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

DATE: SUNDAY, May 8, 1994                   TAG: 9503240014
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: E-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

ARNOLD, John David, 68, of Stanleytown, died Friday, May 6, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday at Collins Funeral Chapel, Bassett.

BATES, Venita Robbie, of Rixeyville, died Thursday, May 5, 1994 at the University of Virginia Medical Center. Mrs. Bates was the beloved wife of Dr. Harry Clark Bates Jr.; and the mother of Harry Clark Bates III of Charlottesville, Va., Jacquelyn Bates Leahy, Louisville, Ky., and Robert Keen Bates, Culpeper. She had four grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Monday, May 9, 1994 at 2 p.m. in Little Fork Church, Rixeyville, Va., of which she was a member. Burial will be in the Little Fork Burial Grounds. The family will receive friends at Clore Funeral Home, 415 S. Main Street, Culpeper, Va. on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Donations may be made to the Little Fork Building Fund, P. O. Box 367, Rixeyville, Va. 22737.

BLOUNT, Pauline, 67, of Roanoke, died Saturday, May 7, 1994. Arrangements being handled by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

CASSELL, Selma Anita Kitts, 72, of Ceres, Va., died Saturday, May 7, 1994, in the Kegley Manor Nursing Home, Bastian, Virginia, following a long illness. She was born in Bland County, a daughter of the late Gordon Kelly and Grace Waddle Kitts. She was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas A. Cassell and an infant son. Surviving are two sons, Joseph D. Cassell and Russell K. Cassell both of Ceres, Va.; a brother, R. D. Kitts, Oak Ridge, Tenn.; a daughter-in-law, Pam Cassell, Ceres, Va.; two granddaughters, Brandy and Brittany Cassell both of the home; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in the Bethany United Methodist Church in Ceres, Va. with the Rev. Dale Johnson and the Rev. Bill Schoeneman officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Bethany Church, Sunda y from 6 until 9 p.m. with Eastern Star Chapter #41 conducting services at 8 p.m. Newberry Funeral Home in Bland is in charge of the arrangements.

CHEWNING, Mercedes, 60, of Moneta, died Friday, May 6, 1994. Arrangements by Stanfield Mortuary Service, Rocky Mount.

COCHRAN, Ethel R., 85, of Kegley, W.Va. died Thursday, May 5, 1994, at a Bluefield Hospital. Born at Elkhorn City Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late L. J. and Mary Hylton Mullins. Survivors include nine daughters, one of which is Mrs. Arnold (Florine) Ferrell of Narrows, Va.; one brother along with three sisters. Funeral services Monday 2 p.m. from the Kegley Baptist Church in Princeton. Friends may call Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton, W.Va.

COCHRAN, Idus Drewry Jr., 67, of Galax, passed away Saturday, May 7, 1994. Funeral Monday, 2 p.m., Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home Chapel.

COLLINS, Arthur, 76, of Buena Vista, died Saturday, May 7, 1994. Arrangements by Bolling, Gross & Lotts Funeral Service.

COX, Woodrow Wilson, 79, of Galax, passed away Saturday, May 7, 1994, in the Twin County Community Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Gladys E. Cox; a son, Don E. Cox, both of Galax; and a daughter, Laura Christine Christ, Newark, Del.; one sister, Verna Cox Kenyon, Jefferson, N.H. Six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive. Mr. Cox was preceded in death by a son, John Thomas Cox. Funeral service will be Monday at 2 p.m. in the Glenwood United Methodist Church with burial in the Cox Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church one hour before the service. Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax, in charge of arrangements.

DAY, Pauline R., 77, of Narrows, died Saturday, May 7, 1994. Arrangements by Riffe's Funeral Service.

