Rappahannock News

RUSSELL LEE WHORTON FIGGINS Russell Lee Whorton Figgins, of Front Royal, VA passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD following a five-week battle with Covid. Russ died on his 32nd birthday. Russell was born on Oct. 19, 1989, in Charlottesville, Virginia, son of Russell L. Figgins and Beverly K. Figgins of Front Royal. He was a graduate of Skyline High School Class of 2007. Russ will be long remembered for his happy-go-lucky attitude, his love of dogs, his voracious appetite for reading, his respectful demeanor to everyone he met and his love of family. In addition to his parents, Russell L. Figgins and Beverly K. Figgins, Russ...

Tom was born in Beville, Texas to Harold and Marie Blot (née Frasmer) on February 16, 1964. He graduated from Havelock High School in North Carolina where he played football and ran track. He married Nadine Celio on September 24, 1988 in Dale City, Virginia at Our Lady of Angels Church. He worked for Coca Cola for over twenty years and more recently for Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. He had a love/hate relationship with the Washington Football Team and was overjoyed to watch his Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018. He loved music, including Luke Combs and Ozzy Osbourne. He was always quick with a joke and a hug, and cared deeply for his friends and family. Tom is survived by his wife,...

Ricky Lee Pullen, 58, of Luray, VA, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Winchester Medical Center with his wife and daughter by his side. Ricky was born June 18, 1963 in Front Royal, VA. He was a self-employed plumber for the past 15 years. He had an endless love for his family, fishing and hunting. Ricky is survived by his wife of 36 years, Cathy Pullen, his daughter, Ashleigh Pullen and his granddaughter, Gracelyn Pullen Smith, whom he absolutely adored, all of Luray, VA. Additional survivors include his sister, Barbara Payne (Albert) of Washington, VA, his brothers Nelson Jenkins, Jr. (Janet) of Washington, VA, Robert Jenkins Sr. (Emily) of Washington, VA, Branson Jenkins...

Dorothy Ellen Jenkins Dorothy Ellen Jenkins, 66, of Colonial Beach, VA, died Friday, September 3, 2021 at Mary Washington Hospital. She was born July 31, 1955 in Charlottesville, VA to the late George and Eliza Jenkins. Dorothy is survived by her children; Theresa Alley, Donnie Jenkins, and Wade Chavis, grandchildren; Jessica Alley and Billy Alley, and one great grandchild, Alayna Dyer. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 11:00 am at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA 22701 with Preacher Charles Shifflett officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The family would like to invite those unable to attend...

Elba Thornton Lam, 86, of Amissville passed away on October 2, 2021. He was born on June 9, 1935 to Arthur Blaine Lam and Annie Laurie Lam. Thornton worked from an early age, milking cows before going to school and then drove a school bus his senior year of high school. Between his sophomore and junior years of college, he served in the United States Air Force for three years, working as a surveyor and traveling TDY to many countries. Thornton was a social worker, receiving degrees in social work from Bridgewater College abd Virginia Commonwealth University. His first job was with the American Red Cross, being stationed in Germany for three years. Other employments include Fairfax...

James Anthony "Tony" Sisk went home to be with the Lord on October 1, 2021. He died in the line of duty at INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia. Sisk was a 27 year veteran of law enforcement and Captain of Patrol for Culpeper County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Eileen, and daughters, Sarah Sisk Bullard (Nick) and Hallie Sisk (Zach); granddaughter, Lilly; his parents, Kerry and Patsy Woodward; sister, Carol Pulm; and brother, Jason Woodward. Captain Sisk, 50, a Culpeper native, graduated from Culpeper County High School in 1990. He began his life-long career in law enforcement in 1994. He began as a jail deputy under then-Sheriff Robert "Pete"...

Melvin M. Giles US Navy World War II Veteran Melvin Massie Giles, 93 of Warrenton, VA passed away on September 28, 2021 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. He was born on July 23, 1928 in Roseland, Nelson County, VA a son of the late Jessie and Ethel Hamilton Giles. After graduation he served in the U. S. Navy for two years. Upon discharge he moved to Rappahannock County to work in a country store owned by a relative. It was at that store he met his future wife, Martha. She was visiting her aunt and grandmother who lived nearby. Melvin was offered a job as a route salesman for Warrenton Wholesale and moved to Warrenton. He and Martha were married February 10, 1951. In 1970, Melvin went to...

