Ellen B. Blankenship
Ellen C. Barnes Blankenship, 86, formerly of Ridgeway, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at the Blue Ridge Rehab Center in Martinsville. A Henry County native, she was born Jan. 14, 1913, to the late J.L. Compton and Sally Minter Compton. She retired from Pannill Knitting Co. and was a member of Community Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jerry A. Barnes; her second husband, Riley Blankenship; three brothers, Jimmy, Pete and Logan Compton; and four sisters, Bessie Powell, Nellie Compton, Cassie Nichols and Virgie Warren. Surviving are two sons, Percy C. Barnes and Kennon C. Barnes, both of Ridgeway; one sister, Ruby Compton Cox of Martinsville; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at McKee-Stone Funeral Services from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today, and other times at the home of the son, Percy C. Barnes, 188 Sheffield Road, Ridgeway. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mountain View Cemetery in Ridgeway. Minister Creighton Beatty will officiate. McKee-Stone Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

Jesse W. Edwards
Jesse Webster "Web" Edwards, 88, of 14 Peters St., Martinsville, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, in Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. Born June 27, 1911 in Patrick County, he was a son of the late William E. Edwards and Bertie Clark Edwards Martin. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Inez Edwards. Edwards was one of the oldest members of Mount Zion Holy Church where he had served as a deacon, on the finance committee, in the Men's Auxiliary and with the Willing Workers. He also participated in the jail ministry. He retired from V.M. Draper Manufacturing. Surviving are two daughters, Teresa Johns and Charlen King, both of Martinsville; one son, Andrew L. Preston of Bardstown, Ky.; two sisters, Roberta Edwards of Philadelphia, Pa., and Mozelle Hill of Detroit, Mich.; two brothers, Neil Martin of Martinsville and W.C. Martin of Stoneville, N.C.; and four grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Mount Zion Holy Church with the Rev. James Hagwood officiating. Burial will follow in Carver Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Mount Zion Holy Church a half hour prior to the funeral Sunday and other times at the residence on Peters Street. Hairston Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy Y. Hairston
Dorothy Younger Hairston, 48, of Ridge Road, Woolwine, died Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999 at her home. Born Nov. 9, 1950 in Kyle, W.Va., she was the daughter of Arlene C. Younger of Woolwine and the late Donald Younger. She had worked at Bassett Chair Co., then at Fieldcrest Mills-linked Wackenhut Security for 10 years. For the past six years, she drove a school bus for the handicapped for the Patrick County School system. She was a member of West Liberty Christian Church. Surviving in addition to her mother, are one daughter, Angela Younger of Woolwine; two sisters, Gloria Barbour of Stuart and Mary R. Conner of Woolwine; five brothers, James Younger of Lawrenceville, Ronald Younger of Ridgeway, Dennis Younger of Woolwine, Darryl Younger of Courtland, Va., and William Younger of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and one grandson. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Moody Funeral Home chapel in Stuart. The Revs. LeRoy Wimbush and William Hairston will preside. Burial will follow in the Conner family cemetery. A wake will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today at Moody Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Dorothy Hairston Cancer Fund, c/o Angela Younger, 452 Ridge Road, Woolwine, Va. 24185.

