Marie H. Atkinson, 70, of Glen Allen, widow of Joseph W. Atkinson Jr., passed away June 27, 2010. She is survived by her son, David W. Atkinson; and daughter, Kim M. Adkins; one granddaughter, Sierra D. Adkins; three sisters, Ann Nemeth, Margaret Skelton and Helen Hunnel; and one brother, Jimmy Hudson. Mrs. Atkinson worked as a cafeteria manager for Business Opportunities for the Blind for many years. The family received friends Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at Bliley’s-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Rd. A graveside service was held Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Wanda Leigh Barnett Bell, 68, of Richmond, died Monday, June 28, 2010 after a recent bout with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Virginia Barnett; and her brother, Ricky Barnett, all of Albemarle County, Va. Wanda is survived by her husband of 44 years, William “Bill” Bell; two sons, Cristopher “Cris” Bell and his wife, Kim, and W. Braxton Bell and his wife, Kerri, all of Locust Grove, Ga.; six grandchildren, Haden, Pearson, Evie, Reese, Schuyler and Liam Bell. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Bonnie Barnett Fulton and her husband, Robert, of Clover, S.C.; sister-in-law, Robin Bell Heatwole of Richmond; nieces, Lynn Fulton of Rock Hill, S.C. and Emily Heatwole of Columbia, S.C.; and a nephew, Robert Fulton of Ashland, Va. Born in Charlottesville, Va., Wanda graduated from Albemarle High School in 1959 and Longwood College in 1963, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. She taught high school English in both Madison and Nelson Counties, and has spent the last 32 years as a paralegal for William S. Francis Jr. She and Bill are members of River Road United Methodist Church, where a memorial service was held Thursday, July 1, 2010. The family received friends Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 N. Parham Rd. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Massey Cancer Center at MCV Hospital.

Katherine N. Chambers, 91, passed away June 28, 2010. She was predeceased by her husband, Deacon John Willis Chambers Sr.; and her son, Dr. John Willis Chambers Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Linda C. Jenkins; two grandchildren, Tonya A. Washington (Eric) and Keisha K. Chambers; four great-grandchildren, Eric Jr., Omar, Khamani and Khaiah; sister, Irene Harrield; daughter-in-law, Lenora Chambers; brother-in-law, Earl Chambers; sister-in-law, Marian Newsome; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. The family received friends at the Chiles Funeral Home, 2100 Fairmount Ave. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 913 N. 1st St. Rev. Kenneth E. Dennis Sr., pastor, officiated. Graveside services were held at Roselawn Memory Gardens, Glen Allen, Va.

William M. Fariss Jr., 84, of Richmond, died Wednesday, June 30, 2010. He was the son of the late William M. Sr. and Alice Richards Fariss; and was preceded in death by his wife, Gay Jackson Fariss. He is survived by his daughters, Christy O’Brien and her husband, Willie, and Marsha Bobbitt and her husband, Donald; grandchildren, Andrew O’Brien, Nicholas Bobbitt, Thomas O’Brien and Daniel Bobbitt; and a brother, Edward Fariss. He was a veteran who served in the Navy in WWII. He was retired from Eskimo Pie Corporation of Richmond and was former vice president, secretary and treasurer. He was a devoted father and grandfather. The family received friends on Friday, July 2, 2010, at Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, in Mechanicsville, where services were held on Saturday, July 3, 2010. Graveside services followed at Signal Hill Memorial Park. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to May Memorial Baptist Church, P.O. Box 56, Powhatan, Virginia 23139.

