BETTY J. CONNER
Betty Jean Conner, age 84, of Stuart, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
She was born in Patrick County on November 22, 1933, to the late Benjamin Williams and Annie Hall Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lyle Conner; a son, Gary “Tomcat” Conner; three sisters, Pauline Stegall, Lucy Terry and Edna Hylton; and a brother, Dillard Williams.
She attended Dobyns Primitive Baptist Church and had retired from J.P Stevens with over 30 years of service.Surviving are one daughter and son-in-law, Rita and Tom Pegram of Stuart; two grandchildren, Alex and Amber Pegram; two sisters, Onie Vaughn and Joyce Belcher, both of Stuart; one brother and sister-in-law, CD and Mary Williams of Stuart; and several nieces and nephews.A memorial visitation will be held today (Wednesday, April 18) at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart from 10 to 11 a.m.
A memorial graveside service at the Williams Family Cemetery on Dobyns Rd. will immediately follow with Elder Tim McGrady officiating.
Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
HALLIE C. BROWN
Hallie Cockram Brown, 82, of Martinsville, passed away on Monday, April 16, 2018, at her home.
She was born on May 23, 1935, to the late Clifford and Florence Cockram. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Orrie H. “Pete” Brown; sister, Blanche Williams; and two brothers, Ray Cockram and George Cockram.She is survived by a sister, Faye Williams; two nieces, Cindy Roberson and Pam Williams; and a sister-in-law, Gretchen Cockram.A graveside service will be held today (Wednesday, April 18) at 1 p.m. at Patrick Memorial Gardens with Pastor Jason Alverson officiating.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the SPCA, 132 Joseph Martin Hwy., Martinsville, VA 24112; or Pleasant View Baptist Church, 4432 Pleasant View Dr., Patrick Springs, VA 24133.
MEREDITH E. CASSELL
Meredith Epps Cassell, age 53, of Charlotte, N.C., passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2018, at her home.
She was born in Charleston, S.C., on September 26, 1964, and was preceded in death by her mother, Adelle Warren Epps; a brother-in-law, Barry Cassell; a father-in-law, Donnie Cassell and mother-in-law, Norma Cassell.
She was a member of Mount Harmony Baptist Church in Matthews, N.C.
She is survived by her husband, Lester Clay Cassell of the home; one daughter, M. Elisabeth Banks (Carey) of Waxhaw, N.C.; one grandson, Branson Dell Banks; her father, Marion R. Epps of Charlotte; a sister, Melodie R. Epps (Nan) of Hickory, N.C.; and two brothers, Bob Epps (Gini) and Roger Epps (Donna), all of Charlotte.
A graveside service was held in the Plasters Family Cemetery in Vesta on Sunday, April 15.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements were by Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
DAVID “L.D.” FALLIN
David “L.D.” Fallin, 49, of Patrick Springs, died Thursday, April 12, 2018.
He was born in Martinsville on June 4, 1968, to the late Charles Fallin Sr. and the late Ethel Dalton Fallin. He was also preceded in death by his a daughter, Emily Fallin; a brother, Ollie Fallin; and a nephew, Travis Fallin.
He is survived by daughters, Tori Fallin (Adam Ashley), Ashley Fallin, and Brittany Pope (Justin) all of Ridgeway; brothers Jimmy Fallin (Freda) of Bassett, Herbet Fallin (Wendy) of Patrick County, and Charles Fallin Jr. of Martinsville; grandchildren, Daniel Pope, Bentley Lockridge, and Hailey Pope, all of Ridgeway; and a special friend, Ronnie Suite.
Pastor Marty Furrow and Elder Buddy Crotts officiating.
The funeral service was held Monday, April 16 in the Bassett Funeral Service Chapel with Pastor Marty Furrow officiating. Burial was in the Roselawn Burial Park.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.bassettfuneralservice.com.
ELIZABETH W. GOARD
Elizabeth Wimbish Goard, age 99 , of Stuart passed away April 10, 2018, at the Landmark Center in Stuart.
She was born in Patrick County on October 13, 1918, to the late Howard and Lucy Shough Wimbish. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Goard; four brothers; and three sisters.
She was a member of Smith Memorial United Methodist Church.Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Barry Lea of Apollo Beach, Fla., and Laverne and Ronnie Tysinger of Fries; threegrandchildren, Cheryl Johnston, Kevin Hawks and Tina Cook; four great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.Funeral services were held Thursday, April 12, at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Stuart with the Rev. Jim Churchwell and Wendell Terry officiating. Burial was in Patrick Memorial Gardens.
The family requests to honor Elizabeth’s memory with donations to Smith Memorial United Methodist Church, 2703 Daniels Creek Rd., Collinsville, VA 24078.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staffs of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care and the Landmark Center for their aid, support, and comfort to them and Elizabeth.
