Vicky Lee Motley, 73, of Bedford, VA and Danville, VA went home to be with Jesus and her mother on Friday, July 28, 2023. Vicky was the daughter of the late O.B. Motley, Jr. and Ruth P. Motley. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Diane Priddy. Vicky was a member of Bedford Christian Church. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Anne M. Fuller and A.C. Fuller; the loves of her life her nieces, Christine Richardson (Brent), Leigh, Faith, Hope, and Grace Doss; and her cat, Socks. Vicky had a God sent care giver, Sherita Gregory and her girls, Sakieya, Jakema and Jamyra. No services will be held at this time. A burial will be held in Danville at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to an animal shelter; as Vicky loved her cats. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Ruth Arline Gordon Manspile, 80, of Bedford passed away peacefull in the Hospice Unit of Roanoke Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. She was born in Bedford County on August 29, 1942 a daughter of the late Roy Lee Gordon and Thelma Rice Gordon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph W. Manspile, Sr.  She retired from Bedford Weaving.  She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Manspile Stanley; son, Ralph “Buddy” Manspile, Jr. and wife Lisa; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; two cats.  A private family graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. Randy Krantz officiating. Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Saturday at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St. Bedford.  Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Lawrence Peter King, 88, of Moneta, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023. He was born in New Jersey on September 25, 1934, a son of the late Lawrence Peter King, Sr. and Cecelia Stapleton King. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gloria King from 1965 until her death in 2011.  Larry was a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy.  In his twenties he was named First Engineer on the NS Savannah, the first nuclear commercial ship ever built and he brought the nuclear reactor on line for the first time.  He later worked on the environmental systems for the Appollo 11 spacecraft.  Larry was the site operations manager in charge of cleanup at Three Mile Island.  His exploits as a whistleblower were recently documented in the Netflix series, Meltdown TMI.  After retiring he graduated from Saint Thomas Law School and counseled other whistleblowers.  Larry continued to run Lake Haven Marina at Smith Mountain Lake, his business of 50 years, until his death. He is survived by his children, Michelle Thomas (Sid), Tommy Hoade, Lonnie Hoade (Paul Webster), John Hoade (Pam), Francis King (Lynn), Nellie King (John Wendel), Josie King, Pradeep Ponnusamy (Rekha); seventeen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother, Tommy King (Agnes); and sister, Kathy King. A Mass of Resurrection will be said at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Resurrection Catholic Church, 15353 Moneta Road, Moneta with Father Salvador Añonuevo celebrating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Darlene Jean Schmid Dyess, of Big Island, passed away peacefully at home on July 22, 2023 at the age of 75. Darlene was born May 1, 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa to Vera Leonard and Edward Schmid. She was preceded in death by ex-husband, John Butts; four brothers; and a son-in-law, Michael Lennox of St. Charles, Michigan.  She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, John H. Dyess; and loving children, Robert Shane Dyess (Jusitine), Orange, Texas, Meri Kristis Justus of Lynchburg, Virginia, Stacy Schlottman (husband Neal) of Bedford, Virginia and Brandy Lennox of St. Charles, Michigan. She loved each one of them with everything in her. Darlene has six grandchildren, Jaci Crouch (Tracy) of DeRidder, Louisanna, Season Vidrine (Nick) of Merryville, Louisanna, Cody Lennox of St. Charles, Michigan, Breya Lennox of St. Charles, Michigan, Austin Schlottman (Chana) of Bedford, Virginia and Collin Schlottman of Bedford, Virginia. Even though she loved her kids, her heart became overwhelmed when she started getting the grandchildren and even more so when she started getting great children. She is survived by her ten great-grandchildren. After getting married to John Butts, they were stationed in Fort Polk, Louisanna in 1976 and was divorced shortly thereafter. Darlene then got involved with being a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop Leader because of her daughter, Meri. In 1978, Darlene met John Dyess and they became a family of one in 1980 with one son and three daughters. Then they ended up being stationed in Germany for 4 years. While in Germany, Darlene found her passion, heart and love for the children that would soon be coming into her life. When they returned to the states, Darlene went straight to working with children at daycares in Mobile, Alabama. John had a job transfer to Newport News in 1994 and Darlene opened an at home daycare during their time in Newport News. Then decided to move to Big Island because of another job transfer for John. At this point, Darlene has worked directly with children for almost 20 years collectively. Once in Big Island, she started with the Headstart Program and over the years moved to the Bedford Public School System where she was at each of the city schools at one point or another. At times it even seemed that she had some of the same children that she had in the Headstart Program. For Darlene and John to go to town and shop for groceries or just to grab a bite to eat, it was often that a student would come up to her asking if she remembered them. This always brought tears to her eyes and made her heart flutter with joy.  In, 2002, Darlene decided that she wanted to make an even bigger impact on the children and while working her full-time job, she managed to go back to college on a part-time schedule and received her Early Childhood Development Associates Degree from CVCC. Darlene ended up having open heart surgery in the summer of 2012 and managed to build herself back up and went back to work the first day of school that fall. She could not stand to be away from the children at the school. She was bound and determined to get back to them. She ended up retiring at the end of the school year in 2015. Since retiring she has been enjoying life with John, her daughters and grandchildren, until her great-granddaughter was born in January 2020 and that became her life.  Darlene’s body has been donated to the Virginia State Anatomical Program and they will cremate her remains and return them at a later date. Burch-Messier Funeral Home has handled all of these arrangements for us.  There will be a Celebration of her Life held at 1:00 p.m., on August 18, 2023 at the Bedford Lutheran Church at 728 Burks Hill Rd, Bedford, Virginia 24523. Pastor Tim Feaser will be officiating. You are welcomed to stay for the reception that will follow the services.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Bedford Lutheran Church, 728 Burks Hill Rd, Bedford, Virginia 24523.  Burch-Messier Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Dennis Rickard Coleman, 51, of Lynchburg, passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023. He was born in Lynchburg, on July 6, 1972 a son of Harold Rickard Coleman of Madison Heights and the late Lois Yancey Coleman.  He loved to hunt and fish and also loved going to the beach at Outer Banks.  Dennis is survived by his daughter, Brittany Nicole Coleman (Aaron); son, Dustin Wade Coleman (Kinsey); grandchildren, Waylon Maurice Bosse, Trigger Wesley Coleman, Tulsa Lee Coleman; sister, Susan Coleman; niece, Taylor Ross; nephew, Aidan Cunningham; and many other family and friends.  A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Whitten Monelison Chapel, 3966 S. Amherst Hwy, Madison Heights, VA with Rev. Doug Turner officiating.

