Friday, March 17, 2006

Boards OK School Construction Funds

Construction On Two New Elementary Schools Set To Get Under Way By April 1

Construction on two new elementary schools in the county is now set to move forward this spring.
Both the Halifax County Board of Supervisors and the county’s School Board voted to approve the expenditure of $32,164,260 to fund the two projects Tuesday night during a joint meeting of the two Boards.
During the meeting, the architect for the two projects said the county received workable bids from two reputable companies to undertake the project.
“We’re extremely pleased with the way the prices came out and are excited to be working with some of the best companies in the area,” Allen Burchette of Dewberry & Davis said.
The Boards approved a total project cost of $16,086,151 to construct a 94,440-sq-ft school in South Boston, a bid awarded to Blair Construction Company in Pittsylvania County.
The contract to construct an 81,528-sq-ft elementary school in the Cluster Springs area was awarded to Burton Construction Company at a total cost of $16,078,109.
The total approved includes “soft costs” for the project that include a $250,000 contingency fund for each project, architectural and engineering fees, soil tests, construction tests, surveying of the sites, electrical service, the installation of electronics and phone equipment, playground equipment and a furniture allowance for each school.
Soft costs for the South Boston school total $1.55 million. The additional costs for the Cluster Springs school totals $1.6 million, which includes the purchase of the building site.
“They (soft costs) do add quite a bit to the overall costs,” Burchette said, “but these are all items that go into the schools.”
Tuesday’s action translates into the county having borrowed a total of $59,960,000 for the three construction projects under way in the county (including the renovation of the middle school). After adding the interest due on the two loans, the county will repay a total of $88,870,200 over 20 years.
Prior to the vote, School Superintendent Paul Stapleton said the action would not only be a boon for the county’s school children, but would serve as an opportunity to employ hundreds of workers in the county.
“One of the pleasing things isn’t just the bids, but the number of people we’re going to have in Halifax County working on this project,” he said. “This will be a real economic force over the next 18 months and will put people to work.”
“I don’t think the general public understands just how important this is for the county,” Stapleton added. “I imagine we’re going to have several hundred local people working on these two schools. I feel like we have two outstanding contractors in Burton and Blair construction companies.”
Prior to the vote, several supervisors voiced their support of the project.
“It’s a giant step for future generations of children in this county and this Board has been committed to improving the educational quality in this county,” said Board Chairman William Fitzgerald. “If we take this step tonight, it will benefit lots of future generations in the county. I support the approval of the funding.”
On a motion by Bowman and with a second by Supervisor Bryant Claiborne, supervisors passed the measure unanimously, with Supervisor R.E. “Dickie” Abbott absent.
Following the Board vote, members of the School Board approved the awarding of the contracts to the two construction companies with Board Member Doug Fisher opposing.
“Right now, you have two of the best-looking schools in the Commonwealth you’re fixing to build,” Stapleton said.

 

SVHEC Director Bennett Lauds County’s Efforts

State Board Of Community Colleges In South Boston For Meeting

In addressing yesterday’s meeting of the Virginia State Board for Community Colleges, Southern Virginia Higher Education Executive Director Ted Bennett took the opportunity to tout efforts being made in Halifax County to diversify the economy.
Bennett addressed the group as education leaders gathered at the SVHEC for its business meeting.
It is the first time the Board has met in Halifax County, according to Bennett.
During his speech to the group, the SVHEC director lauded the efforts of the Halifax County community to address the declining tobacco and textile industries.
“The point I really tried to drive home is that this community hasn’t had its head stuck in the sand and has recognized the need to diversify the economy,” he said.
Part of the efforts to respond to the declining economy is the work to create a work force attractive to industry, a need the SVHEC is addressing, Bennett said.
“We realized how critical it is we have a trained, or trainable work force,” he said. “To that end, the community has recently put $60 million into a building program and the development of this center with $1.5 million of the costs covered by county taxpayers.”
Bennett said his message to the state Board was simple: “We are poised now with the assets in place to springboard into the new economy.
“For such a small community, our opportunities are limitless if we have the forethought and will to take advantage of them,” he said.
Board Chairman Chris Lumsden said having the group in South Boston will be advantageous in the future.
“It was great to have the members of the Board here for the meeting,” he said. “This is the first time the Virginia Community College Board has ever met in South Boston and they’ve only met a few times in Southside Virginia.”
Lumsden said that 13 of the 15-member Board attended the meeting. “The Chancellor and his senior staff were here as well and we had a number of community college presidents from across the state.
“I think it was a good opportunity for people from outside the area to see what we’ve done,” Lumsden added. “They were just blown away by The Prizery and Berry Hill.
“Until people from outside of Southside come to the community and see, feel and witness what this community has done, they don’t have any comprehension of the steps we’ve taken to educate and give our residents the ability to receive an education,” he added. “And education is tied to economic development.”
Bennett said the response by the visiting dignitaries was overwhelmingly positive.
“Judging by the response we received, it’s clear that they were so impressed that many will be coming back,” he said. “And equally important, they’ll be talking about Halifax County when they get home.”

