Jul 3, 2009

The funeral for Curtis Lee Baker Sr., 83, of 425 Tanglewood Drive, Martinsville, who died July 1, 2009, at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Norris Funeral Services with Pastor Buster Mize officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Grove Christian Church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at Norris Funeral Services and other times at the home.

Baker was born in Henry County on July 7, 1925, to Jessie Ben Baker and Mattie Morris Baker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Pauline W. Baker.

He graduated from Spencer-Penn High School and served in the Army during World War II and in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict.

He retired from DuPont in 1986 after 38 years as a research and development technician. He was a member of Full Gospel Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Eunice Joyce Baker of the home; a son, Curtis Lee Baker Jr. of Montreal, Canada; two stepdaughters, Cheryl Belcher of Richmond and Amy B. Dodson of Martinsville; and a step-granddaughter.

Jul 3, 2009

The funeral for Laura Leigh Blankenship, 40, of Martinsville, who died June 29, 2009, was held Thursday at Community Funeral Home in Stuart with Dr. Mike Hatfield officiating. Burial was in the Ferris-Roop family cemetery at Patrick Springs.

Pallbearers were Steven Moore, James Keaton, Gary Darden, Paul Roop, Donnie Maxie and Kevin Harris.

Jul 3, 2009

FERRUM — James Herbert Hodges, 86, of Ferrum, died Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

He was born Nov. 4, 1922, to Peter and Sally Hodges. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Geneva Shively Hodges; and a brother, Raymond Hodges.

Surviving are a son, Warren Hodges of Ridgeway; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; three brothers, Edgar Hodges of Penhook, Lenford Hodges and Hensil Hodges of Rocky Mount; and a sister, Hazel Lumpkins.

A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Maple Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Tilley officiating.

The family will receive friends at Flora Funeral Service in Rocky Mount from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Memorials may be made to Solid Rock Baptist Church, c/o Rev. Steve Tilley, 5850 Henry Road, Henry, Va. 24102.

Jul 3, 2009

HAMPTON — Frances Edwards Hurd, 92, died Thursday, July 2, 2009. She was the widow of Elmo D. Hurd.

She born in Danville to Garnett and Frances Wade Edwards. She had been a Hampton resident since 1952.

Surviving are two daughters, Adele Bennington and Janice Winebarger; a son, G. Leon Hurd; a sister, Annie Joyce; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in Downtown Hampton.

A graveside service and burial will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville.

Jul 3, 2009

Nellie Rorrer Moran, 87, of Woolwine, died Thursday, July 2, 2009, at her home.

She was born in Beckley County, W.Va., on March 1, 1922, to Thomas Daniel Rorrer and Loucinda Harman Rorrer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Blanco Moran; two sisters, Eva Cardwell and Lillie Nelson; and three brothers, Willard Rorrer, Thomas D. Rorrer and Johnnie C. Rorrer.

She was a longtime member of Woolwine United Methodist Church and was a member of the Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary.

Surviving are two daughters, Margie Cockram of Woolwine and Janie Spichek of Roanoke; three sons, Bernard Moran of Woolwine, Sherman Harless Moran of Stuart and Lewis Gaylon Moran of King, N.C.; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and one brother, Jackie H. Rorrer of Woolwine.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Woolwine United Methodist Church with Pastors Dewayne Troutt and Sandy LaForce officiating. Burial will be in the Woolwine Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart.

Memorials may be made to the Smith River Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 122, Woolwine, Va. 24185; or the Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department, 9957 Woolwine Highway, Woolwine, Va. 24185; or to an organization of the donor’s choice.

Jul 3, 2009

The funeral for Virginia Brim Tuggle, 92, of Stuart and formerly of Spencer, who died June 30, 2009, was held Thursday at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. The Revs. Bernard Handy, David Heath and Joe Shockley officiated. Burial was in Old Well Christian Church cemetery.

Pallbearers were R.D. Dillon, James Robert Brim, Mike Williams, Larry Hairston, Josh Williams, Ronnie Bowman, Charles Rakes, Clyde Hill, Richard Wood and Paul Layman.