Morris Trial June 25

The former executive director of the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority is scheduled to stand trial in Halifax County Circuit Court June 25 on 20 child pornography charges.
Kevin Scott Morris, 35, currently of Covington, Ga., and formerly of South Boston, will stand trial for one count of possession of child pornography and 19 counts of the subsequent offense of possession of child pornography, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White.
White said that Judge William L. Wellons will preside in the June 25 bench trial.
A Halifax County grand jury indicted Morris January 8 on the child pornography charges, with Morris arrested in Georgia January 17.
Morris waived extradition and appeared before Judge Wellons the following Friday, with Wellons releasing him on a $50,000 secured bond.
Halifax attorney Bill Watson will defend Morris at trial.

Jennings Sentenced For Second Degree Murder

Fred Allen Jennings, a 63-year-old Nathalie resident, was sentenced Friday in Halifax County Circuit Court to 30 years in prison for the second degree murder of Lee R. “Ricky” Waller in January 2006.
Judge Charles L. McCormick III suspended all but seven years of Jennings’ sentence, conditioned on Jennings’ good behavior for 30 years upon his release, and ordered Jennings be placed on probation for two years.
In addition, Judge McCormick ordered the defendant pay $3,224.50 restitution to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund upon his release.
Jennings entered a plea of no contest to the second degree murder of Waller in February.
In exchange for his plea, the Commonwealth agreed to nol pros an additional charge against Jennings for the use of a firearm in the commission of murder, and agreed to a sentence for Jennings of not more than seven years.
Waller, a 52-year-old Brookneal resident, was shot during the afternoon of Jan. 20, 2006, after an argument turned violent, according to authorities.
Jennings and Waller were long-time acquaintances who got into a verbal altercation accelerated by alcohol the day of the shooting, according to evidence presented during the plea hearing.
Other Court Cases
n Robert Lee Moore, 22, of Crystal Hill, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison, with all but two suspended, for receiving stolen property.
The court ordered the suspended portion of Moore’s sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for 10 years, beginning immediately, and ordered the defendant be placed on probation for one year upon his release.
In addition, the court ordered Moore to abstain from illegal drugs, undergo substance abuse counseling and pay $400 restitution both jointly and severally to Jennifer Miller.
Moore will receive credit for time served.
In another case, Moore was convicted of two separate probation violations.
The court revoked one year of Moore’s previously suspended prison sentence for the second probation violation, ordering Moore to serve it concurrently with the two-year sentence for receiving stolen property.
n Jason Brian Sims, 25, of South Boston, was convicted Monday of breaking and entering the property of Andrew Brame.
The court dismissed an additional charge against Sims during the trial, one for grand larceny from Brame.
The court ordered Sims be evaluated for the Detention and Diversion programs prior to sentencing set for the May court term.
n Tony Lee Cooper II, 20, of South Boston, was convicted Friday of the robbery of Jacqueline Green using a firearm or other deadly weapon.
The court sentenced Cooper to 20 years in prison, suspending all to time already served.
The court ordered Cooper’s suspended sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for 20 years and ordered the defendant be placed on probation for one year, effective immediately.
In addition, the court ordered Cooper to pay restitution both jointly and severally in an amount to be determined by the probation department and not to return to Fas-Mart convenience store.
n Chataris Jeffress Smith, 19, of Scottsburg, pleaded no contest Friday to two separate charges for having carnal knowledge of a child 13 years of age or older but younger than 15 years of age.
Sentencing for Smith was set for a future court date.
• William Joseph Johnson III, 42, of Halifax, had an indictment charging him with contributing to the delinquency of a minor nol prossed by the Commonwealth Monday, in a misdemeanor case appealed from a lower court.
n Robert Donyell Reed, 24, of Vernon Hill, placed on first offender status last year for possession of a Schedule I/II controlled substance, had that charge dismissed Monday upon payment of court costs.

