ORIENTAL-- Nancy Winfrey was a major business owner here for three decades, and for most of those years she was the first voice callers heard when they contacted the Pamlico News. She was also the first to greet walk-in visitors.

The 75-year-old owner and publisher of the weekly newspaper since 1977 died at her home over the weekend, after a lengthy battle with leukemia.

"We are all devastated," said Editor Jeff Aydelette. "We did know that it was coming because her doctors had said there was nothing more they could do for her in the way of treatment. But nothing prepares you when it finally hits."

A private family graveside service is planned. The family will receive friends Tuesday at Byrant Funeral Home in Alliance from 6 to 8 p.m. and at other times at Winfrey's home, 204 Freemason St. in Oriental.

Winfrey was active in the origins of two of Oriental's major holiday celebrations -- The Spirit of Christmas and the July 4th weekend Croaker Festival. She also contributed to researching the history of Pamlico County.

Aside from guiding the Pamlico News in expanded coverage into Beaufort County, she was an author.

She wrote "On Both Sides of the River," an anthology of stories she penned as a writer for the newspaper. A second publication, "Kitchen Chatter," developed into a popular weekly feature column in the newspaper.

Aydelette said Winfrey provided a stabilizing and comforting influence amid a business with hard and stressful deadlines.

"She would always prepare lunches for the Pamlico News staff on our busiest day, which is Monday," he said. "We would get around the table and for about 45 minutes we would enjoy her incredibly good cooking, and company. Those were wonderfully good times."

Outside the office, she was known as a prolific gardener well into her 70s.

A Raleigh native, she and her late husband Henry bought the newspaper in 1977, after being part-time seasonal Oriental residents for many years.

She was mother of four children -- Frieda, Gray, Sanderson and the late Sallie Winfrey.

Aydelette said the Wednesday edition of the News would be dedicated to her memory.

The family asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Broad Creek Christian Church in the Olympia community.