Virginian-Pilot

May 21, 2003

Norman L. Barclift Sr.

ELIZABETH CITY -- Norman Lanier Barclift Sr., 72, of the 1500 block of Nixonton Road, died May 19, 2003. A funeral will be today at 11 a.m. in Twiford's Memorial Chapel.

Jassiephine J. Chamblee

HARRELLSVILLE -- Jassiephine J. Chamblee, 89, of the 700 block of Quebec Road, died May 18, 2003. A funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. in Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church. Hertford County Undertakers is in charge.

Helen B. Cross

DRUM HILL -- Helen Odean Batts Cross, 72, died May 18, 2003. A funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in Eaton's Temple Holiness Church, Drum Hill. Crocker Funeral Home, Suffolk, is in charge.

Jeffrey A. Langwell

CAMDEN -- Jeffrey Alan Langwell, 45, of the 100 block of Pine St., died May 19, 2003. A funeral will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Twiford's Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City.

John E. Marr Jr.

SOUTHERN PINES -- John Edward Marr Jr., 84, died May 18, 2003. A funeral will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Southern Pines. Powell Funeral Home is in charge.

William H. Morgan

ELIZABETH CITY -- William H. ``Bill'' Morgan of the 800 block of Washington St. died May 17, 2003. A funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Mount Lebanon AME Zion Church. Stallings Funeral Home is in charge.

Alfonzo Odom

GATES -- Alfonzo ``Bartell'' Odom went home to be with his Lord May 13, 2003. Bartell, as he was affectionately known, spent most of his life in the Gates County community. He was a retired farmer and self-employed painter. He was born Sept. 22, 1917 in Hobbsville, N.C., to Walter and Flora Odom. He was a deacon of more than 50 years at Blanchard Grove Baptist Church, Hobbsville, N.C. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Navy.

Bartell was generous, kind and well respected in his community. His honesty and integrity was based on his spiritual conviction of his love for his God, family and church. The highest tribute that can be paid to any man is that he was loved and respected by his fellow man. Truly this is the sentiment of all who knew this gallant, God fearing and noble man. According to God's living Word, the Bible, Bartell is now with his Savior and Lord.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Myrtle Hayes Odom. Bartell leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Odell Taylor Odom of Gates; seven sons, Curtis A. and wife Dianne of Hemtstead, N.Y., Dr. Claude M. and wife Bettina of Harrellsville, N.C., Calvin L. and wife Margaret of Ahoskie, Dr. Winston O. and wife Sandra of Chesapeake, Walter N. and wife Jora of Knoxville, Tenn., David L. and wife Marilyn of Rural Hall, N.C. and Leon Taylor and wife Clareth of Palm Bay, Fla.; three daughters, Dorothy Evans and husband Donald of Wilson, N.C., Gladys Gatling and husband Earl of Durham, N.C. and Marilyn Eason and husband Darnell of Piscataway, N.J.; five sisters, Maude Harrell of Norfolk, Florence Dotson and husband James of Norfolk, Gloria Marburg of Cleveland, Ohio, Catherine Hall of Houston, Texas and Naomi Roberts of Woodbridge, N.J.; one brother, Fred Odom of Philadelphia, Pa.; two sisters-in-law, Delcia Knight of Gatesville, N.C. and Elizabeth Dilday of Gates; 30 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A funeral was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17, 2003 at New Middle Swamp Missionary Baptist Church, Corapeake. The Rev. Dr. Claude M. Odom, pastor, delivered the eulogy and the Rev. W. Robert Ashe Jr. officiated. Interment was held at Blanchard Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Hobbsville.

Wilford J. Saunders

ELIZABETH CITY -- Wilford Jonathan Saunders, 73, of the 600 block of Griffin Swamp Road, died May 19, 2003. A graveside service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Twiford's Memorial Chapel is in charge.

Marjorie P. Winslow

BELVIDERE -- Marjorie Perry Winslow, 82, of the 500 block of Ridge Road, died May 19, 2003. A funeral will be held today at 11 a.m. in Swindell Funeral Home.