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Lorraine Hansberry

Lorraine Vivian Hansberry (May 19, 1930 – January 12, 1965) was an African-American playwright and writer.

She was the first black woman to write a play performed on Broadway. Her best known work, the play A Raisin in the Sun, highlights the lives of Black Americans living under racial segregation in Chicago. Hansberry's family had struggled against segregation, challenging a restrictive covenant and eventually provoking the Supreme Court case Hansberry v. Lee. The title of the play was taken from the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes: "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"

At the young age of 29, she won the New York's Drama Critic's Circle Award — making her the first black dramatist, the fifth woman, and the youngest playwright to do so.

After she moved to New York City, Hansberry worked at the Pan-Africanist newspaper Freedom, where she dealt with intellectuals such as Paul Robeson and W. E. B. Du Bois. Much of her work during this time concerned the African struggle for liberation and their impact on the world. Hansberry has been identified as a lesbian, and sexual freedom is an important topic in several of her works. She died of cancer at the age of 34. Hansberry inspired Nina Simone's song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black".

Family

Lorraine Hansberry was the youngest of four children born to Carl Augustus Hansberry, a successful real-estate broker, and Nannie Louise (born Perry) a driving school teacher and ward commiteewoman. In 1938, her father bought a house in the Washington Park Subdivision of the South Side of Chicago, incurring the wrath of their white neighbors. The latter's legal efforts to force the Hansberry family out culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Hansberry v. Lee. The restrictive covenant was ruled contestable, though not inherently invalid. Carl Hansberry was also a supporter of the Urban League and NAACP in Chicago. Both Hansberrys were active in the Chicago Republican Party. Carl died in 1946, when Lorraine was fifteen years old; "American racism helped kill him," she later said.

The Hansberrys were routinely visited by prominent Black intellectuals, including W.E.B. Du Bois and Paul Robeson. Carl Hansberry's brother, William Leo Hansberry, founded the African Civilization section of the history department at Howard University. Lorraine was taught: ‘‘Above all, there were two things which were never to be betrayed: the family and the race.’’

Lorraine Hansberry has many notable relatives including director and playwright Shauneille Perry, whose eldest child is named after her. Her grandniece is actress Taye Hansberry. Her cousin is the flutist, percussionist, and composer Aldridge Hansberry.

Hansberry became the godmother to Nina Simone's daughter Lisa—now Simone.

Education

Hansberry graduated from Betsy Ross Elementary in 1944 and from Englewood High School in 1948. She attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she immediately became politically active and integrated a dormitory. Hansberry's classmate Bob Teague remembered her as "...the only girl I knew who could whip together a fresh picket sign with her own hands, at a moment's notice, for any cause or occasion".

She worked on Henry A. Wallace's presidential campaign in 1948, despite her mother's disapproval. She spent the summer of 1949 in Mexico, studying painting at the University of Guadalajara.

Move to New York City

She decided in 1950 to leave Madison and pursue her career as a writer in New York City, where she attended The New School. She moved to Harlem in 1951 and became involved in activist struggles such as the fight against evictions.

Freedom

newspaper

In 1951, she joined the staff of the black newspaper Freedom, edited by Louis E. Burnham and published by Paul Robeson. At Freedom, she worked with W. E. B. Du Bois, whose office was in the same building, and other Black Pan-Africanists. At the newspaper, she worked as "subscription clerk, receptionist, typist and editorial assistant" in addition to writing news articles and editorials.

One of her first reports covered the Sojourners for Truth and Justice convened in Washington, D.C., by Mary Church Terrell. She traveled to Georgia to cover the case of Willie McGee, and was inspired to write the poem "Lynchsong" about his case.

She worked not only on the US civil rights movement, but also on global struggles against colonialism and imperialism. Hansberry wrote in support of the Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya, criticizing the mainstream press for its biased coverage.

Hansberry often clarified these global struggles by explaining them in terms of female participants. She was particularly interested in the situation of Egypt, "the traditional Islamic 'cradle of civilization,' where women had led one of the most important fights anywhere for the equality of their sex."

In 1952, Hansberry attended a peace conference in Montevideo, Uruguay, in place of Paul Robeson, who had been denied travel rights by the State Department.

Marriage

On June 20, 1953, she married Robert Nemiroff, a Jewish publisher, songwriter and political activist. Hansberry and Nemiroff moved to Greenwich Village, the setting of The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window. Success of the song "Cindy, Oh Cindy", co-authored by Nemiroff, enabled Hansberry to start writing full-time. On the night before their wedding in 1953, Nemiroff and Hansberry protested the execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in NYC.

It is widely believed that Hansberry was a closeted lesbian, a theory supported by her secret writings in letters and personal notebooks. She was an activist for gay rights and wrote about feminism and homophobia, joining the Daughters of Bilitis and contributing two letters to their magazine, The Ladder, in 1957 under her initials "LHN." She separated from her husband at this time, but they continued to work together.

A Raisin in the Sun was written at this time and completed in 1957.

Success as playwright

Opening on March 11, 1959, A Raisin in the Sun became the first play written by an African American woman to be produced on Broadway. The 29-year-old author became the youngest American playwright and only the fifth woman to receive the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play. Over the next two years, Raisin was translated into 35 languages and was being performed all over the world.

