Obituaries

Jerry Wayne Harville, 74, of Martinsville, passed on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. At the time of his passing Jerry was living with his grandson, Zachary Gordon. Jerry was born Friday, October 26, 1951, to the late George I., and Estelle Elizabeth Dudley Harville. Jerry attended Drewry Mason High School until age sixteen, then enlisted in the Army, he worked for DuPont, then later became an officer with the Bassett Police Department, Fieldale Police Department, and then finished his professional career by retiring as Plant Operator with Henry County PSA. Jerry was a member of Fieldale Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles I, and David L. Harville, and his sister, Charleen Trent. Jerry leaves to cherish his memory and continue his legacy, one daughter, Lisa G. Harville, and his grandson, Zachary “Zack” Gordon, and his wife Mercedes, 3 great-grandchildren, Harper and Atticus Gordon and Noam Fleagle, along with several nieces and nephews.

His long and remarkable life would awaken the interest of the historian. Jerry was born when Dwight Eisenhower was president. Jerry at age twelve, along with other students in his school class, listened as news reporter, Walter Cronkite, though tear filled eyes, announced on television the assignation of President John F. Kennedy, on Friday November 22, 1963, at 1:00 P.M., and later that day the swearing in of Kennedy’s Vice-President, Lyndon B. Johnson as President. Jerry now age seventeen, lessoned as news medias reported on June 6, 1968, that U.S. Senator and brother of President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. Jerry in November of 1968, at age sixteen shortly after leaving Drewry Mason High School, enlisted in the Army where he served during the Vietnam Era. Jerry entered as a PV1 “Private One” and upon completion earn the rank of Sergeant. During his time in the Army, Jerry was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Drivers Award, and was trained as a sharpshooter and received award recognition in his proficiency in the use of weapons such as M-14, M-16, and 45 Cal Pistol.

Jerry completed his military tour, October 27, 1970, at age nineteen, shortly after arriving home, married the love of his life, Frances Wade, May 12, 1971, then went to work for DuPont. Jerry resigned from DuPont and joined the Bassett Police Department under Chief Ben Smith in 1973. Jerry and his wife Frances had their first child, they named Lisa. Jerry worked for the Bassett Police Department until he surrendered his resignation in 1975 and accepted a position as a Special Officer with the Fieldale Police Department, after Special Officer, Elwood T. Chitwood, resigned to accept a position at Cindy Manufacturing Corp. in Ridgeway. Jerry joined, J. Alfred Stegall as Fieldale’s two special officers, and later, J. Alfred Stegall was appointed as Chief of Fieldale. Chief Stegall, who was nick named “Eagle Eye” was recognized as one of the nation’s oldest chiefs, at the time of his retirement in 1990, at age 85.

Prior to the Fieldale Police Department closing in 1999, the department had downsized and was staffed only by special officer, David Dasher, who came to work for the department in 1993. After the retirement of Chief Stegall, David was promoted to Chief and served that position from 1990 until December 31,1999. Jerry and his wife Frances became proud grandparents, in June of 1992, with the birth of their beloved grandson Zachary. After the closing of Fieldale Police Department, Jerry worked various jobs, and finished his working career as Henry County's PSA plant operator. On Christmas day, December 25, 2016, Jerry, along with his daughter Lisa, and grandson Zachary, while others that day, embraced the happiness and excitement of Christmas, was heartbroken at the passing of Jerry’s wife of forty-five years, Frances Wade Harville.

Eloquences have spoken and pages have told of the heroic men of 1951-2025, but amid the men of those times, whose heroism is without a parallel in human history, stood Jerry Wayne Harville. Men’s social clubs and events were no part of his life, yet caring for his home, family, friends, and community was his mission. May Jerry be remembered for the life he lived, work he performed and compassion he showed to others, and allow those attributes speak for him, when nothing else can be said.

A Celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, December 18. 2025, in Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to services beginning at 1:00 PM. Rev. Roy McVey will be officiating, and Full military honors will be provided by the Martinsville-Henry County Veteran’s Memorial Honor Guard at the beginning of services in the chapel.

Interment will be private.

Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home and Burial Park entrusted with arrangements.