The Sampson Independent

Mr. Bobby Glynn Cooper, 89, of Salemburg, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus while surrounded by family, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro. Bobby was born July 1, 1933, in Salemburg, where he lived all his life. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and lifelong member of Salemburg Baptist Church. Bobby was a proud Veteran of The United States Army, drafted in 1953 and stationed in Germany during the Korean conflict. Bobby was a skilled machinist and mechanic, who never retired, and many relied on him for auto, tractor, and lawnmower repairs. Bobby was always willing to help others and was known for being hardworking, dependable,...

Betty Jean Bland, 81, of Fayetteville, NC passed away peacefully on February 4th, 2023, at home. Betty was born to the late Grover and Vera Culbreth of Autryville. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Rupert Earl Bland; and brothers, James and I.V. Faircloth. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her children, Robert Earl Bland and wife, Debbie of LaGrange, Tempa Naylor and husband, Keith of Clinton and Lisa Puczylowski and husband, Jimmy of Fayetteville; brother, Billy Culbreth of Sunset Beach; eight grandchildren, Blake Naylor (Amber), Steven Naylor (Anna), and Lindsey Naylor, Tiffany Puczylowski, Krista Puczylowski (Alex) and Cason Puczylowski, Wyatt Bland, Mason Bland (Allie);...

Alice Brown Anders, 76, of Surf City left for her heavenly home December 30, 2022. Born September 28, 1946. She is the daughter of Florence & Thurman Brown who both preceded her in death along with her sister, Brenda F. Brown. Left to cherish her memories are her husband, Joe Anders; her daughter, Michelle Quinn( Kim); grandson, Holden Quinn; Stepdaughter, Cindy West(Richard); Stepson, Gerald Anders(Terrie); Step grandchildren, Matthew West, Joseph West (Lauren), Miranda West, Haley Anders Sinclair (Reid), Jacob Anders; 5 great grandchildren along with extended family and many special friends. Alice was a friend to everyone she met. Many will recall fond memories of shopping with her...

Charles Wayne Satterfield, 66, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2022, following a period of declining health. He was born in Harnett County on March 22, 1956, the son of the late Ida Mae and Charles Satterfield. Wayne spent most of his career teaching math at Hobbton High School in Newton Grove, NC. He later worked in the IT department of Sampson County School District. One of the many joys was meeting former students who expressed appreciation for getting them into math as a career. Wayne is survived by his loving spouse, Paul Cobb; sister, Barbara Myatt and husband, Al; brother, Dennis Satterfield and wife, Deborah; his feline companions, Calindore and Annabelle; and a host of...

Virginia Stanley King, 89, of Ayden passed away at Vidant Hospice in Greenville, NC on Sunday, December 11, 2022. The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 12 noon in the Ayden United Methodist Church. Burial will be private in the Ayden Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11 - 12 at the church. The widow of Louis Elwood King, Virginia was the daughter of the late Lewis Stanley and Sally Creel Stanley and grew up in the Piney Grove area of Sampson County. Virginia graduated from Piney Grove School as class Valedictorian in 1951. She married Louis Elwood King in 1952, living about two years in Raleigh. Virginia and Louis moved to Ayden to open King Brothers Farm...

Having lived a long and fruitful life, Russell Mack Lee died on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the age of 92. Russell was born in Sampson County to the late Katie Tart and N.C. Lee on May 4, 1930. In addition to his parents, Russell was preceded in death by his daughter, Gail Lee Jordan; brother, Clayton Lee and wife, Caroline; and sister, Rachel Williams. In 92 years of life, Russell experienced many challenging and wonderful events. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Russell attended the Edwards Military Institute and graduated from Westbrook School. This taught him organization, dedication, and determination. It caused him to see life differently and to...

Perry Allison Boone, 77, of Leland, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington. He was born on June 13, 1945, in Clinton, NC, to the late Clarence and Lillie Belle (Peterson) Boone. Perry, a proud US Air Force veteran, was a hard worker and a devoted fan of the UNC Tarheels. He was a great cook who loved gardening and working in his yard. Perry loved to have a good time with his friends and family. He was a bright light to many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Perry is survived by his daughters, Amber Drury and husband, Jonathan, Paige Boone Crews and husband, Jon; his brother, Gary Boone and wife, Edna Faye; his grandchildren, Raegan,...

