centenarian

Essie Mae Earp Taybron, 101.

Mother Taybron on her 100th birthday.

Mrs. Essie M. Taybron, 101, of 612 Grove Street, Wilson, NC passed away on June 4, 2017.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Branch Memorial Holiness Church, 517 Hadley Street, SE, Wilson, NC. Pastor Herman Lucas will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery, Lane Street, Ext., Wilson, NC.

A public visitation will be held on Friday, June 9, 2017 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.

The family will receive friends at the home where they will assemble on Saturday at 1:00 pm in preparation for the funeral precession.

Arrangements are by Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.

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Obituary and photos courtesy here.

Supercentenarian.

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Maggie Hinnant Barnes at age 115.

“Maggie Pauline Barnes (née Hinnant; 6 March 1882 – 19 January 1998) was a verified American supercentenarian who holds the record for the oldest verified person from the state of North Carolina. She claimed to be 117 but her age was verified as being born on 6 March 1882 (according to a family bible; the 1900 census said “Mar 1881”) and she died 19 January 1998, from gangrene infection, at the age of 115 years, 319 days. She was survived by 4 of her 15 children. She was the 3rd-oldest verified living person and the 2nd-oldest in the United States after Sarah Knauss, although she has since been surpassed by Jeralean Talley, Besse Cooper, and Susannah Mushatt Jones, among others.

“Maggie Pauline Hinnant was born in Black Creek, Wilson, North Carolina as the daughter of Louzaine Hinnant and an unknown father. She married William Orangie Barnes at Maggie’s stepfather Dread’s farm in Black Creek, Wilson 22 October 1899. The couple would have 15 children, of which eight would reach an adult age: Lillian, Clara, Gladys, Nell, Willie, Mary, Ruth and Mildred. The family moved to Kenly, Wilson, North Carolina in 1904 and Maggie spent the remaining part of her life in this area. Maggie Barnes died in Kenly, Johnston, North Carolina 19 January 1998 aged 115 years, 319 years.”

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On 22 October 1899, William Barnes, 22, of Wilson County, son of Gastin and Waity Barnes, married Maggie Hinnant, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of Luzana Hinnant, at Dread Barnes‘ house in Black Creek. Joseph Farmer, Grant Farmer and C.H. Darden were witnesses.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Orange W. Barnes, 21, sawmill laborer, and wife Maggie, 18, farm laborer.

Entry and photo from gerontology.wikia.com.

Ethel Vick Harris, 100.

Ethel Mae Vick Harris, 100, of Wilson, NC, died Saturday April 8, 2017. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mary Vick Howell officiating. Burial will be private in Rest Haven Cemetery. Public viewing will be on Friday, April 14, 2017 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. The family will assemble at Edwards Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. Direct condolences to edwardscares.com. Professional and personal services are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home, 805 Nash St. E in Wilson.

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In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Samuel Vick Jr., 32; wife Lizzie, 21; and children James, 4, Malissa, 3, and James, 2 months. [The elder “James” was probably daughter Jane, and “Malissa” seems to have been Ethel Mae.]

In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Sam J. Vick, 33; wife Lizzie, 31; and children Jane, 15, Ethel M., 14, Lynard, 13, Lucile, 9, Bloomer, 8, Eva May, 6, Margaret, 4, Sam R., 3, and Percy L., 7 months.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tobacco factory laborer Sam Vick, 46; wife Elizabeth, 44, also a tobacco factory laborer; and children Ethel, 22, maid, Mattie, 17, housekeeper, Lenwood, 20, Beullah, 16, Eva, 14, Margrett, 12, Richard, 11, Percy, 10, and Sylvester, 5.

Obituary online.

Madeline Jones, 105.

Madeline “Mattie” Jones, 105, a resident of Avante at Wilson Nursing Care Facility died October 8, 2014. The funeral will be held Saturday at 10:00 am at St. John AME Zion Church, 119 N. Pender St., Wilson, NC with Dr. Micheal S. Bell, officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery. Public viewing will be Friday from 2-5:30 pm at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 7-8 pm at the church. Family and friends are requested to assemble on Saturday at the funeral home at 9:30 am for the processional to the church. Professional and personal services are entrusted to EDWARDS FUNERAL HOME, 805 E. Nash Street, Wilson, NC. Condolences may be directed to edwardscares.com.

Obituary online.

Doretha W.E. Parker, 100.

