Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 16, 1992 TAG: 9202160054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: MARION LENGTH: Medium
OBIT ECHOLS, M.
ECHOLS, MADONNAOn February 14, 1992, Madonna Echols of Marion, Virginia, passed away. She was a former Miss Kentucky and was one of the finalists in the Miss America Pageant of 1944. As a renowed cook, she published two cookbooks that have been sold across the United States -- The Crowning Recipes of Kentucky and Christmas with Madonna. An active community planner and organizer engaged in numerous local activities, Mrs. Echols was the spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society of Smyth County, Virginia, was a founder of the Community Concert Series of Smyth County, and dedicated much of her energy to the local P.T.A. Madonna was also a successful businesswoman who co-managed the architectural firm of Echols, Sparger and Associates with her architect husband of forty-five years, W. Gordon Echols, Jr. However, her true love was Bridge, a game in which she excelled and played on a competitive level. This former Miss Kentucky was born in Monongah, West Virginia and reared in Jenkins, Kentucky. Her parents were the late Donley Charles "DC" and Helen Mort Smith of Jenkins, Kentucky. An Honorary Kentucky Colonel, she continually corresponded with other former Miss Kentucky's across the United States. But, without question, she felt that her greatest accomplishment was raising four healthy children. She is survived by her husband, three sons, William Douglas Echols of Washington, D. C.; David Gordon Echols and daughter-in-law, Rosita DePorter Echols of Knoxville, Tennessee; Charles Donley Echols, Indianapolis, Indiana; one daughter, Madonna Echols-Hoecker and son-in-law, John Hoecker, Springfield, Virginia; one brother, Donley Charles Smith, Jr., Jenkins, Kentucky; one sister, Ann Smith Bradley, Leesburg, Florida; one granddaughter, Jennifer Lauren Hoecker, Springfield, Virginia; three grandsons, David Hoecker, Springfield, Virginia; Matthew Langdon Echols, Andrew Gordon Echols, both of Knoxville, Tennessee. The family requests there be no memorials. There will be a private viewing and service with arrangements handled by Williams Funeral Home of Chilhowie, Virginia. Interment will be on Sunday, February 16, 1992. Dr. William A. Slater and Rev. Fred Harcum will conduct the service.