Hansberry wrote two screenplays of Raisin, both of which were rejected as controversial by Columbia Pictures. Commissioned by NBC in 1960 to create a television program about slavery, Hansberry wrote The Drinking Gourd. This script was called "superb" but also rejected.

In 1960, during Delta Sigma Theta's 26th national convention in Chicago, Hansberry was made an honorary member.

In 1961, Hansberry was set to replace Vinnette Carroll as the director of the musical Kicks and Co, after its try-out at Chicago's McCormick Place. It was written by Oscar Brown, Jr. and featured an interracial cast including Lonnie Sattin, Nichelle Nichols, Vi Velasco, Al Freeman, Jr., Zabeth Wilde and Burgess Meredith in the title role of Mr. Kicks. A satire involving miscegenation, the $400,000 production was co-produced by her husband Robert Nemiroff; despite a warm reception in Chicago, the show never made it to Broadway.

In 1963, Hansberry participated in a meeting with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, set up by James Baldwin.

Also in 1963, Hansberry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She underwent two operations, on June 24 and August 2. Neither was successful in removing the cancer.

On March 10, 1964, Hansberry and Nemiroff divorced but continued to work together.

While many of her other writings were published in her lifetime—essays, articles, and the text for the SNCC book The Movement—the only other play given a contemporary production was The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window. The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window ran for 101 performances on Broadway and closed the night she died.

Beliefs

Hansberry was an atheist.

According to historian Fanon Che Wilkins, "Hansberry believed that gaining civil rights in the United States and obtaining independence in colonial Africa were two sides of the same coin that presented similar challenges for Africans on both sides of the Atlantic." In response to the independence of Ghana, led by Kwame Nkrumah, Hansberry wrote: "The promise of the future of Ghana is that of all the colored peoples of the world; it is the promise of freedom."

Regarding tactics, Hansberry said Blacks "must concern themselves with every single means of struggle: legal, illegal, passive, active, violent and non-violent.... They must harass, debate, petition, give money to court struggles, sit-in, lie-down, strike, boycott, sing hymns, pray on steps—and shoot from their windows when the racists come cruising through their communities."

In a Town Hall debate on June 15, 1964, Hansberry criticized white liberals who couldn't accept civil disobedience, expressing a need "to encourage the white liberal to stop being a liberal and become an American radical." At the same time, she said, "some of the first people who have died so far in this struggle have been white men."

Hansberry was a critic of existentialism, which she considered too distant from the world's economic and geopolitical realities. Along these lines, she wrote a critical review of Richard Wright's The Outsider and went on to style her final play Les Blancs as a foil to Jean Genet's absurdist Les Nègres. However, Hansberry admired Simone de Beauvoir's The Second Sex.

In 1959, Hansberry commented that women who are "twice oppressed" may become "twice militant". She held out some hope for male allies of women, writing in an unpublished essay: "If by some miracle women should not ever utter a single protest against their condition there would still exist among men those who could not endure in peace until her liberation had been achieved."

Hansberry was appalled by the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which took place while she was in high school, and expressed desire for a future in which: "Nobody fights. We get rid of all the little bombs—and the big bombs." She did believe in the right of people to defend themselves with force against their oppressors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation began surveillance of Hansberry when she prepared to go to the Montevideo peace conference. The Washington, D.C. office searched her passport files "in an effort to obtain all available background material on the subject, any derogatory information contained therein, and a photograph and complete description," while officers in Milwaukee and Chicago examined her life history. Later, an FBI reviewer of Raisin in the Sun highlighted its Pan-Africanist themes as dangerous.

Death

Hansberry, a heavy smoker her whole life, died of pancreatic cancer on January 12, 1965, aged 34. James Baldwin believed "it is not at all farfetched to suspect that what she saw contributed to the strain which killed her, for the effort to which Lorraine was dedicated is more than enough to kill a man."

Hansberry's funeral was held in Harlem on January 15, 1965. Paul Robeson and SNCC organizer James Forman gave eulogies. The presiding minister, Eugene Callender, recited messages from Baldwin and the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. which read: "Her creative ability and her profound grasp of the deep social issues confronting the world today will remain an inspiration to generations yet unborn." The 15th was also Dr. King's birthday. She is buried at Asbury United Methodist Church Cemetery in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.

Posthumous works

Hansberry's ex-husband, Robert Nemiroff, became the executor for several unfinished manuscripts. He added minor changes to complete the play Les Blancs, which Julius Lester termed her best work, and he adapted many of her writings into the play To Be Young, Gifted and Black, which was the longest-running Off Broadway play of the 1968–69 season. It appeared in book form the following year under the title To Be Young, Gifted and Black: Lorraine Hansberry in Her Own Words. She left behind an unfinished novel and several other plays, including The Drinking Gourd and What Use Are Flowers?, with a range of content, from slavery to a post-apocalyptic future.

Legacy

Raisin, a musical based on A Raisin in the Sun, opened in New York in 1973, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical, with the book by Nemiroff, music by Judd Woldin, and lyrics by Robert Britten. A Raisin in the Sun was revived on Broadway in 2004 and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Revival of a Play. The cast included Sean Combs ("P Diddy") as Walter Lee Younger Jr., Phylicia Rashad (Tony Award-winner for Best Actress) and Audra McDonald (Tony Award-winner for Best Featured Actress). It was produced for television in 2008 with the same cast, garnering two NAACP Image Awards.

