Obituaries


The Rockingham County NC obituary project has been suspended.
There were few obituaries in this section, and they have been condensed onto the same page.

There are other obituaries in the USGW Archives for Rockingham County.
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BENTHALL, Ethel W --- Date of Death:  May 27, 2004

Norfolk - Ethel Wade BENTHALL,69,of the 6900 block of Tanners Creek Drive, passed away May 27,2004,in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Ethel was born Oct 9,1934,to the late Jake and Nancy Artis WADE in Leaksville NC (Eden) and the youngest of nine children. She was educated in Rockingham County public school graduating from Douglass High. She held a bachelor science degree in education from Maryland State University in 1962,from there pursuing a teaching career in Norfolk. She also had an extensive career as a paralegal working for Douglas & Douglas Attorneys at Law, Edward Delk & Assoc. and Arthur McGowan & Associates. Mrs Ethel was a member of Faith Deliverance Christian Center. Married to the late Norman Lee WRIGHT II,to this union two sons were born, Norman Lee WRIGHT III and Isaac Sherman WRIGHT (Edith). Mrs Ethel was predeceased by her parents; three sisters, mmie Wade KEEN, Annie WADE and Dora Lee WADE; three brothers, Jake WADE Jr, Charlie WADE and Elmer WADE; and a great-grandson Michael Messiah Dunbar JONES. She leaves to cherish her memory two brothers, Anderson WADE (Rosa) of Eden NC and Robert WADE (Estella) of Philadelphia PA; three sisters-in-law, Barbara Jean CHAVIS of Chesapeake, Mammie WADE and Georgia WADE, both of North Carolina; a brother-in-law Edward KING; seven grandchildren, Natashia J LEWIS of Norfolk, Carmen J SPELLER, Isaac OWES, both of Virginia Beach, Sherry N JONES of Norfolk, Tyrone Lee ATKINSON of West VA, Eugene WILLIAMS of Georgia and Serena HASKINS of Georgia; two grandson-in- laws, Jason and Frederick; and five great- grandchildren, Jayson, Camry, Amari, Xavier, and Camari. She is also survived by Sabrina J SCOTT who was like her daughter and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends. There will be a viewing at Riddick Funeral Service today from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Faith Deliverance Christian Center by Bishop Barbara AMOS and Pastor Sharon RILEY. A reception will immediately follow at the family home. Family and friends will assemble at 6901 East Tanners Creek Drive one hour prior to service for the procession to the church.   Source: Virginian Pilot, June 1, 2004. Diane Renfrow  Feb 10 2007

BUNN, Sarah K --- Date of Death:  Dec 25, 2006 

Winston Salem - Sarah Price KEMP BUNN, 94, formerly of Reidsville, died Dec 25,2006,at Brookridge Retirement Community in Winston-Salem. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. today at Greenview Cemetery with the Rev. Jeffrey D SMITH officiating. Sarah was born in Rockingham County to the late James PRICE and Sarah H KEMP. She was a teacher for many years, teaching at Franklin Street School in Reidsville, NC, and schools in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. She had an AB degree from Elon College and a master's degree from University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She was first a member of the First Baptist Church in Reidsville, until moving to Virginia Beach in 1956 where she was a member of Baylake United Methodist Church. At present she attended College Park Baptist Church in Winston-Salem NC. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Dean BUNN and sister, Evelyn M KEMP. She is survived by Mary Olive Gillie SMITH and husband the Rev Jeffrey D SMITH and family Winston-Salem, as well as other cousins. Wilkerson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be sent to www.wilkersonfuneral.com. Source: Virginian Pilot, Dec 28,2006. Diane Renfrow  Feb 10 2007

HOLLAND, Brian Todd --- Date of Death:  Jan 8, 2007

Brian Todd Holland, 19, of 514 Barnes St, died Monday, January 8, 2007. A graveside service will be held at 2 pm Thursday, January 11, 2007, at Primitive Baptist Church cemetery in Pleasantville. Brian was born in Alamance county, but lived most of his life in Reidsville. He is survived by his mother, Michelle Thornberg Allen of Reidsville, her companion, Mike Kennon, Brian's father, Michael Todd Holland of Stoneville, and one brother, Justin Allen Holland of Reidsville. Grandparents, Allen and Carolyn Bare of Graham, Walter and Bette Thornberg of Florida, grandfather, Burton Holland of Reidsville, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and nephews. Holland died when he was thrown from a 700cc Kawasaki ATV about 9:30 Monday night. Rockingham county Sheriff's office said Holland was a passenger on the ATV driven by a 15 year old friend. The accident happened in a heavily wooded area near Shiloh Airport. The family will receive friends at Wilkerson Funeral home from 7 to 9 pm today, and at other times the family will be at the residence.  Michelle Thornberg Allen  Apr 7 2007

