Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014
John P. Bowers
DANVILLE, Va. - John P. Bowers, 84, of 125 Austin Circle in the Mount Hermon community, died Friday, July 5, 2002, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born Jan. 1, 1918, in Carroll County, he was the son of Joseph Bowers and Annie Edwards Bowers.
He lived most of his life in the Danville area and retired from Fieldcrest Mills. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division, during World War II. He served in Sicily, Naples Foggia, Rome, ARNO Rineland Ardennes Central Europe. He was awarded numerous medals including the Bronze Arrowhead. He was a member of VFW Post 647 and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include four sons, Dicky Bowers of Pine Grove, Ky., Steven Bowers of Washington, D.C., David Bowers of Danville, and Tim Bowers of Danville; two sisters, Frances Vipperman of Radford and Lou Woods of Bassett; and four grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one daughter, Alma Lee Bowers; three brothers, James Bowers, Raymond Bowers, and Howard Bowers; and three sisters, Mary Sharpe, Mamie Goad, and Catherine Bowers.
The graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Danville Memorial Gardens with the Rev. James Mayes officiating. Interment will follow with military honors by American Legion Dan River Post 1097.
The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the residence.
Swicegood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
John Brooks
DANVILLE, Va. - John Henry Brooks Jr., 64, of 228 Vista Drive, died July 3, 2002 at his residence.
Born Oct. 5, 1937 in Halifax County, he was a son of John Henry Brooks Sr. and Elsie Watkins Brooks, who both survive.
He was married to Nancy A. Brooks, who survives. He was employed for more than 30 years at Dan River 4 B Weave and a member of Apostolic Faith Church.
Survivors, in addition to his parents and wife, include four daughters, Brenda Broadnax, Cassandra Betts, Latisha Brooks and Faye Motley, all of Danville; five sons, Leonard Brooks, Wayne Brooks, Windell Brooks and Arnold Brooks, all of Sutherlin, and James Brooks of Alton; three stepdaughters, Tracy Bowman of Mount Airy, N.C., Crystal Turner of Ringgold and Malissa Bowman of Halifax; one stepson, Travis Brock of Danville; five sisters, Beatrice Edmonds and Clarree Keene, both of Sutherlin, Fannie B. Cobbs of Washington, DC, Willie Ann Saunders of Blairs and Elsie Jackson of Charleston, S.C.; one brother, James Brooks of Sutherlin; 31 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and eight stepgrandchildren.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Apostolic Faith Church with the Bishop W.A. Watkins officiating. Interment will follow at Floral Hills.
A viewing was held 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Beavers Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at 3489 Kerns Church Road in Sutherlin.
Professional services are entrusted to Beavers Funeral Home.
Patsy Cole
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. - Patsy Ayers Cole, 64, of 3228 Virgie Cole Road, died Wednesday, July 3, 2002, at 4012 Virgie Cole Road.
Born Oct. 12, 1937, in Gastonia, N.C., she was the daughter of George Edward Ayers Sr. and Sue Wynne Ayers.
She was married to the late T. Wesley Cole. She was a retired lab technician for Halifax Regional Hospital.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas Wesley Cole Jr. of Halifax, and Kevin Dean Cole of Troutville; one daughter, Denise Cole Takes of Mississauga, Ontario; one brother, George E. Ayers Jr. of New Castle; and six grandchildren.
She was predeceased by two sisters, Jacqueline Pendarvis and Peggy Poston.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Shady Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Davidson officiating. Interment will follow at Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Brooks Funeral Home and other times at the residence.
Brooks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
T. Wesley Cole
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. - T. Wesley Cole, 64, of 3228 Virgie Cole Road, died Wednesday, July 3, 2002, at 4012 Virgie Cole Road.
Born May 6, 1938, he was the son of Thomas Cole and Frances Conner Cole.
He was married to the late Patsy Ayers Cole. He was a retired combing plant manager at Burlington Industries. He was a member of Shady Grove Baptist Church and was president of Hyco Road Ruritan Club.
Survivors include two sons, Thomas Wesley Cole Jr. of Halifax, and Kevin Dean Cole of Troutville; one daughter, Denise Cole Takes of Mississauga, Ontario; and six grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one brother, Walter Stanley Cole.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Shady Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Davidson officiating. Interment will follow at Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Brooks Funeral Home and other times at the residence.
Brooks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Walter Cole
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. - Walter Stanley Cole, 56, of 4012 Virgie Cole Road, died Wednesday, July 3, 2002, at the residence.
