Obituaries

Mr. William Russell “Bill” Bench

Mr. William Russell “Bill” Bench of 1044 Bench Lane, Halifax, died Saturday, May 26, 2007. He was born in Staten Island, NY on March 10, 1936 and was 71 at the time of his death. He was the son of the late William H. Bench and the late Rose E. Bench and was married to Anna M. Grecsek Bench. He was a retired New York City fireman and was a Korean Conflict Army veteran.
Mr. Bench is survived by his wife of the home, two daughters, Mrs. Tracey N. Chaney and husband Edwin of South Boston and Ms. Wanda N. Riccio of Staten Island, NY, two sisters, Rosanne Strom of Georgia and Barbara Jadlowski of Vermont, a brother, Charles Bench of South Carolina and three grandchildren, Eddie and Lauren Chaney of South Boston and Rose Riccio of Staten Island, NY. He was predeceased by one daughter, Lori Ann Bench.
A graveside service will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 11 a.m. with Father John Kloepfer officiating. Visitation will be held at Powell Funeral Home on Monday evening from 7 until 8:30 p.m. and at other times at his home. For memorials please consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, PO Box 875, South Boston, VA 24592. Online condolences may be directed to powell@gcronline.com.


Mr. Willie Dibrell (Joe) Mills
Mr. Willie Dibrell (Joe) Mills of 1092 Beaver Pond Road, Nathalie died Wednesday, May 23, 2007 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was born in Halifax County, a son of the late Arthur Presley Mills and Velma Landrum Mills and was married to Mary Lou Garber Mills. He was a member of Catawba Baptist Church and a retired Tobacconist with Diamond Tobacco Company.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Vicky Mills Gilbert and husband Dennis of Nathalie; one son, Mark A. Mills of Fairfax; and special friend, William R. (Bill) Bishop of Fairfax.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 26 at Powell Funeral Home with Rev. Michael O'Shea officiating. Burial followed in Catawba Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, VA 24592 or Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, VA 24592.

Mr. Samuel J. Crews
Mr. Samuel J. Crews, 76, of Nathalie died May 23, 2007 at his home. He was the son of the late Mr. Frank Crews and Mrs. Ellen Davis Crews.
He is survived by a step-son, Mr. Howard Payne of Nathalie; three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Barbour of Nathalie, Mrs. Queenie Jennings of Maryland and Mrs. Bessie Garner of Washington, DC; one brother, Mr. Ezekiel Crews of Nathalie; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Sunday, May 27 at New Shiloh Baptist Church with Rev. Lorenzo S. Otey officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Annie Mae Hackney
Annie Mae Hackney, 96, widow of Herman Otis Hackney, died May 24, 2007 in South Boston. The daughter of George Newton and Kate Elliot Newton, she was born and raised in Mecklenburg County and was a member of Buffalo Baptist Tabernacle.
She is survived by her daughter, Agnes Murray of Clarksville, and son, Gene Otis Hackney of Lincolnton, NC; and grandchildren, Michael Murray, Bonny Martinez, and John Hackney; great-grandchildren, Kris Purdy, Leslie Sue Hess, Tanner and Taylor Hackney, and two great-great grandchildren and brother, Wilson Newton of Nelson.
Funeral services were held Sunday at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home with Doctor David Pruitt presiding. Interment followed in Nelson Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Mary Williams Honeycutt
Mrs. Mary Williams Honeycutt, 86, widow of William H. Honeycutt, died Saturday, May 26, 2007. Native to Cabarrus and Union County, NC, she was the daughter of Walter Lee and Elizabeth Williams. Retired from Cannon Mills, she moved to Clarksville in 1985.
A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Oakhurst cemetery with the Rev. Ryan McGuire officiating.
Mrs. Honeycutt is survived by daughters, Opal H. Hooks of Marion, SC and Joyce H. Murray (Bobby) of South Boston. Also surviving are sisters, Mary Lee Williams of Concord, NC and Mamie Smith of Albemarle, NC, a brother, Lewis Huff of Concord, NC, grandchildren, William “Butch” Hooks, Lisa Edwards, Laura Eissing, Karen Turner, Chris Murray, Lesley Elliott and Jon Elliott and nine great grandchildren. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wclfh.com.

NOTE OF THANKS
The family of the late Berta Murphy Farmer expresses their thanks and appreciation for all the generous people who sent food, flowers, cards, visits and phone calls and kindness shown during the sickness and death of their mother and sister. May God bless each of you.