Powell Funeral Home

11/02/2026

Family-owned means established by families for families. It also means we would be honored to care for your family the same way we would care for ours. Powell Funeral Home has been serving the Halifax County area since 1925. (434) 572-4911

10/31/2026

Esther Hamlett Martin

Mrs. Esther Hamlett Martin of Crystal Hill, VA passed away Friday, October 30,2026 at the Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital. She was born January 28,1938 in Charlotte County, VA and was 88 years old. She was the daughter of the late Luther Howard Hamlett and the late Annie Trent Hamlett and was married to the late Gerald Lee Martin.

She was a lifetime member of the Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher and choir member. She was a retired nurse from Halifax Regional Hospital and The Woodview. Later she was a volunteer at the Halifax Regional Hospital. Esther’s family was her greatest joy and she will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mrs. Esther Hamlett Martin is survived by:

One Son

Kenneth Martin and wife Becky of Lynchburg, VA

One Daughter

Bonnie M. Francis and husband Keith of Crystal Hill

Four Grandchildren

Mandi McGann and husband William of Lynchburg, VA

Katherine Francis of Halifax

Dustin Francis of Crystal Hill

Sandi Francis of South Boston

Six Great Grandchildren

Lexi and Audrianna McGann

Gerald, Joey, Hannah Francis

Oliver Francis

Two Sisters

Alice Lowery of Bay City, TX

Daisy Meurrens of Pauline, SC

***Preceded in death by***

Five brothers, Cabel, James, Jesse, Carlton and George Hamlett

Nine sisters, Eva Crews, Nellie Jennings, Velma Glass, Georgia Beadles, Mazzie Conner, Rosa Cook, Beatrice Jones, Eunice Hux and Mary Hudson

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, November 3,2026 @ 11:00 a.m. in the Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Dustin Francis officiating.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Crystal Hill Southern Baptist Church.

For memorials, please consider the Gideons International, P.O. Box 345, South Boston, VA 24592 or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com.

Arrangements are by: Powell Funeral Home and Powell Cremation Services, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.

View Esther Hamlett Martin's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/30/2026

When immediate family members feel faint from all that must be done, it's almost impossible to handle anything else. It's why Funeral Assistants like Sandra Whitt take care of the extras so the family can support each other. Call family-owned Powell Funeral Home at (434) 572-4911.

10/29/2026

Patricia Clark Franklin

Patricia Clark Franklin of Scottsburg passed away on October 29, 2026 at the of 72. She was born in Richmond, VA on September 12, 1954, to the late Richard Alexander Clark and the late Gladys Smith Clark. She was married to the late Benjamin Dare “Ben” Franklin.

She was a member of Scottsburg United Methodist Church. Patricia worked most of her life at Clark's Self Serve in Scottsburg; she enjoyed making people smile and did so by sending cards for every occasion. She also enjoyed tending to her flowers and doing crafts to share with others.

Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Deborah Clark Franklin of Gretna; one nephew, Derek Wayne Franklin (Tiffany) and their children, Aubrey Franklin, Walker Franklin and Jackson Franklin, all of Gretna; three aunts, Josephine Billingslea of South Boston, Bernice Inez Conner of South Boston Christine Smith of Halifax; special cousin, Wayne Smith (Nancy) of Halifax; host of cousins and extended family and friends.

A special thank you to everyone at Chatham Health and Rehab and Heartland Hospice for their special care and attention.

For memorials, please consider Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 96, Scottsburg, VA 24589.

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.

View Patricia Clark Franklin's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/29/2026

Alton Ray Dudley, Jr.

“Alton Dudley’s lifetime sportsman’s license has officially expired.”

Alton Ray Dudley, Jr. of Clover, VA passed away Monday, October 26, 2026 at the age of 76. He was born in Halifax County, VA on October 4, 1950 and was the son of the late Alton Ray Dudley, Sr. and the late Cevil Nelson Dudley. Alton was married to the late Rebecca (Becky) Emory Dudley.

