Obituaries for the week of Mar. 6

New Era Progress
Published: March 5, 2008

  
Samuel Brewer, of Madison Heights, VA, departed this life on Sunday, March 2, 2008, at the VA Hospital of Salem, VA. His remains rest at Communtiy Funeral Home.
Published in The News & Advance from 3/2/2008 - 3/4/2008. 

Ada Hicks Cofer, 74, of Madison Heights, died Feb. 26. She was the wife of the late Harry T. Cofer.
Born May 30, 1933 in Amherst County, she was a daughter of the late Frank O. Hicks Sr. and the late Mary Elizabeth Johns Hicks. She was a member of Amelon United Methodist Church.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Herbert L. Hicks and one sister, Tessie Thomas.
She is survived by two brothers, Albert Hicks and his wife, Stella and Frank Hicks Jr. and his wife, Estelle, both of Madison Heights; three sisters, Velta Roberts and her husband, Wesley of N.J., Mary Johns and her husband, Fletcher of Madison Heights, and Maggie Roberts and her husband, George of Trenton, N.J. and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service was conducted on Feb. 29 at Whitten Monelison Chapel. Interment followed in Fort Hill Memorial Park.

Owen Lee Burks, 73, of Roanoke, died Friday morning, February 29, 2008, at his home after a lengthy illness. Owen was the son of the late Robert L. Burks and Grace Kessler Burks of Madison Heights, VA. He was a member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church. Mr. Burks served 27 years in public education, beginning his career in the Bedford School System before retiring from Galax City Schools. He held a bachelor's degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's degree from the University of Virginia. Owen was an avid sports fan with a passion for baseball and the New York Yankees. He loved his family and was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jane Bell Burks; his sons, David L. Burks and Darryl L. Burks, both of Roanoke, and Duane L. Burks and wife, Sherrye, of Daleville; his daughter, Diana (Dee) L. Burks, of Roanoke; and his granddaughters, Kaitlin E. Burks and Karley R. Burks. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2008, at Oakey's North Chapel with the Reverend Faith Weedling officiating. Interment in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens, Botetourt County. The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 2, 2008 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakye's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.

Lorine C. Campbell, 89, passed peacefully Thursday, February 28, 2008. at Fairmont Crossing in Amherst. Born June 16, 1918 in Amherst County, she was the daughter of the late Grove and Dolie Cash. She was a retired Post Master for the Lowesville Post Office with twenty-three years of service and a lifelong member of Piney River Baptist Church in Lowesville where she served as a Sunday School Teacher and Church Clerk. Mrs. Campbell was preceded in death by her beloved husband of forty-nine years, Roy E. Campbell and four sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Lavecchia and her husband, Larry of Richmond; one grandson, Michael J. Lavecchia, also of Richmond; her dear friend and roommate, Edith Robertson; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2008 by the Reverend W.T. Wright and the Reverend Carroll Welch at Piney River Baptist Church with interment to follow in Amherst Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home, Roseland Saturday from 7-8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Piney River Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 28, Piney River, VA 22964, Roseland Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 39, Roseland, VA 22967 or Piney River Baptist Church, 1190 Woodson Road, Lowesville, VA 22951.

Alfred Mundy Davis, 95, of Madison Heights, died Friday, February 29, 2008 at Hospice House of the Hills. He was the husband of the late Mattie Trevey Davis Born June 13, 1912 in Amherst County, he was a son of the late Stuart Jasper and Julia Tomlin Davis. Mr. Davis was a retired self-employed contractor and a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Zeno Davis; two daughters, Ruby Alvey and Gloria Vosburg; four sisters, Mary Lou Johnson, Mabel Knight, Essie Updike, and Audrey Ware and one brother, Percy Davis. Mr. Davis is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Woody and her husband, Charles of Madison Heights and Ester Dusalt of Waldorf, MD; one sister, Ruby Delancy of Bedford; one brother, Stuart J. Davis, Jr. of Elon; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, March 3, 2008 at Centenary United Methodist Church Cemetery in Naola by the Reverend. The family will receive friends from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2008 at Whitten Monelison Chapel. To send a condolence to the family, please visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com Whitten Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel is serving the family.

