Joyce Ann Underwood Dickinson, 77, of Thaxton, died Friday, June 12, 2026.  She was born in Botetourt County on August 2, 1948 a daughter of the late Arthur Neal Underwood and Nova Florence Weddle.   Joyce was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and will be missed dearly. 

She is survived by her husband of 50 years Danny Michael Dickinson; a daughter, Angela Lynn McCoy; a son, Algie McCoy (Kelly); three grandchildren, Stephanie Howell (Richard), Kayla McCoy (Seth) and Mark Stevens; one great-grandson, Ari Philips. 

A special thank you to Richard Robison for his care in her final years.  A private family graveside will be held in Holy Land Cemetery. 

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

Mary Ann Godsey Reynolds left this world surrounded by family and friends and entered the presence of Jesus on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

Mary Ann (known as Mercy) was born December 20, 1945 in Lynchburg, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Frank H. Godsey, Sr. and Mary W. Godsey, her dearly beloved niece, Amy Lowe Watson and her brother in “love”, Roger D. Hudgins, Sr.

Mary Ann is survived by her son Christopher Eric Reynolds, sisters Patti Hudgins and Evelyn Woody (Len), brother Frank H. Godsey, Jr., nephews John T. Lowe, Jr., Michael J. Lowe, Stephen H. Godsey, Roger D. Hudgins, Jr. and Jeffrey A. Woody, nieces Melissa H. Ragland, Susan G. Hager, Alison G. Creasy and Amy W. Ferguson, great niece Chloe A. Lowe and a great great nephew Jax A. Hostetter.  Mercy was an aunt to a host of bonus nieces and nephews whom she loved and prayed for daily.

She retired from Central Virginia Training Center after 35 years of service and was the manager of The Pines Village Apartments for 31 years.  She was a member of Flat Creek Baptist Church as a young woman and more currently a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church.

Mary Ann was affectionately known as Mercy, a name given to her by Landon Tuck, when at four years old, after catching his first striped bass with his father Ricky Tuck, Landon brought his prize fish to her to cook for him!  From that day on she was Mercy to us all.

She was a phenomenal cook and loved cooking for her family.  She was always ready to cook up “a mess of something” at a moment’s notice!

Mercy, after coming home with hospice, was blessed to have celebrated life for three weeks with impromptu daily visits from numerous friends and family constantly by her side playing hands of rummy, laughing, and enjoying memories made over the years. In honor of her, many continued to cook and bake so Mercy felt right at home.  Those delightful meals were shared and enjoyed by all.

Our family wishes to thank the amazing friends and family for the flowers, food and care given to Mercy during her illness.  We will never forget you!  A very special “Thank You” to Centra Hospice staff that included Sabrina, Nisha, and Cheryl and many others as well.   We also offer an enormous Thank You to her close friend and constant caregiver Ivonne Clark, without your help daily it would have been a very different journey.

Mercy’s request of her family was to come home and celebrate her life with all those she loved while she was in Hospice.  She considered those precious three weeks a blessing as she shared with each one who came to her bedside how much she looked forward to seeing her Savior and finally touching the hem of the robe she had clung to so often as she traversed life.

A release of her ashes will take place in November 2026 at Old City Cemetery at the Butterfly Garden.  An announcement with details will follow at a later date.

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

Robert Harrison “Sleepy” Burge, 85, of Moneta, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 on his 65th wedding anniversary. He was born on October 17, 1940 to Thomas Henry Burge and Mary Moore Burge. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by eleven siblings.

He was retired from Rubatex with 42 years of service. He also drove a school bus for Bedford County Public Schools for 9 years, Meals on Wheels for 9 years, and managed a farm in Bedford County for 38 years. He was a member of Grace Memorial Baptist Church for 64 years where he served as Deacon, Head Usher, Sunday School Teacher and other roles.

Robert is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Violet Campbell Burge; children, Tim Burge (Kathy Kiger), Geneva Gibson (Jerry), Sheila Sprigg (Bob); bonus daughter, Ann Wolfe (Mike); grandchildren, Stephen Meyers (Tonya), Charlie Sprigg (Renee), Grace Martin, Amie Meyers, Bobby Meyers (Adrienne), Rachel Cook, Forest Kiger; and eleven great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Affinity Hospice for their care of Robert.

Family will receive friends on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the Grace Memorial Baptist Church from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Grace Memorial Baptist Church with Pastor Greg Rogers officiating. A private family burial will be held in the Burge Family Cemetery in Concord, VA. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Grace Memorial Baptist Church, 1737 Robertson Rd., Bedford.

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