Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 27, 1990 TAG: 9006270043
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: WILLIS LENGTH: Medium
\ WILLIS - Lydia Lala Poff, age 81, died Monday, June 25, 1990. She was born March 27, 1909, to the late Charles Lafayett and Vanada Weddle Poff. She graduated as valedictorian from Willis High School in 1928 and completed a business administration course at Columbia Institute, Chicago, Ill. in 1929. She completed nurses training school at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond in October of 1932 and went to work the following day as supervisor of an operating room in Roanoke. After fourteen months there, she joined the nursing staff at Industrial Rayon Corporation, Covington, Va. and stayed until Rayon sold to Hercules in 1960. During this time she was visiting nurse 1939 to 1949. During the closing of Rayon and opening of Hercules, she continued to work one-half salary being paid by each corporation. In July 1961, she became full time nurse for Hercules and continued there until retirement in 1974, after which she worked part time until 1981. Soon after graduating from training school, she enrolled as a Red Cross nurse and was assigned to the Third Corps Area to an Army Reserve Hospital Unit, 1321st Service Unit in 1935. She was called to active duty with the army in 1940, but was deferred because of present position being essential to industry. She was assigned to recruitment of Army and Navy nurses and student nurses. She was appointed chairman of Home Nursing, organized and taught classes, also organized nursing service for Civil Defense. She was a member of the first organized 4-H Club in Floyd County 1927-28. She was a member of the Willis United Methodist Church and was one of the first members of the Industrial Nurses Association when it was organized and was one of the first to be a certified occupational health nurse. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruby P. Conduff and Ethel P. Boone; a brother, Carl Poff and one nephew, Roy Hylton. Survivors are one sister, Rachel P. Howell, Willis; two brothers, Ewell Poff, Arthur Poff, both of Willis; two nieces, Bobbie Jean Martin, Rebecca DeHaven; five nephews, Ross A. Howell, Sherrell Poff, Ronald Hylton, Nelson Poff and Thomas Conduff. Graveside services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Lydia's Memorial Park, Alleghany County, with Ross A. Howell officiating. Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd, is in charge of arrangements. It was her request that flowers be omitted and there will be no visitation at the funeral home.
by CNB