Maggie Elizabeth Berry Donigan, of 290 Matohe Road, Monroe, Virginia, departed this life Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at Carilion Hospital, Roanoke, Virginia. She was born October 19, 1919 in Amherst County to the late Merchant and Hattie Jones Berry. Maggie was married to the late David Donigan. She was predeceased in death by the following siblings, Clearance, Merchant, Arthur, Randolph, Charlie, Cora, Odell Berry, Elinor Jones, and Estella Livingston. A grandson, Russell Donigan; and two sons-in-laws, Lenwood and Arthur Brown. Those left to cherish her fond memories of love are 2 son1; William (Deloris), Welford (Jacqueline); and 2 daughters, Clara Brown, all of Madison Heights and Diane Brown of Lynchburg. One brother, Ernest (Mae) Berry of Lynchburg, 2 sisters, Hattie Gentry and Susan Berry, of Monroe, VA; 14 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren, and 3 great great-grandchildren. A very special devoted and loving person, John McGhee. Maggie will be sadly missed by family and friends. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2008, at Mt. Shiloh Baptist Missionary Church, with the Reverend Andrew Hill officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Her remains will lie-in-state at the church one hour prior to the service. The family is receiving friends at the residence of her daughter, Diane Brown, 2021 Royal Oak Way, Lynchburg. The family would like to give a special Thanks to Avante of Roanoke and Carilion Hospital VICU. For the excellent care giving.
Condolences can be emailed to . Community Funeral Home directing.

Brenda Sue Burks Gunter, 46, of Amherst, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 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. Brenda was a member of Clifford Baptist Church and had worked at Fairmont Crossing as a CNA. In addition to her husband, Brenda 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; 3 grandchildren, Kaetlyn Michelle, MacKenzie Alexis and Taylor Cheyanne Gunter; special friends, Shirley and Bob Kanthack, of Amherst, other relatives and friends. A graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Briarwood Memorial Gardens, in Amherst by the Reverend Mike Fitzgerald. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Whitten Monelison Chapel and other times at the residence. Memorial contributions in Brenda's memory may be made to To send a condolence to the family, please visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com. Whitten Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is serving the Gunter family.

Louise Carwile Hancock, 81, of Madison Heights died Sunday March 2, 2008 at Avante at Lynchburg. She was the widow of James Henry Hancock Jr. Born September 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; five great-grandchildren; Madison and Mckinlea Bierlein, Jade and Cole Pritchette, and Lucas Borowski. The family will receive friends, Wednesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Diuguid Waterlick Chapel. There will be a private family service at a later date. Diuguid Waterlick Chapel is honored to be serving the family.

Larry Wayne Jordan, 62, of Amherst, passed away Sunday, March 2, 2008 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He is survived by his wife, of 31 years, Annette DeWilde Jordan.
Larry was born March 17, 1945, in Rushville, IN 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 "Katy" 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, NY; sister-in-law, Erin Adams, of Amherst; niece and nephew, Ashleigh and Smith Adams, both of Amherst; a great-aunt, Phyllis Davis, of Indiana, and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to Wildlife Rehab Center, P.O. Box 1557, Waynesboro, VA 22980, where Larry volunteered as a transporter. Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is assisting the family. To send a condolence to the family, please visit, www.whittenfuneralhome.com.

Al Myers Tomlin, 84, of Amherst, died Feb. 28.
Born March 28, 1923 in Amherst County, he was a son of the late Sam Henry and Minnie Estelle Hartless Tomlin. He was a retired farmer and a member of Midway Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers.
He is survived by two brothers, Bennie Tomlin and George Tomlin and his wife, Myrtle, both of Amherst and three sisters, Lillie Tomlin of Vesuvius and Sylvia Angus and Ruby Tomlin, both of Amherst.
A funeral service was conducted on March 2 at Whitten Monelison Chapel. Interment followed at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery.