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

DATE: SATURDAY, July 23, 1994                   TAG: 9504250069
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BLANKENSHIP, Elbert Woodrow, 79, of Walton, died Thursday, July 21, 1994, in Radford Community Hospital. He was born January 18, 1915, the son of the late George W. Blankenship and Lizzie Dobbins. He was a retired employee of the Lynchburg Foundry Company in Radford. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Mark Beaver, Walton; one stepson, Luther Blankenship, Oakland, Calif.; also survived by one grandson. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 24, 1994 at 2 p.m. from the Highland Memory Gardens Chapel in Dublin with the Rev. J.P. Hale officiating. Entobment will follow in the Cemetery Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home, Radford.

BLANKENSHIP, Phyllis Nadine, 67, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, July 21, 1994. She was preceded in death by her parents, C. S. and Ruth Keen. She is survived by one daughter, Beverly Taylor; a son and daughter-in-law, Herbert E. and Terri Blankenship; three grandchildren, Phillip Taylor, Timo thy Pendleton, Ivy Pendleton; a sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Roy Alfred; a brother and sister-in-law, Silas and Ann Keen. Phyllis was a retired Navy nurse, a graduate of the Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing, and graduated with two degrees from Roanoke College. One of her greatest joys was leading the Alpha-Omega Bible Study Group. A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Monday, July 25, 1994, at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel with Dr. Thomas Cribb officiating. In lieu of flowers, it was Phyllis's request to please purchase a pair of shoes and give them to a needy child. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel

BRITTS, Nola Lee, 86, of Pembroke, Va. departed this life on Friday, July 22, 1994, in a Pearisburg, Va. hospital. Born in Pembroke on October 21, 1907, she was the daughter of the late J. Sheridan and Lillian Meredith Cumbee. Nola was the wife of the late James Britts and mother of the late Joe Britts. She was a faithful and devoted member of Pembroke First United Methodist Church and operated with her family Pearisburg Home and Auto until her retirement. In her early years she taught school at country schools in Giles County and attended Radford Teachers College. She is survived by her devoted daughter-in-law, Beulah Johnston Britts of Pembroke; three grandchildren, Debbie Caldwell, Michael W. Britts and Reggie Britts all of Pembroke; four great-grandchildren, Joey, Scott, Justin and Taylor all of Pembroke; a brother, Bill Cumbee of Pembroke and two sisters, Christine C. Collins of Pembroke and Maxine C. Francis of Pearisburg. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, July 24, 1994, at 2 p.m. in The First United Methodist Church of Pembroke with the Rev. Max Brown and the Rev. Raymond Kelley officiating. Burial will be in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke on Saturday evening fom 6 to 9 p.m.

CEPHAS, Malinda C., 81, of Lexington, passed away Friday, July 22, 1994 in Stonewall Jackson Hospital. She was the owner and proprietor of a local grocery store in Lexington. Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Adina Greene, Washington, D.C., and Dr. Mabel Pittman, Jackson, Mi. She is also survived by one niece, four nephews and other relatives. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 26, 1994 at 1 pm. in the Randolph Street United Methodist Church, Lexington, Va., with the Rev. Willie Butler officiating. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, at 12 noon Tuesday. Friends may also pay their respects on Monday from 7 to 8 pm. at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home in Roanoke.

DUTTON, Alva Heldreth, 84, widow G. Hobart Dutton of Route 2, Rural Retreat, died Friday, July 22, 1994, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. She was a life long member of the Fulton United Methodist Church and Fulton U. M. W. She is survived by two sons, Dr. Sherman S. Dutton of Martinsville, Va., George W. Dutton of Rural Retreat; four sisters, Emma Lou Naff of Marion, Frances Odham of Wytheville, Bess Wampler of High Point, N. C., Mozelle Connelly of Bristol; five grandchildren, David Dutton, Kathy Tattersall, Lindalee Edwards, Anna Dutton and John Dutton; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held at 1 p .m. Monday, July 25, 1994, at the Fulton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rance C. Edwards and the Rev. Richard Gregory officiating. Interment will follow in the Kimberlin Lutheran Church Cemetery in Rural Retreat. The body will be taken to the church one hour before service time. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made to the Fulton United Methodist Church Building Fund. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Lindsey Funeral Home or at the residence of her son, George Dutton at any time. Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat is in charge of arrangements.

