Kate Bell Gray

Kate Bell Gray, 90 of Fredericksburg went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010, at her home.
Born and raised in Essex County, Kate moved to Fredericksburg as a young woman. Kate was married to the late Thomas A. Gray. She was affectionately known to family and friends as Katie Bell.
Upon moving to Fredericksburg, Kate worked at Mary Washington College. She later became employed at Mary Washington Hospital in the dietary department. She retired from the hospital after more than 30 years of service. Although retired, Kate continued to work for many years as a companion aid.
Kate was a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She loved social functions with family and friends, and was very active in local politics and neighborhood civic meetings.
Survivors include one son, Winston and his wife, Brenda, of Spotsylvania County; two daughters, Cynthia and her husband, Howard, of Spotsylvania and Sheila and her husband, Sherman, of Fredericksburg; one brother, William “Dick” Mercer of Fredericksburg; nine grandchildren, Deborah Smith of Philadelphia, Pa., Sarah Cook of Spotsylvania, Robin Gray of Nanjemoy, Md., Cynthia Brown of Sandstone, Michelle Paige of Fredericksburg, Amanda Mobley of Spotsylvania, Colette Price of Spotsylvania, Rosaline Gooden of Lanham, Md., and Scarlet Smith of Fredericksburg; two sisters-in-law, Emmaline Gray of Fredericksburg and Mary Sue Gray of Spotsylvania; two brothers-in-law, Wilbur Gray of King George County and Gould Gray of Tappahannock; and 14 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her eldest son, Charles Thomas Gray, and her brother, Herbert Douglas Mercer.
A funeral was held at noon Friday, Feb. 26, at Shiloh Baptist Church (Old Site), Fredericksburg.
The family received friends at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home.

Robert ‘Earl’ Byrnes

Robert “Earl” Byrnes, 56, passed away Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, in Palm Bay, Fla., where he lived with his wife, Brenda, and great-grandson Xavier Byrnes.
A Celebration of Life open house was held at the Prince William County Police Association Hall, 14288 Independent Hill Dr., Manassas, Va. 20112, on Sunday, Feb. 28.
Earl grew up in Manassas, then moved to Spotsylvania County in 1980, where he settled until 1999, when he moved to Florida.
He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Earl and Mary Byrnes.
He is survived by his son, Robert Byrnes; daughter-in-law Christine; granddaughters Jessica and Jenna, both of Fredericksburg; his former wife and mother of Robert, Donna Beauchamp, of Montross; one daughter, one son, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one brother-in-law by marriage; one brother, Michael Byrnes and wife Virginia of Spotsylvania; six sisters, Mary Smith Bullington of Gainesville, Ruth Kathleen Sharp of Dale City, Teresa Byrnes of Spotsylvania, Dorothy Shifflett and husband Joseph of Caret, Barbara Quinn and husband Patrick of Manassas and Dianne Bryant and husband Darron of Woodford; 16 nieces and nephews, and 15 great-nieces and -nephews.

Christine K. Hiltner

Christine K. Hiltner , 78, of Montross, formerly of Fredericksburg, died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at her son’s residence in King George County.
Mrs. Hiltner worked as a bookkeeper for Silvey Chevrolet in Fredericksburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bergen “Buddy” Hiltner.
Survivors include her son, Eric Hiltner of King George; her sister, Annastasia Czika of Georgia; and her step- brother, Rickey Kupreanik of North Carolina.
A service will be held at noon Saturday, Feb. 27, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg Chapel. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 9221 Forrest Hill Ave., Richmond, Va. 23235.
Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com.

Sarah Hales Cooke

Sarah Hales Cooke, 90 of Colonial Beach passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Cooke, in 1990. She was a lifelong house-wife, dedicated to the care of her family and a committed servant to her Lord through her church, Colonial Beach Baptist.
She is survived by her sons, Elton and his wife, Barbara, of Arusha, Tanzania;  Donald and his wife, Carolyn, of Westmoreland County; Ralph of Henrico County, and Kenneth and his wife, Vicki, of Colonial Beach; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; her brother, Nick and his wife, Thelma, of Colonial Beach; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral was held on Monday, March 1, at the Colonial Beach Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Almond and the Rev. Bob Higgins officiating. Burial was at Round Hill Baptist Church cemetery, followed by a reception that was hosted by the WMU of Colonial Beach Baptist Church.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Donald, Christopher, Brian, Travis, Ryan, Tyler, Joshua and Tevin. Memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Beach Baptist Church WMU, Box 27, Colonial Beach, VA. 22443. Nash & Slaw Funeral Home, Colonial Beach handled the arrangements. Online guest book available at nashandslawfh.com.

