As Memorial Day approaches, our nation prepares to honor the men and women who gave their lives to secure our freedom. This tradition carries added meaning as we near America’s 250th anniversary, a reminder of how many generations have defended our country. As we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we are reminded that the liberties we enjoy today have been preserved through their courage and devotion. We owe it to them to honor and keep alive their legacies. Leave a post for your loved one's who served. Thank you for your service. Click On The Add Comments Line Below to leave a post.
Mrs. Linda Kay Dew Howard, 70, was born on February 13, 1956, in Wayne County, North Carolina, to the late Levi and Idellar Dew. She departed this life on May 10, 2026, at UNC Johnston Health, surrounded by her loving family. Linda was preceded in death by four brothers, four sisters, and her beloved grandson, Tayvyon Dew. A proud graduate of North Johnston High School, Class of 1974, Linda was a faithful and devoted member of Burning Bush Holiness Tabernacle, where she served diligently on the usher board. She was known for her kindness, unwavering faith, and love for her family and church community. She leaves to cherish her precious memories her devoted husband of 50 years, Andria Howard; one daughter, Tanya Scarboro (Jasper); two sons, Orlando Dew and Michael Howard; a special daughter, Connie Winston; special sons, Johnathan and Jason; five beloved grandchildren, Jakeema Williams, J’von Dew, Jalill Howell, Natayzia Dew, and Janiya Scarboro; one brother, Willie Dew; three sisters, Brenda Dew, Mary Jones, and Iwanda Davis; two special friends, Mary Sanders and Rhonda Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. Linda’s loving spirit, gentle heart, and dedication to her family and faith will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Arrangements: Viewing 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm Tuesday May 19, 2026, in the Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations Chapel 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd. Smithfield, NC 27577. Funeral Services: 11:30 am Wednesday May 20, 2026, at Burning Bush Holiness Tabernacle 714 W. Market St., Smithfield, NC .  Click on the Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family of Linda D. Howard.
Ezar Davis Tyson Jr. was born to Ezar Davis Tyson Sr. and Charlotte Gail Tyson on September 2, 1988. Ezar departed this life on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, while a resident of Willow Valley Skilled Nursing Home. Ezar was a graduate of Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina. Ezar leaves to cherish his precious memories his mother, Charlotte Tyson of Smithfield, North Carolina; guardian, Barbara Dorman of Raleigh, North Carolina; aunts, Sonya Rowe of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Melanie Hicks of Goldsboro, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Jarvis Laughinhouse of Wake Forest, North Carolina; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Funeral Services: Sunday May 17, 2026, at the Walter Sanders Funeral Home Chapel. Viewing from 2:30 pm until 3:00 pm with funeral services beginning at 3:00 pm. Click on the Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family of Ezar D. Tyson Jr.
Mrs. Lucy Graye Penny Washington , 90, of Smithfield, NC, peacefully departed this life at her home on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Born on August 24, 1935, to the late Lucille and Jesse Penny, Lucy was raised in Smithfield, North Carolina, where she attended Johnston County Training School. Following her graduation, she moved to New York, where she pursued studies in computer data entry and established a career in the fashion district as a skilled leather handbag maker and talented seamstress. After spending 30 years in New York, Lucy returned to her beloved hometown of Smithfield. Once home, she remained deeply engaged in her church and community. Known for her dedication and advocacy, Lucy worked tirelessly to promote positive change and faithfully served numerous organizations until her health no longer permitted. Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille and Jesse Penny; her children, Felicia Washington and Freddie Washington, Jr.; and her siblings, Dorothy Penny, Leon Penny, Frank Penny, Louise Penny Sewell, Florene Penny Williams, and Irene Penny Dublin. She leaves to cherish her loving memory two daughters, Aisha Shahid and Dianne Washington; two sons, Curtis Hill, Jr. and Rodney Washington; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends. Lucy’s life was marked by hard work, service, compassion, and commitment to her family and community. Her legacy of strength and dedication will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Funeral Arrangements: Viewing Wed June 3, 2026, at Mitchener Memorial MBC 911 Blount St Smithfield, NC from 11:00 am until 12:00 noon. Funeral Services will begin at 12:00 noon. Click On The Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family of Lucy Penny Washington. 
Mr. Randolph Dobbin, 77, departed this life on Tuesday May 5, 2026, at Springbrook Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was a devoted father and a friend to many.
Mary Lou Stallings, 91, of Princeton, North Carolina, departed this life on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the many uplifting prayers, calls, and messages of support during this time.
