Obituaries

Jan 25, 2026

Allan White Ballance July 8, 1929 – January 25, 2026

Allan White Ballance, 96, of Fairfield, passed away at his home on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Allan Ballance was born in Hyde County, on July 8, 1929, to the late James Madison and Lydia Jones Ballance.  He married the former Joyce Mooney, on...

Jan 25, 2026

Dennis Earl Byrd May 9, 1972 – January 25, 2026

Dennis Byrd, 53, of Engelhard, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Dennis was born in Marion, South Carolin, on May 9, 1972.  He loved working on the water as a commercial fisherman, as well as fishing and boating for pleasure.  He...

Jan 16, 2026

Armando Contreras Solorzano November 17, 1970 - January 16, 2026

Armando Contreras Solorzano, 55 of Belhaven, died on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Armando was born in Panuco de Coronado, Durango, Mexico, on November 17, 1970, to the late Gabriel Contreras Rodarte and Agustina Solorzano Andrade, who survives.

Armando worked in the...

Jan 12, 2026

Audrey Fisher Simmons November 8, 1938 – January 12, 2026

Audrey June Fisher Simmons was born on November 8th, 1938, in Hyde County.  She was the youngest of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Fisher. She was married to Joseph Leslie Simmons III.

As a lifelong Hyde County resident, Audrey...

Jan 10, 2026

Becky A. Sawyer August 2, 1942 – January 10, 2026

Becky Sawyer, 83, of the Rose Bay Community, entered her eternal rest on Saturday, January 10, 2026.

Becky was born in Elizabeth City, NC, on August 2, 1942, to the late William Earl Anderson and Pauline Silverthorne. She lived in Elizabeth City, NC,...

Jan 8, 2026

Betty C. Woodard August 13, 1948 – January 8, 2026

Betty Jo Cahoon Woodard, 77, of Columbia, died Thursday, January 8, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family.

Betty Jo was born in Tyrrell County on August 13, 1948, to the late Joseph W. and Aleen Furlough Cahoon. She was married...

Dec 28, 2025

Lillian Gail Cohoon September 1, 1939 – December 28, 2025

Gail Cohoon, 86, of Columbia, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at ECU Health Chowan Hospital in Edenton.

Gail was born in Tyrrell County on September 1, 1939, to the late Cecil Earl and Blanche Walker Cohoon.  She worked for over 30...

Dec 23, 2025

Larry Styons 1943-2025

Richard "Larry" Styons, a lifelong resident of Plymouth, North Carolina, passed away on December 23, 2025. He was born on May 3, 1943, in Plymouth, where he spent his entire life surrounded by family and friends.

Larry is lovingly remembered by his wife, Julie Ann Styons; his daughters Erin Styons...

Dec 21, 2025

Betty S. Spencer February 16, 1935 – December 21, 2025

Betty S. Spencer, 90, of Engelhard, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Betty was born in Hyde County, on February 16, 1935, to the late Herbert L. and Zerola Midyette Sadler.  She married Shirlen Wayne Spencer, who preceded...

Dec 21, 2025

Dallas McCoy Simmons, Sr. October 26, 1947 – December 21, 2025

Dallas McCoy Simmons, Sr., 78, of Columbia, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at his home in the Frying Pan community. His unexpected passing has left a void in the hearts of his family and friends who knew him.

Dallas...

Dec 20, 2025

William "Billy" Lloyd Waters, Sr. February 5, 1938 – December 20, 2025

William "Billy" Lloyd Waters, Sr., 87, of Roper, died peacefully, Saturday, December 20, 2025, at his son's residence.

Billy was born in Washington County, February 5, 1938, to the late Clarence H. Waters and Pearl Hardison. He was married to Carol...

Dec 18, 2025

Gayla Sue Gibbs July 21, 1951 – December 18, 2025

Gayla Sue Spring Gibbs, 74, of Engelhard, passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at her home.

Gayla Sue was born in Grafton County, West Virginia, on July 21, 1951, and raised by her parents, the late Marvin and Patty Spring Hodges.  She...

Dec 15, 2025

Xavier N. Reynolds December 18, 2012 – December 15, 2025

Xavier Natheus Reynolds, 12, of Engelhard, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 15, 2025.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter.

Dec 4, 2025

Samuel E. Williams December 9, 1943 – December 4, 2025

Samuel Eugene Williams, 81, of Swan Quarter, passed away peacefully at "Diana's House", surrounded by family. Most just called him Sammie. He was otherwise known as Dad, Granddad, Big Chief, and Honest Sam.

Sammie was born in Sladesville, Hyde County, on December 9,...

Dec 3, 2025

Barbara Kay H. Watson May 6, 1954 – December 3, 2025

Barbara Kay Howard Watson, 71, of Swan Quarter, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.

Barbara Howard Watson was born in Beaufort County on May 6, 1954, to the late Curtis and Zelma McKinney Howard. ...

Nov 30, 2025

Timothy Dale Lee. November 5, 1959 – November 30, 2025

Timothy Dale Lee, 66, of Merry Hill, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Timothy was born in Washington County on November 5, 1959, to the late Louis (Billy) A. and Florence E. Phipps Lee.

He spent over 30 hard-working years...

Nov 19, 2025

Clifton D. Gibbs September 27, 1957 -November 19, 2025 Clifton Douglas Gibbs, 68, of High Point, NC, died, Wednesday, 19, 2025, at Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro.

Clifton was born in Beaufort County on September 27, 1957, to the late Rexie Royce Gibbs and Mavis Alenda Gibbs, who survives. He was married to the former Judith...

Nov 12, 2025

Phyllis Quidley Sanderlin November 5, 1936 – November 12, 2025

Phyllis Q. Sanderlin, 89, formerly of Wanchese and most recently a resident of Columbia, passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at ECU Health Chowan Hospital.

Phyllis Quidley Sanderlin was born in Dare County on November 5, 1936, to the late George Hale...

Nov 8, 2025

Jeffery S. Hassell June 12, 1955 – November 8, 2025

Jeffery Stewart Hassell, 70, of Columbia, died unexpectedly, Saturday, November 8, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Center, Greenville.

Jeffery was born in Tyrrell County on June 12, 1955, to the late James Stewart Hassell and Nina Swain Rowe.

In his younger...

Oct 31, 2025

Timothy Bruce Suter, Sr. May 2, 1963 – October 31, 2025

Timothy Bruce Suter, Sr., 63, of Columbia, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, October 31, 2025.

Timothy Suter was born in Gloucester County, NJ, on May 2, 1963, to Arnold E. and Avilda Mae (King) Suter.

Timothy spent...