CARLOS J. DIAZ SR.
Carlos Jose Diaz Sr., 87, of Martinsville, died on Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at his home.
He was born on October 25, 1930, in Puerto Rico to the late Flora Betancout Diaz and Enrique Diaz. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alicia Diaz.He was self employed as a general contractor. He served his country faithfully and with honor in the Korean war. He was a loving husband, father and grandpa with a very gentle spirit, always putting others first.Surviving are one daughter, Diana Zaghab of Martinsville; one son, Carlos Diaz Jr. of New Jersey; three grandchildren, Jessica, Stephen and Daniel; and two great-granddaughters; Maria and Delilah.A memorial service was held Saturday, March 24, at Norris Funeral Services in Stuart with Pastor Gerald Melton officiating. Military rites were performed by the Patrick County Veterans’ Memorial Honor Guard. Burial will be at a later date.Online condolences may be made to www.norrisfuneral.com.
SUE H. GILLEY
Sue Hylton Gilley, 77, of Spencer, passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2018.
She was born in Henry County on April 20, 1940, to Robert Malvin (Billy) Hylton and Victoria Nance Hylton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harbour L. Gilley; a brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Dot Hylton; and a nephew, Hosea Hylton.She is survived by her daughter, Victoria (Tori) G. Hankins and husband William (Cricket) Hankins; two grandsons, Levi and Caleb; and two special nephews, Bobby Hylton and his wife Trish, and Dale Hylton.She was a 1958 graduate of Hardin Reynolds Memorial School and was a member of Stone Memorial Christian Church. She attended Mayo Christian Church for many years where she served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, president of CWF, secretary of the Church Board and VBS teacher.She worked for 25 years in the credit department at American of Martinsville. She was also a substitute teacher for Henry County Public Schools and worked for Evans Real Estate and Auction Company. She liked to cross-stitch, work in her flowers, garden, and can and freeze vegetables for the winter pantry.The funeral was held Thursday, March 22, at Stone Memorial Christian Church with Ministers Tim Wood, Lawrence Harris and James Jordan officiating. Burial was in Mayo Christian Church Cemetery.Memorial contributions may be made to the Stone Memorial Christian Church Missions Fund, 3030 Virginia Ave. Collinsville VA 24078 or to the Mayo Christian Church Cemetery Fund, 4949 George Taylor Road, Spencer, VA 24165.Arrangements were by McKee-Stone Funeral Home-Martinsville.
To express condolences online, please visit www.collinsmckeestonemartinsville.com.
CORNEILA S. HALE
Cornelia Sue Shelor Hale, 61, passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Cornelia was born in Henry County on June 12, 1956, to Curtis Shelor Sr. and Verna Clark Shelor. She was preceded in death by her father, and a brother, Robert Michael Shelor.
She grew up on a dairy farm in Bassett. She played in a high school band and graduated from Fieldale-Collinsville High School in 1974. After, she attended Patrick
Henry Community College and later worked in banking. She worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Bassett.
She was involved with many organizations including being a board member for Virginia Rural Letter Carrier Association, Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports Education State Council, and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Her friends and family remember her enjoyment of crafts, including making stained glass, and jewelry. She also loved to travel.
Surviving are her son, Zachary Hale and wife Leah of Fort Belvoir;
her mother, Verna Shelor of Stanleytown; a brother, Curtis Shelor Jr. and wife Karen of Sugarland, Tex; many friends and extended family members.
A memorial service will be held today (Wednesday, March 28) at 2 p.m. at Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home in Bassett with the Rev. Paula Northrup officiating.
Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice.
Online condolences at www.collinsmckeestonebassett.com
SHELBY C. COCHRAN
Shelby Jean Clifton Cochran, age 78, of Meadows of Dan, died Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
She was born in Danville on June 11, 1939, and was a daughter of the late Arzie Euel Clifton and Vada Rosabell Handy Clifton. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Sherman “Chuck” Cochran; and a son, Gregory David Cochran.
She was a member of Meadows of Dan Baptist Church.
Surviving are one son, Jeffery Steven Cochran and wife Kathleen of Alpharetta, Ga.; two grandsons, Tyler Jon Cochran and Brian Lee Cochran; and one granddaughter, Sarah Jean Cochran, all of Alpharetta; one sister, Linda Chilton and husband Roger of Stoneville, N.C.; one brother, David Clifton and wife “Winkie” of Sparta, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 24, at Meadows of Dan Baptist Church with Pastor Shawn Carter officiating. Burial was in Meadows of Dan Baptist Church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Vesta Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 911, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120.
Arrangements were by Moody Funeral Home in Stuart.
JUDY M. CRAIG
Judy Morrison Craig, age 73, of Stuart, passed away Monday, March 26, 2018, at the Blue Ridge Manor in Martinsville.
She was born in Patrick County on December 7, 1944, and was a daughter of the late Hubert Lee Morrison, Sr. and Vera Foley Morrison. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Mike Morrison and Hubert Lee Morrison Jr.; a sister, Margaret Morrison Clark; and a niece, Julie Mae Morrison.
She was of the Baptist faith, and was a former teacher and caregiver. She was a graduate of Stuart High School, Ferrum Junior College and Radford University.
She is survived by a nephew, Chris Clark of Stuart; two nieces, Heather Morrison Spence and Michelle Morrison, both of Stuart; and many great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a very special friend, Hansel Turner of Stuart, and lifelong friends from college, Elaine Fleet of Baltimore, Md., Brenda Helig Shelton of Farmington Hills, Mich., and Nedra Micou Wheldon of Yorktown.
