Community mourns loss of Lenoir County Commissioner Roland Best

LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - The Lenoir County community is mourning the loss of Commissioner Roland Best Jr.

Lenoir County Commissioner Roland Best Jr., known by the nickname “Pulley” to many, died Tuesday, December 16, at Greenville Nursing and Rehab Center, according to family. He was 74.

Best represented District 5 from 2013 to 2025 and retired from the Kinston Police Department before his tenure as commissioner.

“Commissioner Best was a steadfast advocate for Lenoir County and served our community with great dedication, integrity, and distinction,” Lenoir County government officials said in a statement. “His leadership, wisdom, and commitment to public service left a lasting impact on our County and the people he served.”

The City of Kinston said Best devoted his life to serving others through his distinguished career in public safety and continued service as county commissioner.

“Roland remained steadfast in his commitment to doing what was right for the people he represented,” the city said. “His legacy reflects a lifetime of leadership grounded in integrity, compassion, and genuine concern for residents across our county.”

The funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, December 23, at United American Free Will Baptist Tabernacle. Burial will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at a public visitation Monday evening from 3 to 6 p.m.