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Detective Matt Brown said employees were not familiar with the man who poured out a bottle of Purex detergent and two quarts of motor oil onto the floor of the Highway 48 Dollar General on June 16.
There was no reason given for the act as well.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the sheriff’s office at 252-583-8201 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

He was born in Northampton County, son of the late John H. Jordan and Berta Thompson Jordan.

Buddy was retired from J.P. Stevens Company after more than 42 years of service. He was a veteran of the Korean War having served in the US Army. Buddy was a member of the Lebanon United Methodist Church
Buddy was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Lee Jordan; sisters, Gladys Blanton, Ellie Vick, Geneva Faulkner, Janie Powell, Cinderella Camara.
He is survived by his wife, Mary C. Jordan, of the home; son, Henry Jordan and his wife, Renee, of Skippers, Virginia; granddaughter, Lillie Danielle Jordan; two great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, June 28, 2017, in the Chapel of Wrenn, Clarke, & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service with Rev. Bob Clyde officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in new Cedarwood Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 27, 2017, from 7:00 until 8:30 at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lebanon United Methodist Church, c/o Connie Hargrave, 1273 Macon Price Road, Garysburg, NC 27831.
Online condolences may be made to www. wrennclarkehagan.com

Lee was born April 10, 1938 in Cherryville, NC to the late William Charles Swink and Lola Tessner Swink. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Swink and Benny Swink; seven sisters, Louise Bridgers, Marthel Philbeck, Dorothy McNeilly, Helen Owensby, Catherine Swink, Betty Bowen and Janis Carpenter.
Lee retired from WestPoint Stevens in Roanoke Rapids as a mechanic. He loved spending time at the lake, gardening, NASCAR, beating the competition at the local turkey shoots and above all spending time with his family. He was known as Gee Gee to his grandchildren. Lee was a very loving person, hardworking.
Lee is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ramona Vann Swink; his sons, David Swink and his wife Nina of Roanoke Rapids and Glenn Swink and his wife Joy of Nashville; his grandchildren, Lauren Bright and her husband Ben of Sunbury, Jacob Swink and his wife Elizabeth of New Bern, Hunter Swink and Colton Swink both of Nashville; his sister, Joyce Dedmon of Shelby; his brothers, Edward Swink and his wife Linda of Mooresville and A.V. (Shorty) Swink and his wife Linda of Grover.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 28, 2017 in the chapel of Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at Hockaday Funeral and Cremation Service and other times at the home of his son, David.
Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.

She was blessed by God to spend 102 years, 7 months, and 16 days, equaling 5,354 weeks, 37,484 days, 899,616 hours, and 53,976 minutes on this earth. She was born on November 9, 1914, in Halifax County, North Carolina, and was preceded in death by her mother, Emma McCoy.

During her youth, Mrs. Bertha accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and joined the Simmons Grove Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. She worked diligently in her church, was faithful in attending Sunday school, Bible study, prayer meetings, and Sunday worship services. She served as an Usher, member and President of the Gospel Chorus,  Missionary Circle, Pastor’s Aid Club, Nurse’s aide, advisor to the Junior Missionaries, secretary of the Prayer Band Union, and for a time, was dutiful as the church custodian. On many Sunday mornings, she would pick up the young people for Sunday school and church. This required her to make sometimes two or three trips, but she never hesitated to share the goodness of the Lord with the young and old.  Mrs. Bertha truly loved Simmons Grove and was the oldest living member until her demise.

Mrs. Bertha obtained her formal education in the Halifax County Public School System and later attended Halifax Community College to pursue her General Equivalency Diploma (GED). She was employed at the former Halifax Memorial Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, and retired after approximately nineteen years of dedicated service.

Mrs. Bertha enjoyed being active in the community as a loyal member of the Widow’s Club, past President of the Senior Citizen’s Club, (Jo Story), and the Precious Jewel Chapter #607 Order of Eastern Star, P.H.A.

Mrs. Bertha was united in Holy Matrimony to Pearlie Whittle, Sr., who preceded her in death. She was a loving wife and mother who raised seven sons and three daughters, and was always hands-on with her grandchildren who visited.

In addition to her mother and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, William Thomas Whittle and Waverly Conelly Whittle.

