Obituaries for the week of Mar. 13

New Era Progress
Published: March 12, 2008

Shrasha Neikiea Allen
Shrasha Neikiea Allen, 23, of Amherst, died on March 1.
Born in Lynchburg on Oct. 27, 1984, she was a daughter of Wayne Louis Allen and Juanita Garland Allen. She had been employed at the Hangar at Liberty University and was a member of St. Mary's Baptist Church. She was a member of International Karate and had earned her white belt with one stripe.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by one sister, Whiteny Nicole Allen of Amherst; her grandfathers, James Garland and Thomas Vaughan; several uncles, aunts, sisters-in-law, and lots of cousins and friends.
Funeral services were conducted March 7 at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home. Burial followed in Mt. Pleasant cemetery.

Ruby Banton Bethel
Ruby Banton Bethel, 92, of Amherst, died on March 5.
Born May 14, 1915, in Gladstone, she was a daughter of the late Charlie and Carrie Banton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Alexander Bethel; sisters, Ella and Evelyn; brothers, John and Wayne; and granddaughter, Stephanie Bethel. She devoted her life to her family members, Poplar United Methodist Church (UMW), Order of the Eastern Star No. 115 (Past Matron), and The Ageless Wonders.
She is survived by four children, Carrie and Jose' Davila, Roberta Mays and David Tyree, Jerome Bethel and Donna (BB) Franklin, all of Amherst, Ethel (Beth Styles) and Dick Pierce of Williamsburg; five grandchildren, Todd and Cassidy Styles of Forest, Bob and Kim Mays of Lynchburg, Erin (Styles) and Scott Fitzsimmons of Alexandria, Audrey and Mike Tock, and Jeremy Bethel of Amherst; four great grandchildren; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
The funeral was held on March 6 at Driskill Funeral Chapel in Amherst. A private burial was at a later time at Amherst Cemetery.

Dorothy Tabor
Blondino
Dorothy Tabor Blondino, 82, of Madison Heights, died March 8. She was the wife of the late Emmett F. Blondino.
Born in Princeton, W.Va. on Nov. 5, 1925, she was a daughter of the late Jesse B. Tabor and Beulah Ama Wills Tabor and was preceded in death by her sister, Rene Tabor Wood. She was retired from Old Dominion Box Company and a member of Sandy Bottom Christian Church.
She is survived by two sons, Alan Blondino and wife, Charlene of Rustburg, Jerry Blondino and wife, Sara of Madison Heights; four grandchildren, Ross Blondino, Matt (Sherry) Blondino, Tina (Beau) Williams, Kelly Williams; six great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was conducted March 11 in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service. Burial followed in Meade Cemetery.

Samuel Brewer Sr.
Samuel "Edmund" Brewer Sr. died on March 2.
He was born June 23, 1942 in Lynchburg to the late Bernice Brewer and Clarence W. Haythe. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Leverl Sr.
He is survived by two daughters, Lisa Bailey and April Slaughter of Lynchburg; a son, Samuel E. Brewer Jr.; two brothers, James Haythe and Milton Penn; two sisters, Clarice Lewis (Norvell) and Beatrice B. Smith, both of Madison Heights; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was conducted on March 6 at Community Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was in the Baptist Cemetery.

Barbara Ann Campbell
Barbara Ann Campbell, 60, of 204 Dogwood Street, Waynesboro, died on March 9.
Born Nov. 17, 1947, in Montgomery County, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Mildred (Crockett) Brooks.
She was a former employee of Fishburne Military School of Waynesboro and was a member of Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church of Fishersville. She was a volunteer for the Pregnancy Help Center in Staunton, the Augusta County Library and served as a Literacy Volunteer.
Survivors include two sons, Matthew Todd Campbell and his wife Lesa, of Waynesboro and Joshua Lee Campbell of Waynesboro; two daughters, Kelly Campbell Massie and her husband Richard W. Massie of Roseland and Karen Kathleen Campbell and her fiancée Darrell Coffey of Fishersville; a brother, Walter Brooks of Florida; a sister, Elizabeth Moats of Waynesboro; 10 grandchildren, Courtney C. Massie, Afton B. Massie, Emily Ann Massie, Chad Massie, Lila Massie, Brittany Campbell, Cody Campbell, Hunter Campbell, Lindsay Ann Coffey and Cameron Campbell.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on March 13 at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes. Burial will follow on the family property of her daughter and son-in-law, Kelly Campbell and Richard W. Massie in Roseland.