Doretha White Evans Parker, 100, a resident of Wilson Pines Nursing Center and formerly of 4968 Lake Wilson Rd., Elm City, NC died Sunday [8 April 2012] at Wilson Medical Center. The funeral will be held Saturday at 1:00 pm at William Chapel Baptist Church, 6154 William Chapel Church Rd., Elm City, NC with Rev. Jimmy Parker, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in William Chapel Cemetery. As a centenerian Mrs. Parker has seen five generations of family. Left to cherish her memory are three children; Joseph Carl “JC” Evans (Alice) of San Antonio, Tx, John Estee Parker (Evelyn) of Greensboro, NC and James Parker of Durham, NC; one brother, Fred White (Thelma) of Durham, NC; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and many great-great grandchildren and several great-great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Her mantle was passed to her dear nieces, including Evelyn Lindsey Lucas, who was her diligent caregiver. Public viewing will be held on Friday from 2-7 at the funeral home with the family receiving friends there from 7- 8 pm. Family and friends will assemble on Saturday at 12 noon at the home of her niece Eunice Lindsey, 204 S. Railroad Street, Elm City, NC for the procession to the church. Professional and personal services are entrusted to EDWARDS FUNERAL HOME, 805 E. Nash Street, Wilson, NC. Condolences may be directed to edwardscares.com.

Obituary online.

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Per a Wilson County Birth Index, Doretha White was born in 1912 to Joe T. White and Lula Edwards.

In the 1930 census of Coopers township, Nash County: farmer Joe T. White, 53, divorced; and children Arthor, 29, Doretha, 18, Catherine M., 16, Joe T., 14, Altas R., 10, and Nannie F., 6.

Lillie Ruth Bullock, 100.

Lillie Ruth Barnes Bullock (1917-2017).

“Mrs. Lillie Ruth Bullock, 100, of Wilson, NC, departed this earthly life on November 19, 2017 at Wilson House Assisted Living in Wilson, NC.

“Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, November 26, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Flat Rock Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, 6730 Flat Rock Road, Sims, NC.

“A public visitation will be held on Saturday, November 24, 2017 from 3:30 until 7:00 pm at Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.

“Mrs. Bullock was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Bullock, Sr.; her parents, Leslie Barnes and Edna Jones Barnes; four sisters, Inez Nelson, Lincy Barnes, Edna Harrison and Cleo McNair and one brother, Jack Barnes.

“She leaves cherished memories to: her son, Albert Bernard Bullock of Wilson County, NC; two grandchildren, Edward Bernard Bullock and Qunalla Ciera Bullock; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and friends.

“Arrangements are by Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.”

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In the 1920 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: on New Wilson and Raleigh Road, farmer Less Barnes, 24; wife Edna, 30; daughters Lillie Ruth, 2, and Mary, 1; mother-in-law Elizabeth Jones, 52, widow; brothers-in-law James, 32, and John Jones, 29; and sister-in-law Carrie Jones, 18.

In the 1930 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Les Barnes, 27, farmer; wife Mary E., 41; and children Lillie R., 12, Mary L., 11, Nathaniel, 8, Cleo B., 7, and Edna E., 2.

On 30 November 1937, Albert Bullock, 26, of Old Fields, son of Louise Bullock, married Lillie Barnes, 23, of Old Fields, daughter of Les Barnes, in Old Field. Less Barnes, Lonnie Alston and Mary Lincy Barnes witnessed.

In the 1940 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Willie Bullock, 30; wife Mavis, 28; and children Mary, 6, and Willie, 4; brother Albert, 28; sister-in-law Lily, 23; widowed mother Louise, 60; and son Wallace, 3.

Leslie Barnes died 31 June 1973 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 2 February 1900 to Joe Barnes and Lillie Strickland; was a retired laborer; and resided in Sims. Lillie Bullock of Sims was informant.

 

Bertha H. Carroll, 102.

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Bertha Bryant Hawkins Carroll (1915-2017).

Mrs. Bertha H. Carroll, age 102, of Spring Hill, Florida and formerly of Wilson, NC, died Monday, October 16, 2017. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Tabernacle Temple of Jesus Christ, Inc., 1601 Lane Street in Wilson, NC with Bishop Staccato Powell officiating. Burial will follow in the Rest Haven Cemetery. Public viewing will be on Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 2-7 pm at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel and the wake will be from 5-7 pm. The family will assemble at 12:00 noon on Monday at her residence for the processional to the church. Direct condolences to edwardscares.com. Professional and personal services are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home, Inc., 805 Nash Street East in Wilson, NC.

