Obituaries - Nov. 11, 2009

William M. Byers Sr.

William M. Byers Sr., 82, of Big Island, passed away Nov. 4 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the loving and devoted husband of Lois Hudson Byers for 59 years.

Born in Amherst County on Nov. 17, 1926, he was a son of the late Marshall and Annie Noel Byers. He was a U.S. Army veteran; member of American Legion Post 16; charter member of Big Island Fire Department; retired from Georgia-Pacific after 47 years of service; and a deacon of Big Island Baptist Church, where he was active in the building and grounds committee for years. He very much loved his community and country.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Hilton, Wesley and Hubert Byers; three sisters, Pearl White, Geneva Robertson and Lorraine Byers.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, William M. Byers, Jr. and wife, Pamela of Bedford, Nancy C. Byers of Lynchburg, John M. Byers of Bedford, David L. Byers and wife, Sharon of Big Island, Kathy J. Byers of Lynchburg; two brothers, Frank Byers of Coleman Falls, Bernard Byers and wife, Lillie of Falls Church and a sister-in-law, Alice Byers of Lynchburg.

He is also survived by six grandchildren, Monty L. Byers and wife, Kim, Jacquelyn Overstreet and husband, Tommy, Brenton D. Byers, Jarrett M. Byers, Logan Byers, Hunter Byers and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was conducted Nov. 8 at Big Island Baptist Church by the Rev. Bryon LePere, the Rev. Eugene Campbell and the Rev. Cody Wallace.

The family received friends at Big Island Baptist Church and other times at the residence.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider Big Island Baptist Church.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory, is assisting the family. Memories and thoughts may be shared with the family at http://www.heritagefuneralandcremation.com

Katherine Louise (Tate) Dusenbury

Katherine Louise (Tate) Dusenbury, 82, of Elizabeth, N.J., entered into eternal rest on Oct. 31 at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, N.J.

Relatives and friends were invited to attend the graveside service on Nov. 9 in Riverview Cemetery in Charlottesville. The service was officiated by the Rev. Lawrence Wingfield of Rivanna Baptist Church.

Katherine was born in Amherst, was raised in Charlottesville and moved to Elizabeth, N.J., 45 years ago.

Katherine was the loving wife of the late Earl D. Dusenbury. She was also predeceased by her parents, Burleigh J. Tate and Carrie L. Carver Ryan Tate; her son, Earl Steven Dusenbury; her brothers, Elwood R. “Dickie” Tate and Elmer G. Tate; half brothers, Edward C. “Snooks” Ryan, Emmett N. Ryan, Willie E. Tate, Mason J. Tate, Wesley E. “Jack” Tate and Peyton Tate; half sisters, Eva T. Mitchell and Lucy T. Hagee.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Debra Vliet and her husband, Timothy; and grandsons, Andrew and Brian Vliet, all of Richmond.

Angelee Davis Hughes

Sunrise for Bertha Angelee Davis Hughes was June 17, 1919. Sunset for her was Oct. 25. She was born in Amherst County to the late Mattie Payne Davis and Charles Davis.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of more than 60 years, Frank; three brothers, Willie Clark, Charles Davis and George Davis; four sisters, Golene Clark, Rovella Cox, Susie Carmine and Ethel Morgan; one daughter, Sandra; one grandson, Ramon “Stoney” Spikes; and one great-grandson, Robert Hughes.

She was a lifelong member of ScottZion Baptist Church, but due to her illness, was unable to attend as she would have liked.

Angelee leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Marva Watkins and Dianna Hughes, both of New Jersey; four sons, Calvin E. Hughes (the Rev. Lucy Hughes) of Lexington, Ronald Hughes of Madison Heights, Roland Hughes (Inez) of Bushkill, Pa., and Van Hughes (Frances) of Lynchburg; 15 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; one sister, Gladys Morgan of Madison Heights; one brother, James Leroy Davis (the Rev. Mollie Davis) of Linden, N.J.; a very special great-niece, Jessee Booker; her best friend of many years, Mrs. Louise Franklin of Madison Heights; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The Hughes family wishes to express our heartfelt thanks for expressions of love, kindness and support.

A funeral service wasconducted Oct. 30 at ScottZion Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Lee officiating and Apostle David Slaughter as eulogist. Interment was in the church cemetery. Her remains were in state at the church prior to the service. The family received friends at the residence, 1569 Dixie Airport Road, Amherst. The cortege assembled at the residence.

Condolences may be e-mailed to . Community Funeral Home directing.