 

Obituaries

Arthur Leonard Pharr III
Arthur Leonard Pharr III, 18, son of Ginger DeJarnette Pharr of Red Oak, and Arthur Leonard Pharr Jr. died Sunday, April 22.
He was born in Wake County and reared in Charlotte and Mecklenburg counties.
Mr. Pharr was a member of Public Fork Christian Church and a student at Southside Virginia Community College.
He was employed by Raymond Chernault with Briery Excavating.
Funeral service will be today at 2 p.m. at Public Fork Christian Church with Evangelist Denis Fritz officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Pharr is survived by a sister, Ashley Pharr Glascock of Halifax; two brothers, Zachary Pharr and Gregory Pharr, both of Red Oak; his maternal grandparents, Leo and Brenda DeJarnette of Red Oak, and his paternal grandmother, Joyce “Cookie” Pharr of Clarksville.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Leonard Pharr Sr.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.wclfh.com.
Bessie Myrtle Lacks
A funeral for Mrs. Bessie Myrtle Lacks will be held today at 2 p.m. at the Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Nathan Johnson conducting the service.
Burial will follow in the Red Level Church Cemetery.
Mrs. Lacks, 96, of Randolph, died Sunday, April 22, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Charlotte County on July 19,1910, the daughter of Robert L. Lacks and Lucy Hall Lacks and was married to the late Simuel Elisha Lacks.
Mrs. Lacks was a member of the Red Level Church of God.
She is survived by five sons, Manuel Lacks of Scottsburg, Simuel Lacks Jr. of Randolph, Carlton Lacks of City of Poquoson, James Lee Lacks of Kenbridge, and Merle Travis Lacks of Stuart; a daughter, Dolly Owens of Sterling, 11 grandchildren, a number of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Berkley Lacks of Richmond; three sisters, Francis King of Scottsburg, Stover Lacks of Amelia and Bertha Womack of Vernon Hill, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Essie Pearl Priddy Layton
A memorial service for Mrs. Essie Pearl Priddy Layton will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Powell Funeral Home Chapel.
Mrs. Layton, 90, of Lennig Road in Nathalie, died Monday, April 23, at The Woodview.
She was born in Rockingham County, N.C., on September 29, 1916, the daughter of the late Alonzon Richard Priddy and Phoebe Elizabeth Branson Priddy and was married to the late Shubal Arthur Layton.
Mrs. Layton was of the Methodist faith and attended Rehoboth Methodist Church.
She is survived by a daughter, Doris Layton Jackson of Nathalie; five grandchildren, Darryll Layton and Jason Jackson, both of Nathalie, Jennifer Jackson and Christy Lloyd, both of South Boston, and Thomas Jackson of Clover; and seven great-grandchildren.

Gladys Tucker
A funeral for Mrs. Gladys Tucker of Saxe will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Bethel Grove Baptist Church in Clover. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
The body will lie in state from 12 noon until the hour of service.
Mrs. Tucker died Friday, April 20.
She was the daughter of the late Anthony and Virginia Farrar Wilborne.
Mrs. Tucker is survived by one daughter, Sevina Craighead of Saxe; two grandchildren, Bryan and Ryan Craighead of Saxe; two sisters, Melissa Davis “Simmie” of Hampton, Annie Cousins of Bronx, N.Y.; one brother, Joseph Wilborne and JoAnne of Saxe; one sister-in-law, Doris J. Wilborne of Halifax; one aunt, Robin Farrar of East Orange, N.J; devoted friend Wade Morton Jr. of Saxe and numerous other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Tucker was preceded in death by four sisters, Dorothy, Blanche, Gloria and Lucy, and one brother, Anthony.

