Obituaries for July 28, 2010

Betty Lee Vaughan

On a beautiful summer morning, we looked for Betty Lee Vaughan, but God had called her home at the age of 72. Betty Lee Vaughan departed this life on July 20 at her residence. She was born on May 5, 1938, to the late Samuel W. Allen and Annie Coleman Allen.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Geneva Allen and Mary C. Toliver; one brother, Warren Russell Allen; a step-granddaughter, Shrasha Allen, and a daughter-in-law, Lisa Vaughan.

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband, Thomas Vaughan; her children, Thomas Vaughan, David (Bernice) Vaughan, John Vaughan and Jeffrey Vaughan, all of Amherst, Vincent (Rolanda) Vaughan, of Shipman, Samuel (Barbara) Vaughan, of Monroe, Kenneth (Troie) Vaughan and Wayne Vaughan, both of Waynesboro, Roberta Vaughan, of Arrington, Melton (Stephanie) Vaughan, of Louisa, Melvin Vaughan, of Amherst, and one stepson, Wayne (Juanita) Allen, of Madison Heights. She is also survived by 33 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three loving sisters, Shirley (James) Hagar, Roberta (James) Hudson and Louise Toliver; a brother, Louis (Mary) Allen; a brother-in-law, Charlie (Alice) Vaughan, a devoted niece, Sandra Glover, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and a watch care member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. Betty Lee loved to sing and she was a member of many choirs, including the Mt. Pleasant Senior Choir and Zion Hill. Betty also was an employee of Amherst County Public Schools for 19 years. She also was employed by UVa and the Central Virginia Training Center.

A funeral service was held July 24 by the Rev. Vincent Vaughan at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home.

Janice Stouffer Whiting

Janice Stouffer Whiting, 89, of Amherst, died July 15. She was the wife of the late John Taylor “Jack” Whiting. Born Jan. 26, 1921, in Coatesville, Pa., she was the daughter of the late Edwin DeWitt and Maybelle Martin Stouffer.

Mrs. Whiting was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother and a friend to all. She was a member of Amherst Presbyterian Church. Jan also was an accomplished local artist and founding member of the Amherst-Nelson Alliance for the Arts. She also was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Whiting was a deep-sea fisherwoman and an avid golfer, who was a member of the Winton Country Club. She was also a member of the American Women’s Club in Freeport, Bahamas, and a lifetime member of the Amherst Women’s Club. Mrs. Whiting also served as a member of the Amherst Lifesaving Crew Support Group as well as the Amherst Garden Club.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Whiting was preceded in death by one son, John S. Whiting, and one daughter, Judith W. Myers.

Mrs. Whiting is survived by two daughters, Sharon Whiting, of Illinois, and Wendy Whiting Paris, of Amherst; two sons, Richard J. Whiting, of Texas, and Mark D. Whiting and his wife, Alicia, of Richmond; a daughter-in-law, Bonnie Whiting, of Colorado; seven grandchildren, Tad Myers, of Amherst, Matthew Myers and his wife, Shana, of California, Michael Mahnke and his wife, Michelle, of Illinois, Tim Urban, of Illinois, Steve Whiting and his wife, Heather, of Colorado, Stacy Foster and her husband, Joshua, of Colorado and Jake Paris, of Lynchburg; and five great-grandchildren, Hannah and Lauren Foster, Tiffany and Kimberly Myers and Tristan Whiting.

A memorial service was conducted July 22 at Whitten Monelison Chapel with Pastor Clyde Mawyer Jr. officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Amherst Presbyterian Church building fund, P.O. Box 809, Amherst, VA 24521, or the Amherst Life Saving Crew.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com.

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

India Cobb Thacker

India Cobb Thacker, 91 of Amherst, went to be with her heavenly father July 25. She was preceded in death by her husband, Headley Thomas Thacker.

Born March 5, 1919, in Prince Edward County, she was the daughter of the late William and Nannie Elam Cobb. She also was preceded in death by five brothers, John Henry Cobb, Christopher Bass Cobb, Jasper McFarland Cobb, William Thomas Cobb, and Ernest Wilson Cobb.

