Betty Chavis

Rowland

Betty Ruth Lee Chavis, of 6401 U.S. 74 West, was born on April 12, 1932, and died on Dec. 18, 2011, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Independent Full Gospel Holiness Church, the Revs. Jimmy Strickland, Derrick Chavis, Earl Deese and Johnny Locklear officiating. Burial will follow in Chavis family cemetery.

She was the daughter of the late John Willie Lee and Charity Taylor Lee. She was preceded in death by her parents, and seven siblings, Lessie Scott, Ida Mae Hardin, Johnny Lee, Ethereen Hardin, Lola B. Scott, James (Jim Bo) Lee, and Lillie Ray Locklear, the love of her life, the Rev. Gene A. Chavis, and precious granddaughter, Constance Locklear.

Betty Chavis was known as the mother of the church at Independent Full Gospel Holiness. She loved her family, sisters, brother, and church family. She helped co-minister with her husband the Rev. Gene Chavis for 43 years at five different churches throughout her life. She was a mentor to many and a spiritual advisor to her brothers and sisters in Christ. She loved the Lord and helped many with their spiritual walk with Christ; her knowledge of God’s word will be missed by all those that she helped.

Betty Chavis leaves to cherish her memories four sons, Gene C. Chavis and wife Healy, both of Raleigh, Timmie Chavis and John D. Chavis, both of Rowland, and Michael Chavis and wife Melissa, both of Red Springs; five daughters, Pamela Strickland and husband William, both of Fairmont, Connie Locklear and husband Stevie of Rowland, Fala Williams and husband Dewey, Audrey Archevald and husband Billy, Justina Chavis-Hall and husband Nicky, all of Rowland; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Naomi Smith of Laurinburg and Nellie Gray Walker of Charlotte; a brother, Wilson R. (Buddy) Lee of Orrum; many friends from numerous counties, and churches in North Carolina and South Carolina.

The visitation will be from 7 to 9 tonight at Independent Full Gospel Holiness Church.

Arrangements by Thompson’s Funeral Home of Pembroke.

Paid obituary

Charles Locklear

Red Springs

Charles R. Locklear, 52, of 3242 Old Lowery Road, died Dec. 17, 2011, at Mt. Tabor Road in Red Springs.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Galilee Baptist Church, the Rev. Larry Chavis and Marlee Locklear officiating. Burial will follow in Locklear family cemetery in Red Springs.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Early G. and Roshelle Locklear; a brother, Jerry Locklear; and a sister, Margaret Jones.

Surviving are his wife, Dolly Locklear of the home; sons, Charles Locklear Jr. and Brandi and Joshton Locklear, both of Pembroke, and Dakyai Locklear of the home; two daughters, Brandette Locklear of Lumberton and Bethanie Locklear of Pembroke; four brothers, Donald Locklear and Maxine of Maxton, Ervin Locklear and Cathy, James Locklear, Michael Locklear, all of Red Springs; five sisters, Sally Sampson and Cliff of Lumber Bridge, Jean Locklear and Clevand of Shannon, Janice Locklear and Ronnie, Debra Locklear and Reese, and Dora Locklear, all of Red Springs; and seven grandchildren.

The visitation will be from 7 to 9 tonight at Heritage Funeral Home.

Paid obituary

Virginia Walters

Lumberton

Virginia Muriel Britt Walters, 69, of Lumberton, passed away on Dec. 16, 2011, in Lumberton.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at New Hollywood Cemetery, Pastor Jeff Broadwell officiating.

She was born in Bladen County on Oct. 13, 1942, to the late Vurlie Lee Britt and Bertha Mae Tyson Britt.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, E.J. Walters Sr.; and several siblings.

Walters is survived by a son, E.J. “Jamie” Walters Jr. of Lumberton; two daughters, Jan Walters Parker and husband Terry and Jessica Walters Ward and husband Don, all of Lumberton; two brothers, Carl Britt and Roger Britt, both of Hope Mills; and six grandchildren, Madison Walters, Austin Allen, Lauren Parker, Chelsi Ward, D.J. Smith and Christopher Branch.

