OBITUARIES

James O’Sullivan

O’sULLIVan, James Patrick “Pat,” 72, passed away on March 13, 2023, at home in Mechanicsville, Va. he was an accomplished musician (piano/ keyboard) who loved live music of all genres. his joy in life came from being with his family and he was always ready to share a good laugh. Pat enjoyed summertime, fishing with his grandkids and camping and hiking in the mountains. he was preceded in death by his parents, William and Myrtis O’sullivan; and sister, Mary nason. Pat is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 51 years, deborah B. O’sullivan; daughters, emerald d. O’sullivan-Mejia (daniel), heather r. Loffredo (Brian); grandchildren, Penelope, Zachary, ryder, sydney, and Brody; brothers, Billy, Bobby and Kevin O’sullivan; brotherin-law, Tom Blake (Pam); several nieces, a nephew, cousins and friends. a celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Black creek Fire and rescue, 6397 Mcclellan rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23111 or The colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Mary Jane Farmer

JaMes, Veronica, 83, of Mechanicsville, Va., gained her heavenly wings Friday, March 17, 2023. she was preceded in death by her parents, ekas and Marion Tennyson; and her siblings, everette, anita and George. she is survived by her children, Tony norris, david norris (carol), roy norris and Maryann clements (slink); six grandchildren, stephanie, Bryan, Brittany (Thomas), rebecca (Tyler), davena and Toddy; eight great-grandchildren, Gavin, seth, Trevor, Jenny, Bayleigh, Kinsley, cierra and dakota; and three brothers, Paul (Mary), clyde (Judy) and Wise (ella); and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Veronica loved football, yard dipping and nascar. dale earnhardt sr. was her all time favorite and she collected all things “dale sr.” she thoroughly enjoyed getting outside to work on her flower beds. she had a wonderful sense of humor and was always a lot of fun to spend time with. she was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. saturday, april 15, 2023, to celebrate her life at Monaghan Funeral home, 7300 creighton Pkwy., Mechanicsville, Va. 23111. refreshments will be provided.

Ann Whitt

WhITT, ann F., 88, of Mechanicsville, passed peacefully Monday, March 20, 2023. she was born april 26, 1934, in richmond, Va. to the late robert and Virginia Ford. she was preceded in death by her husband, John h. Whitt Jr.; and sisters, norma corr, Katherine sullivan and shirley Bradley. Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Kim Gunter (George); granddaughter, Katie; and great-grandchildren, Madison and Grayson. a graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 27, 2023, at signal hill Memorial Park. Online condolences may be registered at www. bennettfuneralhomes.com.

FarMer, Mary Jane, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, 89, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, went to be with her Lord on Friday, March 17, 2023. Mary Jane was born in augusta county, Virginia on december 28, 1933. af ter graduating from Woodrow Wilson high school, she made her way to richmond, Va. to attend nursing school at Grace hospital. she then met the love of her life, richard Lee Farmer, and they were married six months later. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years; her parents, hallah and alma cox; siblings, James cox, Betty McKay, Martha Whedbee, Jack cox, William cox and sue Painter. she is survived by her brother, Fred cox; sister-in-law, Jean; children, catherine sue sweeney (Bernie), richard Lee Farmer Jr. (Frances) and Mary Gail hubbard (ron); grandchildren, catherine Lee ambrosino (Jarod), charles Justin sweeney (callie), Zebulon Wayde hubbard (Karen), Kelsey Lee hunter (George), Peyton Lee Farmer (Megan) and erin Kathryn Weymouth (Jeb); and great-grandchildren, George hunter III, Tess rosalind ambrosino, Tucker austin ambrosino, Grace delaney ambrosino, Kannon Maddox hunter, conner Justin sweeney, Lawson elyse hunter, Isla Mae Weymouth, charleigh Faith Farmer, Jane anne crewe hunter, Jesse Graves Weymouth and delilah Jane hubbard; and many nieces and nephews. Mary Jane was a long-time member of Fairmount christian church, where she taught sunday school for 13 years. she enjoyed sewing, shopping and cooking, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family. The family received friends from 4 to 6 p.m., sunday, March 26, 2023, at Monaghan Funeral home, 7300 creighton Parkway, Mechanicsville. a memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 27, 2023, at Fairmount christian church, 6502 creighton road, Mechanicsville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Fairmount christian church.

Barbara Ancarrow Fletcher

FLeTcher, Barbara ancarrow, 100, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 21, 2023. she was preceded in death by her husband, Jasper Fletcher; and is survived by her sons, dennis Fletcher (carolyn) and Kenneth Fletcher (donna); four grandchildren, Keith Fletcher (Leyla), candace Wilcox (rhett), Brittani ntumy (anthony) and rachel clark (Jonathan); seven great-grandchildren, conner and colton Wilcox, Zoe and Kaia Fletcher, Landry and ellis clark and Pheobe ntumy; and a special cousin, Betty Bowles (Jimmy). Barbara worked at reynolds Metals and was a bus driver and substitute teacher for hanover county schools. she was a member of cool spring Baptist church for over 65 years. The family received friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Mechanicsville chapel of the Bennett Funeral home, 8014 Lee-davis rd services were held 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at cool spring Baptist church. Interment followed in signal hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to cool spring Baptist church, 9283 atlee station rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23116.

Contributed Report

In partnership with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) will be conducting the first easement-focused Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project in Virginia.

The “Preserving Working Farms and Securing Urban Ag” project will accelerate the rate of land protection in the greater Richmond area to curtail the possibility of having farmland converted to other uses. NRCS is providing up to $1.5 million in financial assistance for the purchase of conservation easements in the target counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan, as well as the city of Richmond.

CRLC and its supporting partners, making use of tax credits and other state incentives, will match the NRCS funds, bringing the total financial assistance for landowners to just under $3 million.

“Conservation easements allow landowners to protect agricultural and forest land from redevelopment,” said Dr. Edwin Martinez Martinez, Virginia’s state conservationist. “NRCS, which offers funding for both ag land and wetland restoration easements, is well-versed in working with landowners interested in preventing the loss of agricultural land in urban settings, securing the future of these smaller spaces.”

CRLC has helped protect roughly 13,000 acres of working farms and forests and currently holds more than 20 easements on over 2,400 acres. With the RCPP project, it is poised to continue protecting vulnerable land and water resources in the Richmond area.

“Capital Region Land Conservancy is pleased to have been awarded RCPP funding through a national merit process and looks forward to deploying these resources to assist producers and landowners to protect working farms as well as preserving urban agriculture sites,” said Parker C. Agelasto, CRLC’s executive director.

Landowners receiving services from the Amelia, Hanover, Dinwiddie and Quinton NRCS service centers may be eligible to participate in this project. Interested individuals must submit a signed CRLC easement application form and complete required forms with NRCS by April 24, 2023, to be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2023.

„ Amelia Service Center: 804-561-2947 (Goochland, Powhatan counties)

„ Hanover Service Center: 804-537-5225 (Hanover County)

„ Dinwiddie Service Center: 804-469-7297 (Chesterfield County)

„ Quinton Service Center: 804-932-4376 (City of Richmond; Charles City, Henrico and New Kent counties).

For more information on Virginia RCPP projects, visit https://www.nrcs.usda. gov/conservation-basics/ conservation-by-state/virginia. To learn more about CRLC projects and activities, visit https://capitalregionland.org.