Adapted from the funeral program:

Quietly and peacefully on Monday morning, October 16, 2017 at home in Spring Hill, Florida, Mrs. Bertha Bryant Hawkins Carroll transitioned from this earthly life into eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born in Wilson, North Carolina and was the middle daughter of Isham and Rossie Underwood Bryant. In this community, Bertha received her formal educational and Christian values. She graduated from Wilson Colored High School, now known as Charles H. Darden High School in 1933. Bertha continued with her formal education by attending and graduating from Livingstone College, Salisbury, North Carolina with a degree in Education. Following college she moved to Brooklyn, New York and worked as a social worker for the City of New York. Social work was her passion and her life’s work, and in 1960, she continued this passion when she returned to Wilson, She retired from the Wilson County Department of Social Services.

Upon returning home, Bertha united with St. John AME Zion Church where she remained a devoted member until she moved to Spring Hill, Florida with her son and daughter in-law. At St. John, she was the Church Clerk for over thirty years and well as the writer of the church resolutions.

Never one to be idle, she lived a very active and fulfilling life in Wilson. Among her many community activities, she was a member of the following organizations: Wilson Book & Garden Club, St. John AME Zion Church Conference Workers, Eastern Star Starlight #259, Wilson Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Darden Alumni Association, Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s Civic Club, The Red Hot Society, Inc., OIC, Good Timers Senior Bowling League at Westview Lanes, and she was the founder of the Wilson Loyal Leisure Club. Bertha was also a Wilson Medical Center volunteer.

Bertha was a loving and devoted wife to Dewitt Hawkins and to this union two sons were born, and she lovingly reared a step-daughter. After the death of Dewitt, she later married Daniel Carroll, who was a prominent business man in Wilson and lovingly raised another step-daughter.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 596 Wainwright Street, tobacco factory laborer Isham Bryant, 27; wife Rossie, 21; and children Beatrice, 5, Bertha, 4, and Inez, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 805 Roberson Street, Isom Bryant, 37, factory laborer; wife Rossie, 32, public school maid; and daughters Beatrice, 15, Bertha, 14, and Inez, 11.

Bertha Bryant married Dewitt Hawkins on 8 September 1942 in New York City. Hawkins died 21 October 1956. Per a Report on Interment, he served in 3294 QM Svc. Co. QMC from 1942 to 1945 as a private first class and was buried in Long Island National Cemetery. His next of kin was Bertha Hawkins, 183-48 Dunlop Avenue, Saint Albans, New York — “Widow Bertha to be buried in the same grave.”

Bertha Bryant Hawkins returned to Wilson and later married Dan Carroll, who owned a popular Nash Street pool room.

Daniel Carroll died 27 November 1990 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 April 1905 in Henderson, Vance County, to Daniel Carroll Sr. and Lina Coppedge; owned a billiard parlor; resided at 715 Elvie Street; and was married to Bertha Bryant.

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Bertha and Daniel Carroll.

Top photo courtesy of Wilson Daily Times; bottom photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user MichaelJ379.

Ada Harris Reid Sharpe, 101.

Ada H. Sharpe, of Charlotte, born December 5, 1908 in Wilson County, NC, died peacefully at Sunrise Senior Living Facility, August 21, 2010 – just 3 1/2 months short of her 102nd birthday. A graduate of Fayetteville State teachers College, she taught primary grades in several of Wilson County’s two-room Rosenwald Schools and the first of its three Black consolidated high schools, Speight, for over 39 years. Moreover, she was active in numerous civic organizations, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and volunteered at OIC and Wilson Memorial Hospital for over 12 years after retirement.

God blessed her marital union in 1933 with Willie Gorham Reid, Sr. (died 1963), a successful barber, with 1 son, Rev. Dr. Willie Gorham Reid, Jr., a Presbyterian minister, who preceded her in death in 1990. In 1972 she married a successful farmer, entrepreneur, financier and well-known civil rights activist Mark B. Sharpe (died in 2009 at age 98); from this union she gained 9 adopted children – Barbara, Rudolph, Eugene, Trumilla, Dorothy, Earnestine, Betty, David, and Gail, who died in 1995. It was providential that she taught Mark’s 7 older children in primary school and had the joy of also nurturing and mothering them in their adult life. A praying and deeply spiritual servant-teacher for God, she was the oldest living member of Jackson Chapel Baptist Church, having been baptized there over 73 years ago by Rev. B.F. Jordan. In 2005 when she and Mark moved to Sunrise Assisted Living in Charlotte, they chose to become members of Indian Hill A.M.E. Zion Church, and their daughter, the Rev. Dr. Dorothy Sharpe Johnson, became their pastor. Other living relatives include a nephew, Theodore (Estelle) Artis; a niece, Minister Jacqueline (Earl) Hill; many cousins, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Sharpe’s memorial service will be held at Long and Son Mortuary Chapel, 2312 Beatties Ford Road, Wednesday, 7-8 p.m. The funeral will be held at Jackson Chapel Baptist Church in Wilson, corner of Nash and Pender Streets, Thursday, with her pastor, Dr. Dorothy S. Johnson, preaching the eulogy. The visitation hour will be from 11-12 noon and the burial will be in Rest Haven Cemetery.

