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OBITUARIES

Carolyn Dani Cage

Carolyn Dani Cage completed her life here on earth peacefully at her
home in South Boston, VA on May 15, 2008.
She was the beloved daughter of Barbara S. Cage and Robert F. (Bob)
Cage and sister of Robin, Barbara and Fielding Cage.
Dani was born September 11, 1952 in Washington D.C., grew up in
Halifax, Va and spent many years working in Key West, FL and Nashville,
TN.  She returned home 15 years ago to be near her family and pursue
her passion for creating willow furniture; developing her own unique
style of rustic chairs, tables, mirrors and garden accessories. Dani
loved the outdoors, especially the gardens and land on which she lived.
Dani's beauty and joy of life was expressed through her friendships,
sense of humor and artistic ability.
A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 800
North Main Street in South Boston on Sunday, May 25th at 2 p.m.
Following the service will be a celebration of Dani's life by the lake
at Bob Cage's Sculpture Farm.
The family has deeply appreciated the many prayers, cards, flowers, and
phone calls that Dani received.  Those wishing to give memorials may
consider donations to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive,
Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 or Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204
Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, VA 24592 in lieu of flowers and food.

 

 Wanda Overbey Carter
Wanda Overbey Carter, 58, of 2244 Aarons Creek Road, Virgilina died
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at her home.  She was born in Halifax County on
January 8, 1950, a daughter of Decatur and Elizabeth Overbey and was
married to the late Ronnie Carter.  She was a member of Franklin
Congregation Christian Church, Franklin, was a volunteer at Halifax
Regional Hospital and was secretary at Powell Realty.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by a son, Joseph Councill
of Inwood, WV; brother, Donald Overbey and wife Yvonne of Ringgold;
former husband, Lawrence Councill of Franklin.

 

 Shirley Grinnan
Mr. Shirley Grinnan, 77, of Baltimore, MD, formerly of Clover, died
Monday, May 12, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore, MD.  He was
born in Halifax County on March 31, 1931,a son of the late Mr. William
Grinnan and Mrs. Aldissa Lacks Grinnan.
He is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Sadie Sturdivant and Mrs. Marie
Head, both of Baltimore, MD; two brothers-in-law, Mr. James Sturdivant
and Mr. Ralph Heard; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Corrine Grinnan, other
relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 17 at St. Matthew Baptist
Church with Rev. Whitfield Scott officiating.  Burial followed in the
Lacks Family Cemetery.
 Bertha Loftis Gravitt
Mrs. Bertha Loftis Gravitt, 102, of 1162 Shady Grove Church Road,
Virgilina died Thursday, May 15, 2008 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Halifax County on April 14, 1906, daughter of the late
William Andrew and Ollie Loftis and was married to the late Hustler A.
Gravitt.  She was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church,
where she was active as a Sunday school teacher and the UMW, was a
member of Virginia Teachers Association and retired as a teacher with
the Halifax County School System.
She is survived by two sons, Arthur L. Gravitt and wife Mary Ann of
South Boston, William D. Gravitt and wife Mary Frances of Manakin
Sabot; daughter, Betty Ann Drury of Albany, GA; two daughters-in-law,
Bessie T. Gravitt and Nancy W. Gravitt, both of South Boston;
grandchildren, Randolph L. Gravitt, Gerald B. Gravitt, Christopher L.
Gravitt, Mitzi L. Gravitt, Paul M. Gravitt, Joel P. Gravitt, R. Craig
Gravitt, Matthew A. Gravitt, Sarah Gravitt-Baese, Ann-Reid Dosier;
numerous great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Brown of South
Boston.  She was preceded in by two sons, Hustler H. Gravitt and W.
Lloyd Gravitt, a grandson Dennis R. Gravitt; and brothers Jack, Andrew
and Roy Loftis.
Funeral services were held Sunday, May 18 at Shady Grove United
Methodist Church with Rev. L. Raymond McGarr officiating.  Burial
followed in the church cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to Shady
Grove UMC, 4129 E. Hyco Road, South Boston, VA 24592.

 

  Leslie Mills
Mr. Leslie Mills of 1027 Pine Heights Trail, Halifax died Thursday, May
15, 2008 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 81. Born in Halifax
County on November 22, 1926 to the late Mr. Charlie Mills and Mrs.
Minnie Edmunds Mills, he was married to the late Mrs. Hallie Williams
Mills. He was a member of New Vernon Baptist Church and was a World War
II Army veteran.
Mr. Mills is survived by two sons, Mr. Leslie Leroy Mills and Mr.
Charlie Herert Mills, both of Halifax, a daughter, Mrs. Brenda C. Hayes
of Vernon Hill, 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, a
daughter-in-law, Mrs. Joyce Mills, a son-in-law, Mr. Charlie Hayes,
three brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law and a host of cousins,
nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends including the devoted Mr.
Atkerson Hart and Mr. Harry Hayes. He was preceded in death by one son,
Mr. Earnest Mack Mills, a brother, Mr. Herbert Mills, two sisters, Ms.
Sarah Mills and Ms. Holtin Mills.
A funeral service for Mr. Mills will be held on Monday, May 19, 2008 at
11 at New Vernon Baptist Church with Elder William Howerton
officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will
receive friends at the home, 1027 Pine Heights Trail, Halifax.

