Chastity Cooke

Kitty Hawk, NC

Chastity Lynne Cooke

Her mission in life completed, Chas left on her last journey to be with Glenda and Lee (Leebee), her mother and brother, forever.

Chas was born in Crewe, VA, on February 14, 1979.  She is survived by her father, Howard, stepsisters, stepbrother, grandparents, Jean and Port Beacham, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many wonderful friends.  Her loving and helpful companion of many years, Mike Cannaday.

Your pen and voice are still, your courage, laughter and poems remain in our hearts, forever.

Arrangements are pending.

Twiford Funeral Homes’ Colony Chapel, Manteo, NC is assisting the family with arrangements.

Randolph Ferebee

Randolph E. Ferebee, 85, died Monday, March 28, 2011 in his home in Elizabeth City, NC.  A native of Norfolk, VA, Randy was born August 10, 1925 to the late Silas Elwood and Eva Bazemore Ferebee.  He made his home in Virginia Beach, VA for over twenty years before he and his wife, Rita, moved to Elizabeth City in early 2000. 

Mr. Ferebee was a 1943 graduate of Granby High School and began higher education at the Norfolk Division of William & Mary (ODU).  He entered the United States Navy V-12 program and was commissioned in 1945 into the United States Naval Reserves.  He was a 1947 graduate of the University of Virginia.  Following a year of travel and study in Europe, he sat for a second degree in 1949 in Chemical Engineering at VPI.

After working for several years in the paper and cork manufacturing industries, he chose to sail the seas as a merchant mariner.  His first ship was the four-masted barque “Sea Cloud”.  He sailed with the Seafarers International Union in both deck and engine departments.  In 1976 he obtained by self-study an original U.S. Coast Guard Second Mate’s license and sailed until his retirement following the 1991 Gulf War. 

When not at sea, Mr. Ferebee was an active runner with Tidewater Striders for twenty years.  Also, he was an avid gardener and was known among friends and acquaintances for sharing the flowers he grew.

He is survived by his wife, Rita Munden Ferebee of the home; his sister, Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Brown; a niece and three nephews, all of Huntsville, AL; and a brother-in-law, Winfred “Wink” J. Munden and wife Barbara.  He will be greatly missed by his loyal friend and companion, Cassie.

At Mr. Ferebee’s request, he will be cremated and his ashes will be scattered at sea.  No services are planned.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers or food to the residence, memorial donations be made to either the Food Bank of the Albemarle, P.O. Box 1704, Elizabeth City, NC 27906-1704; the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1967, Elizabeth City, NC 27906-1967; or the SPCA of NENC, P.O. Box 1772, Elizabeth City, NC 27906-1772.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Ferebee family.  Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Roy Irby

Roy James Irby, 58, of 466 Trotman Road, Camden, NC died Monday, March 28, 2011 at Albemarle Hospital, Elizabeth City, NC following a long battle with ALS.  Born in Washington, DC, he was the son of the late Roy James Irby and Anna Mae Acton Irby.

Mr. Irby is survived by his sister, Jacqulyn Griffin of Camden, NC; brothers, George Vakas and William Irby, both of Maryland; nieces, Tracy and Natalie of Maryland; and nephews, Jay Irby of Maryland and Travis Griffin of Camden, NC.

Memorial services will be conducted at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Twiford Funeral Home, P.O. Drawer 405, Elizabeth City, NC 27907 to assist with final arrangements. Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Irby family.  Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Martha Midgett

Martha Johnson Midgett, 64, of 221 Church Road, Harbinger, NC died Monday, March 28, 2011 at her daughter’s home in Harbinger.  Born in Norfolk, VA, she was the daughter of the late Samuel Vone and Pearl White Johnson and was the wife of Ezekiel Worth Midgett, Sr. of the home.  She was a member of Powells Point Baptist Church and the Coinjock American Legion Post 288.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Midgett is survived by her daughters, Tellisa Midgett Sword of Chesapeake, VA and Mona Midgett Armstrong and husband Michael of Harbinger, NC; sons, Billy Midgett of Powells Point, NC and Ezekiel Midgett, Jr. and wife Dawn of Manteo, NC; sisters, Linda Randall of Suffolk, VA and Gwen Jenkins of Windsor, NC; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Powells Point Baptist Church with Rev. Roger Johnson officiating.  The family will receive friends at Twiford Memorial Chapel on Wednesday evening from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; following the service in the fellowship hall of the church; and at other times at the residence.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Midgett family.  Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Carlton Harrell