GEORGIA C. GOARD
Georgia Corn Goard, age 96, of Stuart, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2018, at the Blue Ridge Therapy Connection in Stuart.
She was born in Stokes County, N.C., on September 8, 1921, to the late William “Bill” and Lula Martin Corn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sandy Robert Goard; and five sisters, Maude C. Moore, Myrl C. Stovall, Mabel C. Heath, Madeline C. Hopkins and Margaret C. Newman.
She was a longtime member of Peters Creek Baptist Church and had retired from J.P Stevens.
Surviving are one sister, Mayfair C. White of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday, April 18) at 2 p.m. at Peters Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Terry Ragsdale officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Peters Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Delano Biggs, 8214 NC 89 Hwy. W., Westfield, NC 27053; or to the Russell Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, c/o Rachel Dalton, 443 Russell Creek Rd., Stuart, VA 24171.
Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
SAMUEL M. HAIRSTON
The Honorable Samuel McCabe Hairston, aged 91, died April 11, 2018, at his residence in Chatham.
He was born on October 3, 1926, in Hankow, China. He was the son of Marshall Smith Hairston and Dixie McCabe Hairston. He was married to the late Elizabeth Hunter Hairston. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Marshall Smith Hairston.
Hairston graduated from Hardin Reynolds Memorial School in Critz, and served in Europe with the Army of Occupation following World War II.
He graduated from VMI in the class of 1949, received his law degree from Washington and Lee and practiced law in Chatham, where he served on the town council and was elected mayor in 1976. In 1980 he was elected Circuit Court Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit. After his retirement in 1993, he continued to serve the court as a retired judge.
He was a member of Nettle Ridge United Methodist Church.
At the time of his death he was working on the restoration of the house at Hughesville, the oldest frame house in Patrick County which was built by his great-great-great-grandfather, Archelaus Hughes, in 1770.
He is survived by two sons, Marshall (Jennifer) Hairston and Henry (Patty) Hairston; three daughters, Caroline (Paul) English, Katherine (Stephen) LaRosa, and Elizabeth Steere; a brother, Thomas Fleetwood (Marie) Hairston; ten grandchildren, Katherine English Holt, Sara English Beckett, Mary English Passmore, Stuart LaRosa, Caroline LaRosa, Richard Steere, Sam Hairston, Marshall Hairston, William Hairston, and Thomas Hairston; and six great-grandchildren, Bradley Steere, Henry Holt, Morgan Holt, Andrew Steere, Michael Beckett, and Leo LaRosa Duffy.
Funeral services were conducted at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Chatham, on Sunday April 15.
MICHAEL F. HANCOCK
Michael Forest Hancock, 68, of Olive Hill, Ky., entered into rest Sunday, April 15, 2018, at his residence.
He was born March 28, 1950 in Stuart, a son of the late Henry Forest and Myrtle Helms Hancock. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers-in-law; Betty Jo and Ellis Ayers, Ann and Freddie Underwood, and Roger Morrow.
He retired from DuPont with 25 years of service and Carter Co. Schools with 15 years of service. He was a member of the Olive Hill Masonic Lodge #629, Olive Hill Eastern Star #290, El Hasa Shrine, and was active in the Carter County Shrine Club.
He was also an active member and on the board of directors for Kentucky Walking Horse Association.
He played baseball for the West Monroe Louisiana Mudcats, a minor league team for the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as semi-pro basketball; both during the early 1970s. He was a licensed judge and DQP for the Kentucky Walking Horse Association, and was also an avid hunter and loved fishing with Eli.
Mike is survived by his wife, Lucinda Hignite Hancock; two sons, Eli Clay Hancock and Chad Hancock; two daughters, Nicole Lawson and Lily Hancock; three sisters, Jean (Fred) Gilley of Stuart, Jeraldean (Bill) Harrell of Martinsville, and Irene Morrow of North Carolina; his mother and father-in-law, Larry and Sandy Hignite; one brother-in-law, Larry L. (Tresa) Hignite of Olive Hill; two grandchildren, Kendra and Mason; one niece, Laryn; two great nephews, Brody and Braxten; and several other nieces and nephews. In addition, he was a father to numerous children through the foster care system.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, April 17, at the Duvall & Moore Funeral Home with Bro. Keith Hill officiating. Burial was in the Olive Hill Memorial Park.
Masonic services were performed Monday, April 16 at the funeral home. Scottish rites were also performed.
Memorial donations may be made to Carter County Shrine Club for the hospital and horse show funds.
Online condolences may be sent to www.duvallandmoore.com.
ROGER C. ROBERTSON
Roger Clark Robertson, 75, of Rocky Mount, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. He experienced a peaceful passing at Kindred Hospital in Greensboro, N.C.
