8 • Piedmont Shopper© • JUNE 25th- JULY 1st, 2015
Obituaries
“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8
Constance “Connie” Mustain
Elizabeth Irene “Polly” Scearce
Elizabeth Irene “Polly” Scearce, age 82 of Danville, Va., passed away Sunday, June 14, 2015 at Danville Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Scearce was the wife of Earl Rogers Scearce and the daughter of the late Carl and Ruby Jones Williams. She was of the Baptist faith and was a member of The Tabernacle. In addition to her husband Earl, Polly is survived by her daughters: Deana Hughes and Kim Scearce of the home, a sister, Doris Payne (Wilford) of Norfolk, VA, a grandson, Barney Lee Hughes, III (Amy), and two great-grandchildren, Hunter Lee and Aubrey Ryder Hughes. A graveside service will be conducted on June 19, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Highland Burial Park with Rev. John W. Lovelace III officiating. The family respectfully suggests memorial donations be made to Danville Life Saving Crew, 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, VA 24541. Norris Funeral Services, Inc. and Crematory, Mt. Hermon Chapel, Danville is serving the Scearce family. Online condolences may be made at www. norrisfuneral.com.
Bertha Lewis Adkins
Bertha Lewis Adkins, 73 of 2274 South Boston Road, Danville, VA went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 15, 2015 in Duke Medical Center after being in declining health for the past several years. Bertha was born in Danville, VA on August 15, 1941 a daughter of the late Eston “D” Lewis and Lucy Brumfield Lewis. She had lived all of her life in Pittsylvania County and Danville where she was a homemaker or in Bertha’s words a domestic engineer. Bertha was a graduate of Dan River High School Class of 1958 and she was a member of Lakewood Evangelical Methodist Church. On July 1, 1960 she married Wayne O. Adkins, Sr. who survives of the residence. Bertha is also survived by two sons Wayne O. “Buddy” Adkins, Jr. and wife Becky of Ringgold, VA and Lee Adkins and wife Penny of Ringgold, VA; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Along with her parents she was predeceased by on
brother Eston “Dee Dee” Lewis, II. The family will receive friends at the WrennYeatts North Main Chapel on Wednesday, June 17, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and other times they will be at the residence 2274 South Boston Road, Danville, VA 24540. A Private Interment will be conducted at a later date. Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is respectfully serving the Adkins family.
Benjamin Allan Goard
Benjamin Allan Goard, age 59 of Charlotte, NC, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at CMC – Mercy hospital after a decline in health for the past two years. Mr. Goard was born on June 26, 1956, to the late Ben Lee Goard and Alberta Waller Goard who survives. He lived most of his life in Danville, VA and the last twenty years in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Goard was selfemployed and worked as a handyman. In addition to his mother Alberta W. Goard of Danville, VA, he is survived by two children, Jaime Barksdale (Charlie) of Norfolk, VA, Steven Goard of Danville, VA, one brother, Robert Goard, one sister, Mollie G. Huemoeller of Danville, VA. Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is respectfully serving the Goard family.
Robert L. Walker
Robert L. Walker, 62, of Keeling, VA, passed away on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at his residence. The family will have a private service at a later date. Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is respectfully serving the Walker family.
Fred C. Moss
Fred C. Moss, 79, of 2749 Vandola Rd departed this world and entered the gates of Heaven at 2:45 AM on Monday, June 22, 2015. Arrangements will be forth coming. The family will be at the residence. Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel is serving the Moss family.
Constance “Connie” Mustain born on September 19, 1926, a daughter of Swanson and Mattie Maxie Kimpleton, left this world to be with her Lord in Heaven on June 18, 2015. Connie was born in Danville, Virginia and was raised in Schoolfield, she worked until her retirement at the C&P telephone company. She married Coleman Mustain who predeceased her and they lived on their farm in Chatham, Virginia. After Coleman’s death she moved back to Danville and was a faithful member of Schoolfield Baptist Church. Connie enjoyed and loved her many friends she was a very generous and loving person and will be missed. She is survived by two sisters Elizabeth Bowling and Betty Baker both of Danville. A graveside service will be held Monday, June 22, 2015 at 10 AM, at Mountain View Cemetery with the Rev. David Turbyfill officiating. Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street, is serving the Mustain family.