James Lee Alther, 76, of Culpeper, died on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA. He was born June 23, 1945, in Leesburg, VA to Pauline and Paul Alther. His parents were natives of Rappahannock County, and shortly after his birth they returned to Sperryville, VA and he attended Rappahannock County schools. James was in the US Army from 1965 to 1967 and served in Vietnam. After his service in the Army he began working for Culpeper Farmers Coop and retired with 49 plus years. James had a passion for sports and volunteered in many different capacities (coaching, Board of Directors, Treasurer) for Culpeper Little League for 45...

Jean Elizabeth Morris, 82, died Saturday, September 18, 2021, at UVA Culpeper Medical Center. Born in Old Hollow, Sperryville, she was the eldest daughter of Roy and Magdalene (Bowen) Dwyer. She is survived by her children, Barry Atchison and Renee Atchison Ziegler; grandchildren Rebecca, Henry and Sam Ziegler; and a sister Ruth Kiger. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tucker Morris. Graveside funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, September 25 at Fairview Cemetery, Culpeper. An online tribute wall and guestbook are available at www.foundandsons.com Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.

Ruby Ellen Dwyer Ruby Ellen Dwyer, 93, of Sperryville, passed away peacefully with family by her side on September 14, 2021 in Culpeper Medical Center. She was the daughter of the late David Marshall Dwyer and Nina Bowen Dwyer. Ruby was a native to what is now the Shenandoah National Park. At age 10, her family moved from the park to their home in Old Hollow, just outside the park boundaries, where Ruby lived until the last few years of her life. As a youth, she worked hard on the family farm and played basketball at Sperryville school where she graduated. Ruby spent 26 years of her life as a teacher's aide in Rappahannock County Elementary School. She was a beloved colleague,...

Argia Regina Maria Caporuscio, 85 of Amissville, VA passed away on Sept. 14, 2021 at her home. She was born on September 11, 1936 in Pontecorvo, Italy a daughter of the late Pietro and Maria Cerro. Mrs. Caporuscio came to the United States in 1958 and had lived in Amissville since 1981. She was a farmer and had a stand at the Warrenton Farmer's Market for nearly 40 years. Her work there has been featured in several local articles in newspapers speaking to her work and her love for growing vegetables and fruits, canning, preserving jams and jellies and baked goods. She was a longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Warrenton. She is survived by her husband,Vincenzo...

William Ferrell Vess, Jr. It is with great sadness to announce the sudden passing of William Ferrell Vess, Jr. on September 13, 2021. Bill was on his usual morning walk at the Inn at Little Washington Gardens when he suffered a heart attack. He loved walking around the Inn, sitting on the bench near the fountain, and observing all of the activities as he eagerly watched Paddy O's Cafe being built. He will be fondly remembered by The James Fletcher Massie, Jr. Family , his friends and landlords on Meadow Grove Farm, where he lived for 33 years. He will be greatly missed by his friend, Nancy Clatterbuck, as well as many other friends that he made over the years. Bill was born in...

Reverend Forrest L. Freeman, Sr., of Washington, VA passed on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at his home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Wayland Blue Ridge Baptist Center, 15044 Ryland Chapel Rd., Rixeyville, VA 22737. Please extend online condolences to the family at www. tibbsfuneralhome.com

Eva Harbour Stephenson, 90, of Boston, VA died at The Culpeper on August 26, 2021. She was born in Bristol TN, on August 29, 1930. She loved her family and especially her grandchildren. Eva was a great cook and was very crafty. She had a love of playing cards including canasta and pinochle. Eva is survived by her son George "Chuck" Charles Stephenson (Cathy), and Margaret "Peggy" Stephenson Sabol (Jeffrey); grandchildren, Samuel Stephenson, Benjamin Stephenson, Joshua Sabol, Ethan Sabol, and Ellen Sabol. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Joseph Harbour and Anna Belle Woodring Harbour; her husband, George Clarence Stephenson; and all her siblings. She will be...