Loving memories of her life and the legacy of her love will forever remain with her three daughters, Ida Mae Whittle of the home, Carolyn Mayo of Greensboro, NC, and Kathy Whittle- Davis and husband, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Davis of Martinsville, VA; her five sons, Paul Morris Whittle of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Pearlie “Bo” Whittle and wife, Joyce Whittle of Queens, NY,

Henry Whittle and wife, Martha Whittle and Larry Donnell Whittle all  Roanoke Rapids, NC, and Daryl Wayne Whittle and wife, Anna Whittle of Garysburg, NC; her precious grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who affectionately called her, “Nana”, “Mawma”, and “Grandma”, and will treasure her life, joy, and love as treasures in their hearts forever more. Other survivors include numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends who will all miss her earthly presence and share the wisdom she imparted to infuse their lives during their Christian walk.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, June 29, 2017, at the Simmons Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, NC. The Pastor, Rev. Nehemiah Smith, Jr., will officiate, and burial will follow in the Crestview Memorial Cemetery in Roanoke Rapids, NC. The family will receive friends at Robinson funeral home on Hwy 158 in Littleton from 6:30 – 7:30 P.M. on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, and the body will repose at the church for one hour prior to the funeral time.

Game 1)

CCB beat Resers 11-1

CCB Stats:  Cassidy Dickens BB;  Karlee Hammack 2-2, BB;  Kalyn Long 2-3, Fielders choice, RBI;  Meagan Beam 2-3, Sac, 2 RBIs;  Paige Turner 1-2, BB, RBI;  Hana Brown 1-2, Double, RBI;  Kayla Gaertner 1-2, Sac, RBI;  Brianna Vann, BB;  Kendall Powers 1-1, BB;  Jessie Baird, HBP, BB.

Cassidy Dickens 4 innings pitching for CCB with 4Ks.

Game photos by Randy Wrenn

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Game 2)

CCB tied Northampton County G2 Utilities 4-4

CCB Stats:  Cassidy Dickens 1-3;  Karlee Hammack 1-3;  Kalyn Long Sacrifice Hit with RBI;  Meagan Beam 2-3;  Paige Turner 1-3, RBI;  Hana Brown 1-3, Double;  Kayla Gaertner 1-3;  Brianna Vann 1-3;  Kendall Powers 1-3.

Cassidy Dickens 7 innings pitching for CCB with 8Ks and  2 BB.

Citizens Community Bank finished the 2017 RVGSL Under 18 as regular season Champions

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The investigation into Christopher Paul Stanfield, 44, dates back to 2015, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.
Investigator Obert Wiltsie said the charges reflect the larceny of more than 50 pills and the break-ins of six apartments where Stanfield, of Roanoke Rapids, worked. One victim’s apartment was broken into three times, he said. In May 24 pills were taken.
His aunt, Michelle Jackson, 54, was manager of River Towne Manor which is located on West Becker Drive.
Neither Hasty or Wiltsie would comment or speculate today whether Stanfield knew the pills were in the apartments. They also declined comment on whether the pills, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone and several other pain pills were being diverted for personal use.
Hasty said cash was also taken in the break-ins.
Jackson surrendered to Wiltsie on June 19 and was charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact. Hasty said in the statement the charges against her reflect she allegedly tried to hinder the investigation by providing false information to the investigator and failing to report the crime after learning of it.
Jackson received a $5,000 bond and August 8 court date.

Stanfield, who surrendered Monday, faces the following charges:

Six counts of breaking and entering

Eight counts of larceny after breaking and entering

Six counts of felony possession of stolen goods

Two counts misdemeanor possession of stolen goods
He received a $30,000 bond and August 8 court date.

More charges are possible, Hasty said in the statement.

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Roanoke Rapids Police Department

Lieutenant Charles Vaught reports the public’s help is needed identifying a person in a Family Dollar larceny which occurred Monday shortly before 3 p.m.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the police department at 252-533-2810; Vaught at 252-533-2819, or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.

Weldon Police Department

Lieutenant Chris Davis reports on Sunday around 4:20 a.m. Officer N. Coles was patrolling a local restaurant on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway when he encountered a woman later identified as Myiesha Stokes, 21, of Emporia.
Stokes was reportedly causing a disturbance in the restaurant and threw a plate of food in the floor while Coles investigated.
Stokes was placed under arrest and charged with resisting a public officer.
She has a July 12 court date.

