Obituaries from the Saturday, March 29, 2008 issue of the Roxboro-Courier Times

Jon N. Brooks

The funeral for Jon Nelson Brooks, 38, of Roxboro, who died Monday, March 24, 2008 at the home of his father, following a brief illness, was conducted at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in Union Grove Baptist Church, Hurdle Mills. Burial was in the Nelson Family Cemetery.

Mr. Brooks was a native of Person County, the son of Tommy Wilbur Brooks and Angeline Nelson Brown and Wesley Brown, all of Roxboro.

He was a 1987 graduate of Person Senior High School.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran having served during the Iraq War.

Surviving in addition to his parents are three brothers, Christopher Brooks of Suwanne, Ga., Ric Brown of Glen Burnie, Md. and Brian Brown of New York; two sisters, Renee' Brown of Roanoke, Va. and Josie Holland of Greensboro.

Memorials may be made to a favorite charity or to the Clay-Nelson Scholarship Fund, 190 Nelson Loop Rd., Roxboro.

Thomas T. Fitch

RALEIGH — A graveside funeral for Thomas Talley Fitch, 90, of 2300 Brisbayne Cir., Raleigh, who died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at his home, will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. today, March 29, in Bethel United Church of Christ by the Rev. Barry Lane.

Born Aug. 21, 1917, in Caswell County, Mr. Fitch was the son of the late Thomas Nathaniel and Lottie Talley Fitch. His late wife was Clellie Yates Fitch.

He farmed from 1939 until he retired.

He was a member of Bethel United Church of Christ for 81 years.

Surviving are a daughter, Marilyn Fitch of Raleigh; three sons, Ronnie Fitch of Jackson, Tenn., Doc Fitch of Gibsonville and Steve Fitch of Oak Island; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be in the church fellowship hall following the service.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 1300 St. Mary’s St., Raleigh, NC 27605.

Arrangements are by Marley Funeral Home of Yanceyville.

Shirley C. Fitzgerald

A memorial service for Shirley Alease Carver Fitzgerald, 82, of Roxboro, who died Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at Person Memorial Hospital following an extended illness, will be conducted at 10 a.m. today, March 29, in Long Memorial United Methodist Church by the Rev. T.R. Miller.

Born in the Olive Hill community of Person County on Aug. 10, 1925, Mrs. Fitzgerald was the last surviving child of Fletcher Hall and Ada Foy Long Carver. Her late husband was Dr. Robert Greeson Fitzgerald Jr.

Surviving are three sons, Robert Greeson Fitzgerald III and wife, Gail, Thomas Lee Fitzgerald and wife, Teresa, and Jeff Carver Fitzgerald and wife, Paige, all of Roxboro; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was educated in the Person County Schools, graduating from Roxboro High School in 1942. She attended Louisburg College before beginning a short career at Roxboro Community Hospital, the forerunner of Person Memorial Hospital.

She was a member of Long Memorial United Methodist Church.

A homemaker and an avid bridge player in several clubs, Mrs. Fitzgerald was actively

involved in the Person County Red Cross, Person County Needlework Guild, Person Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Roxboro Woman’s Club.

Members of the Person County Red Cross, Person County Needlework Guild, Person Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Roxboro Woman’s Club will be honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be in the church sanctuary immediately following the service.

Memorials may be made to the Person County Red Cross, P.O. Box 1793, Roxboro, NC 27573 or to the Person Memorial Hospital Foundation, 615 Ridge Rd., Roxboro, NC 27573.

Condolences may be sent online at www.brooksandwhite.com.

Gertrude D. Holt

Gertrude “Gertie” Dickerson Holt, age 84 of 1699 Virgilina Road, went to be with our Lord Thursday, March 27, 2008 at the Duke University Medical Center. Preceding her in death were her parents, Walter and Ombrice Dickerson of Hurdle Mills and three brothers, Roland Dickerson, Samuel Dickerson both of Roxboro and Gilbert Dickerson of Burlington.

“Gertie” is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Hubert James Holt. Also surviving are three sons, Jerry Holt, wife Martha Holt of Hillsborough, James Holt, wife Joy Holt of Hurdle Mills and Tony Holt of the home; 3 grandsons, Jerry Holt, Jr. wife Phyllis of Hillsborough, James Holt, wife Leslie of Exmore, VA; and Jeremy Holt, wife Bonnie of Hurdle Mills; 4 great grandchildren, Travis Holt, Haley Holt, Alex Holt, Emma Holt, and the late Bayly Holt; 7 sisters, Evelyn Shotwell, Betty Wilkins, Dorothy Wrenn, husband Edward, Joyce Carver, and Ruth Burch all of Roxboro, Ruby Whitfield, husband Kelly of Burlington, and Christine Kepley of Chapel Hill; 3 brothers, Gerald Ray Dickerson, wife Nobie of Elon, William Dickerson, wife Barbara of Roxboro and Talmadge Dickerson, wife Cathy, of Hillsborough.

The visitation will be Saturday 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Providence Baptist Church.

