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

Agnes Julia Dawson Carr, 94, went to her heavenly home with her Lord on August 6, 2023. Agnes was born October 1, 1928 to Philip & Gertrude (VanDeusen) Dawson. Agnes was preceded in death by her sister Ruth (Bob) Mills, brother Robert (Doris) Dawson & sister-in-law Ruth (Dick) Dutcher. She is survived by her loving husband, William, of 71 years. Also, her children Sharon (Paul) Schroth of Evington, VA., Katherine (Roger) Stewart of Unadilla, NY & Don (Liza Lamb) Carr of Manlius, NY.; eight grandchildren, Tim (Karen) Stewart, Jessica (Bud) Leizear, Jennifer (Brian) Schmoyer, Marc (Lacy) Stewart, Greg (Amaris) Stewart, Tucker & Marianna Schroth and Evan Carr; eleven great-grandchildren, Joshua & Mitchell Stewart, Johnathan Leizear, Jameson & Silas Schmoyer, Jolene, Lincoln, Michael & Thomas Stewart and Mason & Isabel Stewart.  Agnes graduated from Port Byron (NY) Central School & Auburn Business School majoring in accounting. She was an active member of Port Byron Methodist Church, Morrisville (NY) Community Church & Port Charlotte (FL) Presbyterian Church. In the 1970’s, she along with 3 other women started the Madison County (NY) Office for the Aging. Agnes very much enjoyed this work in providing services for the elderly that could make a difference in their lives. In 1984 she was the recipient of the Morrisville Rotary “Roses for the Living” award.  For their retirement years, Agnes & Bill spent winters in Port Charlotte, FL. returning to Morrisville, NY for the remainder of the year. In 2017 they moved to Lynchburg, VA. to live in closer proximity to their oldest daughter. Agnes felt blessed beyond measure to have experienced a life filled with family, valuable friendships and wonderful opportunities.  Agnes & Bill’s plan is to have a joint memorial service for them both in Morrisville, NY after Bill’s passing. There will be a small service for Agnes with their Liberty Ridge Senior Community. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Madison County Office for the Aging, 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd., Canastota, NY 13032.  Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Leah Kay Smouse Spencer, 89, of Lynchburg, passed away on Saturday, August 5, 2023. She was born in Luthersburg, PA on May 25, 1934 a daughter of the late Paul C. Smouse and Mable Still Smouse. She worked as a reading teacher at DuBois Christian School in DuBois, PA for over 27 years (formerly First Baptist Church Academy). Throughout her life she was a piano player, Sunday school teacher, good news club organizer and teacher. Throughout her life she devoted her time with others to further the gospel of Jesus Christ as part of the outflowing personal relationship she had with Jesus. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Most of the best years of her life were spent teaching students to read. Her passion for reading and pouring into the lives of her students daily, is what she truely enjoyed. Her most favorite hobby was quilting. She designed some of the most beautiful quilts throughout her life. She also enjoyed cooking and made possibly the best Lasagna ever. Our family would definitely agree on this. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Norman Marvin Spencer; sister, Donna Smouse Hollobaugh of Spring Hill, FL; one son, Timothy Paul Spencer (wife Shawna Millner Spencer); daughter, Annette Wishart (Calvin Angus); grandsons, Timothy Paul Spencer Jr. (wife Marcela Gonzalez de Spencer), Tyler Andrew Spencer (wife Laura Elizabeth Spencer), Trenton Dean Spencer, Troy Andrew Spencer, Gavin Dane Wishart; granddaughter, Brenna Rene Wishart; and great-grandsons, Shane Adian Spencer, Tyler Howard Spencer, Benjamin Roy Spencer, and Giancarlo Julian Spencer. To our wonderful friends and family: We want to honor her wishes, so there will be no formal service. All of our family will be together today for lunch and love on Dad. We will be able to spend some sweet family time remembering and honoring her. We have been blessed with so many extended family members and lifelong friends. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

My much-loved husband, Robert (Bob) was called to his heavenly home just before midnight on 2 August 2023. I miss him already. We were married 63 1/2 years and had a wonderful life together. He was born in Spray, N. C. on 22 December 1938 to Irving Nelson Earles and Annie (Beatrice) Wigington Earles. Both divorced and remarried and had a son, one was Mike and the other was Irving, Jr. Mike is deceased. Bob had a sister, Lois Earles Bowen, now deceased, and she was 5 years older than Bob. Her husband, Milton survives, he has two daughters from his first marriage. Bob was especially close to Lois’s son, Rob Saunders, but loved all of his nieces and nephews, and a sister-in-law, Debbie and her three boys now grown. All of Bob’s elders are deceased. When we met and married in December 1959, I was living at home with my family in Prince George County, Md. Bob was in the Army at Ft. Meade, Md. Later on, he returned to Ft. Meade (NSA) and took a job as a civilian. He retired on disability in October 1978 and we moved to Smith Mountain Lake. I had worked for over 2 years at the Dept. of Army in D.C., then I worked in the same building where Bob was working for about 19 years before I retired on disability. Bob and I started a video tape business out of our home in mid-1983. By that time our health was worse and we had to sell the business. (It was called Video Ventures Bob and I had lots of medical issues with lots of operations following the sale and Bob went down from there. Bob leaves behind myself and many friends and family. Also, my two brothers and my four sisters and all their families. One of my sisters died in September 2022, and she had two daughters we helped take care of and loved like our own many weekends while my sister worked. We had about 7 or 8 dogs and one cat over the years and loved all of them. Mary’s parents (deceased) were Claude and Emily Jones. Bob was best friends with Eugene (Gene) Amstutz and we want to Thank him and his wife, Sharon and their two sons for their friendship over the 25 years or so, and he also helped us so much over the last year helping me with Bob’s care. And also, David Edmonston, and his son, Brandt who helped work in and around our home in Huddleston before we had to sell it and move to the Elk’s Home (now Spring Oak) in Bedford. They (the Spring Oak staff, workers and the friends we made here have been very supportive. Bob and I were always happy to see my best friend, Jackie and her husband, Jerry from Dublin, Va. Bob was in many positions at Staunton Baptist Church, including Deacon, Financial Committee, Property Committee, Van Committee, and Baptismal Committee. We want to Thank Centra Hospice personnel who helped take care of Bob for the last three years, and especially since he had to move to the Bedford Hospice House, 27 June 2023, they are a Great Group of people. Thanks to Burch-Messier for their assistance in handling some of the paperwork. I forgot to mention that Bob and I worked in Ankara, Turkey from December 1966 to December 1968 for the government. Also, Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman. He made lots of friends during his life. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Keep us in your prayers. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360

Betty Mildred Noell Angus, 79, of Bedford, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. She was born in Bedford, VA on February 18, 1944 a daughter of the late William Judson Noell and Velda Poindexter Noell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elwood Strode Angus.  She is survived by her special cat, Callie; four children, Calvin Angus (Annette); Rhonda Lavoie (Charlie); Nancy Carter (Timmy); Larry Angus; six grandchildren, Crystal Kennedy (Robin); Tiffany Wood, Thomas Kennedy (Jessica); Dakota Carter (Lisa), Christina Lavoie, Chad Lavoie (Teresa); dear neighbors, Amanda Pasa and her children, Gabryela, Aryana, Ysabela; sister-in-law, Peggy Noell; brother-in-law, James Angus (Ofelia); sister-in-law, Corene Coleman; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Mount Hermon Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Flores officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Friday, at Burch-Messier Walnut St. Chapel, 1235 Walnut Street, Bedford. Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.