Edith Marie McWhirt, 94, of Fredericksburg (formally of Alexandria) passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center. She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Her light shined the brightest when she could be a caregiver to her family and friends in time of need. She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Knight (J.W.); grandchildren Kelly Tolley (Ed), Karin Hertzog, Steve Hertzog (Ashley); great-grandchildren...

Janice Louise Surmacz, 67, of Fredericksburg was called home to our Lord on Tuesday, May 5, 2021 at VCU hospital. Janice loved working in her garden, home decorating, playing cards and spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, H. Donald Surmacz; daughter Shannon Coleman (Justin); son Christopher Surmacz (Janelle); sister Debbie Lesnik (John); brother-in-laws Art Khalouf and John Surmacz; five grandchildren Rylie, Reagan, Noel, Garrett, Alexandra; and...

After leading a full and carefree life of 86 years, Cynthia Gwendoline Smiddy passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, May 4, 2021.  Affectionately known as “Nana,” she was considered a surrogate grandmother to many. Born in Bhusawal, Maharashtra, India 25 November 1934, she eventually made Virginia her family home and recently moved to Spotsylvania County.  Raised in India, she lived a very simple lifestyle until meeting the love of her life, then young Marine...

Louisa W. Schmidt, 88, of Fredericksburg passed away peacefully on Monday, May 3, 2021. She was born in Ballyjamesduff Ireland in 1933, she then came to the United States in 1951. Louisa settled in New York where she had a career in bookkeeping before transitioning to a career in the banking industry. She married her husband Roy and together they had four children. She took great pride in her family and friends. She loved to cook, bowl, garden, read, play boggle and words with friends,...

Betty Akers, 80, of Fredericksburg passed away on Monday, May 3, 2021 at her home. Betty was a homemaker, and enjoyed gardening and shopping on QVC. Survivors include her children, Greg Akers and Kelly Akers; grandchildren Benjamin Akers, Brittany Akers-Spruce, Riley Akers, and Matthew Akers; great-grandchildren Alaina Akers and AJ Spruce; and siblings Darlene Eary, Larry Gilpin, Judy Cole, Joyce Hale, Jane Painter, Jimmy Gilpin, and Jeff Gilpin. She was preceded in death by her husband,...

Opal Rhodes Ritchie, 94, of Fredericksburg passed away peacefully on Monday, May 3, 2021 at Westmoreland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Facility in Colonial Beach. Opal graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory in business. She  worked at Madison College; the Pratt Clinic, as a private secretary to John Lee Pratt of Chatham Manor and eventually for the National Park Service from which she retired as an administrative officer.  Opal was active in the Women’s Club of...

Marie Julg, 98, of Fredericksburg passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at her home surrounded by her family. She was born in Union, NJ and was retired as an Administrative Assistant for Roselle Catholic High School. Marie was a loving mother, homemaker and a remarkable cook who enjoyed preparing meals for family and friends. Survivors include her son, Charles (Mary Ann); daughter Pat Huttenbach (Lee); four grandchildren Charles (Chastity), Kelli (Gregory), Lee (Jennifer), and Kevin (Tracey);...

Joreen Hammons, 92, passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at her daughter’s home following an illness. She was born on October 30, 1928 in Clintwood, VA to the late Rufus McCoy and Carrie Fleming McCoy. Ms. Hammons loved to dance and cook for her family. She always tried to do the right thing. She sometimes failed as humans do, but most importantly she taught her family about God’s loving kindness and grace. Survivors include one daughter, Linda Vranken of Spotsylvania; five...

James Lee Strother, 75, of Fredericksburg passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021 due to complications that came after a surgery. He was born on June 9, 1945 to the late Eugene C. Strother, Sr. and Addie B. Strother. God sent James a special mentor as a young boy, Jim Monteith, a farmer and businessman who taught him a lot and helped him become the man that he was. James was a hard-working entrepreneur and owned several businesses over the years. He and his partner, Curtis Nicholson, ran...

Our family is saddened to share the passing of our Mom, Meemaw, sister and friend, Betty “Jean” Villhauer-Craig, age 85, of Fredericksburg, Virginia on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Mary Washington Hospital.  Jean was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana and was the oldest of nine children.  She was fortunate enough to have found love twice. First with her husband  Kurt for more than 32 years, then with her second husband Harold Thomas “Tom” Craig,...