Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 6, 1994                   TAG: 9503230015
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BISHOP, Ida Ellen, 91, of Christiansburg, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994, in Meadowbrook Nursing Home. A LPN, she practiced for many years at the old New Altamont Hospital in Christiansburg. She became a member of the Valley View Primative Baptist Church in 1923. She is survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 1994, at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Richard H. Horne, with burial in Sunset Cemetery. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

BOWEN, NEDRA LOONEY, 70, of Wytheville, died Monday, April 4, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, Wytheville Baptist Church. Arrangements by Barnett Funeral Home.

BRALLEY, Lillian Groseclose, 78, of 740 Tazewell St., Wytheville, died Monday, April 4, 1994, in the Wythe County Community Hospital. She was the widow of George S. Bralley. She is survived by two sons, W. D. ``Bill'' Bralley of Roanoke, Norman Bralley of Wytheville; three daughters and son-in-law, Phyllis and Douglas McDaniel of Goode, Patsy Lee Grubb, Joline BeCraft, both of Wytheville; three sisters, Margaret Hall of Cheverly, Md., Joyce Umberger, Lona Hills, both of Wytheville; two brothers, Roy Groseclose of Wytheville, Harold C. ``Pete'' Groseclose of Covington; eight grandchildren, Joseph Daryl Grubb of Wytheville, Rhonda L. Grubb of Wytheville, Karen Herbert of Jennings, La., Emory Becraft of Wytheville, Douglas McDaniel of Lynchburg, G. W. McDaniel of Forest, Victor Bralley of Vinton, W. D. Bralley Jr. of Roanoke; eight gre at-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be Wednesday 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Grubb Funeral Home conducted by the Rev. Edward Schaack, with the interment to follow in the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery. The Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

BROWN, Nola Ann, 81, of Bassett, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994. Graveside services 11 a.m. Thursday, Gill Family Cemetery, Hinton, W.Va. Arrangements by Tomlinson Funeral Home, Ridgeway.

CALDWELL, C. T., (``Ted""), 89, of Roanoke, died Monday, April 4, 1994. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

CASSELL, Lillie Kirby, 93, of 1210 Cedar Crest Drive, Bedford, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994, at her home. She was born in the Huddleston section of Bedford County on March 29, 1901, daughter of the late Robert Lee Kirby and Annie Laura Angel Kirby. She was the widow of David Graham Cassell Sr., and was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church at Thaxton. She is survived by two sons, Elbert Lee Cassell of Manassas and David G. Cassell Jr of Rochester, N.H.; a foster daughter, Lois Kirby Morgan of Naperville, Ill.; two sisters, Clarice Kirby Brooks and Evelyn Kirby McGhee, both of Roanoke. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, April 8, 1994, at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Phillip N. Hunsicker officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to either the Bedford Life Saving Crew or Epworth United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel.

CHAVES, Virginia Palmer Gray, of Roanoke, died Monday, April 4, 1994. She was a member of First Christian Church of Salem and was preceded in death by her first husband, Omar Maxwell (Max) Palmer. Surviving is her husband, Raymond J. Chaves; sister, Margie Gray Bess of Salem; stepdaughters, Bert Summerville of Tenn., Lorraine Chaves of Roanoke, Linda Fread of Colo., nieces, Barbara Bess Battle of Salem, Rebeth Bess Lowe of Roanoke, Alice Hixt Bess of N.C., Alberta Atkinson, Thelma Bowyer, Linda Owens, all of Salem; a nephew, Lilburn Gray of Salem; a godson and great nephew, Neil Battle of N.C.; numerous other great-nephews and great-neices, including Steve Battle, Ronn Lowe, Keith Bess and Andrew Bess, Sydney Lowe Fontes, Laura Bess Ayers. Services will be at Oakey's South Chapel 3 p.m. Thursday. The Rev. Wayne McCauley will officiate. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Pa rk. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel after 2 p.m. Wednesday where the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Cave Spring Rescue Squad.

CLARK, Otto M., 87, of Austinville, Va., died Tuesday, April 5, 1994. Funeral Thursday, 2 pm, Reese Funeral Chapel in Austinville.

COMBS, Hazel F., 74, formerly of Natural Bridge, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994. Arrangements by J.B. Lewis Funeral Service, Lexington.

DAVIDSON, David C., 78, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 1994, at the Virginia Veterans Care Center. He was the retired Vice President and General Manager of Moore Tire Company and a veteran of World War II (Normandy Invasion, 29th Division, 116th Infantry). Survivi ng are his beloved wife, Peggy S. Davidson; six sisters, Mrs. Estelle E. Bergman, Reisterstown, Md., Mrs. Eloise M. Friday, Lincoln Park, Mich., Mrs. Frances E. Ward, Westland, Mich., Mrs. Mary B. Entsminger, Buchanan, Mrs. Beatrice L. Hamlin, Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Mattie Tucker, Gaithersburg, Md.; a sister-in-law, Mrs. George (Lois) Davidson, Whitmire, S.C.; two brothers, Ramon P. Davidson, Tampa, Fla., Charles R. Davidson, Sacramento, Calif. Funeral services will be conducted from the graveside, Evergreen Burial Park at 2 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Frank W. Feather officiating. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, where the family will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

DEWING, Gladys Moyer, 98, of Bedford, died Monday, April 4, 1994. Funeral 10 am Friday, Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home.

DIAMOND, Richard S., 61, of Goodview, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994. Mr. Diamond is survived by his wife, Guinn N. Diamond; four children and spouses, Lorie Diamond, Goodview, Linda and Robert Day, Delaware, Roy and Shelen Dooley, Delaware, Linda Graves, Roanoke; one sister, Geraldine Gibson; one brother, Alex Diamond, both of Pennsylvania; three grandchildren, Clinton Gray, Joey Dooley, Kimberley Dooley. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 7, 1994, at 2 p.m. at Lotz Vinton Chapel with Rev. Michael Werle officiating. Internment in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Lotz Vinton Chapel.

EINSTEIN, Margaret Munsey, 93, of Radford, passed away Monday, February 14, 1994. Graveside memorial services 11 a.m. Friday, Sunrise Burial Park, Radford. Arrangements by Seaver, Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home.

FRANCIS, Sara McDonald, 86, of White Gate, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994 in Radford Community Hospital. She was born at White Gate, Va. on September 13, 1907, the daughter of the late T. B. Francis and Sallie Bane Francis. She was a school teacher, a chemist at the Celanese Corp. and a farmer. She was a graduate of William & Mary College and was a weather observer for the National Weather Service for the White Gate area for more than 50 years. She is survived by one sister, Louise Francis, White Gate; a nephew and his wife, Robert and Betty Francis, White; a niece and her husband, Maryanne and James Davidson, Rocky Gap; three great-nephews, Joe Davidson, Charlotte, N. C., Seth Davidson, Columbia, S. C., Grady and his wife, Becky Davidson, Elizabethton, Tenn. Fun eral services will be Thursday, 2 p.m. at the A. Vest and Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate, with the Rev. Alan Harvey officiating. Burial in the Walkers Creek Presbyterian Cemetery, White Gate. Visiting will be anytime after 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Giles Rescue Squad, the White Gate-Poplar Hill Fire Department or the charity of your choice.

GROSS, Cecilia Price Gross, 81, of Narrows, died Sunday, April 3, 1994, in the Giles Memorial Hospital, Pearisburg, VA. A lifelong resident of Giles County, she was born on August 12, 1912 and was the daughter of the late Frank H. and Grace McCroskey Price. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Mack Gross. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Narrows. She is survived by her children, and their husbands, Evelyn G. and Bobby Hale, Roanoke, Emogene G. and Buddy Fisher, Narrows, Ann Chaney, Houston, Tx, Janice Frye, Pearisburg, Va, Mary Jo Turner, Narrows; a son and daughter-in law, James Willard and Sarah Gross, Vinton, Va; two brothers, Buford Price, Narrows and Bill Price, Newport News, Va; a sister, Margie Moore, Ruskin, Fla; 19 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning at 11 am at the First Baptist Church in Narrows with the Rev. Rick Painter officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park, Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows, Tuesday evening from 6 to 9 pm.

