Obituaries - July 23, 2008

Dorothy Blanks Bruner

Dorothy Blanks Bruner, 80, formerly of Madison Heights, died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Guggenheimer Nursing Home. She was the wife of the late James Cooley Bruner.
Born in Amherst County, Nov. 8, 1927, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Malcolm Blanks and Lottie Ann Brown Blanks. She was retired from General Electric and was a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph M. Blanks, Jr. and Louis M. Blanks, and three sisters, Mary B. Swan, Anne B. Ewers and Frances B. Wade.
Survivors include her devoted brother in law, Hugh Swan of Madison Heights, and three nieces, Harriett Cash, Dorothy Bryant, and Gayle Horn.
Graveside services were conducted Monday, July 21, at Amherst Cemetery with the Rev. David Heerspink officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Thomas Road Baptist Church. Whitten Monelison Chapel is serving the family.

Minor P. Campbell

Minor P. Campbell, 81, of Huntington, W.Va., passed away Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Cabell Huntington Hospital.
Funeral services were conducted today, July 24, 2008 at the Reger Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Teresa Waldeck. Burial followed in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville, W.Va.
He was born Sept. 7, 1926, in Amherst County, a son of the late Stephen E. and Mamie Campbell. He was a retired foreman with Martin Steel and a member of the Central Church of the Nazarene.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter. Debbie Lambert; great–grandson Steven Cazad; four brothers, Edward T. Campbell, Bland L. Campbell, James Campbell and Henry Campbell; and three sisters Charlotte Saunders, Thelma Mays and Eva Coffey.
Survivors include his wife LaDonna R. Fogle Campbell; two daughters and sons-in-law, Patty and John Cazad, Carmella and Dale Ward; five grandchildren and their spouses, Jim and Leigh Ann Cazad, Jason Cazad and his fiancée’ Robin Booth, Scott Lambert, Chris and Tori Ward, Shane and Bobbi Ward; 10 great-grandchildren, Carleigh, Chloe, Josiah, Makaya, Jaxson Cazad, Kealynn, Ryan, Ali Ward and Savannah and Tyler Black, and three brothers, Stephen Campbell, Jr., Franklin D. Campbell and Charlie W. Campbell.

Kenneth Robert 'Tink’ Casey

Kenneth Robert “Tink” Casey, 77, of Amherst passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at Virginia Baptist Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was married to Joyce Sligh Casey for 52 years and was her hero and best friend. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
Born April 3, 1931, in Amherst County, he was a son of the late Charlie Travis and Lois Martin Casey and was also preceded in death by his brother, Charlie Norman Casey of Maryville, Tenn. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and was member of Randolph Memorial Baptist Church.
He retired from his own business, K.R. Casey Home Improvement, Roofing, and Gutters, after 35 years. He was well-known for his great work.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Pamela Casey Kidd and her husband, Stephen, and Donna Casey Crews, all of Madison Heights; two grandchildren, Kristi Nicole Falwell of Las Vegas, Nev., and Robbie Alan Crews of Madison Heights; two brothers, Clinton Richard Casey of Charlotte, N.C., and Marion Francis Casey of Madison Heights; and his special little friend, his little cocker spaniel Courtney, whom he loved so much.
A graveside service with military honors by American Legion Post 16 was conducted Friday, July 18, 2008, at Briarwood Memorial Gardens by the Rev. D. Jack Hamilton.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Dwight Oldham, Dr. Thomas Nygaard and to the skilled-care nurses at Virginia Baptist Hospital for the wonderful care they provided during Mr. Casey’s illness.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the Alan B. Pearson Cancer Center.
To send a condolence to the family, please visit www.whitt
enfuneralhome.com. Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is serving the Casey family.

