Local News

ESTER ELIZABETH GRAHAM KEARNEY

by Laurie Roy on 11th-April-2016

HENDERSON — Ester Elizabeth Graham Kearney, daughter of the late Willie James Graham Sr. and Mary Ruberta Brown Graham, was born on Dec. 17, 1942 in Columbus County. She entered her heavenly home on Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Maria Parham Medical Center, Henderson, North Carolina after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Willie James Graham Jr. and Ned Eugene Graham Sr. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Laura Jane Graham and Joyce Ann Graham.

Ester grew up in Bolton, North Carolina. She was educated in the Columbus County School System where she graduated from Armour High School in 1961. She went to North Carolina A&T State University where she majored in Home Economics, met her husband and graduated in 1965. She loved attending the football games with her family and was excited to participate in the Aggies’ 50th Golden Reunion Anniversary.

After graduating from college, Ester started working with SENCLAND Community Action Agency in Columbus County. Then she worked at the Department of Social Services in Bertie County. She later worked as a Sickle Cell Educator Counselor with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health for 39 years. When she retired she had a total of 45 years of service with the state. She received the state’s highest award, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, on March 28, 2014, for her dedication and service to the community.

Ester devoted her time and energy to numerous organizations. She joined Smith Chapel Church in Bolton at an early age. In 1977, she joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Lewiston.After moving to Henderson she joined Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church where she was an active member for over 20 years. She sang in the Chancel Choir, co-chaired the Food Service Committee, volunteered on the Hospitality Committee, Scholarship Committee and was the Vice President of the Missionary Circle.

Since she was a teenager, Ester was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was Past Worthy Matron and treasurer for the Goodwill Baxter Chapter #562 in Henderson. She joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on April 9, 1988. In addition to being a faithful member of the Oxford-Henderson Alumnae Chapter, she served in multiple capacities. Regionally, she was a former Elections Chairperson and on the Regional Leadership Team. Locally, she served two terms as president, chaired multiple committees including the Jabberwock scholarship program, and was the treasurer until her passing. She received the Janice Crump Award for her many years of community service. Ester was also a Chief Precinct Judge of the Board of Elections for Vance County and served as the Chairman of the Vance County Housing Authority Board. She served as treasurer of the Vance County Chapter of the AARP, Inc.

The upbringing instilled by her parents engrained in her that “If you have…you share with others and if you can help someone, then help them.” Ester demonstrated this faith and loving kindness everyday by how she treated people and by faithfully serving her community, church, family and friends. When she was not helping others, she enjoyed spending time with family, cooking, sewing, reading and shopping.

Ester leaves to cherish precious memories, her husband of 51 years, James Carlton Sr. of the home; her daughters, Jacquetta Kearney Hawkins (Edison) of Henderson and June Carita Kearney of Rocky Mount; a son, James Carlton Kearney Jr. (Tommie) of Durham; four grandchildren, Christopher D. Morris II (Danae), James E. Hawkins III, James C. Kearney III and Lauren B. Kearney; a sister, Alice Freeman (Leroy) of Bolton; a brother, Lloyd Graham of Bolton; an uncle, Ned Brown Jr. of Hackensack, N.J.; sisters-in-law, Lonnice Graham of Riegelwood, Mary C. Graham of Elizabethtown, Daisy K. Clark of Rocky Mount, Irma K. Howell (Walter) of Bowie, Md., Josephine K. White (Preston) of Fayetteville; a brother-in-law, William E. Lawrence (Cynthia) of Edgewood, Md.; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

RIEGELWOOD--Jared Allen Graham, 16-year-old son of Gwendolyn Dickson Allen and Malcolm Allen of Riegelwood and Barry and Tracey Graham of Elizabethtown, died Friday, October 13, in an automobile accident in Riegelwood.

The funeral will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, October 18, at Pleasant Union Baptist Church, 1437 East Arcadia Road, Riegelwood, by Elder Ricky Graham. Burial will be in the Pleasant Union Baptist Church Cemetery.