Nina Simone first released a song about Hansberry in 1969 called "To Be Young, Gifted and Black." The title of the song refers to the title of Hansberry's autobiography, which Hansberry first coined when speaking to the winners of a creative writing conference on May 1, 1964, "t]hough it be a thrilling and marvellous thing to be merely young and gifted in such times, it is doubly so, doubly dynamic — to be young, gifted and black." Simone wrote the song with a poet named Weldon Irvine and told him that she wanted lyrics that would "make black children all over the world feel good about themselves forever." When Irvine read the lyrics after it was finished, he thought, "I didn't write this. God wrote it through me." In a recorded to the introduction of the song, Simone explained the difficulty of losing a close friend and talented artist.

Patricia and Fredrick McKissack wrote a children's biography of Hansberry, Young, Black, and Determined, in 1998.

In 1999 Hansberry was posthumously inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.

In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante listed Hansberry as one of his 100 Greatest African Americans.

The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre of San Francisco, which specializes in original stagings and revivals of African-American theatre, is named in her honor. Singer and pianist Nina Simone, who was a close friend of Hansberry, used the title of her unfinished play to write a civil rights-themed song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" together with Weldon Irvine. The single reached the top 10 of the R&B charts. A studio recording by Simone was released as a single and the first live recording on October 26, 1969, was captured on Black Gold(1970).

Lincoln University's first-year female dormitory is named Lorraine Hansberry Hall. There is a school in the Bronx called Lorraine Hansberry Academy, and an elementary school in St. Albans, Queens, New York, named after Hansberry as well.

On the eightieth anniversary of Hansberry's birth, Adjoa Andoh presented a BBC Radio 4 programme entitled "Young, Gifted and Black" in tribute to her life.

In 2010, Hansberry was inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame.

In 2013, Hansberry was inducted into the Legacy Walk, an outdoor public display which celebrates LGBT history and people. This makes her the first Chicago-native honored along the North Halsted corridor.

Also in 2013, Lorraine Hansberry was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame.

Lorraine Hansberry Elementary School was located in the 9th Ward of New Orleans. It was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It has since closed.

In 2017, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Works

A Raisin in the Sun (1959)

A Raisin in the Sun, screenplay (1961)

"On Summer" (essay) (1960)

The Drinking Gourd (1960)

What Use Are Flowers? (written c. 1962)

The Arrival of Mr. Todog – parody of Waiting for Godot

The Movement: Documentary of a Struggle for Equality (1964)

The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (1965)

To Be Young, Gifted and Black: Lorraine Hansberry in Her Own Words (1969)

Les Blancs: The Collected Last Plays / by Lorraine Hansberry. Edited by Robert Nemiroff (1994)

Toussaint. This fragment from a work in progress, unfinished at the time of Hansberry's untimely death, deals with a Haitian plantation owner and his wife whose lives are soon to change drastically as a result of the revolution of Toussaint L'Ouverture. (From the Samuel French, Inc. catalogue of plays.)

Wikipedia

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the-record-obituaries · 6 years

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October 17, 2018: Obituaries

Loretta Estes, 75

Mrs. Loretta Huffman Estes, age 75 of Wilkesboro passed away Sunday, October 14th, 2018 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem.

Funeral services were held October 16th, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Reach Center with Pastor Dale Jennings officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Estes was born July 19, 1943 in Wilkes County to Everette Monroe and Selma Eller Huffman. She was a retired school teacher and member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James (Randy) Augustus Estes, four sisters; Ruth Brown, Maxine Church, Charlotte Greene and Kate Huffman and four brothers; Wayne Huffman, Ray Huffman, N.C. Huffman and Loyd Huffman.

She is survived by a daughter; Tonya Moore and husband Rocky of Millers Creek, a son; Randall Estes and wife Julie of Wilkesboro, a grandson; Caleb Moore and two sisters; Patricia Minton of Wilkesboro and Betty Church and husband Edwin of Ferguson.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church 239 Champion Mt. Pleasant Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Larry Parsons, 47

Mr. Larry Dwayne Parsons, age 47 of Boomer, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2018 at his home.

Memorial services were held October 18th, at Little Rock Baptist Church with Rev. Hal Greene officiating.

Mr. Parsons was born June 22, 1971 in Caldwell County to Dwight Samuel Parsons and Alice Rosettie Wolfe Parsons. He was Self Employed in the Sawmill business and a member of Little Rock Baptist Church.

He is survived by his parents of the home and two brothers; Lonnie Parsons and wife Beth of Moravian Falls and Scott Parsons and wife Ashley of North Wilkesboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hope Ministries 514 Elkin Highway North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Juanita Little, 85

Juanita Mash Little, age 85, of Wilkesboro, passed away Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Westwood Hills Nursing and Rehab Center. She was born July 28, 1933 in Wilkes County to Robert and Stella Rose Mash. Juanita was previously a long time member of Piney Ridge Baptist Church. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and painting. Juanita loved her children, grandchildren, and The Lord. Mrs. Little was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Bill Mash, Lloyd Mash, Charles Mash; sisters, Frances Church and Pauline Sheets; and grandson, Chad Little.