Adrian Rudolph Cash

Adrian Rudolph Cash, 88, of Horseshoe Road, Appomattox, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the Appomattox Health and Rehabilitation Center, following a lengthy illness. He was the husband of Dorothy Jennings Cash for 61 years.
Born in Amherst County, Aug. 12, 1919, he was a son of the late Henry Randolph and Betty Stinnett Cash. In 1938, he graduated from Amherst High School, where he excelled as a Future Farmer of America. For more than 10 years he was the assistant librarian for Amherst County, where he was instrumental in guiding young people to enjoy the love of reading. Adrian will always be remembered for his love of family, reading and farming, which was his chosen career, but also his hobby and great love.
While living in Amherst County, he was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church. Upon moving to Appomattox, he joined Mount Comfort United Methodist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Henry Rudolph (Rudy) and Rose Cash of Gladys, and Daniel (Danny) Adrian and Brenda Cash of Appomattox; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Ellen and Richard (Dick) Haley of Springfield, Ohio; five grandchildren, Melissa Cash, Shane Cash, Brian Haley, Adria Haley and Scotty Cash; two step-grandchildren, Rick Haley and Stephen Haley; two step-great-grandchildren, Ashley and Zoe Haley; a brother-in-law, William B. Morris of Amherst; and a sister-in-law, Louise A. Cash.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Thomas Adrian Cash; a brother, Henry Malcolm Cash; and a sister, Althea C. Morris.
Graveside funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 19, 2008, in Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Cemetery, Amherst, by the Rev. Robert Thorne and the Rev. Roger Wilcher.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the Appomattox Health and Rehabilitation Center and to the Hospice of Virginia for the wonderful care given to their loved one.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions please consider the American Heart Association 2395 South Fork Road, Appomattox, VA 24522, or the General Fund of Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church, 4901 Oakville Road, Appomattox, VA 24522.
Robinson Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family and an online condolence may be sent at www.robinsonfuneral.com.

Betty R. B. Cash

Betty Ruth Banks Carter, 69 of Amherst, departed this life Sunday, July 20, 2008 at Fairmont Crossing. She was the daughter of the late Henry and Mamie Beverly. Mrs. Carter was an active member of St. Peter’s Baptist Church, where she served on the Deaconess Board. She was a devoted wife and mother who loved gardening, flea markets and yard sales.
She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Alfred L. Carter; one son, Alfred Carter Jr. of Amherst; one daughter Kathy D. Henderson and her husband, Karon, Sr.; one grandson Karon, Jr. of Richmond; two brothers, Joe Beverly and wife Mary, and David Beverly all of Amherst; five sisters, Hattie Crews of Lynchburg, Margaret Beverly of Boston, Mass., Maxine Harris and husband Walter, and Mamie Beverly, all of Columbus, Ohio; Lucille Beverly of Philadelphia, Penn.; and numerous other loving relatives and friends. Two brothers, Thomas Banks and Henry Beverly Jr. also preceded her in death.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. today, Thursday, July 24, 2008 at St. Peter’s Baptist Church with the Rev. Margaret Nelson officiating. Burial followed in the Carter Family Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff and nurses at Fairmont Crossing for their loving care of Betty.

NIra P. ‘Pitt’ Freeman

Ira Pittman “Pitt” Freeman, 86, died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Runk and Pratt Adult Care Center in Forest. He was the husband of Doris Elder Freeman after 65 years of wonderful marriage.
Born in Lynchburg, he was the son of the late Willis Walker Freeman Sr. and the late Nellie Grace Gowen Freeman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Carroll Freeman and Ronald Freeman; one brother, Charlie Lyle Freeman, and one sister, Mary Freeman.
Pitt was a long time and faithful member of Madison Heights Baptist Church and a retired employee of C&P Telephone Company after 40 years of service.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, David E. Freeman of Madison Heights; one brother, Willis Walker Freeman, Jr. and his wife, Mamie of Madison Heights; four grandchildren. and six great grandchildren.
The family is deeply grateful for the loving care of Pitt from the employees of Runk and Pratt in Forest and the folks at Hospice of the Hills.
A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at Madison Heights Baptist Church by Dr. Tim Madison. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.
The family requests that those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider the Madison Heights Baptist Church, 329 Main St., Madison Heights, VA 24572.
Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Service/Monelison Chapel is serving the Freeman family.

