They Left Us Too Soon...

Mr. Marshall Craven Nixon, 82 of Smithfield, NC passed away surrounded by family at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, NC. on Thursday January 1, 2026. Marshall was the son of Isham and Gertrude Nixon and was born November 5, 1943. Marshall was a proud member of the Johnston County Training School of Smithfield Class of 1962. Marshall spent most of his adult life in transportation. He worked in the family business Nixon Bros. Transfer Company, Barnes Transportation, Cargo Care Transportation and Triple E Transportation. Marshall also worked for Jerald Manufacturing of Smithfield, NC. Marshall was married to the late Louise Nixon for over 60 years. He is survived by his daughters Angela Nixon Wright (Kenneth), Marsha Nixon Smalls (Curtis), and Dawn Sorrell (Jimmie Stevens), sister Emma Nixon Britt (Carlton) and brother Carl G. Nixon, Sr. (Olivia), a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends. Viewing: Friday January 16, 2026, at the Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services Chapel 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577 3:00pm - 6:00 pm. Family present from 5:00pm-6:00pm Family/Friends open remarks period from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Funeral Services: Saturday January 17, 2026, at Shiloh Christian Church 211 Durham St., Smithfield, NC 27577 11:30 am with viewing from 11:00am until 11:30am. Interment: Sunset Memorial Park, Smithfield, NC 27577 Click On the Add Comments Line below to leave a message for the family of Mr. Marshall C. Nixon. Guest Book Family or Deceased Name: Mr Marshall Nicon Your Name: Harriet Whitley Email: htootiepie@aol.com Message: Prayers and condolences to his daughter and his family. Such a humble man, who loved his family. RIP Date: 9193909703 Family or Deceased Name: Marshall Nixon Your Name: Salethea Rowland Baber Email: tinysb.sb@gmail.com Message: To the entire Nixon family our deepest Condolence, thoughts and prayers 🙏🏾 are with you all ❣️ RIP Marshall James and Salethea Rowland Date: 01-16-2026 Family or Deceased Name: Marshall Nicon Your Name: Della Sanders Email: dellasanders601@gmail.com Message: SO sorry to hear of the passing of your father. He was always living, kind and considerate. I will always remember him for the good fish he always cooked. He will be truly, truly missed. Prayers for the family. Date: 01162026 Family or Deceased Name: Marsha and Angela Your Name: Roderick Watson Email: Roderickwatsonsr@outlook.com Message: With my sincere expression of sympathy about the death of your Dad. He was a good man and I really appreciated him. My prayers are for your comfort and grace. Your friend and I love you both Date: 01152026 Family or Deceased Name: Marshall Nixon Your Name: Sabrina & Dwight Atcherson Email: atch01@verizon.net Message: Thank you Angela and Marsha Carol for sharing your Dad with us. He will forever be in Our hearts. Rest In Paradise Mr. Marshall. We love and miss you. Date: 011226 Family or Deceased Name: Marshall Nixon Your Name: Tracy Barfield Email: tracybarfield51@gmail.com Message: My Condolences to the family. I'm praying that God give y'all strength during this difficult time. Date: 9106359472 Family or Deceased Name: Marshall Nixon Your Name: Pauline M. Sanders & Family Email: sanders.pauline48@gmail.com Message: Sending our sincere condolences to the Nixon Family. Date: 1-11-2026 Family or Deceased Name: Marshall Nixon Your Name: Charles C. Stokes Email: chucksto.12@gmail.com Message: Angela and Marsha I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing. You have my condolences. He was a supportive and valued friend. Date: 9199777743 Family or Deceased Name: Marshall Nixon Your Name: Sheerie Dublin Robinson Email: sheerie57@aol.com Message: Our sincere condolences family. I was always in and out of y'all house with Betty visiting Louise or me with Tony y'all always seemed like family. Praying for you all ❤️ Date: 01-05-2026

