Friday, June 11, 2004

Looking Into Future With ‘2020’ Vision
Group Sets Vision Statement, Goals For Halifax County By The Year 2020

Concluding a three-month information gathering process, Mac Holladay of Market Street Services unveiled the Halifax County Community Strategic Plan late yesterday evening.

"This is a vision of the type of community the steering committee want Halifax County to be in the year 2020," Holladay said. "It's what type of place they want it to be in the future."

Entitled "Vision 2020," Holladay's firm used a steering committee comprised of 31 local individuals from a variety of walks of life.

"We've been very impressed with the attitude of the people here," he said. "Halifax County has a great community spirit and can-do attitude.

"It's obvious that you here in the county haven't been sitting on your hands," Holladay added. "You've been out there working as hard as you can for the future."

After gathering input from as many as 1,000 people, the group set out to come up with a plan for the future and a vision statement.

"The committee spent a lot of time on the vision statement," Holladay said.

"It's critical because it sets the stage for everything in the strategic plan.

Everything is based on trying to make the statement come to life."

But community involvement is necessary for the plan to work, he cautioned.

"Everyone has to get together and work toward the same goal," Holladay said. "Morale is very important.

"I'm hopeful the strategic plan can be a rallying point to make the people of this community get involved and work together for the future," he added.

The vision statement for the year 2020:

"Halifax County is a dynamic community, working through unity and cooperation toward a stronger economic future and an enhanced quality of life.

"Educational and workforce excellence drives our strategy for job creation and a diversified economy.

"Strong values, a sense of community, abundant recreational and cultural resources, and effective partnerships make Halifax County a wonderful place to live, work and visit."

Holladay's group identified six strengths that currently exist in the county including cost of living/doing business, transportation and utility infrastructure, Riverstone Technology Park, quality people, good quality of life and a great place to raise a family.

Several existing weaknesses were identified in the survey including shrinking workforce with limited education, identified lack of emphasis on education/schools needing improvement, low per capita income and perceived rate of drug activity, faltering economic structure, few resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, lack of young people returning to the area, difficult north/south travel, threatened undeveloped/agricultural lands and lack of cooperation between county and town administrations.

The community strategic plan identified five goals for the community.

• Develop a diversified economic base to create quality new jobs and ensure economic sustainability.

The group recommended motorsports, healthcare, tourism, transportation and warehousing and plastics as targeted business clusters.

"These are the areas we recommend the county go after," Holladay said.

He also recommends the creation of programs and practices that will sustain the county's agricultural base while ensuring that existing local businesses have the resources necessary for expansion.

While developing a sustainable economy, Holladay recommends the active promotion of entrepreneurial development and small business expansion.

• Create the capacity necessary to develop a highly skilled, well-trained, technologically focused workforce.

"You're getting there," Holladay said. "But this is the tough one. The number one issue in economic development is the quality of the work force."

Holladay said that a comprehensive plan to improve the quality of education was necessary.

"You must also maximize the impacts of work force development programs and add resources for worker retraining and job placement," he said.

• Develop the infrastructure necessary for Halifax County to be competitive while preserving the rural character that makes the community unique.

Pointing to the current water/sewer issue, Holladay suggested coordinating public and private efforts to develop an enhanced infrastructure in utilities, transportation and technology.

But Holladay cautioned that preserving the character of the county means preserving the county's open spaces.

"Halifax County's natural beauty, farmland and open spaces are part of what makes the community special," he said.

• Utilize all current and potential Halifax County leadership to boost local morale, build trust and maximize cooperation throughout the county.

Holladay said the county needs to increase the capacity of leadership and build morale in the community.

"Expand the scope of leadership to include representatives from all local constituencies," he suggested.

"Work to build greater trust, cooperation and effective partnerships between South Boston and Halifax County," he said. "This was a common theme in focus groups, interviews, meetings and surveys. Economic development is competitive, there's no room for a lack of local cooperation."

• Make Halifax County a healthy, vibrant community where people and businesses will want to locate.

"Increase the social services and public assistance capacity in Halifax County," Holladay said, suggesting that residents need these services and churches can be a resource in this area.

The county should also work to improve local health issues.

"Augment Halifax County's stock of athletic fields, formal parkspaces and recreational amenities," he said, adding that these are important for luring the "creative class."

"Existing resources like the YMCA are important," Holladay said. "But additional facilities would serve residents in the far reaches of the county."
Offering teens and young adults entertainment options will help keep them in the community.

