Barbara Thompson

Nags Head, NC

Barbara Ann Thompson, 79, of Nags Head, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2009, after a brief illness. She is survived by four children: Deborah, Kate, Jim, and Amanda; grandchildren: Nathan, Alan, Jena, Christopher, Andrew, Courtney, Lindsay, and Amanda; step- grandchildren: Andrew, Ryan, and Jillian; and great-grandchildren: Lily and Alexis.

Barbara was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. In addition to spending time with her family, she enjoyed many things in life, such as painting, calligraphy, gardening, and the Ladies of South Nags Head women’s group. Always thoughtful and gracious, her presence on this earth will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Harry James Thompson, Jr., who died on June 7, 2009. One of the last gifts Barbara gave to Harry sums up their devotion to each other and how they felt about each other: ‘This, I will remember, when the rest of life is through: The finest thing I’ve ever done is simply loving you.’

Barbara and Harry will be buried together at Arlington National Cemetery on August 26 at 0900. It is the wish of the family that memorial donations are made to Dare Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 1000, Manteo, NC 27954.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements.

John E. “Big Jack” Garrity

John Edwin ‘Big Jack’ Garrity, III, 65, of 191 Body Road, Hertford, NC died Tuesday, July 28, 2009 in the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. He was born on February 24, 1944 in Baltimore, MD to the late John Edwin Garrity, Jr. and Vera Swain Garrity. Mr. Garrity was employed with Whitehurst Sand Company as a dispatcher. He was a member of Union United Methodist Church, Inter-County Ruritan Club, Inter-County Saddle Club, numerous hunt clubs and a former Nascar Official at Dixieland Speedway. Jack loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Parker Garrity, two very special nieces, Georgeanne Thompson and Carla Bundy both of Hertford, NC, special cousins along with numerous nieces, nephews and loving friends.

A memorial service will be conducted Sunday, August 2, 2009, at 4:00pm at their residence with Rev. Roger Braun officiating. Following the memorial service the family will receive friends at their residence. The family will be accepting flowers, however, anyone wishing, may direct memorial donations to either, Newbegun United Methodist Church, 2119 Nixonton Road, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 or Inter-County Ruritan Club, c/o Danny Privott, 677 Ocean Highway, North, Hertford, NC 27944. The family will be at their residence, 191 Body Road, Hertford, NC. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Garrity family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.twifordfh.com.

Margaret “Peggy” Ann Nichols

Margaret A. Nichols
Newport News, VA Resident

Margaret “Peggy” Ann Knies Nichols of Newport News, VA died July 25, 2009 at the home of her daughter in Moyock, NC after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Peggy was born in Hazelton, PA on September 24, 1924, a daughter of the late Harold G. and Jeanetta A. Jones Knies. She was the oldest child in a family of three children, and she was predeceased by her sister, Muriel J. Knies, and brother, Harold R. Knies.

Peggy grew up and went to school in Pennsylvania but moved to Newport News, VA after her marriage. In addition to being an excellent homemaker who could make anything from gourmet meals to the rugs on the floor, Peggy enjoyed many jobs outside the home such as lab technician and real estate agent. She was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years. Peggy was a good friend to many and had a wonderful attitude of hope.

She is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Janet N. and Clyde Leslie of Winfield, WV, and Lucinda N. and Manuel N. Perez of Moyock, NC; and two grandsons, Jeremy S. Hutcherson and Jacob F. Leslie, II.

A celebration of her life will take place at 2:00 pm on July 31, 2009 at her home. Friends and family are all invited. Peggy will be interred at Peninsula Memorial Park, Newport News, VA. Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Nichols family. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.

Marcella “Marcia” Bogart Davis

Frisco, NC

Marcella ‘Marcia’ Bogart Davis, 95, of Frisco, died Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at her residence. Mrs. Davis was the beloved wife of the late William E. Davis and beloved mother of Donna Morris and Elaine Schmidt and was predeceased by her son, Glenn Davis. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jacquelyn Suess, Dawn Roth, Christy Adams and Kathleen Swearingen; great grandchildren, Jacob Seltzer, Morgan Adams, Taryn Cassell, Max Suess, and Zoe Suess; beloved daughter-in-law, Judy Davis and beloved son-in-law, Rick Schmidt.

Mrs. Davis was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and while in good health, enjoyed working in church activities. She was a member of Buxton United Methodist Church.

