They Left Us Too Soon...

Nannie Lee Dunston Davis, of Selma, North Carolina was born on December 9, 1947, in Johnston County to the late Chester Dunston and Bessie Adams Dunston. She peacefully transitioned from labor to reward on July 20, 2025, at home surrounded by family. She is survived by her daughters Wanda Godwin (Dock), Mazzie Hill (Darryl), Nichole Sanders (Charles Snead). Eight grandchildren: Natasha West (Gregory), Lottie Creech, Anthony Battle, Michelle Powell (Lavandon), Gabrielle Whitaker (Shavon), Orielle Laster, Briana Laster, Antwon Sanders, Sherrica Sanders and 47 great grandchildren. Her loving sister Josephine Laster (Lenard) and a host of nieces, nephews. Arrangements: Wake: Friday, July 25, 2025, at 11am - 12pm at Johnston Piney Grove Baptist Church, 1691 Barber Mill Road, Clayton, NC 27520 Funeral Service: Friday, July 25, 2025, at 12pm at Johnston Piney Grove Baptist Church, 1691 Barber Mill Road, Clayton, NC 27520 Click on The Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the Davis family. Guest Book Family or Deceased Name: Nannie Lee Dunston Davis Your Name: James Barbour Email: barbourphyllis84@yahoo.com Message: Extending Prayers & Sympathy for your loss. Joe Louis & Phyllis Barbour Date: 919 747-9480 Family or Deceased Name: Nannie Lee Dunston Your Name: Joyce S Wall Email: wall.joyce82@gmail.com Message: With sympathy Date: 9197794255 Family or Deceased Name: Nannie Lee Dunston Davis Your Name: George M Royal Email: kisharoyal71@gmail.com Message: Sending condolences to the family. . Mr. George Royal and family Date: 07-23-25

Mr. James Earl Benton, of Selma, North Carolina, was born on November 19, 1937, in Johnston County to the late Ransome Benton and Fannie Bunn. He peacefully transitioned from labor to reward on July 9, 2025, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Doris Hargrave Benton, and the following children: James David Hargrave (Cynthia), Dorcia Chaison Bridgewater (Ken), Arlean Benton Brooks (Tony), Jerome Ransome Benton, Angela Benton Steele (Wesley), Clifford Earl Benton (Kandy), Linwood Earl Holder, and the late James Earl White. He also leaves behind several grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Arrangements: Viewing: Thursday July 17, 2025, 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm in the Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services Chapel 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC. Funeral Services: A visitation will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM at New Generation Christian Church, located at 4423 Wilsons Mills Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM at the same location. The funeral will be live streamed starting at 11:50 am on our Facebook page, Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations. Interment will take place immediately after the service at Selma Memorial Gardens. A repast will be held at River Oak Commons in Selma. Click On the Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family of Mr. James E. Benton. Guest Book Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Kelton F Hinton Email: kelton@raleigh.twcbc.com Message: Mr Benton was a great man and a good neighbor. I have known him and his family for the last 27 years. We have worked on several projects together over the years. I always appreciated his heart for ministry and his kind consideration for the needs of his family. He has always been a hard worker whether cleaning floors, pastoring or puttering around in his garden! He always had a servant's heart and will be greatly missed by all! Date: 919-965-9450 Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Linda Scarboro Bailey Email: ls_bailey@att.net Message: I am very sorry for your loss. I will keep the entire family in prayer during this difficult time. Date: 07172025 Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Roger Taylor and HHCMS, Inc. Email: athena287dando@gmail.com Message: He was a remarkable man—kind, strong, and full of quiet grace. Whether through his laughter, his wisdom, or simply the way he made others feel seen and heard, he left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. His absence will be deeply felt, but so will his love, which continues to live on in the hearts of those who loved him. Date: 910.540.2260 Family or Deceased Name: Dad Benton Your Name: Charlotte Grimes Email: securelady50@gmail.com Message: To the Benton family in whom I have known for years, I personally want to send my deepest condolences, especially Mom Doris, I pray that GOD will through is Loving arms around each of you in a