Surviving are her children, Jewaughn Little of Raleigh, Feryal Little and wife Martha of North Wilkesboro, Greg Little and wife Annette of Louisiana, Linda Howe and husband Eddie of Louisiana, Randy Little of Millers Creek, Barry Little of North Wilkesboro, Joey Little of Millers Creek, Rita Blankenship and husband Eddie of McGrady; sisters, Bonnie Sloop of Wilkesboro, Alberteen Taylor of Lexington; brother, Jimmy Mash and wife Mary of Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Amy Eller of Raleigh, Angie Sheets and husband Josh of Millers Creek, Sheena Royal and husband Josh of Ronda, Elizabeth Ann Miller and Brandi Cason of Louisiana, Chrissy Burrell of Cherry Grove, Daniel Lankford and wife Ellie of Ferguson, Kayla Haynes and husband Shawn of Hamptonville, Amber Blackburn and husband John of North Wilkesboro; and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral service was held October 15, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Brady Hayworth officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Westwood Hills Nursing and Rehab Center, 1016 Fletcher Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Kay Johnson, 79

Mrs. Kay Frances Elmore Johnson, age 79 of Wilkesboro, passed away Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Curis Healthcare in Wilkesboro.

Memorial services were held October 15, 2018 with Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Brother Worth Johnson officiating.

Mrs. Johnson was born January 12, 1939 in Wilkes County to George Washington and Alma Mary Dunn Elmore. She was retired from Belk.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers; Jim Elmore, Ronnie Elmore, Ken Elmore and a granddaughter; Kayla Johnson.

She is survived by a daughter; Susan Johnson of Wilkesboro, a son; Ralph Johnson, Jr. of Wilkesboro, the children's Dad; Ralph Lee Johnson, Sr. of Wilkesboro, two grandchildren; Samantha Johnson Billings and husband Jeremy and Douglas Johnson and wife Pamela, two great grandchildren; Madison Billings and Eli Billings and a sister; Carolyn Sparks of Ferguson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wake Forest Care at Home Hospice, 126 Executive Drive Suite 110, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

The family would like to extend a special Thank You to the staff of Wake Forest Care at Home Hospice especially Ginger Rhodes and Mary Dyer and the Staff of Curis of Wilkesboro.

Sandra Nichols, 67

Sandra "Sandy" Laxton Nichols, age 67, of Boomer, passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born July 14, 1951 in Wilkes County to John Barker and Dare Howell Laxton. Mrs. Nichols was retired as an English Teacher from Wilkes Central High School. She was a member, choir director and pianist at Union United Methodist Church. Sandy was preceded in death by her parents; and a son, Thomas Rex Nichols.

Surviving are her husband, Rex Nichols; son, Allen Laxton Nichols and wife Jane Kilby Nichols of Boomer; daughter, Ann Elizabeth Nichols of Wilkesboro; and grandchildren, Maddy Nichols, Alex Nichols, Katie Nichols.

Graveside service was held October 13, at Union United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Ed McKinney officiating. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Union United Methodist Church, 2257 Boone Trail, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jimmie Hall Sr., 83

Jimmie Dean Hall Sr., age 83, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Medical Center. He was born May 28, 1935 in Wilkes County to Jorry Willie Hall and Orchella Handy Hall.

Mr. Hall was a retired 20 year veteran of the Air Force. He served his country with great pride and honor. He was stationed all over the world before his last station at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He worked as a printer for what now is Wells Fargo Bank and moved on as a Printer for Nu-Line Printing and other businesses. His last job before full retirement was a printer from "The Record" better known to most locals as Thursday Magazine. He was a member of the Wilkes Civitans, Commissioner of Babe Ruth Baseball at Cub Creek Park in Wilkesboro for many years, and coached and managed baseball teams. Mr. Hall spent a part of his past time making candles and sold them all over the country as Founder and Owner of the Blue Ridge Country Scented Candles. He loved his NASACR and playing cards with old friends, but more importantly he was a wonderful family man, a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His passion and dedication to his family and community made him a very special person and a great man.

Mr. Hall was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Glenn Howard Hall and Walter Wayne Hall; four sisters, Betty Sue Hall, Imogene Handy, Thelma Wyatt and Bernice Owens.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Lucy Sloop Hall; son, Jimmie Dean Hall, Jr. and wife Misty Hendren Hall of Clemmons; daughters, Teresa Combs, Jackie Rhodes and husband James all of North Wilkesboro; seven grandchildren, Angela Scott and husband Glenn, Jessica Combs, Sydney Barton and husband Matt, Gavin Hall, Jennifer Rhodes, Samantha Rhodes and Samuel Rhodes. Five great grandchildren, Cole Smith, Eva Scott, Brady Scott, Tate Roten, Jace Roten; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was October 14, at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Chad Hendren officiating. Burial with full military honors followed in Scenic Memorial Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Health and Hospice, 126 Executive Drive, Suite 110, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Danny Brooks, 55

Danny Brooks, age 55, of Hays, passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Woltz Hospice Home. He was born December 6, 1962 in Wilkes County to James Monroe and Pansy Alice Caudill Brooks. Mr. Brooks was a member of Double Creek Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Wanda Whitley.

Surviving are his wife, Brenda Cleary Brooks; son, James "Daniel" Brooks, Jr. and wife P.J. of Boonville; granddaughter, Olivia Stevens of Boonville; brother, Ronnie Cleary and wife Wanda of Hays; and sisters, Ann Caudill and husband Alvin, Debbie Anderson all of Hays.

