Evelyn Dean Burton, 80, of Aylett, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl L. Burton; and her brothers, Junior Ray Bennett and Larry Wayne Bennett. She is survived by her son, Ronnie”Doc”Burton and his wife, Susan, of King William; grandson, Thomas Dean Burton of Richmond; granddaughter, Kelly Nicole Burton of New Jersey; sisters, Jean Johnston of Richmond, Marybell Tuttle of King, N.C. and Dorothy Chevette of Goochland; and sister-in-law, Peggy Bennett of King, N.C. The family received friends Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., where services were held Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 at Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Amelia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association , 4600 Cox Rd., Suite 130, Glen Allen, Va. 23060.

Margaret Riddick Dowdy, 85, of Henrico, departed this life Nov. 27, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Earle Dowdy; and her parents, Thomas and Willie Riddick. She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Addington (Jerry) of Spotsylvania; son, Thomas Earle Dowdy Jr. (Kay) of Atlanta, Ga.; son, Steven Riddick Dowdy of Chesterfield; son, Paul Blanton Dowdy (Ginger) of Williamsburg; 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and three sisters-in-law, Roma Ameen, Kitty Bubb and Margaret A. Dowdy. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School and worked at the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Virginia. She cherished spending time with family and friends, and will be well remembered for her sense of humor, gardening, cooking, and arts and crafts. On weekends and summers, Margaret could be found relaxing at the family cottage in Middlesex County on the Rappahannock River. She was a member of Ginter Park United Methodist Church and devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver to her mother. The family received friends on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011 at Bennett Funeral Home in Mechanicsville. Graveside services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chancellor Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 41100, Fredericksburg, Va. 22404.

Robert N. Dussell, 92, of Henrico, the widower of Bondalene P. Dussell, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Dussell Mayer; and a son-in-law, Robert Mayer. He is survived by his granddaughter, Bonnie Morales (Eddie); and four great-grandchildren. Mr. Dussell served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a military policeman. He retired as a tax attorney with over 60 years of service. The family received friends on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 in the Nelsen Funeral Home, 412 S. Washington Hwy., Ashland, Va. A graveside service was held Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 in Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association , 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, Va. 23060.

Rowland W. Hempel, 84, of Mechanicsville, is now with his beloved wife, Hanna, as of Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011. He is loved by his son, Kevin, and his wife, Gayle, and their son, Alex, of Lakeside; daughter, Dietra and her husband, Michael (deceased), and their sons, Hunter and William, of Mechanicsville; son, Rowland Jr. and his wife, Gail, and their son, John, of New Zealand; and his loyal cat, Mollie. He was a veteran of WWII, a landscape architect and an avid Bridge player. Graveside services were held on Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 at Signal Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the U.S.O. or to the Wounded Warriors.

Joseph Lorenzo Spadaccini Hummel, age 28, of Mechanicsville, passed away on Dec. 6, 2011 in Mechanicsville. Joseph was born on Nov. 15, 1983 in Millington, Tenn., and resided in Tennessee, Nevada, Ohio, New Jersey, California, Texas, Florida and Virginia, with his parents and siblings. Joseph attended Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville, Va. Joseph, a loving son, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle and grandchild, is survived by a large extended family in the states of Ohio, Tennessee, California, Alabama, Florida, New Jersey, Kentucky, and Virginia. He is survived by his loving Parents Daniel and Joyce Hummel, his sister, Elizabeth Baker; brother-in- law, Nicolas Baker; his niece, Scarlett Baker; grandmother, Mildred Hensley; aunts, Donna Hatfield, Brenda Ball, Debby Scott, Lynda Rofkar, Sue Hummel, Julie Pritchard; uncles, Johnny Hensley, David Hatfield, Larry Ball, Mike Scott and Tom Pritchard; additionally numerous cousins, great- aunts, great-uncles, and his extended family of many loving friends. Joseph’s grandpa, Dale Hummel; grandma, Chloe Hummel; and gramps, Don Hensley, preceded Joseph in death. Joseph leaves with us his unconditional love, music, good food, humor, laughter and many memories that will warm our hearts forever. The family received friends on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., where a memorial celebration was held Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or The Hanover County Animal Shelter.

Herman Linwood Moore, affectionately known as “Poo Poo,” departed this life on Dec. 3, 2011. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marian Moore. He leaves to cherish his precious memory his devoted daughter, Shauton Tolson; and her friend, Antoinne Truehart of Richmond, Va.; three loving grandchildren, Donnizha Tolson, Donnini Weaver Jr. and Nasziha Weaver; two stepdaughters, Sheila (Michael) Clark, Rosalind Tolson, their children, Ebony and Michael Clark Jr. and Jamal and Khaliah Tolson; a stepson, George Tolson Jr.; three sisters, Patricia Young, Helen (Melvin) Howard of Ruther Glen, Va., and Hallie Woolfolk of Waldorf, Md.; one brother, Carroll (Linda) Moore of Ruther Glen, Va.; two sisters-in-law, Rosa Stevens and Princella Harris; and brother-in-law, Lorenzo Harris; a devoted friend, Earnest Jones; and devoted cousin, Milton Johnson. Family received friends at the Henry W. Dabney Funeral Home, 518 N. Washington Hwy., Ashland, Va. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 at the Jericho Baptist Church, Ruther Glen, Va. Graveside services were held at Roselawn Memory Gardens.