Mrs. Thacker was a member of Clifford Baptist Church and taught Sunday school for 35 years. She was a former member of the Sarah Henry Garden Club and was a gifted artist.

Survivors include two children, Jimmy Thacker and wife, Doris, of Madison Heights, and Sally T. Cope and husband, William, of Amherst; four grandchildren, Jennifer Fagan and husband, Scott, of Fairfax, Daniel Cope and wife, Raylene, of Madison Heights, Hannah and Rachael Cope, of Amherst; and two great-grandsons, Addison and Taylor Fagan.

A funeral service was conducted July 27 at Clifford Baptist Church by the Rev. Michael R. Fitzgerald. Interment followed in Amherst Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Clifford Baptist Church, Building Fund, or to the American Cancer Society.

To send a condolence to the family, visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com. Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is assisting the family.

Warren Milton Pucket

Warren Milton Puckett, 85, of Lynchburg, passed away July 18 at his residence. He was the loving and devoted husband of Erlene Carr Puckett for 59 years.

Born in Lynchburg on June 21, 1925, he was a son of the late William H. Puckett Jr. and Minnie Wright Puckett. He was retired from Lynchburg Foundry, a U.S. Navy World War II veteran and a member of Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Deborah McGlothlin and her husband, Michael, and Teresa P. Bell, all of Lynchburg; a brother, Pete Puckett, and his wife, Helen, of Lynchburg; three sisters, Myrtle Virginia Conte and her husband, Frank, of Lynchburg, Cordelia Ann Pillow, of Madison Heights, and Peggy Sexton of Lexington, N.C.; and five grandchildren, Ryan Bell, Kristen Bell, Brandon McGlothlin, Jason McGlothlin and wife, Stephanie, and Whitney McGlothlin.

The family would like to thank Gentle Sheppard Hospice for the kindness and support shown to them and the special caregivers, Marilyn, Angela, Tammy and Kelly.

A graveside funeral service was conducted July 21 in Fort Hill Memorial Park by the Rev. Earl Clarkson, with military honors provided by American Legion Post 16.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gentle Sheppard Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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

Ethel Wright Owen

Ethel Wright Owen, of Madison Heights, passed away July 20 in Lynchburg General Hospital after a brief illness. She was the widow of Thomas J. “T.J.” Owen.

Born Sept. 30, 1912, in Amherst County, she was a daughter of the late Moses and Sarah Cash Wright. She was a longtime member of Temple Baptist Church, where she also served as a greeter. She was a retired charge aide from Central Virginia Training Center after more than 25 years of service. She was involved with the Fifty Plus Prayer Chain and the Fifty Plus Senior Group at Thomas Road Baptist Church.

She is survived by her nephews, J.T. Campbell, Junior Campbell, Tommy Campbell, Wesley, Lawrence, Ronnie and James Wright and the Rev. Paul Campbell; and her nieces, Shelby Long, Polly Ogden, Jewel Lipscomb, Irene Giangualano, Joyce Sellick, Myrtle Shreve, Christine Floyd, Margaret Webster and Barbara Cash.

A celebration of Ethel’s life and faith was held July 23 at Diuguid Wiggington Road Chapel with Pastor J.D. Surbaugh and the Rev. Earl Clarkson officiating. Entombment was in Fort Hill Memorial Park. The family will host a reception for family and friends at Diuguid Wiggington Chapel after the entombment.

Diuguid Funeral Service, Wiggington Road Chapel, is serving the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.diuguidfuneralservice.com.

Virginia Elizabeth Lee

Virginia Elizabeth Lee, 80, of Madison Heights, died peacefully July 20 in Lynchburg.

Virginia (Ginny) was born Jan. 18, 1930, in Lakewood, N.J. She grew up in the Colliers School in Wickatunk, N.J.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Lawrence Lee, of Madison Heights, and is survived by five children: two daughters, Karen and husband, Ray Langford, of Lynchburg, and Mary Ford, of Virginia Beach; and three sons, Wayne and wife, Terry Lee, of Altavista, Ted Lee, of Charlotte, N.C., and Dale Lee, of Lynchburg; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by her dearest friend, Lila Rosenthal, and many others.

