Supes pass economic initiatives

Supervisors passed a bundle of economic development tax and funding initiatives Monday night but opted for an additional 30 days before taking action on sweeping subdivision ordinance amendments.
The Board also agreed to turn over the former Clover School site to a board of area citizens who plan to use the building as a community center.
Bert Martin of the Clover Volunteer Fire Dept. requested the property be transferred to the fire department, which would operate the center with a community board.
Supervisor James Edmunds asked if a reversion clause would be included for return to the county if the building were not used for its intended purpose.
Supervisors voted to transfer the property with an appropriate deed, including a reversion clause for lack of compliance with the proposed reuse plan for community benefit.
The matter will also be reviewed by the Building and Grounds Committee, as well as full Board approval prior to closing the real estate transfer.
The Halifax County Industrial Development Authority's initiatives swept through on a 7-0 vote, with Supervisor David Martin abstaining.
"All of these are workable," Scott Morris, IDA executive director, said of the IDA recommendations.
Action came following an 8 p.m. public hearing on the initiatives. No one spoke during the hearing.
The IDA had recommended creation of a local technology zone, establishment of a technology opportunity fund, altering the assessment ratio for machinery and tools older than 19 years and/or unused for one year and designating the following categories of tangible personal property and machinery and tools as separate classes for taxation:
·Biotechnology equipment;
·Internet services equipment;
·Programmable computer equipment;
·Data processing services equipment;
·Alternative energy sources generating and co-generating equipment;
·Tangible personal property used in a research and development business;
·Machinery and tools used in semiconductor manufacturing.
Supervisors also set a May 5 public hearing to consider establishing a Technology Zone Development Fund ordinance.
A Halifax County Commercial Economic Stimulus program was also approved by supervisors.
Subdivision Ordinance
Introducing the subdivision ordinance amendments, the assistant administrator called the package "the most important thing I've brought to you" in a long time.
The amendments were unanimously recommended by both the Land Development Task Force and the Halifax County Planning Commission.
The amendments will significantly change the manner and the process by which properties are subdivided for residential and agricultural purposes.
The Task Force was asked to look into two key issues. First, "the cookie cutter" Ordinance standards that allow strip subdivisions along existing state roads.
The second issue addressed permitting minimum three-acre lots to be developed on new streets, with street construction requirements solely that of a minimum width and stone base.
Planners noted that many such subdivision ultimately return to supervisors with a request for maintenance or funding for roads to meet VDOT standards for inclusion in the Secondary System.
If the amendments were adopted, there would be no private road subdivision roads not built to VDOT standards, explained Jerry Lovelace, assistant county administrator.
He told supervisors that Allen Stevens of Boston Home had written favoring private road subdivisions.
Lovelace said Stevens' letter warned that if amendments were adopted, there would be no development in three years and that affordable housing would be out of the range of many.
Monday night, Reed Edwards of Cedar Creek Land Company, spoke in favor of continuing to permit private road subdivisions on large lots.
"Private roads are the only way to encourage low density development," he said.
Edwards also called road changes in Charlotte and Pittsylvania counties "new and untested."
He recommended homeowners associations to maintain private roads.
Dr. Gerald Burnett raised two points in opposition to the ordinance proposals, one concerning increase in state roads, paving and the cost, and, second, he described the proposed amendments as discriminatory against poor people who want to buy a house and a little piece of land.
"A poor person can't buy five acres," said Burnett. "He wants one acre."
Supervisor R.E. "Dickie" Abbott cautioned "there is so much involved here, many ways you have to look at this."
David Martin, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, called for rules to take care of natural resources and to encourage responsible development.
"There is no guidance to what land will look like for our children," he said.
The fastest growing development is taking place in areas with progressive rules, observed the county official.
IDA Director Scott Morris applauded the Board for planning for the future and addressing land use development.