GASSETT, Ruth Dixon, 84, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 1994. She was a beautician and businesswoman in Roanoke for over 60 years before retiring. Survivors include three sisters, Beatrice Beidleman, Los Angeles, Calif., Pearl B. Beidleman, Bristol, Maggie E. Cummings, Mt. Holly, N.J.; granddaughter, Sharon Gassett, Scott, Fla.; great-grandchi ldren, Sema Kemp, Roanoke, Donald and Frank Scott of Virginia, Darrell, Aarron, and Grayson Scott, all of Roanoke; a foster daughter, Charlotte L. Brown; a foster son, Walter Boyd, both of Roanoke; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Loudon Avenue Christian Church, with the Rev. William L. Lee officiating. The procession will assemble at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be on Tuesday in Bristol, Tenn.

HAIRSTON, Marandy Wells, 81, of Martinsville, died Monday, July 18, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Faith Tabernacle Holiness Church. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Services.

JOHNSON, Harold Clinton, 58, of Salem, died Thursday, July 21, 1994. Arrangements by Lotz Salem Chapel.

JONES, William Russell Sr., 78, of Bristol, died Thursday, July 21, 1994. Funeral 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Greendale Chapel. Arrangements by Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon.

KINCER, Frances Huddle, 65, of Chester, Va. died Thursday, July 21, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Grubb Funeral Home Chapel, Wytheville.

MCGRADY, Patrick Steve, 92, of Hillsville, Virginia, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 1994 at Twin County Community Hospital, Galax, VA. He was born February 17, 1902, in Carroll County, Va., the son of James Earl and Martha Cordellia Bolt McGrady. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Susanna McGrady and a daughter, Mrs. Granville (Rava) M. Nester. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Ruby and Bob Carrington, Hillsville, Odessa and Friel Padgett, Woodlawn; one son-in-law, Granville Nester, Martinsville; four sons and daughters-in-law, Elihu and Vera McGrady, Ashboro, NC, Elder Melvin and Vera Mae McGrady, Owen and Dawn McGrady, and Leroy and Shernell McGrady, all of Hillsville; one sister and brother-in-law, Iva & Wilford Burnette, Laurel Fork.; 18 grandchildren, 1 stepgrandchild, 21 great-grandchildren, 4 stepgreat-grandchildren. Funeral services 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 1994, at the Vaughan- Guynn- McGrady Chapel, Hillsville, with the Elder Michael McGrady officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Lebanon Cemetery.

McLEMORE, Orvah Turner, 82, of Narrows, died Friday, July 22, 1994 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Surviving are a granddaughter, Bethany McLemore, and husband, John Scaduto, Fort Worth, Texas; a stepgranddaughter, Breanna McLemore-Hall, Catawba; brother, Raymond Turner and wife, May, Rich Creek; daughter-in-law, Joyce A. McLemore, Vinton; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 1994 in the chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service, with the Rev. Jack Musick officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Memorial Gardens, Rich Creek. The family will receive friends Saturday evening form 6 to 9 pm. at the funeral home.

MORRIS, Eleanor Grayson, 78, of Roanoke, died Thursday, July 21, 1994. Graveside service 11 a.m., Monday, Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, W.Va. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

MULLINS, James Patrick, infant son of Noah and Amanda Mullins of Roanoke, died Wednesday, July 20, 1994 in a local hospital. Also surviving are a brother, Jordan Mullins; grandparents, Bob and Ruth Pack, Roanoke, Noah and Marjo Mullins, Harrisville, W.Va.; great-grandparents, uncles, aunts and other relatives. Graveside funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 1994 at Old Dominion Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Dr. Robert G. Moore III officiating. The family suggest memorials be made to the Nursery Fund of Bonsack Baptist Church. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel

NELSON, Mary Watson, 83, of Marion, died Friday, July 22, 1993. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Barnett's Funeral Chapel.