He is survived by his sister Becky Ewing and husband Kenneth of Altavista, VA; two brothers, John Dudley and wife Shari of Long Island, VA; and Andrew Dudley and wife Cheryl of Hurt, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.

Alton was preceded in death by his sister Wanda Dudley.

Alton served in the United States Navy and spent the majority of his career with R.J. Reynolds To***co Company as an electronics technician.

Those wishing to honor Alton’s memory are invited to make a memorial donation to a charity of their choice.

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com

A service in remembrance of Alton’s life will be at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592

View Alton Ray Dudley, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/29/2026

Paul Rayburn "Buzzy" Mabe, Jr.

Paul Rayburn “Buzzy” Mabe, Jr of Halifax passed away on October 28, 2026 at the age of 56. He was born in South Boston, Virginia on December 4, 1969, to Paul Rayburn Mabe, Sr who survives and the late Mary Betterton Mabe.

Paul was a member of Winns Creek Baptist Church, and he enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved fishing. His passing will leave a void to all who knew him.

Left to cherish his memory are his father, Paul Mabe and wife Barbara; two brothers, Paul Jason Mabe (Melissa) of Alton and Adam Brent Mabe of Alton; one aunt, Leatha Dalton of Halifax. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Jerry Rayburn Mabe and Jamie B. Johnson.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

For memorials, please consider a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1603 Wilborn Ave., South Boston, VA 24592.

View Paul Rayburn "Buzzy" Mabe, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

10/28/2026

Opting for cremation doesn't have to mean opting out of memorable moments. At family-owned Powell Funeral Home, you can still experience the traditional aspects of a funeral. For options, call (434) 572-4911 and meet with Owner and Funeral Director Les Powell III, or click the LEARN MORE button and preplan online. https://www.powellfuneralinc.com/online-pre-planning-form

10/26/2026

Make your wishes clear before your family has to wonder. Preplanning at family-owned Powell Funeral Home ensures your arrangements reflect your values. To meet with Owner and Funeral Director Robert Powell, call (434) 572-4911 or click the LEARN MORE button and preplan online. https://www.powellfuneralinc.com/online-pre-planning-form

Pre-plan your funeral service today with our funeral home in South Boston, VA. Contact us for more information on available options.

10/23/2026

Serving veterans gives all of us at family-owned Powell Funeral Home the opportunity to express our deepest thanks for their commitment to our country. To discover the full range of funeral benefits for veterans, call (434) 572-4911.

10/22/2026

James Mackenzie Gordon

James Mackenzie Gordon, age 56, passed away on October 19, 2026. He was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend whose presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

James was a man who loved life and lived it to the fullest. His life was shaped by adventure, service, creativity, and a passion for the things he loved. He proudly served in the Special Forces of the South African Army, the New Zealand Army Company second-in-command, Recruit Company at the New Zealand Army, a contractor supporting the US Department of State and Armed Services.

One of his proudest accomplishments was becoming a United States Citizen.

A man of many talents, James found a special joy in timber framing and woodworking, where his creativity and skill could shine.

Above all, James cherished his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Kelly, and a loving father to his sons and their spouses, Hunter and Lauren of Richmond and Mason and Sara of Halifax. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Polly Fraser of Halifax; his brother, David M. Gordon of Halifax; and his sister, Danielle Gordon of Ireland.

James leaves behind a legacy of love, adventure, craftsmanship, and memories that will be treasured for generations. Though his time here was far too short, the impact he made on the lives of those around him will endure. He will forever be remembered for the life he lived, the people he loved, and the memories he leaves behind.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor James’s memory are invited to make a memorial donation to a charity of their choice.

Online condolences may be shared at https://www.powellfuneralinc.com⁠.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Powell Funeral Home, 1603 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, Virginia 24592.

View James Mackenzie Gordon's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.