Obituaries - Saturday, August 22
Florence Goodwin Wood
March 2, 1927 - August 19, 2026
Rowena Florence "Florence" Goodwin Wood, 99, of Wilmington, North Carolina, passed away on August 19, 2026. Born on March 2, 1927, in Moncure, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Robert L. Goodwin and Ida Elzeanne Crutchfield. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Ernest (J.E.) Wood, who passed away on March 13, 2005; her eldest son, Randall (Randy) Jay Wood; her brother, Daniel R. Goodwin; and her sister, Bobbie L. Goodwin Williams.
Florence came from deep roots in North Carolina's history. On her maternal side, she was the granddaughter of Lodwick Napier Crutchfield and Gertrude Parham Watson. Through the Crutchfields, she was a direct descendant of one of the foundational pioneer families of Chatham County, whose ancestors settled the Silk Hope area in the 1700s and provided patriotic service during the Revolutionary War. On her paternal side, she was the granddaughter of Walter Goodwin and Rowena Holt. The Goodwins were among the earliest colonial settlers of the region, tracing their roots back to Jamestown, Virginia.
Florence married J.E. Wood on October 8, 1945. In their early years together, they resided in Chatham County before J.E.'s career with Carolina Power & Light (CP&L) took them to Lumberton. In 1962, another transfer brought them to Wilmington, where they settled in the Wrightsboro community, became faithful members of Wrightsboro Baptist Church, and quickly built a large, enduring network of friends.
Florence was deeply devoted to her family and served as a steadfast source of support throughout her life. Her kitchen was the heart of the family, whether she was putting up beans from J.E.'s garden, cooking Southern cuisine for weekly Sunday dinners, or hosting her legendary holiday gatherings. Canning was a labor of love she kept up for decades, and her grandchildren always knew the pantry would be stocked. Every Christmas Eve, the entire family would come together to celebrate around a feast that always featured a full rib roast, coconut cake, red velvet cake, and a traditional Southern fruit punch. She wanted nothing more than for everyone to have a wonderful Christmas, and the gifts that flooded out from under the tree were a beautiful reflection of how deeply she cared for and thought of each of her grandchildren.
In addition to her devotion at home, Florence extended her caring nature to the broader Wilmington community through a long career in healthcare as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). She spent many years caring for patients at New Hanover Memorial Hospital before later working at Davis Nursing Home. That same warmth she brought to her patients she carried with her everywhere she went. With an infectious laugh, a sharp wit, and a willingness to speak her mind no matter what, she always made her presence known. Florence was feisty in the best possible way, and that fire never dimmed, even in her later years. If you were lucky enough to sit next to her, you were always guaranteed to get the "peanut gallery" version of any story.
In the last chapter of her life, Florence resided at the Kempton at Brightmore, and true to form, she made friends from her very first day. She embraced it as her new home immediately, and the family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff for the kind care and assistance she enjoyed during her time there.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, cherished by her surviving children: Sandy Daylon Wood (Missy) and Jill Karon Smith, both of Wilmington, and her daughter-in-law, Amelia Wood of Conway, SC.
She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Heather Dawn Brinckman, John Keith Wood (Kimberly), Christopher Jay Wood, Heidi Leigh Messick (Chris), Sarah Melissa Horton (Shawn), Elizabeth Grace Wood, and Mary Florence Wood.
She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Samuel Horton, Caris Horton, Jonah Klein-Wood, Ryder Branch, Lucas Casteen, Riley Wood, Conner Langston, Lauren McPeak (Breven), Reese Brinckman, Ashleigh Groce (Jake), Piper Watts, Cayson Watts, and Cora Messick; and her great-great-grandchild, Evie McPeak.
A celebration of Florence's life will be held on Monday August 24 at Wilmington Funeral 1535 South 41st Street Wilmington. Visitation will be at 2:00 pm followed by the funeral at 3:00. The burial will be at Oleander Gardens 306 Bradley Drive Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Florence's memory to Wrightsboro Baptist Church.
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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099
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Edgar Pritchette Carroll, Jr.