"You can't deal with these things in a vacuum," Morris said.
Jack Dunavant also called for action.
"We need to plan what we want our county to look like in 20 years," he said.
Citing safety issues and small-lot development with children playing near highways, Dunavant said, "We can do better."
Dunavant said 50 years ago Fairfax County was pretty, "but developers have done a number on that county."
"We need to set guidelines now, and we need direction. Doing nothing is hurting us," he said.
College senior Joseph Bailey II said that in his community there was a development problem.
"I was taught to keep things looking nice," he said, describing part of the community as "very unattractive to the eye."
He also described one section of L.P. Bailey Highway as "homes on top of homes."
"It is really going down in the county," said Bailey. "It is a problem that needs to be addressed."
Supervisor James Edmunds told supervisors that the Task Force worked about a year on the proposals.
He noted that during the Comprehensive Plan hearing, the problem of haphazard development was central. "This came from the people," he added.
Keeping agricultural land agricultural and keeping development where services were available were two points aired by Edmunds.
"Eliminate the problem to begin with," he said, by encouraging people to develop where services are.
"The county has to take responsibility," Edmunds said, adding that plotted land would not be affected.
With reassessment underway for 2004, Edmunds said that much farm land would face a dramatic increase because of what developers have been paying for property.
Calling for rules to encourage rural development with order, Edmunds said that he considered the proposed plan well thought out.
Supervisor Abbott moved that the matter be reviewed 90 days before being reviewed by the full Board in July. Supervisor Ronnie Vaughan offered a second to the motion.
A substitute motion to address and review the proposal in 30 days was entered by Edmunds and passed in a 6-2 vote.
VDOT
Supervisors adopted resolutions to confirm that the road improvements for Medley Road, Florida Trail, Hunters Trail, Indian Jim Trail and Pierces Trail, which are on the six-year plan for secondary road improvement, utilize the rural rustic road standards.
Assistant Resident Engineer Zack Weddle also said that 2002 revenue sharing funds supplemental offer for Riverstone Road was up to $100,000. Supervisors authorized application for revenue sharing using IDA matching funds.
Weddle also said that a contract to demolish Clarkton Bridge would be advertised April 22 with a completion date of October 2003.
In other business, following a presentation on mosquito-borne disease by Dr. Sally Paulson of Virginia Tech, she predicted the number of West Nile virus cases could increase dramatically this year since it is already present in Southside Virginia. Typically, the second year sees dramatic increases, she advised.
Noting there are many different species of mosquitoes, she recommended surveillance first to see what controls might be effective.
She described larvae control as most effective.
She also recommended removing mosquito breeding locations, noted the availability of a surface insecticide for ponds and recommended using personal repellants containing DEET. She also recommended vaccination of horses against West Nile virus.
Other control options include the Va. Department of Health, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the development of Mosquito Control Districts.
Harvey Throckmorten of Scottsburg told supervisors there was a serious problem with mosquitoes in Scottsburg.
The Board voted to seek assistance from its federal legislators in combating the mosquito problem, and to seek help from the Southside Health District in surveillance, to determine which species were involved.
Larry McPeters, extension agent, told supervisors that the livestock compensation program fund had been restored for livestock. He said the assistance halted in Sept. of 2002 had been released.
McPeters said that as of Feb. 20, 2003, Halifax County livestock producers are eligible for a per head payment by applying at the Farm Service Agency. He said that should yield an additional resource of over $200,000 to the county's farmers.
Supervisors also voted to prohibit the use of hand-held metal detectors used to sweep grounds on county-owned property.
Supervisors also agreed to a carnival permit sought by The World of Sports for April 22-26, but three issues must be addressed prior to the permit's issuance.
If the carnival is not to benefit a charitable cause, supervisors said a bond must be posted as it is for other businesses seeking a permit.
County officials were also told to investigate security and traffic issues as well as sanitary facilities prior to issuing the permit.

