Obituaries

Jennifer Ainsley Bryant, 21
Of Farmville
Dies December 15

   DECEMBER 18 — Jennifer Ainsley Bryant, 21, passed away as a result of an automobile accident on Saturday, December 15, 2007. She is survived by her parents, Beth Pankey Bryant and Harry W. Bryant III, and sisters, Breanne and Caroline, all of Farmville; her grandparents, William A. “Buddy” and Betsy Pankey, of Arvonia; Harry W. Jr. and Faye Bryant, of Buckingham; her aunts, Wanda Bryant and Kay Tyree and her uncle, Roger, all of Buckingham. She was preceded in death by her aunt, Jennifer M. Pankey.
   Ainsley was a 2004 graduate of Fuqua School and worked in Charlottesville at TMO Global Logistics. She loved her family, friends, playing softball and being with children. We will forever miss her big heart and beautiful smile.
   A funeral service was held on Tuesday (today), December 18, at 2 p.m. at Arvon Baptist Church in Arvonia, where she was a member. Reverends James O. Radford and George A. Woods officiated the service. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
   The family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Prince Edward Volunteer Rescue Squad, 500 Doswell Street, Farmville, VA 23901; Glenmore United Methodist Church, c/o Vernelle Agee, 205 Firehouse Road, Buckingham, VA 23921; or Arvon Baptist Church, P.O. Box 81, Arvonia, VA 23004.
   Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, was in charge of arrangements.

Funeral Rites
To Be Held
For ‘Jack’ Bryant, 63

   DECEMBER 18 – Charles J. ‘Jack’ Bryant, 63, of Farmville, died Monday, December 17, 2007. He was a retired investigator of the Farmville Police Department. His greatest passions were the police department, trucks, equipment, his grandchildren, and making everyone in his presence laugh.
   He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Brooks Bryant; two sons, Dwayne Bryant and wife, Nancy of Buckingham, and Will Bryant and fiancé, Amy Swayne of Rice; three devoted grand-children, Elizabeth, Jacob, and Matthew of Buckingham; brother, Harry W. Bryant Jr. and wife, Faye of Buckingham; six nieces, 14 nephews, and countless friends.
   Mr. Bryant was preceded in death by his father, H. Willard Bryant Sr.; mother, Emma L. “Nannie” Bryant; sister, Joyce Farrish; brother, Jimmy Bryant; great-nephew, Roger Tyree Jr., and great-niece, Ainsley Bryant.
   A family night is planned for Wednesday, December 19, from 7-8:30 p.m. at Puckett Funeral Home.
   A funeral service will be held Thursday, December 20, at 2 p.m. at Puckett Funeral Home with the Rev. Steve Conwell officiating. Interment to follow at Westview Cemetery.
   Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
   Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family.

Otha L. Hodges, 76
Retired Master Sergeant
Dies December 15

   RICE, Dec. 18 — Otha Lee Hodges, 76, of Rice, died Saturday, December 15, 2007. He was a retired Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force.
   He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Gay B. Hodges; his children, Donna Chenault and husband, John of Prospect, Deborah Lee Jamerson of Farmville, James F. Hodges of Rice and Karen Critzer and husband, Edgar of Hampden-Sydney; two brothers, Jesse R. Hodges and wife, Garnet of Farmville, and Franklin R. Hodges and wife, Debbie of Burlington, NC; a sister, Edwina Abbott and husband, Al of Roanoke; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
   Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 19, in the chapel of the Virginia Veteran’s Cemetery in Amelia with Military Honors.
   The family suggest that memorial contributions be made to the Prince Edward County Rescue Squad, 500 Doswell Street, Farmville, VA 23901.
   The Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Page Bryant, 79
CSX Railroad Worker
Dies December 15

