Obituaries for Thursday

Walter Garcia

Walter Garcia, 50, of Stafford County died Tuesday, May 13, 2008, following his battle with cancer.

Mr. Garcia was a member of Summit Presbyterian Church. He had a distinguished career with the FBI for 22 years and was a pilot on the FBI Hostage Rescue Team at Quantico.

A U.S. Army veteran, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in June 1980. He was assigned to the Third Air Cavalry in Fort Bliss, Texas. He had risen to the rank of captain in five years.

Mr. Garcia's passions were supporting his family in all their athletic, musical and academic endeavors, and his love of flying.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Yvonne K. Force-Garcia; three sons, Sean C. Garcia, Nicholas K. Garcia and Alex I. Garcia; his mother, Tsuyako Garcia of Marina, Calif.; three brothers, Joseph A. Garcia and his wife, Susan, Frank Garcia and his wife, Lynn, and Fred Garcia and his wife, Lisa; a brother-in-law, Craig W. Force and his wife, Kim; many nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles and cousins in California, Hawaii and Japan.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Summit Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Steve Dyer officiating. Interment will be private.

Memorials may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, 2810 N. Parham Road, Richmond, Va. 23294.

Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Helen E. Johnson

Helen Elaine Johnson of Fredericksburg passed away unexpectedly Thursday, May 8, 2008, at Mary Washington Hospital.

Helen was the wife of the late David J. Johnson. She was the mother of two children, Jasmine and Jared; and three stepchildren, Lovail, Davie and Daetra. She also is survived by 13 grandchildren; her father, Herman Neeley; two sisters; four brothers; her mother-in-law; five sisters-in-law; and four brothers-in-law.

A viewing will be held at Henry W. Dabney Funeral Home, 518 N. Washington Highway, Ashland, on Thursday, May 15, from noon to 8 p.m.

A funeral will be held Friday, May 16, at noon at Beulah Baptist Church, 5216 Arcadia Road, Woodford, with interment in Jericho Baptist Church cemetery, Ruther Glen.

The family will receive friends at Beulah Baptist Church following interment for a repast.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Charles E. Baumann

Charles Edward Baumann, 76, formerly of Stafford County, died unexpectedly and peacefully Wednesday, March 12, 2008, while playing chess at his new home in Georgia.

Charles was born to the late Joseph Herman and Frances Maenner Baumann of Bowie, Md., on Oct. 17, 1931. He was a 1949 graduate of St. John's College in Washington, D.C. He married his beloved wife and lifelong friend, Patricia Connor, on Aug. 24, 1957. Charles was a professional athlete before going into a career with the federal government, from which he retired in 1981.

During his retirement, Charles lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed travel, reading, chess and collecting English pottery when he wasn't enjoying his precious 18 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

He was an active and honorary member of the Bossons Society.

Charles was a giant of a man with a large heart for everyone, whether it was family or friend. He was an organ donor.

"None of us are immortal, but some will remain among us longer because of their very existence. We will miss you."

Charles is survived by his widow, Patricia; his sons, Christopher and his wife, Karen, James and his wife, Tina, and Dominic and his wife, Katie; his daughters, Edyth Kemp and her husband, Steve, of Fredericksburg, Katherine Horst and her husband, John, of Alaska, and Rebecca Castro and her husband, Carlos, of Georgia.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. William of York Catholic Church in Stafford on Friday, May 16, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Quantico National Cemetery at noon.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Helen M. Weeks

Helen Marie Medley Weeks, 59, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at her home in Sealston in King George County.

Helen was the daughter of Hurley Lee and Beulah Abigail Medley. She was a very devoted and loving grandmother who cherished her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a dedicated worker at Mary Washington Hospital and loved to go to yard sales. She also was a member of Christian Outreach Tabernacle.

Survivors include her husband of 41 years, Gordon D. Weeks Jr.; three sons, Larry D. Medley Sr. and his wife, Jeanie Marie, of Lake Anna, and Ricky Weeks and Russell Weeks, both of Sealston; four grandchildren, Jason A. Medley and his wife, Lisa, and Maria L., Janeen M. and Sandy D. Medley; and her two great-grandchildren, Jacob A. and Mason A. Medley.

Other survivors include three brothers, James Fox and his wife, Ellen, of Madison County, Charles Fox of Colonial Beach and Steve Medley Sr. and his wife, Karen, of Stafford County; three sisters, Shelby Sanders of Spotsylvania County, Barbara Conley of King George and Jeanette Elswick and her husband, Joe Jr., of Ruther Glen; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her infant grandson, Larry D. Medley Jr., who is now in the loving arms of his "Little Grandma."

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Christian Outreach Tabernacle, 10108 Jim Morris Road, Fredericksburg, Va. 22408, with the Rev. Norman Gallimore officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday, May 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Nave, Mike Nave, William Sanders Jr., Daniele Osbourne, John Dobson, Brian Myers, Mark Gallimore and Paul Brown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Christian Outreach Tabernacle Children's Church, 7609 Delta Lane, Fredericksburg, Va. 22408.