EAST, Delta Virginia Dean, 91, of Salem, died Friday, May 6, 1994. She was the widow of Ivan Harrison East. Mrs. East is survived by a son, Jack L. East of Salem. Her grandsons are C. Dean East of Stuart, and J. Andrew East of Leesburg. Her granddaughters are Nancy Lynn Jones of Roanoke, and Mary Beth East of Salem. Great-grandsons and great-granddaughters are Christopher, Wesley, and Cliff East all of Stuart, Chris and Nick Jones, both of Roanoke, Russell East of Leesburg, Summer East of Stuart, and Rachel East of Leesburg. Also surviving are nieces and nephews. Born in Wayne County, W.Va., Mrs. East attended Marshall College and taught in West Virginia. The defining aspects of her life were her love, devotion, and fidelity to her church, friends and family. Service to others was an integral and compelling part of her being. Funeral services will be 12:00 noon Wednesday, May 11, 1994, from Oakey's Roanoke Chapel. The Reverend Larry Sprouse will officiate. Interment will be in Reesedale Cemetery, Ironto, Va. The family will receive friends at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, Tuesday, May 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

GILLASPIE, Glennie Jean, 86, of Route 3, Bedford, passed away Friday, May 6, 1994 in Bedford County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Bedford County on July 20, 1907, a daughter of the late Henry Lewis Overstreet and Lucy Lansdown Overstreet. She was a member of Wilsons United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, Willie Alford Gillaspie; many nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, May 8, 1994 at 3 p.m. from Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, by the Rev. John Mitchell, with interment in Greenwood Cemetery.

GOBLE, Wiley A. Sr., 70, of Marion, died Friday, May 6, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m., Sunday at Seaver-Brown Chapel.

GROSECLOSE, Gertrude Bishop, 88, of Blacksburg, died Friday, May 6, 1994 at Heritage Hall Health Care Center. Mrs. Groseclose was born in Montgomery County, Va. on May 12, 1905, a daughter of the late Edward Bishop and Kate Martin Bishop. She was a retired employee of C & P Telephone Company, with 47 years service and was a member of Blacksburg United Methodist Church. Mrs. Groseclose was preceded in death by her husband, Henry B. Groseclose. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, John Kelly and Barbara Connelly Groseclose, Columbus, Ohio; two grandchildren, Catherine Groseclose, Philadelphia, Pa., and John Kelly Groseclose, Jr., Shaker Heights, Ohio; one sister, Mildred Bishop Roberts, Blacksburg. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 1994 at Blacksburg United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Herbert Hobbs officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 931, Blacksburg, Va. 24064. The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home.

HALL, James Daniel, (``Jimmy""), 68, of Roanoke, died Friday, May 6, 1994 at his home on Bent Mountain Road. He is survived by his wife, Geromaine H. Hall, Roanoke; son and daughter-in-law, James D. Jr. and Gail Hall, Aransas Pass, Texas; sister, Mrs. Gay Craighead, Roanoke; two brothers, Bill Hall and Pete Hall, both of Copper Hill. Graveside services 3 p.m. Monday in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, with Dr. Carl Whorley officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home, Floyd.

HALL, Robert L., 80, of Marion, died Friday, May 6, 1994, in Smyth County Community Hospital. Mr. Hall was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Garretson Hall. Mr. Hall was a member of the Ebenezer Lutheran Church and was a charter member of the Marion Civitan Club, which he helped organize in 1947. He had served as president and was honored as Civitan Man of the Year. He is survived by one daughter, Kay Hall DeVault of Atkins; one son, Gerald L. ``Gary"" Hall of Marion; four g randchildren, Kim McClure Ray, Michael G. Bender, Melissa H. Blanton, and Robyn H. Anderson; two great-grandchildren, Meghan McClure Ray and Lauren McClure Ray; a special friend, Sybil L. Prater of Salem; three sisters, Ruth Dishner of Marion, Marjorie Atkins of Atkins, Va., and Frances ``Snookie"" Hudson of Glen Burnie, Md.; three brothers, Richard T. Hall of Radford, John P. Hall of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Charles W. Hall of Welch, W. Va. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 9, 1994 at 11 a.m. in the Ebenezer Lutheran Church, with Pastor James H. Bangle officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery. The body will be taken to the church one hour before the service. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Ebenezer Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 151, Marion, Va. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Arrangements by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service.