 

 Audrey Irene Lowery Yancey
Mrs. Audrey Irene Lowery Yancey, 77, of 1034 Cluster Springs Road,
South Boston died Friday, May 16, 2008 at her home. Born in Halifax
County on February 9, 1931, she was a retired employee with Burlington
Industries, Inc. and a member of Black Walnut Baptist Church and the
Cluster Springs Ruritan Club. Following her retirement in 1981, she was
a baby sitter for family and friends until her death.
Mrs. Yancey is survived by her husband, James Flournoy Yancey of the
home, a son, Larry Yancey and wife Brenda of South Boston, a daughter,
Tammie Yancey Conner of Scottsburg, two sisters, Barbara L. Talbott and
husband, Ed and Jane L. Clark and husband, Ryland, all of South Boston,
four brothers, Jessie Lowery and wife, Bernice, Andy Lowery and wife,
Jeanette, Clikc Lowery and wife, Joyce, all of South Boston and Colonel
Lower of Virgilina, two granddaugers, Lydia Yacny Vernon and husband,
Scott and Laci Dawn Conner, a grandson, Kenneth Wayne Conner and a geat
grandson, Kenneth Wayne Conner. She was preceded in death by her
parents, Dura May Hudson Lowery and Garland Hayes Lowery, four sons,
Donald, Teddy, Dwight and Mitch Yancey and a sister, Nell L. Bowen.
A funeral service for Mrs. Yancey will be conducted on Monday, May 19
at 2 p.m. at Black Walnut Baptist Church with the Rev. Raymond Wooten
and the Rev. Michael Teixeira officiating. Burial will follow in Black
Walnut Baptist Church cemetery. Those wishing to give memorials are
asked to please consider Black Walnut Baptist Church, P. O. Box 20,
Cluster Springs, VA 24535. Online condolences may be sent to
 Florence Gravitt Matze
Mrs. Florence Gravitt Matze, 83, of 517 Greenway Drive, South Boston
died Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Duke University Medical Center. Born in
Halifax County on October 15, 1924, she was a homemaker and a member of
First Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Matze is survived by a son, Douglas B. Matze, Jr. and wife Debbie
of Chesterfield, a daughter, Mary Lou Matze of South Boston three
granddaughters, Melissa Ratledge, Beverly Bollinger and husband, Steve,
Holly Pellum and two grandsons, Sgt. Ben Pellum, USMC and Michael
Moore, five great grandchildren, Stevie Bollinger, Brandon Bollinger,
Leo Bollinger, Allison Moore and Madison Moore. Also surviving is a
sister, Frances G. Moore.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas B. Matze, Sr., her
father and mother, Thornton Gravitt and Evelyn Wilborne Gravitt, two
brothers, William and Thornton Gravitt and a sister, Margaret B.
Cassada.
A graveside service at Oak Ridge Cemetery for Mrs. Matze will be
conducted on Monday, May 19 at 11 a.m. with Dr. Russell Lee
officiating. Those wishing to give memoriasl are asked to please
consider the Patrick Henry Boys & Girls Plantations, P. O. Box 1398,
Brookneal, VA or First Presbyterian Church, 800 North Main Street,
South Boston, VA 24592. Online condolences may be sent to
 Michael Francis Nance
Mr. Michael Francis Nance, 52, of 201 Patterson Drive, Roxboro, NC died
Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Duke University Medical Center. Born in Wayne
County, MI, he was the son of the late James Francis Nance and Barara
Lee Check Nance of Timberlake. He was a former security guard at Person
High School and was presently employed at the Homestead Steakhouse.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Nance is survived by his wife, Michelle
Clark Nance, three children, Michael F. Nance, II and Kristel Nance,
both of Rockford, MI and Blair Nance of the home, two brothers, Jimmy
Nance of Canton, MI and John Nance of Benson, a sister, Annette Jack of
Timberlake and two grandchildren.
A funeral service for Mr. Nance will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at
Brooks & White Chapel with the Rev. Ross Thompson and the Rev. David
Chambers officiating. Burial will follow in Person Memorial Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Monday at Brooks & White
Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society,
Person County Unit, P. O. Box 165, Roxboro, NC 27573. Condolences may