   BUCKINGHAM, Dec. 18 — Kenneth Page Bryant, 79, of Buckingham, died Saturday, December 15, 2007. He was the son of the late Harry Bryant and Grace Farrish Bryant.
   Mr. Bryant was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Shoemaker Bryant; a brother, Clifford E. Bryant; and a sister, Eugenia Bryant Dugger. He is survived by a daughter, Susan Bryant Gunter; a son, Bradley Wayne Bryant and wife, Connie; and a granddaughter, Casey Page Gunter.
   Mr. Bryant worked 46 years for CSX Railroad. He was a great story-teller who loved the outdoors, turkey hunting, cattle farming, and his family.
   A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday (today), December 18, at Buckingham Community Cemetery.
   Memorial contributions may be made to Buckingham County Rescue Squad.
   Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, was in charge of arrangements.

Judy M. Davis, 55,
Of New Canton
Dies December 13

    NEW CANTON, Dec. 18 —Judy Mayo Davis, 55, of New Canton, died Thursday, December 13, 2007 at her home. She was the daughter of the late Evelyn Hall Mayo.
    She is survived by her father, William Ray Mayo of New Canton; her husband, Dennis Davis Sr.; four children, Dennis Davis Jr. of New Canton, Clint Davis of Cartersville, Leslie Snoddy and Suzanne Davis both of New Canton; sister, Joann M. Davis; and a brother, William R. Mayo Jr. both of New Canton; and eight grandchildren.
    A memorial service will be held at a late date.
Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services were held Monday, December 17, at 1 p.m. at the Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, with interment in Browns Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Christine Blanton, 107
Cumberland Resident
Dies December 12

   CUMBERLAND, Dec. 18 —Christine Virginia Blanton, 107, of Cumberland, departed this life on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 in Farmville.
   She is survived by two nephews, John Lewis (Olga) and Joseph Lewis (Doretha); great nieces, one devoted Ella Shearn Gregory; great nephews, cousins and friends, one devoted Loyce Baker Lewis.
   Her remains rest at Marian Gray Thomas Funeral Home of Cumberland.
   Funeral services were held Sunday at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Cumberland. Rev. Timothy L. Woodson, pastor, officiating with interment in Tearwallet Baptist Cemetery.
   Marian Gray Thomas Funeral Home, Cumberland, served the family.

Anne B. Beasley, 81
Of Henrico
Dies December 14

   HENRICO, Dec. 18 – Anne Baker Beasley, 81, of Henrico, died Friday, December 14, 2007 at her residence. She was born in Prince Edward County and was a member of Spring Creek Baptist Church in Darlington Heights. She was a retired medical secretary with the A.H. Robins Pharmaceutical Company in Richmond.
   She is survived by two sisters, Nellie B. Johnson and husband, William E. of Farmville; Virginia B. Welch and husband, Ewart of Pamplin; her special niece, Ginger Welch of Fork Union; and 15 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, William L. Beasley, her sister, Elizabeth Phelps, and her brother, William R. Baker.
   Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, December 19, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Shorter Funeral Home, 1905 S. Main Street, Farmville, with interment to follow in the St. Stevens Church Cemetery, Esmont.
   Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Wall, 81
Artist, Educator
Dies December 10