A private family service will be held at a later date. The family has requested no flowers and no food. Memorials may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Rd Road, Dobson, NC 27017 or to Double Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2658 Moxley Road, Hays, NC 28635.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Bettie Billings, 73

Bettie Pauline Parsons Billings, age 73, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at Rose Glen Manor. She was born March 10, 1945 in Wilkes County to Robert and Venie Stanley Parsons. Mrs. Billings attended Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Claude Billings; half-brother, Junior Webb; and half-sister, Diane Parsons.

Surviving are her daughter, Karen Todd and husband Michael of Moravian Falls; sisters, Willa Dean Stanley, Lori Bauguess, Sandra Webb all of North Wilkesboro; brothers, Stevie Parsons, Rex Parsons both of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Katelyn and Michaela Todd; step-father, Marvin Webb of North Wilkesboro; several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service was held October 13, at Scenic Memorial Gardens with Rev. Dean Adams officiating.

The family has requested no flowers and no food. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38148-0142.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Virginia Adams, 81

Virginia Brown Adams, age 81, of Hays, passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at her home. She was born March 2, 1937 in Wilkes County to Jacob and Mary Barnette Brown. Mrs. Adams was a member of Mtn. Valley Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Arlie Brown.

Surviving are her husband, Paul Adams; son, Steven Wayne Adams of Hays; grandchildren, Brandi Roberts and husband Chris of Hays, Zach Adams of Traphill; great grandchildren, Aly and Madison Roberts; grandchildren, Nick Holman and wife Rachel of Mulberry, Eric Holman and wife Alexis of Georgia; great grandchildren, Brody and Wesley Holman, Mackenna, Emma, Aaron Holman, and Gage Holman.

Graveside service was held October 13, at Mountlawn Memorial Park with Rev. Walter Royal officiating.

The family has requested no flowers. Memorials may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Health & Hospice, 126 Executive Drive, Suite 110, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Cleon Blackburn, 58

Cleon Sanford Blackburn, age 58, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. He was born November 30, 1959 in Wilkes County to Eli Percy and Myrtle Reavis Blackburn. Mr. Blackburn was retired as an electrician. He loved NASCAR racing; Carolina Panthers; his 70's Boss Mustang; watching Gunsmoke, Price is Right. He also loved spending time with his little bug Rae Rae. Mr. Blackburn was preceded in death by his parents; son, Shannon Jennings; brother, Jerry Blackburn; and sister, Doris Shew.

Surviving are his wife, Glenda Johnson Blackburn; daughter, Courtney Nicole Blackburn "Big Bug" and fiancé, Wesley Cheek of North Wilkesboro; sisters, Janet Olson and husband Chuck of Sophia, NC, Wanda Bauguess and husband Ted of Roaring River, Elizabeth Shumate and husband Roger, Kay Roland, Patricia Leonard and husband Paul Junior, Jewel Kearns and husband Jimmy all of High Point, Jane Riddle and husband Gary of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Raegan Huffman "Little Bug", Mason Huffman, Kyleigh Huffman, Kassidy Huffman, Kylee Cheek, Gavin Cheek, Weston Cheek; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was October 12, at Full Gospel Mission Church with Rev. Ronnie Gregory and Courtney Blackburn officiating.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, 222 South Church Street, Suite 336M, Charlotte, NC 28202. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Roxine De Maio, 83

Edna Roxine Early De Maio of Moravian Falls, NC, passed away at her home October 8 due to complications from ALS. She was 83.

Roxine was born October 31, 1934 in Haywood County, NC, to the late Roscoe and Bessie Sutton Early. After her father passed away, she was blessed to become the stepdaughter of Calvin D. Rich. Roxine was an avid outdoors woman, a crack shot who could hunt, drop and gut her own deer to the envy of all. She was perhaps happiest when fishing in the back country of Canada, looking like a slightly sunburned Hollywood celebrity, and consistently reeling in the best catch of the day.

After marrying the love of her life, Joseph R. De Maio, she perfected the skill of cooking various Italian dishes "just like his Mom used to make." Roxine was also a creative quilter with a particular gift for restoring old quilt tops and experimenting with colors, especially dark ones, which she found most interesting and soothing. Quilting while watching programs like her beloved "Song of the Mountains" or "Antiques Roadshow" and "American Pickers" was a favorite pastime when her health allowed. Through the years, Roxine excelled in several careers including administrative assistant, hair stylist, antique shop owner and quality control nurse, having returned to school later in life and graduating at the top of her class.

Roxine was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather. She is survived by her husband, Joseph R. De Maio of the home; a daughter, Lisa Brewer (Greg) of North Wilkesboro, NC; a son, Dr. Joe De Maio (Sylvia) of Atlanta, GA, and two grandsons, Joseph Zachary Brewer and David Bryan Brewer of North Wilkesboro, NC. The family wishes to thank the many excellent care givers who attended Roxine through the years, especially Sandy Hutchens.

The family wishes to thank PruittHealth Hospice of North Wilkesboro and especially Kristi Miller for their compassionate and professional service.

Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m. at Evans Funeral Service in Lenoir, NC. A service with Evangelist Lowell White will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Evans Chapel. Burial will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association.

Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfuneralservice.com

Evans Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the De Maio family.

Rubin Reginald Carver, 69

Rubin Reginald Carver, age 69, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Friday, October 5, 2018 at Curis of Wilkesboro. He was born February 11, 1949 in New York, New York to Rubin H. and Betsy Waugh Carver. Mr. Carver was a US Marine Veteran, serving in Vietnam. He was preceded in death by his father, Rubin H. Carver; his wife, Vera Washington Carver; and brothers, Henry, Louis "Bubba" and Michael Carver.

Surviving are his sons, Sean Carver and wife Tanya of Brooklyn, N.Y., Timothy Carver of Camp Lejune, N.C.; grandson, Maurice Carver of Brooklyn, N.Y.; mother, Betsy Waugh Carver of North Wilkesboro; and sister, Beverly Carver Fulks of North Wilkesboro.

Funeral service with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 1142 will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Charles Ferguson, Rev. Matthew Farley and Rev. Steve Snipes officiating. Burial with military honors will be held 9:00 a.m. Friday, October 12, 2018 in Salisbury National Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Miller Funeral Service from 12:00 until 1:00 on Thursday, prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Mtn. Valley Hospice, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621 or to Kindred Care, 126 Executive Drive, Suite 110, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

Dr. Duane Howard Smith, age 85

Dr. Duane Howard Smith, age 85 of Wilkesboro, passed away Thursday, October 4th 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 12:00 Noon, November 18th, 2018 at the John A. Walker Center on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro.

Dr. Smith was born July 18, 1933 in Ohio to Howard E. Smith and Mary Caroline Catherine Schulte Smith. He moved to Wilkes in 1974 along with his wife, the former Darlene Russell (Rusty) Carter, who had family members in Wilkes. Mrs. Smith worked by his side as a nurse, physician assistant, surgical assistant and sonographer for his entire career. The Smiths were married for 61 years, prior to her death in November 2017. Dr. Smith built Foothills Center in 1980, and rebuilt it at the same location after it burned in 1996. While he never kept count, throughout his practice, he delivered at least 20,000 babies calculated on an average of 25 a month, which he admitted was a conservative estimate. In 2014, Dr. Smith stopped delivering babies after 51 years. During his 40 years in Wilkes, he cared for three generations of families. During an interview in 2014, he was quoted as saying that he has continued to work "because I love it, and I love my patients…..and I don't know how to do anything else." He continued to practice as a gynecologist and surgeon at Foothills Center for Women, working about five hours a day until he retired. One of Dr. Smith's daughters, Pam Sloop a family nurse practitioner took over as the primary care provider for the practice. He was a veteran of the United States Army having served his country in the Vietnam War. Dr. Smith was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, and a sister; Marian Smith Winner.

He is survived by two daughters; Pamela Sue Smith Sloop and husband, Davy R. Sloop of Wilkesboro, Lynda Carol Smith Chasar of North Wilkesboro, two sons; Stephen Smith and wife Kahkashan of Greensboro and Scott Smith and wife Lucinda of Boone, eleven grandchildren; Emily Anne Sloop, Evan D. Sloop, Erin Sloop Kearney, Jacob Raymond Stalder, Mara Frances Rose Chasar, Beatrice Smith, Eliot Smith, Carter Smith, Megan Diane Smith, Samia Shahnawaz and Salwa Shahnawaz and two great grandchildren; Liam P. Kearney and Maslynn Stalder.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be made to WCC Foundation PO Box 120 Wilkesboro, NC 28697 Attn: Allison Phillips.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

Mrs. Julia Kay Barber Parsons, 59

Mrs. Julia Kay Barber Parsons, 59, of Wilkesboro, passed away on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at her home.

Julia was born on April 6, 1959 to Arthur Leroy Barber and Robbie Kathryn Patterson Barber Smithson.

Julia is preceded in death by her father and sister Sandra "Sandy" Matson.

Julia is survived by her loving mother; sons, Brandon Parsons, Cody Parsons, both of North Carolina; daughter, Felicia Rebecca Lee of South Carolina; sister, Paula Pulver (Brett) of Belton, Missouri.

No services are to be held

Condolences may be sent to: www.adamsfunerals.com

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Parsons Family.

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araiz-zaria · 2 years

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#i said what i said 🤷🏽#not art #history memes #sort of #american history #willis augustus lee jr #ching lee #samuel phillips lee #us navy #nothing of significance ofc 😅

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araiz-zaria · 2 years

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When you have to face off a formidable IJN fleet off Guadalcanal with a scratch force to boot 🙃

When you have successfully sunk an IJN battleship with radar reckoning 😏

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the-record-obituaries · 6 years

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Feb. 28, 2018: Obituaries

Ricky Pierce, 64

Mr. Ricky Johnson Pierce, age 64 of Millers Creek passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 28, at Arbor Grove United Methodist Church with Rev.Dr.Susan Pillsbury-Taylor and Rev. Scott Church officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mr. Pierce was born September 7, 1953 in Iredell County to Carl and Dare Johnson Pierce. He was a member of Arbor Grove United Methodist Church and was co-owner of Pierce Mobile Home Movers.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother; Doug Pierce.

He is survived by his wife; Gwenda Wolfe Pierce of the home, step-daughter; Shandi Nicole and Daniel of Millers Creek, three grandchildren; Hannah, Ethan and Nathaniel, two brothers; Randy and Donnie Pierce both of Millers Creek, two sisters; Linda Absher and husband Dean of Wilkesboro and Janice Ballard of Millers Creek.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Humane Society, PO Box 306, N. Wilkesboro, NC 2865 or Arbor Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Esther Eller, 480 Shepherd River Road, Millers Creek, NC 28651.