Newton Hardman Ray, Sr.
Mr. Newton Hardman Ray, Sr. of 1111 Main Street, Colonial Suite at Stratford House passed away on June 19, 2015 at Danville Regional Medical Center. He was born on August 18, 1931 to James Wilmer Ray and Genevieve Hazelwood Ray of Danville. He was married for 55 years to his high school sweetheart Martha Fitchett who predeceased him on February 6, 2010. Mr. Ray is survived by son, Newton H. Ray, Jr. and wife Martha Evans Ray and grandchildren Ann Stuart, Meredith and Newton III of Danville and son Christopher Hyde Ray and wife Joie Potter Ray and grandchildren Davis, Louise, and Linnell of Columbia, SC. He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Anne Stuart Ray. He was also predeceased by a sister, Genevieve Ray Minor and a brother James W. Ray, Jr. Newton graduated from Woodberry Forest in 1950 and then went on to graduate from Washington and Lee University in l954. While at Washington and Lee, he was a proud brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After graduation, he joined the US Army Signal Corp, and was stationed in Pirmasens, Germany where he and
his new bride, Martha lived for three years. Upon returning, he joined the family business, Coca Cola Bottling Company until his retirement in 1970. After retirement, he became more involved in his hobby of horticulture, landscape design, and put up his first small greenhouse at his home. He was a founding member of the Men’s Horticulture Club, and was instrumental in the early stages of City Beautiful and Keep Virginia Beautiful for which Danville won an award from Keep America Beautiful and he organized a trip for the group to travel to New York City to receive the award. He designed the blueprints, as a volunteer, for the entire landscape for Southern Virginia Mental Health Institute and enlisted the help of the Key Club from GW High School, with the help of his son Chris, to plant pine trees as a buffer around the property. His hobby of growing plants developed into a business with his son, Newton. In 1981, he built several greenhouses at his home and named them Raywood Greenhouses after it. In that same year, they opened Meadors & Ray Garden Center, until 1987, supplying the plants from Raywood Greenhouses. Finally, in 1988 he and his son, Newton opened Raywood Landscape Center where he remained active until his death. Throughout his life, he was a member of the Danville Golf Club, German Club, Young Men’s Club, Ducks Unlimited, Men’s Horticulture Club, and City Beautiful. He was an avid reader of mystery, history, and war books and he loved to have a discussion about most anything. He was a lifelong member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Danville Life Saving and First Aid Crew, Inc., Mount Vernon United Methodist Church or to the charity of your choice. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. from the Townes Memorial Chapel with the Reverend Barry Foster officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park. The family will be at the residence of his son, Newton H. Ray, Jr. and wife Martha at 131 Canterbury Road. Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street is serving the Ray family.
Frannie Lou Davis Jeter
Fannie Lou Davis Jeter, 87, of 150 Hartford Street, Danville, VA died Sunday, June 14, 2015 at her residence. Born September 29, 1927 in Pittsylvania County, VA, she was the daughter of the late Douglas Wiles and the late Clara Conway Wiles. She was married to the late Lewis Davis and later to the late Lenwood Jeter. Survivors include four daughters, Dorothy Slayton, Peggy Snipes, Mary Anderson, all of Danville, VA and Catherine D. Glass of Blairs, VA; five sons, Harry Wimbush, John Davis, Wayne Davis, Jerry Davis and Larry J. Davis, all of Danville, VA; four sisters, Gwendolyn Gunter of Danville, VA, Marie Glass of Blairs, VA, Lois Davis of Sutherlin, VA and Lillie Glenn Smith of Roanoke, VA; two brothers, James E. Wiles of Blairs, VA and Johnny Glenn of NY; twenty-five grandchildren; forty greatgrandchildren; ten greatgreat-grandchildren; nine stepchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by one sister, Stella Marie Reed and two brothers, Willie West Wiles and Joe Glenn. The family will receive friends at the residence. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, June 19, 2015 at 12:00 Noon from Right Touch Christian Church. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park. Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home is assisting the Jeter family.
