Obituaries

Jul 18, 2023

Courtland – Ruth Hope Barnes, 88, passed away July 18, 2023 with her family by her side.  Born in Dinwiddie County, she was a daughter of the late Myron and Mattie Hawkins Barnes.  She was also predeceased by three sisters, Shirley Rogers, Barbara Fowler, and Emma Pulley.

Hope was a 1953 graduate of Dinwiddie High School and...

Jul 17, 2023

Franklin – Barbara Jean Carr Cutchins Gray, 87, passed away July 17, 2023, in Beth Sholom Home in Henrico.  Born in Carrsville, she was a daughter of the late Crawley Cecil Carr and Daisy Holland Carr.  She was also predeceased by her first husband, Marvin "Mutt" Cutchins and her second husband, Melvin Gray; two sisters, Thelma Stephenson and Dot...

Jul 6, 2023

Boykins – Donna Dale Campbell Morin was born on June 6, 1941. She spent her childhood on Nassau Lake, New York, and loved to swim the length of the lake and back. She shared her childhood with her two brothers, Doug and Paul. One of her passions was dancing and she excelled at it during her teenage years. At...

Jul 5, 2023

Franklin – Peggy Gibson Stephenson, 77, passed away July 5, 2023 in her home. Peggy was born in Washington, NC and was a longtime resident of Franklin. She was a daughter of the late Mark Virgil and Dorothy Dupree Gibson and was also predeceased by an infant daughter, Elizabeth Renee Stephenson and a brother, Virgil Gibson.

Peggy...

Jul 5, 2023

Franklin – Agnes "Jackie" Blythe Vinson, 92, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus early Wednesday morning July 5, 2023. Jackie was born in Isle of Wight County, a daughter of the late William Lynn and Thelma Womble Blythe. She was also predeceased by her husband, Howard L. Vinson, Sr., a step sister, Essie Blythe Joyner and a step...

Jul 4, 2023

Ivor – Carolyn Ellis Eanes, 77, passed away July 4, 2023 in Sentara Obici Hospital. She passed away on her 59th wedding anniversary. She was a native of Southampton County and was a daughter of the late Horace G. and Doris Johnson Ellis.

Carolyn was a graduate of Southampton High School and attended Lenoir – Rhyne University...

Jul 4, 2023

Boykins – Catherine "Kitty" Bland Lassiter, 99, died peacefully on July 4, 2023, at East Pavilion Senior Living in Franklin, Va. She was predeceased by her parents, Dr. James M. and Mrs. Grace Knight Bland, and infant sister Anna Irby Bland. Kitty graduated from Randolph-Macon Women's College and married her childhood sweetheart Roy Lassiter. Prior to his death in...

Jul 4, 2023

Courtland – Richard Edward Railey Jr., 74, a widely respected trial attorney, loving son, brother, husband, dad, "Pop", and devoted friend, of Courtland, Virginia, passed away on July 4, 2023 at his beloved beach residence in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.  He was born on October 22, 1948 in Franklin, Virginia to Richard Edward Railey, Sr. and Hazel Bradshaw...

Jul 4, 2023

FRANKLIN - Jane Harrison Duran, 80, passed away to be joined with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 4, 2023 in Quillacollo, Bolivia. Jane was the daughter of the late Jesse and Ruth Harrison of Franklin, Virginia. She graduated from Longwood University. She was a teacher at Forest Glen High School, and later, served as an employee...

Jul 3, 2023

Windsor – Bobby Ray Cantrell, 83, passed away July 3, 2023 in his home surrounded by his family. Bobby of Melvin KY and was a son of the late William Dewey and Frankie Evelyn Cantrell. He was an Army veteran and retired from the Newport News Shipyard.

He was a member of Windsor Congregational Christian Church and...

Jul 2, 2023

Suffolk – Patricia "Tricia" Wheeler Rideout, 59, of Suffolk, VA passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, July 2, 2023, after a seven-month battle with SIADH and lung cancer. Tricia was predeceased by her parents Shirley and Roy Wheeler, the love of her life - her husband Carl Bruce Rideout, and a brother, Ernest...

Jun 24, 2023

Courtland – Albert Newland Merrill, 85, passed away June 24, 2023.  He was born in North Carolina and was a son of the late Albert Elum Merrill and Beatrice Cissom Merrill. He was also predeceased by two sisters Jean Plemmons, Earline Byers and one brother, Alvin Merrill.

Albert was the owner of Albert Merrill Grading Company where...

Jun 23, 2023

Smithfield – Marian Cook Gray, 79, passed away June 23, 2023 in Riverside Lifelong Health and Rehabilitation in Smithfield.  She was born in Suffolk and grew up in Newsoms. Marian was predeceased by her parents, Johnnie Perry Lane Cook and Elizabeth Taylor Cook.

Marian was a graduate of Southampton High School and Smithdeal- Massey Business School. She...

Jun 22, 2023

Newsoms – George Thomas Drake, Sr., 92, departed this world peacefully on June 22, 2023, with his loving family by his side. George was born in Newsoms on August 30, 1930, to the late Mary Barnes "Lizzie" and Genie Drake.

George served his country during the Korean War as a corporal in the US Army. Upon returning...

Jun 22, 2023

Boykins – David Alexander Day, III, 85, passed away June 22, 2023 at his home. David was born in Murfreesboro, NC, the son of the late David A. Jr, and Janet Benthall Day. He was also predeceased by a son, Patrick B. Day.

David was a 1954 graduate of Murfreesboro High School and attended Chowan College and...

Jun 19, 2023

Franklin – Marjorie Graham, 91, passed at home under the care of Gentiva Hospice on June 19, 2023.

Mrs. Graham was born Marjorie Porteous on March 3, 1932 in Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada.  She attended business school after graduation high school.  One of the amazing talents of that generation was Marjorie learned the art of taking shorthand....

Jun 19, 2023

Nags Head – Terry Johnson Dixon passed away Monday, June 19, 2023, at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.

He was predeceased by his faithful companion of 18 years, Taco, who rode shotgun around the beach with Terry visiting his favorite haunts.

Terry was born July 20, 1943, in Greenville, NC, and was a Veteran of the...

Jun 14, 2023

Franklin – James "Jimmy" Edward Foster, Jr., 61, passed away June 14, 2023 surrounded by his loving family after a long battle with cancer. A native of Southampton County, he was a son of the late James Edward Foster, Sr. and Charlotte Vaughan Foster.

Jimmy was employed at Newport News Shipbuilding. He was previously employed by Union...

Jun 12, 2023

Franklin – Jean C. "Jeannie" Whitley, 78, passed away peacefully June 12, 2023, surrounded by her family.  She was born July 14, 1944 in Surry County.  She was predeceased by her parents, Lewis Chapman and Elizabeth Brown Chapman, brothers-in-law J. C. Arrington and Hal Whitley.

Jeannie was retired from Verizon Telephone Company after 36 years of service.  ...

Jun 9, 2023

Suffolk – Mary Frances "Fran" Hodge, 81, passed away June 9, 2023, in her home.  Born in Bristol, VA, she was a daughter of the late Karoe Wilson and Annie Mae Rogers Wilson.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Hershell Niles Hodge and a brother, George R. Wilson.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter,...