Obituaries from the Wednesday, November 11, 2007 issue of the Roxboro-Courier Times

Andrew C. Blackwell

The funeral for Andrew Calvin (A.C.) Blackwell, 68, of 1270 Old Durham Rd., who died Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 at Duke University Medical Center following an extended illness, was conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in Shady Hill Baptist Church by Dr. James Richmond. Burial was in the Blackwell Family Cemetery.

Mr. Blackwell was a native of Person County, the son of Celia T. Blackwell of Roxboro, who survives.

He was a member of Shady Hill Baptist Church.

Surviving in addition to his mother are his wife, Monnie H. Blackwell; four daughters, Zan B. Pettiford and husband, Kenneth, of Durham, Audrey B. Beard and husband, Anthony, Angie B. Pettiford and husband, Cory, and Andrea Blackwell, all of Roxboro; a brother, Ivory T. Blackwell of Roxboro; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Ralph J. Chambers

CLOVER, Va. — The funeral for Ralph Jackson Chambers, 73, of 7221 Morton’s Ferry Rd., Clover, Va., who died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 at Virginia Baptist Hospital, was conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in Helena Primitive Baptist Church by Elder David Minter and the Rev. Jeff Jones. Burial was in the Chambers Family Cemetery.

Born in Person County, Mr. Chambers was the son of the late Charlie Washington and Grace Moore Chambers.

He was a retired textile worker and was a member of Helena Primitive Baptist Church.

He served in the National Guard and was a member of the American Legion.

He was an avid banjo and guitar player.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Watts Chambers; three sons, Ralph Jerome Chambers of Danville, Va., James Oscar Chambers of Wisconsin and Barry Lynn Chambers of Reidsville; three step-children, Ronnie Duffey of Red Oak, Va., Vickie Loftis of Halifax, Va. and Dean Duffey of Nathalie Va.; two brothers, William A. Chambers and Alvin J. Chambers, both of Timberlake; a sister, Verna Elizabeth Harris of Timberlake; five grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers were Jay Henderson, Ricky Loftis, Ronnie Chambers, Danny Smith, Robert Chambers, Ronnie Chandler and Franklin Chambers.

Memorials may be made to the Helena Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Steve Chandler, 236 Seven Pier Rd., Leasburg, NC 27291.

Loretha B. Parker

The funeral for Loretha Brooks Parker was conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, in St. Joseph's AME Church in Durham. Burial was in the Beechwood Cemetery.

Mrs. Parker was a native of Person County, the daughter of the late Major and Virginia Barnette Brooks. Her late husband was Joseph S. Parker, and her late sons were Joseph and Gregory. Her late brothers were Huriel, Harvey, Cortez and Burke, and her late sister was Aldean B. Melton.

She attended Person County public schools and graduated from Person County Training School in 1941. She earned her baccalaureate degree from Winston-Salem Teachers College (now Winston-Salem State University) in 1946 and did further graduate studies at North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University).

She began her teaching career in 1947 with the Durham County school system, for which she continued to teach until her retirement in 1981.

She was a member of White Rock Baptist Church until the death of her husband, when she joined Saint Joseph's AME Church, where she was a member of the Stewardess Board No.. 3 and the Ladies Aid Society. She enjoyed serving in these capacities, especially selling leaves for the "Tree of Life." She was also a member of the Durham Retired School Personnel, the Retired Senior Volunteers Program, the Variettes and the Silouettes of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. She held active membership in the Winston-Salem State University Alumni Association for more than 60 years.

Surviving are a sister Mary B. Jones of Roxboro; a grandson, Edmond Alexander Parker of the home; and a step-grandson, Cortland Farrington.

Rachel C. Roberson

The funeral for Rachel Carver Roberson, 85, formerly of 1504 N. Main St., who died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007 at the Roxboro Nursing Center, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in the Strickland Funeral Home chapel by the Rev. J. Harold Palmer. Burial will be in the Providence Baptist Church cemetery.

Mrs. Roberson was a native of Person County, the daughter of the late John and Hattie Brann Carver. Her late husband was Eugene (Genie) Roberson.

She was retired from Tultex Mills and attended the Roxboro Church of God.

Surviving are a sister, Gracie Gilley of Roxboro; and two brothers, Earl Carver and Garland Carver, both of Roxboro.

Pallbearers will be Andy Carver, Kenneth Carver, Ronnie Carver, Billy Edwards, Bud Harrelson, Earl Chance Harrelson, Donnie Roysmith and Dale Terry.

Visitation will be from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at the funeral home.

Jacquelyn W. Self

The funeral for Jacquelyn Winters Self, 71, of 762 N. Main St., who died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, was conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in the Brooks & White Funeral Home chapel. Burial was in the Mt. Harmony Baptist Church cemetery.

Mrs. Self was a native of Kennebec County, Maine, the daughter of the late Charles A. and Cleo Mary Gaeke Winters. Her late husband was Lester Alvin Self.

She was a retired hairstylist.

Surviving are her children, Ann Marie Self Morris of Amarillo, Texas, Bonnie Self Solomon of Roxboro and Lester Allen Self of Greenville; a sister, Cora Louise W. Neathery of Roxboro; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Roger L. Smithers

The funeral for Roger Lee Smithers, 62, of 857 Scott Rd., Semora, who died Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007 at his home, was conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Barker Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Harold Palmer. Burial was in the Danville Memorial Gardens, with military honors provided by American Legion Dan River Post 1097.

Born on May 12, 1945, in Pittsylvania County, Va., Mr. Smithers was the son of the late Gilmer Lewis and Lelia Crowder Smithers. His late brothers were William L. Smithers and Gilmer L. Smithers Jr.

He was the owner/operator of Allstate Mobile Home Repair Inc.

He served in the National Guard with the rank of private first class.

He was a member of North Roxboro Church of God, where he served as lay minister, Sunday school superintendent, and chairman of the pastor's council. He was a dedicated member of the church for 22 years.

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Pruitt Smithers; two sons, Rodney M. Smithers of Reidsville and Russel M. Smithers of Semora; a daughter, Rhonda M. Smithers of Danville, Va.; a brother, Gordon L. Smithers of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; two sisters, Rita S. Payne and Wanda S. Travis, both of Danville; and a grandchild.

Memorials may be made to the Roxboro Church of God, U.S. 501 North, Roxboro, NC 27573.