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Raymond Vernon Purnell
BERLIN -- Raymond Vernon Purnell, 85, of Berlin died Saturday, March 5, 2005, at Atlantic General Hospital.
Born in Berlin, he was a son of the late Charles E. Purnell Sr. and Blanche E. Predeaux Purnell.
He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Berlin. Prior to retiring, he was employed as a bus contractor for the Worcester County Board of Education.
Loving memories will remain with three sons, Orlando Purnell of Salisbury, Kenny Jarmon of Berlin and Joshua Pitts of Snow Hill; three daughters, Jackie Andrews of Berlin, Andrea Purnell and Valerie Purnell, both of Hebron; one brother, Joseph W. Purnell of Berlin; one sister, Hattie Jacobs of Berlin; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Flower Street in Berlin. The Rev. Joseph Henry will officiate. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
A ministry of comfort and dignity is being provided by Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home in Salisbury.
William Green Kerbin Jr.
SNOW HILL -- William Green Kerbin Jr. of Snow Hill passed away Monday, March 7, 2005, at the age of 94.
He was a son of the late William G. Kerbin Sr. and Alice Boehm Kerbin.
Mr. Kerbin Jr. practiced law every day for more than 71 years until a fall six weeks before his death. He was the oldest continuously practicing law practitioner in Maryland, having practiced law in Snow Hill since 1933. He was the head of the Maryland Bar Association's Lower Shore Character Committee for more than 30 years and had been its chairman for more than 20 years. He had been on the Board of he University of Baltimore Law School and was the school's Alumni of the Year for the year 2000. He has two grandsons who have graduated from law school, one from the University of Baltimore. He has another grandson, who is currently a student at that law school. In recent years, he and his wife informally adopted the Chief Judge of Maryland, the Hon. Robert M. Bell, as an additional grandson.
In 1940 when racial violence was at its height on the Lower Eastern Shore, Mr. Kerbin, as the Worcester County state's attorney, stopped the last attempted lynching on the Lower Eastern Shore. In the face of a lynching mob coming in the front of the local jail, Mr. Kerbin spirited Mr. Pilchard, an African-American accused of murdering several white Stockton residents, out of the jail through a back door. In an eight-hour car trip up the Eastern Shore and Delaware, having to change direction to avoid mobs gathering at various places, he got him to a place of safety in a western shore county jail. Until the trial was over, Mr. Kerbin and his family were placed under 24-hour police guard in their house because of threats made against him for his actions in thwarting the lynching. Mr. Kerbin then achieved a conviction of Mr. Pilchard according to the rule of the law. He became the youngest-elected state's attorney of Worcester County at age 28 and became locally famous as the creator of "Billy Kerbin's Flying Squad, " battling vice in the county. In one six-month period, he and his "flying squad" made 143 arrests: 54 for bootlegging, 57 for gambling, 28 for operation of slot machines and four persons were arrested for dancing on Sunday.
A few of the various offices he has held are president of the Paul Jones Foundation, past president of the Worcester County Bar Association, former chief of Snow Hill Fire Department, a founder and former president of Furnace Town and a past Rotary Club District Governor and only active charter member of the Snow Hill Rotary Club with more than 60 years of perfect attendance. From 1945 to 1972, he not only practiced law but also owned and published the Democratic Messenger newspaper.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margaret Howard Kerbin; his son, William H. Kerbin Sr. and his wife, Diane; his daughters, Susan K. Delano and her husband, Randy, and Charlotte K. Cathell and her husband, Dale R. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Dr. Laura Kerbin, William H. Kerbin Jr. and his wife, Karen, Dale K. Cathell and his wife, Audra, William H. Cathell and Amy C. Delano; and several nieces.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles, and his sister, Sarah Lee.
The funeral service will take place Friday at 11 a.m. at All Hallows Episcopal Church on Market Street in Snow Hill. Interment will be held in All Hallows Churchyard.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Snow Hill High School, William G. and Margaret H. Kerbin Award, c/o SHHS, 305 S. Church St., Snow Hill, Md. 21863. This award is presented annually to two graduating members of the senior class who have demonstrated exceptional community service and leadership traits throughout their high school years.
