Local Obituaries for Tharp Funeral Home
Rachel Joyce Dowdy Hamlett
Dec 2, 2025
Rachel Joyce Dowdy Hamlett, 87, of Forest, Virginia, entered into her Savior’s arms on December 2, 2025. She passed peacefully at her home with the family she treasured so dearly by her side.Rachel was born in Nathalie, VA, on September 26, 1938, to the late Joseph Preston Dowdy Sr. and Edith Cage Dowdy. Rachel is survived by her daughter, Donna...
Russell Walter Pawlas
Dec 2, 2025
Russell Walter Pawlas, 55, of Lynchburg, Virginia passed away on December 2, 2025.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
Edgar Grayson Collins
Nov 30, 2025
Edgar Grayson Collins, 87, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, November 30, 2025. He was the son of the late Grayson C. Collins and Elosie Thackston Collins.
He was born on May 3, 1938, in Manassas, Virginia. He received his early education in Newburn, North Carolina, and Drakes Branch, Virginia, before pursuing and earning a degree in Pharmacy from George...
Bonnie Simmons Knight
Nov 28, 2025
Bonnie Simmons Knight, 75, formerly of Madison, died on Friday, November 28, 2025.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Ellisboro Baptist Church Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Tharp Funeral Home, 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, Virginia. The family will greet...
Shirley Nance Candler
Nov 18, 2025
Shirley Nance Candler, 90, of Goode, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
Shirley was born November 25, 1934, in Bedford County, Virginia, a daughter of the late Homer Fuqua Nance and Dovie Gibbs Nance. Shirley was retired from Bank of America where she worked in the Trust Department and attended Palestine Baptist Church.
She is survived by her son Mark Shepherd of...
Cynthia Dianne Lee
Nov 19, 2025
Cynthia Dianne Lee, 76, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away on November 19, 2025. She was the daughter of the late LeRoy Thompson and Maggie J. Snead.
Cynthia was born on October 22, 1949 in Lynchburg, VA. She attended school at Dunbar High, then pursued several jobs prior to career in the U.S. Army as a Medical Supply/Logistics Specialist both Active Duty...
Richard Potekhen
Nov 27, 2025
Richard Paul Potekhen (“Dick”), born August 7, 1945 in Clayton, Georgia, passed away at his home in Lynchburg, Virginia on November 27, 2025.
Dick was a graduate of Riverside Military Academy and the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering. He later completed coursework for a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the...
Glenda Overstreet Crawford
Nov 28, 2025
Glenda Overstreet Crawford, 75, of Bedford, passed away Friday, November 28, 2025. Glenda was born November 2, 1950, in Bedford County, Virginia, a daughter of the late James Harrison Overstreet and Nellie Virginia Orange Overstreet.
Glenda is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Eddie Crawford; son, Kevin Crawford; grandson, Christopher Crawford; siblings, Carolyn Biggs (Johnny), Ronnie Overstreet, Donnie Overstreet,...
William T. Powell
Nov 26, 2025
William Townsend Powell of Lynchburg, Virginia, lived a full and faithful life. After 94 years, he passed into eternity on November 26.
Born on September 5, 1931, to Cecil Carlile and Ina Frances Taylor Powell, Bill grew up in Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. He was an Army veteran who served during the Korean War. Bill received his undergraduate and...
Brenda Carolyn Coleman Wiles
Nov 26, 2025
Brenda passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025, after a very long and courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 79.
She was surrounded by her loved ones at her home where she wanted to be.
Born on August 20, 1946, she was the daughter of Robert and Dessie Coleman.
The youngest of nine children, she grew up in the country, traveled...
Raymond Crouse Jr.
Nov 25, 2025
Raymond Angus “Buster” Crouse, Jr., 70, of Lynchburg passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born on April 25, 1955 to the late Raymond Angus Crouse, Sr and Helen Walker Crouse. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Wallace.
Buster was a member of Peakland United Methodist Church...
Chastaneyka Willcox
Nov 26, 2025
Chastaneyka Willcox, 51, of Bedford, Virginia, passed away in the morning hours on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. After an extended illness, Chastaneyka passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family. She was born September 4, 1974, in Charleston, South Carolina, and raised by parents, Gerasimo “Zeke” and Marrianne “Vy” Zanatos. Chastaneyka was a devoted mother, wife, sibling, friend, and healer who...
Virginia Thompson
Nov 26, 2025
With deep love and great sorrow, the family of Virginia Thompson, 88, of Evington, VA, announces her peaceful passing on November 26, 2025, in her home, surrounded by those who adored her. She was the daughter of the late Dabney and Lula Morris.
Born on September 3, 1937, in South Hill, VA, Virginia lived a life marked by strength, devotion, and...
Wallace Edward Karnes
Nov 17, 2025
Wallace Edward Karnes, 80, of Bedford, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born in Bedford on August 4, 1945, to the late Walter Clay Karnes and Margaret Mae Kane Karnes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Pat Karnes; sister, Betty Chilicki and daughters, Bettyann LaCroix and...
Larry Dale Chrisman
Nov 6, 2025
Larry Dale Chrisman, 78, of Bedford, Virginia, formerly of Irvine, Kentucky, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday evening, November 6, 2025.
Born June 1, 1947, in Madison County, Kentucky, he was the son of the late James Edward Chrisman and Opal Mae (French) Chrisman.
Larry was a faithful servant of the Lord and a longtime...
Mary Barnes Willson Steele
Nov 3, 2025
Mary Barnes Willson Steele, 103, died on Monday, November 3, 2025. She was born June 21, 1922, the first child of Etta Barnes Willson and Crawford Hoy Willson, in the Amelia County family home.
She was predeceased by her husband of 48 years Andrew “Jack” Jackson Steele, Sr. and their son Charles Hoy Steele; sister, Etta Louise Willson Loften; daughter-in-law, Zaria...
Elizabeth (Betty) Umberger Mabe
Dec 2, 2025
We honor this beautiful person, Elizabeth (Betty) Umberger Mabe, whose life was an example of acceptance, resilience, generosity, and love. She believed in the words of scripture, "love one another" and song, "red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight.." She lived this philosophy.
Betty was proud of her children: Susie (Bobby), Jenni (Doug) and Tom, Jr....
Frank West Morrison
Oct 27, 2025
A Virginia Gentleman
Frank West Morrison — husband, father, brother, grandfather, teacher, counselor, and peacemaker — passed away peacefully surrounded by those he loved most. A lifelong resident of Lynchburg, Virginia, Frank’s life was a testament to compassion, intellect, and service — to his family, his students, his clients, and his community.
A Life Rooted in Virginia
Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, on November...
Virginia "Gee Gee" Ann Dexter Nelson
Oct 31, 2025
Virginia (Gee Gee) Ann Dexter Nelson, 79, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on June 27, 1946, in Boston, Massachusetts, Gee Gee was the daughter of the late James Francis and Mildred Marie Truland Dexter. She attended the State University of New York at Plattsburgh for her undergraduate studies and went...
Michael Lee Wynn "Mike"
Nov 14, 2025
Michael Lee Wynn (Mike), 85 years old, of Lynchburg, VA went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on November 14, 2025, from complications related to Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). Born on May 13, 1940, in Los Angeles, CA, Mike was the son of Martin and Leona Wynn. He was preceded in death by his parents, and...
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