RICKMAN, Joseph B --- Date of Death:  July 13, 2005

Burlington - Retired US Army LtCol Joseph Bernard RICKMAN,79,of Wade Coble Drive, Twin Lakes Community, passed away July 13,2005,at Alamance Regional Medical Center. A native of Rockingham County, he was husband of Alice Atwood RICKMAN who survives and son of the late Robert Guy and Oma Burge RICKMAN. Mr RICKMAN retired from the US Army as a lieutenant colonel serving during World War II, Korea and Vietnam and was later employed with the Division of Veteran Affairs in Richmond, VA. He was a former president of The Richmond Area Retired Officers Association and president of The Virginia Council of Chapters. Survivors include his wife, Alice Atwood RICKMAN of the home; daughters, Susan R CARNEAL and husband Bill of Tucson, AZ, Patricia Ann "Trish" SAWYER and husband Paul of Providence NC, and Martha Jo BRISTER and husband Howard of Clovis, NM; son Joseph B RICKMAN II and wife Freida of Gibsonville; son-in- law Victor KOMATZ of Mineral VA;10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Michelle D KOMATZ and brother, Robert RICKMAN. The family will receive friends at Lowe Funeral Home from 3 to 5 p.m. today. The funeral with full military rites will be held at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept 23,2005,in the Old Post Chapel of Arlington National Cemetery by the Rev Barry LANE. Interment will follow in Arlington National Cemetery. Family and friends should gather in the Old Post Chapel by 8:30 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Fork Union Military Academy, PO Box 278, Fork Union, VA 23055-0278. Source: Virginian Pilot,July 17,2005. Diane Renfrow  Date: Feb 10 2007

SMITH, Pearl Mae

- member of the Cascade Primitive Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was 87 when she died. Buried at Dan-View Cemetery. Services held at Spray Primitive Baptist Church. Lived at 1406 E. Stadium Drive, Eden, NC.//// Greensboro News & Record (NC) - November 12, 1996 Deceased Name: PEARL SMITH SPAIN EDEN - On Monday, Nov. 11, 1996, at 8 a.m., God sent an angel to take his precious child home. Pearl Smith Spain, 87, of 1406 E. Stadium Dr., Eden, passed away in Morehead Memorial Hospital. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Spray Primitive Baptist Church, with burial in Danview Cemetery. A native of Patrick Co., Va., she was a member of Cascade Primitive Baptist Church, and was a homemaker. Pearl was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She leaves behind her daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen S. and David Tate of Woodstock, Ga., Ruby Spain Miller of Eden, Doris `Thad` S. Kendrick of Greensboro; Marcell S. and Lynn Baker of Eden, Yvonne S. and Orville Light of Eden; son and daughter-in-law, James and Doris Spain of Eden; sister, Margaret Grant of Eden; brothers, Charlie Smith of Richmond, Calif., Calvin Smith of Eden; 22 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thad Spain, daughter, Delores Spain, and son, Walter N. Spain. Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at Fair Funeral Home, and other times at the home. Copyright (c) 1996 Greensboro News & Record

SPAIN, Thaddeus

Greensboro News & Record (NC) - March 14, 1991 Deceased Name: THAD SPAIN EDEN - Thad Spain, 93, of 1406 E. Stadium Drive died Tuesday at Morehead Memorial Hospital. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. today at Spray Primitive Baptist Church, of which he was a member. Burial will be in Dan-View Cemetery. He was a retired employee of Fieldcrest-Cannon. Surviving are wife, Pearl Smith Spain; daughters, Mrs. Kathaleen Spain Tate, Ruby Spain Miller, Mrs. Marcell Spain Baker, Mrs. Yvonne Spain Light, all of Eden, Mrs. Doris "Thad" Spain Kendrick of Greensboro; son, James W. Spain of Eden; 22 grandchildren. The family will be at the residence. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, N.C. 27375. Fair Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Copyright (c) 1991 Greensboro News & Record