 

Halifax Town Council

After Much Talk, No Action Council Tables ‘Leash Law’

After receiving comment from more than half a dozen Halifax residents Tuesday night Halifax Council voted to table the town’s proposed ‘leash law’ until it could be studied further.
Following the close of the public hearing that saw the majority of speakers in favor of the new ordinance, Councilman Charles Parker made a motion that the ordinance be adopted. Councilman Hollis seconded the motion, but before a vote was cast Councilman Jack Dunavant offered a substitute motion that the leash law be tabled and revisited at Council’s April work session.
Councilman Stevens seconded the motion and it passed on a 4-2 vote with Parker and Hollis dissenting.
Dunavant said following the vote that in the end a leash law may be the only option available to control dogs in town, but he wanted further review before supporting the restrictive measure.
Stevens said he was concerned about enforceability issues with the new stricter ordinance. Mayor Leon Plaster said he shared Stevens’ concerns.
Council formed a committee of Dunavant and Stevens to review the ordinance and report their recommendations at Council’s next work session.
Also on the agenda, Council voted to change the health benefits package offered to town employees from Anthem’s Key Advantage Expanded plan to a slightly lesser package, the Key Advantage 200 plan.
This year the town will pay $327 of the plan’s $341 monthly premium for the employee and will no longer pay for spousal coverage. To offset the cost of the spousal insurance the town is giving participating employees a one-time salary adjustment of approximately 80 percent of the spousal premium.
In the future, the town’s contribution will be capped at $327 or 90 percent of the individual employee’s premium whichever is greater.
Halifax’s health insurance rates went up 8.6 percent this year, according to the town’s Anthem representative, Carl LaFerney.
Also the town is enrolling in a Section 125 plan offered by the IRS that allows insurance premiums to be paid on a pre-tax basis, in effect lowering the taxable income of the employee.
The measure will save both the town and the employee money on taxes, according to Hollis.
Council also held three other public hearings Tuesday addressing ordinance re-codification, ordinance amendments to the new town code and changes to the town’s R-2 zoning ordinance.
After receiving no public comment at the hearings, Council voted to adopt the new code and the additions with only minor changes.
Council also adopted the new R-2 zoning language with a change removing the phrase “the town will not allow no mobile homes” noting the double negative. Stevens abstained from voting and Councilman Cabell Daniel voted against the measure.
Guest speakers, Chief Broadfoot of the Danville Police Department and First Sergeant Jeff Lane of the Virginia State Police, addressed Council on the proposed use of auxiliary police officers by the town’s department.
Broadfoot has extensive experience with the program from his days and the Waynesboro and Danville police departments.
In Waynesboro the department had 50 full-time officers and 31 volunteers auxiliary officers, Broadfoot said. Currently in Danville, the department has 137 paid officers and 15 volunteers.
When instituting the program, Broadfoot said it is important for it to be under the authority of the chief of police, who can set rules and regulations and enforce them the same as he would with full-time officers.
“Good screening, background investigation and training are the keys to a successful program,” he said. “My recommendation is to make sure the chief has full control, to bring them in under the department and hold them to the same standards.”
The auxiliary program has been extremely positive in both departments he has served in, Broadfoot added.
“Many professional people have no desire to be full-time officers,” he said. “But they want to serve their community.
“Also, you can’t get a better cheerleader for the department,” he said.
Another advantage of the auxiliary program is that it gives people interested in law enforcement the opportunity to try it and see if it’s for them, the chief said.
In Danville regular police never handle events like parades anymore, Broadfoot said, because the auxiliary officers have taken it under their responsibilities. This cuts down on the department’s overtime, he said.
The only expenses are uniforms, equipment, firearms and liability insurance for the town, according to Broadfoot. The locality provides no medical benefits or insurance to the volunteers.
Sergeant Lane addressed Council on the training aspects of the program, saying the State Police will assist other law enforcement agencies with training free of charge.
“They have to understand the basics before they can enforce the law,” he said and area troopers would be available to help.
Lane said that while the State Police do not allow for volunteer officers, Halifax officers would be able to assist with the traffic control challenges that will arise during the town’s revitalization work downtown.
“We’re going to have a lot of traffic changes and auxiliary officers would be great for that,” Lane said.

