Eric and Erica Buster are living proof that multiples are linked genetically in more ways than one. Their father Wilbert has a twin brother.
Tyronda and Tanisha Bowman's father and grandfather had twin siblings.
Eric loves Gospel music. So does Erica. Eric sings really well. Erica sings.
Like most twins, even gender opposites, there are recognizable likenesses but upon close examination, distinctions beyond the obvious are not always so easily matched.
Being a twin does have its advantages one said yesterday, "... like now, being out of class," She and her brother and five other sets of twins in the graduating class at Halifax County Senior High gathered in front of the school for photos and interviews with The Gazette-Virginian.
"I don't ever remember having this many sets of twins before," said Michaeleen Palmore, head of the Halifax County Senior High guidance department.
And is there a single likeness these twins possess? "Competitiveness," the educator of 17 years responded recalling how Ernest and Eric Cage, class president and SCA president respectively, are simply sticklers for details.
Buster Twins
The Buster twins, who concede to having their differences, still "get along". Eric works at Subway in Centerville. So does Erica.
Erica will enter Norfolk State this fall and study fine arts while Eric will head to Thomas Nelson Community College and study music. Each is satisfied with their education at HCSH but like many of their peers, don't plan to make Halifax County their home in the future.
Being a twin means "always having somebody around," Erica said and their pending breakup this fall will test the lifelong bonds they've taken for granted the first 17 years of their lives.
Eric and Erica are the son and daughter of Wilbert and Scherlie Buster of Scottsburg.
Eric and Ernest Cage
Virginia Tech is the next stop for graduating Halifax High School twins Eric and Ernest Cage.
ROTC Cadet Captains at HCHS, both have been affiliated with the program three years.
Goal-oriented, the twins are excited about the future.
Eric currently serves as president of the Student Government Association. He plans to major in public administration and would ultimately like to work with both the state and federal Department of Education, climbing the ladder of success to the top.
What does Eric think of his education at HCHS.? Even with its problems, he calls it a top notch education with "good people trying to do the right thing."
Ernest, who is president of the HCHS class, plans to major in sociology at Tech and his goals include social relations consultant and ultimately university professor. He also is interested in being appointed to the U.S. Secretary of Labor one day in the future.
Ernest sees the high school system here as preparing students for work here and also offering a background to go out into the larger world. Putting people together, working to be more productive, is definitely an Ernest Cage goal.
However, both graduates also plan to devote years to the Army Reserves and are ambitious in goals set for that avenue of life.
Why Virginia Tech?
"I like the Corps of Cadets program," said Ernest. "Also the opportunity in classes."
The college students will also get a break their last two years of college through a reserve scholarship.
Dressed in their ROTC uniforms, identifying the twins was not easy. There is some confusion, admitted one, but they say there are personality differences.
The brothers describe Ernest has "more outspoken" and Eric as "more reserved."
This summer Eric will work at Wal-Mart while Ernest plans to work as a camp counselor.
Eric and Ernest are the sons of Bessie and Ernest Cage. They have one younger brother, Everette.
Featherston Twins
They are each other's best friend. "Absolutely!" proclaimed Sharon Featherston who got no argument from her sibling look-alike Karen.
"When we disagree, we always compromise," said Karen who concedes that Sharon has been the better student this year.
Sharon, tactfully, gestured agreeably.
Sharon and Karen share much of the same wardrobe and the rule is: "whoever gets to the closet first, wears it!"
The Featherston twins agree that HCHS has provided them with a sufficient foundation for learning.
"Perfect! If you can pass at Halifax, you can pass anywhere. Standards are really high," said Sharon who will study cosmetology at Dudley's School of Hair beginning this fall.
Karen will enter Norfolk State.
Neither plans to return to Halifax County because of what they see as a lack of job opportunities. Both are leaning towards the Raleigh-Durham area where family members now live.
Bates Twins
Of the five sets of Halifax County Senior High doubles, Michael and Marcus Bates best define the term: sibling rivalry. "Yea, we argue," says head-taller Michael. Hardly best friends, Marcus and Michael remember being closer while youngsters. The two, along with their older sister, lived for about six years in Germany with their military family.