"Halifax County will never be New York City, but the lack of 'things to do' is a definite issue," Holladay said.

The next step in the visioning process is to set benchmarks and a timetable to measure the county's progress.

"We hope that this will be a five-to-ten year strategy that we hope will be the starting point for the future," Holladay said.

"Halifax County has better leveraged its resources than many larger communities," he added. "There has been a lot of good work going on here that we don't see in other places."

But he said that there is more work to be done.

"Strive to do more, not less," Holladay said. "Everyone must step up and contribute.

"Building a great community is a life's work," he added. "Not something that you think about doing next Tuesday."

Supes, SoBo At Odds Over Land Use
Misinformation Charged In Land Use Tax Rift

In a 5-3 vote this week, supervisors set a June 28 public hearing on a land use tax proposal at almost the same hour South Boston Council unanimously opposed the measure.

If approved this year, the new plan will not go into effect until the following year's budget.

South Boston Councilman Eric Roberts led the opposition to the agricultural tax proposal at Council's Monday night session.

The councilman also suggested there could be a conflict of interest with one, possibly two, supervisors voting on the measure.

"This is ridiculous," Roberts said of the taxation proposal.

"As I understand it, it is shifting $400,000 in tax burden away from large landowners to residential ..."

"This program is mainly for the 60 to 100-acre farm," said Linda Wallace, county agricultural development director. "It is for the people who farm for a living, not the hobby folks."

Wallace said farmers must demonstrate bona fide ag production, including a crop history, enrollment in farm programs through Farm Service Agency, etc.
Supervisor James Edmunds II, a large landowner, also countered yesterday in a letter to the editor.

"I did not appreciate the inference that I have a conflict of interest by being on the Board of Supervisors," wrote Edmunds.

The supervisor said that he planned to abstain from voting on the issue, "as I have stated for the past 18 months, because I don't want to leave a legacy that I might have tried to help myself in any way in my capacity as a Board member."

Edmunds, who said he had 165 acres that would qualify for land use taxation, also said he doubted he would enroll any of it.

Yesterday, Halifax County Commissioner of the Revenue Danny Jackson estimated that $245,000 rather than $400,000 in county revenue could be affected by the ag tax proposal.

"That's if there's 100 percent participation and the tax rate is 39-cents per assessed $100," Jackson said, adding that in "most places there is not 100 percent participation."

The Commissioner of Revenue said that approximately 4,744 parcels could be affected.

Land use taxation has been described as one option to preserve the county's agricultural heritage by offering farmers a break on their property taxes.

"The concept is farmers are taxed on the value of what they can make on the land farming as opposed to the fair market value it could make if developed," County Administrator Joe Morgan explained at an earlier session.

"The goal is to offer farmers the tax breaks to preserve the rural character of the county and help people continue to farm," said Edmunds.

Any land under crop cultivation can be included, according to Commissioner of Revenue Jackson, even if the owner is not the operator.

"There is a minimum, you must have five acres or more," he added.

If a farmer opts to apply for land use on his farm, he must keep that land actively producing agricultural products, according to the Commissioner.

The ag land use tax proposal does not include timberland, recreation, residences or other open space.

Also, if the farmer ceases producing agricultural products and changes the use of the land, he must pay the back taxes plus interest, according to Jackson.

"And everyone, farmers and suburbanites alike, should be concerned about what will happen to land that is now in tobacco production," said Wallace.

"As farmers are forced to seek alternative sources of revenue on the farm, a lower assessment will alleviate some of the tax burden borne by these individuals."

Noting agriculture has been a stabilizing factor in the local economy for centuries, Wallace advocates taking action, describing it as in the best public interest for everyone to work toward sustaining the industry.

"Agricultural land contributes immeasurably to the beauty and rural integrity of the county," she said.

She said it is also an appealing factor for tourism.

"It is one of those things you won't miss until it's gone ...and then, it'll be too late to adopt measures like land use taxation that enhance the preservation of open spaces and help sustain agriculture.

"People should look beyond 'today' ...I bet many folks in counties like Chesterfield, Powhatan and Amelia wish they had ...," added Wallace.

"I think it is terribly unfortunate that misinformation appears to be the driving force behind much of the opposition.

"I would urge everybody to get the facts and the details of the program before they make these definitive statements in opposition to it," said Wallace.
Currently, Pittsylvania and Campbell counties are utilizing the ag land use taxation option.