Ellagrene Brown, 80

Ellagrene "Jean" Wyatt Brown, age 80, of North Wilkesboro, died Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at her home. She was born March 17, 1937 in Wilkes County to Alfred and Annie Bell Wyatt. Jean was a beloved wife and mother, and a retired real estate agent. She was a member of Pine View Baptist Church in the Mulberry Community. Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother, Everette Wyatt.

Surviving are her husband of 57 years, James N. Brown of the home; her daughter, Lisa Brown Jennings and husband Steve of Mulberry; her sons, James N. Brown, Jr., and wife Kelly of Waxhaw; Jason L. Brown and wife Kari of Florence, South Carolina; brothers, Alvin Wyatt and Wayne Wyatt both of Millers Creek, Talmadge Wyatt of Purlear; sisters, Lorene Billings of North Wilkesboro, Katherine Lenderman of Wilkesboro, Susie Felts of McGrady; and five grandchildren.

Graveside service was held February 24, at Pine View Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Steve Shumate officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any Wilkes County Hospice Agency or to Pine View Baptist Church, 6435 Sparta Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Fritz Colbert, Jr., 31

Mr. Fritz (T.J.) Allen Colbert, Jr., age 31 of Boomer passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018.

Funeral services were held February 25, at Thankful Baptist Church with Rev. Monte Simmons officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mr. Colbert was born February 23, 1986 in Caldwell County to Fritz Allen Sr., and Gail Carlton Colbert. T.J. enjoyed fishing and riding dirt bikes, he had a great passion for animals and will be missed by a host of cousins, aunts and friends. He graduated from Wilkes Central High School and attended MMI Institute in Florida and Wilkes Community College, he was employed by Wayne Farms.

He is survived by his parents and three brothers; Aubree, Tevin and Tevon Colbert all of Boomer, paternal grandparents; Joseph Patterson of Lenoir, Kathleen and Johnnie Harper of Morganton, and David Michaux of Lenoir, Maternal grandparents; Everette and Mary Carlton of Boomer, and one nephew; Aubree (A.J.) Carlton, Jr.

Flowers will be accepted.

John Welch, 78

Mr. John Steven Welch, age 78 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at his home.

Private family services will be held at a later date.

Mr. Welch was born January 20, 1940 in Ashe County to John W. and Byrl Poe Welch. He was a retired school teacher and worked for Tyson Foods. Mr. Welch was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Welch is survived by his wife; Lois Janette Welch of the home, a daughter; Tammy R. Welch of Lansing, a son; Sean E. Welch and wife Theresa of Cummings, GA, three grandchildren; Michelle A. Hicks and husband, Jason of Cove, AR, Dusty J. Blevins and husband Judson of Jefferson and Ian G. Welch of Cummings, GA, four great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Long Branch Church 117 Welch Road, Lansing, NC 28643

Danny Williams, 44

Danny Gale "Skip" Williams, Jr., age 44, of North Wilkesboro, died Monday, February 19, 2018. He was born October 12, 1973 in Wilkes County to Danny Gale Williams, Sr. and Margie Brown Williams. Mr. Williams was preceded in death by his father; maternal grandparents, Odell and Verdie Brown; and paternal grandparents, Gale and Grace Williams.

Surviving are his daughter, Sonnie Williams of Hays; sons, Daniel Travis Williams and wife Crystal of Jonesville, Elijah Paul Williams of North Wilkesboro; mother and step father, Margie Gilreath and husband Rev. Jimmy Gilreath of North Wilkesboro; sister, Misty Higgins and husband Rev. Matthew Higgins of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Aubrie Lockhart, Brooklyn Williams, Bailey Williams, Laila Williams, Greyson Williams and Breydon Williams; nephews, Mason and Mattox Higgins; step sister, Robin Correll and husband Rev. Brian Correll of Hickory

Funeral service was held February 22, at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Matthew Higgins officiating. Burial followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Edsel Wiles, 94

Mr. Edsel Robert Wiles, age 94 of Traphill passed away Sunday, February 18, 2018 at

Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center.

Funeral services were held February 21, at Christian Home Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Adams officiating. Burial with military honors by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142 was in the church cemetery. Mr. Wiles was born April 4, 1923 in Wilkes County to Lonnie Buiel and Dora Estelle Wood Wiles. He was a member of Christian Home Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife; Pauline Richardson Wiles.

He is survived by one daughter; Robin Carol White of Roaring River, three sons; Rickie Phillip Wiles and Barry Lee Wiles both of Traphill and Rev. Robert Harold Wiles and wife Sandy of Ronda, six grandchildren; Michelle Bierlair, Joseph White, Phillip Wiles, Christopher Wiles, Sonya Wiles and Jacob Wiles, three great grandchildren; Devin Bierlair, Bobby Bierlair and Caden Wiles and one sister; Judy Richardson and husband Charlie of Traphill.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Pruitt Health Hospice, 924 Main Street, Suite 100, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Jimmy Groce, 66

On February 17, 2018 heaven gained an angel; Jimmy Dale Groce, 66, of State Road was called to his heavenly home.

Jimmy was a loving, devoted husband, father, papa, and papa G. He served in the Army for 3 years. He was an employee of Chatham Mfg. Company for 9 years. He was a self-employed flooring installer for 30 years. He was a friend to everyone he met. He was a kind hearted and loving man.

