Florence Swartz

Florence Bowen Swartz, 73, died on Friday, November 28, 2003 at her residence. Mrs. Swartz was born in Hogg Island, VA and was co-owner of Swartz Fisheries Inc. in Frisco. She was a long-time resident of Frisco and a member of the Cape Hatteras Baptist Church and recently moved to Elizabeth City. She was the daughter of the late Eli and Grace Robbins Bowen and was the wife of Robert ‘Bob’ Swartz of the home.

Besides her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Mary Nannette Zepp of Newport News, VA and Delores Ann Belvin of New Port Richie, FL; one brother, Irving Bowen of Nassawadox, VA.

Graveside services will be held at Laurel Memorial Gardens, Grandy, on Sunday, November 30, 2003 at 3:00 pm with the Rev. John Cullop, of the Cape Hatteras Baptist Church officiating. The family will receive friends at 324 Planters Run Drive, Elizabeth City. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Albemarle Hospice, POB 189, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.
Twiford’s Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.

Richard Collier

OS1 (SW) Richard Shane Collier
US Navy

OS1 (SW) Richard Shane Collier, age 34 of 405 West Colonial Avenue, Elizabeth City, NC died Thursday, November 27, 2003, at his residence. Mr. Collier was born in Montgomery, Alabama, the son of Robert Eugene Collier and Myra Wilkenson Crawford and was the husband of Leah Marie Bopp Collier. He was an operation specialist with the U.S. Navy.

Besides his parents and wife, Mr. Collier is survived by one daughter, Hannah of Elizabeth City, NC; one son, Cameron Collier of Deatsville, AL, his step mother, Sue Collier of Aiken SC, his step father, Greg Crawford of Eclectic, AL; his maternal grandmother, Annie Wilkinson of Prattville, AL, his paternal grandparents, Adolph and Bobbie Collier of Prattville, AL, one brother, Christopher Collier and wife, Jessica, of Prattville, Alabama. Also surviving are three nephews, Devon, Keller, Ian Collier of Prattville, AL, three aunts and uncles, Danny and Debbie Collier, Steve and Dianna Collier and Bill and Mina Simmons, five cousins, Karen and Randy Cochran, Theresa and Chris Connelly and Nelson Creamer and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Sunday, November 30, 2003, from 4:00 until 6:00pm at Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC. The body will be sent to Prattville Memorial Chapel, Prattville Alabama for funeral services and burial. To sign the online guest register, please visit www.twifordfh.com.

Grady Owens, Jr.

Grady F. Owens, Jr., 77, of Port Charlotte, FL died Sunday, November 23, 2003 at his residence. He was born in Norfolk, VA on April 20, 1926 and moved to Port Charlotte in 1993 from Charlottesville, VA. He was a retired truck driver for Amoco Oil Company, a veteran of World War II having served in the U. S. Marine Corps, and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #2121 of Port Charlotte.

Mr. Owens is survived by a son, Charles Owens of Baltimore, MD; a niece, Kathryn Moore Falk of Virginia Beach, VA; two sisters, Mary Owens Moore of Virginia Beach, VA and Diana Clark of Chesapeake, VA; caregivers, Franklin and Jeannette Paul and Anna Demkiw all of Port Charlotte, FL; and a grandchild.

A graveside service will be Monday, December 1, 2003 at 1:00 PM at the Tillett Family Cemetery, Wanchese, NC. Twiford’s Colony Chapel, Manteo, NC is in charge of arrangements.

Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.

Cyril Elijah Albert

Elizabeth City, NC

Cyril Elijah Albert, infant son of Cyril Kelly Albert and Edda Fabiola Castillo Albert, died Thursday, November 27, 2003 in Albemarle Hospital.

Besides his parents, he is survived by Paternal Grandparents, Dewitt and Beth Albert of Church Road, VA; Maternal Grandfather, Raul Castillo of Yuma, AZ, maternal grandmother, Edda Castillo of Birmingham, AL, and three uncles, Raul A. Castillo, R. Tony Castillo and Beau J. Albert.

A memorial service will be Saturday, November 29, 2003 at 10:00 AM in Holy Family Catholic Church with Father James Buchholz officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives immediately following the memorial service in the social hall of the church. Twiford’s Memorial Chapel, 405 E. Church St., Elizabeth City, NC is in charge of arrangements. To sign the online register, visit www.twifordfh.com.

Virginia Jones

Virginia Garrett Jones
Native of Perquimans County, NC

Virginia Garrett Jones, age 87, of Elizabeth City, NC, died Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at Guardian Care Nursing Home. She was born in Perquimans County, NC, daughter of the late William Henry and Nettie Umphlett Garrett and was the widow of William Earl Jones, Sr.. She was a member of First Christian Church and retired from the Elizabeth City Hosiery Mill.