Peggy B. Sullivan

Peggy B. Sullivan, 69, of King George County died Monday, March 1, 2010, at Mary Washington Hospital.
Mrs. Sullivan was a member of the Patawomack Indian tribe. She retired from Safeway after 30 years of service. She loved her flowers and gardening.
Survivors include her husband, Robert D. Sullivan Jr. of King George; her son, Robert Shane Sullivan, and his wife, Cynthia Ann, of Fredericksburg; her daughter, Kimberly Roberson and her husband, John, of Corolla, N.C.; four brothers, Frank “Pappy” Bullock, Carlton Jack Bullock, Roger “Bow Legs” Bullock and Gordon “Dootsie” Bullock; four sisters, Shirley “Lany” Holland, Joyce Brown, Carol Ann Coffey and Kathy “Tina” Harding; her sisters-in-law, Catherine Phillips, and Pat Decatur and her husband, Bob; her grandson, Justin Sullivan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 5, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg Chapel, with the Rev. H. Lowell Self officiating. Interment will follow in Hulls Memorial Baptist Church cemetery in Falmouth.
Pallbearers will be Kurt Decatur, Kevin Phillips, Hubert Roberson, Robert P. Sullivan, Dakota Decatur and Jesse Madison.
Memorials may be made to the ALS Association for Lou Gehrig’s Disease, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, Md. 20855.


 

Norman T. Shafer

Norman Thomas Shafer, 75, of King George County died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at his residence.
Mr. Shafer had retired from the U.S. Army as a staff sergeant.
Survivors include his children, Petra Primbs, Helmut Shafer, Melvin Shafer, Norman Shafer, Debbie Lucas and Ramona Dishong; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.  A service will be held in Falls City, Nebraska at a later date.

Vera Fauntleroy Pratt

Vera Fauntleroy Pratt, 66, of Tappahannock departed this life Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, in Richmond. She was a longtime employee of Interbake Foods.
She is survived by two daughters, Vera Ann Fortune of Richmond and Juanita Croxton of Tappahannock; two sisters, Gloria Fauntleroy of Tappahannock and Ida Smith of Richmond; and one brother, Leslie Fauntleroy of Tappahannock.
Visitation was held at New Liberty Baptist Church, Beazley. A funeral was held Saturday, Feb. 20, at the church, with the Rev. Willie T. Carter, pastor, officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed to the Pratt family at washingtonfh.com.

Jonathan Leroy Ellis

Jonathan Leroy Ellis, 37, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Millers Tavern, departed this life Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, in a Washington hospital.
He is survived by his parents, Allen and Beverly Ellis; grandmother Ruth Wright of Warsaw; two daughters, Keinyna Ellis of Tappahannock, and Jaylen Ellis of Maryland; one son, Deonte “De” Ellis of Colonial Beach; and one sister, NaTsha Ellis of Fredericksburg.
A viewing was held at Washington Funeral Home, Tappahannock. The funeral was held Saturday, Feb. 20, at Union Hope Baptist Church, Center Cross, with the Rev. Alvin Hargrove, pastor, officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed to the Ellis family at washingtonfh.com.

Jimmy Roger Brimmer

Jimmy Roger Brimmer, 52, of Tappahannock departed this life Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, in a Richmond hospital.
He is survived by one daughter, Marquita Brimmer of Fredericksburg; one son, Jovan Jones of Bowling Green; two sisters, Ella L. Brimmer and Ellese Beney, both of Tappahannock; and two brothers, Lewis Brimmer of Brandywine, Md., and Peter Brimmer of Tapphannock.
Visitations were held at Washington Funeral Home, Tappahannock, and one hour before the noon service Friday, Feb. 19, held at New Liberty Baptist Church, Beazley, with the Rev. Willie T. Carter, pastor, officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be expressed to the Brimmer family at washingtonfh.com.

Henry L. Conway

Henry L. Conway, 57, of Fredericksburg passed away Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010, at McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center.
He was born in King George County to the late Charles and Agnes Conway.
Henry is  survived by three children, Nathaniel Cox of Fredericksburg, and Tasha Conway and Tonya Conway, both of Pennsylvania; a brother, Michael Conway; and four sisters, Patricia Joseph, Dianne Conway, Gloria Conway and Mildred Conway.
Henry’s family received friends Sunday, Feb. 21, at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels-Cremation Service, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. A funeral was held Monday, Feb. 22, at the funeral chapel, with Pastor William T. Frye officiating. Interment followed in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Online condolences may be expressed to Henry’s family at foundandsons.com.