Edmunds' letter follows in its entirety:

Misconceptions

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to a recent issue that contains some misinformation and misconceptions. Recently, the Town of South Boston unanimously supported a resolution to oppose Land Use Taxation and some very strong statements were made by Eric Roberts in regards to myself and it is with this that I am responding. Mr. Roberts made the statement that he could see no benefit whatsoever to any town resident if land use taxation were implemented. Financially speaking, he is right. However, he must have no regards to the rest of the County and its landscape or environmental issues that are associated with the development that is occuring in the County.
Furthermore, he must have no concern over the plight of all farmers, small and large, and their ability to continue having to bear the brunt of disproportional reassessments because farmland in the county is being developed so much faster than in Town. This causes their real estate taxes to sometimes double while their income generated from farm products on that same property remains the same. He must also not know that use value taxation is not a tax “break” to anyone, but a deferment.

If a farmer opts to apply for land use on his farm, he must keep that land actively producing agricultural products. This does not include timberland, recreation, residences, or other open space; only viable agricultural land.

Additionally, should that farmer cease to produce ag products or wants to sell his property, he must pay the back taxes plus interest! Land Use Taxation is one tool in the toolbox to provide farmers with a viable means of holding down uncontrollable expenses while continuing to work his land. Furthermore, if you even remotely consider yourself a conservationist or an advocate for the environment, how could you not support a means for farmers, especially small farmers, to hold onto their land. I can guarantee you that when they sell, it WILL impact you, either directly or indirectly, no matter where you live.
Mr. Roberts also made the statement that land use would only benefit large landowners. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, I anticipate mostly smaller farmers who are teetering on the edge of having to sell their land to be the first to enroll to try and continue farming by holding down one of their largest variable expenses; real estate tax! I also did not appreciate the inference that I have a conflict of interest by being on the Board of Supervisors. While I may own a considerable amount of property, I only have about 165 acres that would even qualify for land use! Furthermore, I have openly stated as a member of the finance committee that I would support a 4 cent real estate tax increase to help pay for Phase II school construction. If I were looking out for myself and myself only, don’t you think I would oppose that? The fact is, the real estate tax increase will effect me far greater than any benefits that Land Use Taxation may offer. In fact, I doubt that I would even enroll any of the 165 acres!

We all know the needs of this County and I for one feel that it is unfair to keep placing a large portion of the burden on those struggling to make a living off of the land. I do plan to abstain from voting on this issue, as I have stated for the past 18 months, because I don’t want to leave a legacy that I might have tried to help myself in any way in my capacity as a Board member. However, I do support Land Use Taxation, just as many many other counties in the State of Virginia do. We have got to realize the importance of our farmland remaining farmland.
Sincerely,
James Edmunds II

Board Names Stapleton New Superintendent
New School Chief Is A $137 K Investment In Future Of Children

The Halifax County School Board made a $137,000 investment in the future Wednesday when they named former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Paul Stapleton their new superintendent.

"The board believes this man will definitely do the job we need to carry us forward and make this county and our school system what we want it to be," said School Board Chairman Arthur Reynolds.

In July, Stapleton will replace Superintendent Dennis Witt who announced his retirement earlier this year.

"We applaud Dennis for the job he has done," said Reynolds. "But, since he decided to retire, we had to move on."

Chairman of the Halifax county Committee On Educational Improvement W.W. "Ted" Bennett lauded the school board for their choice.

Bennett said the School Board went fishing in the big pond and caught a big fish.

"They ought to be greatly complimented," he said. "Paul Stapleton is going to have a big impact on public education in Halifax County."

A native of Scott County, Stapleton has 33 years experience in Virginia public schools.

Prior to being appointed as the 20th State Superintendent of Public Instruction by Governor James Gilmore in 1998, Stapleton served for 11 years as superintendent of schools in Charlotte County and 17 years as an educator in Scott County, including 10 years as a high school principal and four years as an elementary school principal.

Stapleton said he was looking forward to coming out of retirement to serve Halifax County.

"I have been offered many superintendencies since I retired," he said. "But, this is the only one I have even considered. I am impressed with Halifax County.

"We have a lot of challenges, but that means we have a lot of opportunities to do good things for the children," he added.

Stapleton said teamwork was essential to the success of the school system.
"I believe very much in a team concept," he said. "We have to work together and get the job done.

