Ruby Brann Balderson, 97, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband, Murice G. Balderson; son, M. Grayson Balderson; parents, Andrew and Ellie Brann; brothers, Wesley, Marion and Noble Brann; and sister, Mae Musgrove. She was a graduate of Longwood University and taught at Rappahannock High School in Warsaw, as well as Battlefield Park Elementary School in Mechanicsville. She was a member of the Eastern Star and D.A.R. Her hobby was doing beautiful handwork. She is survived by a daughter, Anne Balderson Jewell and husband, Robert; grandchildren, Ron Balderson and wife, Cindy, Beth Skaggs and husband, John, Karen Sinopoli and husband, Cliff, Bryan Jewell and wife, Ellen, David Balderson and wife, Sherri; great-grandchildren, Billy, Melissa and Joey Sinopoli, Sara, Amy, Christina, and Laura Skaggs, Kelly and Molly Balderson, and Lloyd Jewell. The family received friends Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel, Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, where funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 29, 2008. Graveside services followed at Warsaw Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central Virginia Hospice.

Richard Earl Davis Sr., “Earl”, 74, born in Richmond, retired in Reedville, passed away at his home on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008. He is survived by three children, Patricia D. Smith and Janet D. Chenault, of Mechanicsville, and Richard E. Davis Jr. of King William County. He also left behind six grandchildren and two great-grandsons. The family received friends Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd. A brief graveside service followed the visitation at Washington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Northumberland Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1, Reedville, Va. 22539.

Marie J. Gibbs, 93, of Richmond, went to be with the Lord on Christmas morning.  Born Jan. 15, 1915, she was preceded in death by her husband, W.W. Gibbs, her daughter, Joyce McKay and two granddaughters, Ruth Marie and Cynthia McKay, and one great granddaughter Heather Smucker.  She is survived by a son, W. William Gibbs, Jr., two daughters and their husbands, Adamarye and Riley Patteson, and Brenda and Harry Shuler.  She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, Cheryl McKay Comes, Robin R. Ryan, Janine Jones, Kristopher and Michelle Gibbs, Marcy Attanasio, Melinda Smucker, Medrina Yeary, Teresa Coleman, Steve and Jeffrey Patteson, Denise Andrews, Michael, David and Kimberley Shuler. 25 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren, numberous nieces and nephews.  She was an active member of Greenwood United Methodist Church and volunteered for the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, Childrens Hospital and Sheltering Arms. The family received friends Sunday, Dec.28, 2008 and Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 at the Atlee Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, Rt. 301 and Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville.  Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at Greenwood United Methodist Church, 10040 Greenwood Road, Glen Allen, Va. Graveside services were held at Forest Lawn Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Greenwood United Methodist Church.

Judith M. Hurley, of Mechanicsville, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. She is survived by her husband, Thomas W. Hurley; son, Michael T. Hurley; daughter, Paula H. Sahnow and husband, Billy; two grandsons, Beau and Von Sahnow. Mrs. Hurley graduated from John Marshall High School and received her college degree from Averett University. She served on Ashcake Volunteer Rescue Squad and was a member of Cool Spring Baptist Church. She was recognized as Mother of the Year, 2007. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, and will be deeply missed. The family received friends at Bliley’s - Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Rd., Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 and where services were held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009. Graveside services were held in Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Cool Spring Baptist Church.

John D. Murphy, 88, of Mechanicsville, died Dec. 30, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie W. Murphy. He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Murphy and her beloved and devoted friend, Pete Bradley, and Peggy M. Hulbert and husband, Perry; two grandchildren, Kendra B. Ammons and husband, Charles, and John Dustin Hicks and wife, Brooke; great-granddaughter, Paige Ammons; devoted friend, Helen Parham; brother, William C. Murphy; and two sisters, Ruth Saunders and Annie M. Hawley. The family received friends at Bliley’s-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Rd., Friday, Jan. 2, 2009. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009 at Hunterdale Christian Church, Franklin, Va. Interment Southampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Elizabeth Hall Norment, 90, formerly of Studley, Va., entered into the Lord’s presence on Dec. 28, 2008. She was the widow of Frasia Norment; and is survived by her daughters, Mary Beth N. Adams, Carolyn N. Blackburn (Lennie), Nancy Hall Norment; son, Edgar Norment (Sara); sister, Florence Spicer; four grandchildren, E. David Adams (Christi), G.L. Blackburn (Susan), Kathy Williams (Jim), Russell Norment (Margie); and nine great-grandchildren. Mrs. Norment managed the cafeterias of Battlefield Park and Lee-Davis High Schools for decades. She was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Norment was a sterling example of strength, purpose, determination, and most of all, had a deep and abiding love for family and neighbors. She was a Christian servant in the truest sense, who inspired us. The family received visitors on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2009 at the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., where a service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2009. Graveside services were held at Signal Hill. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Salem Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 35, Studley, Va. 23162.

