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

DATE: MONDAY, May 2, 1994                   TAG: 9503240008
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BLESSING, Robert Henry, (``Bob""), 78, of Wytheville, died Saturday, April 30, 1994, in the Wythe County Community Hospital. He was born in Wythe County, the son of the late William Ray and Mary ``Molly"" Adams Blessing. He was a member of the Petunia Christian Church, a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II and preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Virginia Albert Blessing. He is survived by three sisters, Gladys Blessing Burress and Ruth Blessing Layne, both of Wytheville, Daisy Blessing Rickey, Kernersville, N.C.; three sisters-in-law, Anna Albert Ayers, Pulaski, Annie C. Blessing, Tazewell, Thelma Albert, Draper; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 3, 1994, 1 p.m. at the B arnett Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Lewis Arnold officiating. Interment will follow in the West End Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday or at the residence of his nephew, Richard Burress at 285 South Petunia Road at any time. The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorials to the American Lung Association, 524 Cumberland St., Bristol, VA 24201 or to the Wythe County Rescue Squad. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.

BLEVINS, Caroline Brooks, 94, of Chilhowie, died Sunday, May 1, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Cleghorn Baptist Church. Arrangements by Williams Funeral Home.

COLLINS, Vernard, 61, of Christiansburg, died Sunday morning, May 1, 1994, at Radford Community Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Thelma C. Collins of Christiansburg; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Gary Wayne Collins of Manassas, Terry Denville Collins of Manassas, Vernard ``Scooter"" and Leah Collins Jr. of Gold Vein, Va., Jeffrey Stewart and Robinlie Collins of Manassas; two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara Diane and Justin Testerman of Manassas, Bonnie Jean and Gerald Hayes Jr. of Christiansburg; one brother, Robert Collins of Front Royal; one sister, Mary Ruth Mullins of Manassas; special friend, Moody Willis; several nieces and nephews; five stepdaughters; one stepson; 10 grandchildren, Beverly Testerman, Crystal Testerman, Bambi Testerman, Terry Collins, Timmy Collins, Amy Collins, Keith Collins, Christie Summers Jessie Summers, and Matthew Hayes. Also surviving are 11 stepgrandchildren and 3 stepgreat-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. from the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, Va., with the Rev. Danny McGlothlin officiating. Interment will follow in the Collins Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 to 9 at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford. The family will also be receiving friends after 6 Tuesday evening at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, Va. DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford is in charge of arrangements.

DOWDY, Jesse Booker, 87, of Route 1, Altavista, died Sunday, May 1, 1994. Private memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Finch & Finch Funeral Home, Altavista.

GUTHRIE, Hattie Mae, 79, of Appomattox, died Saturday, April 30, 1994. Memorial services 4 p.m. Wednesday, Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel, Bedford.

HARDY, James, 79, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, April 30, 1994. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

HILL, Frank E., 79, of Lexington, died Saturday, April 30, 1994. Mr. Hill was born August 13, 1914, in Pori, Finland, a son of the late Frank Ivan Hill and Jennie Lahde Hill. Mr. Hill was a retired chemist and was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife, Violet Butler Hill, Lexington; two stepsons, George Peckham, Fort Pierce, Fla., Delbert Ross, Carlsbad, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Susan Canney, South Hadley, Mass.; three brothers, Albert, Edwin and Reino Hill; one sister, Helen. Visitation will be from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Monday, May 2, 1994 at the Harrison Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation, with the Rev. William K. Thomas officiating. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to a charity of your choice. Harrison Funeral Home, Lexington, is in charge of arrangements.

HUGHES, Aleta Nicole, 19, of Stuart, died Saturday, April 30, 1994. Funeral 3 p.m. Tuesday, Moody Funeral Home Chapel.

JANEY, Arthur Jr. (Buck), 66, of Salem, passed away Saturday, April 30, 1994. He is survived by his wife, Mary B. Janey; children, Gentry Janey, Bucky Janey, Marguerite Shumate, Diane Fluty, Jeff Stanley, Fred Stanley, Judy Bryant; sister, Virginia Sesco; six grandchildren, one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 1994 at Lotz Salem Chapel with Dr. Charles G. Fuller and the Rev. John D. Cochran officiating. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. Arrangements are being handled by Lotz Funeral Home, Salem.

JOHNSON, Bessie Lee, 92, of Bedford, died Saturday, April 30, 1994 in the Bedford County Memorial Hospital. She was born March 27, 1902 in Bedford County. She was a member of the New Zion Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband Curtis C. Johnson, one daughter Mae A. Slade, one brother, Leonard Hayden, all of Bedford. She is survived by two sons, John E. Johnson, Charlie C. Johnson, both of Bedford; four sisters, Dorothy Jones, Ida Parker, Estelle Craghead, all of Roanoke, Rosa Jones of Washington, D.C. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, May 3, 1994 at 1 p.m. at New Zion Baptist Church in the Body Camp community in Bedford County. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Bedford Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home.

JOHNSTON, Abner Rives, 76, of Lexington, died Sunday, May 1, 1994. Arrangements by Harrison Funeral Home, Lexington.