Elmer B. Hundley
Elmer Benjamin Hundley, 65, of 785 Blackberry Road, Bassett, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at his home. He had recently retired from the Furniture Industries' Chair Plant, where he had worked for a number of years. Born June 16, 1934 in Henry County, he was a son of the late Lucy Ella Foley Hundley and John Harrison Hundley. He was a member of Hill Memorial Baptist Church in Koehler. Surviving are his wife, Lucille Hundley of the home; two sons, Benny Hundley of the Pleasant Grove Community and Terry Hundley of Stuart; five grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Gilbert and Shirley Coleman, both of Bassett; five brothers, Albert Hundley of Bassett, Luther Hundley of Collinsville, Cecil Hundley of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Major Hundley of Sydnorsville and Brooster Hundley of Henry; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Coleman and Earnest Hundley. The family will receive friends at Hill Memorial Baptist Church from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today and other times at the home of Claude Russell, 170 Lafayette Ave., Villa Heights. The funeral will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hill Memorial Baptist Church with the Revs. Bob Gillispie and Bobby Rakes officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Burial Park. Bassett Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Robert J. Johnston
Robert Justice Johnston, 76, of 9640 Chatham Road in Martinsville's Mountain Valley community, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at his home. He was a World War II Army veteran, and worked at Dupont more than 33 years before retiring. He also was a beekeeper. He was a member of Valley Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church. Born May 12, 1923, in the Mountain Valley section of Henry County, he was the son of the late Thomas Johnston and Mattie Fowlkes Johnston. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Callie Finney and Pearl Finney, and two brothers, Noel T. and Andrew Johnston. Surviving are his wife, Aileen Bryant Johnston of the home; six daughters, Joan J. Nuckols of Callands, Judy J. Garrett of Axton, Brenda J. Deal of Chatham, Martha J. Hatchett of Collinsville, Becky J. Santiago of Tyrone, Ga., and Lisa J. Walker of Danville; two sons, Dennis Johnston and Michael Johnston, both of Martinsville; three sisters, Alice Donovant of Altavista, Eva Reynolds of Sandy Level, and Georgia Prillaman of Martinsville; 12 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. The funeral will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Valley Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church. Officiating will be the Revs. Harry Johnston, Haywood Alcorn, Harry Meadow and Jack Coe. Burial will follow in the Johnston family cemetery in Mountain Valley. Memorials may be made to the Valley Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church Building Fund, 1146 Rives Road, Martinsville, Va. 24112. Collins Funeral Services in Bassett is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at Bassett Funeral Services chapel from 7 to 9 p.m. today.

Mattie W. Joyce
DANVILLE --Mattie Wright Joyce, 78, of 321 Brentwood Drive, died Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999, at Danville Regional Medical Center. Born July 14, 1921, in Cedar Bluff, she was the daughter of the late Henry Wright and Edna Martin Wright. She was a member of Keen Street Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband of 52 years, Thurman Roscoe Joyce of the home; two daughters, Vickie J. Wheelock of Hope, Mich. and Rhonda L. Joyce of Edinburg; five sisters, Louise W. Farley of Delbarton, W.Va., Ruth W. Rutherford of Matewon, W.Va., Mable W. Maynard of Glen Daniel, W.Va, Margie W. Wyatt of Stuart and Betty W. Thompson of Ridgeway; one brother, Henry M. Wright Jr. of Columbus, Ohio; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Highland Burial Park with the Rev. Thomas Brown officiating. The family will receive friends from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. today at Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel and other times at the residence on Brentwood Drive.

Mary W. Kirk
Mary Croom Walker Kirk, 89, of 215 Stuart St., Martinsville, died Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1999, in Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. She was the widow of William Hailey Kirk Sr. She was born Nov. 5, 1909, in Maxton, N.C., to the late Dougal Vance Walker and Jeanette McCormick Walker. For more than 25 years she was a librarian with the Martinsville School system, and she was a member of the First Baptist Church of Martinsville. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Frank Grey (Jane Kirk) LaPrade Jr. of Mount Airy, N.C.; two sons, William Hailey Kirk Jr. of Kernersville, N.C. and James Dugald Kirk of Virginia Beach; one brother, Archiebald Colin Walker of Winston-Salem, N.C.; one sister, Jeanette Walker Cano of Burlington, N.C.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Roselawn Burial Park. The Rev. Nancy S. McDaniel will preside. The family will receive friends Monday at Norris Funeral Services from 1 p.m. until time to go to the cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Music Fund, 23 Starling Ave., Martinsville, Va. 24112, or to the Central United Methodist Church Music Fund, 1909 N. Main St., Mount Airy, N.C. 27030. Norris Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.

