Virginia Department of Transportation officials opened the
intersection of Route 501 south and U.S. 58 Sunday morning at
11:45 after heavy rains swelled the Dan to 30.73 feet, the highest
level since Hurricane Fran pummeled the area in 1996.
Flood stage for the Dan in South Boston is 19 feet.
"Today, the river has dropped three or four feet," First
Sgt. Jeff Lane of the Virginia State Police said late yesterday
morning.
Police officials said the section of the Riverdale bridge that
remained closed would not open until the roadway has been inspected
by engineers.
"It depends on how fast the water recedes," Lt. John
Barber of the South Boston Police Department said. "After
the water goes down, we'll have to make sure the water hasn't
damaged the roads."
Heavy rains Wednesday and Thursday sent the Dan River spilling
over its banks and into a host of businesses on the south side
of South Boston.
For much of the day Saturday, Routes 58 and 501 were closed, snarling
traffic and forcing drivers to use the John Randolph Bridge.
But the worst seems to be over.
The river level rose to its peak at 10 p.m. Saturday, according
to Jim White, a spokesman for the National Weather Service.
"We expect that the river will fall below flood stage sometime
Tuesday morning," White said.
Barber said that other than minor inconveniences and property
damage to the Riverdale businesses, no major problems were reported
due to the high water.
"Other than just a headache with a lot of traffic and having
to re-route travel, it went as smooth as possible," he said.
Lane agreed, saying that a lot of cooperation and extra manpower
helped keep the inconveniences to a minimum.
"We had to bring in 12 extra troopers from surrounding jurisdictions,
some as much as two hours away," he said.
"We had the flood coverage coordinated well in advance,"
he said. "VDOT has been a great help, and there was a great
deal of cooperation between the major agencies."
South Boston Police Sgt. Dennis Blanks said many of the businesses
now have two to three feet of standing water inside. He was not
aware of any flood-related injuries.
Mac Ragan, who operates Mac Ragan's Auto Sales and Service in
Riverdale, said cleanup involves "lots of work."
"I've lived through a couple of floods," he said. "Most
of the businesses should have some damage, because the water came
up two or three feet inside some of them."
Ragan said a newly-remodeled portion of his building "looks
like it had 10-12 inches inside it."
The financial loss will be inestimable, according to the long-time
Riverdale tenant.
"There's no telling how much money it costs when you consider
the time (businesses) are closed and the cleanup costs,"
he said.
Most of the cleanup will involve shovels, brooms and pressure
washers, Ragan said.
"As soon as it goes down, you can pressure wash some of it,"
he said. "But there will be mud 2-3 inches deep in the buildings.
It's a long, drawn out thing."
In Danville, the river crested Saturday at 24.6 feet, about seven
feet above flood level. It is expected to recede below flood stage
around daybreak Sunday.
A little over two weeks ago, South Boston Town Council adopted
a resolution recommending consolidation of the town's two elementary
schools.
But parents of children attending Washington-Coleman and C.H.
Friend elementary schools and other South Boston citizens said
"no" Thursday night to the proposal.
The overwhelming majority of the approximately 100 persons who
attended the School Board's public hearing at C.H. Friend said
they want that facility refurbished and kept open.
Sentiment was almost equally divided between seeing Washington-Coleman
Elementary School refurbished and kept open or constructing a
new K-3 elementary school with the same Washington-Coleman name.
A site for a new school in South Boston has not yet been identified.
Thursday night's hearing was to gain public input on what path
the School Board should follow with the two South Boston schools
as part of its proposed $50 million school capital improvements
project.
Only one member of South Boston Town Council, Coleman Speece,
attended the public hearing.
When asked after the hearing why Council rushed to pass a resolution
supporting consolidation prior to the School Board's public hearing,
Speece said Town Council was not in any rush.
"I don't think we were in a rush," Speece said.
"The issue came up. This is not a Council decision. This
is a School Board decision as to what they do. We were simply
asked our opinion.
"Obviously," continued Speece, "we would not have
a public hearing, the School Board held the public hearing.
"We have seven people (on Town Council) and I think each
one had his own reasons (for supporting consolidation)."