Sandra LaMae Smith Fowler of Surf City, wife of William J. (Buddy) Fowler passed away on August 16, 2022. She was the daughter of Columbus Earl Smith and Eva Warren Johnson of Salemburg, N.C. and survived by brothers Earl Smith, Gene Juane Johnson, and husband Buddy Fowler. LaMae was a lifelong educator and artist who enjoyed life and nature. Her artwork allowed people to see the world as she saw it through her paintings. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Sandra's life on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 11 am at Andrews Mortuary, 17730 Highway 17 North, Hampstead. Online condolences may be made at: www.AndrewsMortuary.com

Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Ditch Newkirk of Rose Hill passed from her earthly life on the evening of Monday, June 27, 2022 while at Duplin Vidant Hospital in Kenansville, NC. Born on July 7, 1929, she is the daughter of the late George Richard and Elizabeth Phipps Ditch. She is also preceded in death by her husband?Joseph Whitfield Newkirk; son?Joseph Michael Newkirk; and siblings?George Ditch, Bill Ditch, Alice Jean Gaydosh, and Jack Ditch. Left to cherish her memory are her son?George Whitfield "Bud" Newkirk and wife Lori of Magnolia and their children Walker Whitfield Newkirk of Magnolia and Thomas Joseph Newkirk of Magnolia; daughter-in-law?Martha Jane Powell (wife of her son Joseph...

Ronnie Stephen Johnson of Eastover, NC, passed from his earthly life during the morning hours of Wednesday, June 1, 2022, while at home. Born on March 5, 1953, he is the son of the late Ivey Lee and Hazel Pearl Maxwell Johnson. Also preceding him in death are a son?Brandon Herrington; and siblings?Jerry Allen Johnson and Patricia Johnson Rogers. Left to cherish his memory are his wife?Cheryl Ann Dyroff Johnson of the home; children?Amanda Johnson of Clinton, Erica Cuff and husband David of Charlotte, Lara Johnson of Roseboro, Ashlyn Coble and husband Stephen of Holly Springs, Tiffany Pafford and husband Cliff of Fayetteville, , Michael Dyroff of Raleigh, and Robert Lands of Orange Park...

Louis Elwood King, age 90, passed away on April 14, 2022 at Vidant Medical Center of natural causes after a long illness. Louis, a native of Clinton, Sampson County, North Carolina, grew up on a farm where everyone there knew him by "Elwood". After graduation from Halls High School, he worked as a carpenter and served in the National Guard for 8 years. He married Virginia Stanley in 1951 and they moved to Ayden about 1954 to build the grain mill, King Brothers Farm Center, that he operated with his older brother, the late George King. He was close to his late parents, Ralph King and Clara Darden King, as well as beloved siblings who pre-deceased him: William King, George King, Benny King...

Ezekiel Anthony Troyon, 32, passed away on April 6th, 2022. Ezekiel is preceded in death by his uncle, Mark Troyon; grandfather, Roy Baker; grandfather, Charles Troyon; and grandmother, Carolyn Troyon. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife, Athens (formally known as Leeza); son, Gabriel Nekrasov-Troyon; son, Devine Brood; father, Richard Troyon; mother, Fawn Troyon; sister, Nicole Gurney; brother, Luke Troyon; and grandmother, Brenda Baker. Ezekiel was always a fun child, he made friends easily and everywhere he went. He had many different careers in his life including, welding certification jobs, CDL truck driver, veterinarian assistant, and a personal fitness trainer. Ezekiel...

Martha Vann passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022. Martha C. Vann was born on February 5, 1933 to the late William Harry Curlee and Helen Morgan Curlee in Thomasville, NC. She attended Thomasville City Schools through the 10th grade at which time she transferred to Salem Academy in Winston Salem for the last two years of high school. She graduated in 1951 as President of the Senior Class and accompanist for the Salem Academy Glee Club. Martha was presented at the 1951 Terpsichorean Debutante Ball in Raleigh, NC, and at the Governor's Ball the same year for newly elected Governor Umstead. She entered Duke University in the fall of 1951 where she accompanied the Women's Glee Club and...

Janie Pope Hudson, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on Thursday evening, February 10. We know that she is rejoicing in heaven with those that went before her. Janie was born on June 4, 1935, in Sampson County, North Carolina, the third of six children born to the late Richard and Jane Pope. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 67 years, Ottis D. Hudson, and her siblings: Lawrence Pope, Fannie Pope Williams, Alice Pope Harris, Howell Pope, and James Pope. She was also preceded in death by her infant son, Ricky. Janie was raised on the family farm. She learned the value of hard work from an early...

