Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Heating Oil Prices Have Settled

But Not As Low As Last Summer

Heating oil prices have remained fairly stable since the rocky winter months, but gasoline prices are still volatile, according to South Boston Manager for Davenport Energy Tom Ramsey.
“Heating oil has settled down,” Ramsey said. “But gasoline is another story.
“Gas is still volatile, one day it’s up, the next day it’s down,” he said. “Big swings.”
Heating oil prices were all over the chart during the winter months, but have stabilized, he said.
Prices spiked in the fall, largely because of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, and then came back down in the winter months, according to Ramsey.
Right now his heating oil prices are slightly higher than they were in the winter, but below the highs caused by the destruction in the Gulf Coast.
Prices are down a bit from winter prices at Maddox Oil and Southern States.
Fuel oil is $2.499 a gallon at Maddox, according to Office Manager Gloria Bridgers.
That’s down from what it was over the winter, and the post-Katrina high of $2.99 a gallon in October, she said.
However, while they’re 30 cents below average winter prices, she does not anticipate prices falling below $2 a gallon like they did last summer, not with another rough hurricane season on the horizon.
“I think they’re as low as they’re going to get,” she said of fuel oil prices. “Summer fill prices aren’t as good as they used to be.”
Southern States heating oil prices are also a bit lower than they were over the winter, according to Service Technician Steve Keatts.
He said prices are at $2.569 a gallon now, down from the $2.80 range that oil hovered in during the winter.
Customers are taking advantage of the lower prices with summer fill-ups, he said.
But Bridgers said the prices aren’t as low as she would like to see them.
“Summer fill is when you try to put your customers a step ahead,” she said. “But if we have another bad hurricane season and the prices go way up, maybe we’ll look back and say that was good.”

 

Town Official Sues Brookneal

Town Treasurer Alleges Sexual Discrimination/Harassment

Brookneal Clerk/Treasurer Laurie Francis earlier this month filed a civil suit against the Town of Brookneal.
The civil action, filed in United States Western District Court in Lynchburg, alleges five counts including sexual discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, breach of contract and violation of Fair Labor Standards Act for Unpaid Overtime.
Francis is represented by Gary M. Coates of Fralin, Feinman, Coates & Kinnier, PC of Lynchburg.
In the suit, Francis alleges “Brookneal’s Mayor and others have publicly berated, criticized, humiliated and embarrassed” her, and she also alleges “she was not treated like male employees.”
The suit cites an incident that allegedly occurred on March 8, 2005 prior to a town council meeting when Francis was planning to complain about the alleged sexual discrimination and ask for equal benefits and a performance increase.
According to the lawsuit, the Mayor allegedly threatened Francis “to be very careful what she asked for because some positions might have to be eliminated.”
Despite several requests, the suit alleges Brookneal has denied Francis’ requests for raises and equal benefits.
“Male employees of the town have, through the years, received ‘salary adjustments’ and/or ‘longevity bonuses’ while female employees, including Francis, have been denied any such increases and/or salary adjustments,” the suit states.
According to the suit, as a condition of Francis’ employment, she was required to enter into an employment agreement.
Francis alleges no male employee was required to enter into such an agreement.
Under the employment agreement executed between Brookneal and Francis dated July 1, 2004, she was entitled to receive “the same benefits provided to all full time employees and Department Heads of the Town of Brookneal (i.e. health insurance…).”
However, despite Brookneal paying for a male department head’s family health and dental insurance premiums, and despite numerous requests from Francis that she be provided the same benefits, the suit alleges Brookneal has refused to provide family health and dental coverage for Francis.
The suit also alleges that Francis is the only employee who has received an evaluation during the last 2 1/2 years and the only employee who has been given goals to achieve each year in order to continue employment with the town.
According to the suit, the town also allegedly hired a male employee at a higher starting salary than Francis even though she had similar qualifications to the male.
The complaint in the suit further alleges that Francis has been incorrectly classified as an exempt employee (under the Fair Labor Standards Act) since starting full time work with the town.
Francis consistently has worked more than 40 hours per week and has repeatedly asked for that classification to be reviewed and that she be paid overtime. Such requests were denied, the suit alleges.
In the 11-page suit, it is alleged that male employees have been allowed to “cushion” their overtime by claiming hours that were not necessary to work in order to supplement their income.
Female employees are not allowed to do that,” the suit states.
In addition, Francis has been held to different standards when it comes to seeking approval for leave.
According to the suit, Francis allegedly was required to make a request for sick and annual leave in writing and receive the approval of the Town Manager or Mayor, while the male department heads were only required to have written approval for annual leave and were able to schedule themselves off for sick leave or a personal day when necessary without approval of the Town Manager or Mayor.
Francis also alleges in the suit that she has been grabbed and groped by male employees along with other instances of sexual harassment described in the suit.
“As of yet, the town has yet to discipline a single employee for these actions,” the suit states.
Francis alleges that her mistreatment was due to her sex, female, and in retaliation for having complained about her mistreatment because of her sex, the suit states.
Furthermore, Francis’ suit states that as a direct result of the town’s actions, “Francis has suffered lost wages, lost benefits and has suffered and continues to suffer great emotional pain, suffering, humiliation, inconvenience, mental anguish, embarrassment, loss of enjoyment of life and stress.”
“The defendant’s intentional and/or reckless actions towards Francis were outrageous and intolerable in that the actions offended generally accepted standards of decency and morality in the surrounding community,” the suit concludes.
Francis is seeking injunctive relief, back pay, front pay, lost benefits, compensatory damages, punitive damages, pre- and post- judgment interest, reasonable attorney’s fees and the costs expended in this matter, according to the lawsuit.

 

Lumsden Reappointed To State Community Colleges Board

South Boston resident Chris A. Lumsden has been reappointed to a second four-year term on the State Board for Community Colleges by Gov. Gov. Timothy Kaine.
Lumsden, who served as chair of the State Board during 2005-06, is chief executive officer of the Halifax Regional Health System.
Originally appointed to the State Board by Governor Mark Warner in July 2002, Lumsden also served as vice chair during the 2004-05 academic year and has served as chair of the facilities committee. He serves as board liaison to Southside Virginia Community College.
“I’m delighted that Governor Kaine has reappointed Chris Lumsden – Chris is one of the best board members I have ever worked with,” said VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois.
He graduated with honors with a double major in business administration and economics from Bridgewater College. A licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Diplomat in the American College of Healthcare Executives, he has a master’s degree with honors from George Washington University
The State Board for Community Colleges is the governing board for the Virginia Community College System, with 23 community colleges on 40 campuses throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia’s community colleges enroll more than 230,000 credit students and more than 100,000 workforce development students each year. Visit the website at http://www.vccs.edu.

 

Clay, Rinker Stage Rally For Green’s Folly Win

Pair Overcome Four Shot Deficit To Snare Tourney Title
One expects Jimmy Clay and Phil Rinker to play well in the Green’s Folly Golf Course Member-Guest Tournament.
After all, the veteran duo had won nine of the past 12 annual tournaments, including last year’s event, but this year they dug themselves a hole, trailing Chris Young and Brad Mele by four strokes entering the final round.
Just call it a triumph of experience over youth, Clay and Rinker overtaking their younger challengers on the back nine Sunday and finishing with a one-stroke win.
Clay and Rinker carded a two-day total of 61-61-122, with Mele-Young right behind at 57-66-123. Phil Payne and Jay Burnette carded a two-day total of 60-67-127 for third in the Championship Flight.
Mele and Young’s hot start on Saturday was almost too much to overcome, but Clay and Rinker stayed close enough to make a run on Sunday that proved to be the difference, according to Clay.
“We played steady on Saturday, but they (Mele and Young) played really, really well,” said Clay.
“They were 15 under and that was outstanding. We just didn’t make some key putts, or we could probably have been 12 or 13 under at best.
“But, we were 11 under par and on this golf course, if you’re in the hunt you always have a chance.”
That chance presented itself on the second day, after Clay and Rinker shot five under on the front nine and closed the gap to three strokes going into the back nine holes.
“I told Phil we needed to stay in every hole together, make some birdies and make sure they knew that we’re not laying back,” said Clay.
“We parred 10 and 11, and I told him that we needed to birdie six of the next seven holes, and we did.”
Clay and Rinker birdied holes 12,13,14 and closed out the match with birdies on the final three holes.
Close finishes were the rule rather than the exception in all the flights, with Donald Gravitt and Kevin Evans taking the first flight win with a two-day total of 67-69-136, edging the teams of David Ashwell-Clay Tinsley (second) and Guy Haskins-Bobby Wilborn (third) by one stroke.
Ashwell-Tinsley shot a 66-71-137, while Haskins-Wilborn shot a 67-70-137 and Ronnie Moore and Greg Meeks a 66-71-137, Ashwell-Tinsley awarded second and Haskins-Wilborn third after a match of cards.
Robert Fallen and Dale Wilson (68-69-137) won a playoff with Chris Dockrill-Wayne Paul (68-69-137) for the top spot in the second flight, while Charlie Payne and Crawford Peace were third with a total of 68-71-139.
Third flight results saw Mark Cole and Lurdy Stinespring (70-70) win in a match of cards over the team of Cecil and Chris Brear (70-70), each finishing with a 140. Richard and David Harrell were third with a two-day total of 70-74-143.
Joe and Sam Watts won the fourth flight with a 72-72-144, while Sammy Moser-Steve Tollerson and Bobby Dockrill-Andy Jessome tied for second, each with a total of 72-73-145, Moser and Tollerson awarded second after a match of score cards.
Fifth flight results saw Chris Prevett and John Oakes win with a two-day total of 74-73-147, Ray Hunter-Bob Lewis finish second with a 74-75-149 and Bryan and Scott Allen take third with a 74-77-151.
Eric Waller and Chris Conner won the sixth flight with a 77-79-156, followed by Carroll Soloman and Wesley Whitlow with a 77-80-157 and Brian Tyler and Doug Facchina with a 79-80-159.
Clay, who has played at Green’s Folly Golf Course his entire life, gave the course high marks after the tournament.
“I’m 32-years-old and I’ve never seen the golf course in this good a shape,” said Clay. “It’s the best I’ve ever seen it.”
Green’s Folly General Manager Chris Dockrill, who teamed with Clay to win the Halifax Country Club Member-Guest tourney recently, said that both golf courses are playing well this year.
That has contributed to the high numbers for the various tournaments, with both memberships benefiting.
“I think both golf courses are definitely in good shape, and it’s good for everyone,” commented Dockrill.
“Halifax County has been so supportive of golf programs at both courses in general, and golf is one thing that has definitely grown in the county.
“That’s a good thing.”
Dockrill thought the Green’s Folly Member-Guest had one of its highest turnouts ever, with some of the better golfers in the county participating.
That made for a competitive weekend of golf, he added.
“Any time a tournament comes down to the last couple of holes, it’s a good tourney.”
Green’s Folly Member-Guest Golf Tournament Results
Championship Flight
Jimmy Clay-Phil Rinker 61-61-122
Chris Young-Brad Mele 57-66-123
Phil Payne-Jerry Burnette 60-67-127
Billy Payne-Charlie Baskervill 64-64-128
Woody Clay-Kris Mele 62-67-129
Billy Ford-Mike Hailey 64-66-130
Bobby Murray-Chris Murray 62-71-133
Rodney Burchette-Glen Ferguson 64-71-135
Andy Lowe-Manuel Relenzio 64-71-135
Bill Carter-Darryl Carter 64-73-137
Ronnie Pate-M. Foster 64-73-137
Gregory-Bob Tysinger 64-73-137
Justin Sheppard-Drew Lewis 64-77-141
First Flight
Donald Gravitt-Kevin Evans 67-69-136
David Ashwell-Clay Tinsley 66-71-137
Kevin Haskins-Bobby Wilborn 67-70-137
Ronnie Moore-Greg Meeks 66-71-137
Mark Dickerson-Todd Bowman 65-73-138
Joe Gasperini-Bion Fite 65-74-139
Donnie Hughes-Bernie Evans 65-74-139
Rodney Watts-Andy Schleifstrin 66-73-139
Buck Weatherford-Jeff Barger 66-74-140
Kelly Puryear-Buddy Campbell 67-73-140
Paul Glass-Brad Thomasson 67-73-140
Walter Robertson-Henry Martin 67-74-141
Second Flight
Robert Fallen-Dale Wilson 68-69-137
Chris Dockrill-Wayne Paul 68-69-137
Charlie Payne-Crawford Peace 68-71-139
Jimmy Allen-Wayne Pruett 68-72-140
Bob Thomasson-Mark Duncan 68-72-140
Peter McCready-T. Roberts 69-71-140
Irvin Carter-J.B. Walker 69-72-141
Scott Martin-Eric Arthur 69-72-141
Chris Cole-Wes Bosiger 69-72-141
Richard Wentz-Brian Medley 69-73-142
Ellington-Long 69-73-142
Bill White-Teddy Holt 68-74-142
Brad Hoppe-Steve Early 68-74-142
Curt Adams-Jeff Adams 69-75-144
Butch Dawson-Willie Murray 68-76-144
Gene Wheeler-Dennis Witt 69-76-145
Lee Womack-Gayland Stewart 69-78-147
Tom Wade-Carl Thompson 68-81-149
R. Jones-K. Jones 68-89-157
Third Flight
Mark Cole-Lurdy Stinespring 70-70-140
Cecil Brear-Chris Brear 70-70-140
Richard Harrell-David Harrell 70-73-143
L. Mitchell-Mike Conner 71-72-143
Dan Thompson-Steve Lowery 71-73-144
Bob McNamee-Chris McNamee 71-73-144
Ricky Buchanan-Richard Reaves 70-74-144
Puckett-Bennett 71-73-144
Scott Vaughan-Richard Coleman 70-75-145
T.J. Stevens-B. Maloney 71-79-150
Mike Stevens-Sammy Fisher 70-82-152
Jim Shotwell-Rick Crenshaw 71-84-155
Fourth Flight
Joe Watts-Sam Watts 72-72-144
Sammy Moser-Steve Tollerson 72-73-145
Bobby Dockrill-Andy Jessome 72-73-145
Phil Saunders-Steve Long73-73-146
Mike Dunn-Darryl Evans 72-74-146
Mike Harris-Shumate 72-76-148
Kyle Gravitt-Cliff Lewis 72-76-148
Brad Hoppe-Steve Early 72-76-148
Myers-Henderson 72-82-154
Mike Daniel-Tracey Long 73-81-154
Troy Strickland-Chris Lloyd 72-83-155
Fifth Flight
Chris Prevett-Johnny Oakes 74-73-147
Ray Hunter-Bob Lewis 74-75-149
Bryan Allen-Scott Allen 74-77-151
Mike Lindley-Craig Nuhfer 74-78-152
Jack Brown-Sam Lewis 76-79-155
David Francis-Billy Dyer 76-81-157
Gene Perkins-J. Perkins 75-83-158
Woody Long-Dean Long 76-83-159
John Coghill-Henry Lowery 164
M. Bomar-J. Franklin 76-89-165
Sixth Flight
Eric Waller-Chris Conner 77-79-156
Carroll Soloman-Wesley Whitlow 77-80-157
Brian Tyler-Doug Facchina 79-80-159
Mark Smith-Tony Lowery 79-85-164
Billy Hanks-Phil Hammond 80-89-169
Jackie Trent-John Cooper 81-88-169