Carlton Wayne Harrell, 61 of 1018 Sir Timothy Drive in Virginia Beach, VA died Thursday, March 24, 2011 at his residence.   He was a native of Chowan County, NC and son of the late Carey and Beulah Williams Harrell.  He was retired from the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer, a member of the Great Neck Baptist Church and was a former co-owner and operator of the Southern Pig Restaurant in Elizabeth City, NC.

Mr. Harrell is survived by his wife, Donna Minshew Harrell of the home; two daughters, Melodee Malone and Kimberly Harrell both of Virginia Beach, VA; a sister, Eunice Etheridge of Sunbury, NC; a brother, Carroll Harrell of FL and three grandchildren. 

Graveside services with military honors will be held Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Todd Holt officiating.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the cemetery.   Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Harrell family.  You may express condolences to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Doris McPherson

Doris Turner McPherson, 89, of Camden, NC died Friday, March 25, 2011 at the Albemarle Hospital.  Mrs. McPherson, the daughter of the late Clarence T. Turner and Nellie Forbes Turner was the widow of Harry Grandy McPherson, Sr.   She was a homemaker and a member of Camden United Methodist Church.

She is survived by two daughters, Janet M. Clark of Phoenix, AZ and Vivian Leigh McPherson of Hampton, VA; a son, Harry G. McPherson, Jr. of Poquoson, VA; two sisters, Glenell Bell of Chesapeake, VA and Emma Tadlock of Roxboro, NC; one grandson; and two great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Memorial donations may be made to Camden UMC Building Fund 188, NC Highway 343 South, Camden, NC  27921.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street is serving the McPherson family.  You may express condolences to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Elise Watts

Elise Tuten Watts, 100, of Elizabeth City, NC died Thursday, March 24, 2011 at the Albemarle Hospital.  Elise was born in Edward, NC, June 3, 1910, the last child of the late Thomas Atkins Tuten and Nancy Ernul Tuten.  She met and married Charles J. Watts in 1927 while in boarding school.  They moved to Elizabeth City in 1944.  Mrs. Elise graduated Aurora High School and Beauty School.  In 1947 she opened a beauty shop in the home at 815 Riverside later moving it to the Virginia Dare Arcade Balcony.  She was a member of First Christian Church in Kit Swamp from 1920 and transferred to the local Disciples of Christ.  She was an active member and taught Children’s Sunday School from 1949.  She was Youth Director, active in CYF, served on several committees and was the last surviving member of the Loyal Woman’s Class.  She was the family’s faithful prayer warrior, always concerned about their families and loved ones.

Elise and Charles had three sons, Charles, Terry and Eugene who survive her with Charles’ wife Dianne and Eugene’s wife Volanda; four grandchildren, Candee Watts, Michelle Johnson, Elise Landrum and husband James, and Ethan Watts; six great grandchildren, Brandon Dail, Sara Craig, Laine Cooper, Marlee Johnson, Blake Johnson, and Caylie Landrum; and one great great granddaughter, Natalie Craig.

A funeral service will be Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. at Twiford Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Perry Turner officiating. The family will receive friends in the lobby of the funeral home immediately following the service.  Pansies were special to her and the family asks that you plant a pansy in her memory. Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Watts family.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Artie Temple

Artie Mae Hollowell Temple, 85, of Highway 158, Elizabeth City, NC died March 23, 2011 in the Albemarle Hospital.  She was born on May 30, 1925 to the late Earl and Lessie Copeland Hollowell and was the widow of the late Tommie F. Temple.  Mrs. Temple was a member of the Newland United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, Newland Homemaker’s Club and Newland Providence Ruritan Club.

