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

DATE: SUNDAY, May 15, 1994                   TAG: 9503240021
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: E-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BLEVINS, Connie Sue, 45, of Galax, passed away Friday, May 13, 1994. Funeral Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home Chapel.

CLARKE, Knox Littlepage, 85, of Salem, died Friday, May 13, 1994. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Page Clarke & W. Frank Chapman Jr.; a granddaughter, Knox Littlepage Brizzolara; a grandson, Andrew Mason Brizzolara; a sister, Katherine Albert Burke. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 16, 1994, at First United Methodist Church in Salem with the Rev. Thomas L. Joyce and the Rev. Jonathan L. Bennett officiating. Intombment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 15, 1994 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home, Salem. Friends may also visit at the Chapman home at 235 Taylor Ave., Salem.

FLINT, Herman L., 81, of Roanoke, died Friday, May 13, 1994 in a local hospital. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. He retired as a Greyhound bus driver after 30 years of service. Surviving are sisters, Mildred Shay, Virginia Stockermann, Letha Wingo; brother, Richard E. Flint of Rainelle, W.Va.; several nieces and nephews; several stepgrandchildren. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 16, 1994 at Sherwood Memorial Park with the Rev. William R. Harding III officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Oakey's North Chapel.

FOUTZ, J. Herbert, 65, of Hardy, died Friday May 13, 1994 in a local hospital. He was a retired dock foreman for Nabisco. Surviving are his wife, Ruth Bishop Foutz; sons and daughters-in-law, David and Rhonda Foutz, Wirtz, Michael and Laura Foutz, Vinton; daughter, Anita Foutz, Hardy; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Rubye Foutz, Hardy; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel 1 p.m. Monday with Dr. Flavy Brown and Mike Adams officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton. The family will receive friends at Oakey's Vinton Chapel 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

GIBSON, Ollie White, 83, of Dublin, passed away Saturday, May 14, 1994. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel.

GOAD, Avis Isaac, 69, of Dugspur, passed away Saturday, May 14, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Monday, May 16, 1994, Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville.

HARRISON, Mrs. Opal Denton, 86, of Marion, died Saturday morning, May 14, 1994, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Forest R. Harrison. She was a member of the Cedars Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, James Marvin Harrison, Charlotte, N.C., Albert Steve Harrison, Marion, Va., Charles Edward Harrison, Taylors, N.C.; three daughters, Kathleen H. Kalinich, Charlotte, N.C., Shelby H. King, Draper, Va. Ruby H. Phibbs, Newport News, Va.; 13 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Virgie Greer, Marion, Va., Grace George, Marion, Va., Alice Powell, Marion, Va., Margie Shine, Houston, Tx. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in Barnetts Marion Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Willard Reedy officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Barnetts Marion Funeral Chapel.

HENDRICKS, Vernon T., (``Tom""), 83, of Elliston, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. Arrangements by Grant E. Bryant Funeral Home.

HOUNSHELL, Estle Brown, 58, of Bland, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. Funeral Monday 11 a.m., Grubb Funeral Home Chapel, Wytheville.

