Robert Melvin Williams, (“Bobby”) of Lynchburg, was called home on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the age of 69. He is survived by the love of his life, Wendy Cline Williams. Bobby was born in 1953 in Fairfax County, the son of Cecil Melvin Williams and Annie Birckhead Swanson Williams Perks. He is preceded in death by his parents, infant son Curtis Michael Williams, and a host of siblings and other family members and friends. In addition to his wife, leaving to cherish his memory are oldest son, Robert S. Williams of Niceville Fl.; daughter, Amy Williams Anderson of Lynchburg; and youngest son, Charles Robert Williams of Rustburg; grandsons, Jay Anderson, Dylan (Heather Brooks) Williams, Bradley Weaver and great-grandson, Kasen Boyett; granddaughters, Brianna Boyett, Skylar Dickerson, and great-granddaughter, Aubrey Boyett. Survivors also include special brother JC (Michelle) Williams of Chesterfield, Va., sister Janie Williams of Warren, Oregon; step children, Kristin Cobbs (David Howlett) and Jesse Aielli; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Diane) Peters of Manassas, VA and Paul Peters of Charlottesville. In addition, he is survived by a special nephew, JR Williams; and niece, Courtney Williams; and a host of other nieces and nephews. Also leaving to cherish his memory, is the mother of his oldest son and daughter, Mary Tobias; and mother of his youngest son, Nancy Williams; a special cousin, Gary (Sue) Williams of Forest; and longtime friend, Larry Mason of Rustburg. The family wishes to acknowledge sister-in-law, Martha Swanson, who helped care for Bobby in his final days. Bobby was an avid musician, playing music much of his life, playing the guitar, banjo and mandolin. Family and others loved to hear him, or he and his brother JC, play and sing. He was a carpenter in his early years, and a phenomenal master woodman, designing and making custom furniture, and high-end hotel/motel furniture. He definitely was a master of his trade. His career spanned 44+ years, working for Thomasville Furniture/Armstrong Furniture and finally with Charter of Lynchburg, fka Winebarger Church Furniture. A family visitation for those wishing to extend their condolences, will be held Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm, at Mead Memorial Church, 13317 Wards Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24501, and a celebration of life at the same location will be held Friday, June 30, at 4:00 pm. Pastor Greg Miller officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Cremation Services, Bedford. To send condolences, please visit www.burch-messier.com Memorial contributions in Bobby’s memory can be made to a charity of your choice. Bobby asked to remind loved ones of the importance of standard health screenings, for both men and women.
Month: June 2023
James Stanley “Jim” Gaudet, 81, of Evington, passed away on Friday, June 16, 2023. He was born in Detroit, MI on August 19, 1941 a son of the late Mabel Sue Cutright and Stanley Joseph Gaudet. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred and Jake Gaudet. He was raised in Buckhannon, WV and married his high school sweetheart Ann Perkins and moved to Richmond, VA to start his career in law enforcement in 1964. Even though he had to retire in 1985, he served in a leadership role as a homicide detective in Richmond for over 40 years on local, state, and national levels with the Fraternal Order of Police. Jim will always be remembered for his kindness and willingness to go the extra mile to help others. The family is grateful for his devoted second wife of 23 years, Donna Guthrie Gaudet; whom he and his daughters, Tina and Sheri Gaudet, fell in love with and are blessed to have her come into their lives. He is also survived by his step-son, Brad Lowe (Katherine and their children); brother, Larry Nelson Gaudet and wife Mary Anna; sister, Mary Shoulders; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, June 23, 2023 at New London Church, 12371 E. Lynchburg Salem Tpke, Forest, VA. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360
Sherman Lee Wilson, of Bedford, VA went home to be with his heavenly Father on June 14, 2023, at the age of 85. He was reunited with his loving wife of 57 years, Elinor S. Wilson. Sherman passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home. He was the son of the late Spotswood “Pete” Wilson and Alma Lee Wilson of Lowry, VA. He was preceded in death by his son, W. Bane Bowyer; infant son, Sherman Spotswood Wilson; brothers, Lewis, Lawson, John, James, Wayne, David, and Hank; and sisters, Emma Bowyer, Shirley Shreves, Pauline Mitchen, Lessie Frank, and one infant sister Geraldine Patricia Wilson. Sherman was one of thirteen children and from a young age helped to support his family. He was a hard worker and role model. He often shared fond memories of growing up in Lowry. His stories included walking to the Coffey store to buy candy, swimming in the Big Otter River, and working for John Byrne. Sherman married the love of his life, “Tink,” in 1959 and they started a family of their own. They raised six children together, and then some. Sherman and Elinor opened their home to anyone in need. Sherman was devoted to studying the Word and attended Timber Ridge Baptist Church. He could fix just about anything and kept a large garden for many years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed playing softball. He worked for Norfolk and Southern for a short time, then worked at Frank Chervan for nearly 45 years, retiring as a foreman. Sherman made many friends throughout the course of his life, and will be dearly missed by his family. Sherman is survived by his sister, Sarah Johnston; his sons, Austin (Valerie) and Sheldon (Carey); his daughters, Faye Cumbee, Geri Blackburn (Mark), Innocent Moss (Ricky); his daughter-in-law, Janet Bowyer; sixteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Timber Ridge Baptist Church, 3234 Timber Ridge Road, Bedford, VA 24523. The family will hold a visitation from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2023 at Timber Ridge Baptist Church. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Timber Ridge Baptist Church, officiated by pastor Phil Kelley, followed by burial in the church cemetery. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, (540) 586-7360.