NESTER, Edna Eileen, 52, of Radford, died Thursday, July 21, 1994 at Radford Community Hospital. She is survived by her husband, Robert ``Bobby'' Nester of Radford; three sons, Gary W. Flinchum of Vinton, Ricky L. Finchum of Blue Ridge, Jackie E. Flinchum of Boones Mill; one brother, Clyde Scott of Radford; also four grandchildren survive. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family will be receiving friends Sunday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the Radford Rescue Squad.

PETTIGREW, Agnes Wilson, 87, of Galax, died Thursday, July 21, 1994. Graveside services 2 p.m. Sunday, Felts Cemetery. Arrangements by Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home Galax.

SANDIDGE, Elizabeth King,, 86, died Wednesday, July 20,1994 at her residence in Pittsfield, Mass. Born in Rockbridge County, Va. on February 11,1908, she was the daughter of the late Oather Kenny and Ella Douglas Kenny. She was an employee of Washington & Lee University Fraternity House and was a member of Randolph Street United Methodist Church in Lexington. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Howard King and Robert Sandidge. She is survived by a son, Loyd L. King, Pittsfield, Mass.; five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 25,1994 at Randolph Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Willie Butler officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Lexington. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Lomax Funeral Home, Buena Vista.

SMITH, Lacy Ageon, age 59, of Buchanan, died Thursday, July 21, 1994. Mr. Smith was a graduate of VMI, Class of 1958, former science teacher of James River High School, owner/operator of Ageon Farms, Member of the Buchanan Rotary, and served on the Boards of Old Dominion Division of Dairymen, Inc., Roanoke Farm Credit, ACA, and the Farm Credit Bank of Baltimore. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Anne Lavinder Smith; son and daughter-in-law, Lewis Gibson, and Laura Sprinkel Smith, Buchanan; daughters and son-in-law; Catherine Page Smith, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Elizabeth Smith and Matthew Edward La Bell, Lafayette, Ind.; granddaughter, Rene Kathleen Smith. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, July 24, 1994 at 2:00 p.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church-Buchanan with the Rev. Sara H. Dover officiating. Interm ent will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Buchanan. The family will receive friends Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home, Buchanan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church or the Buchanan Rescue Squad.

SPITZER, Barbara Lutz, 89, of Roanoke, died Thursday, July 21, 1944. Funeral 10:30 a.m. Monday, St. Peter and Paul Greek Catholic Church, Portage, Pa. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.

STAPLES, Dora Virginia, (""Jenny""), 68, of Waynesboro, formerly of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, July 20, 1994 in a Waynesboro hospital. Surviving are husband, Howard A. Staples Sr.; daughters, Pat Garnett, Jeannie Moore, Connie Barber, Emily Hanes; sons, Howard Staples Jr., Barry Staples; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held Friday, July 22, Etter Funeral Home, Waynesboro.

TAYLOR, Janette Sprouse, 77, of Clifton Forge, died Thursday, July 21, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m . Sunday, Nicely Funeral Home Chapel.

TURNER, Dovie Morrison, 83, of Bassett, died Thursday, July 21, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Collins Funeral Chapel.

VEST, William Wesley, 33, of Roanoke, died Thursday, July 21, 1994. He was a general manager with Hills Department Store. Mr. Vest attended First Baptist Church and was preceded in death by his parents, William E. and Lucille H. Vest. Surviving is his brother and sisters, Thomas Vest, Connie J. Marsh, Cathy A. Atkins, Cynthia Patsel, and Becky V. Owen; his grandmother, Clytie Hurst; special friends, Jeana Azar and Mary Blessard; many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Services will be at Oakey's South Chapel 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The Rev. Mickey Derrow will officiate. Interment will follow in Restvale Cemetery, Floyd County. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel after 12 noon Saturday.

WATSON, Wilmoth Irby, 83, of Altavista, died Friday, July 22,1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday , St. John Pentecostal Holiness Church, Hurt. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna.

WEBSTER, Myrtle Lee, 95, of Roanoke, died Friday, July 22, 1994. Arrangements by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.