Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

09/13/2026

Grandparents have a special way of making ordinary moments feel like treasured memories.

They are the storytellers, the advice-givers, the keepers of family traditions, and often the ones who teach us some of life’s greatest lessons.

This Grandparents Day, we celebrate the grandparents who are still making memories with their families, and we lovingly remember those whose stories, traditions, and love continue to live on through the generations they helped shape.

Whether you call them Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, Papa, Granny, Pawpaw, or something completely your own, we hope you take a moment today to celebrate the special place they hold in your family’s story.

From all of us at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Happy Grandparents Day.

09/12/2026

Anthony Brian Caudle

Anthony Brian Caudle, 53, of Montvale, passed away at his home on Friday, September 11, 2026. He was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on July 20, 1973, a son of Stephen Caudle and the late Barbara McCreary. Anthony was a loving husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Family meant everything to him, and he loved nothing more than spending time with the people he cared about and the people who cared about him. Anthony was a board member of the Montvale...

View Anthony Brian Caudle's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/12/2026

🎃🚛 SAVE THE DATE! TRUCK OR TREAT IS BACK! 🚛🎃

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory is excited to announce our 3rd Annual Truck or Treat at our Lynchburg location!

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502

Bring the whole family out for a morning of Halloween fun! Kids will have the chance to explore big trucks and heavy equipment, collect plenty of candy, show off their costumes, and enjoy a fun day with our community. 🚜🚚🍬👻

🧡 This event is completely FREE and open to the community!

We had such a great time with everyone the past two years, and we’re looking forward to making year three even bigger and better!

So grab those costumes, get the candy buckets ready, and save the date for October 3rd! 🎃

Help us spread the word by sharing this post with your family and friends. We can’t wait to see you there! 🧡💜

09/11/2026

We Remember.

On September 11, 2001, our nation experienced a tragedy that changed countless lives forever.

Today, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, the families who never got to say goodbye, and all those whose lives were forever changed by that day.

Twenty-five years later, we continue to honor their courage, their sacrifice, and their memory.

May we never forget the lives behind the numbers, the heroes who answered the call, and the way our country came together in the days that followed.

September 11, 2001
Never Forgotten.

09/09/2026

James Wiltz Macdonald Jr. "Mac"

James Wiltz Macdonald Jr. “Mac,” 67, of Forest, Virginia, originally from Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on September 1, 2026. He was born June 23, 1959, to the late James and Margaret Macdonald. Mac graduated from Holy Cross Catholic School, attended Virginia Military Institute (VMI), and later graduated from Lynchburg College. He dedicated nearly 40 years to Appomattox Lime Company. He was a hardworking, tough, manly man who loved playing golf, frisbee golf, watching movies, and spending time with his...

View James Wiltz Macdonald Jr. "Mac"'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/09/2026

Funeral Home Vocabulary: What Does It All Mean?

When planning a service, you may hear words like visitation, viewing, funeral, and memorial service.But what’s actually the difference?

Here’s a simple breakdown:

👥 Visitation
A designated time for family and friends to gather, offer condolences, visit with one another, and support the family. The person who has died may or may not be present for viewing.

🕊️ Viewing
A time when family and friends are able to see and spend time with their loved one after death. A viewing may be private for family or open to others.

🏠 Wake
A gathering held before the funeral that allows family and friends to come together following a death. Depending on family, cultural, or religious traditions, a wake may look very similar to a visitation.

⛪ Funeral Service
A ceremony honoring someone's life with their body or cremated remains present. It may include music, readings, prayers, memories, a eulogy, or other personal and religious traditions.

🌿 Memorial Service
A ceremony honoring someone's life when their body is not present. Cremated remains may be present, but they don't have to be.

❤️ Celebration of Life
A gathering centered around remembering and celebrating the person's life and personality. These are often more personalized and may be less formal than a traditional funeral, but there really are no set rules for what one has to look like.

And here’s something we think is important to remember:

You don't need to know the right terminology before you come to us.

Tell us what you envision. Tell us what would feel meaningful to your family. Tell us about the person you love.

We'll help you figure out the rest. ❤️

09/09/2026

Mary Jane Higginbotham

Mary Higginbotham, of Amherst, transitioned to be with the Lord on Saturday, September 5, 2026. A homegoing celebration of triumph will be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Pine Hill Baptist Church at 2:00 P.M. The family will receive friends on Friday, September 11, 2026 from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.at Tharp Funeral Home Madison Heights location. Tharp Funeral Home, Madison Heights, is serving the family.

View Mary Jane Higginbotham's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/08/2026

Ronnie William Harper

Ronnie William Harper, 72, of Amherst, Virginia passed away on Friday, September 4, 2026. A celebration of Ronnie's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Kingdom Hall, Amherst. The family will be receiving friends one hour prior to the service. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is serving the family.

View Ronnie William Harper's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

09/08/2026

June Wheeler Mays

June Wheeler Mays, 71, of Amherst Virginia went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 5, 2026. June leaves behind a family who loved her dearly and who will continue to honor her memory. Born on December 24, 1954, to the late Homer Haywood Wheeler and Lula Maddox Wheeler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Danny Wheeler; and her sister, Melissa Wheeler. Maternal grandparents, Jimmy and Mary Maddox...

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09/08/2026

Petra Gonzalez

Petra Gonzalez, 93, of Gretna, Virginia, passed away on September 4, 2026. Petra was born on April 22, 1933, in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Petra was the matriarch of the family. She enjoyed cooking, helping her community, and spending time with family and friends. She is survived by her two daughters, Jeannette and Anita; three grandchildren, Elia, Felicia, and Romelo; seven great-grandchildren, Alexia, James, Milan, Jaden, Anaiah, K'Lonni, and Omani; and three great-great-grandchildren, Kameron, Azara, and Gianna. She is also survived...

View Petra Gonzalez's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.