David “Kirk” Gilkeson, 40, of Roanoke, went home to be with the Lord on October 30, 2022.  He leaves behind his loving parents, David (Lynda), Debra Anderson (Marvin); his brother, Nathan (Heather); three step-brothers, Shawn Anderson (Heather), Ronnie Anderson (Teri), Daniel McBroom (Crystal); and step-sisters, Alexandra Panaretos and Cara Hughes-McBroom. Preceding him in death were his grandparents Francis and Mattie Gilkeson and Percy Cornell Barnes. Kirk worked for UPS – a job he dearly loved.  He loved the outdoors and talking to people, which made it a perfect fit for him.  He loved driving the “brown truck”. Kirk loved music and it was a big part of his life. Kirk never met a stranger.  He enjoyed hiking, reading, antiquing and had an eye for art. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. We find comfort that he is with the Lord. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Deborah Gowen Miles, 74, of Evington, died Sunday, October 30, 2022 at her residence.  She was born in Huntington, WV on December 26, 1947, a daughter of the late, Samuel Thomas Gowen, Jr. and Charlene Dameron Gowen.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson Miles.  Deborah was a retired Case Worker with the City of Lynchburg with over 30 years of service.  She is survived by a daughter, Shannon Shepard;  step-son, Jeffery Miles; three grandchildren, Steven Foster, Jr.; Samuel  (Koty) Goodman; Raven Miles; her good friend, Bonnie Wade; and all of the members of the Lunch Bunch who had a special place in her heart. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2022 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street, Bedford. A Memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

James Wallace Overstreet, 88, of Thaxton, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 23, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Bedford County on February 15, 1934, a son of the late Amos Overstreet and Gola Chesterfield Dooley Overstreet.  James was a lifelong member of Cool Spring Pentecostal Holiness Church and was retired from Blue Ridge Stone after 39 years.  James loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his family.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred Virginia Dinkel Overstreet; a son, Michael Todd Overstreet; and his granddaughter, Leanna. James is survived by his daughters, Pam Brown (Pete Uzelac); Wendy Bramlett (Ronnie); two sons, James Allen Overstreet (Linda); Barry Overstreet (Kathy); a daughter-in-law, Delores Overstreet; six grandchildren, Ricky Smelser (Bonnie); Todd Overstreet (Brandy); Sherry Orange (Mikey); Beth Ann Overstreet (Will); Christopher Price (Heather); Jennifer Price (Mitch); his sister, Eunice Barton; seventeen great-grandchildren and two great great-grandchildren; and his special cat, Sassy. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street.  The funeral service will be held 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Cool Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church with Rev. Shane McSweeney and Rev. Earl Ragland officiating.  Burial will follow in Peaks Church Community Cemetery. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Walnut Street Chapel.

Robert Barnes “Killer” Shepherd, 78, of Bedford, died Sunday, October 16, 2022 in Lynchburg General Hospital.  He was born in Bedford on January 7, 1944, a son of the late Admiral Wiley Shepherd and Eunice Irene Hensley Shepherd.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Pendleton Shepherd; three sisters, Margaret S. Douglas, Lucy Kathleen Shepherd and Frances Isabelle Wilson.  Robert was retired from VDOT after 42 years and was still employed with the County Waste Dept. for 16 years.  All who knew Robert knew him as a social, kind and a very hard-working man.  He was an accomplished hunter with many trophies and even killed 3 turkeys with one shot.  Robert was a good friend but spoke his mind, stood his ground and never backed down from a challenge.  He is survived by his special friend, Cathern Geiger; two daughters, Roberta Leigh Shepherd Heap (Jeff), Angela Rhea Shepherd Davis (Stuart); four grandchildren, Courtney Simone Knight (Ron), Kelli Lynn Brubaker Jessee, Leslie Marie Davis (Daniel), William Ethan Davis (Rachel); three great grandchildren, Lily Reagan Simonian, Zen Meadow Jessee, Eyrie Moon Jessee; numerous nieces and nephews and his Shih Tzu babies, Sissy and Terri.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street, Bedford.   A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at Sedalia Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Jones officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Lois Lee Byers, who loved to be called “Momma” by her kids, departed her loving family on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Lois was born in Bedford County on July 22, 1934 to John H. Hudson, Jr. and Lily T. Hudson. She was a member of Big Island Baptist Church for over 60 years. Lois was mother to Bill Byers and his wife Pam, Kathy Byers, David Byers and his wife Susan, Johnny Byers and Nancy Byers. She raised her children as a dedicated homemaker with love and devotion in Big Island with her husband Billy Byers. Lois is survived by her five children; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. She leaves behind her sisters, Marion Weeks and her husband George and June H. Wilson. Special thanks to her good friend Gail Mabe and her caretaker, Jamie Blankenship. The family is especially grateful to Big Island Baptist Church and Bedford Hospice for the comfort and care provided. A visitation will be held 4:00 – 6:30 p.m., on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Big Island Baptist Church. Lois requested no service as she wanted to be remembered in death as she was in life, full of spirit and verve. In lieu of flowers please consider Big Island Baptist Church, Big Island Fire & Rescue, or Bedford Hospice. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

David William Stanley, 79, of Bedford, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2022 from cancer. He was often referred to as Pops, Papa, or Granddaddy. He was born in Bedford County on January 5, 1943 a son of the late David R. Stanley and Ollie Stevens Stanley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Benjamin Wayne Stanley and Richard Lee Stanley. He worked at Rubatex for over 40 years, during his time there he was injured in the explosion in 1986. William was known and loved by everyone who knew him. He appreciated the owner and president of Fostek, Phil Foster, for everything he did for him and his family and also to the Fostek Corporation for giving a scholarship to CVCC in William’s name. William is survived by his wife of 60 years, Frances Wood Stanley; four sons and their wives, Dale Stanley (Becky), Dennis Stanley (Tina), Devin Stanley (Cheryl), Dallas Stanley (Tina); seven precious grandchildren, Dexter Wright (Davon), Ariel Stanley-Reed (Matthew), Taylor Stanley, Dylan Stanley (Jessica), Amanda Stanley-Yates (Steven), Ethan Stanley (Peyton), Harley Stanley Ashman (Kyle); five great-grandchildren, Maliha Reed, Brayden Stanley, Jamie Reed, Kymberlynn Reed, Emory Yates, and an additional two that are on the way; sister, Genny Stanley Humphreys (Bob); brother, Kenneth Ray Stanley (Karen); sister-in-law, Dorine Stanley; aunt, Nancy Orange (Jessie); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his Longwood Avenue Baptist Church family that he loved so much. Family will receive friends 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Longwood Avenue Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, October 10, 2022 at Longwood Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Ross Gilfillen officiating. Burial will follow at Timber Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Longwood Avenue Baptist Church, 1304 Longwood Ave., Bedford, VA 24523. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.