Kyle Williams

Kyle Williams, 47, of Buxton passed away on December 28, 2011.  She was born in Springfield, VA and was the daughter of Patricia Henson and the late John Morton Henson.  She was the owner of The Munchkin Academy, and served on many Child Advocate Boards.  She was a Graduate of East Carolina University with a RNBSN Degree, was a Girl Scout Leader of Troop 2785 and a faithful member of Heritage of Faith Family Church.

Besides her mother she is survived by her husband ,John “Jake” Lynch Williams, Jr., two sons, John “Jake” Lynch Williams III, and his son Kayden Elijah Stowe, and Benjamin Jeffrey Williams all of Buxton; two daughters, Kathryn Ruth Williams and Hannah Claire Williams both of Buxton; two brothers, Steve Henson and wife ,Cynthia of Nokesville, VA and their children, Chase, Shane and Seth, and Chris Henson and wife, Cynthia of San Diego, CA and their children, Hunter, Tommy, and Scotty; one sister, Pamela Desmond of Charlottesville, VA and her son’s, Christopher and Michael.  She is also survived by her extended family, mother and father in law ,John Lynch Williams, Sr. and Barbara Williams; sister in law, Sheree Markley and husband, Jamie and their two children, Sarah Blount and Joshua Covey; brother in law, Jarvis Lee Williams and wife, Donna of Buxton and their son, Jarvis “Ji” Lee Williams, and close family friend, Dr. Al Hodges; and her loving dog, Maui.

A memorial service will be held at Heritage of Faith Family Church in Frisco on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 2:00PM with the Rev. David Stowe officiating.

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

Joan Baxter

Joan Mary Baxter, 65, of Manteo died Wednesday, December 28, 2011 in Norfolk, VA. Born in New York, NY, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Lillian Ruth McArdle Bindulski and was a retired LPN.

She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Baxter of Kill Devil Hills; two sons, Kevin Garrity of Wilmington and Travis Baxter of Currituck; two sisters, Susie Petersen and husband, Sven and Mary Miller and husband, Carl; five brothers, Peter, Paul, Mark, John, and Stephen Bindulski; and two grandchildren, Zachary Hartleben and Teagan Geiger.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 12:00 PM at Twiford Fueneral Home, Manteo. Viewing will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

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

Petronella O’Neal

Petronella E.T. O’Neal, 76, of Manteo died December 28, 2011 at her residence.  Born in Bussum, Netherlands, she was preceded in death by her father and mother Petrus and Gysbertha Van Schaik and her  two husbands Hank Davelaar and  Jimmie C. Oneal, Sr.  She was a member of Fairhaven United Methodist and Salvo Assembly of God. 

She is survived by her son in British Columbia, Richard Davelaar and his family; a sister in Virginia, Johanna Copley and her children; and a sister and brother in the Netherlands.  The family would like to thank all of her friends and Dare County Social Services for taking care of her all these years.  The family is making private arrangements.

Ruby Craig

Ruby Spears Craig, 74, of 400 North Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC died Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at the Albemarle Hospital.  A native of Graceville, FL, she was the daughter of the late Dewey Otis Lawton Spears and Nettie Pearl Strickland Spears and the wife of Forrest Clayton Craig, Sr., of the residence.  She was a homemaker, a member of Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church, Krewe of Pandora and Queen of the Krewe of Hercules in 1971 in New Orleans, LA.

 Besides her husband she is survived by five daughters, Vickie Tucker of New Orleans, LA, Sarah Bacon of Goldring, GA, Mary Spence of Norfolk, VA, Samantha Craig and Sarah Craig both of Elizabeth City, NC; seven sons, Jerry Tucker of Gulfport, MS, William Merritt of Luling, LA, Louis Bacon of Norfolk, VA, Mark Bacon of Poplarville, MS, Forrest Craig, Jr., Paul Craig and Christopher Craig both of Elizabeth City, NC; a brother, Robert Spears of Lampasas, TX; and nineteen grandchildren.  She was pre-deceased by two daughters, Ellen Merritt and Sheena Craig.

Funeral services will be Friday, December 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Twiford Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Robert Crisp officiating.  Burial will follow in New Hollywood Cemetery.  The family will receive friends Thursday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.  Memorial donations may be made to Feed The Children, PO Box 36, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73101-0036.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Craig family.  You may express condolences to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Gwenn Cruickshanks

Gwenllyn “Gwenn” Alice Cruickshanks, 77, a renowned Currituck County political activist, actress and dancer, went to dance with the Lord on Dec. 24, 2011. 

Gwenn was born on June 14, 1934, in Clifton, New Jersey. She was predeceased by her husband, Lt. Colonel Gordon Cruickshanks, her parents, Alice and Peter Hoffius and a brother, Chip Hoffius. 

Gwenn’s full and meaningful life was diverse, touching hundreds of persons in each phase of her earthly journey.  Gwenn was raised in Maplewood and Short Hills, New Jersey. 

She attended Julliard in New York City, majoring in piano, then studied Journalism at Columbia University.  Gwenn then began a journalism career at McGraw-Hill in their International Department and later as an editor of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ newsletter.  Additionally, Gwenn’s resume includes employment at the Rodeo Corporation of America, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and several insurance agencies including Americo writing aviation insurance. 

Continuing in that industry she worked as a stewardess for National Airlines and as a writer for American Aviation Publications in Washington, DC.  There was where she met the love of her life, Lt. Colonel Gordon Cruickshanks.  “Gordo” was a graduate of the University of Maryland who served in the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot during World War II flying 72 combat missions.  Gwenn and Gordo were married in 1970 and after Gordo returned from the service in 1978, they moved to Point Harbor. 

