Obituaries - Nov. 18, 2009

Bobby Junior Braxton

Bobby Junior Braxton of Town Court Lane passed away Nov. 8 in Roanoke.  Courtesy of Franklin-Hutcherson Funeral Home.

Daniel Clifford Bryant

To suffer no more, Daniel Clifford Bryant, 85, of Oakville Road, Appomattox, died Oct. 27 in Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the loving husband of the late Louise Gentry Bryant.

Born in Buckingham County on Feb. 15, 1924, he was a son of the late Russell Roy and Minnie Burks Bryant. Dan was a member of Maple Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church and spent his life working in land and timber sales.

He is survived by a son, Benjamin Russell (Peter) Bryant, and his wife, Janice, of Appomattox; three daughters, Virginia B. Wells and her husband, David, of Rustburg, Doris Bryant of Appomattox and Brenda Bryant and her fiancé, Grover Smith, of Appomattox; stepmother, Frances F. Bryant of Appomattox; three brothers, Oscar E. Bryant, James R. Bryant and Landon E. (Gene) Bryant, all of Appomattox; three sisters, Lois B. Moore of Gladstone and Naomi B. Stratton and Helen B. Almond, both of Appomattox; 12 grandchildren, Ginger, Bennie, Lauren, Tony, Robin, Ricky, Jennifer, Christie, April, Danielle Louise, Barbara Ann and Tracey Jr.; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruby Bryant and Dorothy Hackett.

Funeral services were held Oct. 30 at Robinson Funeral Home by the Rev. Earnie Lucas with burial following in Maple Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery. The family received friends at Robinson Funeral Home Oct. 29.

Those wishing to make memorials please consider Maple Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church, c/o Wanda Stinson, 5374 Meadow Creek Road, Wingina, VA 24599.

Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family, and an online condolence may be sent at http://www.robinsonfuneral.com.

Jewell Mae Burch Harris

Jewell Mae Burch Harris, 87, of Moneta, passed away Oct. 28 at her residence. She was born Feb. 26, 1922, in Amherst County, a daughter of the late Emory Lee Burch and Lizzie Sales Burch.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, William Henry Harris, a son, Robert “Bobby” Harris, and a brother, Earl Burch.

She was a member of Emmaus United Methodist Church.

Surviving are her three sons, Raymond Harris and wife, Liz, of Miami, Fla., Wayne Harris and wife, Billie, of Eden, N.C., and Allen Harris of Forest; two daughters, Pat Dickerson and husband, Roger, of Rustburg and Theresa Simmons and friend, Bob Thompson, of Roanoke; a sister, Jean Freeman, and husband, Ernest, of Lynchburg; four sisters-in-law, Joyce Burch of Lynchburg, Nina Forbes of Purcellville, Lillian Harris of Hampton and Louise Harris of Madison Heights; special nephew, Everett “Sonny” Roberts of Woodbridge; special niece, Lori Mason; and 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of the Hills for the care given our mother during her illness. The family requests those wishing to make memorials to consider Emmaus United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Brenda Watson, 2135 Mead Valley Road, Moneta, VA 24121.

Funeral services were held Oct. 31 at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, with the Rev. Paul Greer officiating. Interment followed in Greenwood Cemetery. Friends called Oct. 30 and the family received friends at Updike Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Bedford.

Cecil Carlton Mayberry III ‘Carl’

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 is survived by two brothers, Darryl Mace and wife, Stephanie, of Gladys and Chris Ayers of Madison Heights; one sister, Lisa Grishaw, and husband, Brandon, also of Madison Heights; 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, and three special aunts and numerous close cousins.

A memorial service was conducted Nov. 6 at Randolph Memorial Baptist Church with Pastor Derik Hamby officiating. The family received friends following the services.

To send a condolence to the family, please visit http://www.whittenfuneralhome.com. Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is serving the family.