Hunter Bernard Cousins
Hunter Bernard Cousins, 75, of 1448 Riley Farm Road, Axton, VA, died, Monday, June 15, 2015 at the Riverside Health Care Center. Born March 19, 1940 in Pittsylvania County, VA, he was the son of the late Jacob Junior Cousins and the late Burlia Carter Cousins. Survivors include three daughters, Melinda Jumper (Eugene) of Danville, VA, Arlene Scales (Vernoise) of Cascade, VA and Schenita Martin of Martinsville, VA; four sons, Bernard Cousins, Jr., (Brenda) George Cousins and Dennis Dillard all of Martinsville, VA and Dennis Cousins (Tierra) of Danville, VA; two sisters, Kitty Martin (Linsey) and Geneva Foster (Edward), both of Axton, VA; two brothers, Walter Cousins and George Cousins (Wilma), both of Axton, VA; a devoted granddaughter, ShaKera Tucker and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one brother, Curtis Cousins. The family will receive friends at 1384 Riley Farm Road, Axton, VA. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, June 19, 2015 at 2 PM from the Chapel of Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home with Bishop John Campbell, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Cousins Family Cemetery. Family visitation will be held thirty minutes prior to service. Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home is assisting the Cousins family.
“Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Piedmont Shopper© JUNE 25th- JULY 1st, 2015 • 9
Ida Belle Graves
Ida Belle Graves, 93, of 30 Dallas Ave. Danville, VA, died, Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at her residence. Born November 4, 1921 in Pelham, NC, she was the daughter of the late Enoch Coles, Sr. and the late Lucy Baize Coles. She was married to the late Billie Graves, Sr. She was the last survivor of her generation. Survivors include two daughters, Dallas Horsham of Richmond, VA and Lucy Clarke of Danville, VA; one son, Billie Graves, Jr. of Danville, VA and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents an husband, she was predeceased by one son, Terry Graves; eight siblings, Sylvia Beard, Elizabeth Coles-Beard, Lorenda Coles-Price, Carrie Coles-Hughes,Enoch Coles, Jr., Josh Coles, Robert Coles and Mack Coles. The family will receive friends at the residence. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, June 20, 2015 from Smith Chapel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Nathan Scovens officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park. Family visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home is assisting the Graves family.
Russell Lee Nichols
Russell Lee Nichols, age 65, of Danville, went to his heavenly home on Monday, June 15, 2015 at Danville Regional Medical Center. Born in Axton on July 23, 1949, he was the son of the late Bunyan Nichols and Ruth Pyrtle Nichols. He was married to Gladys Gammon Nichols who survives him of the home. Mr. Nichols had worked as a coal miner before being disabled. In addition to his wife, Mr. Nichols is survived by his children, Terry Nichols, Brian Nichols, Allen Mullins, James Mullins, Tracie Mullins, Jennifer Tucker and Barbara Wiley; also, his step- children, Angie Burdnette, John Shelton, Ricky Shelton, and Lena Little; 21 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren; also, his sisters, Hazel Haley, Mae Agee, and Catherine Chandler; and his brother, Randolph Nichols. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Ronnie, Curtis, Jackie, and Otis; his sister, Joyce Parrish, and his stepson, Andy Mullins. Graveside services for Mr. Nichols will be held at 11am on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at Carter- Herndon Family Cemetery in Axton. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 at Barker Funeral Home Chapel. Barker Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Nichols Family. Sign the guest book at www.swicegoodbarker.com or www.facebook.com/ swicegoodbarker.
Dennis Edward Keatts
Dennis Edward Keatts, 80, passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, June 14, 2015. He was born in Axton, VA on December 1, 1934 to the late Clarence B. Keatts and the late Julia Eanes Keatts. Dennis enjoyed hunting. He farmed all of his life. Dennis will be greatly missed. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Keatts,; brother, Jimmy Keatts; sister, Aileese K. Lovelace; great-grandchild, Savannah Keatts. Dennis is survived by his son, Phillip Keatts; stepsons, Junior Heffinger and Bobby Heffinger; grandchildren, Charles Keatts, Brian Keatts, Dwayne Keatts and Chris Keatts; greatgrandchildren, Brandon Keatts, Meghan Keatts, Ethan Keatts, Chandler Minter, Santanna Keatts, Elijiah Keatts, Myaiah Keatts, Preston Keatts, Makenzie Keatts, and Shyanne Keatts; step-greatgrandchildren, Brintty Heffinger, Brad Heffinger and Frannie Heffinger. A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 2pm in the Swicegood Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Tatum officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service and other time at the home of the son, Phillip Keatts, 1960 Riley Farm Road, Axton. Interment will follow the serve in the Keatts Family Cemetery. Swicegood Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Keatts family. Please sign the guestbook at www. swicegoodbarker.com or www.facebook.com/ swicegoodbarker.