Funeral services will be held Friday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with the Rev. David Wright officiating. Burial will follow in the Morrison Family Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
If desired, memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 18981 Jeb Stuart Hwy., Stuart, Va. 24171 or to the Morrison Family Cemetery Fund, c/o Donna Thomas, 64 Vada Loop, Stuart, Va. 24171.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
GARY W. HIGGS
Gary Wayne Higgs, 62, of Martinsville, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at his home.
He was born August 12, 1955, in Martinsville to the late Averett and Annie Higgs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Averett Higgs Jr. and Leroy Higgs, who both lived in Hickory, N.C.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Higgs of Martinsville; his two daughters, Amanda (Phillip) Linster, of Bassett and Shelby (Brandon) Hatcher of Stuart; four granddaughters, Alexis and Ashley Eggleston of Bassett, and Destyni and Iyana Hatcher of Stuart; two grandsons, Troy Eggleston and Trey Linster, both of Bassett; one sister, Joyce (Stewart) White, of Axton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Other than being a husband, father, and grandfather, he was a jack of all trades. He owned and retired from G & B Construction.
The funeral was held at Wright Funeral Service Chapel on Saturday, March 24.
Online condolences may be made at www.wrightfuneralservices.net.
BRUCE G. HODGES
Bruce Gilmer Hodges, age 62, of Claudville, passed away Saturday, March 24, 2018, at his home.
He was born in Patrick County on November 29, 1955, to Lottie Clement Bowman and the late George Gilmer Hodges.
During his proud service to our county in the United States Army he was stationed in Germany. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend to so many.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cindy Pell Hodges; his daughter, Whitney Hodges and boyfriend Richard Janeway; his mother and stepfather, Lottie and Temple Bowman sisters and a brother-in-law, Barbara Jean Beasley; Kathy Tucker and Georgie and Ira George; a niece, Cora Beasley; nephews, James Tucker, Preston George and Andrew George; great nephews, River Beasley and Shephard Tucker; his mother-in-law, Marie Pell; a sister-in-law, Dianne Orr and husband Gary; several aunts and uncles and many cousins.
A memorial service will be held at a later date and friends are welcome at the Hodges home.
The family would like to express a special thanks to his Team Nurse, Amy Vass for the exceptional care given to Bruce.
Arrangements are by Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, N.C.
J. WARREN NELSON
James Warren Nelson, age 90, of Salem Church Road, Patrick Springs, passed away Wednesday morning, March 21, 2018, at Blue Ridge Therapy Connection In Stuart following a short illness.Warren, as he was affectionately called by family and friends, was born in Martinsville on August 24, 1927, to the late Otis P. and Pauline Cooper Nelson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Clyde B Nelson and Wilford Nelson; and his honorary parents, Willie and Mazie Via.He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and then in occupational forces in postwar Japan as a telegraph operator. Following his discharge in 1946, he returned to farming in the Critz area of Patrick County.
He also worked for Stanley Furniture, Easthampton Rubber Thread and for ten years at Cooper’s Mill in Critz before returning to full time farming. Working with his family, they raised tobacco, beef cattle and hogs together. He was a long-time member of Salem United Methodist Church.He is survived by his loving wife of over 69 years, Dorothy Bingman Nelson of the home; one son, Larry James Nelson and wife Diann of Patrick Springs; one daughter, Sandra Nelson Tobler and husband Rich of Patrick Springs; three grandchildren; Lisa Nelson Fain and husband Jon of Danville, Mark Nelson of Melbourne, Fla., and Sally Tobler Rondeau and husband Tim of Daleville; a half-brother, Flemon Nelson of Roanoke; a half sister, Rebecca Nelson Sanderson of Greensboro, N.C.; and two special sisters-in-law, Betty Nelson and Virginia Ann Bingman. The Nelson family would like to thank his caregivers, Sovah Home Health Care, aides and nurses, as well as Dr. Paul Eason of Collinsville, and the staff of the Blue Ridge Therapy Connection.The funeral was held Saturday, March 24, at Norris Funeral Services Chapel in Stuart with the Rev. John Franklin officiating. Burial was in Critz Baptist Church cemetery with a flag folding ceremony by Patrick County Veterans’ Memorial Honor Guard.Memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 159 Salem Church Road, Patrick Springs, VA 24133.Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
LAWRENCE V. PILSON
Lawrence Vinson Pilson, age 68, of Stuart, passed away Friday, March 23, 2018. at his home.
He was born in Patrick County on February 2, 1950, to the late James Ralph Pilson Sr. and Carlene Hubbard Pilson.
He served in the United States Army.
He is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, James Ralph Pilson Jr. and Brenda Kay Pilson of Woolwine; four nieces and nephews, Michelle Bocock, Joseph Verran, Matthew Verran, and Holly Conner and husband Bud.
All services will be private.
Memorials may be made to the Smith River Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 122, Woolwine, VA 24185.
Arrangements are by Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
ROY L. SUTPHIN
Roy L. Sutphin, age 82, of Stuart, passed away Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at Northern Hospital in Mount Airy, N.C.
He was born in Patrick County on July 19, 1935, to the late Beamer Sutphin and Kizzie Logan Sutphin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Betty S. Davis.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Shirley Boles Sutphin of the home; three daughters, Teresa Martin of Patrick Springs, and Gail Ramsey and Lisa Spence, both of Stuart; one son, Mike Sutphin of Stuart; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Joan Pack of Vesta; and one nephew, Randy Davis.
A memorial service may be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CCDF Rescue Squad, 1409 Dry Pond Hwy., Stuart, VA 24171 or to the Jeb Stuart Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 340, Patrick Springs, VA 24133.
Arrangements are by Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