Annetta Moore Fravel Gregory, of Ashland, widow of Frederick M. Gregory, passed away on June 28, 2010 at the age of 92. She was a member of the Independence Christian Church of Ashland, where she taught Sunday School and was an Elder Emeritus. Prior to moving to Ashland, she resided in Shenandoah, Va., where she was a member of the Shenandoah Women’s Club, a lifelong member of the United Transportation Union, Auxiliary’s Skyline Lodge 960, member of the Shenandoah Christian Church, and was very active in Scouting, where she received the Service to Scouting award. She graduated from Shenandoah High School as Valedictorian and remained very active in the Alumni Association. She is survived by four sons, William E. Fravel Jr. and wife, Lynn, of Pasadena, Md., D. Allen Fravel and wife, Melissa, of Ashland, Phillip G. Fravel and wife, Cathy, of Southport, N.C., and N. Keith Fravel and wife, Yvonne, of Fredericksburg; five grandchildren, Melinda Loper, Danny Fravel, David Fravel, Wendy Robinson, Jonnie Garrette; and five great-grandchildren. The family received friends on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at the Nelsen Funeral Home in Ashland where a memorial service was held Thursday, July 1, 2010. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Independence Christian Church, 14023 Independence Road, Ashland, Va., or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

John Walter Hall Jr., “Slim”, of Richmond, took his journey to the Lord in Heaven on Monday, June 28, 2010. Slim was a loving and committed husband for 61 years and was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth S. “Betty” Hall, whom he cared for through many years of illness. He is survived by his children, John Walter Hall III (Janet) of Sandston, Kenneth A. Hall (Terry) of Sandston and Vicki Hall Rodriguez (Lou) of Mechanicsville. Papa Slim was so proud to have 10 grandchildren, Shawn, Todd, Michele and Michael Rodriguez, Karen Smith, Michael Hall, Kimberly Clarke, Cherie Batkins, Aimee and Kayla Hall. In addition, Papa Slim was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren, Mikolas, Shane, Makenzie and Brodi Rodriguez, Michael and Samantha Hall, Jalyn and Carmen Batkins, Alayna Clarke, Shelby Smith and Alivia Boyd. He is also survived by his sisters, Doris McClammy and Roenah Pitts; and his devoted caregiver and adopted family member, Delores Carol Gray and her son, James. Slim was a veteran of the U.S. Army and proudly served in WWII with the 73rd Medical Battalion Depot Company, 45th Infantry, 5th Army from October of 1942 until November of 1945, taking him through North Africa, Italy and Germany. In the process, he received the European African Middle Eastern Theater medal with four campaign stars, the Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. After his years of service, Slim was a proud and loyal member of IBEW Local 666 for nearly 60 years. Slim will be remembered by the many whose lives he touched throughout his nearly 90 years. He was a hero on many levels and his family was most proud of his humility, compassion, generosity and commitment. The family received friends Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Ave., where services were held Friday, July 2, 2010. Graveside services were held at Washington Memorial Park.

Gary R. Hamlin, 55, of Mechanicsville, passed away peacefully at home with his family on June 27, 2010. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Hamlin. Gary was a longtime employee of L&M Carpet One. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Sue Saum Hamlin; and two loving sons, Jamie and Shawn. He is also survived by his mother, Marge Hamlin; sister, Carol Ochab (Dave); brother, John (Lynn); sister, Judy Hamlin and many other family and friends. A special thank you to all the Oncology nurses at Memorial Regional for their loving care. A memorial service was held on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home/ In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made to the “Educational Fund for Jamie R. and Shawn W. Hamlin” at any Wachovia branch.

Peggy Ann Parish Myers, 79, of Mechanicsville, passed away on June 20, 2010.  Preceded in death by her husband, Joseph B. Myers Jr., and three sisters, she is survived by her daughters, Ann Myers Sale of Mechanicsville, Peggy Myers Walz of Richmond, and Kathleen Frances Myers of San Francisco; her grandchildren, Jessica Ann Sale and Michael Boyd Sale Jr., both of Mechanicsville; a sister, Ruth Parish Woodward of Richmond; and a brother, Robert Lee Parish of Mechanicsville. Born April 11, 1931, in Hopewell, Va., Peggy enjoyed gardening, music, her family, and embracing her Irish heritage. Most of all, she loved to laugh. The family will celebrate Peggy’s life on July 12, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. at Monaghan Funeral Home in Mechanicsville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Richmond Chapter.