Viewing will be at Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville Tuesday from 12:00 to 7:00 PM and at the church Wednesday one hour prior to the service. There will be no viewing after the service.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his sisters, Shanqweta Hawley of Hampstead and Malorie Hunt of Lumberton; brothers, William Yeoman of Leland, Barry Best and Christopher Graham of Elizabethtown; maternal grandparents, Cleveland and Laura Mae Dickson of Riegelwood; paternal grandparents, Walster Graham and Jackie Carter of Riegelwood.

A service of Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville

Richard Zander Frink went home to be with the Lord on October 14, 2017 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was the son of the late Alexander Frink and the late Mrs.Rena Lacewell Frink. Richard was born in Chadbourn, NC, Columbus County and grew up there. He was educated in Columbus County School and graduated from West Side High.

Richard attended Zion Wall Baptist Church in Chadbourn and worshiped there during his young years. Richard worked many jobs and was constantly attending Community Colleges to better educate himself. He received several degrees. In 1972 Richard joined the Police Department in Fairmont and worked there for two decades (1972 – 1992). He worked as a security guard at Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Elizabethtown for 15 years. Richard was employed with St Paul’s Correctional Center for five years.. He spent over 40 years of his life protecting the people. Thank you, Mr. Richard, and thank the family for sharing him with the public all these years. He was the best!

Richard also loved working in his garden. He grew produce for himself and for sale and did a great job. Because of his wonderful personality and heart for helping others Richard was well know across the eastern and central part of the state. Everybody loved him.

Left to cherish precious memories are his loving and dedicated wife of the home Mrs. Angela R. Richardson Frink, Chilrdren: Shelia Chisolm of Chadbourn, N.C.; Sharon Graham (Robert) of Raleigh, NC., Andrea Leake of Raeford, NC; Richard Frink Jr. of Whiteville, NC, Delfonda Richardson of Lumberton, NC and Sylvia Frink of Elizabethtown, NC; Three sisters: Pearlene Rozier of Chadbourn, Nancy Burney of Chadbourn, NC; Myrtle Bell of New York; 15 Grandchilden and a host of nieces , nephews and friends.

Ms. Ruth Graham McLean

October 1, 1941 ~ February 12, 2020 (age 78)

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Father please give us the wisdom and knowledge needed, as we serve your children which are the remaining family members of Ms. Ruth McLean. Ms. McLean quietly began the long sleep in the arms of Jesus Christ on Thursday morning surrounded by her loving family at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC.

The Service of Remembrance events will begin with an hour of reflection on Saturday, February 15, 2020 between the hours of 2pm to 3pm at Pierce Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, 595 Porterville School Rd, Clarkton, NC. Following the hour of reflection, a Glorious “See You later” Celebration will commence at 3pm. Immediately following the formalities in the house of God, Ms. McLeans' precious temple along with her cherished family will be escorted to the Jones Cemetery for Committal Rites. Yes, this is a very hard task for Ms. Ruth's family to endure, yet they can rest knowing she is in the number John spoke of in the book of Revelations when it stated “those are they who have come up through hard trials and tribulations and have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb."

Beautiful memories will forever be cherished by her two sisters: Veda McKoy and Aletha Mathis; one brother: James Graham and a host of neices, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

The Compassionate Professionals of Majestic Funeral Homes are serving the McLean and connected families.

Mrs. Curtistene Bowen Graham

November 21, 1947 ~ February 8, 2020 (age 72)

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With loving arms of compassion, the Majestic Funeral Homes Family is consoling the heartbroken loved ones of Mrs. Curtistene Bowen Graham as they prepare to take a journey that no family wishes to take. Mrs. Graham closed the curtains of life Saturday night at her residence. The “Dash” between Mrs. Curtistene’s year of birth and year of leaving this world will be honored on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 1pm at Graham Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church in Riegelwood, NC. Following the Order of Divine Worship in the sanctuary Mrs. Curtistene’s delicate temple along with her cherished relatives will be escorted to the church cemetery for Interment Rites. Although it will be a major adjustment for Mrs. Curtistene’s adored husband and children with her no longer being present to enjoy precious moments, all can find comfort realizing she is sitting at the Welcome Table with all of the saints that have gone on before her beholding the Master’s Glory as she receives her golden keys and her crown of righteousness.