   DECEMBER 13 — Jacqueline J. “Jackie” Wall passed away on Monday, December 10, 2007 surrounded by the beauty of her land. Jackie was born to the late Geoffrey and Olga Jardine in Calcutta, India. At the age of six, she moved to England with her aunt, Marjorie Cleghorn. At 14, she traveled with her aunt through Ellis Island en route to Baltimore. During World War II, Jackie served in the WREN’s (Women’s Royal English Navy) in Norfolk, VA.
   Jackie Wall attended Longwood College and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Westhampton College with a degree in psychology. In 1952, she married the late J. Barrye “Bo” Wall Jr. and lived in Farmville. She worked for The Farmville Herald as a staff writer and compiled a cookbook of the best known recipes in the area.
   Jackie received her Masters in Art Education from V.C.U. She taught art at Prince Edward Academy, the Campus School of Longwood College, and Prince Edward County Public Schools. She was also a professor at Longwood College, teaching art education and supervising student teachers. While at Longwood, she was instrumental in procuring the Governor’s School for the Arts for the college. She was director of the summer program for the years it was at Longwood.
   Upon retirement from teaching, Jackie became a full-time artist; her work being shown in galleries in Virginia and North Carolina. She drew her inspiration from her land and her spiritual beliefs.
   Jackie Wall is survived by her three sons, Barrye of Singapore, Geoffrey of Greensboro, N.C., and Angus of Los Angeles, CA; one daughter, Marcie of Richmond; and three daughters-in-law, Victoria, Charlotte, and Linda. She also has seven grandchildren: Jardine and Eliot Wall; Kenny, Ian, and Alex Wolfe; and Quinn and Jake Wall. In addition, she leaves behind adopted members of the family, Eleanor and Sidney Trent and their family and many loyal and generous friends.
   The family requests that donations be made to the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts; Office of University Advancement, Longwood University, 201 High Street, Farmville, VA 23901 for the Jackie Wall Memorial Fund.
    On-line donations can be made at,
http://www.longwood.edu/advancement/onlinegift.html
   Please note the one-time donation to be allocated to "Other" and specify "LCVA-Wall Memorial".
   Memorial services will be held at John’s Memorial Episcopal Church in Farmville on Saturday, December 15 at 1:00 p.m.
   Doyne-Burger-Davis Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge.

Thomas F. Dowler, 76
Of Farmville
Dies December 7

   DECEMBER 11 — Thomas Futcher Dowler, 76, of Farmville passed away Friday, December 7, 2007 in Farmville. He was born June 14, 1931 in Prince Edward County, the son of the late Frances John and Dora Futcher Dowler. He was the husband of Gladys Jewel Dowler and was retired from Sprint Telephone Company as an engineering supervisor.
   He is survived by his wife of 52 years of marriage, Gladys Jewel Dowler; a son, Michael Dowler of Farmville; a daughter, Darlene Dowler of Cartersville; a sister, Virginia Dickhoff of Farmville; grandchildren, Thomas Anthony “Tad” Dowler and wife, Michelle Lynn of Courtland and Shawn Philip Dowler of Farmville and his great-granddaughter, Cynthia Jewel Dowler.
   A funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 12, at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Puckett Funeral Home with interment in Trinity Memorial Gardens in Rice.
   Family will receive friends Tuesday evening 7-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
   Memorials may be made to the Prince Edward County Volunteer Rescue Squad.
   Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements.

Celebration Of Life
To Be Held Thursday
For Lucille Friend, 92

   NORTH CAROLINA, Dec. 11 – Lucille Atchley Dowdy Friend, 92, died Monday, December 10, 2007 in Sampson Regional Hospital, Clinton, NC. Born in Squirrel, Idaho, she lived in Farmville for more than 70 years. She was the oldest daughter of Daniel and Dessie Atchley. She and her husband, Otha C. (Jack) Dowdy operated Dowdy’s Restaurant for many years and she also owned Lou’s Beauty Shop. She also served first as Justice of the Peace and then Magistrate for Prince Edward County before retiring in 1985. She was a member of Women of the Moose, and past president of the Farmville Chapter of the Rebekah Lodge.
   Preceding her in death was Otha Cleveland (Jack) Dowdy, Drury Hutchison (Hutch) Friend, and her sister, Ruth Paulson.
   She is survived by her daughter, Dama Dowdy Apperson and husband, Douglas of Clinton, NC; grandson, Douglas M. Apperson III and wife, Kristie; granddaughter, Brandin A. Holleman and husband, Wes; great-granddaughters, Alexandria, Avery, Anna, Addison, Sydney, and Piper, all of Dunn, NC; sisters, Vaughne Graff of Charlottesville and Nina Clark and husband, Robert of Richmond; along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
   A celebration of life will be held December 13 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Farmville, with interment at Westview Cemetery. Family will receive friends immediately following at the church.
   Memorial donations can be made to the Farmville Presbyterian Church Kitchen Committee or the Renovation Project.
   Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral Services
Held Sunday For
Ronald W. Stockton, 85

