Raymond Brock 18 Jun 1906 - 9 Dec 1954 RAYMOND BROCK ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY FARMER FATALLY BURNED IN BLAZE THAT DESTROYS HOME A lighted cigarette may have been responsible for the death of Raymond Brock, 48, Isle of Wight County farmer, early Friday morning, December 10. Brock was burned to death in a midnight fire that destroyed his two-story frame residence on the Blackwater Road. He died in a rocking chair in the dining room, where he had been watching television. His wife, Mrs. Martha Lowe Brock, escaped from the house after she had been awakened by a neighbor. She had gone to bed before 8 o’clock, leaving her husband alone in the dining room. It is believed that Brock fell asleep while smoking a cigarette. Foiled by the heat in an attempt to save her husband, Mrs. Brock drove in the family car to the residence of D.F. Whitley in quest of aid. Whitley tried to enter the house by kicking in a window; but he too was blocked by the flames. According to a neighbor, Mrs. J.R. Whitley, the fire started about 11:30. This was confirmed by another neighbor, B.S. Duck, who lives about 100 yards from the Brock home. Duck was quoted as saying that he ran to the Brock home and tried to enter the front door. Driven back by the flames, he ran around to the Brock's bedroom on the first floor and managed to wake her up. She attempted without avail to enter the room where her husband was. Responding to the call for assistance were the Windsor and Ivor volunteer fire departments, which finding the blaze beyond control, saved the out buildings by wetting them down. A native of Isle of Wight County, Brock was a son of the late Noah and Maggie State Brock. He was a member of the Tucker Swamp Baptist Church. Besides his wife he is survived by a son, Garland Brock; four brothers, Linwood Brock of Carrsville, William Brock of Chuckatuck, Gavin Brock of Kenbridge, and Marshall Brock of Sedley; and two sisters, Mrs. Annie Carr of Sedley and Mrs. E.C. Williams of Carrsville. Funeral services were conducted at the Tucker Swamp Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. L.E. Holzbach, pastor. Burial was in Holly Lawn Cemetery, Suffolk. Pallbearers were Woodrow Cobb, Lonnie Harrell, Julian Jenkins, Jr., Frank Johnson, Loftin Rhodes and David Whitley. [Tidewater News ~ Dec. 16,1954} 16 Dec 1954 Tidewater News ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Narrative Summary of the Obituary** Raymond Brock, 48, a farmer from Isle of Wight County, died on 9 December 1954 in a house fire. He was survived by his wife, Martha, a son, Garland, four brothers, and two sisters. ** Narrative Summary of Funeral Services** Funeral services for Raymond Brock were conducted at Tucker Swamp Baptist Church on 12 December 1954. He was buried in Holly Lawn Cemetery, Suffolk. **Transcript of the Edited Obituary** Raymond Brock 18 June 1906 - 9 December 1954 RAYMOND BROCK ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY FARMER FATALLY BURNED IN BLAZE THAT DESTROYS HOME A lighted cigarette may have been responsible for the death of Raymond Brock, 48, Isle of Wight County farmer, early Friday morning, 10 December. Brock was burned to death in a midnight fire that destroyed his two-story frame residence on Blackwater Road. He died in a rocking chair in the dining room, where he had been watching television. His wife, Mrs. Martha Lowe Brock, escaped from the house after she had been awakened by a neighbor. She had gone to bed before 8 o'clock, leaving her husband alone in the dining room. It is believed that Brock fell asleep while smoking a cigarette. Foiled by the heat in an attempt to save her husband, Mrs. Brock drove in the family car to the residence of D.F. Whitley in quest of aid. Whitley tried to enter the house by kicking in a window; but he too was blocked by the flames. According to a neighbor, Mrs. J.R. Whitley, the fire started about 11:30 PM. This was confirmed by another neighbor, B.S. Duck, who lives about 100 yards from the Brock home. Duck was quoted as saying that he ran to the Brock home and tried to enter the front door. Driven back by the flames, he ran around to the Brock's bedroom on the first floor and managed to wake her up. She attempted without avail to enter the room where her husband was. Responding to the call for assistance were the Windsor and Ivor volunteer fire departments, which, finding the blaze beyond control, saved the outbuildings by wetting them down. A native of Isle of Wight County, Brock was a son of the late Noah and Maggie State Brock. He was a member of Tucker Swamp Baptist Church. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Garland Brock; four brothers, Linwood Brock of Carrsville, William Brock of Chuckatuck, Gavin Brock of Kenbridge, and Marshall Brock of Sedley; and two sisters, Mrs. Annie Carr of Sedley and Mrs. E.C. Williams of Carrsville. Funeral services were conducted at Tucker Swamp Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock on 12 December by Rev. L.E. Holzbach, pastor. Burial was in Holly Lawn Cemetery, Suffolk. Pallbearers were Woodrow Cobb, Lonnie Harrell, Julian Jenkins Jr., Frank Johnson, Loftin Rhodes, and David Whitley. [Tidewater News ~ 16 December 1954] ** Vital Statistics Summary** | **Name** | Raymond Brock | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------| | **Age** | 48 years | | **Birth** | 18 June 1906; Isle of Wight County, Virginia | | **Death** | 9 December 1954; Isle of Wight County, Virginia | ** Table of Relationships** | **Name** | **Relationship** | **Place of Residence** | |-----------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------| | Raymond Brock | Decedent | Isle of Wight County, Virginia | | Mrs. Martha Lowe Brock | Spouse | Isle of Wight County, Virginia | | Garland Brock | Son | Isle of Wight County, Virginia | | Linwood Brock | Brother | Carrsville, Virginia | | William Brock | Brother | Chuckatuck, Virginia | | Gavin Brock | Brother | Kenbridge, Virginia | | Marshall Brock | Brother | Sedley, Virginia | | Mrs. Annie Carr | Sister | Sedley, Virginia | | Mrs. E.C. Williams | Sister | Carrsville, Virginia | | Noah Brock | Father (predeceased) | Unknown | | Maggie State Brock | Mother (predeceased) | Unknown | ** Publication Details** | **Publication Date** | 16 December 1954 | |-----------------------------|------------------| | **Source** | Tidewater News | ** Other Relevant Information** Raymond Brock died as a result of a fire caused possibly by a lighted cigarette while watching television at home on Blackwater Road. His wife escaped and sought help but could not save him from the flames that engulfed their residence.