Obituaries

Norman Welch Burruss, Jr., 72, of Rhoadesville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on September 3, 1952, he was the beloved son of the late Norman Welch Burruss, Sr. and Mary Katheryn Quann Burruss of Rhoadesville, Virginia. Norman was preceded in death by his three sisters, Vonnee Burruss Welch of Palm Coast, Florida, Daisy Mae Burruss of Orange, Virginia, and Brenda Burruss Seay of Orange, Virginia. He was a proud father to three children and five grandchildren. Norman will also be lovingly remembered by his brothers and sisters-in-law, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Norman retired after a long career as an HVAC system estimator and designer. Beyond his profession, he was a man of many talents and passions. He was a gifted artist, capturing the beauty of birds and foxes through his artwork. A creative mind, he was the inventor of a baseball-related patent, the author of a published book, and a skilled craftsman who built beautiful woodworking projects—including a treehouse, chest, and loft bed treasured by his grandchildren. Above all, Norman will be remembered for his devotion to God, country, family, his creativity, and the joy he found in sharing his gifts with those around him. Cremation arrangements will be handled by Preddy’s Funeral Home in Orange, Virginia. A graveside service will be held at Rhoadesville Baptist Church at 1:00PM on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

Shirley Ann Smith Dodson, 88 of Madison, Va. passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Dogwood Village in Orange, Va. She was born on May 13, 1937 to the late Bud Franklin Smith and Gladys Lillian Meadows Smith. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Roosevelt Dodson; brother, Robert Smith; sisters, Mary Lee Fox and Betty Jean Meadows. Shirley was owner and operator of Shirley’s Beauty Shop in Madison for many years. She loved gardening and working in her flowers. Shirley was a member of Mt. Olivet Methodist Church in Syria, Va. She is survived by her daughters, Debra Ann Gordon and husband Jackie of Rochelle and Sharon Gail Utz and husband Tony of Etlan; sister, Sue Frances McDaniel and husband Earl of Gordonsville; grandchildren, Brian Gordon and wife Lauran of Rochelle, Mark Gordon and wife Amy of Ferrum, Chad Utz and wife Melinda of Etlan, Jody Seale and husband Junior of Aylor; great-grandchildren, Ryleigh and Jack Gordon, Emma and Paisley Gordon, Abigail Utz, Huntlyn Seale and Levi Seale. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, September 15, 2025 at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Madison with Pastor Johnny Hawkins officiating. The family will receive friends one hour before the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the cemetery.

Tony Lee Kirby, 52, of Barboursville, Virginia, passed away on Monday, September 8, 2025. Born on January 29, 1973, he was the son of the late Edward P. and Virginia A. Kirby. Tony is survived by his wife, Patricia Kirby; his children, Stephanie Easton and Darrell (Somer) Easton; his grandchildren, Ryan, Zoey, Shane, Evan, Bryce, Cody, Hunter, Chase, Dylan, Brittany, Brenden, Domenic, Nevaeh; and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Preddy Funeral Home in Gordonsville.

Tina Marie Straight, 60, of Mitchells, Va., passed away peacefully at her residence on Sunday, September 7, 2025. Born on October 9, 1964, to the late Roy Edward Warring, Sr. and Betty Jane Campbell, she was preceded in death by her brother, Roy (Eddie) Edward Warring Jr., and her sister, Donna Warring. Tina is survived by her loving partner of over 22 years, Steve Smootz; her daughters, April Wooding and Ashley Dellinger; her son, John Dellinger, Jr.; her brother, David Lee Warring; and her sisters, Wendy Warring Epps and Kristie Ballenger Edwards. She was the proud grandmother of Destiny, Ja’Kaelyn, Ariyana, Layla, Delilah, Angela, and Bella. Throughout her life, Tina demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Known as the strongest and most stubborn person her loved ones knew, her unwavering strength and unshakeable optimism inspired all who were fortunate to know her. Tina had a profound affection for her animals—Lady, Penny, and Lulu—and found comfort and joy in caring for them. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, partner, sister, and friend whose kindness, fortitude, and spirit left a lasting impact on the lives of many.

