U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
L.W. Baird dies
Jun 12, 2002
If you never met Lonnie Wilson Baird, you've probably never been to Ebony.
For 42 years, L.W. Baird's General Merchandise Store served the small Brunswick County community as well as the vacationers who flocked to nearby Buggs Island Lake.
"He was the one who welcomed people to Ebony," said Chuck King, who bought the store from him in 1980 and owned it for a decade.
Mr. Baird was also a longtime postmaster, doling out the mail from a corner of the store for 25 years.
A funeral for Mr. Baird, who died Saturday at age 85, will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Ebony Assembly of God, where he served as longtime treasurer. Burial will follow in Canaan Cemetery in Brodnax.
Dale Baird of Ebony said his father was devoted to the community and made another career out of helping his neighbors and customers. The community contact person for the Salvation Army and the local chapter of the American Red Cross, he helped found the Ebony Volunteer Fire Department in 1959. He was the department's treasurer for four decades and served as chaplain until his death.
"He loved to tell people he was second in his class at Ebony High School but was quick to add that there were only about five graduates," his son said.
"Lefty" as friends and family sometimes called him, worked in his brother's general store as a young man and in 1938 joined the business full time, eventually taking over ownership.
With the exception of his World War II Army service, he ran the store until he sold it in 1980. At that time, the post office was expanded and a separate entrance was established. He continued another eight years in his job as postmaster.
Mr. Baird was chairman of the Ebony History Book Committee and chairman of the nominating committee of the Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative.
In 1993, the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce honored him with its Distinguished Service Award.
In addition to his son, survivors include his wife, Etta L. Fleming Baird; another son, David Baird of Haymarket; and five grandchildren.
BEY
Departed this life February 16, 2001, Mr. Kermit Bey of 410 N. 27th St. Remains rest at the Scott-Lightfoot Funeral Home, 3021 "N" St. Services to be announced.
BIBB
Henry Quarles (Hank) Bibb, died Wednesday, February 14, 2001. Additional survivors include one sister, Betty Bibb Clapp and her husband, Forrest of Midlothian; and one sister-in-law, Shirley
Foster Bibb of Lynchburg. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Diuguid Waterlick Chapel by the Rev. Larry Davies. Burial will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Building and Grounds, Timberlake United Methodist Church.
BINFORD
William M. "Buckshot" Binford of Charles City departed this life December 13, 2000. He is survived by four sisters, Lena and E. Madeline Jones, Dorothy Tabb and Ruth Dobson (Edward); one aunt, Florence Binford; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Service 1 p.m. Monday in Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Daniel Wallace officiating. Interment church cemetery. Please omit food.
BOWERS
Merlee
Smith Bowers, 82, of Chesterfield, went to be with the Lord on February 14, 2001. She was the widow of Cletus A. Bowers and is survived by children, Phyllis Ascue, Douglas Bowers, Pamela Bowers and her friend, Darrell Smith; sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Lyle Rogers of Lyons, Mich.; grandchildren, Robin Iwanowski and her husband, Steve, Sherry Louka and her husband, Alain, and Daniel Kronick; great-grandchildren, Kenneth Jr. and Tiffany Updike, Nathaniel, Philip, Jacob and Joseph Louka. Mrs. Bowers was a former employee of J.C. Penney and a longtime member of Gospel Baptist Church. The family will receive friends Saturday 1 to 3 p.m. at the Morrissett Funeral Home, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd. (Rt. 10), with her funeral service being held at 3 p.m. She will be taken to the Kimble Funeral Home in Franklin, W.Va., for a visitation 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Interment will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Cherry Hill Cemetery in Upper Tract, W.Va. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Gospel Baptist Church, 1300 Turner Rd., Richmond, Va. 23225 or the American Heart Association.
BREEN
James P. Breen Sr., 83, originally of Bridgeport, Conn., died February 15, 2001, in Richmond, where he had resided for the past 11 years. He is survived by his wife, Angela A. Breen; son and daughter-in-law, James and Geraldine Breen; two granddaughters, Elizabeth A. Breen and Catherine C. Breen.
BROWN
Died February 16, 2001, Mrs. Ellen W.
Brown of 604 Gladstone Ave. Remains rest at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home, 2011 Grayland Ave. Funeral notice later.
