The Obituary Section

William Purvis

, North Carolina

Graveside Services will be held at 200 PM Saturday August 15 2026 at Norview Gardens. The family will receive friends from 1200 noon until 145 Saturday at Edwards Funeral Home of Norwood. He was born April 5 1948 in Marlboro County SC to the late William P. and Ollie Chavis Purvis. He was a retiree of Stanly Fixtures. He is survived by his daughters Katrina Deaton of Mt. Gilead and Melissa Jenkins Henry of Ellerbe. His former wife and caregiver Shiela Decker of Mt. Gilead. Three grandchildren Nicholas Deaton Jamie Jayden Purvis Cailyn and Allie Jenkins. brother Arthur Lee Thompson. Sisters Anna Griffins Geraldine Haire Lynda Bozeman Hattie Liles and Ginger Ravenbark. He was preceded in death by his wife Judy Isdell Purvis brothers Jefferson Thompson and Blease Purvis and sister Mary Purvis Raffaldt.

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Peggy Smith

, North Carolina

Graveside Services will be held at 200 PM Thursday August 13 2026 at Smiths Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev Jeff Springer will officiate. Mrs. Smith will lie in repose Wednesday Afternoon from 200 until 500 at Edwards Funeral Home of Norwood. Mrs Smith was born June 21 1936 in Stanly County to the late Robert and Thelma Wilhoit Morton. She was a retiree of Stanly County Schools and a member of Big Lick Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Lynn Smith her brother Robert L. Morton sisters Shirley Morton Morris and Linda Morton Huneycutt She is survived by her son Phillip S. Smith Marjorie daughterinlaw Karen Smith Four grandchildren Brent Smith Alyssa Bailey Smith Wesley Smith and Alana Smith. Two great grandchildren Ezra and Maple Smith. Nieces and Nephew Mitzi and Laurie Morris and Chris Huneycutt. The family would like to express their thanks…

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Janet Hill

, North Carolina

Janet Ordille Hill 84 of Norwood passed away peacefully Thursday August 13 2026 at Stanly Regional Hospital with her daughters by her side. A visitation for Janet will be held Tuesday August 18 from 300 400 at Edwards Funeral Home in Norwood. The service will begin at 400 in the funeral home chapel Rev. Heather McIntyre will be officiating. Janet was born May 8 1942 in Paulsboro NJ. She grew up in Seabrook NJ and graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1960. After high school she attended Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer NC. Throughout her life she worked mainly in textiles with most of her career at Cassie Cotillion as a supervisor in Norwood and Albemarle. After the closure of Cassie Cotillion Janet finished her career at McRae Industries in Mt. Gilead. Janet was a dedicated loving mother and overall nurturing person. Always smiling she had a way of making everyone…

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Sonny Tyson

, North Carolina

Malvern Blease Sonny Tyson 73 of Norwood passed away surrounded by his loving family on Monday August 10 2026. A celebration of life service will be held at 600 PM on Wednesday August 12 2026 at Norwood First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Heather McIntyre will officiate and the family will receive friends from 400 to 530 prior to the service in the sanctuary. Sonny was born on June 23 1953 in Stanly County to the late Blease Devotion and Margaret Harris Tyson. He graduated from South Stanly High School in 1971 and was a member of Norwood First Presbyterian Church . Sonny was the owner and operator of Sonnys Construction and served the community for over 43 years. Sonny loved and cherished his family especially his children grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time and fishing on the lake with family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years…

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Stella Dase

, North Carolina

to eternal rest Wednesday July 29 2026. She was born April 8 1966 in Thomasville North Carolina to the parentage of Willie and Della Turner Redfearn. Stellas life epitomized Love. Her bright light showed through her kindness generosity and compassion for others. We will hold her memory close and live a life befitting her legacy. May she rest in Our Fathers Arms. Educated in the Thomasville High School public schools Stella graduated from Thomasville High School. She was employed with SCUSA Stanly County Unified Services Agency for over twentyfour years leaving exemplary employment. Stella was loved and revered by her colleagues and clients. She will be sorely missed. Never idle Stella was a faithful member at Spirit and Truth United Church of Worship where she served as Hospitality Leader Usher and Choir member. A great cook her macaroni and cheese baked spaghetti cheesecake and cornbread were legendary. Her gourmet talents…

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Rhonda Earley

, North Carolina

was the daughter of George Albert Robinson Jr. and Frances Cooper Robinson. She was born January 21 1958 in Wilmington Delaware. Rhonda was called home to be with the Lord Tuesday August 11 2026 while a patient at Atrium HealthStanly Albemarle North Carolina. May she rest in our Fathers Arms. Rhonda received her formal education in the New Castle Public Schools Wilmington Delaware. She was a graduate of Bowie State University Bowie Maryland where she received her Bachelors Degree. She received her Masters Degree from Ultimate Medical Academy in the field of medical billing and coding. At an early age she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. Upon moving to North Carolina Rhonda affiliated and joined Oliver Grove Missionary Baptist Church Mt. Gilead North Carolina. There she served as Pastors Aide President. Rhonda was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star Oak Ridge Chapter No. 547 PHA…

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Messiah Laney

, North Carolina

July 6, 2021

age 5 entered Our Fathers House July 30 2026 surrounded by loving family members. Messiah was born July 7 2021 in Albemarle North Carolina. He was a ray of sunshine to his mother Raven Channel Laney. Although his life was short on earth we give thanksgiving for the memories and laughter we shared with Messiah. May he soar with angels and rest in Gods Care. In June of this year Messiah graduated and received his preschool certificate from LoveNCare West Day Care Albemarle. He was an energetic fiveyearold who enjoyed playing with his hot wheel cars playing with his favorite dinosaur TRex but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family. Messiah was smart inquisitive and His memory will forever be cherished by his mother Raven Laney sister Mezuri Laney maternal grandmother Theresa Gramling maternal grandfather Robert Laney III maternal uncles Emmanuel Ruffin and Matthew Gramling maternal aunt…

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