Woman Enters Alford Plea To Hit And Run
A woman entered an Alford plea Tuesday during a jury trial in Halifax County Circuit Court to a felony hit and run charge involving the death of a 25-year-old Sutherlin man last year.
Virginia Owen Watts changed her original plea of not guilty to an Alford plea of guilty during jury deliberations following a day-long trial, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White.
White, who prosecuted the case, added that there was no plea agreement between the Commonwealth and Watts, who was defended by Robert Morrison.
Under terms of an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt, but realizes the weight of prosecution evidence would make a guilty finding at trial almost a certainty.
A total of 10 witnesses testified for the Commonwealth during the trial, according to White, who briefly summarized the evidence.
“The Commonwealth presented evidence that at 2:30 a.m. [May 8, 2005], the defendant operated the vehicle that struck and killed Danny Palmer,” said White.
“She [Watts] left the scene of the accident and returned a short time later, but never identified herself as being at the scene,” continued White.
“About ten hours later she gave a statement to police identifying herself as the person who operated the vehicle that struck Palmer.”
In addition to the Commonwealth’s witnesses, DNA evidence linked Watts’ vehicle to the victim, according to White.
“Blood, tissue and bone fragments found on the underneath carriage of Watts’ car matched those from Danny Palmer,” said White.
According to police, Palmer was struck and killed by a pickup truck in the early morning hours of May 8, 2005, as he was walking on Route 659, near its intersection with Route 662.
Watts, 29-years-old at the time of the incident, was arrested shortly thereafter and charged in connection with the hit and run fatality.
Judge Leslie M. Osborn set sentencing for Watts for August 7.

 

Groups Remembering War Veterans Hold Halifax Services
“We gather here today to honor and pay tribute to the sacrifice that those from our county paid for their country,” said Douglas Powell of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Dozens braved the searing heat of a Southside Memorial Day Monday to pay homage to the nation’s veterans during the annual Memorial Day Service at the Halifax County War Memorial.
Approximately 65 residents turned out for the annual service which featured members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the John M. Jordan Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) and the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC).
The ceremony also featured patriotic music by Tim Owen and the laying of wreaths in honor of the county’s veterans.
During the service, Grace Elliott of the UDC, said many veterans would prefer a “thank you” for their service.
“That’s all most people need,” she said. “And in most cases, it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded.”
Mary Carol Harris of the DAR said today’s citizens need to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors.
“To all who pause in this place, may this Memorial remind them of the nobility of life well-lived and quicken the response to the ever-continuing call to unselfish service,” she said. “As our ancestors rose to the challenge in founding a new nation, may we have the courage, wisdom and ability to protect and preserve it.”
During this year’s event, Lynchburg’s Chapter 4 of Rolling Thunder participated in the ceremony for the first time.
The national group, which advocates for prisoners of war and those missing in action, made their first appearance in Halifax County when they roared to the service on motorcycles.
Past-President Larry Bachman told the crowd during the service that Rolling Thunder is not a motorcycle club.
“We are a group formed to publicize the POW/MIA issue,” he said. “These are American military personnel that our government has left behind.
“We will not go away.”
Bachman said that during the annual Rolling Thunder ride to Washington, D.C. over the weekend, some 600,000 motorcyclists were on hand to advocate for the cause.
Remembering the fallen, many in the crowd winced as the 14th Virginia Infantry re-enactors pierced the afternoon air with a 21-gun salute. Groups Remembering War Veterans Hold Halifax Services
“We gather here today to honor and pay tribute to the sacrifice that those from our county paid for their country,” said Douglas Powell of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Dozens braved the searing heat of a Southside Memorial Day Monday to pay homage to the nation’s veterans during the annual Memorial Day Service at the Halifax County War Memorial.
Approximately 65 residents turned out for the annual service which featured members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the John M. Jordan Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) and the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC).
The ceremony also featured patriotic music by Tim Owen and the laying of wreaths in honor of the county’s veterans.
During the service, Grace Elliott of the UDC, said many veterans would prefer a “thank you” for their service.
“That’s all most people need,” she said. “And in most cases, it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded.”
Mary Carol Harris of the DAR said today’s citizens need to remember the sacrifices of our ancestors.