James H. McPeak Sr.
ECKMAN, W.VA.-- James Howard McPeak Sr., 67, of Eckman, died Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1999. Born March 19, 1932 in Eckman, he was a son of the late Wayman McPeak and Nancy Rakes McPeak. He was preceded in death by two sons, James "Jimbo" McPeak in 1982 and Jeffrey McPeak in 1995; a granddaughter in 1990; one sister, Lydia Lambert; and four brothers, Mack McPeak, William "Will" McPeak, Isaac "Ike" McPeak and Arthur "Ott" McPeak. He was a Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of American Legion Post #8 of Welch. A disabled coal miner, McPeak was a member of the United Mine Workers Association. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Fonda Webb McPeak of the home; three sons Benny Joe McPeak of Eckman, Danny McPeak of Thorpe and Jerry McPeak of the home; three daughters, Dobie Luster and Pam McPeak of Eckman and Tina Godfrey of Maybeury; three sisters, Mrs. Oma (Sue) Buckner of Welch, Mrs. Lester (Cordella) Parks and Jenny McPeak, both of Martinsville, Va.; 13 grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. today at the Bennett-Widener Funeral Home in Northfork. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton with military honor by the Sandy River District American Legion Post 175 of Bradshaw. Pallbearers were William Graham, Randy Graham, Mike McPeak, Eddie Godfrey, Jessie Luster, Tony Luster, Timmy Luster, Benny McPeak Jr. and Jackie Dillon.

Melvin J. Parks
HINTON, W.VA. -- Melvin J. Parks, 68, of Hinton Ñ who formerly lived in Princeton and Fostoria, Ohio Ñ died Friday, Sept. 29, 1999, in the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. Born Sept. 5, 1931 in Eckman, he was a son of the late Melvin Welcome Parks and Susie Ada Ford. Preceding him in death was a sister, Wazenia Gorsky, and three brothers, Alfred, Huey and Harvey Parks. He retired from General Dynamics in Lima, Ohio. Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Della Marie Christian Parks of the home; four sons, Roger Parks of the home, James Parks of Keansburg, N.J., Clayton Parks of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Eugene Parks of Fostoria, Ohio; two brothers, Frank Parks of Fayetteville, W.Va. and Lester Parks of Martinsville, Va.; three sisters, Mrs. Everette (Lessie) Jarrett of Maybeury, Mrs. Harne (Elizabeth) Meade of Colburn, Va. and Mrs. Paul (Louise) Mullis of Ridgeway, Va.; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren; and three step-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday at Bennett-Widener Funeral Home chapel in Northfork. The Rev. Johnny Gray will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. The family will receive friends at Bennett-Widener Funeral Home from 6 until 9 p.m. Sunday.

Victor D. Stanley
Victor Dern Stanley, 36, of Bassett, died Thursday evening, Sept. 30, 1999, in Roanoke Memorial Hospital of injuries received last Saturday in an automobile accident. He was the son of J.C. and Garthell Stanley of Bassett. Stanfield-Miller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

R. Clyde Brown
HILLSVILLE -- A funeral was held at 10 a.m. today at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville for R. Clyde Brown, 86, of Mount Airy, N.C., and formerly of Fieldale, who died Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1999, in the North Hospital of Surry County. Burial will be in Butcher Valley Cemetery in Rogersville, Tenn. at 2 p.m. today. Brown is survived by four nieces; two nephews; and a sister-in-law.

Alfred W. Brown
Alfred Wiley Lee Brown, 73, of Penhook, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000. Surviving are two brothers, Raymond Brown of Gladehill and Calvin Brown of Bassett; five sisters, Mary B. Cobbs of Penhook, Lillie B. Mitchell of St. Albania, N.Y., Estelle B. Sheltor of Washington, D.C., and Alma B. Holland and Shelia Keeling, both of Roanoke. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Truevine Baptist Church by the Rev. Wayne Watkins. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour before the service. Stanfield Mortuary Service in Rocky Mount is in charge of the arrangements.

