William Floyd Griffin, Jr.
Jun 13, 2025
William Floyd (Bill) Griffin Jr. passed away peacefully in his home June 13, 2025. Â He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Elizabeth Ann Howell Griffin, his children William Floyd (Billy) Griffin III, John Thomas Griffin, sisters Jean Newsome and Carolyn Epps, brother Ronnie West, and grandchildren, Savannah Griffin, Will Griffin, Bryce Griffin, Susanna Griffin, and Dylan...
Marjorie Flythe Whitley
Jun 13, 2025
Franklin – Marjorie Flythe Whitley loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025. She was born in Conway, NC, to the late Jesse Little and Kate Johnson Flythe on February 29, 1928. She was predeceased by her husbands, R.C.  "Punk" Whitley and Shepherd Johnson. She was also predeceased by 10 siblings and a...
Billy Thomas Benson
Jun 11, 2025
Franklin - Billy Thomas Benson, 76, passed away at home on June 11, 2025 surrounded by his family. Born in Ayden, North Carolina, he was the son of the late George William and Marjorie Benson, and was predeceased by his son, Christopher William Benson and his sister, Patricia Ann Butler.
A proud veteran, Billy served his country...
John Rudolph Walter
Jun 11, 2025
Franklin – John Rudolph Walter, 79, passed away June 11, 2025 in his home with his wife by his side.  His 11 year battle with cancer has ended.
John was a graduate of Granby High School and attended Old Dominion University. Â He served in the Navy Reserves and was a retired Instrument Supervisor for Dominion Energy after...
William Carey "Huck" Myers
Jun 10, 2025
Ivor - William 'Carey "Huck" Myers, 50, passed away peacefully at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital on June 10, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. Born and raised in Virginia, he was the son of the late William and Diana Myers Penington. Â He was also predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Richard and Lucille Myers, and a special aunt who was like...
Christopher Duane Hartless
Jun 7, 2025
Franklin – Christopher Duane Hartless, 35, passed away unexpectedly June 7, 2025.  Born in Portsmouth on August 14, 1989, he was a graduate of Orange County High School and a test engineer at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.  He enjoyed archery and horses and was a former farrier.
Left to cherish his memory is his parents, Tray and Cheri...
Michael John O'Donnell
Jun 5, 2025
Franklin – Michael John O'Donnell, 70, passed away June 5, 2025 in his home.  Born in Emporia, he was a son of the late John Willard O'Donnell and Geraldine Weaver O 'Donnell.
Michael was a retired security officer for Sussex State Prison.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Tammy R. Leggett-O'Donnell; three step...
Julian Randolph Norvell
May 29, 2025
Courtland – Julian Randolph "Jack" Norvell, 82, passed away May 29, 2025 in his home with his family by his side.  Born in Roanoke Rapids, NC, he was a son of the late William Lewis Norvell, Sr. and Bennie Allsbrook Norvell-Cuzner.  He was also predeceased by a brother, William Lewis "Bill" Norvell, Jr, and a granddaughter, Logan Sierra Larimer....
Faye Edwards Stephens
May 29, 2025
Carrsville - Beloved mother, grandmother, and sister Edna Faye Edwards Stephens, 89, walked into the loving arms of Jesus, her Lord and Savior, on May 29, 2025.
Born on October 16, 1935 in Southampton County, Faye was a daughter of the late Joseph Elliott Edwards, Sr. and Minnie Blythe Edwards. She was preceded in death by her...
Phyllis Leigh Bankston
May 28, 2025
Courtland – Phyllis Leigh Myers Bankston, 75, passed away May 29, 2025 in her home.  Born in Norfolk, VA, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Lucille Atkins Myers.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Edward Bankston, two sons, Ronald L. "Bubba" Lake and Richard Joseph Lake, and a daughter, Lori Miller.
Phyllis was...