Bill B. Motley, Sr.
Bill B. Motley, Sr., born September 16, 1923, went home to be with his Lord, June 16, 2015. He was married to Mary Watson Motley, (deceased) for 75 years. He leaves to cherish his memory: his daughter, Gail Motley Greer (Scottdeceased), his son, Pastor Bill Motley II (Pastor Sharon). He is preceded in death by his daughter: Janis Motley Boyles (Ronnie). He has eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and a special son, by choice, Silas Ferrell. Bill was a veteran of the Navy and the Army where he fought in World War II as a machine gunner. In addition, he served as a Police Detective and Sergeant for many years. Bill retired from the US Post Office as a special delivery postman. There will be a graveside service, Friday, June 19, 2015 at 12:30pm at Danville Memorial Gardens with Pastors Bill and Sharon Motley officiating. The family will not be receiving friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Faith Dome Fund at Abundant Life, www.alwoc. org. Swicegood Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Motley family. Please sign the guestbook at www. swicegoodbarker.com or www.facebook.com/ swicegoodbarker.
Richard Rueben Moore
Richard Rueben Moore was born September 11, 1933 in Danville, VA. He died June 13, 2015 at the VA hospital in Augusta, GA. He was the son of Howard Russell Moore and Dora Soyars Moore, who are both deceased. He was one of ten children. He was the youngest of six boys. He had five brothers and one sister who preceded him in death. They were Nelson Paige Moore, Hiram Wayland Moore, Stephen Alexander Moore, Kenneth Soyars Moore, Wallace Carroll Moore, and Addie Moore Spangler. He has three surviving sisters: Rachel Moore of Athens, GA; Patricia Hammond of Duluth, GA; and Irma Harrelson of Kentwood, LA. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many cousins. He loved his family, music, and hotdogs. He loved to write poetry, and when he was growing up, he had one of his poems printed in the Danville Register and Bee. He graduated from George Washington High School in Danville, VA, and soon thereafter entered military service. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. After four years of service, he received an honorable discharge. He then moved to Atlanta,GA, where he worked for the U.S. government and attended Georgia Institute of Technology. He struggled with many health problems, and after becoming disabled, he spent many years being cared for by his mother, his brother Hiram, and finally by his sister Pat, with the invaluable assistance of many caring men and women who worked for the Veteran’s Administration. He spent the greatest portion of his adult life living with his brother Hiram, and then ultimately lived out the remainder of his days at Five Ponds Personal Care Home, in Hephzibah, GA. There he was cared for by the family of Billy Carroll and Fernando Peeples. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2015 and spent only a few days in a Veteran’s Administration hospice facility before going home to Jesus, excited about being reunited with his family who had gone before him and meeting His Savior face to face. What people remember most about Richard was his sweet spirit and his grateful heart. He was truly thankful for all that he had, for every act of kindness, and for the people who cared for and loved him. Richard had the rare gift of focusing on the good, regardless of his circumstances. Funeral Services will be
held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Swicegood Funeral Home with Dr. Charles Scearce officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Swicegood Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the MooreSoyars Family Cemetery on Loomfixer Road, Danville, VA. Military honors will be provided by a United States Army detachment out of Roanoke, Va. Swicegood Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Moore family. Please sign the guestbook at www.swicegood-barker. com, www.facebook.com/ swicegoodbarker.
times, the family will be at the home of her daughter Linda Sue, 3253 Stoney Mill Rd., Danville, VA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Danville Memorial Gardens. Swicegood Funeral Service is respectfully serving the Jones family. Please sign the guestbook at www.swicegood-barker. com, www.facebook.com/ swicegoodbarker.