Evelyn Brizendine Dowdy
Evelyn "Dolly" Brizendine Dowdy, 90, of Lynchburg, died on March 10.
She was born in Lynchburg to Eddie Thomas and Josephine Chenault Brizendine on June 10, 1917. She was the wife of the late Nelson Page Dowdy for 45 years.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by brothers, Edward C. Brizendine and David S. Brizendine; sisters, Eunice B Hargis, and her twin sister, Helen Blanco.
She was a member of Fairview Christian Church and the Sunshine Class. She retired as an inspector at Blue Buckle, and later Imperial Reading.
She is survived by her daughters, Elsie Mae Dowdy, Brenda and Johnny Nuckles all of Lynchburg; grandchildren, Stacey and Irby Jones of Spout Spring, Mitch and Lori Aveson Nuckles of Lynchburg; great grandchildren; sisters in law, Bessie Jamerson Dowdy of Dillwyn, Katherleen Fulcher Dowdy of Farmville; two nieces; three nephews; and 29 nieces and nephews in the Dowdy family.
A funeral service was conducted on March 12 in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service. Burial followed in Virginia Memorial Park.

Annie Louise Hudson Foster Duff
Annie Louise Hudson Foster Duff of Madison Heights died March 5. Twice married, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Grover Foster and her second husband Richard H. Duff.
Born in Amherst County on Feb. 7, 1917, she was a daughter of the late Herbert Franklin and Florrie Mae Hudson. She was a member of Madison Heights Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Annie Mae Broyles circle and enjoyed serving on the kitchen committee.
In addition to her husbands and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Harry L. Hudson, Archie F. Hudson and one sister, Thelma H. Berryman.
She is survived by a sister, Beulah H. Martin and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Eggleston both of Madison Heights, and many other nieces, nephews, caring friends and neighbors.
Funeral services were conducted on March 8 at Madison Heights Baptist Church. Interment followed in Amherst Cemetery.

Joyce Coffey Foote
Joyce Coffey Foote, 77, of Charlottesville, died on March 5.
She was born on Nov. 15, 1930, in Amherst, the daughter of the late Hilary Boyd Coffey Sr. and Julia Wauchope Coffey. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Fleming William Murray and Ernie Foote Sr.; and one brother, Hilary Boyd Coffey Jr.
She is survived by three sons, John Philip Murray of Charlottesville, James Murray of Florida, and Ernie Foote Jr. of Florida; one brother, Randolph Coffey of Charlottesville; six grandchildren, Kristie and Tim Chandler, Keith and Jamie Payne, Matthew Foote and Melanie Veliky; and five great-grandchildren.
She graduated from Crozet High School in l948. She worked at Leggett/Belk for 37 years and retired in May l999. She also volunteered at Hope Cancer Center at Martha Jefferson Hospital for seven years.
A memorial service will be held on March 15 at the Pentecostal True Holiness Church in Charlottesville.

Robert Norman Fuller
Robert Norman "Bob" Fuller, 76, of Lynchburg, died on March 5. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Brooks Fuller and his son, Buddy Ray Fuller.
Born June 21, 1931, in Spoffard, N.H., he was a son of the late William Fuller and Pearl and Evert Pearson; and was also preceded in death by a brother, William Fuller.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran. He was formerly employed at Wynns Precision and was an avid NASCAR fan.
Survivors include a son, Bobby Fuller and wife, Geneva, of Lynchburg; two daughters, Susie Smith and husband, Charlie, of Evington and Dodie Fuller, of Lynchburg; daughter-in-law, Susan Fuller, of Forest; two grandsons, James Allen Dickerson and wife, Crystal, of Madison Heights and Troy Lee Fuller, of Forest; three step-granddaughters, Lisa Melton, Tammy Guthrie and husband, Barry and Kasie Barmore, all of Lynchburg; two great-grandsons; six step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Nancy Killiany and husband, Erwin and Carol Wilcox and husband, Jack, of Torrington, Conn.; and a nephew.
A graveside service, with military honors by American Legion Post 16, was conducted on March 8 in Spring Hill cemetery.

Brenda Sue Burks Gunter
Brenda Sue Burks Gunter, 46, of Amherst, died on March 2. She is survived by her husband, James William Gunter.
Born July 28, 1961 in Lynchburg, she was the daughter of the late Howard Edward Burks Sr. and Emma Martin Burks. She was a member of Clifford Baptist Church and had worked at Fairmont Crossing as a CNA.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by four children, Michael Wayne Gunter, James William Gunter Jr. and wife, Melissa, Brandon Lee Gunter and Jason Robert Gunter, all of Amherst; two brothers, Howard Edward Burks Jr. and wife, Carol, of Madison Heights, and Donnie Lee Burks, of Amherst; two sisters, Bonnie Burks Falwell and husband, Robin, of Madison Heights, and Kristy Dawn Burks, of Amherst; aunt and uncle, Carl and Thelma Hartless, of Amherst; three grandchildren, Kaetlyn Michelle, MacKenzie Alexis and Taylor Cheyanne Gunter; and many other relatives and friends.
A graveside service was conducted on March 5 at Briarwood Memorial Gardens in Amherst.