Kings Village Trail hits roadblock

Supervisors appointed a five-man Board of Viewers to consider two routes into Kings Village after receiving a letter from the Epps Lacy family Monday.
The Board's action came Monday night following a closed session prompted by receipt of the letter.
Supervisor William Fitzgerald said the letter rejected the notion to donate property that had been indicated in December.
"It was very disappointing to me," Fitzgerald said. "I feel deceived.
"The Board has to live up to its obligation to the residents of King Village," said Fitzgerald.
Carolyn Ballou, a resident of King Village Trail, inquired about the status of right-of-way donation for the proposed rural addition, triggering Fitzgerald's response.
"We thought it was a done deal," said Ballou. "Where do we go from here?"
She told the Board that King Village residents "had done the things we were to do" to get the state-maintained road.
"This is no surprise to us," she said. "We've been dealing with it 30 years."
She said the main concern is for the children at the highway waiting for the school bus. Traffic is heavy there, she noted.
"Here we are in April and we are back at first base," added Ballou.
"I think I am as disappointed as you are. I thought we had this behind us," said Supervisor James Edmunds, in whose district Kings Village Road is located.
"All a man and woman has is their word," said Freddie Edmunds, one of the King Village representatives.
"Mr. Lacy did not live up to his word," charged Edmunds.
The Kings Village resident said that supervisors had called on them to be patient, and they had, month after month. "We need some answers."
"You all know what you have to do," said Detra Carr. "Appoint a Board of Viewers tonight."
"This Board is going to deal with it. This board is gong to bring closure to the issue," said David Martin, chairman of the Board.
Following a meeting with its attorney, Russell Slayton, the Board appointed the following Board of Viewers: Larry Clark, Sidney Clark, Mattie Cowen, Carl Espy and Richard O. Harrell.
The Board asked the viewers to evaluate both routes under consideration, the current access to Kings Village and the alternate route referenced in the April 7, 2003, letter from the Lacy Family.
County Administrator Joe Morgan said yesterday that the second route followed the Banister River.
Supervisors asked the Board of Viewers to report back as soon as possible, preferably by the June Board meeting.
The Board also asked its attorney to correspond with the Lacy family seeking clarification of the proposed alternate right of way and confirmation that such right of way will be donated and/or sold.
Slayton was also asked to keep Kings Village residents informed of the Board's actions and progress.

Schools officials urge Supes to approve $21M capital plan

School officials want supervisors' approval for a $21 million Phase Two capital improvements package, but not a referendum, warning that could cause a two to three year delay in construction.
Supervisors listened to School Board proposals Monday night but are not expected to adopt a draft school budget until the week of April 21.
There was also a school budget break for supervisors Monday night.
Superintendent Dennis Witt told supervisors the School Board is seeking $98,048 in local revenue rather than the $173,000 advertised in its budget because of the state's 1 percent increase for teacher salaries.
Overall, the School Board is seeking $12.2 million in local funds in its almost $48 million budget.
Witt said the system will offer a $30,000 base teacher salary next year, bringing it in line with other districts in our area.
The salary increase will result in a 3.8 percent average increase for teachers, and a 3 percent increase for other employees, Witt told supervisors.
The superintendent also warned supervisors Monday night that a referendum could mean as long as a three to four year delay in beginning capital improvements.
"A delay in what needs to be done," he added.
"The future of Halifax County lies squarely on the shoulders of the ladies and gentlemen here tonight, on the supervisors and School Board," Witt said.
Four elementary schools, South of Dan, Cluster Springs, Washington-Coleman and C.H. Friend, would be the subjects of the School Board's next $21 million capital improvements plan.
The plan, which Witt said will take three to five years, calls for the renovation of the Cluster Springs and South of Dan facilities and either renovation of schools or new school construction in South Boston.
"There, it is to be determined," Witt said of the South Boston schools. "It could be done in one or two configurations."
Witt called the $21 million plan "feasible," and one he thinks the majority of voters would applaud.
School officials propose borrowing $10 million from the Literary Loan at about 2 percent, and $11 million at 4 percent from the Virginia Public School Authority. School officials would seek 20- year loans.
"I believe it is the right and responsible thing to do as we work to transition the economic engine for Halifax County," Witt said. "Education is the foundation."
Economic development groups endorse school facility improvements, Witt said in making his case.
He also noted the county has one of the lowest property taxes in the state.
"If we don't invest in ourselves, why expect others to?" he asked
"If you consider your plans to gradually increase taxes to make up for the difference in frozen composite index, and consider conservative economic growth, and consider the contingency fund, you may fund the $21 million in school improvements with an addition .02 to .04 cents over your existing plan," Witt said.
"Now is the time. Money and construction are both cheap."
Yesterday, Witt called for support.
"We need other community leaders to support this school improvement effort, and they can do so by communicating that personally to the Board of Supervisors," urged the superintendent.
"So that we do make this a part of our overall community development plan with improvement of our school facilities an integral piece of the economic development plan."
The $28 million Phase Three of the capital improvements plan would begin in three to five years following completion of Phase Two.
Witt said Phase Three would target the remaining elementary schools and the middle school.
"We really believe we need to continue with facility renovation," School Board Chairman Patty Nelson told supervisors.
Although she said "times are difficult" economically, she noted leaders in the Great Depression's 1930s made the commitment.
She said she hoped that tradition would be followed today.