Born March 19, 1946, in Halifax County, he was the son of Thomas Cole and Frances Conner Cole.
He was married to Linda Newton Cole, who survives. He was owner and operator of South Boston Livestock Market. He was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church and was president of Percheron Horse Association of Virginia. He was a cattle and tobacco farmer for 30 years.
Survivors, in addition to his wife of South Boston, include one daughter, Kimberly C. Talbott of Rougemont, N.C.; three sons, Walter Stanley "Wally" Cole Jr. and Christopher Layne Cole, both of South Boston, and Jason D. Cole of Newport News; and three grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one brother, T. Wesley Cole.
The funeral will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Shady Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Davidson officiating. Interment will follow at Halifax Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Brooks Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence.
The family suggests memorials may be made to Shady Grove United Methodist Church, American Diabetes Association, or Percheron Horse Association of Virginia.
Brooks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Billy Hall
DANVILLE, Va. - William "Billy" Albert Hall, 40, of 119 Davis Drive, died suddenly Saturday, July 6, 2002, at the residence.
Born Oct. 4, 1961, in Roanoke, he was the son of Gene A. Hall, who survives, and Wanda Stricklen Hall.
He moved to Danville in 1970, where he was employed as a welder. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors, in addition to his father, include one son, William David Hall of Swansboro, N.C.; and one sister, Regina "Jeanie" Gail Hall of Danville.
The graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Highland Burial Park with the Rev. J. Brian Edwards officiating.
The family will receive friends at the residence.
Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Lewis
OAK LEVEL, Va. - Mary Jo Matze Lewis, 38, of 1015 Lewis Ferrell Road, died Friday, July 5, 2002, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Born Feb. 21, 1964, in Halifax County, she was the daughter of Mervin Linn Matze and Caroline Canada Matze.
She was married to Allen Lewis, who survives. She was a hostess for Golden Corral and was a member of Catawba Baptist Church.
Survivors, in addition to her husband of South Boston, include three sisters, Vivian M. Kidder of Fayetteville, W.Va., Amy M. Duncan of Orlando, Fla., and Susan M. Cheever of South Boston; and one brother, Melvin Thomas Matze of South Boston.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Catawba Baptist Church with the Rev. Russell Lee officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Brooks Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence of Susan Cheever, 105 Elizabeth Court.
Brooks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Cornelia Gentry Lovell
PROVIDENCE, N.C. - Cornelia Gentry Lovell, 72, of 5202 Walter's Mill Road, died Thursday, July 4, 2002 at 8:10 p.m. at her residence. She had been in declining health for three years.
Born October 15, 1929 in Caswell County, NC, she was a daughter of Frank S. Gentry, who predeceased her, and Mary Cornell Gentry, who survives.
She was married December 24, 1949 to James E. Lovell, who survives. Mrs. Lovell was born in Caswell County, NC, where she lived most of her life. She was a graduate of Cobb Memorial School and worked for Dan River, Inc. for 29 years as a clerk in the Billing and Shipping Department. She was a member of Providence Baptist Church and taught Sunday School and was a volunteer for meals on Wednesday nights. She also was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Providence Fire Department.
Survivors, in addition to her husband and mother, both of the residence, include one daughter, Cynthia Lovell of Danville; one son, Dennis Lovell of the residence; one sister, Brenda Bryan of Danville; one brother, Frank E. Gentry of Providence, NC; one grandchild, Sharon George of Danville; two great-grandchildren, Kyle George and Gavin George, both of Danville; and a number of nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2002 at Barker Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ken Clark officiating. Interment will follow at Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Providence, NC.
The family received friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday night at Barker Funeral Home and at other times at the residence.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Providence Baptist Church Building Fund, 5762 Walter's Mill Road, Providence, NC 27315 or the charity of your choice.
Barker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mary Melvin
ALTAVISTA, Va. - Mary Wilson Melvin, 85, of 710-14th St., died Friday morning, July 5, 2002, at Avante Nursing Home in Lynchburg.
Born May 12, 1917, in Campbell County, she was the daughter of Bud Wilson and Paige Wilson.
She was married to Elder Charles Melvin, who predeceased her. She was a member of the First Church of Jesus in Altavista, where she served as a member of the Missionary Choir and Missionary Circle.
Survivors include two daughters, Evangelist Betty Harris of Hyattsville, Md. and Mary A. Nowlin of Brookneal; three sons, James H. Melvin of Altavista, George W. Melvin of Charlottesville and David E. Melvin of Boston, Mass.; 18 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased, in addition to her parents and husband, by one son, Charles D. Melvin Jr.; three sisters, Gertrude Wilson, Martha Earl Rosser and Elsie Peerman; and two brothers, Curtis and Henry Wilson.