Robert Darnell ‘Dink’ McCray

Robert Darnell “Dink” McCray departed this life Oct. 26 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born July 2, 1932, to the late George and Agnes Jones McCray.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers, Allen McCray, Ruben McCray and Harvey McCray, two sisters, Adlene Lacy and Clara Perry, and a devoted friend, Mary L. Dawson.

Robert is survived by his wife, Nellie McCray; four children, Donnell McCray (Pat), Doris Ann McCray, Emma Coleman and Leroy Dawson (Vickie); four stepchildren, Clarence Dawson (Herley), Nannie McCray (George), Wilbert Dawson (Margaret) and Mary Dawson; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; one brother, George McCray (Nannie); six sisters, Alma Branch (Floyd), Gracie Dillard (Edward), Barbara Rucker, Priscilla Haynes (Hal), Shirley McCray and Lelia Dempsey (Berry); and a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was conducted Oct. 31 at Ivy Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. M.D. Mays officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery. His remains were in state at the church prior to the service. The family received friends and the cortege assembled at the home of his son, Leroy and Vickie Dawson, 128 Morgan Road, Madison Heights.

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

Helen Switzer Peters

Helen Switzer Peters, 78, of Faulconerville, died, Nov. 7, at her home.  She was the wife of the late Charlie Lewis Peters.

Born, Jan. 7, 1931 in Covington, she was the daughter of the late Henry Jackson and America Bell Switzer and was also preceded in death by one brother, Charles Switzer and one sister, Lilly Bowling.  Mrs. Peters was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Mrs. Peters is survived by one son, Wesley Peters and wife Cynthia of Madison Heights; two daughters, Linda Williams of Amherst and Vivian Houston of South Boston; three sisters, Henrietta Cash and Marie Branham both of Amherst and Jane Martin and husband Leonard of Madison Heights; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was conducted Nov. 10 at Whitten Monelison Chapel with the Rev. Greg Tyree officiating.

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

Jesse Richard Ramsey

Jesse Richard Ramsey, 62, of Lynchburg, died Oct. 28. He was born Dec. 30, 1946, in Charlotte County, the son of the late Lewis Ramsey and Mary Catherine Ramsey. He is survived by a brother, Clyde Ramsey, of Amherst; a special friend, Faye Lipscomb.

He was a member of Fair View Christian Church and a member of Loyal Sons and Daughters Sunday School Class.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Jean Garrett and Joyce Collins; a brother, Charlie Ramsey. He was a widow of Nancy Taylor Ramsey for 30 years.

He is survived by Jennifer and Mike Baldwin, whom he helped raise; neices, nephews, great-nieces and nephews; brother and sister-in-law; and aunts.

Funeral services were held Nov. 2 at the Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, with interment in Rocky Mount United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends prior to the service Nov. 2.

Mary Susan Carter Witt

Mary Susan Carter Witt, 56, of Lynchburg, passed away Oct. 31. She is survived by her husband, William Edward Witt.

Born Oct. 31, 1953, in Lynchburg, she was a daughter of the late Erskine Thomas Carter Sr. and Ruby Johnson Carter. She attended Hyland Heights Baptist Church.

Survivors also include three children, Lawrence W. Burley Jr. and wife, Suzanne, of Rustburg, Timothy D. Burley and wife, Marlana, of Lynchburg, and Christopher D. Burley and wife, Jackie, of Rustburg; three sisters, Carolyn Crews and husband, Robert, of Concord, Perscilla Elliott and husband, Tommy, of Lynchburg, and Frances Martin and husband, Randy, of Lynchburg; a brother, Thomas Carter Jr. and wife, Dana, of Madison Heights; eight grandchildren, L.B., Lucas, Logan, Travis, Amanda, Aaron, Tyler and Chase; sister-in-law, Rosa Williams and husband, Leroy, of Lynchburg; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was conducted Nov. 4 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel by Pastor Rick Magee.

The family received friends Nov. 3 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel and at other times at the residence of Lawrence Burley Jr.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Hyland Heights Building Fund.

To send a condolence to the family please visit http://www.whittenfuneralhome.com. Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Timberlake Chapel, is assisting the family.