Mar 11, 2010

The funeral for Sheila Young Hazelwood, 64, who died March 6, 2010, was held Tuesday at Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville, with the Revs. Mike Carrow, Doug Ramsey and Ben Barbour officiating. Entombment was in Roselawn Abbey.

Pallbearers were Ralph Draper, Josh Gammons, Justin Gammons and Tim Gammons.

Mar 11, 2010

George Wayne Love, 60, of 279 North Fork Road, Martinsville, died Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at his home.

Norris Funeral Services and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Mar 11, 2010

A memorial service for Joan Hylton Melchior, 73, of San Antonio, Texas, and formerly of Martinsville, who died March 1, 2010, at the Veterans Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, was held Friday at Jehovah’s Witnesses, Kingdom Hall in San Antonio. Burial was in San Antonio.

She was born in Martinsville on Nov. 11, 1936, to John W. Hylton and Florence Carter Hylton. Her parents preceded her in death.

She graduated from Albert Harris High School in 1955, then attended New York City College in New York.

Surviving are her husband, Helario Melchior of the home in San Antonio; one sister, Marion Hylton Watkins of Martinsville; a brother, Donald Hylton of Fairburn, Ga.; two sons, Helario Melchior Jr. of San Antonio and Douglas Melchior of Japan; a daughter, Earla Lovonza of Dallas, Texas; four grandchildren; a foster sister, Kathy Taylor of Charlotte, N.C.; three aunts; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements were made at Puente and Sons Funeral Chapel in Texas, and local information was provided by Hairston Funeral Home.

Mar 11, 2010

Erie Carter Mitchell, 80, of Summerfield, N.C., died Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at Wesley Long Hospital.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete at Forbis & Dick Funeral Chapel in Stokesdale, N.C.

Mar 11, 2010

The funeral for Ralph Roberson, 88, of Stuart, who died March 9, 2010, at his home, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Elder Melton Roberson and Dr. Roger Hagwood officiating. Burial will be in Patrick Memorial Gardens.

A wake will be held from 12:30 p.m. until time for the service Friday at the funeral home.

Roberson was born in Little Richmond, N.C., on Oct. 30, 1921, to Samuel and Ellen Franklin Roberson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Mitchell Wray Tatum; and 11 siblings, Ida, Effrie, Alice, Lilly, Mallie, Sam, Russell, Chester, Fay, Ray and Robie.

He retired from Easthampton Rubber Thread in 1980, then worked part time at Farmer’s Foods.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Stuart, where he had served as a deacon, trustee, treasurer and custodian.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Madelene Ziegler Roberson of the home; two sons, Elder Larry Tatum of Cleveland, Ohio, and Dr. Houston Roberson of Sewanee, Tenn.; four daughters, Elaine Thomas and Preacher Sheila Thomas, both of Stuart, Teresa Roberson of Charlotte, N.C., and Olivia Givens of Charlotte; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Mar 11, 2010

Christobel Turner Via, 86, of Martinsville, died Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville.

She was born in Henry County on Aug. 15, 1923, to Emmett Turner and Ada Jamerson Turner. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Guy Via; two sisters, Effie Turner and Earle T. Hall; and two brothers, James Joseph Turner and Lewis Woodrow Turner.

She graduated from Perry Business College and retired as a secretary from W.M. Bassett Furniture Co., where she worked for 34 years.

She was a member of Trinity Friends Church.

Surviving are one daughter, Lynda Via Geiger of Marion, Ohio; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville Chapel. Burial will be in Roselawn Burial Park.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Friends Church, 5 Summit St., Martinsville, Va. 24112, or to The Gideons International, Henry County East Camp, P.O. Box 1243, Martinsville, Va. 24114.

Mar 11, 2010

The funeral for Louise Turner West, 82, of Bassett, who died March 8, 2010, was held Wednesday at Bassett Funeral Service with the Rev. Joe Hamilton officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Burial Park.

Pallbearers were Dean Arrington, Tony Bowman, Gene Martin, Jesse Jones, Elwood West Jr. and Scott West.

Virginia A. Wray

A graveside service for Virginia Ann Wray, 86, of Collinsville, who died March 9, 2010, at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Henry Memorial Park with the Rev. Raymond Moorefield officiating.

A reception will follow the service in the reception room at Bassett Funeral Service.

She was born in Pittsylvania County on June 18, 1923, to Ernest Arthur Bennett and Elizabeth Simpson Bennett. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vercil Wray; a son, Claude Wray; and a sister, Frances Joyner.

She was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Collinsville.

Surviving are two sons, Daniel Wray of Martinsville and Richard Wray of Eden, N.C.; a brother, Moncie Eugene Bennett of Martinsville; and several grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Fieldale/Collinsville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 760, Collinsville, Va. 24078, or Bible Baptist Church, 316 Spring Drive, Collinsville, Va. 24078.