Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, VA (2026)

04/23/2026

Gloria Cecilia (Bartsch) Goodman, 84, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at her home in Madison Heights, VA, with her loving daughter and grandchildren by her side.

Gloria Cecilia Goodman was born on April 20, 1941, the daughter of Frank Anthony and Elizabeth Rose (DeMara) Bartsch, in Minot, North Dakota, and was raised alongside her eight brothers and sisters on a family farm in Bergan, North Dakota. She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Baby Boy Goodman, Gene Anthony Goodman, and Kenneth Lee Goodman; daughter, Cynthia Kay Goodman; brothers, Francis Anthony Bartsch and Theodore Joseph Bartsch; and nephews, Keith Allen Long and Rick Alan Bartsch.

She worked as a secretary for Goodman Exterminating for over thirty years, as well as at Walmart in Madison Heights for over 13 years.

When she wasn't working, as well as after she retired, Gloria could be found planting flowers, doing yard work, and keeping a beautiful home. During her final years, it became more and more difficult for her to do these activities, but she found a new love of game shows, Judge Judy, and movies like Snow White and Robin Hood (she loved that crazy rooster that played in it).

Her loving family includes: daughter, Sally Jo (Tommy) Massie; grandchildren, Brooke Dakota Massie, Cecelia Koryn Goodman, and David Gene Mosteller; brothers, Melvin Bartsch of North Dakota, Robert (Linda) Bartsch of North Dakota/Arizona, and Jim (Celine) Bartsch of North Dakota/Arizona; sisters, Betty Nissen of North Dakota, Regarda (Jim) Bertsch of North Dakota/Arizona, and Kathy (Wendle) Blankenship of Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her memory will be cherished and will live on through the laughter, embraces, and smiles of those who knew and loved her. She will be remembered for how comical she was, a true jokester who never minded speaking her mind. Our hearts will ache for her, but there is comfort in knowing she will be reunited with her loved ones, her mom, and the children she lost over the years. It is a warm reminder that when we leave our bodies, our spirit lives on and life and love will continue in our hearts.

A private service was held for her immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to help Gloria's family pay for funeral expenses.
https://gofund.me/b2222402a

04/23/2026

Melinda Carol Hall Dowdy, 54, of Lynch Station, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in her home. She was born on November 3, 1971, a daughter of the late Ronald Hall Sr. of Rocky Mount and the late Marilyn Faye Baker of Montvale. She was also preceded in death by her infant son, Joseph David Maxey; nephew, Matthew Calvin Layne; and brother-in-law, Ronald Lynn Layne.

She is survived by her loving husband of 25 years, Donald Ray Dowdy; a sister, Rhonda Jones (Robert), a brother, Ronald Hall Jr. (Michelle), and a sister-in-law, Sheryl Dowdy Layne; nieces, Stephanie Watkins (Zach) and Maegan Layne Mitchell (Brandon); nephews, Bud Foster (Carrie), Jerred Hall (Lauren), Mason Hall, and Mason Williams; great nieces, Chelsea, Abigail, Jolene, Madison, and Madilynne; great nephew, Mason; great, great nephew, Apollo; and step-father Ray Allen Baker.

Melinda never met a stranger and loved gathering with friends and family. Whether camping at Thousand Trails or singing Karaoke, Melinda loved to laugh, joke, and spend time with others. Melinda had a huge heart and cared deeply for the people around her, especially the children and teenagers in her life. She was known to wear tie dye and bring a smile, a joke, and a dessert to every gathering she attended. Melinda will be greatly missed and loved by all that met her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Melinda's memory to the Jones Family Cemetery, c/o Jessie Jones, 5046 Franklin Street, Rocky Mount VA 24151

A private service and gathering for friends and family will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Huddleston.

04/18/2026

*** UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION

Gertie Mae Spradlin Goode, 93, of Huddleston, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Our Lady of the Valley. She was born on Sunday, January 1, 1933, to the late Clyde Carlton Spradlin, Sr. & Juanita Sink Spradlin. Gertie Mae was also preceded in death by her husband, Maurice B. “Benny” Goode; brother, Clyde C. Spradlin, Jr. & her grandson, Joshua Goode.
Gertie Mae retired as Chief Deputy Commissioner of Revenue from Bedford County after 37 years of service. She was a longtime member of Bethesda Methodist Church. Gertie Mae was a devoted mother and grandmother who enjoyed gardening, home improvements and antique collecting.
Surviving are her sons, Mark B. Goode (Susan), Todd C. Goode (Kim); daughter, Nancy Goode Spencer (Mike); grandchildren, Zachary Goode (Jeremy Madrid), Caleb Goode (Julia), Rachel Spencer (Max Deitchler), Isaac Goode (Kat), Clay Goode, Sarah Higel (Jeff), Kristin Carroll (Ryan), Hannah Goode, Casey Calilung; granddaughter-in-law, Robyne Lorek; five great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Bowyer; as well as numerous nieces & nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Double Goode Heart Fund, Box 980693, Richmond, VA 23298 (onlinegiving@chfrichmond.org) or Bethesda Methodist Church, 14340 Wyatts Way, Huddleston, VA 24104.

