Mary Lynn Ortiz, 80, of Bedford, died Saturday, April 29, 2023. She was born in Roanoke on May 22, 1942, a daughter of the late Leonard Thomas Neff and Carrie Louise Turpin Neff. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant, Baby Ortiz; and her sister, Carolyn Haste. Mary is survived by her husband of 61 years, Luis Alberto Ortiz; five children, Vincent Ortiz (Jennifer), Margaret Ortiz Hauser (Jeff), Loretta M. Ortiz-Duncan (Wayne), Katherine Ortiz Ballard (Mike), and Victor Ortiz (Jennifer); brother-in-law, Carlos Enrique Ortiz; a special nephew, Joel Carrera; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, May 4, 2023 in Evergreen Cemetery, Roanoke with Rev. Ross Gilfillen officiating. Family will receive friends following the graveside service. Flowers or condolences may be sent to: Evergreen Burial Park, In Memory of Mary Lynn Neff Ortiz, 1307 Summit Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24015. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Helen Elaine Parker Owen, a resident of Lynchburg, Virginia, for the past twenty-four years, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. She was born in Covington, Kentucky, to Alfred Otto Parker and Olga Parker on January 4, 1936, and was named Helen Elaine, Greek names meaning “She shines in beauty.” Elaine began her music training at age six when she began to take piano lessons. She developed her musical talent by learning to play the pipe organ and by singing in the school choir during her years at Beechwood High School in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, where she made the all-state choir. During her high school years, she played the pipe organ for the Fort Mitchell Baptist Church. It had long been her goal to attend The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, but her high school principal insisted that she go to Eastern Kentucky University and study to be a school teacher. Elaine stood her ground and walked into the principal’s office on the last day of school and told her to send her school records to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music because that was where she was going to go to college. The principal was greatly displeased but had to comply. Elaine loved opera music and wanted to be an opera singer. During her years at the Conservatory, she played the pipe organ at the May Street Presbyterian Church, and received her Bachelor of Arts with a major in voice. As she began to learn more about the story lines of the operas, she decided that they didn’t honor the Lord, so she changed her direction and got her Master of Library Science degree from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio. She worked for thirty years with the Cincinnati Library System and retired as the head of the order department for the Cincinnati Library and its forty-plus branches in Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1983, a new pastor, Benjamin R. Owen, came to the Madison Avenue Baptist Church in Covington, Kentucky, where Elaine taught Sunday School and was the organist-music director. After working together for a year-and-a-half, these never-been-marrieds began to date, and five-and-a-half years later, they were married in their church. Elaine’s greatest desire was always to please her Lord Jesus Christ. In this, she did, indeed, “Shine in Beauty.” Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Hunting Creek Baptist Church in Big Island, VA followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360
Juanita May Callahan Durham, 83, of Lynchburg, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. She was born in Campbell County on June 7, 1939 a daughter of the late Charlie Milton Callahan and Bessie Myrtle Fisher Callahan. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, James Edward Witt; three sisters, and one brother. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, J.D. Durham; her children, Vickie W. Gardner, David Lee Martin, James Clifton Witt (Marie), Dwayne Edward Witt (Tina), Ronda N. Boothe (Larry), Melissa W. Ferguson (Terry); grandchildren, Jonathan, Matthew, and Daniel Gardner, Christopher Martin, Jessica Witt, Rebecca Winston, Heather Cash, P.J. Fischer, Ethan, Madisyn, and Kelsie Boroughs, L.W. Boothe, Tyler Novak, Logan Boothe, Kylie Cottrell, Ashton Ferguson; sister, Essie Sheffey; brother, Ronald J. Callahan; and twelve great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St. Bedford, with Rev. Mike Dodson officiating. Burial will follow in Callahan Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Burch-Messier Walnut St. Chapel. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-736
Patricia Faye Crouch was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Heaven gained an angel on April 21, 2023. Faye passed away on the beautiful spring morning at the age of 72, after a courageous battle with Bensons syndrome, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest. She is preceded in death by a brother, Buster Hughes; and a sister, Betty Overstreet. Faye had a passion for taking care of others. She worked as a nurse at the Williams Home in Lynchburg where she retired to spend life on the farm she loved with her husband David. They loved spending time in the garden taking care of Faye’s flowers and vegetables for canning. Faye loved planting anything that would attract her favorite hummingbirds. In addition to her husband David, she is survived by a daughter, Karen Parker Crouch; son, David Allen Crouch, sister, Beatrice Witt; and granddaughter, Savannah Crouch. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at Shiloh United Methodist Church. A special thank you to Gentle Shepherd Hospice. They were very loving to my mama. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360
