WILLIAM J. GRIFFITH
William Jackson “Bill” Griffith, died Friday, November 3, 2017.
He was born in Stuart on May 25, 1932 and was a son of the late Edward Wade Griffith and Grace Griffith Staples. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Mary Ruth Martin Griffith; and two brothers, William Burton Griffith and Lawrence Griffith.
He worked at a young age in several professions. At the age of 18 he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. He served as an army combat engineer and helped build the airport at Kimpo, Korea. After his service he moved to New Jersey.
He worked at Alcoa Aluminum Company for many years. He became a journeyman carpenter and was a member of the carpenters union local 620. He helped build Newark Airport, Rutgers University, Beth Israel Hospital and numerous other structures.
He enjoyed fishing and was a musician, writing songs and playing many instruments including piano and guitar. He enjoyed gardening and reading.
Surviving are two sons, William Russell Griffith and Michael David Griffith and wife Denise; one daughter, Dr. Patricia Grace Foley and husband David Edgar Foley; a sister and brother, Barbara Nowlin and George Oliver Griffith and wife Julia; son Gregory and daughter Kimberly and her husband Theodore Middleton; sisters-in-law Estelle Foust and daughter Beverly Foust, Ethel Hunter and daughter Diane, Louise Talbert and husband Charles Talbert and sons Trevor, Tyrone and Tony; brother-in-law Richard Martin and wife Elsie and son Keith, two grandsons, Tamie Griffith and Taariq Marcus Griffith, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The funeral service was held Friday, November 10 at Franklin St. John’s United Methodist Church in Newark, N.J., with the Rev. Lloyd Preston Terrell officiating. Interment, with full military honors, was in Graceland Memorial Park in Kenilworth, N.J.
Arrangements were by Perry Funeral Home in Newark.
VIRGINIA C. HALEY
Virginia Cunningham Haley, 80, of Christiansburg, passed away on
Saturday, November 18, 2017.
She was born August 23, 1937. She was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl Howard Cunningham; father, ‘Wilton’ Andrew Cunningham; sisters, Esta Martin, Eloise Nester, and Lizzie Marshall; brothers, Lewi Cunningham, Hampton Cunningham, James Cunningham, and Joseph Cunningham.
She is survived by her husband, Sherman Kent Haley; daughters,
Debra Haley Gilmer of Fredericksburg and Shelby Jean Acton of Stuart; granddaughters, Rebecca Miles and husband Kenova, Jennifer Welker and husband Joseph ‘Joe’; grandson, Kevin Gilmer and wife Emily; great-grandchildren, Nylah Grace Miles and Elena Mackenzie Welker; sisters, Viola Nolen and husband Clarence, Marjorie Lucas; brother, Andrew Cunningham and wife Tootsie; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
The family received friends on Sunday, November 19 at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg. The funeral service was held on Monday, November 20, at the Alleghany Church of Christ, Christiansburg. Interment was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hornefuneralservice.com.
TED LAWSON
Ted Lawson, 46, of Stuart, passed away Monday, November 13, 2017, at his home.
He was born in Surry County, N.C., on December 8, 1970 to Frankie Puckett Lawson and the late James Clyde Lawson.
He had a master’s degree, was the manager of Little Ivy Group Home, and was a member of Temple Baptist Church. He was a loving son, brother, and uncle.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sister, Joan Marshall; a niece, Amanda and Derick Robertson; great niece and nephew, Katelynn and Toby; and a special “brother friend”, Greg Johnson and wife Kathy.
Funeral services were held Thursday, November 16 at Temple Baptist Church with the Rev. Zane Fishel officiating. Burial was in Skyline Memory Gardens.
Arrangements were by Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy, N.C. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
JEROME F. LISTER SR.
Jerome Frederick “Jerry” Lister Sr. age 82, of Meadows of Dan, passed away on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at Surry Community Health and Rehabilitation Center in Mount Airy, N.C.
He was born on May 22, 1935 to the late Charles Lister and Mary Elizabeth Hackett Lister. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Gladys Shields and Mary Berg.
He was of the Catholic faith.
He is survived by his wife, Carleen Bash Lister of the home, two sons, Jerome F. Lister Jr. (Cindy) of Graniteville, S.C., and Michael Charles Lister (Debra) of Galax; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Stephen Lister (Patricia) of San Diego, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held today (Tuesday, November 21) at 12:30 p.m. in Meadows of Dan Baptist Church cemetery with Father Larry Heiney officiating.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Vesta Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 911, Meadows of Dan, VA 24120 or to the Meadows of Dan Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2511 Jeb Stuart Hwy., Meadows of Dan, VA 24120.
Arrangements are by Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
THERESA M. PADHAISKY
Theresa Mabel Padhaisky, 87, of Stuart, died on Wednesday, November 15, 2017, at Blue Ridge Therapy Connection in Stuart.
She was born on July 16, 1930 in Biddenford, Maine, to the late Eva Mable Payheur and Joseph A. Tremblay. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; Joseph Albert Padhaisky. She worked at Wal-mart for many years until her retirement.Surviving are her daughter; Debbie Joy of Florida, three sons; Richard Padhaisky of Stuart, and Gary Padhaisky, and Guy Padhaisky both of Florida.A private service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory of Stuart. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.NorrisFuneral.com.
Card of thanks
Members of the family of Joseph W. Hill would like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to all who have given to us during this very difficult time. The outpouring of love and support has truly overwhelmed us.
The communities of Dry Pond, Claudville, and Collinstown have proven what we knew all along: we are a close-knit group and we rally around one of our own in times of need.
We would like to say a special thank you to Mountain Valley Hospice, Christy Light, nurse with Homecare in Martinsville; Norris Funeral Home in Stuart, and Collinstown Presbyterian Church for the delicious meal and the years of love and support you have given to our family. Thank you is simply not enough. The Hill family
Correction
The obituary announcement for Fred Smart, which was in last week’s edition, should have said that his brother Harold lives in Charlottesville. We regret the error.
