Carl Vernon Stidham

Carl “Vernon” Stidham Jr. (aka Pop)

On February 19th, 2024, Vernon went to be with his heavenly Father, peacefully, and at home with his wife and children.

Vernon was born in Hazard, Kentucky on July 17th, 1953, to Carl Vernon Stidham Sr. and Perlina Causey Stidham.His family moved to Southport when he was five. He attended Southport High School and graduated from Brunswick County – Southport High School in 1972. He was a member of Ocean View UMC. 

He was owner of Brunswick Sanitation and retired as a longshoreman in 2020. He loved sports, especially football, which he played all through high school. He continued to share that love by coaching Little League Football and Dixie Youth Baseball. He also loved camping, hiking, skiing, fishing, and sitting on his porch drinking Pepsi at his mountain home in Foscoe, NC.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 51 years, Tonia Stidham; his children Carl Vernon Stidham III (Trey) and wife Sally and Kay Stidham Bonavita and husband Tom; Sisters Faye Brock (Danny), Brenda Wood (Ted), and Julia Baggley (Gleen); and sister-in-law Tami Crisco (Lonnie). 

He dearly loved being “Pop” to his five grandchildren – Carl Vernon Stidham IV, Annie Stidham, Claire Bonavita, Ryan Bonavita and Brooke Bonavita. 

Thank you to Dr. Palagruto and Lower Cape Fear Life Care for their wonderful care. 

No service is planned currently. 

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com.