Shortly after relocating to the Outer Banks, Gwenn began another career with involvement in political offices and community activities.  She was the Founder of the Democratic Women of Currituck County and served the Currituck County Democratic Party for many years and in many ways including office holder and organizer of countless Democratic Party functions, both locally and statewide. 

The artistic Gwenn was a member of the highly respected and well awarded Wright Tappers, traveling to and winning at the North Carolina Senior Games competitions.  She was active with both Theatre of Dare and Center Point and was both author and producer of performances by Gwenn Mill Productions. Gwenn was co-founder of Build The Bridge, Preserve Our Roads, Inc., in 2002 and has been president since its inception.  Gwenn was a also a member of Duck Woods Country Club and the Outer Banks Presbyterian Church where she was involved in Presbyterian Women and sang in the choir. 

Gwenn is survived by a niece, Anita Wade of Hagerstown, MD, and nephew Gordon Cruickshanks of Waynesboro, PA.  Additionally, Gwenn will be well remembered by the hundreds of past political colleagues and working partners, as well as all her numerous friends, including Jane Smallwood and Paul and Marilyn Mikos who cared for her during her illness. 

A Funeral Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be conducted on Wed., Jan. 4, 2012 at 2:00 pm in Outer Banks Presbyterian Church, 907. S. Croatan Highway, Kill Devil Hills.  The Rev. Jody Moore will officiate.  A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.  Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.  

Gwenn loved flowers and requested flowers for her service which may be delivered directly to Outer Banks Presbyterian prior to the service or delivered to Twiford Funeral Home.  If you wish to make a memorial donation, please make it to the Music Department of Outer Banks Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 2199, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948.

Twiford Funeral Home, Manteo, is assisting with arrangements.

Charles McKeldin

 Charles Wayne McKeldin, 44, of 105 Bigfoot Trail, Elizabeth City, NC died Saturday, December 24, 2011 at his home.  Born in Duval County, FL, he was the son of Charles McKeldin and Edna Mae Hudson Thompson and was the husband of Yvonne Michele Paquette McKeldin of the home.

 In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. McKeldin is survived by a daughter, Catherine Fields; and a son, Michael Fields, both of Camden, NC.

 In accordance with his wishes, a cremation will take place and there will be no memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family, 105 Bigfoot Trail, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the McKeldin family.  Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Betty Staples

Betty Pugh Staples, 90 of 1381 South 343, Shiloh, NC died Saturday, December 24, 2011 at W.R. Winslow Memorial Home.  Born in Camden County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Wilbur and Jakie Burgess Pugh and was the wife of the late Alvin Needham Staples.  Mrs. Staples was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church.

She is survived by a son, Abner Wayne Staples and wife Janie of Shiloh, NC; three grandsons, Kevin Staples and wife Pam, Brett Staples and wife Holly and Jason Staples; and four great grandchildren, Shelby, Jaycie, Elizabeth and Xander. 

Funeral services will be Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Twiford’s Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Wood officiating.  A private burial will be in West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the residence of Abner and Janie Staples, 1358 South 343, Shiloh, NC.  Memorial donations may be made to Old Trap Wesley UMC, 152 Alder Branch Road, Shiloh, NC 27974.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Staples family.  Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Willie Flora

Willie Weeks Flora, 81, of 217 Survey Road, Moyock, NC, died Saturday, December 24, 2011 at W.R. Winslow Memorial Home.  Born in Washington County, NC, she was the daughter of William Alton Weeks of Camden, NC and the late Hazel Gibbs Weeks and was the wife of the late Richard Flora, Jr.  Mrs. Flora was a member of Moyock Baptist Church.

In addition to her father, she is survived by two daughters, Phyllis Flora Mays and husband Clarence of Moyock, NC and Barbara Gail Flora Thrasher of Elizabeth City, NC; two sisters, Dorothy Weeks James and Marinia Weeks Upton, both of Elizabeth City, NC; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

At the request of Mrs. Flora, a private memorial service for the family will be held.  Burial will take place in Moyock Memorial Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the National Stroke Association, 8480 East Archard Road Suite 1000, Englewood, CO, 80111-5051.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Flora family.  Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.

Robert Thomas

Robert Winn Thomas, 53, of the 100 block of Cromwell Parkway in Norfolk, passed away December 22, 2011 at his residence. He was born June 7, 1958 in Richmond, Va. to John and Elizabeth Thomas. He was a member of the Independence Center Special Olympics Bowling League. He leaves to cherish his memory, one son, James Samuel Thomas; one sister, Leah-Beth Williams; one brother, Jay Thomas and a host of other relatives and friends.

The Funeral will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at Metropolitan Funeral Service, 7246 Granby St. Norfolk, Va. The family will receive friends 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The burial will occur at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 30, 2011 at Roanoke Island Memorial Gardens in Manteo, NC.

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

John Breheny

John P. Breheny, 75, of 606 Small Drive, Elizabeth City, NC died Saturday, December 24, 2011 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. A native of New York, NY, he was the son of the late John Breheny and the late Mary Lynch Breheny and the husband of Mary Eley Reid Breheny of the residence. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #7547and volunteered for Albemarle Hospital. Mr. Breheny enjoyed his cats, loved living by the water, planting roses, and traveling with Mary.

 Besides his wife he is survived by his son, Michael Breheny of Petersburg, VA, and a sister, Marie Hall of Wayne, NJ. He will be missed by all who knew him and will always be remembered for his kindness as a hospital volunteer.

 A funeral service will be Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church with the Very Rev. James Buchholz officiating.  The family will receive friends at Twiford Memorial Chapel Monday evening from 7:00 till 8:00 p.m. and at the church following the service.  Burial will be at New Hollywood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or to Holy Family Catholic Church, 1453 North Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.  Twiford Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is serving the Breheny family.  You may express condolences to the family by visiting www.twifordfh.com.