Elizabeth Jennifer Thornton, 93, passed away on November 1, 2021, at her home in Fair Oaks Ranch, TX. She was born on June 2, 1928, in Enfield Middlesex, England, to the late Marjorie Stone and Osbert Basil Fowler. Jennifer worked as an EEG Technician for London Hospital. She traveled to the United States through an exchange program with the University of North Carolina, where she matched wits with her future husband, William E. Thornton, debating the correct procedure to repair equipment. Taken by her sharp intellect, exotic accent and healthy appetite which matched his (undoubtedly due to the scarcity she personally experienced during WWII), they were married on June 14, 1958. Jennifer...

Kathryn Colwell McLean, known as "Dolly", aged 92, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. She was born on November 6, 1928, in Clinton, NC, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. James Franklin Colwell. Upon graduating from Clinton High School, she attended Hollins College in Roanoke, VA, was presented at the North Carolina Debutante Ball, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1952, she married William Thaddeus McLean, Jr., following his graduation from Bowman Gray School of Medicine in Winston-Salem. After further training in pediatric neurology at Bowman Gray, Duke, Harvard, Jefferson, and Johns Hopkins, they returned to...

Major Sonnie Lee Stevens, affectionately known amongst his family as "Lee Dot" was born on January 29, 1963 to the late Sonnie B. Stevens and Joyce Stevens in Sampson County, NC. He went home to be with the Lord on August 31, 2021. Major Stevens received his early education in the Sampson County Public School System. He went to UNC Chapel Hill, NC to further his education where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry degree. He began faithful service in the Air Force in 1992. In 2001, he earned his Nursing Degree and went on to be a commissioned officer in United States Air Force Nurse Corps. He served 22 active duty years, and had 29 total years of service in the United States Air...

Clarence Clayton Tart, III (Tripp), 69, of Davidson, North Carolina passed away August 4, 2021. Tripp was born in Clinton, NC (Sampson County) on November 2, 1951 to the late Clarence Clayton Tart, Jr. and Frances Elizabeth Britt. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by stillborn twin brothers, William and Warren. Tripp is survived by his wife of 36 years, Deborah M. Tart (Debbie) of Davidson, NC; son, Christopher Scott Tart of Mooresville, NC; sister, Anne Tart Lee of Raleigh, NC; nephews, Steve Lee and wife Bitsy of Union Grove, AL, and Michael Lee and wife Alison of Gurley, AL; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Fidelia and Charles Reves of Troutman, NC. Tripp was a...

Emma Schleicher Tart, 86 of Fayetteville, passed away on Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, N.C. Emma was born on July 3, 1935, in Germany to the late Johann Georg Schleicher and Maria Lina Stark Schleicher. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 12 noon at Eureka Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 11 -12 prior to the service. Burial will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Charles E. Tart, Sr. She is survived by her children, Charles E. Tart, Jr, Janet Mehmel, Johnny Tart, Harold Tart and Susie Demitrial; 7 grandchildren; and 14 great...

William "Bill" Price, age 70 of Sevierville (formerly of Autryville, NC) passed away Tuesday, May 25, 2021. Bill was a member of Sevierville Church of Christ, Clinton Church of Christ in Clinton, NC, as well as a member of the American Legion and NRA. He was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Butts and father William Price. Survivors include his wife Victoria Price, sons and daughters-in-law Bill and Sandy Price of Rockingham, NC, Robert Price of New York, Michael and Elizabeth Price of Autryville, NC; daughters and sons-in-law Jennifer Price of Lubbock, TX, Katherine and Randall McKenzie of Newton Grove, NC, Shirley and Adam Lane of Clinton, NC. In addition, he is survived by...

Judy Elizabeth Redfern Chesnutt of Cypress Glen Retirement Community in Greenville, NC, died on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 after a prolonged illness. Judy was born on February 13, 1941 in Albemarle, NC, the daughter of George Carr and Virginia Smith Redfern. Judy is survived by her husband of 57 years James Warren (Jim) Chesnutt of Greenville, NC and sons, James Warren Chesnutt, Jr. (Tracey Mangum) of Cedar Point, NC and Stephen Redfern Chesnutt (Martha Margaret Johnston) of Rocky Mount, NC. Judy's beloved grandchildren are James Warren (Tripp) Chesnutt, III. , Claire Elizabeth Chesnutt of Cedar Point; and Mary Powell Chesnutt, Elizabeth Redfern Chesnutt of Rocky Mount. She is...