In Remembrance

January 23, 2023

Barbara S. Loving, 90 years young, passed away on Friday January 20, 2023. She was a native of Leland, North Carolina. She was the owner of Loving Funeral Home, a member of Alexander Baptist Church and a past Worthy Matron of Fellowship Chapter #140 Order of the Eastern Star. She was an avid gardener and seamstress.

Barbara was the wife of the late Harry D. Loving, Sr. She is survived by her favorite granddaughter, Suzanne Loving; son H. David Loving, Jr. and his wife Melody, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson; daughters Debra L. Loving, Beth Yates, Judy Barnes, Jo Packer, Carla Hutt and Carla’s daughter Melissa, Rachel Moore her best friend with whom she shopped, made porcelain dolls, and traveled for Eastern Star functions with their husbands. Rachel and Barbara continued to check on each other every day by phone if they were not together. She is also survived by numerous other family members and devoted friends.

Barbara was predeceased by her sister Colleen Gainey, her brother Fletcher Simmons and her loyal Sheltie companions.

The family would like to thank Betsy Wilkerson Laster, who helped Barbara maintain her independence at home, the nursing staff of River 8 at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and the medical staff of the following teams, for the excellent care provided while Barbara was in their care: Emergency Department, Trauma, Orthopedics, Medical, Cardiology, Neurology, and Respiratory.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in Loving Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Monday from 3:30-5:30 pm in the funeral home. The committal service at Olive Branch Cemetery is private.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alexander Baptist Church, Chesapeake, or the Girl Scouts of Colonial Coast Leadership Endowment Fund.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Barbara S. Loving please visit our Sympathy Store.

Loving Funeral Home

Tidewater Funeral Directors Association

Friend of the VFDA

January 21, 2023

Heaven gained a precious angel. Frank M. Rodriguez, 94, of Pocahontas, Virginia went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 19, 2023 at his home surrounded by family.

Born in Bishop, VA he was the son of the late Joe and Pearlie Jones Rodriguez. Frank “Frankie” was a graduate of Tazewell High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Later, he earned his Funeral Director license in Cincinnati, Ohio. He began his career in Pocahontas and served his community for 60+ years. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pocahontas, Virginia, the Pocahontas Lions Club, VFDA and a Shriner. In addition to serving his families he also owned and operated IGA Foodliner, Frankie’s Dairy Bar, Cozy Corner restaurant, an ambulance service and a laundry mat in his hometown as well as being active in his community.

His greatest love was being a dad and husband, being a funeral director and serving local families in time of need. Anyone who knew Frankie would agree he was a dapper gentleman with a heart of gold who would do anything for anyone and ask for nothing in return. His smile was contagious and his compassion for his work was endless. He never met a stranger and had a calming demeanor to those in need. Frankie was a true family man to his wife, children and grandchildren, they were his world! He loved to travel, fish, hunt and simply spend time with those he loved.

In addition to his parents, he is proceeded in death by his loving wife Peggy Wells Rodriguez, sister Kathleen Rodriguez, brother George Jones and Mike Rodriguez, uncles Harry “Jock” Jones, Charley Jones and aunt Blance “Maw” Harmon. Those left to cherish his memory are his three daughters, Kim Rodriguez Moon (Barron) of Lancaster, South Carolina, Kathy Rodriguez Tickle (Jeff) of Pembroke, Virginia, and Karen Rodriguez Carter of Pocahontas, Virginia. Grandchildren Kristen Gordon (Patrick) of Spencer, North Carolina, Kris Ashley (Grace) of Heath Springs, South Carolina, Adriana Stevers (Joey) of Pembroke, Virginia, Skylar McClure of Pocahontas, Virginia and Ashton Carter of Pocahontas, Virginia. Great grandchildren Cameron and Liam Gordon, Carah and Gavin Ashley, Emmalyn, Preston and Boden Stevers. Brother Bill (Bert) Rodriguez of Colorado and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His companion of 8 years, Stella “Pru” Walker of Pulaski, Virginia.

