Here is the week’s obituary report for people (the folks we’re aware of) who have passed away in Chowan, Perquimans, Tyrrell counties and those parts of Washington County between the Sound bridge and Creswell.
We offer FREE local obituaries as we believe it is a service and privilege to help families document their loss and inform friends and others of pending services.
If folks have other names to add to the weekly obituary report, please send the names and the obit links to the funeral homes to mileslayton1969@gmail.com. We publish the weekly obit report late Saturday/early Sunday.
Barbara Jean Harwell Thames
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. With grateful hearts for so many years of love, the daughters of Barbara Jean Harwell Thames share that she has passed from this life to the next.
Throughout her 86 years, she had many names. Among them: Jean, Barbara, Sister, Mrs. Thames, Momma (or Mama, for those who can’t spell), Momma Jean, Bean, Candy/Laura/Joy’s Mother, and Allen’s Wife. No matter the name used, she honored it.
Born the youngest of six girls and two boys in Plantersville, SC, to John Glover Harwell and Alma Rickenbaker Harwell, Jean graduated from Winyah High School in 1956. She continued her education at Emmanuel College (1958), and went on to receive a degree in Education from Winthrop College (1960) before beginning a career as a teacher and starting a family.
Jean had the most delightful accent that won fans every time she spoke. She was one of those people who could turn one syllable into three in such a way that those around her could not help but smile. Over the course of 40 years she charmed students from North and South Carolina and Georgia into learning all sorts of subjects. Mrs. Thames was a teacher at the very core of her being. Her children knew to be careful when choosing what questions to ask because the answer was sure to be exhaustive and, more than likely, include graphics. It was the delight of her daughters to be stopped in the grocery store with, “are you Mrs. Thames daughter? She taught me (insert grade and topic)! How is she? Tell her (insert name) said ‘Hi’!”.
Jean Thames loved her family, loved her God, and loved her community. She was blessed with wonderful friends and touched more lives than anyone could ever possibly count.
Jean was greeted in heaven by her husband, Allen, whom she loved dearly, especially when he sang “Baby’s Got her Blue Jeans On” or made her laugh when she was aggravated with him. She leaves behind 3 daughters (Candy, Laura, and Joy (Brian), 3 grandchildren (Molly, Josh, and Hampton), her sister Millie, her best friend Nita, and more nieces and nephews than she could shake a stick at.
The family invites all who loved her to join us at the Georgetown Pentecostal Holiness Church on Saturday, March 22 at 12:00 pm, followed by lunch and fellowship. A brief graveside service will follow at Wilson Cemetery, 675 Wilson Cemetery Rd in Awendaw.
Jean’s favorite color was pink, so we invite you to celebrate her by wearing it as we bid her Bon Voyage.
Memorials can be made to Wilson Cemetery, 870 Lyon Rd, Awendaw, SC 29429 or Georgetown PH Church, 2515 North Fraser St., Georgetown, SC, 29440.
