BRIEF
this
week
County offices to close at noon Dec. 20
Duplin County Duplin County offices will close at noon on Dec. 20. Also, county offices will be closed Dec. 24-26 in observance of Christmas and on Jan. 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.
Community meeting seeks input on solar energy projects
Duplin County The NC Clean Energy Technology Center is hosting a community meeting on Jan. 13, at Duplin County Extension Center in Kenansville at 6 p.m. to provide a platform for residents to voice their perspectives on solar energy projects and learn about the Development Assistance and Siting Hub initiative. Any questions can be directed to Anna Weitz at akweitz@ncsu.edu.
Duplin County EMS offers a ride-along program
Kenansville Duplin County Emergency Management Services is now offering a ride-along program for people interested in a career with EMS. Program participants will have the opportunity to observe EMS teams on duty tours, ask questions, and receive first-hand experience of the job. If interested, email dustin.swinson@ duplincountync.com. The next assessment for people interested in a career with EMS will be Jan. 15, 2025.
Application deadline for Neil Dierks Scholarship approaching
Statewide Applications for the Neil Dierks Scholarship are due by Dec. 31. The $5,000 annual scholarship is awarded to a graduate student in a land-grant university pursuing a field of study that directly supports the pork industry. The recipient will be announced on March 2025. For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit the National Pork Producers Council’s website at nppc. org/neil-dierks-scholarship.
eCourts to launch in Duplin County Duplin County The North Carolina Judicial Branch announced that eCourts will launch on Feb. 3, 2025, in Duplin County along with Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson and Sampson counties.
Smithfield Foods hosted a drive-thru food distribution event in Kenansville
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — The Christmas season will be a little easier for many local citizens, thanks to a food distribution event held last Friday at the Duplin Events Center. Smithfield Foods, in partnership with Food Lion, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina,
and Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeastern North Carolina, distributed 1,000 Christmas meals as part of a drive-thru event. Each household received one Smithfield hickory-smoked spiral ham, along with potatoes, stuffing mix, cornbread mix, and two cans of corn and two cans of beans from Food Lion.
“Although it is a cool morning here in eastern North Carolina in Duplin County, we’re about to do some great work in warming hearts and homes for our neighbors that are in need during this holiday season,” said Steve Ev-
ans, Smithfield’s vice president of community involvement. “We know that food insecurity is an issue throughout the year, but it becomes considerably more relevant and prevalent around the holidays when people are gathering and they don’t have all the basic necessities to fill the gaps.”
One in seven North Carolinians are unsure where their next meal is coming from, according to Carter Crain, vice president of food procurement for the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
“We want to alleviate that as much as we can, with partner-
Kraig Westerbeek, center, president of hog production for Smithfield Foods, loads up a car with all the fixings for a Christmas meal, including a Smithfield spiral ham, during a distribution event Friday morning.
Smithfield partnered with Food Lion Feeds, the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina to help provide ham and all the side dishes to needy families this holiday season.
Ham for the holidays County commissioners approve Health Department, DSS consolidation
The new agency will be managed by a director who will report to the county manager
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — The Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution to create a consolidated Health and Human Services Agency and
Duplin
exercise its powers to assume control of the activities of a consolidated human services board on Monday night.
This action will dissolve the Social Services Board and the Board of Health, forming a new consolidated Human Services Board. The Board of Commissioners will retain all responsibilities and establish an advisory committee. A Health and Human Services director will manage the
Exemplary Community Health Leadership Award
Tracey Simmons-Kornegay was recognized for her leadership in advancing public health in the Latino community
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
DUPLIN COUNTY Health director Tracey Simmons-Kornegay was recently honored with the Exemplary Community Health Leadership Award from the Association of Mexicans in North Carolina (AMEXCAN). Simmons-Kornegay was recognized for her dedication and service to the Latino community in North Carolina during the 13th annual $2.00
new agency. Chairman Dexter Edwards told Duplin Journal the next step is advertising the new position.
He also explained that the current directors will remain in place.
“The intent is not to change them,” said Edwards. “Same way with the boards. It’s the intent of consolidating the boards with the same people.
“They will still be making decisions, advising, and running
ships like Food Lion and Smithfield,” Crain said. “We’re not just here for the holidays. Thank you for the partnerships all year round.”
Friday’s event was part of Smithfield’s Helping Hungry Homes program, said president of hog production Kraig Westerbeek.
“It’s fitting that we kick off the holiday season with this event in southeastern North Carolina, which is the home of Smithfield hog production operations and many of our production facilities,” he said. “Smithfield hickory-smoked spiral hams are a classic centerpiece item for many of us on our holiday table or special occasions. If they’re not, they should be. They’re fantastic. But
their programs just like they’ve been.”
He also confirmed that salaries will remain unchanged; both directors will be under the supervision of the consolidated department director. As for departmental budgets, Edwards shared that they “will be reviewed through the county, but at this point, not looking
THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
THURSDAY
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COUNTY from page A1 to make any changes or cuts.”
County Manager Bryan Miller told Duplin Journal he didn’t expect a big change in the budget for each department.
“I do expect to see some savings over time, but initially, we won’t see a budgetary impact at all,” Miller said, adding that the next step is to appoint Jessica Helms as the interim director.
“She currently serves as our deputy finance director, but she’ll just kind of hold down the fort and the position until we can post and hire,” said Miller, adding that they will put together an interview panel, and he would like to have both directors on it to help in the recruiting process.
Miller also shared that anyone can apply for the job, and that the main goal is to find the most qualified person.
“We’re going to move for-
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Dec. 20
• Duplin County will host its employee appreciation lunch on Friday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville.
Dec. 10
• Slade Carrier, 47, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for felony larceny and possession with intent to manufacture/sell/deliver Schedule II and VI controlled substances.
Kenneth Wayne Turner, 20, was arrested by DCSO for statutory rape of a child under 15, indecent liberties with a child, and crime against nature.
Dec. 11
• Benjamin Chad Moye, 49, was arrested by DCSO for assault on a female and second-degree trespass.
Christopher Elwyn Sutton, 49, was arrested by DCSO for speeding, driving
ward with the process. I hope as many local people as can apply, but really, we have a fiduciary responsibility to make sure we hire the best person for the job, and I’m going to make sure that happens — my interview panel will make sure that happens.”
Miller also said the commissioners serving on the Consolidated Health Human Services Board will have to receive some training.
“The Advisory Board has to have the same makeup as the current Board of Health,” said Miller. “Those same positions will be required for the Advisory Board, and then our most important qualification, county residents that receive services. So we want to make sure that those folks, our county residents, are always represented on that board.”
During the meeting, Miller recommended that the new board include DSS board mem-
Dec. 21
Celebrate the holidays, enjoy photos with Santa, train rides, food trucks, vendors and much more at the annual Christmas at Clement on Dec. 21 at 2-6 p.m. at 513 South East Railroad St. in Wallace. The event is sponsored by the Wallace Parks and Recreation Department.
Dec. 24
• The Duplin County Airport Commission Board will not meet on Dec. 24. The board will resume it regular meeting schedule on the fourth Tuesday of January at 7 p.m. at the Duplin County Airport.
Dec. 31
• The New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop
while license revoked, and possessing marijuana.
Dec. 12
Donald Harry Cascell, 39, was arrested by DCSO for driving while license revoked, domestic criminal trespass, and violating a protective order.
• Matthew Corey Lee, 33, was arrested by DCSO for second-degree trespass.
Dec. 13
Justin Lee Maready, 29, was arrested by DCSO for possessing methamphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia, and probation violation.
• Antwaun Demand Thompson, 30, was arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and resisting an officer.
bers and that both boards work together as one.
In other business
Paramedic James Michael Miller and EMT Kassi Turnage were honored with the EMS Life Saver Award for their roles in successfully resuscitating a 16-year-old victim of sudden cardiac arrest.
The board approved a motion to accept grant funds from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation for the construction of a connector taxiway and awarded the construction contract to ST Wooten, who was the low bidder at $1,100,675. The NCDOT DOA provided 90% of the grant funding for the taxiway construction.
returns for its 25th edition Tuesday, Dec. 31. Everything gets underway at 5 p.m., and the pickle descends at 7 p.m. sharp followed by a fireworks display. The evening will feature live music by ThrowBack Collaboration Band, free pickles, food trucks and a chance to win door prizes for those who contribute to the annual canned food drive for Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC. Visit mtolivepickles.com for more details.
Happening Monthly
• The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at 224 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910-296-2100.
Dec. 14
Alex Nathaniel King, 24, was arrested by DCSO for driving while license revoked, breaking and entering, and larceny after breaking and entering.
• Richard Antonio Smith, 45, was arrested by the Beulaville Police Department for driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, and assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury.
Dec. 15
• Carlos Mauricio Rubi Lazo, 22, was arrested by the NC Highway Patrol for driving while impaired, open container after consuming alcohol, and no operator’s license.
AWARD from page A1
AMEXCAN Community Leadership Awards at Pitt Community College.