The visitations will be held at the homes of Jan and Terry Parker, 1665 Ivey Road, Lumberton, and E.J. “Jamie” Walters, 518 Linwood Ave., Lumberton.

Memorials may be made to Christopher Branch’s Bone Marrow Transplant Fund at State Employee’s Credit Union.

Online condolences may be made through www.floydmortuary.net.

Paid obituary

Billy Hodge

Fairmont

veteran

Billy Hudson Hodge, 86, of 314 Sandy Road, died Dec. 17, 2011, at Wesley Pines Retirement Facility.

A military graveside service will be 3 p.m. today at Rowland Cemetery in Rowland, Chaplain Dean Carter and the Rev. Michael Johnson officiating

Surviving are his wife, Patty Hodge of the home; three sons, Billy Hudson Hodge Jr. of Leland; stepsons, Bruce Bullock of Rowland and Percy Warren Bullock of Kennesaw, Ga.; daughters, Margaret Hodge Adcock of Conover, Billie Jane Hodge Van Ark of Long Mont, Colo.;a stepdaughter, Cathy Bullock Shooter of Rowland; a sister, Alma Lee Baker of Melbourne, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

The visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. before the service at Boles Funeral Home in Rowland.

Hansford Gentry

Laurinburg

Veteran

Hansford Gentry, 88, of Laurinburg, died Dec. 17, 2011.

The funeral was this morning at Trinity United Methodist Church in Red Springs, the Rev. William Gentry officiated. Burial followed in the Philadelphus Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Surviving are a son, Peyton Gentry of West End; three daughters, Carol Barber of Charlotte, Susan Gentry Gaston of Marco Island, Fla., and Janis Bracey of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a brother, Billy Gentry of Vass; three sisters, Mary Ann Luttrell of Avon Park, Fla., Joyce Gibson of Laurinburg, and Rose Alice Robinson of Greensboro; 15 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium.

Larry Garner

Bladenboro

Larry Thomas Garner, 68, of Bladenboro, died Dec. 18, 2011.

The funeral will be 3 p.m. Thursday at Center Road Baptist Church, the Revs. Vernon Britt, David Rutland, Dave Pyatte, and special speaker David Masters officiating. Burial will follow in Allen Cemetery in Dublin.

Surviving are his wife, Polly C. Garner of the home; two sons, Lloyd Guyton of Bladenboro and Stewart Carroll of Tar Heel; a daughter, Paula Russ of Bladenboro; a brother, Randy Garner of Tar Heel; a sister, Betty Jo Barnes of Tar Heel; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wesdnesday at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home.

Jonathan McGirt

Red Springs

Jonathan Cole McGirt, 3 months, of 1502 Andrew Road, died Dec. 17, 2011, at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

A graveside service will be 3:30 p.m. today at Piney Grove Independent Holiness Church Cemetery in Red Springs, the Rev. Gene Truman Chavis officiating.

Surviving are his father, Jeremy McGirt; his mother, Stephanie McGirt; three brothers, Jeremy McGirt, Jalen McGirt and James McGirt; and a sister, Hailey Nicole Gentle.

John Navarro Jr.

Raeford

John A. Navarro Jr., 54, of 1189 Gainey Road, died Dec. 17, 2011, at Morrison Manor in Laurinburg.

The memorial was held Monday at the home.

Surviving are his wife, Katheryn Navarro; six sons, John Navarro III and Nicholas Navarro, both of Jacksonville, and stepsons, Bric Creech of Whiteville, Frank Creech and Sam Creech of Raeford, and Eric Creech of New York; five daughters, Crystal Navarro and Nicole Navarro of New York; stepdaughters, Jacqueline Lowry of Raeford, Erica Hair of Linden and Rose Neighbor; two brothers, Anthony Navarro of New York and Joseph Navarro of Calabash; and four grandchildren.