The economic welfare of Halifax County was the focus of a economic development summit Saturday as members of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, South Boston Town Council, the Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Development Authority were invited to meet with PACE Group President John Lovorn.
"The purpose of this meeting is to develop a strategic plan and vision for the county in terms of its economic future," Lovorn said.
Following the four-hour meeting, the following four goals were agreed upon:
· Hiring an aggressive economic development professional.
· Creating a community vision and a five-year plan to achieve that vision.
· Improving the educational level of the citizens and workforce of the county.
· Investing in a solid infrastructure, including high-speed Internet to attract business to the county.
Lovorn is currently conducting Halifax County's search for a replacement for IDA Director Bill Confroy, who will be retiring June 30.
During the meeting, the 33 participants split into five groups where they brainstormed the strengths and challenges of the county.
Topping the list of strengths were the location of the county, its economic diversity, and work ethic of the workforce.
"We have good people here, with a good work ethic," said Supervisor Lottie Nunn.
Local leadership also made the list.
"We've got great leadership, both public and private," said Halifax Town Councilman Jack Dunavant.
"We can make things happen in this county," he added.
"We stand out because we have people here who are concerned about what happens here," said IDA member John Cannon.
Cannon also pointed out the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center as a source of pride.
"That is an economic engine that we need to be aware of," Cannon said.
In discussing the weaknesses of the county, members pointed out the low morale of the county residents and high unemployment as sources of concern.
Many of those present also expressed concern for the educational level of workforce, a subject Halifax County Public School Assistant Superintendent Larry Clark addressed.
"I realize that we have some perceived weaknesses in our educational system," Clark admitted.
"But I can tell you that we have the best schools in Southside Virginia," he said.
Clark pointed out the many graduates of the Halifax County public schools in prominent positions.
"There are a lot of people sitting around these tables that are the products of the public school system," he said.
Cannon spoke out in favor of more funding for the schools.
"All I hear about is how terrible our school system is, but I think the system itself is great," he said.
"But we need to use more money in the schools to show what our system can do," he suggested.
Lovorn succinctly drew a parallel between education and economics.
"Education is economic development," he said. " You educate the citizens and the county thrives."
The group then split into smaller groups charged with developing a strategy to minimize the county's weakness and capitalize on its strengths.
"I think if the IDA is charged with creating and achieving goals, we need to look at and develop goals that are achievable," South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel said to his group.
Former delegate W.W. "Ted" Bennett suggested a larger staff in the IDA office.
Bennett said that one person simply couldn't handle all of the responsibilities of the job.
"What I propose is an IDA Director who oversees the operation and one who is in charge of recruiting, marketing and advertising the county and two assistant directors, one handling budgets and grant writing, and one taking care of local industry and managing the properties that are under the IDAs ownership and responsibility," Bennett suggested.
Clark suggested that the function of an IDA Director may be too broad.
"We need to develop a strategic plan to accomplish measurable goals, and then fund them so they can achieve those goals," he suggested.
Bennett noted that more needs to be done to make the marketing of the county to industry more feasible.
"You aren't going to be able to bring in a messiah who can pour holy water on the county and cure its ills," he said.
"We need an infrastructure in place, with high-speed Internet, water and sewer in place and everything ready to go," Bennett said.
"If I'm a car dealer and I don't have any cars on the lot to sell, then I don't care how good of a salesman I am," Bennett continued. "Without any product, I'm not going to sell anything."
Bennett noted that for the last four to five years there has been no developed property to sell to prospective industry.
Chris Lumsden of the Halifax Educational Foundation noted that the IDA director candidates would be interviewing the county as well, and suggested the resources need to be available to make the job appealing.
"The person we're looking for will have other opportunities elsewhere," he said.
"We need to make sure this person has the resources to achieve his goals," Lumsden added.
Bennett agreed, but said that nothing would improve until the educational level of Halifax County residents increased.
"We've done a lot of great things here, but we've failed dreadfully in one area," the former delegate said.
"I've stood in Richmond with my back to the James River looking south at us the way the rest of the state sees us- as an educational desert.
"We have 40-43 percent of adults with no high school degree," Bennett noted.
"When people complain that they aren't able to get high-paying jobs, its our fault, because we've created an environment where those kind of jobs are all we attract," he added.
"Until we fund education, we're going to be stuck with low-paying jobs for our citizens.
"If you care about the future of this county, you've got to take care of K-12 education," Bennett concluded.