The ceremony highlighted the exceptional contributions of leaders and organizations who worked tirelessly for their communities, recognizing their outstanding efforts in advocacy, education, health, arts, culture, community resilience and binational work.
“I am honored to be a recipient of The Association of Mexicans in North Carolina, Inc. (AMEXCAN)’s Exemplary Community Health Leadership Award. This recognition is a testament to our dedicated collective efforts and support to making a healthier difference together,” said Simmons-Kornegay.
During the event, Juvencio Rocha Peralta, executive di-
rector of AMEXCAN, highlighted the importance of recognizing the efforts of those who dedicate their lives to social and cultural development.
The organization noted that the recognition is a small token of their gratitude to those who, with their work, inspire and strengthen the Latino community and that each awardee represented an example of dedication and resilience.
AMEXCAN highlighted that the ceremony not only celebrated the honorees’ work but also served as a reminder of the transformative power of volunteerism and community leadership.
The special celebration concluded with a renewed commitment to promoting social justice, community development, and the preservation of the Latino community’s cultural roots.
Seniors usher in holidays at Duplin Events Center
This year, 259 seniors participated in the annual celebration
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
KENANSVILLE — Pour-
ing rain and chilly temperatures didn’t keep seniors from enjoying the annual Senior Christmas celebration at the Duplin Events Center on Dec. 11. This year, they saw an increase in participation, with 259 seniors in attendance, surpassing last year’s numbers.
The events center was transformed into a festive wonderland as seniors, adorned in their best holiday attire, poured in. The air was filled with joy as they en-
joyed a special time of fellowship.
The event was filled with activities for the seniors, providing them various engaging opportunities.
They had the opportunity to participate in raffles, free health screenings and access educational resources. The day also featured the popular “Ugly Sweater” and “Dressed to Impress” competitions, adding a fun and competitive element to the celebration.
At 11 a.m., the Duplin Sparklers took to the dance floor, captivating the audience with their dance routines, followed by a welcome message from Commissioner Wayne Branch.
The event also featured a live performance by the Duplin Dulcimers, who entertained attendees with a selection of holiday songs.
“Every year, we enjoy our special events together. It is a time to celebrate, reflect and renew friendships,” said Melisa S. Brown, Senior Services director. “In the past month, we have transitioned from 3,700 square feet to 11,110 square feet in a beautiful facility. What we have discovered outside of the beauty of the location, is a renewed purpose in the power of connection, specifically with our seniors. The engagement growth we are experiencing is exciting as we continue to increase physical activities and additional programming.”
Brown noted that despite being a small team over the last couple of months, they have accomplished great things together. “I am thankful to serve alongside them,” said Brown.
The
Magnolia discusses mobile home ordinance
By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal
MAGNOLIA — The Town of Magnolia held its monthly meeting on Dec. 10.
The board carried a motion to accept a zoning request to annex 24 mobile homes at Magnolia Mobile Home Park into the town limits.
The request was tabled last month due to a conflict with the town ordinance, which did not allow more mobile homes.
After further research, Town Attorney Joseph Ezzell determined the town ordinance needed to be updated to comply with the latest legislation.
Ezzell explained to the board that in the past, many North Carolina municipalities commonly imposed bans on manufactured homes. However, due to the significant rise in housing costs in recent years, the legislature enacted a new statute indicating they must allow them in their
district. The change was prompted by the fact that a large portion of the population found themselves unable to access homeownership, relying instead on renting.
Commissioner Eric Graham had concerns that single-wide trailers could depreciate the value of a home in a particular neighborhood.
“That doesn’t mean you have to allow them anywhere and everywhere,” said Ezzell. “If you had new annexed property, they would be in the same zone as all current mobile homes are now. I don’t see any legal issues with bringing that property in since there’s mobile homes already.”
Ezzell explained that the town could impose certain limitations, like requiring compliance with specific building codes and size restrictions, but it could not impose an age restriction.
“Simply, it can be part of redoing your zoning ordinances and the board determining where it’s gonna be allowed,” said Ezzell. “You have to allow them somewhere in the township.”
Mayor Dawn Ward noted that the mobile homes outside the
town limits are not subject to town taxes.
“If they’re annexed into the town, then that will increase tax revenue,” Ward said. “So they would be paying in-town water and sewer rates, but there’s also an offset with increased tax revenue.”
The board moved to approve.
Ward, who celebrated her first year as mayor last week, shared that the deadline for Magnolia’s Land-Use Plan Community Survey has been extended until the middle of January so more residents can share their feedback on how the town is doing and what they would like to see in terms of growth and public services. The surveys are available on the town’s Facebook page, and at the town hall, there are flyers with QR codes residents can use to fill out the survey online.
The town is also looking for people to volunteer on the planning board. Applications are available at the town hall, and no previous experience is required.
“You will have the opportunity to receive training,” said Ward. “We have had one person who
has volunteered, but we do need more individuals who are interested in helping to kind of guide that on behalf of the town.”
Ward recognized Magnolia Police Chief Jerry Wood, who served as the interim town manager, for holding two jobs for 21/2 months. She also welcomed Banks to his new role. Ward thanked everyone who played a role in making the Tree Lighting ceremony a reality, noting that despite the cold temperatures, they had approximately 150 people in attendance. Ward shared that she hopes to make it an annual event.
Jeanine Cavenaugh spoke about forming a Community Engagement Committee. She hopes to start it in January and plan fun events for the town.
Banks, who hails from Jones County, introduced himself during the meeting, vowing always to do what is right for the Town of Magnolia.
“Even though I didn’t grow up in Duplin County, this is home to me. I’ve lived around for quite a few years,” said Banks, adding that he was honored and very pleased to be there.
“If they’re annexed into the town, then that will increase tax revenue.”
In other business
• Town manager Charles Banks, whose official first day was Dec. 5, was appointed deputy finance officer.
• The board approved the grant project ordinance for the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for $303,399.97.
• The Town of Magnolia selected McDavid & Associates as their engineering firm for the asset inventory assessment project based on their familiarity with the town’s infrastructure.
• The board passed a motion that limits gym rental strictly for athletics.
• A resolution to close the alleyway on Maple Drive was approved. Ezzell explained that the road was slated to be Dogwood Drive, but it was never developed.
The First Tree Lighting ceremony drew 150 people despite weather
PHOTO COURTESY DUPLIN COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES
annual Senior Christmas celebration at the Duplin Events Center on Dec. 11 hosted 259 seniors who enjoyed a day filled with fun activities and fellowship. Seniors had the opportunity to participate in raffles, the popular “Ugly Sweater” and ‘Dressed to Impress’ competitions, free health screenings, and access educational resources.
Dawn Ward, Magnolia mayor
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN
Hey! Unto to you a child is born!
Just as a preacher might struggle with what to say year after year, we might struggle with what to hear in this story that has become so comfortable.
“ARE YOU GOING to preach on the Christmas story from Luke 2 on Christmas Eve?” asked the church member in Bible study.
“I thought I would,” I answered. “Well,” she said emphatically, “you’d better!” So I did, that year and for 25 years in a row at the Wallace Presbyterian Church. But what do you say as a preacher, year after year, about a story that is so well known and much beloved?
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, my wife and I went to see the movie “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” The film is based on the popular book by the same name by Barbara Robinson. She originally wrote a short story in 1971 called “The Christmas Pageant” for McCall’s magazine. Her book was published in 1972. The opening sentence of both the book and movie sets the stage for what is to come: “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.”
The meanest of the six kids was
the youngest, Gladys. Tempted by the lure of free food at Sunday School, the Herdmans show up at church just in time to hijack the traditional Christmas pageant. All the Herdmans demand roles in the play, including the most prominent characters, Mary, Joseph, and the Angel of the Lord (Gladys).
Rehearsals are pure chaos, primarily because the Herdmans have never heard the Christmas story. They ask lots of probing (and, to many church members, inappropriate) questions about the circumstances of Jesus’ birth. After one rehearsal, Mr. Bradley (the husband of the director and father of Beth, the story’s narrator) asks how things had gone. Mrs. Bradley answers, “Well, just suppose you had never heard the Christmas story and didn’t know anything about it, and then somebody told it to you. What would you think? That’s worth thinking about this Christmas.”
In the midst of all the busyness of Christmas, do we even think about the
actual Christmas story itself? Have we wrapped Jesus up so much in our holiday traditions that we can’t or don’t eagerly hear the Christmas message? Just as a preacher might struggle with what to say year after year, we might struggle with what to hear in this story that has become so comfortable. On the night of the pageant, the sanctuary is full, with people wondering how the Herdmans will ruin the play. But, much to everyone’s surprise, the “worst kids in the history of the world” help them see and hear the story of Jesus’ birth with a new appreciation.
“It was the best Christmas pageant ever. Everybody said so, but nobody seemed to know why. There was something special — they couldn’t put their finger on it.” The book ends with Beth reflecting on what happened in the sanctuary. She says, “I thought about the Angel of the Lord — Gladys, with her skinny legs and her dirty sneakers sticking out from under her robe, yelling at all of us, everywhere: ‘Hey! Unto you a child is born!’” Merry Christmas!