April 25, 1946 - August 17, 2026
Edgar Pritchette Carroll Jr., 80, passed away on August 17, 2026, leaving behind a family who adored him, a lifetime of friendships, and more stories than could ever fit into an obituary.
Ed never did anything small. One of his favorite sayings summed up his approach to life pretty well: “Some is good, more is better, and too much is just right.” That was Ed. He loved fully, worked hard, dreamed big, gave generously and threw himself wholeheartedly into the people and things he cared about.
Born April 25, 1946, in Washington, D.C., to Edgar Pritchette Carroll Sr. and Ruth Carroll, Ed grew up alongside his younger sister, Ann. He came from a family with an entrepreneurial spirit – his parents and grandparents owned businesses and a farm – and Ed inherited both their strong work ethic and their willingness to take a chance on an idea.
After his time at the University of Maryland, Ed began his career and made sure it either always involved tools, or more importantly, horsepower. In the 1970s, his entrepreneurial spirit showed itself early as Ed followed a passion and opened Good Times Kawasaki in Silver Spring, Maryland. In the 1980s, Ed followed another passion and spent six years with STP during the era of the company’s legendary partnership with Richard Petty managing STP’s NASCAR racing program. In the early 1990s, when Joe Gibbs made the leap from championship-winning NFL coach to NASCAR team owner, he picked Ed to be general manager of the team working alongside driver Dale Jarrett, crew chief Jimmy Makar and the other members building the organization that would become Joe Gibbs Racing. His career later continued in the automotive and petroleum industries eventually taking him to Asheboro, North Carolina.
As interesting as Ed’s career was, however, it wasn’t the center of his life. That place belonged to Annie.
Ed and Annie were married in September 1979 and shared nearly 47 years together. Theirs was the kind of love other people noticed; one family friend described it as a modern-day “fairytale.” Ed frequently told people how lucky he was to have found Annie, and anyone who spent time around them knew exactly how much he loved her. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, friendship and a genuine enjoyment of being together.
Family was at the heart of Ed’s world. He was a proud father to Scott and Melissa and a devoted grandfather who especially loved being PopPop. He celebrated the people he loved, took tremendous pride in their lives and accomplishments, and showed up for them. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him immeasurable joy, and he made sure they knew it.
Ed’s faith and relationship with God was an important part of who he was. From his involvement with the motorsports chapel during his racing years to the community he and Annie later found through their church and care group, Ed valued Christian fellowship and loved the Lord. His faith wasn’t separate from the rest of his life. It could be seen in his acts of service, his hospitality, his generosity, the relationships he cultivated and the kindness he extended to people from every part of his life.Showing up for people was simply part of Ed’s nature. He had a strong sense of service and an instinct for helping others, often without fanfare or expectation of anything in return. He never met a stranger and was always willing to talk, listen, lend a hand or make a connection. Ed loved people. He was the kind of man who made friends wherever life took him – and, more importantly, kept them.
Ed lived 80 years, but his legacy cannot be measured simply by their number. It lives in Annie, whom he loved so deeply; in the family he was so proud of; in the generations who got to call him Dad and PopPop; in the work ethic and generosity he passed along; in friendships that endured for decades; and in countless stories involving cars, motorcycles, garages, and laughter.
For a man who believed some was good, more was better and too much was just right, Ed leaves behind an abundance of the things that matter most: love, faith, family, friendship and a life very well lived. He will be deeply missed and very well remembered.
Ed is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 47 years, Annie; his son, Scott and his wife, Sandi; and his daughter, Melissa and her longtime partner, Jeff. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sara, Nathan, Emily (Joe), Holly (Austin), Zachary, Hannah (Jacob), Jordan (Chelsea), and Harrison (Jennifer), Winston and Olivia; and his great-grandchildren, including Hailey, Lily, Bristol Annie, Maci, and Raegan.
He is also survived by his younger sister, Ann, and his nephew, Jeff (Mercy); along with extended family and the many friends Ed collected throughout his life.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Pritchette Carroll Sr. and Ruth Rice; his stepfather, Pete Rice; and his brother-in-law, Cliff Rice.
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Linda Chestnut Buck
August 26, 1940 - August 16, 2026
August 26, 1940 – August 16, 2026
Linda Chestnut Buck, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026, at the age of 85.
