Ada Horton Branch
Ada Horton Branch, 87, of Ararat, died Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2001, at her
home.
She was born in Patrick County on Dec. 27, 1913 to the late Marion
Horton and Covie Bowman Horton. Also preceding her in death were her husband,
William Richard Branch; a sister, Della Ross; and two brothers, Earnest
and Aubrey Horton.
Surviving are one son, Howard M. Branch of Ararat; two grandchildren;
one great-grandchild; one step-great-grandchild; and two brothers, Arthur
Horton of Roanoke and Joe Horton of Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Moody Funeral Home
chapel in Stuart. The Rev. J.R. Shelton will preside. Burial will follow
in Locust Grove Church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 p.m. to
8 p.m. today.
Moody Funeral Home is in charge.
Hunter K. Clark
The funeral for Hunter Ernestine Koger Clark, 81, of 995 Summit Road,
Martinsville, who died Feb. 1, 2001, was held Monday at Shiloh Way of the
Cross Church. Bishop Earley Dillard officiated. Burial was in Carver Memorial
Gardens.
Pallbearers were George Waller, Lawrence Koger, Charles Hairston, Ronald
Waller, Oshea Clark and Shamanta Grant.
Hairston Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Hazel M. Lawson
The funeral for Hazel Juanita Martin Lawson, 70, of Stuart, who died
Feb. 4, 2001, was held Tuesday at Moody Funeral Home. The Rev. Alfred Goins
officiated. Burial was in the Stuart Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Wesley Martin, Wayne Martin, Delano Biggs, Dan Young,
Bobby Lawson and Gary Purdue.
Edward B. Loftin
GREENSBORO - Edward Brice Loftin, 81, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2001, at
his home at 808 Elizabethan Drive, Greensboro.
In addition to his parents, Glenn F. and Mabel F. Loftin, he was preceded
in death by a sister, Alma Pressley, and a brother, Bob Loftin.
He retired in 1984 as manager of Dixie Bearings, and he was a member
of Muirs Chapel United Methodist Church.
Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Leota Pepper Loftin of the home;
two daughters, Carolyn L. Lackey of Martinsville, Va., and Sandra L. Burroughs
of Virginia Beach, Va.; one sister, Dot Collins of Hickory; a brother,
Neil Loftin of Clemmons; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. today at Muirs Chapel United Methodist
Church with the Rev. Raymond Hahn to officiate. Burial will be in Guilford
Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends today from 11:30 a.m. until time for
the funeral.
Arrangements are by Forbis-Dick Funeral Home, West Friendly Avenue,
Greensboro.
Mary B. Marshall
The funeral for former Martinsville resident Mary Bowles Marshall,
96, of Rocky Mount, who died Feb. 3, 2001, was held Tuesday at Stanfield-Miller
Funeral Home. The Rev. Elijah Niblett officiated. Burial was in Carver
Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Felix Niblett, Matthew Philpott, Frank Harris, Jesse
Brooks, James Foster, Floyd Harris and Ervin Kirby.
Rufus M. Martin
The funeral for Rufus Murray Martin, 90, of 638 Saddle Ridge Road,
Bassett, who died Feb. 4, 2001, was held Tuesday at Collins Funeral Chapel
in Bassett. The Rev. Neil Craig and Elders Leonard Brammer and Clarence
Stone officiated. Entombment was in Roselawn Abby.
Pallbearers were Mark Waters, Stan Jones, Clint Hayes, Beau Hunter,
Brad Turner, Mike Bibb, Ronnie Haynes and Mike Turner.
George W. Spencer
George Washington Spencer, 87, of 154 Arrowhead Circle Drive, Spencer,
died Feb. 4, 2001,.
He was a native of Henry County and a member of Christian View Baptist
Church.
He is survived by a sister, Mary Moss of Martinsville; and other relatives.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Christian View Baptist
Church with burial to be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday at the church from 1:30 p.m.
until time for the funeral.
Arrangements are by Perry-Spencer Funeral Home, Madison, N.C.
Robert C. Wilkes
LYNCHBURG - Robert Carlton Wilkes, 58, of Lynchburg, died Monday, Feb.
5, 20001, in Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born May 8, 1942 in Pittsylvania County, he was a son of the late Victor
L. Wilkes and the late Grace English Wilkes. Also preceding him in death
were three brothers, Lawrence, Willie J. and Thomas W. Wilkes.
