Larry Gene Fowler, 62, of Lynchburg, passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. He was born in Bedford, VA on October 16, 1958, a son of the late Carey Sossaman Fowler and Elizabeth Markham Green. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lee Fowler. He is survived by his son, Jason Lawrence Fowler and wife Monica; daughter, Amy Loretta Perry and husband Rich; brothers, Wayne Fowler and wife Elizabeth, John Fowler and wife Lucy; mother of his children, Linda G. Fowler; several nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at Blue Ridge Community Church New London Campus, 2361 New London Rd., Forest, VA 24551 with Rev. Jack Dunn officiating. Family will receive friends following the service and an ice cream sundae reception will follow the visitation. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Melvin Clay McLain, 77, of Bedford, passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021. He was born in Bedford, Virginia on June 13, 1944, a son of the late Nicholas Lafayette McLain and Lelia Chittum McLain. He proudly served his country in the United States Army; serving in the Vietnam War. He enjoyed farming and was a lifelong farmer. Melvin is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda Spradlin McLain; four sisters, and one brother. A private burial will be held. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Raymond “Pete” Lewis Hatcher, Jr. of Lynchburg, VA., died peacefully June 24, 2021. He was born March 7, 1936 in Charlottesville, VA. to the late Raymond L. and Mary Jane Miller Hatcher. Pete first attended McIntire High School in Charlottesville and then Dana High School after moving to Indiana, starting college at Washington University in St. Louis but transferred to Auburn University after his parents move to Alabama. Pete graduated from Auburn with a degree in engineering, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the music honor society Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. After graduation, Pete worked in engineering at the Newport News shipyards later relocating to Amherst to work at the American Cyanamid. When the General Electric (later Ericsson) plant opened, he applied and worked there until his retirement. He was an active civic leader. Serving as president of the Amherst Jaycees, Amherst Rotary Club, and Lynchburg Rotary Club where he was twice a Paul Harris Fellow. He was on the board of several organizations, an elder at First Presbyterian Church, and a Shriner and Mason, but his most committed volunteering was to the Boy Scouts. Pete was the scoutmaster of Troop 43 in Amherst and then the scoutmaster of Troop 7 in Lynchburg for over 25 years. He was honored with the Silver Beaver award and trained countless leaders through the Wood Badge program. Pete raised two Eagle Scouts and was the proud grandfather of two more Eagles. Pete also had a passion for music, self-taught in playing the accordion, piano, guitar, and the five-string banjo. In the 1960’s he played professionally in a local folk band, the Hanalei’s. Pete loved to perform and enjoyed being in front of a crowd. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Rowland Hatcher, his grandson, Matthew Robert Hatcher, and his brother, Harold Miller Hatcher. Pete is survived by two brothers-in-laws, Francis “Buddy” Graham Rowland of Childersburg, Al. and Hugh Phillip Rowland of Helena, Al.; children, Raymond “Ray” Lewis Hatcher, III (Holly Bishop Hatcher) of Midland, VA., Graham Rowland Hatcher, and Julie Hatcher Brammer (James H. Brammer, III) of Lynchburg; grandchildren, Ashley Elizabeth Hatcher of Warrenton, VA., Katherine “Katie Gray” Graham Brammer, James “Jeb” H. Brammer, IV, and Roland Lewis Hatcher, all of Lynchburg; nieces and nephew; June Rowland Woodrum, Mary Kathryn Hatcher Rife, Jill Rowland Smith,  Graham Rowland, Courtney Rowland Nice,  Loren Hatcher, Suzanna Hatcher and Carrie Rose Hatcher. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1215 V.E.S. Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503; followed by a reception. Scout uniforms are encouraged for any Scouting friends. In lieu of flowers, friends are asked to make donations to Troop 7, care of First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Charlotte Christine Key Wood, 71, of Bedford, passed away on Thursday, June 24, 2021. She was born in Albemarle, VA on December 18, 1949, a daughter of the late James Whitney Key and Luttie Reynolds Key. Charlotte’s words: Always share your wealth with family, friends and Jesus, and I will meet you at the gate. There is never a last supper, there is plenty of food up there where we will share a table with Jesus; everything we need on our plate of life will be peaceful. I can hardly wait. I’ll love you forever; keep a little piece of me in your heart; for you will be in mine forever and we will never part. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Wood; children, Kevin Gosnell, Kathy Gosnell, Frank Wood, Jr., Dawn Beverly Wood; sister, Debbie Jarratt; grandchildren, Angela Gosnell, Dewey Franklin, Kyle Franklin; and eight great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 28, 2021 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St., Bedford, with Rev. Rock Chocklett officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

James Hilton Cash, Sr., 90, of Madison Heights, passed away Monday, June 21, 2021. He was born in Madison Heights, VA on January 7, 1931, a son of the late Jesse Hilton Cash and Elsie Tolley Cash. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, James Cash, Jr.; and brother, Henry Edward Cash. James was a wonderful man who was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a self-employed mechanic. He lived his life to the fullest and will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Proffitt Cash; son, Steve Cash and wife Pam; grandchildren, Kerri Ruff and husband Dwayne, Joshua Cash and wife Jenna, Jenny Cash, Jacob Cash and wife Kim, Chelsey Cash; and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

John Robert Rusher, 81, of Big Island, passed away on Sunday, June 20, 2021. He was born in Lynchburg, VA on October 25, 1939 a son of the late Fred DeWitt Rusher and Lottie Camden Rusher. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Ethel Rusher and Hannah Rusher Bowling.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was retired with 42 years of service from Georgia Pacific.  John was a lifetime member of Hunting Creek Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and treasurer for over 50 years. He was also a lifetime member of the Big Island Fire Department and was an active member for over 30 years. John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary “Mickey” Douglas Rusher; sons, Craig Rusher and wife Carole, Jeremy Rusher and wife Susan; grandsons, Jarrett Rusher and wife Ashley, Kyle Rusher and wife Ashley, Austin Rusher, Gideon Rusher; brother-in-law, James Willie Douglas and wife Carol; and nephews, Josh Douglas and Ersel Bowling, Jr. and wife Charlene. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Hunting Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Bledsoe officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family will receive friends 6:00-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St., Bedford. Everyone is encouraged to bring a covered dish to the church for the service for a meal to follow.  In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to Hunting Creek Baptist Church, Big Island Fire Department or the Big Island Emergency Crew. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Judith Ann “Judy” Sacco, 75, of Bedford, passed away on Friday, June 18, 2021. She was born in Canonsburg, PA on November 20, 1945 a daughter of the late Joseph Sacco and Teresa Ducsay Sacco. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Mark Joseph Sacco; and nephew, Scott Hickman. Judy is survived by her sister, Teresa Sacco Love and husband Henry; brother, Henry Sacco Barbara Sacco; nephew, Joseph Paul Sacco; great-nephew, Trevor Scott Hickman; beloved cat, Auto; and many cousins. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2021 a Bedford Christian Church with Pastor David Walton officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.