JAMES WALTER ROGERS
Former Henry County Sheriff James Walter Rogers, 93, of Collinsville, passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2019. He was born in Stokes County, N.C. on May 25, 1925, to Walter and Susan Bannie Hill Rogers.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his very devoted and loving wife of 64 years, Vera Lou Cox Rogers; sisters; Ruth Wood, Dorothy Bateman, and Vera Dollarhite; brothers, Joe Rogers Sr., Glen Rogers, and Paul Rogers. He was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, whose life was dedicated to the service of others.
Rogers proudly served his country during 21 years of service with the United States Marine Corps. He was a decorated veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict where he fought in four major battles, including the Chosin Reservoir battle where temperatures reached 40 below zero. In addition to receiving three Presidential Citations, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V and the Purple Heart for his valorous actions when he was wounded by machine gun fire during the Korean War.
Following his retirement from the Marine Corps, Rogers joined the Henry County Sheriff’s Department in 1964 when there were only four other deputies and a Sheriff assigned to Henry County. He was elected Sheriff in November of 1979 and completed three four-year terms as Sheriff. He retired on December 31, 1991, with 27 years of service.
Rogers was very active in local historical, civic and veterans groups. He served as a member of the Martinsville and Henry County Veteran’s Honor Guard from 1991 until January 2009. Rogers was a life member and past Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a life member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 52, the American Legion Post 42, and the Marine Corps League Edward W. Richardson Detachment No. 908. In 1997, he was selected Veteran of the Year among all local veteran organizations. In 2009 he was honored as Henry County’s Veteran of the Year.
Rogers was a Master Mason with the Piedmont Masonic Lodge No 152 and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He served on the Board of Directors for the Fieldale Collinsville Rescue Squad for 16 years.
He is survived by his daughter, Jan Rogers; son, Mike Rogers and his wife Jackie; grandchildren, Dr. James Bradley Rogers and Christie Rogers. He is also survived by a brother, Morris Rogers; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Stone Memorial Christian Church in Collinsville. Services were held at the church on Sunday, January 27, 2019. Interment was in Roselawn Burial Park.
Arrangements were by McKee-Stone Funeral Home-Martinsville. To express condolences online, visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com
MARY LOU LAWLESS DAWSON
Mary Lou Lawless Dawson, age 87, of Stuart, passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at Sovah Health of Martinsville. She was born on March 23, 1931, in Floyd County to the late Early Goad and Kayoulah Marshall Goad. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Owen E. Lawless; an infant daughter, Phyllis Lawless; four brothers, Lewis, Braynard, Bob, and Alwin Goad; and a son-in-law, Gerald Adams. She was a member of Buffalo Ridge Pentecostal Holiness Church and served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Women’s Ministries for over 35 years. She ran Mary Lou’s Beauty Shop for many years and was a mother to the whole neighborhood. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to all.
Surviving are her husband, Joseph W. Dawson of the home; two daughters, Dianne Adams of Christiansburg, Nancy Slate of Stuart; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Debbie Lawless of Fieldale, Donnie Lawless of Stuart, Timmy Lawless of Stuart; 5 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; three sisters, Shelby Jean Lawless of Stuart, Annie Mae Reid of Willis, Carolyn Hogan of Roanoke; two brothers, Ervin Goad of Stuart, Clyde Goad of Collinsville; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Buffalo Ridge Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Kenneth Terry officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Buffalo Ridge Women’s Ministries, 4698 Woolwine Hwy, Stuart, Va. 24171. Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
Card of Thanks
We, the Turner girls, would like to thank everyone who visited mother, Margaret Hiatt Turner, at Lewis Gale Hospital and when she went on to Heaven on January 7, 2019. We all prayed and prayed for her to pull through, but God saw she was tired and said, “Come on to me!” She was 93 years old. Many thanks to Joe Hiatt who always brought her loads of firewood (her nephew). Also, thanks to the Rev. Tommy Shepherd, Rev. Jim Churchwell and Terry Beatty for the wonderful memorial service she had, and Norris Funeral Home, especially Jay and Larry. We love you all, thanks again.
Betty Gordon, Anne Stewart, Ida Thurman, and Mary Amos.