Philip Gladden is a retired minister who lives in Wallace.
COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH
A broken system
WHAT DOES IT MEAN that an alleged murderer has become a folk hero, that literally millions of people in this country have taken his side — in social media, at least, if not as potential jurors — in a case of cold-blooded murder? What does it mean that the McDonald’s employees who reported him have had to resort to police protection to deal with the threats against them?
It would be shocking, if it weren’t so understandable.
Our health care system is broken. It causes unbelievable suffering. Of course it is wrong to take pleasure in the murder of anyone.
But understandable? Yes.
Luigi Mangione is “hot.” That certainly adds to his appeal. But what is driving the reaction to his crime is not his good looks but the almost universal frustration with health insurance companies, and the trials and tribulations of dealing with them.
The question: Is Trump listening? Does he get it?
The Affordable Care Act allowed millions of Americans to buy into a system that previously excluded them if they had preexisting conditions. I remember the bad old days, when you just couldn’t get health insurance if you weren’t healthy. I remember trying to purchase a PPO plan for my nanny, similar to what I received from my employer, who had gastritis.
She took a Nexium every day. That was enough for her to be turned down by all the PPO plans. The only plan I could buy for her was Kaiser Permanente’s HMO, which later saved her life, and then later failed to provide her with the preventive care that should have diagnosed her cancer before it was Stage 4. Trust me, I can hold my own in the HMO horror stories that I used to tell on my talk radio show.
By the time my kids aged out of my own health insurance plan, the ACA — Obamacare — had made it possible to buy into PPO plans for individuals, without regard to preexisting conditions. Thank God, and the government.
Until you get sick.
Then you discover all the things that even the most expensive plans you can buy don’t cover. Then you discover the nightmare that is supposed to be the best health care system in the world. For some, maybe.
My daughter has long COVID. As anyone who suffers
from it knows, and there are millions of people who do, long COVID does not just mean that it takes you longer than most to recover from COVID. The virus triggers a host of horrible syndromes, including chronic fatigue syndrome and postexertion malaise.
It leaves many of its sufferers house-bound if not bedbound. There is no known cure. So even the best doctors who specialize in it (and all seem to be “out of network”) are left trying to alleviate its symptoms with experimental treatments, using drugs off-label to see if they work. Almost none of it is covered by insurance. What are people without money to pay for all of it out of pocket supposed to do?
I used to be good at fighting with insurance companies. My sister, who used to work for a major insurance company on health care claims, taught me all the tricks of getting supervisors, threatening to go to the state insurance commissioner, cutting through the bureaucracy.
I remember some years ago, I managed to help a secretary at my old firm reverse a decision denying her — on the eve of surgery — approval for desperately needed back surgery by intuiting the email address of the medical director and pretending to know him. But it takes more energy than people fighting serious illness can muster to also fight with insurance companies.
It’s gotten harder, and these days, I mostly give up and take out my credit card. This is how so many people end up bankrupt because of medical care costs. This is how Mangione ends up being a folk hero.
Asked what he would replace the Affordable Care Act with, Donald Trump said only that he had “concepts” of a plan. That just won’t do. Is he willing to reform the system — take on the private insurance lobby?
There is no sign that he is. And the industry, instead of hiring more private security for its leaders, needs to take on the frustration and anger that has come boiling to the surface in the reaction to the assassination of the CEO.
Greater transparency is essential. Better customer service is essential. Something has to change.
Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.
This is how Mangione ends up being a folk hero.
Teachey town board’s discussion of mobile homes continues
State laws prohibit towns from restricting mobile homes due to age
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
TEACHEY — At their meeting Dec. 9, the Teachey Board of Commissioners continued a discussion from last month’s meeting about what kinds of mobile homes are allowed within town limits.
At the Nov. 18 meeting, Town Attorney Joseph Ezzell stated that he’d just been made aware that the N.C. legislature passed a statute in 2019, which states that towns cannot place restrictions on mobile homes due to age. A discussion of what can and cannot be stated in town ordinances ensued, with Ezzell pointing out that the town can restrict mobile homes as far as their size, underpinning (or lack thereof) or ap-
pearance, but cannot restrict a mobile home based on its age.
Commissioner Jamie Moore brought the issue up again at last Monday night’s meeting, asking whether or not the town could require that a trailer be in livable condition before it’s put on a site within the town. He said he knew of a specific individual who brought mobile homes into town and then renovated them.
“What I’m saying is, he brings it there, and he’s got to work on it for a year or six months before you can live in it,” he said.
“Who’s going to say it’s livable though?” Commissioner Ronnie Page questioned. “It might be livable to them, but not to you.”
Ezzell responded that the county issues certificates of occupancy when a home is deemed livable, but he didn’t think a town could decide that. “I don’t know of a legal avenue the town can take,” Ezzell said. “Again, the town can put restrictions on the
“I don’t know of a legal avenue the town can take.”
Joseph Ezzell, Teachey town attorney
mobile home. You can put restrictions on it for underpinning, you can require the shape and size of it. … I just don’t know about the physical condition of it.”
He said he would do some research on other towns and get back with the board at the next meeting.
In other business at the meeting, the board set a public hearing on the closure of an alleyway located between Page Street and Lodge Street, which belongs to the Whitfield family. The public hearing will be held at next month’s meeting, on Jan. 13.
During the fireman’s comments portion of the meeting, Page shared that the fire department has responded to about 400 calls so far this year. He also praised two of the town’s newest firefighters for earning certifications, which required 400 hours of training. Town Clerk Morgan Jacobs shared with the board the latest financial information for the town, stating that the town’s current balance is $232,272.78. During the commissioners’ comments, Mayor Pro Tem Ethelyn Powell said, “I think we had a beautiful turnout for our Christmas tree lighting. The refreshments were good. I thank everybody for what they did. We’re getting all these compliments about the tree.”
Jacobs said that the tree has been very popular among citizens, with many people taking photos of the tree, located outside Town Hall, at nighttime. Powell also complimented the town for its great turnout at its first movie night, held last month. Mayor Bobby Jones said he hopes to do another movie night in the spring, when the weather is warmer.
Rose Hill gets clean audit report for 2023-24 fiscal year
The police department will move into old fire station in mid-January
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
ROSE HILL — The town of Rose Hill received a good, clean audit report for the 2023-24 fiscal year from Thompson, Price, Scott, Adams Certified Public Accountants at the regular monthly Board of Commissioners meeting last Tuesday night. The accounting firm found no issues with the town’s finances and reported that the general fund totaled $1,764,278 for the
fiscal year, with expenditures at $1,360,608. The town’s tax collection rate was 94.97%. The water and sewer fund’s total revenue stood at $1,048,218, with expenditures topping that by $13,376 at $1,061,594. The solid waste fund revenue stood at $186,566, with expenditures totaling $148,350. Another major item at the Dec. 10 meeting was a budget ordinance amendment for $9,000, which will be used to move the police department into the town’s old fire station, which is connected to Town Hall. The $9,000 will go toward new fixtures in the bathrooms, ceiling tile replacement, carpet
cleaning, new flooring in the restrooms, new door knobs and locks, and IT services to move the networking over, said Town Administrator Angela Smith. She added that the police department will probably move into its new location in mid-January. In other business at the December meeting, the board declared a police vehicle as surplus and advertised it on govdeals.com.
The board also adopted a grant project ordinance for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which will be used to finish the street resurfacing project. The to -
tal for street resurfacing is $457,662.18.
As part of her monthly report to the board, Smith shared that a storm drain project at Charity Road and Walnut Street will require three easements from property owners so that fiber optic and gas lines can be relocated to make way for the storm drain. Commissioner Billy Wilson reported that the fire department has transitioned to voting for fire chief and two assistant fire chiefs. Effective Jan. 1, the Rose Hill fire chief will be Wilson, replacing current Fire Chief Gary Boney. Nick Buckner and Brandon Chestnutt will be assistant chiefs.
Wallace Town Council makes ABC board appointments
The town also welcomed a new finance director
By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal
WALLACE — The Wallace Town Council reappointed several individuals to the ABC board at the Dec. 12 meeting, appointed a new member and swore in the town’s new finance director and deputy tax collector.
The ABC appointments were tabled from the November town council meeting due to the absence of Mayor Jason Wells.
Chad Wilson was reappointed to another three-year term on the board, while Mills Bryant and Kema Boney were reappointed to their terms, which expire next December. Charley Farrior was also reappointed to a term expiring December 2026.
The council also chose Wayne Casteen to fill the term left vacant by Twig Rollins, who moved out of the area.
“Wayne’s experience with finance, with everything that’s going on at the ABC store, would be a great asset,” Wells said. “I know
Wayne and what Wayne would bring to the table.”
After the board was finalized, Wilson reported that the new ABC store in Wallace will be paid off earlier than expected and added that the store was doing well financially. The store has also added new video and audio surveillance equipment, Wilson said.