“To all who pause in this place, may this Memorial remind them of the nobility of life well-lived and quicken the response to the ever-continuing call to unselfish service,” she said. “As our ancestors rose to the challenge in founding a new nation, may we have the courage, wisdom and ability to protect and preserve it.”
During this year’s event, Lynchburg’s Chapter 4 of Rolling Thunder participated in the ceremony for the first time.
The national group, which advocates for prisoners of war and those missing in action, made their first appearance in Halifax County when they roared to the service on motorcycles.
Past-President Larry Bachman told the crowd during the service that Rolling Thunder is not a motorcycle club.
“We are a group formed to publicize the POW/MIA issue,” he said. “These are American military personnel that our government has left behind.
“We will not go away.”
Bachman said that during the annual Rolling Thunder ride to Washington, D.C. over the weekend, some 600,000 motorcyclists were on hand to advocate for the cause.
Remembering the fallen, many in the crowd winced as the 14th Virginia Infantry re-enactors pierced the afternoon air with a 21-gun salute.

Commencement Services Friday
William Lewis, Jaimee Emswiler and Christopher Beale will be Class of 2006 commencement speakers during the 6 p.m. graduation program Friday in the Halifax County High School gymnasium.
Admission is by ticket only.
Also included on the program are Senior Class President Sierra Danielle Richardson, National Honor Society President Zena Allison Jeffress, Student Council Association President Craig Scott and the Symphonic Band, which will perform the National Anthem.
HCHS Principal Albert Randolph is once again stressing student participation in this year’s commencement.
Following the recognition of the “Top Ten” seniors, diplomas will be presented by Superintendent of Schools Paul Stapleton and Deputy Superintendent Larry Clark.
Commencement will be broadcast on Adelphia Channel 18.

 

Obituaries

Mary Sue Wilson West
Funeral services for Mary Sue Wilson West will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Eakes Funeral Chapel in Creedmoor with burial in Carolina Memorial Gardens. The Revs. Ron Patton and Brent Bissett will officiate.
Mrs. West, a Halifax County native, died Monday at Erwin Gardens in Durham. She was 80.,
Mrs. West was the widow of Dennis P. West and the daughter of the late Samuel B. and Nannie Cole Wilson.
She was a homemaker and a member of Creedmoor United Methodist Church
Mrs. West is survived by a daughter, Dale West Blair and husband Arthur of Creedmoor; a brother, Joe Wilson of Ruckersville, Va.,; two grandsons, Greg and wife Deanna Blair and Tony Blair; and two great-grandchildren.
A sister, Elsie Nelson Coleman, and two brothers, Woodrow S. and Arthur Mack Wilson, preceded her in death.
Visitation is 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Eakes Funeral Home in Creedmoor and at other times at the home.
Eunice B. Prevette
Eunice B. Prevette, 82, of Alton died May 28, 2006, at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Prevette was born Februry 12, 1924, in Caswell County, N.C. the daughter of the latae Walter T. Burnette and the late Jennie Mae Clay Burnette, and was married to the late Lloyd J. Prevette. She was a member of Floral Hills United Methodist Church and Floral Hills Senior Citizens Club, where she served as treasurer.
Survivors include three daughters, Patsy Wyatt of Ringgold, Carolyn Mills of Danville and Dorothy Day of South Boston; two sons, Kenneth ‘Bud’ Prevette of the home, and Earl Prevette of Alton; two sisters, Katherine Dix and Evelyn Loftis Hines, both of Danville; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one step-grandchild.
Mrs. Prevette was also preceded in death by one son, James Ray Prevette; one daughter, Shirley Mae Prevette; five brothers, Robert, Lonnie, Claude, Tommy and Walter Burnette; and four sisters, Mamie Oliver Cox, Geraldine Dix, Doshey Burnette and Ruby Elizabeth Burnette.
Funeral services were held May 30 at 11 a.m. from Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel in Danville with the Revs. David Lefon and Darrell Campbell officiating. Burial followed in Floral Hills Memory Gardens.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Memorial and Tributes Processing Center, American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, 23058, or to Floral Hills UMC, 145 Mountain Hill Road, Danville, 24540, or to the charity of your choice.
