Jul 24, 2008

Larry Franklin Ausburne, 66, of 49 Atlantic Circle, Martinsville, died Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at his home.

He was born in Mount Airy, N.C., on Aug. 21, 1941, to Thomas Haywood Ausburne and Mary Katherine Barker Ausburne. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis Lambert Ausburne; and two brothers, James Thomas Ausburne and Gilbert Lee Ausburne.

He had worked in the production department at the Martinsville Bulletin.

Surviving are his wife, Peggie Ausburne of the home; one daughter, Kathryn Compton of Bassett; two sons, Larry Franklin Ausburne II and Charles Thomas Ausburne, both of Bassett; two sisters, Martha Ashworth and Linda Lawson, both of Bassett; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at Norris Funeral Services with the Rev. Dan Schelling officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home an hour before the service.

Jul 24, 2008

Mark Emory Joyce, 46, of Columbia, S.C., and formerly of Fieldale, died Sunday, July 20, 2008, as the result of a motorcycle accident.

He was born in Martinsville on March 3, 1962, to Robert “Bob” Joyce Jr. and Linda Joyce of Emerald Isle, N.C.

Joyce attended Fieldale-Collinsville High School and entered the Army on May 10, 1984, where he served with the 82nd Airborne Division as an infantryman. He retired honorably with 21 years of service.

He was a 2006 graduate of the Darla Moore School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He was enrolled in the environmental resources master’s program and was scheduled to graduate in December 2008.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are three brothers, Robert Earl Joyce III of Greensboro, N.C., Jay Hundley Joyce of Collinsville and Jon Phillip Joyce of Camp Lejeune, N.C.; and his grandmother, Jeanne F. Joyce of Greenville, S.C.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Norris Funeral Services with Pastor Michael Harrison officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of his brother, Jay H. Joyce, 270 Eastview Drive, Collinsville.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

Jul 24, 2008

Timothy Richardson, 49, of Bassett, died Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at home.

Bassett Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Jul 24, 2008

James “Junior” Rigney, 72, of Bassett, died Monday, July 21, 2008, at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville.

He was born in Franklin County on Aug. 21, 1935, to Harry Rigney and Annie Mae Hodges Rigney. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael James Rigney; a grandson, Dakota Rigney; and two sisters, Brownie Mae Robertson and Arlene Hite.

Surviving are his wife, Jacqueline Shorter of the home; a son, Tracy Rigney of Roanoke; three brothers, Reggie Rigney and Shelbon Rigney, both of Rocky Mount, and Wayne Rigney of Eden, N.C.; three grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held today at 2 p.m. at the Hodges family cemetery on Doe Run Road, Rocky Mount.

Cremation arrangements were made by Bassett Funeral Service.

Jul 24, 2008

A memorial service for Gloria Holland Rodgers of Bassett, who died July 22, 2008, will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the South Chapel of Bassett Funeral Service.

The family will receive friends in the chapel from 10 a.m. until time for the service.

Surviving are her husband, James Michael Rodgers of Bassett; two daughters, Kelli Rodgers Craig of Bassett and Nicki Rodgers of Martinsville; a sister, Kathy Holland Shelton of Spencer; a brother, Dwayne E. Holland of Mount Airy, N.C.; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was born in Martinsville to F.L. Holland and Susan W. Holland. Her parents preceded her in death. She formerly worked at King’s Grant for 13 years.

Jul 24, 2008

The funeral for Gregory Lee “Greg” Williams, 46, of Bassett, who died July 18, 2008, was held Wednesday in the South Chapel of Bassett Funeral Service. Pastors Carson Williams and Issac McDuffie officiated. Burial was in County Line Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Gene Keffer, Junior Hyton, Buster Mize, Lewis Underwood, Jimmy Underwood, Bobby East, Bob Williams and Travis Williams.

Jul 24, 2008

Mildred Campbell Witt, 83, of Martinsville, died Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at King’s Grant Retirement Community in Martinsville, where she was a resident.

She was born in Franklin County, on Jan. 13, 1925, to John Fletcher Campbell and Bessie Grinstead Campbell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Price Witt; a sister, Gladys Campbell Kellam; and a brother, John Fletcher Campbell Jr.

She graduated from Snow Creek High School in Franklin County and retired from DuPont after 38 years of service.

She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Martinsville, the Placid Mitchell Sunday School class and the Senior Adult Fellowship. She had been a member of the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary in Martinsville.

Surviving are two sons, Don L. Mitchell of Greensboro, N.C., and William F. “Bill” Mitchell of Martinsville; two grandsons; and two great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be held today with the Rev. John Fulcher officiating.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Martinsville, 23 Starling Ave., Martinsville, Va. 24112.

Arrangements are by Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home, Martinsville Chapel.