mildred Bowen Storms; An infant brother and sister; Parents Isaac and Bura Storms; In- laws Oneal and Elaine Melancon. And beloved pet Pounce. He was a decorated Vietnam War veteran, and served in the USAF for over 20 years. He went on to become the head of the Jr. ...

On April 15, 2020 Frank Dewey James of Lumberton, NC passed away just hours short of his and his wife, Nancy's 59th wedding anniversary. He served his country for 21 years in the United States Navy, where he retired as GMG Chief Petty Officer. He then retired from working at the Newport News Shipbuilding Dry Dock Company for 25 years. He was well known in his community by his love of farming and he freely shared that bounty of love with family and neighbors. He also enjoyed his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dewey was proceeded in death by his parents, Ruby Mckee and Lawrence James. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy L. Martin James; children, Frank Dewey James, Jr. and...

Mr. William Council Daniels Jr., 75, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the VA Medical Center in Durham. Mr. Daniels was born in Robeson County on October 14, 1944 to the late William Council and Thelma Watson Daniels Sr. Mr. Daniels was a 1963 graduate of Clarkton High School, where he played on the 1961 State Champion eight man football team. Mr. Daniels was a Vietnam Veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Intrepid. After his military service, Mr.Daniels earned a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UNC Charlotte and later worked and retired from Chicopee in Benson, NC. He enjoyed sports, history, music, the beach and his dogs. A graveside service will be held...

Sophia Elizabeth Hester Edwards, 70, of Eastover passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020. Sophia was born March 12, 1949 in Robeson County to the late Leo M. Hester and Margaret Davis Hester. She retired as a Registered Nurse from the Cumberland County School System, where she worked with special needs children. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 2 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Chapel. Burial will follow at Hickory Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home and also following the burial at Hickory Grove Baptist Church Life Center, 6414 Center Rd. Bladenboro, N.C. 28320. She was...

Terry Lyon Hemingway May 27, 1942 - November 28, 2019 Terry "Ted" Lyon Hemingway, 77 of Wilson passed away Thursday. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 100 W Green Street, Wilson. The Rev. Robert Bergland will officiate. Ted was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to everyone. His kind and gentle spirit made those around him feel at ease. After growing up in Elizabethtown, Ted headed to Campbell University on a golf scholarship and later served in the US Army. Ted got his start as a golf professional before settling into his career in Truck Brokerage. In his free time, you could find him with his soulmate Peg and...

Osbin Franklin "Buddy" Dowd, 86, of White Oak, NC died on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill, NC. Mr. Dowd is survived by his wife Dainese Dowd of the home; daughters Treva (Charles) Towne of Charleston, SC and Judy (Douglas) Dowd-Strickland of White Oak, NC; sons Keith (Mary Alice) Dowd and Tracy (Crystal) Dowd all of White Oak, NC; ten grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at White Oak Baptist Church, 9724 NC 53 W., White Oak, NC. The family will receive friends at 1:00 pm with a memorial service following at 2:30. Burial will be in the White Oak Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made...

Ella Mae Dowless Harris, of Hope Mills, NC, went home to be with the Lord on October 20, 2019 at the age of 86. She passed peacefully at her home. Ella was born on September 3, 1933 to the late Robie Lee Dowless and Annie (Gause) Dowless. Ella is preceded in death by her husband of thirty-eight years, Otis Lee Harris of Hope Mills, NC; her parents, Robie and Annie Dowless; her brothers, Henry, LeRoy, Robert, Aaron and Jayford Dowless; her sisters, Mary Jane Hester, Margaret Hester, Irene Carter, McCree Carroll, and Isabel Kinlaw. Ella grew up in Dublin, NC on her family's farm and attended Tar Heel High School where she graduated valedictorian in 1952. Ella was a wonderful homemaker who...

Charles Russell Wellons II, 71, of Fayetteville passed away Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC with his beloved family by his side. Charlie was born in Dunn, NC on March 31,1948 to the late Florence Cooper and William S. Wellons, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Judy R. Wellons; his son Jason Wellons and wife Lindsay of Wade, NC; his daughter Jenna Hilton and husband Dean of White Lake, NC; his five grandchildren, Molly, Brody and Jake Hilton and Addison and Parker Wellons; his two brothers Billy Wellons Jr. and Cooper Wellons; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Florence Cooper and Williams S. Wellons, Sr.; his...

Claude Thomas Cain passed away peacefully on the morning of Monday, October 7, 2019, at the age of 94 (October 9, 1924 - October 7, 2019), in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was a native of Gray's Creek, North Carolina, and a US Army veteran (4th Infantry) of WWII having served in France and Germany. This veteran was a member of the small remaining group of America's "Greatest Generation." His wife of 70 years, Esther Pearl Smith Cain, preceded him on September 30, 2015. He had three sons, and is survived by two of them: Tony M. Cain, Hillsborough, NC, and Larry Thomas Cain, Cheyenne, WY. He was preceded by his son, Benny T. Cain, Tavares, FL. He is also survived by five grandchildren and seven...

On Tuesday, August 21, 2019, Jan Faircloth Pugh, 47, of Fayetteville, NC passed away after a valiant battle with metastatic breast cancer. Jan, and her identical twin sister, Jo, were born to Jim and Sylvia Faircloth on July 21, 1972. She graduated from Harrells Christian Academy in 1990. She then attended the College of Charleston and Meredith College, from which she graduated in 1994. She worked as the office manager for Jim's Pawn Shop. Jan married Trey Pugh on November 1, 2003, and in June of 2007, she gave birth to the love of her life, Hudson Elizabeth Pugh. Jan was known for her strong will and spirited personality. She never hesitated to speak her mind or share her opinions, popular...

Connie Faye Lowery Gainey, 77, of Bladenboro died Wednesday June 26th. Connie was born July 30, 1941 in SC to the late Talton and Clara Lewis Lowery. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry Wade Storms; daughter, Angela Faye Kelly. She is survived by her sons Craig Storms and wife Margaret, Roger Storms; stepdaughter, Pandora Lowery; stepson, Harry Wade Storms, Jr "Biff"; brothers Jim Lowery and wife Faye, Alton Lowery and wife Betty, and Talton Lowery; grandchildren, Wade Kelly, Stephanie Kelly, Beth McLean, Marcus, Austin, Scottie and Nicholas Storms; step grandchildren, Chad Lowery,, Laura Lowery, and Kayla Johnson; 9 great grandchildren. A graveside service will be held...

Peggy Ann Galloway, 78, of Myrtle Beach, SC, died Thursday, June 27, 2019. Born in White Oak, NC, Peggy was the daughter of the late Austin and Catherine McMillan. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Hilda Suggs Perkins. Peggy is survived by her children, Teresa Keats and husband Jamie of Myrtle Beach, SC, Jennifer Balchun of N. Myrtle Beach, SC, Barry Broome and wife Victoria of Spartanburg, SC, and Tony Broome and wife Sabrina of Boiling Springs, SC; siblings, David O'Neal McMillan and wife Priscilla, Betty Allee and her late husband James, Faye Gillikin and husband Ronnie, and Brenda Godfrey and husband Ralph; 9 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren;...