Ralph Junior Hale

Ralph Junior Hale, 77 of Check, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2019. He is preceded in death by his wife, Cobina “Dee Dee” Hale; parents, Ellis & Margaret Hale; and siblings, Francis Gillispie, Mildred Moore, Paul Hale, Lucy Brizendine, and Virginia “Gay” Witt.

Ralph was the owner and operator of Ralph’s Auto Body and Repair for more than 30 years where he served many. He was an avid golfer and loved Myrtle Beach.

He is survived by his daughters, Ginny Hale, and Chris Hale (Kenny); grandchildren, Jeffrey Hale (Sheena), Damian Nimmo (Abigail), and Anna Hale (John); great-grandson, Waylon; great-granddaughter, Chloe; and brothers and sisters, Mamie Austin, Author Hale, Lee Hale, Rose Dooley, and Charlotte Brizendine.

Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Daniel Whitlock officiating. Interment will follow in the Jacksonville Cemetery with Military Rites by the Floyd V.F.W. Post 7854 and American Legion Post 127. The family will receive friends from 5 – 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the funeral home.

Melvin Edward Weddle

Melvin Edward Weddle, 91, has gone from this life to be with the Lord on April 23, 2019. He was born in Willis, VA on November 22, 1927 to Hayden A. & Laura Keith Weddle. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Lorene.

He is survived by his step-daughter, Roberta Chadwick and husband Ron from Tybee Island, GA.

Mr. Weddle was a career Army Veteran who served tours in Germany, Hawaii, Texas, Korea, Vietnam, and Georgia. He served in many church congregations with his final place of worship at Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren. He spent his final years at the Veterans Care Center in Salem, VA. Needless to say he will be missed by numerous nephews, nieces, church friends, and anyone who knew this wonderful man.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2019 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Marvin Wade officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the funeral home. Entombment will follow in the Hillandale Memorial Gardens, Lithonia, GA on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

Reba Lawrence Jones

Reba Lawrence Jones, 83 of Pilot, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2019. She is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Delano Jones; parents, Noah Buford & Vedia Conner Lawrence; brothers, Raymond and Allen; and sisters, Dorothy, Garnet, and Mary.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Jane Jones; grandsons, Terry & Amanda Poff and Adam & Deborah Poff; great-grandchildren, Gavin Poff, Aiden Poff, and Tressa Poff; sister, Ilene Lawrence; sister-in-law, Opal Lawrence; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2019 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Kingrea officiating. Interment will follow in the Huffville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2019 at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Carilion Hospice and her caregivers, Phyllis and Melissa.

Jerry Estole Higgs

Jerry Estole Higgs, 65, formerly of Willis, took his heavenly flight on Friday, April 12, 2019. Preceding him in death are his parents, Estole McCoy and Reba Boyd Higgs. 

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Dennis Thompson; nephew, Joshua Thompson; “his other sister and brother”, Martha and Charlie Allen and their children, Susan Nolley and Dwayne Allen; and special cousins, Jill and Granville Bishop.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

A graveside service will be held at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 24, 2019 with Pastor Ricky Atkins officiating and Military Rites by the Langley-Eustis Air Force Honor Guard.