From the 10/08/08 Edition
Oct 08, 2008

Joyce Berberich Dance, 76, of Mechanicsville, beloved mother and faithful servant, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Joseph G. Dance Jr., and parents Joseph and Mary Elsie Berberich. She is survived by her children, Sharon Bunger and husband, Jimmy, Joseph G. Dance III and wife, Silvia, and Sheila Dance; grandchildren, Jameson “Jay” and Sarah Bunger and Joey Dance; brother, John Berberich and wife, Lillian; sisters, Rosalee Coats and husband, Oaker, Audrey Keith; and numerous nieces and nephews. She dedicated her life to her family, caring for her parents and husband for their entire lives. The family received friends Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, where Christian Wake services were held. A Mass of the Resurrection was held Friday, Oct. 3, 2008 at the Church of the Redeemer, Father Jim Begley officiated. Graveside services followed at Colosse Baptist Church Cemetery in King William. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

Marvin E. Dixon, 83, of Mechanicsville, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Madeline T. Dixon; four children, Judy Mantlo, Bernard Mantlo, Carol Johnston and Danny Dixon. Marvin was preceded in death by his daughter, Margaret Carol. Other survivors include his twin sister, Mickey Sullivan; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Marvin retired from Central Fidelity Bank, was a 50-year member of Metropolitan Lodge #11 A.F.&A.M. and Past Grand Monarch of Samis Grottos of North America. Marvin will be remembered by many due to his portrayal of “Uncle Sam” and his “famous potato salad.” The family received friends with a Masonic Service, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., where services were held Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Graveside services were held in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Charles Maryus Gibson, 86, of Mechanicsville, passed away Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Gibson; brothers, Leo Gibson of Mechanicsville, Claybrooke Gibson (Ethel) of Aylett; sister, Thelma Harding (Marvin) of Cauthornville; brother-in-law, Buddy Fox of Colonial Heights; many nieces and nephews; good friend, Peggy Williams; as well as many other loving friends. He was a member of Pine Street Baptist Church, where he was a Nursery Daddy for 50 years. He also served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII, and retired from Kraft Foods after over 40 years of service. The family received friends Friday, Oct. 3, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, where funeral services were conducted Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, Dr. Philip Turner officiated. Graveside services followed at Washington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pine Street Baptist Church Building Fund, 400 S. Pine Street, Richmond, Va. 23220.

Bernard Lee Harlow, 77, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 1, 2008. He passed away peacefully at home as a result of lymphoma. Born Jan. 7, 1931 in Staunton, Va., to the late Lloyd Aston Harlow and Bernice Kidd Harlow, he was preceded in death by his sister, Doris H. Hutcheson. Bernard is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ruth Thornton Harlow; and his children, Debra Boyer and her husband, Phillip, Ron Harlow and his wife, Emilie, and Robin Osborne and her husband, Alan; and nine grandchildren, Ian, Ben, Jesse, Josie, and Josiah Boyer, Davis and Kirby Harlow, and Alan and Garrett Osborne. With a ready smile and optimistic outlook, Bernard was a blessing to many throughout his life. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict and went on to earn a B.S. in business from Virginia Commonwealth University. He was employed for 25 years at Miller Manufacturing Company in various positions including vice president and secretary. Later, Bernard was co-founder and president of Woodland Industries, from which he retired in 1986. A member of New Highland Baptist Church, formerly East Highland Park Baptist Church, Bernard faithfully served in many capacities including deacon, trustee, and chairman of the building committees. The family received friends at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 at 8014 Lee-Davis Road. Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 3, 2008 at New Highland Baptist Church, 9200 New Ashcake Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23116. Graveside services followed at Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the building fund of New Highland Baptist Church.