Mrs. Phillis Marie Valdez, age 86 went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday June 15, 2021, while residing at Providence Assisted Living in Smithfield, NC, with her husband Juan “Andy” Valdez. Phillis was born January 7, 1935, in Amherst, Wisconsin to Phillip and Marie (Worden) Shaw (deceased). She was the oldest of 8 children. Phillis Valdez was preceded in death by her Sister, Peri Achcynski and Brother Kenneth Shaw. Phillis married Verne Slater on September 15, 1952, and to that union 7 children were born (5 daughters and 2 sons). She remarried in later years to her current husband Juan “Andy” Valdez. They have been married for the past 28 years and had been inseparable “two peas in a pod”. They shared their love for the Lord, each other, family, friends, dancing, music and watching movies. Phillis loved playing the board game Scrabble and doing crossword puzzles. Phillis and Andy shared 9 children, 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Phillis leaves to cherish her memory: her husband Juan “Andy” Valdez , two stepsons; Kenneth Valdez (Nora) of Denver, CO, Gregory Valdez (Shannon) of Port Orchard, WA, daughters; Charleen Slater Marino (Gary) of Wheatridge, CO, Peri Slater LaBate (Paul) of Westminster, CO, Kathleen Slater Faliano (Frank) of Broomfield, CO, Jeanne Slater Jackson (Larry) of Clayton, NC, Rochelle Slater Van Ootegham (Steve) of Clayton, NC, sons; Steven Slater, of Milwaukee, WI, Scott Slater (Becky) of Keystone Heights, FL, sisters; Kathryn Flees of St. Francis, WI, Toni Shaw of Denver, CO, Linda Gramera (Bob) of Durango, CO, Rita Zurowski (Fred) of Stevens Point, WI, brother Richard Shaw of Milwaukee, WI, 20 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Memorial Services A "Celebration of Life" for Phillis and her husband Juan "Andy" Valdez, will be held in the Chapel of Walter Sanders Funeral Home & Cremation Services 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577 Saturday January 10, 2026, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Services will be live streamed via Facebook Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations with a reception immediately to follow at Faith Community Church Fellowship Hall 2180 Steel Bridge Rd., Clayton, NC. There will also be a "Celebration of Life" and burial at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO for Phillis and Andy this Spring. Again, please refer to the website of Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services with that date. Click on the Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family. Guest Book

Mr. Juan "Andy" Andres Gilberto Valdez age 92 went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday December 17, 2025 while on a respite stay at The SECU Hospice House of UNC Johnston, Smithfield, N.C. Prior to his stay at The Hospice House in Smithfield, N.C. Andy had been living for the past four years at Bethesda Family Care Home in Clayton, N.C. Andy was born on February 23, 1933 in Cimarron, N.M. He moved to Trinidad, CO as a baby. Andy had 4 sisters and 3 brothers. Andy is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters, his wives Phillis Shaw Valdez and Crystella Salvador Valdez. Andy served in the United States Army after graduating high school in Trinidad, Colorado. After being honorably discharged from the Army he moved back to Trinidad, Colorado. On January 21, 1956 Andy married his first wife Crystella Salvador. To that union 2 sons were born. Kenneth Andrew of Denver, CO. and Gregory Allen of Port Orchard Washington. Crystella died from cancer on August 6th, 1990. On February 11, 1993 Andy married Phillis Shaw. They shared Andy's two biological sons Kenny Valdez and Greg Valdez along with Phillis's 7 biological adult children of five girls and two boys; Charleen (Slater) Marino of Wheat Ridge, CO, Peri (Slater) Labate of Westminster,CO, Kathleen (Slater) Faliano of Broomfield, CO, Jeanne (Slater) Jackson of Clayton, NC, Rochelle (Shelly Slater) Van Ootegham of Clayton, NC. Steve Slater of Milwaukee, WI, and Scott Slater of Keystone Heights, FL. Andy and Phillis were married for 32 years until Andy once again lost the love of his life. Phillis died from complications from a stroke on June 15, 2021. Andy loved the Lord, his family, his friends, fishing, gardening, dancing, reading and playing his harmonica. Andy will be greatly missed. He leaves behind 9 adult children and their spouses, 20 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who will always remember him for the gentle, funny, kind and loving person he was. Memorial Services A "Celebration of Life" for Phillis and her husband Juan "Andy" Valdez, will be held in the Chapel of Walter Sanders Funeral Home & Cremation Services 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC 27577 Saturday January 10, 2026, from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Services will be live streamed via Facebook Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremations with a reception immediately to follow at Faith Community Church Fellowship Hall 2180 Steel Bridge Rd., Clayton, NC. There will also be a "Celebration of Life" and burial at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO for Andy and Phillis this Spring. The date is yet to be determined. Again, please refer to the website of Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services with that date. Click On the Add Comments Line Below to leave a message for the family of Mr. Juan "Andy" Andres Gilberto Valdez. Guest Book

