Monday, January 5, 2004

County Administrator To Retire
Joe Morgan Has Served As Halifax County Administrator Twice

Halifax County Administrator Joe Morgan plans to retire this year.

When the new Board of Supervisors meets tonight to reorganize and elect a chairman and vice-chair, they will have Morgan's retirement memo in their packets, as well as monthly updates on out-of-town water/sewer service and King Village Trail progress.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the second-floor conference room at Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.

Morgan announced his plans to retire "no later than the end of my current employment agreement term, Sept. 1, 2004" in a memo to supervisors dated Jan. 2.

Morgan, who has served as Halifax County administrator twice, is completing 27-years of service as a Virginia county administrator here.

"While facing many struggles and challenges, the County has done well improving the overall quality of life for its citizens," wrote Morgan.

He commended all members of the Board of Supervisors "for genuinely having the best interests of the county citizens at heart."

"It has also been an honor to serve with so many other dedicated volunteers on the numerous boards and commissions that donate their time and effort for progress.

"I salute the hard work and dedication of the administrative staff with which I have worked," Morgan wrote supervisors.

In other business, on Dec. 16, Del. Clarke Hogan and the county administrator met in Richmond with James Adams, Capital Programs director, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF). Adams was supportive of the county submitting an application for a state-sponsored boating access in conjunction with the King's Village Trail Road, according to Morgan. The request has been submitted.

Morgan said King Village representatives also met with county representatives and recommended confirming acceptance of the Report of Halifax County Road Viewers regarding King Village Access Road, accept the pledge of donation of right of way from Epps Lacy, dated Dec. 19, 2003, and confirm the instruction to Morgan and legal counsel to pursue the new road route for recreational purposes and King Village neighborhood improved road access.

County Attorney Russell Slayton is also to contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to initiate a request to locate the boating access and other related improvements on the Corps' property along the Banister River.

Residents of King Village are seeking a new road. They cite poor drainage of the road during rain and snow storms that make the road impassable. King Village Trail is located near the intersection of Love Shop Road and Rebels Corner.

In response to a request for a monthly report on county wide water and sewer service, Morgan said that he and South Boston Manager Ted Daniel met December 12 and discussed the desirability of establishing a long-term goal of a county wide utility system that would provide uniform rates for services, without a general fund operational subsidy.

A request for town appointments to a committee to study the w/s issue are expected to come before the respective councils this week.

Reed To Replace Hall
Will Take Over As South Boston Police Chief On March 1

The man in charge of the City of Salem's patrol officers and a 25-year veteran of the Salem Police Department will take the reins of the South Boston Police Department on March 1, Town Manager Ted Daniel announced yesterday.

During an afternoon news conference, Daniel announced that Glenn M. (Mick) Reed had been selected to take over the helm of the department from retiring Chief Jim Hall.

Chief Reed will be paid an annual salary of $59,446.40.

"We tried to narrow it (the selection process) down to the one individual we feel like is best for the community.

"Chief Reed came out as the top candidate for the South Boston position based on a thorough evaluation process," the town manager said.

Daniel said he felt that Reed would provide South Boston with "a tremendously experienced law enforcement professional."

"We're getting an outstanding person coming into the community," he said. "The community and our police department will learn very quickly that Chief Reed is smart, a highly qualified law enforcement professional and a quality human being."

"I feel very privileged to be able to come to South Boston," Chief Reed said yesterday. "I look forward to meeting the members of the community and will do my absolute best to give the community what they're paying for, a good, professional police department."

Reed said there were several parallels between South Boston and Salem, but what impressed him the most about Southside is the quality of people.

"During the interview process, what struck me the most was when I came to the area and walked around," he said. "I was always greeted with pleasant conversation by the people in the community. That openness and friendliness stuck out in my mind.

Chief Reed graduated Cum Laude from Bluefield College in 1998 with a B.S. in Administration of Justice.

He is also a graduate of the Administrative Officers Management Program at N.C. State and the University of Richmond Professional Executive Leadership School.

Reed is married with two grown children and has served on the City of Salem Police Department since 1979.

In addition to commanding the uniformed officers in the patrol division, Reed is also responsible within the Salem Police Department for officer assignments and developing policies and procedures that govern the Accredited Police Department program, the town manager said.

Daniel said yesterday that there were several well-qualified applicants to replace Hall.

"The selection of Chief Reed culminates an extensive search for (Hall's) replacement," Daniel said. "Out of 60 applicants for the position, six finalists were interviewed December 10 and 11."

In addition to interviews with Daniel, the finalists were interviewed by a panel of law enforcement professionals and a local representative.

The interview panel consisted of Edward Sulzbach, executive director of the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy in Lynchburg, Chief William Brown of the Blacksburg Police Department, Dana Schrad, an attorney and executive director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, and Prinicpal Albert Randolph of Halifax County High School.