TATE, David McKinley

EDEN - David McKinley Tate, 81, died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Morehead Memorial Hospital. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Fair Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Danview Cemetery. Mr. Tate was born in Rockingham County to the late Edd and Bessie Chilton Tate. He was a decorated World War II Army veteran and was retired from American Tobacco Company. Mr. Tate served as president of Tobacco Workers International Union, Local 192 for the last 10 years of his employment. He was also a member of the VFW. Surviving are his son Michael David Tate of Marietta, Ga.; two grandchildren, Michael McKinley Tate and Richard Brandon Tate of Woodstock, Ga.; sister Lilly T. Woods of Eden; brother Henry A. Tate and wife Katie of Reidsville; numerous loving nieces and nephews; He was preceded in death by his wife of over 60 years, Kathaleen Spain Tate, sisters, Addie T. Ellington and Virginia T. Hylton, brothers, Fletcher R. Tate, Jim Tate, Harry Tate, John Tate and Ted Tate. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Fair Funeral Home and other times at 3432 Vance Street Extension in Reidsville. Greensboro News Record 26 Feb 2005

TATE, Kathaleen Spain

Greensboro News & Record (NC) - March 26, 2003 Deceased Name: KATHALEEN SPAIN TATE, EDEN Kathaleen Spain Tate, 78, formerly of Johnsie-Billie Harris Street, died Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at Kindred Hospital in Greensboro. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 27, 2003, at Fair Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow at Danview Cemetery. Mrs. Tate was a native of Rockingham County. She retired from Morehead Memorial Hospital after 30 years of service and was of the Primitive Baptist faith. She is survived by husband, David McKinley Tate of the home; son, Michael David Tate of Atlanta, Ga.; sisters, Doris Walker of Greensboro, Marcell Baker and Yvonne Light, both of Eden; brother, James "J.W." Spain of Eden; two grandsons, Michael and Brandon. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the home, 123 Grant St., Eden.

TODD, Claudia Vernice --- Date of Death:  Feb 4,2007

Portsmouth - Claudia Vernice TODD,83,passed away at home Feb 4 2007,surrounded by her immediate family. She was born in Rockingham County, NC,Sept 12 1923. Mrs. TODD proudly worked and raised her family in Portsmouth for more than 65 years. She was a longtime faithful member of St Mark's Missionary Baptist Church in Portsmouth. Mrs TODD is survived by a younger sister, Martha PRICE of Eden, NC; a daughter, Doris J TODD; a grandson, Shonnell TODD; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was predeceased by her son, Vernon E TODD. A life celebration service will be held at noon Friday at St Mark's Missionary Baptist Church,2714 Frederick Blvd, Portsmouth. Pastor EDMONDS will officiate. Viewing will be today from 4 to 8 p.m. at J T Fisher Funeral Services,1080 N. George Washington Hwy - Chesapeake. The family will assemble at 557 Barlow Drive, Portsmouth at 11 a.m. for the procession to the church. Interment will follow the services at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens,3920 Airline Blvd,Chesapeake. The family has entrusted J T Fisher Funeral Services to handle the final care arrangements. Source: Virginian Pilot Feb 8, 2007. Diane Renfrow  Date: Feb 9 2007

WHITT, Dolores C --- Date of Death:  Dec 12,2005

Suffolk - Dolores C WHITT passed away Dec 12 2005,at home after a short but courageous battle with cancer. She was born Sept 13,1933,in Rockingham County, NC. She was predeceased by her parents,Frank and Martha CRIBBS;one brother,Wallace CRIBBS; and a son,Timothy Jay WHITT. She is survived by her husband of 52 years,Floyd N WHITT;two sons,Rodney N WHITT and wife Joy of Norfolk and Gary A WHITT and friend Helen of Chesapeake; a daughter,Leslie MILLER and husband Scott of Wheeling WV; and four grandchildren, Matthew and Sara MILLER and Erin and Chriss WHITT. She will be missed by all who loved her. At her request there will be no services. Cremation Society of Virginia, Virginia Beach, will be handling the arrangements. Source: Virginian Pilot, Dec 13,2005.  Diane Renfrow  Date: Feb 10 2007

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