Obituaries

Mitchell Sands

FRANKLIN - Mitchell Edward Sands, 62, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. Mitch was born in Leesburg, Florida, to the late Edward Franklin “Sonny” Sands and Melba Georgianne Gill Sands. Mitch learned to play the guitar at an early age, following in the footsteps of his musical family.

Stephen Pitts

FRANKLIN - Stephen Eugene Pitts, 57, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, on his beloved farm. Steve called his closest friends, and some acquaintances “wild man,” but he was the real wild man. Dirt-track truck racing was one of his early hobbies.

Shelby Owen

OTTO - Shelby Jean Dryman Owen, 82, passed away on Jan. 20, 2022. Jean was born in Macon County to the late Fred Dryman and Emma Hopkins Dryman.

Elaine O’Connor

FRANKLIN - Elaine Jane Kubalek O’Connor, 81, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Catherine Mason

FRANKLIN - Catherine Franks Mason, 94, went to her heavenly home on Sun-day, Jan. 16, 2022. Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Olive Marett

OTTO - Olive Jean Cannon Marett passed peacefully on Jan. 22, 2022. Jean was born in Pitt County to Docia Ann Clark Cannon and Alonza David Cannon. Upon graduation from the Farm Life School in Vanceboro, she joined her sister Alice in New Bern and went to work at the Western Union office.

Coyl Justice

BETTY’S CREEK, GEORGIA - Coyl Justice, 95, passed away on Jan. 14, 2022. Coyl was born the son of the late Alden Forrest Justice and Namoi Long Justice on July 1, 1926. In his professional life he worked as a machinist for the AID manufacturing plant.

James Hedden

FRANKLIN - James Manuel Hedden, 71, passed away on Jan. 17, 2022. Macon Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.

Bonnie Franks

FRANKLIN - Bonnie Mae Scott Franks, 79, went home to be with Jesus, on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Born in Macon County, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Alice Franks Scott.

Betty Duvall

FRANKLIN - Betty Catherine Duvall, 86, passed away Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Born on June 11, 1935, in Macon County, the daughter of the late Walter and Dessie Pickens Tippett.