Surviving are a daughter, Amy Pickeral of Gretna; three brothers, V.
Ray Wilkes of Gretna, Walter Wilkes of Lynchburg and J.D. Wilkes of Martinsville;
and three sisters, Lucille Dixon of Lynchburg, Mary Barbour of Cincinnati,
Ohio, and Doris Aultice of Gretna.
A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at Gretna
Burial Park by the Rev. Gene Ashworth.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Colbert-Moran
Funeral Home in Gretna.
Bernice C. Gauldin
Bernice Conner Gauldin, 60, of 1772 North Fork Road, Martinsville,
died Thursday, March 29, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and
Henry County.
She was born Nov. 14, 1940, in Franklin County, daughter of the late
Exzenopher "Zin" Conner and the late Hester Adkins Conner. A sister, Juanita
Riddle, and a brother, John R. Conner, also preceded her in death.
She retired as a clerk from Tultex where she worked for 33 years, and
she was a member of Woodland Heights Freewill Baptist Church where she
served as youth director and Sunday School teacher.
Surviving are her husband, David Alfred Gauldin of the home; one daughter,
Pamela Gauldin Shoemaker of Martinsville; one son, Timothy Alfred Gauldin
of Alexandria; four sisters, Minnie Holley and Cathy Johnston, both of
Martinsville, and Mary Riddle and Margie Lewis, both of Axton; a brother,
James Conner of Rocky Mount; and one granddaughter.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Norris Funeral Services
chapel with the Revs. Jay Summerlin and Leonard Hall officiating. Burial
will be in Roselawn Burial Park.
The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Norris
Funeral Services and other times at the home on North Fork Road.
Memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Virginia.
Cory Morehead
The funeral for Cory KaRon Morehead, 19, of 1380 Martin Lane, Axton,
who died March 24, 2001, was held Thursday at Moral Hill Missionary Baptist
Church near Axton. Elder Reginald Davis officiated. Burial was in Carver
Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers were Cory Lanier, Patrick O'Brien, Tony Martin, Brandon
Kaissee, Paul Parler, Brandon Shively, Lamar Dillard, Lyric Martin and
Curtis Robertson.
Hairston Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Marion C. Plaster
Marion C. Plaster, 85, of 215 Okie Drive, Martinsville, died Thursday,
March 29, 2000, at the Blue Ridge Rehab Center.
He was born in Patrick County on Nov. 12, 1915, to the late William
"Buck" Plaster and Nannie Conner Plaster. Also preceding him in death were
a son, George William "Bill" (Ice Cream) Plaster; four brothers, Conner,
Richard, Roy and Lester Plaster; and a granddaughter, Lindy Dea Plaster.
He worked at Stanley Furniture Co. for 48 1/2 years before retiring
as a supervisor. For 14 years he had been a member of the Rangeley Ruritan
Club.
He was a member of Pleasant Grove Christian Church.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Okie Plaster of the home; one daughter,
Joyce Ann Cornett of Martinsville; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant Grove
Christian Church. The Revs. Stephen Smythers and Berlin Hanks will officiate.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held at Collins Funeral Services in Bassett, where
the family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 3907,
Martinsville, Va. 24115; or Pleasant Grove Christian Church, 5285 Preston
Road, Martinsville, Va. 24112.
Clyde T. Powell
HAMPTON -- Clyde Thomas Powell, 83, of Hampton, died March 28, 2001.
Born in Ferrum, he had lived in Hampton since 1951. He retired as a
welder in 1979 from the Newport News Shipyard after 30 years of service.
He was a member of the Westhampton Baptist church.
Surviving are one daughter, Diane P. Bohlman of Hampton; Two grandchildren;
and a number of nieces and nephews in the Fork Mountain community and other
areas of Henry County.
Hampton will be buried in Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville following
a 2 p.m. graveside service Sunday. The Rev. J.D. Harmon will officiate.
Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 5349 East Princess
Anne Road, Norfolk, Va. 23502; or the American Heart Association, 360 Southport
Circle, Suite 104, Virginia Beach, Va. 23452.
Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in Hampton.
Ann M. Reaser
Ann Marlow Reaser, 66, of 60 Mill Trace Road, Martinsville, died Thursday,
March 29, 2001, at King's Grant Healthcare Center in Martinsville, after
a lengthy illness.
She was born May 22, 1934, in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., daughter of the
late Anna Shaw Marlow and the late Joseph Marlow.