Twenty-eight taxpayers put their cases before supervisors Monday night during a two-hour public hearing on the board's advertised $66,319,261 budget.
Supervisors are expected to take action on the budget at their regular June 3 meeting.
Support for adequate funding for education drew strong support from economic development sources, community spokesmen and individual citizens.
John Cannon, former Delegate Ted Bennett, Chris Lumsden of the Economic Development Council, Virgilina Mayor John Youngk and Kenneth Cranford were among those speaking in favor of adequate school funding.
But others opposed tax increases.
Ray Conner Jr. said that with all the job loss since 1996, he didn't think taxes should be increased.
"We're drowning already," said Conner. "It's like pouring water on a drowning man."
L.T. Ferguson said, "I'm for good education, but I also say, let's be reasonable."
Ferguson also disputed comparisons with surrounding counties. "I don't care what they are doing, I'm interested in Halifax County," he said.
Chris Lumsden, Economic Development Council representative, told supervisors that job creation and public schools are both critical for our future.
"They are connected at the hip. You cannot do one without the other," he emphasized.
"Good is not good enough in a competitive market. New industries are interested in K-12 and the Higher Education Center," he added.
Lumsden listed several goals including having students read on level by the third grade.
He also noted teacher salaries in the county were among the lowest in the state.
Lumsden also highlighted the EDC's resolution, one asking that supervisors fund the $2.2 million increase to schools and a $160,054 increase for the Industrial Development Authority.
Cannon , an IDA board member, asked the board "not to use the composite index money to balance the budget," rather to use it to build new schools.
He asked the board to allocate the majority of the $4 million in composite index funds to building schools.
Kenneth Cranford and Virgilina Mayor John Youngk both asked supervisors to keep their pledge and to provide funding that would help Virgilina Elementary School remain open.
Cranford said that the county having such a low tax base sends the wrong message to Richmond and that it is time to bite the tax bullet.
He also asked that education not be cut if supervisors have to cut services.
Cranford said that "we are losing our brightest and best teachers and professionals because we can't afford them."
He said one reason was the artificially low real estate tax which had been buoyed by the county's surplus funds. "But the surplus is gone now," he said.
He said the county needs to begin accumulating a surplus, but asked that they not increase personal property tax. Cranford recommended a four-cent real estate tax increase.
Poor school facilities, including Middle School bathrooms, as well as competitive teacher pay, were subjects addressed by Bonnie Bowen, HEA president.
"Brighter futures depend on you," added Bowen.
Thomas Hines was among those opposing any tax increase. He asked supervisors to consider the lost jobs, how people would pay house mortgage and the retired living on fixed incomes.
Henrietta Reagan suggested separation of teachers' salaries from other school employees' compensation. "The principals make good salaries," she said.
"Most people who want this tax increase have got money. I don't think they look close enough to poor people to see what we are paying."
Pam Merriman spoke regarding the loss of services to mentally ill and mentally handicapped patients.
John Tate, former Board of Supervisors chairman, claimed that the low tax status was one reason industries came to the county.
He also noted the per capita income in Halifax County is "just about at the bottom of the list," and that a significant percentage of citizens are retired and on fixed income. He said that he thought the board could come up with a new (budget) figure.
Ted Bennett urged supervisors not to use (composite index dollars) for normal county operations. He urged using the $4 million in funds for public education.
"'The future of an empire is in the education of its children,'" Bennett said, quoting Disraeli, former prime minister of Great Britain.
"Use the $4 million windfall as an investment, use it as seed corn instead of eating it, as current proposals amount to," added Bennett. "Set Halifax County apart.
"The two standards to measure the use of the money are how it will set Halifax County apart from its peers, and the lasting impact it will have for the citizens of the county," urged the former legislator.
Dr. Jules Modlinski, director of the Southside Community Services Board, asked that $45,000 in local funding be restored to SCSB.
Modlinski told the board that almost 50 percent cut in funding and that affected the 9 to 1 match in state funding. He said his agency had already been cut $160,000 by the state and $45,000 locally and that with matching fund losses from the state $400,000 could be lost.
If that takes place, Modlinski said the outpatient clinic, which serves the seriously mentally ill, would have to be closed.
Joyce Willis, clinical director at SCSB, as well as several SCSB clients spoke on behalf of the agency's funding.
Betty Wells of Social Services also asked that $30,000 for her agency be reinstated.
With an 80-20 match in state funding for her agency, she said the locality's cut would ultimately translate into a $150,000 loss in services and benefits.
"We have not seen caseloads go down," Wells said. "Are we balancing the budget on the backs of the poor?" she asked.
Wells also noted that $25,000 in up-front money for a grant in the Partners in Prevention program was not in the county's budget and she asked that it be included. The money is totally repaid, Wells explained.
Roger Ford, president of the NAACP and pastor at New Vernon Baptist Church, supported raising taxes "because you get what you pay for."
Ford said larger landowners should bear more tax responsibility.
Regarding personal property taxes, he said that a car in Halifax County is "not a luxury" since there is no mass transit and people must have a car for work.
The pastor described taxes as too low and said that politicians need to stop saying there are not going to raise taxes.
Only Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott spoke when the hearing closed. Abbott said that he would never vote for a tax increase, noting loss of jobs in the county and the number of residents on fixed incomes.
Abbott called the $4 million in returned composite index funding the county's since supervisors paid $3.2 million for the schools' retirement fund.
The supervisor did express admiration for the mental health workers. "My hat is off to you," he said.
Abbott said that he thought a modest teachers raise could be accomplished without a tax increase.

