Hugh Lefler Alexander

Hugh Lefler Alexander, 72, of Plymouth, died Saturday, February 7, 2026, at home.

A memorial service was held Thursday, February 12, at Toodle's Chapel, with Minister Teddy Keyes officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.lungcancerresearchfoundation.org.

Toodle’s Funeral Home, Plymouth was in charge of arrangements.

John Stephen ‘Steve’ Barnes

John Stephen "Steve" Barnes, 83, of Creswell, died Monday, February 9, 2026.

A service was held Saturday, February 14, at First Baptist Church, with Reverend Jimmy Hagwood officiating. Burial followed in Hillside Memorial Gardens. The family received friends prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church.

Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.

Peggy Lee Bryant

Peggy Lee Bryant, 77, of Jamesville, died Sunday, February 8, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at noon Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Mount Carmel Disciples of Christ Church in Jamesville with Bishop William T. Collins, pastor, officiating.

Burial will follow in Willis Family Cemetery.

Visitation was held Saturday, February 14, at Toodle's Funeral Home.

Toodle’s Funeral Home, Plymouth was in charge of arrangements.

Dennis Merlin Chesson

Dennis Merlin Chesson, 87, of Roper, passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Born on April 15, 1938, in Washington County, he was the son of the late Dennis Warren Chesson and Christine Hodges Chesson.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Marion Chesson Coster.

Merlin was a longtime member of Perseverance Masonic Lodge #59 and was well known for his friendly and outgoing personality. He never met a stranger and truly enjoyed talking and visiting with others.

Early in his career, he worked as a farmer, a profession that reflected his strong work ethic and love for the land. Later, he dedicated more than 30 years to Swain Gas, where he became known as a “jack of all trades,” always willing to step in wherever he was needed and help customers and coworkers alike.

In his spare time, Merlin found great joy working in his yard, especially tending to his garden, which brought him much pride and happiness. Above all, he treasured time spent with his family, whom he loved deeply and supported throughout his life.

His family includes his loving wife Linda Norman Chesson of Roper; son, Thomas Scott Chesson (Michelle) of Kill Devil Hills; daughter, Linda Michele Simpson of Roper; and grandchildren, Rev. Ashley Simpson (Christopher) and Christopher Simpson (Hillary).

A visitation will be held at Maitland Funeral Home in Plymouth on Friday, February 20, from 6 to 8 pm. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s-St. Anne’s Episcopal Church of Roper.

Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.

Paid obituary

Jane Sadler Chesson

Jane Sadler Chesson, 80, of Jamesville, died Saturday, February 7, 2026, at her residence.

A memorial service was held Saturday, February 14, at Maitland Funeral Home in Plymouth. The family received friends on Saturday at the funeral home following the service and other times at the residence.

Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth.

Frances Davis ‘Frankie’ Hassell

Frances Davis “Frankie” Hassell, 99, went home to be with the Lord on February 12, 2026, at Cypress Glen Retirement Community in Greenville.

Born in Conway, South Carolina, on July 29,1926, she was the youngest child of Samuel Charles Davis and Sarah Florence Cornelia Johnson Davis.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Sidney J. Hassell. She was also preceded in death by her nine siblings, Harry L. Davis, Reba D. Glasgow, Lunette D. Floyd, C. Leon Davis, Palmer McK. (Bill) Davis, Bessie M. Davis, Dena D. Davis, L. Pauline Davis, and S. Earl Davis, as well as her grandson, Jeffrey Ward Rabon.

She graduated from Woman’s College (now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro) with a B.S. in Business Administration and taught school in Laurinburg, Jamesville, and Plymouth. An active member of Hebron United Methodist Church, she was once recognized as Layperson of the Year for the Elizabeth City District. In daily devotions she spent time with God in prayer and Bible study.

She was an endless source of loving encouragement to her husband, her children, and particularly to her seven grandchildren in whom she delighted. She glowed around her grandchildren, once reading to them until she lost her voice!

Her efforts included service as the Organizing President of the Washington County Arts Council, and as the Organizing Regent of the Brick House Landing Chapter of the DAR.

Her efforts to make the community a better place continued well into her senior years until memory decline required a move to Cypress Glen. Even as dementia stole her memory, she remained a gracious and kind woman. The staff at Cypress Glen were always greeted with a smile, a song on her lips, and a cheerful, “Well, hello there!” The family would like to thank the Cypress Glen Retirement Community for the compassionate care they provided Frankie.

Her family includes her daughters, Florence Rabon, (Randy), and Mary Nell Fletcher (Darrell) and her son, Sid Hassell Jr., (Cheryl). Her surviving grandchildren are Joshua A. Hassell (Jenn), Louis Edward Hassell (Hannah), Sarah R. Sumner (Ernest), Johannah R. Klein, Mikayla G. Moser (Ben) and Avery J. (AJ) Klein. She is survived by six great-grandchildren and by many nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Rhodes St., Williamston, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Albemarle Charge United Methodist Church C/O Vonnie Furlough 211 General Pettigrew Dr. Plymouth, NC 27962.

All of the good do not die young.

Arrangements are by Maitland Funeral Home, Plymouth. 

 JoAnn Hostetter Maloney

Jo Ann Hostetter Maloney, 86, died Sunday, February 8, 2026.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. Peter Catholic Church.

She and her husband, John, moved to Plymouth in 1971, where they lived for several years.

Arrangements by Smith Funeral Service and Crematory, Greenville.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.smithfcs.com.