Obituaries for Jan. 4, 2012

Katie Love Campbell

Katie Love Campbell, 83, of Lowesville, died Dec. 25 at the University of Virginia Hospital. Born in Nelson County, July 11, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Isaiah Jonah Campbell and Annie Bell Fitzgerald Campbell.

In earlier years, Katie had been a charge aide for the Central VA Training Center for nearly 30 years. She was a member of Piney River Baptist Church and was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is survived by daughters, Kathy Wood (Carroll), Janie Campbell (Phil) and Peggy Wood (Ebbie), all of Lowesville; eight grandchildren, Chris Wood, Valorie Wood, Kenny Campbell, Danny Campbell, Scott Campbell, Stacey Wood, Dana Parr and Katie Rea; 10 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Judith Campbell and son-in-law, Wayne Campbell.

On Christmas day, Katie was reunited with her life-long love and husband, William Taylor “Billy” Campbell. She also joins a son, Butch Campbell; a daughter, Ann Campbell and 11 brothers and sisters.

A funeral service was held Dec. 28 at Piney River Baptist Church by the Rev. Jason Canipe. Burial followed in Jonesboro Cemetery. The family received friends Dec. 27 at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home and at other times at her daughter’s home, 2034 Woodson Road, Lowesville.

Mark Edison Fitzgerald

Mark Edison Fitzgerald, 79 of Lovingston, passed away peacefully at home Dec. 31.

Born in Charlottesville on June 11, 1932, he was the son of the late Mark Eldon Fitzgerald and Blanche Christie Bradley Fitzgerald.

In addition to his parents he, was preceded in death by a brother, Robert “Bobby” Fitzgerald and a sister, Joyce Taylor.

Mark is survived by his wife 54 years, Ruth Fitzgerald; five daughters, Teresa Harris and husband Ted of Keokuk, Iowa, Cindy Gentry and husband Wayne of Earlsyville, Pam Miller of Lovingston, Sandra Marshall and husband Darby of Fort Payne, Ala., and Dee Dee Tinder and husband Gary of Shipman; one brother Garry Fitzgerald and wife Belinda of Lyndhurst; one sister-in-law, Cora Dean Fitzgerald of Appomattox; 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Mark was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, a U.S. Army veteran and retired from Comdial after 35 years of service. He loved to garden and the girls were the joy of his life and very special to him.

A funeral service was conducted Jan. 4 at Ridgecrest Baptist Church with Pastor David Christian officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family received friends at Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Building Fund, 14654 Thomas Nelson Hwy., Lovingston, VA 22949.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel (434) 263-4097.

John C. Holland Jr.

John C. Holland Jr., 56, of Oak Ridge Estate passed peacefully on Dec. 16 at the University of Virginia hospital. Born on Aug. 30, 1955 in Portsmouth, he grew to become a successful husband, father, grandfather, friend, and businessman.

He envisioned the invisible to achieve the impossible in every aspect of his life. He was the President of John C. Holland Enterprises and Hampton Roads Disposal, both located in Suffolk. He served on the Board of the Elizabeth Building and Loan and was recently nominated by the Governor of Virginia for Waste Management Facility Operators Board. He was preceded in death and will be welcomed in heaven by his parents, John C. Holland Sr. and Marie Holland. His passing will also reunite him with his son John C. Holland III who he has missed dearly over the last twelve years.

He will be remembered in this world by his beloved wife of 34 years Rhonda M. Holland and two daughters Heather H. Goodwin and husband JC, and Reagan H. Thompson and husband Ben. He is also survived by three grandsons, Logan, Lawson, and Ledger Goodwin who will greatly miss their “Granddaddy”. Also left to cherish his memory are his siblings JoAnn Nesson and husband Ed, Jeanne Tippett and husband Bill, many nieces and nephews, and an abundance of friends who he treasured. A service was held at The Carriage House at Oak Ridge Estate Dec. 20 immediately followed by a burial service also at Oak Ridge Estate. A memorial service was also be held in Suffolk, on Dec. 28. Details are not yet available. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorial contributions consider donations to either the Food Bank of Nelson County or to the Toys for Tots program in Suffolk.

