Governor Jim Gilmore made a special trip to Halifax County Saturday to announce the creation of the Governor's Commission on the Economic Development Protection and Growth of Virginia's Tobacco Dependent Communities and pledged his unwavering commitment to do all in his power to support tobacco farmers and their families as they face an uncertain future.
"Tobacco remains the financial lifeblood of many of the Commonwealth's Communities," Gilmore told a record crowd of more than 400 who attended the Seventh Annual Virginia Tobacco Conference and Trade Show held at the Halifax County High School Saturday. "I am deeply concerned, however, about recent developments that have hurt the working men and women of Virginia whose livelihoods depend on tobacco - especially the tobacco growers."
Gilmore explained that the 20-member Commission will function without partisanship to help guide the distribution of Virginia's share of the multi billion dollar national tobacco settlement and help preserve the family farm for future generations.
"We must ensure that future generations have the choice to live the prosperous life of their parents or pursue a career with just as much promise. We must force no one to move away from the home because of lack of economic opportunity," Gilmore said.
Virginia joined the 25-year, $206 billion Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) December 23, 1998. During his State of the Commonwealth speech, the Governor proposed to place half of the settlement's funds in a fund for economic and agricultural development and targeted at assistance for growers and workers hurt by the settlement.
Recently, Gilmore worked with representatives of the tobacco-growing states and the for major tobacco companies to establish a 12-year, $5.15 billion National Tobacco Community Trust Fund.
The Governor's Commission on the Economic Development Protection and Growth of Virginia's Tobacco Dependent Communities will hold a series of public meetings across the Commonwealth in order to hear suggestions on how to distribute the state's share of the money from the tobacco settlement and the National Tobacco Community Trust Fund and develop additional opportunities in agriculture.
Gilmore named state Sen. Charles Hawkins (R-Pittsylvania), who sponsored the senate version of the bill to establish the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission and Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation, as the Commission Co-chairman. Other members named to the Commission included National Black Farmers Association President John Boyd; Pittsylvania tobacco farmer C.D. Bryant who is chairman of Concerned Friends of Tobacco; and Halifax County farmer Don Anderson, who is president of the Virginia Tobacco Growers Association.
The remaining appointments to the commission will be made later, Gilmore said, and the group's final report is scheduled to be issued Oct. 1.
"I will seek (Commission) members' advice on all matters (regarding distribution of Virginia's portion of the funds coming from the Master Tobacco Settlement Agreement)," Gilmore said. "They will help me chart the course for tobacco dependent communities."
Leaders from surrounding tobacco communities mingled with the crowd during the Expo to share their views and demonstrate their concern for the future of tobacco in the Southside and Southwest.
Lt. Gov. John Hagar reemphasized the importance of community involvement and cooperation between the tobacco and heath advocates in the fight to preserve tobacco's role in Virginia's future.
"Tobacco is very important to Virginia. It always has been, it is now, and it always will be an integral part of our community. Tobacco touches everything, and we need all people - people like you all here today - to speak up about your rights as a U.S. citizen," Hagar said. "We are now at a crossroad that could determine the future of the tobacco industry, and this future will be determined by you as a group. Focus on your goal and resist breaking down into factions. Politicians alone won't solve the problem. This will take leadership, and the leaders we need are all over this room."
U.S. Representative Virgil Goode used a 19th century tobacco grinder to illustrate his point.
"If the Federal attacks don't stop," he said rotating the grinder's handle, "This is the way we'll be manufacturing cigarettes in the future, while the industry goes to China, Brazil or Zimbabwe. This is not what I want to see for the economic health of the United States."
Goode commended the members of the General Assembly for their cooperative effort to establish the funds to protect Virginia's portion of the MSA, but warned that the fight was far from over.
"The MSA will provide some $206 billion to the tobacco states beginning soon and going through 2025, but at the national level, the president wants to recapture this money for Medicaid. This would have a direct adverse impact on growers and areas like this," Goode cautioned, illustrating his warning by sharing statements made earlier this year by President Bill Clinton.
"In January, Clinton delivered the first whammy of a double whammy with the 55 cent tax on each pack of cigarettes. Your price per pack has already gone up, and if this 55 cent tax passes it will be devastating," Goode said. "The second whammy came out during the State of the Union Address. The President said he wants to help farmers, and then says he wants the Department of Justice and Attorney General to proceed with a multi hundred billion dollar suit against tobacco and cigarette manufacturers, which would directly impact the tobacco trust fund.
"If the manufacturers don't have the money, they can't put it in these funds," Goode said.
The fight to preserve family farms for future generations that the governor mentioned during his speech was a resurgent theme throughout the afternoon, as was the inclusive affect that tobacco has on the community.
"If we want the next generation to have the opportunity to grow up and work on the family farm, we need to fight now. We need the money in place to offset the losses to your income that that you had no say-so in. We need to stabilize that which is uncertain in the farming community. For without us providing food and fiber (on the farm) nothing else works, and tobacco has been the cash crop that allowed you to grow the cattle, corn and wheat. The details of the tobacco settlement provide this stability," Hawkins said.
Each of the speakers commended those involved in developing the settlement funds for their cooperation.
"This has been a historical alliance that enabled us to win with the cards we were dealt. No other state even came close to what we have achieved, and this victory must be preserved," Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett said, commending the tobacco community and health community for their contributions, whose message was repeated by Delegates Whitt Clement and Frank Ruff.
"Because we worked together, we both got something we wanted," said Rebecca Reeves, Director, Program Manager, Institute for Quality Health, UVA Health Services Foundation. "We all want a healthy community, and to have that we need three things: a good strong economy; a good safe environment; and good personal health. The health community is not for prohibition of tobacco use among adults, we want to limit youth access to tobacco products. We want harm reduction, and you want financial stability. We must continue to work together to achieve this."
While the settlement news was received with enthusiasm, VTGA President Anderson cautioned growers and quota owners, as well as other members of the tobacco community, not to become complacent.
"I think it is very important to note that this legislation is far from a completed process or done deal. It is still very much dependent upon the Governor's signature, and we would certainly hope that the he will sign this into legislation," Anderson said following the conference. "Growers need to follow the reports coming out of Richmond to keep informed about the legislation as it moves forward."
Anderson said he was very pleased with Saturday's event, and was appreciative of Gilmore and Lt. Gov. Hagar's presence there.
"I certainly appreciate all the support all of the growers and the community gave us Saturday, and I want to issue a special thank you to Gov. Gilmore and Lt. Gov. Hagar, Sen. Hawkins, Del. Bennett, Del. Clement, and Del. Ruff for participating in our program. Please know that the community appreciates all their hard work," Anderson said.