Orlin L. Oatman, “Pat”, 87, of Mechanicsville, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Coleman Oatman; his daughters, Aimee West (Tom), Peggy Cross (Felix) and Terry Redd (John); his sister, Bettie Miller, of Stuart, Florida; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Bettie Lewis Oatman. Pat was born in Mount Vernon, New York and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII as a fighter pilot (P47 Thunderbolt). He worked for 38 years in the Richmond office of Home Beneficial Life Insurance Company where he won many sales awards. He served his community well as a past commander of American Legion Post 175, a member of the Hanover Ruritan Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars #9808, and as the director of the Men’s Department at Walnut Grove Baptist Church. Pat was an avid hunter and fisherman but his family will remember him best for his faith in God, patriotism, love of family and concern for others. The family received friends Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at Bennett Funeral Home, Mechanicsville. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011 at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, in Mechanicsville. Graveside services followed at Gethsemane Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Walnut Grove Baptist Church, 7046 Cold Harbor Rd., Mechanicsville, Va. 23111.

William Henry Poarch Jr., 86, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011. He was the son of the late William H. and Ruth Hamlet Poarch; and was preceded in death by three wives, Marjorie B. Poarch, Norma C. Poarch and Frances P. Poarch. He is survived by three sisters, Dot Williams (Stuart), Virginia Reynolds, Irma Ruth Poarch; four sons, Richard E. Combs (Kathy), William H. Poarch III (Linda), Coleman L. Poarch (Victoria), Dan Powell (Victoria); grandchildren, Cliff W. Poarch (April), Jacob M. Poarch (Katherine), Ashley L. Sexton (Josh), Meredith B. Stout (Zach), Brandon L. Poarch, Matthew E. Combs, David Horsley, Jamie Powell (deceased), Rob Powell, Tori Powell; three great-grandchildren, Ryden M. Poarch, Landen A. Poarch, Jillian L. Sexton. He retired from Patrick Chevrolet after 30 years of service, was a 50-year member of Babcock Masonic Lodge, was a WWII veteran and was a lifetime member of Newbridge Baptist Church. The family received friends on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home. A funeral service was held on Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 at Newbridge Baptist Church. Graveside services followed in Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newbridge Baptist Church Building Fund.

Douglas Lynn Powell, age 55, of Richmond, passed away suddenly Dec. 9, 2011. He is predeceased by his beloved mother, Dale Payne Garrison. Doug is survived by his beloved wife, “Miss Heidi;” his father, James Garrison; a son, James Michael Powell; a daughter, Samantha Dean; a brother, Harold “Poochie” Payne and wife, Mary Jane; two sisters, Gloria Wood and husband, Floyd and Brenda Dillard and husband, Mitch; three granddaughters and three grandsons. Doug also leaves behind his sweet loving friend, Marisabel “Sissy” Munden. He also leaves behind his beloved dogs, Peanut and Bear. Doug worked for Atlantic Constructors for 17 years. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The family received friends Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 at the Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Pkwy., Mechanicsville, where services were held Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. Graveside services were held at Hanover Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the SPCA.

LaVerne Bennett Ransone, was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and a Nana. She was a woman of integrity and she was not afraid to speak her mind. She was family, she was a friend and more importantly, she was someone you were glad you knew. LaVerne was born on June 19, 1950, becoming the first daughter to Dorothy and Linwood Gordon Bennett Sr. When she arrived, she already had a big brother, Linwood Gordon Bennett Jr. and later she became big sister to Westley Bennett and MaryEllen Bowman. One summer while working for a finance company, Ms. Bennett met Mr. Douglas Ransone and they really hit it off and decided to marry. A few years later, on a St. Patrick’s Day, they had a daughter, Shannon Ransone Prince. LaVerne became an AVON representative because Shannon wanted to sell AVON. This led to LaVerne becoming a district manager and working for AVON for 17 years. Shannon met and married Mike Prince and they made LaVerne a Nana by bringing Lane and Nathan into the world, two wonderful grandsons, who brought tremendous joy into her life. LaVerne had an adventurous spirit. She tried and liked a variety of things. There was line dancing, scrapbooking and her last obsession, Thunderbirds. The beginning of that obsession was when LaVerne purchased and began caring for a 2005 Anniversary Limited Edition Thunderbird. She joined Virginia Local CTCI, a Thunderbird enthusiast group and she also joined The Thunderbirds Nest and enjoyed many trips and gatherings with them. LaVerne began her last adventure on Dec. 5, 2011, surrounded by family and friends who sent her on her journey with light and love. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, you make a donation in LaVerne’s name to the American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org or by mail at American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73123-1718. The family received friends at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis road, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. Graveside services were held on Thursday Dec. 8, 2011 at St. Mary’s Whitechapel Episcopal, 5940 White Chapel Road, Lancaster Va. 22503. stmaryswhitechapel.org.

