Obituaries

Mrs. Joyce Lane Coleman
Mrs. Joyce Lane Coleman of 5147 Halifax Road died Monday, September 17, 2007 at her home at the age of 52. Born in Halifax County on August 12, 1954 to Mrs. Iola Garrett Collins and the late M. George L. Collins, Sr. she was married to Mr. Arthur Coleman.
Mrs. Coleman is survived by her husband of Scottsburg, a son, Mr. Derrick Coleman of Halifax, two grandchildren, Ms. DaNesha Coleman of Halifax and Mr. DeVontae Powell of Clover, her mother of South Boston, three sisters, Mrs. Mattie Owen of South Boston, Mrs. Mamie Foster of Randolph and Mrs. Annie Traynham of Nathalie and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by a brother, Mr. George Collins, Jr. and a granddaughter DaQuashia Coleman.
A funeral service for Mrs. Coleman was conducted on Saturday, September 22 at 1 p.m. at the Bethel Grove Baptist Church with Rev. William Hicks officiating. Burial followed in the Bethel Grove Baptist Church cemetery. The family received friends at the home of Mr. Arthur Coleman, 8031 MacDonald Road, Scottsburg.

Dr. James LaVelle Brown
Dr. James LaVelle Brown
Dr. James LaVelle Brown, 64, passed September 19, 2007 at home after a short battle with brain cancer. He was the son of Lois LaVelle Brown of Richmond and was preceded in death by his father, Dr. John Stephen Brown, former pastor of Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; and three sons, William Stephen Brown and his wife, Janet, David LaVelle Brown Oehler his wife, Susan, and Eric Stewart Brown. He also leaves behind his twin brother, Dr. John Stephen Brown Jr. and his wife, Jodi, of Seattle, Wash.; Dr. William Patterson Brown and his wife, Donna, of Rocky Mount, N.C.; his sister, Ms. Ruth Charles Brown of Exmore, Va., and a large extended family. Dr. Brown graduated from North Carolina State University and received his medical doctorate from the Medical College of Virginia. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Medical College of Virginia University Hospitals and his cornea fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Brown was a United States Air Force veteran. He faithfully served his patients in the Richmond area for more than 30 years, first as a faculty member in the MCV/VCU Department of Ophthalmology, and then in private practice. He was a partner at Virginia Eye Institute. He felt blessed to be able to practice medicine and honored to be valued by his patients and their families. He was an active member in Ginter Park Presbyterian and Third Presbyterian Churches. His love for music led him to sing and play with the church choir and his local bluegrass/ gospel band, "Betsy Lynne and the Boys." The memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Third Presbyterian Church, 600 Forest Avenue, Richmond Va. 23229. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Virginia Brain Tumor Research Fund, MCV Foundation, P.O. Box 980234, Richmond, Va. 23298, or Old Dominion Eye Foundation, 9200 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 104, Richmond Va. 23236.

Mrs. Betty P. Bohannon
Mrs. Betty P. Bohannon, 94, of Clover, died September 20, 2007. She was the widow of Andrew Bohannon and a member of Concord Baptist Church. Betty was predeceased by a daughter, Patty Watson and a daughter-in-law, Eunice Bohannon. She is survived by her daughters, Nellie Hazelwood and husband, Mack of Kenbridge, Dallas Abernathy and husband, Joseph of Kenbridge, Lillian Osborne and husband, Garland of Wylliesburg, Betty King and husband, Butch of Kenbridge, Virginia Lankford and husband, Tony of Clover, sons, Andrew Bohannon Jr. of Petersburg, Harry Bohannon and wife, Julie of Kenbridge, Charles Bohannon and friend, Brenda King of White Plains, half brothers, Pete Rolfe of Chase City, Eddie Lee Rolfe of Roanoke Rapids, NC, 27 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren.
Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Concord Baptist Church with the Rev. David Blakely conducting the service. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Concord Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or Concord Baptist Church Building Fund, 11650 Hwy. 47, Chase City, VA 23924. Wood Funeral Service, Chase City, is serving the Bohannon family. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralservice.com