HOWBERT, Ina May Lancaster, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, April 27, 1994, following a long illness with Alzhimer's. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Hugh Albert Howbert. There are two daughters, Jessie Lucinda Howbert McCathern and her husband, William Walker McCathern Jr. of Richmond, Mary Ann Howbert Garnier and her husband, Maurice Georges Marcel Garnier of Versonnex, France; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. The four McCathern grandchildren and two great-grandchildren are William Walker McCathern III and his wife, Sharon Robin Harris McCathern and their two sons, William Walker McCathern IV and Ian Harris McCathern, Baltimore, Md., Ashley Moss McCathern Ziviello and her husband, Alfred Gerald Ziviello of Loudoun County, Hugh Howbert McCathern, Miami, Fla., and Montague Lancaster McCathern, Richmond. The two Garnier grandchildren and one great-grandchild are Albert Charles Louis Garnier and his wife, Natalie Renee Garnier and their son, Paul Maurice Pierre Garnier, and Christine Anne Michelle Garnier, all of Gex, France. Also surviving are one sister, Myrtle Lancaster Moore of Roanoke; two brothers, Everette Ainsworth Lancaster and his wife, Lois Woods Lancaster of Boones Mill, Warren Lamont Lancaster of Roanoke; eight nieces; nine nephews. Ina was born the third child, third daughter of Dora Shockey Lancaster and Montague Worth Lancaster on Bent Mountain on December 17, 1909. She spent her early years on the large Lancaster family farm on the Blue Ridge Parkway. She moved to Roanoke in the 1930's and married Hugh Albert Howbert. Ina was very active in her church, Raleigh Court United Methodist, the Republician Women's Club, Thursday Morning Music Club, and the Garden Club of Virginia. Due to Mr. Howbert's advance age and failing health, he requested that his wife's service be private. He also requested that there be no calls, visits, flowers or food brought to the residence. Therefore, a small private service was held for Ina on Monday, May 9 with interment in the Howbert Family plot in Fairview Cemetery. All members of the family as well as friends are encouraged to visit the site whenever they wish. Stop by the cemetery office for directions. Mr. Howbert's cousin, the Reverend Philip Edward Day will be glad to receive your comments or answer your questions. Please express your love and devotion for Ina, if it is your wish, by making a donation to the Howbert Memorial Fund for the Rescue Mission. Mail your donation to: The Rescue Mission of Roanoke, Inc., P.O. Box 11525, Roanoke, VA 24022-1525.

JACKSON, George Kyle, 79, of Lakeworth, Fla., and formerly of Grayson Co., Va., passed away Saturday, May 14, 1994. Service will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

LAWSON, Junior Lee, (``Buddy""), 61, of Roanoke, died Friday, May 13, 1994. He was the son of the late Mary Susie Mills Lawson and the late Ballard Columbus Lawson. Surviving are his sisters, Mildred L. Snider, Radford, Mary M. Snider, Ladson, S.C.; one brother, Frank J. Lawson, Roanoke; his nephew, Phillip N. Lawson; nieces, Jean C. Lemon, Dolly P. Atkins, Mary L. Williamson, and numerous other nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 1994, in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Billy G. White will officiate. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel after 3 p.m. Sunday.

LINDSEY, Katrine L., (``Kat""), 32, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, May 11, 1994, in a Roanoke hospital. She was preceded in death by a brother, M. Darren Lindsey. She was a member of the Roanoke Valley Harley Owners Group and a member of the Ladies of Harley. Survivors include a fiance, Douglas W. Howell; parents, Wallace and Sandra Smiley; a daughter, Tasha Lindsey; sons, Michael and Brandon Lindsey; a nephew, Marshall Lindsey Jr. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 17, 11 a.m. in the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel, Salem. The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Son, Salem.

LOVELL, Berta Yearout, 83, of Floyd, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. Arrangements by Wood Funeral Home.

MAYHEW, George Edward, 79, of Martinsville, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel, Ridgeway.

MEEKS, David Wayne, 46, of Route 2, Rocky Mount, died suddenly, Saturday, May 14, 1994 in the local hospital. He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances McMillan Meeks. Surviving are his wife, Brenda Meeks; one son Jeffrey Meeks, Henry; stepdaughter, Sarah Arrington, Ferrum; his father and stepmother, Peter and M

ildred Meeks, Rocky Mount; two sisters-in-law, Betty Nester, Rocky Mount, Nancy Mason, Ferrum; one brother-in-law, Marshall Chitwood, Rocky Mount. Funeral services will be conducted at Flora Funeral Chapel 2 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Rick Poland officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Sunday where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 342 S. Main Street, Rocky Mount.

MELSON, Ruth Horton, 81, of Kensington, Md., formerly of Roanoke, died on Friday, May 6, 1994. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Andrew Broadus Melson Jr., of Kensington; two children, Ruth Horton Melson of Bethesda, Md., and Andrew Broadus Melson III of Taylors Island, Md.; grandmother to Sharon Marie, Mark Andrew and William Michael Melson. She is preceded by her parents of Roanoke Hugh Oliver Horton and Kittye Hennessey Horton, sister, Margaret Horton, Kensington, Md. Mrs. Melson, who lived in Bethesda until moving to Kensington in January, was born in Nashville and grew up in Roanoke. She graduated from James Madison University (formerly Harrisonburg State Teachers College). She was a teacher in Northampton County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia before moving to the Washington area in 1958 and beginning her career in the Montgomery County school system. She retired in 1969. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Kensington, Md. and formerly a member of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church, Roanoke. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 16 at 11 a.m. at Joseph Gawler's Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. Graveside services will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Tuesday, May 17.

