Obituaries - August 20, 2008

Warren Preston ‘Joe’ Brooks
Warren P. ‘Joe’ Brooks, 68, of Madison Heights passed away Aug. 12, at Lynchburg General Hospital, surrounded by his family and close friends. Joe went to be with his Lord and Savior after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Joe was born in Campbell County on Aug. 5, 1940. He was the son of the late John W. Brooks and Kate Jamerson Brooks and was also preceded in death by five brothers, Richard Brooks, Earl Brooks, Hubert Brooks, Raymond Brooks and John Brooks; and one sister, Mary Sue Staton.
Joe was a retired superintendent for Capital City Construction Co. He was a longtime member of the Brotherhood of Boilermakers.
In addition to his wife, Judith “Judy” Brooks, he is survived by two sons, Donald R. Brooks and wife, Tonya, of Amherst and Timothy P. Brooks and wife, Christy, of Madison Heights; three daughters, Sherrill McDaniel and husband, Doug, of Bedford, Angela Warner and fiancé, Bobby Johnson, of Madison Heights and Kathy Dancey and husband, Steve, of Madison Heights; and 10 grandchildren, “Baby Girl” Hannah Dancey, Emilee McDaniel, “Baby Boy” Reese Brooks, Peyton Warner, D.J. McDaniel, Matt Brooks, Luke Brooks, Stewart Brooks, Brad Brooks and Stephen Brooks.
He also leaves behind special friends and cancer buddies, Dickie “Dawg” Mayberry and wife, Juanita, James Downey and wife, Judy, Calvin Kennon and wife, Pat, and a host of caring friends, neighbors and relatives.
Joe was a special, courageous, generous and unique husband, daddy, papa and friend. He will remain in many hearts and memories forever.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to the physicians and staff of Lynchburg HEM/ONC, Radiation Oncology and deepest gratitude for the staff at Lynchburg General Hospital 4E Oncology for all their special care and attention given to our loved one.
The family received friends Aug. 14, at Whitten Monelison Chapel and other times at the residence.
Graveside services were held Aug. 15, at Fort Hill Memorial Park, with Pastors Bill Evans, Sam Smith and Shane Branham officiating.
Joe, you are loved and will be missed. You have left a lasting impression on every life you touched.
To send a condolence to the family, please visit www.whit
tenfuneralhome.com.
Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is serving the family.

Mary Hall Brooks Childress
Mary Childress, 91, of Lynchburg died Aug. 12. She was the wife of the late John W. Brooks and Osby Childress.
Born Oct. 10, 1916, in Campbell County, she was a daughter of the late Ernest Linwood Hall and the late Virginia Hicks Hall. In addition, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Rufus, Raleigh, Russell and Roy Hall; and three sisters, Gladys Hall, Mae McFadden and Eleanor Lucille Lynch.
Mrs. Brooks retired from General Electric after 18 years of service. She was a member of Bethesda Presbyterian Church for approximately 65 years until the church closed. She served in many capacities, including deaconess and the Ladies Circle Meetings. She most recently was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, whose pastor is the Rev. Marge Anderson.
She is survived by two sons, Glen Brooks and wife, Alese, of Rustburg and Harold Brooks and wife, Jean, of Forest; a daughter, Phyllis Brooks Fisher and husband, Carlton, of Evington; two brothers, Boone Hall of Lynchburg and Neil Hall of Rustburg; three sisters, Delores Farris of Lynchburg. and Wilmuth Nicholas and Erlene Morris, both of Madison Heights; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
The family received friends Aug. 15, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, and other times at her daughter’s home at 818 Mortimer Drive, Evington. A funeral service was conducted Aug. 16, in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home. Interment followed in Spring Hill Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 108 Melinda Drive, Lynchburg, Va. 24502; or Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 823, Lynchburg, Va. 24505.
Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.

Freddie F. Davis
Freddie F. Davis, 79, of Gladstone, passed away Aug. 15. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lavern Pitts Davis.
Born in Nov. 10, 1928, in Milan, Ga, he was the son of the late Edgar Davis and the late Bessie Cravey Davis. He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church and had retired from the Virginia Fibre Corp. after 18 years of employment.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by twin infant sons, Larry and Karey Davis and by two brothers and six sisters.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children: Wayne Davis and wife, Felicia, of Huddleston, Diane Goff and husband, David, of Monroe, Sandra Shivers and husband, David, of Ft. Gaines, Ga., and Lisa Farmer and husband, Macky, of Gladstone; nine grandchildren: Jarrod Davis and wife, Sunni, of Snellville, Ga., Michele Wisskirchen and husband, Klaus, of Lynchburg, Kim Adams of Lynchburg, Heather Harrell and husband, Ryan, of Blakely, Ga., and Jeremiah Farmer of Bluefield, Nicholas Farmer and Andrew Farmer, both of Pulaski, Amanda Huskin of Charlottesville and Dalton Huskin of Gladstone; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Aug. 18 at Whitten Monelison Chapel by the Rev. Michael Casey and the Rev. Charles Schooler. Interment followed in Briarwood Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, PO Box 67, Gladstone, Va. 24553.
Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, 434-929-5712 is assisting the family.
To send a condolence online, please visit www.whit
tenfuneralhome.com.