 

NASCAR Racing Resumes Saturday At SBS

South Boston Speedway will return to action for the second straight weekend on Saturday, June 24, with the running of a NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series race program.
The first of five events slated at the four-tenths mile asphalt oval on Saturday will get the green flag at 7 p.m.
The featured attraction of the night will be a 150-lap race for the Barkhouser Late Model Stock Car Division.
Two-time winner Jon Denning, who finished second last weekend, has moved into first place in the Late Model Stock Car Division point standings. Denning owns a slim two-point edge over Owen Miller.
Jonathan Cash sits in third place in the standings, while Eddie Johnson is fourth and three-time winner Drew Herring is fifth.
Those drivers and many more of the top Late Model Stock Car competitors in the region are expected to be on hand for Saturday night’s racing action.
Veteran competitor Wayne Patterson has also announced that he will compete at America’s Hometown Track in Saturday’s Late Model Stock Car Division event. Patterson will be driving a Dodge Intrepid.
Also featured as part of Saturday night’s racing program will be twin 50-lap races for the competitors in the Strutmasters.com Limited Sportsman Division.
Five-time winner Bruce Anderson leads the point chase in the division by 26 over last week’s Limited Sportsman Division winner Tommy Peregoy. Danny Willis, Jr. sits in third place in the standings, while Brian Pembleton is fourth and Tiffany Daniels is fifth.
Rounding out the racing action Saturday night at South Boston Speedway will be events for the Budweiser Pure Stock Division and the touring Southern Vintage Modifieds.
Chuck Watkins continues to lead the Pure Stock Division standings. Quain Moore is second in the title chase and is followed in the top five by Lee Anderson, Courtney Crosby and William Ridgeway.
Pit gates will open Saturday at 1 p.m. and practice for all divisions will be held from 2:15 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. Grandstand gates will open at 5 p.m. and qualifying time trials will get underway at 5:15 p.m.
Adult admission for the race will be $8 up to 6:30 p.m. and $10 after that. Youth, ages 10-15, will be admitted for $5 and children under the age of 10 will be admitted free with a paid adult.
For more information, visit the speedway’s website at www.southbostonspeedway.com or phone the track at (434) 572-4947 or toll free at 1-877-440-1540.