Audrey P. Mitchell Smith, 88, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 29, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Andrew Pearson Mitchell and Emery “Bob” Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Lindsey and her husband, Butch; two grandchildren, Shawn Lindsey and Melissa Lindsey Waddell and her husband, Shaun; one great- grandchild, Kade Alexander Waddell. She was a member of Shalom Baptist Church in Mechanicsville. Audrey had numerous friends, family, and neighbors. Visitation was held at Bennett Funeral Home in Mechanicsville on Sunday, July 4, 2010 and where services were held on Monday, July 5, 2010. Graveside services were held in Epworth UMC Cemetery, Aylett.

Brenda H. Stitzer, 66, of Mechanicsville, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2010. She was born on Oct. 18, 1943 in Richmond, the daughter of Lewis W. and Ethelda G. Hobson. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Charles E. Stitzer; daughter, Susan Stitzer of Mechanicsville, Va.; son, William E. of Philadelphia, Pa.; brother, Lewis T. Hobson (LaDelle) of Chesterfield, Va.; sister, Gloria H. Brooks (Garnett) of Bowling Green, Va.; two nephews and one niece. Brenda was a loving wife and mother and will be greatly missed and remembered by all who knew her as a caring, kind and compassionate individual. The family received friends on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 4650 S. Laburnum Avenue, where a Christian wake was held Thursday, July 1, 2010. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Eleanor Frances Seay Truslow, 84, passed away on June 27, 2010. She was born in Hanover County, to James Henry Seay and Marguerite Wiltgen Seay, and spent the majority of her life in Richmond. Mrs. Truslow most recently lived in Jacksonville, Fla. She was a longtime employee of JCPenney Company at the Willow Lawn store in Richmond. During her years at Penney’s, she made many friends, among both customers and co-workers. Gardening was her true passion. She always said she was “just an old farm girl” and was happiest when working in her yard, even if that meant simply pulling weeds. She also enjoyed feeding and watching the birds that visited her backyard. Her greatest love and source of pride was her children and grandchildren, all of whom meant the world to her. Mrs. Truslow was preceded in death by her loving husband, Henry Morris Truslow Jr. She is survived by two sons, H. Morris Truslow III, his wife, Karen, and their daughters, Jennifer Truslow Milligan (James) and Kate Truslow and Paul Anthony Truslow, his wife, Debra, and their children, Adam, Kevin, Peter and Sarah Truslow; as well as her brother, James H. Seay Jr. and his wife, Cynthia, and their children; her sister, Jeanette C. Brown and her husband, George. The family received Thursday, July 1, 2010 at Bliley’s-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Rd., where services were held Friday, July 2, 2010 with graveside services being held at Westhampton Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society.

James Jolly Tudor, 74, of Mechanicsville, died Wednesday, June 30, 2010. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Margaret Hall Tudor, and his daughter, Debra Elizabeth Tudor. He is also survived by his brother, John N. Tudor (Lelia) of Ocala, Fla.; three sisters, Norma T. McEnerney (Gene), Helen M. Tudor, and Joyce Ann Tudor, all of the Richmond area; as well as many very special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Baxter and Elva Harris Tudor, and his brother, Samuel Baxter Tudor. Mr. Tudor was retired from the Seaboard Coastline/CSX Railroad. He was an avid golfer, a longtime fan of the Redskins, and a fan of the Atlanta and Richmond Braves. He will be missed dearly. The Tudor family received friends Friday, July 2, 2010 at the Atlee Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 9271 Shady Grove Rd., where funeral services were held Saturday, July 3, 2010. Graveside services followed at Signal Hill Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Northside Baptist Church, 7600 Studley Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23116.

Beverly Ann Ward, 78, of Mechanicsville went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 30, 2010. Surviving are her sons Jim Samp and his wife Linda, John Samp and his wife Beverly, Rick Samp and his wife Patty and her daughter Krystine Schoals; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brothers Bill, Dick and his wife Lenore and sister Gail. Services were held at Shalom Baptist Church with graveside services being held at a later date in California.