Regional Obituaries
Southside Virginia Communities Honor the Lives and Legacies of Respected Local Figures
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Estelle Thomas Cox began her career at Daystrom Furniture and was preceded in death by both husbands, Willie Cox and Henry Morris, as well as her daughter Linda Carol Cox Howell Lowe. Her funeral will be followed by burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
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Wayne Lee Palmer earned both a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in vocational technical education from Virginia Tech. As an agriculture teacher, he coached FFA livestock and forestry teams that produced state and national winners.
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Palmer served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division and retired at the rank of sergeant. His conservation work included receiving the Goodyear Conservation Award of Merit in 1986 and forestry awards in 2012 and 2022.
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Alma Spencer Elliott attended Cluster Springs High School and is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and siblings Grady Spencer and Judy Spencer Martin.
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Cecil Roland Mercer left school at 16 and worked across northern Canada and British Columbia in jobs ranging from oil rigs to sawmills before meeting and marrying Joan in 1975. He considered fatherhood his most serious role and devoted his life to raising their five daughters.
Three longtime residents of Southside Virginia passed away on September 19, 2026, leaving behind legacies of service, faith, and dedication to their communities. Estelle Thomas Cox, 94, of Virgilina; Wayne Lee Palmer, 80, of Nathalie; and Alma Spencer Elliott, 91, of South Boston were remembered by family and friends for their distinctive contributions to their region. SoVaNOW reported their deaths alongside notices for other community members who died around the same time.
Estelle Cox: Faith, Kindness, and Service
Estelle Thomas Cox began her working years at Daystrom Furniture before dedicating herself to Christian faith and community service. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Willie Cox and Henry Morris, as well as her daughter Linda Carol Cox Howell Lowe. Cox is survived by a daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who carry on her legacy of kindness. SoVaNOW noted that her funeral service is scheduled for September 23 at Brooks Lyon Funeral Home, followed by burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Wayne Palmer: Vietnam Vet and Award-Winning Teacher
Wayne Lee Palmer earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in vocational technical education from Virginia Tech. As an agriculture teacher, he coached FFA livestock and forestry teams that produced state and national winners. Palmer's conservation efforts earned him the Goodyear Conservation Award of Merit in 1986 and additional forestry honors in 2012 and 2022. SoVaNOW reported that he served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division and retired as a sergeant.
Palmer is survived by his wife of 53 years, three children, grandchildren, and a sister. Visitation was set for September 25, giving the community time to honor a man whose life balanced military service, teaching excellence, and environmental stewardship.
Alma Elliott: Decades of Work and Devotion
Alma Spencer Elliott, a Cluster Springs High School graduate, worked at Russell Stover Candies and O'Sullivans throughout her career. She served as a singer in the Grace Baptist Church choir and was known for her devotion to family, gardening, and Sunday gatherings. SoVaNOW reported that Elliott is survived by three children, five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and siblings Grady Spencer and Judy Spencer Martin. Her funeral was scheduled for September 22.
Cecil Mercer: From Oil Rigs to Family Leadership
In British Columbia, Cecil Roland Mercer was remembered for a life of diverse work and deep family devotion. Mercer left school at age 16 and worked across northern Canada and British Columbia on oil rigs, in sawmills, and other demanding jobs. He met and married Joan in 1975, and the couple raised five daughters together. SoVaNOW noted that Mercer considered fatherhood his most serious role and spent his life building Tiger Lily Farm and supporting his growing family.
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