Also at the Dec. 12 meeting, the mayor swore in the town’s new finance director, Melinda McGuire. She comes to the town from the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments, and currently lives in New Bern.
After her swearing-in, the council unanimously voted to add McGuire as a signatory for town accounts.
In other business:
• A public hearing was held on closing an alleyway on Main Street between the two Johnson Furniture properties, owned by Kosterman Properties, LLC. The council then approved a resolution to approve the closure.
• The council established a public hearing for a property
on Old Wilmington Road, to be held at the Jan. 9 meeting. The owners of the property are requesting that it be zoned industrial.
• The council adopted a resolution to edit the text of the UDO for the N.C. Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management/Hazard Mitigation Section.
• The council’s meeting schedule for 2025 was adopted.
• Fire Chief Taylor Johnson gave an update on the fire department’s activities this year, sharing that the department has responded to 2,640 incidents and racked up 3,563 hours in training. He also talked about a radio upgrade and a program called Community Connect, which allows citizens to enter information about their residence, such as if there are dogs, small children or elderly people in the home.
• Town Manager Rob Taylor shared the latest financials,
reporting $2.2 million in collections as of Oct. 31. He also stated that the town is “extremely behind” on its audit, and that with McGuire in place as the finance director, that will become a priority.
• In his monthly report to the council, Taylor gave an update on various projects, one of which is the grist mill, which recently had its roof replaced, only for the contractor to accidentally break a couple of trusses. The tin had to be removed and will be replaced once repairs are made.
• Councilman Frank Brinkley stated that he’d like to hear about future economic development projects in advance, since the news of NexGen Cabinets locating its East Coast facility in Wallace caught him by surprise. Taylor said that he wasn’t aware of the announcement either, but he would try to keep the council advised of future developments.
The council will next meet on Jan. 9 at 6 p.m.
Stallings Florist to close
Wallace Stallings Florist in Wallace will close at the end of the year, owner Beth Stallings Moore announced via Facebook last week. “After many years of serving our community I’ve decided to retire, so Stallings Florist will close at the end of the year,” she wrote. “It’s a bittersweet moment. Thank you for the many years of your support.” She added that there will be a closing sale throughout the store. Stallings Florist is located at 910 N. Norwood St. and can be reached at 910-285-3896.
Contribute to Lights of Love tree at ECU Health Duplin Hospital
Kenansville
ECU Health Duplin Hospital is hoping to spread hope and light this holiday season with its Lights of Love tree. Donors can honor or remember a loved one, friend or colleague, and support the purchase of a Mobile Health Coach. “This vital resource will bring essential health screenings and care to our community, especially to those who need it most,” a Facebook post from the hospital reads. For more information or to donate, visit give. ecuhealthfoundation.org/ DuplinLightsofLove24. Got local business news? Let us know about any grand openings, new businesses, noteworthy achievements, or upcoming events, and we’ll share it with the community here! Note: editor reserves the right to edit for content, brevity, and clarity. Email Features/Business Editor Abby Cavenaugh at abby@ northstatejournal.com.
HAM from page A1
we’re just really glad we’re able to share this traditional cut with our neighbors. As an American food company, with deep roots here in Duplin County, feeding people is what we do best, and it’s a key part in supporting the places we call home like here in Duplin and Sampson counties.” Westerbeek added that since 2008, the Helping Hungry Homes program has provided hundreds of millions of servings of protein to food banks in all 50 states.
County Commissioner Elwood Garner, who’s also a partner grower with Smithfield, thanked all of the organizations who helped to make the food distribution happen. “I hope one of these hams came off of my farm,” he said. “It is a great honor from a county commissioner standpoint to have the relationship we have with Smithfield here in Duplin County. Agriculture is a huge part of what we do; it’s the No. 1 industry here in North Carolina, and it’s the No. 1 industry in Duplin County. It’s great to be a part of it.”
NYE CELEBRATION
DUPLIN SPORTS
Bulldog quartet lead the charge to All-Duplin Volleyball squad
WRH’s Cavallaro, Page, Rivenbark and Gavin join ED’s Cave and Cavanagh, ND’s Fulgum, and JK’s Rivers on the 2024 All‑Duplin Volleyball team
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
WALLACE — Kilz is a primer used before painting a surface with stains, grease, water, ink or smoke damage.
Apply it and nothing will bleed through after brushing it with on coat of paint.
On the volleyball court, Wallace-Rose Hill’s best way to keep the enemy at bay was to have Angelina Cavallaro spray kills all over the court of the opposition.
This year’s Ms. Volleyball in Duplin County was the big basher for a Bulldogs team that went 21-3 and advanced to the third round of the 2A playoffs.
Yet Cavallaro got both help
and guidance from teammates and coach.
Classmates Jansley Page, Analeise Rivenbark and Mattie Gavin joined her on the all-county first team, while head coach Kevin Williams was the Coach of the Year.
WRH’s four first-team selections were the most. East Duplin had a pair of picks, and North Duplin and James Kenan had one apiece.
There are five juniors, two sophomores and a senior on the squad.
The second team features nine players, which includes four seniors, two juniors and three sophomores.
First Team
Zoe Cavanaugh, ED, Junior, OH/MB
The play of Cavanaugh is a chief reason why East Duplin went 15-7, snapping a three-season streak of finishes around the .500 mark — 10-10, 11-10, 10-12.
Cavanaugh, whose brother was a star lefty pitcher and contact hitter on ED’s 23-1 baseball team in 2022, can hit and dig in on a volleyball court. She bashed 160 kills, had 168 digs and 34 aces and was a model of consistency for the Panthers, who won eight of their first nine matches, eventually finishing third in the ECC.
Lilly Fulghum, ND, Jr., S Fulghum led the county is aces with 96 and was second in assists with 400. The junior passed the 1,000 mark in career assists.
Analeise Rivenbark, WRH, Sr., OH/MB Rivenbark was imposing at the net and solid in the middle of the court.
Playing third fiddle in scoring to Cavallaro and Page, she had 180 kills, 54 digs, 26 blocks and 30 aces.
Mattie Gavin, WRH, Jr., S Gavin became the glue that held together a talented team.
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Times
TEACHEY — Kevin Williams captures the honor for the second-straight as his programs continue its upward projectile, The Bulldogs won the East Central 2A Conference, a league title that hasn’t been won in Teachy since 1984. Williams built WRH from the ground up after starting as an assistant for currently East Duplin coach Susan Raynor. He took over in 2018 and compiled a 30-46 mark in his first four seasons as the talent pool shrunk after Raynor had gone 49-21 her last three campaigns, which included a
See COACH, page B3
Ms. Volleyball
GLORIA
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Times
TEACHEY — Cavallaro is hands down the best player in Duplin County, even though her game revolves around hard spikes into an open court. She was the top player a season ago and has only padded her margin over the field, though the stat sheet of teammate Jansley Page is more diverse.
The “Kill Queen” delivered an incredible 401 kills, 121 more than her closest competitor.
“We feed her a lot,” said WRH coach Kevin Williams. “She has all the skills. She can pass, dig, hit and provide ener -
gy and lead us to runs. Being able to stay focused and have a strong mental approach is key. She’s improved on that so much since her freshman year.” The junior had 32 blocks and 94 aces. Her shot-making wasn’t limited to action plays.
Yet Cavallaro has room to grow, as she was not one of 12 players on the first team list for 2A players by the North Carolina Volleyball Coaches Association, though she was the ECC’s top player for the season.
Cavallaro had 288 kills, 82 aces and 103 digs as a sophomore. She caught everyone’s attention as a freshman with 106 kills, 64 digs, 25 blocks and 25 aces.
Heart of a Champion
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Times
TEACHEY — Jansley Page
is the most balanced player in Duplin, as her stats reflect: 225 kills, 136, digs, 92 blocks, 121 assists and 46 aces, making some people feel she’s the most valuable Bulldogs.
But none of that matter much to the junior, who loves to compete and win and will do both big and little
tasks to accomplish her goals. So if she’s not the best player in Duplin, she’s firmly above the rest of the field and could be the best all-around player.
“She does it all: blocking, hitting, passings, digging,” said WRH coach Kevin Williams.
“She’s right there with Angelina in terms of what she does for us.
“Jansley is an all-round player, and if something needs to be done she will do it. She’s a competitor and a leader.
GLORIA BRASWELL FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Gabby Debman, Angelina Cavallaro, Isabella Parker, Jansley Page, Analeise Rivenbark and WRH won 21 matches and the school’s first conference title in 40 years.
GLORIA BRASWELL FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Kevin Williams, WRH
Tigers have talent to shoot their way to hoop success
James Kenan returns a cast of players who can score from all areas of the floor
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
WARSAW — Any team not prepared to face multiple scoring threats will struggle against James Kenan.
Though the Tigers got a late start as nine of its players were on the JK football team that advanced to the third round of the 2A playoffs, fifth-year head coach Taylor Jones has a returning cast capable of improving on last season’s 14-10 mark.