Dustin Wayne “Fat Boy” or “Chunk” Edwards, 33, of Amherst, gained his angel wings on Thursday, July 20, 2023. He was born in Lynchburg, VA on June 23, 1990 a son of William “Darryl” and Joyce Seamster. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, William “Red” and Jewel Seamster; and maternal grandfather, Calvin Edwards, Sr. In addition to his parents, Darryl and Joyce Seamster he is survived by his maternal grandmother, Sarah Edwards; brother, Daniel Rogers; adopted brothers, L.J. Richardson (Haley), Cody Mccune (Brittany), Jonathan East (Jessica), and Roger McAllister (Felicia). Special love to Bobbie Boyd, Lexi Rue, Amy Newton, and Brittany Mccune. Dustin was a lover of Honda’s and racing. He was also a very big jokester and he loved to laugh. He touched and impacted so many lives with love and laughter. He LOVED his family and friends UNCONDITIONALLY. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Rhonda Gale Patsell, 54, of Goodview, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. She was born in Roanoke, VA on October 23, 1968 a daughter of Ronnie Lee Patsell and the late Judie DeLong Bush. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Howard and Colleen Patsell.  In addition to her father, Ronnie Patsell (Odessa), she is survived by her children, Genea Woods, Aron Woods; sisters, Pamela Isom, Tonya McGuire; half-brother, Gerald Patsell; and grandchildren, Ariaya Leigh Woods, Adaline Gale Mosley, Anthym Alice Brawley, Karah Lynn Woods.  A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street, Bedford with Rev. Steve Roberson officiating.  Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Brenda Lee “Bear Woman” Reynolds, 65, of Lynchburg, was called home on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 with her best friend and travel partner of 30 years Tommy Allen by her side. She was born in Lynchburg, VA on September 1, 1957 a daughter of the late Wilson B Reynolds and Minnie Mae Hall Reynolds. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, James Allen West; sisters, Pasty Crews and Carolyn Goodwin; brother, Wilson Reynolds; and niece, Jeannie Krantz. In addition to her best friend, Tommy, she is survived by a niece, Heather Frizzell; a nephew; Mike Hailey; her Native friend, Becky Bryant; special cousins, Angie and Tabby McDaniel; and countless friends and family. Brenda loved life and never met a stranger. She was a member of St. Mary’s native Cherokee was passionate about her Native American Heritage and beliefs. She was an avid lover of everything outdoors in particular the mountains, hiking, wildflowers and campfires. A true fan of the Drag Strip, NASCAR, and Football. She enjoyed sharing her never ending knowledge with everyone, especially with some of her favorite little people, Gage, Kaylee, and Conner. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Dennis Leon Epperly, 83, of Montvale, passed away on Friday, July 14, 2023. He was born May 5, 1940 in Christiansburg, a son of the late Herman Cecil Epperly and Mary Cox Epperly. Dennis was a self-employed carpenter and a U.S. Air Force Veteran. He was an avid golfer and a self-taught photographer.  He loved his family, gardening and growing dahlia’s.  Dennis is survived by his wife of 56 years, Susan Coe Epperly; his son, Steven Dennis Epperly (Cindi); his brother, Michael Epperly (Peggy); two nephews, John and Chris Epperly.  A Celebration of his Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at Epworth United Methodist Church with Rev. Terry Tracy officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 12:00 noon. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to your favorite charity. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford.

Viki Lynn Arrington, 60, of Bedford died Saturday, July 8, 2023 in Lynchburg General Hospital. She was born in Bell County, Texas on September 24, 1962. She was preceded in death by her mother, Enith Virginia Tolley Hill. Viki is survived by her brother, Billy Hill; her sister, Rebecca Mitchen; her children, Seth Mitchell DeLuna, Cory Alan Perrin and Morgan Taylor Arrington. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.