Obituaries

Feb 17, 2024

Portsmouth – Kenneth Wayne Hemmings, 78, passed away on February 17, 2024 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  Born in Buchanan County and raised in Portsmouth, he was a son of the late Estel Norman Hemmings and Ruby Lee Webb Hemmings.  He was also predeceased by a sister, Gay Beamon, and a brother, Danny Hemmings.

Kenneth was a...

Feb 17, 2024

Courtland – Alisa Pope Starling, 64, passed away peacefully in her home February 17, 2024 with her family at her bedside.

Alisa was a native of Southampton County and was a daughter of the late Emmett Paul Pope and Doris Harrup Pope. She was a graduate of Southampton High School and was retired after 30 years of...

Feb 15, 2024

Elberon - James Charles "Jay" Farey, 45, of Elberon, VA passed away unexpectedly on February 15, 2024.

Jay was our best Dad and my favorite & my best love. He loved his family, Arsenal football, his animals, his truck, his motorcycle, a pint of Stella and a cup of tea with milk & 3 heaping spoons of...

Feb 14, 2024

Franklin – Jessie T. Cobb passed away early Tuesday morning, February 14, 2024 at Asa's Garden, The Village at Woods Edge in Franklin, Virginia. As her earthly journey ended, we believe that she was received into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior as she transitioned to her heavenly home. She will always be in our thoughts forever...

Feb 14, 2024

Courtland – Eileen Theresa Ritter, age 73, passed away Wednesday February 14, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones.  To know her was to love her, the most gentle soul, she never met a stranger, she loved with her whole heart, she gave without wanting anything in return, she was the example to all of us of a virtuous woman....

Feb 12, 2024

Newsoms (Gum) – Norman Earl Porter, 88 passed peacefully on February 12, 2024, in his home with his loving wife of 65 years, Edna Ree and family by his side. Norman was born in Newsoms on Cypress Bridge Road on August 7, 1935, to the late Benjamin "Doll" Franklin Porter and Louise Catherine (Bryant) Porter.

Norman grew...

Feb 12, 2024

Franklin – Helen King Marlin, 80, passed away on February 12, 2024 in her home.  Born in Dillon, SC and raised in Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, she was a daughter of the late Robert Edward King and Lucille Rogers King.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Dale Edward Marlin, and a sister, Sherry.

Helen was a...

Feb 12, 2024

Franklin – Diane Baker Vasser, 82, passed away on February 12, 2024 in her home with family by her side.  Born in Portsmouth and raised Colerain, NC, she was a daughter of the late George Lloyd Baker and Juanita Phelps Baker.  She was also predeceased by two brothers, Carroll and David Baker, and a daughter-in-law, Laura Bowen.

...

Feb 10, 2024

Courtland – Stephen Frederick Parrish, 68, passed away on February 10, 2024 Richmond VA Medical Center.  Born and raised in Franklin, he was a son of the late Frank Roland Parrish and Kathryn Payne Parrish.  He was also predeceased by a brother, Franklin Roland Parrish, Jr. and a brother-in-law, Perry Cole.

Stephen was a Navy veteran and...

Feb 9, 2024

Franklin – Lenora "Nora" Albright Vasoti, 87, entered her Heavenly home on February 9, 2024.

Nora was born in Pittsboro, NC on March 13, 1936, an only child of the late Richard Norman Albright and Frances Gladden Albright.  She grew up in Lexington, NC and earned a business teaching degree at Columbia College, Columbia, SC, where she...

Feb 8, 2024

Newsoms – James Henry Burgess, 78, passed away on February 8, 2024.  Born and raised in Winton, NC, he was a son of the late Clayton Henry Burgess and Stella Hill Wall Burgess.  He was also predeceased by a sister, Delia Losey.

Henry was a graduate of Winton High School and served in the US Air Force.  ...

Feb 7, 2024

Franklin – Gene Donald Bulls, Sr., 80, passed away on February 7, 2024 in his home.  A native of Sedley and longtime resident of Franklin, he was a son of the late Eddie N. Bulls, Sr. and Minnie Stieh Bulls.  He was also predeceased by two brothers, E. N. Bulls, Jr. and James Alton Bulls, Sr., and two sisters-in-law,...

Feb 7, 2024

Franklin – Shirley Murphy Lee, 88, of Franklin, VA was carried by angels home to be with her Heavenly Father on February 7, 2024.  She was born on April 18, 1935, in Newton Grove, NC to the late Harvey and Ruth Murphy.

Shirley, also known as Mom, Mema, Essie, and Miss Shirley was the eldest of 9...

Feb 6, 2024

Courtland – Joseph Kindred Magette, Jr., 70, passed away February 6, 2024 in St. Mary's Hospital.  Born in Richmond, he was a son of the late Joseph K. Magette, Sr. and Margaret Nurney Magette.

Joseph was a 1971 graduate of Tidewater Academy and the owner of J. K. Magette Auto Repairs in Courtland where he retired from...

Feb 4, 2024

Franklin – Stuart Ray Blythe, 64, passed away on February 4, 2024 in St. Mary's Hospital.  Born and raised in Franklin, he was a son of the late Cecil Stuart Blythe and Rosa Whitby Duke.

Ray was a graduate of Franklin High School and served in the US Marine Corps.  He was the owner of Ray's Roofing....

Feb 4, 2024

Courtland – Jennifer Lynn McIntyre, 51, passed away on February 4, 2024 in her home with her family by her side.

Jennifer was born in Oregon and was an Air Force Veteran.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Shawn Paul McIntyre; her mother, Sharon Nestle; and a daughter, Kyra Maryn McIntyre.  She was...

Feb 3, 2024

Chesapeake – Charlotte V. Blankenship Jones, 87, passed away February 3, 2024 in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.  Born in Narrows, VA, she was a daughter of the last Charles Gillespie Blankenship and Polly Perry Blankenship.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Jesse Lee Jones, Sr.; two infant sons; a great grandchild, Gage Wheeler; and two sisters, Patricia Bell...

Feb 1, 2024

Franklin – Bobby Bradshaw Worrell, 92, passed away on February 1, 2024 in Southside Regional Medical Center.  Born and raised in Newsoms, he was a son of the late Kenneth Delaware Worrell and Clara Bradshaw Worrell.  He was also predeceased by a daughter, Abbie-Fox Worrell; a sister, Annie Maude Dail; and six brothers, Skinny, Elmo, Clifford, Edward, K.D., and...

Jan 26, 2024

Franklin - Clara "Claire" Pearl Sonnier Richard passed away shortly before midnight January 26 at The Village at Woods Edge in Franklin, Virginia.  She was 90.

Claire was born at home in the Sulphur Mines in Sulphur, Louisiana on December 13, 1933.  She was born to Agnes Ewing Sonnier and Antoine Sonnier, their first child of four.  ...

Jan 25, 2024

Drewryville – Shelton "Shirtail" Thomas Story, 71, went home to be with the Lord on January 25, 2024.  He was the son of the late Aubrey Thomas Story and Gladys Crowder Story. He was also predeceased by his first wife, Patsy Bryant Story.

Shirtail was a graduate of Southampton High School and NC State University and was...