By KEITH STRANGE
Members of area volunteer fire departments linked arms and waded into icy water Thursday in a desperate attempt to save Montia Renee and Christopher Lionel Carr., who had fallen through a thin layer of ice as they were playing near a pond on a nearby farm.
Initial rescuers on the scene went into the frigid water in street clothes, emerging only to shiver on the bank of the pond as they warmed themselves just enough for another attempt to save the children.
Authorities report that seven-year-old Montia fell through the ice first and her nine-year-old brother went into the water to try to save her.
The children were playing on the pond after school Thursday afternoon when they fell through the ice.
Halifax County officials report that they received a call reporting two small children had fallen through the ice on the pond off Bessie-Marion Trail at approximately 5:25 p.m.
The farm is located about three miles north of Halifax and is owned by Bobby Hudson.
The children's grandmother, Marjorie Dixon said that the two children were playing outside with two other siblings after school as they usually did.
After Montia went through the ice and Christopher went in after her, an older sister called 911 while another brother ran for their mother, Shirley Dixon, who lives with the grandmother.
Dixon went into the water but was unable to reach the children, said the childrens father, Ricky Jerome Carr Sr.
Carr, who lives in South Boston, received the news from the two surviving children.
Montia and Christopher were recovered in about 10 feet of water by Virginia State Police diver Clay Overholt and Halifax Rescue Squad diver Jeff Toller, authorities said.
Sheriff's officials reported that the children were in the pond for nearly two hours.
"The rescuers got the children out. They worked on them for hours at the hospital," Carr said.
Both children were pronounced dead at approximately 1 a.m. at Halifax Regional Hospital, according to thefamily minister, Rev. Robert Wimbush.
Tears streamed down Carr's face as he described Montia and Christopher.
"They were good kids, well-mannered kids.
"They were always curious, always wanted to know," he said.
Both children were artistic, Carr remembered.
He said that Chris was the artist of the family and Montia loved to sing.
Dixon agreed.
"(Chris) could look at you and draw your portrait. Even at school, the teacher would have to stop Montia from singing," she said.
Marjorie Dixon said that Montia's favorite song was "Put The Devil Under My Feet."
Montia was in the second grade, and Christopher was in the third grade of Meadville Elementary School.
Larry Clark of the Halifax County School Board said that the school system implemented a crisis plan Friday morning.
"In situations like this, which thankfully are not frequent, we bring in counselors and psychologists to offer support and comfort to the classmates and teachers of the children who drowned," he said.
Clark said that he spoke early Friday morning to Joe Griles, Halifax County School Director of Pupil Personnel Services and they agreed to have the school psychologist go to Meadville Elementary School.
"By having those people in place we are able to offer both group and individual counseling," he added.
"In times like these people need support."
Both children were born in Halifax County and attended the New Mount Olive Apostolic Holiness Church.
Members of the family wanted to express their thanks to the dozens of volunteers who assisted in the rescue attempt.
"Everybody came to help, and nobody went anywhere until they got (the children) out, and so many of them went to the hospital to be with us," the father added.
Among the volunteers and emergency personnel who assisted in the rescue attempt were members of the Halifax Sheriff's Department, the South Boston Police Department, Virginia State Police, MedFlight III, Virginia Game Commission, the Halifax Rescue Squad, and members from four fire departments.
Funeral services will be held today at 2 p.m. at the New Mount Olive Apostolic Holiness Church.

The Halifax County School Board will face several big issues tonight with the closing of Virgilina Elementary School expected to be among the larger ones.
Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt said Friday he expects the school board to take a vote tonight on closing Virgilina Elementary School and consolidating Virgilina's 82 students into South of Dan and Cluster Springs Elementary Schools.
Virgilina Mayor John Youngk is expected to ask the school board tonight to reconsider the enrollment-based performance plan he pitched during the public hearing in December.
At that time, Youngk asked the school board to keep the school open as long as specific enrollment targets are met.
The enrollment targets were set at 100 students for the 2002-2003 school year, 120 students for the 2003-2004 school year and 140 students for the 2004-2005 school year.
The school board rejected Youngk's proposal following the December public hearing.
Along with the request to reconsider his proposal, Youngk is also expected to ask the school board to consider a resolution passed by the Halifax County Board of Supervisors last week requesting the school board not to close Virgilina Elementary School in making its decision.
That matter will be one of the larger issues the board will face when it meets tonight at 7 p.m. at the Mary M. Bethune Office Complex in Halifax.
Financial issues will also be a big topic tonight as School Superintendent Dennis Witt is expected to give the school board a review of the Governor's proposed state budget.
Witt said he also plans to speak on the issue of Halifax County's composite index and efforts the county is making to get back to the 23 percent composite index figure that was in force when South Boston reverted to town status in April, 1995.
State officials granted Halifax County a five-year moratorium with respect to the composite index, one of the key factors used by officials to calculate the amount of funds the state appropriates to a locality.
The moratorium expired a year ago and the county's composite index moved to 38 percent, forcing the county to have to come up with an additional $3 million in local funds to offset losses of state funding.
However, during last year's legislative session, the General Assembly amended legislation passed during the 2000 session which allowed localities to revert and have their composite index frozen for 20 years.
That legislation made the moratorium freezing the composite index retroactive to January 1, 1995.
South Boston reverted to town status on April 14, 1995, thus putting Halifax County inside the window to qualify to revert back to the 23 percent composite index figure.
A final decision on the matter has not been announced by state officials.
However county officials are continuing efforts to press the issue and gain the financial relief the move would bring to the county.
If the county's efforts are successful, the move back to the lower 23 percent composite index figure will save the county several million dollars over the next 10 to 15 years.
In another major matter, school system officials will give the school board a report on the results of the Stanford 9 standardized achievement tests taken by Halifax County's fourth-grade and ninth-grade students this past fall.
While the local results will be aired Monday night, school system officials will not have the overall state figures as those figures have not yet been released by Department of Education officials.
Also Monday night, school system officials will discuss with the school board possible plans for the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremonies for the new additions to Clays Mill, Sydnor Jennings and Scottsburg Elementary schools, which are nearing completion.
School system officials will also give board members a report on adjustments to the school calendar that were made to compensate for the three days of school that were lost as a result of the recent winter storm.
Monday night will also be reorganization night for the school board.
Elections will be held by board members to select a chairman and vice chairman, after which the body will appoint a clerk and deputy clerk.
Steve Anderson is the current board chairman.
In a related matter, the school board will also adopt a schedule of meeting dates for 2002.

South Boston Town Council will hold four public hearings tonight, including one for a SCSB application for a Special Use Permit to operate Gateway-Halifax Apartments on Berry Hill Road.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at council chambers on Yancey Street.
Councilmen will hold another public hearing on a Halifax Regional Hospital application for a Special Use Permit to allow a 2,300 square foot addition to the hospital.
The other two hearings are for proposed amendments to Town Code to allow bus stations in certain business use districts and to allow larger signs in the T-1 Transitional District.
South Boston planners held public hearings on all four issues at their meeting last week and recommended approval for each one.
SCSB Permit
Southside Community Services Board (SCSB) applied for the Special Use Permit as the main component of a proposed settlement of a lawsuit it filed against the town last year.
The discrimination suit was filed by the SCSB after it failed to have the 24-hour supervisory condition dropped from a Conditional Use Permit granted them in 1991 to build and operate the 10-unit complex for the mentally disabled.
The 24-hour supervisory condition was one of the key conditions of the original permit.
When SCSB admitted in late 2000 that the 24-hour supervisory condition at the complex had been relaxed for what it termed as funding difficulties, the town required it go before the planning commission and council to formally request its deletion.
Berry Hill Road residents came out in force for two public hearings to demand the supervisory condition remain in place, with council ultimately voting against any modification of the condition.
Conditions under which the apartments are proposed to be operated under terms of the settlement include the use of a resident manager.
If councilmen approve the Special Use Permit for SCSB, the proposed settlement calls for both legal counsels to file required documents to dismiss the lawsuit.
Hospital Permit
Halifax Regional Hospital has applied for a Special Use Permit to allow construction of a 2,300 square foot addition to house its MRI/Mammography Units.
Hospital officials estimate the cost of the project at about $3 million, including construction and equipment costs.
The permit application states no increase in noise, traffic or pedestrian traffic would result from construction of the addition.
The final two public hearings concern amendments to the town's Zoning Ordinance, allowing bus stations in certain business use districts and allowing larger signs in the T-1 Transitional District.
The town's Zoning Ordinance currently does not include "bus stations" as permitted businesses in town.
Greyhound officials have indicated that they are considering another location for the local bus stop, currently located on John Randolph Boulevard.
They have as yet not confirmed any specific locations for the new bustop.
Proposed amendments would permit bus stations in a B-2 General Business District and in a M-1 General Industrial District.
Amendments regarding T-1 Transitional District sign regulations call for modifications to the current ordinances increasing the size of freestanding signs, wall signs and the aggregate area of all permanent signs located on individual lots.
In the final agenda item, councilmen will discuss adjustments to the Three-Year Delinquent Tax List.
A public comment period will follow the agenda.

