Beaufort Co., NC Obituaries

Beaufort County Obituaries

James Louis Oden

Mr. James Louis Oden of 34753 U.S. Highway 264 East, Belhaven, died Thursday, May 18, 2006, at home. The family will receive friends at the home. Arrangements will be announced by Randolph Funeral Home, 219 N. Bonner St., Washington. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - Friday, May 19, 2006)

John Henry Oden, III

John Henry Oden, III, 55, of 14905 U.S. 264 East, Pinetown, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at the Beaufort County Hospital in Washington, NC. A funeral service will be held Friday, July 25, 2003, at 2 pm from the chapel of Hillside Funeral Service with the Rev. Curtis White officiating. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Jimmy Latham, Gaylon Ambrose, Bill Lurvey, Jr., Mike Gettys, Gary Mason, Al Cutler, Larry Floyd, and George Elliott, III will serves as pallbearers. David Burbage, Sr., Vernon Godley, Jr. and Howard Moore will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will join friends Thursday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm at Hillside Funeral Service, 4500 Highway 264 East, Washington, NC and other times at the home of his mother at 15128 US 264 East, Pinetown, NC. Mr. Oden was born on April 26, 1948 in Beaufort County, and was the son of Vera Gettys Oden and the late John Henry Oden, Jr., who preceded him in death on Nov. 30, 1991. He was US postal carrier with the Bath Post Office, member of the Bath Tri-Centennial Commission, Bath Historic Commission, Historic Bath Foundation and co-authored articles for the NC Genealogy Society Journal. He also served as past president of the Beaufort County Genealogical Society, North Carolina Genealogical Society, and editor of the Pamteco Tracings Journal of the Beaufort County Genealogical Society. On July 3, 1988, he married Janice Sawyer. Survivors include his wife, Janice Sawyer Oden; his mother, Vera Gettys Oden of Pinetown, NC; two sisters, Lynda Oden of Pinetown, NC; Elizabeth “Betsy” Oden Boxer and her husband, Mark, of Spartanburg, SC; and one brother, Dale Oden of Pinetown, NC; his aunt, Elizabeth Oden Elliott of Pinetown, NC; two nephews, Stephen Oden and John David Oden and one niece, Laura Oden; his mother-in-law, Joyce Patrick Sawyer of Rocky Hock, NC; two brothers-in-law, David Sawyer and his wife, Mary, of Rocky Hock, NC; and Bill Sawyer of Raleigh, NC; two sisters-in-law, Brenda S. Harrell and her husband, Louis, of Tyner, NC; and Mary Sawyer of Edenton, NC. Arrangements are by Hillside Funeral Service. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - July 24, 2003)

Elizabeth Jennings O'Farrow

Mrs. Elizabeth Jennings O’Farrow of 104 Daniel Court, Washington, died Saturday, March 3, 2007, at Beaufort County Hospital, Washington. A funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in Mother of Mercy Catholic Church with Father M. Arturo Cabra officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Washington. Mrs. O’Farrow was born Oct. 4, 1923, the daughter of McKenzie and Lelia Jennings. She attended the Norfolk Public Schools. She was married to Edmund O’Farrow Jr., who survives. Survivors include one daughter, Josephine O’Farrow of Trenton, N.J.; one sister, Aleen Leonard of Trenton, N.J. and three grandchildren. The family will receive friends today from 4-6 p.m. at Leon Randolph Funeral Home, 208 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Washington, and other times at the home. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - Thursday, March 8, 2007)