Weekend robbery investigation continues

South Boston Police are continuing their probe into an armed robbery that occurred late Saturday night at Pizza Hut in Centerville.
Lieutenant B.K. Lovelace and Inv. T.M. VanAernem reported that police received a call last Saturday night to the Pizza Hut in Centerville in reference to an armed robbery.
Patrol officers arrived within minutes of the call, which was reported at 11:44 p.m.
Police determined that an unidentified male subject entered the restaurant shortly before closing, displayed a weapon, and demanded money.
According to police, an undisclosed amount of money was taken from the restaurant and the subject then fled the scene.
One of three employees in the restaurant at the time of the incident, Danny Harris, said that he was washing dishes when the masked gunman entered and demanded cash.
Harris said that the robbery struck a waitress with his weapon, pushed her to the floor and ordered her to remain quiet.
Harris said that neither he nor the other two employees in the restaurant were able to see what type of vehicle, if any, the assailant left on.
Harris said that there were no customers inside the restaurant at the time of the incident.
Anyone with information regarding this or any other crime is urged to contact either Inv. VanAernem or Lt. Lovelace at (434) 575-4271 or contact Crime Stoppers at (434) 575-TIPS (8477).
Other Police Reports
· Charles Clay, 26, of Carters Lane, Halifax, was arrested Sunday by Sheriff's Deputy S.M. Bowen and charged with a probation violation.
The alleged offense occurred March 12.
· Carolyn Ann Ferrell, 37, of Forrest Street in South Boston, was arrested April 4 by Deputy D.W. Martin and charged with a probation violation.
The alleged offense occurred March 5.
· Ted Junior Stone, 25, of Gretna, was charged Saturday by Deputy T. Mocarsky with misdemeanor DUI and with operating a motor vehicle on a suspended/revoked license.
The alleged offenses occurred Friday.
· Stephanie Dejanette Ford, 24, of Bethel Road in Scottsburg, was arrested Friday by Deputy S.M. Bowen and charged with failing to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge.
The alleged offense occurred on April 1.
· Gene Douglas Ellixson, 50, of Highway 49 North, Roxboro, N.C., was charged Saturday by S. Cassada of the Sheriff's Department with failing to obtain a state contractor's license.

