Obituaries

Nannie “Mawmaw” Fletcher Patton was born on June 6th 1915 in Council, Virginia to parents Beverly Johnson and Mary Ellen Fletcher. She was one of 12 children and was the last surviving member. Mawmaw lived life as a homemaker caring for her 11 children and numerous family members including her husband, Arthur Garland Patton, who suffered a massive stroke in 1963 and passed in 1969. In 1955 the entire family moved from Pound Virginia to Woodbridge Virginia and Mawmaw began babysitting for family, friends and neighbors in order to support herself and her children. At age 97 she lost her first child Donald Lee Patton in January 2013. At age 98 she lost her second child Bobby Wayne Patton in January 2014. In the early morning hours of February 11th Mawmaw went to her Lord and those that passed before her. She is survived by eight children, Arthur Garland “Clayton” Patton Jr., Charles Curtis “Joe” Patton, Garland Clyde Patton, Samuel “Sam” Marvin Patton, Norma Jean Smith, Billy Franklin Patton, Carol Sue Yoder, Carl Patton, and Jerry Mack Patton. She is also survived by 5 generations of over 100 grandchildren. Mawmaw is remembered as a kind, caring, compassionate person that always put family first. She didn’t have much and didn’t need much to get by, just love. Rest in peace, Mawmaw, you are missed dearly.

Obituary for James Giles Kyser, III MGySgt, USMC, Ret.

Beloved husband, son, father, grandfather and friend, Master Gunnery Sergeant James G. Kyser III, United States Marine Corps, Retired,reported for duty on the streets of heaven on 9 February 2014 after a two and one half month struggle following major heart surgery. He was born in San Francisco, California on October 24, 1933, was a graduate of Napa High School, the University of Maryland, and American University’s graduate program. He married the love of his life, Virginia, in 1957 and spent the next 56 years on an adventure with her, and they were the perfect Marine couple. Enlisting in 1951, his 21-year career saw service around the world both in and out of conflict to include some of the most intense years of the Vietnam War. He served in the United States Marine Band, marched in the first Evening Parade in 1957, and later served as a combat correspondent and public affairs professional receiving accolades throughout his career to include two Freedoms Foundation Awards. After retiring from the Corps in 1973, he had a subsequent career in the advertising and public affairs arena with the petroleum and railroad industries. He served as the President of the Association of Railroad Advertising Managers, as the National President of the Marine Corps Combat Correspondent’s Association, the Association Manager and CALTRAP Editor for the Third Marine Division Association, as a Boy Scout Leader, and most recently served as a docent at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife, Ginny; his daughter, Susan, and her husband Colonel Harry Frank, USMCR (Ret,); his son, Colonel James Giles Kyser IV, USMC (Ret.), and his wife Chris; and three grandchildren, Harry Alan Frank Jr., Elizabeth Lynn Fitzgerald and her husband Scott, and Lauren Rose Kyser. The family will host a viewing at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City, VA 22193 on 17 February from 2-4pm and 6-8pm and there will be a funeral service held at the Quantico Marine Base Chapel on 19 February at 1:00pm followed by interment at the Quantico National Cemetery with military honors at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his name to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation at https://www.marineheritage.org/MakeDonation.asp

Phyllis L. Sutton, 76, of Alexandria, died on January 27, 2014 at INOVA Alexandria Hospital, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Sutton is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Sutton; and her parents, Marshall & Louise Evans. She is survived by her daughter, Kim Starkey and her husband Henry; son, Mark Sutton and his partner Ellen Walsh. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Blair and Michael Starkey; and sister, Cindy Block.

Mrs. Sutton was a lifetime resident of Alexandria, VA. She was a member of the Olivet Episcopal Church, the church choir, and the praise band.

Anita “Skeeter” Childs has been called home on Jan 26 2014. She is survived by 3 sister’s and 1 brother, she is now resting in peace in heaven. Family will receive friends from 7pm to 9pm, Thursday, January 30, 2014 at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA .

A Life Celebration service will be held at the funeral home at 11am, Friday, January 31, 2014, followed by interment at Mount Comfort Cemetery. 

