Virginian-Pilot

May 25, 2003

James Lee Eason

SUFFOLK -- James Lee Eason, 78, died May 23, 2003 at Southampton Memorial Hospital. Born in Gatesville, N.C., he was a son of the late Hubert and Lucille Blanchard Eason. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theater, and retired from Union Camp Corporation after 40 years of service as a fire controlman.

Mr. Eason was a charter member of the South Quay/Holy Neck Ruritan Club and was an active member of the South Quay Baptist Church where he was a deacon, member of the Adult Bible Study Class, and served on numerous committees.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Myrtle Gardner Eason; a son, Hubert Grady Eason and wife, Robin, of Courtland; a grandson, Grady Bryant Eason and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Robert Hayes Eason and Hubert T. Eason.

A funeral will be held at South Quay Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Tom Holland and the Rev. Louis Venable officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, and suggest that memorials be made to South Quay Baptist Church, 9617 South Quay Road, Suffolk, VA 23434.

Brandon D. Bond

EURE -- Brandon Darrell Bond, infant son of Brian and Eunice Bond of Eure, was born May 22, 2003 at Roanoke Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie. However, God had already called his precious son home.

The parents are members of Second Baptist Union Church of Hertford County, N.C. Surviving, in addition to his parents, are a brother, Brian ``BJ'' Bond Jr. of the home; a sister, Vicki L. Goodman of Corapeake, N.C.; paternal grandparents, Percy and Laura Bond of Eure; maternal grandmother, Eunice Watson of Ahoskie; and a host of aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends.

A funeral will be held today at 3 p.m. at Second Baptist Union Church. Interment will be in the Grice/Liverman Family Cemetery, Eure. Abraham Applewhite & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Willie M. Bond

WINDSOR -- Willie Mary Bond, 84, of the 1200 block of Windsor Oaks, died May 21, 2003. A funeral will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Indian Woods Baptist Church. Gilliam Funeral Home is in charge.

John B. Copley

ELIZABETH CITY -- John Bernard Copley, 76, of the 1300 block of Crescent Drive, died May 23, 2003. A funeral will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Twiford's Memorial Chapel is in charge.

Oskar L. Eichna Jr.

HERTFORD -- Oskar L. Eichna Jr., 65, of the 100 block of Coosaw Circle, Hertford, and a former resident of East Northport, Long Island, N.Y., passed away May 22, 2003.

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., he was the son of the late Oskar L. and Margaret Harshaw Eichna. He worked in aeronautics as an electrical engineer, was a member and served as elder and historian of First Presbyterian Church in Northport and was an alumnus of Yale University and Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He was instrumental in the design and development of the VAST system (the first general purpose computer controlled tester) for the U.S. Navy, at Harris Corporation during the 1960s. He had a very strong work ethic and a love for opera, fine dining, cooking and gardening.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Jeanne; two sons, David and wife, Lisa Eichna and Michael Eichna, all of East Northport, N.Y.; three daughters, Cherie and husband, Bobby Taylor of Virginia Beach, Cindy and husband, Bill Edmunds of Richmond, Va., and Debbie Hoffman of Forest Hill, Md.; and five grandchildren, Sean Taylor, J.J. Edmunds, Amanda Edmunds, James Edmunds and Chelsea Eichna.

The family will receive friends today from 3 to 5 p.m. at Swindell Funeral Home in Hertford. A funeral will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in the Hertford United Methodist Church with the Rev. Harry Long officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Wood Cemetery.

Garland Fisher

ROCKY MOUNT -- Garland Fisher, 43, of the 2100 block of Bridgewood Road, died May 22, 2003. A funeral will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Chapel Hill Baptist Church. Gilliam Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge.

Etheleen P. Martin

MURFREESBORO -- Etheleen Parker Martin, 86, of N. Wynn St., died May 24, 2003 in Autumn Care Nursing Home, Rich Square, N.C.

Mrs. Martin was born in Hertford County, N.C., and was a member of Murfreesboro Baptist Church. She was retired as a sales clerk for The Evans Company and director of Murfreesboro Nutritional Site.

Survivors include three sons, Joseph L. Parker Jr. and wife, Jeanette, of Murfreesboro, Oris Lester Parker and wife, Shelia, of Charlotte, N.C., Gordon Larry Parker and wife, Deborah of Murfreesboro; a sister, Lucy Geneva Vann of Murfreesboro; a brother, Dan Vann of Sunbury, N.C.; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at Murfreesboro Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Davis L. Smith Jr. and the Rev. Billy Sellers officiating. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Murfreesboro. The family will receive friends at Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today and other times at the home of Joseph L. Parker Jr., 210 Benthall Bridge Road, Murfreesboro.

Virginia N. Willingham

ELIZABETH CITY -- Virginia Newbern Willingham, 94, died May 22, 2003. A graveside service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Ahoskie Cemetery, Ahoskie. Twiford's Memorial Chapel is in charge.