The funeral will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Church of Jesus in Altavista with Minister John Myers and Dr. Charles H. Miller Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
The viewing will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Miller Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends at the residence of a son, James Melvin, 1718 Eudora Lane in Altavista.
Miller Funeral Home in Gretna is in charge of arrangements.
Bruce Murray
SOUTH BOSTON, Va. - Bruce Walker Murray, 73, of 1043 Murray Road, died Friday, July 5, 2002, at Duke University Medical Center.
Born Sept. 3, 1928, in Halifax County, he was the son of Marie Whitt Murray, who survives, and John Robert Murray Sr.
He was married to Bettye Layton B. Murray, who survives. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was a member of American Legion Post 8 of South Boston.
Survivors, in addition to his wife, and mother of South Boston, include three daughters, Shawn Jones and Elizabeth Bruce Murray, both of South Boston, and Gaye M. Clifford of Farmville; two sons, J. Slade Murray of South Boston and Bruce W. Murray Jr. of Powhatan; and five grandchildren.
He was predeceased by one brother, John Robert Murray Jr.
The graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Shady Grove U.M.C. Cemetery with the Rev. Don Davidson officiating.
Brooks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frederick Nichols
DANVILLE, Va. - Frederick George Nichols, 85, of 14 Laurel Road, died Wednesday, July 3, 2002, at Piney Forest Health Care Center.
Born July 31, 1916, in New York, N.Y., he was a son of George Nichols and Julia Nichols. He was a tool designer at Grumman, Inc. in Long Island, N.Y. before retiring and relocating.
He is survived by one brother, Charles Nichols of Providence, R.I.; and numerous grandchildren. He was predeceased, in addition to his parents, by two sons, Alan Nichols and Jeffrey Nichols.
The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Serenus Churn officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park.
The family received friends 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home. Fisher and Watkins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Alex R. Thompson
PITTSVILLE, Va. - Alex R. Thompson, 68, of 538 Hines Chapel Road, died Saturday, July 6, 2002, at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Born May 27, 1934, in Lakewood, N.J., he was the son of Alex C. Thompson and Hazel Ruth Moore Thompson.
He was married to Peggy Smith Thompson, who survives. He was a Marine veteran of the Korean Conflict and a retired supervisor with aircraft launching and arresting device at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, N.J.
Survivors, in addition to his wife of the residence, include four sons, Robert A. Thompson of Port Redding, N.J., Mark W. Thompson of Jackson, N.J., Douglas R. Thompson of Jackson, N.J., and Daniel P. Thompson of Toms River, N.J.; one daughter, Karen A. Thompson of Howell, N.J.; and 12 grandchildren.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Summersett Baptist Church with the Rev. Bert Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and other times will be at the residence.
Colbert-Moran Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Rev. Wayne Crews
DANVILLE, Va. - Rev. Joseph Wayne Crews, 47, of 229 Mount Olivet Lane, died suddenly Sunday, July 21, 2002, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Born May 16, 1955, in Lynchburg, he was the son of Joseph Thornton Crews and June Elizabeth Hall Crews.
He married Angela Taylor Crews July 11, 1987. He lived most of his life in Brookneal, prior to moving to Pittsylvania County and the Danville area. He was educated in the Campbell County Public School System and was a graduate of Averett College. He received a Masters of Divinity from Virginia Union University. He served as youth minister for Trinity United Methodist prior to becoming pastor of Patrick Charge in Stuart for six years, then returning to Danville to pastor the Mount Olivet United Methodist Church for the past seven years. He served on the board of directors for the Contact Crisis Line and was a former member of the board of directors for Mount Cross Volunteer Fire Department.
Survivors include his wife of the residence; his father; four daughters, Susie Elizabeth Collins of Stuart, Amanda Lynn Crews of Eden, N.C., Heather Crews Bowes and Kimberly Ann Crews, both of Danville; one brother, Ernest William Crews Sr. of Brookneal; one sister, Deborah Crews Overstreet of Phenix; and one grandchild.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church with Revs. Darrell Campbell, Johnny Roberts and Thornton Hall officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Burial Park.
The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church and other times at the residence.
The family suggest that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Mount Olivet United Methodist Church Youth Ministry, 229 Mount Olivet Lane, Danville, Va., 24540.
Wrenn-Yeatts Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