Starters Stephone Stanley and TJ Oats were not among the late-arriving gridiron players.
They played together with point guard Tyquise Wilson and Zamarion Smith as the core of the Tigers.
Yet newcomers David Zeleya, Jeremiah Hall, Jaquez Smith and CJ Hill add to the equation as players who can handle the rock in more ways than one, so much so that Jones throws away formal positions such as shooting guard, power forward, shooting forward and center.
“We have eight or nine guys who can do multiple things — handle the ball, pass, shoot it on three levels,” said Jones, a North Duplin graduated who is 42-42 overall and 25-25 in ECC play since coming from Spring Creek. “We have players you have to guard, and when I scout a team, that’s my biggest concern. I want to know who will score and how will they get off their shots.”
Jones said Wilson, Oats and Stanley will carry a heavier load as senior leaders.
“We’ve not had a lot of practice time and fought cramps and dead legs because of the late start,” Jones said. “Jeremy and CJ both got in earlier than expected last Friday as both had football injuries. Both are important to us. Hill can shoot it, and Jeremey is a leader like he was in football.
“Tyquise is a dynamic player, and TJ made a leap last season by working hard.”
While showing skills at five positions, the Tigers don’t have height. Zeleya, Jaquez Smith and Khamyri Soule all stand short of 6-foot-1, though Taylor said the threesome can play defense and rebound against taller players.
“We can beat teams with athleticism and shooting,” Jones said. “We play fast and can steal possessions on defense for our offense. It’s fast-paced basketball that is fun to coach and fun for the players.
“We’ve played four different players at the 5 (center), and it will probably be like that much of the year. We’ll have fouls to give that our guys on the perimeter won’t get.”
The Tigers might have underachieved last season as a series of unfortunate events never created the on-court chemistry and game-to-game rhythm JK needed to win tough games.
JK rallied from losses to Southern Wayne (69-63) and Midway (71-58) to beat Clinton 80-48 last Friday on the Dark Horses’ floor. The Tigers will play Eastern Wayne on Dec. 20 in the first round of the Neuse River FCA Tournament at
the University of Mount Olive. ECC play starts Dec. 3 when James Kenan visits the Tigers’ den.
“We’ll get some practice time over the holidays,” Jones said. “We’re lucky that what we do over the summer makes for an easy to transition to what we’re doing now.
“Our pressure in the second half made a difference against Clinton. We’ll use that but not depend on it. We don’t have size, but we have speed and we’ve always been more successful with it than when we were big.”
Jones, who was 123-145 in 12 seasons at Spring Creek, had better teams than the record book would indicate. The Gators had banner seasons in 2019 (20-8), 2015 (22-7) and 2015 (21-5). It should be noted that the talent level in Seven Springs was inconsistent and often mediocre or below average, though Jones always seemed to have competitive teams.
Look for the Tigers to play like a contender in the final two months of the season, though early losses can hurt a team when the bracket-makers draw up plans for the postseason.
Southwest Onslow captured the ECC flag last winter and returns a cast capable of a repeat performance. Runner-up Kinston, always a threat to make a run in the playoffs, is the other league foe with a powerful basketball engine. The twosome had a combined record of 40-14 last season.
Third-place WRH and fourth-place JK each had 14 wins. North Lenoir, South Lenoir and East Duplin had a combined record of 14-57.
The Bulldogs’ coach was named tops in Region 4; the Horses’ coach took the honor in Region 3
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
BEUALVILLE — Clinton soccer coach Brad Spell has already left a legacy, and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Wallace-Rose Hill coach Rodrigo Diaz has built a solid base in six seasons and was also rewarded by his peers statewide.
Both were praised last weekend for their accomplishments at the North Carolina Soccer Coaches’ Association awards dinner in Clemmons on Saturday. It was also a time to celebrate for five players from Duplin and Sampson Counties on the all-state 2A squad.
WRH’s Alex Zepeda and Clinton’s Griffin Williams were repeat performers, while James Kenan’s Peter Omega and Clinton’s Holden Spell and Oskar Adasiak checked into the 22-player squad for the first time.
Schools in the western part of the state dominated the rest of the list, sans the appearance of Princeton’s Josh Crowley.
Diaz was the Region 4 Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to a 22-4 -2 campaign that ended in the third round of the 2A playoffs. He’s crafted a 90-34-8 mark in six seasons in Teachey, as the Bulldogs won outright titles ECC in 2019 and 2023 and shared the crown last fall.
“Our team worked hard against a tough schedule, which was tougher than the whole division (ECC),” said Diaz, whose club beat Franklin Academy and Greene Central during the regular season.
Diaz helped WRH make the transition from 1A to 2A soccer. WRH won three state titles as a 1A school. Spell was the top coach in Region 5 and an inductee into the Field of Honor.
In 26 years, he’s guided Clinton to a state title last fall also in 2018 during a season in which he was the national coach of the year in the small schools category. He’s compiled 364 wins and placed more than 20 players on the all-state list ledgers.
Zepeda helped WRH go 39 - 9-4 over two seasons. He had 48 goals and 24 assists last fall after a junior campaign that included 45 goals and 23 assists.
Omega punched in 31 goals and had 19 assists as a premier scorer in eastern North Carolina.
Williams (27 goals, 30 assists), Spell (23 and 21) and Adasiak (20 and 7) helped the Horses (28-2) go on an 11- game winning streak, ending with a 3-1 conquest of Southwestern Randolph in the 2A finals.
EDWARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Point guard Tyquise Wilson will call his number a few times this winter while also giving the ball to James Kenan teammates who can shoot the ball.
Zepeda
Spell Omega
Wallace Rose Hill basketball coach Ervin Murray says speed and strength helps overcome a lack of height
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
WALLACE — College basketball coaches are going through the “start-anew-every-year” routine each season because of the way players are rushing into the portal to switch schools.
Wallace-Rose Hill High’s basketball coach has dealt with his version of the portal the past five seasons.
Player transfers and seniors not returning because of commitments to football in college has been standard operating procedure the past five seasons for Ervin Murray.
The former Bulldogs player has gone 65-42 over that span last season and guided WRH to a 67-59 upset of Kinston in the ECC Tournament.
He’s gone 42-19 in league play.
This fall he lost 6-foot- 8 hoopster Amir Moore (4.6 points, 6.5 rebounds) to Harrells Christian and running back Irving Brown (10.8 points), an all-Duplin firstteam basketball player in 2024, because of concerns over a previous commitment to play at Ohio University after its head coach Tim Albin resigned to be the top man at UNC Charlotte.
As bad as that sounds, it’s
business as usual for Murray, who played on WRH’s unbeaten 2A state title team in 1994 that was coached by Steve Robinson, who he replaced the Rose Hill native retired.
Forward and third-leading scorer Ka’Shawn Scarboro (7.3) and Jacorey Boney graduated in June, leaving all-Duplin guard Jamarae Lamb (12.3) is the top returning player.
“He seems to be fairly healthy after having hamstring issues,” Murray said. “He’s a 1 or 2 guard, interchangeable like many of our kids, some of which see time in the box. Because of their strength, it’s not a big deal.”
WRH lacks team height and could be the smallest team on the floor most nights.
“We’re not tall, but we’re fast,” Murray said. “We’re not tall, but we’re strong. Thank the football and coach Mot (Kevin Motsinger) making these kids strong.”
Matthew Wells (7.1) showed he could shoot last winter and returns with Murray expecting more from the junior, who was also a defensive back and quarterback for the football team.
Marlo Harris (6.3), Devon Sloan (3.3) and Jamari Shaw (2.3) all got into heated battles last season and should be more mature and improved players
“No one plays if he doesn’t play defense,” Murray said. “It will be all calling card.
“Wells is stronger and a little taller and can shoot it, but
if he’s giving up points on the other end, he’s on the bench, like any of them will be if that happens. We’re going to play defense and play fast.”
Jamari Carr, Darrius McCrimmon, Aspen Brown, Dane Turner and 6-foot-3 Joel Lewis are newcomers from the junior varsity squad.
Murray likes to use full- and half-court pressure to maximize WRH’s speed to create turnovers for the easy-buck transition game.
“We’ve got some young kids moved up, and it will be different as they deal with the speed of the game,” Murray said.
Murray won’t know more about his team until he sees them play a handful of games.
“Yeah, I really don’t know right now,” he said. “They’ve all had great attitudes and worked hard. Their good athletes. We need to make them good basketball players.”
McCrimmons netted 14 and Lamb and Wells 12 apiece last Friday when WRH beat Pender 77-36 in Teachey in its season opener.
Brown tossed in 10, Carr eight and Harris and Lewis evenly split 12.
WRH plays Trask at 7 p.m. on Dec. 27 in the first round of the M.L. Carr Invitational, a round-robin event on Steve Robinson Court that Murray started to honor the former Bulldog and world champion with the Boston Celtics.