 

Herring Has The Hot Hand – But Not The Lead

The South Boston Speedway Notebook

BY JOE CHANDLER
SPORTS EDITOR

Drew Herring has the hot hand in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Model Stock Car Division at South Boston Speedway.
Yet, he doesn’t hold the division points lead.
That belongs to Jon Denning of Springfield, N.J.
Still, Herring is a driver to watch as the chase for the South Boston Speedway Late Model Stock Car Division title nears the midway point.
Herring, last year’s division runner-up, has been working hard to overcome a slow start that included a pair of DNFs and a pair of seventh-place finishes in his first four starts. Three wins in his last four starts have vaulted him into fifth place in the points standings 56 points out of the lead held by Denning.
After having swept the two races in May, it appeared Herring had gotten back into stride. However, a disappointing 14th-place finish on June 3 snapped his streak. Herring got back into the win column again in last Saturday night’s 150-lap race.
The young Benson, N.C. driver said after his win this past Saturday night that he feels things are as they should be. He noted that he had felt that way after having swept the two races in May.
“I thought I had a handle on things a couple of weeks ago and I showed I didn’t,” Herring said.
“You never know exactly what to expect. You always come out here to win and you always bring your best stuff and you always do the best you can to get there (to Victory Lane) but you never know what’s going to happen. That’s why they call it racing.”
Herring noted that in racing you can be on top one week and humbled the next week.
“You can have good luck one minute and the next minute be at the bottom of the totem pole,” Herring pointed out.
“ You just come out here and try to enjoy every minute and go as hard as you can.”
Denning Also On a
Hot Streak
While Herring has put together three wins in his last four starts, Denning has also been working on a streak of his own.
Denning has a win and a pair of second-place finishes in his last three starts while putting together a streak of four consecutive top-four finishes. His second-place finish last Saturday night coupled with a fifth-place finish by division points leader Owen Miller gives Denning a slim two-point lead over Miller entering this week’s race at South Boston Speedway.
“It feels very good (to have the points lead) but it can be taken away very easily,” Denning said after last Saturday’s race.
Denning, who has two wins and six top-five finishes in his eight starts, says he feels his team has hit its stride.
“I feel this team is so good that we can definitely come out and run in the top-five the rest of the year,” said Denning who has the backing of the Sellers Racing Team.
“We’ve just got to keep on digging and keep on coming out during the week and testing and doing the maintenance on the car. If we do that, we’ll be there at the end of the year.”
Miller, who drives the Chevrolets owned by Dolly Fallen of South Boston, hasn’t had a bad season by any means.
He has had four top-five finishes in his last five starts including a second-place finish, a third-place finish and a pair of fifth-place finishes. The consistent string of finishes has allowed him to hold the points lead for two races and be a top contender for the division title.
Peregoy Reaches
Victory Lane
Tommy Peregoy of Red Oak had gotten overly tired of finishing second to South Boston’s Bruce Anderson in the NASCAR Limited Sportsman Division races at South Boston Speedway.
Three times this season Peregoy has finished second behind Anderson and he finished a close third on one other night.
Peregoy snapped that streak last Saturday by winning the pole and leading all 50 laps in picking up his first win of the season. “I’m so happy to get over the second places I just don’t what in the world to do,” Peregoy said after his win.
“ I knew I could win, it just was a fact of when and how we were going to do it. To sit on the pole and lead every lap, you can’t ask for anything better than that.”
Peregoy thanked his crew for everything they have done this season.
“Hats off to my guys,” he said.
“ They work on the car during the day and they listen to what I tell them and they make the car better. I appreciate everything they have done for me.”
INEX Legends Cars Series Producing Great Racing At SBS
They won’t return to South Boston Speedway again until July 29 but when they come back, fans should pay a little extra attention to the INEX Legends Cars Series and its drivers.
In their 25-lap race here on June 3, there were 10 lead changes. This past Saturday night there were eight lead changes in the division’s 25-lap race.
Racing doesn’t get much more competitive than that.