Daniel Scott May, 75, of Lynchburg, passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2023. He was born in Lynchburg, VA on May 28, 1947 a son of the late Wesley Terrell May, Sr. and Helen Powell May. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Wesley Terrell May, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Rose Ottinger May; two daughters, Samantha Fitzgerald (A.J.), Valerie Catlett (Kevin Parr); step-daughter, Tracy Wilkerson (Shawn Arthur); sister, June Moore, Linda Schrock; brother, Barry May (Mona); six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Per Daniel’s wishes no services will be held. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Arnie Reynolds gained his angel wings on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at the Hospice House of Bedford County. Arnie was born January 8, 1951, in Martinsville, VA. Arnie is survived by his brother, Gary W. Reynolds, PHD, of Forest; sister, Cindy Brown Caldwell (Tony), Rustburg; Nephew, Chris W. Brown (Victoria), Forest; great-nephews, Hunter Brown, Hayden Brown, and Cole Brown. He is also survived by special friends, Starr Lambert, Jackie Horne, and Bonnie Alford. Arnie was preceded in death by his father, Glenn A. Reynolds; Mother, Milcie H. Arnold; and wife, Lory Reynolds. He was a graduate of Rustburg High School and James Madison University. Arnie dedicated his life to public service with the VA Department of Corrections, Lynchburg Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Corporation of America, and was a retired Asst. Superintendent of the Southwest VA Regional Jail. During his career, he was an international corrections consultant and spent many years in Australia, England, and France, where he advocated for the humane treatment of imprisoned criminals. Arnie was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star, Fraternal Order of Police, Lynchburg Amateur Radio Club, VA Defense Force where he served in the Aviation Unit as a Search & Rescue Pilot, and the TKE JMU Fraternity. He was an accomplished musician and outstanding vocalist, loved to play golf, a computer and radio geek, and firearms instructor who enjoyed building firearms. A celebration of life will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church, 2772 Bethany Road Rustburg, VA on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 11 am with the Reverend Jennifer Vestal Moore officiating. The family would like to thank everyone at Bedford Hospice House for their compassion and outstanding care. The family also appreciates everyone else who supported the family and Arnie through this journey. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either Bethany United Methodist Church P.O. Box 327 Rustburg, VA 24588 or Centra Hospice c/o Bedford Hospice House Fund, 1025 Turning Point Rd, Bedford, VA 24523. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Louise Evlyne Turpin Ortiz, 82, went to her heavenly reward on Friday, April 14, 2023. Her husband of 61 years, Jimmy Benny Ortiz, her sister, Jeanette Jones, and her loving daughter, Teressa Renee Kelley and son-in-law Jim Kelley survive her. She is also survived and will be greatly missed by her two granddaughters, Jennifer McManus and Kimberly Thompson, along with Kimberly’s husband Toby Thompson and two great-granddaughters, Winry Thompson and Sloan Thompson, and a host of family and friends. A lover of animals, she is also survived by her beloved dogs, Katie Scarlett and JJ, and her bird, Precious. Her parents and two older brothers preceded her in death. Louise, called Evlyne by some, and affectionately named “Lil Dynamite” or “Miss Daisy” by family, was born in Bedford, Virginia on November 16, 1940 to Fred and Louise Turpin and was the youngest of four children. After marrying her husband, she lived briefly in New Jersey before settling in Charleston, South Carolina with her family, where she lived a rich and full life. Her favorite colors were yellow, and Clemson Tiger purple and orange. She loved everything Hamrick’s sold. She had a deep appreciation for sarcastic and witty sayings like “kiss my grits.” Her laugh was infectious and she enjoyed reading romance novels and caring for her Christmas Cactuses. All who knew her will miss her generous spirit and brave soul. She had no problem speaking her mind and keeping lemons out of her sweet tea. A service to remember her life will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St., Bedford with Rev. Mike Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or Charleston Animal Society. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Mark Leslie Roberts, a loving husband to his wife and partner of 33 years, Darlene, passed away much too soon on Friday, April 7, 2023, with her by his side.He was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on August 19, 1958, and grew up in Concord, Virginia, where he had many friends. Mark will always be remembered by people as someone who made them laugh and will be greatly missed by all. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and listening to bluegrass music. He especially loved listening to Johnny Cash and driving his RV. Mark was in the trucking industry all his life and worked for Bobby Moore starting at a young age. He went to Rustburg High School and volunteered at the Concord VFD and drove an ambulance when he was a young man. In addition to his parents, Donald Preston and Doris Fay Roberts, he is preceded in death by his brother Michael Roberts. He is survived by a son, two daughters and their children. Mark’s ashes will be laid to rest next to his father and his grandparents in the Concord cemetery in Concord, Virginia, in the future. There will be a celebration of his life at that time. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.