Balderson-Rooke
Jun 05, 2007

Murice Grayson Balderson, 72, of Urbanna, Va., and Clermont, Fla., formerly of Mechanicsville, died at his home in Urbanna on May 25, 2007. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Mould Balderson; and children, Ronald Grayson Balderson and wife, Cindy, David Patrick Balderson and wife, Sherri, all of Mechanicsville, Karen Leigh Balderson Sinopoli and husband, Cliff of Willow Street (Lancaster County), Pa., five grandchildren, William (Billy) Sinopoli of Williamsburg, Va. and Willow Street, Pa., Melissa Ann Sinopoli and Joseph (Joey) Sinopoli, Willow Street, Pa., Kelly Victoria Balderson and Molly Jewell Balderson of Mechanicsville. He is the son of Ruby Brann Balderson of Mechanicsville, formerly of Warsaw, Va., and the late Murice Gassaway Balderson. He has one sister, Anne Balderson Jewell and husband, Bob of Mechanicsville; and a brother-in-law, George Mould and wife, Janet of Young Harris, Ga.; and many other loving relatives and friends. He was a long-time member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church, but has spent his last years in Urbanna, Va. and Clermont, Fla. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Ag Education, where he was in the Corps of Cadets and graduated with the rank of Second Lieutenant. He served 10 years in the U.S. Army Reserves as Company Commander and attained the rank of Captain. He received his Masters Degree (M. Ed.) from UVA. He graduated from the School of Banking at UVA and Officers Training School at Fort Benning, Ga. Grayson taught school in Hanover County, Va. for over 30 years and retired in 1997. Before going back into teaching, he worked at Northern Neck State Bank in Warsaw as Assistant Cashier. He served as president of the VVATA and the VVA and also served as superintendent of Jr. Farm Crops at the State Fair of Virginia. He was very active in Ruritan National and was a member of the Hanover Ruritan Club for over 25 years with 21 years perfect attendance. He served as Vice President three times and President of the club twice. He was very active in other committees in the club. He served at Lt. District Governor in 2002 and District Governor in 2003 of Chesapeake District Ruritans and served on the District Cabinet for over nine years. He was a member of the Holiday Rambler Recreational Vehicle Club, Hanover Youth Little Leagues, Hanover Education Association and served as Treasurer, and National Education Association. He was a member of the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce serving as Treasurer. He was Teacher of the Year at Stonewall Jackson Middle School. The family received friends Monday, May 28 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd. A funeral service was conducted Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at Walnut Grove Baptist Church. Interment at Melrose Methodist Church Cemetery, Lottsburg, Va. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the Hospice of Virginia, American Cancer Society or the Virginia FFA Foundation.

Merle Hooper Brock, 65, of Quinton, Va., died Saturday, June 2, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. After a career in banking, she retired from the Virginia Credit Union. She was a member of Corinth Baptist Church in New Kent, Va. She is survived by two daughters, Janet Wright and husband, Mark, Karen Smith and husband, Ken; one son, Derek “Pee Wee” Brock; three beautiful grandchildren, Cailin Wright, Keeley Wright, and Brandie Smith; one sister, Joyce H. Childers. The family received friends Monday, June 4 at the Mechanicsville Chapel, Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd. Funeral services were conducted June 5 at Corinth Baptist Church, New Kent, Va. Interment Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Corinth Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 126, New Kent, Va., 23124.

Hallie Farmer Cochran, 84, of Richmond, formerly of Lynchburg, Va., passed away Sunday, May 27, 2007 after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard; and her devoted husband, George. She is survived by her son, George D. Cochran Jr.; two grandchildren, Tim Cochran and Dawn Gonzalez and husband, Ruben; and two great-grandchildren, Christian and Jason Gonzalez. Mrs. Cochran was a retired employee of C&P Telephone Company, where she worked for her entire career. She was a member of Chamberlayne Heights United Methodist Church. Family received friends Wednesday at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home. A graveside service was held Thursday, May 31, 2007 at Washington Memorial Park.

John K. “Ken” Forrest, 73, of Mechanicsville, passed away Monday, May 28, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Forrest; daughter, Ellen Smith; and son-in-law, James Smith; grandchildren, Eric and Sarah; and brother, Vernon Forrest. Mr. Forrest was a Korean War veteran, served as a police officer in Larchmont, N.Y., and retired from Delah Stationary Company. A memorial service was held Friday, June 1, 2007 at Mechanicsville United Methodist Church, 7356 Atlee Road, Mechanicsville, Va.

Edgar Lewis Moss Jr., 75, died May 30, 2007 after a brief illness. Mr. Moss was a veteran of the Korean War. He was retired from Philip Morris, where he worked as a machine designer for more than 20 years. He is survived by his brother-in-law, L.E. Bosher; a nephew, Jess Bosher, all of Jacksonville, Fla.; and a niece-and nephew-in-law, Jhill and Tom Bosher-Perran, of Mechanicsville, Va. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, June 2 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road. Interment was held at Gethsemane Church of Christ Cemetery. Family received friends Friday at the funeral home.

Virginia Carter Rooke, 94, of Mechanicsville, died Monday, May 28, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmo M. Rooke Sr. She is survived by two sons, E. Murray Rooke and wife, Linda, and Morris W. Rooke and wife, Kay; a daughter, Dr. Wanda R. Chandler and husband, Winston; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mrs. Rooke was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church. Family received friends Sunday, June 3 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road. Funeral services were held Monday, June 4 at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 1205 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, Va. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.

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