Dr. Bo Wagner is pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Mooresboro, NC, and the author of several books. His books are available at www.wordofhismouth.com
Sadie Anne Hinton Richardson
Sadie Anne Hinton Richardson Jones, age 86, of 4301 Horseshoe Rd, Danville, VA, died on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Kindred Hospital in Greensboro, NC. She was in declining health for the past four years. She was born on November 07, 1928, in Danville, VA, to the late Charlie James Hinton and Sadie Lea Rutledge Hinton. Mrs. Jones worked at Dan River Mills as a quality checker, and she attended Immanuel Friends Church in Eden, NC. She taught Sunday School classes for adults and teens for over 30 years at Longview Friends and Calvary Church of the Nazarene. She is survived by daughters: Linda Sue Richardson Reese and husband Billy, Judy Anne Richardson Jarvis and husband Joe, and Laura Jane Richardson Keatts and husband Sam; sister, Charlotte Mansfield; brother, William E. Hinton; sisters-in-law, Lucille Richardson and Ellen Richardson; grandchildren: Monica Reese Migliore (Matt), Sharon Reese Williams (Brian), David Keatts (Courtney), and Leigh Anne Keatts ; three great-grandchildren; and step-daughter, Tracy Ayers. In addition to her parents Mrs. Jones was predeceased by her first husband, Hassel Lee Richardson Sr. and second husband, Charlie Henry Jones; son, Hassel Richardson Jr.; brother, James T. Hinton; and sister, Hazel Carter. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at Swicegood Funeral Home with Rev. Dennis Seaver and Rev. Jimmy Hussey officiating. At other
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“The Natives Are Restless” The moon was full on the island of Ecclesiastica, and a hot breeze was blowing, an unnaturally hot breeze emanating from the massive fire everyone was dancing around. Chief Reficul had on his best ceremonial garments, and an evil glint in his eye. The evil of that glint, though, was imperceptible to all but a few who knew him best, for he had managed through the years to pass himself off as a wise and beneficent leader of the varied groups of the faithful. “My people,” he thundered as the drums came to an abrupt halt, “It is time to begin preparing the meal. For too many years you have suffered at the hands of your enemies. We will now make things better, much better. A return to cannibalism will ensure your victory and success!” The assembled crowd roared with almost unanimous approval. Almost unanimous... “My chief,” came a timid voice from the front, “I am still not certain. I do not mean to question your wisdom, but how can devouring one another bring us victory? Would it not be better for us to stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of the enemy? True, we have our differences one with the other, we may not be able to agree on everything, but a return to cannibalism seems like such a drastic step, and one that will weaken us before our enemies.” “Silence!” the chief screamed in anger. “Do you not see how dangerous you are to each other, and how necessary it is for you to devour those with whom you have the slightest disagreement? Those who would destroy you are growing stronger by the day, we must take this step at once to avert disaster!” The multitude shouted their approval. They danced, they drummed, they celebrated. All reason was gone, all sensibility drowned in a cacophonous flood of self destruction. And
so it was that the people of Ecclesiastica had a feast; a cannibalistic, murderous buffet of their own brothers and sisters. And all the while their enemies, the real people of chief Reficul, sat back and watched in amazement as those whom they had fought for so long self destructed. Galatians 5:14-15 says “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Paul was reminding the church at Galatia that they were capable of doing what the enemy could not do, they were capable of destroying themselves. Jesus said that the very gates of hell would not prevail against the church, but He never said that the church itself would not prevail against the church. I am blessed both to pastor, and to preach evangelistic meetings in a great many churches around the country. I have a fairly wide perspective to see the damage churches often do to themselves. That being the case, here are some simple rules for making sure that churches do not become restless natives, destroying themselves. One, never split a church to start a church. Doing so does not create another body of believers, it saws one body in half and unrealistically expects both bloody halves to live and thrive. Two, if you have a problem with someone in the body, deal with it privately, not publically, and certainly not on social media. Three, be mature. No pastor should ever have to chase people with perpetually hurt feelings. Four, have roots on your feet, not springs. Be so steady and faithful that your children learn by watching you. Church hoppers beget church hoppers. Five, forgive, and do so quickly. Fast forgiveness cures 99.99% of all church conflicts before they ever get big enough to do damage.