Michael works part-time at WalMart and come fall, will begin nursing studies at Lynchburg General Hospital. Marcus, meanwhile, will enter Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue a biomedical career. He hopesto become a virologist and maybe work some day at the Center for Disease Control in Georgia.
The Bates twins are satisfied with the education they received at HCHS but neither plans to return to the South Boston/Halifax County area after completing their education.
Jones Twins
HCHS twins CeCe and LeLe Jones, 18, will continue to remain a pair this fall as they head to Howard University where both have leadership scholarships.
Academically, however, there will be a few changes.
LeLe is leaning to either a criminal justice, foreign affairs or pre-law major while CeCe has pre-law in her academic sights.
"LeLe wants to be FBI and put away my clients," laughed CeCe.
The two vivacious 18-year-olds describe themselves as getting along well and "as always best friends ...and always will be."
They also share clothes - "Whoever gets the clothes out of the dryer first." - and enjoy many of the same interests.
During their high school career, CeCe has served as president of the Peer Mediation organization and LeLe as vice president.
The twins also are co-founders for the Organization for Women's Empowerment started last year. "We just recognized the need for self-esteem," said LeLe when asked about the new organization. In addition, CeCe serves as president of Voices of Tomorrow and LeLe is vice president.
"I think we are very much alike," said LeLe.
For fun, the two Halifax seniors are singers, "love music" and sing at their church, St. Luke CME Church in Halifax. "But we sing everywhere," added one of the girls.
The Halifax twins also have positive words for Halifax County and their education.
"The most important thing Halifax has thought me is how to be a decent person. Some of the most down to earth good people are in Halifax County," said CeCe.
"I believe Halifax County is an outstanding foundation for spirituality and education. I am proud to be from Halifax County," said LeLe.
CeCe and LeLe are the daughters of Sharon C. Graves and Everett C. Jones of Halifax.
Bowman Twins
Not identical twins, Tyronda and Tanisha are among the few HCHS twin sets pursuing separate goals when they graduate from HCHS.
Tyronda, 18, plans to enter the Army, ultimately returning to college or university to pursue a mass communications major.
Although Tyronda describes herself as "nervous going into the Army" following high school, she is also confident. "Hard work pays off in the end," she observed.
Tanisha's plans will take her to Liberty University in Lynchburg this year. There she will pursue an education degree, "probably" teaching English or Spanish in middle or high school. She is currently in the ROTC program at the high school.
Both twins describe themselves as good students. Their motivation? Their "parents expected" them to do well, both explained.
Both girls also HCHS track members.
Although the seniors say they "pretty much get along," they say they also have some different ideas.
The upcoming separation is also new for the two. "We do everything together," explained Tanisha.
Do they think they are prepared for college?
Tyronda is quick to say she thinks HCHS is a pretty good school and that the media expands on the bad news.
Her sister sees the school as a great school if students do the work.
The twins are the children of Marvin and Alice Bowman of the Clays Mill community. They have one younger brother, Lamarr.
Berry Hill and Dollar General -the old and the new- will likely contribute to another record year of construction in Halifax County and South Boston. Erosion and sedimentation permits for each have either been issued or are in the final phases of review according to Halifax County building inspector officials.
While no dollar figures are required for these site improvement applications, the cost of both projects could reach as high as $30 million.
The long-awaited renovation of Halifax County's National Historic Landmark, Berry Hill Plantation, is finally underway. The Greek Revival mansion was completed in 1844 for entrepreneur James Coles Bruce.
It was to have been sold at public auction in May of 1997 by its owner, Washington,D.C. attorney Howard H. Stahl. But just prior to its sale, Berry Hill was purchased by AXA, the international investment corporation and parent firm of the Equitable Insurance Company.
The River Road plantation will become a conference and training center for its new owners, and in addition to the complete restoration and renovation, preliminary plans show the construction of a restaurant, two staff dormitories, a recreational building that will include an indoor swimming pool, two tennis courts, and a registration building.
