Deacon C.R. Wilson, 76
Of Dillwyn,

Buried Saturday

   DILLWYN, Feb. 5 - Deacon Charles R. Wilson, of Dillwyn, died Sunday, January 25, 2004, after a lengthy illness at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. He was the youngest of six children born to the late Charles Thaddeus Wilson and Nannie Saunders Wilson on March 18, 1927, In Vivian, West Virginia.
   He attended Bluefield State (College) University and received an Associate in Arts degree from Chabot College in California.
   Deacon Wilson served in the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force from which he retired after 22 years of service. He was a member of Baptist Union Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a member of the Deacon Board, Missionary Circle, Pastor's Aide Committee, and a Sunday School teacher.
   Deacon Wilson explored many opportunities in his life. These included Manufacturer Supervisor for Caterpillar in Oakland, CA, substitute teacher for Prince Edward County Public School System, driver for the Buckingham County Young Achievers after school program, paraprofessional and bus driver for Cumberland County Public School System, and Youth Summer Program Supervisor for C-PAC in Cumberland County.
   He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 16 years, Joyce; a daughter, Charletta R. Wilson Jacks (Bernard) of Atlanta, GA; a son, Charles Rodney Wilson (Margaret) of Augusta, GA; and five grandchildren.
   Funeral services with full Military Rites were held Saturday, January 31, 2004, at Baptist Union Baptist Church at 12 noon. Interment followed at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cumberland.
   Reid's Funeral Home, Dillwyn, was in charge of arrangements.
 

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Saul Eugene Joftes, 89
Of Hampden-Sydney
Dies Thursday

   HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Feb. 10 - Saul Eugene Joftes, 89, an internationally known educator and human-rights activist, died Thursday, February 5, 2004, in Farmville, near his home in Hampden-Sydney.
   Born in New York City, he held academic degrees from Harvard University and Boston University, and law degrees from Northeastern University. Early in his career he taught government at Harvard and law at Boston University.
   He became associated with the Jewish charitable and fraternal organization B'nai B'rith in 1947, as education director of its Anti-Defamation League. He served as one of its observers at the Nuremberg Trials in Germany in 1949. There he successfully negotiated the return of millions of dollars' worth of property confiscated by the Nazis. After seeing there what had happened to his people in Europe, he said he felt he could not go back to teaching, but pursued instead a career as champion of intellectual and religious freedom, seeking guarantees of tolerance, particularly for Jews, from governments around the globe.

   As director of B'nai B'rith's European office in Paris and later of its Latin American office in Chile, Mr. Joftes founded many lodges of B'nai B'rith and was influenced in achieving official recognition for non-Catholics of all faiths. In 1953 he was appointed director of B'nai B'rith's International Affairs office, taking on the additional post of secretary-general of the worldwide movement's International Council six years later. In that capacity he traveled widely, meeting with such leaders as Willi Brandt of West Germany, Generalissimo Franco of Spain, and Pope Paul VI, who awarded him a medal for his contributions to Vatican II.
   He was for nearly three decades a non-governmental representative to the United Nations, on behalf of B'nai B'rith and as a private individual, conducting fact-finding tours about religious and intellectual oppression from Russia to South Africa.
   In 1969, Mr. Joftes was named director-general of the World Confederation of National Jewish Organizations. He retired in 1971, returning briefly to the practice of law. In 1976, he moved to Hampden-Sydney, where he was a familiar figure on the campus.
   His first wife, Miriam Uretsky, whom he married in 1938, died in 1970. He is survived by his second wife, Gigi (Irene) Shorter Joftes; a step-daughter, Rita Berry, and son-in-law, David Lee Berry, of Richmond; a stepson, Randy Shorter, and daughter-in-law, Cheri Chumney Shorter, of Bethlehem, GA: and three beloved grandchildren, Angela Berry and Trae and Ryan Shorter.
   At his request, there will be no memorial services. His remains will be cremated.
   Shorter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
 

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Ella V. Thurston, 70
Of Columbia,
Dies Sunday

   COLUMBIA, Feb. 10 - Ella V. Thurston, 70, of Columbia, died Sunday, February 8, 2004, at her home.
   She was the daughter of the late Robert and Maggie Peyton.
   She is survived by her husband, James E. Thurston; one daughter, Brenda Childress and husband, Milton, of Columbia; one grandson, Jamie Childress and one great-grandson, Michael T. Childress.
   She loved her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
   Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Fork of Willis Baptist Church Cemetery, Columbia.
   Sheridan Funeral Home of Kents Store is in charge of arrangements.
 

