It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Doris Simms, 85, a life-long resident of Spotsylvania County, who went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 27, 2023. Doris and her husband, Roy, were married in 1956. She worked outside the home at the United States Post Office until the birth of their first daughter, then spent her time taking care of her family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will forever be...

Steven Anderson “Sandy” Helms Jr. passed away on Friday, May 26, 2023. Sandy was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on October 31,1936, to Steven Anderson “Andy” Helms and Lola Woolard. He attended a teacher’s training school from 2nd through 12th grade with mostly the same 26 classmates. Sandy graduated from North Carolina State University in 1958 with a degree in nuclear engineering. He was employed at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company,...

Elizabeth “Betty” Lockhart Kennedy Saunders, 95, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home in Fredericksburg on Thursday, May, 25th 2023. Betty was born April 28th, 1928, the daughter of Dr. Carroll Prince and Eula Greene Kennedy. A lifelong resident of Fredericksburg, she was a graduate of Mount Vernon College.  She met the love of her life, Sam, while on a blind date at the Virginia Military Institute; they married in...

Russell A. Dillard, 80, of Spotsylvania passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at Carriage Hill Health and Rehab. Russell was retired from the maintenance department at the Quantico Marine Corps Base where he worked as a painter for 30 years. He also worked at Radley Chevrolet. Russell was a member of Hebron Baptist Church in Spotsylvania. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Darnell Sorrell Dillard; daughter Ashley Southall (David); granddaughter Emmalyn; and grandson Henry. A service...

Janice D. Harcharek, 82, passed away at home on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Jan was a native of Ellenburg, NY.  She graduated from Ellenburg H.S. and she worked for the Northern Adirondack school system until she relocated to Virginia in 1980 to wed John C. Harcharek. Jan worked at Universal Dynamics in Woodbridge, with a career spanning over 20 years. She started out in sales and worked her way up to the Human Resource Director and a Corporate officer. Jan served for many years with the...

Neal T. Rouse, 75, of Port Orange, Florida (formerly of Spotsylvania), passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 surrounded by family.  Neal is survived by his mother, Margaret T. Rouse; wife of 53 years, Mary Frances; children, Laura (Matthew) and Nathan (Lorna); grandchildren, Maddox, Iyla, and Madison; siblings Susan Carnohan (Donald), Gary Rouse (Sylvia), and Ellen Robey (Tim); and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and long-time friends in both Virginia and Florida.  A...

Jeffery Allen Rose, 56, passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at his childhood home in Stafford, where he was surrounded by his family. Over the years Jeff was a full-time loving husband, father, brother, and uncle.  He was the owner of Professional Tile Services, and he was an avid fan of the Washington Capitals and Nationals, and NASCAR. Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Donna Walker Rose; daughter Whitney Belski (Dalton) of Orange; son Brandon Rose (Michelle) of Stafford;...

Nancy Perry Newton, 76, of Spotsylvania County passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center surrounded by those who loved her most. Nancy devoted herself to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, Robert Andrew Newton; children Stephanie Popp (Tim), Bobby Newton, and Angie Washington (Irvin); grandchildren Kayla Taylor, Erika Cornwell, Damion Washington, Victoria Washington, Emily Popp, and Alexa Newton;...

Martha M. Wood, 87, of Spotsylvania County passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023 at Stafford Hospital. Martha worked as an accountant and she was in the banking industry. Survivors include her children, William Wood (Beverly), James Wood (Lisa), and Monica Cook; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; siblings Ramona Tate, Thomas Moran (Jacque), and Leonard Moran; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, George Wood; grandson...

Nial Russell Watrus, 72, of Fredericksburg, formerly of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Monday, May 22, 2023 at his home. Nial was a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army from 1973 to 1985. He was a motor coach driver for National Coach Works (Martz) from 2007 to 2021. Nial and his wife, Becky, enjoyed dancing, karaoke, playing cards, and simply being together. Nial loved his church family at Ferry Farm Baptist Church. Survivors include his loving wife, Becky Watrus; children Michael Watrus of...