Louise Carwile Hancock
Louise Carwile Hancock, 81, of Madison Heights died March 2. She was the widow of James Henry Hancock Jr.
Born Sept. 26, 1926 in Campbell County, she was a daughter of the late Walter Dewitt and Hessie Mae Finch Carwile. She was a member of New Chapel Baptist Church.
Mrs Hancock is survived by one son, Jim Hancock and his wife Mary Ellen of Madison Heights; five grandchildren, Amanda Bierlein and her husband Eric, Blair Borowski and her husband Stan, Kathie Riggs and her husband B. J., Amber Pritchette and her husband Brandon and Zachary Hancock; and five great-grandchildren.
A private family service was held at a later date.

Kimberly Jane Drumheller Harlow
Kimberly Jane Drumheller Harlow, 48, of Lynchburg died on March 3. She was the wife of Timothy Ray Harlow for 20 years.
Born July 26, 1959 in Lynchburg, she was the daughter of Janie Leigh Simpson Drumheller and the late Franklin Eugene Drumheller. She was a supervisor for Sam's Club in Lynchburg.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by three daughters, Tonya Leigh Cheatwood and husband, Richard, Jennifer Lynn Wade and husband, Steve, Angela Nicole Shields and husband, Nicholas all of Lynchburg; two brothers, Franklin Eugene Drumheller Jr. and wife, Gloria of Detroit, Mich., Danny Drumheller and wife, Sue of Madison Heights; sister-in-law, Wanda Harlow of Rustburg; seven grandchildren, Jacob Shields, Kaley Hedrick, Brianna Hedrick, Landon Wade, Bricein Harlow, Ethan Cheatwood, Lillian Cheatwood; and many friends.
A funeral service was conducted on March 6 in the chapel of Heritage Funeral Service. Burial followed in Fort Hill Memorial Park.

Larry Wayne Jordan
Larry Wayne Jordan, 62, of Amherst, died on March 2. He is survived by his wife, of 31 years, Annette DeWilde Jordan.
He was born March 17, 1945, in Rushville, Ind. and had lived in Virginia since 1972. He was a graduate of CVCC and was retired from C.B. fleet as an Electronics Engineer.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rachael Lin Cain.
Survivors also include a daughter, Erin Palmer and husband, Michael, of Newport News; six grandchildren, Miranda Brattain, MaKayla, Mariah and Audrey Cain, of Indiana and Dakota and Logan Palmer, of Newport News; mother and father-in-law, Ruth and Richard McLoud, of Amherst; brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Holly DeWilde and son, Alex, of Ithica, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Erin Adams, of Amherst; nieces, nephews and friends.

Robert Carrol Matthews
Robert "Corkey" Carrol Matthews, 64, of Concord, died on March 7. He is survived by his wife, Carol Clemmons Matthews.
Born March 20, 1943 in Lynchburg, he was a son of the late Robert Raphael and Elizabeth Driskill Matthews. He was a retired machinist from B & W Nuclear Facility and a former employee of Custom Machine. He was a member of Moose Lodge #1727 and a U.S. Navy Veteran.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Cindy M. Adkins and her husband Todd of Rustburg, Robert C. Matthews Jr. and his wife, Tina, of Evington, William Michael Matthews and his wife, Wendy, of Evington, Robert P. Reynolds and his wife, Cindy, of Bedford, D. Scott Reynolds of Bedford, and Jason T. Reynolds and his fiancé, Becky Thurman of Lynchburg; three brothers, Michael Matthews and his wife, Janie, of Lynchburg, William Pattrick Matthews and his wife, Sally, of Madison Heights, and Carl D. Matthews and his wife, Brenda, of Chesapeake; five grandchildren, Katlin and Natalie Matthews, Ivy and Christian Adkins and Jordan Reynolds; one sister, Brenda Robertson and her husband Mike of Lynchburg.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Virginia Grace Adkins.
A graveside service was held March 10 in Fort Hill Memorial Park.