The funeral service will be 3PM Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Providence Baptist Church with the Rev. Dennis McDonald officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Jim Fox, Jim Burch, Tal Dickerson, Ronnie Dickerson, Hal Dickerson, Bobby Shotwell, Brent Carver, and Bruce Wrenn.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Deacons of Providence Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to the Providence Baptist Church Building Fund, 1319 Virgilina Road, Roxboro NC 27573.

PAID FOR BY THE FAMILY

Willie C. Hughes

MILTON — The funeral for Willie Cleo Hughes, 77, of 987 Snatchburg Rd., Milton, who died Sunday, March 23, 2008 at the Danville Regional Medical Center, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, March 29, in the Oak Level A.M.E. Church, by Pastor Daisy Long. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Born April 7, 1930, in Caswell County, Mr. Hughes was the son of the late Charlie and Laura Thornton Hughes. His late son was Kerry Hughes.

He attended the public schools of Caswell County and was a member of the Oak Level A.M.E. Church.

Surviving are his wife, Delores Hughes; four daughters, Debra Hardy and husband, James, of Ringgold, Va., Linda Stewart and husband, Melvin, of Blanch, Carol Hughes and husband, Ronnie, of Milton, and Sandra Hughes of Danville, Va.; two sons, James Hughes and wife, Audrey, of Wake Forest and Charles Hughes of Fayetteville; three sisters, Ethel Mae Hughes of Milton, Cathleen Hughes of Newburg, N.Y. and Madelaine Swan of Kingston, N.Y.; a brother, Jerry Hughes of Ringgold, Va.; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren;

Arrangements are by Plenty Funeral Home of Semora.

Ernest M. Lunsford

The funeral for Ernest Medford Lunsford, 74, of 10637 Durham Rd., Timberlake, who died Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at the Roxboro Nursing Center, was conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, March 28, in Mt. Harmony Baptist Church by Pastor Barry Chambers, Steve Chandler and Pastor Sam Patterson. Burial was in the church cemetery. His late siblings were James Edsell Lunsford, Frances L. Huff and Lorean L. Hill.

Born in Person County, Mr. Lunsford was the son of the late Fornie and Maggie Welch Lunsford.

He was retired from IBM.

He was an active member of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, RA leader and member of the Brotherhood.

For many years, he was faithful in the Prison Camp Ministry.

Surviving are his wife, Frances Clayborne Lunsford; two children, Stacy Leigh Prillaman and husband, Mark, of Hobe Sound, Fla. and Marc C. Lunsford of Clearwater, Fla.; two sisters, Doris L. Chandler of Roxboro and Willie Ree L. Broach of Hurdle Mills; four grandchildren, Matthew Prillaman, Maggie Prillaman, Morgan Lunsford and Robyn Lunsford.

Pallbearers were nephews, Billy Chandler, Mike Huff, Darrell Huff, Don Hill, Terry Hill, Brent Hill and Larry Broach.

Dr. Patrick Godwin and members of the John Jones Sunday School Class were honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to the Mt. Harmony Baptist Church Building Fund, 1655 Mt. Harmony Church Rd., Rougemont, NC, 27572 or the Roxboro Nursing Center, 901 Ridge Rd., Roxboro, NC, 27573.

Condolences may be sent online at www.brooksandwhite.com.

Marilee Ellmore Sergeant

A memorial service for Marilee Ellmore Sergeant, 88, formerly of 200 Academy St., who died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the Roxboro Nursing Center, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today, March 29, in Long Memorial United Methodist Church by the Rev. T.R. Miller. Burial will be in the Burchwood Cemetery.

Born in Wilmington, Mrs. Sergeant was the daughter of the late George Herbert and Kathleen Hampton Ellmore. Her late husband was Henry Newell Sergeant.

She was a member of the Person County DAR and a member of Long Memorial United Methodist Church.

Surviving are two sons, William Alexander Sergeant II of Danville, Va. and Timothy Lee Sergeant of Winterville; four grandchildren, Christy Whitfield, Nathan Sergeant, Jonathan Sergeant and Courtney Moore; and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at the church for one hour before the service.

Memorials may be made to the Long Memorial UMC Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 310, Roxboro, NC 27573.

Condolences may be sent online at www.brooksandwhite.com.

Homer L. Wall

The funeral for Homer Lawrence Wall, 81, of 15305 N.C. Hwy. 119, Semora, who died Saturday, March 22, 2008 at Chapel Hill Rehabilitation Center following an extended illness, was conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, in the Harrelson Funeral Home chapel by Pastor David Owen. Burial, with military rites, was in the Yanceyville United Methodist Church cemetery.

Born May 16, 1926, in Wake County, Mr. Wall was the son of the late Dutch and Chloe Holden Wall. His late son was H. Ben Wall, and his late daughter was J. Denise Wall.

He attended Wake County Schools and was a member of Semora United Methodist Church.

He was retired from the N.C. Department of Corrections and was a plant manager at Blanch Metal Plant.

A U.S. Navy veteran, he served during World War II, and he was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Surviving are his wife, Doris Jean Wall; two sons, Michael Wall and wife, Jan, of Semora and Glenn Wall and wife, Brenda, of Kenly; two sisters Shirley Nanney of Aurora and Peggy Goodwin of Clayton; two brothers Dudley Wall of Durham and Harold Wall of Raleigh; and eight grandchildren.