BRYANT
Mrs. Gladys J. Bryant passed away peacefully on February 15, 2001 after a brief illness. She was the widow of Guy Haywood Bryant Sr. She is survived by her son, Guy H. Bryant Jr.; her daughter, Mrs. Gayle B. Smith; sister, Mrs. Mae J. Owen of Gretna; two granddaughters, Mrs. Dawn B. Saraney of Charlottesville and Mrs. Kimberly B. Lamar of Raleigh, N.C.; and three great-grandchildren. She was a member of Branch's Baptist Church and the Dorcas Sunday School Class. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Morrissett Funeral Home, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd. (Rt. 10), where funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 2 p.m. Interment Branch's Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Branch's Baptist Church, Building Reserve Fund, 3400 Broad Rock Blvd., Richmond, Va. 23234.
CARTER
Bernard M.
Carter Sr., age 73, of Bruington, formerly of Caroline County, died February 16, 2001. He is survived by his wife, Frances L. Carter; three children, Dorothy Jones, Patsy DeFour and Bernard
Carter Jr., all of Bruington; a sister, Jean Terry; and brother, William Carter, both of Milford; and three grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the B.W. White Funeral Home, Aylett, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Service 3 p.m. Sunday at Bruington Baptist Church. Interment in church cemetery.
CHEATHAM
Calvin Woodrow Cheatham Sr. of Richmond departed this life Friday, February 16, 2001. Remains rest at the Mimms Funeral Home, 19th and Hull Sts. Funeral notice later.
CHUMNEY
Alma Pauline Chumney, 68, of Colonial Heights, died Thursday, February 15, 2001 at Chippenham Medical Center in Richmond. She is survived by her husband, William H. Chumney; two sons, Charles Young of Poquoson, Va. and Bill Young of Chester; three brothers and their wives, Wayne and Paula Cook, Arland and Mabelle Cook, and Roy and Carolyne Cook; and one sister and her husband, Betty and Larry Latham. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren that she loved dearly. A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 19, 2001 at 2 p.m. at Crew City Cemetery with the Rev. Paul Wade officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at E. Alvin Small Funeral Home, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights.
DILLARD
Robert M. Dillard Sr. of 701 N. 32nd St. died February 15, 2001. Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Funeral notice later.
FLOWERS
Mr.
Williams Harold Flowers, age 76, died Friday, February 16, 2001. He was a WWII veteran. He served as president and director of First Virginia Bank - Loudoun and retired as president and director of First Virginia Bank - Northern Neck. Mr. Flowers was involved in numerous church and civic activities in both Loudoun and Westmoreland Counties. He is survived by his wife, Ann Moran Flowers; his children, William H. Flowers Jr. and Jayne Turpin Flowers; a sister, Mrs. Raymond S. Ruffin; and brother, R. Carlton Flowers. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, February 18, 2001 at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 West Broad St., Glen Allen, where the funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday. Interment will follow in Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery, King William County. Memorial contributions may be made to the Derbyshire Baptist Church Building Fund, 8800 Derbyshire Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229.
FRANCIS
Mrs. Belle Mason Francis, 80, of Richmond and formerly of Kenbidge, widow of Louis W. Francis, died February 15, 2001. She is survived by two sons, Stephen W. Francis of Midlothian and Christopher K. Francis of Richmond; one daughter, Beverly F. Murphey of Richmond; three grandchildren, Marshall Francis, Sara Murphey and Julianne Francis; one sister, June M. White of Lynchburg; and one brother, Roy C. Mason of Plano, Texas. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Kenbridge Baptist Church with burial at 2 p.m. in the Stanton River Baptist Church Cemetery, Brookneal, Va. The family will receive friends Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Clarke Funeral Home, Kenbridge, Va.
GROVE
Etta Parker Grove, 87, of Richmond, passed away Friday, February 16, 2001, widow of H. Norman Grove. She is survived by one sister, Lucille Kranitsky of Richmond; two nieces, Catherine
Williams and Patty Anne Wilson; one nephew, Joseph Parker. Mrs. Grove was a member of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church Canterbury Garden Club, Joy Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Provost Guard. Her remains rest at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Rd., where the family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, February 18, and where services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, February 19. Interment Westhampton Memorial Park.