A graduate of Goldsboro High School in Goldsboro, N.C., she also attended
Salem College in Winston-Salem and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree
in Speech Pathology from the University of Alabama. She later earned her
certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in speech pathology from the American
Speech and Hearing Association.
Her work in speech therapy covered 30 years in clinical, residential
and hospital settings for children, youth, adults and older adults. She
retired in 1994.
She was a longtime member of the American Speech and Hearing Association
and the American Association of University Women.
From 1986 until 1996, she accompanied her husband, Clarence L. Reaser,
who served as pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Warner Robins,
Ga. At her death, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of
Martinsville where she served as a member of the Session and was on the
Christian Education Committee and assisted in Children's Worship. She also
was active in the church women's organization.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home, are two sons, Randy
Ruggles of Vilseck, Germany, and Paul Reaser of Petersburg; two daughters,
Heather Peel of Surrey, England, and Rebecca Venturato of Chicago; and
five grandchildren.
McKee-Stone Funeral Services is in charge of a memorial service to
be held later at the First Presbyterian Church in Martinsville.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Memorial Hospital of Martinsville/Henry
County, P.O. Box 4788, Martinsville, Va. 24115; the King's Grant Fellowship
Fund, 350 King's Way Road, Martinsville, Va. 24112; the First Presbyterian
Church of Martinsville, 1901 Patrick Henry Ave., Martinsville, Va. 24112;
or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 303 Mary Lane, Warner Robins, Ga. 31088.
Cassie C. Sigmon
Cassie C. Sigmon, 87, of Stuart, died Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at
Lewis Gale Hospital in Salem.
She and her husband, Harvey J. Sigmon who died in 1973, previously
owned and operated Sigmon's Grocery Store near Fairystone Park for 25 years.
Born Feb. 21, 1914 in Franklin County, her parents were the late Taylor
Cahill and Emma Elgin Cahill. Two sisters, Ethel Mize and Viola Blakely,
and a brother, Deward Cahill, also preceded her in death.
She was a Primitive Baptist.
Surviving are one daughter, Gaye Sigmon of Salem; two sons, Glenford
Sigmon of Stuart, and Coy Sigmon of Collinsville; one grandchild; and several
step-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends at Bassett Funeral Service from 7 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m. today and other times at the Sigmon home.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Union Primitive Baptist
Church near Fairystone Park. Elder Leonard Brammer will officiate. Burial
will be in Mount Hermon Church of the Brethren Cemetery at Bassett.
Bassett Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Lynwood J. Weaver
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Lynwood Jenkins Weaver, 76, of Antiqua, died
Thursday, March 29, 2001 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.
He was born on May 20, 1924 in Martinsville, Va., a son of the late
Charles David Weaver and the late Maude Turner Weaver Sr.
He graduated from the University of Virginia, served in the Army during
World War II and worked as a technical sales representative with Reichhold
Chemical Co. in White Plains, N.Y. until his retirement. He moved to Myrtle
Beach in 1996 from Martinsville, and he was a member of Ocean View Baptist
Church.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Elizabeth Weaver of Myrtle Beach; a son,
Lynwood J. "Woody" Weaver Jr. of Raleigh, N.C.; two daughters, Helen Shockley
of Greenville and Elizabeth Braddy of Wake Forest, N.C.; a brother, Richard
T. Weaver of Martinsville; one sister, Nell W. Cooper of Myrtle Beach;
and five grandchildren.
Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Services in Martinsville will be in charge
of a memorial service and burial to be held in Martinsville at a later
date.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.
McMillan-Small Funeral Home and Crematory in Myrtle Beach is handling
arrangements.
Lera H. Denkins
Lera Myrtle Hudson Denkins, 84, of Bassett, died Wednesday, April 4,
2001, at the Hanson Home in Bassett.
The daughter of Leonard and Carrie Hudson, both deceased, she was born
in Ferrum, August 1, 1916, Her husband, Cecil J. Denkins, and a son, Bruce
Michael Denkins, also preceded her in death.
She is survived by a daughter, Judy D. Parcell, of Greensboro, N.C.;
a son, James, D. "Jim" Denkins of Cleveland, Ohio; five grandchildren;
and one great-grandchild.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday at Roselawn Burial Park with
the Rev. Rob Colwell officiating.
McKee-Stone Funeral Services is handling arrangements.