 

Virgilina Man Enters Alford Plea To A&B

A 51-year-old Virgilina man entered an Alford plea Thursday in Halifax County Circuit Court to the assault and battery of a law enforcement officer and two additional charges.
Eugene Edward Wadsworth entered the Alford plea to the assault and battery of Virginia State Trooper P.W. Leath, a third or subsequent offense of DUI, and misdemeanor obstruction of justice.
Under terms of an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but realizes prosecution evidence would make a guilty finding at trial almost a certainty.
In exchange for Wadsworth’s Alford plea, the Commonwealth agreed to nol pross two additional charges against him, brandishing a firearm and a second or subsequent offense of driving on a revoked operator’s license.
Judge William L. Wellons sentenced Wadsworth to five years in prison, with all but six months suspended, for the assault and battery offense, and three years in prison, with all but 90 days suspended, for the DUI offense.
Wadsworth also received a one-year suspended jail term for obstruction of justice. The court ordered the suspended portion of Wadsworth’s sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for eight years, and ordered him to be placed on probation for two years. The court additionally ordered Wadsworth to abstain from illegal drugs and submit to random drug tests.
Other Court Cases
• Dwayne Levar Lawson, 28, of South Boston, was convicted Thursday of possessing cocaine and possessing marijuana, after reaching a plea agreement with the Commonwealth.
Under terms of the plea agreement, the court sentenced Lawson to a 30-day suspended sentence for possessing marijuana and a three-year suspended sentence for possessing cocaine.
The court ordered Lawson’s suspended sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for three years and ordered him to be placed on probation for one year, both effective immediately. The court additionally ordered Lawson to undergo random drug tests and drug treatment.
• Roger Neal Francis, 30, of South Boston, had both a capias against him for contempt of court and another for a violation of his conditions of supervision dismissed Thursday in Halifax County Circuit Court.
• Herman Levar Ross, 28, of South Boston, had an indictment charging him with a third offense of assault and battery (Crystal Jackson) nol prossed Thursday by the Commonwealth.

 