Charlotte Lee Hodges Stillman
A funeral for Charlotte Lee “Tee” Hodges Stillman of Oak Circle, Sutherlin, will be held at Arbor Baptist Church on Thursday at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Thomas Wright officiating.
Mrs. Stillman, 87, died Monday, April 23.
She was born October 2, 1919, a daughter of Carson Williams Hodges and Georgia Dudley Derrick Hodges, and was married to the late John Hammond Stillman.
Mrs. Stillman taught at the old Elwood School near her home several years and was a librarian at the Halifax County Public Library for 27 years. She also served as a volunteer for the Halifax County Literacy Program.
In 1967 she was honored by the South Boston Retail Merchants Association and as South Boston Woman’s Club Mother of the Year. She was a member of Arbor Baptist Church where she had served as WMU director, Sunday School director and teacher.
Mrs. Stillman is survived by six children: John “Jack” Hammond Stillman Jr. and wife Judy of Atlanta, Carson Williams “Bill” Stillman and wife Nancy of South Boston, Virginia “Jill” Hiner and husband Lucien “Butch” of Richmond, Elizabeth Lawson Greenwood and husband Jerry of Wilmington, N.C., Scott Traynham Stillman and wife Lisa of Atlanta and Ann Emory Brewer and husband John of Richmond. Also surviving are one sister, Hilda Moody of Richmond, ten grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Stillman was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Bowers.
The family will receive visitors Wednesday evening from 7:00-8:30 at Powell Funeral Home.
Those wishing to give memorials may consider the Helping Hands of Arbor Baptist Church, 15120 River Road, Sutherlin, Va. 24594.

Vanie Daniel Williams
Vanie Daniel Williams, 83, widow of Richard Elliott Williams, died Monday, April 23, in South Boston.
Mrs. Williams was the daughter of Alfred and Matilda Daniel and was employed with Burlington Industries for 26 years, retiring in 1989.
She also worked part-time with the Patchwork House.
Funeral services for Mrs. Williams will be held today at 4 p.m. at Buffalo Baptist Tabernacle with Dr. David Pruett officiating.
Interment will follow in Oakhurst Cemetery.
Mrs. Williams is survived by daughters, Linda W. Shotwell of Rock Hill, S.C., and Dolores Kennedy of South Hill; a son, Richard Eugene Williams of South Boston; brothers, Robert Daniel of Spartenburg, S.C., George Daniel of Virgilina, and Jeff Daniel of Richmond; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.wclfh.com.

Edward Parker Snead
Graveside services for Edward “Ned” Parker Snead will be held today at 11 a.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery in News Ferry with the Rev. Dr. Michael Parnell officiating.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home today from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Mr. Snead, 83, of South Boston, died Saturday, April 21, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Halifax County on October 14,1923, the son of Harry Snead and Virginia Bomar Snead and was married to the late Sally Coleman Snead.
Mr. Snead was a World War II Army veteran, a Mason, and retired from the Virginia ABC Board.
He is survived by a daughter, Sarah Snead of Crimora; two grandchildren, Nathaniel “Nat” Snead and Becca Snead, both of News Ferry; a daughter-in-law; a brother, Harry Snead of Buffalo Junction; three sisters, Mary Ann Reeves of South Hill, Bobbie Sheffield of Red Oak and Nancy Brady of Finchley, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Snead was preceded in death by a son, Pat Snead, and two sisters, Dorothy Holt and Jean Thompson.

Berman Lee Woodson
A funeral for Mr. Berman Lee Woodson of South Boston will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Paschal Catholic Church with Father Steve Antes officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Woodson, 85, died Friday, April 20, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Halifax County on October 26, 1921, a son of the late Rev. John Woodson and Mary Coleman Woodson, and was married to Loyola F. Woodson.
He was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church and a longtime employee of Boston Lumber Company.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Woodson is survived by one daughter, Mary E. McWilliams of Mitchellville, Md.; one son, Berman L. Woodson Jr. of Silver Spring, Md.,; one sister, Hattie B. Woodson of Washington, D.C.; one son-in-law, David A. McWilliams Sr. of Mitchellville, Md; one daughter-in-law, Annie Mae Woodson of Silver Spring, Md; four grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel today from 6-7 p.m. and all other times at the residence, 1913 Crawley Avenue, South Boston.