Rich Square Police Department

Chief A. Taylor reports on June 15 around 10:30 p.m. four people described as black males wearing masks and all black clothing entered the Skill Zone armed with handguns and demanded money.
The suspects left on foot in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police department 252-539-2315 or the Northampton County Sheriff Office at 252-574-1041.

Bill was born in Halifax County, NC, January 08, 1949, to the late Beroy and Lucille L. Blake Collins. He was “the caring person” who would take people to doctor appointments, to visit friends, to the grocery store and to church or anyway someone needed a ride. He was an active deacon at Doors of Praise and Worship Church in Gaston and was the manager of the Farmer’s Market in Roanoke Rapids. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Debbie F. Collins and his dog, Midnight.

Surviving are his brother, J.B. Collins and wife, Myrtle of Roanoke Rapids; niece, Crystal Staton, her husband, Thomas and their children, Haley and Clint all of Georgia; special friend, Mary Lipscomb and special cousin, Brenda Clary, both of Roanoke Rapids. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and his loving church family.

Pastor Russ Collins will conduct funeral services in the chapel at Hockaday Funeral & Cremation Service Thursday, June 29, 2017, at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com

The U10 All-stars opening the Area tournament beating Laurinburg 11-5 then beating Warren County 17-7 on Saturday. Roanoke Rapids fell to West Raleigh 20-0 Sunday and then fell 20-10 to Deep River on Monday to finish in third place for the Area Tournament.

Roanoke Rapids is hosting the 2017 Cal-Ripken ENC State Tournament This Saturday, Sunday and Monday at Ledgewood fields. The Roanoke Rapids U10 All-stars will be back in action as well as the host team entry.

Pictured above are the 2017 Under 10 Roanoke Rapids Youth Baseball Association All-stars:  Coaches Kevin Deberrys, Joey Elias, Brandon Duncan.

Back Row left to right: Gannon Deberry, Wil White, Connor Williams, Caleb Hall, Seth Tickel, Landen Briggs, Carson Duncan.

 Front Row left to right: Jackson Midgette, Tyler Pearce, Ayden Brantley, Connor Hammack, Collin Elias and Bryce Ott

Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Deputy M. Morris charged William Henry Bell Jr. with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
The charges came about after Morris, Deputy G. Weston and Corporal B. Thompson responded to the South Weldon area around 9:30 p.m. after a report a woman was stabbed, Chief Deputy Scott Hall said in a statement.
The woman, who had an injury to her right thigh, reportedly told Morris Bell stabbed her with a knife when she was approached by him on Sycamore near Eleventh Street.
Bell accused the victim of robbing and assaulting him. Hall said there was no evidence Bell had been assaulted or robbed.
Sergeant Lee Mason of the Weldon Police Department located Bell and turned him over to Morris.
Weston charged Bell with possession of marijuana after reportedly finding a joint in his possession.
Bell was jailed on $3,000 secured bond and has an August 2 court date.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Tuesday issued a press release on the matter, reporting Corques Lamar Johnson took a plea to three out of the six counts against him.
The clerk’s office also confirmed the plea as well as a statement by PETA saying Johnson was barred from owning any dogs for 18 months.
The plea comes after two PETA fieldworkers discovered three dogs on his property last November while delivering straw.
One was kept inside a dark wooden-and-wire-mesh box only inches away from his dead littermate, another chained to a plastic doghouse, and a third whose decomposing remains were found later in a garbage can. Five survivors in urgent need of veterinary care were also found.
A necropsy report on the three deceased dogs revealed starvation and dehydration as the cause of death in each case.
Of the five survivors, three were severely emaciated and none had access to food or water.
"Nothing will undo the immense suffering that these dogs endured over a long period of time," said PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch in the statement. "While this sentence is unusually light for a case of this severity, PETA will monitor the situation and urges Halifax County to prevent future similar cases by following the lead of Enfield, Roanoke Rapids, Scotland Neck, and Weldon and banning 24/7 tethering of dogs, which often leads to neglect."

