Recent Obituaries

May 1, 2024

Joseph “Joe” Calvin Stubbs, age 87, of Durham, past-away Wednesday, May 1, 2024. 

Joe was born in Chatham County, on September 12, 1936, to the late Donald Rufus Stubbs and Lucille Tickle Stubbs. He was also preceded in death by three brothers Bill Stubbs, Don Stubbs, and Louis Stubbs. 

Surviving relatives include his wife Margaret Stubbs, son Calvin Stubbs of Morrisville, daughters...

Apr 30, 2024

Elizabeth Smith Wilhelm, 70, of Timberlake, North Carolina peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Durham, NC at Hock Family Pavilion.  She was born on March 15, 1954 in Durham, NC to the late Warren and Hazel Smith.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Vaughn Wilhelm and brothers, Billy Smith and...

Apr 29, 2024

Mrs. Pamela (Pam) Faye Watkins, age 76, passed away peacefully April 29, 2024. 

Pamela was born to the late Ernest M. Hall, Sr., and Geraldine J. Allen.

Pamela was the life of the party. She was always telling a joke, spreading a laugh, and a big smile. She loved life and lived one most did not get to experience. She loved her...

Apr 26, 2024

Maxine Levin Essinger was born in Ashtabula, Ohio on June 13, 1937. She graduated high school there and went on to take classes at Pitt University where she worked as a transcriber to the Chancellor. She met Theodore Essinger at a party she and her girlfriends hosted. Six weeks later, she accepted his marriage proposal, “Will you be the mother...

Apr 25, 2024

In loving memory of Douglas R. Sikes, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on April 25, 2024. 



Born May 30, 1941, to Louis and Nita Sikes, Doug was a dedicated husband to his beloved wife Betsy Ann Julier Sikes for 50 years and a loving father to son Jay Sikes. As a skilled plumber & pip-fitter, he worked at...

Apr 21, 2024

Apr 21, 2024

Christine Holder “Nana” Eakes, 86 of Durham passed away Sunday April 21, 2024, at Treyburn Nursing and Rehab Center.

Christine was born in Durham on August 21, 1937 to the late John Wesley Holder, Sr. and Lillie Fletcher Holder. “Nana”, as she was affectionately called, lived in Durham all of her life. 

One of thirteen children, Nana grew up alongside her brothers...

Apr 18, 2024

Pat Moulton, aka Miss Pat @ Pat’s Pawns, aka Demented @ The Red Hat Society escaped her “Old Age Hell” on April 18, 2024 at the ripe old age of 82. Pat didn’t believe in a higher power so to whomever gets her next….We are sorry. We did the best we could with what we had to work with. Our...

Apr 14, 2024

Mrs. Carolyn Rigsbee, age 86, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2024 at the Duke Hospice, Hock Family Pavilion in Durham NC.

Mrs. Carolyn Rigsbee was born February 18, 1938 to the late James and Lucettie Ruth Oakley. Carolyn grew up and enjoyed life in Durham NC with her six sisters and family. Carolyn worked and retired from the Liggett Group...

Apr 12, 2024

Lona Evelyn Powers Tavernise, age 84, of Hillsborough, NC, passed away on April 12, 2024.

Lona was born on January 8, 1940, in Austin, TX, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Barbee Powers and Commander Oscar Scofield Powers, Ph.D.  

Lona graduated from Durham High School in 1958, then went on to Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning a BA...

Apr 2, 2024

Zachary Lee "Jay" Byrd, Jr., 64, of Raleigh passed away Tuesday April 2, 2024, at his home. Jay, as he was fondly known, touched the lives of many with his warm heart and Kind spirit. Born in Durham on September 17, 1959, to Zack Lee Byrd, Sr. and Lunette Whitman Byrd. Jay's passion for life was evident in everything he did....

Mar 30, 2024

Gracie Delores Overman Beckwith, 82, passed away March 30, 2024, at her home.

Mrs. Beckwith was born October 2, 1941, to the late Richard and Annie Redmund Overman in Durham, North Carolina.  

Delores was a homemaker who loved the Lord and her family dearly. She also enjoyed watching Jimmy Swaggart on TV and loved chewing her bubble gum. She enjoyed making...

Mar 29, 2024

Mrs. Janice Roycroft Tice, age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2024, at Brookdale Memory Care of Chapel Hill.

Mrs. Tice was born in Wake County on April 8, 1941, to the late James R. Roycroft and Mattie Carnell Roycroft.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Tice was preceded in death by her husband, George Donald Tice; her sister Margaret...

Mar 24, 2024

A Graveside service will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Durham Hebrew Cemetery, 840 Kent St., Durham, NC 27701. Officiating will be Rabbi Daniel Greyber.A FULL OBITUARY IS FORTHCOMING.

Mar 23, 2024

On March 23, 2024, Shirley Russell Andrews went home to be with the Lord. She was 91 and had stoutly battled a lung condition for many years. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Edward Andrews; her parents, Marshall and Martha Russell; brothers Everett, Boyd, and WT; sisters Lillian and Virginia; nephew Alan Montague; and grandson...

Mar 21, 2024

Joan Lee Matthews Wheeler, 85, went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior at 5:39 PM on March 20, 2024, after an eight year long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Mrs. Wheeler was born on April 25, 1938, to the late Eva Beasley and Clarence Matthews in Durham County, North Carolina. She was preceded in death by her...

Mar 20, 2024

Shakir Hussain, 64, passed away in his home in Durham, NC on Wednesday, March 20th. Born in India, he traveled the world as a hotelier, leaving his mark on historic establishments and earning a reputation as an inspiring leader along the way. Most importantly, Shakir was a dedicated friend and an exceptionally loving father, and he will be remembered fondly...

Mar 18, 2024

Mrs. Renetha Mae Butters Shick (Renee), 83, passed away March 18, 2024.

 

Renetha was born September 3, 1940, in Brockway, PA to the late Frank and Emma Carlson Butters. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Delbert Butters and Dale Butters. 

 

Renee was a faithful member of Grove Park Chapel. She was also a leader for...

Mar 13, 2024

Pauline Lack, age 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 13, 2024. Pauline was born July 29, 1926, in New York City to Sam and Clara (Schechter) Kaplan. Her husband, Leon, and brother, Sidney Kaplan, M.D., also predeceased her.

Pauline’s parents were Jewish immigrants from Ukraine. Each had arrived in this country as a teenager, on their own and...

Mar 10, 2024

Melissa Dawn Sherron, 50, of Palm Harbor, Florida unexpectedly passed away on March 10, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, love, and selflessness. She was born on August 8, 1973, in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Melissa was the second of six adored daughters. She is survived by her parents Mike and Beth Sherron of Palm Harbor, Florida, and her five sisters...