Mrs. Jones is survived by three daughters, Gail LaCroix and Annette Reel both of Elizabeth City, NC, and Brenda Williams of Kenly, NC; two sons, William Earl Jones, Jr. of Virginia Beach, VA, and John Paul Jones of Alexanderia , VA; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 28, 2003 at 11:00 am in Twiford’s Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Jerry Burton officiating. Burial will be in New Hollywood Cemetery. Following the service the family will receive friends in the lobby of the funeral home and at other times at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. James Reel, 506 Planters Run, Elizabeth City, NC. Twiford’s Memorial Chapel , 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is in charge of funeral arrangements. To sign the online guest register, visit www.twifordfh.com.

Frances Sawyer

Frances W. Sawyer

Chesapeake ‘ Frances Wilson Sawyer, 88, of Lake Drummond Causeway, died Monday, November 24, 2003 in Chesapeake General Hospital.
Mrs. Sawyer was born on October 15, 1915 in Norfolk, Virginia. She was a retired property records clerk with Virginia Power and was a member of Lake Drummond Baptist Church in Chesapeake. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ralph Sidney and Samuel Percell Sawyer and a grandson, Ralph Carl Lewis.
Survivors include her daughter, Shirly S. Lewis and her husband, Billy R. of Chesapeake; her son, Ralph S. Sawyer and his wife, Phyllis of Chesapeake; seven grandchildren, Billy R. Lewis, Jr. and his wife, Tracy of Elizabeth City, NC, Joan Frances Brinkley, Jean Marie Lewis, Christine Ann Hudson and her husband, Cecil, Ralph S. Sawyer, Jr. and his wife, Terri, Ruth Juanita Kelley and her husband, James all of Chesapeake, and Troy C. Sawyer and his wife, Gina of Stuarts Draft, VA; fifteen great grandchildren, Adrienne Lewis, Lindsay Pritchard and her husband, William, Gary Brinkley, Heather Brinkley, Brittany Lewis, Caitlin Ann Hudson, Connor T. Hudson, Shad Sawyer and his wife, Crissy, Bart Sawyer and his wife, Meredith, Mindy Sawyer, Mark Brooks, Samantha Brooks, Jacob Brooks, Blake Sawyer, Bryce Sawyer and three great-great grandchildren, Meghan, Cole and Reed Sawyer.
The family would like to extended their thanks and appreciation to Parsons Residential Care in Chesapeake for the care they gave.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am at New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC with Rev. Allen Dooley officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. Twiford Colonial Chapel, Chesapeake, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.

Hazel Hooper

Hazel Mayes Hooper, 86, died at the Nursing Center at Oak Summit in Winston-Salem, N. C. on Monday, November 24. A longtime resident of Elizabeth City she moved to Winston-Salem following the death of her husband four years ago, living first with her daughter, then at Brighton Gardens for approximately 3 years and more recently at the Nursing Center at Oak Summit following a stroke. She was born on December 27, 1916 in Norfolk County, Virginia to the late Edward Wallis Mayes and Estelle Jarratt Mayes. She spent her early years in Hertford, N.C. Following graduation from Perquimans High School she attended Mrs. Johnson’s School of Shorthand in Norfolk, VA, and then was employed as a secretary to Mr. J.C. Blanchard, proprietor of Blanchard’s in Hertford. There she met her future husband, ‘Mickey’ when he made his rounds as a salesman. After their marriage they moved to Elizabeth City where she eventually became a partner in J.A. ‘Mickey’ Hooper Company, a fishing tackle, office supply and paper products business serving Northeastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks.

While working in the business she found time to raise three daughters and be an involved grandmother when needed. Mrs. Hooper was a faithful member of Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church where she served in numerous capacities including Primary Sunday School Superintendent, Baptist Women’s President, and as a member of the bell choir for over 20 years. In her retirement she taught in the Adult Literacy Program and was active in Meals on Wheels. She was a published poet who was awarded the N.C. Federation of Women’s Club Albert C. Berry Cup for Best Narrative Poem in 1947. She studied at Elizabeth City State University and was an active member in the North Carolina Poetry Society serving as the honorary chairman of the Spring Poetry Symposium at the College of the Albemarle in 1999. She enjoyed spending time at the family beach home on the Outer Banks.