Minnie Storey Harris

Minnie Storey Harris, 93, of Madison Heights, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 19, 2008. She was the wife of the late William Walker “Brown” Harris.
Minnie was born on May 29, 1915, in Amherst County, a daughter of the late Walter Hescott Story and the late Lillian Traylor Story.
She is survived by her sons, Norman Wallace Harris and wife, Vivian, and Robert Wayne “Bobby” Harris and wife, Jan, both of Madison Heights; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and her sister, Virginia Story Tyree and husband, Warren of Lynchburg.
Minnie was a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church and a retired seamstress with Wilko Uniform Company.
In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by her brothers, Lloyd Dayton Story, Gorden Erastus Story, James Russell “Dick” Story, Henry Theo “Pap” Story, Hamner Brown “Buster” Story, Wilson Carrington Story and Alexander Owen Story.
A funeral service was conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at Tharp Funeral Home with the Rev. David Heerspink and the Rev. Charlie Harbin officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Hill Memorial Park.
The family request that those wishing to make memorial contributions in Minnie’s memory please consider, Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24503.
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.

Kathlean Higginbotham

Kathlean Higginbotham, 83, of West Court Street, Amherst, departed this life Wednesday, July 16, 2008, at Virginia Baptist Hospital. Kathlean was born March 17, 1925, to the late Sadie Smith Beverly and Eldridge W. Beverly.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother.
She was an active member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where she served on the Usher Board and was pianist for the Senior choir. She also worked in the Amherst County school system.
She is survived by her husband, Epoch C. Higginbotham of Amherst; two sons, the Rev. Andra Higginbotham of Amherst and Taji Khatib “T.K.” of Tampa, Fla.; one daughter, Freda Thomas (Gary) of Madison Heights; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
A funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, with the Rev. Kelvin R. Brown officiating. Interment will be in the Christian Aid Cemetery. Her remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service.
Community Funeral Home is directing.

R. Keith McElwain

R. Keith McElwain, 75, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2008. Keith was born in Richwood, W.Va., but resided most of his life in Nelson County.
He was a retired carpenter for the Lynchburg Training School and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He and his wife Betty moved to Northwest Florida eight years ago to enjoy life. Keith was a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Betty McElwain, of Milton; three children, Nancy (John) Kirt, of Nelson County, Robert McElwain of Florida, and Elma (Marty) Taylor of Georgia; three grandchildren, Austin (Candi) Jones, of Florida, Elizabeth (Mike) Hensley of Amherst County, and Douglas Kirt of Nelson County; one great-grandchild, Nathaniel Hensley; three sisters, Rachel Grenier, of Virginia, and Peggy Street and Kathleen Wallace, of Florida and numerous friends.
Funeral services for Mr. McElwain were conducted Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Price officiating. Burial followed in Barrancas National Cemetery. Visitation was at 11 a.m., prior to the service.
Pallbearers were Tony Broxton, Mike Cappel, Jacob Coffey, Marlyn Buffington, Carl Tutt, Sr., and Chuck Queene.
Friends may send condolences to Miriam’s House, Box 3196, Lynchburg, VA 24503.

Kathleen Susanne Stonelake

Kathleen Susanne “Katie Sue” Stonelake, of Amherst, died on Wednesday, July 16, 2008.
She was born on April 19, 2008, a daughter of Sunnie Wacholtz Stonelake and Steven M. Stonelake.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sisters and brother, Ashley, Samantha, Sara, Jonathan and Emilee Stonelake all of Amherst; her maternal grandparents, Kathleen and Bill Wacholtz, of Amherst; her paternal grandmother and step-grandfather, Susanne Stonelake and Charles Johnson of Florida. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Gary Stonelake.
A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, in the Tharp Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Nancy Purcell officiating.
Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.