Shera Taylor Wheeler
May 24, 2025
Como, NC – Shera Dare "Sheri" Taylor Wheeler, 80, widow of John Kendall Wheeler passed away May 24, 2025 at Sentara Obici Hospital. She was predeceased by her parents, Howard Kelly Taylor and Willie Simmons Taylor and her brother, H. Kelly Taylor, Jr.  Shera was born in Newport News and grew up in Como. She was a 1962 graduate...
Sandra Lee Silcott Painter
May 23, 2025
Franklin, VA - Sandra Lee Silcott Painter, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Franklin, Virginia, on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the age of 73. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Harold Silcott(Fay), Dallas Cooper Sr.(Lucille), and Gary Silcott(Shirley); her sister, Paulette Bowers; her niece, Shannon L. Cooper;...
Glenda Gay Jervey
May 23, 2025
Franklin – Glenda Gay Jervey, 66, departed this life on the morning of Friday May 23, 2025 at her home surrounded by her loved ones. She was a lifelong resident of Franklin and a 1977 graduate of Franklin High School and a 1981 graduate of Old Dominion University.
Glenda was a member of High Street United Methodist...
Hilda Brett Drake
May 23, 2025
Newsoms – Hilda Brett Drake, 94, passed away May 23, 2025 in her home with her family by her side.  Born in Menola, NC, she was a daughter of the late William Clyde Brett and Dessie Rae Cowan Brett.  She was also predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Rufus Edwards "R.E." Drake, Jr.; a sister, Doris B. Sebrell;...
Judith Spivey Rhodes
May 21, 2025
Carrsville - Judith "Judy" Rae Spivey Rhodes, lovingly known as Mama and Nana, passed at home with family by her side on May 21, 2025. She was born on March 24, 1943.
On June 30, 1962, she married the love of her life, Maurice Arnold Rhodes. Together, they built a home rooted in laughter, loyalty, and resilience—a...
Linda Harrell Scott
May 21, 2025
Carrsville – Linda Harrell Scott, 88, passed away May 21, 2025 with her family by her side.  Born and raised in Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late Andrew Jackson Harrell, Sr. and Mollie Delbridge Harrell.  She was also predeceased by two sisters, Mollie H. Bowles and Faye H. Green; a brother, William Henry Harrell; and a...
Josephine Pearl Poe
May 16, 2025
Courtland – Josephine Pearl Foore Poe, 90, passed away May 16, 2025 in Courtland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  Born and raised in Huntington County, PA, she was a daughter of the late William Ross Foore, Jr. and Myrtle Ora Evans Foore Black.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Glenn Richard Poe; a son, Randy Poe; a daughter-in-law, Pamela...
Sutton Jean Seal
May 12, 2025
Newsoms – Sutton Jean Seal, infant daughter of Cameron and Erin Seal, passed away Monday, May 12th, 2025. She is also survived by her parental grandparents, Danny and Natalie Seal and her uncle, Peyton Seal, maternal grandmother, Donna Rountree and her aunt Emily Rountree. Sutton was predeceased by her maternal grandfather, Brian Keith Rountree.
A graveside service...
George Thomas Jernigan, Jr.
May 12, 2025
Franklin – George Thomas "GT" Jernigan, Jr., 87, passed away May 12, 2025 in UVA Health University Medical Center surrounded by his family.  Born in Powellsville, NC, he was a son of the late George Thomas Jernigan, Sr. and Elma Holloman Jernigan.  He was also predeceased by a brother, Richard Jernigan (Julia); sister-in-law, Linda Jernigan; and a brother-in-law, Everett...
Homer Stuart Saunders, Jr.
May 11, 2025
Homer Stuart Saunders, Jr., age 82, of Suwanee, Georgia, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025.
Homer was born on March 7, 1943 to Homer Sr. and Carolyn (St. Clair) Saunders of Ivor, Virginia. Â He graduated from the University of Richmond after attending his beloved Wingate University in North Carolina. Â He spent 35 years as a dedicated...
