Local obituaries for J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home
Patricia Smith Spruill
Feb 19, 2023
Patricia ("Pat") Smith Spruill, 79, of Chester, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, E. Jay Spruill; her parents, Roy E. Smith, Sr. and Ethel May Smith (nee Van Nostrand); and her brother, Roy E. Smith, Jr. Pat was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother....
Lewis Ralph Branzelle
Feb 19, 2023
Lewis Ralph Branzelle Sr., 84, of Dewitt, VA, passed away, Sunday, February 19, 2023 at his son and daughter-in-law's residence. Lewis was born in Dinwiddie, VA and had been a resident of the Dinwiddie area. He was the son of the late Willie Branch Branzelle and Mildred Estelle Ferguson. He was a retired operator for Brown and Williams Tobacco Corporation...
Kay Martin
Feb 19, 2023
Kay W. Martin, 84, of Chesterfield, VA, fell asleep in death Sunday, February 19, 2023. She was preceded in death, by just 21 days, by her husband of 67 years, Oscar A. Martin, Jr.; her parents, Leman and Rachel Whitaker; and two grandchildren, Asia Adkins and Matt Pratt. She is survived by her son, Allen Martin (Joyce); daughter, Rita Wells...
H. Bryan I. Holtman
Feb 18, 2023
COL. H. Bryan I. Holtman (Ret.), 74, of South Chesterfield, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Born in Burbank, CA, he was the son of the late, Morris and Lillian Feldman Holtman and was also preceded in death by a son, Glenn Eric Holtman; and a brother, Aaron Holtman. Mr. Holtman retired from the United States Army as...
Christopher Peters
Feb 18, 2023
Our beloved son, Christopher Peters, born on March 15, 1967, passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023. He touched so many of the lives he came in contact with. For the people that knew him, knew that he had a thirst for life that was second to none. He will be completely missed. He was a terrific son, brother, husband,...
Bernard Arnold Spain
Feb 17, 2023
Spain, Bernard Arnold, age 87, of Chester, VA. Went to his eternal home the evening of Friday, February 17, 2023. Bernard was one of three children, born to Flora Jane Irvin and Thomas Beauregard Spain, in Richmond, VA. He is survived by his wife, "Libby" Elizabeth C. Spain; sister, Helen Spain Berry; daughters, Cynthia Spain, Jennifer Pennison, and Tracey Scott;...
Dianna Gold Clay
Feb 17, 2023
Dianna Gold Clay, 75, of Chester, VA, passed away peacefully Friday, February 17, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Ruth Gold; her loving husband, Frank Clay, Sr.; and a son, Kenny Todd. She is survived by her son, Frank Clay, Jr. and wife, Danielle; daughter, Elaine Oliver and wife, Anna Newman; grandchildren, Rosey Mollaei and...
T.O. "Lanny" Rainey, Iii
Feb 16, 2023
T.O. "Lanny" Rainey, III, 70, a lifelong resident of Dinwiddie County, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Born in Petersburg, Virginia, he was the son of the late T.O. Rainey, Jr., and Evelyn Sweitzer Rainey; and was also preceded in death by his daughter in law, Sarah E. Rainey. He was a graduate of Dinwiddie County High School and...
Gerald Andrew Koren, Sr.
Feb 15, 2023
Gerald Andrew Koren, Sr., born March 21, 1931 to the late John and Julia Koren, was called to heaven on Thursday, February 15, 2023 to be with his wife, Wanda, and son, Stephen Koren. He was survived by his son, Gerald A. Koren, Jr. (Linda); grandchildren, Jason (Amy), Matthew (Jennifer), Jeri Cox (Allen), and Paul (Ashby); thirteen great-grandchildren; and sisters,...
Katherine Louise Lesley Donnelly
Feb 13, 2023
Katherine Louise Donnelly, 85, of Petersburg, Virginia, residing in Seminole, Florida, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023. She was preceded in death by her father, Harold Glenn Lesley "Bud", of Petersburg, Virginia; her mother, Emily M. Lesley, of Petersburg, Virginia; and her husband, Edward Francis Donnelly, Jr., to whom she was married for 48 years. Katherine was educated at...