James Henry Clay
James Henry Clay, 68, of 4068 Volens Road, Nathalie died May 28, 2006, at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mr. Clay was born June 17, 1937, in Halifax County the son of the late Henry Morelle Clay and the late Gracie Will Clay and was married to Betty Pierce Clay. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Republican Grove and was employed by A.E. Morris Trucking.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Tony Dale Clay and wife, Mary Kay, of Nathalie; one grandson, Christopher Dale Clay and wife, Joyce, of Halifax; four sisters, Catherine C. Wright of Brookneal, Mavis C. Finney and husband, Pete, and Margaret C. Reagan, all of Danville, and Connie C. Glass and husband, Donnie, of Bedford; four brothers, Phillip Clay and wife, Ann of Red House, Glen Clay and wife, Jeanie, of Gladys, Danny Clay of Lynchburg, and Randy Clay and wife, Mary Ann, of N.C.
Funeral services for Mr. Clay will be held today, May 31, at First Baptist Church of Republican Grove at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Shelton Miles officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, 24592.
Online memorials may be directed to powell@gcronline.com.
Mozelle D. Coleman
Mozelle D. Coleman, 83, of Halifax died May 25, 2006, at Brian Center in Yanceyville, N.C.
Ms. Coleman was born in Halifax County on June 4, 1922, to the late John T. Coleman and Sarah Lacks Coleman. She was a member of Ellis Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Lois Coleman of Albany, N.Y. and Geraldine V. Coleman of Clinton, Md.; seven sisters, Estelle Coleman and Eva Bates, both of South Boston, Mazie Brown of Halifax, Lenora Bowman and Pearl Coleman, both of New York, N.Y., Katherine Coleman of Vernon Hill, and Pauline Cousins of Teaneck, N.J.; one brother, Paul Coleman of Vernon Hill; two grandchildren, Anthony Holmes and Briana Benton; two great-grandchildren, Antonio Holmes and Antanaya Holmes; two sisters-in-law, Ernestine Coleman of Schenectady, N.Y. and Sandra Coleman of Vernon Hill.
Ms. Coleman was preceded in death by one sister, Martha Wood; and three brothers, Arthur, John and James Coleman.
Funeral services were held May 30 at noon at the Crawford House Chapel in Halifax with Minister Harold Watkins officiating. Burial followed in Ellis Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Gladys Tharpe Crutchfield
Gladys Tharpe Crutchfield, 79, of 108 Robin Hood Road, South Boston died May 29, 2006, at her home.
Mrs. Crutchfield was born in Charlotte County on June 11, 1926, the daughter of the late Nelson E. Tharpe and the late Mary Daniel Tharpe, and was married to A.S. ‘Al’ Crutchfield. She was a member of McCanless Memorial United Methodist Church.
Graveside services will be held today, May 31, at 11 a.m. at Halifax Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Phil Showers officiating.
Survivors of Mrs. Crutchfield include her husband; two daughters, Linda Crutchfield of South Boston and Judy Crutchfield Dunn and husband, David, of Richmond; one grandson, Jay Gilliland of South Boston; one brother, Irving Tharpe of Saxe; and four sisters, Lillian Langford, Grace Hall and Lorena Tharpe, all of Drakes Branch, and Nancy Adams of Saxe.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider McCanless Memorial U.M.C. Building Fund.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net
Mary Nichols Hatcher
Mary Nichols Hatcher, 88, of South Boston died May 29, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Hatcher was born January 1, 1918, in Halifax County the daughter of the late Giles Young Nichols and Sue Hart Nichols and was married to the late Lonnie Dean Hatcher Sr. She was a member of Dan River Baptist Church, the Good Samaritan, and was an accounting clerk with J.P. Stevens for 42 years.
Survivors include two sons, Lonnie Dean Hatcher Jr. and wife, Judy, of Mt. Vernon, Wash. and James Robert Hatcher and wife, Patricia, of Hardyville; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Hatcher was also preceded in death by three sisters, Ruth N. Hughes, Annie N. Bowen and Marion N. Martin; and two brothers, Frank Nichols and Giles ‘Pete’ Nichols.
Funeral services will be held June 2, at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Melvin Bradshaw and the Rev. Doug Gibson officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tomorrow evening, June 1, from 6 to 8.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Dan River Baptist Church, 1228 Dan River Church Road, Halifax, 24558, Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, 24592, or Halifax County Rescue Squad, 700 Hamilton Blvd., South Boston, 24592.