Elijah Cheek
A funeral for Mr. Elijah Cheek of Bold Springs Road will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Dan River Bethel Baptist Church with the Rev. B.B. Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Mr. Cheek, 83, died April 21 at his residence.
He was born in Halifax County on November 10, 1923 to the late Roy Cheek and Elizabeth Jordan Cheek, and was married to the late Rose Scott Cheek.
Mr. Cheek was a member of Dan River View Missionary Baptist Church, and was a World War II Navy veteran.
He is survived by two daughters: Evelyn C. Luna and Gwendolen C. Hedgepeth, both of Richmond; three sons, Elijah LaDaniel Cheek of Pikesville, Md., Ernest Wayne Cheek Sr. of South Boston and the Honorable David Eugene Cheek of Richmond; three sisters, Alma C. Powell of Martinsville, Edna Duncan of Passaic, N.J., and Elsie Harrison of High Point, N.C.; three brothers, Calvin Cheek, Jasper Cheek and Charles Cheek, all of South Boston; 15 grandchildren including Alvin D. Oliver; 15 great-grandchildren; one son-in-law, Kelly Hedgepeth of Richmond; three daughters-in-law, Jacqueline Cheek, Annette Cheek and Marta Cheek; two brothers-in-law, one sister-in-aw and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including the devoted Sanford Jordan.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Cheek was preceded in death by one daughter, Veronica C. Oliver, and one brtoher, Marshall Cheek.
The family will receive friends at tthe residence, 3169 Bold Springs Road, South Boston.

Wilborn, Repokis Win Two-Ball Tourney In Memory Of Thompson

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
A bench dedicated to the memory of Don Thompson at hole No. 12 offers a sweeping view of the golf course at Halifax Country Club that the former club champion played so often.
That same golf course played into the hands of two of Thompson’s closest friends and golf partners when Bobby Wilborn and Mark Repokis won the first two-ball invitational tournament of the year Sunday.
The tournament was played in memory of Thompson, a former coach and athletic director at Halifax County High School, as well as a standout golfer.
Wilborn and Repokis carded a two-day total of 61-64-125 to win the Championship Flight and overall invitational championship, five strokes ahead of Charlie Baskervill and Paul Malgee and seven ahead of Jimmy Clay and James Lewis.
It was only fitting that Wilborn and Repokis win a tourney played in honor of Thompson, according to tournament chair Sam Fisher, who cited “divine intervention” in his comments during the awards ceremony.
No less emotional was Wilborn, who said he felt the presence of his close friend on each swing of the club during the two-day tournament.
“Don was with me the entire way,” said Wilborn, who then offered the championship trophy to Thompson’s wife, Sandra and daughter, Mary Catherine.
Other flight winners included Chris Cole and Rodney Watts in the First Flight, Mike Hailey and Dennis Witt in the second and Sam Lewis and George Burton in the Third Flight.

Lions Sweep Wyatt Saturday

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Halifax County Middle School baseball team got a pair of no hitters and a home run each from pitchers William Worley and Tyler Long while pounding out 37 hits through two games to rout E.W. Wyatt 24-0 and 22-0 Saturday in Emporia.
The doubleheader sweep boosted the Lions to a 6-0 in the Southside Middle School Conference and 10-1 overall.
Each game lasted three innings before being called under the mercy rule, with Worley helping his own cause with a homer, triple and double with six RBI’s in game one.
Long finished with a homer, a double and three RBI’s in game two as the Lions completed the sweep.
After a game yesterday at Bluestone, the Lions finish the regular season at Park View today.
Halifax 24 E.W. Wyatt 0
Worley (six RBI’s) hit a homer and added a triple and single to highlight a 21-hit attack in game one.
Long (RBI) led the Lions in hitting for game one with four singles, while L.J. Barnett (RBI) had a double and two singles and Travis Goode three base hits.
Kelvin Davis finished with two hits and three RBI’s, Zack Clem with a triple, double and two RBI’s and Dylan Sons with two hits and an RBI.
Kelsey Campbell had an RBI double and Adam Hammock a single and two RBI’s.
Halifax scored seven runs on six hits to start the game, including Clem’s double and singles from Long, Worley, Goode, Barnett and Davis.
Campbell and Hammock drew walks in the inning and both scored as the Lions led 6-0.
Halifax belted out six more hits and tallied nine runs in the second, Worley with his home run, and Clem with a triple, while Hammock, Goode, Davis and Long added base hits.
Clem and Hammock drew bases loaded walks in the second inning to plate two more runs that helped make it 16-0.
Eight runs on nine hits helped end the game after three innings, Worley with a triple, Sons and Long each with two base hits, Barnett with a double and single, Campbell with a double and Goode with a base hit.
Hammock added a sacrifice fly for an RBI that helped make it 24-0, more than enough for Worley who allowed no runs on no hits, while striking out five batters and walking one in three innings.
Halifax 22 E.W. Wyatt 0
Long tossed a no hitter for the Lions in game two, adding a home run and double for three RBI’s, while his teammates banged out 14 more hits.
Sons finished with a triple, two singles and four RBI’s, and Clem with a triple, single and three RBI’s for the Lions.
Barnett had two hits and three RBI’s, Aron Puryear and Charles Beale two base hits and an RBI apiece, while Ryan Puryear and Will Nichols added RBI singles.
Halifax scored five runs on only two hits in its first at-bat to take an early lead in game two. Clem and Barnett each had an RBI single, Dylan Hendricks drew a walk, and Aron Puryear, Beale and Ryan Puryear reached base on errors.
Sons and Clem each tripled and singled in the second inning when Halifax scored 11 runs on seven hits.
Long doubled, and Aron Puryear, Beale and Ryan Puryear singled for the Lions in the second frame, and Nichols and Aron Puryear drew walks to help the advantage grow to 16-0.
Long’s homer highlighted a six-run third inning, in which Barnett, Nichols, Beale, Sons and Aron Puryear added base hits and Hendricks walked and scored to make it 22-0.
Long allowed no runs on no hits, while striking out six and walking one batter in three innings of work to get the win in game two.