The councilman said that at the time the issue came up for discussion
he was not aware that there was going to be a public hearing on
the issue.
"I have yet to have a single citizen of South Boston call
me and tell me they are opposed to our resolution," Speece
pointed out.
"I heard some people talking here tonight. But I haven't
had one person call me and tell me we were wrong. I think there
are a lot of people on both sides of this fence."
Speece said he personally supports consolidation because of the
image of the town's schools in relation to the community's ability
to attract doctors, business and industry to the community.
"You don't take people to see a school like C.H. Friend because
it doesn't have an appeal," Speece said.
"It has an appeal to local people that went to the school
40 years ago, but it doesn't have appeal to a person coming into
the community. It doesn't look like a progressive community."
Speece said the second issue on which he based his decision is
cost efficiency.
"I spent 23 years on the School Board in Mecklenburg County
and we went from 17 schools to 11 with the same kind of emotion
we're going through here," Speece said.
"When you put them (schools) together and you're replacing
old, old schools like this you have efficiencies you can't imagine
in such things as heating and repairs."
Speece said his third reason for supporting consolidation is "smallness
is not synonymous with good quality" in schools.
"You can have good quality education in big schools,"
he added.
Speece pointed out that 10 to 15 years ago the State Board of
Education would accredit and certify schools if they did not have
a minimum of 200 students.
"That mandate in itself says that if you get too small it
doesn't help quality," Speece continued.
"I just like modern cost-efficient schools.
"I don't make my decisions necessarily on popular votes,"
added Speece.
"The newspaper says 'How can you make a decision if you don't
have the consensus of the people?' We do have to represent the
people. But you're also expected to make judgements based upon
your own knowledge and conviction of what's right and what is
best. Some of these things you don't ever please everybody."
School Board Chairman Patricia Nelson, the lone South Boston representative
on the School Board, said the body will discuss and sort out what
it heard during the public hearing at upcoming meetings.
"I think the thought of having a new school is what entices
us," she pointed out.
"I feel comfortable with further discussions with the architects
that said a renovated school will look very nice. My only concern
is if the longevity of the building will still justify the cost
of the renovations."
Nelson said she had some concern about the lack of attendance
by patrons of the schools and town citizens at the public hearing.
"I don't think any of us should look at a public hearing
as necessarily being what the majority of everyone wants,"
Nelson said.
She acknowledged, however, that the public hearing can serve as
an indicator.
"It can be a beginning," she said.
"I think that maybe more dialogues, maybe more discussions
at PTO meetings when more parents are there could be good.
"Whatever we decide," she added, "we have to feel
that it is what the majority of the people want because we need
them to support us if we have to go to bond referendum."
Lee Pambid, the Town Planner and Zoning Administrator, reminded
the School Board that regardless of their decision, new construction
or renovation, they will have to come back to the Town of South
Boston for approval.
"Whichever decision you should arrive at, you will need to
come to the Planning Commission and the Town Council for a Special
Use Permit," Pambid told the School Board.
"Schools are, by Special Use Permit, in the residential districts.
When you add on to that (the two school facilities), you will
have to go through two more public hearings."
The Public Hearing
Fourteen individuals offered comments during the public hearing,
many of whom, like Bill Greer, supported renovation of C.H. Friend.
"I do not believe it is good stewardship of public funds
and public property to abandon this school (C.H. Friend),"
said Greer .
"This building is built like a fort. This is the best building
in all of the schools in the whole cotton-pickin' county. Why
would you want to abandon it? This building will be here a hundred
years from now and hopefully it will be a school."
Greer said new buildings are not what Halifax County needs as
far as education is concerned.
"These children don't need high tech," he said.
"They need more teachers and teachers that are better qualified
and making more money and are satisfied with what they're doing.
"Buildings don't teach anybody anything," he added.
Greer also told the School Board this is not the time to be spending
huge sums of money on schools.
"It looks, to me, you're not being realistic in thinking
about a bond issue for all these schools in a time when we're
in a recession," he pointed out.
" I know the politicians say this is not a recession, but
it is a recession. We've got over eight million people unemployed
in America and double-digit unemployment here. It's not a time
to be spending money and to be wasting money."
Eva Cassada, a parent of two young children, also favored renovation.
"I think everybody at this hearing is going to agree this
community desperately needs industry and new business," she
pointed out.
" We just differ in our solutions. The type of people we
want to impress are going to be a lot more eager to join our community
if they see we are sophisticated, frugal and progressive enough
to value what we've already got, that is, if they can overlook
the illiteracy rate, poverty and unemployment."
While noting opposition to a new large K-6 school, she cited a
lack of a potential site having been identified.
Cassada said she opposes the possibility of locating a new school
on a site in the light industrial park off of Hamilton Boulevard
as had been previously mentioned.
"A sprawling new school off in the middle of, and these are
just rumors ... off in the middle of a light industrial park,
perhaps in view of a beer distribution warehouse is not going
to fool anyone," she said.
"No one is going to mistake the construction of a new school
for investment in education. New construction is not synonymous
with making education a priority.
"Preserving what we have is the most progressive tool, both
for our children and the Chamber of Commerce," she added.
"Consolidating schools into one huge conglomerate student
factory is the last thing our students deserve."
Dr. Ed Purvis, a staff member at Halifax Regional Hospital who
has been involved in the recruitment of doctors to the community
and the father of two children attending C.H. Friend, says a new
facility with an attractive curb appeal is the way to go.
"One of the first things that people who come to the community
who have children want to see is schools," he said.
"They just see them. They don't have the time to meet all
of the wonderful people that work in our schools.
"I'm sure there are businesses that have considered bringing
jobs to our county which have chosen to go to other counties with
more modern, more physically attractive schools," he continued.
"I think sometimes you have to spend money to improve the
economy. I think this is one of those times."
Linda Sheppard, a teacher at Washington-Coleman Elementary School,
said she favors a new facility.
"We'll have teachers that will be the same and principals
that will be the same," she pointed out after noting the
good reputation of the schools in the community.
" A new school does not mean a lack of compassion, it doesn't
mean a lack of dedication, it does not mean a lack of caring,"
she pointed out.
"C.H. Friend is beautiful and Washington-Coleman is rich
in history and we do not need to forget that."
Sheppard pointed out that Halifax County's leaders took the initiative
to invest in new schools in a time when financial concerns were
greater than they are today.
"In the 1920s and the 1930s we built five or six schools
in this community and that was during the worst financial crisis
of this country," she pointed out.
"Those people had the vision and the leadership to build
very large schools because their children deserved better than
what they had. They took a chance and they have served us well
for 70 years.
"It is now our responsibility to look forward and do the
same," she added.
"Our children deserve no less."
Sheppard told the School Board that if a new K-6 school will not
be built, she would, at least, like to see a new K-3 school.
"If you choose to keep C.H. Friend open, I'd like to see
us with a new K-3 facility," Sheppard said.
"And, if you don't let us take the name Washington-Coleman,
we'll take the same spirit."
Lisa Rosche, who has children attending Washington-Coleman Elementary
School, said she wants to see the School Board go, at least, with
a new K-3 school.
"Washington Coleman is a wonderful school but it's what's
inside the school that makes it great," said Rosche.
" It's the students, it's the teachers, the faculty, it's
the parents that come into the school to volunteer."
Washington-Coleman Elementary School, she said, "has very
little to no curb appeal. There is really nowhere there to expand
or make it a really nice looking school.
"The parking situation is a disaster there," she added.
"Picking up your child there every afternoon is scary. You've
got buses, you've got parents picking up and coming out of the
building. There is nowhere to park. There is very little sidewalk
space. It's just a bad situation."
Patricia Jennings, a retired teacher at Washington-Coleman who
has family ties to the school's namesakes, said she'd like to
see the former black high school remain open.
"Washington-Coleman is a wonderful place for any child to
be, a warm, loving school where the teachers are caring and everybody
is just wonderful," Jennings said.
"I wish that Washington Coleman would stay Washington-Coleman.
We have a lot of history there. Mr. Coleman married my grandmother.
I can remember my father telling me how hard the people in this
community worked to make that a good school. It once was a high
school. I wish it could be renovated but, if not, I want the best
for our children, whatever it is."
Jennings, like many others in the audience, voiced concern over
what would happen to the Washington-Coleman and C.H. Friend buildings
if one or both were to be closed and turned over to the county.
"One of the concerns I have is what will happen to Washington-Coleman?"
she pointed out.
"Will it be an eyesore to the community? Jeffress Boulevard
is a wonderful place to live. I'm concerned it (the school) will
be left, windows will be broken out and all kinds of things going
on."
"Our hope is that it would be used for something else,"
replied Nelson.
"But it wouldn't be the school system's decision anymore.
We as a School Board would not have a decision on that."
Some of the people speaking at the public hearing suggested that
if one or both of the two town schools were closed, the buildings
could be used as sites for specialty magnet schools.
Nelson said that while one more magnet schools would be good for
the community "cost will be a limiting factor."
Mrs. Wyatt Osborne, president of the Halifax County Historical
Society, spoke on behalf of the organization.
She read a resolution expressing that organization's interest
in protecting, preserving and promoting the county's historical
assets.
"The Society requests that the Halifax County School Board
recognize the importance of the architectural, cultural, and historical
value of the properties under discussion.
"We're asking that the Board give special consideration to
these historical assets in your decision and measure their rank
and impact on the quality of life in their community."
The last of three men charged with malicious wounding in a
shooting incident outside a Cody store last May entered an Alford
plea Thursday to six separate felonies, including two counts of
malicious wounding.
Dale Antwon Witcher, a 19-year-old Nathalie resident, entered
the plea during a jury trial in Halifax County Circuit Court.
Under terms of an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt,
but realizes prosecution evidence would make a guilty finding
at trial almost a certainty.
Witcher entered an Alford plea to indictments charging him with
the malicious wounding of Leslie Stone and Robert Davis during
a confrontation in the parking lot of Robert's Quick Stop last
May 26.
The defendant also entered an Alford plea to using or displaying
a firearm in the wounding of Stone and Davis, to shooting at or
against an occupied vehicle and to one indictment charging him
with possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony.
Witcher's Alford plea came as the result of a plea agreement with
the Commonwealth.
Judge Leslie M. Osborn remanded Witcher to custody to await sentencing
in the May court term.
According to court records, Davis and Stone were sitting in a
parked car in the parking lot of Robert's Quick Stop last May
26 around 11:30 p.m., when the shooting took place.
Davis was shot in the top of his head and Stone shot in the back,
near the base of his neck, police said.
The other two men indicted in the shooting, Nathalie residents
Brian Wilford Jones and Leonard Nathan Miller, were both convicted
earlier of malicious wounding and related firearm charges in connection
with the shooting.
Both are currently awaiting sentencing.
Other Court
· Carl Victor Clark, 53, of Roanoke, was convicted Friday
of a violation of his conditions of supervision with Halifax-Pittsylvania
Court Services (HPCS).
Judge Osborn sentenced Clark, a former Halifax physician, to time
served and released him from HPCS supervision and probation.
The court ordered Clark to pay restitution and court costs within
one year.
· Antwan La-Quay Davis, 18, of Scottsburg, was convicted
Friday of an amended indictment charging him with the misdemeanor
assault and battery of Brian Reep.
Judge Osborn sentenced Davis to a year in jail, with all but 10
days suspended.
The court ordered Davis to be placed under supervision by HPCS
for one year, and to perform 100 hours of community service.
Davis was also ordered to make restitution to his victim, both
jointly and separately.
· Avery Thomas Guill, 27, of Scottsburg, was convicted
Friday of an amended indictment charging him with the misdemeanor
assault and battery of Brian Reep.
Judge Osborn sentenced Guill to one year in jail, suspending all
but 10 days.
The court ordered Guill to be placed under supervision by HPCS
for one year, to perform 100 hours of community service, and to
make restitution to his victim, both jointly and separately.
· Brian Lamont Woody, 22, of South Boston, was convicted
Friday of two indictments charging him with distributing crack
cocaine.
The court also convicted Woody of possessing a firearm after having
been convicted of a felony and of a capias charging him with failing
to appear in court.
The charges to which Woody were convicted came as the result of
a plea agreement with the Commonwealth.
Judge Osborn sentenced Woody to five years in prison for each
of the drug convictions, suspending the entire sentence, conditioned
on Woody's good behavior for five years, effective immediately
The court also sentenced Woody to two years in prison for the
firearm conviction and to 30 days in jail for failing to appear
in court, to be served together, for an effective sentence of
two years.
Judge Osborn ordered Woody to be placed on probation through he
Department of Corrections for one year following his release,
and suspended his operator's license for one year.
· Robert Neal Stone, 43, of South Boston, was sentenced
Friday to five years in prison for the possession of cocaine and
to 30 days in jail for the possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
Judge Osborn suspended Stone's entire sentence, conditioned on
his good behavior for five years, effective immediately.
The court ordered Stone to be placed on probation for two years,
beginning immediately, and to undergo random drug testing
The court suspended Stone's operator's license for one year.
· Rodney Maurice Green, 33, of Halifax, was convicted Friday
for failing to complete the Appalachian Detention Center Program
as ordered by the court.
Judge Osborn revoked six months of Green's previously suspended
prison sentence, with credit for time served in jail and the detention
center.
The court ordered Green to be placed on probation for two years.
· Bobby Rydell Powell Jr., 19, of Scottsburg, was convicted
Friday of failing to appear in court.
Judge Osborn sentenced Powell to 30 days in jail, to be served
consecutively with another jail sentence.
· Robert Cole, 19, of Virgilina, was convicted Friday of
a capias charging him with contempt of court for failing to appear
as a witness.
An indictment against Cole charging him with the possession of
a Schedule I/II controlled substance was dismissed by the court.
Judge Osborn sentenced Cole to 10 days in jail for his failure
to appear as a witness.=
A new contender has emerged in Election
District 4 for the Board of Supervisors, and the Republican Party
plans a June 10 primary to nominate its slate of state and county
candidates.
Halifax Town Manager Robert Greene said yesterday that he will
challenge incumbent Supervisor David Martin, ED-4, in the November
election.
Greene will begin circulating petitions to qualify for the November
General Election this week.
"Counties and towns will have to start looking at partnership
agreements and consolidation efforts in the very near future,"
Greene said.
"I think I have a lot of experience dealing with these issues
and would like to be a working partner with the county. I don't
know any better way to be a working party than to be on the Board,"
he added.
Greene, who has served as Halifax town manager since November
of 1992, said he will seek office as an Independent.
Martin, who is seeking re-election, ran under the Republican banner
in the last election.
During the June primary, Republicans will nominate candidates
for 15th District state Senate seat and the 60th District House
of Delegates seat.
County seats up in the November election include commonwealth's
attorney, sheriff, commissioner of revenue and county treasurer
as well as five seats on the Halifax County Board of Supervisors,
districts 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
Incumbent state Sen. Frank Ruff, R-15th, and incumbent Delegate
Clarke Hogan, R-60th District, are expected to seek their party's
nominations.
Democrat Brad Wike of Keysville, who ran against Hogan in 2001,
has indicated he plans a second challenge.
Earlier this year, former Del. W.W. "Ted" Bennett announced
that he was considering a bid for the Democratic party's nomination
to challenge Ruff, but he has made no formal announcement.
Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker, seeking the Republican
Party's endorsement for his third term, and incumbent Sheriff
Jeff Oakes, who ran under the GOP banner in the last election,
also seek re-election.
Robert Meeks, who is challenging Greenbacker for the commonwealth's
attorney post, said yesterday that he has not had discussions
regarding party affiliation with anyone at this time.
However, Meeks described himself as "leaning" to the
Republican Party in his adult life, and said that he had supported
former Gov. and incumbent U.S. Sen. George Allen.
Meeks, who is making his second bid for commonwealth's attorney,
office, is currently circulating petitions to qualify for the
November election.
In what appears to be the most contested county race, a half-dozen
men have picked up election packets indicating their interest
in qualifying for the sheriff's race.
Those obtaining packets include Todd Moser, Shawn Sweeney, Charles
Conner, Freddie Edmunds, Ray Link and Keith Tribble.
Commissioner of the Revenue Danny Jackson and Treasurer Linda
Foster both said Friday that they are seeking re-election as Independents.
Leroy Childress also obtained an election packet to qualify in
the race for county treasurer.
Supervisors R.E. "Dickie" Abbott, ED-1, and James E.
Edmunds, ED-5, said they will run as Independents.
Supervisor Lottie Nunn, ED-7, who ran as an Independent in the
last election, is circulating petitions in her bid for re-election,
adding she "probably" will seek office under the Independent
banner.
C.W. "Corky" Rorrer, ED-8, said yesterday that he expects
to decide this week whether he will seek re-election.
Bryant Claiborne obtained an election packet to qualify in the
ED-8 race for supervisor.
Obtaining material for qualification to run for School Board seats
are Jason Parker, ED-1; Carl Furches, ED-4; Charles Purcell, ED-5;
G.C Ratliff, ED-7; Patricia Nelson, ED-8.
Frank Shealy knew he had a long road ahead of him when he took
over the reigns of the Halifax County High School varsity boys
soccer team.
The Comets boys soccer program hasn't seen a lot of success in
the past.
Last season, the varsity and jayvee teams combined for one win
and three ties, a mark that has been more common than not for
recent past seasons.
"The kids have become so used to losing that it almost becomes
they're okay with it and that is what I've got to get out of them,"
said Shealy.
"I've told them I don't want them to hold their head down
for losing, get mad and work to make yourself better.
"We've skill," added Shealy.
"We've just got to build on it and make it better. We've
got some positions where we can really work on this year and really
improve ourselves. The wins should come."
One of the things Shealy is trying to instill in his team is a
willingness to finish a game on a strong note.
"Whether you're winning, whether you're tied or whether you're
down a bunch of goals, that's something we've got to instill in
them," Shealy said.
"What I'm trying to say to them and get out of them is don't
give up."
Shealy says progress will come. It may be slow, but it will come.
Already this young season, his varsity team netted ties in the
two preseason scrimmage games.
Then came an uplifting come-from-behind 6-2 win over Dinwiddie
here last week in the team's regular-season opener.
"The main thing we're focusing on right now is communication
and basic fundamental skills," said Shealy.
"The first two scrimmages gave us a good look at what we
had in the speed of the real game.
"The guys are beginning to pull together a little bit,"
he continued.
"We still have some communication issues with the guys working
together, personal issues that are outside of the team, that we've
got to get through and get off of the field."
Shealy has a good mixture of youth and experience. There are only
five seniors on the 16-player roster, meaning that Shealy will
have a good nucleus of players to build around next season.
"We've got only one sophomore and crowd of juniors that will
support us next year," Shealy pointed out."
"And, we will have a good crop of ninth-graders coming up
next year as well."
Most of Shealy's team is comprised of returnees from last season.
"That's something to build on," Shealy pointed out.
"They have the experience from last year and they have the
feel for how other teams play. What I'm trying to instill in them
is when they face the stronger teams that they will meet later
in the year that they can't give up."
Looking up and down the lineup Shealy has his team's lone sophomore,
Josh Fallen, at one of the forward spots.
Shealy says he expects Fallen to produce goals this season and
he has already responded.
Fallen accounted for four of the team's goals in the 6-2 win over
Dinwiddie in the regular-season opener.
"He played for the team as a ninth-grader," noted Shealy.
"Josh has good ball handling skills. He's probably the strongest
up there. I'm looking for him to come up big."
Junior Adam Slayton, who plays opposite of Fallen up front is
also expected to produce good things for the team this season.
"Adam is a good hard-hitting forward," said Shealy.
At goalkeeper, the Comets have junior Stephen Harmon.
"The first thing I asked him (Harmon) before the season started
was who is your replacement," said Shealy.
"He said 'I'm it coach.' I told him 'well, you'd better make
it good."
"I knew about his record from last year," added Shealy.
"I knew he was a good goalie. Having his size back there
and his awareness really helps solidify the defense."
Shealy says his defensive corp should be pretty strong this season.
Senior sweeper Justin Powell, one of the team's captains, and
senior stopper Tony Ratliff and senior defender Adam Reeves will
be the corp of the defense.
"Adam moves pretty good for a big man," said Shealy,
"and he's solid on the ball.
"Tony and Justin, with the speed they have and the ball-handling
skill they have, they recover very well. I've already seen some
promising things from them working together this season."
Sophomore Jamie Albert is also being used as a defender.
At the center midfield spots, Shealy is looking at juniors Brad
Davis and Trey Rogers.
On one wing, Shealy has senior and team captain Eugene Lindley.
At the other wing spot, Shealy has junior Daniel Barber.
Shealy says there is talent and skill on this team that a coach
can work with.
"We have more skill this year than we've had the past few
years," Shealy pointed out.
"I've watched a lot of these kids grow up and I've coached
a lot of them in AYSO. I know what they're capable of and I know
some of their weaknesses.
"We have some speed, we have some guys that can play good
defense and have several guys that can handle the ball well,"
Shealy continued.
"Putting them in the right spots, getting them to mesh together
and having them trust each other is the key."
Funeral services for Frank Jeter Conner will be held at Brooks
Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, May 25, at 2 p.m.
Burial will follow in the Church of God of Prophecy Cemetery in
Scottsburg.
The Revs. Clyde Everett and Leonard Watlington will officiate.
Visitation will be held at the Brooks Funeral Home today from
7-9 p.m. and at other times at the home of Chip King and Jennifer
Phillips, 4407 Brentwood Drive in South Boston.
Mr. Conner died Saturday at the Maple Heights Rest Home.
He was 88.
Mr. Conner was born October 27, 1914 in Halifax County to the
late Howse Mount Conner and the late Zora Womack Conner Riley.
He was a retired farmer and employee of Central Contracting Co.,
and was a member of Ephesus Baptist Church.
Survivers include five sons, Micky Conner and wife Ann and Ricky
Conner and his son Matthew, all of Ringgold, Warren Conner, Wayne
Conner and Frank Clay, all of Halifax, one daughter, Barbara Newcomb
and husband Glenn of Clover, one sister, Lucy Conner Wells of
Clover, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren and a special
niece, Virginia Wilmoth of Clover.
Mr. Conner was preceded in death by one son, Frank Lee Conner,
sisters, Jenny, Wilma Mae, Josie, Rosa and Myrtle, and brothers
Johnny, Lewis and Marlow.
Alvin Gray Hodges Sr., 68, of 2013 Volens Road, Nathalie, died
March 20 at his home.
Mr. Hodges was born in Halifax County on February 2, 1935, the
son of Lewis Brantley Hodges Sr. and Melinda Murphy Hodges, and
was married to Estelle Clay Hodges. He was a member of Woodmen
of the World.
Survivors include his wife; six children, Ann Clay and husband,
Phillip Sr. of Red House, Delma Wilson and husband, James A. Jr.,
of Amelia, Wanda Crews and husband, Steven Sr., of South Boston,
Alvin Hodges and wife, Shirley, Lennie Layne and husband, Johnny
Sr., and William Hodges and wife, Deanna, all of Nathalie; 13
grandchildren, Andrew Wilson, Ashley and Jacob Hodges, Steven,
Johnny Jr., Billy and Felicia Layne, Crystal Crews Chandler and
husband, Aaron, Steven Crews Jr., Jeffrey and Kirsten Hodges,
Josh and Melissa Reagan; three sisters, Elaine Younger and husband,
J.W., Josephine Fisher, all of Nathalie, and Margie Lamar and
husband, Jim. He was preceded in death by a great-grandchild,
Aaron Chandler Jr.; two sisters, Geraldine Jackson and Archie
Wood; and one brother, Lewis Hodges Jr.
Services for Mr. Hodges will be held today, March 24 at 11 a.m.
at Catawba Baptist Church with the Revs. Michael O'Shea and David
Dickerson officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Liberty
Volunteer Fire Department First Responders.