Obituaries

Feb 12, 2025

Newsoms - Charles Bryant Bunn, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully at home on February 12, 2025.  He was born on October 8, 1931, in Newsoms to the late Jack Council Bunn, Sr, and Blanche Bryant Bunn.  Charles was predeceased by his devoted wife of 65 years, Nancy Epps Bunn.  Charles was also predeceased by one sister, Paige Bunn Prince,...

Feb 12, 2025

Sedley – Audrey Raiford Hancock, 86, claimed the Promise of the Resurrection February 12, 2025.  She was born in Southampton County to the late Walter H. Raiford, Sr. and Kathleen Bradshaw Raiford and is also predeceased by her husband, Howard Smith "Smitty" Hancock, Jr., and her brother, Walter H. "Junior" Raiford, Jr.

Audrey was in the first...

Feb 12, 2025

Courtland – Jeri Simmons Daniel, 66, passed away February 12, 2025 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  Born in Norfolk on October 12, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Malcolm Davis Simmons and Jessie Mae Davis Simmons.

Jeri was a graduate of Southampton High School and was a former Deputy Treasurer for Southampton County.  She was a...

Feb 12, 2025

Franklin – Judy Kay Middleton, 74, widow of Elijah Middleton, passed away February 12, 2025 in her home with family by her side.  Born in Roanoke Rapids, NC, and raised in Suffolk, she was a daughter of the late James Smith Barnes and Irene Brown Barnes.  She was also predeceased by a son, Richard Lynn Bailey, Jr.; three brothers,...

Feb 12, 2025

Capron – Dianna Lee Crain Sexton, 79, passed away February 12, 2025 in Courtland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Courtland after a long illness.  She was born April 2, 1945 in Philipsburg, PA to the late George and Ethel Crain.

Married to Earl David "Dave" Sexton June 20, 1964 in Joyner, Dianna dedicated her life to creating...

Feb 10, 2025

Franklin – Celeste Spence Phillips, 76, passed away February 10, 2025 in her home.  She was born in Conway, NC on August 5, 1948 to the late Otis Eugene Spence and Lillie Mae Warren Spence.  She was also predeceased by her husband, William Alexander Phillips, Jr.

Celeste was a graduate of Northampton County High School in North...

Feb 10, 2025

Courtland – Frances "Pam" Phelps Darden, 86, of Courtland passed away on February 10, 2025 at East Pavilion in Franklin. Pam was born on May 8, 1938 to Edward Everard and Virginia Kanipe Phelps in Richmond, Va at Johnston-Willis Hospital. Pam was raised on the family farm in Purdy, Virginia.  Pam was preceded in death by her parents, a...

Feb 7, 2025

Franklin – Stanley Adam Piersa, Sr., 86, passed away February 7, 2025 in Maryview Medical Center.  He was born March 2, 1938 in West Point, VA, to the late Chester Joseph Piersa, Sr. and Annie Marie Groski Piersa and was also predeceased by a sister, Martha Jackson, a brother, Chester "Joey" Piersa, Jr.

Stanley was a 1957...

Feb 6, 2025

Franklin – Sallie Lou Yoho Miller, 89, passed away February 6, 2025 in her home with her daughter by her side.  Born in Pennsylvania, she was a daughter of the late Donald and Dolores Yoho and was also predeceased by her husband, John Darby Miller, a son, David Atkinson, and three brothers, Ronnie, Donnie, and Richard Yoho.

...

Feb 5, 2025

Courtland – Our beloved, Thomas Dale Ritter, Jr., 45, passed into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.

Thomas, also known by family and friends as Thomas Dale or T.D., was born Tuesday, June 12, 1979 in Franklin, Virginia and spent his childhood growing up in the small town of Courtland, VA, where he...

Feb 4, 2025

Franklin - Richard E. "Ricky" Darden, 66, passed away at home on February 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.  A lifelong resident of Franklin and Southampton County, Virginia, Ricky graduated from Franklin High School before earning his Forestry degree from Virginia Tech, where he became a loyal Hokie fan. He dedicated many years to running the family farm...

Feb 3, 2025

Franklin – Brenda Ward Bradshaw, 80, went to her eternal rest on February 3, 2025 in her home surrounded by her family.

Brenda was a graduate of Southampton High School and married the love of her life, Tres Bradshaw.  She was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, and aunt.  Most importantly, she was a woman of God –...

Feb 3, 2025

Stamford, CT - Marjorie Louise Vaughan Skidmore, 100, died peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2025, in Stamford, Connecticut.  The daughter of the late Collin Ricks and Pearl Harrell Vaughan, she was born November 15, 1924, in Virginia, where she was raised.

Mrs. Skidmore graduated from Petersburg High School, Petersburg, Virginia, and Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia.  She then...

Feb 3, 2025

Carrsville – Robert Melville "Bob" Gardner, 72, passed away February 3, 2025 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  A life-long resident of Carrsville, he was the son of the late Lawrence E. Gardner, Jr. and Grace Lee Bradshaw Gardner.  He was also predeceased by his wife, Linda Gail King Gardner, and his brother, Lawrence E. "Larry" Gardner, III

Left...

Feb 2, 2025

Ivor – Richard Donald Bean, 80, passed away February 2, 2025 in Emporia Health and Rehabilitation.  He was born in Isle of Wight on November 11, 1944 to the late Richard James Bean and Maggie Roberts Bean and was a long-time resident of Franklin.  He was also predeceased by his wife Betty Green Bean; a daughter, Dana L. Bean;...

Jan 30, 2025

Carrsville - On January 30, 2025, David Arthur Jones, 68, peacefully went home to be with the Lord. David was born in Suffolk, VA to the late Clyde W. Jones, Jr and Marita Hudgins Jones. He was also predeceased by his beloved in-laws Gilbert and Phyllis Story.

He was employed by International Paper and retired after many...

Jan 22, 2025

Suffolk – Ruby Christmas March, 87, passed away January 22, 2025 in her home.  Born in Marion, SC, she was a daughter of the late Arthur McQuay Christmas and Nannie Eva Ramsey Christmas.  She was also predeceased by her husband, David Harvey March; two sons, David McQuay March and D. Harvey March; and a son-in-law, Gary Falls.

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Jan 22, 2025

Franklin - Mary Martin Shroyer, 91, died on January 22, 2025.  Mary was predeceased by her husband, Norman C. Shroyer.  She was born November 25, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Clynt Allen Martin and Anna Stoner Martin, and lived over 54 years in Franklin, Virginia.  Mary is survived by her daughter, Susan Muller (Peter) of Blairsville, GA; son, Michael...

Jan 19, 2025

Windsor – Kevin Rey Murphy, 20, passed away unexpectedly on January 19, 2025.

Kevin was born in Norfolk on July 14, 2004.  He was a 2022 graduate of Windsor High School and worked at Drivers Contractors.  Kevin enjoyed hunting, fishing, and riding dirt bikes and spending time with his friends.

Left to cherish his memory...

Jan 18, 2025

Ivor – Michael Edward Hammond, 61, passed away January 18, 2025 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Michael was born in Richmond on August 4, 1963, and after graduation, he served in the US Army.  He was a former millwright for Allfirst in Portsmouth.

Michael loved his family and enjoyed being in the spotlight.  He spent...