Obituaries
Memorial notices and obituary information will be shared here.
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Obituary and memorial notices are shared here at the request of families.
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James Ronald "Jim" Allen
James (Jim) Ronald Allen passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026. The family is being cared for by Horizon Memorial Service
(1941-2026)
Barbara M. Bareford
Barbara M. Bareford, 86, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord Sunday, February 8, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allan Bareford; son, Steven Bareford; parents, Lucas Mondy and Sallie Rankin; and sister, Judy Donoho. Barbara is survived by her children, Debbie Borkey and Mike Bareford (Sandra); five grandchildren, Brad, Bryan, Cory, Chris, and Katie (Joe); four great grandchildren, Brianna, Zoey, Mason, and Bryson; siblings, Diane Chapman and Sonny Fogg (Debbie) and a host of nieces and nephews. She was a life-long member of Landmark Baptist Church. She supported the Awana program and loved children. She retired after 35 years of service with Aetna Life and Casualty. Barbara enjoyed the beach, shopping, crafting, sitting on her porch, watching and feeding the squirrels and spending time with her grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4600 Cox Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or online at: alz.org
Evelyn L. Barlow
February 6, 2026
79 of N. Chesterfield
Ronnie E. Bost
Ronnie Bost of Chesterfield County, VA peacefully passed away on February 8, 2026 following a courageous battle with Dementia. He was 81.
Born June 24, 1944 in Norfolk, VA, he was the oldest son of the late Ernest and Polly Bost of Chesapeake, VA. He graduated from Craddock High School in Portsmouth, VA and briefly attended Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C.
His professional career began briefly in the banking industry, during which time he met and married the former Jane Rittenhouse. He spent the rest of his professional career in the furniture business. While working for Haynes Furniture in Hampton, VA, he, Jane and daughter Shelly moved with the company in 1983 to Richmond (Chesterfield County), VA. He worked for Gerson's Furniture in downtown Richmond then for Virginia Wayside Furniture in Richmond's West End, from where he retired.
He enjoyed playing tennis, loved trains, was an avid reader, enjoined attending NASCAR races at Richmond International Raceway and loved spending time during the summer in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He was a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins of the NFL (now the Commanders) and volunteered with their training camp after it opened in Richmond. He was also a fan of the Washington Nationals MLB team and attended a few of their home games. He was a supporter of Rockwood Park's Bark Park where he loved taking his K-9 companions Lucky and Frasier, both Shelties.
He was preceded in death by both parents and his beloved Shelties. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jane of Richmond; his only child, Shelly Keller and her husband Marshall of Hampton, VA; his granddaughter, Lindsey Keller, also of Hampton and his brother, Dennis Bost of Roanoke, VA.
A service will not be held but may occur at a future date. Per his wishes, he is being cremated. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Manchester Rescue Squad in Chesterfield County. They can be made online at www.manchestervrs.org/donate/ or mailed to:
Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad
PO Box 198, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Mark Braley
A generous and deeply caring man, Mark Davis Braley, 72, of Richmond, Virginia, peacefully passed away on February 2, 2026, at home with his partner of 32 years by his side.
Mark was born in Milford, Massachusetts, to Karl and Jean. The New England Patriots and Red Sox lived boisterously in his heart until the end. After serving in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne, Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy at the University of Southern Maine. He graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1987.
From 1992 to 2023, Mark served the Legal Services Corporation of Virginia (LCSV) as executive director, designing and managing the planning, funding, and development of Virginia's legal aid system. A pivotal aspect of his work was administrating Interest On Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) -accounts that generate funds used for legal aid by low-income people. He served terms as treasurer and president of the board of the National Association of IOLTA Programs.
Before joining LSCV, Mark practiced law in Richmond, litigating criminal and civil cases that included family law, civil rights, fair housing, nonprofit representation, workers' compensation, and consumer protection. Mark also served as an Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney in Petersburg, Virginia, early in his career.
Mark was honored by Governor Kaine, the Virginia State Bar, and the Association of Virginia Legal Aid Programs, among many accolades. He was a Virginia Supreme Court Access to Justice commissioner and an ex officio member of the Virginia State Bar's Access to Legal Services Committee.
A dedicated traveler, Mark's final international jaunt took him and Burt to Verona, Italy, in February 2025. Mark collected first-edition books (an Anthony Trollope volume was on his nightstand), chose, enjoyed, and shared gorgeous wines, and loved the beach.
Mark is survived by his partner Burchell (Burt) Pinnock, sister Carol Bancroft, brothers Craig, Peter, Glen, and Edward, and a host of nieces and nephews. The family will mourn and celebrate Mark's life privately and asks that his network of friends and colleagues do the same.
Please consider a gift to the Legal Services Corporation of Virginia (lscv.org). Supporting the organization will honor Mark's life work: making legal help accessible to people who cannot afford representation.
Margaret Anne Burry
Margaret Anne Burry passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026. The family is being cared for by Horizon Memorial.
Henry Craig
Henry Craig passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The family is being cared for by Horizon Memorial.
Henry H. Dantzler
Henry H. Dantzler passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The family is being cared for by Horizon Memorial.
Dorothy B. Oakes
Dorothy B Oakes, 75, of Richmond, VA, went to be with the Lord Monday, February 9, 2026. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Gaston Sr.; parents, Henry and Leonna Oakes; sibling, Shirley Oakes (Sheryl); and brother-in-law, Randy Gaston. D. Dorothy is survived by her children, Melissa Misleany, Don Gaston Jr., and Shawn Gaston; and five grandchildren, Mikala Misleany, Mckenzie Misleany, Shannon Gaston, Adrian Gaston, and Bella Long; as well as several nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Dorothy was an active member of her community and enjoyed being outdoors. She adored spending time with her children and grandchildren.
A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held 1pm Saturday, February 14th, 2026, privately with family. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, online at alz.org.
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