Gary DeWayne Oliver

Mr. Gary DeWayne Oliver, age 62, a resident of 16184 N.C. Hwy 32 North, Pinetown, died Friday, June 29, 2007 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville. Graveside services will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, July 1, 2007 at the Jarvis Harris Cemetery, Highway 32 North, Pinetown conducted by Rev. David Pooser. The following will serve as pallbearers: Jesse Respass, Matt Respass, Butch Oliver, Edward Oliver, Willie Jefferson, John Brinn, Greg Clayton and Steve Van Staalduinen. Mr. Oliver was born in Beaufort County on April 27, 1945. He was the son of Hazel Watson Oliver and the late Fernie H. Oliver. Mr. Oliver was retired from Weyerhaeuser and was a self employed building contractor. On June 13, 1965, Mr. Oliver married the former Patsy Stokesberry, who survives. Surviving with his wife are a son, John R. Oliver of Belhaven; a daughter, Paula O. Brinn of Belhaven; his mother, Hazel Watson Oliver of Plymouth; three brothers, Fernie H. Oliver, Jr. of Pinetown, Ronald Gene Oliver of Bayview, Larry Oliver of Bath; two sisters, Kathy O. Jefferson of Washington, Linda O. Respass of Plymouth; and three grandchildren, Bethany Oliver, Brantley Brinn and Collin Brinn. The family will receive friends from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Paul Funeral Home, Washington and other times at 202 Waterford Place, Minuteman Lane, Washington. Paul Funeral Home of Washington is serving the Oliver family. (Paul Funeral Home obituary)

Ralph A. Olson

WASHINGTON - Retired Army Maj. Ralph A. Olson, 83, of Washington, formerly of Fayetteville, died Wednesday, July 31, 2002. Mr. Olson was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was a member of Christus Victor Lutheran Church. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today in Christus Victor Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. today in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake. Arrangements are being handled by Wilkerson Funeral Home of Greenville. Mr. Olson is survived by his wife, Beth B. Olson; a son, Ralph A. Olson Jr. of North Wilkesboro; three daughters, Mary L. Berger of Chicago, Martha A. McCabe of Charlotte and Margaret A. Best of Chocowinity; a brother, Ludwig Olson of Washington, D.C.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends after the service at the church. (The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, NC) – August 6, 2002)

David Morgan O’Neal

David Morgan O’Neal, Sr., 63, of 7453 Turnpike Road, The Rose Bay Community, Swan Quarter, died late Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at Pungo District Hospital. Born in Beaufort County, October 1, 1944, he was the son of the late Thomas Alvah and Retha Mae Windley O’Neal. He spent most of his working years farming and enjoyed commercial fishing as well. He received his higher education by earning an Agricultural Degree from the Agriculture Institute of North Carolina State University in 1964. He served as Soil and Water Supervisor for Hyde County for 35 years and served as State President of the Soil and Water Conservation Districts. He also represented Hyde County on the Resource, Conservation and Development Council for northeastern North Carolina for many years. He was a member of Scranton Christian Church where he served as a deacon. He also served on the Advisory Board of Open Door Ministries in Creswell. Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Scranton Christian Church. David W. Mason and Linwood Adams, Jr. will officiate. Burial will follow in the family cemetery at the home. Surviving are his wife, Mary Ann McKinney O’Neal; a son, David Morgan O’Neal, Jr. of Greenville; a daughter, Debbie O. Arthur and her husband, Chad of Belhaven; and the love of his life were his grandsons who called him “papa”….Ryan Morgan Arthur, Robert Thomas O’Neal and Brandon Warren Arthur. The family will receive friends at Bryan Funeral Service on Thursday, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and other times at the home. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - Thursday, February 7, 2008)

Johnnie William O’Neal, Jr.

