Local obituaries for
Paige Smith Brockwell
Sep 25, 2025
Paige Smith Brockwell, 86, of Chesterfield, VA, passed away on September 25, 2025. Born in Petersburg to the late George and Emily Brockwell, she is also preceded in death by a beloved cousin, Edward McNamara Smith; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Paige attended Duke University and the Medical College of Virginia and earned her degree in medical technology. She later...
Shirley Jean Edwards
Sep 24, 2025
Shirley Jean Edwards, 82, of Mechanicsville, VA, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. Born in Portsmouth, VA, she was the daughter of the late Burley Farthing and Mary Bishop Ripley; and was also preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Martin; her second husband, Howard Edwards; and her youngest brother, Charles Evans. Mrs. Edwards was a dedicated member...
Thomas Napier
Sep 22, 2025
Thomas "Tom" Napier, 64, of Cape Charles, VA, passed away on Monday, September 22, 2025. Tom was the son of the late Ruby Castle Napier; and was also preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Gordon Napier. He was a graduate of Thomas Dale High School, worked as an over-the-road truck driver for many years and was currently employed by...
William Franklin Bedwell
Sep 22, 2025
William Franklin Bedwell, 87, of Dinwiddie Courthouse, VA, died on September 22, 2025. He graduated from Dinwiddie High School in 1955 and from the University of Richmond Business School in 1959 with a B.S. in Business-Marketing. He worked at WWBT-TV for 13 years, then the Virginia Department of Agriculture, Division of Marketing until retirement. He was preceded in death by...
James C. Stewart
Sep 20, 2025
James C. Stewart, affectionately known as "Jimmie" or "Studie," son of the late James Lynwood Stewart and the late Pearl Holt Lucy, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 87. Born in Petersburg, Virginia, on May 26, 1938, he lived a life defined by dedication - to his family, his country, his community, and his profession.
Jimmie is survived...
George E. Johnston, Jr.
Sep 19, 2025
George E. "Junnie" Johnston, Jr., 87, of Chester, VA, passed away on September 19, 2025.
George was preceded in death by his parents, George Johnston, Sr. and Elsie Johnston; and by his beloved wife of 53 years, Brenda Johnston.
George worked as a pipe fitter with DuPont for 51 years before retiring. He was known by all for his selfless,...
Ryan Sean O'Connor
Sep 16, 2025
Ryan Sean O'Connor, 38, passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. He is survived by his loving wife of 9 years, Stephanie O'Connor; his children, Ryan "RJ" Sean O'Connor, Jr. (9) and Aubrey Kate O'Connor (6); his parents, Howard and Kathryn O'Connor; his sisters, Lauren Bisner (Bryce Bisner) and Kristin O'Connor; his niece, Harper Bisner; his father-in-law, Dave Saller; his...
Lillian Ann Archer
Sep 16, 2025
Lillian Ann Archer, 79 of Matoaca, VA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. She was preceded in death by her mother, Vera Winslow; father James Saunders; and stepfather Edward Winslow.
The consummate caregiver, Lillian (or "Ann" as she was known by family and friends.) graduated from Prince George High School and married her husband George on January 1, 1967....
Rodney Dale Perkinson, Sr.
Sep 13, 2025
Rodney Dale Perkinson, Sr., 67, returned peacefully to his heavenly father on September 13, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Rodney was born on August 26, 1958, in Colonial Heights, VA, to his loving parents, Bubba and Carrie Perkinson. He married his high school sweetheart, Debbie Perkinson, to whom he has been married to for 45 years.
Rodney worked tirelessly...
Charles Ray Stokes
Sep 12, 2025
Charles Ray Stokes, 90, of Colonial Heights, VA, and formerly of Greenville, MS, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2025. Born in Mississippi, he was the son of the late Carl C. and May Belle Rushing Stokes; and was also preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Catherine Ware Stokes; two grandchildren, Diana Renee Stokes and Charles Franklin "Chuck"...