Virgil Kenneth Grandle, 82, of Unionville, Va., and later of Greene County, Va., passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025, from complications of parkinsons disease. He was born on February 21, 1943, to the late Melvin and Mary Grandle of Rockingham County. Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife Lois, his daughter Melissa, and his granddaughter Lexi. He is survived by a daughter, Allison Morris, and her husband, Brian, and their daughter, Missy. His brothers, Sam Grandle and wife Judy, of Rockingham County, and Lonnie Grandle and wife Barbara of Floyd, and their children, Robbie, Michelle, and Chuckie. He is also survived by three special Nieces, Tina Landes and husband Rodney, Beth Merica and husband Clint, and Jenny Harris and husband Dana. Kenny worked for almost 50 years for Herndon Chevrolet in Gordonsville and then in Orange. He enjoyed traveling, restoring and driving MGB cars, watching NASCAR races, and listening to bluegrass music. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, September 12, 2025, at the Preddy Funeral Home in Orange, with burial to follow in the Weaver family cemetery in Barboursville. Pastor William Staton will officiate.

Shirley Redmon Watson, 89, of Charlottesville, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 5, 2025. A full obituary will be published soon.

Caroline Bertha Hill Jasper 86, of Madison passed away on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Culpeper. She was born November 12, 1938 in Madison to the late Aaron Hill and Bertha Frye Hill and wife of the late Joseph Daniel Jasper. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Rebecca Jasper, son, James Edward Hill, two brothers, Hoover Hill and Jesse Carter and a sister, Winnie Banks. She is survived by four daughters, Lois Hill, Gloria Jackson, Nancy Jasper and Carolyn Banks, five sons, Joe Joseph Jasper, Richard Jasper, George Jasper, Daniel Jasper and Joseph Jasper; one brother, Roger Hill; 29 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held 12:00 noon at Rock Hall Church in Wolftown conducted by Pastor Arthur Green with interment in Rock Hall cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church. Preddy Funeral home in Madison is in charge of arrangements.

Cathy Annette Gunnell 61 of Ruckersville passed away Friday, August 29, 2025. She was surrounded by family and at peace. She was the daughter of the late Davis Lee Jeffries. She was also proceeded by a son, Ronnie “RJ” Alan Settle, Jr. She survived by her mother, Gladys Pearl Jeffries; husband, Jeffrey L. Gunnell; sons, David Wayne Butler Jr., Darek Lee Butler, Ryan Lee Gunnell; siblings, Tommy Bland, Timmy Bland; sister, Cyndi L. Smith with husband Larry Smith; and Davis Jeffries II,; grandchildren, Kyleigh Butler, Desirae Settle, Dylan Settle, and Dustin Settle. Cathy was a loving and caring Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt, Gigi and friend. She was loved by many and will be deeply missed. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Preddy Funeral Home Chapel in Gordonsville. There will be a private interment at a later date.

Clara Jones Nixon, 98, of Orange died on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the Dogwood Village of Orange. She was born on November 26, 1926, in Orange and was the daughter of the late Nelson Jones and Sarah Frances White Jones. She was also predeceased by her husband Lee Jackson Nixon Sr. and a son Danny Michael Nixon. She is survived by a daughter Sarah Frances Nixon Clarke of Bowie, MD; three sons Lee Jackson Nixon Jr. and wife Mildred of Orange, Stanley Winford Nixon and wife Christine of Orange, and Keith McKinley Nixon Sr. and wife Kimberly of Orange; six grandchildren Chevaliet Nixon Snead, Keith M. Nixon Jr., Stanley W. Nixon II and wife Jamia, Kevin Nixon, Devon Andre Clarke, and Dylan Adin Clarke; three great grandchildren Shanya L. Lindsay, Jewel Virginia Snead, and Sareyah W. Nixon; and one great great grandchild Saveah Marrietta Annette. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Orange. Pastor John Saunders will officiate. The family will receive friends one hour before the funeral service from 10:00 to 11:00. Interment will follow the funeral service at the Westview Cemetery, Orange. Preddy Funeral Home of Orange is assisting the family.