   DECEMBER 11 – Ronald William Stockton, 85, of Farmville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 6, 2007 at Southside Community Hospital. He was born in Unicoi County, Tennessee, to the late Luther and Dora Stockton, and he was the widower of Frances Abbott Stockton.
   He is survived by his daughter, Rhonda Stockton Rowland of Farmville and husband, Rev. Dr. Michael Rowland, along with seven nephews and seven nieces.
   Mr. Stockton was a retired farmer and bulldozer operator. Besides being a 58-year member of Southside Lodge No. 191 in Pamplin, he was a member of Bethpeor Baptist Church in Pamplin where he served in various capacities throughout the years.
   A Masonic service was held Saturday, December 8, at the funeral home.
   A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 9, at the funeral home. Interment followed at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Rice.
   Memorial donations can be made to the Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Plantation, Inc. in Brookneal, or to Bethpeor Baptist Church in care of Treasurer, 3832 Farmville Road, Farmville, VA 23901.
   Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, served the family.

Della Irwin, 86
Of Farmville
Dies December 9

   DECEMBER 11 – Della Midkiff Ownby Irwin, 86, of Farmville, died Sunday, December 9, 2007. She was the daughter of the late Ellis Midkiff and Pearl Jester Midkiff and widow of Fred Ownby and George Irwin.
   She is survived by two sons, Jimmy Ownby of Cumberland and Ricky Ownby of South Hill; two brothers, Raymond Midkiff of North Carolina and Howard Midkiff of Cumberland; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
   A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Dunkum Funeral Home, with interment at a later date in Jones Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery, Cumberland.
   Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral Services
Held Tuesday For
Steven K. Bobb, 59

   DILLWYN, Dec. 11 – Steven Karl (Steve) Bobb, 59, of Dillwyn, died Sunday, December 9, 2007 in Fork Union. He was born July 4, 1948 in Richmond, the son of the late Emil Karl Bobb and Gladys Gephart Bobb, and was preceded in death by a brother, Dave Bobb.
   He was a sportsman and an avid Bass Tournament Fisherman.
   Mr. Bobb is survived by his wife, Faye Leonard Bobb; a daughter, Rebecca B. Webber; a granddaughter, Erin Grace Webber; and a sister, Margaret B. Rice of Mechanicsville.
   Funeral services were held Tuesday (today) at Mulberry Grove Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery.
   Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, was in charge of arrangements.

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Miss Hattie Anderson, 94
Of Farmville
Dies December 7

   DECEMBER 11 – Miss Hattie Leonora Anderson, 94, of Farmville, died Friday, December 7, 2007 in Farmville. She was a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Illinois.
   She was preceded in death by her close friend, Mildred Bentz.
   Graveside funeral services were conducted Tuesday (today) in the Olive Branch United Methodist Church Cemetery, Prospect.
   The Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, was in charge of arrangements.

BLAKE H. HERMAN

Blake H. Herman, 27
Of Hampden-Sydney
Dies December 2

   After a long illness, Blake Henry Herman, 27, died at home on Sunday, December 2, 2007 in the loving company of his family. Born on October 18, 1980, Blake graduated from Prince Edward County High School in 1998. He earned a B.A. from The College of William and Mary in 2004 and then took a position with the national office of the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, D.C.
   Blake is survived by his parents, Beth Poore-Bowman and Glen Bowman, and siblings, Hannah Bowman, Abigail Bowman, and Noah Bowman, of Hampden-Sydney; his brother, Mitchell Herman of Virgilina; his parents, Vincent and Carla Herman, and sister, Lora Herman, of Phoenix, Arizona; and his devoted girlfriend, Meghan Williamson, of Waynesboro; his grandparents, Henry and Nina Poore of Virgilina, Betty Herman of Tempe, Arizona, Fred and Wanda Bowman of Bridgewater, and Carlos and Alicia Silva of Phoenix, Arizona, as well as a multitude of loving uncles, aunts, and cousins and many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, George Herman.
   A memorial service in celebration of Blake's life will be held on Saturday, December 8, at 2 p.m. in College Church on the campus of Hampden-Sydney College, with a reception to follow in Thompson Fellowship Hall.
   Donations in memory of Blake may be made to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, One Charles Center, 100 North Charles Street - Suite 234, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

