Centenarian Sallie Harris Whitfield‘s funeral was held at Hamilton Funeral Chapel on 20 March 2004. Bishop Mordecai W. Johnson of Saint Rose Church of Christ officiated.
Thanks to Lisa R.W. Sloan for sharing this funeral program from a family collection.
Wilson Daily Times, 15 December 2006.
——
In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Tarboro Road, John Sharp, 46, farmer; wife Patience, 37; and children Roscoe, 8, Sula, 4, and Chas, 2.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 318 Pender Street, rented for $14/month, Sula Sharpe, 35, servant; son Russell, 19, chauffeur; and brothers Roscoe, 38, deliveryman for retail coal dealer; Charlie, 30, farm laborer; Frank B., 27, deliveryman for retail ice plant; and Johnie, 25, and Leon, 23, both ice plant laborers.
In 1942, Rosco Sharpe registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 September 1902 in Wilson County; lived at 318 Pender Street, Wilson; his nearest relative was Sular T. Sharpe; and he worked for Independent Ice Company, Wilson.
In 1942, Adrick Russell Sharpe registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 14 February 1921 in Wilson County; lived at 318 Pender Street, Wilson; his nearest relative was Sular T. Sharpe; and he worked at the Marine Barracks, New River. The card contains this hand-written notation in red: “Dead 9-9-43 Cancelled/ Reported Oct. 5-43.”
Russell Sharp died 9 September 1943 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 February 1921 in Wilson County to Ross Cherry and Sular Sharp; was married to Blanche Sharp; was a laborer; and lived at 318 Pender Street.
Roscoe M. Sharpe died 26 December 1964 at his home at 318 Pender Street. Per his death certificate, he was 63 years old; a widower; a laborer at A.C. College; was born in Edgecombe County to John Sharpe and Patience [maiden name not given]; and the informant was Sudie [sic] Sharpe.
Sular T. Sharpe died 24 November 2008, aged 104.
“Dorothy Geneva Hammond Ellis, 100, of Wilson, died Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at the UNC Hillsborough Hospital campus in Hillsborough.
“Dorothy was a beloved retired schoolteacher who taught eighth grade at Darden High School starting in 1942. She and her husband, Coach [James C.] “Shank” Ellis, went on to teach at Coon Junior High School until they retired early in 1979. While teaching at Darden, she was asked to use her basketball skills to coach the basketball team while the men went off to fight in World War II.
“The funeral will be held at noon on Monday, Dec. 23, at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 209 Pender St. N., Wilson. The Rev. Rogers E. Randall Jr. will officiate. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery, 1717 Lane St. SE, Wilson.
“A public viewing will be 2-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, in the Chapel of Edwards Funeral Home with the family visitation from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
“Dorothy was born July 3, 1919, in Cheraw, South Carolina.
“Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home.”
Rose Lee Moye Ward (1918-2019).
“Mrs. Rosa Lee Ward, 101, of Wilson, NC, passed away on December 10, 2019 at Wilson Medical Center in Wilson, NC.
“The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 1:00 pm at L N Forbes OFW Baptist Tabernacle, 1800 Lane Street, Ext., Wilson, NC. A public visitation will be held Friday, December 13, 2019 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Wilson, NC. Burial will follow in Saint Delight Cemetery, Walstonburg, NC.
“Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by: her husband, Willie Ward; one son, Willie E. Ward; her parents, Johnnie Moye and Sarah Moye; three brothers, Lloyd Moye, John Junior Moye and Glaster Moye; and three sisters, Betty L. Gay, Sarah E. Williams and Hattie M. Morgan.
“Many loving and cherished memories will linger in the hearts of: her daughter, Veatrice A. Mills (Norman J.) of Wilson; three grandchildren, Clifton E. Cheeks (Barbara) of Randallstown, MD, Roland J. Cheeks (Carla) of Atlanta, GA and Kevin D. Cheeks of Washington, DC; four great grandchildren, LaShaunda P. Griffith (Ronnie) of Baltimore, MD, Clifton E. Cheeks, Jr. (Rajanna) and Maurice J. Cheeks (Cheryl), all of Atlanta, GA and Kevonda R. Proctor of Waldorf, MD; six great grandchildren, Cayden Cheeks, Royce Cheeks, Alijah Cheeks, Jackson Griffith, Jordan Cheeks and Za’Kari Barton; her daughter-in-law, Tanya Fletcher-Ward of Wilson, NC; her former daughter-in-law, Doris Ward of Temple Hill, MD; one sister, Thelma Barnes of Virginia Beach, VA; one brother, Hubert M. Moye (Mary Alice) of Hyattsville, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
“Arrangements are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.”
——
Willie Ward, 21, of Greene County, son of Mayo and Eliza Ward, married Rosa Lee Moye, 17, of Greene County, daughter of Johnnie and Sarah Moye, in Greene County on 7 March 1936.
