Obituaries

Feb 1, 2023

Branchville – Annie Louise Compton Bishop, 72, passed away on February 1, 2023 in her home.  Born in Lunenburg County, she was a daughter of the late William Henry Compton and Nellie Hazlewood Compton.  She was also predeceased by her husband, Thomas Lee Bishop, Jr., and her step daughter, Joanne Bishop Pearce.

Survivors include three daughters, Brandi...

Feb 1, 2023

Franklin, VA – James Andrew Eckenrode, 97, passed away peacefully February 1, 2023 at The Village at Woods Edge in Franklin, VA.  James was born in Johnstown, PA, on March 1, 1925 to the late Charles Andrew and Barbara Amelia Saltsgiver Eckenrode.  He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Frances Gehl Eckenrode.

James was a veteran of...

Jan 31, 2023

Como, NC – Sidney Earl Long, II, 71, passed away on January 31, 2023 in his home with family by his side.  Born in Portsmouth, VA, he was the son of the late Sidney Earl Long and Fannie Lou Flythe Long.

Sidney was a retired Sergeant from the Virginia Army National Guard with 22 years and 7...

Jan 30, 2023

Capron – Taylor Leanne Pulley, 25, passed away unexpectedly on January 30, 2023.

Born and raised in Franklin/Southampton County, Taylor was a 2015 graduate of Southampton High School and attended Campbell University.  She was a former library assistant for the Blackwater Regional Library in Courtland and Franklin and she loved her cats and books.

Survivors...

Jan 29, 2023

Courtland – Jean Louise Smith, aged 80, passed away January 29, 2023 in her home with her loved ones by her side.  Born in Boston, MA and a long-time resident of Wareham, MA, she was a daughter of the late John and Louise Vandenberghe.

Jean was a retired certified nursing assistant.  She enjoyed crocheting and string art,...

Jan 29, 2023

Courtland, VA - Chloe Ellaree Choate Hyder, 84 years of age, passed away January 29, 2023.  Born in Jamestown, Tennessee, she was the wife of predeceased Earl R. Hyder, whom she was married to for 29 years.  Mrs. Hyder ran Hyder's Variety Store located on Main Street in Courtland, Virginia with her husband from 1964 until 1978.  Following their...

Jan 22, 2023

Boykins – Cheryl Diane Estep, 51, passed away on January 22, 2023 in her home with family by her side.

Cheryl was a graduate of Pulaski County High School.

Survivors include her best friend and life partner, Michael Kloster; her parents, Ernest and Vera Estep; her daughter, Ciara Vaughn; her sister, Lisa Coalson; and two...

Jan 20, 2023

Midland, NC – Richard Thomas Sawyer, aged 77, residing in Midland, NC passed away on Friday, January 20, 2023.

Richard, born on September 7, 1945, grew up in Gates County, NC.  He is survived by his wife, Pat, his son, Heath, his daughter-in-law, Heather and his granddaughter, Hannah, as well as his sister, Ann Eure (Carlton) and...

Jan 20, 2023

Franklin – Thomas Lee "Tommy" Harmon, 77, passed away on January 20, 2023 in Southampton Memorial Hospital with his daughter Kim by his side.  Born and raised in Franklin, he was a son of the late Richard Lee Harmon and Virginia Benson Bowles.  He was also predeceased by a sister, Rachel Harmon.

Tommy was a US Army...

Jan 19, 2023

Gates, NC – Charles Willoughby Boswood, 75, passed away January 19, 2023 in Southampton Memorial Hospital.  Born in Maples, NC, he was a son of the late William Lionel Boswood and Mary Sanburn Pritchard.  He was predeceased by his wife, Angela Renee Boswood.

Charles was a US Coast Guard Veteran and a retired Xray Technician at Southampton...

Jan 19, 2023

Franklin – Theresa Anne Menefee, 66, passed away January 19, 2023 in her home.  Born on February 19, 1956 in Orange, CA, she was a daughter of the late Andrew Bryan Menefee and Barbara June Fahrion Menefee.

Theresa was a retired dental hygienist.

She is survived by her life partner of 43 years, Robert A....

Jan 16, 2023

Franklin – Judith Elaine "Judy" Saunders, 68, passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2023.

Born and raised in Franklin, she was a 1972 graduate of Franklin High School.  Judy loved taking care of her family and pets.

Survivors include her husband of 17 years, Ronald Lee "Ronnie" Saunders; her parents, Robert L. Vann, Sr. and...

Jan 16, 2023

Courtland - Kenneth D. Sewell passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2023 in Courtland, Virginia.  Mr. Sewell is survived by his devoted wife of sixty years, Carol Sewell.  He was a beloved father and father-in-law to Sharon and Rusty Carter of Farmville, Virginia, Doug and Donna Sewell of Suffolk, Virginia and Deborah and David Austring of Newmarket,...

Jan 16, 2023

Suffolk – Marion DeBordenave Blythe, 72, passed away on January 16, 2023 in his home with family by his side.  Born January 30, 1950 in Suffolk, he was a son of the late Jessie DeBordenave Blythe and Marie Harrell Blythe.

Marion was a 1968 graduate of Forest Glen High School and was a retired sawyer.  He was...

Jan 13, 2023

Richmond - Billy Atkinson, 74, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. He was born Nov. 16, 1948, the eldest son of the late Smiley and Rachel Atkinson of Franklin.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Rev. Susie Atkinson; two children, Tracy (Julie) Atkinson of Richmond and Angie Atkinson of Los Angeles, CA; two...

Jan 13, 2023

Suffolk, VA – Mary Annette Napier, 78, passed away on January 13, 2023 in Sentara Obici Hospital.  Born in West Virginia and raised in Portsmouth and Chesapeake, she was a daughter of the late Charles Clifford Napier and Mary Ann Fierbaugh Napier.  She was also predeceased by two sisters, Margaret A. Kania and Helen Patricia Zumbahlen and a brother,...

Jan 13, 2023

Walters – Elizabeth Taylor Britt, 88, passed away on January 13, 2023 in East Pavilion.  She was a daughter of the late Robert Taylor and Minnie Lee Benton Taylor.

Elizabeth was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

Survivors include her daughter, Debbie Dubberly (Dave); her son, Franklin Lloyd "Frankie" Britt, Jr. (Jean); two...

Jan 12, 2023

Washington, NC – Charlie Thomas "Tommy" Kee, Jr., 67, passed away unexpectedly on January 12, 2023.  Born in Roanoke Rapids and raised in Branchville, he was a son of the late Charlie Thomas Kee, Sr. and Shirley Lee Kee.

Tommy was a graduate of Southampton High School and was retired from the Mechanical Maintenance department at Hercules....

Jan 11, 2023

Carrsville – Tammey Elaine Ellestad Darden, 56, passed away on January 11, 2023 in her home with family by her side.

Tammey enjoyed travelling and crafting.

Survivors include her life partner, Michael Foreman; two daughters, Wendi Warren and Emily Darden; two sons, Patrick Warren and Thomas Young (Angel Wolf); a sister, Traci Jones (Brian); four...

Jan 11, 2023

Franklin - Glenn Babb Rawlings, 70, of Franklin passed away peacefully on January 11, 2023.  He was born February 22, 1952 and grew up in Courtland, VA, the son of the late Robert Atlas Rawlings and Irma Babb Rawlings.

Glenn was a 1970 graduate of Southampton High School and was known for his athleticism, sense of humor,...