Lowell Dean Abbott, 73, of Bedford, passed away on Thursday, November 30, 2023. He was born in Bedford, VA on February 10, 1950 a son of the late Lewis Neal Abbott, Sr. and India Virginia Dooley Abbott. He is survived by his brother, Lewis Neal Abbott, Jr.; sister, Sylvia Jacobs and husband, Doug; two nephews, Greg Abbott, Bruce Jacobs; one niece, Cristy Garver; and several cousins. No services will be held. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

Donald Alexander Gillespie, 65, of Roanoke, died unexpectedly on Sunday, November 26, 2023. He is preceded in death by both parents and all his brothers and sisters. While on this earth for whatever time we are given we make a mark, some small some large. Cherish what time you are given with love ones, family and friends. Donald you were loved and will be missed. You can now rest and join your Mom, Dad, Brothers and Sisters. No service will be held. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

James Clifford Byers, 73 of Big Island, died November 17, 2023, surrounded by his family after a courageous and hard-fought battle against Multiple Myeloma.   He was born in Bedford, Virginia on May 9, 1950 to the late John and Daisy Byers.  He was also preceded in death by his sister, Beverly Buchanan.  Jimmy was an active member of Hunting Creek Baptist Church.  He served 4 years in the US Navy; with 2 of those years being aboard the USS Shreveport. He retired as Crew Leader of No. 3 Paper Machine, after 44 years of employment at Georgia Pacific.  During his retirement, Jimmy enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, especially his grandchildren who would never let him win a game of Old Maid, Uno or Monopoly. Jimmy is survived by his wife Darnell after 54 wonderful years of marriage; two daughters, Julie Baty and husband Herb, Selena Phillips and husband Kevin; 3 grandchildren, Sydney, Carter and Allie Phillips who gave him the nickname “Snug” and were the center of his world; two brothers, Benny Byers, Gary Byers and wife Sherry; a sister, Valerie Tomlinson and husband Glenn; brothers-in-law, Brad Buchanan, Dennis Turpin and wife Sheila, and many nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his faithful dog Bodee, who was always by his side.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Monday, November 20, 2023 at Hunting Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Bledsoe officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Sunday at Hunting Creek Baptist Church. A reception will follow the service in Camden Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hunting Creek Baptist Church designated for Operation Christmas Child. JArrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

   

 

 

Dorothy Frances Orange Bramlett, 94, of Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. She was born in Bedford County on February 22, 1929 a daughter of the late William Richard Orange and Julia Creasey Orange. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Edward Bramlett. She is survived by her daughter, Zipporah Schilling and husband Curtis; grandson, Corey Schilling and girlfriend Alicia; adopted grandson, Lewis Simmons Hall; great-grandson, Fintan; brother, Glenn Orange and wife Judy; sister, Jenny Dooley and husband Roger; three sisters-in-law, Mae Orange, Linda Orange, Reva Wheat; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street, Bedford, with Rev. Bill Mitchell officiating. A burial will follow in Shady Grove Baptist Church cemetery. Family will receive friends 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., on Friday, at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel. Anyone wishing to bring food to Mt. Zion Baptist Church for a meal following the burial. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

Born in 1931, Mary Jane Williams Teass entered into heaven on Monday, November 13, 2023. She was a member of Rosalind Hills Baptist Church. Early in her career, Mary was a teacher in Bedford County, Virginia and later took a position at First National Bank in Roanoke. She also gave piano lessons in her Roanoke home and was the developer of the Rainbow Magic method of learning piano. She leaves behind her son, Jefferson K. Teass, D.C. and his wife, Susan of Vinton, Virginia; as well as grandsons, Damon Goddard of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Tyler K. Teass of Crozet, Virginia and his wife, Heather, Jordan Teass; and three great-grandchildren, Avett Lee Teass, Ellis Mae Teass, and Hazel June Teass of Crozet. Also left to grieve are her sister, Madeline Caldwell; and three brothers, Carl Williams, Carter Williams, and Edd Williams; and many nieces and nephews. Mary was pre-deceased by her husband, Richard F. Teass, Jr.; three sisters, Frances, Becky, Kathryn; and one brother, Charles. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St. Bedford. A burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

 

