Kelley M. Maxfield, age 78, of Thaxton, Virginia, went to be with our Lord on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Kelley loved mowing and maintaining his yard during the warmer season keeping everything beautiful and flourishing. Year round you could find him any given day tinkering with something mechanical or handcrafting beautiful homemade furniture. He was loved by many and will be missed tremendously. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 56 years, Patricia Smith Maxfield; as well as three children, Stacey Gibson (Mark), Troy Maxfield (Fabienne) and Brandon Maxfield (Connie). Kelley is survived also by five grandchildren, Haley, Nicholas and Angela Maxfield, as well as Jon and Jessica Lacy. He also will be missed by his beloved cat and partner in crime, Rambo. Family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St. Bedford. A service will begin at 7:30 p.m. with Jim Smith officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Betty Joan Duffy Guthrie, also known as “Mawmaw”, 81, of Forest, VA died on Saturday, March 19, 2022 surrounded by her family at UVA hospital in Charlottesville, VA after a long illness. She was born and raised in Keysville, VA on July 2, 1940, a daughter of the late Samuel F. Duffy “Buddy” and Ruth Lindsey Duffy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Edward Guthrie, Jr. and a son-in-law, Robert Wayne Hartman. Betty was the loving wife to Thomas Edward “Tom” Guthrie, Sr. for 65 years and spent the first years of their marriage in Brookneal, VA. The family later moved to Richmond, VA until 1973 and at this time moved to Lynchburg, VA to make their forever home. Betty Jo and Thomas raised a family of five children, Jackie Hartman of Lynchburg, Rhonda Miles of Lynchburg, Tina Klacynski (Jay) of Forest, Carol Knowles (Ricky) of Bedford, Thomas Edward Guthrie, Jr. (deceased).  She had several adored grandchildren, Amy Bryant (Steve), Chris Ginther (Christina), Corey Hartman, Brandon Klacynski, Brittany Woody (Ryan), Skylar Rea, Ricky Knowles, Jr., Jarrett Rea (Becca), Braiden Klacynski and Savannah Rea. Betty was blessed with a host of eleven great-grandchildren, Landon Padgett, Taylor and Tyler Bryant, Logan Bryant, Grayson Hartman, Maylin Ginther, Gianna Hartman, Axel Ginther, Brenleigh Woody, Sutton Woody, and Ember Ginther. Betty was a member of Norwood Baptist Church in Forest, VA. She loved the old gospel hymns and played them often at home. The family would like to especially thank UVA hospital, H.T. and Dana Guthrie, Jr., Butch and Teresa Owen, Janice Owen, and Tonda Lee. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, March 25, 2022 at Norwood Baptist Church with Pastor Sam Stump officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., at Falling River Baptist Church Cemetery 2874 Wickliffe Road, Brookneal, VA. A reception will follow at the home, 1087 Whitney Place, Forest, VA. Family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, at Norwood Baptist Church. Memorial contributions can be made to Norwood Baptist Church, 1045 Random Way, Forest, VA 24551. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Charles Russell “Charlie” Widener, 61, of Thaxton, VA went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. He was born on Thursday, April 7, 1960 in Roanoke, VA. Charlie loved watching Nascar on Sundays with his grandson, Caleb. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed playing poker and rummy 500 with his sisters, step-daughters, niece and nephews. Charlie was always a fun soul to be around, making you laugh on your worst days. He was definitely one of a kind and always helping others when in fact he needed help himself. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, John F. and Cleo Griffith Widener; two brothers, Jerry and Von Widener; sister, Marie Underwood; granddaughter, Winter Darnell; and step-granddaughter, Sophia Long. He is survived by a daughter, Virginia Martin (Joe); two step-daughters, Tammy and Amy Long all of Montvale; two step-sons, Bud Long (April) of Thaxton, Jerry Long (Courtney) of Hardy; nine grandchildren, Savannah, Caleb, Jaylynn, Miracle, Duane (Danielle), Devin (Erika), Chevy, Lilli, Tyler; one great-grandchild, Madilyn; two sisters, Helen Hackett of Thaxton, Brenda Bell (Peewee) of Montvale, and many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives and friends. Charlie spent a lot of time with a very special friend, Jarrett Caldwell; making each other laugh and talking crazy nonsense. Charlie spent a lot of time teaching Jarrett a thing or two about cars and other things he needed to know in life. Jarrett looked up to Charlie more than he ever knew. As Jarrett would say, “he is like a father to me, he’s my best friend.” A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, March 18, 2022 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St., Bedford with Rev. Roger McKinney officiating. Family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

A precious child of God, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and special friend and mentor to many, Frances Kelly Hanchey, passed away quietly March 11, 2022 at 94 years of age. She was born and lived all of her life in Pender County North Carolina until moving to Big Island, VA to live with her daughter, Marian Kelly, and grandson, Peter Buchanan, eleven years ago.She is survived by great-grandsons Keegan Parrish, Morgun Parrish, and Cameron Ferguson. As well as two great-granddaughters Kimber Vaughan and Molly Parrish as well as five great great-grandchildren, Karley and Kurt Vaughan and Phoenix, Karson, and Emmie Parrish. She held her nieces and nephews close to her heart. Frances is predeceased by husbands W.H. Kelly and Linwood J. Hanchey and granddaughter Amy Buchanan Doyle. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, March 26 at 11 a.m. at Center Point United Methodist Church, 1176 Timber Ridge Road, Bedford, VA. Rev. William Clark and Rev. Dr. Ray Buchanan will officiate. Interment will be at Wilmington Veterans Cemetery, Wilmington, NC at a later time. Charitable donations may be sent to the Society of St. Andrew, 3383 Sweet Hollow Road, Big Island, VA 24526. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.