Home Sweet Home

For Neil Perkins, home is where his heart is.
As a youth and a young man, Perkins had a passion for working on, building and driving race cars.
His hope was to one day make it to the "big time" - NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing.
After making his mark building Late Model Stock Car and Limited Sportsman race car chassis out of his back yard shop in Nathalie and trying his hand at driving a race car, Perkins got his chance.
He took a job with a NASCAR Busch Series racing team fielded by Hermie Sadler and, later, landed a job with a couple of NASCAR Winston Cup teams, the most recent being a two-year stint with the famed Wood Brothers team.
Now that Perkins has made that circle, he has returned home.
The Halifax County native returned home in November, reopened the doors of his back yard shop in Nathalie and is maintaining the Late Model Stock Cars driver Philip Morris pilots here at Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway.
His job of maintaining and preparing Morris' cars in his back- yard shop in Nathalie is a life far removed from the hustle and bustle of NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing.
Perkins likes it that way.
"I'm back where I can relax," Perkins said.
"I'm really enjoying this. The thing about being back home and seeing all of my friends has been a big joy to me. I'm enjoying working with Philip again. This is really a pretty good deal for me."
Perkins says he works mostly by himself.
"I like it," he pointed out.
"Some of the guys that have been working with Philip will come down on weekends or whenever they can and help. But, during the week I'm mostly by myself.
Perkins has always had a passion for building race car chassis and driving race cars.
The Nathalie resident earned a reputation for being one of the region's more innovative and successful chassis builders in NASCAR Late Model Stock Car racing during the late 1980's and early to mid 1990's when NASCAR Late Model Stock Car division racing was making its major push in popularity in the region.
Perkins took pride in his craftsmanship and seeing people have success with his chassis and cars.
Building his own chassis and cars is something Perkins says he misses at times.
"Anytime you're doing something that you're successful at and you quit doing it, you miss it," Perkins pointed out.
"But, I don't miss the hours. Back when I was building cars I had to spend a lot of hours to keep these guys running. I don't miss that part of it at all."
Perkins has no idea how many race car chassis he has built during the course of his career.
"I have seen as many as 16 of my cars over here (at Big Daddy's South Boston Speedway) in one night in the various classes," Perkins said.
One of the more rewarding aspects of that, Perkins said, is seeing people driving cars he built win races.
"It makes you feel very good to know that you have guys out here running well and that you are one of the reasons they are running well," Perkins said.
Just like he lost count of how many chassis and cars he's built, Perkins has lost count of how many wins have been produced with his cars.
"I know Wayne Patterson won a lot of races with my cars," Perkins pointed out.
"I know a lot of other drivers won a lot of races with my cars but I have no idea how many races that would total up to."
Perkins' resume' with NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Winston Cup Series teams is an impressive one.
In the Busch Series, Perkins worked with Hermie Sadler when Sadler fielded his own team and continued to work with Sadler when Sadler went to drive for Diamond Ridge Motorsports.
After that, Perkins worked with Philip Morris when Morris fielded a Busch Series team.
As far as his work in Winston Cup racing goes, Perkins started out working for Stacy Compton when Compton fielded his own team.
From there, Perkins went to work for Felix Sabates' two Cup teams and then went to work for the Wood Brothers where he was paired with Elliott Sadler for two seasons.
While Perkins was viewed as a person who thought outside of the box in building cars and chassis for local racers, he found out that with the rapidly changing technology in Winston Cup racing, he was an equal with most of his counterparts.
"When I got there (to Winston Cup) I saw there were a lot of things being done the same way I had always done them," Perkins said.
"I felt like I just kind of fitted into the clique of what everybody else was doing."
Perkins said the experience he gained working in NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing was a very valuable experience.
"I learned a lot while I was there," he said.
"There is a whole different aspect there (in Winston Cup Series racing) than this (Late Model Stock Car racing) is. But, I feel what I learned there I can adapt to use here."
Perkins said the pressure of working in Winston Cup racing wasn't bad - at least not in his case.
"There is some pressure there, but it's really not a lot of pressure on one person," he said.
"There are a lot of people there sharing that pressure."
However, the travel involved with going on the road with a race team each week and being away from home for lengthy periods of time wasn't Perkins' cup of tea.
"I liked working in Winston Cup but I disliked being away from home so much," he pointed out.
"That's the biggest reason I'm back here now."
Now that he has returned home and is working on Late Model Stock Cars once again, Perkins says he has found that the technology has changed a good deal in that division of racing.
"Things are different and I'm still trying to get used to that," Perkins pointed out.
"It may still take me awhile longer. Late Model racing is so much different from Winston Cup racing. I've got to work my way back into that groove again.
"I'm really not quite where I want to be as far as Late Model racing goes," he added.
" I've got to catch up on what has changed."
Perkins says he has a feeling of satisfaction, a feeling that he accomplished what he set out to do.
"I went there (to the Busch Series and Winston Cup) and did that and I'm satisfied that I've been there," Perkins said.
"I don't have any regrets for doing it. I enjoyed doing it and it was a good experience for me. I'm glad to be home because, in the last year, I really found out how much I missed my life in Nathalie.
"I'm glad to be back here," he added.
"I'm just as happy being back here and doing this."