He was preceded in death by his father, Comas Groce.

He is survived by his soulmate of 33 years, Brenda; mother Lucille; brothers Sammy, Chris, and Seth Groce; sons, Shawn, Cody and wife, Kayla; four grandchildren: Caible, Saida, Skye, and Coltan; and non-related family members, Anthony Melendez, Dylan Young, and Aaron Bauguess.

A very heartfelt thank you to Tammy Young, Sharon Collins, and Viola Blevins.

The service was Tuesday, February 20. The service was at Shoaly Branch Baptist Church, Elkin, NC.

Burial was in the church cemetery following service.

Johnson Funeral Home of Elkin is serving the Groce family.

Owens Dobbins, Jr., 84

Rev. Owens Spencer Dobbins, Jr., age 84 of Wilkesboro passed away Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Avante at Wilkesboro.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Friday, February 23, 2018 at Poplar Spring Baptist Church with Rev. Willie Jackson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM Thursday evening at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Rev. Dobbins was born August 25, 1933 in Premier, West Virginia to Owens Spencer Sr., and Susie Corrinne Hunt Dobbins. He served as Pastor at Pleasant Union for 9 years and Sandy Creek Missionary for 9 In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife; Mary Frances Dobson Dobbins, a grandson; Timothy Saner, two sisters; Lucy Alease Dobbins, Bertha Mae Ruffin and two brothers; Augustus George Dobbins and Charles Michael Dobbins.

He is survived by two daughters; Deborah Hackett and husband Thomas of Roaring River and Vickie Wilson and husband Major of North Wilkesboro, three grandchildren; Kenya H. Weldon and husband Travis, Shevon H. Cooper and husband Ed, T.L. Hackett and wife; Leeann, two great grandchildren; Jaylen Hackett and Mackenzie Cooper, one sister; Carolyn D. Adams and husband Albert of Roaring River and three sister-in-laws; Mary and Bertha Dobbins both of Columbus, OH and Mary Dobson of East Bend, NC and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Flowers will be accepted

Phillip Wilson, 77

Phillip Disotell "P.D." Wilson, age 77, of Ronda, died Friday, February 16, 2018 at his home. He was born March 24, 1940 in Frogmore, Louisiana to Barbon and Edna Taylor Wilson. Mr. Wilson was a US Army Veteran serving two tours in Vietnam; serving in the military for 13 years and was a member of Special Forces. Mr. Wilson was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with V Device Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 60 Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Purple Heart. He was also a Shriner; a member and past member of North Wilkesboro Masonic Lodge #407; a member of Wilkes Chapter #42 Order of the Eastern Star and #67 OES where he served as Worthy Patron for seven years and worked for the US Postal Service. Mr. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife, Rachel J. Wilson.

Surviving are his wife, Margaret Thompson Dickerson Wilson; sons, Phillip Gregory Wilson and wife Diane of Davidson, Harvey Dickerson and wife Rhonda of Nebraska, Jeremy Dickerson, Patrick Dickerson both of Louisiana; grandsons, Elliott Wilson and wife Lauren of Holly Springs, Andrew Wilson (Freddie) and wife Amanda of Port Orange, Florida, Benjamin Wilson of Davidson; step grandchildren, Blake Dickerson, Alyssa Dickerson both of Springfield, Louisiana, Caleb Dickerson of Albany, Louisiana, Peyten Dickerson, Springfield, Louisiana, Miracle Dickerson of Walker, Louisiana.

Funeral service was held February 24, at Mountlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel with Chaplain Larry Reavis officiating. Entombment with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 1142; North Wilkesboro Masonic Rites Lodge #407; and Mt. Pleasant Chapter #67 Order of Eastern Star Rites will follow in Mountlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Flowers will be accepted. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Olga Hampton , 88

Mrs. Olga Sales Knight Hampton, age 88 of Wilkesboro passed away Friday, February 16, 2018 at Westwood Hills Nursing and Rehab Center.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Casey Walker and Rev. Willie Jackson officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 PM prior to the service at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hampton was born December 25, 1929 in Orange, New Jersey. She was a homemaker and a member of Mountain Valley Baptist Church

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons; Tommy Sales, John R. Sales, one granddaughter; Kelly Hamilton Bare and her brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Odell Hampton of the home, one son; Robert Sales of Raleigh and step-son; Scott Satterwhite and wife Barbara of Hudson, fourteen grandchildren, and a host of great grandchildren.

Clarence Stone, Jr

Clarence H. (Pete) Stone, Jr. passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at home in Madison, TN. He was born on January 30, 1929 in Salem, VA to Clarence H. Stone, Sr. and Moneta B. Stone.

Mr. Stone was a retired USDA food inspector and a decorated wounded veteran of the Korean War. He was a former member of Wilkesboro Baptist Church and a member of Dickerson Road Baptist Church in Madison, TN.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Anne H. Stone of the home; his son William (Bill) Stone and wife Lisa of Cookeville, TN; his daughter Connie Stone Chevalier and husband Hugues of Nashville, TN; his sister, Betty Mowbray and husband Guy of Salem, VA; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A visitation was held at Maybelle Carter Retirement Center in Madison, TN on February 25, 2018, with a military burial at a later date at the Nashville National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association (PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692) or to Alive Hospice of Nashville (1718 Patterson St, Nashville TN 37203).

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