HOWARD, Elizabeth Gillam, (Mrs. Henry L.), of 4809 Leawood Circle, SW, died Monday evening, April 4, 1994, at the Raleigh Court Health Care Center. She was born on May 26, 1918, in Windsor, North Carolina, a daughter of the late Elizabeth Craig Gillam and Irion Gillam. Mrs. Howard was a member of Grandin Court Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband, Henry L. Howard; a son, H. Craig Howard, Stanford, CA; two grandchildren, Zachary Howard and Theda Beth Howard, both of Palo Alto, CA; sister, Katherine M. Gillam and a brother, John B. Gillam, both of Windsor, NC; a special cousin, Mary (Sis) Corprew, Stauntonburg, NC; a sister-in-law, Conway H. Draper, Fort Lauderdale, FL. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Alzheimer Association Roanoke-Salem Chapter, P.O. Box 5014, Roanoke, VA 24012. Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Oakey's South Chapel. The Rev. Robert M. Hamner and the Rev. Carol Johnston will officate. Interment will be in Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends at Oakey's South Chapel from 7 p.m. til 9 p.m. Wednesday.

JONES, Mary Woods, 78, of New Castle, died Tuesday, March 5, 1994, in a Salem hospital. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank E. and Lucille Jones, Troutville, John O. and Gaye Jones, Roanoke; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Sandra and Donald Stubbs; granddaughter, Sheri L. Jones; grandson, Frank Erskine Jones; great-grandson, Donald Dean Stubbs. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, 2 p.m., at Bethel United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Breeden and the Rev. Arthur Grant officiating. Interment will follow in Ross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Boitnott Funeral Home and on Thursday at the home of Zane Jones.

JONES, Robert Harry, 70 of Gretna, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday at Colbert-Moran Funeral Chapel.

KENNEDY, Marvin Johnson, 82, of Route 2, Bedford, died Monday, April 4, 1994 in the Bedford County Memorial Hospital. He was born in Bedford County on December 19, 1911, a son of the late Henry B. Kennedy and Nettie Ferguson Kennedy. He was a farmer and a member of Salem United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Leah K. Dinkel and a son, Ralph Bernard Kennedy. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn C. Kennedy; a son and daughter-in-law, Philip M. and Carolyn B. Kennedy, Bedford; a daughter-in-law, Stephanie H. Kennedy, Bedford; two grandsons, Stephan P. Kennedy and Glenn F. Kennedy, both of Bedford; one granddaughter, Melissa E. Kennedy, Bedford; three great-grandsons, Matthew Kennedy, Thomas Kennedy, Brandon Cottrell, all of Bedford; one great-granddaughter, Crystal D. Kennedy, Bedford; four brothers, William Bennett Kennedy of Illinois, Earl M. Kennedy, Henry Carl Kennedy, Harold David Kennedy, all of Bedford. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 1994 at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. James S. Blankenbaker officiating. Memorials may be made to the Salem United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, C/O Jim Chadwell, Rt. 5 Box 117-C, Bedford, or the Bedford Life Saving Crew. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

LANCASTER, Duffie Sizemore, 69, of Radford, passed away Sunday, March 27, 1994. Survivors include five brothers, Sampson Lee Sizemore, James Sizemore and Perry Sizemore, all of Norfolk, W.Va., Kelly Sizemore of Sophie, W.Va., Allen Sizemore of Lindside, W.Va.; two sisters, Mrs. Viney Wilson of Dublin, Mrs. Eliza Winters of Norfolk. Memorial services will be held Sunday, April 10, 1994 at 2 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall in Radford with Steve Waller and Bobby Hatcher officiating. Seaver-SAnders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford is in charge of the arrangements.