Johnny R. Manning
Johnny Ray Manning, 35, of 3148 Sunset Road, Collinsville, died March
5, 2001.
September 17, 1965, he was born in Franklin County to Lonnie Martin
and Bess Emberson Martin, both of Collinsville.
Before becoming disabled, Johnny worked at Fisher Auto Parts and the
Henry County Administration Building. He also worked as a security guard
for the Holiday Inn Express.
Surviving are his parents, Lonnie and Bess Emberson Martin of Collinsville;
two sisters, Rita Smith of Wirtz and Wanda Nichols of Rangely; three step-brothers,
Larry Martin and Philip Martin, both of Fork Mountain and Winfred Martin
of Ferrum; one niece and one nephew.
The funeral will be 2 p.m. Monday at Collins Funeral chapel, Bassett,
with the Rev. Eddie Hawks officiating. Burial will be in the Young family
cemetery in Franklin County.
Visitation will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at Collins Funeral home.
The family will be at home at 3148 Sunset Road, Collinsville at other times.
Joseph F. Martin
Joseph Frank Martin, 73, of Pony Place, Martinsville, died Wednesday,
April 4, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County.
He was born Nov. 26, 1927, to the late Tom Martin and the late Cora
Martin. In addition, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Annie Mae
Draper, Peggy King, Lula Barnes and Novia Harris; and three brothers, Richard,
Harry and Tom Martin.
A number of nieces and nephews survive him.
A memorial service will be held from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the
First Baptist Church, East Martinsville, with the Rev. Charles Whitfield
officiating.
Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is in charge of arrangements.
Sallie B. "Granny" Nolen
Sallie "Granny" Bowling Nolen, 88, of Ferrum, died April 6, 2001.
A member of St. James United Methodist Church and a formerly active
member of Boones Mill & Ferrum Quilting Societies, she was also the
craft lady of the Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls at the Blue Ridge Folklife
Festival. She made towels, pillowcases and dolls.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Harmon Nolen; her
parents, Johnny N. and Bendy Dixon Bowling; four brothers, Wilton, Kermit,
James and Charlie Bowling; five sisters, Lourie Williams, Macy Woods, Ruby
Gillespie, Christine Ingram and Goldie Prillaman.
Surviving are one son, Calvin F. Nolen of Collinsville; three daughters,
Geraldine Scott and Norene Bussey, both of Ferrum and Geneva Martin of
Collinsville; two sisters, Silla Reed and Evelyn Nolen, both of Ferrum;
seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; several
nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be 2 p.m. today at Vaughn chapel, Ferrum College,
with the Rev. Susie Brack officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove
Cemetery.
Donations can be made to Ferrum Rescue Squad, Inc., P.O. Box 160, Ferrum.
Va. 24088 or Carilion Hospice Service, 415 Main St., Rocky Mount, Va.
Lynch Funeral Home in Rocky Mount is in charge of arrangements.
Roy V. Vaughn
Roy Valentine Vaughn, 83, of Martinsville, died April 7, 2001, at the
Blue Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Martinsville.
He was born in Princeton, W.Va., April 15, 1917, the son of James D.
Vaughn and Susie Pilson Vaughn, both deceased. His wife, Vera Newman Vaughn,
and two brothers, James R. Vaughn and Russell H. Vaughn, also preceded
him in death.
During World War II, he served in the army. He was a member of the
Disabled American Veterans and Woodmen of the World.
He is survived by one daughter, Vera Mae Smith of Martinsville; one
son, James D. Vaughn II of Sumas, Washington; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren;
and five great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Monday at McKee-Stone Funeral Services
chapel. Burial, with full military rites by the Patrick County Veterans
Memorial Honor Guard, will follow in the Foley family cemetery in Patrick
County.
The family will receive friends 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday prior to
the funeral.
James W. "Plunk" Williams
James Wesley "Plunk" Williams, 69, of 1151 East Church St., Martins
Landing, Martinsville, died April 4, 2001, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville
and Henry County.
A lifelong resident of Henry County and Martinsville, he was born in
Pittsylvania County, June 8, 1931, to George Williams and Mary McLaughlin
Williams, both deceased. His wife, Geraldine Grooms Williams, also preceded
him in death.
Retired from the Alcohol Beverage Control Board, where he worked as
a clerk for 16 years, he was a member of St. Paul High Street Baptist Church,
the usher board and the Sons of Solomon #111.