NEWMAN, Louise Roach, 70, of Hurt, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Midway Baptist Church, Gretna. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna.

OWENS, Debbie Murray, 41, of Marion, died Friday, May 13, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Monday, Seaver-Brown Chapel.

THOMPSON, Clarence Clifford, 73, of Christiansburg, and formerly of Pearisburg, died Friday, May 13, 1994, in a Montgomery County Hospital. He was born August 15, 1920, at White Gate, Va., the son of the late Samuel Clarence and Ella Byrnes Patton Thompson. He was a veteran of World War II and was retired from Giles Memorial Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Nancy Holt Thompson; two sons, Walter and Carl Thompson, both of Christiansburg; two sisters, Mrs. Georgia T. Palmer, Pearisburg, Mrs. Evelyn T. Phillips, Danville; one brother, Oran Thompson, Eggleston; three grandchildren, Mellissa, Michelle,and Travis Thompson. Funeral services will be Monday at 2 p.m. at the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Claude Dove and Rev. Robert Holt officiating. Burial will be in the Mechanicsburg Cemetery. Visiting will be at the funeral home Sunday after 1 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

VAUGHAN, Violet Alley, 74, of Pulaski, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Thomas M. Seagle & Sons Funeral Home, Pulaski.

VERMEERSCH, Mary Henrietta, 89, of Roanoke, formerly of Blacksburg, died Thursday, May 12, 1994, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Vermeersch was born at East St. Louis, Illinois, August 9, 1904, a daughter of the late Charles Dumbeck and Wilhelmina Albers Dumbeck. She was preceded in death by one grandchild, one sister and two brothers. Survivors include her husband, Adrian S. Vermeersch; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Marie Ahrens, Clearlake, Iowa, Rita and V. Robert Houser, El Cajon, Calif., Elaine and James Gaines, Blacksburg; two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles S. and Barbara Joan Vermeersch, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Raymond J. and Marcella Vermeersch, Grand Rapids, Mich.; one sister, Adele Wilson, Pueblo, Colo.; 27 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, May 16, at St. Mary's C atholic Church, Blacksburg, with Father Donald Lemay officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, with a Vigil Service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

WEEKS, Maude Dickerson, 97, of Christiansburg, died Friday evening, May 13, 1994, in a Blacksburg health care center. She was the widow of Granville Weeks and a member of Main Street Baptist Church. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Wilson Norfleet, Lynchburg, Mrs. Nat S. Shifflette, Christiansburg; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Monday from Main Street Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Peter du Plessis with interment in Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Building Fund of Main Street Baptist Church, P.O. Box 557, Christiansburg, VA 24073 or the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 176, Christiansburg, VA 24073. Friends may call at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. There will be no evening visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements by Richardson-Hor ne.

WILSON, Frank, 66, of Clinton, Md, formerly of Roanoke, Va., died Friday, May 6, 1994. Funeral services were held Thursday, May 12, 1994 in Clinton, Md.

WOODY, Lillian Oakey, 96, of Roanoke, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

WOODY, Lillian Oakey, 96, of Roanoke, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. She was a longtime member of Raleigh Court United Methodist Church and was retired from the Norfolk-Western Railway. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. John W. McNair, Roanoke; one brother, W. H. Woody, Boca Raton, Fla.; three nephews, Claude C. Arthur, Leesburg, Roger H. Arthur, Kilmarnock, John W. McNair Jr., Waynesboro. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in Evergreen Burial Park. The Rev. Gregory L. Adkins will officiate. Friends may call at Oakey's North Chapel after 12 noon Monday.

WRIGHT, Milton B., 80, of Roanoke, died Saturday, May 14, 1994. Arrangements by John M. Oakey and Son Salem Funeral Home.