Virginian-Pilot

May 13, 2003

Earnestine Burden

AHOSKIE -- Earnestine Burden died May 10, 2003. A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday in St. John Second Baptist Church, Ahoskie. Wilder's Funeral Home, Aulander, is in charge.

Bill Fletcher

SOUTHERN SHORES -- A.W. ``Bill'' Fletcher, 87, passed away May 9, 2003, at Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City, N.C.

He was born to Albert E. and Ellen Kisten Fletcher on March 23, 1916, in Lachine, Quebec. At a very young age, he and his family moved to Wilmington, Del., where he graduated from Wilmington High School in 1933. He attended Wilmington Business College for two years before joining the U.S. Army. Mr. Fletcher was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Asian Theater of Operations 1940-44.

He was married to the late Dorothy Scott Townsend for 58 years, and is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, William Scott and Marie R. Fletcher of Southern Shores. Mr. Fletcher was predeceased by a brother, retired Col. George E. Fletcher of Carmel, Calif., and a sister, Joan F. Hartman of Goodlettsville, Tenn. Nieces and nephews include Cynthia Sudholz and husband, retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Herman O. Sudholz, Bruce Hartman and wife Anita Hartman, Joie Budington; and grandniece Jessica Budington.

Mr. Fletcher was a man of many talents and successes. He was a newspaper editor, lumber buyer, grocery store and cafe owner, and began working with Southern Shores Realty Co., in 1959. He served as general manager of that company for many years and also became the owner. While retired, he operated a small ceramic business making the famous Nags Head nag seen in souvenir shops along the Outer Banks. He was a founder of the Dare County Board of Realtors, a charter member of The Outer Banks Community Foundation, an honorary member of the Duck Woods Country Club, and one of the founders of the Southern Shores Cemetery.

A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Robert L. Pitsch at the Southern Shores Cemetery at 2 p.m. Thursday. Any remembrances, contributions or flowers will be graciously accepted by Mr. Fletcher's family. Of special appreciation would be contributions to the Dorothy T. Fletcher Memorial Fund, established by Mr. Fletcher in memory of his beloved wife, Dot, c/o The Outer Banks Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1100, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948.

Everyone is invited to join the family at Mr. Fletcher's residence, 177 Clamshell Trail, Chicahauk, following the service.

Twiford's Funeral Home, Manteo, is in charge.

Frank J. Kenney

WILMINGTON -- Frank Joseph Kenney died May 9, 2003. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. May 24 at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service, Oleander Chapel.

Marjorie V. Parker

MURFREESBORO -- Marjorie Vaughan Parker, 76, daughter of the late Cora and Mahlon Vaughan of Rich Square, died peacefully May 11, 2003, at her home surrounded by family and friends. She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt and friend who will be missed by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul E. Parker Jr., in 1998.

Surviving are her daughters, Vickie Price and husband Jim Price of Rocky Mount, Pattie Parker of Greenville and Paula Price and husband Tom Price of Charlotte; grandchildren, Jeffery Price of Greenville and Kelley Price of Rocky Mount; and stepgrandchild, Lisa P. Richardson of Greenville.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Sue Brown, Gail Holley and Hospice of Greenville and Ahoskie, who were loving caregivers for the past several months, and Pam Carr and Molly Eubank of the Como Rescue Squad for the transportation of Mrs. Parker from Greenville to Murfreesboro.

A graveside service will be held at Rich Square Cedar Lawn Cemetery at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The family will receive friends at the home, 510 Lakeview Drive, Murfreesboro, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Como Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 117, Como, NC 27818, the Murfreesboro Rescue Squad, or Hospice of Murfreesboro or Greenville.

Gwendolyn B. Rawls

AHOSKIE -- Gwendolyn Beale Rawls, 80, of W. Stokes Street, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, in Roanoke Chowan Hospital.

Mrs. Rawls was born in Hertford County and was a member of First Baptist Church of Ahoskie and the WMU. She was a homemaker, former Western Union operator and secretary for Nationwide Insurance Co.

Gwen was the wife of Chester G. Rawls and she leaves behind her husband; a daughter, Arlene R. Raiford and husband Hunter P. Raiford; a son, C. Keith Rawls and wife Debbie N. Rawls, all of Ahoskie; a grandson, Neil Hunter Raiford and wife Karen G. Raiford, M.D.; granddaughters, Sherie R. Tisdale and Kristy R. Overton and husband Russell Overton; and great-grandsons, Alexander Boyd Tisdale and Benjamin Hunter Raiford. Mrs. Rawls loved and cared for all her family and friends.

A service for the Celebration of Mrs. Rawls' life will be held at 4 p.m. today at First Baptist Church of Ahoskie, with the Rev. Dr. Jesse J. Croom officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Ahoskie Rescue Squad or to First Baptist Church of Ahoskie. Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge.

George Smith

GATES -- George Smith, 47, of Gates Bank Road, died May 8, 2003. A funeral will be at 2 p.m. today in Blanchard's Grove Baptist Church, Ahoskie. Hunter's Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge.

Martha F. Wilkins

CORAPEAKE -- Martha Jenkins Forehand Wilkins, 84, of the 500 block of Savage Road, died May 11, 2003, in Albemarle Hospital, Elizabeth City.

Mrs. Wilkins was born in Whaleyville, Va., and was a homemaker and member of Parker's United Methodist Church.

Surviving are her husband, Charlie J. Wilkins; two sons, Frank Forehand of Greensboro, N.C., and Joel W. Forehand of Colonial Heights, Va.; 17 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the chapel of Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, officiated by family friend, Vernon Hedgepeth. Burial will be private. Friends may join the family in the lobby of the funeral home following the service.