LAUFER, Marie Renaud, 92, of Natural Bridge, died Saturday, April 30, 1994. Arrangements by Harrison Funeral Home, Lexington.

MARTIN, Eugene Dennis, (Gene), 65, of Blue Ridge, died Friday, April 29, 1994. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

MARTIN, Robert Ellis Sr., 87, of Cashmere, W.Va., died Saturday, April 30, 1994. Funeral 10 a.m. Tuesday, Broyles Funeral Home Chapel, Peterstown, W.Va.

MAYO, Cindy Siner, 34, of Valrico, Fla., passed away Friday, April 29, 1994. She is survived by her son, James Chad Edwards, Fla.; mother, Linda Siner, Salem; father, Charles R. Siner, S.C.; brothers, Robert K., Siner, Virginia Beach, Kevin E. Siner, Roanoke; also two nieces, Meredith and Robin; and a nephew, Sean. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 1994 at Salem Baptist Church with the Rev. Lew Bennett, Dr. B. Conrad Johnston and the Rev. Jim Brown officiating. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. Arrangements are being handled by Lotz Funeral Home, Salem.

NAFF, Mildred C., 85, of Rt. 3, Boones Mill, died suddenly Saturday, April 30, 1994. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul J. Naff. Mrs. Naff was an active member of the Germantown Brick Church of the Brethren for over 50 years. Among her activities, were church financial secretary, Music and Worship Commission, World Hunger Commission, Womens Quilting Group, and editor of the church bulletin until soon before her death. Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. George B. and N aomi Naff, Cleveland, Ohio; her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Sue and Carl Barnhart, Rocky Mount; grandchildren, Jay and Chris Naff, Anne and Thor Zednik, Cleveland, Ohio, Jeff and Chris Naff, Concord, Calif., Ginger and Mike Henderson, Chatham, Joetta and David Petersen, Salem, Tim and Margot Barnhart, Alexandria, Ben Barnhart, Northampton, Mass., Mark Barnhart, Rocky Mount; great-grandchildren, Thor and Eric Zednik, Max and Sam Naff, Zach and Jessie Henderson, Paul, Diane and Kevin Petersen, Lindsey and Hannah Barnhart. Funeral services will

be conducted at Germantown Brick Church of the Brethren 11 a.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Fred A. Driver and the Rev. Gerald Baile Crouse officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Brick Church Memorial Fund would be appreciated. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at Flora Funeral Service, 342 S. Main St., Rocky Mount.

NEIGHBORS, Maggie F., 93, of Salem, died Saturday, April 30, 1994. She was a native of Floyd County and was an area resident for most of her life. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude W. Neighbors Sr., Claude W. Neighbors Jr., Gerald C. Neighbors and Dorise T. Neighbors. Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Lois V. and Jack Settles, Faye P. Brickey, all of Salem, Norma Page and Raymond Johnson, Spout Spring, Va.; one sister, Lena Pugh, Salem; 8 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 1994, in the Church Hill Cemetery, with the Rev. William Atkins officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Son, Salem.

OWENS, Mary Sue, 72, of Blacksburg, died suddenly Saturday, Arpil 30, 1004, at Montgomery Regional Hospital. The widow of Willard E. Owens, she is survived by three sons, Harold Ellis Owens, Harless Nelson Owens, both of Radford, Roger Lee Owens, Elliston; one brother, Harvey Bowles, Salem; two sisters, Ruby Owens, Martha Bowles, both of Elliston; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Mr. Clyde East with burial in the Halls Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 Monday evening at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg.

PREECE, Irene Harriet, of Roanoke, died Sunday, May 1, 1994, at her home. She was the owner of Loch Haven Lake. She was preceded in death by her husband, Noel Amant Preece. She is survived by a son, Sky Preece; daughter, Alethe Amariah Womack; grandchildren, David G. Amariah, Yolanda Z. X. Amariah, Jedidiah H. Womack; brother, Bob Sacks. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, 1994, at Pleasant Dale Cemetery, Fincastle, Va., with the Rev. Karen Carter officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Oakey's North Chapel.

RAMSEY, Barry Stuart, 48, of Buena Vista, died Saturday, April 30, 1994, at Stonewall Jackson Hospital. He was born in Rockbridge County, April 26, 1946, to the late W. Thurston Ramsey and Buelah Ayers Ramsey. He was a member of the First Brethren Church of Buena Vista. He was a Roanoke City policeman for over 20 years. He is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth M. and Shirley Ramsey of Buena Vista; a sister and brother-in-law, Lois R. and Claude Garrett of Buena Vista; a sister, Darlene M. Ramsey of Buena Vista; three nieces, Marnita Wright, Dana Ramsey and Sonja Ramsey; three great-nieces, Casey and Danielle Thomas, and Kelly Ramsey; one great-nephew, Robert Ramsey. A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 1994, at the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Kenneth Teague, the Rev. Jessie Truax and the Rev. James Smalls officiating. Burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service.

