STANWOOD R. BAILEY JR.
Stanwood Raymond Bailey Jr., 75, of Stuart, passed away Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville.
He was born September 10, 1941, in Massachusetts to the late Stanwood R. and Charlotte Day Bailey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Christine Bailey; two brothers, Bruce A. Bailey and Herbert “Herbie” Bailey; and uncle Pete Spencer.
He enjoyed spending time with family, woodworking, antique cars, gardening, dancing and all kinds of animals.
He is survived by two daughters, Beth Forcier and Rose M. Richard; two grandchildren; and a special friend, Wanda Isley.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrightfuneralservices.net
EDWARD D. BOCOCK
Edward David Bocock, 78, of South Haven, Mich., passed away peacefully Sunday, July 16, 2017, at home in the presence and love of his family. He was born October 26, 1938, in Bassett to Henry and Bessie (Ratcliffe) Bocock. After graduating from Union College, Edward married Joyce Peacock on June 15, 1963. They moved to South Haven where they began their careers in education and had three children together.
Edward and Joyce are faithful Christians and have been members of the First Baptist Church in South Haven for 51 years.Edward gave 32 years of service to South Haven Public Schools as a sixth-grade teacher for three years, then continued on to become an administrator in various positions. He retired in June of 1994 as assistant superintendent, director of instruction and personnel.Another passion of his was agricultural. His journey to begin the New Day Blueberry Farms and Bumbleberry Acres began in 1978. The farms continue to be an important passion of his family’s life. His wisdom, perseverance, passion, and love will be greatly missed by many. Above all, he was a loving husband, father and papa.He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: James Bocock, Nora O’Dell, Leon Bocock, Christine Richardson and Pauline Kendrick.He is survived by his wife, Joyce Bocock, and his three children: Brian (Beth) Bocock and children Anna, Gabriel, Abigail, Samantha and Caroline; Camille (Robert) Tate and children Lisa, Zacharius, Isaac, Micah and Perisos, all of South Haven; and Carrie (Christopher) McGuire and children Ronnie, Kevin, Catarina, Alyza and Max of Edwardsburg, Mich.; siblings: Margaret Spencer, Cleo Bell, Richard Bocock, Robbie Jean Eychaner and Delphine Rakes, all of Virginia.Visitation was held Tuesday, July 18 and again today (Wednesday, July 19) from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in South Haven with Pastor Jerry Koller officiating. He will be laid to rest at Lakeview Cemetery in South Haven.
Memorial contributions may be made in Edward’s memory to the First Baptist Church’s Building Fund, 10781, 76th St., South Haven, Mich., 49090 or to The Edward Bocock Scholarship Fund for future educators or agricultural students in care of South Haven Public Schools, 554 Green St., South Haven, Mich., 49090.
Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family’s online guestbook at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.The family is being helped by the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home of South Haven.
ROGER L. CLARK
Roger Lee Clark, 56, of Patrick Springs, passed away on July 11, 2017, at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.
He was born in Martinsville on August 24, 1960, to the late Dewey and Mae Lawson Clark. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Betty L. Hall.
He attended People’s Church of the Living God, graduated from Bassett High School in 1978, worked for Stanley Furniture for 32 years, and was employed as a machine specialist at Southern Finishing.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Dickerson Clark; one daughter, Kristy Martin; two grandchildren; two brothers, Junior “D.J.” Clark and Billy Clark; and two sisters, Lisa Robertson and Wanda Davis.
The funeral service was held Saturday, July 15, at People’s Church of the Living God with Bishop Dwayne Pruitt and Pastor Eugene Robertson officiating. Burial was in the Mount Hermon Church of the Brethren cemetery.
Arrangements were by Bassett Funeral Service.
BETTE L. McPHERSON
Bette Lou McPherson, age 75, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and formerly of Stuart, passed away peacefully July 10, 2017.
She is survived by her three children, John McPherson of
Stuart, Brian McPherson of Pilot Mountain, N.C., and Christina Viar of Madison Heights; a special niece, Tammoney Morris of Myrtle Beach; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 30, at Snow Hill United Methodist Church, 2030 Snow Hill Church Rd., Danbury, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Snow Hill United Methodist Church.
WILLIA P. STONE
Willia Pilson Stone, 90, of Martinsville, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2017.
She was born in Woolwine on August 30, 1926, to Edgar G. Pilson and Carrie Mae DeHart Pilson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alvah Gerald Stone; a sister, Aileen Pilson Warner; and a brother, William E. Pilson.
She received a B.S. degree from Radford College and attended the University of Maryland as well as the University of Virginia. She was a teacher in the public school system for 38 years.
She was a long-time member of Broad Street Christian Church where she also taught Sunday school.
She is survived by a daughter, Rebecca Stone Sawyers; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two nephews.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, July 20, at 11 a.m. at Woolwine United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Bill Oliver officiating.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Arrangements are by Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Martinsville.
To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.
GALE P. WATSON
Gale Elizabeth Payne Watson, 72, of Ararat, N.C., passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
She was born in Surry County, N.C., on March 30, 1945, to the late Elmer Lee and Cindy Marie Butcher Payne. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Doug Payne.
She retired from Northern Hospital after 42 years of service as a devoted registered nurse of labor and delivery. She was also a member of Little Mountain Baptist Church, and the current president of the Alumni Association at Masonic Home for Children at Oxford.
She graduated from John Nichols High School in 1963. During high school, she was a four-year starter playing varsity basketball and was awarded most valuable player, all conference, and team captain on a team that is to this day one of the most historically winning women’s high school varsity basketball teams in North Carolina history.
She enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading, anything sports related, helping others, and being with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Wallace Watson of the home; a son, Lance Watson of Ararat; a daughter, Lyndsay Greenlee of Hampton, Ga.; two grandchildren; two sisters, Brenda Perry of Florida and Linda Kocis of Maryland; two brothers, Don Payne of Mount Airy, N.C., and Roger Payne of Ararat, Va.; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Sunday, July 16 at Little Mountain Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy Watson officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery.
The family requests memorial contributions be made in memory of Gale Payne Watson to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford Inc., 600 Collage St., Oxford, N.C., 27565.
Arrangements were by Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