Chowan County
Colonel Lesley Lybron Kersey, US Air Force, Retired
Jan 9, 1943 – Mar 9, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Lesley Lybron “Les” Kersey, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and a distinguished officer in the United States Air Force who passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025 at the age of 82.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/colonel-lesley-kersey-us-air-force-retired
Kenneth Ray Layden
Jun 29, 1943 – Mar 15, 2025
Kenneth Ray Layden, Sr., 81, of 624 Gliden Road, died Saturday, March 15, 2025, in ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/kenneth-layden
Edna Lassiter Harrell
Apr 4, 1933 – Mar 12, 2025
Edna Lassiter Harrell, 91, of Edenton, NC, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in ECU Health Chowan Hospital.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/edna-harrell
Harvey Anderson Johnso
Aug 5, 1932 – Mar 12, 2025
Harvey Anderson Johnson, 92, of Edenton, NC, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Edenton House Assisted Living where he was surrounded by family and comforted by his loving wife.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/harvey-johnson
Melinda Elizabeth Brinkle
Oct 10, 1968 – Mar 10, 2025
Melinda Elizabeth Brinkley, 56, of 4763 Carolina Road, died Monday, March 10, 2025, in her home where she was lovingly cared for by her family.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/melinda-brinkley
Virginia White Cosne
Sep 15, 1946 – Mar 10, 2025
Virginia White “Ms. Jenny” Cosner, 78, of 837 Simpson Ditch Road, passed away Monday, March 10, 2025, in her home where she was being cared for by family.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/virginia-cosner
Margaret Steed Lee
Oct 25, 1954 – Mar 6, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved Margaret Steed Lee, born October 8, 1954 in High Point, North Carolina. Margaret departed this life on March 6, 2025, peacefully at her home in Merry Hill.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/margaret-lee
Elsie Marshall Thornton
Elsie Marshall Thornton, 96, of Edenton, NC, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/elsie-thornton
Norma “Jean” Hall Peters
Aug 18, 1942 – Mar 6, 2025
Norma “Jean” Hall Peters, 82, of Edenton, NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 6, 2025, in her home surrounded by family.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/norma-peters
Gates County
Summer Nicole Greene
May 16, 1998 – Mar 10, 2025
Summer Nicole Greene, 26, of Gates, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville, NC.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/summer-nicole-greene
Nansemond County
James H. “Jimmy” Bunch
June 20, 1939 – Mar 8, 2025
James Harris “Jimmy” Bunch, 85, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025.Born on June 20, 1939, in Nansemond County, he was the son of the late Clyde Harris Bunch and Annie Mary Parker Bunch.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/james-bunch
Pasquotank County
Mattie Cox Johnson
Apr 20, 1934 – Mar 8, 2025
Mattie Elizabeth Cox Johnson, 90, of Elizabeth City, NC, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Sentara Leigh Hospital, Norfolk, VA.
Link: https://www.millerfhc.com/obituaries/mattie-johnson
Perquimans County
Clifton Odell Robinson
With an abundance of love and concern, the Horton Family is embracing the heartbroken loved ones of Mr. Clifton Odell Robinson as they prepare to say “Farewell” to this vital link to their family chain. Mr. Robinson closed the curtains on this journey called life on Monday March 10,2025 at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center Elizabeth City, NC.
Link: https://www.hortonsfhc.com/obituary/Clifton-Robinson
Franando Cortez Forbes
It is with sincere sadness that the Horton’s Funeral Home Family announces the earthly transition of Mr. Franando Cortez Forbes as he peacefully answered the Master’s call on Monday March 3,2025 in Virginia Beach,Virginia.
Link: https://www.hortonsfhc.com/obituary/Franando-Forbes
Arthur L. White Sr.
September 16, 1943 ~ March 11, 2025
Arthur L. White Sr., 81, departed from this earthly life on March 11, 2025.
Link: https://www.stallingsfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Arthur-WhiteSr
Emmanuel Boggs
May 2, 1956 ~ March 10, 2025
Emmanuel Boggs, 68, departed from this earthly life on March 10, 2025.
Link: https://www.stallingsfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Emmanuel-Boggs
Tyrrell County
Marcos Guzman Becerra
April 17, 1964 ~ March 9, 2025
Marcos Guzman Becerra, 60, of Columbia, died on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City.
Link: https://www.bryanfs.com/obituary/Marcos-GuzmanBecerra
Hyde County
Mary Jean Gibbs
July 31, 1945 ~ March 8, 2025
Mary Jean Gibbs, 79, of Fairfield, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Washington, NC.
Link: https://www.bryanfs.com/obituary/Mary-Jean-Gibbs
Washington County
James John Swain
July 15, 1946 ~ March 7, 2025
James J. Swain, 78, of Creswell, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.
Link: https://www.bryanfs.com/obituary/James-Swain