(a)        Any notice authorized or required to be given by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 26-7 shall-

(1)        Be served by the sheriff by delivering a copy thereof to the person entitled to the notice, or

(2)        Be sent by the person giving notice, by registered mail, with return receipt requested, to the last known address of the person being notified.

(b)        Upon serving the notice, the sheriff shall return the original thereof, with his return thereon, to the person who caused the notice to be given.

(c)        The sheriff’s return, when the notice is served by the sheriff, or the return receipt, when the notice is sent by registered mail, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice. (1868-9, c. 232, s. 3; Code, s. 2099; Rev., s. 2848; C.S., s. 3968; 1951, c. 763, s. 2.)