Margaret Johnson Cunningham Davis
Margaret Johnson Cunningham Davis, 92, died Aug. 8 at her residence. She was the widow of Richard Emmet Davis.
Born at Gunston Hall Plantation, she was the daughter of the late William Minor Johnson and the late Rosa Rea Johnson.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.
In 1934, she married Edward J. Cunningham of Hopewell. They traveled abroad on job assignments to Lima, Peru, and Santiago and Santo Domingo, Chile, where they lived for several months on the coast.
After World War II, they divorced. She moved to Charlottesville where she worked as a cosmetologist for 22 years, during which time she met and was married to Richard E. Davis in 1971.
After she and her husband retired in 1978, they moved to Orange City, Fla., and became members of the Orange City United Methodist Church. In July 1997, they moved to Lynchburg.
She is survived by three step-children, Barry Davis and his wife, Gwen, of Ruckersville, Richard E. Davis Jr. and Margo Davis, both of Charlottesville; two step- granddaughters, Karen Tinsley and her husband, Marcus, and Kelly Davis, both of Ruckersville; three step-great grandchildren, Elijah, Kasean and Khalil; 18 nieces and nephews and a special friend, Judy Argenbright of Madison Heights.
A funeral service was conducted Aug. 11, at Whitten Timberlake Chapel by the Rev. Gary Moore. Interment followed at Fort Hill Memorial Park.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, Va. 24503.
To send condolences and messages online, please go to www.whittenfuneral
home.com.
Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation/Timberlake Chapel is serving the Davis family.

Mary Brown Dunnaway
Mary Brown Dunnaway, 96, of Aspen Road, Phenix, passed away Aug. 11 at her home. She was twice married, first to the late William Francis Brown and second to Jesse Morgan Dunnaway Sr. of Gladys.
Mrs. Dunnaway was born in Nelson County, May 10, 1912, daughter of the late Robert Henry Harris and Mary Wright Harris. She was a member of Staunton River Baptist Church and a former employee of Burlington Industries, Brookneal.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son, William Alexander Brown and fiancé, Gretchen Doyle, of Phenix; three daughters, Barbara B. Pillow and husband, the late Hugh D., of Phenix, Shirley B. Dudley and husband, C.W., of Lynchburg and Linda B. Hamlett and husband, Ernest Elton, of Lynchburg; one step-son, Jesse M. Dunnaway Jr. of Madison Heights; two step-daughters, Gloria D. Roakes of Rustburg and Judy D. Smullen of Gladys; and 15 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, seven step-greatgrandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, nine step-great-great-granchildren, five great-great-great-grandchildren and five step-great-great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two great-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.
A funeral service was conducted Aug. 14 at Staunton River Baptist Church, Aspen, by the Rev. David Hill of Staunton River Baptist Church and the Rev. Louis Beckwith of Calvary Baptist Church, Lynchburg. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
The family was to receive friends Aug. 13, at Henderson Funeral Home, Brookneal, and other times at the residence of her daughter, Barbara B. Pillow of Phenix.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of The Hills, 3300 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg,Va. 24503.
Henderson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Brookneal, is in charge of arrangements.

James Edward Hill
James Edward Hill, 94, of Madison Heights passed away Aug. 6 in Lynchburg. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Dorothy Drinkard Hill. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Born March 20, 1914, in Campbell County, he was a son of the late James and Vermont Burge Hill. He was a member of Fairview Christian Church and was retired from Esteppe Oldsmobile after 52 years of service. He was also preceded in death by a son, James E. “Buddy” Hill Jr.; a brother, Bobby Hill of Roanoke; and a sister, Thelma Barricklow of Riverside, Calif.; and two grandchildren.
Survivors also include two daughters, Dorothy H. Stitt, and significant other, Chuck Phillips, of Conway, S.C., and Linda H. Davis and husband, Bill, of Lynchburg; daughter-in-law, Erica Hill (James E. “Buddy” Hill Jr.) of Goode; two brothers, Floyd Hill and wife, Flossie, and Walker E. Hill and wife, Patricia, all of Lynchburg; four sisters, Estelle Hill Austin, Lois Kershaw, Margaret Almond and husband, Bill, all of Lynchburg, and Alice Kirby, and husband, Bill, of Arlington; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was conducted Aug. 9 at Whitten Monelison Chapel by the Rev. D. Jack Hamilton. Interment followed at Fort Hill Memorial Park.
Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is assisting the family. To send a condolence to the family, please visit, www.whittenfuneral
home.com.

