William Hall

William T. Hall Jr.
Chesapeake-William T. ‘Billy’ Hall Jr. passed away February 28, 2008 in Plant City, Florida.
He was born to William T. Hall Sr. and Grace L. Hall on June 12, 1935 in old Norfolk County (now Chesapeake) Virginia. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and USMC Reserves Squadron U. M. A. 233 and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant. He retired from the City of Chesapeake after 45 years, serving as superintendent of the Jordan Bridge for 20 years. After retirement, he enjoyed working for Twiford Funeral Home.
William was an active member of Great Bridge United Methodist Church, singing in the Master’s Men and Sonshine choirs. He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Azalea Garden Road Chapter. He dearly loved the land of his boyhood; living on and working the family farm after his father passed on.
Left to cherish his memory is his beautiful and loving wife of 36 years, Judy C. Hall; sister Lillian G. Turner; daughters Melody Culbreth and husband King, Billie Jo Grandy and husband Danny; son Tommy Brown; many adoring grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members. He was predeceased by his first wife Dorothy L. Curling Hall, son William T. Hall III, daughter Diana Brown Pluchinsky, and grandson Aaron Culbreth.
The family will receive visitors Wednesday, March 5 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Twiford Colonial Chapel in Great Bridge. Service will be held on Thursday, March 6 2:00 pm at Great Bridge United Methodist Church, with interment at Good Hope United Methodist cemetery. There will be a brief reception after interment at Good Hope Social Hall.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the online guest register at www.twifordfh.com.

Tillman St. Clair Merrell

Tillman S. Merrell, 99, of 856 Aydlett Road, Aydlett, NC died Sunday, March 30, 2008, in the Outer Banks Hospital. He was born in Grandy, NC to the late Isaac H. and Paulina Woodhouse Merrell. Mr. Merrell was a retired civil service engineman, a member and past master of the Currituck Lodge #463 A.F. & A.M. and a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of New Bern, NC.

Mr. Merrell is survived by his wife of 76 years, Elsie Saunders Merrell, one daughter, Jeanette M. Vitasek of Chesapeake, VA; two sons, T. Wayne Merrell of Aydlett, NC and Dan L. Merrell of Kill Devil Hills, NC; three sisters, Marie Henderson of CA, Mary Franssen of WA, and Lessie Pugh of MD; one brother, Roy Merrell of Elizabeth City, NC. Also surviving are six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 2:00 in Mt. Zion United Methodist Church by Revs. David Blackman and Renee Edwards. Burial with Masonic rites will follow in the Saunders Family Cemetery, Poplar Branch, NC. The family will be at their residence, 856 Aydlett Road, Aydlett, NC. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Merrell family. To sign the online guest register, please visit www.twifordfh.com.

Eileen DeHaven

Powells Point, NC

Eileen Annette DeHaven, of Powells Point died Saturday, March 29, 2008 in Norfolk, VA. Born in Spring Mount, PA, she was the daughter of the late Earl and Elizabeth Clemmer Kratz.

Eileen lived a full and happy and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Her fiery spirit and personality will remain with us forever. She is survived by her daughter, Lauren DeHaven of Jarvisburg, NC.

A celebration of Eileen’s life will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Southern Shores on Thursday, April 3, 2008 at 4:00 PM by Father Thomas Wilson.

Twiford’s Colony Chapel, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements.

Bernice Ranney Derrick

Bernice Ranney Derrick, age 93, of 140 B Golf Club Drive, Elizabeth City, NC died March 30, 2008 at Albemarle Hospital. Mrs. Derrick, a native of Mt. Morris, NY, was the daughter of the late Herbert Thomas Ranney and Elizabeth Ann Miller Ranney and the widow of Calvin Henry Derrick. She was a retired public school teacher and a member of First United Methodist Church in Elizabeth City.

Mrs. Derrick is survived by two daughters, Barbara Derrick Riccardo and husband Ronald of Elizabeth City, NC, and Sally Derrick Strobl and husband Donald of San Diego, CA; four grandchildren, Matthew Derrick Riccardo, Elena Riccardo Oian, Staci Elizabeth Strobl, and Kerry Strobl DiGioia; and two great grandchildren, Ashlyn DiGioia and Benjamin Oian.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. You may sign the online register at www.twifordfh.com. Twiford’s Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Derrick family.

Randa Kirk

Kill Devil Hills, NC

Randa Lee Kirk, 65, of Kill Devil Hills, passed away March 29, 2008 at her residence. She was born in Heron Lake, Minnesota and was the daughter of Merriell Jeppesen the late Walter H. Randolph. Mrs. Kirk is survived by her husband of 44 years, Craig Kirk, of the residence.

Mrs. Kirk will be remembered as a beautiful, loving mother and wife. She was active in volunteer work, including probation work and key involvement with a women’s resource center.

She is survived by two sons, Darren V. Kirk and wife Valerie of Wixom, Michigan and Glen R. Kirk of Grandy, North Carolina. She is also survived by her two sisters, Bonita Randolph and Lonita Randolph as well as one brother, Ricky Randolph of Colorado, and six grandchildren.

A memorial service is planned for a later date at Warren Road Light and Life Church in Westland, Michigan.

Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements

Gloria Allen

Gloria Allen, 63, 107 Cartwright Swamp Road, Hertford, NC, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 28, 2008. Mrs. Allen, a native of Camden County, was the daughter of the late Charlie and Dorothy Brickhouse Allen. Mrs. Allen was a wonderful and loving mother and grandmother and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by a son, Robin Trueblood and wife Penny of Hertford, NC; four grandchildren, Austin Trueblood, Konner Trueblood, Darryl Trueblood, Jr.and wife Betty, and Bryant Trueblood; four sisters, Irene Ward and husband Glenn of Camden, NC, Edna Trueblood and husband Roger of Elizabeth City, NC, Nancy Murphy and husband Joey of Lillington, NC, and Dorothy Brinson of Grisland, NC; a brother, Rocky Lee Allen of Virginia. Mrs. Allen was preceded in death by a son, Darryl Trueblood and a brother, Hardy Allen.

No services are planned at this time. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Allen family. You may sign the online register at www.twifordfh.com.

Ella Williams

Ella Nora Dickerson Williams, of Poindexter Street, Elizabeth City died Friday, March 28, 2008 at her residence. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 21, 1928 to the late Kenneth H. Dickerson, Sr. and Gladys Jennette Dickerson. Mrs. Williams was the widow of the late William F. Williams, Jr. She was a member of City Road United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Williams is survived by three daughters, Anda J. Williams, Rose W. Jones, and Ella W. Icenhour all of Elizabeth City, NC; two sons, Williams F. Williams, III and Charles L. Williams both of Elizabeth City, NC; one brother, Kenneth Dickerson, of Avon, NC, 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be conducted Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at 2:00pm in the Twiford Memorial Chapel, Church Street, by Rev. Charles McKenzie. Burial will be in the New Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives in the lobby of the funeral home immediately following the chapel service and at other times at Mrs. Williams’ residence, 913 Poindexter Street, Elizabeth City, NC. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Williams family. To sign the online guest register, please visit www.twifordfh.com.

Robert “Bob” Courtland Martin

MARTIN
NAGS HEAD, NC

Robert Courtland Martin, 48, of Nags Head, passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2008 after a valiant struggle with lymphoma.

Bob is survived by his devoted wife Nicole Gregory Martin, his daughter Colby Quinn Martin and his son, Robert Courtland Martin,Jr He is also survived by his mother Janet Bowman Martin of Virginia Beach, VA and his father Dr. Bob Martin and wife Barbara of Henderson, NV; three sisters: Leslynn Twiddy and her husband Mike Youngblood of Williamsburg, VA, Kaytren Martin Palacios and her husband Marty of Virginia Beach, VA and Doriann Rector and her husband Andy also of Virginia Beach, VA, Nieces: Olivia Twiddy, Gabriella Palacios, Lexi Rector and Mary Katherine Youngblood. Nephews: Brian Twiddy, Augie Palacios, Isaac Palacios, Anderson Rector, Tradd Rector, Adam Jaudon, Wesley Jaudon, Michael Palacios, Michael Youngblood, Jr as well as his loving wife’s family, Diane Gregory, Barry Gregory, ‘Mike’ DeGrandcham, Paige Gregory and Michelle and Steve Jaudon.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday March 30, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in Twiford’s Colony Chapel by the Rev. Teresa Holloway. Burial will follow in Roanoke Island Memorial Gardens. Friends may join the family at the funeral home Saturday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Leukemia and lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202. Friends may join the family at the Martin Residence following the internment. Twiford Colony Chapel Manteo is assisting the family.

Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements.
Visit www.twifordfh.com to sign the online register.

Whitehurst Robert

Robert W. Whitehurst

VA Beach- Robert Wayne Whitehurst, 49, passed away March 28, 2008. Mr. Whitehurst was born in Norfolk, to P.J. and Gloria Spruill Whitehurst of VA. Beach. He worked for Southern States, was a member of Blackwater Baptist Church, the Creeds Ruritan Club and was an avid Norfolk Admirals and Tides fan and a member of the Admirals and Tides Booster Clubs.
Left to cherish his memory are, his loving wife, Suzanne Guill Whitehurst; daughter, Ashley Jackson of VA Beach; parents P.J. and Gloria Whitehurst; brother, Randolph Whitehurst of VA Beach and sister, Paula Knight of VA Beach.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 2:00pm at Blackwater Baptist Church with Pastor Gregg Hammer officiating. Burial will follow at Blackwater Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Twifords Colonial Chapel, Chesapeake on Sunday from 7:00 until 8:30 pm. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.

Vernon Fearing “Red” Gregson

Vernon F. ‘Red’ Gregson, 80, of 109 Rosewood Avenue, Elizabeth City, NC died Friday, March 28, 2008 at the Albemarle Hospital. Mr. Gregson, a native of Elizabeth City, was the son of the late John Leroy Gregson and Lucy Gregory Gregson and the widower of Nancy Hugo Gregson. He was a retired postal carrier, a member of The First Baptist Church, an avid fisherman, and enjoyed making fiberglass fishing rods and loved giving them away.

Mr. Gregson is survived by a sister, Miriam Gregson Brown of Elizabeth City, NC; and was a loving uncle to Barbara Vandover and Jean Scott; a great uncle to, Donald Vandover, Scott Vandover, Jasmina Scott, Gregory Scott, and Chelsea Vandover; and remained close to Nancy’s sisters, Zenovah Guthrie, Edla Harrell, Betty Dabbs and Brenda Whitley and her brother, Clifton Hugo. He was pre-deceased by a brother, Jack Gregson.

A graveside funeral service will be Monday, March 31, 2008 at 11:00 AM at West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Mason Smith and the Rev. Gene Asbill officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 Sunday, March 30, at the funeral home and at other times at the residence. You may sign the online register at www.twifordfh.com. Twiford’s Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is in charge of arrangements.