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

DATE: FRIDAY, April 15, 1994                   TAG: 9503230025
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BALILES, N. Beulah, 88, of Stuart, died Thursday, April 14, 1994. Services will be 3 pm Saturday, from the Fairystone Baptist Church. Arrangements by McKee Funeral Services, Martinsville.

BARKER, Patrick Henry Jr., 82, of Ridgeway, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. at McKee Funeral Service Chapel.

BAUM, Virginia Swoope, 93, of Chesapeake, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994 in Chesapeake General Hospital. Mrs. Baum was a former school teacher and a homemaker. She was previously active in Blackwater Baptist Church and was an active member of Hickory United Methodist Church and was a member of the Hickory Homemakers Club. She was the widow of Forrest O. Baum. Survivors include two daughters, Charlotte B. Ives of Roanoke, Jean B. Brown of New Orleans, La.; four sons, John A Baum of Virginia Beach, Wesley L. Baum of Orlando, Fla., Marshall P. Baum of Chillicothe, Ohio, Glenn Clark Baum of Virginia Beach; one sister, Sally Ir le of Beckley, W.Va.; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a faithful companion, Dolores Worth. A funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, April 16, 1994 at 2 p.m. in Hickory United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tom Mercer and Dr. W. Emmett M. Diggs officiating. Burial will follow in Blackwater Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 15, 1994 at Twilford Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel, Great Bridge, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and all other times at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hickory United Methodist Church or to a favorite charity.

BOLTON, Gray Sue Graybill, 80, of Fincastle, died Thursday, April 14, 1994. She was predeceased by her husband, Warren Lee Bolton; parents, Percy Kline Graybill and Josephine Haden Graybill Woltz; and sister, Ellen Graybill Staton Austin. Survivors include a daughter, Sue Ellen Bolton Poovey and family, of Huntsville, Alabama; two sons, Warren Kline Bolton, M.D. and family, of Charlottesville, and Michael Gray Bolton and family of Fincastle. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, April 16, 1994 at 2 pm in Fincastle Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Neil Dunnavant officiating. Interment will follow in Godwin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 9 pm at Rader Funeral Home, Troutville.

BRADBY, Esther K, 71, of Portsmouth,died Wednesday, April 13, 1994. Funeral 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Corprew Funeral Home, Portsmouth.

BRYANT, Alan, 10 weeks, of Woodlawn, passed away Tuesday, April 12, 1994, at his home. He was born January 28, 1994, in Galax. He is survived by his parents, Terry and Missy Briggs Bryant, Woodlawn; brother, Isaac Wayne Bryant, Woodlawn; paternal grandmother, Ethelene Bryant, Woodlawn; maternal grandparents, Tommy and Carolyn Briggs, Hillsville; paternal great-grandparents, Clifford and Etta Newman, Galax; maternal great-grandfather, Rev. Wayne Briggs, Woodlawn. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Friday, April 15, 1994, at the Woodlawn Church of God with the Rev. Kenneth Trawick and Rev. John C. Briggs officiating. Interment will follow in the Coulson Cemetery.

BRYSON, Grace F., 81, of Roanoke, died Thursday, April 14, 1994. Arrangements by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

BUCKSON, William R., 69, of Radford, died Thursday, April 14, 1994 at his residence. Born December 2, 1924 in New Jersey to the late William S. Buckson and Mildred Yocum. He is a veteran of World War II having served in the Army Air Corps. He is survived by one daughter, Carol Buckson, United State Air Force; one son, William C. Buckson of Radford; one brother, Charles Richard Buckson, Oxford, Conn; four sisters, Virginia Gayda, Bridgeport, Conn., Phyllis Kroose of Anahiem, Cali; Peggy Westlotorn of San Jose, Cali; Anna Streich of Big Sandy, Tenn.; one granddaughter, Catherine Buckson of Radford; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 18, 1994 at 11 am from the New River Baptist Temple with the Rev. Bob Ferguson officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Burial Park in Radford where the V.F.W. Post 776 will conduct military graveside rites. The family will receive friends Sunday evenings from 7 to 9 p m at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford.

BUCKSON, William R., 69, of Radford, died Thursday, April 14, 1994. Funeral services Monday, April 18, 1994, 2 pm, New River Baptist Temple. Arrangements by DeVilbiss Funeral Home.