Arrangments by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, (434) 263-4097.

Rebecca (Dale) Wood Mays

After a courageous battle with leukemia, Rebecca (Dale) Wood Mays, 57, of Madison Heights, was called home to her Heavenly Father on Dec. 24 at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond. She was the wife of Dwight L. Mays. Born March 17, 1954, in Lynchburg, she was the daughter of the late Harry Wood and the late Alice Layne Wood.

Dale was a dental receptionist for Holcomb, Savage and Warrick and she was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to her parents, Dale is preceded in death by one sister, Barbara W. Ware; three brothers-in-law, H.D. Fifer, Michael C. Beatrice and C.T. Ware.

In addition to her husband, Dale is survived by one son, Joshua (Josh) Thomas Mays and his wife Kelly of Madison Heights; two sisters, Nellie W. Fifer of Naola and Nancy W. Beatrice of Lynchburg; one brother, Roy F. Wood and his wife Audrey of Henrico; one sister-in-law, Wanda M Blelloch and her husband John of Hampton; her mother-in-law, Sallie Witt Mays; one granddaughter, Kylie Marie Mays; numerous nieces and nephews; and three devoted friends, Deborah H. Cash, Carolyn Wagner and Beth Eubank.

A funeral service was conducted Dec. 29 at Whitten Monelison Chapel with the Rev. Gene Beverly officiating. Interment will follow at Amherst Cemetery.

The family received friends Dec. 28 at Whitten Monelison Chapel and at other times at the residence.

Dale and her family would like to send special thanks to Dr. Mike DuVoss and the staff on the 8th floor at UVA for their care, friendship and love. A thank you is sent to Dr. John Halpin of Lynchburg, the bone marrow and respiratory staffs at MCV in Richmond as well as all her caregivers.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society.

Virginia Stevens Mays

Virginia Stevens Mays, 96, of 1305 Broad Street, Altavista, died Dec. 9 at Gretna Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was the wife of the late Thurmond (Curley) Mays. She was born May 6, 1915 in Nelson County, a daughter of the late Marshall and Lavina Burnette Stevens. She was a member of Lane Memorial United Methodist Church where she formerly served as secretary and a former member of the Altavista Garden Club. Additionally, Mrs. Mays enjoyed sewing, gardening around her home, and fishing. She is survived by a granddaughter, Melanie Mays Srsic and her husband Jared of Bedford; a grandson, Justin Michael Mays and his wife Lisa of Lynchburg; and three great grandchildren, Rylee Mays, Morgan Mays, and Janko Srsic.

She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Mays; and three sisters, Gladys Akers, Hazel Wright, and Louise Hatcher. A funeral service was conducted Dec. 14 at Lane Memorial United Methodist Church by the Rev. Alan Combs with interment to follow in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service at the church. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider Lane Memorial United Methodist Church, 1201 Bedford Ave., Altavista, VA 24517 or Altavista EMS, P.O. Box 1, Altavista, VA 24517. To send condolences, please visit www.finchandfinchfuneralservice.com.

Juergen Paul Meissner ‘Jim’

Juergen “Jim” Paul Meissner, 70, died Dec. 20 of colon cancer at his residence in Afton. He was preceded in death by his parents and three grandchildren. He is survived by his loving partner, Carol Monroe; and by two children from his first marriage, a son, Thomas Meissner; a daughter, Suzanne Jacobs, and four grandchildren.

Born in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 22, 1941, he was the son of the late Hellmuth Meissner and Edith Maria Strauch Meissner. At age 11, he migrated with his parents to Guelph, Ontario, then in 1956 to the United States. Prior to moving to Nelson Country in 1997, he lived in New Jersey and Arizona. He was a graduate of the Pennington School for Boys (Pennington, N.J.), and attended Phoenix College, (Phoenix, Ariz.), and Arizona State University.

Jim accumulated all the tools and electrical gear he could. He put together a workshop in the basement of the family home when he was in his early teens, and added to it all his life. At age 16, he won first place in the New Jersey State Science Fair for designing and building a complete hi-fi system.