Obituaries

John Willis Chappell


John Willis Chappell, 74, of 5674 Clays Mill Road, Halifax, died April 4 at his home.
Mr. Chappell was born in Halifax County on October 12, 1928, the son of John Chappell and Mammie Dogan Chappell. He was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church and a retired Navy Veteran. He was also a retired employee of ABB, Inc.
Survivors include one sister, Bernice Wilkerson of South Boston; one brother, Otis Dogan of South Boston; and a sister-in-law, Mattie Dogan of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Chappell were held April 8 at 1 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Wimbush officiating. Burial took place in Rose Garden Cemetery.


James Edward Conner III


James Edward Conner III, 58, of 1055 Conner Trail, South Boston, died April 8 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Conner was born in Halifax County on January 11, 1944, the son of James Edward Conner Jr. and Mary Nevis Conner. He was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in Germany.
Survivors include two daughters, Vickie C. Spain of Chase City and Ginger C. Owen of Scottsburg; one stepdaughter, Delores Chattin of Alton; his mother of South Boston; four grandchildren, Timothy and Brandon Spain of Chase City and Zachary and Jacob Owen of Scottsburg; one brother, Danny Conner and wife, Betty, of South Boston; and one sister, Janice C. Chappell of Vernon Hill.
Services for Mr. Conner will be held tomorrow, April 10, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Rudolph Jacobs officiating. Burial will take place in the Conner Family Cemetery with Military Rites.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening, April 9, from 7:00 until 8:30, and other times at the home.


Buck Palmer


Buck Palmer, 80, of 1531 Ridge Street, South Boston, died April 6 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Palmer was born in Halifax County on August 1, 1922, the son of Jessie Palmer and Maggie Obey P Palmer and was married to Mary Barksdale Palmer. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Mary Jean Palmer and Nancy Lee Palmer, both of South Boston; one son, Edward Palmer of South Boston; one grandchild, Bonnie Mae Henry of Danville; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ophelia Jackson of Roxboro, NC and Elizabeth Palmer of Philadelphia, PA; four brothers, Clarence Palmer, Melvin Palmer and Willie Palmer, all of Roxboro, and George Palmer of New York, NY.
Funeral services for Mr. Palmer will be held April 11 at 2 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard A. Terry officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Jeffress Funeral Home Chapel Thursday evening from 7:00 until 8:00, and other times at the home.


John Hammitt Stokes Sr.


John Hammitt Stokes Sr., 79, of New York, formerly of Halifax County, died April 4 at Beth Irael Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.
Mr. Stokes was born in Halifax County on January 23, 1924, the son of Vanner Stokes and Fannie Faulkner Stokes. He was a member of Brown Memorial Baptist Church, and was a former member of Blue Wing Grove Baptist Church in Virgilina.
Survivors include five sons, John Stokes Jr., Melvin Stokes and Brent Stokes, all of Brooklyn; the Rev. Kenneth Stokes of Virgilina, and Keith Stokes of Woodbridge; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three daughters-in-law, Michelle Stokes, YuVaughn stokes and Cynthia Stokes; one Goddaughter, Wileeshe Marable of Virgilina; one sister, Florine Stokes Hudgins of Virgilina; and one sister-in-law, Myrtle Arnold and her husband, Arthur Arnold of East Orange, NJ.
Funeral services for Mr. Stokes will be held today, April 9 at 10 a.m. at Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, with the Rev. Clinton M. Miller officiating. Burial will also take place in NY.


Addie Shotwell Thomas Wade


Addie Shotwell Thomas Wade, 91, of Roxboro, NC, died April 7, in Person County Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Wade was a native of Halifax County, the daughter of Bunnie and Nannie Sue Wilborn Shotwell. She was first married to Sam Thomas and then to Robert Wade. She was a former employee of Longhurst Cotton Mill and was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow, April 10, at Mill Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Robertson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Wade include one daughter, Ruth T. Kendrick of Roxboro; two sons, Edward Thomas of Roxboro, and Clyde Thomas of Scottsburg; two brothers, Ernest Shotwell of MD, and Junior Shotwell of Roanoke Rapids, NC; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Ruffin Thomas and Gus Thomas.
The family will receive friends this evening, April 9, from 7:00 until 9:00 at Mill Creek Baptist Church and other times at the home of Ruth Kendrick, 56 Kendrick Drive, Roxboro.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Mill Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 1890 Mill Creek Road, Roxboro 27574.