The ’Dawgs tip-off against Southeastern HomeSchool at 3:30 p.m. the following day.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE Bill
Carone
Calvin Harper
East Duplin, boys’ basketball
Harper, a first-team all-Duplin player last winter, has some unfinished business for East Duplin.
The senior has averaged 16.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 steals as the Panthers are off to a 3-1 start.
Harper has hit on 43% of his 3-point shots (13-30) with six bombs coming in a 52-36 win over Hobbton last Friday and five during a 58-53 triumph over Richlands in the season opener for both schools.
His biggest scoring night came when he popped for 24 to help ED push aside North Duplin 65-51.
Harper and the Panthers put to rest rumors of a return to last season’s 2-22 finish.
from page B1
school-record 22 wins in 2016.
When the Bulldogs broke through in 2021 to go 13-7 is was an omen for the next three seasons — 17-5, 18-5 and 21-3.
Winning the ECC was monumental, and so was the Bulldog’s push into the third round the past two seasons, during which Williams shifted players around to produce both cover the court and tighten up the team chemistry.
WRH’s progress in the league is shown in its loop marks over the past four years, going from 6-6 to 9-3 to 10-2 to 12-0.
Williams, whose daughter Haven was a two-time Ms. Softball in Duplin County, came into volleyball with less knowledge than he had of softball, which he coached for years. He’s still helping out in the dugout as an assistant
for WRH coach Cory Lovelace. Yet perhaps what the volleyball experience did was more about the relationships he built with his players, connecting with them on many levels, including during team prayer meetings and other situations where Biblical references provided good orderly direction. Williams clicks with his players despite not working on campus. He owns a kitchen design company.
He was proactive in scheduling 2A power Midway twice, and while the Bulldogs lost both matches, it provided stellar competition.
WRH returns the bulk of its team next fall, minus Rivenbark. And Williams was as important as any player, even as much as his two marquee award winners — Ms. Volleyball Angelina Cavallaro and Heart of a Champion honoree Jansley Page.
EDWARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
Junior Jamarae Lamb is the leading returning scorer for Wallace-Rose Hill.
COACH
Panthers coach Lane has experience, talent, depth
ED’s coach is five victories shy of 200 and has a team that can make a deep run in the 2A playoffs
By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal
BEULAVILLE — East Duplin’s Mark Lane knows how close his team was from advancing into the fourth round of the 2A playoffs last winter.
The longest-tenured basketball coach in Duplin County also knows how important bracket matchups can be, and his Panthers might have been tripped up sooner, since ED went in as a nonconference winner during the seeding process.
All that will matter again this season, though the Panthers enter this campaign with virtually the same roster that went 24-5, with three losses to ECC rival Southwest Onslow on that ledger.
“We’re going to do a few different things both offensively and defensively,” said Lane, who is five wins shy of 300 for his career. “We struggled a little with turnovers, and that will be an emphasis.”
East Duplin returns Ms. Basketball, point guard Kinsey Cave, and first-team post player Ja’Myah Pickett.
Guards Zakoya Farrior and Makya Kornegay, who either started or played significant minutes each night, return.
So did forwards Ava Noble, Cierra Pickett and Carrie Carr, with Ra’ziaha Hall and Zo Cavanaugh getting floor time against many foes.
Lane will also be able to use sophomore Anamaire Rodriguez, juniors Madelyn Sawyer and Adraia Scarborough, and senior Rachel Jenkins in the backcourt.
Truth be known, the Panthers have more talent on their roster than North Duplin, James Kenan and Wallace-Rose Hill combined.
And they have a coach who is still a student of the game, who relishes scouring over video clips of his team.
ED’s seniors are huge contributors in the paint, with the underclassmen possessing pass-
EDWARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
East Duplin point guard
Kinsey Cave leads a team that won 24 games last season and is off to a 7-1 start this winter.
ing, dribbling and shooting and fastbreak skills.
Cave, an upstart sophomore, is the leader.
She’s averaging 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.9 steals, as ED has gone 7-1 entering this week.
Pickett has hammered down for 11.9 points and 10.8 boards.
Farrior, a true shooting guard, checks in with 10.5 makers. Noble (4.8 points, 4.6 rebounds), Carr (3.2, 5.4) and Kornegay (5.4 points, teamhigh 3.1 steals) have been solid, and the rest of the roster had been getting playing time, as ED has won five games by 16 or more points.
Yet unlike last season, the Panthers have some quality nonconference foes on their schedule. Their lone loss came 44-40 on opening to 3A Charles B. Aycock.
One night later, ED rallied from a 10-point second half deficit to drop 3A Jacksonville 58-53.
“Jacksonville was one of our better wins in years,” Lane said. “It showed me a lot of about what this team’s got.” They beat Clinton 49-44 five days later and have since destroyed North Duplin (60 - 41 and 46-30), Richlands (68-12 and 55-17) and White Oak (56-36).
The Panthers (7-1) will square off against 8-1 East Bladen and 6-2 New Hanover, a 4A school before opening ECC play on Jan. 3 in Warsaw against James Kenan.
PIANIST WANTED
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Piano Education & experience required Contact: Sharryerrn@aol.com
She had a whopping 709 assists, 132 digs and 28 aces.
Kinsey Cave, ED, So., OH/MB Cave got better as the season progressed and wound up being a leader despite being a sophomore.
Ms. Basketball last winter posted some glossy numbers with 138 kills, 105 digs, 43 assists and 17 aces.
Y’Anna River, JK, So., OH Rivers, who can jump out of a gym, delivered 69 kills and 30 aces.
Second Team
Marissa Bernal, ND, Jr., S, L
In many ways, Bernal was the heart and soul of the Rebels (12-9).
The hustling junior rarely left the floor, and for good reason: She was a stabilizing force, especially when the waters were rough.
The scrapy libero had 384 assists and 55 aces, setting up four teammates who combined for 442 kills.
Karsyn Parker, ED, So., L Parker is a year away from exploding, given what she showed this fall. She too carried a “hustler” moniker, making a difference in the back row and middle court.
The sophomore collected 188 digs and 67 aces.
Gabby Debman, WRH, So., MB/OPP Debman, who came to the
front in the spring during soccer, played a specific role for the Bulldogs: blocker. She had 79 with many coming a critical moments in a set.
Zoe Turner, ED, Jr., OH/MB Turner landed 107 kills, 36 aces and scooped up 124 digs.
Anamarie Rodriguez, ED, So., S Rodriguez plays basketball, soccer and runs track. She’s also a dependable setter and filled in when senior Emory Raynor left because of an injury with 127 digs and 187 assists.
Emory Raynor, ED, Sr., S Planted 130 assists and 55 digs in 15 matches before having her season end.
Tateyawna Faison, ND, Sr., OH Faison fell from the first team despite 124 kills and 101 blocks, which shows the depth of the first team.
Eva Quintanilla, ND, Sr., OH/MB ND lost key players from the 2023 squad but played as well or better in part because of the play and leadership of Quintanilla, who younger teammates respected. Quintanilla had 142 kills.
Honorable Mention
Abigeal-Norris Brown, ND, So., OH/MB
Jourdan Joe, JK, Jr., OH/MB Maggie Brown, ND, Fr., OH/MB
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY FILE#2024E-000463 The undersigned, JAMES MICHAEL HONEYCUTT, having qualified on the 31ST DAY of OCTOBER, 2024, as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JAMES HOWARD COTTLE, JR., deceased, of DUPLIN County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 26TH Day of FEBRUARY, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 28TH Day of NOVEMBER, 2024. JAMES MICHAEL HONEYCUTT, ADMINISTRATOR 1116 SHORELINE DR. STANLEY, NC 28164 Run dates: N28,D5,12,19p
WRH’s Angelina Cavalarro, from left, Jansley Page and Mattie Gavin helped lead the Bulldogs to the third round of the state playoffs.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
North Carolina Duplin County Notice to Creditors File # 24E505 The undersigned, Ashley Quinn Lovette, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Beau Gene Lovette, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against the deceased to exhibit same to the said Ashley Quinn Lovette
ALL-DUPLIN VOLLEYBALL
Ms. Volleyball:
Angelina Cavallaro, WRH, Jr., OH
Heart of a Champion:
Jansley Page, WRH, Jr., OH/MB
First Team
Kinsey Cave, ED, So., OH
Mattie Gavin, WRH, Jr., S
Analeise Rivenbark, WRH, Sr., OH/MB
Zoe Cavanaugh, ED, Jr., OH
Lilly Fulghum, ND, Jr., S
Y’Anna River, JK, So., OH
Coach of the Year:
Kevin Williams, WRH
Second Team
Marissa Bernal, ND, Jr., S, DS
Karsyn Parker, ED, So., Gabby Debman, WRH, So., MB/OPP
Zoe Turner, ED, Jr., OH/MB
Anamarie Rodriguez, ED, So., S
Emory Raynor, ED, Sr., S
Tateyawna Faison, ND, Sr., OH
Emory Raynor, ED, Sr., S
Eva Quintanilla, ND, Sr., OH/MB
Honorable Mention
Abigeal-Norris Brown, ND, So., OH/MB
Jourdan Joe, JK, Jr., OH/MB
Maggie Brown, ND, Fr., OH/MB
LIST YOUR DUPLIN COUNTY TAXES BY MAIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
All property subject to ad valorem taxes shall be listed as of January 1, unless otherwise provided for in the General Statutes of North Carolina. Listing shall begin on January 2, and continue through January 31, 2025. Personal property such as unlicensed vehicles, campers, mobile homes, boats & motors, jet skis, airplanes, all farm equipment and machinery, rental household personal property and business personal machinery and equipment must be listed EVERY YEAR. If you received a listing form it should be completed and returned to the County Assessor’s Office, PO Box 968, Kenansville, NC 28349 by January 31, 2025.