The South Boston Police Department is investigating two incidents of breaking and entering that occurred within hours Saturday evening.
Ayanna Rudo Dye of Grace Avenue reported to the police that someone kicked in the rear door of her home between 4:15 and 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
Taken from the residence was two Sony VCR's, a Sony Walkman CD player, a Playstation II, five games for the Playstation II, an undetermined amount of cash, two 14K gold Gucci necklaces and two pitbull/boxer puppies- one brown and the other brown and white.
Police report that as Dye was returning to the residence she witnessed a suspicious white SUV, possibly a Jeep, leaving the premises.
In a separate incident, a residence belonging to Lurdy Steinspring on Webster Street was reportedly broken into.
Steinspring wasn't at the residence at the time of the incident, so police haven't been able to determine what was taken.
Police have no suspects at this time, and ask that anyone with information regarding these two crimes please call CRIMESTOPPERS at 575-TIPS.
Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward.

Halifax County managed to escape the throes of defeat at the hands of E.C. Glass Friday night in Lynchburg.
And, it was the most narrow of escapes.
Thanks to a pair of free throws from Shamoni Faulkner with 9.3 seconds left in the game, the Comets escaped with a 46-45 win over the Hilltoppers to pick up their first win of the season in Western Valley District play.
The win lifted the Comets to a 9-2 mark overall and a 1-1 slate in the Western Valley District standings.
"It was just one of those nights where when you're a perimeter shooting team and shots are not falling, you've got to find another way to win," said Comets coach Garrett Dillard.
The path the Comets traveled to victory was the free throw line.
Faulkner, who led the Comets with 10 points for the night, hit three out of four free throw attempts in the final 56 seconds of the game while, as a team, the Comets hit six of eight free throws in that span.
"I think Shamoni was shooting about 50 percent (from the free throw line) after the first three or four games," Dillard said.
"I pulled him aside one day and told him there was going to come a night when he was going to get fouled and we're going to be tied or up one (point) or down one (point) or whatever and the game was going to be in his hands.
"Some kids will believe you and will work on it and some kids won't," added Dillard.
"He (Faulkner) worked on it and he's been shooting much better and he stepped up and made three out of four down the stretch."
By contrast, E.C. Glass didn't do the job it needed to do at the charity stripe.
The Hilltoppers made only one of four free throw attempts in the final 20 seconds of the game and were 2-6 at the free throw line in the final 1:56 of the game.
A loose ball that ensued from a scrap for the rebound after Glass' Alphonso Ferguson missed the second of two free throws with 13.7 seconds left in the game, gave the Comets the opportunity to win.
Faulkner was attempting to snare the ball from the floor but was pushed from behind by a Glass defender.
That foul sent Faulkner to the line for the game-winning free throws.
However, the Comets weren't out of the woods after Faulkner hit the two free throws that lifted the Comets from a one-point deficit to a one-point lead.
Glass got the ball back and got off a 15-footer with three seconds left. But the Comets grabbed the rebound and the game.
The game marked the fourth time in as many years that the Comets were involved in a cliff-hanger at the wire against E.C. Glass in Lynchburg.
In two of the previous three years, the Comets needed a last-second shot at the buzzer to get the win.
Sandwiched between the two Comets wins was a win that Glass pulled off on a last-second shot.
This time around, the Comets somehow managed to hang on despite a horrendous night of shooting.
Halifax County shot just 17 percent from the floor in the first half, hitting only five of their 28 shots.
For the game, the Comets finished with a little more respectable 30 percent mark, hitting 16 of 53 attempts from the floor.
"We had some great looks but the shots just didn't fall," said Dillard.
