A2 THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31,2020
Firefighters Battle Blaze
Obituaries
FROM STAFF REPORTS were protected.
Affie Spivey
Preston Godfrey, Sr.
Area firefighters battled
a blaze that consumed a ga
rage Sunday evening in Hol
iday Island.
Perquimans 911 Cen
ter received multiple calls
around 6p.m. for a garage
fire located on Sunset Circle
in the Holiday Island subdi
vision.
Upon arrival at the scene,
the structure was fully in
volved so firefighters were
unable to salvage the de
tached garage.
Bethel and Hertford fire
department worked to ex
tinguish the fire and ensure
that the homes near the fire
No one was hurt.
The Perquimans County
Fire Marshal will be investi
gating the incident.
The fire departments
were also assisted by the
Perquimans County Sher
iffs Office, Perquimans
County Emergency Med
ical Services, Albemarle
Electric, and Winfall Fire
Department, who was can
celed en route to the scene.
Chief Darren Saunders
with Bethel Fire Depart
ment provided Incident
Command per established
National Incident Manage
ment System (NIMS) guide-
lines.
TURNER
Continued from Al
do,” Tinner said. “I appreciate
the community reaching out
to the school system and say
ing hey, we want to provide
you resources to help your
kids during this veiy difficult
time.”
And then there was com
mencement for Pirates’ Class
of2020 - seniors that had their
classes change and sports sea
sons canceled. Recognizing
the hurdles these students
overcame, Tinner said, “I am
extremely proud of the Class
of2020. This group of students
overcame a challenge that no
other senior class has had to
face in history with courage,
strength, grace, and positivi
ty. These students did not get
to finish their spring sports
season, enjoy their prom, per
form their spring play, enjoy
award ceremonies, perform
their senior walk, and have a
traditional graduation cere
mony at the scheduled time.
Though these memories were
lost, the resilience of the Class
of2020 allowed them to make
new memories and the most
out of a situation that was out
of their control.”
In July, Perquimans Board
of Education voted to adopt
Plan B which includes a com
bination of in-person learning
and remote learning. Parents
also had an option to choose
an all remote learning instruc
tional- experience.
The plan followed the NC
Department of Health and
Human Services guidelines
for reopening schools. The
decision was in response to
the July 14 announcement by
Governor Roy Cooper that
schools needed to choose a
reopening plan for students
to return to school on Aug.
17.
During a tough year, the
school district has done its
best to provide families an op
portunity to do what is right
for their students and their
households.
“We know that no plan is
perfect, but our goal is always
to provide our students the
best possible instructional ex
perience in person and in re
mote learning settings,” Tinn
er said when announcing the
plan. “We are working hard
to ensure that our schools are
as safe as possible under the
NCDHHS guidelines. We are
looking forward to the return
of our teachers, staff and stu
dents.”
In October, the Board of
Education approved plans
to move K-5 to Plan A with
the option for families to
continue remote learning
under Plan C beginning the
week of October 19th which
marked the beginning of the
second nine week grading
period.
Plan A followed the same
health and safety procedures
as Plan B with social distanc
ing recommended but not re
quired in classrooms and on
buses.
“Every attempt will con
tinue to be made to social
distance students as much
as possible while requiring
health screenings, masks,
and disinfection procedures,”
Tinner said when Plan A was
approved. “The move to Plan
A will enable our school sys
tem to make several modi
fications to better serve our
children.”
And then there’s things that
Tinner does to trumpet the
success of student athletes.
Long after the school day
ends, Tinner attends most
games and takes photographs
of most every sport. An early
riser, Tinner attends Rotary
Club of Hertford meetings
held at the crack of dawn on
Tuesdays, particularly when
Pirates’ seniors are named
Student of the Month.
In Tinner’s spare time, she
is a long distance runner who
is anxiously awaiting the days
when we can all run 5K rac
es again. A faithful Christian,
Tinner posts inspiring Bible
inspired messages to her so
cial media account
So taken as a whole - pan
demic planning, personal
growth and an inspiration
to others - Tinner has trans
formed the school system into
the envy of the region.
Honorable mention for
Perquimans Weekly’s Person
of the Year included Mayor
Earnell Brown and Mayor Pro
Tern Ashley Hodges.
Brown’s leadership of
council deserves a gold star,
particularly when consider
ing what a turbulent year it
has been when serving on
council. Moreover, Brown
has been there time and again
when dealing with mqjor cri
ses including a natural gas line
bursting and shootings that
led to a temporary lockdown.
