John Grady Whitehurst, 75, of Vanceboro, passed away on September 2, 2026, leaving behind the legacy of a good and honorable man whose life was marked by service, loyalty, hard work, and, above all, love for his family.
Born and raised in New Bern, John graduated from New Bern High School in 1969 before continuing his education at Lenoir Community College. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, beginning a chapter of his life that took him far from home. John attained the rank of Sergeant and served in both Okinawa and Turkey
After completing his military service and returning home, John began working at TexasGulf, now Nutrien. What started as a job became a 37-year career. He was a hardworking and dependable man who believed in doing things the right way, and after nearly four decades of dedicated service, John retired in 2012. But the greatest part of John's story was never found in where he worked or what he accomplished. It was found in the people he loved. In 1988, John married Donna, the love of his life. For 38 years, they shared the ordinary and extraordinary moments that make a marriage and a life together.
John also believed in brotherhood and service. He was a Master Mason and member of Berne Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 724, as well as a member of the Scottish Rite and a Sudan Shriner. The values represented by those organizations—integrity, fellowship, charity and service to others—were values that John demonstrated in his own life.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at New Bern Church of God. A funeral service celebrating John's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at New Bern Church of God, with Pastors Doug Case and Jason Whitehurst officiating.
John will be laid to rest at Greenleaf Memorial Park, with Masonic Rites and Military Honors rendered in recognition of his service and dedication.
Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made in John's memory to the Masonic Home for Children or Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care is honored to serve the family and friends of John Grady Whitehurst.
Funeral Service at New Bern Church of God
1230 Colony Drive
New Bern, North Carolina 28562
Wed, Sep 9th, 2026
11:00am EDT
Visitation with Family & Friends at New Bern Church of God
1230 Colony Drive
New Bern, North Carolina 28562
Tue, Sep 8th, 2026
6:00 - 8:00pm EDT
 Berne No. 724 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethern Of Berne Masonic Lodge 724: We Are In Our 3rd Quarter of The Lodge Gun Raffle For Our Masonic Charities. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!! End Date is September 15th, 2026. Please contact Berne Lodge, Master Dennis Tyndall @ 252-670-8929 and/or Secretary Richard Smith @ 252-675-0136 To Help Our Fundraiser, Buy Tickets, or For Any Additional Information. Thank You! Fraternally, Richard L Smith Secretary, Berne Lodge 724 |
Berne No. 724 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Hello Brethern of Berne Masonic Lodge 724 Your Lodge Will Have A Meal June 16th, 2026 @ 6:30 PM. Tyled Lodge @ 7:30 PM. Please Attend & Support Your Blue Lodge We Will Read A Petition & Conduct A Ballot Help Our New Candidate Be Received Fraternally Yours, Richard L Smith Sr. Secretary Berne Lodge 724 |
Brethern:
Berne Masonic Lodge 724 will conduct a mandatory Lecture Service, Saturday:
June 6th, 2026. This will be Starting at 8 am. Refreshments at 7:30 am.
Please, Attend!
Questions, Please Call
Fraternally,
R.L Smith Sr (Secretary)
252-675-0136
Dennis L. Tyndall (Master)
252-670-8929
Berne No. 724 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Berne Lodge #724 Has Been A Strong Lodge Since Established 1961 Chartered. We want to Thank All Brethern For This Accomplishment & Praise Our Veterans This Memorial Day! Fraternally Yours, Richard L Smith Sr. Secretary Berne Lodge |
HELLO BRETHERN OF BERNE MASONIC LODGE 724
WE WILL OPEN A TYLED LODGE AT 7:30PM TO DISCUSS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2026
PLEASE ATTEND AND SUPPORT YOUR BLUE LODGE
FRATERNALLY,
RICHARD L SMITH SR
SECRETARY
**REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED AFTER THE MEETING****
Hello Brethern Berne Masonic Lodge 724:
We will Open Our Lodge Saturday, February, 14th @ 1:45pm On An Emergent Communication For The Purpose
To Conduct Jimmy L Glisson Last Masonic Rite
Please Attend!!
Any Questions, please reach out to me personally. Continue To Pray For His Family
Thanks For All Your Dedication
Fratnernally,
Richard L Smith Sr
252-675-0316
Secretary Berne Lodge
Berne No. 724 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren of Berne Lodge: We Lost A Past Master on 1/16/2026 Due to Illness Our Brother; Jimmy C. Glisson His Family is Destitute Donations Can Be Made To Cotton Funeral Home For His Cremation Committal next to His Wife We Need Your Help For His Family May God Bless You! Please Contribute As Liberally As You Can Without Injury To Yourself Or Family Fraternally, Richard L Smith Sr Secretary Berne Lodge 252-675-0136 |
Hello Berne Lodge:
The Stated Communication 1/20/2026 will consist of a Meal at 6:30 pm
Tyled Lodge At 7:30 pm and the Installation of Officers Afterwards
Please Attend And Support Your Blue Lodge Officers For The Ensuing Year!
Fraternally Yours,
Richard L Smith Sr.
Secretary
Hope To See You There
Brethern
Berne Lodge thanks you for your support in 2025.
We thank you for your continued support of our Lodge in 2026 and for your continued support of our Widows.
Happy New Year to All!
Fraternally Yours,
Richard L Smith
Secretary
Berne No. 724 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
Hello Brethern Of Berne Masonic Lodge 724: We Thank You For Support This Year And Your Family And Widows. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!! All Members & Family Are Needed Always! May God Bless You Fraternally Submitted Richard L Smith Secretary |
Brethren,
Happy Holidays! Thanks For All Your Support This Year!
Please Attend Your Stated Communication on 12/16/2025, For Our Last Meeting And A Fine Meal And Fellowship.
Berne Lodge is Strong Due To All Your Support
6:30 pm Meal
7:30 pm Tyled Meeting
Fraternally,
Richard L Smith
Secretary
Berne No. 724 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Hello Members of Berne Lodge: A Stated Communication Will Be Held, December 2nd, 2025. A Meal will Be Served At 6:30 PM, Followed By A Tyled Lodge At 7:30 PM Our Business Will Be Election Of Officers For 2026 Please Attend And Support Your Lodge Thanks Richard L Smith Sr Secretary |
Hello members of Berne Masonic Lodge #724
The Dues Cards are here for 2026. Please Remit $86.00 to the following address:
P.O. Box 12132
New Bern, NC 28562
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please call me if you have any questions or need anything.
Fraternally,
Richard L Smith
Secretary Berne Lodge
252-675-0136
Berne No. 724 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Berne Lodge #724 is having a BAR B-Q Chicken Dinner Fundraiser on Friday, October 3rd from 11 am - 2pm or until sold out. TAKE OUT ONLY! plates only $12 Dollars. Please reach out to Richard L Smith Sr. for more information Fraternally Yours, Richard L Smith Sr Secretary Berne Lodge Brothers We hope you can come out and support your Blue Lodge. BAR-B Q Plates Fundraiser Starts tomorrow, Friday, October 3rd at 11 am and will continue until 2 pm or until sold out. Thanks for your continued support. |
Berne No. 724 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren of Berne Lodge: School of Instruction will be held August 2nd at St. John's Lodge (Old Doric Lodge #568) Hancock St. Brethren, Berne Lodge will meet to study OSW, the Black Writing Special Parts on the 3 Symbolic Degrees. We may be called during that School of Instruction to confer a Degree Fraternally Submitted Richard L Smith Sr Certified Lecturer Secretary Berne Lodge #724 |