Roger, son of the late John Lewis and Cora Hatchett Robertson, was born in Franklin County on February 1, 1943.
As one of six children, he learned to value family and hard work at a very young age. After completing high school, he went to work at DuPont in Martinsville. Drafted by the U.S. Army in 1967, he attended basic training at Fort Bragg, N.C., before being sent to Fort Huachuca, Ariz. where he was trained as a medical supply specialist.
After completing Advanced Individual Training (AIT), he was then assigned to the 23rd Infantry (Americal) Division in Fort Sam Houston, Tex., and deployed to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. During his service, he achieved the rank of Specialist (E-4) and earned the Army Commendation Medal, in addition to the Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Army Expert Shooting Badge.
He was proud of his service and continued to uphold the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage throughout the remainder of his life. Returning to the States in 1969, he was honorably discharged from the Army and returned to work in the textile, welding, and plumbing industries
He loved living life to the fullest. He loved music, including singing and dancing. In 1995, he met his best friend and partner of 23 years, Mollie Hodges, at a dance club in Danville. He loved traveling and spending time with Mollie, family, and friends.
He was a proud partner, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
He is survived by the love of his life, Mollie Hodges of the home; a sister, Shirley Lea Robertson; as well as his four children, Kimberly Robertson Spearman and her husband Kim Morris of Gastonia, N.C., Michael Clark Robertson of Gastonia, N.C., Sharon Mullen of Martinsville and Roger Colby Robertson of Stuart; four grandchildren, Darby Sadler of Kyle, Tex., Hailey Spearman of Gastonia, N.C., Westley and Emily Mullen of Martinsville; and six great-grandchildren, including twin girls expected in August, also survive him.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Lucy Robertson Walker and Catherine Robertson Martin; and two brothers, John Henry Robertson and William Edward Robertson.
The funeral service was held at Forrest Hill Christian Church, with the Rev. Wayne Keith officiating on Saturday, April 14.
The family has requested that donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1264 at 4930 Grandview Ave NW, Roanoke, VA 24012 in honor of SPC Rodgie C. Robertson, Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Army or donations to Forrest Hill Christian Church in Penhook
Arrangements were by Flora Funeral Service in Rocky Mount..
JERRY L. TRENT III
Jerry Lee Trent III, age 23, of Stuart, passed away on March 24, 2018, at Sovah Health of Martinsville.
He was born in Welch, W.Va., on March 30, 1994, and was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Jerry Lee Trent Sr. and maternal grandmother, Edith Helen Bailey.
He is survived by his children, Jerry Lee Trent IV and London Ann Trent; father and stepmother, Jerry Lee Trent Jr. and Vicky; mother and stepfather, Tonya Ann Bailey Fink and Mike; sisters, Britny Trent and Brandi Trent; grandmother, Granny Pat; grandfather, Steven Bailey; aunts, uncles, cousins, other family and dear friends (Jamie and Joshua).
A memorial service was held Wednesday, March 28, at Sycamore Baptist Church with Pastor Gerald Melton officiating. Burial was private.
Memorial donations may be made to Sycamore Baptist Church, c/o Nancy Midkiff, Treasurer, 171 Sycamore Church Lane, Stuart, VA 24171.
Arrangements were by Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
BEATRICE L. WEST
Beatrice Layman West, 91, of Stuart, died on Monday, April 9, 2018, at Blue Ridge Therapy Connection in Stuart.
She was born on April 17, 1926, in Patrick County to the late Emma Lea Martin and Posey Green Layman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Levi J. ”Buddy” West; three sisters; Louise Stowe, Gladys Trent and Pearl Handy; and one brother, Paul Layman.She was a member of Providence United Methodist Church and worked in the textile business until her retirement.She is survived by three daughters; Nancy Nelson and husband Steve of Spencer, Sandra Langefeld and husband Steve of Asheville, N.C., and Denise Elliott and husband Walt of Lucama, N.C., two sons; David West of Roanoke and Murray West and wife Donna of Pinehurst, N.C., sister-in-law, Ruby Layman of Stuart; four grandchildren; Stephanie and Andrea Langefeld, Joseph (Billie Jo) and Katherine Greenwood (Rusty); two step grandchildren, Jeff Elliott (Christy) and Zack Elliott; three great-grandchild, Ethan, Emma and Abigail Nelson; and two step great-grandchildren; Colin and Amelia Elliott.A memorial service was held Friday April 13, at Norris Funeral Services Chapel in Stuart, with the Revs. Keith Vernon and David Schill officiating. Burial was private. Memorial donations may be made to Providence United Methodist Church, 1021 Providence Drive, Patrick Springs, VA 24133; or to Alzheimer’s Association of Patrick County, P.O. Box 1301, Stuart, VA 24171.Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com