 

Obituaries

James Lacy Moorefield Sr.
James Lacy Moorefield Sr., 91, died June 13, 2006, at Moses Cone Hospital.
Funeral services were held June 16 at Southside Baptist Church in Greensboro, N.C. with the Rev. Charles Harris and Scott Hedge officiating. Burial followed at Guilford Memorial Park.
Mr. Moorefield was born in Alton on October 14, 1914, to the late Joseph Henry Moorefield and Ruth Ann Edwards Moorefield. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Melba Edwards Moorefield.
Mr. Moorefield was a former member of Florida Street Baptist Church. He was a present member of Southside Baptist where he served as a deacon, head of ushers and taught Sunday school. He retired as Pepsi Cola Plant superintendent. Mr. Moorefield was a member of Sparky’s Harley Davidson Motorcycle Club, and was a former member of Civil Conservation Corps.
Survivors include his wife, Millie M. Moorefield of the home; daughter and her husband, Martha and Charlie Fields; two sons, James Lacy Moorefield Jr. and wife, Peggy, and David Moorefield and wife, Sally, all of Greensboro; four stepchildren, Beverly Perkins and husband, Elvin, of Greensboro, Stan Mauldin and wife, Cindy, of Philadelphia, Pa., Phil Mauldin of Petersburg, and Brian Mauldin of Columbia; one sister, Edith Moorefield Talley of Alton; one brother, Allen Moorefield of South Boston; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Adult Center of Enrichment, 301 Washington St., Greensboro, N.C. 27401, or to Southside Baptist Church, 1001 Greenhaven Dr., Greensboro, 27406.
Arnold Ray Poole
Arnold Ray Poole, 55, of 215 McCanless Street, South Boston died June 19, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Poole was born in Mecklenburg County on August 11, 1950, the son of the late Melvin Poole and the late Eva Talley Poole, and was married to Brenda Carol Poole.
Survivors include his wife; two brothers, Timmy Poole and Stevie Poole, both of Buffalo Springs. One brother, Arthur Poole, preceded him in death.
Memorial services for Mr. Poole will be held Friday, June 23, at 4 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Phillip Showers conducting the service.
Eliza Louise Coleman Wooden
Eliza Louise Coleman Wooden, 53, of 2016 Lacks Town Road, Clover, died June 17, 2006, at her home.
Mrs. Wooden was born in Halifax County on October 22, 1952, to Joseph P. Coleman and Lottie King Coleman and was married to Alan Wooden. She was a member of St. Matthew Baptist Church, and was a former employee of Clover Yarns.
Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Tina Wooden of Richmond and Tiffany Wooden of Clover; her father and mother, both of Clover; two brothers, John Coleman Sr. of New Haven, Conn. and Lester Coleman of Los Angeles, Calif.; two sisters, Bettie Moss of Clover and Joanne Coleman of Palmsdale, Calif; and three grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Wooden will be held tomorrow, June 22, at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew Baptist Church with the Rev. Whitfield Scott officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Sharon Darlene Thompson Lowery
Sharon Darlene Thompson Lowery, 44, of Carson died June 18, 2006, at MCV-Richmond.
Ms. Lowery was born June 19, 1961, in Danville to Geraldine Thompson of Halifax and James Wilson Thompson of Cluster Springs. She formerly attended South Boston Church of God, was a former employee of JPS in South Boston and worked with the handicapped. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant.
A funeral service for Ms. Lowery will be held Saturday, June 24 at Grace Baptist Church at 2 p.m. The Rev. Jack Stewart will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Survivors include her parents; one son, Robert D. Lowery of Danville; one daughter, Kimberly D. Lowery of Montgomery, WVa.; one brother, Randall W. Thompson of Norfolk; her grandfather, Howard Glasscock of Virgilina; two grandchildren, Robert Hunter Lowery and Elizabeth Page Lowery; and her best friend, Wanda Cain of Carson.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home June 23, from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m., and other times at the home of her mother, 2048 Old Mill Road, Halifax.
Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net
Lelia Cumbie Button
Lelia Cumbie Button, 91, a resident of Virginia for 87 years, died June 18, 2006, in Wilmington, Del. Mrs. Button was the widow of Leon Russell Button.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Gail Button Womble and William Leslie Womble; her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Leslie and James Samaha; a grandson, William Russell Womble; two great-grandchildren, Grace Mae Samaha and Claire Rose Samaha; and her sister, Mrs. Ruth Cumbie Sheppe.
Mrs. Button was a retired accounts examiner for the Chessie System (CSX). She was a member of Woodland Heights Baptist Church and Chesmond Woman’s Club in Richmond.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 24, at Bliley Funeral Homes’ Central Chapel, 3801 Augusta Ave. Richmond, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service.
Interment will be in Westhampton Memorial Park in Richmond.
Contributions be made to Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 611 West 31st St., Richmond, 23225.