Mr. Howard Jackson Ward, 88, of Crusoe Island Road, Whiteville passed away on December 2, 2022 at his residence. He was born in Columbus County, the son of the late John Henry and Estelle Long Ward. He was a veteran of the US Army. He was a retired roofer having worked with a local roofing company for many years. He is survived by his wife, Alice Long Ward; two daughters, Ruby Ezzell and husband, Timmy of Whiteville and Melissa Ward, of Whiteville; a brother, Jessie Ward and wife,...

Lola Jeanette Godwin, 82, of Whiteville passed on December 2, 2022 at Lower Cape Fear Lifecare Angel House. She was born in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Richard Andrew Aydell Sr. and Bertha Carolina Ward Aydell. She is survived by a daughter, Melissa Godwin of Whiteville; a brother, Larry Aydell of Leland; four sisters, Cynthia Watkins of Wilmington, Polly Hanna of Clearwater Florida, Miriam Jordan of Wilmington and Louise Crosby of Wilmington; two grandchildren, Bud Adam Ward...

Gloria Diane Kelly 74, of Kelly, NC passed on November 29, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family and her furbaby, Bella.  She was born in Columbus County May 22, 1948 the daughter of the late Ernest Kelly  and Pauline Fowler Kelly.  She is survived by a son, Travis Potter, Jr. (Michelle) of Riegelwood; a daughter , Sheila Diane Frazier of Fayetteville; her grandchildren, Harley Potter (Caitlin) of Riegelwood, Landyn Potter of Riegelwood, Bryson Wells of Fayetteville; her...

Mr. Brian Keith Swain, 57, of Bolton passed away on Friday, November 25, 2022 at Columbus Regional Healthcare System. He was born March 19, 1965 in New Hanover County, the son of  Francis Herbert Swain, Jr. and the late Sallie Powell Swain. He is survived by two daughters, Hailey Jacobs of Bolton and Megan Roy of Wilmington; his father, Francis Herbert Swain, Jr. of Bolton; a brother, Robbie Swain and wife, Karen of Bolton; and his life partner, Debra Jacobs of Buckhead. His...

Mr. Stanley Joseph Kmiecik, 97, of Whiteville passed away on November 23, 2022. He was born in Cook County, Illinois the son of the late Joseph and Mary Kisiel Kmiecik. He was a loving husband of the late Lorraine Wincek Kmiecik. He is survived by a daughter, Diane Plant and husband, Rich; and a son, Larry Kmiecik and wife, Nancy. Dad accepted God's invitation to heaven with Mom and her brother, Ron there to welcome him. He left his body when God asked for his soul. I think he wanted...

Mr. Don Walter "Buck" Clewis, 79, of Whiteville passed away Monday, November 21, 2022. He was born November 20, 1943 in Columbus County, the son of the late Samuel Walter and Juanita Sellers Clewis. He worked with International Paper Company and retired after 32 years of service. He is survived by his wife, Christa Clewis; two sons, Monk Sullivan and Bart Clewis (Amy); a daughter, Melissa Brooks; a brother, Earl Clewis; five grandchildren, Walker Sullivan, Victoria...

Mr. Clarence Martin Benton, 87, of Whiteville passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2022 in Novant New Hanover Regional Medical Center. He was born July 2, 1935 in Columbus County, the son of the late Clarence Poe Benton and Lenora Madge Grissom Benton. He was a lifetime member of Western Prong Baptist Church. His place of service was found in his love of music and  talented tenor voice using them to sing in the choir for more than 70 years. He also formerly served as congregational...

Mazie Elizabeth Clewis Canady 27, of Whiteville passed on Sunday, November 20, 2022. She was born January 6, 1995 in Columbus County. She is survived by her husband, Daniel Cruze Canady; a daughter, Camille Canady; a son, Brighton Ward; her parents, Earl Matthew Clewis and Lisa Collier Clewis of Whiteville; two brothers, Kevin Clewis and wife, Brittany of Archdale, NC and David Clewis and wife, Raven of Spring, TX; her maternal grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Baker of Whiteville; her...

Mr. Bobby Steven Dennis, 65, of Clarkton passed away on Friday, November 18, 2022. He was born May 31, 1957 in Robeson County, the son of Eunice Daniel Dennis and the late Bobby Edward Dennis. He loved his family dearly, loved to read and loved good food. He is survived by his wife, Linda Howell Dennis; two sons, Matthew Keith Dennis (Mareena Sturgeon) and Shane Alexander Dennis (Mary), both of Clarkton; a brother, Gregory Dennis of Clarkton; his mother, Eunice Dennis of Clarkton and three...

Christine Elizabeth Almada, 62, of Whiteville passed on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Columbus Regional Healthcare System. She was born April 10, 1960, the daughter of Joan Davis Littler and the late Raymond Littler. She worked as an LPN for many years in New York. She had an amazing green thumb; anything she touched would grow. She was an avid cyclist and was dedicated to mountain biking competition. She is survived by her mother; a daughter, Charlotte Almada and friend, Dominic...