COX, Ohnah Gentry, 97, of New Castle, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994, in a Blacksburg hospital. She is survived by one son, T. O. Cox Jr., Galax; three daughters, Lucille C. Huffman, New Castle, Jeralene C. Croxson, Whittier, Calif., Elizabeth C. Saddis, Winston Salem, N.C.; one sister, Ossie Faye Phipps, Dayton, Ohio; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter. The funeral will be Saturday, 11 a.m. at Boitnott Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Emory Tarpley will officiate. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Monte Vista Cemetery, Galax. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

DRAPER, Sarah Helen, 97, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, April 13, 1994, in a local hospital. She was a graduate of Farmville State Teacher's College and held two master's degrees in French and Spanish. She was a teacher at Longwood College for 39 years, where she retired as Chairman for the Department of Foreign Languages. She was a member of South Roanoke United Methodist Church. She is survived by a sister, Margaret Robertson, Chatsworth, Calif.; nieces, Betty Nichols, Roanoke, Margaret Gerlach, Chatsworth, Calif., Benna Lee Hantzes, Sebring, Fla., Jane Thompson, Aiken, S.C.; nephews, W. H. Draper, Princeton, W.Va., William Draper, California. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, April 15, 1994, at Evergreen Burial Park with the Rev. Edward Taylor officiating. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.

GRAYBILL, Laura M., 100, of Vinton, formerly of Bonsack, passed away Wednesday evening, April 13, 1994, in a local nursing home. She was a lifetime member of the Bonsack Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett H. Graybill and a son, Robert (Bob) Graybill. She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Roy C. Graybill, Salem, Nelson R. and Ruby Graybill, Eugene (Gene) and Madelyne Graybill, all of Roanoke; survivors also include seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at the Lotz Funeral Home in Vinton, with the Dr. Robert G. Moore III officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Chapel Cemetery in Botetourt County. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday evening at the funeral home.

HARRIS, Edna M,. 73, of Dublin, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, Stevens Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

KINCER, Susie Catron, 81, of Lorton, and formerly of Wytheville, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994, at her residence. She was the widow of Garnett K. Kincer of Wytheville, and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lorton. She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Tolley of Lorton, Mary Frances Lambert of Holly Hills, Fla.; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday in the Chapel of the Grubb Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Dick Bannoy and the Rev. Danny Tolley, with interment in the West End Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Grubb Funeral Home Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. The Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.

LeMASTER, Charles Melvin, 58, of Hardy, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles J. LeMaster. He was a member of Morgans Baptist Church and former Clerk of the Municipal Courts of Roanoke City. He was former Administrator of Camelot Hall Nursing Home, Salem, and he recently retired as Vice President of Administration and Corporation Treasurer for Richfield Retirement Community. He was Treasurer of the Virginia Health Care Association of Virginia, a Mason and former Deacon. He was a dedicated Christian, father, husband and friend. He is survived by his wife, Joan Whitt LeMaster; sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Chris LeMaster of Richmond, Mike and Marcia LeMaster of Newport News; daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle and Dwayne Moorman of Hardy, Janie and Warren Bush of Roanoke, Roxanne LeMaster of Hardy; grandson, Daniel LeMaster of Richmond; mother, Christina P. LeMaster of Kenova, W.Va.; brother, Ronald LeMaster of Kenova, W.Va.; sisters, Maxine Grim of Kenova, W.Va., Anita Brumfield of Hickory, N.C. Funeral services will be from Oakey's Vinton Chapel 1 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Tommy Speight officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Franklin County. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Red Valley Rescue Squad. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

Lewis, C. Irving, Dr., 84, of Clemmons, N.C., died Monday, February 28, 1994. Dr. Lewis received degrees in theology from Union Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary, and served many congregations during his 41 years as a Presbyterian minister. Surviving are his wife; three sons; and two granddaughters. A memorial service will be held April 19, 1994 at 11 a.m. at Clifton Presbyterian Church, Maxwelton, W.Va. Rev. David Kirk will officiate. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Seminary Fund at Union Theological Seminary, 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, Va. 23286-3425.

