Obituaries for Sept. 29, 2011

Ricky Davidson

Ricky Davidson, 43, of Shipman, departed this life Sept. 15.

Ricky was born March 18, 1968 in Charlottesville. He was the son of Dale Martin Davidson of Faber, and Carl “Dave” Pierre Davidson of Nashville, Tenn. He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Ender Betty Bell and Eugene Foster Sr.; grandparents, Bernice Myrtle Martin and John Percy Martin Jr. and Maxine Davidson and Sam Davidson; uncles, Michael Steve Martin and Raymond Davidson; and one cousin, Quinton Johnson.

Ricky was baptized at an early age and attended First Baptist Church West Nashville. Ricky was educated by the Metro Nashville Davidson County school system where he forged many lasting friendships his brothers of Mu Psi Phi Fraternity. He enjoyed many sports beginning with baseball as a youth and his freshman year began with a run at football where he excelled until receiving a collarbone injury. Later, he followed another passion with music and joined the marching band. Shortly after that, his passion expanded to DJ’ing where he was extremely popular with college and party crowds, ultimately becoming a member of 100% rapping group with Julie Martin and Cheryl Groves. He also enjoyed playing horseshoes, throwing spades with the “Fam” and painting. He was a very successful painter and his ambition was to always own his own business. He’ll be most remembered by his humorous spirit, his uplifting, infectious personality and his favorite saying “Wuz up Cuz.”

Ricky leaves to cherish his memories, his loving mother, Dale Martin Davidson of Faber; his father Carl “Dave” Pierre (Delores) Davidson of Nashville, Tenn.; one brother, Dwayne A. Davidson of Nashville, Tenn.; a stepsister, Ulgrace (Willie) Wilson of Nashville, Tenn.; his son, Andrew Pierre of Shipman; his long time companion, Charlene Hill and her son, Matthew “Matt” Hill, of Shipman; seven aunts, Rebecca Martinez, Kathy Martin, Leah Lynn Davidson, Jacqueline Jones, Kimberly Martin, Valerie Martin and Karen Martin; six uncles, John Martin III, Edgar Martin, Timothy Martin, Winston Davidson, Jaun Davidson and Victor Davidson; and many devoted friends, including Andy Davis Sr., who became somewhat of an additional father figure later in life to Ricky.

A funeral service was held Sept. 24 at Calvary Baptist Church in Lovingston with the Rev. William Foster officiating with Interment in the Martin Family Cemetery at Shipman. Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel of Lovingston, (434) 263-4097.

Nancy Harvey Kuhls

Nancy Harvey Kuhls departed this life Sept. 10 in Richmond. Born in Nelson County to Myra Jordan Harvey and Alfred Clyde Harvey on Dec. 6, 1922, she never forgot her roots.

She leaves to cherish her memory and example, her daughter, Jane Pote Fulgham (Bill) of Richmond; her sisters, Maggie Harvey Moore (Russell) of Appomattox and Anne Harvey Peyton (Earl) of Culpeper; her grandsons, Dr. Douglas W. Frye (Debbie) of Vienna; Curtis D. Frye (Virginia) of Portland, OR; her niece, Vicki M. Grant (Charles) of Lynchburg; two great-grandchildren and one great nephew. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Martha Lee Harvey.

Mrs. Kuhls was the widow of Marvin C. Gurganus and Frederick W. Kuhls, both of Culpeper. Mrs. Kuhls spent 18 years in Delray Beach, Fla., where she was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Delray Beach and formed lasting friendships. She returned to Richmond in 2003 to be near her daughter and became a member of the Gayton Baptist Church. Again, she found precious friends and fellowship.

Mrs. Kuhls will be laid to rest with her family at the church of her girlhood, Woodland Baptist near Lovingston, Sept. 16.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Woodland Baptist Church, 4434 Thomas Nelson Highway, Arrington, VA 22922.

Following the service, the family welcomed friends at Vito’s Restaurant near Lovingston. Gayton Baptist Church gave a tribute at a later date.

Wells/ Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, is in charge of arrangements, (434) 263-4097.

Barbara Jean Thacker Marsh

Barbara Jean Thacker Marsh, 73, of Evington, went to be with her Heavenly Father Sept. 23 while surrounded by family and friends at Lynchburg General Hospital. She is the daughter of the late Mandred Conway Thacker and Evelyn Thompson Thacker.

She was born, Feb. 23, 1938 in Nelson County. Barbara was the person that never met a stranger. She worked at Jackson’s Drug, Pearson’s Drug and went on to work at Walmart, Some would say she had the “gift of gab”. She loved to be with her family, friends and animals. She was a member of Mead Memorial United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her sister, Vivian T. Lyons (Jack) of Monroe; a nephew, Wilson C. Lyons (Cheri) of Williamsburg; two great nephews, Brandon and Taylor Lyons, both of Williamsburg, and numerous close friends.

The family would like to extend their thanks to her neighbors and care takers. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Clyde C. “Buddy” Marsh and a sister, Rusty Hopkins.

There was a funeral service conducted Sept. 27 in the chapel of Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, with the Rev. George Hatmaker officiating. Interment followed in Mead Cemetery, Old Wright Shop Road, Madison Heights, VA 24572. The family received friends prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mead Memorial United Methodist Church, the Care and Share Group, 13317 Wards Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, (434) 237-9424, www.tharpfuneralhome.com.

Phillip Dandridge Payne III

Phillip Dandridge Payne III, 82, of Lovingston, died at his home Sept. 17.

He was born on March 9, 1929, in Charlottesville, a son of the late P.D. Payne Jr. and Helen Martin Payne.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Marie Wright.

Mr. Payne is survived by his wife of 59 years, June Ballard Payne; a sister, Dorothy Seay; four children, Phillip Payne IV, Chloe Raynor, Stuart Payne and Maureen Hahner; and twelve grandchildren, Dandridge Payne V, Spotswood Payne, Alexander Payne, Austin Raynor, Sean Raynor, Natalie Raynor, George Raynor, Ballard Payne, Turner Payne, Liv Hahner, Jessica Wert and Jonathan Wert.