"We knew what we wanted to do when they ran their defense and we got shots down in the corner and shots down in the medium post and they just didn't fall for us."
Had it not been for solid defensive play, the Comets would have been out of the game early.
Halifax led most of the first half and used three free throws from Faulkner to take its biggest lead at 14-9 with 7:24 left in the first half.
Eventhough the Comets didn't score again in the second period after a free throw from Brian King lifted them to a 15-14 lead, they trailed by only six points at 21-15 at the half.
"We felt bad about the way we were shooting but we felt good because we were still in it," Dillard said.
"I felt like we did a good job defensively all night," Dillard said.
"It wasn't like they were scoring easy baskets. Defensively we were doing a pretty good job, It was just one of those deals where we couldn't put the ball in the hole.
"If we play the defense we played tonight and shoot our normal 40 percent or better from the field, we win by 15 or 20 points," added Dillard.
The Comets continued to struggle in the third period as well and when they fell behind by seven points after Glass converted a three-point play with 4:20 left in the quarter, the momentum swung in favor of the Hilltoppers.
A pair of three-point baskets from Jamar Irving, one near the end of the third period and one to start the fourth quarter, brought the Comets back into the hunt.
After Irving's three-pointer to start the fourth quarter brought the Comets to within two points, a three-pointer by Anthony Owen brought the Comets to within a point at 35-34 with 5:31 left in the game.
Sterling Williams hit a layup with 4:57 left to lift the Comets into the lead for the first time since King's free throw in the second period.
Glass answered with a basket to take the lead but Faulkner got the lead back for the Comets with a basket.
However, Faulkner was nailed with a technical foul for taunting after the basket, giving Glass two free throws and possession of the ball.
Glass made the two free throws and regained the lead but the Comets came up with a steal on the ensuing Glass possession and Owen sank a basket to give the Comets the lead back at 40-39.
The game was nail-biter the rest of the way with the lead swapping hands four times in the final two and a half minutes.
In addition to the 10 points from Faulkner, the Comets got nine points from Owen, eight points from Irving, seven from Sterling Williams and five from Lymon Gregory.
Andrew Witko chipped in four points for the Comets and King had one free throw on the night.

Jeanette Logan

Miss Jeanette Logan of Newark, NJ died Thursday, January 3, 2002 at her residence in New Jersey, at the age of 64. She was born in Halifax County on December 20, 1937 to the late Pauline Poindexter Logan and the late Berlie Logan.
She is survived by her brother, Joseph (JP) Logan, of Ft. Washington, MD; seven aunts, Estelle Poindexter, of Nathalie; Fannie Jefferson, of Buffalo; NY; Maude Patterson, of Washington, DC; Sarah Grimes, of Washington, DC; Earlie Hendricks, of Washington, DC; Verlie West, of Washington, DC; and Gertrude Logan, of Philadelphia, PA; one uncle, Warren Poindexter, of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Miss Logan were held at 2:30 p.m. January 13 at Millstone Baptist Church, Nathalie with interment in the church cemetery. The Rev. Chester Spruill officiating.

Annie Mae Pettus

Annie Mae Pettus, 80, of Red Oak, died Monday, January 7, 2002 at her residence.
Mrs. Pettus was born in Charlotte County to the late Doc and Susie Gregory Mosley on May 15, 1921. She attended the schools of Charlotte County and was a member of Salem Baptist Church.
She is survived by her husband, Charlie Pettus, Red Oak, three sons, Leroy, of Washington, DC; Charlie Jr., Red Oak; and Ronnie Pettus, Suitland, MD; two daughters, Mary Brooks, of Red Oak; and Pearl Wooden, Clover; 24 grandchildren and 48 great grandchildren, three sisters: Peggy Carden, of Scottsburg; Emily Brooks, Washington, DC; and Susie Jeffress; of Red Oak.
Funeral services for Mrs. Pettus were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12 at Salem Baptist Church, Red Oak. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Charles Herbert Farrar, Jr.