Herman P. Lucas Sr., 103, of Wilson, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. Funeral will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Contending for the Faith Church Ministries. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Stevens Funeral Home. Arrangements are by Stevens Funeral Home. www.wilsontimes.com, 6 December 2019.
——
I am not entirely sure, but I believe Herman P. Lucas Sr. to have been the son of Robert and Etta Howard Lucas. Corrections requested.
In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Bob Lucas, 30; wife Etta, 30; and children Nannie, 10, Ella, 8, Addie, 6, Herman, 4, and Lillie, 1.
In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County: farm laborer Robert Lucas, 42; wife Etta, 41; children Ella, 18, Addie, 16, Herman, 14, Lillie, 12, James, 10, and Willie, 8; and grandchildren Doretha, 3, and Chaner, 3 months.
On 23 November 1934, Herman Lucas, 21, of Wilson County, son of Bob and Etta Lucas, and Mamie Lee Brockington, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of John and Mary Brockington, in Nashville, North Carolina. Witnesses were D. Elbert Williams, Addie Williams and Silas Wright, all of Wilson.
Herman Lucas registered for the World War II draft in 1940 in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 February 1915 in Wilson; lived at R.F.D. #1, Wilson; was married to Mamie Lucas; and worked for Mollie Howard. [If this is in fact Herman Lucas’ correct birth date, he was 104 at his death, not 103.]
Wilson Daily Times, 30 August 1995.
Mrs. Maryland passed away on 4 September 1995, less than a week after this news photo was published.
——
Jonas Maryland, 23, of Toisnot, married Florence Williams, 19, of Toisnot, on 4 October 1911 at Town Creek School house. Missionary Baptist minister J.J. Thompson performed the ceremony.
In 1918, Jonas Maryland registered for the World War I draft in Edgecombe County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 April 1878; resided at R.F.D. 1, Sharpsburg; was a farm laborer for Jessie Williams; and his nearest relative was Florence Maryland.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the Wilson and Rocky Mount Road, farmer Jonah Maryland, 40; wife Vinie, 22; and children Clarence, 8, Willis, 5, Allie, 4, Fannie, 3, and Annie, 7 months.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the Rocky Mount and Town Creek Road, Janos Maryland, 53, widower, house carpenter; and children Clarence, 19, Ernest, 17, Fannie, 15, Addie B., 13, Ruth, 11, and Essie, 8.
In the 1940 census of Bronx, New York: Elizabeth Hayes, 33, domestic for private family; daughter Ethel Hayes, 6; and partner Florence Maryland, 44, domestic for private family. The women were born in North Carolina; Ethel, in New York.
Wilson Daily Times, 13 January 1981.
——
In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Howard Darden, 47, farm laborer; wife Esther, 38; and children Warren, 20, Eliza, 18, Martin, 17, Toby, 12, and Crawford, 1.
On 22 December 1871, Martin Darden, son of Howell Darden and Esther Jordan, married Jane Dew, daughter of Haywood and Jane Dew, at H. Dew’s in Wilson County.
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Martin Darden, 27, farmer; wife Jane, 25; and children Easter, 6, Ellen, 5, and Nellie, 3. Next door: Howell Darden, 53, and children Elizer, 28, Toby, 22, and Crawford, 11.
In the 1900 census of Great Swamp township, Wilson County: farmer Martin Darden, 48; wife Jane, 50; and children Tincey A., 14, Howard, 14, Jineva, 11, and Silvey, 9.
On 15 December 1900, Ben Lofton, 29, married Tynsie Durden, 19, in Pikeville township, Wayne County.
In the 1910 census of Buck Swamp township, Wayne County: Ben Lofton, 42; wife Tincie A., 27; and sons Willard, 3, and Benjiman, 8 months.
Martin Darden died 22 December 1926 in Kenansville township, Duplin County. Per his death certificate, he was 74 years old; was married to Jane Darden; was born in Wilson County to Howard and Easter Darden; and worked as a farmer and blacksmith. Howard Darden of Fremont was informant.
In the 1930 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Ben F. Lofton, 63; wife Tyncie, 47; and sons Janeis E., 18, and Major J., 8.
In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: servant Tincy Lofton, 57, working in a private home.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on 816 Mercer Street, Ruth Lofton, 26, day work stemmer in redrying plant; husband Benjamin, 29, storage room worker in redrying plant; niece Mary Jones, 12; daughter Marjorie, 7; sons Benjamin Jr., 6, and Herbert Lee, 4; roomer Martha Norfleet, 67, widow; mother-in-law Tincy, 56, cook in service in a private home; and brother-in-law Major, 18, stemmer in redrying plant.
In 1942, Major Lofton registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he lived at 816 Mercer Street, Wilson; born 12 December 1921 in Black Creek, N.C.; contact was Tincy Lofton, 816 Mercer Street; and worked for Thomas Barnes, Service Laundry, Five Points.
Tyncie Lofton Woodard died 29 July 1986 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 December 1882 in Wayne County, North Carolina, to Martin Darden and Jane Branch; was a widowed homemaker; and lived at 409 Park View Street, Wilson. Benjamin Lofton, 805 Meadow Street, was informant.