Online memorials may be directed to powell@gcronline.com.
Frances Page Loftis
Graveside memorial services for South Boston civic leader and teacher Frances Page Loftis will be held Friday at 11. a.m. at the Oak Ridge Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Russell Lee will conduct the service.
Miss Loftis, 64, died Tuesday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was a former deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church, where she also served as a Sunday school teacher, a past Regent of the Berryman Green Chapter of the DAR, and a member of the South Boston Lions Club.
A graduate of Mary Washington College and the Union Theological Seminary - holding two masters degrees, one in Theology and the other in Counseling - she taught foreign studies for 31 years. She spent 17 years teaching in the Henry County School System, 13 years in the Lunenburg County School System and one year in the Halifax County School System.
She is survived by her father, Nelson Page Loftis of South Boston, her step-mother Eula Vance Loftis and one aunt, Nancy L. Powell of Newport News.
The family will receive friends at the home of her father, 3102 N. Main Street, South Boston.
For memorials, please consider the Halifax County Rescue Squad, 700 Hamilton Blvd., South Boston, Va. 24592; the First Presbyterian Church, 800 N. Main Street, South Boston, Va. 24592; The American Heart Association, PO Box 5216 Glen Allen, Va. 23058-5216; or the South Boston Lions Club, PO Box 372, South Boston, Va. 24592.

Comets Baseball Team Edges Forest Park 1-0; Hits The Road To Face Osbourn Tonight At 7 P.M. In NW Region Tourney Semifinal Game

Halifax County High School, with a three-hitter from senior hurler Jeremy Jeffress and a solid defensive performance, made its one run in the second inning hold up in a 1-0 road win over Forest Park Monday night in the first-round of the Northwest Region Baseball Tournament.
The Comets (14-7) will now face Osbourn (22-1) tonight at 7 p.m. in Manassas in one of the two Northwest Region Tournament semifinal games.
Tonight’s game will be a rematch of last year’s Northwest Region Tournament semifinal game, with the Comets looking to turn the tables on an 8-3 loss to the Eagles.
“ These seniors really want it,” said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
“They want to go further. We’re going to go at it. I don’t care who we play. It’s something these guys want.
“This Forest Park club was a very good ballclub also,” Davis pointed out.
“We know we can play with anybody. It’s just a matter of us going between the lines and doing it.”
That, the Comets did.
Halifax County got on the scoreboard early with David Lacks and Jeffress tagging Forest Park’s University of Georgia-bound hurler Ryan Wooley for back-to-back doubles to kick off the inning.
Lacks stopped at third base on Jeffress’ hit but scored on a sacrifice by the next batter, Tony Barbour to give the Comets the 1-0 lead. Wooley got out of the inning by fanning Jacob Swillie and Kaleb Long but the damage had been done.
From that point, it was a matter of Jeffress doing a sterling job on the mound and the Comets’ defense making the plays.
Jeffress had a big night, mixing his brutal fastball with some off-speed pitches to fan 13 of the 25 Forest Park batters he faced. He yielded only three hits and two walks.
“I just stayed focus,” said Jeffress.
“I had gotten a good night’s rest and I felt good.”
Jeffress showed it with his big night, a night that included the key second-inning hit.
“He (Jeffress) rode us on his back,” Davis pointed out.
“He really wanted this game. He was totally focused. He was the first guy at the school waiting for the bus. He was up for this game. JJ’s been doing this for us all season.”
Just as important as the pitching and the hitting, the Comets shored up their defensive effort. Junior Tony Barbour turned a key double play in the bottom of the second inning that thwarted what appeared to be an almost certain scoring opportunity for Forest Park.
Halifax County also stood tough when Forest Park had the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth inning with nobody out and escaped unharmed. Jeffress made a nice defensive play on a bunt to get the first out of the inning out and fanned a batter to get the second out in that inning.
While the Comets did a lot of things right, they missed a second scoring opportunity that they should have capitalized on.
The Comets got back-to-back hits from Scott Gieselman and Justin Bagbey to open the inning and moved them into scoring position when Bobby Owens grounded out to the shortstop.
Unfortunately, the Comets, with Lacks at the plate, twice missed executing a squeeze play with Gieselman being caught up in a rundown between third base and the plate both times.