General contractor for Berry Hill is the Raleigh, NC-based firm of Clancey & Theys Construction Co. Inc. whose superintendent met yesterday to review plans with Bruce Pearce, Halifax CountyResource and Conservation Services official.
Berry Hill's site construction plans are "relatively simple" said building inspector Roy Bradley. Plans call for removal of two of the older structures but otherwise, the legendary complex will retain most of the character that earned its reputation as the most important example of Greek Revival architecture in America.
Dollar General Distribution Center has begun an expansion project that will increase from 16.5 acres to 27 acres the total space it will have under roof. The expansion will boost employment to approximately 525 persons and when complete, represent a total investment of near $40 million in the Halifax County Industrial Park.
General contractor is Gray Construction Co. of Kentucky and site work is being performed by English Construction Co. of Altavista.
Last night, a public hearing was held to determine if a 54-acre site on Route 58 west can be rezoned to allow R.O. Harrell Inc to build a new trucking terminal. That would free Harrell's present terminal site at the intersection of US 501 and 58 for an as-yet unspecified use.
An eight-year-old bicyclist sustained only minor injuries Monday afternoon after his bicycle collided with a car on Ridge Street, according to the South Boston Police Department.
Jimmie Louis Terry Jr., 15, of South Boston was driving a 1989 Buick when the child came northbound from Crawley Street and hit the side of the vehicle, police said.
The youth was treated and released, while the vehicle sustained an estimated $150 in damages, according to the investigation.
No charges were filed and the 3:37 p.m. incident was investigated by SBPD Officer Randy Redd.
No injuries were reported in a two-vehicle collision which occurred Monday morning at the intersection of U.S. 360 and Rt. 716, according to the Virginia State Police.
Joseph B. McCall, 52, of South Boston was driving a 1983 Chrysler when he pulled into the path of a 1988 Buick driven by Kelly Ann Rogers, 20, of South Boston, police said.
The collision caused an estimated $2,000 to the Chrysler and $2,000 in damages to the Buick, according to the investigation.
McCall was charged with failure to yield right-of-way. The 10 a.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper G.M. Gilliam.
A single-vehicle wreck was investigated Friday morning on U.S. 58, one-half mile east of Rt. 732, police said.
Virginia Carter, 37, of Chase City was driving a 1997 Plymouth when she ran off the right side of the road, overcorrected, lost control, ran off the left side and struck an embankment, according to the investigation.
She was injured and damages to her vehicle were listed at $300, police said. Carter was charged with reckless driving.
The 10:30 a.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper R.T. Ridgeway.
Keith Garner, 26, of South Boston was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with all but two years suspended, for a felony conviction of aggravated sexual battery of a nine-year-old female.
Garner entered a guilty plea Thursday in the Halifax County Circuit Court. The incident occurred on December 20, 1997.
A charge of taking indecent liberties with the youth was "nol prossed" or chosen not to be prosecuted by the Commonwealth.
The suspended sentence portion was on condition of his good behavior for a period of twenty years following his release from jail. Garner must also complete two years of supervised probation.
He was also ordered not to have any unsupervised contact with the victim until she turns 18 years old. Garner was placed in the Halifax County Jail after his trial.
An Alton man was arrested Tuesday on felony counts of rape and abduction, according to the Halifax County Sheriff's Department.
James Alexander Dunn, 29, of Bold Springs Road is accused or raping a 39-year-old woman in a tobacco field area off Rt. 699 near Turbeville, at about 1 a.m., according to the investigation.
He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of assault and battery of the woman.
The victim stated that she was a passenger in his vehicle and instead of taking her home, he turned off to a dirt field, dragged her from the vehicle, started choking her, and then allegedly raped her, according to the investigation.
She later managed to get away from him by running into a wooded area. Dunn then drove the vehicle up to the woods and told her that he would take her home, but she refused to exit the wooded area, police said.
When he left, the woman walked along Rt. 699 towards her residence and was later given a ride by someone who had been driving by, according to the investigation.
Police were called and she was later treated and released at the Halifax Regional Hospital.