"I will be in the schools," he added. "I will be out there looking at the schools and talking to the teachers. I will talk to your children a lot."

Stapleton said he intends to make the county's children the first priority in any decision making process.

"If you put the children first, everything else seems to fall into place."

Stapleton said he has two requirements for anyone working with county students.

"First they have to love children, or they do not need to be in this business," he said. "The second thing they need to do is to do everything they can to provide the best educational opportunities they can for those children."

Stapleton also plans to reach out to the county's business community and area civic and service groups.

"I think we have a bright sunny future in Halifax County public schools," he said.

Stapleton bases that prediction on a lifetime of service to education.

He is currently the owner and president of Paul Stapleton and Associates, LLC, a national education consulting firm and is director of the Virginia Rural Education Association and a former director of the Rural Schools Initiative for the University of Virginia.

His experiences range from teaching second grade remedial reading to teaching graduate level university classes.

He has also been a basketball and baseball coach.

While Stapleton received many accolades for his accomplishments as state superintendent, he said he is especially proud of the role he played in bringing about changes in five areas of concern in the state educational system.

Those changes include creating the first standards-based test in the history of the Commonwealth, working to return State Lottery profits to local school funding and establishing a school construction fund to provide state facility money for school divisions.

He was also influential in implementing a state-wide retirement option for educators at age 50 with 30 years of service.

Stapleton confronted teacher shortages by securing changes in the Virginia Retirement System, allowing educators to return to teaching while still receiving their full retirement benefits, and creating the career-switchers program which helps retired military and businessmen to enter the teaching profession.

Stapleton is the only superintendent in the Commonwealth's history to serve while the General Assembly was evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.

Stapleton also has a proven record of success as a county school superintendent.

While serving in that role in Charlotte County he was responsible for the development and implementation of a number of programs that attracted state and national attention and honors.

Under his direction, Charlotte County schools began a model technology program in 1987 that featured a two to one ratio of students to computers that allowed Internet access for all students,
As part of the program students operated a school-owned business, Statesman Computers, in which high school student interns were involved in computer manufacturing and software/network installation on a daily basis.

In the same year, Stapleton pioneered the Virginia Dual Enrollment Program which allowed high school students to earn an Associate Degree and high school diploma simultaneously.

As a result of his efforts, Stapleton was named Virginia's Superintendent of the Year by his peers in 1996 and was selected as the Virginia Public School Administrator of the Year by the Virginia Association of Partners in Education.
He has been recognized at the local, state and national levels for his leadership in the education and business communities and serves on numerous national and state boards, commissions and advisory groups.

Stapleton received his Associate's Degree from Hiwassee Junior College, his Bachelor and Master's Degrees from East Tennessee State University and has completed post graduate work at the University of Virginia.

Despite his numerous accomplishments, Stapleton said his greatest source of satisfaction is being with his family, his wife of 35 years, Brenda, his sons Chris and Jeff and, most importantly, his grandchildren, Leigh Ann, Issaac and Adam.

Legion Opens Season On Saturday
The South Boston Legion Post 8 Baseball Team Will Face Charlottesville Here Saturday In A Doubleheader

By DOUG FORD | G-V Staff Writer

The American Legion Post 8 baseball team will open its season here Saturday at 2 p.m. with a doubleheader against Charlottesville Post 74 at Comets Field.

And, according to Post 8 head coach Chris Conner, this year's team will be a work in progress.

"We haven't had a full practice yet, so basically its a feeling out process so far," said Conner.

"We'll be moving people around a little the first two games to find out where they'll fit in."

Post 8 could be termed a victim of the high school's success on the diamond, the Comets varsity baseball team having concluded its season Tuesday night.
Five Post 8 team members played varsity baseball this year, including Tyler Clarke, Ryan Gieselman Blake Waller, Robert Carter and Justin Armistead.

All but Waller are returnees from last year's team, which recorded a 2-11 mark in District 10 competition.

Other returnees include Scott Gieselman, David Lacks, and Justin Worsham, with Bobby Owens, Chris Conner Miles Thomas, Dion Ferrell and Jacob Vest filling out the 13-man roster.

Conner will be assisted this season by Brandon Osbeck and Jason Jones.
From what he's seen so far, Conner thinks pitching will be the strong suit for the team this season.

"Hitting is pretty good, but we'll need to work on defense," said Conner, whose team will play 28 games in a six-week schedule.

