All Obituaries

Robert Eugene Adams, age 79, of Clarkton, NC, passed away peacefully at his home. He was born in Columbus County on May 8, 1943, to the late Taylor Adams and Bessie Ward Adams.  He was a farmer and also worked for 25 years as a paper machine operator for International Paper.  Robert was a member of the Whiteville Auxilary Police for five years. He also was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Associates, the Department of Aging Advisory Council, the Lower Cape Fear Council...

Gracie Eve Duncan Smith of Whiteville, NC, went to be with her beloved Savior on June 17, 2022 at the age of 91.  She was born on December 25, 1930 in Old Dock, NC as the second of three children to Seth Adam Duncan and Eppie Dell Etheridge Duncan. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth (Bill) Elwood Smith, Sr., her two brothers Jesse Edward Duncan and Jack Adam Duncan, and on February 1, 2022 by her beloved sister-in-law, Julia Ann Smith of Clarkton, NC. Her...

Ervin Elbert "Bud" Gore, age 82, of Whiteville, passed away Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Columbus Regional Healthcare with his family by his side. He was born in Columbus County on June 13, 1939 to the late Elbert R. Gore and Rowena Clemmons Gore.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife; Margaret Helen Love Gore, a brother; Ricky Badger Gore and a sister; Wanda Kay Ward. After 30 years, Bud retired from Columbus County Schools Maintenance Department in...

Lillian Proctor Soles, age 99, of N. Charleston, SC (formerly of Whiteville) passed away  Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at her residence with her family by her side.  Lillian was born in Columbus County on October 11, 1922 to the late James Everette Proctor and Letha Cartrette Proctor. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband; Avery Gordon Soles. She first worked in farming for many years before going back to receive a degree at Southeastern Community College...

Robert Ransom Smith III, age 67, passed away on May 26, 2022.  Robert was born on November 30, 1954 in Whiteville to the late Robert Ransom Smith Jr. and Dorothy Martin Enzor. He was a truck driver for Butler Trucking. Robert is survived by a daughter; Brandy Sunshine Smith of Whiteville, a son; Robert Ransom "Ramsey" Smith, IV of Chadbourn and 4 grandchildren. Arrangements will be announced later.  Friends may visit our tribute page to leave condolences for the...

Gayle Wells Powell was received into Heaven on Saturday, June 4, 2022 after a sudden decline in her health. Gayle was born in Rose Hill, N.C., on July 12, 1927 to William Stokes Wells and Ruby Matthews Wells. She attended Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C., and moved to Whiteville soon after to work in the Columbus County Extension Service and later taught home economics at Whiteville High School. She was an active member of Whiteville First Baptist Church, teaching youth and later the...

Ricky Duane Trump, age 66, of Delco, NC passed away on May 31, 2022 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on October 10, 1955 to Ruby Jackson Mason. In addition to his mother he was preceded in death by his son Ronnie Long, Jr, sister Dianne Trump, niece Tracy Overby and brother-in-law Dwight Overby and Tom Johnson. Ricky was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved running dogs. He was a welder by trade but could do most anything. He is survived by his wife Carol Trump, sons;...

Vera Mae Piver Simmons of Whiteville, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 30, 2022 at home with her family by her side. She was born on May 22, 1934 in Columbus County to James Harry Piver and Lenny Mae Ward. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband James Omega Simmons, three sons; James Alfred Simmons, Jerry Talmadge Simmons and Larry Hugo Simmons and a daughter; Elizabeth Carol Ward and and sisters; Virginia Taylor, and LaRue Vick and brothers; J. T. Piver,...

Marian Worrell Duncan passed away peacefully on May 28, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill with her daughters by her side. She was born January 21, 1936 in a snowstorm, in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, the first child of Herbert Munroe Worrell and wife, Annie Mae Flynn Worrell. Marian graduated from Hallsboro High School and was a lifelong student, completing post secondary degrees at Campbell College, Southeastern Community College, the University of New York, and Central Michigan University...

Juan Jose Vazquez, age 93, passed away Saturday at Columbus Regional Healthcare.  He was born on November 12, 1928 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico to the late Juan Vazquez and Isabel Folch Vazquez.  In addition to his parents, Juan was preceded in death by his wife; Lydia Esther Vazquez, and two sons; Carlos Edgar Vazquez and Eric Aaron Vazquez. Mr. Vazquez was a self-employed furniture maker by trade. He is survived by his daughter; Janet Pamela Austin of Whiteville, two sons; Robert...