Ellen Hamilton Lichford

Ellen Hamilton Lichford, 89, of 494 Rocky Road, Rustburg, died Oct. 27 at Lynchburg General Hospital.

Born Aug. 28, 1920, in Amherst County, she was a daughter of the late Jesse Taylor Hamilton and Annie Willard Cash Hamilton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Evans Lichford, her son-in-law, George M. (Red) Mays Sr., and an infant child.

Mrs. Lichford was a member of Community Fellowship Baptist Church, was a former employee of Leggetts and was a homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, flowers, cooking and bread making.

She is survived by her daughter, Marion Lichford Mays of Rustburg; three brothers, Jesse W. Hamilton and wife, Barbara, of Lynchburg, Ralph T. Hamilton and wife, Ottie, of Rustburg and Earl Ray Hamilton of Glasgow; two grandchildren, George Melvin Mays Jr. and wife, Penny, of Rustburg and John Norman Mays and wife, Sandy, of Rustburg; and three great-grandchildren, Erin Elizabeth Mays, Emily Kate Mays and Daniel Taylor Mays.

Funeral services were conducted Oct. 30 at New Chapel Baptist Church by the Rev. Chris Weidley, the Rev. Roger Roller and the Rev. Tim Dooley. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends Oct. 29 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence.

The family suggests memorials be made to Community Fellowship Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 518 Rustburg, VA 24588, or The Rev. Roger Roller Evangelistic Association, 203 Paul Revere Drive, Forest, VA 24551.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna, is in charge of arrangements.

Cecil Carlton ‘Carl’ Mayberry III

Cecil Carlton “Carl” Mayberry III, 26, of Madison Heights died Nov. 2 at his residence.

Born Jan. 15, 1983, in Lynchburg, he was the son of DeAnne Mace Ayers of Madison Heights and Cecil C. Mayberry Jr. of Lynchburg and the stepson of Clarence “Wayne” Ayers of Madison Heights.  Carl was an employee of Telephone Answering Services of Lynchburg.

He was preceded in death by grandparents Virginia Mayberry, Cecil Mayberry Sr. and Carrie Ayers and a cousin, Ronnie Dudley.

In addition to his parents and stepfather, Carl was survived by two brothers, Darryl Mace and wife, Stephanie of Gladys and Chris Ayers; one sister, Lisa Grishaw and husband, Brandon all of Madison Heigths; grandparents, Larry and Jane Mace of Gladys and three loved nephews and a niece, Uriah, Devin, Elijah and Skylar.

Carl is also survived by his fiancée, Hannah Collins and her children, Trevor and Audrey, three special aunts and numerous close cousins.

A memorial service was conducted Nov. 6 at Randolph Memorial Baptist Church with Pastor Derik Hamby officiating.

Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel assisted the family with arrangements.

Corinne H. Miller

Corinne H. Miller was born in Amherst County, on Nov. 6, 1910 and departed this life peacefully on November 4. 

Left to cherish her memory is four children, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services were held Nov. 10, at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Amherst.  Interment followed in the family cemetery in Amherst

Community Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Lester Thomas Wilkinson

Lester Thomas Wilkinson, 92, of Rustburg, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Oct. 24. He was born Nov. 1, 1916, to Thomas Benjamin Wilkinson and Annie Dawson Wilkinson. He was preceded in death by his parents and 11 siblings. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Manie Reynolds Wilkinson; daughter, Melba W. Tanner, of Rustburg, daughter, Amy W. Stout and husband, Bob, of Lynchburg, and son, Ben Wilkinson and wife, Anne, of Lynchburg. Additionally, he is survived by three grandchildren, Chris Tanner and wife, Danielle, of Rustburg, Melanie Tanner and Wes Jordan, of Amherst, and Thomas Wilkinson, of Lynchburg; one great-grandchild, Nevan Jordan, of Amherst.

He was an extraordinarily gentle man with a wealth of experience and knowledge. He served in World War II as a combat medic in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army and was awarded a Bronze Star along with four Bronze Service Stars.

He was a member of Rustburg Baptist Church. Retired from the state of Virginia, he was a lifelong farmer who enjoyed gardening, fishing and spending time with family.

A funeral service was held Oct. 27 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel with the Rev. Christopher Weidley officiating. Interment followed at the Wilkinson Family Cemetery in Rustburg, with military honors by the American Legion Post 16.

The family received friends Oct. 26 at Whitten Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Fellowship Baptist Church Building Fund P.O. Box 518 Rustburg, VA 24588.

To send condolences and messages online, please go to http://www.whittenfuneralhome.com.

Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Timberlake Chapel, is serving the Wilkinson family.