MOORE, Dewey H. 89, of West Palm Beach and formerly of Salem, died Monday, April 11, 1994. Mr. Moore was a member of First Christian Church of West Palm Beach and First Christian Church of Salem. He was a deacon emertice and Sunday School teacher. He was preceded in death by a son, Fred W. Moore. Surviving are his wife, Ethel V. Moore, of West Palm Beach, Florida; a daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Garland Reese of Salem; a son and daughter-in-law, George and Betty Moore of West Palm Beach, Florida; daughter-in-law Louise Moore Tobey of Salem; a sister, Hazel Moore Myers of Salem; 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Dewey was in the class of 1924 at Andrew Lewis, which has had a class reunion each year. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 18, at 11 am at the First Christian Church in Salem with the Rev. Wayne McCauley officiating. Inte rment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Lotz Salem Chapel, Sunday, April 17, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm.

PHILLIPPE, Katherine Snavely, of Ringgold, died Wednesday afternoon, April 13, 1994 in Roman Eagle Memorial Home. She was born on November 18, 1900 in Kewanee, Ill., the daughter of John Nicholas Snavely and Nannie Wheeler Snavely. Mrs. Phillippe received her Teachers Certificate from Radford College and taught school several years. She was a member of Firest Baptist Church. She was married to the late Ephram Henry Phillippe who died June 9, 1976. Mrs. Phillippe is survived by one daughter, Elsie Whitfield of Ringgold; one son, E. Henry Phillippe of Bedford; one sister, Elsie S. Eller of Marion; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held Saturday;, April 16, at 2 p.m. from Mount Carmel Cemetery in Marion by the Rev. David Whitfield. The family will receive friends Friday night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Townes Funeral Home and at other time will be the daughter's home in Ringgold.

PRUITT, Pearl Barbour, 72, of Gretna, died Thursday, April 14, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at Straightstone Baptist Church. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home.

RAGIN, William Earl, 56, of Roanoke, passed away on Monday April 11, 1994. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 15, 1994, noon, Mt. Zion AME Church, Florence, South Carolina with burial in Florence National Cemetery. Friends may call Smith's Funeral Service, 307 South John Street, Florence, South Carolina. 29501. 803-662-7192.

SEARCY, Daniel Patrick, 35, of Altavista, died Thursday, April 14, 1994. Remembrance 2 p.m. Saturday at Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel.

SIMMONS, Curtis C., 64, of Rt. 3, Hardy, died Thursday, April 14, 1994 at his home. He was a member of the Oak Hill Old German Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Betty Akers Simmons, of the home; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Rachel Y. Arnett, Thaxton, Gail and Ricky Foster, Hardy, Janice and Lennie Atwood, Roanoke, Donna and Glen Hugus, Covington, Julie and Donnie Kirk, Thaxton; five sons and daughters-in-law, Andrew and Shirley Simmons, Boones Mill, Kenneth and Theresa Simmons, Hardy, Charles and Sherry Simmons, Salem, Calvin and Annette Simmons, Vinton, Gene and Laurie Simmons, Hardy; 17 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; two brothers and one sister-in-law, W ilford and Mary Simmons, Hardy, Blanton Simmons, Hardy; one sister, Elsie Clark, Hardy; also many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 1994 at the Oak Hill Old German Baptist Church, with the Home Brethren officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday at the Arrington-Bussey Funeral Home, where the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice of Roanoke Memorial, P. O Box 13367, Roanoke, Va. 24033. Arrangements by Arrington-Bussey Funeral Home.

STOWE, Pauline G., 79, of Stuart, died Thursday, April 14, 1994. Funeral services 11 a.m. Saturday, Moody Funeral Chapel, Stuart.

SWITZER, Drusilla Bates, 67, of Covington, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994. Funeral service Saturday, April 16, 1994 at the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel.

TAYLOR, Mattie Belle Eggleton, 84, of Washington, D.C., died Wednesday, April 13, 1994 at the Washington Hospital Center. She is a retired Arlington County teacher. Mrs. Taylor lived in Washington, D.C. and was born in Roanoke. She graduated from West Virginia State College. She completed her post-graduate work at Catholic University of America. She taught for many years in the Roanoke County school system before beginning her tenure in Arlington County. She was the founder and first president of the National Pinochle Bugs Social and Civic Club. Her husband of 56 years, Oliver W. Taylor, died in 1989. Survivors include two daughters, Dr. Kathryn E. Taylor and Mrs. Flora Taylor Washington, both of Washington, D.C.; three granddaughters, Kathryn Ann Washington, Washington, D.C., Michelle Lynn Washington, Philadelphia, Pa., and Pamela B. Washington, New Orleans, La.; one nephew, James DeHart Wray, Silver Springs, Md.; two nieces, Mildred Wray, Silver Springs, Md., Tippie Lorene Turner, N.Y., N.Y.; many other grandnieces and friends. The family will receive friends at High Street Baptist Church Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. Graveside services will be Monday 10 a.m. at the Williams Memorial Park. Dr. Noel C. Taylor will officiate. Arrangements by Fizer Funeral Home.