Pat Dalton Harris
Sep 12, 2025
We are saddened to announce the passing of our rock, Pat Dalton Harris, 79, of Colonial Heights, who died peacefully with his family at his bedside, on September 12, 2025.
Pat was born in 1946, to the late Lewis Hiram Harris and Dorothy Shepperson Harris. He was a member of the first graduating class of Colonial Heights High School in 1965....
Mary Cerny Finney
Sep 11, 2025
Mary Cerny Finney, 73, of Prince George, VA, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Born in Petersburg, VA, she was the daughter of the late Paul W. Cerny, Sr.; and was also preceded in death by her brother, Paul W. Cerny, Jr.; and a nephew, Paul "Tripp" W. Cerney III. Mrs. Finney retired from the United States Postal Service,...
Steve D. Edwards
Sep 10, 2025
Steve D. Edwards, of Chester, departed this earth to be with his wife, on September 10, 2025.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur; sister, Joyce Sutherland; mother, Thelma; and wife, Dora "Cherie," who passed on April 10, 2015.
He was a devoted 52 year employee of the Virginia Department of Transportation, who retired on April 1, 2015....
Joy Creggar Benfer
Sep 9, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Joy Creggar Benfer, who was taken from us too soon on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the age of 61. She was born in Prince George County to her parents, Walter (Tommy) and Veta Creggar.
She retired, happily, from Defense Supply Center in Richmond. For the last 8 years, she has courageously fought...
Verna Jean Bradley
Sep 8, 2025
Verna Jean Bradley, 89, was born to the late Augustus and Pearl Taylor, in Hix, WV. She is also preceded in death by her loving husband, William "Bill" Bradley; her son, Tommy Puckett; and her great-granddaughter, Hannah Green.
She went to the Chester YMCA every day after it opened in 1986, until she got sick. She loved to travel around...
Mary Stewart
Sep 6, 2025
Mary Stewart, was born the oldest child of W. Roland McCleary & G. Vay McCleary on January 5, 1943. She was a sister to Bill and Lola (as well as, Shirley, though for only a month). As a young woman she met a young sailor named Floyd, that had patronized the bar she waitressed at. It was a whirlwind romance...
Sandra Nickolson Richardson
Sep 4, 2025
Sandra Nickolson Richardson, 80, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025, in Chesterfield, Virginia. Born on January 31, 1945, in Sylacauga, Alabama, Sandra was the daughter of Reed and Thelma Nickolson. She grew up surrounded by a close-knit family that included her siblings, Jimmy Reed Nickolson, Sherril Nickolson, and June McCreight, all of whom preceded her in death.Sandra is survived by...
Ollie Gertrude Ratliff Chaney
Sep 3, 2025
Ollie Gertrude Ratliff Chaney, age 86, of Dinwiddie, VA, ascended to her heavenly home on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, while surrounded by family at her home. She was born on August 22, 1939, in Hurley, VA, to the late Will and Stella Rowe Ratliff. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Paul Ratliff; half-brothers,...
Catherine Hartsook Spence
Sep 1, 2025
It is with deep sadness that the family of Catherine Hartsook Spence, of Chester, Virginia, announces her passing on September 1, 2025, at the age of ninety-eight.
Catherine was born at home on April 1, 1927, in Lewisburg, West Virginia. She was the daughter of the late Hubert Austin Hartsook and Bessie Gardner Hartsook, and sister of the late Helen Hartsook...
Dolores Watkins
Aug 31, 2025
Dolores "Dee" Elaine Bray Watkins, age 86, passed away on August 31, 2025. Dolores was born on February 23, 1939, in Washington, DC, to Carroll Bray, Sr. and Margie Wood Bray, whom preceded her in death.
Dee is survived by her loving husband, James L. Watkins; her wonderful children, Michael Watkins, Richard Watkins, Suzanne Anderson, and Lisa Dabney (Dwight); her...