Arrangements are being handled by Burbage Funeral Home in Snow Hill.
William Franklin Truitt
SALISBURY -- William Franklin Truitt, 66, of Salisbury died Friday, March 4, 2005.
Born in Whaleyville, he was a son of the late Charles Holloway Truitt and Flora Jane Taylor Truitt.
He is survived by Saralene Truitt and their two daughters, Tammy Benson and Wendy Dryden; two stepsons, Steve and Michael Hampshire; his sons, David, Dean and Jeffrey Truitt and daughters, Cheryl Truitt Darby and Brenda Knox; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his closest friends, Pepe', Tigger and Spanky.
Mr. Truitt was employed at Perdue Farms Inc. for 25 years. He was a former member of the Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Department, a NASCAR enthusiast and enjoyed boating.
Memorial services and interment were private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice at the Lake, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802.
Homer Thomas Williams Sr.
ALLEN -- Homer Thomas Williams Sr., 88, of Allen died Saturday, March 5, 2005, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.
Born in Dames Quarter, he was a son of the late John Williams and Bessie Johnson Williams. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Waters Williams, in 1992.
He attended public schools in Somerset and Wicomico counties. He was an Army veteran. He worked for Oliphant Chevrolet, now Courtesy Chevrolet, for more than 50 years. He was a school bus contractor for Wicomico County for 30 years, and he was a livestock farmer for more than 30 years.
He is survived by one son, Homer T. Williams Jr. of Salisbury; one daughter, Ida Mae Holden and husband, Mervin, of Delaware; seven grandchildren, Kristain Williams of West Virginia, Sheena Williams of Salisbury, Bernadine T. Warrington, Bernard Denotta Teagle, Antoinette T. Smith, Doris Cassidy and Zenobia Brown; and several nieces and nephews.
Three sisters, Ruth, Helen and Linda, and one brother, Fulton Williams, preceded him in death.
A funeral service will be held tonight at 7:30 at Stewart Funeral Home on West Road and Olivia Street in Salisbury, where a viewing will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Rev. William T. Wallace Sr. will officiate. Interment will be Friday at 11 a.m. in Mount Calvary Church cemetery in Fruitland.
Arrangements are being handled by Stewart Funeral Home in Salisbury.
Howard Timothy Hannah
FRUITLAND -- Howard Timothy Hannah "Timmy", 50, went home to be with Our Lord on Friday, March 4, 2005, following a tragic accident on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Virginia.
He was the son of William Hannah of Newtonville, N.J., and the late Ernestine Hannah.
He attended the public schools of Pleasantville, N.J. As a young man, he played football for the Mighty Mights in high school. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, receiving an honorable discharge in 1979.
Upon his discharge he returned to New Jersey and became employed by Suburban Paving, Audubon, N.J., Atlantic City Race Course, Ricci Trucking, Adventure Trails and Sterling Coach Lines. He also coached the Pleasantville Junior Jokers little league football team for several years.
He moved to the Salisbury area in 1987 and became employed as a truck driver with Mountaire Poultry of Selbyville, Magnolia Trucking of Parsonsburg, the former Darling Inc. of Linkwood and Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. of Salisbury.
He was a member of Refreshing Fountain Ministries of Berlin.
In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife of 14 years, Charlene Hannah of Fruitland; one daughter, Laverne Watson and husband, Paul, of Florida; four sons, Timothy and Kevin Hannah of Bermuda, Darryl Jones Jr. of Fruitland and Teyon Harmon and his wife, Erica, of Laurel; five granddaughters, Jade, Rhaeyonna, Decita, Doots and Toni; one grandson, Shawn; a goddaughter, Erica Jones; two godsons, Mark Jones Jr. and Marcus Miciotto; one brother, Walter D. Hannah Sr.; five sisters, Linda and Brenda Hannah, Ruth Thomas and her husband, Theodore, Deanna Mobley and her husband, Adrian, all of Pleasantville, and Marva Williams of Sicklerville, N.J.; one sister-in-law, Gerri Harmon of Berlin; two brothers-in-law, Selby Harmon and his wife, Theresa, of Salisbury and Anthony Harmon and his wife, Marion, of Selbyville; and devoted friends, Warren Priestly of Pleasantville, Chris Davis of Warwick, R.I., and Reuben Brinson of Salisbury.
