All Obituaries

Ambassador Jerry Powell Lanier, 70, of Charleston, SC, passed away August 16, 2022, following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Jerry grew up in Chadbourn, NC, before attending Pembroke University and earning a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After a brief stint teaching at UNC-Charlotte, he began a long and distinguished career with the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer, eventually serving as ambassador to Uganda...

Clarence Lloyd “Bud” Gore, age 83, passed away Monday, August 15 after a brief illness.  Lovingly known as “The Mayor of Smyrna”, he was born October 26, 1938 in Columbus County the son of the late Clarence Alpheus “Ad” Gore and Ada Mable Skipper Gore.  Bud was preceded in death by his loving wife of over 60 years Berneese McPherson Gore and two sisters:  Mary Kate Gore Hyatt and Eloise Gore Bass. Bud was employed for over 40 years as a...

Rachel Janet Perritte Norris, age 72 of the Cribbtown Community of Chadbourn, met her Lord and Saviour on Thursday morning, August 11, 2022, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. Rachel was born on November 20, 1949, in Columbus County, daughter of the late Woodrow Wilson Perritte and Ethel Cartrette Perritte. She was also preceded in death by her siblings: Franklin "Frankie" Perritte (Rita), Sherry Fowler, and Daphna Kay Drish. Funeral services will be conducted at...

Margaret Ann Fipps Glenn, age 90 of Fayetteville and formerly of Columbus County, went to be with her Lord and Savior, with her family by her side on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at her residence. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2022 at Lafayette Memorial Park; the family will speak to friends following the service.  Margaret was born on January 23, 1932, in Columbus County, to the late Emory Alton Fipps and Annie Mary Ianthia Leonard Fipps....

Toni Lee Smith, age 38 of Nakina passed on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCare Center in Whiteville. A private funeral service was held on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at Worthington Funeral Home in Chadbourn. *service can be viewed under the obituary* He is survived by children, Kaley Elizabeth Smith of Evergreen, Kaleb Bryson Smith of Evergreen, Cory Long of Tabor City and Desmond Lee Smith of Tabor City; his parents, Edison Lee Smith and Mary...

Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Britt Sasser, age 51 of Whiteville, passed away on August 4, 2022 at her residence..  Beth was born on May 17, 1971 and was preceded in death by a brother Hartford T. Sellers. A visitation will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Northwood Church in Whiteville.  Survivors include her children: Brian Sasser and Taylor Sasser both of Whiteville brothers: Phillip Durant Britt of Fayetteville, Randy Thomas Britt,...

Ella Rebeca Nobles, age 87 of Cerro Gordo, NC, met her Lord and Saviour on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at home, surrounded by her loving family.  Ella was born on September 10, 1934, in Columbus County, to the late Acy Nobles and Mae Etta Caulder Nobles. Along with her parents, Ella was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Rob” Nobles, Sr.; her siblings: Joseph Nobles, Minnie Nobles, Emma Jane Powell, Herman Nobles, Sarah Hayes, Willie Howard Nobles, and Lura...

Gloria Jean Kaelber Cassell, age 72 of Clarendon and formerly of Marion, OH, passed away on Friday, July 29, 2022, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Gloria was born on August 9, 1949, to the late Harry Kaelber and Daisey Bell McClain Kaelber. Services will be announced later by Worthington Funeral Home in Chadbourn. Survivors include her children, Tim A. Murray (Charis) of Amelia, OH, Jenifer Plattner of Marion, OH, Heather Nobles (Greg) of Clarendon; one sister; 7...

  Steven Ray Hodge, age 34 of Whiteville, passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, while in the Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center.   Steven was born on February 10, 1988, in Columbus County.  He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Bennie Ray Hodge.  Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday July 31, 2022 at Worthington Funeral Home with Dr. Darrin Moore officiating.  Interment will follow in the Sugar Berry Cemetery on Boswell Road,...