A celebration of Virginia’s life was held July 23 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with the Rev. James Gallagher officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Colliers School, 160 Conover Road, Wickatunk, NJ 07765.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.

Freddie Eugene Henson

Freddie Eugene Henson, 80, of Lynchburg, passed away July 19 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor “Cotton” Thomas Henson, and they had just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Freddie was a charismatic person, a devoted husband and cherished his family and friends, giving of his time freely to anyone in need. He never met a stranger and made everyone feel special and good about themselves. Everyone he ever met remembered him. He was blessed with the knowledge that allowed him to do anything.

Born Sept. 5, 1929, in Amherst, he was a son of the late William Fitch Henson and Sarah Mawyer Henson. He was also preceded in death by five brothers, Otis, Curtis, Walter, Harry and Eddie Henson, and two sisters, Mabel Worley and Arabell Campbell.

Survivors also include four children, J. Wayne and wife, Faye, of Forest, Dennis, of Lynchburg, Tony and wife, Beth, of Madison Heights, and Deborah Henson, of Lynchburg; four grandchildren, Christopher and wife, Laura, of Massillon, Ohio, Troy and wife, Dawn, of Lynchburg, Ginny, of Norfolk, and Melissa Henson, of Lynchburg; four great-grandchildren, Emma, Sarah, Carter and Christian Henson; step-grandchildren Jennifer Taylor and Amanda Hubbard, of Madison Heights; step-great grandchildren Caleb and Bree Taylor, of Madison Heights; devoted friends Mary Woody and Robert Layne, of Monroe; and his sidekick, Coco.

He was a member of Elon Baptist Church and a member of Moose Lodge 1727. He was retired from the Lynchburg Foundry after 44 years of service. He had many joys in life, family gatherings, music, hunting, fishing and adventure.

The family received friends July 22 at Whitten Monelison Chapel and at other times at the residence. A funeral service was conducted July 23 at the funeral home by the Rev. Steve Tyree. Interment followed in Briarwood Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Elon Baptist Church.

To send a condolence to the family, visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com.

Richard Dalphas Grooms Jr.

Richard Dalphas Grooms Jr., 83, of 112 Newington Drive, Apt. D, Amherst, departed this life July 18 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was married to the late Mary Lelia Jones Grooms.

He was born March 20, 1927, to the late Richard Grooms Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Grooms. He was a member of the Piney Grove Baptist Church.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Archie, Milton and Selba Grooms; four sisters, Helen and Molly Grooms, Mildred Jasper and Deldridge Hamilton; three sons, Raymond, Terry and Truman Grooms; and one granddaughter, Terika Grooms.

He leaves to cherish his memories one daughter, Zeulia Grooms Burford (Edward), of Monroe; one sister, Mamie Jones, of Amherst; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A homegoing service was conducted July 24 at Piney Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Charles Lewis as eulogist. Interment was in the Grooms Family Cemetery.The family received friends at 584 Cedar Gate Road, Monroe.

Condolences may be e-mailed to comfuneral@aol.com. Community Funeral Home directed.

Maggie M. Grant

Maggie Martin Grant, 84, of Lynchburg, passed away July 21 at Avante at Lynchburg. She was the beloved widow of Walter Morris Grant Jr.

Maggie was born Aug. 15, 1925, in Amherst County, a daughter of the late Nancy T. and Mannie D. Martin. She worked as a dietician at Lynchburg General Hospital. Maggie was a member of West Lynchburg Baptist Church for more than 50 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and an awesome friend.

Along with husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her two sisters, Neather Staton and her husband, Gordon, and Velma Pearl Martin and her husband, Bluford.

Maggie is survived by her daughter, Rebecca K. Davis, and her husband, Willie B. Davis Jr., of Santee, Calif.; her three sons, David J. Grant Sr., Walter C. Grant and his wife, Marie, both of Madison Heights, and Kenneth M. Grant, of Lynchburg; her two sisters, Minnie Williams, of Hickory, N.C., and Addie Martin, of Sweet Briar; her two brothers, William B. Martin and his wife, Thelma C., of Madison Heights, and Arthur D. Martin, of Concord; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and special devoted friend, James Steele, of South Carolina.