Mazie Aleen Williams, 89, of Chester Gap, Virginia passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at Warren Memorial Hospital in Front Royal, Virginia. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at 2 PM at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal with Pastor Jim Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Williams Family Cemetery, Chester Gap. Mrs. Williams was born on January 20, 1932 in Chester Gap to the late Elias Clinton and Mamie Henry Wines. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Downing Lovell Williams; daughter, Christine Dianne Williams; four brothers, Ford Lee Haun, Herman Robinson, Roger Haun and Truin Wines; two sisters, Daisy...

John Miles Baumgardner Jr., 37, of Winchester, Virginia went to be with Jesus on Monday, August 23, 2021. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at noon at Maddox Funeral Home, 105 West Main Street, Front Royal, Virginia with the Rev. Jonathan C. Heddleston officiating. Burial will take place at a later date. John was born on November 12, 1983 in Front Royal to John Baumgardner Sr. and Sylvia Coffman Williams. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and of Episcopal faith. He was a musician and loved to sing. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, cooking, dancing with his wife and spending time with his family and friends. He was a history buff. Surviving along...

Charles Waddington Harris, an eclectic world citizen, omnivorous reader of history, and master beekeeper in his bounteous Amissville backyard, passed away Sunday (Aug. 22) after a bout with non-COVID pneumonia. He was 81. He was born Oct. 17, 1939 in Manilla, The Philippines, to the late Charles E. Harris and Louise Helen Waddington. Charles is survived by three children: Son Oliver, of Bethesda, Md., and daughters Selina Millstam, Stockholm, Sweden; and Emily Harris, Sperryville, Va. Grandchildren include Wren and Alexa Harris, Matilda and Henrik Millstam. Charles is also survived by two younger brothers, Tom (Ocala, Fla.) and Geoff (Holiday, Fla.), their wives, children, and...

Kathleen Marie Rowzie, age 54, passed peacefully on Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 at her home in Amissville, VA. She was born in Binghamton, New York, on April 8th, 1967, daughter of Keith & Mary Jane Fawcett. She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Russell Rowzie; eight children, Patrick Rowzie (Carmen) of Amissville, VA, Ashley Bell (Chris) of McLean, VA, Thomas Rowzie (Katie) of Annandale, VA, and Julia, Katharine, Joseph, James & Peter Rowzie, all of Amissville; her father, Keith Fawcett (Colleen) of Jupiter, FL and mother, Mary Jane Fawcett of Warrenton, VA; brother, David Fawcett (Emily) of Woodbridge, VA; and two grandchildren, Lilly & Maya. A mass of Christian burial...

Linda Gay Jenkins Dwyer, 72, of Sperryville, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 21 at Inova Fairfax Hospital with her family by her side. She was born on July 8, 1949 to the late Aubrey Robinson Jenkins and Ellen Baker Jenkins. Ms. Dwyer was known for her kindness, hard-working nature, humor, infectious laugh, and caring for those around her more than she cared for herself. Above all things, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends. It was not uncommon to walk into her home and find her on the phone with, or visiting with, a loved one. She especially treasured time with her children and grandchildren, and was often found making them a meal to share with her. She is...

Chi-Yi Lin, DDS, a pediatric dentist and long-time resident of Falls Church and Castleton, VA, passed away unexpectedly on August 10, 2021 at the age of 54, following a brief struggle with cancer. Chi-Yi is survived by his husband, Jack Varga, MD of Castleton; his father, Yuan Shuh Lin, two brothers (Chi-Hung and Chi-Ming) and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews in Taiwan. He was predeceased by his mother, Pong Lai Chen. Chi-Yi was born in Taitung, Taiwan and lived much of his early life in Pingtong, Taiwan. He completed his initial dental education at Taiwan Medical University, receiving a DDS in 1991, and then came to New York City to train as a pediatric dentist at New York...

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our precious Olivia Grace Clatterbuck, who passed from this life on August 10, 2021. Olivia was born on January 10, 2014 to her parents, Jonathan Clatterbuck of Washington, Virginia and Amber Cooke of Front Royal, Virginia. Olivia would have been starting the second grade at Rappahannock Elementary School and enjoyed her dance classes as well as playing softball, basketball, and soccer. Olivia loved riding her horse, Mickey, and had recently bridged from a Daisy to a Brownie in Girl Scouts Troop 772. Olivia was known for her smile that would light up a room as well as her quick wit, sweetness, and giving spirit. Olivia was known as a...