Town of Enfield (Mayor Barbara Simmons; District A Commissioner Therman Hunter and District B Commissioner Earl Harvey)

Town of Halifax (Mayor John White and all five town commissioners)

Town of Hobgood (Mayor Dannie A. Flanary and Commissioners Sam Johnson and Julian Padgette)

Town of Littleton (Mayor John R. Girdley and Commissioners Heidi Hogan and Sylvia Alston)

City of Roanoke Rapids (Mayor Emery Doughtie and council members Suetta Scarbrough and Wayne Smith)

Town of Scotland Neck (Mayor Eddie Braxton and Commissioners James Savage and Charles Suit)

Town of Weldon (Mayor Julia Meacham and Commissioners Susie Adams, Kimberly Robinson and Stanley Edwards)

Roanoke Rapids Graded School District (Board members Mike Salanik, Valencia Davis and Jane Deese)

Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District (All three seats)

Candidates who wish to file their notice of candidacy may do so Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Candidates must be 21 years of age, United States citizens, registered voters, and reside within the district in which they are seeking office.
In addition to the notice of candidacy, the following sections are included: Verification of Voter Registration, Disclosure of any Felony Conviction, and Affidavit of Nickname. No title, appendage, or appellation indicating rank, status, or position will be printed on the ballot.
A filing fee of 1 percent of the starting salary of the office will be required.
The filing fee may be paid with an individual check or money order, payable to the Halifax County Board of Elections. Filing fees cannot be paid by a check from a business.
Candidates wishing to spend or receive funds towards their campaign must have a separate account from their personal checking accounts.
Notice of candidacy paperwork may only be accepted if received during the filing period. If mailed, the notice must be received by the deadline.
All notices arriving after the deadline will not be accepted.
Contact the Board of Elections Office at 252-583-4391 for questions or more information.

Three of the four in the case surrendered to the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office today while another was arrested Monday, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Chuck Hasty said in a statement.
Investigator Obert Wiltsie described the men charged in the case as friends and associates. Two of them stated to investigators they were brothers.
Wiltsie and officers J. Spragins and J. Shelburne Monday arrested Aaron Addunus Powell, 18, of Roanoke Rapids, on outstanding warrants for attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy.
Powell received a $10,000 bond and August 2 court date.

The following surrendered to the sheriff’s office today and face the same charges as Powell:

SKii’e Devoe Alston, 22, of Littleton

Darius Lamar Alston, 19, of Littleton

Key-Luntay Ashod Brickell, 20, of Roanoke Rapids

They all received $5,000 bonds and August 2 court dates.

Police continue to look for Vinlente Shamar Barnes of Roanoke Rapids. He is encouraged to surrender, Hasty said.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Wiltsie at 252-533-2823 or Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444.
The charges stem from a case investigated by Wiltsie where the victim reported around 10:30 p.m. they went to the back porch and saw a person with a mask and gloves on walking up.
When confronted by the victim the person ran.
A witness gave chase and found there were more people with the first suspect.
The witness pursuit of the man ended when the suspects pointed a gun.

B&E arrest

Hasty also reported Tuesday around 11 a.m., Lieutenant C.L. Vaught and Wiltsie arrested Tanasia Monye’ Powell, 18, and Trevonte Gajuan Clanton, 21, of Rocky Mount, on outstanding warrants and orders for arrest.
Powell was charged with obtaining property by false pretense and served two outstanding orders for arrest.
She received a $2,500 bond and August 2 court date.
Clanton was charged with breaking and entering, breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, two counts larceny after breaking and entering, felony possession of stolen goods, larceny and misdemeanor possession of stolen goods.
He received a $5,000 bond and August 2 court date.
The charges stem from an investigation by Wiltsie on two separate reports; one reported on June 22 in the 200 block of Charlotte Street and one on June 24 in the 400 block of Rapids Street.
In the reports a vehicle and a shed were broken into and items taken from them. The stolen items were then sold and recovered by investigators.
The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected.
Wiltsie said fishing and hunting equipment along with power tools were taken.

Officer Ryan Cross brought his dog Midas to Roanoke Rapids Police Camp today and gave the campers a demonstration of the Belgian malinois’ tracking abilities.
Lindsey Christenbury Rowland of The Attic took the children through their paces with lunges, bear crawls with medicine balls and other relay races.
The camp is held at Doyle Field at T.J. Davis each summer.

