Ethel Denise Johnson Hobbs, 57, passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at Brentwood Pentecostal Holiness Church in Tarboro with Rev. Paul Mobley officiating the service. Burial will be private.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas E. Johnson and Betty LaRuth Nunnery Johnson; and two nieces, Sharon D. Rawls and Kasey C. Andrews.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis C. Hobbs; daughter, Chelsea N. Steadman (Blake); grandson, Dawson B. Steadman; daughter, Amy M. Hobbs; granddaughters, Estela Cuellar, Lillianna Cuellar, and Chloe Manning; sisters, Betty Sullivan (Kelvin), Angela Armstrong (Henry), and Tammy Andrews; mother-in-law, Rose Bone; and special sister-in-law, Marsha Hobbs. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews who always had a place in her heart and all were her favorites; favorite uncles and like a brother to her, John K. Nunnery; and several aunts and cousins.

Denise was born in Cumberland County and moved to Edgecombe County when she was 2 years old and was raised in Edgecombe County. Denise worked all her life and her desire was to help others. She worked with Wilson County for 27 years. She learned a lot about life during this journey. She loved her work family. Denise loved her family and always tried to keep them together, Christmas was her special time of year to have them all together and make her special cookies. She loved her church family, they gave her hope. The calls, smiles and hugs helped her through her time of sickness. I will miss Brentwood Church but I know I will see you all again one day.

Special thanks to Duke Health in Durham you were always there for me. No matter what was going on you had a smile for me.

Donations can be made to Brentwood Children Camp or to Duke Health Cancer Center, or College fund for Benjamin Rawls.