Garnett Arley Mills Sr.
Garnett Arley Albert Mills Sr. of Concord died Aug. 7 at Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was the husband of Jean Beaushaw Mills for 61 years.
Born in Ypsilanti, Mich., on Jan. 19, 1928, he was a son of the late Albert F. and Sarah Winifred Greene Mills.
Garnett was a retired B-operator with the Virginia Department of Transportation, and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a member of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, the Stonewall Antique Power Association and the Lynchburg Area Antique Car Club.
In addition to his wife, Garnett is survived by a sister, Marjorie M. Horton of Ann Arbor, Mich.; a son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Holly Mills of Madison Heights; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sally and Greg Tyree of Madison Heights, and Dinah and Oscar Babb of Franklin; a son-in-law, Paul Allen of Concord; a daughter-in-law, Laura Mills of Concord; a sister-in-law, Mary Mills of Belleville, Mich.; six grandsons and two granddaughters; four great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jeanene M. Allen; a son, Garnett A. Mills Jr.; grandson, Jeremy A. Tyree; and 11 brothers and sisters.
A celebration of life service was held Aug. 10, at Robinson Funeral Home by LEM Ronald C. Spiggle and the Rev. Robert Thorne.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, 1030 Oakville Road, Appomattox, Va. 24522; or the American Heart Association, 2395 South Fork Road, Appomattox, Va. 24522.
Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family and an online condolence may be sent by visiting www.robinsonfuneral.com.

Charles D. O’Brien Jr.
Charles Davis (C.D.) O’Brien, Jr., 71, of Spruce Lane, died Aug. 16 in Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the husband of the late Eva Mae Williams O’Brien. C.D. was born in Appomattox County on April 29, 1937, a son of the late Viola Reynolds and Charles Davis O’Brien, Sr. He was a retired employee of Lynchburg Foundry and a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War.
He is survived by two sons, Sam O’Brien and his wife, Tina, of Lynchburg, and Robert O’Brien and his wife, Janet, of Louisiana; a step-daughter, Rhonda Franklin and her husband, Rodney, of Madison Heights; two sisters, Mary Lou Roberts of Greensboro, N.C. and Betty Mae Holt of Richmond; six grandchildren, Ryan and Alley O’Brien of Lynchburg; Lacy O’Brien of Louisiana; and Wendy Coley, Amy and Daisy Faulconer, all of Madison Heights.
A graveside funeral service was conducted Aug. 19 at Spout Spring Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Mike Dodson Jr.
The family received friends at Robinson Funeral Home.
Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family and an online condolence may be sent at www.robinsonfuneral.com.

Fred Thomas Painter
Fred Thomas Painter, 68, of Piney River died Aug. 12 at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. Born in Nelson County on Aug. 24, 1939, he was the son of the late Wallace and Eddie Elizabeth Lawhorn Painter. Fred enjoyed hunting and fishing and loved his six dogs. He had been employed in road paving for Blakemore Construction. In addition to his parents his wife, Edith Wood Painter, preceded him in death.
He is survived by two brothers, Eugene (Gene) Painter and his wife, Shirley, of Orange, and John Douglas (Doug) Painter and his wife, Elizabeth Ann, of Roseland; one sister, Shirley Painter Deaton of Amherst; numerous nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.
A funeral service was conducted Aug. 14 at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home by Dr. Reed Ness and the Rev. Carroll Martin with burial to follow in Jonesboro Cemetery. The family received friends at the funeral home.

Dorothy Wood Parsons
Dorothy Wood Parsons, 90, of Lynchburg, went to sleep in the arms of Jesus Aug. 14.
Born in Lynchburg on Dec. 23, 1917, she was a daughter of the late Linwood Clifton and Corrie Cheatham Wood. On April 17, 1937, she married her husband of 71 years, Thomas James Parsons. Dorothy was a member of Mountain View Church of God and retired from Leighton Heel and Counter.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, Thomas James Parsons Jr. and his wife, Priscilla Dawn, of Concord and Dorothy Ann Parsons of Monroe; two sisters, Margaret Sublett and Arlene Irby, both of Lynchburg; five grandchildren, Sharon Austin, Robert Parsons, Angela Mason, William Parsons and Jeremy Parsons; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Donald Wayne Parsons; a grandson, James Albert Parsons; six brothers; and three sisters.
The family received friends Aug. 16 at Robinson Funeral Home, Appomattox, followed by graveside funeral services in Liberty Cemetery by the Rev. Jack Hamilton.
Those wishing to make memorials please consider the Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, Va. 24502.
Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family and an online condolence may be sent at www.robinsonfuneral.com.