Linda was the loving wife of William “Billy” Buck , with whom she shared a lifetime of love, memories, and family. She was a devoted mother to William “Bucky” Buck and Tammy, Sandy Buck, Douglas Canada (deceased) (Nolene), Steve Buck, and David Canady and Glynes.
Linda was a woman who loved life and knew how to enjoy it. She especially loved traveling and gambling , creating countless memories along the way. Whether she was enjoying a trip, trying her luck, or simply spending time with the people she loved, Linda had a way of making life memorable. Her greatest joy, however, was her family.
She leaves behind a beautiful legacy through her grandchildren: Shane Inman, Whitney Inman Williams (Andrew), Morgan Buck (Matt), Taylor Mantooth (Chris), Logan Buck, Tyler Fountain, Stephen Buck (deceased), Tiffany MacNeil, Allison Daly (Matt), Meredith Canady, Will Canada, Chris Canada, Eric Saunders (Rashel), Crystal Kirk, and Heather.
Linda was also blessed with many great-grandchildren who brought tremendous joy to her life: Easton Moore, Ayden Moore, Colten Mantooth, Sawyer Mantooth, Lila Mantooth, Hudson Mantooth, Memphis Mantooth, Caroline Daly, Matthew Daly, Alexa Canada, Brayden Canada, Aiden Saunders, Liam Saunders, Calliope Saunders, Addison Williams, Kaitlyn Buck-Johnson, Ashlyn Johnson, Aubrey Buck, and Braxton Braun and Brayden Fountain.
Her family continued to grow with four precious great-great-grandchildren: Oakley Mattingly, Laklyn Mattingly, Saylor Johnson, and Kinsley Klutz.
Special traveling companions: Danny and Michelle Inman.
Linda’s family would also like to recognize Tabitha Shepherd , her special caregiver and friend. Tabitha’s kindness, compassion, and loving care meant so much to Linda and to her family. Her friendship and dedication will always be remembered with gratitude.
Linda’s greatest legacy is not only the many years she lived, but the love she gave, the memories she created, and the family she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.
Though she is no longer with us, Linda’s laughter, stories, adventurous spirit, and love for her family will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.
Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever remembered.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Wilmington Funeral & Cremation - Wilmington Chapel, 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington, NC 28403, (910) 791-9099.
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Wilma Hardee
November 2, 1945 - August 15, 2026
Wilma O. Hardee, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026, in Wilmington, NC. Born on November 2, 1945, in Edgecombe County, NC, she graced this world with her warmth and kindness for 80 years.
Wilma spent her early years in Pinetops, NC, where she graduated from Southwest Edgecombe High School. She was raised in the Baptist faith, which instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and community. Her career was dedicated to serving others as a receptionist at New Hanover Oncology medical office, where she worked tirelessly for over 20 years before retiring.
A woman of many passions, Wilma was a true animal lover, cherishing both domesticated and wild creatures alike. Her artistic talents shone through her love of painting and drawing, capturing the beauty she saw in the world around her. Together with her late husband, Billy Marion Hardee, she enjoyed the thrill of riding motorcycles, proudly owning Harley Davidson bikes among other models.
Wilma is preceded in death by her devoted parents, Tony Richmond Owens and Mary Elizabeth Gay Owens, and her beloved husband, Billy Marion Hardee. She leaves behind a loving family who will dearly miss her presence: her sons, James Edward Lane and his wife Deanna of Rocky Point, NC, and Christopher Scott Hardee of Florida; her cherished grandchildren, Avery Hardee, Jackson Hardee, Robert Christopher Lane (Audrey), Robert Clark Lane, and James Alan Lane (Aurora).
A memorial service to celebrate Wilma's life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Wilmington Funeral & Cremation Chapel, located at 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403. Inurnment will be held at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, NC, at a later date, when Wilma will be laid to rest with her husband, Billy. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the New Hanover Humane Society, honoring her love for animals.
Wilma O. Hardee will be remembered for her kindness, creativity, and zest for life. She touched the hearts of many and leaves behind a legacy of love and compassion.
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