LENGRAND, Elsa Louise, 66, of Roanoke and formerly of Baltimore, Md. died Monday, April 4, 1994 at her residence. She retired from Bethlehem Steel in Baltimore, Md. in 1983. Surviving are a daughter, Shirley Jean From, Redding, Calif.; a son, Larry A. Boone, Poca, W.Va.; four grandchildren, Tammy Good, Redding, Calif., Brian Friedline, Fresno, Calif., Brian Taylor, Spencer, W.Va., and Michelle Taylor, Charleston, W.Va.; four great-grandchildren, Matthew and Kellie Good, Justin and Matthew Taylor; a sister, Joyce Wilkinson, Fresno, Calif.; and a brother, William M. Strader, Los Angeles, Calif. Memorial Services will be at Unity Church of Roanoke Valley at 5:45 p.m. Friday, April 8, 1994 with the Rev. Thomas Bohache from the Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge. The family suggests memorials be made to Metropolitan Community Church of the Blue Ridge or Unity Church of Roanoke Valley. The family will receive friends at the residence from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

LUCAS, Minor Garlan, 79, of Christiansburg, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994, at Montgomery Regional Hospital. Mr. Lucas was born in Giles County on May 10, 1914, a son of the late John Stewart Lucas and Florence Williams Lucas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Carter Lucas. Mr. Lucas was a retired chief operator at R.A.A.P. with 30 years service and a member of Montgomery County Moose Lodge #1470. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra L. and Gary Bland, Christiansburg, Shirley L. and Glen Hall, Pulaski; two sons and daughters-in-law, John (Johnnie) and Mary Ann Lucas, Dublin, Darryl and Debbie Lucas, Blacksburg; one sister, Ethel Walters, Pembroke; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Fred Bruger officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Wedn esday from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

MOORE, Becky Jane, 39, of Gretna, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home.

O'DELL, Rev. Edgar Lee, 84, of Pulaski, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m Thursday, Dora Highway Baptist Church. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel.

PATTERSON, Thomas, 80, of Roanoke County, died Monday, April 4, 1994. Thomas was born May 23, 1913 in Greenock, Scotland the son of Samuel and Rachel Lamont Patterson. He came to the United States in 1919 and spent most of his life in Superior, Wis. where he graduated from Superior Central High School and also attended Superior State College. During World War II he served in the Philippine Islands with the Army Corps of Engineers. He was employed for over 40 years with the Superior Water, Light and Power Company and retired in 1978 as the company's Assistant Secretary/Treasurer. From 1956 to 1971 he was District Director of the Wisconsin Credit Union League and was a member of the Wisconsin Credit Union Review Board, a state regulatory body, from 1957 to 1960. Tom was active in the Boy Scouts of America for much of his life and at the first National Boy Scout Jamboree held in Washington, D.C. in 1937, he was Scoutmaster of Troop representing the Gitche Gummee Council. While living in Superior, Wis. he was an active member of Hammond Avenue Presbyterian Church and later active at Ogden Avenue Baptist Church. He held membership in Acacia Masonic Lodge and was on the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army in Superior. Tom and Ruth moved to Roanoke County in 1983 and became active members of Windsor Hills Baptist Church and Etta Chapter #185 Order of the Eastern Star. Ruth, his wife of 51 years, preceded him in death in May of 1992. Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Douglas M. and Sara L. Patterson, Blacksburg; his daughter, Marion R. Wilson, Midlothian; his grandchildren, Rachel Marcune, Cara and John Patterson, Rhetta Wilson., An Eastern Star service will be held at Oakey's South Chapel Wednesday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. conducted by Etta Chapter. A funeral service will be held from Oakey's South Chapel Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. with the Rev. C. Lawrence Dodson officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Superior, Wis. on Saturday. The family will receive friends Thursday 2 to 4 and after the funeral service.