VIA, Joseph F., (``Joe""), 64, of 324 Hilltop Dr., Rocky Mount, died Thursday, April 14, 1994 at his residence. Surviving are his wife, Peggy Mullins Via, of the home; two brothers and sisters-in-law, William N. (Bill) and Rose Via, Rocky Mount, Thomas H. (Tom) and Gracie Via, Moneta; one sister, Ruby June Via, Rocky Mount; his mother-in-law, Mary P. Mullins, 324 Hilltop Dr., Rocky Mount; one brother-in-law and his wife, W. L. (Jimmy) and Betty Mullins, Riner; nieces and nephews and their spouses, Tammy and John Joyce, Cheraw, S. C., Eddie and Kim Via, Salem, Kandis and Gus Necessary, Salem, Mark and Pat Mullins, Blacksburg, Mike and Mary Mullins, Pearisburg, and Matthew Mullins, Riner. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. in Franklin Heights Baptist Church, with the Rev. J. Larry Holland and the Rev. Mark Griffith officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. Those desiring to, can make memorials to the Memorial Fund of Franklin Heights Baptist Church, 203 Hilltop Dr., Rocky Mount, Va. 24151. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 342 S. Main Street, Rocky Mount.

WALKER, Dathan T. Sr., 75, of Elliston, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994. He was a native of Brownsburg, Va., and a member of Morning Star Baptist Church. Mr. Walker is survived by his wife, Dorothy L. Walker, Elliston; sons and daughters-in-law, Dathan T. Jr. and Diana T. Walker, Elliston, Ricky and Denise Walker, Roanoke, Derwin L. Walker, Roanoke; daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra W. and George E. Saunders, Roanoke, Rolayne W. and Billy Phillips, Roanoke, Valerie W. and Pete Ramey, Christiansburg; grandchildren, George E. Saunders Jr., Sheldon V. Saunders, Sonya Walker, Rolayne Pannell, Khia Williams, Danita Walker, Anthony Walker, Stacie Walker; five great-grandchildren; several brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces; nephews; special friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 1994, at Oakey's North Chapel with the Rev. L. A. Lewis officiating with burial to follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Oakey's North Chapel Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

WATTS, James Andrew, 83, of Lexington, died Wednesday, April 13, 1994 in Stonewall Jackson Extended Care Facility. Born in Rockbridge County on April 18, 1911, he was the son of the late Andrew and Rose Johnson Watts. He served in the U.S. Navy in WWII and was retired from Norfolk and Western Railroad. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Bowyer Watts. He is survived by four sisters, Lula Mills, Alice Sloan, Margaret Carter and Laura Watts all of Lexington; two brothers, Leroy Watts and Francis Watts, both of Lexington. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at Evergreen Cemetery, Lexington. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Lomax Funeral Home.

WHEELER, Walter Howard, 69, of Cullen, formerly of Roanoke, died Tuesday, April 12, 1994. Funeral at White Oak Grove Baptist Church, Phoenix, Va., Saturday, 2 p.m. Arrangements by Jeffress Funeral Home, Charlotte Court House.

WOOLRIDGE, Selma Henry, 73, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, April 14, 1994 at his residence. He was retired from the N & W Railway after 30 years service and a World War II veteran. Surviving are his wife, Virginia May Lyle Woolridge; one son and daughter-in-law, David (Jake) and Sandi Woolridge, Stewartsville; two sisters, Louise Spradlin and Doreda Cooper, both of Vinton; three grandchildren, Lori Navarro, Hollie Marie Woolridge, and David Woolridge II; also three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 12 noon Saturday, April 16, 1994, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with the Rev. Berkley Stevens officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at Lotz Vinton Chapel.