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Tony Ray Reams and Herbert Lamonte Cherry were both scheduled for arraignment earlier this month.
This week United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan set the arraignment of Reams, who is from Scotland Neck, to the September 12 term of court in New Bern.
She had previously moved Cherry’s arraignment to the August 15 term of court.
Andrew McCoppin, a Cary attorney defending Reams, filed a motion to the continue the arraignment because he needs time to review lab analysis of the heroin seized following a stop on Interstate 95 March 13 in Roanoke Rapids. “The government informed undersigned counsel that he should expect the laboratory analysis of the alleged controlled substance in the next few weeks. Undersigned counsel needs additional time to review this analysis before advising the defendant.”
Meanwhile, Thomas P. McNamara, a Raleigh attorney defending Cherry, of Tarboro, requested a continuance for more time to review supplemental discovery once received from government counsel and more time to complete legal research.
In April the federal Grand Jury indicted both men on two counts, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin.
Soon after their local arrests, the two men were arrested on the federal counts.

Saturday

Kicking off the festivities at 10 a.m. will be the Littleton Patriotic Parade.
The parade begins at Lakeland Theater and goes down Main Street.

At noon, the American Veterans Tribute at Peahill Creek in Gasburg will commence.
This event can only be viewed by boat.

At 9 p.m. the Longbridge Fire Department’s fireworks show begins at Eaton’s Ferry Bridge.

The town of Weldon hosts its 15th annual Independence Day celebration beginning at 6 p.m. at River Falls Park.
The Pizazz Band will provide musical entertainment. Vendors will be on hand and food is available. There will be amusement rides and a fireworks show to conclude the event.

Sunday

At 10:30 a.m. the Lake Gaston Independence Day Boat Parade begins.
The parade is on the west side of the lake and passes Holly Grove Marina, Americamps, and Churchill Five Forks.

Tuesday

The state historic site in Halifax will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Continental Army reenactors will be at the site and there will be historic trades demonstrations throughout the day.

The rest of the Halifax celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. at the courthouse complex on Ferrel Lane with Rising Star Karaoke playing a variety of music and Character Antics offering a variety of games and amusements.
At 8 p.m. there will be a military salute and performance of the Delegation Scene from First for Freedom.
The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. and is put on by Halifax Fire and Rescue.
Food will be available for purchase.

Festivities in Hobgood are from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Friendship Park.
There will be music, hot dogs and ice cream. There will be a pie-eating contest, dunking booth and veterans recognition.
The celebration ends with fireworks.

In Jackson, the celebration begins at 5 p.m. at the Cultural and Wellness Center on Highway 305. It runs through 9:30 p.m.
Jay Jenkins will serve as MC and Strictly Business will perform.
Fireworks expect to begin around 9:15 p.m.

T-BALL 22nd

Players of the game were Cameron Little & Sarah Evolverton for Kapstone and Joseph Hardy, Brantley Harris & Carley Williams for Rough Riders. 

Players of the game were Lala Grant & Aden Dale for Subway and Brady Arthur and Easton Traylor & Aden Turner for New Life Church. 

Players of the game were Carson Keese for Rough Riders and Brady Arthur and Tristian Harris for Chichester Law Office

T-BALL 27th

Players of the game were Landon & Hunter McKeel for Chichester Law office and Aden Dale & Kayla Powers for Subway. 

Players of the game were Bella Johnson & Branna Carroll for New Life Church and Josh Lyles & Kale Rightmyer for Rough Riders.  

T-BALL 29th

Players of the game were William McCachren & Brantley Lillibridge for Kapstone and Mathew Forbs for New Life Church. 

Players of the game were Avante Hicks for Subway and Adrin Epperson & Anthony Brown for Rough Riders.  
 

 
COACH PITCH 22nd

Players of the game were Autuam Hardee & Joshua Daniel for Welcome Finance and Nathaniel Calderon for Kapstone. 

COACH PITCH 27th

Players of the game were Andrew Hardwick & Joshua Graham for Kapstone and Ayden Turner & Noah Williams for Chichester Law Office. 

Players of the game were Talon Lassiter for Welcome Finance and Landon Nowell & Gabrielle Lyles for Kapstone.

 
COACH PITCH 29th

Players of the game were Joshua Dennis for Welcome Finance and Collin Webb for Chichester Law Office.

