News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | January 12, 2026
Obituaries
Joan Woolard Jones
Joan Woolard Jones, of Providence Forge, Virginia, passed away on April 12, 2020, after a long and heroic battle with cancer. She was born in 1956 and graduated from Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in music from East Carolina University in 1978 and then received her Masters of Science in Educational Counseling from Old Dominion University in 1985. Joan was a longtime band director in the Porstmouth, Currituck, and Chesapeake Public School systems, ending her career at Oscar Smith Middle School. She was also a veteran flight instructor with nearly 12,000 hours…
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Katherine Mary Hewitt
Katherine Mary Hewitt, 71, of Lanexa, Virginia, passed away at her home on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Kathie, as she preferred to be called, was born on March 4, 1949 in Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from Saint Columbkille Catholic School, studied for a short time at Boston College, and in 1969 set out for a lifetime of traveling and adventure. She lived in California until 1980 before moving back to Boston for a short time and finally settled in Lanexa. Kathie’s love for travel took her all over the United States and around the world to such destinations as Australia…
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Terry David Tyson
Terry David Tyson, 67, of Quinton, Virginia, died peacefully on March 14, 2020. Terry was born in Fostoria, Ohio, on Feb. 24, 1953. He graduated from Elmwood High School in 1971, and served in the United States Army from 1972-1975 and the United States Navy from 1976-1978. He also served an additional year in the Ohio National Guard. In April of 1977, Terry married Kelly Jean Steiner. After his military service, Terry was hired by the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railway (later becoming part of the Chessie System and then CSX Transportation) where he worked as a lineman, brakeman, and…
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Lurene Whittle Burke
Lurene Whittle Burke, 86, of West Point, Virginia, and formerly of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away and was reunited with her “Valentine” and husband of 29 years on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. She was a devout Christian and life-long member of San Jose Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida. She was an avid reader and loved spending time with her family. Lurene was preceded in death by her husband, John Burke; and sister, Bonnie Fisher. She is survived by her son, Benjamin J. Edwards III and his wife Debbie Woodmansee Edwards of West Point, Virginia; two stepsons, Joe Burke (Nancy)…
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David E. Harris
David E. Harris, 76, of Providence Forge, Virginia, originally from Valdese, North Carolina, passed away on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. David was a retired Air Force Veteran. He continued by working in electronics for building broadcast television stations. He became a real estate broker until he retired in 2001. David was a member of New Kent County Lions’ Club with 44 years of perfect attendance. He was an avid Lions pin trader and a past International President of the Lions International Trading Pin Club. Dave loved golfing and spending time with his family and friends. He was preceded in death…
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Henry Freeman Mountcastle
Henry Freeman Mountcastle, 95, of Providence Forge, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. He was born on Mar. 21, 1924 in the very same small town in which he died, weighing in at a whopping 12 pounds for what the start of a long, loving life. His life was a life driven by integrity, honest hard work, a deep faith, and an insatiable curiosity about his world. To know him was to know that he exuded a delight over the great fortune he felt to be alive. Henry was humble and generous. He was a man who knew…
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Ledbetter Whitefeathers Adkins
Ledbetter Whitefeathers Adkins, 89, of Charles City, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020. Ledbetter was a member of Samaria Baptist Church, the Chickahominy Tribe, and Woodmen of the World. He is survived by his sister, Otela Adkins; numerous nieces and nephews, other family members, extended family, and many friends. A funeral service was held on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, at Samaria Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chickahominy Tribe Elders Fund: 8200 Lott Cary Road, Providence Forge, Virginia, 23140, or Samaria Baptist Church, 8130 Lott Cary Road, Providence…
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Roger Z. Staskiel
Roger Z. Staskiel, 72, of Barhamsville, Virginia, passed away on Jan. 21, 2020. He was an outdoorsman, enjoyed gardening, and working on his tractor. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Z. Roger and Eva Staskiel; and a sister, Katherine Crump. He is survived by his daughter, Eva Marie Harper (Michael); son, Duane Staskiel (Andrea); sister, Margaret Mountcastle (Richard); brother, Mike Staskiel (Liz); four grandchildren, McKayla, Jessica, Nathan, and Drew; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m., at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, 3570 King William Avenue,…
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James Clayton Fuhrman
James “Jim” Clayton Fuhrman went to with our Lord on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. He was born on Nov. 28, 1953. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Florence Fuhrman, and father, Harry Donald Fuhrman. James leaves behind his love, Susan Kelly and her son, Phillip Kelly (Crystal); his children, Brooke Fuhrman (fiancé Chris Sermons), and Randolph Grayson Fuhrman (Sarah); his grandchildren, Rowan, Pippa, Blake, and one on the way; sister, Deborah Fuhrman (Wayne); brothers, David Fuhrman and Harry Fuhrman III (Kim); nephew, Dusty (Tracy); and so many friends. A celebration of his life will be held Monday,…
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Thomas Hill Mountcastle
Thomas Hill Mountcastle, 89, of Providence Forge, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. Thomas was born on May 13, 1930. He, with his four brothers, operated the former Mountcastle Lumber Company of Providence Forge and Newport News. He was an avid duck hunter, a member of the Providence Forge Volunteer Rescue Squad, and a member of the New Kent Historical Society. Thomas was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Anne D. Mountcastle; his parents, Richard E. Mountcastle Sr. and Sallie C. Mountcastle; brother, Richard E. “Dick” Mountcastle Jr. and his…
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