She is survived by a daughter, Artie June Temple Sale and husband, William, of Charleston, WV; a son, Johnnie Martin Temple and wife, Michele, of Wake Forest, NC; and a sister, Ann Temple Sawyer of Elizabeth City, NC.  Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Mary Temple Sale of Huntington, WV, Anna Sale Matthews and husband, Jonathan of Brooklyn, NY, Ellen Anderson Sale and Brigette Davis of Chicago, IL, Catherine Lucey and husband, Dennis, of Corte Madera, CA, Elizabeth Sale and husband, Matthew of San Francisco, CA, Amy Holderby and husband, Sean of Wake Forest, NC, Karen Temple of Greensboro, NC, Ryan Emory and wife, Lisa of Wake Forest, NC and Melissa Emory of Raleigh, NC; and  great grandchildren, Rowan and Liam Lucey, Makayla Holderby, Grayson Emory and Eva Emory.  Mrs. Temple’s extended family includes nieces, Earline Stallings and husband, Paul, and Mary Temple, great nieces and nephews, Brian Stallings, Dean Stallings, Christy Bailey, Lisa Bailey and Andrea Temple.  Besides her husband and parents, Mrs. Temple was preceded in death by a brother, John Earl Hollowell, her brothers-in-law, Bailey Temple and Davis Sawyer, and a nephew, Willie Temple.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Allen and Shirley Mitchell, Dr. Lindsey White and staff, the staff of Albemarle Hospital Emergency Department, Medical Intensive Care Unit and the Palliative Care Unit.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the Newland United Methodist Church, 821 Fire Tower Road, Elizabeth City, by Rev. Toni Wood.  The family will receive friends and relatives immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.  Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.  The family suggests memorial gifts be directed to either Newland United Methodist Church, c/o J. C. Harris III, 403 Pine View Drive, Elizabeth City, NC, 27909 or to the Newland Providence Ruritan Club, c/o Kaye Ventura, 280 Highway 158, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.  Twiford Funeral Home, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Temple family.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.twifordfh.com.

Berthel Penrose

Berthel Wilder Penrose, 81, of 1703 Brookridge Drive, Elizabeth City, NC died Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at Albemarle Hospital.  Born in Richmond, VA, she was the daughter of the late Robert Judson Wilder and Beulah Richards Wilder and was the wife of the late Lieutenant Colonel Charles Roland Penrose, U.S. Army, Retired.  Mrs. Penrose was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and had worked on the library staff at Elizabeth City State University.

Mrs. Penrose is survived by her sisters Olga W. Graves and husband Isaac and Agnes W. Nicholson and husband Charles, all of Richmond, VA; a brother, L. Douglas Wilder of Richmond, VA; a caring friend, James Blount of Elizabeth City, NC; Charles’ daughters, Louise Bradley and Edith Penrose and their children and grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and a group of very special friends.

Memorial services will be conducted on Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church with The Rev. Brent Melton officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Penrose’s memory may be made to the Christ Episcopal Church Building Fund, 200 South McMorrine Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Penrose family.  Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Ernest “Graff” Beasley

Ernest William “Graff” Beasley, 76, of 110 Dowdy’s Bay Road, Grandy, NC, died Wednesday morning, March 23, 2011 at Albemarle Hospital.  He was born in Grandy, was the son of the late Clarence Beasley and Mary Jane Outlaw Beasley, and the husband of Beuana Jeanette Beasley of the residence.   He was a member of Poplar Branch Baptist Church and retired from the Knotts Island Ferry Department in Currituck on June 1, 1986.  He was a commercial hunter and fisherman and was a volunteer EMT driver for several years for Lower Currituck VFD.

Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Janice Beasley of Grandy, NC, Nina Lytle and husband Robert of Currituck, NC, and Tina Midgett and husband Robbie of Grandy, NC; a son, William E. Beasley of Jarvisburg, NC; a sister, Mattie Corbin of KY; a brother, E. L. “Barlow” Beasley of Grandy, NC; six grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.  He was pre-deceased by four brothers and one sister.

A graveside funeral service will be Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Tom Oliver officiating at the Evans Family Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the residence.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Beasley family.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.