Gieselman was able to scramble back to third base safely the first time but was nailed the second time as Forest Park got the second out of the inning. Lacks struck out to end the inning, leaving Bagbey stranded at second base.
“I’d do it again,” Davis said.
“ I’d put the squeeze on back-to-back again. We just didn’t execute the play. We really needed that run.”
The Comets had five hits in the game with Gieselman, Bagbey, Lacks, Jeffress and Barbour each getting one hit. Halifax stranded five runners on the sacks.
Davis said he felt his team had a point to prove in the wake of its disappointing loss to GW last week in the Western Valley District Tournament championship game.
“That was the whole talk in our practice the other day,” he pointed out.
“ The guys know we’re a much better ballclub than what we displayed out there. I knew it and the coaching staff knew it too. It was a matter of us going out there between the lines and displaying our abilities.”
“Everybody wanted to win this game on the road,” added Jeffress.
“ We wanted to get the victory. We had a lot to prove. We had to show people that we can play the game, that we can make plays, that we can turn the double plays, pitch and hit the ball.”

Comets Softball Team Road Warriors In Northwest Regional Tournament Taking Out One Seed Osbourn Park 3-1

The Comets varsity softball team had something to prove Monday – that it could rebound from a sub par performance at home in the Western Valley District Tournament championship game and win on the road in the first round of the Northwest Regional Tournament.
It proved plenty, the Comets getting three RBI’s from Key Ferrell and a stellar complete-game pitching performance from Jessica “Moo” Morris to knock off Cedar Run District regular season champ and No. 1 seed Osbourn Park 3-1.
Halifax advanced to the semifinals of the Northwest Regional Tournament with the win, hitting the road again today for a 4 p.m. game against Massaponax, the Commonwealth District No. 1 seed.
Comets coach Melanie Saunders said her team came focused and ready to play, despite a long and tiring ride to Northern Virginia.
“We didn’t play well against Franklin County (WVD District Tournament championship), and this was a great game to come off of that. Our team defense was great, we made some good plays and kept the ball in front of us when it was hit to the outfield,” said Saunders.
Saunders also pointed to the play of Ferrell and Morris in the big win.
“Key’s had a hard year, she’s been down on herself at times, but she’s had some big hits for us, including today,” she noted.
“She’s been in this situation before and knows what to do. We all knew she could do this and it’s good to see her come around for us.”
Saunders saw some parallels between this win and the Comets’ previous regional win, a 2-1 win at Culpepper in 2003, in which the Comets took the early lead and gained confidence as the game went along.
“The stronger Moo got on the mound, the stronger and more confident the players were in the dugout,” said Saunders.
“We were able to step up to the batter’s box, not feel the nerves and get hits. We always seem to do better when the pitchers do well on the mound.
“I tell you what, coming off a four-hour bus ride, it’s hard to get loose, but she [Morris] went out there and had them off balance, her pitches were working and they never really got onto her.
“They got hits but didn’t put them together until the sixth inning. Moo tried to keep their timing off and she did just that.”
The Comets got solid defense and pitching to hold the Yellow Jackets at bay until the bats got rolling.
Lashunda Davis was stranded after a two-out double in the first inning, but Halifax broke through to take the lead in the fourth, Heather Oakes hitting a leadoff single and advancing to second on a wild pitch.
Davis was hit by a pitch and Betty Rose lay down a sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third, before Ferrell hit a RBI single for the first run of the game.
The Comets struck again in the sixth inning, Davis getting things started with a one-out base hit and Rose reaching on a throwing error to put runners at first and third.
Rose stole second base before Ferrell came through with a hard shot through the middle, the base hit plating two runs and a 3-0 lead for the Comets.
The Yellow Jackets tried to rally in the bottom of the sixth, a two-out double by Kat Beauvais and RBI single by Lauren Hensley yielding one run, but a flyout to first baseman Mandy Watts ended the inning.
That was the only multi-hit inning given up by Morris, who allowed single hits in the first, second, third and seventh frames.
She finished with eight strikeouts and no walks and seemed to get stronger as the game progressed.
Morris went to a full count only once, striking out the final two batters of the game after giving up a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Monday’s win was sweet redemption for both Morris and Ferrell after the disappointing loss to Franklin County.
“When we first got here, we were a little intimidated by their size,” said Morris. “Once we got into the game, we played good defense and hit the ball when we needed to hit it.