Memorial services will be held at Hodapps Funeral Home in Cincinnati, Ohio on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. The family will gather between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The service will begin at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Dare Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 1000, Manteo, NC 27954.

Twiford Island Chapel Hatteras is assisting the family with arrangements.

Hobert F. Millika

Hobert F. Millikan
Resident of Grandy, NC

Hobert Franklin Millikan, 81, of 128 Coral Court, Grandy, NC died Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at Albemarle Hospital. Born in Franklinville, NC, he was the son of the late Jesse and Ollie May Breedlove Millikan and was the huband of Mrs. Kay Millikan of the residence for over 26 years. Mr. Millikan joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 at the age of 17 and retired after serving 20 years. While in the Navy he had worked as a metal-smith, a ship fitter, and a firefighter on board the USS Rockaway AVP-29, the USS Bella Grove LSD-2, the USS Duval County LST-758, and the USS Saipan. He had also served in the Phillipines. After retiring from the Navy Mr. Millikan went to work for the Walnut Island Sanitation Department as the Maintenance Supervisor for 26 years. He was a member the American Legion Post 288 in Coinjock, NC.

Along with his wife, Mr. Millikan is survived by his step-daughters, Linda Smithson and husband Ricky of Camden, NC, Shelly Reese and husband Tommy of Camden, NC, and Lorrie Hunt of Elizabeth City, NC; sisters, Pearl Haithcock of Cedar Falls, NC, and Margaret Louise Allred also of Cedar Falls, NC; a brother, Donald Ralph Millikan of Franklinville, NC; six step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild. Besides his parents, Mr. Millikan was preceded in death by a step-son, Kelly I. Cass, Jr.; sisters, Vera Dixon and Marylee Curtman; and a brother, Vernon E. Millikan.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Twiford’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. F. Joe Griffith officiating. Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Millikan family. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.

Olga P. “Pete” Gray

Buxton, NC

Olga ‘Pete’ Perdomo Gray, 84, of Buxton, died Tuesday, July 21, 2009, in Carolina House of Smithfield, NC. Mrs. Gray was born in Tampa, FL, and was a former bookkeeper with Planter’s National Bank, a member of Buxton United Methodist Church, Cape Hatteras Chapter Order of the Eastern Star and served her country honorably in the United States Coast Guard.

Mrs. Gray was the daughter of the late Thomas and Blanca Fernandez Perdomo and the wife of the late Herbert Curtis Gray.

Surviving are one daughter, Lynn G. Price of Selma, NC; two grandchildren, Joannah Gray Lassiter of Jackson, NC and John Curtis Davis of Selma, NC; two great-grandchildren, Michael and Laurali and her ‘Canine Companion’, Grayce. Mrs. Gray was predeceased by her brother, Roy Perdomo.

A celebration of life will be Friday, July 24, 2009, at 11:00 am in the Buxton United Methodist Church by the Rev. Dwight Burrus. Burial will follow in the Quidley Cemetery in Buxton. Friends may join the family at the Buxton United Methodist Church, Thursday from 7:00 pm to 8:00pm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, 604 Meadow St., Greensboro, NC 27405.

Twiford Island Chapel Hatteras is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elbert Brower

Elbert Brower
Elizabeth City, NC Resident

Elbert Lee Brower, 80, of 1603 Penny Drive, Elizabeth City, NC died Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at Albemarle Hospital. Born in Elizabeth City, NC, Mr. Brower was the son of the late Joseph Franklin Brower and the late Mary Ann Whitson Brower. He was the husband of Mrs. Barbara O’Bryan Brower of the residence for nearly 59 years. Mr. Brower was an avid fisherman who also enjoyed spending time in his garden. He was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Kearsarge and had worked as an automobile mechanic for many years.

Along with his wife, Mr. Brower is survived by his daughter, Kim Ellen Brower Rhodes and her husband William Clayton Rhodes, Jr. of Royse City, TX; a son, Gary Alden Brower and wife Sherry Williams Brower of Edenton, NC; a brother, Paul Brower; eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Leanne Brower.

A graveside memorial service will be on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC at 11:00 am. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2418 Blue Ridge Road Ste. 206, Raleigh, NC 27607. Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Brower family. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.twifordfh.com.

Rubert Wilson, Jr.