A funeral service was held July 23 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel with the Rev. Jonathan Falwell officiating. Burial followed at Fort Hill Memorial Park.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the two guardian angels, Tasha Jacynyk and Ainsley Layne, and to the staff of Avante at Lynchburg and Amedisys Home Health Care.

To send a condolence to the family, visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com.Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Timberlake Chapel, is serving the family.

Richard Daniel Carpenter

Richard Daniel Carpenter, 71, died July 17 at Fairmont Crossing. He was the husband of Gloria Callahan Carpenter.

Born July 19, 1938, in Amherst County, he was a son of the late Malcolm Edward and Margaret Cash Carpenter. He was a retired construction inspector from the Virginia Department of Transportation. He was a member of Ivy Hill United Methodist Church and the Temperance Ruritan Club.

The joy of his life was his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandson, and he loved to fish, hunt and listen to bluegrass music.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Marjorie Carpenter, and special friend, David Niday, of Amherst, Susan Fink, and husband, Glenn, of Crozet, and Gail Herb and special friend, Monty Jennings, of Amherst; two sisters, Janet C. Hollinsworth, and husband, A.J., of Forest, and Joy C. Steele, of Madison Heights; six grandchildren, James Fink, and girlfriend, Ashley Hutchins, of Crozet, Richard Fink, and wife, Heather, of Crozet, Katheryne Fink and fiancé Kevin Ralston, of Palmyra, Christopher A. Carpenter, and wife, Joellen, of Lynchburg, Joshua Neal Herb, of Amherst, and Adam Christopher Herb, of Amherst; a great-grandson, Jackson Gabriel Carpenter, of Lynchburg; and two beloved pets, Buster and Susie.

Funeral services were conducted July 21 at Driskill Funeral Chapel, Amherst, with the Rev. A. Eugene Beverly and Chad Steele officiating. Burial followed in Briarwood Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Temperance Ruritan Club Scholarship Fund or Amherst County Relay for Life.

Mabel Carpenter

Mabel Carpenter, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Amherst, passed away July 16. She was born to the late Massie and Mary Martin.

Mabel was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Carpenter; a son, Jessie T. Carpenter; and a grandson, Raymond Deion Carpenter.

A funeral service was held July 24 at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Amherst, with the Rev. Rodney Harris, the pastor, officiating and the Rev. J.L. Sandidge as eulogist. Interment was in Martin Family Cemetery.

Service rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.

Alene Harris Campbell

Alene Harris Campbell, 86, of Monroe, passed away July 19 at Virginia Baptist Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Campbell.

Born June 7, 1924, in Monroe, she was a daughter of the late T.J. Harris and Annie Jennings Jackson.

She was also preceded in death by a son, Roger Campbell; two granddaughters, Dana Roberson and Kelly Braford; two sisters, Maude Graham and Mae Campbell; and a brother, Charlie Harris.

Mrs. Campbell was an active member of Monroe Church of God.

Survivors include 10 children, James E. Campbell and wife, Nancy, Thomas Campbell and Linda Davis and husband, Wayne, all of Lynchburg, Marie Wooldridge and husband, David, and Donna Newcomb and husband, Howard, both of Monroe, Sondra Ogden and husband, Ralph, of Concord, Susan Campbell, of Monroe, Danny R. Campbell and wife, Lisa, of Lynchburg, Sharon Roberson and husband, Lynn, of Madison Heights, and Clint J. Campbell and wife, Cathy, of Rustburg; two sisters, Edna Cronin, of Monroe, and Marlene Wilmer, of Alexandria; a loving and devoted daughter-in-law, Phyllis Campbell, of Madison Heights, 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family received friends at Monroe Church of God. A funeral service was conducted July 21 at Monroe Church of God by the Rev. Roy S. Newcomb and the Rev. Susan Campbell. Interment followed in Fort Hill Memorial Park.

To send a condolence to the family, visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com.

Whitten Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel, is assisting the family.