Mr. Johnnie William “Buddy” O’Neal, Jr., age 69, a former resident of 552 Nelson Road, Vanceboro and currently of 1393 Old Bath Highway, Washington died Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2007 from, the Chapel of Paul Funeral Home, Washington, conducted by Pastor Mike Scott and Pastor Gary Thompson. Burial will follow in Pamlico Memorial Gardens, Washington. The following will serve as pallbearers: William Derrick Coltrain, Donald Ray Woolard, Linwood Earl Woolard, David Bembridge, Ricky Walston and Billy Davis. The following will serve as honorary pallbearers: Troy Woolard, Rusty Elks, Grant Elks, Wayland Alligood, Major Alligood, Tony Winstead, and Chris Winstead. Mr. O’Neal was born in Pitt County on July 4, 1937. He was the son of the late Johnnie William O’Neal and Annie Jones O’Neal. Mr. O’Neal was a retired Truck Driver with over 50 years of dedicated service. He was known to his trucking buddies as the “Dancing Man.” He was a member of the Washington Moose Lodge. Mr. O’Neal loved the mountains and loved to dance. He was a devoted and loving father and grandfather. On April 14, 1956, Mr. O’Neal married the former Argie Gray Woolard, who preceded him in death, July 13, 1994. Later, he married the former Joyce Everett, who survives. Surviving with his wife are three daughters, Cindy Jobe and husband, Rick, Judy Washington and husband, Kevin, Kim Douglas and husband, Tommy all of Washington; one son, Johnnie Linwood O’Neal and wife Jenny of Washington; three brothers, Kirby O’Neal and Bobby Ray O’Neal both of Greenville, Thomas O’Neal of Grifton; four sisters, Marie Simpkins and Lois Ann Ball both of Washington, Gloria Jean Ludwig of Hubert, Betty Winslow of Wilson; eight grandchildren, Denise Woolard, William Derrick Coltrain, Brandon Washington, Allison Washington, Ashley Douglas, Chase Douglas, Carter O’Neal and Evan O’Neal and six great grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2007 at Paul Funeral Home, Washington and other times at the home of his daughter, Kim Douglas, 513 Biggs Road, Washington. Paul Funeral Home of Washington is serving the O’Neal family. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - Saturday, June 23, 2007)

Lois Ann O’Neal

A memorial service for Lois Ann O’Neal will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, 2007, at Leon Randolph Memorial Chapel, 208 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Washington. O’Neal was born May 28, 1958 to Russell James Gray and the late Sudie Mae Gray in Greenville. She died on Nov. 9, 2007. She graduated from D.H. Conley High School and was employed at Stanadyne Corp. for many years. She is survived by three children, Burnice Lee O’Neal Jr., Suzanne Denise Northern and Tiffany Mae Roulhac; two grandchildren; nine sisters, Lucy, Evangeline, Lillian, Louise, Lola, Patricia, Felica, Katrina and Monique; four brothers, Ernest, Russell Jr., Eric and Quinton. She was preceded in death by two brothers, James Earl and Terry. Leon Randolph Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - Monday, November 19, 2007)

Nora E. Dudley O’Neal

Nora E. Dudley O'Neal, 68, a retired beautician and a member of the Galbraith AME Zion Church, where she was president of the committee for the sick and vice president of the deaconess board, died Feb. 25 at Providence Hospital of cancer and complications after a stroke. Mrs. O'Neal was born in Washington, N.C., and moved here about 1930. She graduated from the old Madame C.J. Walker Beauty School and worked as a beautician from the late 1940s until she retired in 1968. She was the January hostess of the Southeast Bay Street Neighborhood Club. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Uriah, of Washington; a son, Adron U., of Laurel; four daughters, Cyneethia P. Humbles, Nina B. O'Neal, Dr. Nona H. O'Neal and Thelma E. O'Neal, all of Washington; a sister, Frances L. Brown of La Plata; eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. (The Washington Post (Washington, DC) – March 1, 1984; pg. C7)

Sarah Lynch O’Neal
Sarah Lynch O'Neal, 36, of 655 S.W. Craven Middle School Road, New Bern, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, at her home. She was born in Beaufort County and attended Beaufort County Schools. She pursued a career in nursing and was employed in home healthcare field. She was a member of United Pentecostal Holiness Church of Bayboro. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Biblical House of God with the Rev. Carrie Sawyer officiating. Burial will be in the Carmon family Cemetery in New Bern. She is survived by three sons, Theodoruckus O'Neal, Rakeem O'Neal and Jamaal O'Neal, all of New Bern; three sisters, Mary L. Lipton, Mary A. Carmon and Betty M.Gatlin, all of New Bern; and four brothers, William Carmon, Nathan Lynch and Jo-seph Lynch, all of New Bern, and W. Jimmy Lynch of Wilmington. Viewing will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The family will receive friends at the home. Arrangements by Whitfield and Whitley Funeral Home, Washington, N.C. (Sun Journal (New Bern, NC) - Saturday, February 9, 2008)