Post 8 is part of District 10, which has 11 teams this year,
Post 8 is scheduled for 10 home dates this year, and will play five doubleheaders, according to Conner, who added Charlottesville will bring a tough ball club to Comets field to open the season.

"They're usually pretty good, and they've won a couple of games already," he said, adding the edge in experience will belong to the visitors.

"We have a young team, so we'll have to see how it goes."

Obituaries

Albert Fuller Blackstock

Albert Fuller 'Buster' Blackstock, 85, of Nathalie died June 9 at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mr. Blackstock was a retired farmer and member of Hunting Creek Baptist Church and the WOW Lodge 106. He was the son of the late Daisy Ligon Blackstock and Joe Riley Blackstock and was married to Macie Snead Blackstock.

Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn B. Fisher of South Boston and Hazel B. Conner and husband, Neville, of Nathalie; two grandchildren, Steve Conner and wife, Lisa, of Halifax and Kimberly Fisher Cunningham and husband, Michael, of Malibu, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Kevin Forrest Conner and Maci O'Brien Cunningham; and a special friend and caretaker, Sylvana Yancey of Scottsburg.

Mr. Blackstock was preceded in death by four brothers, Andrew, Early R., Joe B. and Jesse Blackstock; and four sisters, Ethel B. Neal, Elizabeth B. Ward, Edith B. Francisco and Evelyn B. Woltz.

Funeral services will be at Hunting Creek Baptist Church tomorrow, June 12 at 2 p.m. with the Revs. Tony Sisk and H.V. Conner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends this evening, June 11, from 7:00 until 8:30 at Powell Funeral Home, and other times at the home of Neville and Hazel Conner, 4175 Hunting Creek Road, Nathalie.

Odessa Drumwright

Odessa Drumwright, 92, died June 6 in Roxboro Nursing Center. She was a native of Halifax County and a member of Mayo Grove Baptist Church in Alton.

Ms. Drumwright is survived by a sister, Helen Goode of Vauxhall, N.J.; a granddaughter, Nicole Drumwright of Durham, N.C.; and a daughter-in-law, Willie Mae Daye of Roxboro, N.C.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow, June 12 at 2 p.m. in Mayo Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Rudi Thomas officiating and the Rev. Lawrence Wilkerson doing the eulogy. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church Saturday from 1 until 2 p.m

Floyd Eugene Holt Sr.

Floyd Eugene Holt Sr., 72, of 103 Wood Lane, Altavista died June 8 in Virginia Baptist Hospital.

Born April 5, 1932, in Halifax County, he was a son of the late Julian R. Holt and Willie Maude Walker. Mr. Holt was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice Marie Holt; a granddaughter, Rebecca Marie Gibson; a brother, Eddie Holt; and a sister, Myrtle Walker. He was a retired carpenter, a member of Central Baptist Church and an Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include a son, Floyd E. Holt Jr. and his wife, Teresa, of Gretna; two daughters, Dale Barrett and her husband, Dennis, of Asheboro, N.C. and Diane Gibson and husband, Ricky, of Gretna; two sisters, Mary Seamster of Nathalie and Margaret Fears of Halifax; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr. Holt were held at 11 a.m June 10 at Colbert-Moran Chapel in Gretna by the Rev. Bobby Brumfield. Burial with military honors by VFW Post 4165 and DAV Chapter 46 followed in Altavista Memorial Park.

Annie Bell Guthrie Singleton

Annie Bell Guthrie Singleton, 89, of 1800 Howard Avenue, South Boston died June 7 in South Boston.

Mrs. Singleton was born in Halifax County on April 9, 1915, the daughter of the late Lawrence Guthrie and Roxie Jones Guthrie and was married to the late Robert Paul Singleton. She was a member of Five Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Ianthia S. Johnson of South Boston; three grandchildren, Antonio Singleton, Harvey D. Johnson Jr. and Allen J. Johnson, all of South Boston; one great-granddaughter, Alyssa Singleton of South Boston; one son-in-law, Harvey D. Johnson Sr.; and one granddaughter-in-law, Zabrina Singleton.

Funeral services for Mrs. Singleton will be held today, June 11, at noon at Five Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Sandy Palmer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family is receiving friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey D. Johnson Sr., 1816 Vaughan Street, South Boston.

Ida Bray Tuck

Ida Bray Tuck, 71, of 3112 Liberty Road, Nathalie died June 8 at her home.
She was born in Halifax County on October 10, 1932, the daughter of Younger Adams Bray and Maud Roark Bray. Mrs. Tuck was married to Edward Jarman Tuck and was a member of Liberty United Church of Christ.