Invited by the 5th District Democratic Party to explain his voting record, Congressman Virgil Goode said Saturday that he would "meet with any group that wants to talk about any issues."
The 5th District Congressman is also planting his political feet firmly in Southside issues, saying "I think my voting record reflects the 5th District well."
One of a handful of Democrats who voted to move legislation on impeachment to the Senate, Goode is aware his voting record is not in tune with the Clinton White House.
"I agree it is not in line with the Clinton Administration position," said Goode. "But we are here for a tobacco show today and if you allowed that position to be the prevailing position in the nation, tobacco would be gone."
Targeting the administration's 55-cent per pack tax proposal and calls for suits against tobacco, Goode added, "I think that is just a huge tax on the growers and tobacco growing communities. And that is certainly one area of disagreement (between Goode and the administration)."
Crediting the state with doing a good job, the congressman issued a warning on tobacco settlement, saying, "We are going to have to fight at the national level against a proposal in the budget to take back part of the settlement with the states involving Medicaid.
"As you know, Medicaid is part federally fund and part state funded, and the budget introduced by the Administration wants to recover some of that money to the federal government.
"I do not want to see that happen. I want to see the states keep all of the settlement. And then if the states keep their share, it would be a better opportunity for the growers and Southside Virginia to get a portion of that," said Goode.
Against last week's background of a JPS Textile Group plant closing in his hometown of Rock Mount, Goode targeted yet another area of disagreement with national policy.
"I think that dates back to some of the trade positions that we have seen this country embark on and that have hurt Southside Virginia instead of helping.
"We have lost a lot of apparel jobs and a lot of textile jobs ...and that would be another difference between me and the administration. They are a big pusher of most favored trade nation with China status and I am opposed to that," said the congressman.
Party Status
A critical mate and a flirtatious suitor can mean trouble in any relationship, but Goode and the GOP are hard to read.
The congressman, when asked about the possibility of switching parties, said, "I am not making any comment on the 2000 election. I am going to wait and see what comes up."
Republican officials attending the Virginia Tobacco Conference here Saturday offered a range of replies when asked about a possible Goode party switch.
19th District State Senator Charles Hawkins, who served in the Virginia legislature with Goode for years, described the congressman as one who "has always been very independent minded and he does what he thinks is in the best interest of the district he represents."
As for being courted by a particular political party, Hawkins said, "Virgil could find a home very easily in the GOP. There is no question about that. But they are calls Virgil will have to make for himself."
Lt. Gov. John Hager said he and Goode "are good friends from a long time standing."
He described the congressman has having "a strong streak of fiscal conservatism in him" and as "a good representative of the people.
"And of course, naturally, I would be ecstatic to welcome him into the Republican Party of Virginia, but I think that is Virgil's decision," said Hager.
Gov. James Gilmore addressing the same party issue, replied, "Congressman Goode and I have spoken frequently and I have in fact talked with him in the last several weeks. We are very cordial and we are keeping in close touch but I don't think either he or I have made any decisions at this point."
Outstanding is an invitation to Goode to speak to the 5th District GOP about the Virginia Senate and Congress issued by 5th District Chairman Tucker Watkins.
Political intrigue or the always rough and tumble of Southside Virginia politics?
"I think you have had some good representatives from the Democratic party in Southside," said Goode. "Some good members in the House of Delegates like Whitt Clement and Ted Bennett. And you have had many good ones in the past from this area, Howard Anderson and you can go back to Gov. Tuck."

Heavy showers Friday afternoon decreased the likelihood of accidental brush fires, but local forestry officials still urged people adhere to the guidelines of Virginia's 4 p.m. burning law that comes into effect today and to continue to use caution when burning debris or other material.
Debris burning, which is considered the number one cause forest fires in the Commonwealth, was blamed for fires that scorched a total of nearly 10 acres in Halifax County last week.
According to Local forester Alex Williamson, Tuesday a debris fire sparked a blaze that burned approximately three-quarters of an acre of Charlie Logan's property alongside Duck Trail west of Halifax.
The following day a debris fire along Winns Creek Club Road burned two acres of Willie Conner's property.
Williamson said that officials have blamed at least two four brush fires Thursday on debris burning.
Thursday morning just before noon county foresters and firefighters from Turbeville and Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Departments spent nearly two hours containing a woods fire that broke out when a spark from a debris pile jumped into a dry field bordered by trees in Alton.
According to reports, the burning debris caught a field located at the end of Hendricks Lane on fire, and from there the blaze spread into the woods, consuming a total of four acres before a dozer could be brought in to cut a fire lane to contain the blaze.
Later that afternoon volunteer forestry officials and firefighters from the Liberty and Triangle departments responded to an out-of-control debris fire west of Mt. Laurel.
The burning debris scorched one acre of woods and approximately half and acre of open land located off of Route 609 south of 603 on the Willie Martin Estate just shortly after 3 p.m.
Less than an hour later, sparks from a burning log truck caught fields on either side of the road on fire in the western end of the county.
According to the truck driver, David Plautz of Crystal Hill, an electric problem near the fuel pump in the cab of the truck sparked the fire shortly after 2 p.m.
"I tried to put it out myself with two big fire extinguishers, but it wasn't enough. I'm just thankful to all the people who came to help," Plautz said Friday.
The fire destroyed the cab of the truck but spared the full load of logs. However, before firefighters arrived, the blaze spread to surrounding fields at the intersection of Route 667 and Route 666, burning approximately one half acre.
Halifax County Forester Larry Laymon said the largest fire Thursday was attributed to a bushhog blade that probably created a spark when it hit a rock.
Laymon joined volunteer firefighters from Clover and Triangle fire departments around 5 p.m. when the fire broke out in a field located off Route 92 near the edge of Clover.
The fire spread to the surrounding woods owned by Catherine Gibson and Morgan Lumber Company, consuming approximately 11 acres of planted pines.
Once again, a bulldozer was brought in to establish a control line around the burning area.
The rain Friday arrived a little too late to help firefighters from North Halifax and Liberty volunteer fire departments as they battled a fire that consumed three acres of woods, two acres of open land, and leveled a barn located on land north of Volens owned by Kent Roark, Williamson said.
Williamson said officials are still investigating the cause of this fire.
"It's been a busy week and we're real glad the rain came (Friday) because we needed it" Williamson said "We have some great fire departments in this county. Those guys really hustle and do a fantastic job."
Even with the rain these fire departments will most likely remain busy throughout the spring.
Laymon explained that because forest fuels have cured during the winter months, the fire danger is higher in early spring than in summer when the forest and grasses are green with new growth. According to Laymon, the top cover of dead leaves, twigs and dry grass catches easily, and can be ignited by just a spark.
Because breezes tend to lessen in force after 4 p.m. and the sun is not quite as intense, the chance of accidental fires decreases, making the 4 p.m. Burning Law one of the most effective tools used in the prevention of forest fires.
In brief, the 4 p.m. Burning Law states: No burning before 4 p.m. February 15 through April 30 of each year, if the fire is in, or within 300 feet of woodland, brushland or fields containing dry grass or other flammable material.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - After a grueling few days of marathon floor sessions, the action has returned to committees as the General Assembly gears up for a sprint to its Feb. 27 adjournment.
Senate bills are now in the hands of the House of Delegates, and vice versa, after last Tuesday's ''crossover'' day - the deadline for each chamber to act on its own bills.
That means senators and delegates will focus this week on ushering their bills through committees of the opposite chamber. By the final week of the session, most of the action once again will be on the House and Senate floors, reprising the long workdays just before crossover.
A long list of important legislation awaits committee action, including an electric utility restructuring bill, legislation to compensate a woman who was hauled into court by the state over her decision to withdraw her severely brain-damaged husband's feeding tube, and a bill to subject abortion clinics to the same strict regulations governing hospitals.
The Senate has passed the complex electricity deregulation bill, which has been the subject of three years of negotiations and scores of meetings. It now goes before a House committee that also has been studying the issue, but put its own bill on hold and waited for the Senate version.
Also coming over from the Senate is a bill to award $48,000 to Michele Finn as compensation for court battles with the state after her decision to remove the tube that had sustained her husband, Hugh Finn, for 3 1/2 years.
Mrs. Finn said the state's unsuccessful legal efforts to stop her and keep the former Louisville, Ky., television news anchorman alive inflicted deep emotional and financial tolls on her.
The bill also gives $10,000 to Finn's brothers and parents. They opposed Mrs. Finn's decision to let her husband die and sided with the state.
The Senate, meanwhile, will weigh in on Del. Robert G. Marshall's bill to subject abortion clinics to the architectural standards governing hospitals. Abortion-rights advocates say those regulations, which include such things as 5-foot-wide hallways, would force many clinics to close.
Also, a House-passed bill requiring a 24-hour waiting period for abortions is pending in the Senate Education and Health Committee, which for years has rejected abortion restrictions.

A South Boston man was arrested Saturday and charged with shooting a gun at an occupied building.
According to reports from the Halifax County Sheriff's Department, Deputy S. Britton arrested Murray Grant Hill Jr., 23, of Riverdale Drive, shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday morning.
Hill was charged with discharging a firearm in or at an occupied building. He is scheduled to appear in Halifax County General District Court March 5.
Douglas M. Williams, 33, of Eagle Spring Road, Sutherlin, was arrested Friday shortly after 5 p.m. by Halifax County Sgt. L.A. Cobb who charged him with assault and battery.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A $51.5 million verdict this week in favor of a cancer-ridden smoker who claimed she was deceived by Philip Morris Cos. could be the harbinger of a long string of bad news for the embattled industry.
Analysts say other smokers may be quick to head to court, especially in tobacco-conscious California. The ruling in a San Francisco courtroom also comes just three months after the industry reached a multibillion-dollar settlement with dozens of states.
''I would imagine that the tobacco executives are meeting at this very hour trying to figure out is it too late to clean up our act,'' said Richard Daynard, a Northeastern University law professor who has worked with states that sued the cigarette makers.
''I think really for the first time in their history they're going to have to sit down and say maybe we should go for safer cigarettes, maybe we should go to plain packaging.''
Some analysts said Thursday that juries may consider that the tobacco industry's high-profile settlement of the state lawsuits has served as a public admission of guilt.
''When tobacco companies start offering billions of dollars of settlements, juries lose their sense of how much is a lot,'' said David Logan, a law professor at Wake Forest University who specializes in product liability.
That was clear in the case of Patricia Henley, 52, a former smoker with inoperable lung cancer who sought $15 million in punitive damages from Philip Morris. The jury, however, awarded $50 million, plus $1.5 million in compensatory damages.
Jury foreman George Loudis said some jurors wanted to go even higher.
''I accused a lot of them toward the end of losing touch with reality,'' he said. ''One woman said she contemplated $1 billion. ... I mean the numbers just flowed out of their mouths.''
Philip Morris attorneys said the award stemmed from the ''passion and prejudice'' of the jury and planned to appeal.
Only three other times have juries awarded smokers damages in health claims against tobacco companies. All of them were smaller than this week's case and all have been overturned on appeal.
Still, some experts say Ms. Henley's case marks a changing of the legal landscape. Lawyers in the more than 850 pending suits against tobacco companies now have warehouses full of industry documents at their disposal, thanks to state attorneys general who reached $246 billion in settlements from cigarette makers over the costs of treating smokers.
The climate for tobacco lawsuits may be most favorable in California, which was among the first states to ban smoking in some public areas and has run an extensive campaign of public service ads warning of smoking dangers.
The ads have featured, among others, a woman who smokes through a hole in her throat after losing her larynx to cancer, and men whose cigarettes fall limp, suggesting a link between smoking and impotence.
''The truth is out there now,'' said Dr. Stanton Glantz, a University of California, San Francisco professor who is a frequent critic of big tobacco. ''The sheer magnitude of all the lying by the industry, all the covering up by the tobacco companies, has just permeated society.''
All of that, however, doesn't necessarily translate into a greater possibility of success in California's courtrooms.
''This is a place where people are more geared to health, but the flip side is that everyone here now knows how dangerous smoking is,'' said Ms. Henley's attorney, Madelyn Chaber.
Tobacco companies consider that a key defense - that given decades of warnings about smoking, smokers alone are responsible for their health problems.
''That's the irony of this jury's verdict,'' said Bill Ohlemeyer, an attorney for Philip Morris. ''California, even before other states and the federal government, back in the 1950s, had anti-smoking programs. It's hard to believe that ordinary people weren't aware of the risks of smoking.''

Ethel Gladys Hughes of 1405 Stebbins St., South Boston died Saturday, February 13, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital. She as 74 years of age.
Ms. Hughes was born in Halifax County on January 26, 1925 the daughter of Hervey Hughes and Dorothy Rutledge Hughes. She was a member of Southside Baptist Church, and was retired from Wabash.
Funeral services will be held today, February 15 at 2 p.m. at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Don Bryant officiating. Burial will take place in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Survivors include one brother, James Hervie Hughes of Nashville, TN and a number of nieces and nephews.

Walter Lee Price of Route 2, Nathalie died Monday, February 8,1 999 at Lynchburg General Hospital at the age of 77.
He was the son of George Price and Bessie Jackson Price and was a member of New Shiloh Baptist Church.
Mr. Price is survived by four sisters, Phyllis Cobb, Catherine Shropshire, Lelia Bailey and Molly Bryant, all of Baltimore, MD; a devoted niece and nephew, Willie and Lucille Price of Nathalie; and a devoted cousin, John Lee Hubbard.

Funeral services for Mr. Price were held Saturday, February 13 at 2 p.m. at New Shiloh Baptist Church with Rev. Bobby Hairston conducting the service. Burial was in the church cemetery.

Inez Moore Inge of South Boston died Saturday, February 13, 1999 at The Woodview. She was 93 years of age at the time of her death.
Mrs. Inge was born in Halifax County on September 17, 1905 the daughter of Albert Anderson Moore and Ella Hughes Moore and was married to Ernest Martin Inge. She was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and was a retired employee of Craddock-Terry Shoe Corporation.
Survivors include one daughter, Elsie I. Lowery of South Boston; one son, Douglas B. Inge of Nathalie; one stepson, Ernest B. Inge of South Mills, NC; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Edith Overcash.

Funeral services for Mrs. Inge will be held today, February 15 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Davidson conducting the service. Burial will be in Dan River Baptist Church Cemetery.

Virginia Owens Majors of 3162 Bethel Road, Halifax died Friday, February 12, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 56.
Mrs. Majors was born in Halifax County on June 6, 1942 the daughter of Jessie Owens and Mattie Pearl Henry Owens and was married to Thomas A. Majors. She was a member of New Vernon Baptist Church and was employed as assistant manager of Maxway Department Store.
Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Veronica Wilkins of South Boston; two sons, Thomas A. Majors Jr. of St. Louis, MO and Jonathan E. Majors of Halifax; six grandchildren; five sisters, Geneva Crews of Nathalie, Juanita Barksdale of South Boston, Mary Moore of Blairs, Esther Marable of Danville and Estella Powell of Washington, DC; three brothers, Herbert Owens of Philadelphia PA, Berkley Owens of Vernon Hill and Carl Owens of Washington. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Lorenzo Lamont Wilkins.
Funeral services for Mrs. Majors will be held Tuesday, February 16 at 1 p.m. at New Vernon Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Roger J. Ford officiating. Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens.

Gladys Berry Ballou of 1235 Sinai Road, South Boston died Friday, February 12, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 74.
Mrs. Ballou was born in Charlottesville on November 18, 1924 the daughter of Arthur Berry and Henrietta James Berry and was married to Eugene Ballou. She was a member of Banister Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband; one brother, Alphonzo Berry of Charlottesville; a devoted niece and great-niece, Brenda Ballou and Kristina Ballou, both of South Boston; and a devoted sister and brother-in-law, Lola and Alfred Wood of South Boston.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ballou will be held Wednesday, February 17 at 2 p.m. at Banister Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. William Carr officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the chapel of Jeffress Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 7 until 8 p.m.

Harry Jasper Carmichael of 3009 Cherry Hill Church Road, South Boston died February 12, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 67.
Mr. Carmichael was born in Halifax County on September 12, 1931 the son of Lorenzo Carmichael and Mamie Whitt Carmichael and was married to Hazel W. Carmichael. He was a member of Mt. Cana United Methodist Church and a member of Better Breathers. He was retired manager of Skats.
Funeral services were held Sunday, February 14 at 2 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with Revs. Grant Dyer and Harper Davis conducting the service. Burial was in Shady Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Carmichael is survived by his wife; two daughters, Joan Benson of Rocky Mount, NC and Katherine Whitt of South Boston; three sisters, Estelle Nelson of Virgilina, Rosa Sharp of South Boston and Odell Wilson of Charlottesville; two brothers, Lloyd T. Carmichael of South Boston and Walter Carmichael of Roxboro, NC; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one brother, Sam Carmichael.

Cora Johnson Sutphin of Sutphin Road, South Boston died Thursday, February 11, 1999 at Duke Medical Center.
Mrs. Sutphin was born in Halifax County on December 21, 1923 the daughter of Ollie Wiley and William 'Lucky' Johnson and was married to William Sutphin. She was first a member of Five Forks Baptist Church and later changed her membership to Trinity Baptist Church.
Survivors include her children: Cecile, Carstoba, Bill, Ann, Bradley, Edward, Gail, Rhonda and Randy; her brothers, Joe and Billy; her sisters, Mildred, Elnora, Lorene and Rae; sisters-in-law, Gladys, Maggie, Hallie and Irene; sons-in-law and daughter-in-law, George, Gerald, Clevelan, and Cordelia; 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Emma.

Funeral services for Mrs. Sutphin were held Sunday, February 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church with Rev. Harold Roberts officiating. Burial followed in Rose Garden Cemetery.

James Frank Nichols of 3028 Wolf Trap Road, South Boston died Thursday, February 11, 1999 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 87.
Mr. Nichols was born in Halifax County on January 3, 1912 the son of Giles Young Nichols and Mary Sue Hart Nichols and was married to Della Thomas Nichols.
Graveside services for Mr. Nichols were held Sunday, February 14 at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery with Rev. Dr. John Fariss conducting the service.
Survivors include one brother, Giles J. 'Pete' Nichols of Richmond; two sisters, Mary Nichols Hatcher and Annie Nichols Bowen, both of Richmond; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Florene Jones Murphy of 102 South Ivy Avenue, Highland Springs died Thursday, February 11, 1999 at her home. She was 68 years of age.
Mrs. Murphy was born in Halifax County on March 17, 1930 the daughter of Louis Jones and Virginia Trickey Jones and was married to Harold Grey Murphy. She was a member of Highland Springs Methodist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Cheryl Melton of Highland Springs and Wanda Hensley of Richmond; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Hazel Hancock of Highland Springs, Nannie Pulliam of South Boston and Lena Long of Birmingham, AL.

Funeral services for Mrs. Murphy were held Sunday, February 14 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bob Fox conducting the service. Burial was in Oak Ridge Cemetery.