Ralph Joseph Schweinefuss, age 93. Died at home in Alexandria, Virginia on February 15, 2014. Mr. Schweinefuss was a retired golf caddy, machine tool inspector, advertising writer, US Navy Commander, US Intelligence Official, Veteran of World War II and Korean War. He was a native of Erlanger, Kentucky. BA Degree University of Cincinnati; graduate study Tulane University, New Orleans. Interests included family, sports, portrait and landscape painting, genealogy, volunteerism, sailing, and fishing the Chesapeake Bay area.

Pre-deceased in 2002 by wife Lillian A. Kelly Schweinefuss; sister Rita S. Judd and brother Thomas Arnold Schweinefuss. Survivors include: Thomas John and wife Mary Beth Richards Schweinefuss, Alexandria; daughter Molly C. Schweinefuss and husband James Dameron, Scottsville, VA; grandsons Jonathan, Charles, and Joseph Schweinefuss, Alexandria; James R. and Lanai Dameron, Waycross, GA. Fondly-respected In-Laws include: Alfred and Jo Kelly, Mary Fiorini, Gerald Kelly, and Ann E. Kelly, all of Cincinnati; many nieces, nephews, friends, and neighbors and his faithful companion dog Salty.

Margaret E. Lavinus, 86, died on February 7, 2014 in Bishopville, MD surrounded by her family. Mrs. Lavinus was a Pre-school teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Nursery School for 25 years, where she loved teaching children.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, James K. Higgason and John Lavinus; and her sister, Charlotte Allen. She is survived by her children, Linda Shipman and her husband Holton, Mary Bayer and her husband Ted, Susan Higgason and Denaire Healy, and James K. Higgason, Jr. and his wife, Karen. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Daniel Bayer, Jeanne Contardo, John Bayer, and Heather Whitemarsh; and two great grandchildren, Audrey and Charlotte Contardo.

Jon William Rose, 69, of Arlington and formerly of Fredericksburg , died at Inova Alexandria Hospital on February 4, 2014.

Jon grew up in Clarksburg , WV and graduated from West Virginia University with a BA degree in German and an MA degree in German Linguistics. After graduation, Jon enlisted in the U. S. Army and served one tour of duty in Vietnam . His love for German began when he was a senior in high school, living in Paderborn , Germany , and grew stronger throughout his life. Herr Rose lived and taught in Wilhelmshaven , Germany before teaching German at Woodbridge High School for 30 years.

Sister Benedict Kesock, O.S.B. died on February 21, 2014. Born in Masontown, PA on May 22, 1933, Sister Benedict became a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia at Saint Benedict Monastery in Bristow in 1954. Having taught is several Catholic parish schools in the Richmond Diocese and at Linton Hall School in Bristow, Sister Benedict was assigned to Saint Charles Borromeo Parish in Arlington in 1973, where she served for 40 years, becoming principal of the school in 1976. When she retired as principal in 2008, she continued to minister in the parish in pastoral outreach to the sick and infirm. [ Sister Benedict loved the cultural diversity of St. Charles Parish and was always in the center of all its activities. When the new parish center was named after her, she was beside herself with gratitude and joy.

One of Sister Benedict’s proudest moments was giving the opening prayer for the House of Representatives in 2003 at the invitation of Congressman Moran. In his remarks Congressman Moran said that Sister Benedict helped build a community of faith in Northern Virginia and that she was an example of why this country runs so well.]

Sylvia J. Melvin, of Manassas Park, VA passed away on Friday, February 14, 2014 at the age 75. Her final days were spent surrounded by her family.

Sylvia was born December 17, 1938, to the late Norman Grubb and Betty Glover. She is survived by her son, Alfred Cecil Melvin, Jr. and wife Natalie of Hawaii; daughter Kelly Diane Melvin and fiancé Steve Coates Sr. of Fredericksburg, VA; son Tracy Lynn Melvin and fiancé Jeanine Houser of Manassas Park, VA; daughter Lisa Marie McMinn and Husband Douglas McMinn of Manassas, VA; sister Sandra Kay Romagna and Brother-in-law John Romagna of Adelphia, MD; 16 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one nephew; one niece; one great-niece; and one great-nephew. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Alfred Cecil Melvin Sr. whom she married on September 12, 1959.

Robert Allen Hiner, 63, of Manassas, passed away suddenly February 13, 2014.

Born November 7, 1950 in Marlinton, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Norman and Orpha Endicott Hiner.