Morris, who said she fed the Yellow Jacket hitters a steady diet of fast balls, added both she and her teammates were a little nervous at the start of the game but settled down once the hits started coming.
Ferrell said she simply did what she was taught to do at the plate with runners aboard.
“Whenever you have base runners aboard, you try to hit to the right side. I just did my job and hit the ball where it was pitched,” said Ferrell.
Saunders is looking for the Comets to keep the ball rolling as the playoffs continue for her road warriors.
“I don’t expect anybody expected us after Thursday to come down here and be able to do much of anything,” said Saunders.
“I think the girls proved to other people, but mainly themselves, that they could come out and win a game like this, to play ball like this on the road after a bad home loss.
“We’ll take this [win], stay positive and try to keep going.”

Jimmy Clay-Chris Dockrill Rally For HCC Member-Guest Tourney Win
For local golfer Jimmy Clay, winning tournaments just seems to come naturally, but there had been one prize that had eluded he and partner Chris Dockrill for two years before last weekend, that being the Halifax Country Club Member-Guest Tournament.
The third time proved a charm, as Clay and Dockrill rallied from a two-shot deficit after the first day to claim the Championship Flight and overall win over Ronnie Moore and Phil Payne.
Clay-Dockrill finished with a two-day total of 62-61-123, while Moore-Payne shot a 60-68-128 for second-place. Charlie Baskervill and Paul Malgee shot a 63-68-131 for third-place in the Championship Flight.
Phil Rinker and John Howerton shot a 68-65-133 to win the First Flight, with John Mele-Jim Burton shooting a 68-68-136 for second place. Jay Burnett and Richard Austin were third in the First Flight with a 67-70-137.
Teddy Holt-Bill White shot a 70-66-136 to win the Second Flight, followed by Dennis Witt-Billy Payne (70-67-137) and Chris Lumsden and Howard Burgess (71-68-139).
John Courtney and David Day shot a 73-70-143 to win the Third Flight, followed by Greg Meeks and Chuck Nelson with a 73-73-146. Alan Gravitt and Bill Maxwell shot a two-day total of 73-74-147 for third in the Third Flight.
Earle Orme and Mike Mills finished with a 79-70-149 to win the Fourth Flight, followed by John Morgan and P.D. Hudson with a 76-74-150. Bobby Vernon and Bob Oertle finished third in the Fourth Flight with a two-day total of 77-73-150.
Jason McCormick and Darrell Carter shot a 85-77-162 to take the Fifth Flight, Dennis Seamster and Shawn Torian were second with a 87-78-165, while David Cullen Sr. and David Cullen Jr. were third with a 83-84-167.
After losing by two shots two years ago and finishing second last year, Clay and Dockrill took the final step last weekend, a hot Sunday round pushing the team past Moore and Payne.
“We were eight under but trailing by two shots going into Sunday, but we overtook them (Moore and Payne) on the seventh hole,” said Clay, who said he and his partner were eager to win the tourney after coming so close the past two years.
“We lost by one shot two years ago, and were second last year. We came into this tournament a little eager and I think we played well both days.
Clay’s Eagle on No. 11 was another big turning point on the final day, according to Dockrill.
“Once Jimmy made Eagle on No. 11, that was a big turning point,” said Dockrill. “You make a lot of birdies on this golf course, and that Eagle put us up three or four shots.
“It made a big difference in the outcome.”
Clay cited the consistent play of his partner as another key to the win.
“It’s very easy to make birdies when you have someone like Chris who is going to be right beside you at every hole,” explained Clay.
“It’s easy for me to swing freely with him as a partner. He’s probably the smartest person I’ve ever played with, and he makes few mental mistakes.
“He hits the middle of the greens and turns me loose, and that’s what I want. Chris makes the pars and I can make some birdies, and it’s a birdie game on this golf course.”
Tournament chairman Payne said good weather combined with good competition and an excellent golf course made for an outstanding weekend of golf.
“Two things about this tournament – first the beautiful weather and second the course has never been in this kind of shape before,” said Payne.
“Especially the greens, and all credit goes to William Puryear, our greens keeper. He’s done an excellent job this year.”
Competition has never been keener for the Member-Guest tourney, he noted.
