Obituaries

Dec 6, 2025

Franklin – Joseph Wesley "Joe" Russell, 78, passed away December 6, 2025 in McGuire VA Medical Center.  Born in Suffolk, he was a son of the late Stanley Horton Russell and Ophelia Belle Parker Hill.  He was also predeceased by a daughter, Tammy Jo Russell Steinert, and two brothers, Stanley Parker Russell and George Ray Russell.

Joe...

Nov 29, 2025

Courtland - Judith Warren Pulley went to be with her Lord November 29, 2025.  Judy was born in Halifax County, NC and was a daughter of the late John Russell Warren and Bertha Martin Warren Colson.  Judy was retired from International Paper and had been a secretary for several local businesses in the area.  Judy's faith was very important...

Nov 29, 2025

Franklin – Dallas Clifton "Cliff" McWaters, Jr., 78, passed away November 29, 2025, in Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, Portsmouth, with his family by his side. Born in Newport News and a former resident of Chesapeake, he was the son of the late Dallas Clifton McWaters, Sr., and Mary Irene Broderick. A graduate of Old Dominion University, he was...

Nov 26, 2025

Franklin – W. C. Gaunce, 85, departed this life on November 26, 2025 and went home to be with the Lord.  Born on September 8, 1940 in Carlisle, KY, he was a son of the late Elizabeth Bellamy and Shoat Gaunce.

W. C. served in the Navy for 10 years and retired from the Justice Department after...

Nov 22, 2025

Newport News - Ronald Aubrey Whitenack, 78, of Newport News, VA died peacefully on November 22, 2025.

Born in Norfolk, VA on February 27, 1947, Ron was the son of the late Aubrey Herman Whitenack, Jr. and Lucy Virginia Mills Whitenack. After graduating from Princess Anne High School, he enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force...

Nov 19, 2025

Courtland – Charles Donald "CD" Bane, Jr., 43, passed away November 19, 2025 in Sentara Obici Hospital.  He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Joseph Vaughan and Dorothy Vaughan, and his maternal grandparents, Robert and Mary Bane.

CD was a graduate of Southampton High School and a lead mechanic for AAMCO Transmissions in Suffolk for 26 years.  ...

Nov 17, 2025

Franklin – James Abbitt "Boddie" Coggsdale, III, 62, passed away unexpectedly November 17, 2025 in his home.  Born in Tampa, FL, he was a son of the late James Abbitt Coggsdale, Jr. and Shirley Whitley Coggsdale.

James was a long-distance truck driver.

Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Julie Ann Coggsdale; a sister,...

Nov 17, 2025

Ivor – Jerry Lee Sharp, 71, passed away November 17, 2025 in his home with his family by his side.

Jerry was born in Norfolk and was an Electrician.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Margaret Bennett Perry-Sharp; his mother, Virginia Lee Bernard Sharp; his daughter, Margaret Lee Sharp (Adam Hunt); two grandchildren,...

Nov 16, 2025

Capron – Barbara Ann Nussbaum, 83, passed away November 16, 2025 in Maryview Medical Center.  Born in Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Kelly Farrar and Betty Jane Shick Farrar.  She was also predeceased by her husband, William Frederick Nussbaum.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Paige Christy and her husband Ronald of...

Nov 16, 2025

Suffolk – Margaret Jean Johnson, 72, passed away November 16, 2025 in Nans Pointe Rehabilitation and Nursing.  Born in Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late Herbert Moncure Johnson and Margaret Adele Cunningham Flythe.  She was also predeceased by her step-father, James Flythe.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Brenda Wheeler of Franklin...

Nov 15, 2025

Manteo, NC – Virginia Crim Draper, beloved Mom, Grandmom, friend and teacher, passed away November 15, 2025 in the Outer Banks Hospital surrounded by family.  Born March 14, 1929, in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Winfred Mason Crim and Ella Virginia Scofield Crim, she lived a full 96 years.  Her love and faith in God will live on through...

Nov 15, 2025

Newsoms – Barbara Edwards Story, 80, passed away November 15, 2025 in Courtland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.  Born and raised in Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late Carl Franklin Edwards, Sr. and Flossie Bryant Edwards.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Lawrence Benjamin Story, Sr., a daughter, Barbara Jo Story Jones, a sister, Phyllis Edwards...

Nov 14, 2025

Boykins – Patricia Ann McGahagin, 75, passed away November 14, 2025 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  Born in Tuscaloosa, AL, she was a daughter of the late William Perry Sanders and Annie Mae Clifton Pierce.  She was also predeceased by a sister, Joyce Dixon.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 35 years, Kirby Lyle McGahagin;...

Nov 13, 2025

Franklin – James "Jimmy" Thomas Fowler, 76, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2025, at his home with his family by his side.

Born and raised in Franklin, Jimmy was the son of the late Carrol E. Fowler and Burnell Galtress Fowler. He was also predeceased by his brother, Carrol E. Fowler, Jr.

Left to...

Nov 12, 2025

Franklin – Adrian Simmons Lee, 55, passed away November 12, 2025 in Southside Regional Medical Center.  Born on September 13, 1970, she was a daughter of the late Donald Bryant Corbitt and Blanche Elizabeth Levinson Whitley.  She was also predeceased by her step father, Jimmy "Pop Pop" Whitley.

Adrian was a graduate of Forest Glen High School.  ...

Nov 12, 2025

Franklin – Justin Thomas Rainey, 40, passed away November 12, 2025 in his home.  Born in Franklin, he was a 2004 graduate of Southampton High School.

Justin loved the outdoors, animals, cooking (especially pies), and sharing his knowledge and love with his children.

Left to cherish his memory is his mother, D. D. Joyner Turner;...

Nov 9, 2025

Sedley – Hannah Lynn Gray, 21, passed away November 9, 2025. Hannah was a graduate of Southampton High School and worked at Applebees in Franklin. She was full of life, laughter, and love. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family and loved fishing—never passing up an opportunity to bait a hook with her dad, brother, and papaw.  ...

Nov 8, 2025

Courtland – Elaine Downs "Lainey" Harding, 83, passed away on November 8, 2025, after a battle with cancer, surrounded by her family in her home in Courtland, Virginia.  She was born in Oak Hill, West Virginia on June 7, 1942 to the late Gerald Eugene and Helen Hawks Downs. She was also predeceased by her husband, Harrison Hamlet Harding...

Nov 2, 2025

Newsoms- Betty Leigh Vaughan, 69, passed away November 2, 2025 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  Born and raised in Franklin, she was the daughter of the late Ashley Matthew Vaughan and Mildred Hedgepeth Vaughan.

Betty was a 1974 graduate of Franklin High School and a graduate of Longwood College.  She was a Food Service Consultant.

Left...

Oct 30, 2025

Franklin – James Alton "Buddy" Ferguson, 86, passed away October 30, 2025, in his home surrounded by his wife Janie, son Kevin, and caretaker Beth.  Born and raised in Newsoms, he was one of ten children born to the late James Albert Ferguson and Nellie Sue Johnson Ferguson.  He was also predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth Ann White and...