Mary Todd Smith, 67, loving mother, grandmother and wife, formerly of Ashland and Richmond, passed away peacefully, Dec. 3, 2011 at Duke Hospital, in the presence of her loving husband David C. Smith and her second son, Hutch Smith. She is survived by her devoted husband, Dave Smith; her four sons and their families; Grayson and Kim and their sons, Noah, Cole and Otto, Hutch and Karen and their children, Alexander, Claudia and Charlotte, Hayes and his wife Bennett, West and Colleen and their sons, Foster and Lucien who all loved her very much. Todd, as she was known to all, was totally devoted to her family. She managed the lives of her four boys and husband in Ashland at 604 S. Center Street, hosting her four sons and many of their friends, feeding them and managing the chaos that often ensued with love and patience. She created hilarious stuffed chickens, mascots for university and pro football teams, which were bought by many. Their design reflected her fun loving sense of humor. She was very creative and was self-employed doing graphic design and layout for the Herald-Progress, the University of Richmond and the Ashland Berry Farm among others. Todd worked on many business projects even as she managed her full household and was held in high esteem by her clients. Todd always took care of others first. Her incredible decorating at Christmastime, featured in Country Living one year, and her holiday spirit will be sorely missed. She made incredible birthday cakes in fanciful shapes for her sons, costumes for Halloween and even painted chocolate bunny tracks on the floor and out of the house for Easter. She made every effort to make any holiday or birthday a very special, magical occasion. She will be forever missed. She joins her mother and father in the great beyond. The family received friends on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011 in the Nelsen Funeral Home Reid Chapel 412 S. Washington Hwy, Ashland. A graveside service was held Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 at Woodland Cemetery, Ashland.

Ann Parker Stone, 84, of Richmond went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Grace Chiles Parker; husband, Luther Stone; and son, Melvin Stone. She is survived by her children, Barbara Rigsby (Steve), Gail Stone and Phillip Stone; grandchildren, Travis Rigsby and Angela Gooch (Mike); and great-grandchild, Madison Gooch. The family received friends on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd. Graveside services were held Friday, Dec. 9, 2011 at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Ronald Lawrence St. Martin, “Ron”, 79, of Mechanicsville went to be with the Lord, Dec. 7, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Clarina St. Martin. He is survived by his loving wife Sylvia; his daughters, Nancy Masters (Danny), Lisa Forsyth (Bob); his son, Vernon C. Welsted Jr., (Lisa); five grandchildren, Jonathan, Laura, Kalen, Abigail, Henry and a brother and two sisters and nieces and nephews. Ron is a retired Army veteran having served in Korea and Vietnam. He was a member of various organizations such as the Masons, VFW, American Legion and the Moose. He is a Past Master of Masonic Lodge #9 and various offices held in other organizations. Ron was a devoted member of Kenwood United Methodist Church. Family received friends at the Mechanicsville Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee Davis Rd. on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. A Masonic service was held after. Services were held Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. Graveside services followed at Amelia Vererans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Odyssey Hospice, 8000 Franklin Farms Dr., Suite 100 or the Building Fund at Kenwood UMC of Ashland, Va.

Roger W. Walton, 67, of Boardman, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Health Center-Boardman Campus. Mr. Walton was born May 6, 1944 in New York City, a son of William J. and Lillian Schubert Walton. After his discharge from the U.S. Army, he was employed at American Church as the data processing manager, retiring in April of 2010. He was a member of Boardman United Methodist Church and served as an usher. Surviving him are his wife, Diana ReMine Walton, whom he married April 13, 1968; a daughter, Karen Walton Fowler, of Richmond, Va.; and a son, Paul S. (Stacy) Walton, of Hampstead, N.C.; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Trego and Judy Hueston; and a mother-in-law, Miriam ReMine, all of Richmond; and his stepbrother, Dr. Edward (Kathy) Koch of McLean, Va; and his three grandchildren, Alexis Walton, Aaron Walton and Hannah Fowler; also extended family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a stepmother, Ruth K. Walton; and his father-in-law, James ReMine. The family received friends at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., on Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 and again on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2011 at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family requests material tributes take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105, or the American Heart Association 840 Southwestern Run, Poland, Ohio 44514.