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HERBERT R. WOOD

Herbert R. Wood, 88
World War II Vet
Dies December 5

   DECEMBER 6 – Herbert Randolph Wood, 88, of Brookview Lodge, Farmville, went peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, December 5, 2007, following complications from surgery. Born in Free Union, he was the son of the late Emmitt and Pearl Wood and the brother of John Wood, deceased.
   He was the loving and dedicated husband of Nannie D. Wood of Farmville, to whom he was married for 43 years, and the late Gladys Garver Wood of Charlottesville, for 23 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his children, Janice Cadwallader of Aiken, SC, wife of Cecil, and Wayne Wood of Charlottesville, husband of Mary Jane, and by his stepchildren, Nancy Blanton, wife of Joe of Clearwater, FL and Graham Webster of New Holland, PA, husband of Jane; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
   Mr. Wood was a greeter for Kroger for several years; he worked for Southern Hardware, prior to that he was a manager of Sears, and a postal carrier. He was a veteran of World War II; a master mason of the Masonic Lodge in Crewe; a deacon of Heritage Baptist Church and a member of the church choir. He took great joy in his vegetable garden and was a people person who enjoyed socializing and telling jokes. He was blessed with many great friends, and a loving church family.
   Viewing will be Friday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. at Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville.
   Funeral services will be held at Heritage Baptist Church, 700 Milnwood Road, Farmville, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, with Rev. Jeff Hudgins presiding. Interment will be in Holly Memorial Gardens, Charlottesville, at 2 p.m.
   Memorial contributions may be made to Heritage Baptist Church.
   Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements.

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Funeral Service To
Be Held Friday For
Anne McClellan

   DECEMBER 6 — Anne Robertson Smith McClellan, of Farmville, passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at Southside Community Hospital. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Franklin Hampton and Pearl Faircloth Smith. She was a 1975 Cum Laude graduate of Longwood College and a member of Christ Church, Anglican of Appomattox. She enjoyed reading, needlepoint, and was an avid doll collector. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother. Her family, home, and church were her life.
   She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Dr. James Allen McClellan; two daughters, Susan Anne Daniel of Manassas and Elizabeth Caroline Adelgren of Williamsburg; and a son, John Hampton McClellan of Richmond; two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, James Allen McClellan Jr.
   A funeral service will be held at the Farmville Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. Friday, December 7, with the Reverend Dr. Geoffrey Hubler officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery in Farmville.
   Memorials may be made to the Christ Church, Anglican of Appomattox or to the Prince Edward Co. Volunteer Rescue Squad.
   Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is in charge of arrangements.

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REID, James
Of Buckingham County

Died Sunday, December 2, 2007. A funeral service will be held Friday, December 7, at 10 a.m. at Salem Baptist Church, Buckingham, with interment in Reid’s Family Cemetery. Reid’s Funeral Home, Dillwyn.

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JOHNSON, Gertrude Dabney, 49
Of Rice

Died Sunday, December 2, 2007. A funeral service will be held Friday, December 7, at 2 p.m. at High Rock Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Bland-Reid Funeral Home.

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LANGHORN, Larry S. “Jack”, 55
Of Cumberland

Died December 4, 2007. He will be cremated on December 5. Carl J. Eggleston Funeral Home.