Mr. Michael Ray Oliver
Mr. Michael Ray Oliver of 1021 Cassasa Lane, South Boston died Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at Duke University Medical Center at the age of 40. He was born in Pittsylvania County on July 15, 1967 to Mr. Clinton Oliver and the late Ms. Anna Jennings.
Mr. Oliver is survived by his father and step-mother, Mr. Clinton Oliver and Mrs. Berta Marable Oliver of South Boston, seven sisters, Mrs. Martha Giggets, Mrs. Lillie Robertson, Mrs. Susan Robertson, all of Danville, Mrs. Mary Jennings of Ringgold, Mrs. Karen Acree of Nathalie, Mrs. Zelda Davis of Sutherlin and Mrs. Rhonda Cook of Roxboro, NC, five brothers, Mr. Calvin Oliver of South Boston, Mr. John Warren, Mr. Wesley Cobbs, Mr. Willie Cobbs Warren and Mr. Clinton E. Oliver, all of Danville, four brothers-in-law, Mr. James Robertson and Mr. Victor Robertson, both of Danville Mr. Lewis Acree of Nathalie and Mr. Lawrence Davis of Sutherlin, a devoted niece, Ms. Fannie Palmer and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service for Mr. Oliver will be conducted on Monday, September 24 at 2 p.m. with services at New Arbor Baptist Church with the Rev. Nelson Stamps officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Mr. Donald E. Drake
Mr. Donald E. Drake of 100 Oak Court, South Boston died Saturday, September 22, 2007 at Halifax Regional Hospital. He was born in Latrobe, PA on March 11, 1926 and was 81 at the time of his death. He was the son of the late William Drake and the late Luella Kennedy Drake and was married to the late Montesse "Tessie" Drake. He was a member of Main Street Untied Methodist Church and was a World War II Army Corps veteran, a member of the American Legion Post 8 and the South Boston Lions Club. He was employed by Westinghouse until his retirement in 1987.
Mr. Drake is survived by a son, Rodney Drake and wife Barbara of Crestview, FL and a daughter, Karen Brdaley and husband, Richard of Halifax, five grandchildren, David Drake of Crestview, FL, Steven Drake of Newport News, Karen Bradley of Fuqua Varina, NC, Andrew Bradley of Raleigh, NC and Lauren Drake of Greensboro, NC and a sister, Nancy Butala of Ventura, California. He was preceded in death by his wife and one son, Bruce Drake.
A funeral service for Mr. Drake will be conducted on Monday, September 24 at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ed Rigg officiating. Burial will follow in Halifax Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the home of his daughter, Karen Bradley, 2034 Golf Course Road, Halifax. In lieu of flowers please consider the Halifax Regional Hospice or the Main Street United Methodist Church.

Mr. William Lee Johnson
Mr. William Lee Johnson, Jr. of 603 Edmunds Street, South Boston died Thursday, September 20, 2007 at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 46. Born in Halifax County on November 30, 1960 to Mr. William Lee Johnson, Sr. and the late Mrs. Altena Owens Johnson, he was a member of the Greater Mayfield Apostolic Church.
Mr. Johnson is survived by a daughter, Ms. Jessica Traynham of South Boston, a son, Mr. William Lee Johnson, III of South Boston, his father and step-mother, Mr. William Lee Johnson, Sr. and Mrs. Diane Johnson of South Boston, two sisters, Ms. Danielle Younger and Ms. Tanyanita Smith, both of South Boston, his grandparents, Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson and Mrs. Katie Duncan, both of South Boston and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service for Mr. Johnson was held on Sunday, September 23 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Ferry Street with the Rev. Earl Johnson officiating. Burial followed in the Memorial Baptist Church cemetery. The family is receiving friends at the home, 603 Edmunds Street, South Boston.



CARD OF THANKS
The family of Clarence Davis Powell wishes to express our sincere thanks for all acts of love and kindness shown during the sickness and loss of our precious loved one. May God bless you.