HARMAN, Clovis Tyndall, 84, of Floyd, passed away Saturday, May 7, 1994, in a Roanoke Hospital. He was a retired automobile mechanic having worked for Floyd Motor Company for forty-four years. Survivors include wife, Mae Conner Harman, Richfield Nursing Home, Salem; one daughter and son-in-law, Florence Catherine and Stanley Lichtenstein, Roanoke; one son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Betty Harman, Roanoke; one grandson and wife, Roy and Gale Morris, Lexington, Ky; three granddaughters and husband, Dianna and Calvin Gregory, Donna and Paul McManners both of Roanoke, Tanya and Steve McDaniel, Clemmons, N.C.; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; two sisters, Mrs. June Hylton, Floyd, Mrs. Irene Lawson, Eden, N.C.; two brothers, Edward Harman, Christiansburg, Conley Harman, Roanoke. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ralph Duncan officiating. Burial will be in Topeco Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Maberry Funeral Home.

HODGES, Rev. Curtis B., 79, of Roanoke, died Friday, May 6, 1994. He was retired from Burlington Industries, Vinton, and was preceded in death by his son, Ronnie Boone Hodges; and his wife, Nellie Turner Hodges. Surviving are a daughter, Brenda O. Hodges; a daughter-in-law, Carlene Hodges; two grandsons and wife, David Lynn and Caroline Hodges, Ronnie Allen Hodges; great-granddaughter, Tiffany Caroline Hodges, all of Roanoke; sisters, Elsie Hodges, Annie Bell Bernard, both of Rocky Mount; a brother, Walter Hodges, Roanoke. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel at 1 p.m., Monday, May 9, with the Rev. Rudolph Woods, Rev. Arnold Donaent, and Rev. James R. Kittinger officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

HUNLEY, Edward Lewis, 79, of Roanoke, died Saturday, May 7, 1994. Mr. Hunley has been a member of Parkway Wesleyan Church since 1928, where he sang in the choir for many years, taught Sunday School for 50 years and he served as Vice-Chairman of the Local Church Board, Church Lay Leader, Treasurer and had served on the Church Board of Trustee. He retired from Texaco Inc., Roanoke Regional Office in 1976. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Hallie Pugh Hunley; a daughter and son-in-law, Patri cia and Rev. Hugh Pope, Conyers, Ga.; a grandson and wife, Rev. Mylon and Amy Pope, Flat Rock, N.C.; a granddaughter and husband, Dawn and Tim Hunter, Covington, Ga.; four great-grandchildren, Joshua and Zachary Hunter, Jonathan and Beth Pope; also survivng are several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at Lotz Roanoke Chapel noon Tuesday, May 10, 1994, with Rev. John Ott, Rev. Hugh Pope and Rev. Mylon Pope officiating. Interment in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers: Harry Moock, Joseph Simmons, Frank Kingery, Tim Hunter, Ira Hartman, Tommy Gibson, Bill Stump and Fred Jones; honorary pallbearers will be members of the Local Church Board of Administration of Parkway Wesleyan Church and members of the Oasis Sunday School Class. The family will receive friends at Lotz Roanoke Chapel, 1001 Franklin Road, SW, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. both Sunday and Monday.

JARRETT, Fred, 83, of Martinsville, died Saturday, May 7, 1994. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Service, Bassett.

JENNINGS, Lawrence Jr., 69, of New Orleans, La., died Saturday, May 7, 1994. He was a brother of Mrs. Richard F. Pence, of Roanoke. Arrangements by Sundhimer Funeral Home.

LESTER, Phyllis Jean, 55, of Martinsville, died Friday, May 6, 1994. Memorial service 2 p.m. Sunday, McKee Funeral Service Chapel, Martinsville.

McCRAY, William Preston, 73, of Salem, died Saturday, May 7, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home Chapel.

McPARLAND, Michael Aloysius, 88, of Roanoke, died Saturday, May 7, 1994. Arrangements being handled by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

PARKER, Joseph T., 94, of Penhook, died Thursday, May 5, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday at the Rising Sun Baptist Church. Arrangements by Stanfield Mortuary Service, Rocky Mount.

