Gates County Index

Feb. 19, 2003

A.J. Chappell
TYNER - Allen Joseph "A.J." Chappell, 69, a native of Perquimans County, died Feb. 11, 2003, in Chowan Hospital.

Chappell was the son of the late Charlie Thomas Chappell and Eliza Boyce Chappell. He was a farmer.

A funeral was held Feb. 14, 2003 in Swindell Funeral Home Chapel. Burial was in the Chappell Family Cemetery.

Survivors include two sisters, Mildred C. King of Elizabeth City and Nina C. Byrum of Tyner; and a brother, Frank Chappell of Tyner.

Swindell Funeral Home of Hertford was in charge of arrangements.

Tommie S. Byrum
SUFFOLK, VA - Tommie Sanford Byrum, 82, a native of Gates County, died Feb. 12, 2003 at Obici Hospital.

Byrum was the son of the late William H. and Mamie Hollowell Byrum. He was a retired military chef having served in the Army during World War 11,the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

A graveside service was held Feb. 16, 2003 at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Douglas W. Gibson officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Nansemond Suffolk Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1515, Suffolk, VA 23439.

Survivors include nieces and nephews.

Joyce P. Favinger
ELIZABETH CITY - Joyce Perkins Favinger, 58, a native of Camden County, died Feb. 12, 2003 in Albemarle Hospital.

Favinger was the daughter of the late William and Virginia Stone Perkins. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church.

A graveside service was conducted Feb. 14, 2003 in the West Lawn Memorial Cemetery by the Rev. Toni Wood.

Survivors include one daughter, Sherry C. Temple of Elizabeth City; a son, Kenny Favinger of Virginia Beach, VA; a sister, Linda Byrum of Sunbury and two grandchildren.

Twiford Funeral Home in, Elizabeth was in charge of I arrangements.

Daniel M. Rodil
PORTSMOUTH, VA - Daniel Maralit Rodil, 50, a native of Manila, Philippines, died Feb. 10, 2003 in Jacksonville, FL.

Rodil was employed with the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as an electronic test mechanic. He was Catholic.

A Mass of Resurrection was held Feb. 15, 2003 in the Church of the Holy Family with Father Thomas Ianucci officiating. Burial was in the Colonial Grove Memorial Park.

Survivors include his parents, Domiciano C. and Virginia M. Rodil of Virginia Beach; a daughter, Rachel Lauren Rodil of Gates and a son, Justin Daniel Levy Rodil of Gates. He is also survived by a sister and five brothers.

Jessie C. Oliver
SUFFOLK, VA - Jessie Elizabeth Carroll Oliver, a native of Suffolk, died Feb. 12, 2003 in Louise Obici Memorial Hospital.

Oliver was the daughter of the late James Lloyd and Sarah Elizabeth Taylor Carroll and the widow of Ernest "June" Oliver Jr. Oliver was a homemaker and had retired from Leggett department store in Suffolk. She was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church.

A graveside service was held Feb. 15, 2003 at Cedar Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Cameron Currin officiating.

Survivors include a son, James E. Oliver of Manassas, VA; a daughter, Susan O. Casper of Corapeake; a sister, Jane C. Byrum of Roanoke, VA; three grandchildren and a great- granddaughter.

Russell Ward Cullifer Russell Ward Cullifer of Murfreesboro, N.C., passed away peacefully on February 8, 2003. She is the widow of Benjamin F. Cullifer, a general contractor in Murfreesboro known for quality construction.

Mrs. Cullifer was a Secondary School Math Teacher, who began her teaching career at Farmville, NC. She later taught math at South Hampton County High School in Courtland, Virginia, prior to moving to Murfreesboro. She taught math 16 years at Murfreesboro High School until she retired in 1975.

Mrs. Cullifer was born at Wardsville, Gatesville County, North Carolina and graduated from Sunbury High School. She attended Meredith College in Raleigh and graduated from Chowan College with a bachelor's degree in Mathematics. She was a member of the National Council of Mathematics and the North Carolina Association of Educators. Mrs. Cullifer was also active in the Murfreesboro Historical Association and was closely involved in the 1970 restoration of the Roberts-Vaughan House on Main Street. An active member of the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church, Mrs. Cullifer served as its Treasurer for many years after retiring.

Mrs. Cullifer is the daughter of Beresford Hope "Bess" Ward and Elizabeth Russell Ward of Gates County. She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Annie Hope Rollins of Farmville, N.C.; her brother, George Wilburn Ward of Sunbury, N.C.; and her brother, Anderson Jefferson Ward of Virginia Beach, VA. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Kathryn Dalby Ward of Virginia Beach, VA, and three nephews, Dr. Robert L. Rollins of Raleigh, N.C., Anderson Jay Ward of Frankfort, Illinois and John Russell Ward of Virginia Beach, VA.

She is also survived by her cousin, Dr. O.W. Ward, Jr. of Hampton, VA and numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces.

A graveside service was held at 12:00 Noon, Monday, February 17, 2003, at Riverside Cemetery in Murfreesboro, N.C. The Rev. Dr. Michael F. Gast officiated.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church.

Garrett Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.