Jim always loved music. He acted and sang in professional theater, sang in the Bach Madrigal Society and the Phoenix Symphonic Choir, sang in the church choir and was in several musical plays. He was a member of the touring choirs of Phoenix College and Arizona State University. In 1960, he won the seldom-awarded Trudel Award for excellence in music.

While attending college, he earned money by repairing radios, televisions, and phonographs and building hi-fi systems and enclosures. He opened a recording studio, designing and building all the necessary electronic equipment. He later designed, patented and built stereo speakers that worked on a new principle that resulted in uniform sound regardless of placement.

After college, he was for many years employed as a consultant for companies in the aerospace, electronics and health-care industries. In addition to his consulting business, he purchased and for ten years managed a company that made transistors and capacitors. Among the companies he consulted for were Goodyear Aerospace Corp., North American Aviation, Arizona Electronics Standards Lab, Julie Research Laboratories, RFL Industries, and many more.

Jim’s unique understanding of how things worked, his incessant curiosity, and his skill in researching and experimenting led him to produce inventions in the fields of energy, health, and food production. Always interested in enhancing human performance, he developed ways to retrain the brain using electronics. One such device, which he called the Brain State Synchronizer, could be used to improve performance in sports and other activities. He was the holder of numerous patents.

Jim’s greatest joy in life was helping people. Perhaps the most important project of his later years was sharing the knowledge he had acquired through research into the causes and treatment of cancer, Lyme disease, and other ailments through personal contact and a health forum he ran on the internet. Since his own illness became known, he received hundreds of encouraging and grateful messages from people from all over the country, saying how much he had helped them by the information, concern and encouragement he offered.

Condolences can be sent to http://meissnerresearch.com/contact/. A celebration of his life will be held in mid-January.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911, in appreciation of their support through the last months of his illness.

Emma Jean Braxton Rose

Emma Jean Braxton Rose was born on Nov. 27, 1942 to the late James and Virginia Braxton, in Lowesville.

She was baptized at an early age and became a member of the St. Mary’s Baptist Church. She was a very kind hearted and gentle woman to everyone she met. She was retired form Fairmont Crossing and Lynchburg News & Advance, for which she did 35 years of service delivering newspapers.

Jean leaves to cherish her memory, four children, Larry Rose of Amherst, Sheila and Vince Anderson, of Lynchburg, Lonnie and Whitney Rose, of Madison Heights, and James and Michelle Rose, of Conyers, Ga.; 12 devoted grandchildren that loved her dearly; seven great-grandchildren; four sisters and one brother, Carolyn Parker, Paige Banks, Dorothy Banks and Rosa Lee Sandidge, all of Amherst, and Paul (Doris) Williams of Wilmington, N.C.; one devoted brother, Gerald smith of Nelson; one aunt, Ethel Smith of Lowesville; and a host of great loving caring, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held at noon Jan. 4 at St. Mary’s Baptist Church, Lowesville with the Rev. Troy Anderson officiating. The interment will be in the Briarwood Memorial Gardens, Amherst. The family received friends at the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to www.Davis-Turner.com. Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.

Eddie Lewis Staten

Eddie Lewis Staten of Amherst County departed this life Dec. 8 at Avante of Lynchburg. He retired from the Amherst County Public School System after thirty years of service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Richardson Staten and James T. Staten, a brother, Bernard L. Staten and a sister, Shirley S. Woolfolk. Eddie was the husband of Shirley E. Staten of Lynchburg.

In addition to his wife, he leaves to mourn his loss two sons, Anthony Staten of Amherst and Jame L. (Jamie) Staten of Concord; a daughter, Kimberly S. (Aaron) Planeta of Lynchburg; six grandchildren; three sisters, Marion Johnson (William) of Amherst, Janice Wilson (William) and Phyllis Staten of Lorton; two brothers, Harry (Linda) Staten and James (Ann) Staten of Amherst; five sisters in law, Ernestine Staten (Bernard) of Washington, D.C., Hazel McCloud (Paul) of Newark, N.J., Nora Hagar (Frank) of Roseland, Peggy Jones and Virginia Cash Jones (Camden) of Lynchburg; three brothers in law, Elmer Jones (Zora) of Amherst, Otis Jones (Joyce) of Newark, N.J., and Ernest Jones of Amherst; one aunt, Mae Jones of Lynchburg and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

A funeral service was held Dec. 12 at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, New Glasgow. His remains were in state at the church prior to the service. Interment was in the Staten Family Cemetery, Amherst County. The family received friends and the cortege assembled at 802 Centerdale Street, Lynchburg.