James E. Hughes, 86, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Charlotte W. “Birdie” Hughes; and sister, Phyllis Southall. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Charlene and Kent Saferight and James III and Vicky Hughes; six grandchildren, Lori Moore, Jimmy Stanley, Mary Stanley-Kelly, Jessica Cooley and her husband, Jeremy, Joshua Hughes, and Taylor Hughes; two great-grandchildren, Calyn and Kyndall; brother, Lin “Nubby” Hughes and wife, Madeline; as well as many loving friends. He was a member of Highland Park United Methodist Church for over 80 years, a devout Christian who enjoyed cars, driving, camping out with friends, and many weekends of fellowship at Gwynn’s Island. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The family received friends Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., where funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. Rev. John Hall officiated. Graveside services followed at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Four Mile Creek Baptist Church or to Northminster Baptist Church.

Mae Morris Leavitt, 92, of Mechanicsville, Va., departed this life Oct. 2, 2008. She was a loving wife and mother who loved flowers and painting. She is survived by her husband, Lewis H. Leavitt; son, Larry Shifflett and wife, Matilda; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Services were held Monday, Oct. 6, 2008 at Greenwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 12609 Patterson Ave., Richmond, Va.

Elizabeth Lamm Miller, age 84, of Mechanicsville, died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008.  A graveside service was held Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 in the Dew Family Cemetery, Hornes Church Rd., Bailey.  The Rev. Reuben Cason officiated. Surviving are her husband, Willie S. Miller of the home; a brother, William Mack Lamm and wife, Bobbie of Bailey; a sister-in-law, Georgia Lamm of Bailey; a brother-in-law, Clayton Saunders of Wilson; a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Albert and Esther Dew Lamm; sisters, Ruth Lamm, Rachel Saunders, Ramona Caines, and Joyce Ann Lamm; brothers, Joseph Lamm and Andrew Lamm. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the cemetery and at other times will be at 2680 W. Hornes Church Rd., Bailey. Arrangements are by Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway. Condolences may be directed to http://www.joyners.net.

Lance Corporal Harold Brinkley Pearson, USMC (Ret.), of Mechanicsville, departed this life and went to be with the Lord on Oct. 1, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas and Beatrice Clary Pearson; and his sister, Barbara Pearson Smith. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Grace Bradley Pearson; two daughters, Melonie Pearson Seay and husband, Earl, and Melinda “Lynn” Pearson Fleet; two grandchildren, Earl Eugene “EJ” Seay Jr., and Crystal Lynn Seay; two great-grandchildren, Angel Marie Crowder and Jacob Ray Crowder; brother, John Robert Pearson and wife, Mandy; and two brothers-in-law, Leslie W. Bradley and John W. Smith; and a host of friends. He dedicated his life to the Lord, his family, and his business. He co-owned and operated Energy Savers of Richmond for over 30 years. The family received friends Friday, Oct. 2, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel, Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road. Funeral services were held Saturday, Oct. 3, 2008 at Fairmount Memorial Baptist Church, 4205 Ravenswood Road, Richmond, Va. 23222. Graveside services followed at Signal Hill Memorial Park.

Janet E. Sherron, age 45, of Mechanicsville, passed away Sept. 29, 2008. She was a devoted single mother, loving, compassionate friend, and she never gave up. She was preceded in death by her father, John James Guthrie Jr.; and brother, Douglas Oliver Guthrie. She is survived by her daughters, Loren and Haley Sherron; her mother, Catherine Guthrie; a sister, Jo Ruslander; and two brothers, John James Guthrie III and Christopher Guthrie; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. The family received friends at Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Pkwy., Mechanicsville, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 and where a celebration of her life was held Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. A reception followed.

Bridget Ann Sterlacci, 43, of Aylett, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. Surviving are her husband, Louis Sterlacci Jr.; children, Katlyn Sterlacci and Louis Sterlacci III; parents, Sal and Betty Abatiello; sister, Barbara; and brother, Michael. She was preceded in death by her brother, Stephen. The family received friends Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Road, where services were held Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Graveside services were private.

April Marie Vannicolo, my angel girl, passed away suddenly on Sept. 29, 2008. She is survived by her mother, Adenia Moriarity Moulton; her stepfather, David Moulton; and her father, Tony Vannicolo; as well as two sisters, Mary Jane and Adenia; four brothers, Harley, Frank, Tony, and Michael; Nanny and Pop Pop; Nephew George; Uncle George; and many friends. Everybody she met was touched by her caring love.

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