Delores Fern Taylor Gunnoe, born on October 31, 1935, in Charleston, West Virginia, entered eternal life on March 13, 2024. She attended Airline School before working with Eastern Airlines, the American Red Cross, and C&P. In 1965, Fern and her husband Charles Dewey Gunnoe established Gunnoe Sausage Company in Bedford County, VA. She was a founding member of Brookhill Wesleyan Church and was a beloved Bible Study leader. She relished her involvement in Women’s Aglow International, where she played an active role as a speaker and leader. Fern was preceded in death by her parents, Matthew and Bessie (Summers) Taylor; siblings, Janet Lockhart, Robert Taylor, Susan Sheets, and Nancy McCandless. She is survived by her sister, Joyce Payne; her husband of 64 years C. Dewey Gunnoe; her daughter, Cynthia Gunnoe (Jim Messier); sons, Chad (Marji) and Craig (Marti); and grandchildren, James, Mariel, Arianna, Erik, Thomas, Katya, Chloe & Taylor. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Brookhill Wesleyan Church with Rev. Brian Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. Family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brookhill Wesleyan Church, 1043 Cifax Road, Forest, VA 24551 or Women’s Aglow International, P.O. Box 1749, Edmonds, WA 98020. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360
Month: March 2024
Susan Coe Epperly, 82, of Montvale, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. She was born on April 19, 1941 in Roanoke, VA a daughter of the late Carl Coe and June Worrell Coe. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Dennis Epperly; and sister, Shirley Templeton. She was a graduate of Longwood University and University of Virginia where she received her master’s degree. Susan was a retired educator, having taught science and physical education; also coaching girls’ basketball and field hockey. She enjoyed reading, shopping, and crosswords. Susan was an active member of the coloring and book club at the Montvale library. Her family was very important to her; she loved them and enjoyed spending time with them. She is survived by her son, Steven Dennis Epperly (Cindi); sisters, Norma Kate Cochran, Mary Combs (Rodney); brothers, Franklin Coe (Brenda), David Coe (Linda), Richard Starr, Charles Starr (Shirley); and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Epworth Methodist Church with Rev. Tracy Terry officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation to the Salvation Army or RAM House (Roanoke Area Ministries); both of which were very important to Dennis and Susan. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Robert Anson “Bob” Fowler, 86, of Bedford, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2024. He was born in Pittsburg, PA on September 18, 1937 a son of the late Anson Richard “Slim” Fowler and Carrie Zeiler Fowler. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice K. Fowler; and brother, Norman Richard Fowler (Virginia “Ginny”). He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to many. Robert is survived by his three sons, Brad Fowler (Cheryl), Craig Fowler (Kristi), Daniel Fowler (Janine); and grandchildren, Hannah, Emilie, Rachel, Meagan, and Sammy. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., on Friday, March 15, 2024 at Main Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Dawn Compton officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 2:00 p.m. A private family burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Main Street United Methodist Church or American Legion Post #54, 231 W. Depot St., Bedford, VA 24523. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Sandra Sue Hanna-Garrison, known to all as Sandy, went to be with her Lord on March 9, 2024. Sandy is survived by her husband, Darryl Garrison; three children, Sandy Lin Vaglio (Mike), John Edward Cooper, Jr. (Linda), Jennifer Cooper Hughes (Ryan); stepdaughter, Amanda Jill Garrison; and her grandchildren, Jordan Leigh Brown, Hanna Kathryn Cooper, Emma Grace Cooper, Cooper Lee Hughes, Coleman Walker Hughes, and Shane Kennon. She is also survived by her older sister, Margaret Zimmerman; her twin sister, Linda Trent (Don); nieces and nephews, Amy Stottlemyer (Ryan), Steve Johnston (Rebecca), Joe Trent (Melanie), Christi Trent, Simone Rivera, and Jamie Rivera. Sandy is preceded in death by her parents, Delmar and Hilda Hanna; sister, Shirley Williams; brother, James Hanna; grandson, Austin Brown; and niece, Katie Rivera. Sandy was born on July 30, 1950, in Richwood, West Virginia. And, like her birth state, she was sometimes wild yet always wonderful! She had an amazing sense of humor that she passed to her children and grandchildren. Sandy was a woman of service. From her professional work at Centra Health to Bedford Primary School to Bedford Social Services, Sandy was always helping others. In her free time, she supported the Bedford Free Clinic and volunteered with the youth at her Church. Sandy touched many lives, offering warm friendship and support to all. She never met a stranger and was happiest when in service to others. Sandy will be remembered for her love of God, her warm and generous spirit and how she did everything with love. Friends and family may join us on March 16, 2024, at Main Street United Methodist Church, 212 East Main Street, Bedford, VA for a visitation at 2:00 followed by a memorial service at 3:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Stepping Stones Childcare Tuition Fund at the church above. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Meredith Overstreet Marks ,70, died peacefully at her home on March 4, 2024. She was born on August 10, 1953 in Bedford, VA. She was predeceased by her parents, Paul and Julia Overstreet. Meredith was a 3-sport star athlete at McLean High School and Madison College. Meredith was a teacher for 40 years before retiring from Bedford County Public schools in 2015. In retirement she enjoyed tending to her beautiful flower garden and traveling with her husband, Van. Survivors include husband, Van; daughter, Alison; son, Connor; and sisters, Kris Helms and Lindsay Middleton. Per Meredith’s wishes there will be no funeral service. Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360, is serving the family.