Survivors include four daughters, Carole Tuck Hall and husband, Ron, of Fredericksburg, Beverly Tuck of Chantilly, Jane Tuck Sibley and husband, John, of Halifax, and Gwen Tuck Nunn and husband, Jeff, of South Boston; one son, Bruce Tuck and wife, Elizabeth, of Virginia Beach; 11 grandchildren; and a close friend of the family, Dawn Stockman.

Funeral services for Mrs. Tuck will be held today, June 11 at 11 a.m. at Liberty United Church of Christ with the Rev. Dwight Moore conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Liberty Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 3203 Liberty Road, Nathalie 24577 or Liberty United Church of Christ, c/o Debbie Forlines, 4055 Liberty Road, Nathalie.

Martha Haymes Vaughan

Martha Haymes Vaughan of Richmond died June 9 at her daughter's home.
Born in South Boston on May 22, 1919, she was the daughter of the late John Richard Haymes and Sara Dillard Haymes and was the widow of William Rogers Vaughan Jr.

Until recently, Mrs. Vaughan resided at Westminster Canterbury and was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church. She was also a member of Meadowbrook Country Club and the Tuckahoe Women's Club.

Survivors include two daughters, Dillard Vaughan Philpott and Martha Haymes Vaughan; grandchildren, Tracey Leigh Livengood, Vaughan Livengood, Martha Katherine Philpott, Sara Dillard Southworth, Albert Lee Philpott III and Elizabeth Harrison Philpott; one great-grandson, Connor Sebastian Southworth. Mrs. Vaughan was also preceded in death by one son, William Rogers Vaughan III.

Funeral services will be held today, June 11 at 10 a.m. at Huguenot Chapel of Woody Funeral Home in Richmond. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Oak Ridge Cemetery in South Boston.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Lung Association of Virginia, or Patrick Henry Boys Home or Girls Home, or the charity of your choice.

Carroll Randolph Wheeler

Carroll Randolph Wheeler, 64, of Forest died June 8 in Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was the husband of Anna Spencer Wheeler.

Born December 13, 1939, in Amherst County, he was a son of the late Hiram Randolph and Thelma Bowling Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler was a retired employee of the General Electric and Ericsson companies, a U.S. Air Force Veteran and a graduate of Lynchburg College with continuing studies at Indiana University.

He is also survived by a son, Steven Carroll Wheeler of Forest; a daughter, Lisa Gayle Wheeler of Richmond; a sister, Agnes Wheeler Steele and husband, Ralph, of Madison Heights; and a brother, Eugene Thomas Wheeler and wife, Betty, of South Boston.

Funeral services for Mr. Wheeler were held June 10 at 2 p.m. at Driskill Funeral Chapel with the Rev. C. Randall Harlow officiating. Burial followed in Amherst Cemetery.

Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Forest Volunteer Fire Department or the American Cancer Society.

Myrtle Virginia Wilmouth

Myrtle Virginia Wilmouth, 86, of Mosely Ferry Road, Clover died June 9 in Halifax Regional Hospital.

Mrs. Wilmouth was born in Halifax County on March 31, 1918, the daughter of the late Issac C. Wilmouth and Willie Belle Moorefield Wilmouth and was married to the late Lonnie H. Wilmouth.

Graveside services will be held tomorrow, June 12 at 11 a.m. in Clover Cemetery.

Survivors of Mrs. Wilmouth include three sons, Roy, James and Carlton Wilmouth, all of Clover; one daughter, Bobby Jean Martin of Clover; four sisters, Lettie Wilmouth of Lynchburg, Bessie Schumate and Irene W. Bailey, both of Eden, N.C., and Helen W. Walls of Richmond; three brothers, Issac Lee Wilmouth of Greensboro, N.C., Gene Wilmouth of Eden, and Johnny Buck Wilmouth of Ruffin, N.C.; five grandchildren, Wanda Moretz, Vickie Cossavella, Melvin Day, Paul Day and Nancy Majors; six great-grandchildren, Savana Moretz, Samantha Day, Felecia Cossavella, Savannah Davis, Angela Majors and Matt Majors. Mrs. Wilmouth was also preceded in death by six sisters, four brothers, and one granddaughter, Lois Ann Day.

The family will receive friends at the home.