Herbert J. Higgins Sr., age 79, of Seaford, Del., died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009 at his home. He was the son of the late Elder Quincy and Docia Brown Higgins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Elsie Lowe and Nancy Joines; and four brothers, Tom Higgins, Samuel Higgins, Paul Higgins and James Mack Higgins.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Smith Higgins of the home; two sons, Herbert J. Higgins Jr. and Dennis Higgins, both of Delaware; two stepdaughters and spouse, Darlene and Fred English and Linda and David Todd, all of Seaford; two granddaughters; two brothers and a sister-in-law, John and Vickie Higgins of Laurel, Del. and Joe Higgins of Sparta; six sisters and two brothers-in-law, Ruth Bryant of Glade Valley, Mary Holecheck of Hurlock, Md., Lois and Issac Dixon of Laurel Springs, Ethel and James Smith of Sparta, Evelyn King and Evon Hull, both of Mount Airy; a special sister-in-law, Charlene Higgins of Vancouver, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Grandview Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Laurel Glen cemetery near Sparta. Military rites were conducted by Bruce Wayne Osborne Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7034. Memorial contributions may be made to Laurel Glen Cemetery Fund, c/o Ruth Bryant, 1029 Shawtown Road, Glade Valley, NC 28627.

William Edward “Ed” Daniel, 84, Master Sgt. US Army, Ret. passed away Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 at Hefner Veterans Hospital in Salisbury. He was born in Lawrenceville, Va. on Dec. 24, 1924 to Ernest R. and Minnie Pritchett Daniel. He had lived in many locations during his military career but had last made his home in Sparta before going into the medical center. He was of the Baptist faith. He enjoyed bluegrass music and was an accomplished guitarist. Mr. Daniel had a long and illustrious 21-year career in the Army after this he taught ROTC for 10 years. He was a combat veteran of both World War II and Korea. During WWII he was a POW (prisoner of war) for 14 months and had to wear wooden shoes and the same clothes for this entire period. After this he escaped after the bombing of Dresden, Germany. As a result of this escape, he won the bronze star for valor and the POW medal. He will be best known, however, within military circles as having the honor of serving as the very first Sergeant to hold Badge No. 1 of The Honor Guard for the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Any new soldier who is awarded the honor of serving at the Tomb of the Unknowns is given a history of Sgt. Daniel’s service to that group, and this information must be committed to memory. Sgt. Daniel was the author of the current standards, which those who serve in the honor guard adhere to up to this day. He developed the formality for the current changing of the guard and their commitment to honor to this high post throughout the rest of their lives. During Sgt. Daniel’s tenure of service in this capacity, he was the primary escort for all dignitaries visiting the Tomb including Presidents and Queen Elizabeth.

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn A. Daniel of High Point; a son Robert Daniel and wife Pam of Texas, three stepsons, Jeff Morris and wife Kim of Thomasville, David Morris of High Point, and Reggie Morris and wife Yvonne of Belews Creek, and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews

Graveside funeral services and military rites were conducted Tuesday, Feb. 10 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. where Sgt. Daniel will be interred near the Tomb of the Unknowns where he spent so many honorable hours. Online condolences may be made to www.jcgreenandsons.com.

Henry Drurrey Browning, age 80, of Glade Valley, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009 at Alleghany Memorial Hospital. He was born Sept. 12, 1928 to the late John and Osa Browning.

He is survived by two brothers and sisters-in-law, Joseph R. and Jetta Browning of Glade Valley and U. Grant and Betty Browning of Nashville, Tenn.; and one sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Boyd Trump of Bluff City, Tenn. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.

Namon Junior Bryant, age 61, of Glade Valley, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 at his home. He is survived by his wife, Bernice Crouse Bryant of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Tina Renee and James Fender of Granite Falls, Mont.; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Mark Davis Bryant of Virginia, John Nathaniel and Cindy Bryant of Elkin and Justin Michael Bryant of the home; two grandchildren, Jessie Fender and Derrick Fender, both of Montana; two brothers, Bill Bryant of Sparta and John Wayne Bryant of Asheville; five sisters and three brothers-in-law, Deloris Jean Lewis, Marie and Roger Mullis, all of Sparta, Laura Sarah and Albert Wagoner of Galax, Mary and Charles Lyons of Shady Valley, Tenn. and Nancy Perry of Glade Valley; and several cousins and other family members.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday, Feb. 1 at Grandview Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with burial at the home place.

John W. Caudill, age 91, of Ennice, died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009 at Alleghany Memorial Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nell Lowe Caudill; a daughter, Reba Crouse; and a great-grandson, Larry Pal Rector.

He is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley Semones and Lester Cassell of Fancy Gap, Va., Wanda and Sammy Mullins of Bel Air, Md. and Bonnie and Larry Rector of Ennice; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; a sister, Nancy Brannock of Hickory; and several great-great-granchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday, Feb. 1 at Zion Primitive Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Barbara Sue Burnette, 88 Shade Tree Lane, Galax, VA 24333. Grandview Memorial Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.