Mildred Lucille Lindsey Nuckols, 91, beloved Godly mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Dec. 28.  Her life was a testimony of loving Jesus with all her mind, soul and body and strength.  She raised her family to love Jesus above all else and was devoted to her Lord and most of all, sharing her witness of Christ’s love and winning souls to His kingdom.  She was a member of Emmanuel Holiness Church in Louisa County where she held numerous administrative positions and taught Sunday School classes for many years.  She was the daughter of the late Harvey Langdon and Inky Trent Lindsey and the widow of the late Reverend Willie Grayson Nuckols, Sr.  She was pre-deceased by a daughter, Charlotte N. Spivey, and siblings, Dorothy Myers, Thelma Lindsey, Ryland Lindsey, Betty Baltimore, Edna Dennier, Harvey Lindsey, Jr., and Kenneth Lindsey.  She is survived by one son and his wife, W. Grayson Nuckols, Jr. and Linda, three daughters and their husbands, Eileen and Ralph Craft, Marian and Clifford Lyle Bancroft, Katherine and James F. “Terry” Gilbert, III, one son-in-law, T. Dawson Spivey, and a beloved friend, Gloria “Homer” Westmoreland and husband Randy; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Mike Nuckols, Tim Nuckols and Michelle, Bruce Craft, B Becky C. Driscoll and Patrick, Lisa C. Mitchell and Bob, Eddie Craft and Michelle, Stephen Gilbert and Ame, Nathan Gilbert and Micheline; eleven great-grandchildren, Amanda, Courtney and T.J. Nuckols, Lorin Capps, Willie and Wesley Driscoll, Riley Craft, Kayla, Collin and Lyndsey Gilbert and Ava Gilbert, and several nieces and nephews.  The family will received friends on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 at Nelsen Funeral Home’s Reid Chapel, 412 S. Washington Hwy, Ashland, VA, and where a funeral service was held Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.  Reverend Amos Tillis and Reverend James Gilbert officiated.  Graveside services were held at Signal Hill Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Emmanuel Holiness Church, 17904 Jefferson Highway, Montpelier, VA, 23192

Peter Anthony “Tony” Trott, age 83, passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, after a brief battle with cancer. The widower of Katherine Walden Trott, Tony is survived by his daughter, Sandra Trott Riddell and her husband, Doug; his son, John Walden Trott and his wife, Lucy; two grandchildren, Lauren Keely Trott and Ryan Everett Riddell; a host of nieces, nephews and extended family, as well as a dear friend, Maureen Jones. Tony was a U.S. Navy veteran serving valiantly in both the European and Pacific Theaters during World War II. After retirement as a master tile setter and marble craftsman, Tony became an avid and talented golfer who was honored as the Super Senior Club Champion at Highland Springs Golf Course in both 2007 and 2008. He was also a member of VFW and the Sandston Moose Lodge. The family received friends Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road. A graveside service was held Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the Oncology Unit staff of Memorial Regional Medical Center for their kindness and dedication, and ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Tony’s name to New Hanover Presbyterian Church, 10058 Chamberlayne Road, Mechanicsville, Va. 23116. A Moose memorial service was held Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 at the funeral home.

Mary Beatrice Ford Walton, 97, passed away on Nov. 22, 2008 in Naples, FL.  She is survived by her daughter Sharon Walton of Naples, Florida, two grandchildren Beatrice Cummins and Terry Walton, two great grandchildren Jerry Studer and Karlee Clements, and many nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her husband Tom, two sons Charles (Butch) Walton and Timothy Walton and one grandchild Charles (Chuck) Walton. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 4611 Sadler Road, Glen Allen, Va.  The burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Gardens at 12609 Patterson Avenue in Goochland County. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Little Sisters of the Poor Nursing Home located at 1503 Michaels Road, Richmond, Virginia 23229.