We are having a Celebration of Life in honor of our mom on the afternoon of May 9th from 12:30 to 3:30 at the residence of Todd and Kim Goode on Falling Creek Road in Huddleston, VA.. Lunch will be served from 1 to 2. We hope many family members and friends will come to remember the life of our wonderful mom. If you plan to join us for lunch, please let us know so we can get an approximate headcount.

Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

04/16/2026

***UPDATED SERVICE INFORMATION

Charles Wayne "C.W." Preston, Jr., 65 of Huddleston, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born on Thursday, February 9, 1961 in Lynchburg, a son of the late Charles Wayne Preston, Sr. and Carrie Louise Driskill Preston.

C.W. was a good hearted person who would give you the shirt off of his back. He was an easy going, kind soul who will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his sons, Charles Wayne Preston, III (Shaina), Taylor Wade Preston; his brother, Norvell Vincent "Butch" Preston (Linda); sister, Scarlet Preston Morgan (Timmy); special friend, Cindy Trujillo as well as his grandchildren, India, River & Nancy Preston & Casey Coleman.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 2 until 4 PM in the fellowship hall of Bethesda Methodist Church. Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Huddleston.

04/16/2026

In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week we were honored to provide meals for this hardworking group of individuals who assist our law enforcement and citizens of our city and county. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!!

04/13/2026

Nancy Blankenship Carter, 89 of Bedford passed away Sunday, April 12, 2026 in Centra Bedford Memorial Hospital. She was born May 12, 1936 in Bedford County, a daughter of the late Walter Blankenship and Florence Taylor Blankenship. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Joe B. Smith, six brothers and two sisters.

She was retired from Rubatex Corporation and was a member of Longwood Avenue Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Obie L. Carter; her daughters, Valerie Martin (Bobby), Ginger Wynn (Mike); her son, Joey Smith (Joyce); sisters, Doris Gibbs, Betty Weaver, Judy Haga; grandchildren, B. J. Martin (Taylor), Brian Wynn, Hayley Evans (Ethan), Dakota Smith, Harlee Martin (William); a great granddaughter, Julia Martin; as well as numerous nieces, nephews & friends.

We thank everyone for the abundance of prayers during this time. A special thank you to Dr. Nigro and Dr. Temeles for their continued support and care.

The family requests that those wishing to make memorials to consider Blue Ridge Cancer Care.

A funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on April 15, 2026 at Quaker Baptist Church with Pastor Ross Gilfillen and Rev. Sam Huntley officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 12 noon.

Arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

04/09/2026

William Robert "Bill" Agee, 76 of Bedford, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at his residence. He was born September 17, 1949 in Bedford County, a son of the late Robert H. Agee and Alice Hurt Agee. He was also preceded in death by a son, Mark Agee & a special cousin, Robert Kirkwood.
Bill was a mechanic by trade and owned & operated Tucker’s Tire Shop and Road Connections for many years. He was a NASCAR fan, enjoyed drag racing, reading, bird watching and caring for his dogs. Bill was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force having served as Sergeant from 1967 - 1970 and was also a member of Suck Spring Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of twenty years, Penny Harris Agee; his son, Neal Agee and his mother, Gay Agee; his sister, Nancy Ferguson (Tucker); his nephew, Rodney Ferguson; his step-children, Shawn Bowden (Donna), Jessi Fielder (James); grandchildren, Taylor Watkins (Travis), Jacob Bowden, Ben & Emmy Cadle; great grandchildren, Hayden & Colton Watkins; a special cousin, Nina Wood.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bedford County Animal Shelter, 1307 Falling Creek Road, Bedford, VA 24523.
The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

04/06/2026

Vivian Anne Goad, 90, of Roanoke, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2026. She was born on Sunday, February 9, 1936 to the late Lurdy Goad & Rosetta Phillips Goad. Anne was preceded in death by her husband, Hasten Goad.

