Obituaries/Death Notices

Anne C. McWilliams

Anne C. McWilliams was the surviving spouse of Rev. Joseph (Jody) McWilliams. Anne Crockett McWilliams died peacefully in the early hours of the first day of this year. A woman of strong Christian faith, she lived a life devoted to service to others, especially children, and to love for her

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Rev. Dr. Martin Spilman, Sr.

Rev. Dr. Martin Kersey Spilman, Sr., retired United Methodist Church clergy, resident of Lake Monticello, Virginia, passed away on January 23, 2026, at the age of 92. He is survived by his three children, Karolina, Martin, Jr., and Andrew; six grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren including one step great grandchild; his

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Marian Bomberger

The Virginia Annual Conference received word that Marian Bomberger passed away on January 31, 2026. Marian was the spouse of Rev. C. Grant Bomberger (retired). Please keep Marian’s family in your thoughts & prayers. An obituary has not been shared yet, please check here for more information when it’s available.

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Elinor “Susie” Wolf

Elinor “Susie” Wolf died January 13,2026, at home, in Woodbridge Va. Many in the Va Conference knew her as the VUMAC Cokesbury store manager, Farmville District Lay Leader, District, Annual, and General Conference Delegate, Choir Member for life (alto!) among other accolades. Others saw neighborhood volunteer, Church lady, small town

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Beth Drummond

Elaine (Briggs) Drummond died on January 2, 2026. She was the daughter of Rev. John Briggs. Elaine (Briggs) Drummond was born eight weeks prematurely at only 3lbs 5 oz, on June 14, 1975, in Elizabeth City, NC. She was strong even in her infancy and surpassed all expectations for her

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Rev. Chester “Ted” Ashby

On the afternoon of Friday, November 14th, Chester Theodore “Ted” Ashby, Sr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by members of his family. He was 96 years old. Born on March 20, 1929, in Newport News, VA to Chester and Marion Ashby, Ted was raised in a house facing the James River.

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William Mears

William Mears was the spouse of Rev. Charlene Landes Mears. William Mears, 85, a resident of Staunton, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Mr. Mears was born on December 21, 1940 in London, U.K. and worked in the Middle East on the rebuilding of the palace of the Sulton

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Betty Westbrook

Betty was the spouse of Rev. Walter Westbrook. Betty Joan Blevins Westbrook, 69, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital Forest. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 2:00pm at Richmond Hill, located at 2209 E Grace St. Richmond VA 23223.

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Rev. Herbert “Abe” Moyer

Reverend Herbert Abraham “Abe” Moyer, resident of Givens Estate Retirement Community, passed away on Saturday, December 20th, 2025, following an extended illness at the Givens Estate Nursing Center. Reverend Moyer, Abe to his friends and many congregations, served the United Methodist Church in the Virginia Conference from 1954-1993, then served

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Shirley S. Kyle

Shirley was the surviving spouse of Reverend William Kyle. Shirley Stevens Kyle, 90, died Dec. 20, 2025 at her home in Williamsburg Virginia with her eldest son by her side. She was a devoted wife and Mother who loved Christ and in turn was loved by all who met her.

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Nancy Y. Knight

Nancy was the surviving spouse of Reverend William E. Knight Nancy Jean Yates Knight was born June 21, 1934 and died December 22, 2025. She was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Yates; mother, Vernell Yates; brother, Jerry Yates; and her husband of 48 years, The Reverend William E.

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Rev. John Shappell

John Shappell was born outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in February of 1947, the youngest of 3 brothers. As a boy he lived on the edge of an abandoned golf course where he and his brothers could explore the woods and catch crawdads in the creek that ran through it, and

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