IMPROVEMENTS OR OTHER
CHANGES TO REAL PROPERTY
MUST BE REPORTED BY JANUARY 31, 2025 Duplin County has the permanent listing of REAL PROPERTY; therefore,
real estate can be brought forward; however, improvements (such as additions, new construction, decks, outbuildings, remodeling etc.) or other changes made to your real property MUST BE LISTED. You may be penalized for failure to report such improvements.
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR ELDERLY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED PERSONS
North Carolina General Statute 105277.1 excludes from property taxes the greater of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) or fifty percent (50%) of the appraised value of a permanent residence owned and occupied by a qualifying owner. A North Carolina resident age 65 or older (whose income does not exceed $37,900.00) or totally and permanently disabled (whose income does not exceed $37,900.00) is eligible to apply. The exclusion covers real property occupied by the owner
as his or her permanent residence or mobile home used by the owner in connection with his or her permanent residence. Disposable income includes all moneys received other than gifts or inheritances received from a spouse, lineal ancestors, or lineal descendants. Both incomes (husband & wife) must be reported. Application must be received in the Tax Office by June 2, 2025.
FILE FOR THIS EXEMPTION DURING LISTING PERIOD
LISTING BY MAIL IS ENCOURAGED
LIST EARLY TO AVOID LONG LINES AND/OR LATE POSTMARK IF YOU LIST IN PERSON, BRING YOUR FORM WITH YOU
LISTINGS RETURNED BY MAIL MUST BE POSTMARKED BY THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31, 2025 TO AVOID THE LATE LISTING PENALTY
Anyone having questions concerning the forms or need help with the
listing should contact the County Assessors’ Office, 117 Beasley Street, Kenansville, NC, between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday from January 2 –January 31, 2025. Telephone number is (910) 296-2110.
COMPLETED LISTING CAN BE PLACED IN THE DROP BOX LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE TAX OFFICE BUILDING AT 117 BEASLEY STREET – BOX IS CHECKED TWICE A DAY
TAX OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025
Applications for Present Use (Land Use) valuation must be filed with the office of the county assessor during the regular listing period (by January 31, 2025). Applications are available in the county’s assessor’s office.
GARY M. ROSE TAX ADMINISTRATOR DUPLIN COUNTY
GLORIA BRASWELL FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL
obituaries
James David Sloan
Dec. 13, 1954 – Dec. 4, 2024
James David Sloan, 69, of Rose Hill, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 at home.
Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 13, at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill. Burial followed at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia.
Left to cherish his memories are two children, Clifton Middleton of New Bern, and Desiree Hankins of Fayetteville; one sister, Denese Nichelson (Donald) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; four grandchildren; one aunt, Dorothy Middleton of New York; a host of cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.
Shelby Darlene (Bowen) Kelly
Oct. 5, 1956 – Dec. 7, 2024
Shelby Darlene Kelly, 68, of Beulaville, answered the Master’s call on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
Born in Duplin County, she is the daughter of Lillian Hall Bowen and the late James Bowen Sr. and wife of the late Larry Donnell Kelly.
Cherished and loving memories will linger in the hearts of her mother, Lillian Gertrude Bowen; siblings, James Davis (Deborah) Bowen Jr., Lillian Bowen Whitfield, P aula Bowen Crawford, Beatrice Bowen (Lynn) Savage, Marian Bowen (Dexter) Fort, Harold Keith (Shelia) Bowen and Kelvin (Cindy) Bowen.
In addition to her father and husband, she has been reunited with her sister, Catrenia Bowen Hall and brothers-in-law, Fred Crawford III and Charles Whitfield.
Maxine Tucker Divelbliss
Aug. 3, 1940 – Dec. 11, 2024
Maxine Tucker Divelbliss, 84, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 at her home.
She is preceded in death by her spouse, Harley Divelbliss Sr., and a grandchild, Hilary Divelbliss.
Services will be held at a later date.
Survivors include: son, Harley W. Divelbliss (Dawn) of Beulaville; daughter, Lisa Becraft (David) of West Virginia; brother, Tommy Tucker (Paulette) of Maryland; grandchildren, Harley Divelbliss III, Zachary Divelbliss, Jason Becraft and Justin Becraft; great-grandchildren, Della Raye Divelbliss and Walker David Becraft.
Chekia Lynette Powell
Nov. 16, 1973 – Dec. 8, 2024
Chekia Lynette Powell, 51, of Wallace, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 at home.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill, NC.
Left to cherish her precious memories: six children, Asha Powell of Raeford, Antonio Lockamy of Wallace, Charles Hamilton of Raleigh, Cashuan Hamilton of Pink Hill, Camari Hamilton of Raleigh, and Kiani Hamilton of Wallace; father, Willis Bannerman of Watha; two siblings, Clark Powell (Latifah) of Hope Mills, and Robin A. Harvey (George) of Leland; two grandchildren, Ja’Zion James Alyssa McMillan; special friends, Shante’ Faison of Wilmington and Victoria Cromity of Raleigh; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.
John Vernon Taylor
Dec. 8, 1935 – Dec. 7, 2024
John Vernon Taylor, 88, of Warsaw passed away at his home on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Mr. Taylor was born in Duplin County Dec. 8, 1935 to the late Eddie Taylor and Pearl Smith Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was a carpenter by trade, but he was far more than that. He was a man of strong faith. He was an original member and deacon of West Duplin Free Will Baptist Church, original member of the First Original Free Will Baptist Church of Warsaw and a member and deacon of Calvary Baptist Church. Mr. John’s motto always was that he “lived this life for the next Life.”
He was never a man with idle hands. He worked 11 years for Murphy and after retirement in 2000 he went to work for Johnny Taylor Inc. Mr. John was also a very accomplished cook, and cooked for his children a couple of times a week.
A visitation was held Wednesday night, Dec. 11, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 at Calvary Baptist Church. Burial followed at Devotional Gardens.
Mr. Taylor leaves to cherish his memory, sons, Doyle Taylor and Johnny Taylor and wife, Karen, all of Warsaw; daughters, Karen Pacini of Warsaw and Dawn Taylor of Holly Ridge; brothers, Robert Taylor of Kenansville, and Alvin Taylor of Nahunta; grandchildren, Kelly Williams and husband, Clint, Lee Register, Brittany Drew and husband, Aaron, Mandy Jo Taylor, Matthew Hardison and wife, Candace, Allen Williams and wife, Jillian, Samantha Nethercutt and husband, James and Lizzie Taylor; greatgrandchildren, Autumn Williams, Kylee Register, Rylan Register, Carter Register, Connor Register, Paisley Drew, Levi Drew, Samuel Hardison, Everly Nethercutt, Luka Nethercutt, Wyatt Williams and Conor Williams; and mother of his children, Charlotte Taylor Henderson.
In addition to his parents, Mr. John was preceded in death by wife, Mary Elizabeth Armstrong Taylor; sisters, Eleanor Stevens and Inez Taylor. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Calvary Baptist Church.
Terry Gene English
Nov. 27, 1957 – Dec. 6, 2024
Terry Gene English, of Wallace, passed from his earthly life into his heavenly home on Dec. 6, 2024. Terry was born on Nov. 27, 1957, to the late James Edward English and Mary Mobley Hall and husband Ben Hall Jr. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Janice Marie Caison. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife, Laurie Johnson English; sons, Coty Jess English and wife Joy of Supply, Skylar James Author English and fiancée Anna Casteen of Wallace; daughters, Crystal English Frost and husband Mathew of Havelock, and Christine Morey Pardue and husband Mathew of Wilmington; his brothers, Ken English and wife Wilma of Indiana, Ben Hall III and wife Jill of Wilmington, Gary Caison of Teachey; sister-in-law, Ashley Bailey and husband Jeff of Leland; six grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Terry worked as an electrician until retiring. He enjoyed playing the guitar, fishing, hunting and baseball. But his favorite pastime was time spent with family. He loved his family and was a doting grandfather. Services will be forthcoming.
Eva Loraine Tucker Lewis
April 2, 1934 – Dec. 6, 2024
Eva Loraine Tucker Lewis, 90, passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024 at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville. Mrs. Lewis was born April 2, 1934 in Duplin County to the late Willie Tucker and Lizzie Hare Tucker.
