Courtland – Raymond Daniel Bess, 83, passed away January 2, 2011 at Southampton Memorial Hospital. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, a son of the late Ralph Clifton and Jennie Donovan Bess. A U. S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War, he was a retired meat cutter and a member of Courtland United Methodist Church.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 59 years, Doris Hasty Bess; one daughter, Penny B. Mobley (Joe) of Courtland; one granddaughter, Mary Ann M. Turner (Brad); two great-grandchildren, Elana Grace and Ali Makenna Turner, all of Franklin; three sisters, Judi B. Steadham (Norman) of Locust Grove, GA, Bernice B. Avrigan of New Hope, PA; Pearl B. Reynolds of Virginia Beach; and one brother, Royce J. (Dukie) Bess of Suffolk.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2 pm Thursday, January 6, 2010 at Wright Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Roger Crump officiating. Interment, with military honors, will follow at Southampton Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Courtland Rescue Squad, P O Box 439, Courtland, VA. 23837 or the Gifts and Memorial Fund of Sycamore Baptist Church, 31120 Sycamore Church Road, Franklin, VA. 23851. www.wrightfuneralhome.org