Halifax County High School recognized its outstanding citizens Monday night during its All-Star Banquet at the school.
In addition to recognizing 69 students, the school featured two students who have excelled academic and extra-curricular activities.
Ashley L. Epperson, member of the class of 2002, was recognized as Girl's Outdoor Track MVP and Hall of Fame Scholarship winner.
In 2001, she was honored as Girl's Outdoor Track MVP.
In 2000, she was recognized as Girl's Track MVP.
Since she has been included in three All-Star Banquets, she was recognized as a "Three-Times All-Star."
Andre M. Barnes, a member of the class of 2003, was recognized for his achievements as Boy's Cross Country MVP this year and in 2001.
In 2000, he was honored as Boy's Cross-Country Co-MVP.
Since he has been included in three All-Star Banquets, he was saluted as a "Three-Times All-Star."
Other students recognized for their outstanding achievements are listed below.
Winners were Emily L. Anderson, Charles B. Anderson, Jr., Jenna M. Austin, Andre M. Barnes, William N. Baskervill III, Sean K. Bohannon, Kristina D. Brooks, Jessica L. Buchanan, Wakisha D. Clay, Alonzo H. Coleman, Rex H. Crews Jr., Christopher W. Emory, Ashley L. Epperson and Benjamin D. Fallen.
Others recognized were Shamoni D. Faulkner, Keyona A. Ferrell, Susan P. Fincher, Kevin M. Fisher, Laura K. Gosney, Douglas K. Gravitt, Courtney M. Griggs and Taylor D. Hasty.
Also named were Sheena M. Hicks, Sharmane J. Holeman, Liza D. Holmes, George P. Hunt III, Mary K. King, Crystal A. Lacks, Matthew R. Lee, Andrew B. Leonard, Kelly D. Loftis, Kimberly D. Lowery, Bridget A. Marshall, Michael W. McDowell and Jessica L. Nelson.
Jody S. Nelson, Anthony D. Owen, Casey B. Owen, Edward H. Palmore, William F. Pearce, Kate A. Poirier, Justin M. Powell, Kathryn A. Ramsey, Precious K. Randolph and Adam S. Reeves.
The school also congratulated Kevin W. Reynolds, Patricia L. Ricketts, Alicia N. Roberts, Laura R. Robertson, Amanda Rogers, Jennifer D. Roller, Jennifer B. Ross, Courtney M. Schroeder, Wade L. Sellers, Benjamin D. Slabach.
Also recognized were;Melissa A. Smith, Dorothy C. Stevens, Zakiya R. Sydnor, Alan F. Taylor, Corbin R. Thompson, Kristi M. Tuck, Sheree A. Tucker, Travis C. Vaden, Blake Waller, Maggie Wilkins, Sterling G. Williams Jr., Trashia L. Williams, Andrew M. Witko, Nikki S. Womack.