Kill Devil Hills, NC

Rubert Wilson, Jr, 88, died on July21, 2009. He was born on Dec. 1, 1920, in Truman, Arkansas, to Sallie and Rubert Wilson, and was a native of Lonoke, AR. He graduated from Lonoke High School in 1938 and joined the Navy in 1942. He served 20 years and retired as a Chief Petty Officer and hospital corpsman. He lived in Norfolk most of his adult life. Starting in 1962, he worked for Broudy- Kantor Co. for 17 years. He retired in 2003 from Hampton Roads Beverage Co. He resided at Spring Arbor in Kill Devil Hills, NC.

He was predeceased by his wife, Julia Iris Wilson, who passed away in 1980.
He is survived by four sons: Jerry Wilson and wife Ruth, of Michigan, Rubert Wilson, III, and wife Jan, of Southern Shores, NC, Kenneth Wilson and wife Joyce, of Vail, CO, and Dennis Wilson, of Lenoir, NC. He had ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
He is survived also by two sisters: Bertha Norris, of San Marcos, TX, and Madeline Otto, of Desoto, KN.

There will be a memorial celebration at Spring Arbor, Thursday, July 23, at 10:30, led by Pastor Steve Siegrist of Ocean View Baptist Church. The family wishes to thank Dare Home Health and Hospice, the Visiting Angels, and especially the residents and staff of Spring Arbor who have become our family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Ocean View Baptist Church, 902 Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills, NC, 27948.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements.

Travis Ambrose

Stumpy Point, NC

Travis Smith Ambrose, 42, passed away Sunday, July 19, 2009 at his residence in Stumpy Point, NC. Born in Virginia Beach, he was the son of Dianne Spruill Wilson and Terry Smith Ambrose of East Lake, NC. Employed by Dare County, he worked in the Public Works Department and will be remembered for his love of the Oakland Raiders and Drag Racing. He was a member of East Lake Holiness Church in East Lake, NC. He is predeceased by his grandfather, Joseph Nathaniel Spruill and his paternal grandparents, Nancy ‘Dixie’ Ambrose and Andrew Lee Ambrose, all of East Lake.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Ambrose is survived by his fiance, Candace Kimberlin and children, Kadie and Laura, of Stumpy Point. He is also survived by his sister, Shannon Twiddy and husband, David, of Manteo, NC, Cassie Basnight, a ‘sister-like cousin,’ also of Manteo, his mother’s current husband, Rick, and his grandmother, Minnie Spruill of East Lake, NC.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at Twiford Funeral Home in Manteo with Pastor Asa Lowe officiating. Burial will follow at the Methodist Cemetery in East Lake, NC. A Visitation will be held Tuesday night from 6:00 ‘ 8:00 pm, also at Twiford Funeral Home in Manteo.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo is assisting the family with arrangements.

John Guntz

John L. Guntz II, 81, of Elizabeth City, NC died at Albemarle Hospital on Friday, July 17, 2009. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late John L. Guntz and Helen Anne Carlisle Guntz, and was the husband of Shirley Ann Bice Guntz . Mr. Guntz was a retired letter carrier of twenty years , a member of City Road United Methodist Church, CPOA in Elizabeth City, a retired U.S. Navy Veteran of twenty two years where he served as a MSCS, a member of the Fleet Reserve in Norfolk, VA, the Pines Country Club where he was an avid golfer, a member of the Eagle Haven Men’s Golf Association in Little Creek Amphibious Base in Norfolk, VA, and he loved to cook.

He was a loving father, grandfather and friend to all who knew him. Besides his wife of 56 years he is survived by two daughters Shirley A. Rakowski and husband Ron of Virginia Beach, VA, Diane K. Ross and husband Glen of Currituck, NC one son, John L. Guntz III and wife Cathy of Virginia Beach, VA, two sisters Virginia Ivins of Audubon, NJ, Helen Geckle of Wayne, PA one brother Howard Guntz and wife Pat of Somers Point, NJ, five grandchildren, Curtis Rakowski, Kelli and Justine Ross, Katie and Nikki Guntz.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday July 22, 2009 at 11:00 AM in Twiford’s Memorial Chapel 405 East Church St. in Elizabeth City, NC by Rev. Charles McKenzie.. The family will receive friends in the lobby of the funeral home immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the City Road United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 535 Elizabeth City, NC 27907. You may send condolences to the family at www.twifordfh.com