Willie Hylton O'Brien
Willie Hylton O'Brien, 79, of Buck Mountain Lane, Gladstone, died on March 5. He was the husband Annie Tyree O'Brien.
Born in Amherst County on Oct. 23, 1928, he was a son of the William and Myrtle Garland O'Brien. He retired from the CSX Railroad and was a member of St. James Methodist Church.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Hylton and Dorothy O'Brien of Gladstone; a sister, Alma Watts O'Brien of Richmond; a brother, Malcolm L. O'Brien and wife, Sandra of Gladstone; two half brothers, Joseph D. O'Brien and wife, Faye of Gladstone and David O'Brien and wife, Phyllis of Florida; four step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on March 9 at Robinson Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Tyree — O'Brien Family Cemetery.

Charlotte Sligh Proffitt
Charlotte Sligh Proffitt, 75, of Madison Heights, died March 3. She was the wife of Manson H. Proffitt.
She was born Sept. 21, 1932, in Concord, a daughter of the late Clarence Frederick Brooks and Irene Martin Brooks. She was a waitress at Barbara's Restaurant in Madison Heights and was a member of New Beginning Tabernacle.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Tony Sligh (High Falls, Ga.), Toye S. Proffitt (Madison Heights), Marshall B. Sligh and wife Debbie (Richmond), and Greg S. Sligh (Madison Heights); a brother, Donald Brooks (Concord); a sister, Glenda Wilkins (Forest); and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and very dear friends.
A memorial service was conducted on March 7 at New Beginning Tabernacle.

James E. Sumrall Sr.
James E. Sumrall Sr., 82, of Amherst, died on March 3.
Born Aug. 22, 1925 in El Dorado, Ark., he was a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BS degree in Forestry. He was employed by International Paper Co. from 1951 until his retirement in 1985, living in south Mississippi. He was active in the Society of American Foresters both during his career and retirement, serving as Chairman of the Mississippi chapter from 1976-1977.
He was an active Gideon until 2000. He was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge, 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. He was a member of the American Rose Society and a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Coast Guard.
He was predeceased by his parents, William Henry and Delia Hogue Sumrall; a brother, William Henry Sumrall Jr.; and a sister, Nellie Jean Sumrall.
Surviving him are his wife of 58 years, Ouida Parker Sumrall of Amherst; children, Delia A. Sumrall of Clarks Summit, Penn., James E. Sumrall Jr. (Karen) of Mason, Ohio, David T. Sumrall (Carrie) of Marion, Ill. and Rebecca S. Heishman (Mitch) of Amherst; grandchildren, Mitchell Heishman Jr. and Sarah Heishman of Amherst and Marti Sumrall of Mason, Ohio; two step-granddaughters, Laura Gierten of Marion, Ill. and Angie Jones (Tim) of Jonesboro, Ark.; three step great grandchildren; brothers, Barney Sumrall (Frances) of Ruston, La. and Mickey Sumrall (Carolyn) of Ruston, La.; a sister, Mary Smith (Walter) of Katy, Texas; and many friends.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on March 29 at Amherst Baptist Church.

Shirley Glass Fisher Viar
Shirley Glass Fisher Viar, 75, died on March 9.
Born in Halifax County on Oct. 21, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Nadee Saunders Glass.
She had been employed as a seamstress at Lovingston Manufacturing.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin H. Viar Sr. and a son, John William Viar.
She is survived by eight children, Nancy Johns and husband Roger, of Monroe, Joyce Roberts and husband Fred, of Arrington, Karen Mays and husband Donald, of Roseland, Ruby Baeza and husband Carlos, of Arrington, Franklin Viar Jr. and wife Suzanne, also of Arrington, Barry Viar of Amherst, Keith Fisher and wife Pat, of South Boston, and Ann Fisher, also of South Boston; 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
A funeral service was conducted on March 12 at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home in Roseland. Interment followed in Liberty Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Buckingham.

Edna Marlow Wright
Edna Marlow Wright, 91, of Valley View Retirement Community, died on March 5. She was the wife of the late Harold Samuel Wright.
Born, Feb. 8, 1917 in Browntown, she was the daughter of the late Walter Richard Marlow and Rosie Dovel Marlow.
She is survived by her five daughters and sons in law, Jane and Mike Overstreet of Forest, Beth and Steve Godsey of Forest, Joann and Ronnie Briggs of Madison Heights, Rosie and Randy Gantt of Huddleston, and Kathryn and Randy Shotwell of Evington; a son, Ray Marlow Clegg of Chatsworth, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and many friends.
She was predeceased by one son, Harold Samuel Wright Jr.
A graveside service was held at Virginia Memorial Park in Forest on March 8.