Surviving are one brother, George Williams, of Martinsville and two
sisters, Annie G. Bennett of Blairs and Louise Williams Parker of Pittsburgh,
Pa.
The funeral will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul High Street Baptist
Church in Martinsville with the Rev. William A. Shackleford Sr. officiating.
Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Lynchburg.
The family will receive friends one-half hour prior to the service.
Hairston Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Jewel B. Brown Sr.
Jewel Benjamin "Buddy" Brown Sr., 70, of 464 Chatmoss Court, Martinsville,
died June 3, 2001, at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
A native of Franklin County, he was born on May 12, 1931, a son of
Dorothy Hodges Brown of Rocky Mount, and the late Irving L. Brown. He was
preceded in death by a son, J.B. Brown Jr.
Brown retired from Shell Oil Distributors in Tallahassee, Fla., and
he was a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Lake Jackson Freewill
Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his mother, are his wife of 51 years, Jean
Bennett Brown of the home; two daughters, Jyl B. Campbell of Martinsville
and Sarah B. David of Union Hall; three sons, Jack Brown of Axton, Jerry
Brown of the Snow Creek community and James Brown of Patrick Springs; two
sisters, Shirley Brown of Rocky Mount and Jean Draper of Roanoke; four
brothers, Dale Brown of Rocky Mount, Harold Brown of Glade Hill, Kenneth
Brown of Salem, and Crispen Brown of Bradon, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; and
two great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Albert Robertson presided at the private graveside service
Tuesday at Roselawn Burial Park.
Norris Funeral Services was in charge of arrangements.
Eliza E. Mayhorn
The funeral for Eliza E. Mayhorn, 87, who died June 4, 2001, in Memorial
Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County, will be held at 8 p.m. today
at Norris Funeral Services Chapel. The Rev. Jimmy Wood will officiate.
Burial will follow in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Bluefield, Va.
The family will meet with friends today at Norris Funeral Services
from 6 p.m. until time for the 8 p.m. service.
Memorials may be made to the Critz Church of God Building Fund, P.O.
Box 177, Critz, Va. 24082,
A native of Krepton, Ky., Eliza Mayhorn was born on Sept. 29, 1913,
to the late Wick Maloney and the late Emma Harris Maloney. Her husband,
John Lewis Mayhorn; a sister, Cora Blankenship, and a brother, Jack McCormick,
all preceded her in death.
She retired from Tultex and she was a member of the Martinsville Church
of God.
Surviving are two sons, John W. Mayhorn of Collinsville and James E.
Mayhorn of Centreville; three sisters, Nancy Messenio of Hudson, Fla.,
Ida Konecny of Charlotte, N.C. and Jeanette Blakeslee of Milford, Conn.
Edith E. Preddy
Former Martinsville resident Edith Hailey Ellis Preddy, 90, died May
25, 2001 at the Family Health West Nursing Home in Fruita, Colo.
Born Jan. 17, 1911 in Keysville, Va., she was the daughter of the late
William Edward and Mary MacMurray Hailey. She married William Dewey Ellis
of Martinsville in 1938 and had one son, Bill Ellis, who lives in Fruita.
Following the death of Ellis in 1974, she married Kent Preddy of Richmond
in 1975, moved to Fern Park, Fla., in 1978, where Preddy died in 1983.
For 45 years she worked as a secretary including several years in the
1930s as secretary to the late Thomas G. Burch of Martinsville, who was
a member of Congress for Virginia's Fifth District. She also commuted between
Congressional sessions from Martinsville to Washington, and often acted
as Burch's campaign manager and driver when he ran for re-election.
She returned to Martinsville in 1941 and worked for Burch's late nephew,
Thomas J. Burch and Stafford Whittle of the Burch-Whittle Corporation.
At one time during her career, she was the voter registrar for Martinsville.
She retired in 1975.
She held membership at Ash Camp Baptist Church of Keysville, the First
United Methodist Church of Martinsville and the First Presbyterian Church
of Maitland, Fla. She also belonged to the Martinsville Altrusa Club and
the Order of Eastern Star.
Surviving in addition to her son of Fruita, are six grandchildren;
and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held May 28 at the Family Health Center in Fruita.
Those wishing to make memorials is asked to donate in her memory to
Friends of the Library at any library branch in Martinsville and Henry
County.
Arrangements were handled by McLean Funeral Home Inc., Palisade, Colo. |