Gates County Index

July 24, 2002

Margaret B. Hunter
GATESVILLE - Margaret B. Hunter, 70, formerly of Berlin, NJ and Virginia Beach, Va. died July 13,2002.

A memorial service was held during the family reunion on July 20, 2002 in Gatesville.

Survivors include her husband, Walter F. Hunter; her mother, Margaret (Peggy) Erwin of Gatesville, also Veronica Boden of Virginia Beach, Linda Firth of Eure, Susan Hunter of Florida, Wesley J. Hunter of Clementon, NJ, Joseph Hunter of Berlin, NJ; a brother, Harry Young of Tansboro, NJ; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Kelvin D. Ballard
PETERSBURG, Va - Kevin D. Ballard. 48, a native of Gates County, died July 7,2002 at MCV Hospital.

Ballard was the son of the late Alvin D. Ballard and Wilsona Simmons Ballard. A 1972 graduate of Gates County High School, Ballard attended Elizabeth City State University where he was active in the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity.

Ballard was employed by the Virginia Department of Corrections for 23 years before retiring due to his health in October 2000. He worked at Deerfield, Southampton and Greensville Correctional Centers as well as Chesterfield Work Release and Men's Division Centers. After retiring, Ballard worked at Hecht's Department Store.

A funeral was conducted July 12, 2002 at Rising Sun Holiness Church in Emporia, VA with Bishop William Easter officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Velma Jones Ballard, three sisters, Peggy Hill of Virginia Beach, Edith Locke of Chapel Hill and Amaza Ballard of Taneytown, Md: two brothers, Anthony Ballard of Largo, FL and Frederick Ballard of Franklin, PA.

Geraldine T. Hobbs
GATES - Geraldine Taylor Hobbs, 68, a native of Gates County, died July 17, 2002 in Obici Hospital, Suffolk, VA.

Hobbs was a member of New Piney Grove Baptist Church.

A funeral was conducted July 21, 2002 at New Piney Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. EIton Hall officiating. Burial was in the Hobbs Family Cemetery.

Survivors include her husband.Thurman Hobbs of Gates; two sons, Alien Hobbs and Gerald Taylor, both of Gates; three daughters, Lisa T. Cross of Gates, Edith T. Weathers of Roduco and Urania T. Harrell of Gates; one brother, Walter Taylor of Pensacola, FL; three sisters, Georgia Carpenter of Gates. Lillian Taylor and Mary Dekle, both of Jamaica, NY; and three grandchildren.

John Moody
HERTFORD - John Moody, 69, died July 13, 2002 in Albemarle Hospital. Moody has retired from United Airlines and was a member of Lebanon Grove Baptist Church.

A funeral was held July 20, 2002 in Lebanon Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Lycurgus Harrell officiating. Burial was in the Moody Family Cemetery.

Survivors include a son, John A. Moody" of Hawthrone, CA; three daughters, Shelby Moody of Hertford, Alicia Moody of Los Angeles, CA and LaVerne Moody of Brooklyn, NY; one brother, Bennie Moody of Sumerset, NJ; one sister, Evelyn Rountree of Suthington, CT and eight grandchildren.

George C. Smith
AHOSKIE - George Ceasar Smith, 39,a native of Gates County, died July 13, 2002 in Roanoke ChowanHospital.

Survivors include his wife, Paula Pruden Smith; a daughter, Chariene Smithof Sunbury; a step-son, Alvin R. Butler of Ahoskie; his grandmother, Sophia Smith of Gates, his father, Julius C.Smith of Gates; one brother, Russell Lee Smith of Lawrenceville.GA; and four sisters, Barbara S. Sears of Gatesville, Shirley S. Webster of Queens, NY, Ernestine S.Durman of Germany and Lorraine Smith of Gates

A funeral was conducted July 18, 2002 at New Middle Swamp Baptist Church.

Haywood A. Turner
GATESVILLE - Haywood Austin Turner, 76, of US 158 Bus. W., died July 15, 2002, in Down East Health and Rehab, Gatesville.

Turner was born in Gates County and was the son of late Ernest E. and Delia Piland Turner. Turner was formerly employed with the Gates County Soil Conservation Service and later worked with Union Camp Corp., now International Paper, where he retired as supervisor in the power plant. He served in World Warll and was a member of Gatesville Masonic Lodge NO. 126. He was very active in Gates County Chapter No. 335, The Order of the Eastern Star, where he held many positions including worthy patron. A past district deputy grant patron of the Eastern Star, he was also a member of the Scottish Rites Bodies and the Sudan Temple of the Shrine.

A funeral was conducted July 18, 2002 in Gatesville Baptist Church by the Rev. Gene Asbill, pastor. Masonic rites were accorded in the church. The burial was in the Gatesvile Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Gatesville Baptist Church, Gatesville, NC 27938.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Byrum Turner; two sons, Edward A. Turner of Brownstown, Mien and Dr. Harold L. Turner of Elizabeth City, a brother, James Edward Turner of Southern Shores; and six grandchildren.