Alice Marie Jefferson Andrews, 93, died in Petersburg, on Dec. 16, 2011. She was born in Petersburg, the youngest child of James Major and Leora Presson Jefferson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ira Lee Andrews Jr.; her youngest son, Roy Douglas; and her three brothers, Allie Guyer, Edward E. and James Milton Jefferson. She is survived by her sons, Ira L. III and Anne of Ashland, Va., Ronald N. and Blanche of Church Road, Va., and Michael J. and Vickie Andrews of Chester, Va.; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She was well known in church circles in the Petersburg area for her lively, improvisational style of piano accompaniment for hymn-singing, and she was an adept and sensitive accompanist for soloists. She played regularly for her fellow residents of the Petersburg Home for Ladies, where she lived and received loving care for 12 years. A memorial service will be held for her on Tuesday, December 27, at 10 a.m. at the Washington Street United Methodist Church in Petersburg, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Petersburg Home for Ladies Fellowship Fund, 311 South Jefferson Street, Petersburg, Va. 23834.

Mary Ann Chappell-Brown, of Mechanicsville, passed away Dec. 19, 2011. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Brown; daughter, Telisa Timbs and husband, Daniel; son, Troy Turner and wife, Melinda; grandchildren, Dallas, Haley, Kaley and Kaden; and several other loving family members. The family received friends Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at the Monaghan Funeral Home, 7300 Creighton Pkwy., Mechanicsville, Va., where funeral services were also held.

Jyreffe Patrick Clark, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. He is survived by his mother, Patricia A. Clark Sands; his father, Jeffrey A. Sands; two sisters, Jefahra and Janausia; two brothers, Shobinn and Shatrael; a niece, Ahbrea; a nephew, Zaheim; grandmothers, Lucretia Thompson and Marie Alston; his girlfriend, Ariel Weimer; and many other loving family members. The family received friends Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at the Life Church, 8378 Atlee Road, Mechanicsville, where services were held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. Graveside services were held in Hanover memorial park. Arrangements by Monaghan Funeral Home, Mechanicsville.

Minnie Fells, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and retired registered nurse passed away on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011. Mrs. Fells was a symbol of integrity, spiritual strength and dignity in the Caroline County community and beyond. Born in Caroline County, Va. in the first third of the 20th century to Hester Morris James and Chastine James. She joined the Church early while living with her grandmother and, later became a member of Second Mount Zion Baptist Church. She attended schools in Caroline County while growing up. She married the love of her life, Charles Frank Fells on Dec. 24, 1946 and spent most of her adult life in Brooklyn, N. Y. where they raised three children; Charles, Cheryl and Ronald. Mrs. Fells’ husband, both of her sons and her grandson Corey Green have predeceased her. Mrs. Fells worked as a RN supervisor or charge nurse for several hospitals and nursing homes during the course of her career, including; Palm Gardens Nursing Home, Jewish Chronic Disease Hospital, Parham Nursing Home and Ashland Convalescence Home. Her specialty was geriatric nursing. She was respected and admired by her patients, colleagues and direct reports. She rose to the level of the Associate Director of Nursing Care and was dedicated to helping others develop their skills and grow. A consummate professional (always with her clipboard); ensuring that her patients were cared for and her staff obtained the appropriate in-service training. Mrs. Fells loved the Lord, her family, nursing and social justice. She was a member of Rock of Ages Ministry (at Second Mount Zion Baptist Church), the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and the American Association of Nurses. Mrs. Fells is remembered for her integrity, dignity and strength and her commitment to her family. She is survived by her daughter; Cheryl Fells Davis (Johnny Davis); her sisters, Maggie, Alease, Vernell and Bertha; three other siblings, Dorothy, Raymond, and William; grandchildren, Lael (Nikki), Izell, Elsun, Makel, Salome, and Naomi; her sister-in-law, Sarah James; a brother-in-law, Harvey R. Fells; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Family received friends at the Henry W. Dabney Funeral Home, Inc. at 518 N. Washington Highway, Ashland, Va., 23005, on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011. The celebration of life services were held on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at Second Mount Zion Baptist Church, 31220 Old Dawn Rd., Hanover, Va., 23069. Graveside services were held in the Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Mrs. Minnie Fells to the NAACP, Legal Defense Fund (EIN 13-1655255),www.naacpldf.org.

