Surry County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Goodrich, Benjamin H., 1999 

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BENJAMIN HENRY "B.H." GOODRICH 

  WAKEFIELD - Benjamin Henry "B.H." Goodrich, 60, a retired Surry County 
farmer, died Monday, Dec. 13, 1999, after a long battle with multiple 
sclerosis. 

  He was the son of the late J. Garland and Mary Butler Goodrich.  Following 
his 1957 graduation from Wakefield High School, he attended Danville Technical 
Institute.  He served in the Virginia National Guard and was an active member 
of the National Tractor Pullers Association.  He owned and operated Ben-Gar 
Farms in Wakefield and was lift-long member and trustee of the Rocky Hock 
United Methodist Church.  He was a member of the General William Mahone Camp, 
Sons of Confederate Veterans. 

  He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Lynn Goodrich. 

  Mr. Goodrich is survived by his wife of 40 years, Laura Anne Jenkins 
Goodrich; a daughter, Anne G. Bliss, and husband, Gregory, of Richmond; a son, 
G. Henry Goodrich, and wife, Victoria, of Wakefield; one granddaughter, Emily 
M. Bliss, and two grandsons, Benjamin H. Goodrich and Michael G. Blass; and 
two sisters, Myrtle G. Soles of Seaford and Leigh G. Massengill of 
Williamsburg. 

  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. in Rocky Hock 
United Methodist Church, Wakefield, by the Rev. Don Chapman and the Rev. C. 
Randolph Duncan.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  The family will 
receive friends at the family home, 1099 Goodrich Fork Road, Wakefield, VA 
23888. 

  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Rocky 
Hock Perpetual Care Fund, 4899 White Marsh Road, Wakefield, VA 23888; or the 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central Virginia Chapter, P.O. Box 27326, 
Richmond, VA 23261. 

  Arrangements by Purviance Funeral Home, Wakefield. 

****************************************************************************** 

ROCKY HOCK CHURCH BULLETIN - REMEMBERING: 
   BENJAMIN HENRY GOODRICH 

  B.H. Goodrich farmed for twenty-five years until illness forced him to quit 
farming.  For the next three and a half years, he drove a tractor trailer for 
Amadas Industries until his illness forced him to ceased work altogether. 
B.H. had Multiple Sclerosis for 18 years, nine of which confined him to his 
home. 

  Upon graduation from high school, B.H. served in the Army National Guard 
for eight years and began his farming career.  He married his high school 
sweetheart, Laura Anne Jenkins, and they had three children.  He attended 
Rocky Hock Church his whole life and served as a Trustee for many years.  His 
most enjoyable hobby was tractor pulling which he did until his illness forced 
him to stop. 

  His wife, Laura Anne, his daughter, Anne Goodrich Bliss, and his son, Henry 
Goodrich, gave the handicapped ramp in honor of B.H. so that he could attend 
church while confined to his wheelchair. 

  Because many people seated in the fellowship hall and elsewhere in the 
church during B.H. funeral could not hear the service, the sound system and 
the speakers that are in the sanctuary, fellowship hall and nursery were given 
in his memory by his wife so that services in the future could be heard 
throughout the church by everyone. 

  B.H. is buried in Rocky Hock cemetery.  He is the grandson of Benjamin 
Hawkins and Ansebelia Goodrich, and the great-grandson of Joseph and Darthula 
Bailey. 

  Thanks to Laura Anne Goodrich for the information and picture. 


Benjamin Henry "B.H." GOODRICH, retired farmer & trucker, 
   National Guard veteran, 
b. 23 Apr 1939, Surry Co., d. 13 Dec 1999, Franklin, 
interred in Rocky Hock Methodist Church Cemetery (Plot 28A*), 16 Dec 1999, 
"Daily Press" (Newport News, VA), Dec. 15, 1999, p. 20; 
Rocky Hock Church bulletin 

*Rocky Hock list, an extension of the 
   Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/cemeteries/rockyhk.txt 

His parents are buried in Plot 28B. 

A photo of his gravestone is posted with Find a Grave Memorial #20602589. 

B.H. & Laura were severely injuried in a head-on collision, 24 Nov 1968, in 
   Isle of Wight Co.  Their 1-year-old daughter Susan Lynn was killed 
   instantly.  Her obit ("Tidewater News," Nov. 28, 1968, p. 3) is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/g362s3ob.txt 

His mother's obits ("Daily Press," Dec. 29 & 30, 1979) are posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/g362m3ob.txt 

His father's obits ("Daily Press," Nov. 9 & 10, 1985) & 2 memorials 
   to the couple are posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/g362g4ob.txt 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), 
and re-formatted by File Manager Matt Harris. 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/surry/obits/g362b3ob.txt