All Obituaries

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Thomas Patterson, age 67, of Broadway, NC, died Friday, October 15, 2021 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Lee County, NC on April 9, 1954 to the late Ernest Brady Thomas and Nellie Womack Thomas.  Gwen was a member of Juniper Springs Baptist Church and retired after 30 years of service as a legal assistant for Post, Foushee, Patton Trial Lawyers (formerly Staton Law Practice).  Gwen was a loving and wonderful wife and...

Sarah Esteen Rogers Thomas, age 96, of Sanford, passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Harnett County on September 12, 1925 to the late Joseph Nolan Rogers and Sophia Thomas Rogers.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband Ernest Lee Thomas; son Danny Thomas; brother Nolan Kelly Rogers and son-in-law Wade Marion.  Mrs. Thomas is survived by sons Mike Thomas and wife Margaret, Tim Thomas and Jay...

Kenny Dee Smith, age 61, of Sanford, NC, passed away Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at Duke University Hospital. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona on September 9, 1960 to the late Kenneth Louis Smith and Barbara Hurst Smith.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Tammy Smith. Kenny was a loving and caring family man who loved his family more than anything.  He was a wonderful provider to his family and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  Kenny was...

Sara Louise Iceman Drzewicki-Collins, age 41, of Sanford, passed away on Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at Cape Fear Valley Hospital. She was born in Ohio on December 23, 1979 to Cheri Iceman Cox.  Sara was preceded in death by her husband Richard Nickols.  She worked for Cisco Systems as a payroll analyst. In addition to her mother, Sara is survived by daughter Elisabeth Sams and husband Cody of Virginia; sons Aaron Nickols and wife Marquise of Texas and Ashton Drzewicki-Collins of...

Michael Allan Green born 8/18/1963 of Cameron NC died peacefully at the First Health Hospice House in Pinehurst on October 11,2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Aaron Green and his wife Melissa Cranfield. He is survived by his mother, Madine Green, his daughters, Amber Stewart (Rusty), Ashlie Sullivan (John) and adopted daughter Katrina Williams and 4 grandchildren, Nathan Stewart, Skylar Stewart, Kaydence Green and Rylan Stewart all of Cameron NC. Michael graduated...

Kenneth Dale Atkins, age 64, of Sanford, NC, passed away Monday, October 11, 2021 at UNC Hospitals with his family by his side. He was born in Lee County, NC on August 7, 1957 to the late Homer Warren Atkins and Mildred Motsinger Atkins.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law Lloyd and Judy Atkins.  Dale was a graduate of Deep River High School Class of 1975 and worked for Caterpillar.  Most important to Dale was his faith and...

Edwin Dale Hall, age 74, of Cameron, NC, passed away on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at his home. He was born in Lee County on January 15, 1947 to the late Ray Alton Hall and Pearl Ballenger Hall.  He was preceded in death by his daughters, Tammie Renee Hall and Kellie Rae Hall and a sister, Darley Rae Hall. Dale was a master carpenter and cabinet maker prior to his retirement.  Surviving relatives include his wife, Linda McCann Hall of the home; two sons, Edwin Scott Hall and Suzie...

O’Neil Shepherd, age 85, of Sanford, passed away on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at his home. He was born in Dillon, South Carolina on November 18, 1935 to the late Luther Shepherd and Fannie Lou Price Shepherd. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Martha Ray Oakley Shepherd.  Mr. Shepherd was retired after a 30-year career with Kelly-Springfield. He is survived by his son Terence Shepherd of Sanford and sister Katie Lee Moody of...

Doris Rebecca Tripp Dowdy, age 94, of Sanford, NC, died Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at Parkview Retirement Center. She was born in Franklin County, TN  on October 18, 1926 to the late Elmer Davis Tripp and Annie Amacher Tripp.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Graham Stammie Dowdy and sister Ruth Limbaugh.  Doris was a charter member of Edgewood Presbyterian Church and worked in almost all aspects of the church.  She held...

Tommy Eugene Whitaker, age 61, of Sanford passed away on Monday, October 4, 2021 after suffering a heart attack at his home. He was born in Lee County on February 13, 1960 to the late Paul David Whitaker and Mary Thompson Whitaker.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law Robert Tyner.  Tommy worked as an installer at Davis Glass for many years before going to work for Sanford Contractors. Tommy is survived by his daughters Paula Gail Holler and...