Obituaries

Aug 21, 2025

Ivor – Sue Neave Grizzard, 77, peacefully passed away August 21, 2025 in her home surrounded by those she loved.  Born in Raiford Memorial Hospital on August 12, 1948, Sue was the daughter of the late Edward and Frances Neave and sister to the late Kurt Neave.  She is survived by her siblings to whom she's been a second...

Aug 19, 2025

Courtland - Bruce Thomas Blythe, 68, left his earthly body and rose to glory on August 19, 2025.  He was predeceased by his infant son, Matthew Abbot Blythe, his parents, D.C. and Marie Blythe, his brothers, David C. Blythe and Michael Blythe, and his sister, Jean Outland and her husband Carlton Outland.

Bruce is survived by his...

Aug 17, 2025

Windsor – Charles "Randy" Harmon passed away on August 17, 2025 at the age of 55 in his home surrounded by family.

Randy was born in Franklin on October 14, 1969 and raised in Windsor, and was a son of the late Charles and Rachel Harmon.  He was also preceded in death by a brother, Michael Harmon,...

Aug 16, 2025

Courtland – Bernard Wilmer Pittman, 64, passed away August 16, 2025 in Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital.  A life-long resident of Courtland, he was a son of the late William Thomas "Tommy" Pittman, Jr. and Frances Gillette Pittman.  He was also predeceased by two brothers, Hugh Gillette Pittman and John Francis Pittman.

Wilmer was a 1979 graduate...

Aug 15, 2025

Joyce Ann Hanson, 81, of Franklin, Virginia, and Suwannee, Florida, was called home to the Lord on August 15, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida, surrounded by family.

Born to the late Bill and Louise Heath, Joyce dedicated her life to faith, family, and education. As a high school English teacher and later as a librarian with the Department...

Aug 14, 2025

Murfreesboro, NC - Lola Sykes "Lou" Liverman, 94, of Murfreesboro, NC passed away peacefully on the 14th of August 2025 at Bon Secours Southampton Medical Center after a long illness. She was born on October 1, 1930 in Roanoke Rapids, NC and was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She is survived by her children Andy...

Aug 13, 2025

Franklin – Gail Thompson Stradley, 89, passed away August 13, 2025 in Chesapeake Regional Medical Center with her family by her side.  Born in Mecklenburg County, VA, she was a daughter of the late Louis Britt Thompson and Evelyn Mosley Thompson.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Robert Francis "Bobby" Stradley, and two sisters, Glenda Williams and Judith...

Aug 13, 2025

Franklin – Patrick Gayle Ferguson, Sr., 78, took his last breath at 6:19 p.m. on August 13, 2025.  Born in Newsoms, he was a son of the late Robert Franklin Ferguson and Virginia Fuller Ferguson.  He was also predeceased by a son, Patrick Gayle Ferguson, Jr., three sisters, Sally Vick, Barbara Thorpe, and Mary Hurless, and two brothers, Joe...

Aug 13, 2025

Franklin – Timothy Wayne Windham, 63, passed away August 13, 2025 in Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center.  Born in Norfolk, he was a son of the late Lester Albert Windham and Jane Chamble Windham.  He was also predeceased by a sister, Brenda Price.

Tim was a retired contractor and owner of Handyman Company.

Survivors include...

Aug 8, 2025

Martha Mayo Harville, 70, passed away suddenly at her home in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on August 8. She was the daughter of John William Harville and Katharine Manry Harville.

Besides her parents, she is predeceased by a sister, Nancy Harville Gomez. Survivors are brothers John William ("Billy") Harville, Jr., and Edward Hunter Harville, along with nine nieces...

Aug 1, 2025

Suffolk – Daniel Francis Smith, 77, passed away August 1, 2025 in his home.  Born on February 10, 1948 in Ohio, he was a son of the late Rev. Rolland C. Smith and Thelma Clara Myers Smith.

Daniel was a retired Sgt. First Class from the US Army.  He received a Bachelor's Degree from Malone College in...

Aug 1, 2025

Fort Mill, SC - Christine Johnson Ricks passed away peacefully on August 1, 2025 at the age of 100.  She was born on August 17, 1924 in Roanoke Rapids, NC to the late James Frank Johnson and Olia Winton Blythe Johnson.  She was predeceased by her husband Linwood "Link", her son Lynn Ricks, and her beloved granddog Sophie.

Jul 31, 2025

Franklin – Loretta Storm Twiddy, 67, a woman of boundless love, wit, and compassion, went to be with the Lord on July 31, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and devotion that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Born to Phyllis and Lyle Cash Sr., Loretta was the cherished wife...

Jul 25, 2025

Franklin – Laverne James "Mac" McNamara, 90 passed away July 25, 2025 in the East Pavilion. Mac was a native of Athens, PA and was a son of the late Carl Edward McNamara and Emma Covey Williams. He was also predeceased by his wife, Margaret Blades McNamara and a brother, Bruce McNamara.

He was a Navy veteran...

Jul 24, 2025

Courtland - Ruby Louise Jordan Harrup, 86, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family.

Louise was born in and remained a resident of Courtland, Virginia her entire life. She graduated from Southampton High School in 1956 and furthered her education at Longwood College then Pan American College and graduated in 1958. Louise was a dedicated...

Jul 24, 2025

Portsmouth – Lou Ellen Lowe Hemmings, 75, passed away July 24, 2025 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  Born in Franklin and reared in Sebrell, she was a daughter of the late Cecil Conway Lowe and Pauline Texie Gray Lowe and was also predeceased by her loving husband, Kenneth W. Hemmings, and an infant sister, Patricia Ann Lowe.

...

Jul 23, 2025

Drewryville – Lewis Harding Covington, 59, passed away peacefully July 23, 2025.  He was a son of the late Alex Leroy Covington and Natalie Coker Covington and was also predeceased by his sister, Linda Covington Burk, and his nephew, Christopher.

Lewis had a lifetime of health struggles but he had amazing strength and never wanted anyone to...

Jul 21, 2025

Franklin - Dean A. Emerson, 86, died on July 21, 2025 at Bon Secours Southampton Medical Center, Franklin, VA.   He was born November 23, 1938 in New London, OH, and lived in various places including Charleston, WV; Evanston, IL; Columbus, OH; Windsor, VA; and Franklin, VA.

Dean graduated in 1956 from New London High School, attended Ohio...

Jul 21, 2025

Franklin – Bobby Elwood Branche, 82, passed away at Bon Secours Southampton Medical Center on July 21, 2025 surrounded by his family.  Bobby was born on January 15, 1943 at home on a family farm in Sedley, VA.  He was one of nine children of the late John Elmore Branche and Lottye Bulls Branche and was also predeceased by...

Jul 18, 2025

Boykins, VA – Jimmy passed away unexpectedly at home on July 18, 2025. He was born November 27, 1946 to the late Henry and Maedell Fuller. Left to cherish his memory is his son Hank Fuller and wife Alex of Boykins, granddaughter Lainey James Fuller and grandson Hunter Bustin of Boykins, sister, Pat Sawyer (Carol) of Winter Haven, Florida,...