Young Lions Baseball Team Looks To Retool

The Halifax County Middle School baseball team is looking to continue its winning tradition this season with one of its younger teams in recent years.
Halifax lost 14 players from last year’s 13-0 team, which won its ninth consecutive Southside Middle School Conference title, and lists four returnees this season, Luke Griles, Aaron Mitchell, Josh Rogers and Dale “Patches” Trent.
The talent is there for another run at the title, but the task facing head coach Barry Powell and assistants Will Hill and Brian Medley is evaluating and molding that talent into a winning team.
“We’re rebuilding in a way, but at this level we’re always rebuilding in a sense,” said Powell, adding his returnees will be counted on to provide leadership for the newcomers.
“Luke, Aaron, Josh and Dale should be our mainstays and they’ve improved, so we’re looking for them to carry us.”
Newcomers this year include Markee Brooks, Travis Goode, Tyler Long, DeIrving Davis, Demetrius Faulkner, Adam Hammock, Deon Lipscomb, Derrell Davis, Scott Rickman, Davon Greene, Chris Hunt and Zane Long and Kelvin Davis.
That amount of newcomers has not dampened Powell’s optimism entering the year.
“We’re very optimistic about this team, we have a great feeder program with all the baseball leagues in the county, and we have quality players coming into the program,” he said.
“It’s up to the coaches to evaluate their tools, find a place for them here, and develop them for the high school jayvee and varsity programs.
Powell counts a total of eight pitchers on his staff, including returnees Trent, Griles and Rogers, along with newcomers Davis, Greene, Hunt, Lipscomb and Long. Rogers, Long and Lipscomb are left-handers.
The veterans have all improved since last year, according to Powell, who also likes what he sees in the newcomers.
“Davis has an exceptional arm, Greene has the added bonus of swinging the bat well,” began Powell. “Hunt has a nice, easy fluid motion and should get some mound time. Lipscomb is a left-hander with good arm strength and Long, another left-hander, should also get some mound time.”
Catchers on the roster include Rickman and Long and Mitchell, with Rickman the leader at this time, said Powell.
“Scott has an exceptional bat and a good arm, while Zane is a left-handed batter who is learning the game.”
First basemen include Rogers and Hunt, while Goode and Davis are both listed at second base.
“Hunt is learning the game, and Rogers is a hard worker as well. Travis has exceptional arm strength for his size, a good bat and runs well. Kelvin has a nice glove, and quick hands and feet.”
Trent and Faulkner are listed at shortstop, with the returnee most probably the starter when not pitching, said Powell.
“Dale is an all-around athlete and has a good bat. He’ll basically run our defense when he’s not on the mound, and Demetrius will also see time at shortstop.”
Third base is well stocked with returnee Griles, along with Derrell Davis, DeIrving Davis and Hammock.
“Griles is heady and dependable, and should be instrumental to our success, Derrell Davis has both a good bat and good arm, and DeIrving Davis, who’s learning the position, also handles the bat well.”
Derrell Davis and Lipscomb are also listed as outfielders, joining Mitchell, Hammock, Long, Brooks and Greene.
“Aaron runs well, improved his strength and quickness and will play center field, and Deon also runs well. He’s the front-runner for left field,” said Powell. “Tyler will share time with Aaron in center field.
“Davon is an exceptional hitter, and is good defensively, while Brooks also runs well and has a nice arm,” added Powell, who said both players would see time in right field.
Powell terms this year as “challenging” for his young club, with another title run depending on both the players’ desire to work and the coaching staff’s ability to put the pieces together.
“Overall, it’s a challenge for us to give them the tools and evaluate them. It’s good to have Brian, who played here, return as a coach and a tremendous advantage to have Coach Hill back with us,” said Powell. “They both relate well to the players and they’ll be an asset to the program.”
A tough early-season schedule will say a lot about the direction the Lions take this year, noted Powell.
“If we can retain what we learn in practice and get off to a good start, we’ll be fine. I told the team that 10 years from now I want them to be able to come back here and be proud of what they accomplished.
“They’re giving 100 percent in practice and the coaches are trying to do the same for them.”

 