Loving memories will rest eternally in the hearts of her her husband: George L. Graham Sr.; two sons: George Jr.(Charlotte) and Kevin Jerome (Keisha); two sisters: Mary Bowen Munn and Brenda Lacewell Graham; one aunt: Glivia Gainey; four sisters in-law: Fannie Long, Dorothy Gore, Annie Faye Long and Valeria Tigner and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and several special friends like Mrs. Beatrice Dixon.

Guests are being received at 2793 East Arcadia Rd., Riegelwood,NC where they will also assemble in preparation for the Prestigious Majestic Ebony Motorcade.

The Compassionate Professionals of Majestic Funeral Homes are serving the Graham and connected families with uncompromising dignity.

Dr. Thomas Wendell Point, age 55, entered into eternal rest on Thursday May 7, 2020 at Harborview Hospital in Suffolk, Virginia. Wendell was born on June 22, 1964 to Thomas and Leathia Mae Point in Hopewell, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his mother.

Wendell gave his life to Christ at an early age at Friendship Baptist Church in Hopewell, VA, and later became a member of Relate Church in Suffolk, VA under the leadership of Pastor Steve Bellavia. Wendell obtained his early education at West End Christian School and graduated from Hopewell High School in 1982. During his high school years, Wendell was an outstanding football player which led him to playing football at both Hampton Institute and College of William & Mary. It was at William & Mary where "Bubby" met the love of his life, Valerie Murphy-Point. Wendell matriculated from Hampton Institute to William & Mary and graduated with a Business Administration Economics degree in 1987. In 1992, he received a Master of Public Administration with a Financial Management Concentration from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2012, Wendell obtained his Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration-Urban Policy also from Virginia Commonwealth University. He went on to graduate from Boston University in 2017 with an Enterprise Professional Master of Business Education degree. Wendell has received numerous awards and honors to include, Who's Who Among International Business Professionals and was a Hulon Willis Alumni Board Member at the College of William and Mary; he was also a member of the Petersburg Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi. Wendell spent numerous years working for the Virginia Department of Transportation, but as his love for excelling and education grew, he later became President/CEO of Point Management Group in 1996. Through his work, Dr. Point has empowered thousands of small and disadvantaged businesses across the United States and is recognized as a subject matter expert by Federal, State and Local government executives nationwide.

Wendell is survived by his wife, Valerie Murphy-Point; a son, Jordan Point of Norfolk, VA; a daughter, Kameryn Point, of Fredericksburg, VA; a father, Thomas Point, of Hopewell, VA ; sister, Rev. Dianne Pollard (Toney), of Richmond, VA; sister, Angela Jackson (Rev. Benjamin), of Chesterfield, VA; brother-in-law, Elder Joel Murphy (Dorothy), of Chicago, IL; aunts Sarah Johnson, of Stockbridge, GA; Georgianna Smith, of Riegelwood, NC; and Grace Smith, of Newark, NJ; uncles, Clifton Smith (Thelma), of Linden, NJ, and Joseph Smith, of Providence Forge, VA. His nephews are Darael Point, Jermaine Point (LaTonya), and Tony Pollard (Anya). His nieces are Mikala Jackson, Ashley Jackson, Briana Jackson, Sarah Murphy, and Laura Pollard. Great nephews are Brandon and Brayden Point, and a host of special family and friends, including the staff at Point Management Group, and the Hopewell High School class of 1982 football team. He had a presence that never went unnoticed and he had a great love for his family and friends. He was loved and respected by many and had a generous and kind heart; always wanting to ensure another's happiness and well-being. The love he shared with his family was incomprehensible and he has left a legacy of love for all of us to model.

Graveside service will be held 12:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Chesapeake, VA. Pastor Steve Bellavia, Eulogist. Viewing will be held 12:00 P.M. to 6:00 PM, Monday, May 18, 2020 at Metropolitan Funeral Services 5605 Portsmouth Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701.

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