John Feilding Keys

John Feilding Keys, 96, died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2010, at his home in Washington, D.C. Born Dec. 12, 1913, he was the son of Carrie Johnson and John Feilding Keys.
Mr. Keys worked in the construction and building business. He was greatly loved by a host of loving nieces, nephews and cousins and by devoted relatives and friends.
Services will be on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Little Ark Baptist Church, Dahlgren, with viewing from 11 a.m. until the funeral at noon.
Lee Funeral Home, King George, is in charge of the arrangements.

Karen Leigh Parks

Karen Leigh Parks, 49, of Woodford died Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010.
Born in Virginia Beach, she was a great mom, grandmother, aunt, friend and caretaker. She was preceded in death by her mother, Claudia Jarvis Morrow, and her stepfather, Norman Morrow.
Survivors include her two daughters, Lisa Barrett and her husband, George II, of Colonial Beach and Collette Douglas and her husband, James, of North Dakota; her father, Joseph Lee “Jay” Bailey; four grandchildren, Mason and Bret Barrett and Cheyanne and Jordan Douglas; a brother, Joseph Bailey; a half brother, Jeffrey Morrow; a stepbrother, Norman Morrow Jr.; a stepsister, Candy Morrow; and three nieces, Brandy, Heather and Angelina Turner.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Potomac Baptist Church, King George.
Sign register book online at storkefuneralhome.com.

Clara R. Smith

Clara R. Smith, 84, of Colonial Beach died Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, at Mary Washington Hospital.
She is survived by her son, Charles Smith of Fredericksburg, and her sister, Mary Jackson of Montclair, N.J.
A funeral will be held at noon Wednesday, Feb. 24, at First Baptist Church, Colonial Beach, with the Rev. David Cunningham officiating. Burial will be in Meadow-Brooke Memorial Gardens, King George.
Remains may be viewed at Cedell Brooks Funeral Home, Port Royal, Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Online guest book is available at brooksfuneralhome.com.

Estelle Bumbry

Estelle Bumbry, 84, of King George County died Monday, Feb. 22, 2010, at Mary Washington Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Cedell Brooks Funeral Home, Port Royal.

Hilda Case Hartman

Hilda Case Hartman, 87, of Colonial Beach died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010, at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, C. Carroll “Stix” Hartman.
She is survived by one daughter and the wife of the late Earl C. Vanover III, Nancy H. Vanover of Montross; four grandchildren, Courtney Johnston, Marti Combs and husband Matt, Earl C. Vanover IV, and Cole B. Vanover; and five great-grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by grandson Casey Miller.
A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Nash & Slaw Funeral Home, King George, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Old Andrew Chapel Cemetery in Stafford.
Online guest book is available at nashandslawfh.com.

Gudrun Loew Kosmahly

Gudrun Loew Kosmahly, 77, of Mineral died Monday, Feb. 22, 2010, at Mary Washington Hospital, after a 18-month battle with colon cancer.
A native of Germany, she made her home in Mineral after marrying the late Dr. Gerhard Kosmahly in 1999. She proudly became a U.S. citizen in July of 2008.
Gudrun was an accomplished seamstress as well as talented in knitting, crocheting, painting pottery and many other handcrafts. She also enjoyed cooking and baking, and working in her garden. Her family and friends were the glad beneficiaries of all her talents.
She is survived by two sons, Hans-Peter Loew and Alexander Loew of Germany; and her granddaughter, Anna Loew Stevenson of Missouri. Other survivors include her stepdaughters, Helga K. Gallahan of Colonial Beach and Karen K. Wiles of Mechanicsville.
Per Gudrun’s request, there will be no service and in the spring her ashes will be scattered in the meadow behind her home near the woods where she and her husband always enjoyed watching the deer.
Nash & Slaw Funeral Home, King George, is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary E. Clark

Mary E. Clark, 84, formerly of Dahlgren, died Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010, at Memorial Regional Hospital in Richmond.
She is survived by one son, Frank Clark II of Richmond; two daughters, Lou Ann Epps of Fredericksburg and Rosa Smith of Ravena, N.Y.; 20 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; one brother, Perry Scranage Sr. of Dahlgren; and three sisters, Juanita Washington, Margie Bumbrey and Pansy Bumbrey.
A funeral will be held at noon Thursday, Feb. 25, at the Arm of the Lord Ministries, Fredericksburg, with the Rev. Robert Brown officiating. Burial will be 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, in Quantico National Cemetery.
Remains may be viewed from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Cedell Brooks Funeral Home, Port Royal, and also one hour prior to the service.
Arrangements are entrusted to Cedell Brooks Funeral Home, Port Royal. Online guest book is available at brooksfuneralhome.com.