The annual Virgilina Summerfest will be held Saturday, May 25, and organizers of the event have planned a day full of activities, sure to please young and old alike.
According to entertainment coordinator Dana Howerton, the music on this year's roster will be new and fresh.
"Our goal is to have no one leave the fest this year without hearing the music that they love," Howerton stated.
"We're trying a wider variety to satisfy all musical tastes. We have old rock, modern rock, bluegrass, country, blues, gospel, a little beach, a little oldies," she said. "Something for everyone."
Festivities will get underway Saturday morning at 10 a.m., with the official kickoff at 11 a.m. as a rendition of "Star Spangled Banner" is performed by South Boston Fire Department member J.B. Walker.
Following the national anthem, the Summerfest parade, a perennial favorite, will begin. The parade will proceed from Hwy. 49 into the heart of town, then to Virgilina Elementary School where the units will disband.
Also highlighting the Memorial Day weekend event will be Duke's Life Flight, the Jason Brooks Memorial Smoke Trailer, martial arts demonstrations, children's karaoke, and a street dance.
In addition, there will be a wide assortment of games, an arts and crafts display, as well as good home-style country foods sure to delight every member of the family.
A Brunswick stew lunch will be served beginning at 12 noon with the members of the Virgilina Fire Department and several members of the community preparing the meal. Barbecue chicken and pork plates for dinner will go on sale around 2 p.m. Homemade desserts made by some of the finest cooks in Virgilina will also be available for purchase.

Throw out the record books.
Throw out what has happened in the previous two games this season.
It's Round Three of the traditional baseball war between archrivals Halifax County and GW.
The Comets and GW will lock horns tonight at 7 p.m. at Dan Daniel Park in Danville in one of two semifinal games of the Western Valley District Baseball Tournament.
For Halifax County, the fourth seed in the tournament, tonight is do-or-die night.
A loss tonight will bring an abrupt end to the Comets' season.
On the other hand, a win will send the Comets into Friday night's district tournament championship game where they will face the winner of tonight's Franklin County-Cave Spring game in Roanoke.
While the Comets failed in their bid to land second-place and a home game in the district tournament semifinals in a disappointing 13-4 loss to GW here last Friday night, coach Kelvin Davis says he believes his team can get the job done tonight.
"We're behind the eight ball right now," Davis said.
"But we have the potential to come out and win this ball game. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
"There is something in the back of my mind telling me that we're going to do well in this tournament," added Davis.
"It's going to take a lot of work on the part of the guys to take control of the ball game. If they're willing to take on the job, I feel very confident about our chances."
For some people, it would be hard to see something positive, especially in the way the Comets lost to GW Friday night after having held the lead in the fourth inning.
Davis, however, sees a silver lining.
"The good thing in our situation is that the guys know we had them (GW) right where we wanted them," Davis said.
"Our guys have to understand that we basically gave GW the game by committing errors. We had every opportunity to win the game. We let our guard down and committed so many errors that GW capitalized on them."
GW, the regular-season district champion, has clinched one of the district's two berths in the Northwest Region Baseball Tournament.
However, the Silver Eagles need to win the district tournament title in order to secure a home game in the opening round of the regional tournament.
Halifax County, the fourth seed in the district tournament, is out to try to defend last year's district title.
But, in order to do that and earn a berth in the Northwest Region Tournament, the Comets must first defeat GW on the road tonight.
The Comets would then need to win Friday night's district tournament championship game in order to get into the Northwest Region Tournament.
Halifax County, however, cannot afford to look that far down the road.
It must look at the tournament as one step at a time, one game at a time.
Davis says he is confident about his team's chances against GW tonight.
"I'm not saying that our team is so much better than GW," Davis pointed out.
"GW is a good team. They're 17-0. What I am saying is that I have confidence in this team. All we have to do is go out there and play good, solid defense and, offensively, get some runs."
The big key to tonight's game, Davis says, is defense.
Halifax County has struggled defensively this season, having committed more errors this season than in the last several seasons put together.
"We've got to come ready to play defense," Davis pointed out.
"We've got to make the plays behind our pitcher. We've had the pitching we need. We've scored runs. But our defense has been breaking down on us and that is what has cost us winning ball games.
"We've committed something like 35 or 38 errors this season," continued Davis.
"That's unreal for Halifax County baseball. If you look at the ball games we have lost, that was the problem."
Davis also pointed out his team will need to hit the ball tonight.
He pointed out that GW's likely starter, B.J. Durham, is a good pitcher but that he feels his team cane be successful against Durham.
"He's had a good season," Davis said of Durham.
"He throws the ball well and spots his pitches well. But, he's not a dominant pitcher.
"Our guys have faced him before and they know they can hit him," added Davis.
"The thing we have to do is put the ball in play. We have to come up with some key hits. When we get runners on base, we have to come up with key hits to score."
Davis' message to the team this week is that what is done is done and that today's Western Valley District Tournament semifinal game against GW marks the start of a new season and a clean slate.
"It's a totally different season," Davis pointed out.
"We can either keep our heads down or we can get ourselves back together and get on a winning track.
"It's all up to them now," he added.
"They have to believe in themselves and want it."