RATCLIFF, George Washington, 58, of Christiansburg, died Saturday, April 30, 1994 in Montgomery Regional Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Betty W. Ratcliff; five children, Donald Lee Ratcliff, Billy Joe Ratcliff, Crystal Michelle Ratcliff, all of Christiansburg, George Washington Ratcliff, Blacksburg, Deborah R. Alley, Salem; one brother, James A. Farley, Christiansburg; one stepsister, Louise M. Collins, Christiansburg; one stepbrother, Kenneth Farley; nine grandchildren, Chris Lester, Heather Ratcliff, Nicholas Ratcliff, Savannah Covey, Travis Covey, Billy Ratcliff II, Jennifer Linkous, all of Christiansburg, Brandice Allen, Cierra Alley, both of Salem. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Everette Shepherd with burial in Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 Tuesday evening at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

RHODES, Sarah Nickell, 61, of Newport News, died Sunday, May 1, 1994 in Riverside Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Rhodes was a devoted Christian. She was a member of the National and American Poet Society and was an accomplished and published poet. She is survived by her husband, Lionel (Limey) Rhodes; one daughter, Denise Parker of Newport News; one son, Scott Rhodes of Newport News; two sisters; two brothers; three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday night in Peninsula Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service until 9 p.m. The family wishes that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to a Child Abuse Prevention Organization. Arrangements by Peninsula Funeral Home.

RICHARDSON, Lela Ann Felts, 45, of Meadows of Dan, died Sunday, May 1, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Fries Church of God of Prophecy. Arrangements by Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax.

SHELTS, Peggy Phillips, 46, of Augusta, Ill., died Thursday, April 28, 1994 in an automobile accident. Mrs. Shelts was a teacher with the Southeastern School District in Plymouth, Ill., and she spent many of her summers in Floyd County. Survivors include two sons, Jason Shelts, Augusta, Ill., Will Shelts, Augusta, Ill.; mother Lula Phillips, Blandinsville, Ill.; one brother, Joe Phillips, Blandinsville, Ill.; one sister, Mrs. Melvin (Rosalie) Haddix, Colchester, Ill.; two half brothers, Robert Phillips, Russell Phillips, both of Dallas City, Ill.; two half sisters, Ruby Robbins, West Point, Iowa, Virginia Hainline, Blandinsville, Ill. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 1994 at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Willis, Va., with the REv. Norman Goad officiating. Friends may call at the Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd, Wednesday where the family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until 1.30 p.m.

SMITH, Clara East, of Christiansburg, passed away Saturday, April 30, 1994 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Preceded in death by her parents John R. and Virginia B. East, she is survived by her husband, Rodger L. Smith; one son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Tammy Woolwine, Blacksburg; two daughters and sons-in-law, Melissa S. Alderman and Gary Dowdy, Christiansburg, Kimberly S. and Clifford Hunt, Pineville, N.C.; two brothers, John East, Doug East, both of Christiansburg; six grandchildren, Amber, Brandon, and Austin Alderman, Roger and April Linkous, Haley Hunt; mother and father-in-law, Alfred and Annie Smith, Christiansburg; special friends, Bernice Parker, Christiansburg, Dorothy Sowers, Elliston and Alice Oaks, Blacksburg. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 2, 1994 at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Jack Perdue, the Rev. Richard Kingrea and the Rev. Lorenzo Hill with burial in Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 Monday evening at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

TRUEBLOOD, Marguerite Chapman, 79, of Route 1, Bedford, died Saturday, April 30, 1994, in the Bedford County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Mandalay, Burma, December 24, 1914, a daughter of the late Clement Henry Chapmen and Frances Blakeston Chapman. She was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church, the American Association of University Women and the Bedford Art Class. Mrs. Trueblood received her bachelors and masters degrees in Physical Sciences at Leeds University, Leeds, England. She taught zoology at the University of Rangoon, Burma, where she met her husband. She was the beloved wife of Lester W. Trueblood for 54 years and the mother of John C. Trueblood, Saugus, Mass., Janet C. Salazar , Mechanicsville, Valerie J. Rapport and Marilyn A. Soden, both of Seattle, Wash. She was grandmother of five and stepgrandmother of five. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, 1994, at the Main Street United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Carl H. Douglass Jr. officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Main Street United Methodist Women's Willing Hands Circle or to the American Association of University Women. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Bedford.

TYREE, Mary Tuck, 70, of 1714 Richmond St., Selma, died Sunday, May 1, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Epworth United Methodist Church, Selma. Arrangements by Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.

WARREN, Louise Martin, 93, of Roanoke, died Saturday, April 30, 1994, in a local nursing home. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Ruby Brunson of Portland, Ore.; granddaughter, Mrs. Barbara Journell, Roanoke; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; an adopted family, Dorothy, Tommy and David Walden, all of Roanoke. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sherwood Burial Park. The Rev. William L. Lee will officiate. The family request that all flower donations be made to The Activity Club at Friendship Manor Nursing Home. Visitation will be Monday night from 7 to 8 p.m. at Fizer Funeral Home.

WILLEY, Reva Caroline Higgins, 88, of Galax, died Saturday, April 30, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Chapel.