By KEITH STRANGE
If Governor Mark Warner's proposed budget amendments are passed, the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center could get caught between a rock and a hard place.
But local legislators warn that reports of impending budget and staff cuts at the center are premature.
"We're working on (the CEC's funding). It's too early to panic," said Clarke Hogan, D-Halifax.
"We don't want to lose these programs, so we're doing what we can to see that we don't," said Senator Frank Ruff.
Hogan said that the proposals reached the appropriations committees just this week, and that Southside legislators have plenty of time to present their side to the committees.
"It's as if you're trying to predict the score of a ball game before the game is played," he added.
Warner unveiled his amendments to the proposed budget offered by former Gov. Jim Gilmore late Tuesday.
If passed, even though it provides over a quarter million dollars for the CEC, the requested increase of $524,000 would not come from the state.
The proposed budget cuts would come shortly after Burlington Industries announced plans to close plants in South Boston and Clarksville.
Ironically, the loss of funds could hit the center at a time when the student population is increasing as a result of the plant closings and layoffs.
"It's disappointing from our standpoint," said Amy Lammert, director of the CEC, who is currently out on maternity leave.
"But we made it last year, and we'll make it again this year by depending on our partners," Lammert said.
"In the foreseeable future, we have to be ready to look at every option out there for funding, with the state in the situation it's in," she added.
"It puts us in a position where we'll have to look more to the foundation to help with operating expenses until we get more funding," Robin Brown, interim director of the CEC added.
The CEC had hoped that moving into expanded facilities would give them the opportunity to serve the community with expanded programs.
However, expanded programs mean more dollars are needed.
Former delegate Ted Bennett agrees that the expanded size tends to increase operating costs.
"When you go from six thousand to 30 thousand square feet, you run into needing more money.
"Not only are the utility and staff needs increasing, but the sheer volume of students demands more equipment and money," Bennett said.
Lammert said that the CEC is operating on a skeleton staff as it is.
"We could use three more staff members right now, but with the budget I don't see how we will be able to get them. We had hoped for the funding to come through in this budget for that," she said.
Of particular concern to Brown is a proposed course offering that was scheduled to be conducted with Central Virginia Community College.
The course would offer students training in medical laboratory work, and will be difficult to offer without additional funding.
"We need more space for the laboratory," Brown said.
Because of the equipment needed for the class, the CEC had hoped to set up a separate classroom specifically for the medical laboratory course.
"As it stands right now, that's not going to happen," she added.
Brown said there are no plans to completely eliminate the program, but if the budget cuts become a reality, we're going to have to use an existing medical classroom, and that would mean moving equipment in and out of the room each class.
The medical classroom is not the only program that could be affected by Warner's budget.
Brown said that modifications could possibly be made in other programs and services.
Lammert said that staff cuts could become an issue in the future, but for now no cuts are planned.
"I don't see us cutting staff members at this point," she said. "Maybe next year we would look at that decision, pending on the budget."
Past chairman of the Halifax Educational Foundation Chris Lumsden says that it's way too early to start thinking in terms of staff and budget cuts.
"Until the budget has been approved by the General Assembly, its still open for negotiations," he said.
The CEC is viewed as a vital facility for Southside for job retraining.
"It is a key to our recovery because we need to retrain a workforce," said Senator Frank Ruff.
"What we are doing in Southside is getting people ready to take the jobs that we have open right now," he continued.
Ruff added that the CEC also addresses the long-term needs for Halifax County.
"We are trying to create an atmosphere whereby the industries of the 21st century are ready to move into Southside Virginia," he said.
Local legislators are working hard to keep funding for the CEC in Warner's budget.
"This isn't about just the CEC, its about workforce training and education for all of Southside Virginia," Hogan said.
Ruff said that he and Hogan are working on keeping the additional funds in Warner's budget.
"Both Hogan and I have put in amendments that would add the additional funds to the Longwood budget.
"We've been making the case as best we could how extremely important (the CEC) is if Southside is to recover economically," the senator said.
Hogan said yesterday that Longwood had "a very good chance" of getting the requested funds.
Ruff urged caution, but said that things are not as bad as some reports say.
"I don't want to raise anyone's expectations, because we need to look at the worse-case scenario.
"We will do the best things we can to push through the funding necessary to keep things moving at the CEC," the senator said.
Lumsden said that its way too early to give up the fight.
"I would suggest that before we jump too high and to fast, let's assess the situation.
"Hopefully we as a community and a foundation we can try to work out any difficulties," he said.
"With the national and state economy the way it is, it's easy to fall into a pit of despair.
"It's the ones that fight and don't just roll over that come out the winners," he added.
"We will have a chance to present our proposals before any decisions are made, and I think that we have a very good chance (at getting them passed)," Hogan said.
Ruff said that other options are available even if the worst happens in the legislature.
"If we don't get what we ask for, we will lower the amounts requested, and then, finally, we could look at alternative funding," he said.
Hogan said that final word on the budget wouldn't likely be presented until next month.