Wilson Daily Times, 16 October 1999.
——
In the 1900 census of Fishing Creek township, Granville County: farmer Henry Richardson, 60; mother Martha, 52; son Willie, 34; son Norval, 24; daughter[-in-law] Florence, 22; daughter Maggie, 18, and granddaughter Bessie, 2.
On 26 May 1917, Bessie Richardson, 21, daughter of Norman and Florence Richardson, married Hubert Jones in Petersburg, Virginia.
William R. Bowden, age illegible, of Wilson, married Bessie T. Jones, 34, of Wilson on 15 June 1926. Oscar Reid applied for the license, and J.W. Aiken, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church, performed the ceremony at Willie R. Bowden’s home in the presence of Ferdinand Faison, John Sanchas and John Lee Devaughan.
In the 1928 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bowden Wm (c; Bessie) tailor 503 Church
In the 1947, Wilson, N.C., city directory: Richardson Bessie (c) 540 E Nash.
Willie Bowden died 5 March 1960 at his home at 203 Stantonsburg Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 November 1901 to Mary Adams; was married to Bessie Bowden; and worked as a laborer. He was buried at William Chapel cemetery, Elm City.
On 2 July 1960, James Monroe Weathers, 41, of Granada, Mississippi, married Rosa R. Lupe, 53, of Wilson, in Wilson. Catholic priest John R. Ferris performed the ceremony in the presence of Bessie Richardson, Clarence Crawford, and Inez Watson.
Bessie Richardson died 20 January 2002 in Wilson.
Wilson Daily Times, 6 October 1992.
Stantonsburg honors town’s oldest resident
STANTONSBURG — Stantonsburg’s oldest resident celebrated her 100th birthday Friday.
Travis Street resident Ethyl Artis made her way to the town hall Friday to meet Mayor Seth P. Hunt Jr., who proclaimed Oct. 3 Ethyl Beckton Artis Day in Stantonsburg.
Residents held a large party at the town’s community building Saturday for Ms. Artis, who has been a resident of Stantonsburg for the last 70 years. She is a member of the Turner Swamp Primitive Baptist Church.
She worked in farming and raised three children.
Ms. Artis said she was surprised to be the town’s oldest resident. “I’m the oldest? There’s got to be others,” she told Hunt.
Her grandaughter-in-law, Annie Artis, drove her to the town hall and helped her inside. Although she depended on the aid of a walker, Ethyl Artis said she still got along pretty well.
“I feel pretty good sometimes, other times I don’t,” she said. “I thank the Lord” for my health.
Ms. Artis was one of nine children born to Phebe and William Beckton. She was born in Wayne County Oct. 2, 1892. — B.D. Pedigo
——
Ethel Pearl Becton Artis was married to June Scott Artis; their children were Edgar Joel, James Broady, and Amanda Bell Artis. She passed away in 1994, just before her 102nd birthday.
Funeral program in collection of Lisa Y. Henderson.
Wilson Daily Times, 16 July 1992.
——
In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Anderson Hunter, 54; [second] wife Lula, 33; and children Chanie, 18, Sam, 16, Emma, 15, Robert, 11, Annie, 6, and Clyde, 2.
On 21 April 1915, Louis Braswell, 20, of Wilson, son of Arthur and Olive Braswell, married Chanie Hunter, 20, of Black Creek, daughter of Anderson Hunter, at Anderson Hunter’s in Black Creek. Luther Braswell applied for the license, and Sam Hunter, Ennis Sauls and Aget Dew witnessed.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the Wilson-Rocky Mount Road, Lewis Braswell, 24; wife Chany, 28; and children James, 2, and Carry, 8 months.
Lewis Braswell died 21 December 1921 in Elm City, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 29 years old; was born in Wilson County to Luther Braswell and Oliva Bynum; was married to Chainey Braswell; and worked as a tenant farmer to Mrs. M.A. Bryant. Informant was Frank Braswell.
Addie Pearl Braswell died 22 December 1924 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 2 years old and was born in Wilson County to Lewis Braswell and Chanie Hunter. Frank Hunter was informant.
On 23 December 1925, Chanie Braswell, 32, of Toisnot, married George Bynum, 53, of Black Creek, in Wilson.
In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Route 2, Wilson, of Highway 301, day laborer Geo. Bynum, 66; wife Chanie, 49; Carrie, 20, Estella, and Junnies Braswell, 16 (described as in-laws, but actually Bynum’s stepchildren]; and Dazell, 12, and Ruth Bynum, 10.
In 1940, Roscoe Boot Braswell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 30 September 1917 in Wilson County; lived at 607 Spring Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Chaney Bynum, Route 2, Wilson; and he worked for the Country Club, Goldsboro Highway, Wilson.
In 1940, Louis Junior Braswell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 9 May 1921 in Edgecombe County; lived at 816 South Manchester Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Chenie Bynum, 816 South Manchester; and he worked at Cherry Point.