Rev. William Henry Lucas, age 96 of Smithfield, NC transitioned Monday December 15, 2025, at UNC Johnston Health in Smithfield. Rev. Lucas was the son of Theodore R and Bertha Brinkley Lucas and was born February 20, 1929, in Spring Hope, NC. Rev. Lucas graduated from C.C. Spaulding High School, enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served honorably until his discharge in 1953 and then attended Shaw University. In June 1953, Rev. Lucas received a calling from the Lord and for the next 49 years began a lifelong career in the ministry. He served as Pastor at First Baptist Church of Creedmoor NC, Lettice Hall Baptist in Franklin County, Odell Baptist in Littleton, NC, Shiloh Baptist Church in Arcola, NC, Strickland Grove Baptist in Four Oaks, NC and Galilee Baptist Church in Smithfield, NC. Upon retirement from pastoring in 2002, Rev Lucas joined Johnston Piney Grove Baptist Church of Clayton, NC and was faithful until declining health. In addition to pastoring, Rev Lucas typically worked a full-time job so he could ensure his family was taken care of. However, in September 1991, after 25 years of service, the Lord blessed Rev Lucas to retire from NC State University. Rev. Lucas is survived by his wife, Joan Green Lucas, sons; William Lucas II (Rita), and Timothy Lucas, one daughter-in- law; Lisa Lucas, three sisters-in-law; Luevenia Lucas, Brenda Lucas and Gail Green, four grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Theodore Lucas and Bertha Lucas, and son Brodwick Lucas. Viewing: Monday December 22, 2025, at the Walter Sanders Funeral & Cremation Services Chapel 302 S. Bright Leaf Blvd., Smithfield, NC., from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Funeral Service: Tuesday December 23, 2025, at Johnston Piney Grove Baptist Church 1691 Barber Mill Rd, Clayton, NC., at 10:30 am. Viewing from 10:00 am until 10:30 am. Interment: Carolina Biblical Gardens 1530 Creech Rd, Garner, NC. Click On The Add Comments Line below to leave a message for the Lucas Family. Guest Book Family or Deceased Name: Lucas Your Name: Kathy Pickard Email: kathrynpickard77@gmail.com Message: My sincere condolences to William and all his family on the passing of his father from this life. My thoughts are with you at this hard time. Date: 704-756-8523 Family or Deceased Name: Rev William Lucas Your Name: Rudy Williams & Gloria Williams Email: rudywilliams2008@gmail.com Message: Our heartfelt condolences to the family. May God's comforting power strengthen you now and days to come. Date: 9197402150 Family or Deceased Name: William Lucas Your Name: Ronald & Minnie L Deans Email: mdeansretired@coastalnet.com Message: Sincere condolences to you and your family during the transition of your dear loved one. Date: 12222025 Family or Deceased Name: William Lucas Your Name: Pamela Pickler Email: pamelapickler.1141964@gmail.com Message: My sincere sympathy to Ms Joan and the Lucas family. He was so sweet and kind, always had a wave as I would drive by his house and he would be sitting on the front porch! I had the pleasure of originally meeting him at my place of employment years ago when I told him we must have been related because my birth name was the same last name as his and ironically we lived on the same road. I will miss seeing him on that front porch to receive that friendly wave. Rest in peace Mr. Lucas, may your family and friends find comfort in all the beautiful memories you shared. Pamela Pickler Date: 9222025 Family or Deceased Name: Lucas Your Name: Belvin B High Email: belvinhigh@yahoo.com Message: William, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. My condolences to you and your family. My prayers are extended to you. Date: 9196734844 Family or Deceased Name: Rev. William H. Lucas Your Name: Don and Joan Stancil Email: Stancil538@comcast.net Message: Our condolences to William Lucas II and family for the loss of his beloved father. May God's grace provide you strength, peace and comfort through this difficult time. Date: 901-828-8962 Family or Deceased Name: Bill Lucas Your Name: Janet Parrish Email: jparrish1215@gmail.com Message: Mr Lucas was my neighbor for over 25 years. He was a wonderful man. We enjoyed him so much. We will miss seeing him out in his yard enjoying himself. Date: 9194648074