All Obituaries

Ruth Brockwell Lodge, age 98, of Colonial Heights, VA, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020. Born on June 8, 1922, Ruth was a native of Chesterfield County and was the daughter of the late Philip Sheridan Brockwell and Naomi Moore Brockwell Kollman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Shenton Bordon Lodge; sister, Maybelle Brockwell Landa; brother, Charles “Colonel” Brockwell; son, Jay Shenton Lodge; and daughter in-law, Teresa Ann Lodge. Ruth resided most...

Donald Pleasants Baird, 94 of Colonial Heights, passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2020 in Southside Regional Medical Center. He died from complications following a fall at home. Born in Petersburg, VA on September 29, 1926, he was the son of the late Henry Ruffin Baird and Katherine Nichols Baird. He was preceded in death by his sister, Katherine Baird Kennedy and nieces, Sharon and Karen.  Donald graduated from Petersburg High School in 1943 and attended William and Mary for one...

Ernest Edgar Payne, 95, of Colonial Heights passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2020. He was born in Charlottesville on July 7, 1925 to the late Manice E. and Nora Bibb Payne. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary E. Payne; and his six siblings. He is survived by his children, Philip Steven Payne (Mary Ruth) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Laura Payne Ballard (Charles) of North Chesterfield, and Nancy Payne VanFossen (Robert) of Richmond; grandchildren, Alan Shaw (Tiffany), Holly Withers...

  David Brenson Martin, 65, of Colonial Heights, passed away on Monday, November 16, 2020.  Born in Ackerman, Mississippi on September 13, 1955, he was the son of the late Major Edward and Irene Murphy Martin.  David graduated from Colonial Heights High school class of 1974; he received his Political Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his Juris Doctor degree from George Mason School of Law.  David retired from the IRS after 18 years of dedicated...

Rudolph Williams “Rudy” Cogle, 89, of South Prince George, passed away Saturday, November 14, 2020 in Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, VA. Born in Colonial Heights, VA, on October 9, 1931, he was the son of the late Harold, Sr. and Callie Rives Cogle and was preceded in death by his first wife, Ophelia Spain Cogle, his son, Daniel Lee Cogle, his brothers, Harold Cogle, Jr, and Ralph Cogle, and his sisters, Catherine Cogle Longstreet, Pearl Cogle Minton, and Margie...

William Norman "Norm" Benninghoff, Jr., 74, of Colonial Heights, passed away peacefully Friday, November 13, 2020.  He was born June 20, 1946 to the late William Benninghoff, Sr. and Helen McCaskie Benninghoff.  Norm is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nancy Benninghoff; three sons, Bill Benninghoff (Nikki), Danny Benninghoff (Erika), and Scott (Jessica); seven grandchildren, Paige and Jules Benninghoff, Skyler, Porter, and Ollie Benninghoff, and Logan and Landon...

Lawrence C. “Rex” Vairo, 92, of Matoaca, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020.  He was born on February 28, 1928 to the late Louis and Hessie May Purdy Vairo. Mr. Vairo was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Ann Wynn Vairo; and a son, Louis Anthony “Tony” Vairo.   Rex was a lifetime member of Matoaca Baptist Church, and a faithful servant.  He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, and retired after 38 years...

Jill Bennett Clay, 79, of Petersburg, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2020.  She was born October 22, 1941 to the late George and Inez Bennett.  Jill retired from the Petersburg post office after over 30 years as a dedicated mail carrier.  She is survived by her husband, Donald L. Clay, Sr.; two sons, Robert Bowman of Glennville, Georgia and David Bowman (Jennifer) of Kings Mountain, North Carolina; stepson, Donald L. Clay, Jr. of Colonial Heights, Virginia; two...

Paul Ashton Spain, 59, of Colonial Heights, went to be with The Lord, Saturday, October 31, 2020. Paul is survived by his wife, JoAnna Michelle Spain; parents, Bernard Arnold Spain (Libby) and Ruth Longstreet Jenkins; stepdaughter, Madison Wellington; sister, Cindi Neal; niece, Ashton Bohannon (Vincent); great-nephew Alexander Bohannon; great-niece, Avalynn Bohannon; many other loving relatives; and three cats, whom he loved dearly.  Paul was an avid University of Alabama fan.  He...

Louise Rainey Propst, 92, of Colonial Heights, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020.  She born June 24, 1928 to the late Peter Epes Rainey and Marie Elwood Rainey.  Louise was also preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Lawrence Propst, Jr.; daughter, Marsha Propst; and sister, Jean Rainey.  She was a member of High Street United Methodist Church in Petersburg and a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Colonial Heights. Louise was a longtime employee of Colonial...