Online guest book available at covenantfuneral service.com.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Joan McGraw

Mary Joan McGraw, 70, of Spotsylvania County died Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Born Sept. 9, 1937, in Graydon, W.Va., to the late Edgar Ross and Mabel Virginia Wood, she was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed making a happy home for her husband, children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, C.I. "Dick" McGraw; a son, David McGraw and his wife, Lisa; a daughter, Cristi McGraw Saunders; a sister, Charlotte Ridolfo; grandchildren, Margaret Ann McGraw, Mary Grace McGraw, Madeline Mae McGraw, Ross Michael McGraw, Mary Catherine Saunders, Caroline Willis Saunders and Olivia Lea Saunders.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Ross Douglas Wood.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 16, at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg. Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's Hospital, 5801 Bremo Road, Richmond, Va. 23226.

Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Stephan L. Williams

Stephan Lee Williams, 29, of Colonial Beach passed away Monday, May 12, 2008. He was born Feb. 27, 1979, to Suzanne Smith of Colonial Beach and Gill Williams of Okracoke Island, N.C.

Besides his parents, he is survived by his fiancee, Carey Paradis; his grandmother, Mary Virginia Stanford; his sisters, Leslie Smith, Hillary Williams and Jubal Williams; his aunts and uncles, Patricia McRae, Alice Winebarger, Russell Ann Perry, James Williams and Mary Pryor Williams; and seven cousins. His grandparents, India and Russell Williams, and his grandfather, Clarence H. Stanford, are deceased.

Stephan struggled within the last year due to an injury resulting from an abdominal blow while working with hydraulic equipment. Resulting pancreatitis took his life.

Stephan was known as the manager of Stanford's Marine Railway following the death of his mentor and greatest friend, his grandfather Clarence Stanford.

Clarence taught Stephan the trades of boat craft and seamanship, which Stephan dearly loved all his life. Some of his realtives' fondest memories are of Stephan operating machinery as a small child with the skills of an adult. As his mother said, "There's no machine Stephan couldn't drive backwards as well as he drove it forwards." His work ethic was unrivalled, often laboring into the evenings to ensure that any job got done. In his novel "Hermoine," Sloan Wilson included Stephan in a description as "a boy who worked like a man."

Friends and family cherished his generous and ever-giving spirit. Stephan delighted in helping others and never hesitated to lend a hand. During Hurricane Isabel, he and friends rode through the storm in an Army-decorated truck making an effort to help anyone they could, all the while thoroughly enjoying themselves. He emanated a charisma and charm that made anyone around him feel more than welcome in his presence. He was known for his good manners, perpetually huge sense of humor and funny stories and always welcoming anyone into his place of work and his home, a habit he learned from his grandparents of Stanford's Marina.

His hobbies included fishing, dirt track racing, target shooting, darts, four-wheeling, visits to NASCAR races with friends, frequent trips to his favorite vacation spot in Nags Head, N.C., spending time working on cars and other machinery when not on the clock, and enjoying time spent with friends and family.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 16, at 11 a.m. in St. Peter's Cemetery in Oak Grove, with the Rev. Prentice Kinser officiating. Following the service, a reception will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Oak Grove, for family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Colonial Beach Rescue Squad, 225 Dennison St., Colonial Beach, Va. 22443; to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Box 177, Montross, Va. 22520; or to Colonial Beach Baptist Church, Box 27, Colonial Beach, Va. 22443.

Nash & Slaw Funeral Home, Colonial Beach, is handling the arrangements.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Cecil C. Rollins

Cecil C. Rollins, 96, of King George County, formerly of Colonial Beach, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at Mary Washington Hospital. He was a retired waterman.

Survivors include his wife, Alva Rollins; a daughter, Rosie VanDeusen of King George; three grandchildren, Nancy, William and Kenneth; and one great-grandson, Justin Caruthers.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, in Popes Creek Baptist Church cemetery in Baynesville.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to a memorial fund, c/o Rosie Van Deusen, 4075 Red Gate Lane, King George, Va. 22485.

Nash & Slaw Funeral Home, King George, is handling the arrangements.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Christiana B. Redman

Christiana Boutwell Redman, 82, of Fredericksburg, died Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the Woodmont Center.

Mrs. Redman retired as a payroll clerk from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 1991. Prior to her illness she worked in the office at Madonna House where she had resided for the past six years.

Survivors include her son, Steven H. Redman of Annapolis, Md.; a daughter, Donna R. Young and her husband, Raymond, of Stafford County; two sisters, Ruth Suite of Clinton, Md., and Hancy Catherine Finney of King George County; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry O. Redman and a sister, Vivian Banagan.

A funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 16 at Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg, with Rabbi Lydia Zaslow officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. A reception at Madonna House will be held after the interment.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mary Washington Hospice, 5012 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg, Va. 22407.

Online guest book at covenantfuneralservice.com.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

William Gray

William "Bill" Gray of Fredericksburg died Friday, May 9, 2008, at Heritage Hospital in Tarboro, N.C.

He was the beloved father of Roland W. Gray, Michelle Gray Haywood, Gregory E. Gray and Renee D. Gray. He also is survived by two brothers and one sister, Joseph Gray and his wife, Christine, Samuel Gray and Katye B. Jenkins; his grandchildren, Michael and Mario Haywood, and Roland Jr., Gregory W., William, Christopher, Tandrea and Josef Gray; two great-grandchildren, Terryen and Xavier Haywood; a devoted friend, Martha A. Joyner; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mr. Gray will lie at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, on Sunday, May 18, from 6 to 8 p.m.

A funeral will be held at the funeral home on Monday, May 19, at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the Quantico National Cemetery.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Ronnie B. Woolfolk

Ronnie Bernette "Ruan" Woolfolk was born Oct. 24, 1971, to Bernette and Sandra Woolfolk. He departed this life Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

Ronnie joined the Holy Church of God in Mineral at an early age. He loved the Lord and was blessed with many talents that he used freely. He enjoyed playing music, working with voices and singing in choirs. He also played for a church in Chicago while living there.

He attended public school in Spotsylvania County and graduated from Spotsylvania High School. He also attended IUP College in Pennsylvania and VCU in Richmond. He was in the band in high school and played the clarinet and piano.

He began his career after school as a DJ for a local radio station in Richmond. He also was a professional actor and model. As an actor, he participated in "Huck and the Mighty Mississippi" as Jim and played in many local theaters. While working at Sight and Sound in Pennsylvania, he participated in "Behold the Lamb," "Noah's Ark," "Ruth," and "Christmas Celebration." He was Coalhouse in "Ragtime," which ran locally in Fredericksburg. He also went on tour for eight months starring in "Man of LaMancha" as Pedro. He visited Alaska, New York, California, Texas, Tennessee, Kansas, Canada and many other states.

Ruan enjoyed talking with older people and making them laugh. He leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Bernette and Sandra Woolfolk; two stepsisters, Sheila Wright of Washington, D.C., and Lendora Ellis of Spotsylvania; two aunts, Yvonne Morris and Bernice Von-der-pool of Washington, D.C.; one great-aunt, Myrtle Jackson of Louisa; two uncles, Sylvon Von-der-pool of Washington, D.C., and Willie Hudson of Spotsylvania; two nieces, Yvette Morris of Washington, D.C., and Gwen Morris of Maryland; one nephew, Andrew Morris of Maryland; and a host of cousins and friends.

Ruan loved life and strived to live it fully.

A viewing will be held at Thomasson Watson Funeral Home, Louisa, all day on Friday, May 16.

A family and friends viewing also will occur on Saturday, May 17, from 10:30 to 11:55 a.m. at Temple of Deliverance HGC Inc., 5756 Zachary Taylor Highway, Mineral, with a funeral at noon.

Condolences may be offered to the family at dd watsonmortician.com.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Donald J. Schubert

Donald James Schubert, 56, of Stafford County passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008. He was the husband of Glenna K. Schubert and was a retired electrician with Virginia Power.

Mr. Schubert was born in Washington, D.C., June 25, 1951, a son of the late Paul Gottliebe Schubert and Helen Lucy Pett Schubert.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Christal and John Cowell of Stafford, and Pamela and Eric Suich of Fredericksburg; a son, Cory Schubert of Fort Bliss, Texas; a brother, Robert Schubert of Spotsylvania County; his mother- and father-in-law, Gary and Doris Barton of Spotsylvania; and two grandsons, Bradley Bevan and Trevor Cowell.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, in Quantico National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford Chapel.

Online condolences may be made by visiting mullinsthompson.com.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top

Frank D. Welborn

Franklin Delano Welborn, 74, of Stafford County passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2008. He was the husband of Helen Hollingsworth Welborn for 56 years and was a retired brick mason.

Mr. Welborn was born in South Carolina Nov. 21, 1933, to the late Carlos Eugene and Inez Alexander Welborn.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Charles E. Welborn of Stafford; two brothers, Melvin Welborn and Claude Welborn, both of Stafford, three sisters, Eleanor O'Shields of Liberty, S.C., Carolyn Sharp of Stafford and Betty Johnson of South Carolina; three grandchildren, Jason and Charlie Welborn, and Jessica Singleton; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Robin D. Welborn.

A funeral will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at Mullins & Thompson Funeral Service, Stafford Chapel, with interment to follow in Mount Comfort Cemetery, Alexandria.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday, May 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting mullinsthompson.com.

Printer-friendly copy of this Obituary
Back to Top