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Charlene W. Griffith, 79
Of Dillwyn
Buried Monday

   DILLWYN, Feb. 10 -Mrs. Charlene Williams Griffith, 79, of Dillwyn, died Friday, February 6, 2004, in Richmond.
   She was born January 22, 1925, in Bristol, VA, a daughter of the late Francis Marion and Anna Mae Leonard Williams. She was the widow of Carroll Edward Griffith. She was a retired seamstress.
   She is survived by her daughters, Nancye Adkins of Blackstone, Carole Susie Edwards of Farmville, and Sharon Hickman of Buckingham; one son, David Griffith Sr. of Dillwyn: 15 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Pearl Benfield of Aberdeen, NC.
   A funeral service was held Monday at 2 p.m. at the chapel of Shorter Funeral Home with interment in Smyrna United Methodist Church, Sheppards.
   Shorter Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

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Alyne Ruby Vandegrift, 72
Dies January 25
In South Carolina

   February 10 - Alyne Ruby Vandegrift, 72, of Surfside, SC, went home to be with the Lord on January 25, 2004. She was the daughter of the late Buford Smith, Sr. of the Yellow Hill Community, Cherokee, NC, and the late Ethel McDonell of Yardley, PA.
   She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Harry T. Vandegrift; sons. Earl A. Wood, Steven M. Wood, Gregg R. Vandegrift, and Vernon W. Vandegrift; daughters-in-law, Barbara Wood, Betty Wood, Nancy Vandegrift, and Dee Vandegrift; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by one son, Ronald Wood. Also surviving are five sisters, Shirley Henson, Janice Griffin, Norma Jean Swaney, Alice Caley, Kathleen Best; and four brothers, Buford Smith, Jr., Thomas Smith, Gilbert Smith, and Jerry Smith.
   A memorial service will be held Friday, February 13, 2004, at 6 p.m. at Big Cove Baptist Church, Cherokee Indian Reservation, Cherokee, NC.
 

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Ruby LeSueur Raikes, 94
Of Richmond
Dies November 30

   February 10 - Ruby LeSueur Raikes, 94, of Richmond, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 30, 2003.
   She was the widow of Samuel Jones Rakes.
   She was born April 20, 1909, in Buckingham County, a daughter of Willie Daniel and Mattie Dunkum LeSueur.
   She was a resident of Outlook Pointe Retirement Home since August, 2002, and a member of Stockton Memorial Baptist Church for 43 years.
   She is survived by her daughter, Eunice Raikes Williams, and a son, Ovid Alton Raikes, both of Richmond; two sisters, Mary L. "Bittie" Alien and Mattie L. Harris, both of Dillwyn; grandchildren, Lavlette W. Plourde and her husband, Rene, of Montreal, Canada, Dr. Glenwood K. Williams and his wife, Wendy B., of Cincinnati, Ohio, Judy Raikes Waters and her husband, Byron, of Richmond, and Nancy Raikes Gillespie and her husband, Brent, of Powhatan; seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
   Services were held at the Morrissett Funeral Home, 6500 Iron Bridge Road (Rt. 10), Richmond, on December 4, 2003, with interment in Maury Cemetery.
 

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Published Date: Friday 6th February 2004

Funeral Service
Set Friday For
Virginia J. Therkildsen, 70

   DILLWYN, Feb. 5 - Virginia J. Therkildsen, 70, of Dillwyn, died Tuesday, February 3, 2004 in Lynchburg General Hospital.
   Born in Elizabeth City, NJ, May 22, 1933, she was a daughter of the late John and Gertrude Breslin. Mrs. Therkildsen was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and a homemaker.
   She is survived by her husband, Chris W. Therkildsen; two sons and their wives, Chris W. and Christine Therkildsen of New Jersey and John A. and Karen Lee Therkildsen of Pamplin and four grandchildren, Erik, Dana, Jessica and Kevin.
   Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church by the Rev. Jeff Worley with burial following in the church cemetery.
   The family will receive friends this evening (Thursday) from 6:30-8 p.m. at the church.
   Those wishing to make memorials please consider the American Cancer Society, Rt. 4 Box 627, Appomattox, VA 24522.
   Robinson Funeral Home, Appomattox, is in charge of arrangements.