W. Prentiss O’Neal

BELHAVEN- W. Prentiss O'Neal, age 73, former mayor of Belhaven and operator of O'Neal's Drug Store here for more than 40 years, died this morning in Pungo District Hospital here. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church by the Rev. David Lovelace, rector. Burial will follow in Belhaven Community Cemetery. Mr. O'Neal was born May 4, 1905 son of the late Walton and Florence Gibbs O'Neal. He was first married to Mae Leigh who died in January 1961. His second marriage was to Harriett Wilson Keaton. Mr. O'Neal was a pharmacy graduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and owned and operated O'Neal Drug Store here for more than 40 years. He recently opened a store at Swan Quarter. Mr. O'Neal was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and was Senior Warden. He was chairman of the Pungo District Hospital Board of Trustees, a post he had held since the hospital was founded. He was a charter member and past president of the Belhaven-Pantego Rotary Club, Belhaven Masonic Lodge and was a Scottish and York Rite Mason and a Shriner. Mr. O'Neal was mayor of Belhaven for 18 years and was active in town affairs here most of his life. Surviving besides his widow are two sons, W.P. O'Neal, Jr. and Edwin Leigh O'Neal, both of Belhaven; two daughters, Mrs. Peggy O'Neal Lifson of Elizabeth, N.J. and Mrs. Betsy O'Neal Montgomery of Bowin, Md.; two step-children, Frank Keaton of Chapel Hill and Willie Keaton Williams of Fuquay-Varina; 11 grandchildren; one brother, A. Eugene O'Neal of Belhaven; two sisters, Mrs. Catherine O'Neal Swindell of Eden and Mrs. Sarah O'Neal Watson of Scranton. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - December 30, 1978) [Obituary kindly submitted by Pat Richard]

Hendrik Oosterhuis

SWAN QUARTER - Hendrik “Hank” Oosterhuis, 78, of 1719 Quarter Rd., Swan Quarter, died Thursday, December 27, 2007 at Cross Creek Health Care Center where he had been a resident. A native of the Netherlands, he was born in Spijk in the province of Gronigen. Following his service in the Netherlands Army, he relocated to the United States in the late fifties. He was the son of the late Ipe and Bouwina W. Oosterhuis. Mr. Hank was married to Mrs. Sylvia M. Oosterhuis who proceeded him in death, a longtime member of the Covenant United Reformed Church. He devoted his time to minister to the residents of correctional facilities and nursing homes. Funeral services will be held at the Covenant United Reformed Church, Saturday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Calvin Tuininga officiating; burial will follow in the Davis Cemetery in Pantego. Surviving are: one daughter, Suzanne Credle and husband Richard of Scranton; one son, Donavan Oosterhuis and wife Patricia of Gulfport, Miss.; one brother, Derek Oosterhuis; three sisters, Wilhelmina Toren, Greitje Pemmetaar and Weke VanSprang, all of the Netherlands; three grandchildren, Jennifer Palmer of Natchez, Miss., Corey Walker of Biloxi, Miss., Erica Askew and Husband Eric of Grimesland; two great-grandchildren, Kendall Palmer and Lea Askew; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Beverly Sheppard of Pantego and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Seirt Oosterhuis, Martinus Oosterhuis and Peter Oosterhuis; two sisters, Jantjen Oosterhuis and Ida Oosterhuis, all of the Netherlands. The family will receive friends Friday night, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Covenant United Reformed Church. Arrangements by Bryan Funeral Service in Swan Quarter, N.C. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - December 28, 2007)