Condolences may be emailed to comfuneral@aol.com. Community Funeral Home directing.

Teresa Ann Harris West

Teresa Ann Harris West received her wings as she departed this world Dec. 16. Teresa fought a hard and courageous battle with breast cancer and never let the disease stop her from leading a happy and fulfilling life.

She was born on Oct. 1, 1960, in Charlottesville, the daughter of the late Massie T. Harris Sr. and the late Clara Carroll Harris of Shipman.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 31 years, James “Bo” West; a daughter, Katherine “Katie” West; a son, Robert “Bobby” West, all of Shipman; three brothers, Edward “Ronnie” Harris of Amherst, James “Jimmy” Harris of Evington, and Massie T. Harris Jr. of Shipman; three sisters, Eulala Martin and husband, Willie, Kathy Warren and husband, Terry, and M. Elaine Woodson, all of Shipman. Other close family members include William “Red” Critzer and wife, Linda, of Troy, Barbara Henderson of Richmond, Joyce West of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Roy Critzer of California, Mildred Critzer, Mary Gallarzo-Flores, Nancy Critzer, and Lu Critzer, all of Covesville; Sue deSibour and husband Guy of Faber; and Regina Ragland and Chris Napier of Shipman. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, close friends, and her extended family at Monroe Products.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Clara Napier and Frances Huffman.

Teresa was president of Monroe Products in Lovingston, where she dedicated her tremendous energy, vision, and sharp business skills for 24 years. She was a member of the Lion’s Club and Shipman Baptist Church and supported many local interests and charities over the years. Her greatest joys in life were her family, her friends, and being around and helping other people.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the UVa. Hospital staff, especially Dr. Christiana Brenin, Mike Marshall, and Amanda Lane, who not only took such excellent medical care of Teresa, but gave their humanity, caring, and hugs which meant so very much to her. Teresa had requested that after cremation a celebration of her life would be held, which will take place in the summer of 2012.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society in her honor. Arrangements are by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, (434) 263-4097.

James Urban Wood

James Urban Wood, 74 of Burkes Lane, Lovingston, died Dec. 16 at the Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville. Born Sept. 19, 1937 in Nelson County he was the son of the late James Benjamin Wood and Elizabeth Urban Wood.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Caroline Tinnell.

Jimmy as most knew him was raised in Nelson County and was a retired Operations Manager from the Central Virginia Electric Coop with over 43 years of service. He was a member of Kingswood Baptist Church and a member of Fleetwood Harmony Lodge # 92 AF & AM for over 50 years.

He is survived by his devoted wife Betty Lee Burkes Wood, his daughter Amy W. Shepherd and Husband Bill, his son David Wood and wife Wendy and his sister Norma W. Knight and husband Willard. Four grandchildren; Allen and Kevin Wood, Amber Truslow and husband Justin and Elizabeth Shepherd. Two great grandchildren; Davaney Truslow and Jimmy Wood.

A funeral service was held Dec. 19 at Calvary Baptist Church in Lovingston with the Rev. Carroll Martin and Pastor A.C. Smith officiating. Members of Fleetwood Harmony Lodge #92 will accord AF & AM Masonic Rites at the church. The family received friends following the service at the church and all other times at the family residence.

The family suggest that flowers be omitted and contribution in Jimmy’s memory be sent to: Fleetwood Harmony Lodge, P.O. Box 172, Lovingston, Virginia 22949, or Kingswood Baptist Church, P.O. Box 104, Arrington, Virginia 22922.

Funeral arrangements are by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel of Lovingston (434) 263-4097.