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SHEPPERSON, Lizzie Ann, 88,
of Prince Edward County,

   Died Friday, January 23, 2004. Funeral services were held 12 noon January 31 at New Witt Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Bland-Reld Funeral Home, Farmvllle.
 

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Deacon C.R. Wilson, 76,
Of Dillwyn,
Buried Saturday

   DILLWYN, Feb. 5 - Deacon Charles R. Wilson, of Dillwyn, died Sunday, January 25, 2004, after a lengthy illness at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. He was the youngest of six children born to the late Charles Thaddeus Wilson and Nannie Saunders Wilson on March 18, 1927, in Vivian, West Virginia.
   He attended Bluefield State (College) University and received an Associate in Arts degree from Chabot College in California.
   Deacon Wilson served in the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force from which he retired after 22 years of service. He was a member of Baptist Union Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a member of the Deacon Board, Missionary Circle, Pastor's Aide Committee, and a Sunday School teacher.
   Deacon Wilson explored many opportunities in his life. These included Manufacturer Supervisor for Caterpillar in Oakland, CA, substitute teacher for Prince Edward County Public School System, driver for the Buckingham County Young Achievers after school program, paraprofessional and bus driver for Cumberland County Public School System, and Youth Summer Program Supervisor for C-PAC in Cumberland County.
   He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 16 years, Joyce; a daughter, Charletta R. Wilson Jacks (Bernard) of Atlanta, GA; a son, Charles Rodney Wilson (Margaret) of Augusta, GA; and five grandchildren.
   Funeral services with full Military Rites were held Saturday, January 31, 2004, at Baptist Union Baptist Church at 12 noon. Interment followed at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cumberland.
   Reid's Funeral Home, Dillwyn, was in charge of arrangements.
 

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MOYNIHAN, Teresa Faye Audrey, 41,
of Charlotte Court House,

   Died Thursday, January 29, 2004. Private funeral services will be held in Virginia Beach. Doyne-Burger-Davis Funeral Home, Farmville.
 

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Graveside Service
Set Wednesday For
Bernard Lee Christian

   DILLWYN, Feb. 3 - Bernard Lee Christian, 83, of Dillwyn, died Monday, February 2, 2004.
   He was born May 29, 1920 in Buckingham County, a son of the late Lee Christian and Annie Ranson Christian. He was the widow of Frances G. Christian.
   He is survived by a son, Jackie Christian and wife, Bonnie of Stuarts Draft; two grandsons, Jackie A. Christian, Jr. and wife. Dawn and Bernard Lee Christian, III and wife, Mellisa and a great-grandson, Jackie A. (Trip) Christian, III all of Stuarts Draft.
   Graveside services will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Dillwyn Town Cemetery.
   Memorial contributions may be made to Britthaven Nursing Home, Keysvllle.
   Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn, is in charge of arrangements.
 

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Ruth S. Davidson
Of Dillwyn
Dies At Age 99

  DILLWYN, Feb. 3 - Ruth Stump Davidson, 99, of Dillwyn, died Saturday, January 31, 2004. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Banton Davidson and son, William Scott Davidson.
   She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jo Ann and Jim Lampros; daughter-in-law, Joan Davidson; three grandchildren, James Lampros, Jr., Elisabeth Davidson Goodwyn and William Todd Davidson and two great-grandchildren, Lily Scott Goodwyn and Beatrice Ruth Goodwyn.
   Mrs. Davidson was a member of Buckingham Baptist Church, where she was a devoted Sunday School teacher for over 50 years. She was an active member of the James River Women's Missionary Union and the Association of Women's Missionary Union in which she served on the State Executive Board for ten years.
   She was a member of the Garden Club of Virginia and an avid gardener. She was a graduate of Alderson Broddus College, West Virginia and attended Longwood College and the University of Virginia. She taught school, first in a one-room school in Albemarle County, then at the two-room Davidson School in Buckingham County, and boarded in the same community where she met and married her husband, William. Mrs. Davidson also taught for a number of years at Marshall District, Arvonia, before retiring to help her husband run the family business, Davidson's Orchards.
   The family will receive friends this evening (Tuesday) from 7 to 9 p.m. at Dunkum Funeral Home, Dillwyn.
   Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Buckingham Baptist Church.
   Donations may be made to the Buckingham Baptist Memorial Fund.
 

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