Dixie Inc., the umbrella organization for three youth baseball programs in South Boston, has "taken exception" to many of the recommendations offered it by South Boston Town Council to improve its operations.
"I am really bothered that what started as recommendations by the Town council have now become requirements," said Dixie Inc. President Robert E. Hatcher Jr. in a letter to South Boston Mayor Glen Abernathy.
"Our organization,if we are to continue to receive funding from the town, must initiate immediate action on these recommendations," continued Hatcher.
"In all fairness, will these same recommendations apply to all of the other sports programs who receive town funding?"
The Dixie Inc. Board met Tuesday night to formulate its response to council's recommendations to improve and streamline its operations.
In the letter, Hatcher stated he felt that council's letter to him "seems to go deeper than just making recommendations."
"In fact, it seems the Town is demanding that many changes come about soon," Hatcher continued.
Although appreciative of the town's involvement in helping to resolve the dispute surrounding Dixie Inc., Hatcher feels his organization needs more time than council's stated April 15 deadline to make recommended changes.
He emphasized yesterday that his organization has a timetable to go by, with sign-ups in February, team practices in mid-March and the start of the season in April.
"We're considering council's recommendations," said Hatcher, "but we have to go ahead with our plans. I can assure everyone we'll do what's best for the kids in our programs."
Hatcher addressed council's recommendations for new by-laws by saying his organization intends to incorporate by-laws from the Madison Heights and Powhatan Dixie organizations into its own.
"We have attempted to address our by-laws for the past several months and had scheduled January for completion, but due to the numerous meetings regarding the issues at hand, we have not had time to do so," explained Hatcher.
The letter stated the Dixie Inc. Board will do everything it can to incorporate many of council's recommendations regarding membership in the organization and its Board of Directors.
Council recommended that Dixie Inc.'s 2002 Board of Directors and should be elected following nomination by a nominating committee comprised of two members of Dixie Inc., two council members and two parents or coaches.
In stating that Dixie Inc.'s original contract with the town called for a member of council to be a board member, Hatcher said his organization "would like to reserve the right to appoint that person, one who we feel would be most beneficial to our program."
Town council had recommended that it appoint its representative to the board.
Hatcher agreed that finances are "one of our weak links, and hopefully the new board member from the town will assist us.
"We already had in place a purchase order system and two-party checks prior to last season and plan to reinstate both," said Hatcher.
He added that Dixie Inc. would accept council's recommendation authorizing Town Finance Officer Vandie Saunders to assist them in establishing a budget and doing an audit as council had requested.
In terms of safety, Hatcher responded to council's request to correct or submit a a plan for correction of all safety deficiencies at Day Complex by July 15 and the more serious deficiences prior to the start of this season.
Dixie Inc. entered into an agreement with the then City of South Boston in 1992 to operate the complex for recreational purposes.
Hatcher said his organization was setting up a meeting with town building official Mark Estes to identify any safety issues.
Hatcher continued by stating that satisfying all of Dixie Inc.'s financial obligations within the next 12 months, as recommended by council, "is everyone's dream, but not a reality."
Hatcher argues that if, as council recommends, Dixie Inc. not incur any additional debt until all existing obligations have been paid, funds required to operate its programs would not be available.
"This could mean denying uniforms, equipment and limiting post-season tournaments and possibly participating in a World Series." Hatcher wrote.
Hatcher called that particular recommendation "very impractical and unacceptable."
"We are in the process of numerous fund-raisers and if we receive the funds promised earlier by the Town Finance Chairman, it may be possible to satisfy our obligations sooner," said Hatcher.
"Your requests could then become a reality."
Hatcher estimated it took from $25,000 to $30,000 a year to operate the Pee-Wee, Dixie Youth and Dixie Boys programs.
"We get about $7,000 from the town, with the remainder coming from fund-raisers, registration fees, advertisers ( the signs you see on the outfield fences) and concessions," Hatcher said.
Hatcher raises the issue of fairness in his letter, questioning council's stated reason for making the recommendations, "as an obligation to the citizens who came [before council] with concerns."
As supporters of Dixie Inc. had earlier mentioned when they appeared before council, Hatcher repeated that "for every dissatisfied parent or coach we can produce one who is satisfied in the way the programs are run."
"This whole issue boils down to a select few people that we have had 'problems' with in the past years," Hatcher said.
"Some of the same people presented the same issues in July 1996."
Hatcher finished by stating that Dixie Inc. is "in the process of making improvements in all phases of our organization.
"You and I realize that these changes will not come about overnight. I do plan to keep the Town Council informed of our progress."
"We want involvement from the parents, coaches and the town as well," the letter concludes.
"Working together towards a common goal of using sports for the benefit of the children in our community will be rewarding for all concerned."

A Halifax County jury has recommended that a South Boston woman pay $100,000 in fines and spend 20 years in jail after finding her guilty of two charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana.
Sylvia Ann Butler, a 44-year-old Lewellyn Street woman who prosecutors say was earning as much as $500 a day and had people "waiting on her like slaves", was sent to jail after her bond was revoked.
Whether or not Judge William L. Wellons will agree with that recommended punishment will not be known until the next term of court in March when a presentence report is due.
Butler, who was represented by court-appointed attorney Robert Morrison, submitted a financial statement to the court claiming total assets of $13,520. Based on her claim of having three persons in her household, she qualified as indigent and eligible to receive free legal representation.
· In another trial yesterday, William Arthur Wells Jr., 25, of Halifax was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of marijuana on December 13. Wells is free on bond until sentencing in March.
· Joseph Lee Barker was found guilty of escape by force on September 3 while in custody of Deputy J.L. Lucia. Judge L.M. Osborn sentenced Barker to 60 days in jail and, following his release, faces 12 months of supervised probation.
· Gregory Scott New, 41, of South Boston was found guilty of enhanced larceny on November 30 and held in contempt of court for failing to remain in the courtroom until his case was called on August 29.
Judge Osborn dismissed a second contempt charge against New for his failure to appear in court on October 19. New was ordered to serve five days in jail and will be sentenced February 22 on the larceny conviction.
· Bernard Clark Rodenhizer, 63, of Buffalo Junction pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of petit larceny of merchandise from The Solution Store in South Boston on June 21. Judge Osborn ordered a suspended 12-month jail sentence, a $500 fine, 12 months of supervised probation and 100 hours of community service work. The conditions of the suspended sentence include 12 months of good behavior.
· Larry Wayne Byrd, 51, of Halifax was found guilty of driving under the influence and given a suspended 12-month jail sentence, fined $250, ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, enter and successfully complete VASAP program and had his operator's license restricted.
· Eugene Monroe Barksdale, 23, of South Boston was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was allowed to remain free on bond until sentencing in March.
· Mark Nathaniel Jackson, 45, of South Boston pleaded guilty to obtaining money by false pretense and remains free on bond until sentencing in March.
· Bryant Leroy Mills, 29, of Martinsville pleaded guilty to two counts of driving after having been declared an habitual offender and was sentenced to one year in the penitentiary and given six months of probation on one conviction. Sentencing on the second conviction is scheduled for March.

The Halifax-South Boston Regional Library is facing a temporary spending freeze on state aid items.
Director Paul Johnson informed the Library Board of Trustees of the impending freeze at its quarterly meeting on Tuesday.
The freeze was implemented because of potential cuts in funding for the current fiscal year.
The measures were also implemented by Johnson in response to the state budget proposal that recommends a 25 percent decrease in state aid to public libraries for the next two years.
That would translate into appropriations of $107,874 for each of the next two years, compared to $146,959 this year, according to Johnson.
Trustees endorsed a letter on behalf of the Halifax County-South Boston Regional Library addressed to Gov. Mark Warner, Sen. Frank Ruff and Del. Clarke Hogan from board Chairman L. Ross Garrett, expressing concern over proposed state budget cuts.
The board also agreed Tuesday to contact their representatives in the state legislature to reinforce their concern over the proposed state funding shortage.
Johnson reported that since July 1, 2001, the library system had acquired 629 new titles (1392 volumes) and 1,342 titles since January 1, 2001.
He estimated the system has added 3,000 new titles per year in the 1990s.
The spending freeze would result in the libraries' ending up with fewer than one-fourth as many new titles as purchased in recent years, Johnson concluded, if they were unable to purchase any more books until July.
There was some good news for trustees, who, last year, faced financial difficulties and the departure of former Director Sarah Hudson.
Johnson reported no bills were carried over from the second quarter to the third quarter, which was good news for the library system that may face funding shortages down the road.
"We ended 2001 with all current bills paid, and made the final payment for our Polaris automation system a month early," said Johnson, who added the current state budget crisis presents new concerns.
"Since the system and associated hardware absorbed about $75,000 of our funds during 2001, with many thousands more going to telecommunications, our spending on materials was severely impacted.
"Now that we enter 2002 with Polaris costs down to about $7,500 per year and telecommunications expenses under control, the state budget crisis threatens to affect our materials budget just as severely as one-time computer and telecommunications costs did last year."
Johnson told the board that reaction from partrons to new hours implemented last November at both libraries has been positive, with no complaints about the changed opening times.

J.J. Redick is known as the "money player" for the Cave Spring.
And the highly touted Duke recruit hit the jackpot here Tuesday night.
Redick canned a three-pointer with 18 seconds to go to end a late Halifax County rally and lift the Knights to a 61-58 win over the Comets in a key Western Valley District contest.
The shot was seen as a controversial play by some people as the Comets' Anthony Owen fell to the floor as a result of what appeared to be a push-off by Redick.
"I didn't push off at all," Redick said after scoring 32 points and canning six three-point shots in the contest.
"He (Owen) fell and I just stepped back and took the shot."
Owen, whose task it was to shadow Redick, said Redick got away with using an arm to push him away throughout the game.
"He (Redick) pushed me off every time," said Owen.
"The referee hadn't called it all night. I don't like getting beat like that. I wish he would have played me straight up."
Comets coach Garrett Dillard did not criticize the game officials for the no-call but admitted that it appeared to him that Redick got away with a push-off.
"Anthony was right there on him and he created some space and got a good look," said Dillard.
"He (Redick) came off of the screen pretty hard, caught it, took one dribble and shot it. We didn't have a chance for anybody to do anything."
Cave Spring coach Billy Hicks said he was comfortable with the ball in Redick's hands.
"He's hit that shot so many times and none any bigger than that one," Hicks said.
"We had the ball in the hands of the person we wanted to have it."
Hicks noted he was happy to get out of Halifax County with a win.
"This is an upset," Hicks said.
"They (Halifax County) are going to make some noise. They are very good. It's a tough place to play. It's a good atmosphere. We're fortunate to get out of here with the "W."
The win by Cave Spring (7-5 overall, 4-0 in the district) snapped an eight game-win streak by the Comets and left the Comets at 11-3 overall and 2-2 in Western Valley District play.
With the loss, Halifax County trails both GW of Danville and Cave Spring in the district standings and is in a tie with Patrick Henry, whom it will face here tonight, for third place.
The loss to Cave Spring, while disappointing, was not a loss that ends the Comets hopes for a first-place or second-place finish in the district standings.
"I'm not going to call it a "must win" game," Dillard said.
"A win would have put us up near the top and had us looking good.
"There are still a lot of possibilities out there," added Dillard.
"We still have six district games left. They (Cave Spring) have to see us again. They have to see GW again. Patrick Henry, E.C. Glass and Franklin County are not bad teams. We just need to make sure we defeat Patrick Henry and get back on the winning track."
While Redick's three-pointer with 18 seconds left in the game was the game-winner, Halifax County, which had rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final five and a half minutes of play, had two chances after that to tie or win the game.
Owen, who led the Comets with 18 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter with the help of three three-point baskets, got a good look at a three-pointer with six seconds left in the game but the shot failed to hit the mark.
Cave Spring got the rebound and the Comets' Jamar Irving fouled the Knight's Ryan Hargrutza with five seconds left.
Hargrutza missed both of his two free throw attempts, either one of which could have iced the game.
Halifax County's Lymon Gregory grabbed the rebound and called a time-out with four seconds to play.
The ball ended up in Shamoni Faulkner's hands. Faulkner, who had hit a three-pointer earlier in the fourth quarter and had scored 11 points in the contest, pulled up just shy of the arc at the top of the key and squeezed off a shot.
The ball hit the front of the rim and bounced away, leaving the Comets short in their comeback bid.
"We had some good looks down the stretch," Dillard said, "and came up short against a ball team."
"They wanted the last possession with the ball in Redick's hands and that's what happened."
The story of the second half was the Comets' rising from what appeared to be an almost certain loss to have a chance to win the game down the stretch.
After having led four times in the first half with the aid of a 12-point effort from Sterling Williams, Faulkner connected with two seconds left to tie the game at intermission.
Trailing 34-31 with five and a half minutes left in the third quarter, the Comets turned the ball over five times in a row and the Knights capitalized each time.
A three-pointer from Hargrutza started a 10-0 run in a span of just over two and a half minutes that left the Comets trailing 44-31 with 3:30 left in the quarter.
Three points from Gregory ended the run and brought the Comets to within 10 points but Cave Spring held the Comets at bay and took a 12-point 48-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Knights held a 14-point edge at 53-39 with five and a half minutes left in the game when the Comets hiked up their defensive pressure.
Taking advantage of Cave Spring miscues that resulted from their pressure defense, the Comets reeled off 10 unanswered points, eight of which came from Owen, in a short span of a minute and 20 seconds to cut the Cave Spring lead to five points.
The visitors hiked their lead back up to seven points before Owen led the Comets on a 7-0 run that was capped by a game-tying shot from Andrew Witko with 1:09 to play which set the stage for the exciting ending.
"I want to really commend our guys," Dillard said.
"They stuck with it and didn't give up and we had every chance in the world to win the ball game.
"I hope the guys realize that if they give that same effort they gave in the last six minutes the whole night it could have been a different ball game."
Hicks also credited the Comets for their play down the stretch.
"I thought they did a great job of picking up the pressure," Hicks said.
"I thought their pressure was much better when they had their backs against the wall."

CAVE SPRING
NAME FG FT F TP
Trumbower 0 0-0 0 0
Redick 11 4-4 2 32
Hagan 3 3-6 0 9
Hamilton 0 0-0 0 0
Davison 0 1-2 2 1
Kaplan 3 1-1 1 7
Payne 2 0-0 1 4
Hargrutza 2 0-2 1 4
Arthur 0 0-0 0 0
Harris 1 2-2 2 4
Totals 22 11-17 9 61
HALIFAX COUNTY
NAME FG FT F TP
King 0 0-0 0 0
Gregory 3 1-3 2 7
Irving 0 0-0 3 0
Green 0 0-0 0 0
Faulkner 5 0-0 3 11
Owen 6 2-3 3 18
Whitlock 1 0-0 2 2
Williams 6 1-2 3 14
Palmer 0 0-0 0 0
Witko 2 2-2 2 6
Totals 23 6-10 18 58
Three Point Field Goals: Redick (CS) 6, Owen (HC) 4, Faulkner (HC) 1, Williams (HC) 1

Cave Spring 12 17 19 13-61
Halifax County 13 16 7 22-58

Robert Holt Edmunds

Robert Holt Edmunds, 88, of Greensboro, N.C., died January 23.
Funeral services for Mr. Edmunds will be held January 26 at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church with interment to follow in Greenhill Cemetery.
Mr. Edmunds was born September 21, 1913, to Henry and Louisa Edmunds in Halifax. He graduated from Halifax County High School and attended Hampton-Sydney College, where he played football. He thereafter worked for Imperial Tobacco. Mr. Edmunds joined the United States Army Air Corps in World War II. He reached the rank of Captain and served in the Middle East and Europe.
After discharge from the Army, he lived in Halifax while working for the family creamery business. In 1946, he married the former Mary Lewis Rucker of Greensboro. In 1957, he moved to Greensboro and founded Edmunds Manufacturing Company, a steel fabricating business. He continued to run this firm until shortly before his death.
Mr. Edmunds loved tennis and for many years was co-holder of the title of North Carolina Senior Doubles Champion. He served on the vestries of St. John's Episcopal Church in Halifax and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, where he was senior warden. He was an active member of Rotary, the Greensboro Whist Club, and the Greensboro Investment Club.
Mr. Edmunds is survived by his wife, Mary Lewis; a daughter, Mary Fry Edmunds Haywood and her husband, John, and their children, Mary Lewis, John, Rob and Betsey; her son, Robert H. Edmunds Jr. and his wife, Linda, and their children, Rusty and Ted.
The family will receive friends this evening, January 25, from 6:00 to 8:00, at the residence of Robert Edmunds Jr.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Preservation Greensboro, Inc., PO Box 13136, Greensboro, NC 27415, or Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 607 N. Greene St., Greensboro 27401.

Kenneth C. Philpotts

Kenneth C. Philpotts, 83, of Richmond, died January 23.
Mr. Philpotts was preceded in death by his wife, Venice C. Philpotts. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Betty P. and Kenneth D. Wilson of Mechanicsville; a brother, Bert Philpotts Jr.; two sisters-in-law, Ileen Brown and Imogene Wagstaff, both of South Boston.
Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. January 26 at Laburnum Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 2110 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening, January 25 from 7:00 until 8:30.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society.

Doris Rogers Watkins

Doris Rogers Watkins, 86, of 1044 Holly Court, Halifax, died January 24 at The Woodview.
Mrs. Watkins was born in Halifax County on February 1, 1915, the daughter of Joseph Goodman Rogers and Mary Fannie Chambers Rogers and was married to Roland Bernard Watkins Sr. She was a member of Dan River Baptist Church and was a member of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include one daughter, Donna Watkins James of South Boston; three sons, Wayne Jackson Castleberry of Richmond, Joseph Roger Watkins of New York and Roland Bernard Watkins Jr. of Halifax; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services for Mrs. Watkins will be held January 26 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jack Stewart officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, January 25, from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider a charity of your choice.

Rev. Henry Garfield Guthrie Sr.

Rev. Henry Garfield Guthrie Sr., 74, of 1130 Hardings Mill Road, Nathalie, died January 22 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Rev. Guthrie was born in Halifax County on April 26, 1927, the son of the late Joe Henry Guthrie and Winnie Brown Guthrie and was married to Mary Cousins Guthrie. He was a member of Traynham Grove Baptist Church, was a retiree of Daystrom Furniture Co. He was the former pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Saxe and Greenwood Baptist Church in Boydton.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Delores Guthrie of Upper Marlboro, Md. and Violet G. Miller of Richmond; three sons, Robert L. Guthrie of San Antonio, Texas, Henry G. Guthrie Jr. of Arlington and James H. Guthrie of Clinton, Md.; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one brother, Anthony L. Guthrie of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Rev. Guthrie will January 26 at 11 a.m. at Traynham Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Keen officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Beverly Miller
Beverly Miller, 54, of 1243 Golden Leaf Road, Nathalie, died January 20 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mr. Miller was born in Halifax County on October 28, 1947, the son of the late James Henry Miller and Louise Adams Miller and was married to Beulah Garrett Miller. He was a member of Millstone Baptist Church and was an employee of Lasco Bathware, Inc.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Lisa D. Clark of Clover and Jeanette P. Miller of Nathalie; one son, Beverly C. Miller of Long Island, N.Y.; one sister, Lottie Hubbard of Nathalie; four brothers, James Miller of Long Island, Joe Miller of Nathalie, Julian Miller of Gretna and Willie Miller of South Boston; six half-sisters, Brenda Fuller, Carolyn Fuller and Debbie King, all of Nathalie, Sharlene McCargo of South Boston, Margaret Brown of Lynchburg and Mary Coletrain of Charlottesville; three half-brothers, Robert Tune, Randy Tune and Ronnie Tune, all of Nathalie; two grandchildren; and one son-in-law.
Funeral services for Mr. Miller will be January 26 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with the Rev. James E. Traynham officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Clarence Thomas Lipscomb
Clarence Thomas Lipscomb, 35, of 8022 Huell Matthews Hwy., Alton, died January 22.
Mr. Lipscomb was born in Halifax County on June 25, 1966, the son of the late William Thomas Lipscomb Jr. and the late Betty Jean Newman Lipscomb. He was married to Amy Ashley Lipscomb and was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Kayla, Anita and Sarah Lipscomb, all of Alton; two sisters, Jeanne M. Holeman of Ardmore, Pa. and Sylvia L. Fitz of Blairs; his grandmother, Esther Bailey of Roxboro, N.C.; two brothers-in-law, Brian Holeman of Ardmore and the Rev. Roderick P. Fitz of Blairs.
Funeral services for Mr. Lipscomb will be January 27 at 1 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas Bolden officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Lipscomb, 1031 Newman Drive, South Boston.

Marjorie Ilena Wiley

Marjorie Ilena Wiley, 65, of 1031 Daniel Trail, South Boston, died January 23 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Halifax County on October 18, 1936, the daughter of the late Ralph Wiley and Linear Jeffress Jackson. She was a member of St. James Baptist Church.
Miss Wiley is survived by two daughters, Bessie Staten of Richmond and Josephine Williams of Halifax; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her mother of Scottsburg; one sister, Della Sparrow of Richmond; three brothers, William Jackson of Halifax, Ernest Jeffress and Moses Edward Jeffress, both of Camden, N.J.; two sons-in-law, James Williams of Halifax and Messiah Powell of Scottsburg; one brother-in-law, Fred Sparrow of Richmond; one sister-in-law, Millie Jackson of Halifax; and a devoted friend, James Winston of Richmond.
Funeral services for Miss Wiley will be January 28 at 2 p.m. at St. James Baptist Church with the Rev. Byrd B. Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home, Lot 12 Lakewood Trailer Park.Rev. Henry Garfield Guthrie Sr., 74, of 1130 Hardings Mill Road, Nathalie, died January 22 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Rev. Guthrie was born in Halifax County on April 26, 1927, the son of the late Joe Henry Guthrie and Winnie Brown Guthrie and was married to Mary Cousins Guthrie. He was a member of Traynham Grove Baptist Church, was a retiree of Daystrom Furniture Co. He was the former pastor of Galilee Baptist Church in Saxe and Greenwood Baptist Church in Boydton.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Delores Guthrie of Upper Marlboro, Md. and Violet G. Miller of Richmond; three sons, Robert L. Guthrie of San Antonio, Texas, Henry G. Guthrie Jr. of Arlington and James H. Guthrie of Clinton, Md.; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one brother, Anthony L. Guthrie of Nathalie.
Funeral services for Rev. Guthrie will January 26 at 11 a.m. at Traynham Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. William A. Keen officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home.

Beverly Miller

Beverly Miller, 54, of 1243 Golden Leaf Road, Nathalie, died January 20 at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Mr. Miller was born in Halifax County on October 28, 1947, the son of the late James Henry Miller and Louise Adams Miller and was married to Beulah Garrett Miller. He was a member of Millstone Baptist Church and was an employee of Lasco Bathware, Inc.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Lisa D. Clark of Clover and Jeanette P. Miller of Nathalie; one son, Beverly C. Miller of Long Island, N.Y.; one sister, Lottie Hubbard of Nathalie; four brothers, James Miller of Long Island, Joe Miller of Nathalie, Julian Miller of Gretna and Willie Miller of South Boston; six half-sisters, Brenda Fuller, Carolyn Fuller and Debbie King, all of Nathalie, Sharlene McCargo of South Boston, Margaret Brown of Lynchburg and Mary Coletrain of Charlottesville; three half-brothers, Robert Tune, Randy Tune and Ronnie Tune, all of Nathalie; two grandchildren; and one son-in-law.
Funeral services for Mr. Miller will be January 26 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with the Rev. James E. Traynham officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.

Clarence Thomas Lipscomb

Clarence Thomas Lipscomb, 35, of 8022 Huell Matthews Hwy., Alton, died January 22.
Mr. Lipscomb was born in Halifax County on June 25, 1966, the son of the late William Thomas Lipscomb Jr. and the late Betty Jean Newman Lipscomb. He was married to Amy Ashley Lipscomb and was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Kayla, Anita and Sarah Lipscomb, all of Alton; two sisters, Jeanne M. Holeman of Ardmore, Pa. and Sylvia L. Fitz of Blairs; his grandmother, Esther Bailey of Roxboro, N.C.; two brothers-in-law, Brian Holeman of Ardmore and the Rev. Roderick P. Fitz of Blairs.
Funeral services for Mr. Lipscomb will be January 27 at 1 p.m. at Zion Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas Bolden officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Lipscomb, 1031 Newman Drive, South Boston.

Marjorie Ilena Wiley

Marjorie Ilena Wiley, 65, of 1031 Daniel Trail, South Boston, died January 23 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Halifax County on October 18, 1936, the daughter of the late Ralph Wiley and Linear Jeffress Jackson. She was a member of St. James Baptist Church.
Miss Wiley is survived by two daughters, Bessie Staten of Richmond and Josephine Williams of Halifax; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her mother of Scottsburg; one sister, Della Sparrow of Richmond; three brothers, William Jackson of Halifax, Ernest Jeffress and Moses Edward Jeffress, both of Camden, N.J.; two sons-in-law, James Williams of Halifax and Messiah Powell of Scottsburg; one brother-in-law, Fred Sparrow of Richmond; one sister-in-law, Millie Jackson of Halifax; and a devoted friend, James Winston of Richmond.
Funeral services for Miss Wiley will be January 28 at 2 p.m. at St. James Baptist Church with the Rev. Byrd B. Blackwell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home, Lot 12 Lakewood Trailer Park.