Miscellaneous Gates Co., NC Obituaries
JOSEPH MILTON CROSS
Joseph Milton Cross, 78, died March 17, 1999. A native of Suffolk, he was the son of the late Evelyn Hurff and Marion Austin "Mac" Cross Sr. A lifelong member of the Main Street United Methodist Church, he was a member of the James L. McLemore Sunday School Class, a former superintendent of the Sunday School and a past member of the Official Board. He was a past president of the Suffolk Kiwanis Club and was instrumental in creating the Suffolk Kiwanis Endowment Fund. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Class of 44, he served as a first lieutenant, U.S. Army, in the Pacific before returning to Suffolk to join Nansemond Grocery Co., a family business. He was a retired manufacturer's representative for Cross Sales & Engineering and Parker Hannifin Co. Survivors include his wife, Ella Mary (Ashburn) Cross; a daughter, Sarah (Cross) Eyre and her husband, James T. Eyre, of Richmond; a son Joseph M. Cross, Jr. and his wife, Sallie H. Cross, of Williamsburg; grandchildren, Kathleen Elizabeth Eyre, Sally Beathwaite Eyre, Susan Rebecca Cross and Joseph Harter Cross; brothers, Marion Austin Cross Jr. of Suffolk, Wilbur Rawls Cross of Richmond, J. Frank Cross of Suffolk, Emily Cross of Franklin and Mary Evelyn (Cross) Hayes of Fayetteville, N.C. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Main Street United Methodist Church by the Rev. Dr. Alan R. Felumlee The family will receive friends at the home. R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home is handling arrangements. (The Virginian-Pilot - March 18, 1999) Submitted by Bill Sinclair
EDWARD E. HARRELL
Edward Everett Harrell, 87, died Jan. 15, 2002. He was retired from the U.S. Navy, with the rank of lieutenant and served during World War II. Survivors include two brothers, C. Lydon Harrell Jr. of Norfolk and S. Wilson Harrell of Newport News; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Cedar Grove Cemetery by Rev. Donald Wilson. Cox Funeral Home is handling arrangements. (The Virginian-Pilot - Jan. 17, 2002) Submitted by Bill Sinclair
HATTIE H. HATHAWAY
Hattie (Harrell) Hathaway,98, of Route 1, Box 315, died Feb. 5, 1994, in her home. Mrs. Hathaway was born in Gates County and was a retired homemaker. She was a member of Philadelphia United Methodist Church and the widow of Clarence P. Hathaway Sr. Survivors include four grandchildren, C.P. Hathaway, III of Virginia Beach, Ann Hathaway of Macon, Ga., Connie Pendergrass of Chaple Hill and Scott Hathaway of Wilmington, Del.; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Philadelphia United Methodist Church by Rev. Laua Earley. Burial in Damascus Church Cemetery. Harrell Funeral Home, Gatesville, is in charge of arrangements. (The Virginian-Pilot - no date given) Submitted by Bill Sinclair
FRANK ELLIOTT PIERCE
Frank Elliott Pierce, 74, a retired Ford dealer, died Thursday, Dec. 2, 1993, in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. Mr. Pierce was born in Gates County to the ate Frank L. and Mrs. Beatrice (Harrell) Pierce. He was a graduate of Oak Ridge Military Academy and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a retired owner of Byrum Motor Company in Sunbury. He was a member of Philadelphia. Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the administrative board for 35 years and was a charter member of and the first chief of the Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of the board of directors of the First Citizens Bank in Sunbury. Survivors include his wife, Louise (Britt) Pierce; three daughters, Jean Hunnicut of Atlanta, Anne Pierce of Maui, Hawaii, and Mary Baker of Edenton; one brother, Dr. L. Harrell Pierce of Baltimore; and two grandchildren, John Baker and Julie Baker. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Philadelphia United Methodist Church by the Rev. Laura Early. Burial will follow in the Cross Family Cemetery with Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, handling arrangements. Friends may join the family at the residence. (The Virginian-Pilot - Dec. 3, 1993) Submitted by Bill Sinclair
PAUL PIERCE
PLAINFIELD - Paul Pierce, 74, died Thursday (Dec. 18, 2003) at Muhlenburg Regional Medical Center in Plainfield. Born in Gates County N.C., son of the late Rev. Henry and Maggie Pierce, Paul was a resident of Plainfield for 70 years. He was a pioneer in rap more than 40 years ago. Mr. Pierce loved people and was a great entertainer. He was survived by his devoted companion, Sheila Gandy of Plainfield. The funeral service will be 1 p.m. Friday at Judkins Colonial Home. (Courier News [New Jersey] - Wednesday, December 24, 2003) Submitted by Bill Sinclair
JOSEPH RANDOLPH UMPHLETT
Joseph Randolph Umphlett, 81, of 239 Middle Swamp Road, died Tuesday, December 1, 2009 in Albemarle Hospital, Elizabeth City. Randolph was born in Gates County and was the son of the late Mills Edward and Lucy Eure Umphlett. A farmer, he was a member of Middle Swamp Baptist Church and was an Army veteran of the Korean War. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Milton and James Umphlett, and a sister, Ruby Rountree. Surviving are: six sisters, Norene Taylor of Gates, Cordis Dudley of Chesapeake, VA, Lois Lawrence of Suffolk, VA, Marian Spivey of Gatesville, Faye Hoffler of Sunbury, and Alta Gray of Lakeland, FL; three brothers, Ralph Umphlett of Manteo, Leon Umphlett and M.Q. Umphlett, both of Gates; and several nieces, nephews and extended family members. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday in Middle Swamp Baptist Church by the Rev. Burt Pearce. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Miller Funeral Home, Gatesville, handling arrangements. Friends may join the family in the social hall following services and all other times at the home of his brother, Leon, 250 Middle Swamp Road, Gates. (no newspaper or date)