Funeral services will be held at Rodriguez Funeral Home in Pocahontas, Virginia at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 22, 2023 with Dr. John Wells (nephew) and Reverend Reginald Blakewood officiating. Friends may call between 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Internment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Bluefield, West Virginia. Military Rites will be conducted by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Kris Ashley, Patrick Gordon, Joey Stevers, Skylar McClure, Frank Farthing and Jim Sager. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeff Tickle and Barron Moon.

The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen DeGray and wife Wendy, the staff at Lewis Gale Blacksburg Hospital, Encompass Health Princeton, West Virginia and Legacy Hospice Richlands, Virginia for their excellent care. Special thanks to his companion Stella Walker for loving and caring for him numerous years. Also, a heartfelt thanks to Josephine “Pnut” Spaulding for all her help and dedication over the last few months.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Christian Action Center, PO Box 608, Pocahontas, Virginia 24635

Rodriguez Funeral Home

Southwest Funeral Directors Association

Owner of Rodriguez Funeral Home, Father of Karen Rodriguez

January 20, 2023

Mr. Carlos C. Bland, son of Mr. Wayne M. Jones and Ms. Phyllis Graham, passed January 13, 2023. Visitation service is Friday, January 27, 2023 at Solid Rock COGIC, 2100 Vicker Ave. in Chesapeake, Virginia from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Solid Rock COGIC. Interment will be Calvary Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia. Vaughan - Temple Funeral Home is charge of the service.

Vaughn-Temple Funeral Home

Tidewater Funeral Directors Association

Son of Wayne Jones

January 19, 2023

Ann Larue Johnson Grandle, 94, of Broadway passed away January 17, 2023 at the Timberview Crossings in Timberville.

She was born January 7, 1929 in Rockingham Co. to the late Melvin M. and Ruby Good Johnson.

Ann worked many years at Grandle Funeral Home answering phones and doing hair. She was a member of Sunset Drive United Methodist Church in Broadway where she taught Sunday School, served in the women’s fellowship, and sang in the choir. Ann was also a member of the Shenandoah Valley #76 order of the Eastern Star, where she served as a past worthy matron, Chimney Rock VFW Post# 9660 Ladies Auxiliary, and she helped to organize and form the Broadway Little League.

On June 14, 1947 she married Carrel W. “Jodie” Grandle who preceded her in death on June 22, 2003.

Surviving are children, C.W. Grandle II and wife Peggy, Jerry L. Grandle and wife Cindy, Kathy Grandle Turner all of Broadway; grandchildren, Becky Mason (Danny), Pal Long (Casey), Mandy Freds (Will), Whit Grandle (Janna), Adam Grandle, Zach Grandle, Lacey Roberts (Zach), Jodie Turner; 13 great grandchildren; sisters, Janie Gallaher of Caruthers, CA, Linda Crider of Broadway; brother, Nelson John Snyder and wife Helen of New Jersey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Tamra J. Long and husband Phil; sisters, Doris Jean Luff, Nancy Cootes, Mary Catherine Edwards; brothers, Charles Johnson, Melvin M. Johnson Jr., Roy Lee Johnson.

Pastors Tommy Lewis-Crosby and Steve Proctor will conduct a memorial service 4:00 P.M. Saturday at the Sunset Drive United Methodist Church in Broadway. Burial will be private.

Those wishing to sign the book may do so Friday from 9-7 at the Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway where the casket will be closed.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Broadway Rescue Squad; P.O. Box 666 Broadway, VA 22815 or to the Sunset Drive United Methodist Church; P.O. Box 381 Broadway, VA 22815.

Grandle Funeral Home

Shenandoah Funeral Directors Association

Wife of Late C.W. “Jodie” Grandle, Mother of Jerry Grandle and C.W. Grandle II and Grandmother of Whit Grandle and Jodie Turner