Obituaries

Dec 22, 2024

Phyllis B. Varmette

Franklin – Phyllis Bryant Varmette, 74, passed away December 22, 2024 in her home with her family by her side.  Born in North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Frank Bryant and Nanny Marie Perry.

Phyllis formerly worked at St. Regis and Franklin Equipment.

Left to cherish her...

Dec 20, 2024

Richmond - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved brother. Victor Blake Putze, 57 passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024. Although he lived throughout the Southeast he considered Franklin, Virginia his home.

Victor was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend. He was known for his charm, warm heart, and...

Dec 19, 2024

Suffolk – Harold Dean Worrell, 64, passed away suddenly on December 19, 2024 while at work for Purdue AgriBusiness where he enjoyed loading ships with grain to go out to the world.  He leaves a family who loved him endlessly.

Harold was married to Christina Worrell who is devastated by his loss.  He was the son of...

Dec 16, 2024

Newsoms – Joyce Early Joyner, 65, passed into the loving arms of Jesus December 16, 2024 in her home with her family by her side.  Born in North Carolina and raised in Windsor, VA, she was a daughter of the late James Walker Early, Sr. and Elizabeth Ann Penwell Early.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Michael Elliott...

Dec 14, 2024

Franklin – Robin Gaye Lawrence Spear, 64, passed away December 14, 2024 in her home.  Born and raised in Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Louis and Ella Mae King Lawrence.  She was also predeceased by a daughter, Angela Dawn Lawrence; a sister, Cathy Lawrence, and a brother, James "Buddy" Lawrence.

Robin was a 1978...

Dec 14, 2024

Franklin – Brenda Delbridge Romines, 73, passed away December 14, 2024 in Sentara Obici Hospital.  Born in Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Joe Edward Delbridge and Myrtle Raiford Delbridge.  She was also predeceased by a step-daughter, Lisa R. Harrup, and a grandson, Eddie Harrup.

Brenda was a 1971 graduate of Greensville High School and...

Dec 12, 2024

Suffolk – David Allen Poirier, 80, passed away unexpectedly December 12, 2024.  Born in Massachusetts, he was a Navy Veteran and a retired machine mechanic for Sonoco Company with over 30 years of service.

Dave, affectionately known as "Yank", was a member of Cypress Cove Country Club where he was an avid golfer and friend that will...

Dec 10, 2024

Franklin – Dr. William Joseph Benton, 91, went to be with his Lord on December 10, 2024.  Bill was a native of Franklin and a graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.  He also held advanced degrees from the University of Delaware, where he was employed from 1956 until his retirement in 1992.  A specialist in...

Dec 8, 2024

Franklin – Michael Thomas Bach, age 64, of Franklin, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at his home. Born on February 26, 1960, in Suffolk VA, he was the oldest of four children born to the late Mr. Peter Bach and Mrs. Vivian Griggs.

Mike was a lifelong resident of Isle of Wight County,...

Dec 7, 2024

Sedley – Alfred Dean "Cubie" Hewett, 86, passed away December 7, 2024 in the East Pavilion.  He was born in a logging camp in Little River, SC and was a son of the late Charlie Hewett and Carrie Hewett. He was also predeceased by his wife, Alice Gray Hewett, a son, Jimmy D. Hewett, brothers, C.L. Hewett and Vol...

Dec 7, 2024

Courtland – Shari Diane Clifton Flythe, 89, passed away December 7, 2024 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  Born in Lafayette, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Roy Franklin Clifton and Dorothy Lucille Snell Clifton.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Elwood Dennison Flythe.

Shari attended Indiana University, Butler University, and the John Herron Art Institute.  ...

Dec 6, 2024

Courtland – Shirley Story Ross, 88, passed away December 6, 2024 in Courtland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  Born in Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late John Otis Story and Nancy Harcum Story.  She is also predeceased by her husband, Guy Wesley Ross; a daughter, Deborah R. Hawks; two sons, Michael O'Neal Ross and Joey Dean Ross;...

Dec 6, 2024

Windsor – Gerard Francis "Jerry" Casey, Jr., 82, passed away peacefully December 6, 2024 in his home surrounded by his family.

Jerry was born in Scranton, PA on February 20, 1942 to the late Gerard and Mary Casey.  After completing high school, he went on to join the US Army.  He served three years in the Army...

Dec 5, 2024

Branchville – Sean Travis Carl, 29, unexpectedly passed away on December 5, 2024.

Born on July 31, 1995, (July last) Sean was a local musician with the Brave The Waves Band and had formerly worked in the produce department at Food Lion.

Left to cherish his memory is his mother, Sherry Lynn Carl of Murfreesboro,...

Dec 4, 2024

Courtland – Richard Gordon Garner, Jr. 86, passed away December 4, 2024 in his home.  Born in Hollister, CA, he was the son of the late Henry Gordon Garner and Mildred Elise Moler Garner and was also predeceased by his wife, Betty Marie Willingham Garner.

Richard was a US Navy veteran and a longtime cattle rancher in...

Dec 4, 2024

Franklin - Raymond Edward (Ed) Schwolow, 81, went softly into the night on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 with his devoted wife by his side.

Ed was born in Camden, NJ on January 3, 1943 to the late Raymond and Doris Schwolow. He grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey and graduated from Haddonfield High School where he was...

Dec 3, 2024

Franklin - Mildred Butler Mason passed away peacefully on December 3, 2024, following a period of declining health. The daughter of the late Harry C. Butler, Sr. and Nettie Russell Butler, she was born on February 16, 1928, in Suffolk, Virginia, but lived her entire long life in Franklin.

Mildred was a member of High Street United...

Dec 1, 2024

Courtland - Woodrow "Woody" Wilson Ferguson, Jr. ,71, passed away Sunday December 1, 2024  at his home with his family by his side. Woody was a native of Franklin and was a son of the late Woodrow W. Ferguson, Sr., and Caroline Ferguson Brock. He was also predeceased by his sisters, Terry Lynn Ferguson, and Jo Ferguson Jarrett, his...

Nov 29, 2024

Suffolk-Margaret Hughes Holland, 80, went to be with the Lord November 29, 2024. Margaret was a native of Colerain, NC. and was a daughter of the late George Worley Hughes and Adelaide Temperance Perry Hughes. She was predeceased by her first husband, James A. Darden, Sr., and her second husband , Elvers Henry Holland, four brother, Forest , Willie,...

Nov 28, 2024

William S. Moore, Sr.

Portsmouth-William  Smithy "Smitty" Moore, 99, died Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024. Mr. Moore was a native of Franklin and a son of the late Eugene V. and Philena Rivers Moore. He was also predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Jean Butler Moore, a sister Lena M. Beale and a brother, Eugene V....