Margaret Gardner Ward, 94, of Roanoke, and formerly of Bedford, passed away on Monday, November 28, 2022. She was born in Bedford, VA on August 7, 1928 a daughter of the late Harry Fitzhughlee Gardner and Claudia Falls Gardner. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clifton Osborne Ward and her son, Berkley Eugene Ward. Margaret was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and after 32 years of service she retired from Bedford Weaving Mill. She is survived by her granddaughter, Tammy Johnston; niece, Wanda Janz; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. Rick Dellinger officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, VA 24523.

 

Elizabeth Marie Baum, 40, of Roanoke, passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2022. She was born in San Diego, CA on June 20, 1982 a daughter of Gary Alan Baum and Cynthia Leedy Baum. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Ena May Burnette and husband Keith Allen; nephews, Logan Allen Burnette, Avery Jacob Burnette; aunts, Ann B. Paris, Lucy A. Pennington, Carolyn S. Zimmerman, Edith Ashdown and husband AL; uncles, John “Jimmy” H. Leedy III, William E. Baum and wife, Judy; and numerous cousins and friends. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road, Roanoke with Rev. Danny Holdren officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, VA 540-586-7360.

 

Linda Rice Sanders, 74, of Lynchburg died Saturday, November 26, 2022 in Rocky Mount Health and Rehab.  She was born in Lynchburg on May 29, 1948 a daughter of the late, Luther Rice and Margie Kate Millner Rice.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Sanders; her brothers, Pete Rice and Donald Rice; her sisters, Hazel Ballowe, Barbara Kruger and Betty Deakins. Linda is survived by her children, Leanne Davis (Tony); Christopher Sanders (Katie); step-son, Mark Haynes (Chrissy); her grandchildren, Cheyenne Davis, Ethan Davis, Chase Davis, Patrick Sanders, Elizabeth Haynes, Tyler Haynes and Madison Haynes; her sisters, Faye Maxie and Tina Andrews; her brother, Jay Rice. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Brookville High School,100 Laxton Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502, attn: Jon Meeks; payable to Brookville High School, memo Skyler McConville Scholarship. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral and Cremation Service, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

Gregory Lee Overstreet, 48, of Lynchburg, died suddenly at his home on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. He was born in Bedford, VA on February 27, 1974 a son of the late Edward Douglas Overstreet and Janice Johnson Holloran. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Angie Lacy, Michele Stinnett, and Steve Patterson. Greg is survived by his nephews, Jeremy and Dallas Johnson; his step-father, Keith Holloran; and special friend and roommate, Lawrence Holloran. The family will celebrate his life privately at a later date. Greg will be buried beside his mom at Virginia Memorial Park. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

Betsy Sally Gibson Bowyer Logwood, 70, of Big Island, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 20, 2022.  Sally was an amazing remarkable wife, mother and friend. She was born in Bedford on December 7, 1951 a daughter of the late George Gibson and Ruth Gibson.  In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Joe Bowyer; and seven siblings. Sally was a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church.   She is survived by her husband, James Daniel Logwood; children, Kevin Bowyer, Tracy Burton and Vicky Mason (Bo); her grandchildren, Sylvia Kate Mason, Hannah Blankenship (Jesse), Matt Burton; her great granddaughter, Maggie Jo Blankenship; her step-children, Jennifer Wallace (Howard), Steve Logwood (Erica), April Boyce (Gary); nine step grandchildren; and her very best friend, Jim Laughlin. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Corner Stone Baptist Church, 106 Williams Store Road, Monroe, VA 24574. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

 

Paul Robert “Bob” Loomis, 67, passed away November 19 following a lengthy illness. Mr. Loomis had been a resident of Lynchburg, Virginia for the past 25 years. He was born in Ashtabula, Ohio February 4, 1955. A native of Jefferson, he graduated from Jefferson Area High School in 1973. Paul subsequently served in the U.S. Air Force. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; parents, Paul Jr. and Joyce Loomis, maternal grandparents, Walter and Delma Chandler; and paternal grandparents, Paul Sr. and Belle Loomis; along with a nephew, Bo Loomis; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Mr. Loomis was survived by six siblings: Dan (Barb) Loomis, New Philadelphia, Ohio; Jeff (Tam) Loomis, LaGrange, Indiana; and Karen (Tom) Johnson, Roger (Lori) Loomis, Sharon (Sid) Lillie, and Brenda (Jim) Durkin, all of Jefferson; along with several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. No service was held; however, those wishing may send online condolences to: Burch-Messier Funeral Home, 317 W. Main St., Bedford, Virginia, 24523 (540)586-7360.

Andrew Joseph Foster, Jr., 31, of Rocky Mount, passed away on Monday, November 7, 2022. He was born in New Orleans, LA on December 8, 1990, a son of Cindy and Jimmy Campbell and the late Andrew Joseph Foster, Sr. In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by two sisters, Amanda Campbell and Ashley Janowicz. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Breeding; two brothers, Brady Campbell, Patrick Foster; a sister, Daniele Foster; grandmother, Carol Johnson and his dog, Sammie. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Peaks View Christian Church with Ricky St. Clair officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

Thomas Edwin “Tommy” Reynolds, Jr. age 80, passed away peacefully at Lynchburg General Hospital on Sunday, November 6, 2022. Tommy was the son of Mike and Marguerite Reynolds, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was his son, Michael David Reynolds. Tommy is survived by his wife of 47 years, Roslyn Cave Reynolds of Bedford; his son, Bryan Reynolds and wife Kim; grandsons, Adam Reynolds and Landon Reynolds of Bedford; his daughters, Ona Virginia Reynolds of Charlottesville, VA and Rose Marie Reynolds of Bedford; and his brother, Charles Reynolds of Waynesboro, VA. Tommy was a “Bedford Boy” who loved his town and his many friends. He attended Bedford High School where he was very active in sports, especially football and baseball. He was Co-Captain of the BHS Otters football team and he received many awards for his achievements. After he graduated in 1960, he attended Randolph-Macon Military Academy, Randolph-Macon College and Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University) where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1966. He also attended the University of Virginia for a year and became a fierce fan of UVA football…Go Hoos! Tommy accepted a football coaching position at Dean High School in Manassas, VA. the principal at the high school was Sherrill Coleman, his football coach at Bedford High School. Tommy’s proudest moment at the school was the year (1967) that “his” football team, the Rebels, won the District championship. His love of football never left him. Tommy moved back to Bedford and was the Personnel Manager of Hampton Looms, Inc. He worked with the Virginia Employment Commission before accepting the position as Personnel Manager for C.B. Fleet Pharmaceuticals in Lynchburg. After working at C.B. Fleet for ten years, Tommy realized that he wanted to do “something different”. He and Oscar Padgett started a swimming pool business named “Sunshine Pools”. Tommy enjoyed being his own boss and he decided to expand into real estate development and construction. In 1987, Tommy and Oscar, along with Al Persinger and Don Rowe, planned and built Carriage Hill Retirement Home. Tommy delighted in the fact that he was able to find new business opportunities in and around Bedford. This was his joy. However, he also found time to become involved in numerous civic organizations until his health began to decline. For the past three years, Tommy resided at Cardinal Senior Assisted Living in Bedford. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to the nursing staff at Cardinal and to his special caregiver Bonnie Francis. TOMMY MADE A GIANT FOOTPRINT IN BEDFORD AND HE WILL BE MISSED. A Service of Remembrance will be held at Main Street United Methodist Church, 212 East Main Street, on Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Graveside service will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Bedford. The Rev. Dr. Dawn Compton will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, (Bedford) and Henry Funeral Home (Staunton, VA).