Obituaries

Nov 25, 2024

Daleville, VA – Dr. Patsy Rainey Joyner, 81, passed away Monday, November 25, 2024 at home. She was the wife of the late William Thomas "Tommy" Joyner, III, and the daughter of the late Ryland Roberts Rainey and Dorothy Cooley Rainey.

Patsy was a graduate of Windsor High School, Paul D Camp Community College, Old Dominion University...

Nov 22, 2024

Zuni- John Joseph Sobotor, Jr., 80, passed away November 22, 2024 in his home with family by his side.  Born in Hagerstown, MD, he was a son of the late John Joseph Sobotor, Sr. and Irene Bethel Walden Sobotor and was also predeceased by a sister, Anna Sobotor.

John was a graduate of North Hagerstown High School...

Nov 22, 2024

Fircrest, WA - Mark Austin Switzer, 41, passed away unexpectedly on November 22, 2024. Mark was a native of Southampton County, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Joshua Matthew Switzer, his maternal grandfather, Eugene L. Cook, and his paternal grandparents, Reverend Willis and Jo Ann Switzer.

Left behind to cherish his memory are...

Nov 20, 2024

Courtland – Hazel Jennings Moore, 87, passed away November 20, 2024 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  Born in Nelson County, VA, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Jennings Martin.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Christian Wells Moore; two brothers, Trent and Billy Jennings; a sister, Elizabeth Thomas (Al); and a daughter-in-law, Rebecca Moore.

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Nov 19, 2024

Franklin - Lloyd E. "Bud" Brotzman, Jr. died peacefully at the age of 89 on Nov. 19, 2024.  He was predeceased by his parents, Lloyd & Edith Brotzman.  He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann Marie; his three sons, William Craig (Karen) of Richmond, VA, Brian E. (Teresa) of Plano, TX, and R. Keith of Chesapeake,...

Nov 19, 2024

Virginia Beach – On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the earthly world lost an enthusiastic environmentalist, dedicated wife and mother, eager volunteer, and accomplished professional.  Betty Jane Carr Bradshaw, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family in her home she built with her husband.

The daughter of the late James F. and Shelly G. Carr, Betty...

Nov 19, 2024

Franklin – Charles Henry Eitel, Jr., 96, passed away November 19, 2024 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  Charlie was born September 30, 1928, in Savannah, GA to the late Charles H. Eitel and Kathryn Jones Eitel and was also predeceased by three sisters, Kathryn Eitel Young, Betty Eitel Gnann, and Anne Eitel Krecklow.

Charlie was a 1951 graduate...

Nov 19, 2024

Franklin – Donald Ray Bell, 65, passed away November 19, 2024 in Chippenham Hospital.  Born on May 25, 1959 in North Carolina and raised in Chesapeake, he was a son of the late Joseph Ray Bell and Annie Ruth Cummings Bell.  He was also predeceased by two brothers, Ernest and Jasper Bell.

Donald was retired from Ford...

Nov 19, 2024

Lawrenceville - Carolyn Lynda Bishop Sykes went home to be with her Lord on November 19, 2024, in her home among family and friends. She was born in Franklin, Virginia, on February 3, 1944, and was preceded in death by her parents Walter R. Bishop and Lynda W. Bishop, and her beloved son-in-law John Robert Wilson Jr.

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Nov 18, 2024

Zuni – Dorothy Downs Cobb, 93, went home to be with her Lord on November 18, 2024.  She was born on March 7, 1931 to the late Don Edmund and Roberta Downs.  She was predeceased by her husband John and her siblings, Oren, Hellen, Nellie, Edna, Butch, and Sandy.

She is survived by her children Morris (Linda),...

Nov 11, 2024

Suffolk – David Mason Lankford, 92, passed away November 11, 2024 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  Born and raised in Southampton County, he was the son of the late David Lankford, Jr. and Lois Martin Lankford.

Mason was a US Army Veteran serving during the Korean War, was a local Holland barber for over 60 years, and the...

Nov 10, 2024

Louise Pretlow Coward Kopecky, lovingly known as "Pret," passed away on November 10, 2024, while visiting extended family in Prague. Her passing was due to complications from COPD. A true Southern belle with a vibrant spirit, Pret was known for her strength, love, laughter, and unwavering faith. For the past 28 years, she made her home in Richmond, VA,...

Nov 7, 2024

Franklin – Russell Patrick Boes, 63, passed away peacefully at his home on November 7, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Jamaica, New York, and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia, Russell built a full life grounded in family, faith, and a deep love for the outdoors. Above all, Russell loved Jesus and his faith was an essential part...

Nov 7, 2024

Courtland – Melvin Gilliam "Gill" Moore, 79, passed away November 7, 2024 in his home with family by his side.  Born in Smithfield, NC, he was a son of the late Melvin C. and Etheleen McLamb Moore.  He was also predeceased by his daughter, Fancy Moore Stewart.

Gill was a retired Master Chief in the US Navy...

Nov 1, 2024

Ivor – Stephen Claude Pyles, 74, passed away November 1, 2024 in Nansemond Point Rehabilitation and Nursing.  Born in Portsmouth, he was a son of late Joseph Claude Pyles and Evelyn Robinson Pyles.  He was also predeceased by a brother, Lewis Clinton Pyles.

Stephen was a graduate of Warwick High School and was served in the US...

Nov 1, 2024

Franklin – Josephine Futrell Sumner, 95, passed away November 1, 2024 in Courtland Health and Rehabilitation Center.  A lifelong resident of Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late Elton P. Futrell, Sr. and Fannie Jo Vick Futrell.  She was also predeceased by her loving husband, J. W. Sumner; three brothers, Elton Futrell, Jr., Rufus E. Williams, and...

Oct 31, 2024

Franklin - Dorothy Fortune Vick, 95, peacefully passed away at East Pavilion in Franklin, Virginia on October 31, 2024.  She was born on April 15, 1929 in Clifton Forge, Virginia and was the only child of the late Margaret Simpson Fortune and Walter H. Fortune.  She was predeceased by her beloved husband Darrow "Dick" Vick.  Left to cherish her...

Oct 29, 2024

Courtland – Daniel Joseph Stratton, 44, passed away October 29, 2024.  He was born on July 11, 1980 to Kathleen Favicchio and he was her world until she passed. He was preceded by his maternal grandparents, Rita and Joseph Bauman, his Aunt DeeDee Soto who he cherished, and Uncle Joseph Bauman. He leaves behind two Aunts, Marianne Darling and...

Oct 28, 2024

Franklin – Margaret Johnson DeLoatch Gayle, 88, passed away October 28, 2024 in East Pavilion.  Born in Northampton County, NC, she was the daughter of the late David Wallace Johnson and Nellie Collier Simpson.  She was predeceased by her first husband, David M. DeLoatch, her second husband, Charles R. Gayle, Sr., a brother, Horace Johnson, and a grandson, Jeffrey...

Oct 28, 2024

Courtland – John Patrick Kiernan, 59, passed away October 28, 2024 in Chippenham Hospital.  Born May 5, 1965 in Alexandria, he was the son of the late Jack Kiernan and Iris Juanita Barrett Kiernan.  He was also predeceased by a sister, Ellen Fowler.

John was a graduate of Franklin High School and was a retired sporting goods...