Luanne Hutcherson Arthur Mayhugh was born September 8th, 1961, to James Edward Hutcherson and Virginia Atkins Hutcherson. She was raised in Madison Heights, Virginia, and attended Amherst County High School. She was employed by Waytec, GE/Ericsson, C&E Market, and Falling River Country Club—where she loved all her golfers. Luanne enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing and relaxing at the beach. She expressed her love through her baking and cooking and was well-known for her cheeseburgers at Falling River Country Club. Most of all, Luanne loved spending time making memories with her grandchildren. Luanne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. To know her was to love her. She created special bonds with those she loved and believed you did not have to be related to be family. She had a kind heart, joyful smile, and the most beautiful blue eyes that she passed onto her grandson, John Brady and great-granddaughter. Her laughter was contagious. Her presence made every room brighter. Although she is now in the presence of her Savior in heaven, she will continue to live on earth in the hearts of her family and friends who will always remember her. She is survived by her loving husband, Gene Mayhugh; two beautiful daughters, Bridget Arthur Bryant (Lloyd) and Tabitha Arthur Sprouse (John); brother, Jimmy “Hutch” Hutcherson; her beloved grandchildren, Andrew Bryant (Hannah), Nick Bryant, Keely Kreuziger, Hannah Bryant, Madisyn Sprouse, John Brady Sperry; great-granddaughter, Aubree Bryant; special sister-in-law, Cathi Arthur Brown (Chuck); sister-in-law, Wanda Farley (Bill); and brother-in-law, Will Arthur; aunt, Carolyn Scott; nephews, Jason and Bryan Fulcher; two special nieces, Bayli and Ramsi Brown; three nieces; and many dear friends that loved her immensely. She was preceded in death by her father, James Edward Hutcherson and mother, Virginia Atkins Hutcherson; grandchildren, Dylane Rae Bryant and Mickenly Blayne Kreuziger; mother-in-law, Frances Webb; brother-in-law, Stuart Lee Mayhugh; and best friend, Renay Elliot. Her family would like to give a special thank you to the MICU nurses and Dr. McNeil at Lynchburg General Hospital and Pastor Jeff Worley for being with Luanne and her family during her final days. A service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 25th, 2023, at Victory Baptist Church with Pastor Jeff Worley officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-736.
Francis (Frank) Brownell Avery, Jr., 93, of Bedford, Va. passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023. He was born in Moncks Corner, SC on February 15, 1930, the son of the late Francis Brownell Avery, Sr. and Vinola Hudson Avery. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Parish Avery; five of his six sisters: Jane Hewitt, Ann Moyse, Emily Holloway, Cornelia (Nell) Stone and Ruth Dumas: and his daughter-in-law Bunnie Fisher Avery. Frank served his country in the United States Air Force from 1951-1953. After he completed his military service he continued his education at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science. He received his M.B.A. from the University of Richmond in 1960. After Sewanee, he worked briefly for the Lehigh Cement Co. before starting a successful twenty-eight-year career with C&P Telephone Co. and AT&T. After retiring from AT&T in 1986, Frank enrolled at Union Presbyterian Seminary and earned a Masters in Divinity in 1990, becoming a Presbyterian Minister serving many churches in Central and Southwest Virginia. Frank retired from his Ministerial duties in 2013. Frank is survived by his wife, Marion Lunsford Avery; his children, Laura Keatts Avery (Gerry), Francis Brownell Avery, III (Joyce); David James Avery; Christopher Parish Avery (Karen); grandchildren, Allison Avery (Cameron Leggett), Laura Delmas (Ludovic), Carson Avery, Taylor Holder (Cody), Rachel Avery; step-children, Preston Bond (Emerald), Gardner “Bubba” Bond III (Debra), Charles Bond (Karen), John Bond (Megan); step-grandchildren, James (Jay) Bond (Paige), Tyler Bond, Kasey Balderson (Carrington), Peyton Bond, John (Teddy) Bond, Caroline Bond; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Lydia Stevik. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Bedford Presbyterian Church. A reception to follow at Historic Avenel, 413 Avenel Avenue, Bedford, Va. He loved his family; valued education; supported his fellow man and contributed to many charities. We loved and respected him. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to your favorite charity. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, Va. 540-586-7360.