PARSLEY, Lewise Sheperd, 90, of Lynchburg, died Friday, May 6, 1994 at Westminster-Canterbury, Lynchburg, Va. Born in Richmond, she was the daughter of Linden K. and Lottie F. Shepherd. She was the widow of Thomas P. Parsley. She attended Hollins College. Moving to Roanoke in 1938, she was an active member of St. Johns Episcopal Church, a past president of the Mill Mountain Garden Club, and a former member of the Nancy Christian Fleming Chapter of D. A. R. She organized the first Red Cross Motor Corps in Roanoke and served as it's Captain during the World War II years. After her husband's death, she moved to Lynchburg as a resident of Westminster-Canterbury. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. An active lady throughout her life, her special focus encompassed the support of numerous benevolent community and state organizations, as well as education for deserving college students. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem, Va. A memorial service will be held at Westminster-Canterbury, Lynchburg, provided by the Rev. John T. Arms IV. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Westminster-Canterbury Fellowship Fund or the Boys Home, Covington, Va. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

PINKARD, Fay Jennelle, 90, of Salem, died Friday, May 6, 1994. She was the widow of Ballard F. Pinkard Sr. She is survived by a daughter, Janice P. Hitt; son, Ballard F. Pinkard Jr.; grandchildren, Canice Hitt, A. M. (Chip) Hitt, Ballard F. Pinkard III, Susan P. Morgan, Charles B. Pinkard; great-granddaughter, Kelsey Pinkard. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, May 9, 1994 at Fairview Cemetery, with Dr. Robert Copenhaver officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem.

ROBERTSON, Linda Gayle, 47, of Christiansburg, died Thursday, May 5, 1994, at Moses Cone Hospital, Greensboro, N.C. Mrs. Robertson was born in Montgomery County on August 22, 1946, a daughter of the late Robert C. Weeks and Ada Trump Weeks. Survivors include her husband, John Robertson; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kim Lawrence, Christiansburg, Robin and Richard Bean, Bell, Fla.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Carlos Lee and Lisa Akers, Christiansburg, Donald Mason and Ann Akers, Riner; one brother, Robert T. Weeks Jr., Pasadena, Md.; eight grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at noon, Monday, May 9, in the King Cemetery, Christiansburg, with the Rev. Noah J. Underwood officiating. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

ROBINETTE, Jerry, 47, of Bassett, died Friday, May 6, 1994. Funeral service 11 a.m. Monday at Collins Funeral Chapel.

ROOF, Betty Loving, 64, of 4715 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, died Saturday, May 7, 1994, in Lynchburg General Hospital. She was the wife of Jack Stuart Roof. Born in West Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Samuel Guy Loving Sr. and the late Fannie Goolsby Loving. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, Deborah Gail Kline and Michael Leo Roof, both of Lynchburg; six grandchildren, Samantha and John S. Kline, Chris DeMarco, Tracy Roof, Gary Wayne and William Stuart Tyree; three sisters, Irlene Coleman, Roanoke, Dorothy King and Margaret Hurley, both of Newport News. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Virginia Memorial Park by the Rev. Cecil Hedgepeth. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Whitten Timberlake Chapel in Lynchburg.

SAWYERS, James Marzelle, (``Tony""), 72, of Wytheville, died Friday, May 6, 1994. Graveside service 2 p.m. Sunday at the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Ivanhoe. Arrangements by Barnett Funeral Home.

SIRRY, Pauline Garman, 79, of Catawba, died Friday, May 6, 1994, at her home. Known to all who knew her as Polly, she had lived her entire life in the Catawba Valley. She was a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church and the Shiloh-McDonald's Mill United Methodist Women. Surviving are her husband of more than 60 years, Everett (Pete) Sirry; three daughters, Lois Peterson, Roanoke, Claudine O'Donnell, Denver, Colo., Hazel Hull, Salem; six grandchildren, Debbie Williams, Richard Hull, Steven O'Donnell, Cindy Hull, Vicki Haws, Scott O'Donnell; four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Florence Beckner, Pulaski, Stella Combs, Alexandria; one brother, Melvin E. Garman, Hampton. Funeral services will be held at Lotz Salem Chapel on Monday, May 9, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Eddie Barnett and the Rev. Kevin Hagie officiating. The Rev. Lorraine Taylor will be soloist. Interment will be in Blue Ridge Memo rial Gardens. Friends may call at Lotz Salem Chapel.