As Memorial Day approaches, our nation prepares to honor the men and women who gave their lives to secure our freedom. This tradition carries added meaning as we near America’s 250th anniversary, a reminder of how many generations have defended our country. As we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we are reminded that the liberties we enjoy today have been preserved through their courage and devotion. We owe it to them to honor and keep alive their legacies. Leave a post for your loved one's who served. Thank you for your service. Click On The Add Comments Line Below to leave a post.
Mrs. Linda Kay Dew Howard, 70, was born on February 13, 1956, in Wayne County, North Carolina, to the late Levi and Idellar Dew. She departed this life on May 10, 2026, at UNC Johnston Health, surrounded by her loving family. Linda was preceded in death by four brothers, four sisters, and her beloved grandson, Tayvyon Dew. A proud graduate of North Johnston High School, Class of 1974, Linda was a faithful and devoted member of Burning Bush Holiness Tabernacle, where she served diligently on the usher board. She was known for her kindness, unwavering faith, and love for her family and church community. She leaves to cherish her precious memories her devoted husband of 50 years, Andria Howard; one daughter, Tanya Scarboro (Jasper); two sons, Orlando Dew and Michael Howard; a special daughter, Connie Winston; special sons, Johnathan and Jason; five beloved grandchildren, Jakeema Williams, J’von Dew, Jalill Howell, Natayzia Dew, and Janiya Scarboro; one brother, Willie Dew; three sisters, Brenda Dew, Mary Jones, and Iwanda Davis; two special friends, Mary Sanders and Rhonda Thomas; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. Linda’s loving spirit, gentle heart, and dedication to her family and faith will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Arrangements: Viewing 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm Tuesday May 19, 2026, in the Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations Chapel 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd. Smithfield, NC 27577. Funeral Services: 11:30 am Wednesday May 20, 2026, at Burning Bush Holiness Tabernacle 714 W. Market St., Smithfield, NC .  Click on the Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family of Linda D. Howard.
Ezar Davis Tyson Jr. was born to Ezar Davis Tyson Sr. and Charlotte Gail Tyson on September 2, 1988. Ezar departed this life on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, while a resident of Willow Valley Skilled Nursing Home. Ezar was a graduate of Triton High School in Erwin, North Carolina. Ezar leaves to cherish his precious memories his mother, Charlotte Tyson of Smithfield, North Carolina; guardian, Barbara Dorman of Raleigh, North Carolina; aunts, Sonya Rowe of Jacksonville, North Carolina, and Melanie Hicks of Goldsboro, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Jarvis Laughinhouse of Wake Forest, North Carolina; and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Funeral Services: Sunday May 17, 2026, at the Walter Sanders Funeral Home Chapel. Viewing from 2:30 pm until 3:00 pm with funeral services beginning at 3:00 pm. Click on the Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family of Ezar D. Tyson Jr.
Mrs. Lucy Graye Penny Washington , 90, of Smithfield, NC, peacefully departed this life at her home on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Born on August 24, 1935, to the late Lucille and Jesse Penny, Lucy was raised in Smithfield, North Carolina, where she attended Johnston County Training School. Following her graduation, she moved to New York, where she pursued studies in computer data entry and established a career in the fashion district as a skilled leather handbag maker and talented seamstress. After spending 30 years in New York, Lucy returned to her beloved hometown of Smithfield. Once home, she remained deeply engaged in her church and community. Known for her dedication and advocacy, Lucy worked tirelessly to promote positive change and faithfully served numerous organizations until her health no longer permitted. Lucy was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille and Jesse Penny; her children, Felicia Washington and Freddie Washington, Jr.; and her siblings, Dorothy Penny, Leon Penny, Frank Penny, Louise Penny Sewell, Florene Penny Williams, and Irene Penny Dublin. She leaves to cherish her loving memory two daughters, Aisha Shahid and Dianne Washington; two sons, Curtis Hill, Jr. and Rodney Washington; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends. Lucy’s life was marked by hard work, service, compassion, and commitment to her family and community. Her legacy of strength and dedication will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Funeral Arrangements: Viewing Wed June 3, 2026, at Mitchener Memorial MBC 911 Blount St Smithfield, NC from 11:00 am until 12:00 noon. Funeral Services will begin at 12:00 noon. Click On The Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family of Lucy Penny Washington. 
Mr. Randolph Dobbin, 77, departed this life on Tuesday May 5, 2026, at Springbrook Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was a devoted father and a friend to many.
Mary Lou Stallings, 91, of Princeton, North Carolina, departed this life on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude for the many uplifting prayers, calls, and messages of support during this time.
Join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of Evangelist First Lady Joyce Bryant Richardson. The Richardson and Bryant family welcome all to attend, whether virtually or in-person, as we remember our beloved mother, wife, and woman of God.