Lions Softball Team Is Young But Talented

Young but talented may best describe this year’s Halifax County Middle School softball team.
The Lions are missing eleven players from last year’s undefeated squad, which won the school’s seventh consecutive Southside Middle School Conference Tournament title. Eight of those players currently play on the Comets jayvee softball.
Two starters return, Stephanie Clark and Jessie Bagbey, but other returnees Johanna Spencer, Brittany Cole, Kisha Crowder, Megan Day and Sharilyn Walton got plenty of game experience during the Lions’ 14-0 season a year ago.
New to the team are Melissa Blanks, Dalyn Hall, Frances Hicks, Brittany Long, Kristin Mosier, Jameshia Smith, Jamilia Smith and Jill Trickey, all veterans of the Halifax County Dixie Softball League.
How the newcomers make the transition from Dixie softball to middle school may determine the course the team takes this season, according to James Smith, who returns for his ninth year as head coach.
Bonnie Bowen returns as assistant coach for the Lions, which will start the season with an all-new outfield.
“I lost 11 players from last year, including seven starters, but I have two of them back, Jessie Bagbey and Stephanie Clark,” began Smith.
“We lost our starting second baseman, first baseman, pitcher and catcher, and our whole outfield is new. Pitching should be fine, but we’ll have to make some adjustments.
“Some of the girls will be playing different positions that they played in Dixie ball, and it’s still new to them.”
The Lions are deep in pitching this season, with Clark, Bagbey, Blanks, Hall and Trickey toeing the rubber for the Lions. Clark and Bagbey will probably play the infield when the other pitches, while Blanks and Hall may see some time in the outfield.
Trickey is listed at three positions, pitcher, catcher and third base.
Veteran catcher Spencer gets the nod behind the plate to start, according to Smith, who lists her and Cole as both a catcher and outfielder.
Crowder is listed as a first baseman, Day an infielder and outfielder and Walton as a third baseman on the roster.
Hicks is listed on the roster as an outfielder, Long an infielder, Mosier a first baseman, and Jameshia Smith as a catcher and infielder. Jamilia Smith will play the outfield, according to the roster.
“As it stands, Stephanie and Jessie are our starting pitchers, and Spencer will be our starting catcher,” said Smith.
“Stephanie and Jessie will play shortstop when the other pitches, and I have five girls back from last year’s team who should move in as starters, but the younger girls are pushing them.”
The opening part of the schedule should tell him a lot about his team, according to Smith, with three opponents taking the field March 18 for the annual middle school invitational tournament.
The Lions open their season March 16 on the road against one of those teams, Franklin County, with Franklin County, Powhatan and Dinwiddie completing the four-team tournament field.
“It’s hard to tell how good we’ll be but time will tell,” noted Smith. I’ll have a better idea once we get some games under our belt, including the season-opening tournament.
“We need to get a little experience, but down the road we should be alright.”
The rigorous early-season schedule plays into Smith’s philosophy of playing tough out of conference opponents early, before the critical conference games begin.
“I’d rather play tough teams at the beginning and improve down the road, rather than play weaker teams at the beginning,” he emphasized.
“Any coach will tell you it’s not how you start but how you finish. You don’t accomplish anything by coming out of the gate strong and not finishing strong, you should play your best ball at the end of the season.”
Smith expressed confidence the Lady Lions will again pull together to continue the tradition of championship softball at the middle school.
“The only thing I see is that a lot of them will be playing against older girls for the first time, and it may take time to adjust to that,” said Smith.
“The younger players are gaining some confidence, and the older girls are working with them. I think after four or five games, I’ll know what kind of team we’ll have, but I’m hoping we’ll be pretty good.”

 

Middle School Invitational Tourney Slated This Saturday

Powhatan, Dinwiddie, Franklin County, Martinsville Provide Opposition

The annual Halifax County Middle School Invitational Tournament gets underway Saturday, with one of the strongest fields ever challenging the Lions’ baseball and softball teams.
Action gets underway at 9 a.m. at the baseball field, when the host Lions take on Martinsville, while the Lions softball team gets its first tournament action at 10 a.m. with a game against Dinwiddie.
The Franklin County Middle School baseball team plays Powhatan at 11 a.m. and its softball team matches up with Powhatan at 11:30 a.m. to complete semifinal action.
Consolation games for the baseball and softball tourneys begin at 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively, with both championship games scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.
Lions baseball coach Barry Powell and softball coach James Smith both think this tournament field shapes up as one of the best ever.
“We expect a good test Saturday, and I think it’s one of the most competitive tournament fields ever,” began Powell.
“We’ve played two scrimmages and got a chance to better evaluate our players and set our lineup.”
The Lions baseball team will already know a little bit about Franklin County, having opened its season Thursday against them at Rocky Mount, but Powell admitted he knew little about Powhatan and Martinsville.
“It’s pretty much set in stone that Franklin County is competitive in most any sport, but I expect Powhatan and Martinsville to be tough as well, and we’ll have to play hard,” he noted.
“We have the talent, but game experience will be the key. I think we’ve covered all the phases of the game, this group has worked hard and I feel we’re prepared.”
Smith reiterated Powell’s belief that the tournament field is one of the toughest ever.
“I expect to see good pitching and defense from all of these teams,” said Smith, whose team also opened its season Thursday on the road at Franklin County.
“Franklin County is always tough, and just looking at the success of Powhatan’s high school teams should tell you all you need to know about its middle school softball program.
“Dinwiddie always keeps a good squad, so this tournament should tell us a lot about our team.
“There should be some good ball games played Saturday, and everyone should come out and see them,” said Smith.
A single admission price of $5 includes all eight tournament games, with parking restricted to the bus parking lot at the middle school. Those attending the softball tournament must also park at the bus parking lot.
Concessions will include hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and soft drinks, and spectators need to be aware of ongoing construction at the middle school.