Thelma Nuckolls Gordon, passed peacefully on Dec. 18, 2011 joining her husband, Raymond and finding eternal rest. Thelma was born on a farm near Galax, Va. tracing her roots to the original pioneer settlers of Grayson County. She was one of 12 children and grew up enjoying the simple pleasures and struggles of country life during the depression and World War II. After graduating as Valedictorian from Galax High School, she moved to Richmond to pursue work. While there, she ran into another Galax High graduate, Raymond Lee Gordon Jr. who became her lifelong love. After marrying in 1951, Thelma and Ray raised two sons, Mark R. Gordon and Randolph L Gordon, both now living in Richmond. Thelma, known as “TD” by her closest friends, became camp mother to hundreds of boys during the late 1950’s and early 60’s when Ray served as director of the Richmond YMCA’s summer camp known as Camp Richmond and then Camp Weyanoke. This property is now the VCU Rice Center for Environmental Studies in Charles City County; the location of fond memories for the Gordon family. Thelma was lovingly dedicated to her family and devoted her life to her husband and sons. She spent many years in Richmond, then Newport News, Virginia supporting Raymond as he directed the Peninsula YMCA there. Ray and Thelma moved to Covenant Woods Retirement Community in 2001. She was loved by other residents and staff for her warm spirit, quick wit, Christian encouragement and uplifting poetry. She was a deep thinker; she found beauty in all things and cherished each individual. She is survived by two sisters, Saranne Payne and Norma Quesenberry; two sons, Mark and Randy Gordon and their wives, Leigh and Kim; and five grandchildren, Tyler, Mary Alex, Matthew, Michelle and Anna Gordon. Memorial services were held at Covenant Woods in Mechanicsville, Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VCU Rice Center, 1000 West Cary Street, P.O. Box 842030, Richmond, Virginia 23284.

Ray Gene Gortney, 82, of Richmond, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Nanlyn Gortney; and his twin brother, Ralph Gortney. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and founder and co-owner of Gortney Body Shop. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty Gortney; children, Becky Parker (Joe), Debbie Luck (Bill), Tim Gortney and Elizabeth Stanford (Bob); grandchildren, Katie Bobbitt (Andrew), Danny Norman (Candy), Sarah Parker, Shannon Cook (Mike), Lauren Parker, Shaw Stanford and Travis Gortney; three great-grandchildren; sister, Mildred Brummett (Jim); and numerous other family members, business associates and friends. The family received friends Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee-Davis Rd., where services were held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. Graveside services were held at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Ginger M. Moore, of Glen Allen, formerly of Winston-Salem, N.C., went to be with the Lord Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Marshall. She is survived by her devoted husband, Charles Moore; loving sons, Charlie and Emory; her sister, Kimberly Jarvis; and her mother, Norma Marshall. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 at their church, Grove Avenue Baptist Church. Ginger was active in her church, Sunday school, and Bible study. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society.

Aquilla George Pratt, 75, of Ashland, died Dec. 19, 2011. He is survived by his devoted wife, Olga Lee Pratt; two sons and a host of relatives and friends. He rests at the Henry W. Dabney Funeral Home, 518 N. Washington Hwy, Ashland, Va., where funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011. Rev. Dr. Lawrence Samuel officiated. Graveside services were held at Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery. There will be no repast.

Marie W. Thomas, departed this life early Sunday morning, Dec. 18, 2011. She leaves to cherish her memory, 13 surviving children, 48 grandchildren and countless other relatives and friends. Family received friends at the Owens Funeral Services, 104 Green Chimneys Court, Ashland Va., where there was a public viewing Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at the St. Mark Baptist Church, 4596 Factory Mill Rd. Maiden, Va. online condolences may be given at owensfuneralservices.com.

Theodore M. Webster Sr., “Ted”, 95, formerly of Richmond, departed this life on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 at his daughter’s home in Stafford, Va. His beloved wife, Millie, preceded him just one year earlier, on the eve of their 65th wedding anniversary. Ted was born on May 2, 1916 in Richmond. He served his country with honor and pride in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He leaves behind his daughter, Carole Kibner and her husband, Stephen, of Cape Cod, Mass.; his daughter, Jo Anne Cannon and her husband, William, of Stafford; and his son, Theodore Webster Jr. of Richmond. His six grandchildren and family include Neil Renouf of Richmond, Nathaniel Renouf and his wife, Hannah, of Stafford, Katrina Davies of Newport, R.I., Bryony Renouf and her husband, Joe Mager, of Boone, N.C., Kara Cecchinelli and her husband, Frankie, of Cape Cod, Kieran Cannon of Stafford; and his great- granddaughter, Olive Mager of Boone, N.C. After returning from the war, he accepted a position with the Defense General Supply Center from which he retired as manager of the motor pool. Ted was also an avid fisherman and gardener, but his greatest joy occurred on the dance floor with his wife, Millie, in his arms. The family received friends on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 412 South Washington Highway, Ashland, Va. Graveside services followed at Woodland Cemetery in Ashland. Online condolences may be offered to his family at tributes.com.

Sadie Elizabeth McDonald Whiteside, 83, passed into eternal light on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. She was the daughter of Andrew Whitlock McDonald and Miriam Adkins McDonald.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, William Duncan Whiteside.  Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Whiteside Donovan and husband, J. Mark of Cape Elizabeth, Maine; Anne Whiteside Jackson of King William, Va.; three grandchildren, Matthew, Sydney, and Christopher Donovan; a sister, Hilda M. Boettcher; a brother, John R. McDonald, and several nieces. She was a devoted and caring wife, mother, sister, and friend. Mrs. Whiteside was a member of First Baptist Church, Richmond, for 72 years. The family will receive friends on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Atlee Chapel of Woody Funeral Home, 9271 Shady Grove Road, Mechanicsville. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, 2011 at First Baptist Church, Richmond. Graveside services will be held at Westhampton Memorial Gardens. Online condolences to WoodyFuneralHomeAtlee.com.