James Russell West

James Russell West IVOR - James Russell West died Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, after his morning four-mile walk through the community he lived in and loved for 84 years. He was the son of the late Charles Washington West and Vera Johnson West. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, MaryAnn Carr West. He was the owner and chairman of the board of Ivor Furniture Company, the business he started in 1949. Mr. West joined the Navy in 1943, at age 17, and served in the Philippines during World War II. He was a lifelong member of Ivor Baptist Church where he served as chairman of the Board of Deacons, a Trustee, and in many other capacities too numerous to name. He loved his church, his family, and his community and never had an unkind word. Mr. West was mayor of Ivor from 1960 to 1964 and a founder and past president of the Ivor Volunteer Fire Department and Ivor Volunteer Rescue Squad of which he was most proud. He was a 50-year member and twice Past Master of Ivor Masonic Lodge No. 291. He was a member of B&B Hunt Club and an avid hunter of turkey and deer. He was a 50-year member of the Ivor Ruritan Club. Mr. West was a past chairman and member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Sussex and Surry, now BB&T. During his life, he was on the boards of Southampton County Memorial Hospital, Southampton Academy, Southampton Chamber of Commerce, and the Virginia Baptist Home. Survivors include two daughters, JoAnn W. Hall and husband Mark of Smithfield and Alice W. Scott and husband Dixie of Ivor; two sisters, Nancy W. Raiford and husband Elton of Ivor and Margaret W. Schutte and husband Harry of Richmond; three sisters-in-law, Alethia West of Portsmouth, Virginia Rowan of Marietta, Ga., and Mildred B. West of Williamsburg; five grandchildren, Russell W. Frohman, Ashlyn S. Scarborough and husband Robert, Dusty Scott, Savannah Hall and Hayley Hall; numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Charles W. "Pete" West, Dr. Marvin F. West, and Walter T. "Dink" West. A funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Ivor Baptist Church with the Rev. Chad McGinnis and the Rev. Lytle Buckingham officiating. Burial with military and Masonic rites will follow in the Ivor Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ivor Baptist Church, 8506 Bell Ave., Ivor, VA 23866; Ivor Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 213, Ivor, VA 23866; or Ivor Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 228, Ivor, VA 23866. Purviance Chapel, J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, Wakefield, is handling arrangements for the family. Condolences may be posted at our web site www.jtmorriss.com.