Halifax County High School's varsity girls softball team is the fourth seed entering today's semifinal round of the Western Valley District Softball Tournament.
But nobody should view the Comets as anything but a title contender.
That's the way Comets coach Melanie Saunders sees her team (7-9 overall, 6-4 district) as it prepares for today's tournament semifinal game against GW (16-2 overall, 8-2 district) in Danville.
The Comets and GW have battled each other tooth and nail in the two regular-season contests.
GW prevailed in both, winning a nine-inning contest by two runs in their first meeting and pulling off a 1-0 win over the Comets last Friday in Danville.
However, Saunders says her team feels like it can turn the tables on GW, which, last Friday won its first ever district softball title.
"My girls are eager to go and try to take them (GW) down," Saunders said.
"I think they want it, especially our seniors. They don't want to go out early. They want to go out with a bang, so, I'm hoping it's going to be a good, tough game."
Saunders says he hopes the odds will favor her Comets squad today.
"It's hard to beat a team three times in a row, especially when the teams are so evenly matched," noted Saunders.
"GW has a good team. They have a great pitcher (Kristin Farr). We hit her really well the first time we faced her. Our bats were slow at GW (last Friday). If we hit her like we did the first time, I think we have a good chance at winning the ball game."
Dethroning GW is only a part of the task Halifax County has ahead of itself this week.
GW clinched one of the district's two berths in the Northwest Region Softball Tournament by virtue of winning the regular-season title.
If the Comets bump off GW today, they will face the winner of today's other semi-final game between Franklin County and Cave Spring in Roanoke on the road Friday in the district title game.
The Comets will then have to win the district championship game in order to advance to the Northwest Region Tournament.
It's a tough task, to be sure. But, the Comets have faced and accomplished a tough task in making the progress they have made in the past three weeks.
It was about three weeks ago that the Comets were 1-7 and on the brink of failing to make the field for the four-team Western Valley District Tournament for the first time in recent history.
People were beginning to write off the defending district champion.
Then, the tide turned.
The Comets won six district games in a row and got back into contention in the Western Valley District standings.
Last Friday the Comets had a shot at finishing in a four-way tie for the regular-season championship with a road win over GW.
However, GW pulled out a 1-0 win in a squeaker, leaving the Comets to finish fourth in the standings.
That, in itself, shows how much the Comets have improved and why they cannot be considered as a typical fourth-place team.
"We've really come together the last couple of weeks," Saunders said.
"When we were in that 1-7 mode, we weren't really working together as a team. Once we won a couple of ball games and the girls got some confidence in themselves and in us (herself and assistant coach Allen Lawter) as coaches and learned what we expected from them, we came together.
"We came from being 1-7 and just trying to get into the tournament to having a possibility of getting into a tie for first place," added Saunders.
"I'm pleased with how the season has turned out. I hope we can go out and take it to GW."
Finishing fourth in the standings would be troublesome in many seasons, especially in a season in which there appears to be a clear cut odds-on favorite to win the tournament.
However, there is more parity among the top four teams this year than there has been in many past seasons.
The Comets split their district games with Franklin County and Cave Spring who will square off today at Cave Spring in Roanoke and lost their two district contests against GW.
None of the losses were by more than two runs and all of the games went down to the wire.
That kind of parity leaves the door open for all kinds of possibilities.
"The district is tight," Saunders said.
"This is one of those years in which anything can happen, that anyone can win, once you get into the tournament.
"All of the games have been one-run or two-run ball games," continued Saunders.
"The pitchers are all very consistent. They have good speed and they can move the ball. No pitcher is that much stronger than any other. It all comes down to who is hitting the ball. The team that is hitting the ball on any given day is the team that will win the ball game."
Saunders said she feels like any team in the district tournament would have to be wary of having to play a team that has improved as much as the Comets have over the past two weeks.
"I think everybody feels the same way about every team in the district right now," Saunders said.
"GW has seen us twice. We went into extra innings with them the first time and lost 1-0 the second time.
"I don't think GW is scared of us," added Saunders.
"But they know that this is going to be a very good ball game."