“It was real tight this year, a low of low scores. In the past, 75 was the cutline to play in the afternoon, and this year it was 73, so there were a lot of low scores.
“We had a total of 69 teams this year, higher than the past couple of years.”
Clay, who plays both Halifax Country Club and Green’s Folly Golf Course, was complimentary of the playing conditions at both venues this year.
“Both courses have played very well this year,” began Clay.
“The guys over here (HCC) have done a major turnaround at this golf course, and I can’t say enough about the Green’s Folly course, either.”

Halifax Country Club Member-Guest Results
Championship Flight
Jimmy Clay-Chris Dockrill 62-61-123
Ronnie Moore-Phil Payne 60-68-128
Charlie Baskervill-Paul Malgee 63-68-131
David Meeks-Randy Clayton 63-69-132
W.J. Long III-Brad Mele 64-68-132
Brad Thomason-Jack Thomasson 65-69-134
Woody Clay-Chris Young 64-72-136
Larry Allen-Terry Carter 66-72-138
First Flight
Phil Rinker-John Howerton 68-65-133
John Mele-Jim Burton 68-68-136
Jay Burnett-Richard Austin 67-70-137
Sam Fisher-Harrell Parker 69-69-138
Kelly Chappell-Jeff Barger 69-69-138
Nick Lumsden-David Graham 69-69-138
Eric Arthur Jr.-Scott Martin 69-70-139
Mike Hailey-Billy Ford 69-70-139
Bob Tysinger-Tommy Spencer 67-73-140
Paul Butler-David Ford 69-72-141
Roger Long-Ralph Beard 67-74-141
Clayton Garmon-Paul Glass 69-73-142
James Lewis-Jeff Henderson 67-76-143
Scott Bosiger-Keith Jones 69-79-148
Second Flight
Teddy Holt-Bill White 70-66-136
Dennis Witt-Billy Payne 70-67-137
Chris Lumsden-Howard Burgess 71-68-139
John Hayes-Tim Johnson 71-68-139
Mark Repokis-Trent Repokis 72-70-142
Coleman Speece-Walt Kennedy 70-75-145
Sam Lewis-Jack Brown 71-76-147
Ed Edgar-Lars Lange 72-75-147
Joel Cunningham Jr.-Ricky Gee 70-77-147
Third Flight
John Courtney-David Day 73-70-143
Greg Meeks-Chuck Nelson 73-73-146
Alan Gravitt-Bill Maxwell 73-74-147
Drew Lewis-Casey Spencer 75-72-147
Tommy Elliott-Kent Thompson 75-72-147
Reed Edwards-Jimmy Miller 74-74-148
Joe Gasperini-Linwood Holt 74-76-150
Scott Akers-Hunter Thompson 74-77-151
Mike Dunn-Donnie Hughes 74-77-151
Stacy Tingen-Steve Reynolds 75-76-151
Nookie Green-Matt Ranson 75-78-153
Charles Thompson-David Ashwell 75-83-158
Fourth Flight
Earle Orme-Mike Mills 79-70-149
John Morgan-P.D. Hudson 76-74-150
Bobby Vernon-Bob Oertle 77-73-150
John Lantor-Mark Raper 76-78-154
Grayson Throckmorton-Brady Taylor 78-76-154
Ace Bohanon-Lance Sneed 80-76-156
Wes Bosiger-Chris Cole 79-80-159
Lurdy Stinespring-Lee Tysinger 79-80-159
Mike Sizemore-Jason Sneed 78-83-161
Craig Nuhfer-Mike Peirce 76-87-163
Mark Foster-Jim Wyatt 78-86-164
Sam Lewis-Jack Brown 80-86-166
J.E. Tuck-Tony Garrard 82-85-167
Fifth Flight
Jason McCormick-Darrell Carter 85-77-162
Dennis Seamster-Shawn Torian 87-78-165
David Cullen Sr.-David Cullen Jr. 83-84-167
Kenny Irby-Mike Hatcher 84-84-168
Aubrey Houghton-Roger Scott 82-87-169
Phil Hammond-Billy Hanks 84-86-170
Ricky Hutcherson-Marrin Beck 87-83-170
George Burton-Al Burton 85-89-174
Bryan Foster-Allen Bober 89-87-176
Dabney Gilliam-Keith Gilliam 87-90-177