Fitzgerald Receives Cora Tucker Award
Award Is Given In Memory Of County Civil Rights Activist

William Fitzgerald is the 2004 recipient of the Cora C. Tucker Annual Award "for his outstanding service as a member of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors."

The annual award is given in memory of Tucker who was a well-known Halifax County civil rights activist.

The supervisor was described as "a concerned, caring individual" who serves the county as well as the state as a member of a judicial review commission.
The Election District 3 supervisor received the award from the Rev. Dr. Roger Ford, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), who recalled Tucker's organizing the voter registration campaign here.

"She sought justice and equality," said Ford.

Ford made the presentation to Fitzgerald during the organization's annual Jubilee Day Service held New Year's Day at Banister Hill Baptist Church in Halifax.

Although Mrs. Tucker died before Fitzgerald moved to the county, he recalled descriptions of her "as an amazing person with strong beliefs."

"I am so honored the NAACP chose to give me this award," said Fitzgerald.

"I would like things to be better for the people in the county," he added.

He urged members of the audience to participate in the (political) process.

"It's no monetary reward," he said. "It is what you believe in and want for this county."

The Rev. Cecil Johnson, pastor at Spring Hill Baptist Church, was the featured speaker on Jubliee Day.

The pastor told the audience "not to be complacent" about drug dealers and other lawbreakers in their towns and neighborhoods.

Citing a biblical reference describing the call to Lot to leave sinful Sodom and Gomorrah, the minister urged those who are "in a bad situation but comfortable" to take positive action for good.

"Sometimes those closest to you are holding you back," said the Rev. Johnson.

Comets Boys Extend Win Streak To Three
HCHS Won Its Third Game In A Row Here Friday Night, Downing Laurel Park 70-61

By JOE CHANDLER| G-V Staff Writer

Halifax County High School now has its longest wining streak of the season.

While the Comets' 70-61 win over Laurel Park here Friday night extended the team's win streak to three in a row and improved their record to 6-4 overall, the Comets left a little something on the table.

"Anytime you win and win three (games) in a row, you want to be happy, especially at this point in the year," said Comets coach Garrett Dillard.

"But, there were some things we did that I was disappointed in."
Chief among them was the fact that the Comets had three opportunities to take Laurel Park completely out of the game and didn't take advantage of them.

That, coupled with a mistake-filled finish, resulted in a game that ended with more suspense than was necessary.

The first time the Comets had a chance to put the Lancers away came in the final 3:08 of the first quarter when the Comets produced a 12-2 run to grab a 25-12 lead at the end of the first eight-minute stanza.

Five points from Quintin Brown, two baskets from Derrick Sprattley, a basket from Craig McCargo and a free throw from Sharmane Holeman highlighted the Comets' first run of the night.

In that instance, Laurel Park, bounced back with an 11-3 run that started midway through the second quarter and made it four-point game with a minute to play in the half.

The Comets needed three scores in the final 51 seconds to produce a six-point 37-31 halftime lead.

In the second instance, the Comets opened the second half with a three-pointer from Jeremy Jeffress, a bucket that kicked off a 9-0 run in the first minute and a half which produced a 46-31 lead.

A 15-footer by Derrick Sprattley with 2:20 left in the third quarter, put the Comets up by 18 at 55-37.

On that occasion, the Lancers managed to hang around and make it a more manageable 10-point game midway through the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Comets held a 16-point lead with 2:48 left in the game after a 6-0 run that included baskets by McCargo, Sprattley and Brown.

But, with the help of some ill-advised shots and other miscues on the part of the Comets that included a time-out with seven seconds to play when they couldn't make an inbounds play, allowed the Lancers to make it a 9-point game at the end.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't finish it the way we should have finished it," said the Comets coach.

"There were three times when we had a 16 or 17-point lead and could have opened the game up and gotten up by 20 or 25.

"By the third time you get up like that, you have to take away their will and increase that thing (the lead) up to 25 or 30 (points) if possible," continued Dillard.

"We wanted to take good shots. We took some quick shots and there were a couple of times we got to the rack and didn't finish."

The way the Comets ended the game, particularly the ill-advised time-out with seven seconds to play, rankled Dillard's feathers.

He greeted his players near midcourt before they could get off the floor with a loud and very clear message.

"That (time-out) really bothered me," said Dillard.

"You've got five people on the floor and somebody should know to work to get open.

"It was obvious we were much quicker than they (the Lancers) were," continued Dillard.

"You always want the kids to think about the big picture. You don't worry about you won and what didn't happen - you always think about what could have happened and hopefully, next time in that situation, know at the worst, throw the ball long inbounds and, if they (the opposing team) gets it, they get only one shot out of it.

"I'm pleased with a lot of things that happened tonight," he added.

