Walking Tour of Goose Creek Island Cemeteries - To See, To Remember

Photo by William Odell Spain, January 2010

     Goose Creek Island's cemeteries are our most important historic resource.  If you ask any Islander what the Island's most important historic resources would be, they will say our churches, working waterfronts (landings) and our cemeteries.  Our Island history is in our cemeteries and preservation of them will be vital to keeping our history alive.
     The cemeteries on the Island is our most sacred places, but they are also places for educating and learning.  At rest, our former neighbors and family are a source of history and our Island stories. Strolling through the cemeteries provides not only a window into our past, but the serenity and reverence of its location, the quiet wildlife amongst it, and the beautiful outdoor sculptures of the markers.
     If we desire to tell our stories to future generations and visitors, our cemeteries offer the best opportunities.  From the hallowed ground lays stories of Island characters, their triumphs, their tragedies.  They offer the opportunity to gather genealogical information and the history that is revealed.
    I am planning a Walking Tour of Goose Creek Island Cemeteries for the fall.  Several folks have mentioned they would like to visit the Brickyard Cemetery at Middle Bay.  I've never been and I would love to bear witness to the history that is there.  We can pick a day and all gather at the Hobucken Marina. We'll drive to each cemetery on the Island and share stories, record any information one would like and take pictures.   But most importantly, we will gather to learn, to record these memories, to honor our fellow Islanders. 
     If you are interested in joining me, please send me an email at tinabeacham@yahoo.com or message me on Facebook.  I will try to pick a Saturday for all of us to come together.  Your thoughts and suggestions are most welcomed. 
  

In Memory of Ray Rhoden Jr.

Raymond Harold Rhoden, Jr., 65, of Hobucken passed away Saturday, September 6, 2014, at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

He was a retired commercial fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his family and deer hunting.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Nancy Rhoden; one son, Bryan Rhoden and wife, Kelly, of Lowland; two daughters, Christina Godwin and husband, Troy, of Hobucken and Maria Norman and husband, Jamey, of Merritt; two sisters, Rhonda Luckey of Stark, Fla. and Bonny West of Chocowinity; three brothers, Doran L. Sadler and Lynn Sadler, both of Hobucken and Mickey Sadler of Grantsboro; and five grandchildren, Amber Norman, Jamey Norman Jr., Leighia Godwin, Lora Rhoden and Sara Rhoden.

His funeral will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 9, at New Vision Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Ray Bonner officiating. Interment will be in Barnett Cemetery.

The family will receive friends and relatives immediately following the service at the church.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial donations may be made to Bryant Funeral Home, PO Box 99, Alliance, NC 28509 to assist the family with final expenses.

In Memory of Eula Ballance Heath

Eula Mae Ballance Heath, 93, died Thursday, August 28, 2014 at Bayview Nursing and Rehab Center. She had worked as a seamstress with Sagner Sewing Room and was a lifetime member of Warden's Grove FWB, Lowland.  She was the daughter of the late Charlie and Mamie Ballance of Lowland.

She is survived by her son Carlton Heath and wife Vicki of New Bern;  one sister, Mollie Campen of Lowland; one grandson, Daniel Heath and wife Ashley of Wilson; and one great-grandson Malachi.

Funeral will be at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Pollock-Best Funeral Home Chapel with burial following at Greenleaf Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends at Pollock-Best Funeral Home Saturday 6-8 p.m.