Mr. Calvin E. Carroll

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.” Psalms 91:1-2 Mary Elizabeth Howell Rodgers Whitfield was born on August 1, 1927 to the late Johnny Howell and the late Elizabeth “Lizzie Bell” Howell Bond and departed this life on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Mary married Willie Alexander Rodgers in 1945 who preceded her in death. To their union seven children were born. She worked various jobs from the cotton and tobacco fields, domestic housework, to factory work while raising her children. Mary joined Cedar Hill Missionary Baptist Church at an early age and served on the senior usher board. She married Willie Herbert Whitfield in 1971 and moved her membership to Green Memorial Baptist Church where she was honored with the title of Church Mother. She later joined Back Swamp Church where she remained until her death. Mary Elizabeth was educated in the Martin County Schools and was a member of the Business and Professional Women Club and the Eastern Star. Mary Elizabeth was a loving and kind woman who loved to make everyone happy. She was known for her cooking and especially her “hummingbird puddings.” She was strong and loyal and once she made a decision or commitment, she honored it for life. Mary was a beautiful lady (inside and out) but a very humble lady whose favorite phrase was “low and humble is the way.” And with that phrase, we witnessed God always making a way out of no way in her life. Mary was preceded in death by her siblings, James (Slab) Howell, Haywood Howell, Jimmy (J.B.) Howell and Magalene Watson. Strong memories of joy are left to her husband, Willie Herbert Whitfield, five sons, Milford Rodgers, Reverend Samuel Rodgers, Horace Rodgers (Nedra) all of Williamston, NC, Johnny Rodgers of Raleigh, NC, Vernell Rodgers (Cynthia) of Windsor, NC; two daughters, Dorothy Hickman and Ontra Reddick (Darnell) both of Williamston, NC; two step-daughters, Frances Whitfield of Durham, NC, Edwina Coley (William) of Virginia Beach, VA; one sister, Mary Ann Howell of Elizabeth City, NC; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Howell (Haywood) of Williamston, NC, Shirley Howell (James) of Morganton, NC; two special cousins, Thelma Rouse of Williamston, NC, James Spence (Floryne) of Baltimore, MD, a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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Mr. Calvin E. Carroll

December 15, 1950 - February 14, 2016