Published in Charlotte Observer, 23 August 2010. Obituary online here.

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In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Leander Harris, 24, wife Lucy, 27, and daughter Ada, 1.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Leander Harris, 33; wife Lucy, 35; and daughters Ada, 11, Rosa, 9, Daisy, 7, and Ida, 5.

In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Leander Harris, 44; wife Lucy, 48; and daughters Ada E., 21, schoolteacher, Rosa, 20, Davie, 18, and Ida, 15.

On 30 November 1933, Gorham Reid, 30, of Greene County, son of Bill and Bettie Reid, married Ada Harriss, 25, of Black Creek, daughter of Leander and Rosa Harriss. Elder Primitive Baptist minister Paul Bunch performed the ceremony at L.H. Harriss’ in the presence of David Bynum, G.S. Woodard and S.L. Woodard.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: barber Willie Reid, 36, and wife Ada, 31, schoolteacher.

 

Margaret Davis Taylor, 105.

“Margaret [Davis] Taylor, 105, of 4430 Rosebud Church Rd., Wilson, NC died December 19, 2013 at her residence. The funeral will be held Sunday at 1:30pm at Wilson Chapel FWB Church, 513 E. Barnes Street, Wilson, NC with Bishop R.L. Gorham officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery. Public viewing will be held Saturday from 2 to 7 pm at the funeral home. The family will receive friends at all times at the residence where they will assemble on Sunday at 12:30pm for the funeral procession to the church. Professional and personal services are entrusted to EDWARDS FUNERAL HOME, 805 E. Nash Street Wilson, NC. Condolences may be directed to edwardscares.com.”

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on County Line Road, Ellen [sic] Evans, 39; wife Eliza, 25; son Thomas, 18; mother Harriet, 69; sister Dora Davis, 28, a widow; and her children Levi, 14, Ivy, 12, Lillie, 10, Mamie, 5, and Margaret, 2.

In the 1930 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: Isaac Strickland, 40; wife Dora, 50; mother-in-law [actually, step-daughter] Margret Davis, 23, and her son Elgin, 2; and [step-] daughters Henrietta, 18, and Mamie Davis, 24.

Leroy Taylor, 33, of Wilson County, son of Herbert and Bertha Taylor, married Margaret Davis, 26, of Wilson County, daughter of John and Dora Davis, on 26 May 1934 in Nashville, Nash County.

Obituary online.

Joseph Lee Newsome Jr., age 102.

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“Joseph Lee Newsome, Sr. [sic], age 102, of 1614 Queen St., Wilson, North Carolina, was called home to his eternal rest on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at his residence. Joseph was the son of the late Joseph Lee Newsome and Jeanette Best Newsome. He was a faithful member of St. Paul Church of Christ, Frank Price Church Rd., Wilson, where he served as a deacon.

“A celebration of his life and work will be held Saturday at 11 am at Tabernacle Temple of Jesus Christ, 1601 Lane St. Ext., Wilson. Elder David Sutton will officiate. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery.

“A viewing will be held Friday from 3 pm to 5 pm at Carrons Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at St. Paul Church of Christ, Frank Price Church Rd., Wilson. They will receive friends other times at the residence of his daughter and son-in-law, Lester & Evangelist Betty Rogers, 5434 First Rd., Wilson, and will assemble there at 10 am on Saturday in preparation for the funeral procession.

“Please remember the Newsome Family in prayer.”

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J. Lee Newsome, 35, married Virginia Best, 34, on 15 October 1909 in Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Joe Newsome, 45; wife Vergie B., 44; and children Pervella, 8, Joseph, 6, Ossie, 4, and Ralph, 1.

In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Joseph L. Newsome, 54; [second] wife Pearl, 37; and children Provella, 18, Joseph L., Jr., 16, Ossie M., 14, and Ralph, 12.

Joseph Lee Newsome registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 18 January 1913; resided in Lucama; was married to Maud L. Newsome;  and worked for railroad foreman L.T. Starling.

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Obituary online.