And don’t forget Town Hall’s
efforts to mitigate the spread
of COVID-19. Also, Brown dis
tributed meals to assist others
enduring pandemic.
Thus, Brown has served as
a beacon of hope and change
for many people who call
Hertford home.
Hodges has put in long
hours building budgets and
perfecting policy - moves that
have transformed council. He
too deserves a strong vote of
confidence in his leadership,
particularly when enduring
multi-hour council meetings
that last long into the night
BELVIDERE - Affie Bogue Spivey, 95, of Belvid
ere, NC, passed away peacefully on December 27,
2020, at her daughter’s home in Raleigh, NC, after
a year-long convalescence with vascular dementia.
She was a treasured wife, mother, sister, neighbor,
and friend. Her family and friends are in awe of her
ability to persevere despite multiple health chal
lenges.
Born in Woodville, NC, Affie grew up in the Great
Depression and lived through World War H. Those
experiences gave her a creative frugality, a strong
work ethic, and a commitment to community—
qualities that earned her and her contemporaries
the title of the Greatest Generation.
In her teens, Affie left school and worked in a
hosiery mill to help support her family. At age 19,
she married Hertford, NC, native Henry Spivey, a
young seaman in the U.S. Navy. She moved herself
and her family to Germany, Japan, Maine, Colora
do, Nebraska, and many other states, until Henry
retired from the military in 1965.
Moving back to North Carolina, buying a home,
and once again being close to family was a joy for
her. She embraced the values of the local Religious
Society of Friends meeting, Up River Friends.
For many years, she attended there, taught Sun
day School, and was active in the Elizabeth White
Missionary Circle. The surrounding community of
Whiteston was her home, and she rarely missed
welcoming a new baby or consoling a family with
a visit and a batch of muffins or a home-cooked
casserole.
Affie loved to read and instilled that love in her
children, reading to them before they could talk.
She volunteered in her children’s classrooms, and
one of her proudest achievements was earning her
general equivalency diploma in midlife and work
ing as a substitute teacher in Perquimans County
Schools. Later in life, she worked as a meter reader
for the Town of Hertford.
She supported her childr en in the goals they pur
sued, even if they weren’t what she would have
chosen. She welcomed them, their children, and
their pets home anytime. The loss of her uncondi
tional love, her voice and laughter, and her ability
to bring the extended family together leaves a void
to be filled.
After the death of her husband in 2000, Affie
lived in her home independently for 20 years. She
loved relaxing in her cozy house, treasuring simple
joys like a cup of tea with honey and a pair of fresh
pajamas.
Affie is preceded in death by her parents, John
P. Bogue and Narcissus S. Bogue; her husband,
Henry T. Spivey; her sister, Mary B. l^erry; and two
brothers, Oscar H. Bogue and John P Bogue Jr; as
well as brother-in-law Curtis E. Perry; sister-in-law
Bessie Bogue; sister-in-law Vivian S. Winslow and
brother-in-law Winfred S. “Wink” Winslow; and
daughter-in-law Lois Spivey.
She is survived by five children: Henry Clay Spiv
ey of Port Townsend, WA; Barbara S. Scott of Ra
leigh, NC; Janet F. Spivey and her husband, Sam J.
Isenhower of Marshall, NC; Andrea G. Spivey and
her partner, Chris L. Slater of Richmond, VA; and
Angela K. Spivey and her husband, Jock Brocki of
Chapel Hill, NC; as well as six grandchildren, five
great grandchildren, and a multitude of cherished
nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held when it is safe
to gather after the COVID-19 pandemic. The family
asks that instead of flowers, donations be made in
honor of Affie to the Up River Friends Meeting (up-
riverfriends.org/giving).
HERTFORD - On Sunday, December 27, 2020 as
the sun rose, David Preston “Papa” Godfrey, Sr., 82,
of Hertford, went to join
Jesus his Savior and the
love of his life, his wife
of 64 years, Katherine
Ownley “Maw” Godfrey.
Mr. Godfrey was born
in Perquimans Coun
ty on May 28, 1938,
and was the son of the
late Linwood C. and
Edna Russell Godfrey.
A retired salesman,
he was a member of |
Berea Church of Christ.
Known for his ability to
talk while he worked, he could be seen day and
night up and down the isles at many of the local
grocery stores. A kind hearted man, he always put
the needs of others before his own.
In addition to his parents and wife, Katherine,
the love of his life for 64 years, he was preceded
in death by his son, David “Pep” Godfrey; a sister,
Gladys Gray; brothers, Linwood Jr. and Billy God
frey; and by his daughter-in-law, Sharon Godfrey.