A brother and sister, William "Bill" and Geravia Evette Hannah, preceded him in death.
A funeral service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury. Interment will be in Springhill Memory Gardens. Friends may call Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Jolley Memorial Chapel in Salisbury and Saturday one hour prior to service at the church .
Services are entrusted to Jolley Memorial Chapel in Salisbury.
Shirley Sigrist Lewis
POCOMOKE CITY -- Shirley Sigrist Lewis, 60, died Tuesday, March 8, 2005, at her home.
Born in Salisbury, she was a daughter of John W. Sigrist and Minnie Shay Sigrist.
She is survived by her loving husband of 24 years, Archie Lewis Jr.; her daughters, LeAnna Rantz-Williams and her husband, David, and Jill Rantz Marsh and her husband, Mark; two grandchildren, Logan John Marsh and Brittney Shay Marsh, with whom she had a special bond. She also had a special place in her heart for her big brother, George William "Bill" Sigrist, who made it a point to always spoil her as a child. She also leaves behind her nephew, John Taylor "J.T." Sigrist and his wife, Donna, and their children, John William and Mary LeAnna. She is also survived by many cousins who she thought of as brothers and sisters.
She lived on the family farm all her life and was a loving and cherished mother ot LeAnna and Jill. Five dear friends who were very special to her are Brenda Trader, Betty Lee Gooden, Kate Calhoun, Patsy Sayers and Mary Sue Hurst. She loved her family, friends and taking vacations in Ocean City with her husband, gathering with her girls and grandchildren, reading and sitting on her porch playing with her pets.
It's hard to put into words how her family and friends felt about her because she was a very special lady to all that knew and loved her. She passed at home with her family by her side in the same fashion that she lived her life, with honor and dignity.
A funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hinman Funeral Home in Princess Anne, where friends may call one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Woodrow "Woody" Wilson will officiate.
Interment will be in Quinton cemetery near Pocomoke City.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Coastal Hospice, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802-1733.
James A. Holland
DOVER -- James A. Holland, 65, of Dover died Monday, March 7, 2005, at his home.
He was born March 1, 1940 in Crisfield, son of the late James and Clara Hinman Holland
Mr. Holland was a proud retired staff sergeant of the Air Force and veteran of the Vietnam War.
After his Air Force retirement, he worked as a postal clerk, retiring from the Camden-Wyoming, Del., Post Office after 22 years.
Mr. Holland was a member of Capitol Baptist Church and Disabled American Veterans.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed golf, eating out and going to flea markets.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Holland, and a daughter, Gail Holland.
He is survived by his best friend and companion, Karan Dix of Dover; three stepsons, John Rowley and his wife, Lynn, of Dover, Mark Rowley and his wife, Betty, of Dacula, Ga., Paul Rowley and his wife, Linda, of Townsend, Del.; a stepdaughter, Sharon Schmittinger and her husband, Stephen, of Dover; a brother, Robert A. Holland and his wife, Carole, of Crisfield; two sisters, Erma L. Tyler and her husband, William, of Crisfield and Patricia Blades and her husband, James, of Pocomoke City; eight grandchildren, John Rowley, Mark Rowley, Luke Rowley, Joshua Rowley, Katelyn Rowley, Laura Rowley, Lisa Thompson and Deborah Edwards; a special friend, Joe Lopez of Felton, Del.; six great-grandchildren, Emily, Sarah, Johnny, Jared, Elizabeth and Rachel; and his best buddy, BoBo the kitty.
Services will be held today at 1 p.m. at Pippin Funeral Home, 119 W.Camden-Wyoming Ave. in Wyoming, Del., where friends may call from 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Sharon Hills Memorial Park in Dover.