Lady Lions Sweep Wyatt

By Doug Ford
G-V Staff Writer
The Halifax County Middle School softball team improved to 6-0 in the Southside Middle School Conference and 9-0 overall Saturday with a 17-3, 24-0 double header sweep at E.W. Wyatt.
Dalyn Hall smacked a home run in the five-inning game one win, while Samantha Gibson and Caitlin Lawhorn each hit a round tripper in game two for Halifax, a contest called after two and a half innings under the mercy rule.
Jennifer Lacks got the starting nod on the mound for the Lions in game one, while Gibson was the game two starter for the Lions.
Halifax has a busy week ahead with back-to-back road conference games to end the regular season, Tuesday at Bluestone and Wednesday at Park View.
The conference tournament is scheduled to begin May 7.
Halifax 17 Wyatt 3
The Lady Lions plated nine runs in the first inning on the way to a 17-3 win in game one.
Jennifer Lacks got the win on the mound for Halifax, helping her own cause with a triple, double and single, while Jill Trickey finished with a double and two singles. Kate Bane had two base hits and Gibson a double, while Mayghan Strange, Kelsey White, Brittany Long, Caitlyn Lawhorn and Sydney Puryear added base hits.
Hall’s homer highlighted a nine-run first inning, which saw a total of nine hits by the Lions.
Hall homered, Trickey doubled and singled, Bane singled twice, and Lacks, Lawhorn, Long and Strange added base hits for Halifax in the inning.
Strange walked, Jamilia Smith was hit by a pitch, Bane reached on an error, Lacks tripled and Gibson doubled to make it 13-0 after three, and Verlishia Brandon walked and scored on a Lacks double in the fourth for a 14-0 advantage.
A combination of Lions miscues and three Wyatt hits made it 14-3 after four innings, and the Lions tacked on three runs in the top of the fifth, coming on singles by Trickey and Puryear, walks to Melissa Blanks and Brandon, and a base hit by White.
Halifax 24 Wyatt 0
Gibson and Lawhorn each homered to lead a 21-hit attack for Halifax, while Trickey had four base hits, Bane three singles, and Lacks a double and two singles.
Hall had a double and two singles, and Strange and Smith two base hits while Gibson added a double and Long a single for the Lions, who jumped out in front 6-0 after one inning on Gibson’s homer, Hall’s double and singles from Bane, Trickey and Strange.
Lawhorn homered, and Lacks had a double and two singles in a 16-hit, 18-run second inning, while Trickey singled three times.
Smith, Hall and Bane each singled twice, Gibson doubled and Long and Strange singled, as 22 batters came to the plate in the second inning.
E.W. Wyatt went down in order the top of the third to end the game.