 

Obituaries

Frank Randolph Bruce
Funeral services for Mr. Frank Randolph Bruce were held Wednesday in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., with graveside rites to be held Saturday, March 18, at 11 a.m. at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Halifax with the Rev. Ronnie Clarke officiating.
The family will receive friends at the residence of Faye Bruce, 211 Glendale Drive, South Boston.
Mr. Bruce, 53, of Fort Walton Beach and formerly of Halifax County, died Saturday, March 11.
He was born in Halifax County on February 3, 1953, the son of the late Charlie Randolph and Ophelia Marie Bruce and was married to Deanna Bruce.
Mr. Bruce was a member of Christ Gospel Church of Fort Walton Beach.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Bruce is survived by three daughters, Andrea Bruce, Rachael Bruce and Jeneviene Bruce, all of Fort Walton Beach; three sons, Timothy Bruce and Nathan Bruce, both of Fort Walton Beach, and Frankie Bruce of Richmond; three grandchildren; four sisters, Lois E. Stone of Brandywine, Md., Sandra M. Hayes of District Heights, Md., Mary E. Boysaw of Wytheville and Faye O. Bruce of South Boston; four brothers, Rev. Calvin Bruce of South Boston, Charlie J. Bruce of Clinton, Md., Mitchell Bruce of Newport News and Rev. Carl T. Bruce of El Paso, Texas; four sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ryland Otie Clark Sr.
Funeral services for Mr., Ryland Otie Clark Sr. will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Catawba Baptist Church with the Rev. Dwight Moore and the Rev. Michael O’Shea officiating.
Burial will follow in the Liberty United Church of Christ Cemetery with Masonic rites.
The family will receive friends Friday from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home and at other times at the home, 4037 Liberty Road, Nathalie.
Mr. Clark, 77, died Wednesday, March 15, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Halifax County, December 30, 1928, the son of the late Otie Willie Clark and Beatrice Crews Clark and was married to Lois Murphy Clark.
Mr. Clark was a member of Catawba Baptist Church where he was a past deacon. He was also a member of the French Masonic Lodge 270 where he served as Master and District Deputy Grandmaster of the 37th Masonic District.
Mr. Clark was retired from Universal Leaf Tobacco Company where he was employed for 42 years.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Clark is survived by three children, Ryland Otie Clark Jr. and wife Nancie, Dianne Clark Garrett and husband Buddy and Fred Scott Clark and wife Beverly, all of Nathalie; seven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, a step great-granddaughter and a special niece and nephew, Mary Ann Dowdy of Concord and Bill Lacks of Goode.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Clark Lacks.
For memorials, please consider the Hillary Glidewell Masonic Scholarship Fund, in care of M.T. Duffer, 3032 L.P. Bailey Memorial Highway, Halifax, Va. 24558 or a charity of your choice.
Richard James Moylan Sr.
A memorial service for Mr. Richard James Moylan Sr. will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at his home, 2200 Mason Trail in Nathalie, with the Rev. Vance Midgett officiating.
A wake will follow at his home until 4 p.m.
Mr. Moylan, 75, died Wednesday, March 15, at his home.
He was born in Syracuse, N.Y., on December 28, 1930, the son of the late Thomas F. Moylan and Veronica I. Moylan and was married to Christina Marie Phillips Moylan.
Mr. Moylan was a U.S. Navy veteran having served from 1948-50, was employed by the Civil Service in Norfolk and a business owner of The Thing Shop in Norfolk.
He was also a carpenter and wood worker, a member of the Ocean View Lions Club, the founder of The Cardinal State Harmonica Club and a member of The SONS, a neighborhood rites advocacy group.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Moylan is survived by three children, Richard James Moylan Jr. and wife Deanna of Gloucester, Timothy Shaw Moylan of Cheraw, S.C. and Cathy Buchanan and husband John of North Tonawanda, N.Y. and a sister, Doreen Conroy and husband Jim of Clay, N.Y.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Louise Hall Moylan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army or the Old Dominion Eye Bank, or a Lions Club service project of your choice.