She is survived by the family she loved dearly: five children, Richard (Brenda) Goad, Chris Goad, Sandra Roberts, Stephany (Keith) Dietrich, Sonya Overfelt; eight grandchildren, Alex Goad, Audrey Kah, Casey Overfelt, Tate Dietrich, Eric Overfelt, Brett Dietrich, Taylor Howell, Morgan Hall; eighteen great grandchildren, Easton, Mattox, Brayden, Knox, Graham, Charley Mae, Kathan, Jr., Hasten, Wylkes, Sawyer, Emma, Lucy, Charlie, James, Vonzelle, Emerson, Jesse and Weston.

Services will be private.

Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

04/06/2026

Charles W. Giles, aka "Pop", "Paw Paw" and "Pop Pop", 89, of Bedford passed away peacefully Sunday, April 5, 2026 at his home. He was born Saturday, March 6, 1937 in Montvale, VA, a son of the late Claude E. Giles and Cora Dooley Bell. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Ray Giles and sister, Shelby Jean Giles Davis.

He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sergeant after 20 years of service and was a member of Suck Spring Baptist Church and the Bedford Country Club. Charles was a man of wisdom, discipline, integrity and strength. He welcomed everyone with warmth and sincerity. He taught through his examples that kindness is never wasted, hard work is a form of love, and laughter can heal the heaviest of hearts. He enjoyed playing golf with his wife Evelyn, bird hunting, traveling and seeing the sights of the world.

Surviving to cherish his memory is his wife of 67 years, Evelyn; his two sons, Jeff Giles (Annette), and Steve Giles (Kitty); grandchildren, Dana Furrow (Matt), Cory Giles (Jamie) Nathan Giles (Paige), Lauren Martinez (German); great grandchildren, Rylan Furrow, Emerson Furrow, Parker Giles and Ainsley Giles and a great grandson expected in June; sisters, Linda Campbell and Wanda Boothe, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the caregivers of Americare Plus, Gentiva and the Salem VA Medical Center for the love and support of the "Senior men" of the Bedford Country Club, his church family, and the multitude of special friends and family that visited regularly. His legacy will live on in the values he instilled, the love that he gave, and the family that he built.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnels to Towers, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306 or in his memory to the Bedford Country Club, 3563 Peaks Road, Bedford, VA 24523.

The family will receive friends Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 5 until 8 PM at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

04/03/2026

Jerry Randall Belcher, 78, of Bedford, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026. He was born on Tuesday, July 1, 1947 to the late Ira Belcher & Lola Pearl Dooley Fisher.

Jerry retired as a Health & Physical Education teacher from Independence Middle School in Virginia Beach and coached girl’s & boys’ soccer & football. He was a member of Peaks View Christian Church. Jerry enjoyed art & collecting antique trains and coins.

Surviving is his wife, Sally Benton Belcher; sons, Michael Belcher (Christine), Jonathan Belcher; granddaughters, Maddy Belcher, Hannah Belcher; sisters, Joyce Kiper (Jack), Carol Deacon (Mac); nieces, Lauren Deacon, Tracy Polk & nephew, Chris Kiper.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Peaks View Christian Church with Pastor Ricky St. Clair officiating.

Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

04/02/2026

Gary Otis Harris, 70, of Huddleston, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at his residence. He was born on Saturday, April 30, 1955 to the late Garland Gerald Harris & Ethel Mae Booth Harris. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Charles Luther Harris, Garland Gerald Harris, Jr & his best friend, Kenny Wiley.
Gary retired from Mail America as a supervisor. He enjoyed fishing, football and watching women’s basketball.
Surviving is his son, Bradley “Brad” Harris; daughter, Olivia Jean Harris Baker (Charles); sisters, Charlotte Watts, Shelby Jean Daniel (Rickey), Doris Gay Harris; his dog, Odie; special friends, Kevin Ramsey & Andy; as well as numerous nieces & nephews.
There will be no services at this time.
Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

03/31/2026

William "Lee" Roberts, 71 of Montvale, passed away Monday, March 30, 2026 at his residence. He was born on Friday, November 26, 1954 in Maryland, a son of the late William Emmett Roberts and Della Vest Carter.

He was a mechanic & truck driver at Security Transport and enjoyed the sights and sounds of his tractors and engines.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer "Jenny" Lynne Bayse Roberts; his son, James Roberts (Adriel), grandson, Ridley, five sisters, one half-sister and numerous nieces & nephews.

No services are planned and arrangements are being handled by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.

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