WINFALL – Family and friends are remembering Fred Yates, Winfall’s longest-serving mayor, as a dedicated public servant and community leader. Yates died Saturday, Aug. 23, at the age of 89.
Yates served as mayor for more than 30 years, from 1993 until his retirement in 2023. Before his public service, he completed a 21-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a gunnery sergeant. His wife, Arlene, said he lived his life with a mission to help others. Arlene, sorry for your loss. He was a good man.
Among his proudest accomplishments as mayor, Yates cited securing funding for a town fire station and fire truck, installing Winfall’s water and sewer system, bringing natural gas service to residents, restoring homes through federal grants, and overseeing construction of Winfall Landing Park and a community center.
In 2024, Yates was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor. He also held leadership roles with Elizabeth City State University’s Board of Trustees, the Perquimans County NAACP, the Roanoke Missionary Baptist Association, and numerous civic groups.
Yates is survived by his wife and their five children. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, at Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Elizabeth City. Life Celebration Services will be held at Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, with Bishop J. Andre Turner, Pastor, Rev. Alvin J. Boone, Sr., Officiating, and Bishop Dr. Landon B. Mason, Sr., delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in Melton Grove Memorial Gardens. A viewing will be held on Friday, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Melton Grove Missionary Baptist Church. A wake service will begin at 6 p.m.
Mitchell Funeral Care and Cremation is handling arrangements.
Obituaries:
Edward “Ed” Thornton
Edward “Ed” Floyd Thornton, age 65, of Elizabeth City, NC, passed away on August 26, 2025. Born in Rome, GA on November 20, 1959, he attended school at Coosa High School where he began to develop his love for history and football. Football gave him an opportunity to further his education at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. He found his calling when he started teaching and coaching. He loved teaching. He loved coaching. He loved history. But most of all, he loved his family.
After teaching in Tennessee and Georgia for a few years, Ed moved to Washington, DC to take on two very interesting but very different jobs. He worked at The Close Up Foundation, which was a non-profit civics education group, teaching kids from all over the country about how their government worked. He also was a football coach at Gallaudet University, the nation’s only university for the deaf and hard of hearing. He had to learn sign language and really immerse himself in this community. He found it a very challenging and enjoyable experience. From there, Ed moved to North Carolina to continue a career in education – in the classroom and on the football field and basketball court – first in Edenton, then Fayetteville, and finishing up in Elizabeth City.
Master Kendrick Rickard
Master Kendrick Hakeem Rickard of Engelhard, North Carolina, peacefully departed this earthly life on Thursday, August 28, 2025, in the comfort of his home.
A public viewing will be held on Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at People’s Memorial Chapel.
Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be directed to the Rickard Family through our website at peoplesfuneralest.com, by fax at (252) 940-6889, or via email at peoplesfh219@gmail.com.
We kindly ask that you keep the Rickard Family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time of loss.
Services of Love & Compassion have been entrusted to People’s Funeral Establishment of Washington, North Carolina.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Master Kendrick Hakeem Rickard, please visit our floral store.
Marilyn June Reynolds
Aug 19, 1939 – Aug 30, 2025
Marilyn June Reynolds, 86, of Edenton, NC passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Pamela Anne Poe Center
Oct 14, 1960 – Aug 28, 2025
Pamela Anne Center, 64, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, August 28, 2025. Pamela was born in Columbia, SC on October 14, 1960 and grew up in Hampton, VA, then moving to Gates County where she resided with her husband of 26 years, Patrick Center.
Paula Faith Byrum Cartwright
Nov 23, 1954 – Aug 28, 2025
Paula Faith Byrum Cartwright, 70, of Hertford, NC passed away Thursday, August 28, 2025 at her residence.
Janice Williams Criddle
Mar 7, 1946 – Aug 26, 2025
With heavy hearts the family of Janice Williams Criddle announces her passing.
Lon Andrews Humphreys
Apr 27, 1934 – Aug 22, 2025
Today we remember Lon Andrews Humphreys, of Hertford, NC, who at 91 years old, died on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Sharon Brabble Hughes
Oct 11, 1952 – Aug 27, 2025
Sharon Brabble Hughes, 72, of Windsor, NC passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at ECU Beaufort Hospital, Washington, NC after a very long, courageous battle with cancer.
Nina Russell Lane
Jan 24, 1934 – Aug 24, 2025
Nina Lane, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 92.
Karen Jo Austin Godfrey
Sep 17, 1957 – Aug 22, 2025
Karen Jo Austin Godfrey, 67, of Hertford, NC, passed away peacefully Friday, August 22, 2025, in Elizabeth City Health and Rehabilitation after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mary Elizabeth Harrell Dail
Oct 31, 1935 – Aug 21, 2025
Mary Elizabeth Harrell Dail, 89, a longtime resident of Edenton, NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at The Landings of Albemarle in Hertford.
Raymond Leroy Rapier
Feb 19, 1937 – Aug 20, 2025
Raymond L. Rapier, a beloved father and decorated veteran, passed away on August 20, 2025.
James Earl Richey
James Richey, age 61, of Elizabeth City, NC, died unexpectantly at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center on Friday, August 29, 2025.
Bonnie Lea Bassett Ditto
Bonnie Lea Bassett Ditto, age 64, a cherished wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, died at her home in Elizabeth City, NC, on August 28, 2025.