Delores J. Joyce
Delores Jane Duggins Joyce, 58, of 3419 County Line Road, Patrick Springs, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. She was born Jan. 31, 1942, in Rockingham County, N.C., and was preceded in death by a twin brother, Wayne Duggins. She was disabled and was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church in Collinsville. Surviving are her husband, Samuel G. Joyce of Patrick Springs; two sons, Terry Craddock and Tim Craddock, both of Martinsville; two stepsons, Michael Joyce of Bassett, and Brad Joyce of Stoneville, N.C.; a daughter, Tammy Perales of San Diego; a sister, Patricia Wagoner of Charlotte, N.C.; and six grandchildren. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Mountain View Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Lawson Cemetery in Eden. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Mountain View Baptist Church and then meet at the home of her son, Tim Craddock at 70 Morrison Road in Martinsville. Fair Funeral Home in Eden is in charge of the arrangements.

Annie H. Pettigrew
Annie Hill Pettigrew, 73, of 450 Hill Valley Road, Stuart, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C. Arrangements, which are incomplete at this time, are being handled by Moody Funeral Services, Stuart.

Gayleon Smith
Gayleon Smith, 57, of Bassett, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. Arrangements, which are incomplete at this time, are being handled by Bassett Funeral Service.

John C. Akridge
John Cecil Akridge, 63, of 149 Overhill Drive, Bassett, died this morning, Feb. 29, 2000, in the Beverly Health Care Center in Martinsville. He was the husband of Ruth Cabiness Akridge. Collins Funeral Services in Bassett is in charge of arrangements.

Alphonso Millner
STONEVILLE, N.C. -- Alphonso "Billy" Millner, 53, of 170 Belton Road, died Feb. 26, 2000. He was a native of Rockingham County and a former employee of Virginia Solite. Surviving are his wife, Pamela Galloway Millner; three sons, Walter Lee Smith of Lancaster, S.C., Alphonso D. Millner of Gastonia, and Farris L. Millner of Eden; two daughters, Rhonda Ashe and Phyllis Millner Wall, both of Eden; one brother, Charles Millner of Eden; sisters, Minnie Lee Petty, Joann Peeler, Mary Millner and Betty Millner, all of Eden, and Kaye Giles of Martinsville, Va.; and 11 grandchildren. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Perry-Spencer Funeral Home chapel in Eden. Burial will be in Eden Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. Thursday.

Charles W. Petress
EDEN, N.C. -- Rev. Charles William Petress, 58, of 936 Garrett Road, Eden, died Feb. 26, 2000. He was a Rockingham County native, self-employed and a member of Bethel Way of the Cross Church. Surviving are his wife, Evangeline M. Peteress of the home; one son, Shaun Ferrar of Maryland; his mother, Henrietta Petress of Axton, Va.; and one sister Luetta Smith of Axton. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bethel Way of the Cross Church. Burial will be in St. John Baptist Church cemetery in Axton. Arrangements are by Perry-Spencer Funeral Home, Eden.

Annie H. Pettigrew
The funeral for Annie Hill Pettigrew, 73, of Hill Valley Road, Stuart, who died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Hylton Thessalonia Church. Elder James Benton will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the funeral. Born Feb. 18, 1927, in Charleston, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late George Hill Sr. and the late Annie Carter Hill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Pettigrew. She retired from the Blue Ridge Nursing Center in Stuart, where she worked for 25 years, and was a member of the Hylton Thessalonia Church. Surviving are two daughters, Denise Ann Pettigrew and Allison Pettigrew, both of Stuart; four sisters, Myrtle Turner, Helen Robertson and Betty Gaither, all of Stuart, and Geraldine Smith of Walkertown, N.C.; one brother, Ronnie Hill of Stuart; and five grandchildren. Moody Funeral Home in Stuart is in charge of arrangements.

Gayleon Smith
Gayleon Hamilton Smith, 57, of Bassett, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, in Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. He had worked in maintenance at the Bassett Fiberboard Plant for more than 20 years. Born Aug. 28, 1942, in Montgomery County, he was the son of the late Ruth Marie Bowers Smith and the late Gayleon H. Smith. He is survived by a sister, Susie Helvey Orange of Christiansburg. Friends will be received at Bassett Funeral Service in Bassett from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. today. The body will be taken to McCoy Funeral Service in Blacksburg where friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. The funeral will be held at McCoy Funeral Home at 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Jimmy Price officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery in Blacksburg. Arrangements are by Bassett Funeral Service.