Vinlente Barnes, 17, faces charges of attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy, Captain Bobby Martin of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said in a statement.
The surrender of Barnes of Roanoke Rapids comes after three more in the case surrendered to the sheriff’s office Wednesday.
One was arrested Monday.
The charges stem from a June 2 case in the 900 block of Monroe Stree where the victim reported around 10:30 p.m. they went to the back porch and saw a person with a mask and gloves walking up.
When confronted by the victim the person ran.
A witness gave chase and found there were more people with the first suspect.
The witness pursuit of the man ended when the suspects pointed a gun.

The four others charged in the case are:

Aaron Addunus Powell, 18, of Roanoke Rapids

SKii’e Devoe Alston, 22, of Littleton

Darius Lamar Alston, 19, of Littleton

Key-Luntay Ashod Brickell, 20, of Roanoke Rapids


Cocaine and Marijuana charges

Martin also reported on Wednesday around 12:50 a.m. Master Officer Gerald Morris was dispatched to the area of Logan’s about a person who appeared to be breaking into vehicles in the parking lot.
Morris spotted a person identified as Kameron Pugh, 17, of Woodland, in the area of Zaxby’s.
Pugh initially gave Morris false information about his name and learned he had two orders for his arrest outstanding.
While checking Pugh’s backpack Morris discovered marijuana and cocaine inside the bag.
Morris charged Pugh with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and cocaine; possession of marijuana; possession of cocaine; resist delay and obstruct and two outstanding orders for arrest.
He received a $1,500 bond and July 5 court date.
Officer A. Green assisted.

Described by friends and colleagues as a friend of Halifax County and the town of Hobgood where he lived, Avent died that afternoon from a battle with cancer.
Avent had known about the road naming during the 30-day period between committee approval and full board approval, said Gus Tulloss, a DOT board member and friend of the 86-year-old former banker, who was a Nash County native.
“He and his family were thrilled,” Tulloss said this morning. “He got to smell the roses for 30 days.”
Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman Vernon Bryant said at some point there will be a ceremony naming the stretch of highway from Hobgood to Douglas Hill Farm Road the Frank V. Avent III Highway.

(Visitation for Avent will be Sunday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Letchworth Funeral Home in Scotland Neck. Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Scotland Neck Auditorium)

Tulloss and Avent formed a friendship when Tulloss was working in his family’s tractor business in Rocky Mount and Avent was a loan officer at People’s Bank. “We developed a strong friendship. When he moved to Hobgood and I got on the DOT board the first person I ran into was Frank Avent. He was just so interested in Hobgood and what makes Halifax County work. He had lots of vision. You’ve got an incredible group there. They’re just wonderful to work with. Anytime Frank brought something, you knew there was no fluff. He’s just been a fun, wonderful guy.”
Close friend Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said, “You can count true friends to be very few, those that you love and care for you, those that defend you in every boundary, when you’re at your lowest they are your source of strength. Me and Frank shared many good times together. I certainly many times have bent his ear in seeking much needed advice.”
Tripp called Avent a man “who had a heart of gold. He loved Hobgood and Halifax County. It goes much deeper than that, his love of Halifax County and helping basically every corner of Halifax County.”
Bryant said there were two things he always took away from Avent, one being his admonition that when “‘I get up each day I think of what I can do to make Halifax County a better place to live, work, and raise our families.’”
Then there was the oft-quoted working together works, which Avent admitted in 2015 he took from former Halifax County Economic Development Director Ron Baker.
“It’s going to be mighty tough on all of us,” Bryant said of Avent’s demise. “Frank was a statesman. He was a leader in promoting public good. Frank loved Hobgood. He loved all of Halifax County. He was my friend and confidante. I frequently turned to him for counsel and advice.”
Avent served on many boards and commissions.
His service included past chairman of the Halifax Community College Board of Trustees; the chair of the county economic development commission; vice chair of the Halifax Horizons Board and a member of the tourism and solar board.
“Frank has really impacted our community from Littleton to Hobgood,” Bryant said.
Bryant said he was thankful DOT saw fit to honor Avent. “The good part was Frank knew about it. He was very excited. Frank never wanted to be recognized. He was a great example of a public servant. He was a man loved by many in Halifax County, the entire Roanoke Valley and the state.”
Cathy Scott, executive director of the Halifax County Economic Development Commission said, “As chairman of the economic development commission, Frank Avent III believed strongly in Halifax County’s economic development potential. He had a passion for economic development and truly believed the only way to reach our true potential was by working together. His energy and passion will be missed.”