Gail Vivian Howell
Feb 13, 2023
Gail Vivian Howell, 75, of Hopewell, VA, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 13, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eldridge & Mary Ellen Plott. She is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Ed R. Howell, Jr.; daughter, Denise Crawford; daughter, Theresa Cooper and husband, Jim; son, Randy Weeks; son Keith...
Wayne Chittick Thompson
Feb 13, 2023
Wayne Chittick Thompson, 86, of Colonial Heights, passed away peacefully with his family on February 13, 2023. Wayne was born to the late Waldo and Helen Olafson Thompson, on June 5, 1936, in West Palm Beach, FL. He graduated from Palm Beach High School and continued to college, first getting a bachelor's degree and then a master's degree in psychology...
Eyre Frances Oliver
Feb 13, 2023
Eyre Frances Hudson Oliver, 102, of Hopewell, VA, died Monday, February 13, 2023 at Brighter Living Assistant Living Facility, following a brief illness. She was born in Clifton Forge, VA and was a resident of Hopewell for the past 96 years. She and her husband were avid tennis players for years but switched to golf which became their passion. She...
Robert Leslie Vest, Sr.
Feb 13, 2023
Robert L. Vest, Sr., 83, of Petersburg, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tracy Michelle Vest; sister, Joann Perkins; former spouse, Eva Vest; and his beloved dog, Ginger. Robert was one of kind and was greatly loved by everyone. He worked for the utilities department of the Petersburg Water Authority for...
Jonathan David Smith
Feb 12, 2023
Jonathan David Smith, 40, passed away on February 12, 2023, surrounded by loving family and friends. Jonathan lived his life with joy and passion in spite of his 11-year battle with cancer. He had a big heart, strength of a true warrior, lived for the Lord, and led a life of service to others. Jonathan was a friend to all,...
Kenneth Edward Cr
Feb 11, 2023
Kenneth Edward Croft, Jr. "Ed Bob", passed away suddenly at his home on February 11, 2023, at the age of 65. Eddie was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Edward Croft Sr. and mother, Alice Marie Spady Croft; and brother, Thomas Croft. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Cynthia Croft; mother-in-law, Patricia Williams; son, Curt Croft...
James Howard Venable Iii
Feb 11, 2023
James Howard Venable III, 62, passed away at home on February 11, 2023, in Disputanta, Virginia. Preceded in death by his parents, James H. Venable, Jr. and Grace T. Butler; and sister, Vicki Taylor. Survived by his wife of 43 years, Connie Burkhardt Venable; sister, Rene Reams; children, James Arron, Jesse (Caroline), Travis (Adrian) and Katherine "Little C'; and ten...
Brenda Hill Miller
Feb 11, 2023
Miller, Brenda Hill, of Chester, passed away February 11, 2023. She was born in York, SC., on July 27, 1943 and was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Beauregard Hill; her sister, Evelyn Carpenter; and her brothers, Gus, Lindsey, James, and Kenny Hill. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, John Carlee Miller; her sister,...
Gayle Ann Defibaugh
Feb 10, 2023
Gayle Ann Bishop Webb Defibaugh, "Mrs. D," 69, a faithful follower of God, and devoted mother to her "three handsome boys" of whom she loved fiercely and tenderly, quietly ascended to heaven in her home in Chester, Virginia, on February 10, 2023. Born in Petersburg, Virginia, on July 7, 1953, in the midst of America's "Golden Age," Gayle also possessed...
John Raleigh Harrison, Jr.
Feb 10, 2023
John Raleigh Harrison, Jr. "Johnboy", 67, of Ivor, VA, peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his children on Friday, February 10, 2023. He was born April 15, 1955, to John and Betty Harrison in Hopewell, VA. He is preceded in death by his father, John R. Harrison, Sr.; son, Justin Harris; and his granddaughter, Erica Ruis. He...