Janie Mosely Garraghty Jordan, 87, of Bedford, passed away on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Cardinal Senior Living. Janie was born on July 17,1936 the first born of James Howard Garraghty I and wife, Janie Moseley Wilkerson. She was the granddaughter of (maternal)Robert Winston Wilkerson and his wife, VirginiaMoseley “Monie” Krantz Wilkerson, and (paternal) James Farmer Garraghty and his wife, Alice Belle Cocke Garraghty. In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Jordan, Jr.; brother, James Howard Garraghty II; and her sister, Belle Garraghty Harrell and husband Lemuel David Harrell. Janie is survived by her sisters-in-law, Kathy A. Garraghty, Linda M. Johnson; special cousins, Dawn Tinsley Arrington (Barry), Marianne Garraghty Wydner (John); and numerous other cousins; her niece, friend, and caregiver, Wanda Garraghty Morris (Wayne); other nieces and nephews, including Michael W. Garraghty (Dana), Tony R. Garraghty, Randall J. Garraghty (Julie), Amanda Garraghty (Amanda), James Howard Garraghty III, and numerous great and great-grand nieces and nephews. Janie was a graduate of Bedford High School, Lynchburg College, and University of Virginia. She was an elementary school teacher in the states of Virginia and California. After many years of research, Janie published her book in 1995, entitled The Descendants of Joseph Wilkerson (12 May 1729 – 15 March 1829) and Allied Families of Bedford County, Virginia. Janie requested that her cremains be placed alongside her husband in the William Lockett Wilkerson Cemetery on Wheat’s Valley Road in Bedford County, VA, also known as the Mountain Cemetery. William Lockett Wilkerson being her great-great-grandfather. A private graveside service will be held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to academic scholarships at the University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, VA or Timber Ridge Baptist Church, 3234 Timber Ridge Road, Bedford, VA 24523. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Richard Michael Wells, “Ricky,” 69, of Goode passed away peacefully in his home on March 3rd, 2024. Ricky was born August 20th 1954, in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Beverly Wells; sons, Kevin Wells (Angie) and Derek Wells (Jennifer); and grandchildren, Ember, Addison, and Cooper. He started his young life working at his family’s bakery, Chestnut Hill for 15 years followed by a short time working for May Brothers in Forest until he started his own company, Ricky Wells Trucking Inc. where he fulfilled his passion for driving dump trucks and excavating for 30+ years. Ricky was a devoted family man and a friend to many. He loved his circle of friends dearly and loved nothing more than to be at home with his family on his farm in Goode, Virginia. He had so much pride in his land and was happiest when he was driving around admiring his farm or riding his tractor. He had a deep love and respect for the art of hunting and farming that he passed down to his sons. Ricky will always be remembered most fondly for the passion and life lessons that he instilled in his sons through hunting. Ricky was also a drag racing enthusiast and loved spending time at the racetrack which is where he met his wife Beverly 46 years ago. He will always be remembered as a gentle soul who absolutely adored his wife, sons, and three grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St. Bedford, Virginia. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Boyd Webster Campbell, Jr., 60, of Lynchburg passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024. He was the son of the late Boyd Webster Campbell, Sr., and Patsy Moore Campbell. Born November 30, 1963, Boyd, more often know by his nickname “Webb” was widely known for his impressive work in the HVAC field and considered by many the best sheet metal worker that they had ever seen. Webb’s hobbies throughout his life included playing and watching sports, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. Webb was a devoted and caring son, brother, father and grandfather who always provided support and unconditional love to his family, who he was grateful for and proud to have. He was able to find positive humor in any situation, and resonated kindness and compassion to all of those around him. He was a truly authentic individual who was always ready to help others in any way he could. He was preceded in death by his father, Boyd Webster Campbell, Sr. Those left to cherish memories of Webb are his mother, Patsy Campbell; daughter, Lindsey Campbell and her fiancé Cody Evans; son, Ryan Campbell and his best friend, Doris Poe; his granddaughter, Avalynn Evans; sisters, Vickie Massie and her husband Carl Massie, Angie Hunt and her husband Bobby Hunt; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Webb’s family would like to express their utmost gratitude to all of those who assisted and prayed for him. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” -Matthew 5:4 Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.