Joseph M. Kerner

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Joseph Mitchell Kerner, 38, died November

8, 2003.

Kerner was a member of Surry Street Baptist Church, and worked for Tidewater Commercial Ceilings and Wall Inc.

Survivors include his wife, Tammy Kerner; daughter, Katherine E. Kerner, both of Chesapeake; mother, Rachel J. Braman of Portsmouth; father, Robert Kerner Sr. and wife, Alma of Gates County; sister, Sandra K. Stewart of Elizabeth, Pa.; and two brothers, Robert E. Kerner Jr. of Portsmouth and David K. Kerner Sr.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Kenneth Littleton. Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, is in charge.

Betty Lou Peele

SUFFOLK, Va. – Betty Lou Fretwell Peele, 65, a native of Ahoskie, died November 7, 2003.

A funeral was conducted Monday in R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory by the Rev. Art McGahan. Burial in Ahoskie Cemetery.

Mrs. Peele worked for 35 years in quality control for Birdsong Peanut Co. and was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Survivors include husband, Spencer Joseph Peele; son, John Edward Peele of Franklin; sister, Jane Hollomon of Ahoskie; brother, M.B. Fretwell of Tarboro; two granddaughter; and three great-grandson.

Ruth M. Barnes

BOYKINS, Va. – Ruth Mitchell Barnes, 81, a native of Windsor, died November 8, 2003. She was the widow of Henry Amos Barnes.

Mrs. Barnes attended Chowan College and was a co-owner with her late husband of Oak Lumber Co. Mrs. Barnes was a member of Boykins Baptist Church where she was an active member of the WMU and active with the youth as a Sunbeams’ leader, GA’s, RA’s and youth Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the Tarrara Woman’s Club.

Survivors include her daughter, Martha B. Felts of Boykins; a son, Charles S. Barnes of Courtland; two brothers, Pat Mitchell and George Mitchell, both of Windsor, N.C; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A graveside service was conducted Sunday in Beechwood Cemetery with the Rev. Raymond Bunn. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Boykins Baptist Church, P.O. Box 316, Boykins, VA 23827 or to a favorite charity. Wright Funeral Home was charge.