special way. Date: 919-986-4756 Family or Deceased Name: Mr.James Earl Benton Your Name: Yvette and Kenneth Revell Email: yvetterevell@gmail.com Message: To the family may God's peace and love rest on each of you, know that Mr. Earl completed the assignment God gave him great man of faith, loved God and people rest on sir, Jesus loves you more. Take comfort family God got him. Date: 7162025 Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Soror Janet Wise Email: jwise@restorethefamily.org Message: So sorry for your loss Arlean. My prayers go out to you and your family. Date: 9196347523 Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Baptist Grove Church Care Card Ministry Email: bgccares@baptistgrovechurch.org Message: Sis Angela, Cydney and Mykalia, May God's love comfort you and give you strength to endure and be sustained with "grand" memories of your loving Father and Grandfather. Date: 919 787 4528 Family or Deceased Name: Benton Family Your Name: Marilyn F. Williams Email: mfwms7@gmail.com Message: My thoughts and prayers are with you Arlean on the passing of your Dad. Sendings hugs. Your Ebony Pages sister Date: 07142025 Family or Deceased Name: Mr. James Benton Your Name: Johnny & Emma Johnson Email: emjohnson@nc.rr.com Message: Condolences to the Benton family we are praying for strength, comfort and healing that only God can provide. Mr. Benton loved the Lord by his unselfish service in preaching the word ,and servicing the community with the fresh vegetables and fruit. Thank you Mr. Benton for everything ,your love for humanity didn't go unnoticed an we appreciate all the love for the people you service. You will be greatly missed. 🖤🖤 Take your rest in paradise!!! Date: 7-14-2025 Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Trina Neal Email: trinaneal@yahoo.com Message: Uncle Earl will truly be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with the family. Date: 7132025 Family or Deceased Name: Rev. James E. Benton Your Name: Bettie Revell 💕 Email: bettiejoeann2451@gmail.com Message: My heart goes out to your families of your loss. Cousin James was a very kind hearted person and spiritually filled with compassion to everyone he meet. His love was always shown to All even a stranger on the streets, but God's grace kept him strong in his words. He's a beautiful person that's left his marked in lots of ways especially in me. May God's Blessings 🙌 upon you all to submit his strength of comfort and healing of your loss in an individual way, to smile and say, that's dad, or uncle, that's my brother a dear and close friend, that will never be forgotten. Peace and my love l send out to you individually as collectively. Sis./ CUZ. Bettie & Revell's Families Date: 7122025 Family or Deceased Name: Benton Family Your Name: Rev. Dr. Dorothy H. Richardson Email: hdotrich@gmail.com Message: Praying for the family, for I know that God will give you the strength you during this bereavement time. Look to the hills from whence your help come, for our strength comes from the Lord. Date: 919-553-4085. Family or Deceased Name: Uncle Earl Benton Your Name: Patricia Ann Poston McCsntd Email: mccantsp30@gmail.com Message: Uncle Earl rest in peace and know you are blessed. Love, Jean’s daughter and family Date: 07122026 Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Edith Porter Email: porteredith@hotmail.com Message: Sending prayers and condolences to the Benton family. He was a wonderful person and will be truly missed. ❤️ Date: 9197968437 Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Billie Davis Email: billiedavis2963@yahoo.com Message: Sorry for your loss Billie Davis and family Greensboro NC Date: 06112025 Family or Deceased Name: James Earl Benton Your Name: Helen T Price Email: hprice143@embarqmail.com Message: Praying for the family and my heartfelt condolences to the James Earl Benton family. Date: 9192842392

Mr. Murtnell Sligh of Selma NC was the son of Willie and Cora Sligh. He was born January 13, 1954, in Johnston County, NC. Mr. Sligh transitioned from labor to reward on June 21, 2025, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Murtnell attended Richard B Harrison High School. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Murtnell worked for North Carolina State University where he was a maintenance engineer and concentrated on keeping the floors in excellent condition. Mr. Sligh especially enjoyed talking about the Lord to family and friends. Another of his favorite things was cooking, he often cooked for the family. He is survived by his wife Mary Sligh, bonus children; Sandra Sanders, Michelle Sanders, seven grandchildren, two sisters, Mary Newsome, Maxine Lewis and a host of other relatives and friends. Arrangements: Funeral Services will be held Thursday July 10, 2025, at Howell's Chapel Church of Christ 214 E. Preston St., Selma, NC at 12:00 noon. The family would request in lieu of flowers monetary contributions be submitted to the funeral home directly Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577 for Murtnell Sligh. Click on The Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family. Guest Book Family or Deceased Name: Murtnell Sligh Your Name: Ricky Bell Email: bell_ricky@myyahoo.com Message: Rest in peace my brother 🙏🏼 & u will be well missed by me. Ricky Ricardo Bell from Raleigh, NC. Date: 070825

Thelma Glovenia Vinson, a beloved resident of Clayton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 16, 2025. She was born on November 11, 1931, in Wilson Mills, North Carolina to the late George Nunn and Bessie Holt. Thelma spent her early years attending Wilson Mills School until the age of eight before her family relocated from North Carolina to New York. In New York, she attended the Fashion Institute High School, where her exceptional talent earned her a scholarship to the Fashion Institute College. Demonstrating a strong work ethic and dedication early on, Thelma chose to embark on her professional career directly after high school. She joined the New York Telephone Company full-time, where she dedicated 35 years of loyal service as a telecommunications supervisor before her well-deserved retirement. A woman of deep faith, Thelma was a dedicated and faithful member of the Lutheran Church of the Epiphany in Hempstead, New York. After moving back to North Carolina, she joined Union Hill AME Church in 1990, where she continued her faithful and dedicated membership. Beyond her church service, Thelma also extended her compassion to the community, volunteering with the Johnson County Memorial Hospital for 14 years. Thelma was a confident, independent, and fashion-conscious woman who loved beautiful things. She had a passion for sewing and found joy in the design and creation of various home décor projects and clothing. She rarely wore the same outfit twice and attended every event dressed to impress in her signature style. Thelma was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 71 years, William Oscar Vinson. She leaves a legacy of love and cherished memories for her devoted children, Pavla Avery, Derek Vinson, and Dwayne Vinson (Stephanie). She was a cherished grandmother to Lincoln Tyson (Kiyo), Lakeisha Mills (Jay), Carol Avery, Christopher Burnette, Demetri, Devin and Donovan Vinson. Thelma was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Kevin Ingram, Tionna Hicks (Jerrod), Kionna Tyson, Collin Tyson, Jayvion and Jada Bradley and Miles Tyson. She is also survived by her great-great-grandchildren, Madison Tyson and Ashton Hicks and as well as a host of cousins and friends. Service Information: A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Mount Vernon Christian Church 300 N Lombard St., Clayton, North Carolina. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM at the church. The interment will take place immediately after the service at Pinecrest Memorial Park. A repast will be held at the Gateway Event Center in Clayton. Click on The Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family. Guest Book Family or Deceased Name: Mrs. Thelma G. Vinson Your Name: Carl & Pauline Sanders Email: sanders.pauline48@gmail.com Message: To Dwayne and the entire Vinson family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy. May God grant you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Date: 6-23.2025 Family or Deceased Name: Thelma Vinson Your Name: Stephanie Vinson Email: svinson@icloud.com Message: We're heartbroken by the loss of the matriarch of our family, Thelma Vinson. She was a truly special woman who welcomed me into the family with open arms and always made me feel loved. I'll forever cherish the memories of her. I'm grateful for the time I had with her. My heart aches for my husband, Dwayne, and the rest of the family, but we find comfort in knowing she is at peace with God and reunited with the love of her life. She will be greatly missed but always remembered. Date: 06-22-25 Family or Deceased Name: Thelma Vinson Your Name: LaTonya Meori Email: care@visionrdu.com Message: Our heart goes out to you and your family during this time of grief. I pray that the Lord will continue to provide comfort and surround you with his strength during this time. Date: 7-21-25