SKEETE, Margaret Seward, 115, of Radford, died Saturday, May 7, 1994, at her residence. Born October 26, 1878 in the State of Texas to the late Henry and Margaret Seward. She was a member of Grove United Methodist Church. She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Verne Taylor of Radford; also survived by three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. from the Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Clarence Dishman and the Rev. Will Robbins officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Burial Park in Radford. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers an expression of sympathy may be made in the form of a donation to the New River Valley Hospice, 1806 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Va. 24060. DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford is in charge of arrangements.

TAYLOR, Garland Ray, 61, of Hamilton, Ohio, died Thursday, May 5, 1994, in Hamilton, Ohio. He was the son of the late John Calvin Taylor and Laura McBride Taylor. Surviving are his wife, Merry Jane Taylor, Hamilton, Ohio; one daughter, Angel Taylor, Rocky Mount; stepdaughter, Susan Sorsenon, Oconomowwoc, Wis.; four brothers, Joseph Ford Ferris, Roanoke, James Ferris, Charlottesville, Virgil Taylor, Rocky Mount, Frank Ferris, Roanoke; half brother, Harlis Carr, Roanoke; one nephew, David Ferris, Roanoke; one niece, Amy Flora, Roanoke. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 11, 1994, at Lynch Funeral Home Chapel. Burial wil be in Franklin Memorial Park, Rocky Mount. Lynch Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

TUCKER, Eunice Robertson, 98, of Crewe, died Friday, May 6, 1994. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, A. F. ``Pete"" and June Tucker, Crewe, L. Hugh and Dixie Tucker Sr., Vinton; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday from the Jennings-McMillan Funeral Home, Crewe, Va. Interment in the Crewe Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Crewe United Methodist Church, Crewe, Va. 23930.

WIMMER, Nancy Lybrook, 84, of Roanoke, died Friday, May 6, 1994. She is survived by her husband, Lester V. Wimmer; son, Robert L. Wimmer, Roanoke; daughter, Elizabeth Robin Prazmark, Virginia Beach; brother, Robert Lybrook, La Plata, Md. Funeral services will be held 11:15 a.m. Monday, May 9, 1994 at St. Andrews Catholic Church, Roanoke, with Father James E. Parke officiating. The family will receive friends 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem.

WITT, Gerald Brent, 77, of Buchanan, died Friday, May 6, 1994. Mr. Witt was a member and dispatcher of Buchanan Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Buchanan Town Council, past president of Buchanan Lions Club and Fairview Cemetery at Buchanan. He was a funeral director for over 40 years and served as magistrate for state of Virginia in Botetourt County. He also was a member of Virginia Sheriff's Institute. Surviving are his wife, Christa A. Witt; sons and daughters-in-law, Landon Brent and Marsha Witt, Fincastle, Va., Bernard M. and Carole Roberson, Marietta, Ga.; daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Mark Hartman, Buchanan, Va., Brenda G. and Dr. Robert Shackleford, Shelby, N.C.; one brother, James M. Witt, Covington, Va. ; two sisters, Fay W. Snyder, Covington, Va. and Roselyn W. Miles, Lynchburg, Va.; very special friends, Glenna and Johnnie Berry, Buchanan, Va.; eight grandchildren, Kristi, Jeff, Heather, Kori, Chuck, Christopher, Emily and Katrina. Funeral services will be conducted at Buchanan Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Monday, May 9, 1994, with the Rev. Don McCaskill and the Rev. Chester Carter officiating. Interment in Fairview Cemetery, Buchanan, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Buchanan Rescue Squad. Friends may call at Rader Funeral Home, Buchanan after noon Sunday, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m.