Leslie “Wallace” Roark, 90, of Lynchburg, died on Saturday, August 26, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jan Roark; and his two sisters, Nancy R. Parker, and Katherine R. Holt. Wallace was born May 6, 1933 in Brookneal, a son of the late Leslie William and Beulah B Roark. He formerly owned the Brookneal Department Store in Brookneal and Lynchburg Jobbing House in Lynchburg. He graduated from the University of Richmond and was a Veteran Officer of the US Army. He was a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Wallace is survived by two sons, Leslie “Les” William Roark II and wife Ella of Lynchburg and Charles B Roark of Martinsville, VA; a niece, Pam; and three nephews, Greg, Ron and Zeb. He also leaves a special cousin, John Tonkins; special friend, John Burton of Halifax; his card buddies at Oakwood Country Club; and neighbors, Morgan, George and Mack – thank you for your friendships. The family would like to thank Gretna Health & Rehab for their compassionate care. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, with the Pastor Dennis Roberts officiating. Visitation 1 hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers Wallace’s family ask that you consider memorial contributions to the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 Langhorne, Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Kenneth Lee Stanley, Sr., 84, of Bedford, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2023. Per his wishes no services will be held. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Robert Charles “Bobby” Hudson, 67, of Lynchburg, passed away at his residence on Thursday, August 24, 2023. He was born on January 30, 1956 to Marie H. Dalton and the late Charles E. Hudson, Jr. He was a graduate of E.C. Glass High School and served his country in the United States Army. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his brother, Mark Hudson and fiancé Nanci Tucker; daughter, Amber White (David); son, Marty Canfield (Sarah); and grandchildren, Ryleigh White, Nevin White, Peyton & Madelyn Canfield. The family will be accepting visitors anytime on Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday September 3rd at the residence of his mother, Marie, 204 Paulette Circle, Lynchburg, VA 24502. Any contributions can be made to the COPD Foundation, Lynchburg Humane Society, or the American Heart Association. Robert CharlArrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Carroll White “C.W.” Mitchell, 76, of Rustburg, passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2023. He was born in Lynchburg, VA on June 30, 1947 a son of the late Henry Lewis Mitchell and Erma White Mitchell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Kenneth Bobbitt; and brother-in-law, Alfred Tyree, Jr. He was raised in Amherst County and graduated from Amherst High School and attended CVCC. He proudly served his country serving in the United States Navy and he retired from Property Management & Development. C.W. is survived by his children, Theresa Mays (Craig) of Monroe, Hollie Ashwell (Sherman) of Thaxton, Scott Mitchell (Crissy) of Madison Heights; six grandchildren, Colby Mays, Justin Mays (Alexandra), Julia Ashwell, McKayla Ashwell, Landon Mitchell (Bailey), Alex Mitchell; four great-grandchildren, Paisley, Lakynn, Waylon, Cameron; and sister, Robin Tyree of St. Augustine, FL. Per his request, a private family memorial will be held. Those wishing to make memorials please consider The National D-Day Memorial, P.O. Box 77, Bedford, VA 24523. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Michael John Shea, age 59, of Bedford, Virginia, died on August 23, 2023 from ALS. He was predeceased by his parents, Natalie Shea and John Shea. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Katy; and his children Sadie, Maeve, and Jack. He is also survived by his siblings, Barbara Pote (Rob), Maura Sackett, Suzanne Gay (Keith), Daniel Shea (Bonni); and numerous beloved brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews. Mike graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York in 1989. He worked in restaurants in Roanoke, Cape Cod, and Martha’s Vineyard before joining Meriwether Godsey in Lynchburg in 1997. As an integral part of the company, he held Executive Chef and Director positions at various locations until he resigned in 2020 due to his illness. Mike’s greatest joys were the meaningful connections and memories created through food, music, and nature that he shared with his family, friends, and colleagues. Mike’s unwavering optimism and gratitude for life’s simple pleasures was a guidepost for his family and loved ones, not just during his illness, but throughout his entire life. The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the many loving kindnesses shown by so many during the last few years. Donations in Mike’s memory can be made to IAmALS.org/give and RadioParadise.com/support. A celebration honoring Mike’s life will be held in Spring 2024. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Caryl Jean Makofske Bettez, 63, of Bedford, passed away at home in the company of her loved ones on August 20, 2023 at 3:02 AM. Caryl loved and was beloved by many and her loss is felt deeply in every space she inhabited. She was born in Freeport, Long Island, New York, on August 27, 1959, the youngest daughter of Leonard Victor Makofske and Florence Lorraine Makofske, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Martin Amory Bettez, who she met while riding a white horse; their four children, Michael Allen Bettez, Christopher Andrew Bettez, Katelyn Adele Bettez, and Megan Augusta Bettez; her grandchildren Zachary Alexander Heptinstall, Christopher Matthew Bettez, Olivia Lorraine Bettez, Clara Isabelle Bettez, Brenna Nicole Bettez, and Camber Adalynn Bettez; and her two sisters, Kathleen Bischoff and Patricia Erlandsen. Caryl loved the beach, starting with Jones Beach where she grew up. She kept American Bashkir Curly horses in New Hampshire during the early years of her marriage, loved snowmobiling, and made friends with everyone she met. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Vasculitis Foundation https://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Dorinda Dawn Craig Spangler, 44, of Bedford, passed away on Friday, August 18, 2023. She was born in Bedford, VA on August 30, 1978 a daughter of the late Vernon O. Craig, Jr. and Alice Wilson Craig. She is survived by her husband, DeWayne Allan Spangler; sister, Debra Hurt and husband, Michael J. Hurt, Sr.; mother-in-law, Connie Neal; father-in-law, Ronnie Palmer; brother-in-law, Eugene Palmer; dog, Sophie; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Family will receive friends from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Burch-Messier Main Street Location, 317 W. Main St., Bedford. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 245
Harold Rickard “Ricky” Coleman, 72, of Madison Heights, died Friday, August 18, 2023. He was born in Lynchburg on July 20, 1951 a son of the late George Lee Coleman, Sr. and Margaret Linthicum Coleman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Rickard Coleman; his brother, Ronald Coleman and the mother of his children, Maxine Coleman. Ricky is survived by his daughter, Susan Coleman; four grandchildren, Taylor Ross, Brittany Coleman, Dustin Coleman and Aidan Cunningham; four great-grandchildren, Mikah Kaide, Waylon Bosse, Trigger Coleman and Tulsa Coleman; two brothers, George Coleman, Jr. (Dianne); Jimmy Coleman (Valarie); several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Whitten Monelison Chapel, 3966 S. Amherst Hwy, Madison Heights, VA with Rev. David Edinger officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Estelle Reynolds Karnes, 93 of Bedford, passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. She was born in Bedford on April 25, 1930 a daughter of the late James Howard Reynolds and Annie DeWitt Reynolds. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Dean Karnes, son, Paul Alan “Booga” Karnes; sister, Christine “Mama Tine” Reynolds Eubank; and brothers, Andrew Reynolds and Albert Reynolds. Estelle was a retired nurse. She was very fond of her Galax Street neighbors. She is survived by her sons, Jimmy Karnes (Barbara), Timothy “T.T.” Karnes (Allison), Mark Karnes (Pam); grandchildren, Katelyn Parnitzke (Brian), Brittany Dimond (Pat), Drew Karnes, Dalton Karnes (Lindsey), Martha Seago (Cody), Madison Karnes, Anna Karnes, Morgan Marin (Nic), Nick Karnes; great-grandchildren, Isabel Marin, Lucille Parnitzke, Brynleigh Seago; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Suck Spring Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor Steve Propst officiating. Family will receive friends on Friday, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at Burch-Messier Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street, Bedford. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Salem United Methodist Church, 931 Lake Drive, Bedford, VA 24523. Arrangements by Burch- Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.
Mary Gertrude “Sue” Arthur McGhee, 99, of Bedford, passed away on Sunday, August 13, 2023. She was born in Bedford County on July 15, 1924 a daughter of the late Dennis L. Arthur and Florrie Leftwich Arthur. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Anderson McGhee. She is survived by her children, Ronnie McGhee and wife Wanda, Dennis McGhee, Patricia Thompson and husband Jerry; grandchildren, Stephanie Rusgrove and husband Matt, Erica Assaid and husband Chris, Jared Thompson and wife Barbara; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Pecks Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Brian Sheehan officiating. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360