Visitation was held one hour prior to the service on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw. A funeral service followed in the funeral home chapel and burial concluded in the Pate Cemetery, Mount Olive.
Mrs. Lewis is survived by son, Jerry Dean Lewis and wife, Theresa of Washington, North Carolina; stepsons, David Lewis of Virginia Beach; daughters, Joyce Ann Toler of Beulaville, and Jeanette Jordan and husband, Randy of Faison; grandchildren, Melissa Lewis Jones and husband, Greg of Wallace, Billy Keith Jackson of Matthews, Sarah Henderson and Timmy of Faison, Clarrissa Bloden and Tommy of Beulaville, and W D Brock of Kenly, NC; step-grandchildren, Christy and Angela; greatgrandchildren, Brennon Taylor Lewis, Cody Jones and Rylie Jones, Aiden Jackson, Timmy Henderson Jr., Sam Henderson, Sarah Stewart, Gramley Deleone. She is also survived by brother, George Tucker and wife, Connie of Warsaw, sisters, Mary Lillie Houston of Warsaw, Sadie Lou Awad of Hampstead, and Rachel Crumpler and husband, Jay of Warsaw and many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lewis was preceded in death by husband, Herbert Lewis, stepsons, Herbert Lewis, Harold William Lewis; son-in-law, Kirk Toler; brothers, Will Tucker and Durwood “Bud” Tucker.
Owen Franklin Taylor II
Sept. 21, 1958 – Dec. 5, 2024
Owen Franklin Taylor II, 66, of Warsaw, peacefully transitioned into his eternal rest on Dec. 5, 2024 while at home. Funeral service was scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 at Hawes Funeral Home Chapel, Warsaw. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Interment immediately followed in the Magnolia Cemetery, Magnolia.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to his funeral arrangements by visiting the obituary on hawesfuneralhome.com and clicking on “Tribute Fund.”
Thomas Keffer Marshburn
Jan. 12, 1952 – Dec. 10, 2024
Thomas Keffer Marshburn, 72, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in UNC Lenoir Hospital, Kinston. All services are private. Survivors include: sons, Raymond Doyle Marshburn of Chinquapin, Robert Adams of Wallace; daughters, Donna M. Owens (Herman Jr.) of Willard, Kemberly Johnson (David of Beulaville, sisters, Nadine M. Torrans of Chinquapin, Aleta Miller of Texas; brother, Stanley Marshburn of Raleigh; grandchildren, Raymond Adrian Marshburn, Vanessa Itsel Marshburn, William Thomas Owens, Herman “Trey” Owens, III, Leslie Johnson, Jesse Johnson, Nicholas Adams, Racheal Adams and Justin Adams; greatgrandchild, Kennadi Buck.
Ommie Brown Mobley
Sept. 2, 1930 – Dec. 13, 2024
Ommie Adell Brown Mobley, 94, passed away on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital. She is preceded in death by her husband, George Mobley, son Kelly Mobley, and daughter, Debbie Poindexter.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 at Batts Cemetery, 509 S NC 111 Hwy, Chinquapin. Survivors include: sons, Glenn Mobley (Edith) of LaGrange, Stanley Mobley (Becky) of Chinquapin; sister, Lillian Hatcher (Guy) of Chinquapin; grandchildren, Farrah Bowen (Billy), Jason Dixon (Christina), April Poindexter, Paul Lee (Daisy, Shane Mobley, Cameron Mobley.
Gregory Allen Carr
Oct. 3, 1961 – Dec. 9, 2024
Gregory Allen Carr of Seven Springs passed away in the early hours of Dec. 9, 2024. A native of Shady Springs, West Virginia, Greg settled and raised his family in North Carolina. Greg spent the majority of his professional life working as a maintenance superintendent for Georgia Pacific and a construction site superintendent for Jackson Builders. An avid woodworker and amateur botanist, Mr. Carr spent much of his free time building beautiful wooden furniture and growing equally beautiful flowers at his home with his family. He was also fond of fishing and outdoor activities. Mr. Carr was a member of Jones Grove Pentecostal Holiness church. He was preceded in death by his son, Bradley Allen Carr; parents, Arthur Lee Carr and Christine Blanche Lilly Carr; and sister, Maxine Davis. He is survived by his wife, Zina Grady Carr; sons, Gregory Brian Carr and wife Kacey, Albert Benjamin Carr, his daughterin-law Courtney Carr; and his grandchildren, Jaylen, Isabella, Natalie and Waylon. He is also survived by 10 brothers and sisters, Geneva Bragg (NC), Margie Meadows (WV), Arthur “Tutor” Carr (WV), Gerald Carr (WV), Sterling Carr (WV), Vann Carr (WV), Marvin Carr (WV), Debbie Worley (WV), Pamela Basham (SC), Annette Meadows (WV) and Kathy Harris (SC); and numerous nieces and nephews along with brother and sisters-inlaw whom he loved dearly. Gregory shared with his beloved son who preceded him in death by just a few short days, in a combined memorial service Dec. 12 at Tyndall Funeral Home. The family received friends following the service. Flowers are welcome, or memorials can be directed to Jones Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church in Mount Olive.
Sandra Holdren Colwell
Nov. 4, 1957 – Dec. 12, 2024
Sandra Holdren Colwell, 67, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Lower Cape Fear Life Care, Wilmington. Arrangements are at a later date. Survivors include: spouse, Jerry Colwell of Richlands; son, Lee Danbury of Jacksonville; daughter, Susie Alphin (Bryan) of Richlands; sisters, Brenda Pierce (Byron) of Jacksonville, Ann Emeline of West Virginia; brothers, David Stover of Swansboro, Marvin Wesson (Linda) of Arizona; grandchildren, Trevin Everett, Thomas Reconnu (Meghan), Elizabeth Danbury and Jack Danbury; great-grandchild, Karter Davis.
More obituaries on page B6
Margaret Delores (Pierce) Lanier
Dec. 23, 1939 – Dec. 11, 2024
Margaret Delores Pierce Lanier of Pin Hook passed from her earthly life to her eternal rest in the early morning of Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, while a resident of Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center in Wilmington.
Born on Dec. 23, 1939, she is the daughter of the late Jasper Quincy and Cornelia Viola Merritt Lanier. Also preceding her in death are husband, Eli Carlton Lanier; brothers, Carl Pierce, C L Pierce, and Charles Pierce.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Eli Carlton Lanier Jr. of Pin Hook and Ethan Alan Lanier and wife Lorie of Pin Hook; sister, Shirley Brinson and husband Orman of Pin Hook; grandchildren, Emily Martin, Jenny Rodriguez, Valerie Futrell, Evan Crews, Kaylin Lanier, Courtney Brown, Cameron Lanier; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Lanier shared 61 wonderful years with her husband, Eli Carlton Lanier while living in the Pin Hook community. She was a full-time wife and mother to her two sons. Her favorite pastime was in spending time with her community friends putting quilts together. As a dedicated member of the Church at Pin Hook for many years, she served in many capacities in her church. Love for her family was always paramount during her life on the earth. She was always the happiest when in the presence of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A service to celebrate her life was held on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, in the Church at Pin Hook with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment followed in the Henderson Cemetery.
Donald Parker Brooks
Feb. 20, 1944 – Dec. 12, 2024
Donald Parker Brooks of Wallace passed from his earthly life to eternal glory on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, while at the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center. Born on Feb. 20, 1944, he is the son of the late Kelly David Brooks Sr. and Gladys Parker Brooks. Also preceding him in death are siblings, Dorothy Brooks Driggers, Kelly David Brooks Jr., and Jane Brooks Williams; and nephew, Jimmy Blanton.
Left to cherish his memory are brother, William K. Brooks Sr.; close friend, Thomas A. Bennett; niece, Beth Brooks Brill; nephews, Scott Brooks, Kenny Brooks, Brad Brooks, Jody Brooks, and John David Williams; and many close extended family members, friends, and church family members.
Mr. Brooks’ early life was spent in Wallace. He graduated from East Carolina University and earned multiple degrees including his master’s degree. He retired after 20 years of service as Major Donald P. Brooks. After retirement he became an antique dealer in his hometown of Wallace. His greatest joys in life were found in his faith, his family, his friends, his travels, and attending an occasional auction or two.
A service to celebrate his life was set for Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in the Wallace First Baptist Church. His family greeted friends during the hour prior to the service. Interment followed in the Rockfish Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wallace First Baptist Church Family Life Center building fund.
paradin’ around town
Crowds lined the streets of Wallace and Beulaville Saturday for the towns’ annual Christmas parades. See more photos from both parades on Duplin Journal’s Facebook page.
Wallace Christmas Parade
Beulaville Christmas Parade
Duplin County’s own Sudan Thunderbolts mini-cars delighted spectators during the Beulaville Christmas Parade on Saturday afternoon.
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL
Of course, no Christmas parade is complete without the appearance of Santa Claus. He arrived on his sleigh with Mrs. Claus to round out the Wallace Christmas Parade Dec. 14.
ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL