The ringleader of a large crack cocaine distribution operation based in Nathalie was convicted along with six other co-defendants of multiple drug charges in U.S. District Court in Danville Monday.
Joshua Lee Napier of Nathalie, the head of the extensive cocaine distribution organization reportedly responsible for moving between one half to one kilo of cocaine per month into Halifax County, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Norman K. Moon to continuing criminal enterprise and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Napier, 24, was arrested last year along with Willard Crawford Hudson, 39, of Rustburg; James Kevin Quarles, 25, of Nathalie; Hassan Jamal Fountain, 22, of Sinai Road, South Boston; Bernard Gene Francis, 28, of Charlotte Street, Brookneal; Darrius Waller, 34, of L.P. Bailey Highway, Nathalie; Hattie Waller, 44, of Drive In Road, Nathalie; and Wilson Canada, 38, of L.P. Bailey Highway, Nathalie. Also arrested on federal conspiracy charges in connection with the drug ring were Marcus Waller, 19, of Halifax; Shirley Denise Dixon, 29, of Halifax; Keon Barksdale, 18, of Nathalie; and Gene Hankins of Halifax.
Their arrests were the result of the Halifax Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force's two-year investigation dubbed "Operation Snakeyes." Each was charged with more than 20 charges on Federal indictments for conspiracy and distribution of cocaine.
According to Sgt. Richard S.B. Pulliam, Narcotics Task Force Coordinator, Napier, Fountain, Francis, Quarles, Hudson, D. Waller and H. Waller all pleaded guilty to multiple distribution and conspiracy charges in Federal District Court in Danville Monday and now face sentences of 10 years to life in federal prison.
Specifically, Fountain pleaded guilty to distribution of cocaine, while Francis, Quarles, Hudson, D. Waller and H. Waller all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Quarles and Hudson also pleaded guilty to use of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking, and Waller also entered a guilty plea to cocaine distribution charges.
Canada's case was continued and he will be tried at a later date, as will M. Waller, Dixon, Barksdale and Hankins.
Pulliam said Napier, Quarles and Hudson were key to the success of the Snakeyes operation, as they were arrested in a traffic stop on August 13 before the November 13 round-up phase.
At the time of the August arrest, Napier was charged with counts of cocaine distribution and Hudson was charged with a felony abduction charge, a charge of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, and a felony charge of being in possession of a firearm after having previously been convicted of a felony.
Quarles was charged with felony charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon.
All state charges, Pulliam explained, were nol prossed and included in the federal indictment.
During a search of Quarles' 1986 Toyota pickup truck that agents had stopped that fateful August day authorities found $10,000 cash, one quarter kilo of powder and crack cocaine, four ounces of marijuana and a 9 mm handgun,
Two residences and a motel room were also searched. Those searches netted authorities eight weapons including two Chinese made SKS assault rifles, one of which was equipped with a banana clip. A pair of digital scales were also recovered.
Pulliam said some of the weapons found during this search proved to have been stolen property.
Agents and officers also searched Napier's Nathalie residence where they found video surveillance equipment set up to monitor the entrance of the house Napier rented.
Police also found drugs stored in a gun at Napier's home, and additional weapons at the home of Hattie Waller.
Seven vehicles authorities say were used in the operation of the drug ring were also confiscated and will be the subject of a civil forfeiture hearing in the future pending the outcome of individual owners' cases.

The Halifax/South Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force is continuing to whittle away at the local drug dealing population through Operation Street Sweep, as only seven suspects remain at large since the initial round-up March 5.
Tuesday afternoon Task Force Coordinator Sgt. Richard. S.B. Pulliam with the Halifax County Sheriff's Office announced the apprehension of three more suspected drug dealers.
Dennis Charles Lampkin, 44, and William "Pig" Buster, also 44, were both arrested in Richmond on drug charges, while agents picked up a third suspect, Shane D. King, 28, in Florida.
Lampkin was arrested on one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, while Buster was arrested on two counts of distribution of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
King was arrested on one count of distribution of cocaine and one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
"This brings the total count of arrestees to 34, which leaves only seven more to be arrested in conjunction with this operation," Pulliam said.
Operation Street Sweep began prior to the conclusion of other recently completed investigations that focused on higher level drug operations, including Operation Fall Harvest and Operation Snakeyes."

A South Boston man was killed in a single vehicle accident in Scottsburg Sunday night.
Troy Daniel Jeffress, 22, of Meadow Drive, South Boston, was killed Sunday night when he lost control of his 1998 Nissan and ran off the right side of MacDonald Road (Route 344) striking a tree five tenths of a mile east of Ellen's Mill Road (Route 719).
According to Virginia State Police reports, Jeffress, who had just left his job in the mail room at the Gazette-Virginian shortly before 10 p.m., was partially ejected from the vehicle in the 10:05 p.m. accident.
Authorities are unsure if the fog that evening was a factor in the accident.
Investigating State Trooper R.T. Ridgeway declared the Nissan a total loss with an estimated $16,000 in damages.
Jeffress was the third person this year to die in a wreck on Halifax County roads compared to the same number of fatalities at this time last year.

The intersection of routes 501 and 58 was a busy spot Monday for Virginia State Police who were called to investigate two accidents that occurred there in a two-hour period.
A Danville man suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of the two roads at 4:45 p.m.
According to Virginia State Police reports, Louie Lee Nicholas, 50, of Danville was injured when his 1994 Chevrolet was struck from behind by a 1993 Toyota pickup driven by Mark Anthony Dawson, 28, of Nathalie.
Trooper R.C. Compton charged Dawson with following too closely.
Damage to Nicholas' Chevrolet was estimated at $800, while damage to the truck was minimal.
A short time later at 6:15 p.m. Compton returned to the area to investigate and accident just down the road at the railroad crossing on Route 58.
Reports indicated that Gregory Coleman Jr., 19, of South Boston, pulled out of the McDonald's parking lot through a line of traffic that was stopped at the railroad crossing when his vehicle was struck by a 1997 Nissan driven by Donna Ammons Arendall, 38, of South Boston.
Damage to Coleman's 1996 Mazda was estimated at $1,000, while the Arendall vehicle sustained an estimated $500 in damages.
Compton charged Coleman with failure to yield the right-of-way.

Two Halifax County women remained hospitalized Tuesday after being hit by vehicles in separate incidents April 7 and April 11.
Virginia State Police are still trying to determine exactly what happened Sunday afternoon shortly after 1 p.m. when Bobbie Leah Quesenberry, 44, of Axton, was struck by a vehicle while she was in a yard located along Ridge Road.
Investigating State Trooper D.O. Cooper said he was still in the process of gathering details concerning the incident that put Quesenberry in Halifax Regional Hospital in South Boston, but he confirmed that Quesenberry was in a yard at 1017 Ridge Road when she was struck by a 1992 Ford F-150 driven by Jeffrey Keith Daniel, 31, of Vernon Hill.
Cooper said Daniel was arrested later that afternoon at the hospital and charged with malicious wounding.
He is currently out on bond and tentatively scheduled to appear in Halifax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court April 21, according to Cooper.
Doris Williams Roark, 69, of Volens remains in serious condition in the intensive care unit at Lynchburg General Hospital.
Roark suffered serious injuries when she was struck by a 1985 Pontiac coupe as she crossed Route 501 near her home shortly after 9 p.m. April 7.
The alleged driver of the Pontiac, Earnest Eugene Williams, 43, of Nathalie, drove away after striking the woman, according to reports from the Virginia State Police, who arrested Williams a short time later and charged him with hit and run and reckless driving.

How much weight should end-of-course SOL (Standards of Learning) tests given when computing a high school student's course grade?
The county school board didn't come up with an answer to that query Monday night and set that matter aside for further discussion and a final decision at its May 10 meeting.
Halifax County High School principal Larry Clark submitted a list of policy and program proposals to the school board Monday night for approval, one of them being that end-of-course SOL tests count as 20 percent of the student's final course grade.
School board member Wanda McDowell quickly noted her feeling that making that move would not be fair to the students.
"This is like a standardized test," McDowell said.
"I don't think counting it as part of their grade is the right way to do it."
Clark explained that some added measure of importance needs to be attached to the test because it affects the school as well as the individual students.
"Not only is the student having to verify credit in order to graduate, we also have the accreditation of the school hinging on the students' performance. That makes it a completely different situation."
"We've got to have our students understand how important it is not only to them, but also to the school," added Clark.
McDowell told Clark, however, "I can't feel good about it after seeing the scores from last year. I don't think it is fair to the student."
County school superintendent Dennis Witt explained that while students won't know the questions that are on the SOL end-of-course tests, they will know what material is covered by the test.
"If the teachers are teaching the SOLs they (the end-of-course tests) will be similar to a final exam for the course."
Witt took the heart of the matter one step further.
"It's not a question of whether we like it or not," Witt pointed out noting that under the new state mandates, beginning with the graduating class of 2004 students, will have to pass the test in order to receive credits for high school graduation.
"Somehow, we have to establish the importance and the meaning of the tests to the students," Witt stated.
School board member Patricia Nelson offered the opinion that the students scores on last year's SOL tests were poor because a certain percentage of students did not feel that the tests were important.
"Students didn't put as much concern to them because it didn't affect them," Nelson said.
"They didn't care. That's a big reason why some of our students, even some of our better students, didn't pass. They have to feel that it affects them personally. If they don't, they don't care."
Two other matters - proposals for revised promotion requirements to be implemented in the 2000-2001 school year for the graduating class of 2004 and proposed Certificate of Program Completion Requirements to be implemented in 2000-2001 for the graduating class of 2004 were also tabled by the school board Monday night.
While the school board tabled those three matters, it did adopt several policies that Halifax County High School principal Larry Clark pitched for the 1999-2000 school year.
Those items included:
- Cafeteria Renovations - An estimated $75,000 will be spent to renovate the school cafeteria. The renovations include replacing the carpet in the cafeteria with tile, moving student lockers from the cafeteria, replace cafeteria tables and chairs, and acoustically treat the cafeteria;
- Before School and After School Supervision - Hire four people for before-school supervision at 5/6 the hourly pay rate with hours to be 7:30 a.m. until 8:20 a.m. daily, hire two people for after-school parking lot supervision at one half the hourly pay rate with hours to be worked being 3:40 p.m. until 4:10 p.m. daily, and hire two people for after-school building supervision at two and a half hours daily with hours to be worked being 3:40 p.m. until 6:10 p.m. daily;
- Summer School - to be held in two sessions, the first session starting Monday, June 14 and ending July 2 with the second session starting July 12 and concluding July 30 (See Separate Story);
- Attendance Requirements - on the sixth undocumented absence, the student loses credit for work passed. However, students may do "time for time" makeup for three undocumented absences including suspensions;
- School Hours - No change in the length of the school day was recommended, however, homeroom will be moved to first block with attendance being officially taken at 9:30 a.m. and announcements beginning at 10:05 a.m.
- Early Release/Late Arrival - This option is for seniors only who have their own transportation and need less than eight credits to graduate. Seniors should not take the option if it eliminates the completion of a vocational program. Underclassmen who request to leave early MUST be in the cooperative education program. If possible, seniors should be enrolled in a first block class in order to be a part of a homeroom.
- Early Graduation - This option will be available for seniors needing three or fewer credits for graduation. Any senior needing four credits should take two each semester and graduate in June. Seniors needing four or more credits will take English in one semester and Government in the other semester;
- Student Lockers - New in 1999-2000 is that this will be an "opt-in" situation. Lockers will be available to students who desire to have one but will not be required. Students may acquire a locker during the preschool Open House or in the cafeteria during the first few days of school;
- Algebra Screening Process for Ninth Graders - A non-credit pre-algebra course will be required for those students who are not approved to take one of the algebra options. A screening test will be given to eighth graders effective with those students coming to the ninth grade in 2000-2001;
- Establish an In-School Detention Program for Special Education Students and revising the discipline code for Special Education students that will include either after school detention and or a combination of after school detention and in-school detention and Time Out in which a student is removed from single or several classes for a set period of time. Those would be used in the cases of Special Education students who receive their 4th, 5th, and 6th discipline notices;
- Moving the book phase of Driver's Education to Physical Education 9 with students taking the driving or behind the wheel phase in the 10th grade.

The Halifax County School Board adopted a record $42.1 million 1999-2000 school budget Monday night containing an average six percent pay hike for teachers while asking for no additional local dollars.
But, the proposed budget did not pass without opposition.
Apparently disturbed that the budget did not contain funds to add additional classroom space at South of Dan and Cluster Springs to accommodate the music program, board member Carl Furches balked at the proposed budget which passed by a 7-1 vote.
Denise Ferrell, one of the music teachers in the county elementary school program, pointed out during Monday night's public hearing on the school budget that she has no office space and there is not enough classroom space at South of Dan and Cluster Springs for the program.
County school superintendent Dennis Witt agreed with Ferrell's assessment that more space is needed for the music programs.
"Our facilities do not support all of the programs we are trying to operate," Witt said.
He noted that the need for additional space was well understood but that " the programs are more important than the facility."
"We have facility plans on the table," the school superintendent stated.
"As far as including classrooms for the next school year, right now, there is nothing earmarked for additional classrooms at South of Dan or Cluster Springs."
Later, during the budget adoption process, Witt again noted that the music and art teachers at some schools do not have their own classroom or facility in which to offer instruction and that they must utilize regular classrooms.
He pointed out that the situation was not a good one but "you can teach art and music in regular classrooms."
Witt also noted that there is a demand for additional regular classroom space at a couple of schools and that the demand for regular classroom space is a higher priority than the demand for additional space for fine arts programs.
Furches stated his belief that space for students in the fine arts programs should also be important and that some dollars should be spent for that purpose.
Board member Patricia Nelson pointed out that in order to provide the additional space for the fine arts programs, six to eight mobile units would be required, a matter that would cost an estimated $150,000 to $200,000.
Chairman Alan Gravitt noted, "our facility plan provides building space for these programs. That's one of the things we want to accomplish."
That, however, wasn't enough to sway Furches' opinion.
Henry Weston, the president of the Halifax Education Association, pointing to the two additional teacher workdays for in-service programs that will be built into the school calendar next year, the increased length of the school day that was implemented this year, and the additional demands on teachers' time outside the classroom, asked if the raises teachers will receive are really raises.
"Are we really raising our salaries," Weston asked.
"Will it be equivalent to the demands you're asking of us?"
Witt pointed out that there were years in the past when teachers worked 193 days as opposed to the 191 days they have been contracted to work the past few years.
"This is not a new issue. I think we would be flexible with the additional days. We feel we need them for in-service time. That is a need."
John Woody, who has served as a custodian in the school system for several years, asked about the raises that would be provided for the custodians.
Witt explained that there will be an average seven percent increase and, to help the custodians' situation further, longevity steps have been placed into their salary scales for 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service.
The budget, which has been publicly highlighted in past meetings, will require $9,820,356 in local dollars, the same amount the Board of Supervisors appropriated for the current school year, to fund the $42.1 million budget.
Highlights of the 1999-2000 school year budget package include funding for 13 new teaching positions including two positions for the Halifax Career Center and a Testing Coordinator, funding for a $1,000 signing bonus for new teachers entering the school system for the first time, funding to increase the school system's contribution to employee group health insurance premiums from $150 per month to $160 per month for 10 months, and increasing pay for substitute teachers, and $75,000 in funding for cafeteria aides to provide elementary school teachers a duty free lunch period.

The final cog in the county's review of the proposed confined intensive livestock feeding ordinance inched forward last night with the meeting of the Agricultural Development Committee.
Committee chairman T.E. West said yesterday that he was not sure a final decision would be made at the night meeting but that the confined livestock feeding issue was on the agenda.
A resolution last year called on the Halifax County Planning Commission for recommendations on the issue and also comment from the Agricultural Development Committee prior to a public hearing and final decision by supervisors, explained West.
The Agricultural Development Committee chairman said the committee had a number of items on its agenda for the Tuesday night meeting including the comprehensive plan and tobacco and forestry issues, among others.
Ag Development Committee members include supervisors West, Bill Abbott, R.E. Abbott and Page Wilkerson. The large committee also reflects representation by commodity groups, vegetable, small grain, tobacco and forestry, and non-committee resource professionals as well as additional members appointed by the board of supervisors.
Representatives of Southside Concerned Citizens were expected to attend the Tuesday night session. SCC has raised water, air and land pollution concerns as supervisors study the hog issue.
SCC and the county have both sponsored informational trips to the large hog-producing state of North Carolina and invited experts from universities studying the issue to address pollution problems associated with intensive livestock feeding.

The commonwealth's attorney and public defender have drawn a verbal line in the sand as rivalry erupts in a charity spell-off for the Literacy Program.
Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker and Public Defender Buddy Ward - accompanied by staff - will kick off the May 27 event at the future Continuing Education Center site in South Boston.
"Making a Beeline for Literacy" is the theme of the Corporate Spelling Bee with all proceeds to benefit the free services of the Volunteer Literacy Program through the CEC.
"As you may know, 32 percent of the adults in Halifax County cannot read well enough to do things they need to do in everyday life," observed Boo Evans, coordinator of the Volunteer Literacy Program.
Already four corporations have donated $125 and entered three-member teams to compete in the spelling bee.
Fielding teams are Halifax Regional Hospital, Huber, The Woodview, O'Sullivan, Dollar General and One Valley. One corporation, ODEC, has contributed $125 but will not compete in the friendly rivalry.
The event will be hosted by the Halifax County Volunteer Literacy Program, the Gazette Virginian and the News and Record.
Twelve corporate slots were open for the competition on a first come first serve basis. With six already filled, only six places remain.
"If a member of your team misspells a word, don't despair," advised the Volunteer Literacy Program coordinator. "For an additional $20, your team can buy back into the competition three times."
Teams are also encouraged to bring co-workers to cheer them on to victory. "This promises to be a fun evening that no one takes too seriously," added Evans.
Prior to the competition, there will a 6 p.m. social hour with hors d' oeuvres for participants and sponsors.
The legal eagle friendly word battle will be followed by the corporate team spelling bee. The public is invited to attend the spelling bee which begins at 7 p.m.
Those contributing services or products to the event's staging include Windows and Walls Studio, Hilden-Halifax and Reaves Lawn and Garden Center.

Halifax County/South Boston YMCA officials are all smiles lately for soon they will witness their dream to open a community center become a reality.
Next week a ground breaking ceremony will be held at the site where a 2,000 square foot modular home will soon be erected, thanks to the generosity, vision, dedication and enthusiasm that has been demonstrated by the community and YMCA family.
According to Bill Harris, YMCA Executive Director, the YMCA has needed this extra space to conduct a number of programs and activities.
About a month ago, Harris said, their prayers were answered when Bret and Dorothy Berneche of Halifax County, owners of Cardinal Homes in Wylliesburg and active members of the local YMCA, offered to donate a 2,000 square foot modular home.
"We found out about all this about a month ago and couldn't be more excited," Harris said. "We are so very grateful to Bret and Dorothy Berneche and the community for how helpful and supportive they have been regarding this project."
Not only will the home be donated, but the community has rallied together to make it all happen.
For instance, Jones & Associates have offered to survey the site, while the Town of South Boston will take care of the necessary permits and laying the footings.
Felton Brothers is donating the necessary concrete, and Boston Concrete Products has volunteered to donate the concrete blocks and the Halifax County High School and Mr. Bailey will set the foundation.
Dan River Bethel Baptist Church has volunteered their services with the necessary carpentry work, and Eddie Frazier and Burger King will come through with the playground for the Y's baby-sitting program.
"This will allow us the necessary room for programs we couldn't do at the Y because we didn't have space for them," Harris said. "While we haven't decided on all the activities and programs that will be held there, we do plan to use the facility for the Isadora Dunkin dance classes for children and the Y Be Healthy nutrition programs that we have been holding on the racketball courts."
Other programs that will be held in the new facility, which will be located at the end of the parking lot at the Hamilton Boulevard property, may include parenting programs, leadership programs, mentor role model training, summer day camp for children, YMCA after school child care and day care programs for both adults and children.
"Hopefully we'll find out from the community some of its needs, and we'll let the community groups use these facilities as well," Harris said.
According to Harris, the site should be ready by May when the building will be delivered, and hopefully the facility will be completed in time for summer day camp in June.
"We are so grateful to the community for making this possible," Harris repeated.
While the majority of the YMCA's needs in regard to the completion of the project have been met, Harris said there are still a couple of items on their "Wish List" including help with plumbing/electrical material and labor and fencing.
The ground breaking celebration will be held Monday, April 19, at 4 p.m. at the end of the YMCA parking lot.

South Boston Town Council renewed its vigorous pursuit of a Community Development Block Grant Monday night to finance the long-in-abeyance Sutphin Road Project.
After a public hearing at which 14 residents of the Sutphin Road-Porter Lane-Jewell Street community spoke eloquently in favor of the $1 million project, and hearing no nays, Council approved a resolution of support on the award of the grant.
Mayor Glen N. Abernathy thanked the Sutphin Project residents for their courtesy, patience and support in quest of the grant, and the citizens in turn thanked Council for its persistence in keeping the project alive.
The resolution of endorsement pledges that South Boston will provide $78,615 in-kind costs and $178,655 in local funds for a total of $257,270 towards project activities over the three-year life of the project.
Town Finance Officer Vandie Saunders told Council that the town is able to cover that cost.
South Boston filed the CDBG application during the most recent application period, but missed by a few points in winning the award.
This time, Town Council believes its application will grade out sufficiently to earn the grant.
The town has the full backing of the Southside Planning District Commission, with the Planning District's Gail Moody serving as Project Administration.
Ms. Moody was here for the public hearing Monday night and brought encouraging news. After the first application try failed, she said, "We went back to the drawing board," working over the application and bringing it up to date.
The state probably will render a decision around June 1, a spokesman for the town said.
The application describes the streets in the package thusly:
"Streets in the community consist of the main corridor, Sutphin Road, Porter Lane and Jewell Street. All roadways within the project area fall under the jurisdiction of the Town of South Boston. The roads were constructed prior to the Town's current standards for local streets and fail to meet the necessary roadway geometry and pavement design or both."
The application follows with a description of each:
"Sutphin Road - Existing right-of-way of Sutphin Road range from 30 feet to 40 feet with a paved width of 23 feet. There is no curb and gutter and only the surface is treated. Condition rating: poor.
"Porter Lane--Existing right-of-way of Porter Lane is 40 feet with a paved width of 36 feet. Porter Lane is the only street within the community with curb and gutter. The road was asphalted by the town in 1998. Condition rating: good.insurance...

Jewell Street - Existing right-of-way of Jewell Street ranges from 20 feet to 50 feet. Paved area ranges from 16 feet to 31 feet. There is no curb and gutter and only the surface is treated. Condition rating: poor."
In the public hearing, one by one the speakers came forward, citing the need for the Sutphin Project improvements. Some referred to the years of waiting for the work to be done.
Marie Watkins was one of those who mentioned the waiting. "I have been here many times. This time, I hope we can get the job done," she said.
Some of the people mentioned some concerns within the project. "I'm for the project, but I'd like to be told how much of my front yard is going to be taken," she said.
Elsie Strange and others cited a huge hole plus potholes in the streets.
Near the end of the parade of speakers, Faye Edmonds rose to contribute her part: "I endorse everything that has been said here," she asserted.
John Lee echoed the sentimentof all: "I sincerely hope we are awarded the CDBG and the work is done."
Councilman C. W. Rorrer offered the motion to file and support the application, Councilman Edward Owens seconded, and the motion was approved unanimously with no additional discussion.

Troy Daniel Jeffress of 119 Meadow Drive, South Boston died Sunday, April 11, 1999 in Scottsburg at the age of 22.
Mr. Jeffress was born in Yonkers, NY on March 14, 1977 the son of Lillian Jeffress Clark. He was a member of St. James Baptist Church.
Survivors include his mother of South Boston; his step-father, Dennis Clark of South Boston; one sister, Dana L. Edmonds of South Boston; one brother, Charles Edward Jeffress of Halifax; one brother-in-law, LaMonte Edmonds of South Boston; two nieces, Danyelle Edmonds and Jayla Jeffress; one nephew, Derrell Edmonds; devoted cousins, Marva Brame and Joel Jeffress, both of Scottsburg, Quentin Carden of Clover and Ralph Staten Jr. of South Boston; and a devoted friend, Kirsten Joseph of MA.

Funeral services for Mr. Jeffress will be held today, April 14 at 2 p.m. at St. James Baptist Church with the Bishop Alan Graves, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Lillian Clark Ballou of South Boston died Friday, April 9, 1999 at her home.
Mrs. Ballou was born January 4, 1924 in Halifax County the daughter of William Allen and Fletter Shelton Clark and was married to Clarence Melvin Ballou. She was a member of St. James Baptist Church.
Survivors include four sons, Clarence Melvin Clark of South Boston, Charlie Allen Ballou of Danville, Edward Dean Ballou of the home and Billy Joe Ballou of Nathalie; three daughters, Lillian Mae Newman of Burlington, NC, Cecelia Frances Johnson of Mebane, NC, and Carolyn Ann Hamlette of the home; three sisters, Dorothy Clark, Maggie Clark, both of South Boston and Rebecca Clark of Richmond; two brothers, Beverly Clark of Mt. Laurel and Thomas Clark of Winston Salem, NC; two sons-in-law, Thomas L. Newman of Virgilina and Earl Johnson of Bland; two daughters-in-law, TaJanda Ballou of Nathalie and Katina Ballou of the home; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a devoted friend, Mattie Sue Barksdale of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ballou were held Tuesday, April 13 at 2 p.m. at Deliverance Tabernacle with Bishop Carl Lykes officiating. Burial was in the family cemetery on Highway 759.

Rev. Mr. Ralph Edward Rice of 8077 Newbill School Road, Clover died Tuesday, April 13, 1999 at his home. He was 64 years of age at the time of his death.
Rev. Rice was born in Botetourt County on October 9, 1934 the son of James Walter Rice and Eva Bramelett Rice and was married to Thelma Elizabeth Chewning Rice. He was a member of Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church. He was a graduate of Buchanan High School, attended Ferrum College, Randolph Macon College and Duke University. He won third place in state track meet, enjoyed playing baseball and was offered the opportunity to play professional baseball prior to his going into ministry. He was a member of Mt. Laurel Ruritan Club, minister of Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church and former minister of McKendree and Asbury United Methodist Churches. He was in the ministry from 1957 until his death.
Survivors of Rev. Rice include his wife; two sons, Paul Edward and wife Sherri Rice of Hampton and Thomas Walter and wife Jennifer Rice of Tappahannock; five grandsons; one granddaughter; one sister, Thelma Rice of Roanoke; two brothers, Harry Rice of Roanoke and James Rice of Pamplin.
Funeral services for Rev. Rice will be held Thursday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church with Rev. Charles B. King, Rev. Joseph T. Carson Jr. and Rev. Paul B. Davis Jr. conducting the service. Burial will take place at 4 p.m. in Laural Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home tonight, April 14 from 7 until 8:30 and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mt. Laurel United Methodist Church Parsonage Fund.

Catherine 'Sis' Venable Edmonds of Halifax died Saturday, April 10, 1999 at Larkin Chase Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Bowie, MD at the age of 71.
Mrs. Edmonds was born in Richmond on March 15, 1928 the daughter of Leroy Venable and Hattie Dawson. She was a member of St. Paul CME Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Gayle Queen of Gambrills, MD, Wanda Edmonds of Silver Springs, MD and Donna Edmonds of Laurel, MD; two sons, Edwin Edmonds of Largo, MD and Carlton Edmonds of Annandale; 10 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one sister, Faye Nicholson of Greensboro, NC; a devoted niece whom she raised as a daughter, Andino Rose Venable of East Elmhurst, NY; and a devoted nephew, John Venable of Queens, NY.
Funeral services for Mrs. Edmonds will be held Friday, April 16 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul CME Church with Rev. Lawrence T. Graves officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service on Friday.

Wilsie W. McPeters, 75, of Chase City, widow of Alden McPeters, died Tuesday, April 13, 1999.
Survivors include two sons, Larry McPeters of Scottsburg and John McPeters of Lawrenceville; one sister, Elizabeth Landrum of Vernon Hill; three brothers, Claude Womack, Kenneth Womack and Bernard Womack, all of Halifax; two grandchildren, Corey and Kevin McPeters of Richmond.
The family will receive friends at Newcomb Allgood Davis Funeral Home in Chase City this evening, April 14 from 7 until 8:30.
Graveside services for Mrs. McPeters will be held Thursday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at Concord Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. David Blakely officiating.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the Chase City Rescue Squad.