Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory - Rocky Mount

03/21/2026

Tommy Alford Burwell, 71, was born to the late Gilbert and Liddie Burwell. He was a lifelong resident of Hardy, Virginia. Tommy was a graduate of Franklin County High School and later entered the workforce. Over the years he held several jobs, but he eventually found his niche at Norfolk Southern Railroad, where he worked faithfully until his retirement in 2014.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory - Rocky Mount. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Pigg River Community Center, Rocky Mount, VA. Live Streaming will be available from the Hamlar-Curtis website. Click "View Live Streaming Here" at the top of the screen, then select "Facebook Live Stream - Rocky Mount". The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment will be in the Bellevue Baptist Church Cemetery, Hardy, VA. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or info@hamlar-curtis.com.

03/17/2026

Tommy Alford Burwell, 71, was born to the late Gilbert and Liddie Burwell. He was a lifelong resident of Hardy, Virginia. Tommy was a graduate of Franklin County High School and later entered the workforce. Over the years he held several jobs, but he eventually found his niche at Norfolk

03/12/2026

James E. Elston, Sr., fondly known as Coach, was many things to many people. He was a son, dad, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and he was a friend to anyone who broke through his grumpy armor. James was a man of few words unless he was in a grumpy mood

03/11/2026

We celebrate the professionals in funeral services on National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day.

02/24/2026

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, God sent his angels to es**rt Deacon George Wayne Tyree into his heavenly gates to hear the master say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” He was born on January 18, 1946, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, to the late John Lawson Tyree and Lula Patterson Tyree. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Marian Muse Tyree; one son, Reverend Garnett L. Tyree; two brothers, Jessie Benjamin and LaGene Tyree; and one sister, Ruby Tyree.

A public viewing will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory - Rocky Mount, 195 Maple Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA, followed by a wake from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Pigg River Community Center, 2410 S. Main St., Rocky Mount, VA. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday February 24, 2026, at the Pigg River Community Center. Live Streaming will be available from the Hamlar-Curtis website. Click "View Live Streaming Here" at the top of the screen, then select "Facebook Live Stream - Rocky Mount." Interment will be in the Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or info@hamlar-curtis.com.

02/23/2026

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, God sent his angels to es**rt Deacon George Wayne Tyree into his heavenly gates to hear the master say, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” He was born on January 18, 1946, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, to the late John Lawson Tyree and Lula Patterson Tyree. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Marian Muse Tyree; one son, Reverend Garnett L. Tyree; two brothers, Jessie Benjamin and LaGene Tyree; and one sister, Ruby Tyree.

A public viewing will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory - Rocky Mount, 195 Maple Avenue, Rocky Mount, VA, followed by a wake from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Pigg River Community Center, 2410 S. Main St., Rocky Mount, VA. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday February 24, 2026, at the Pigg River Community Center. Live Streaming will be available from the Hamlar-Curtis website. Click "View Live Streaming Here" at the top of the screen, then select "Facebook Live Stream - Rocky Mount." Interment will be in the Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or info@hamlar-curtis.com.

02/21/2026

Serving in Rocky Mount

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, God sent his angels to es**rt Deacon George Wayne Tyree into his heavenly gates to hear the master say, Well done thy good and faithful servant. He was born on January 18, 1946, in Rocky Mount, Virginia, to the late John Lawson Tyree and Lula

02/21/2026

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, God sent his angels to es**rt Deacon George Wayne Tyree into his heavenly gates to hear the master say, Well done thy good and faithful servant. A public viewing will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis

02/11/2026

Black History!

Black History Fact: Mr. Lawrence H. Hamlar was the first black member and soon became the first black President of the Roanoke City School Board. Check back tomorrow for another black history fact about Mr. Lawrence H. Hamlar. City of Roanoke, Virginia - Government

02/11/2026

Black History!

Black History Fact: Mr. L. H. Hamlar's first major contribution in the Roanoke Valley was working with the biracial committee of white and black business leaders. The twelve members proceeded to desegregating peacefully without event, lunch counters, movie theaters etc. in Roanoke in the 1960s. Proudly, they successfully handled Roanoke's sensitive desegregation problem prior to the Federal Government passing major Civil Rights Legislation.

02/02/2026

❄️ School Closing Information

FCPS Families:

Franklin County Public Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

🗓️ Tuesday Schedule:

• Instruction: Code V (Virtual Learning Day). Students should check their designated platforms for assignments and/or plan on communication from their teachers
• Staff: ALL CODE 12 Personnel should report by 9:00 am

02/01/2026

Cornelia CeCe Coles, 58, of Charlotte, North Carolina, entered eternal rest on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Born on March 18, 1967, in Bedford, Virginia, CeCe was the cherished daughter of Connie Ray Lee Sr. and Alice Lee, who welcomed her home to heaven. CeCe was the heart of her family