Kathleen Davis Crews
Funeral services for Mrs. Kathleen Davis Crews will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Straightstone Baptist Church with the Rev. James Manuel officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Friday at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home and at other times at the residence, 1211 Buffalo Road, Long Island.
Mrs. Crews, 78, died Wednesday, March 15, at her residence.
She was born July 30,1927, in Pittsylvania County, the daughter of the late Abraham L. Davis and Audrey Mayhew Davis and was married to the late Herbert L. Crews.
Mrs. Crews was a member of the Straightstone Baptist Church and a homemaker.
She is survived by two sons, Michael L. Crews Sr. and wife Ruby of Brookneal, and Jeffrey L. Crews and wife Faith of Long Island; two brothers, Dan Davis and wife Hula of Gretna, and Roy Davis and wife Jane of Matthews, N.C.; two sisters, Ann Mehaffey and husband Aubrey of Lynchburg, and Christine Shelton of Gretna; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Crews was preceded in death by two brothers, Vester Davis and Herbert Davis.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the North Halifax Volunteer Fire Department, 2066 Tobacco Road, Nathalie, Va. 24577 or Hospice of the Hills, 3300 Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, Va. 24503.
Cecil Thomas Hutcherson
Mr. Cecil Thomas Hutcherson, 73, of Ocracoke Island, died March 8 at Sentara Leigh hospital.
A memorial service was held at the Ocracoke Assembly of God Church Monday.
A native of Halifax county, Mr. Hutcherson was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse M. Hutcherson and Evelyn Edmunds Hutcherson. He was married to Julia Covington Hutcherson and was employed by the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company.
He served in the Korean conflict and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Tideland Electric Membership Cooperation for 14 years.
Mr. Hutcherson is survived by his wife; one daughter, Sharon Ballance; one son, Tommy Hutcherson, both of Ocracoke, N.C.; brothers Jesse M. Hutcherson Jr., and wife Cecile of Danville, A. Kenneth Hutcherson and wife Ginny of Baltimore, MD and Robert D. Hutcherson and wife Marian of Laurens, S.C.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ocracoke Masonic Lodge designated for the “Cook Shack Fund”, P.O. Box 341, Ocracoke, N.C., 27960.
Carl R. “Dick” Moorefield Jr.
Graveside services for Mr. Carl R. “Dick” Moorefield Jr. will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18 at the Clover Cemetery.
The Rev. Bonnie Pizzeck will officiate.
Mr. Moorefield, of Delaware Street in Clover, died Thursday, March 16 at Britthaven of Keysville.
He was 76.
Mr. Moorefield was born in Halifax County on September 16, 1929, the son of the late Carl R. Moorefield Sr., and the late Katie Watts Moorefield. He was a retired farmer and was a member of the Clover United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth C. Moorefield of Clover; two brothers, Marvin “Coonie” Moorefield and Aubrey “Petro” Moorefield and wife Becky, all of Clover and several nieces and nephews.
The family requests that those wishing to give memorials please consider the Clover United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 97, Clover, Va., or the Clover Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 199, Clover, Va. 24534.
Henry Torain
Funeral services for Mr. Henry Torain will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in the Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel on Friday and all other times at the residence, 1000 Webster Street, South Boston.
Mr. Torain, 94, died Tuesday, March 14, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born September 2, 1911, in Halifax County, the son of the late Melvin Torain and Lizzie Williams Torain.
Mr. Torain is survived by a devoted friend, Mozell Jackson; a son, Claud Beard of Halifax; a sister, Bertha T. Smith of Glen Oaks, Md.; four grandchildren; he was the caretaker of four children, Carlos Jackson, Ellen Rose, Malaine Main and Patrick Main; four great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Oveda C. Beard of Halifax; two nieces, a nephew and a host of other relatives and friends.
A sister preceded him in death.