PHILLIPS, Columbus Wyatt, 101, of Christiansburg, died Monday, April 4, 1994, at his home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Birtie Phillips; and two sons, Herbert and Ervin Phillips. Surviving are two daughters, Frances Shepherd, Pauline Phillips, both of Christiansburg; grandchildren, Billy W. Shepherd, Donnie L. Shepherd, Billy Linkous, Wayne Linkous and Wanda Pridget; 12 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; numerous other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 1994, at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Nathan Phillips and the Rev. Jerry Shepherd with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

RITTER, Ruby Akers, 66, of Radford, passed away Monday, April 4, 1994. She was a member of Rockford United Methodist Church and retired from Hercules. She was preceded in death by her husband, Haven G. Ritter Jr.; one son, Larry Haven Ritter; one brother, Pete Akers; her parents, Brady and Annie Ratcliff Akers. Survivors include, one daughter, Ms. Dixie D. Helms of Radford; one son, Lewis E. Ritter of Radford; one sister, Mrs. John (Helen) Stump of Radford; one special sister-in-law, Shirley Akers of Radford; two grandsons, Neil Dishon of Pulaski and Jeff Dishon of Radford. Funeral services will be held Thursday;, April 7,m 1994 at 2 p.m. at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home with the Rev. Neil Long officiating. Interment will follow in the Rockford Cemetery in Radford. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.

RUMLEY, May Sue, 81, of Bassett, died Saturday, April 2, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday, Stanfield-MIller Funeral Home Chapel.

SIEGEL, Lola H., 74, of Marion, died Monday, April 4, 1994. Funeral Thursday 11 am, Graveside service at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Marion. Seaver-Brown Funeral Home.

THRELKELD, Carrie Louise Vaden, 96, of Williamsburg, died Monday, April 4, 1994. She was born on March 7, 1898 in Pittsylvania County, Va. She was a longtime resident of Blacksburg where she was an active member of Glade Baptist Church. A graduate of Farmville State Teacher's College, she taught in the Virginia county school system before settling in Blacksburg where she remained active in numerous community organizations, especially PTA. Mrs. Threlkeld is survived by two daughters, Sallie Wesaw of Riverton, Wyo., and Annette Vosteen of Williamsburg; one son, Bill Threlkeld of Poquoson; also 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. in Chatham on Thursday, April 7, 1994 in Chatham Cemetery by Dr. Donald Reed. Williamsburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

VENABLE, Glenn Franklin, 51, of Bassett, died Tuesday, April 5, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 1994, Tomlin-Bassett Funeral Home, Bassett.

WEISS, Paul David, 62, of Williamson Road, Roanoke, died Monday, April 4, 1994. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Emily Jane, Weiss, Lafayette; two daughters, Mrs. Debbie Sellors and Paula Laignel, both of Christiansburg; two sons, Jimmy Weiss, Richmond, Ind., David Atkinson, Shawsville; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Stafford, Mounks Corner, N.C., Mrs. Ruth Cawley, Roanoke, and Mrs. Janet W. Flynn, Cincinnati, Ohio; three brothers, Freddie, Ronnie and Robert Weiss, all of Roanoke; seven grandchildren. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, April 8, 1994 at the Grant E. Bryant Funeral Home with the Rev. John W. Smith officiating. Interment in Den Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Grant E. Bryant Funeral Home, Elliston.

WEISS, Paul David, 62, of Roanoke, died Monday, April 4, 1994. Graveside service 10 a.m. Friday at Coyner Springs Cemetery, Botetourt Co. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

WHITE, Alverta M.. 75, of Rich Creek, died Monday, April 4, 1994. Graveside services 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sunrise Memorial Gardens, Rich Creek, Va. Arrangements by Broyles Funeral Home, Peterstown, W.Va.