Dunn is currently being held in the Halifax County Jail pending his preliminary hearing in the Halifax County General District Court on July 31. He was arrested by Deputy C.D. Ragsdale.
Thomas 'Tom' Lee Smith, 80, of Benson, NC died Monday, May 25, 1998 at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield, NC.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 28 at Rose & Graham Funeral Chapel in Benson with Rev. Robert Capps officiating. Burial will follow in the Smith family cemetery.
Mr. Smith was born July 5, 1917 in Johnston County, NC to the late Lonnie and Hettie Lee Smith. He served in the US Navy during World War II and was a member of American Legion Banner Post 109. Mr. Smith was a volunteer fireman for the Meadow Fire Department and was a farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Threatt Smith; one daughter, Hettie Sue Smith of Florence, SC; four sons, Oscar Smith of Benson, Thomas R. Smith of Slidell, LA, Clyde M. Smith of Saudi Arabia, and Paul T. Smith of Halifax; one brother, Garland Smith of Benson; two sisters, Lucille Peacock of Benson and Elmeta Johnson of Dunn, NC; and seven grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home from 7 until 9:00 tonight, May 27.
Alma Lee Blanch Bailey of Halifax died Thursday, May 21, 1998 in Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 91.
She was born in Halifax County on August 6, 1906.
Survivors include two daughters, Janice Powell of Halifax and Sylvia Coates of Charlotte, NC; four sons, Morrell Bailey and Clyde Bailey, both of Halifax, Franklin Bailey of Washington, DC and Cary McCall of Hackensack, NJ; 36 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Vernie Penick of Troy, NY.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bailey were held Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m. at
Crystal Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Louis Leigh Sr. officiating. Burial
was in the church cemetery.
Joe Dick Anderson of South Boston died Wednesday, May 20, 1998 in Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 80. He was born in Halifax County on May 20, 1918.
Mr. Anderson is survived by his stepson, George Edmunds of Georgetown, MD; two devoted nephews, James Barksdale of New York, NY and Jerry Faulkner Sr. of South Boston; three sisters, Rebecca Faulkner, Grace Betts and Mary Barksdale, all of South Boston; one step-sister, Thelma Haymes of Baltimore; and one step-brother, Bennie Anderson of Freeport, NY.
Funeral services for Mr. Anderson were held Saturday, May 23 at 4 p.m. at Crystal Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Louis Leigh Sr. and Bishop Harry Betts Sr. officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Services for Madeline Huggins Braddy, 57, of South Boston will be held at 2 p.m. today, May 27 in Westside Holiness Church in West Columbia, SC, with entombment at Celestial Memorial Gardens Mausoleum.
Ms. Braddy died Saturday, May 23, 1998. Born in Jesup, GA, she was a daughter of the late Jim and Sarah Lee Spradly Hichols. She was the owner of Rose Manor Nursing Home and was the Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church, both in South Boston.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Charles W. and Wanda Huggins III of Gilbert; two sisters, Betty Hammond of Lexington, Catherine Cannady of Cayce; and two grandsons, Charles W. Huggins IV, and Chad Willis Huggins.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society.
Huell W. Matthews Sr. of 1089 Dogwood Trail, South Boston died Saturday, May 23, 1998 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was 83 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Matthews was born May 24, 1914 in Halifax County the son of Joseph Edward Matthews and Rosa Wilkins Matthews and was married to Evelyn Lowery Matthews.
He was a retired automobile salesman with Crowell Motor Company. Mr. Matthews was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church, a member of the Hyco Road Ruritan Club and Ducks Unlimited. He was a member of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors for 44 years, serving on numerous committees. He served in the CC Camp in the 1930s.
Funeral services will be held at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel today, May 27 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Don Davidson officiating. Burial will take place in Black Walnut Baptist Church Cemetery.
Mr. Matthews is survived by his wife; two daughters, Janet Bacuzzi of Virginia Beach and Amy Harris of South Boston; one son, Huell W. Matthews Jr. of Ashland; one sister, Bessie Coates of Rustburg; one brother, Luther Matthews of South Boston; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Halifax County Rescue Squad or your local fire department.