Joseph “Joe” Hilton Rowell, Sr., 73, of Bedford, VA passed away Thursday, June 8, 2023. He was born in Waycross, GA on January 27, 1950, the son of Martha Jo Bullard Rowell of Bedford and the late Cecil Hilton Rowell, and graduated from East Southern Pines High School, NC. Joe was a proud U.S. Air Force veteran serving his country in Vietnam working on aircraft Inertial Navigation Systems. After Vietnam, he was assigned to Keesler Air Force Base where he performed maintenance on technical school training equipment. He was also assigned to Andrews Air Force Base where he maintained Air Force One and other presidential aircraft. After his time in the U.S. Air Force, he was employed in the Air National Guard, then maintained large Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) with PSC in Richmond, VA until 1994. In addition to his mother, Joe is survived by his wife of 49 years, Diane Failor Rowell, MD; three children, Joseph Rowell, Jr; Leah Franks, PA and her husband, Jerry; Robert Rowell and his wife, Darcy; five grandchildren, Noah, Katelynn, Elijah, Karly and Alex; his sister, Louise Mabry (Richard); brothers, Frank Rowell (Connie) and Jon Rowell (Karen). Joe was loved by everyone who met him and was a Jack-of-all-trades. He was a self-taught physicist as this was one of his passions. He taught so many others in mechanics, electricity, physics, science, construction, and music with so much enthusiasm and passion. He enjoyed playing music using the piano, guitar, and harmonica. He enjoyed building and flying radio-controlled airplanes and aviation, creating construction projects on the farm, hunting, fishing, astronomy, illustration and painting, farming, building and maintaining hot rods, cooking and grilling, photography, and operating his Ham radio. He enjoyed spending time with pets, having an occasional margarita, and enjoyed living in the country. However, his greatest joy was his family, being a loving father and grandfather. The family will have a private Celebration of his Life on their farm at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Tunnels to Towers, Gary Sinese Foundation or to your favorite veteran charity. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
John Edward Wood, Jr., 85, of Huddleston, passed away at Gretna Health & Rehab Center on Friday, June 2, 2023. He was born in Huddleston, VA on June 27, 1937 a son of the late John Edward Wood, Sr. and Erma Roberts Wood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jackie Wood Rhymes; and brothers, Ralph Owen Wood, Bryan Vernon Wood, and Larry Eugene Wood. He is survived by his sister, Gloria Wood Sloss of Bedford, VA; brother, Douglas Ray Wood of Hurt, VA; and fourteen nieces and nephews. No services will be held at this time. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
David Eldon Moore, 79, of Madison Heights, passed away peacefully while in the loving presence of family on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Lynchburg General Hospital. Born on January 15, 1944, in Stapleton, VA, he was the son of the late Raymond D. and Eleanor Moore and the youngest of five children. David was always a family man, and at a young age passed up the opportunity of a formal education to support his family by laboring on his parent’s farm. He was a hard worker and at the age of 21 he acquired a position at the Lynchburg Foundry dedicating 15 years and 10 months to the company. During this time, he met his beloved the late Joyce W. Moore and they wed on July 28, 1965, spending 46 adoring years together. David was preceded in death by his sister Christine Wilkerson and brother Sydney Moore; and is survived by his two siblings, Lewis Moore (Maudena) and Laura Bell Doss (Ashby); his three children, Raymond Moore (Belinda), Vicky Lewis (Chris), and Teresa Arrowood (Randall); sister-in-law, Judy Sprouse (Steve); and his two nephews; five grandchildren, Amber Almond (Nick), Dustin Arrowood (Lauren), Sidnei Arrowood, and Shayla and Dana Woods; three great-grandchildren, Sadie Almond, and Luke and Olivia Arrowood; thirteen nieces and nephews; and many cousins and friends. David had a passion for outdoor sports, such as hunting and fishing, and shared his love of these activities with his family and friends by inviting them to join him in running dogs or sitting on a bank casting a line. His memory will live on in the many stories he shared about his childhood and moments he spent chatting, watching sports, enjoying westerns, and playing cards with family and friends. He could brighten anyone’s day with his smile and will forever be remembered as a person who loved to share humor and laughter with others. He truly loved his family and was a friend you could count on. The family would like to thank the Cedar Ridge staff from Fairmont Crossing Health and Rehabilitation Center and the staff of Lynchburg General Hospital for all the care and hard work provided in caring for David throughout the last several years and during the last moments of his life. There will be a celebration of David’s life Saturday, June 10, 2023, at Union Christian Church with Rev. Jim Freeman officiating starting with visitation at 11 a.m. and followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.