Charles Herbert Farrar, Jr., 70, of Richmond, died Friday, January 11, 2002. He is survived by his wife, Leora S. Farrar; daughter, Connie Mitchell, and her husband, Mike; son, Steven Farrar and his wife, Barbara; grandchildren, Ryan Mitchell, Heather and Brittany Farrar; and an aunt, Rebecca Gay.
Mr. Farrar was a member of Chesterfield Masonic Lodge #161 and served it the U. S. Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. tonight (Monday) at the Morrisset Funeral Home, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd. (Rt. 10).
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 15 in the Grace Baptist Church Cemetery in Halifax County.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to Branch's Baptist Church, Building upgrade, 3400 Broad Rock Blvd., Richmond, VA 23234.

Akra Lee Daniel Sr.

Akra Lee Daniel Sr., 69, of 3117 Ball Park Loop, Halifax, died January 10 at his home.
Mr. Daniel was born in Halifax County on April 12, 1932, the son of the late Hillary Jackson Daniel and Fannie Richardson Wilkins Daniel and was married to Catherine Edmunds Daniel. He was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Joan Whitlock and Annette Cheek, both of South Boston and Marietta Daniel of Queens, N.Y.; three sons, Akra Daniel Jr. of Halifax, Aaron Daniel of Semora, N.C. and Timothy Jackson Daniel of Richmond; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Janie Lovelace of Halifax and Hilda Davis of Vernon Hill; two brothers, John Daniel and Morris Clifton Daniel, both of Halifax.
Funeral services for Mr. Daniel were held Sunday, January 13 at 2 p.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. P.A. Medley officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Lelia Ann Davis Francis

Lelia Ann Davis Francis, 50, of 1109 Millstone Church Trail, Nathalie, died January 10 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Francis was born in Halifax County on March 3, 1951, the daughter of Anderson C. Davis Sr. and Susie Ann Jones Davis and was married to Gernie . Francis. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Millstone.
Survivors include her husband; two sons, John D. Epperson and wife, Elizabeth M. of South Boston and Gernie . Francis Jr. of Charlottesville; one grandson, Jonathan Seth Epperson of South Boston; one brother, Anderson C. Davis Jr. and wife, Dianne of Nathalie; two sisters, Louise D. Douglas and husband, Carson of Nathalie and Maria D. Epps and husband, Robert E. of Halifax. She was preceded in death by her father and mother.
Services for Mrs. Francis were held January 13 at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Millstone with the Rev. Bob Watts officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston.

Christopher Lionel Carr
and Montia Renee' Carr

Christopher Lionel Carr and Montia Renee' Carr of 1044 Bessie-Marion Trail, Halifax, died Thursday, January 10 in Halifax County.
Christopher, age 9, and Montia, age 7, were born in Halifax County and were the children of Ricky Jerome Carr Sr. and Shirley Denise Dixon. They attended New Mt. Olive Apostolic Holiness Church and were students at Meadville Elementary School.
Survivors include their mother of Halifax; their father and stepmother, Mr. Carr and Crystal Carr of South Boston; two sisters, Tisha M. Carr of Houston, Texas and Stephanie S. Carr of Halifax; two brothers, Frankie Marrow and Ricky Carr Jr., both of Halifax; their maternal grandparents, John and Marjorie Dixon of Halifax; their paternal grandparents, Marion Word of De. and James and Phyllis Davis of Nathalie; and their maternal great-grandmother, Hallie Byrd of Halifax.
Funeral services for Christopher and Montia will be held today, January 14 at 2 p.m. at New Mt. Olive Apostolic Holiness Church with Pastor Leonia Palmer and the Rev. Robert Wimbush officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home, 1044 Bessie-Marion Trail and at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Carr Sr., 403 Valley Drive, South Boston.