"But, at the same time, we have to continue to reinforce to the guys that we have to finish ballgames and not let teams hang around. You don't want every game to come down to an end of game situation."

While the Comets let the Lancers off the hook three times and had shaky finish, they did a lot of things well in producing the big leads.

Three Comets players hit double figures with McCargo leading the way with 24 points, 18 of which came in the first half.

McCargo also led the team with seven assists, topped the team in rebounding with six boards and had three steals.

"I'm more proud of his seven assists than I am of his 24 points," said Dillard.
"As long as he can distribute the basketball, get seven or eight assists and still put up over 20 points, it makes him a real tough guy to defend."

Brown followed with 20 points, four assists, four rebounds and three steals and Sprattley, who had a hot hand in the first quarter with seven points, finished with 14 points and four rebounds.

Jeffress, who has been the player with the hot hand in the second half for the Comets in their last two or three outings, chipped in nine points with a trio of three-point baskets in the third quarter.

Chase Weddle, who had a basket in the fourth quarter, finished with two points and three rebounds and Holeman had one point with a free throw in the first quarter.

While Dillard pointed out that his team made its share of mistakes and had let Laurel Park off of the hook, he praised the Lancers for their effort.

"They were resilient," noted Dillard.

"They were determined they were not going to come here and get embarrassed. They did the things they had to do.

"They didn't always make the first shot," Dillard continued, "but they crashed the boards. When we went to the hole, two or three guys were standing there. When they went to the basket they did it with authority.

"We just didn't do enough to cut them off up top or make sure we got the backside rebound and let them hang around."

Obituaries

Woody Kent Bane Sr.

Funeral services for Woody Kent Bane Sr., the Town of Halifax's beloved "major- domo" for 23 years and Halifax County Sheriff for 12 years, were held Sunday at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.

Burial followed in the church cemetery with the Rev. John Wilder and the Rev. Bill Wilkins conducting services.

The retired sheriff died Friday, January 2, at this home in Halifax.

Mr. Bane's law enforcement career spanned 50 years.

As sheriff, Bane started the Community Watch Program and was well known for his work with young people.

As chief of police and town manager for the Town of Halifax, he is remembered by residents for his kind manner and Andy Griffith-style solutions to problems.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Elizabeth "Betty" Umphlette Bane, daughter Sarah Bane Williams and husband Robert Luther Terrell Williams, son Woody Kent Bane Jr. and wife Katherine Switzer Bane, and five grandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Bane Williams and Dora Terrell "Dolly" Williams of Richmond and Woody Kent Bane III, Katherine Elizabeth Stuart Bane and Mary Margaret Bane of Halifax.

Mr. Bane was the son of John Jinks Bane and Birda Moorefield Bane who preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, Lacy Weldon Bane, and a sister-in-law, Thelma Hughes Bane, of Vernon Hill.

He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Garland Kermit Bane, Dorothy Bane Hodnett, Molly Lillian Bane, Jack Warren Bane and James Edward Bane.

Mr. Bane graduated from Wilson Memorial High School in 1941 and attended the National Business College in Roanoke.

He joined the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in February of 1946. He served in World War II in the Pacific, European, Asiatic and African theaters. He was in the invasion of Normandy and landed on Omaha Beach at D-Day. He shared those stories with school children for many years.

Mr. Bane was a trustee and deacon of Center United Church of Christ, a member of Masonic Lodge 96 and VFW Post 8243. He was a former chairman of the Halifax County Democratic Party and numerous other civic organizations locally and statewide.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: The Bane Scholarship, James Madison University, MSC 4401, Harrisonburg, Va. 22807, or Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 31, Vernon Hill, Va. 24597.

Wingate Currin "Winkie" Eakes

South Boston Postmaster Wingate Currin "Winkie" Eakes died Saturday.
He was 56 years old.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Tim Cannon and the Rev. Tommy Robertson conducting the service. Burial will follow at the Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Mr. Eakes served as postmaster in South Boston the last three years, and had worked with the U.S. Postal Service since 1978.

He was a member of First Baptist Church and served in the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Eakes also coached his children in baseball and softball throughout his life, and most recently coached both a Pontails and Debs team with Dixie Softball.

He also participated in the Old Timer's Baseball League and the Monday Night Bowling League.

Mr. Eakes was a member of the American Legion and the Lion's Club.

He was born in Person County, North Carolina, on February 24, 1947, a son of Olan Day Eakes and Ellen Todd Eakes.

Mr. Eakes is survived by his mother, Ellen Todd Eakes of South Boston, one daughter, Sarah Jennings Eakes of Centreville, one son, Todd Wingate Eakes of Halifax, two brothers, Harvey Leonard Eakes and wife Pamela Morris Eakes of South Boston, and Gordon Olan Eakes of South Boston, and three nieces, Bridgett Eakes, Laura Eakes and Anne Harvey Eakes, all of South Boston.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home on Monday, January 5, from 7-9 p.m. and at other times at the home of his mother, 1014 Grove Ave., South Boston.

For memorials please consider Dixie Softball, P.O. Box 298, South Boston, Va., 24592, or the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 815 North Main St., South Boston, Va., 24592.

Hattie Lowery Long

Hattie Lowery Long, 89, of Forest, died Friday, January 2, at Lynchburg General Hospital.

She was born in Alton in May 15, 1914, the daughter of the late Walter Green Lowery and the late Maggie Lee Ford Lowery and was the widow of the late Melvin Henry Long.

Mrs. Long was a member of Harmony Methodist Church of Alton and formerly worked for K-Mart in it's grocery store before her retirement.

She is survived by two sons, Howard G. Long of Forest and M.B. "Bill" Long of Lynchburg, one daughter, Gladys Long Faulconer and husband Howard Faulconer, Jr. of Forest, one sister, Rebecca Claiborne of Alton, one brother, George Lowery and wife Jeanita of Chester, two grandchildren, Zane P. Finley of Forest and Howard L. Faulconer, III and wife Doris Teresa of Cary, N.C. one great-grandson, Zachary M. Coffey of Forest, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Long was preceded in death by five brothers, Richard, Clarence and Bryant Lowery, all of South Boston, and Joe and John Lowery of Petersburg, and four sisters, Willie Claiborne and Ella Morris of Alton, Laura Wood and Mary Kincaid of Oxford, N.C.

Funeral services will be held today, January 5, at 3 p.m. at Whitten Timberlake Chapel with Dr. Maurice T. McCarthy of Beulah Baptist Church officiating.

Burial will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.

To send condolences go to www.whittenfuneralhome.com.

George Commelious ‘G.C.’ Lowery

George Commelious "G.C." Lowery, 74, of Virgilina, died Sunday, January 4, at Halifax Regional Hospital.

He was born in Halifax County on July 18, 1929 the son of the late Jessie Henry Lowery and the late Hallie Rebecca Lowery and was married to Marguerite S. Lowery.

Mr. Lowery was a member of Florence Avenue Baptist Church and was the retired owner operator of M&G Supplies.

He is survived by his wife, one son, Michael Allen Lowery of Norfolk, one sister, Marie Lowery Dalton of Oxford, N.C., and four brothers, Henry Ford Lowery of South Boston, Edward Jones Lowery of Newport News, Franklin Wilson "Bill" Lowery of Hampton and Lester Leroy "Roy" Lowery, Sr. of Virgilinia.

Mr. Lowery was preceded in death by two sisters, Gladys Lowery Swain and Rebecca Lowery Currin, and two brothers, James Howard Lowery and John D. Lowery.

Funeral services will be held at Florence Avenue Baptist Church on Tuesday, January 6, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Sean McKenzie officiating.
Burial will take place at Virgilinia Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Books Funeral Home today, January 5, between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home, 8022 Florence Avenue, Virgilina.

Joseph David Moorefield

Joseph David Moorefield of Nathalie died December 30 at his home.
Mr. Moorefield was born December 26, 1942, the son of Deacon Claude and Ethel Moorefield. He was a member of Republican Grove Baptist Church.

A funeral service was held January 3 at 2 p.m. at Republican Grove Baptist Church in Nathalie with the Rev. L.S. Otey conducting the service. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Survivors of Mr. Moorefield include two sisters, Gelois and husband, Callon, of Nathalie and Henrietta Scott of Newark, Del.; three brothers, Tucker and wife, Lynn Moorefield, of Newark, Jimmie and wife, Berta Moorefield of Madison Heights, and George and wife, Diedre Moorefield, of Mt. Ranier, Md.

Stephen Addison Powell

Mr. Stephen Addison Powell, 51, of Alton, died Sunday, January 4, at his home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later.

Willard Rudolph Tuck

Willard Rudolph Tuck, 76, of Clover, died Saturday, January 3, at Halifax Regional Hospital.

He was born in Bedford County on July 29, 1927 the son of Albert Tuck and Maggie Neal Tuck and was married to Elizabeth Noblin Tuck.

Mr. Tuck was a member of Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, five brothers, Kyle Tuck of Baltimore, Md., Guy Tuck of Altavista, Calvin Tuck and Lawson Tuck, both of Gretna, and Fred Tuck of Bedford, six sisters, Lenora Meadow of Altavista, Lois Kendrick of Bedford, Pearl Ashwell of Roanoke, Lula Todd of Baltimore, Md., and Doris Shelton and Naomi Howell, both of Huddleston, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held today, January 5, at 2 p.m. at Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Pizzeck and the Rev. David Adkin conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.