Paula Amos Karnes, 78, of Thaxton, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023. She was born in Bedford, VA on July 21, 1945 a daughter of the late Joseph Spencer Amos and Hazel Dooley Amos. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Bobby Ray Karnes; sister, Betty Karnes; brother, Russell Amos; and a nephew, Michael Lee Gray. She is survived by her husband, Ray Swanson Karnes; two daughters, Pamela Gail Turpin (Steve) Carolyn Anne Karnes (Barry Custer); one grandson, Caleb Williams; sisters, Sally Gray, Margie Wheeler (Jim); brother, David Amos (Barbara); brother-in-law, Robert Karnes; and many nieces and nephews. A private graveside service was held at 4:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Suck Spring Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Jerry Parr and Rev. Michael Cox officiating. The family would like to thank Dr. Darlene Nigro and Dr. Daniel Temeles whom Paula thought of as family. Memorials may be made to the Bedford Human Society, 829 Ole Turnpike Dr., Bedford, VA 24523. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

Sarah Louise Lemon Mitchell, loving wife, mother, and Nana, 84, of Bedford, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 with her family by her side. She was born in Powhatan, WV on March 27, 1939 a daughter of the late Luther Lemon and Eva Yates Lemon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Buddy Marshall Mitchell, Sr.; her son, Jeffrey Lynn Mitchell; brother, Luther “Bud” Lemon; and sister, Margaret “Sissy” Miller .She is survived by her son, Buddy Marshall Mitchell, Jr, (Laverne); daughter, Michelle Tompkins (Darrell); daughter-in-law, Shelley Mitchell; grandchildren, Buddy Marshall Mitchell III (Ronell), Luther Marsh Mitchell, Micaiah Mitchell (Arielle), Schaeffer McCary (Ryan), Elijah Mitchell (Monika), Torrey Loftin (Corey), Gideon Mitchell (Rachel), Josiah Mitchell (Amanda), Sophia Mitchell, Jesse Mitchell, Gabrial Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Zachary Venhorst, Nicholas Venhorst, Jacob Tompkins; sister, Etta Newcomb; sister-in-law, Starlet Lemon; and fourteen great-grandchildren. A private family graveside will be held.  Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Floyd “F.C.” Carrington Wright, Jr., 73, passed away Friday, November 10, 2023 peacefully at his home. He was born December 13, 1949 in Lynchburg, Virginia to the late Floyd Carrington Wright, Sr. and Louise Jamerson Wright. He was also preceded in death by his brother Edward J. Wright. He is survived by longtime companion of 26 years, Kathryn Kinzie, daughters Crystal (Nick) Overstreet, April (Kevin) Mann and Brandy Wright; four grandchildren Brandon Gmach, Hailee Campbell, Haiden Wright and Hope “Termite” Mann; great granddaughter Bralee Paige Campbell.  F.C. was an U.S. Army veteran, prominent businessman and proud owner of Wright’s Backhoe Service; did waterline work for CCUSA for many years and most recently drove for Truck Enterprises Incorporated delivering trucks throughout the U.S. A graveside service will be held Friday, November 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Spring Hill Cemetery 3000 Fort Ave. Lynchburg, VA 24501. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

 

 

Jerry Lloyd Lester,73, of Lynchburg, Virginia passed away on November 5, 2023. He was born on March 2,1950 in Princeton, West Virginia to the late Everett and Aubin Lester. He was preceded in death by his half-brother, Ronnie Lambert; and his sister, Karen Sue Lester. Jerry was raised in Oakvale, West Virginia where he was referred to as “The Legend”. Jerry enjoyed going to church, fishing and spending time with family and friends. He loved going back home and spending time with his two good buddies, Joey and Tommy Bailey. He was very much loved and will be missed by all that knew him. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8pm on Monday, November 27, 2023 at The Church of God of Prophecy in the Sullivan Center. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

 

 

Henry Anderson Love, 77, of Bedford, passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023. He was born in Bedford, VA on October 27, 1946 a son of the late Noah Love and Lila Dooley Love. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Scott Hickman; and two sisters. He was retired from Murray and Bolling. Henry is survived by his wife of 38 years, Teresa Sacco Love; daughter, Tammy Love; grandson, Trevor Hickman; daughter-in-law, Kim Hickman; two brothers; three sisters; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon, on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Bedford Christian Church with Rev. David Walton officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.