Andrew Kyle Turner, 24, of Lynchburg, passed away on Saturday March 14, 2026. He was born in Atlanta, GA on March 20, 2001, a son of Edward Alan Turner and Rhonda Darlene Turner.

Andrew is preceded in death by grandparents, James Thomas of Hartwell, GA, James Robert and Gloria Turner of Sylvania, GA, and Rick Tucker of Forsyth, GA.

He was a long-time member of Eagles Landing First Baptist Church and attended Thomas Road Baptist Church since moving to Lynchburg in 2021.

Andrew is survived by his parents, Eddie and Rhonda Turner; brothers, James Turner and Dan Turner and sister-in-Law Holly Turner; nieces, Madelyn Turner and Katelyn Turner, grandmother, Mary Thomas; aunts, Patty Crumbley, Cindy Valentine, Sue Whitener (Dennis), Mary Ann Tucker; uncles, David Thomas, Jimmy Thomas  (Susan), and Clyde Turner (Melissa), cousins, Michelle Crumbley (Justin),  Elizabeth Ray, Christina Saffo (Nick), Brandon Valentine, Adam Thomas (Leslie), Matt Thomas, Lori Bowen (Kevin), Joshua Whitener (Niki), Paul Turner, Kirk Tucker (Kaitlyn), Benjamin Whitener (Abby), Brad Turner, Troy Tucker (Ayrn); and many great nieces and nephews.

Andrew attended Eagles Landing Christian Academy and Creekside Christian Academy in Mcdonough, GA and graduated from Salem Christian School in Goochland, VA.  He was an avid golfer in school and worked in golf course maintenance.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM Saturday March 21, 2026 at Pates Chapel Thomas Road Baptist Church, 1 Mountain View Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502 for family and friends.

“Drew, we will see you soon!’

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, VA (540)-586-7360.

Barbara Jean Lee Mattie, 72, of Bedford, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026. She was born in Summit, NJ on May 13, 1953 a daughter of the late Floyd Henry Lee and Mary Bakker Lee. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Erika Mattie; and her brother, Richard Henry Lee.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, James Kenneth Mattie, Sr.; sons, James Kenneth Mattie, Jr. (Courtney), Andrew Lee Mattie (Susie); grandchildren, Lindsey Mattie, Alexander Mattie, Avery Mattie; and sister, Patricia Lange.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St., Bedford with Rev. Bart Hogge officiating. Burial will follow in Peaks Church Community Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Thursday and Friday at Walnut Street Chapel.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

Al Martin, 83, of Bedford, Virginia, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2026. He was born November 4, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan, a son of the late Edward Martin, Sr. and Jessie Martin. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Edward Martin, Jr.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jean Martin; and his daughter, Julie (Darrell) Mayhew; his sister, Linda (Buddy) Whatley; and several nieces and nephews.

Al served in the United States Coast Guard, stationed in Portsmouth, Virginia. While visiting his brother in Virginia Beach, he met the love of his life, Jean, and married her two weeks later. They moved to Larchmont in Norfolk, Virginia where they resided until they retired to Bedford, Virginia.

Al was a salesman for Empire Machinery& Supply and worked construction on the weekends. When he wasn’t working odd jobs, he loved going deep sea fishing with his buddies, bringing home his catch of the day and telling tales of the one that got away. He also enjoyed entertaining friends and neighbors with oyster roasts and crab feasts, when they were in season.

However, most people will remember him for his love of fine art and antiques. Another one of his hobbies was going to garage sales on Saturday mornings. With his coffee, newspaper, and map in hand, you never knew what treasures he would find and bring home.  As a guest in our home, it was mandatory to visit his workshop for a little show and tell about his latest project restoring a piece of furniture or the latest addition to his many collections.

After retiring to Bedford, Al traded in his fishing poles for a John Deere, taking pride in his yard and gardens. He still went to garage sales on Saturday mornings and enjoyed tinkering in his workshop. He loved spending time with his family, dogs, and grand-dogs, which is why in lieu of flowers, in his memory, please consider making a donation to the Bedford County Animal Shelter. Needless to say, Al will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the first responders of the Bedford County Fire and Rescue Squad.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.

With great sadness we announce the passing of Frank Anthony Ernandes, who was born into eternal life on March 5, 2026, after a brief illness. Frank was a giant in the defense industry. An Electrical Engineer with two Master’s Degrees, he specialized in radio frequency applications in the Aerospace field. He was well known to top military brass both at home and abroad, and once had a business meeting with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. He traveled the world extensively in his long career, which was capped by his responsibility for the design and construction of critical modules on the spacecraft that landed the Curiosity rover on Mars. In his later years, Frank collaborated with his son Tim to establish, manage, and run WSLK: the lake radio station, and Discover Smith Mountain Lake Magazine.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, a devoted family man, a devout Catholic, a true patriot, and a man known for his generosity. He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Gisela Ernandes, and four sons: Timothy (Jo-Ann), Kenneth (Sharon), Gregory (Ingrid), and Christopher (Pamela), six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, Salvatore and Marie Ernandes, his brother Joseph Ernandes, and his sister, Anna Carlsen, as well as his nephew, Kevin Carlsen, and his grandson, Alexander Ernandes.  A funeral mass will be held at Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta, on Monday, March 16^th, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be at the church, immediately prior to the Mass, starting at 10:00 AM.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford.

Thelma Arthur Johnson, 87, of Bedford, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. She was born in Bedford, VA on August 12, 1938 a daughter of the late Charles Kent Arthur and Pearl Moran Arthur. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, William Arnold Hale; and her second husband Floyd Jasper Johnson.

She was a longtime member of Timber Ridge Baptist Church.

Thelma is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Ricketson, Terryl Moring (Tom), Kelly Harmony (Daniel); grandchildren, Holly Turner (Daniel), Brooke Levens (Michael), Megan Moring, Zack Harmony (Sarah), Taylor Harmony (Jacob); great-grandchildren, Madelyn Turner, Katelyn Turner, Magnolia Levens, Grayson Levens, Kennedy Harmony; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and step-daughters.

The family would like to thank Bedford County Nursing Home, Centra Hospice, and her in home caregivers for their care of their mom.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Walnut Street Chapel, 1235 Walnut St. Bedford.

Arrangements by Burch-Messier Funeral Home, Bedford, 540-586-7360.