Preceding her in death are her husband of 59 years, Julian A. ‘Mickey’ Hooper, and three sisters, Kathleen Bass, Edna Mayes and Wally Jarvis. Survivors include three daughters: Nancy Hooper Gwyn and husband Paul of Winston-Salem, NC, Jane Hooper Sprague and husband David of Blacksburg, VA, and Alice Hooper Moore Collins of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.; five grandchildren: Ted Moore and wife Julie of Jacksonville, FL, Tom Moore of Kill Devil Hills, NC, David Gwyn and wife Lisa of Raleigh, NC, Kelly Gwyn Diamond and husband Jeff of Bethesda, MD, and Marya Gwyn Upchurch and husband Charles of Charlotte, NC; and seven great-grandchildren: Christopher and Haley Moore, Aydlett and David Gwyn, Jr., Evan and Brian Diamond, and Harris Upchurch; a sister Margaret Mayes Holt and husband Leslie of Mobjack, VA, a brother Edward Wallis Mayes, Jr. and wife Ann of Virginia Beach, VA; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29 at Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City with the Reverend Dr. Bob Crisp officiating. Burial will be in the New Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home an hour before the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church, 700 North Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 or to COA Foundation, Basic Skills Gift Account/Learning Center, P.O. Box 2317, Elizabeth City, NC 27906-2327. To sign the online register, please visit www.twifordfh.com.

Aubrey Sample, Jr.

Camden, NC

Aubrey Fearing Sample, Jr., age 54, of 539 Highway 343 North, Camden, NC, died Thursday, November 20, 2003, in Albemarle Hospital. He was born in Pasquotank County, and was son of Aubrey F. Sample, Sr. of Elizabeth City, NC, and the late Margaret Hooper Sample, and husband of Rebecca Gray Sample of the residence. Mr. Sample was a retired Police Officer from Elizabeth City Police Department, and has served as Chief of Police with Hertford Police Department. He was a veteran of the US Army having served three tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He received three purple hearts and a bronze star. He was retired from the National Guard, and was a member of the William Clarence Jackson Post #6060 VFW, where he was a member and leader of the Honor Guard.

Besides his father and mother he is survived by one daughter, Rachel Sample of Elizabeth City, NC; one son, Jason Sample of Jacksonville, FL; one step-daughter, Tabatha Bray of Shiloh, NC; one step son, Eric Parks of Chesapeake, VA; two brothers, Rex Sample of Kill Devil Hills, NC, and Ricky Sample of Valley Center, KS; four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Monday, November 24, 2003, at 2:00 PM in Twiford’s Memorial Chapel, with Dr. Roy Head officiating. Military Honors will be provided by William Clarence Jackson Post #6060 VFW. The family will receive friends in the lobby of the funeral home immediately following the service, and at the residence at others times. Twiford’s Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Williams Clarence Jackson Post #6060 VFW Honor Guard, 1433 North Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. To sign the online register visit www.twifordfh.com.

Kianna Nicole & Brianna Denise Mitchell

COROLLA, NC

KIANNA NICOLE & BRIANNA DENISE MITCHELL, stillborn twins died Wednesday, November 19, 2003 in a Norfolk, Va. hospital. Parents of the twins are Corey Mitchell of Kill Devil Hills and Lauren Stillman of Corolla.

Besides their parents the twins are survived by a brother, Isaiah Stillman of Corolla; Maternal grandparents, Carla and David DigRugilliers of Corolla and Paternal grandparents, Elise and Terry Choates of Kill Devil Hills.

No services are scheduled at this time.

Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.

A. Jerry Daniels

MANTEO,N.C.

ALBERT JERRY DANIELS, 67, of Manteo, died, Wednesday, November 19, 2003, in his residence. Mr. Daniels was born in Manteo and was a retired Chief Mate with the Merchant Marines. He was a member of Manteo Masonic Lodge #521 AF&AM and Dare County Shrine Club.

He was the son of the late Albert Hayes and Florence Midgett Dainels and the husband of Marion Gaimel Daniels.

Besides his wife surviving are three daughters; Cori Peters and husband Scott of Statesville, N.C., Jeri (Fuzzy) Hollis and husband Tommy of Wanchese and Wendy Linzey and husband Mike of Florida, two sons; Harley Hayes and wife Renee and Lance Hayes and wife Barbara both of Wanchese, two sisters; Jeanine Tillett and Frances Coleman both of Manteo, one brother; Luther Daniels, Sr of Manteo, 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. A grave side service will be held Saturday, November 22, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. in Cudworth Cemetery by Dr. David Dalton. Friends may join the family at Twiford’s Funeral Home, Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In addition to flowers memorials may be made to Sudan Crippled Children’s Fund, P.O. Drawer 490, New Bern, N.C. 28563-0490. Twiford’s Colony Chapel Manteo is assisting the Daniels Family.
Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.