Edith Crews Canada

Edith Crews Canada, 87, of 1155 Green Valley Road, Clover, died May 20 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Halifax County on December 14, 1914, the daughter of Burmah David Crews and Ola Puckette Crews and was married to Bernard F. Canada. Mrs. Canada was a member of Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church, and retired Deputy Commissioner of Revenue for Halifax County.
Survivors include one son, B. David Canada of Petersburg; one daughter, Joanna C. Hackworth of Moseley; two sisters, Catherine C. Parker of Bedford and Cynthia C. Kendrick of Nathalie; two grandsons and one step-granddaughter.
Funeral services for Mrs. Canada will be held at Mt. Laurel UMC today, May 22, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ann Tang officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Jessica Marie Fuller Dietz

Jessica Marie Fuller Dietz 'Sissy,' 24, of Spotsylvania County, died May 19 in an airplane accident along with her 10-year-old brother, Zachary David Fuller.
Mrs. Dietz attend Grace Memorial Church and was serving in the United States Army as a Sidpers Analyst since 1996.
She is survived by her husband, Brian Peter Dietz; her parents, Kevin and Peggy Fuller of Spotsylvania; a sister, Wendy Marie Edenton of Partlow; her maternal grandparents, Alan and Irma Kerr of Reston and her paternal grandparents, Richard and Mercedes Fuller of Burlington, NC.
The family will receive friends tonight, May 22 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Fredericksburg from 6:00-8:00. A memorial service will be held May 23 at the funeral home chapel at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Harlan E. White officiating. Burial will be private.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Grace Memorial Church designated to Kid's Place Orphanage in Brazil, c/o Grace Memorial Church, 1600 Stafford Avenue, Fredericksburg, 22401.

Zachary David Fuller

Zachary David Fuller, 10, of Spotsylvania County, died May 19 in an airplane accident along with his 24-year-old sister, Jessica Marie Fuller Dietz.
Zachary attended Grace Memorial Church where he was also a member of the AWANA Youth Group. He was also an honor roll student in the fourth grade at Courthouse Road Elementary School.
He is survived by his parents, Kevin and Peggy Fuller of Spotsylvania; his maternal grandparents, Howard and Cynthia Kendrick of Nathalie and his paternal grandparents, Richard and Mercedes Fuller of Burlington, NC.
The family will receive friends this evening, May 22, at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Fredericksburg from 6:00 to 8:00.
A memorial service will be held May 23 at the funeral home chapel at 4 p.m. with the Rev. Harlan E. White officiating. Burial will be private.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Grace Memorial Church designated Kid's Place Orphanage, c/o Grace Memorial Church, 1600 Stafford, Avenue, Fredericksburg, 22401.

Annie Louise Jennings

Annie Louise Jennings, 61, of 1015 Height Trail, Halifax, died May 17 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Miss Jennings was born in Halifax County on December 28, 1940, the daughter of the late Fred Jennings and Macie Edmonds Jennings. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant CME Church.
Survivors include two sisters, Cora Lee Marable and Georgia Miller, both of Halifax; two brothers, Frank Wilson Jennings of Jamaica, NY and Richard Watt Edmonds of Halifax.
Funeral services for Miss Jennings will be held May 23 at 1 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant CME Church with Revs. Ava Gaines and Ronald L. Dean officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home. Viewing will be at Jeffress Funeral Home this evening, May 22, from 6 to 7.

Franklin Monroe New

Franklin Monroe New, 69, of 1081 Shelton Road, South Boston, died May 20 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. New was born in South Boston on April 25, 1933, the son of James Monroe New and Mollie Cozart New and was married to Ina B. New. He was a member of American Legion Post 8, was an Army Veteran and retired supervisor with Daystrom.
Survivors include his wife; three sons, Gary Franklin New and his wife, Wendy, Kenneth Ray New and his wife, Ginger and Gerald Monroe New and wife, Sharon, all of South Boston; one sister, Rachel Dixon of South Boston; two brothers, Ronnie New of South Boston and Earl New of Norfolk; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Marion Jordan and Marie Barbery.
Funeral services for Mr. New will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel today, May 22, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.