Obituaries

Jan 25, 2024

Bracey – Eleanor Delphine Prater, 76, passed away January 25, 2024 in her home. Eleanor was born in Newport News and grew up in Colorado. She was a daughter of the late Delf Jackson Gaines, Jr. and Hilda Fay Walker Gaines. She was also predeceased by her husband, Jerry Chapman and a daughter, Donna C. Reece.

She...

Jan 25, 2024

Chesapeake - Larry Wayne Walton, age 64, passed away January 25, 2024.  He was born January 7, 1960 to the late Randolph H. Walton, Sr. and Emily Pulley Walton in Hopewell, Virginia.  Larry is survived by his brother Randolph "Randy" H. Walton, Jr. and 2 nephews Brett and Matthew Walton.  Larry is also survived my many aunts, uncles, and...

Jan 20, 2024

Charlene H. Paul, 63, of Lititz, PA, passed away peacefully, on January 20, 2024. She was born to the late Charles and Rachel Harmon and spent many fulfilling years as an accounting clerk.

Charlene had a heart full of warmth and kindness. Her greatest joy was found in spending time with her beloved grandchildren, creating cherished memories...

Jan 20, 2024

Boykins – Denise Johnson Edwards, 59, passed away January 20, 2024 in Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. Denise was a lifelong resident of Boykins and was the daughter of the late Leo and Jo Ann Johnson.

She was a 1982 graduate of Southampton High School and was a member of Boykins Baptist Church. Denise was a former waste...

Jan 17, 2024

Franklin – Mary Presson Turner, 84, widow of Meredith Aubrey "Dickie" Turner, went to be with her Lord January 17, 2024 in her home with her family by her side.  Born and raised in Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Willie Henry Presson and Edith Story Presson.  She was also predeceased by her siblings, Margie Hunnings, Maude...

Jan 16, 2024

Sebrell – Emerson Benjamin Kitchen, 92, passed away January 16, 2024 in East Pavilion.  Born on October 6, 1931 in Yale, he was a son of the late Samuel Fenton Kitchen and Marian Swift Kitchen.  He was also predeceased by his wife, Janet Whitehead Kitchen; three sisters, Marilyn Vick, Audrey Coppedge, and Adelaide Harrup; and three brothers, Sam Kitchen,...

Jan 16, 2024

Franklin – Rebecca Winstead Royster, 82, passed away January 16, 2024 in the Gates House.  Born on May 3, 1941 in Franklin, she was a daughter of the late Charles Louis Winstead and Evelyn Modlin Winstead.  She was also predeceased by her husband William Thomas Royster.

Rebecca attended VCU and was an x-ray technician and a Medical...

Jan 16, 2024

Pearland, TX – Sawyer Lee Updike, 18, went to be with Jesus on January 16, much too soon.

Sawyer was an outstanding high school football and baseball player, avid fisherman, hunter and Boy Scout.

He most recently was a freshman petroleum engineering major at the University of Texas in Austin.

He is survived...

Jan 13, 2024

Carrsville – Charles John "Chuck" Okleshen, 89, passed away January 13, 2024 in Sentara Obici Hospital.  Born on November 10, 1934 in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Charles and Anna Pajkos Okleshen.  He was also predeceased by his wife, Janet Parker Okleshen.

Chuck served in the US Navy during the Korean War era...

Jan 13, 2024

Newsoms – Sandra Ellis Rountree, 74, widow of the late Guy "Buddy" Pope Rountree Jr. went to be with the Lord on January 13, 2024. Born on September 25, 1949, in Southampton County, VA, she was the daughter of the late Howard Lee Ellis and Bernice Worrell Ellis. She is also predeceased by sister, Joyce Ellis Bradford, and granddaughter,...

Jan 12, 2024

Franklin – Georgia Louise Mears, 83, passed away January 12, 2024 in Courtland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  Born and raised in Southampton County, she was a daughter of the late George Kitchen and Rose Ella Dunlow Kitchen.  She was also predeceased her husband, Robert Henry Mears and a brother, Johnny Kitchen.

Louise loved traveling to the mountains...

Jan 8, 2024

Courtland – Donald Lee Gay, 71, passed away January 8, 2024 in his home with his family by his side.  Born in Suffolk on June 25, 1952, he was a son of the late Charlie Lee Gay, Jr. and Inez Bencil Allen Gay.  He was also predeceased by his wife, Patricia Babb Gay, and two sisters, Jeanette Grizzle and...

Jan 6, 2024

Boykins – Glenn Warren Edwards, "Farm Boy", 68, passed away January 6, 2024 in his home.  Born in Franklin on October 28, 1955, he was a son of the late James Clifton Edwards and Juanita Eddins Edwards.  He was also predeceased by his wife, Frances Premaza Edwards, and two sisters, Elaine E. Wheeler and Phyllis E. Clary.

...

Jan 5, 2024

Franklin – Louise Cook Hedgepeth, 95, passed away on January 5, 2024. She was born July 27, 1928 to the late James Jefferson Cook and Nora Lee Johnson Cook. She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, George H. "Top" Hedgepeth and her sister, Ruth Cook Blythe.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt...

Jan 4, 2024

Franklin - Joyce Libby Conner, 80, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 4th 2024. She passed away at Bon Secours Southampton Memorial Hospital with her daughter by her side.

Joyce was born in New York, NY on August 27, 1943. She then moved with her family to the Peninsula in 1954....

Jan 1, 2024

Richmond - Our dearest mother, Claudette Golderos Putze, passed away on January 1, 2024, at the age of 88. She was born and raised on the northside in Richmond. She is the daughter of late Dr. Victor Rudesindo Golderos and Mrs. Hilda Hubbard Golderos. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School on 1953 and attended Richmond Professional Institute.

Dec 29, 2023

Franklin – Bonnie Myers Pittman, 69, passed away Friday, December 29 2023 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  She was a daughter of the late Elben Thomas Myers and Myrtle I Myers and was also predeceased by her husband, Leon Rollison Pittman, Jr. who passed away December 29, 2022.  Bonnie was also predeceased by two sisters, Robin M. Halsey and Dawn...

Dec 28, 2023

Sedley – Elaine Spence Gray, 76, passed away December 28, 2023 with her family by her side.  Born in Brunswick County, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Edward Spence and Runnie Edmonds Spence.  She was also predeceased by a son, David Allen Gray.

Elaine was a graduate of Brunswick Academy and was a former peanut...

Dec 28, 2023

Franklin – Priscilla "Betty" Shumake Brady, 82, passed away December 28, 2023 at East Pavilion.  Born in Washington, DC and a resident of Louisa County for 47 years, she was a daughter of the late Earl Shumake and Rosa Payne Yancey.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Stanley Wayne Brady; a daughter, Cathy Brady Hoelzel; a sister, Maxine...

Dec 28, 2023

Franklin – Barbara Story "Bobbie Jo" Jones, 47, passed away on December 28, 2023 in her home.  She was born in Franklin and a native of Southampton County.

Barbara received a Bachelor's Degree in English from Chowan University and was a hair stylist.  She enjoyed cooking, gardening, taking care of people, and loved all animals.  She was...