Dennis Wayne Power Sr.
Dennis Wayne Power Sr., 58, of Lynchburg passed away Aug. 9 at his residence.
Born April 29, 1950, in Lynchburg, he was a son of the late Jack Bray Power and is survived by his mother, Mildred Maddox Power. He was also preceded in death by a half brother, James “Tony” Johnson.
Survivors also include a son, Dennis Wayne Power Jr. and wife, Michelle, of Lynchburg; two brothers, Jack Barry Power and wife, Brenda, of Madison Heights and Alan Francis Power and wife, Roxanne, of Staunton; a sister, Jane P. Gallier and husband, Roy Allen Jr., of Lynchburg; grandchildren, Skylar and Rudy Power; nephew, Randy Power of Lynchburg; two nieces, Allison and Brihanna; a great-niece, Amber; and other relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Johnson Health Center, 320 Federal St., Lynchburg, Va. 24504.
Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Park Avenue Chapel, is assisting the family. To send a condolence to the family, please visit, www.whittenfuneralhome.com.

Doris W. Shuler
On Aug. 11, God called one of his angels home. Doris W. Shuler of Madison Heights passed away at Fairmont Crossing after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Born July 1, 1932, in Marion, she was the daughter of the late Nannie and Wesley Williams and the wife of the late Robert (Bob) Shuler. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Herbert, Clarence and Dewey; and four sisters, Virginia, Mary, Thelma and Dorothy.
Mrs. Shuler was a lifelong member of Northside Baptist Church and nothing gave her more pleasure than being in the House of the Lord. She was a retired employee of General Electric Co. with 29 years of service.
She is survived by three daughters, Nancy Tyree and her husband, Tommy, and Barbara White and her husband, G.P., all of Madison Heights, and Helen Pugh and her husband, Gary, of Charlotte Court House; six grandchildren, Brenda, Amy, Robert, Teresa, Melissa and Sarah; and seven great-grandchildren, Ashley, Zach, Logan, Serinna, Noah, Bailey and Hailey.
The family wishes to express a sincere thank you to Fairmont Crossing for the care given to our mother during her six-month stay with them.
A funeral service was conducted Aug. 14 at Whitten Monelison Chapel by the Rev. Jacob Uthup. Interment followed in Meade Cemetery.
The family received friends Aug. 13, at the funeral home and other times at the home of her daughter, Nancy, 129 Main St., Madison Heights.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Northside Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association.
To send a condolence to the family, please go to www.whit
tenfuneralhome.com.
Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is serving the family.

Geraldine Patterson Thornton
At her residence on Aug. 5, the Lord sounded the trumpet for Geraldine Patterson Thornton to come home.
Geraldine was born Nov. 8, 1941, to the late Sidney and Melinda Robinson. She was the wife of Moses Thornton. She was preceded in death by her two sons, Leon Thornton and Jerry Patterson.
She joined the Second Mineral Spring Baptist Church at an early age.
In addition to her husband of Gladstone, she leaves to cherish her memory five daughters, Lucille Ellis (Eddie) of Amherst, Mary Al-tamimi of Roanoke, Jessie Adams (Robert) of Bremo Bluff, Rachel Thornton (David) of Amherst and Helen Faye Yeager (Sean) of Gladstone; four sons, Alfonso Patterson, Robert Thornton (Daphne) both of Gladstone, James Thornton (Norma) of Amherst and Moses Thornton (Tammy) of Gladstone; daughter-in-law, Delores Patterson; 37 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; two sisters, Nannie Moss (Robert) and Sarah Morris (Clinton), both of Gladstone; one sister-in-law, Clara Jones (Charles); two brothers, William Robertson (Joyce) of Gladstone and John Robinson (Carrie) of Appomattox; a devoted friend, Alberta Brown; a host of devoted nieces, nephews and cousins; and other family and friends.
A funeral service was conducted Aug. 10 at Community Funeral Home, with the Rev. Lewis Lee, eulogist. Interment was in the Thornton Family Cemetery, Gladstone. The family is receiving friends at 80 Robertson Lane, Gladstone.
Condolences can be e-mailed to comfuneral@aol.com. Community Funeral Home is directing.