Ronald “Ron” Gray, 81, found eternal rest on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Ron was born in Wayne County to the late Robert “Red” Gray and Mildred Williams Gray on February 20, 1945.
All in Obituaries
Obituary: Thomas Christopher “Chris” West
Thomas Christopher “Chris” West, 54, passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2026. Chris was born in Wayne County to the late T.C. and Ellen Gray West on May 27, 1972.
Obituary: Linda Jo Reason Riggs
Linda Jo Reason Riggs, 74, entered through the heavenly gates to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, August 31, 2026. She was born in Richmond, Virginia, to the late James and Virginia Reason on November 5, 1951.
Obituary: William Lewis “Billy” Jones
Mr. William Lewis “Billy” Jones, age 86, passed away Sunday evening, August 30, 2026, at Greendale Forest Nursing Center following a period of declining health. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Friday, September 4th, at the chapel of Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service. Interment will follow at the Snow Hill Cemetery.
Obituary: Tony Corbin
Anthony “Tony” Sutton Corbin, 63, passed away in the early morning on Saturday, August 29, 2026. A memorial service to honor Tony’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Rouse Funeral Home with Pastor Jimmy Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
Obituary: William Briley Smith Jr.
William Briley Smith Jr., 70, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Briley was a 1974 graduate of South Lenoir High School He worked in construction, concrete and trucking. He was preceded in death by his parents, William B. and Carrol Smith; sister, Brenda Smith Taylor; mother and father-in-law, Charles and Avonna Johnson; special friend and brother-in-law Sam Colie, and Bill Mallard.
Obituary: Margaret Maroules Thorpe
Margaret Maroules Thorpe, 88, peacefully passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Testa Family Hospice House in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. A celebration of life service will be held Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 4 P.M. at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church by Rev. Chris Truett and her son-in-law, Dr. Mike Creekmore. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 3-3:45 P.M. The graveside service will be conducted Monday, August 31, 2026, at 11 A.M. in the Flatfield Cemetery, 5089 Pauls Path Rd, LaGrange, NC.
Obituary: Linda Rouse Rice
Mrs. Linda Rouse Rice, 78, of Leesburg, Georgia, formerly of Grifton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Willson Hospice House.
Obituary: Joseph Oliver Stilley
Joseph Oliver Stilley, 76, passed away peacefully at his home on August 23, 2026. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., At Chinquapin Chapel Church in Trenton with Pastor Paul Milner officiating. A private burial will follow.
Obituary: Carl Thomas "Tommy" Smith
Carl Thomas "Tommy" Smith, 82, of Kinston, NC passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026 at the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Kinston. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, August 20 at 2:00pm, at Garner Funeral Home in Kinston with visitation immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carl's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project and Shriners Children's.
Obituary: Ray Sinclair Barbre, Jr.
Ray Sinclair Barbre, Jr., passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on August 10, 2026, at The Service League of Greenville Hospice House. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 14, at 1:30 PM at Queen Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Kim Johnson presiding. Interment will immediately follow at Westview Cemetery in Kinston. The family will receive friends at Kinston Country Club for a reception in Ray’s memory following the graveside service.
Obituary: Rev. Billy Gray Sullivan, Sr
The faith believed, taught, and lived by Rev. Billy Gray Sullivan, Sr., 91, led him to his home eternal on Monday, August 10, 2026. Billy was born in Johnston County to the late Larry “Fet” and Melissa Alice Watkins Sullivan on July 14, 1935.
Obituary: Jo Ann Newcomb Little
Mrs. Jo Ann Newcomb Little, age 79, passed away peacefully at her home in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 6, 2026. A Memorial Service will be held 2 PM Sunday, August 9th, at the Chapel of Taylor-Tyson Funeral Service with Reverend Linda Grider officiating.
Obituary: Edward Earl “Eddie” Horton, Jr.
Mr. Edward Earl “Eddie” Horton, Jr., age 79, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, August 5, 2026, at his home in Kinston, surrounded by his loving wife and only child. His passing followed a brief, courageous battle with metastatic melanoma cancer.
Obituary: Sandra "Sandy" Hughes Rogers
Sandra "Sandy" Hughes Rogers peacefully left this earth for her heavenly home on Wednesday, August 05, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Obituary: Jeff Carter
Jeffrey Lynn “Jeff” Carter, 59, passed away on Saturday evening, August 1, 2026. A service of love and remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at Rouse Funeral Home. The family will receive friends in the hour prior to service. Committal will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Obituary: Judy Corbett Jones
Mrs. Judy Corbett Jones, age 84, passed away Friday morning, July 31, 2026, at her home surrounded by the love of her family.
Obituary: Shelba Grady Hill
Shelba Grady Hill, 84, is survived by her children, Megan Hill Saint-Amand, Miranda Hill Wiggins and Matthew Hill; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Sunday, Aug. 2, at 4 p.m. at Kinston First Baptist Church, followed by a tea party.
Obituary: Kenneth Franklin Tyndall
Kenneth Franklin Tyndall of Kinston, NC, died peacefully in his sleep Friday, July 17, 2026, at the age of 90. There will be a Celebration of Life on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 2 pm, at Edwards Funeral Home in Kinston, NC. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A private graveside was held at Pinelawn Memorial Park.
Obituary: Rev. Dr. Warren Randall “Randy” Spaugh
The Rev. Dr. Warren Randall “Randy” Spaugh, 72, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kinston. A visitation and reception will follow in Moseley Hall.