Sylvia Mollema Oosterhuis

Sylvia Mollema Oosterhuis, 75, of 4097 Pilley Avenue, Pantego, died Monday, November 27, 2006, at Beaufort County Hospital. Born in Chandler, Minnesota on August 30, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Cornelia Moret Mollema. She spent her working years as a teacher at Terra Ceia Christian School. For many years she served as the church sexton at Terra Ceia Christian Reformed Church where she also served as church organist for many years and enjoyed being in the choir and the special Messiah Choir, and in later years cleaned homes in the community. She was a member of the Covenant United Reformed Church where she was also a member of the church women’s organization and enjoyed the senior citizens church activities. She loved a cup of coffee and a Hardee biscuit in Washington with her sister and enjoyed baking wedding cakes. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Covenant United Reformed Church. Pastor Calvin Tuininga will officiate. Burial will follow in Davis Cemetery. Surviving are her husband, Hendrik Oosterhuis; a son, Donavan Oosterhuis and his wife, Patricia of Gulfport, MS; a daughter, Suzanne O. Credle and her husband, Richard of Scranton; a sister, Beverly M. Sheppard of Pantego; grandchildren, Jennifer Palmer of Natchez, MS, Corey Waller of Biloxi MS, Erica Askew and her husband, Eric of Greenville; great grandchildren, Kendall Palmer and Lea Askew; many beloved nieces and nephews and she held a special place in her heart for her Uncle Art and her Auntie Sophie. She was preceded in death by a brother, Peter Mollema. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Covenant United Reformed Church, Pantego. Arrangements are by Bryan Funeral Service, Swan Quarter. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - Wednesday, November 29, 2006)

Eva Maxine Lanier Ormond

Mrs. Eva Maxine Lanier Ormond, 94, a resident of Cross Creek Health Care Center and formerly of Belhaven, died Friday, Oct. 6, 2006, at Cross Creek. A funeral will be conducted today at 2 p.m. in Saint Miller Missionary Baptist Church with Elder James Stanley officiating. Burial will follow in Northside Cemetery. Mrs. Ormond was born in Beaufort County on Dec. 21, 1910. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Emma Lanier. She attended the Beaufort County schools. She was married to Henry P. Ormond, who preceded her in death Jan. 1, 1995. Survivors include one daughter, Phyllis G. Davis of Belhaven; one brother, Julius Lanier of Belhaven and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Margaret L. Gowers, Missouri Lanier, Manuel Lanier and Harry Lanier. The family will receive friends at the home of her daughter, 797 Elm St., Belhaven. Arrangements are by Whitfield & Whitley Funeral Home, Washington. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - Saturday, October 14, 2006)

Zane Frederick Osnoe, Sr.

Mr. Zane Fredrick Osnoe Sr., 74, of 404 Wharton Street, Washington, died Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, at Pitt County Memorial in Greenville. A funeral with full military honors will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in Paul Funeral Home of Washington officiated by Chaplain J.R. Lorenzen, U.S. Army and Ray West. Burial will follow in Oakdale Cemetery. Members of the U.S. Army will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Bojangles’ tea and coffee club. Mr. Osnoe was born in Aroostook County, Maine, on May 6, 1933. He was the son of the late Fred and Helen Plourde Osnoe. He was a graduate of Smyrna Mills High School in Smyrna Mills, Maine. He was in the Army from 1950 to 1970, serving in Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Upon his retirement, he held the rank of master sergeant. Following his military career, he received his basic law enforcement degree and an associate degree in criminal justice from Beaufort County Community College. In his law enforcement career he worked at the Fayetteville Police Department in Fayetteville from 1971 to 1976 and Washington Police Department from 1976 to 1991 where he retired as deputy chief. He was married to the former Edith Gray Stone on June 8, 1985. He was a member of the N.C. Association of Law Enforcement and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include four sons: Zane F. “Ricky” Osnoe Jr. of Fayetteville, David Lee Osnoe of McClean, Va., Craig Williams of Houlton, Maine, and Mark Wayne Osnoe of Greenville; two daughters: Pamela O. Luntz of Laurinburg and Tammy A. Berry of Washington; three sisters: Kathleen Zolon and Jenefine Stevens both of Smyrna Mills, Maine, and Eldora Zeniel of Dunlap, Ill.; 12 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Stanley Osnoe and Joseph Osnoe and one sister: Margaret Goodall. The family will receive friends today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Paul Funeral Home of Washington and at other times at the home. (Washington Daily News (Washington, NC) - Saturday, November 10, 2007)

Unless otherwise noted, these obituaries were contributed by Kay Midgett Sheppard. No part of this document may be used for any commercial purposes. However, please feel free to copy any of this material for your own personal use and family research.

© 2006 John B. McGowan