Surviving are his children, Mickey Godfrey,
Kathy Fairfax (husband Doug), Angie Dawson
(husband Randy), and Chris Godfrey; his sister,
Alma Jane Lewis; his brother, Larry Godfrey; his
five grandsons, Everett Meads (wife Cassie), Eric
and Corey Midgett, Perry Dawson (wife Chris-
tin), and Christopher “Cain” Godfrey. Preston also
leaves six beautiful great-grandchildren.
A graveside memorial service was held Wednes
day at 3:00 p.m. at Berea Church of Christ Ceme
tery, and was conducted by his grandson, the Rev.
Perry Dawson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contribu
tions in his memory be directed to one’s local food
bank.
Online condolences may be made to the family
by visiting www.millerfhc.com.
S. Ann Benton
HERTFORD - Sallie Ann Benton, 77, of 1171
New Hope Road, passed away Friday, December
25, 2020 in Elizabeth
City Health and Reha
bilitation.
Miss Benton was born
in Perquimans County
on June 2,1943, and was
the daughter of the late
John Marvin Benton, Sr.
and Essie Barclift Ben
ton Turner and step-fa
ther, Robert W. Turner.
A graduate of East Car
olina University with a
Masters in Education,
she was a retired ele ¬
for the
PUBLIC
NOTICE
Sheriff’s Department,
Dispatch Office and Emergency
Medical Services, all County Offices in
the Perquimans County Courthouse,
Courthouse Annex, Social Services,
Agricultural Extension Service, Perquimans
County Library and the Perquimans County
Recreation Department will be closed on
Friday, January 1, 2021, for New Year’s
Day. The Water Department will be closed
but emergencies may be reported to the
Dispatch Office by calling 426-5751.
Frank Heath, County Manager
Obituary Policy
For information on
submitting obituaries or
death notices Monday
through Friday, 8:30 a.m.
to 5 p.m., call 252-329-
9505 or email obits@
apgenc.com and specify
that you are interested in
obituary information for
The Perquimans Week
ly. On weekends and
holidays, email obits©
apgenc.com. We do not
accept notices by fax.
Obituaries must be
received, processed and
approved by noon on Tues
day to appear in print in the
Thursday edition.
Death notices are $25
and can include the name
and age of the decedent;
funeral and visitation or
viewing information; and
the name of the funeral
home.
Law Enforcement Log
Perquimans County Sheriff’s
Office’s arrests between Dec. 12
and Dec. 22:
■ Nahajj Wilson of Tyner was
arrested Dec. 18 and charged
with failure to appear. Bond was
set at $3OO/other.
■ Jodie Bridgers of Hog Neck
Road, Hertford, was arrested
Dec. 20 and charged with a
misdemeanor probation viola
tion. Bond was set at $60,000
secured.
■ Clayton Rockwell of New
Hope Road, Hertford, was
arrested Dec. 21 and charged
with a violation of a court
order. Bond was set at $1,000
unsecured.
mentary teacher having taught 1st grade for over
30 years at Central Elementary School in Elizabeth
City. Following her retirement from teaching, she
volunteered for many years with Elizabeth City-
Pasquotank Public Schools.
An active member of Woodland United Method
ist Church, she served as its Music Director and
played piano for 65 years having started playing
at 12 years of age. Other memberships eryoyed in
cluded the Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers Sorority,
Forestburg Ruritan Club, and formerly with the
Red Hat Society.
In addition to her parents and step-father, she
was preceded in death by her brother, John Marvin
Benton, Jr.
Surviving are her sister-in-law, Cynthia R. Ben
ton; a niece, Pamela Benton Brown (Scott); two
nephews, John Linwood Benton (Rebecca) and
Karl Wayne Benton (April), all of Hertford; two
great-nieces, Katlyn Benton and Jewel Benton; and
two great-nephews, LTJG J.L. Benton, Jr. and Jer
emiah Brown.
Graveside services were held Tuesday at 2:00
p.m. in Cedarwood Cemetery and were conduct
ed by her pastors, the Revs. Toni Wood and Renee
Edwards.
Memorial contributions may be made either to
Woodland United Methodist Church, 453 Wood
land Church Road, or to the Ramp Ministry at Hert
ford Baptist Church, PO Box 34, both in Hertford,
NC 27944.
Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral and Cremation
Providers, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, is as
sisting the family with arrangements, and online
condolences may be made by visiting www.miller-
fhc.com.
THE
RQIJIMANS
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Published Each Thursday
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Friday, January 1, 2020
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