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

DATE: TUESDAY, August 16, 1994                   TAG: 9505090030
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

AUSTIN, Elsie Blanche, 86, of Fincastle, died Sunday, August 14, 1994. She was a member of the Fincastle Baptist Church and the Homemakers Club of Eagle Rock. She is survived by one nephew, J. D. Booze Jr., Clifton Forge; four nieces, Margaret Linthicum, Eagle Rock, Billie Liptrap, Daleville, Janet Craig, Blue Ridge, Lucille Biggs, Covington. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 17, 1994, at 11 a.m. at the Rader Troutville Chapel, with the Rev. John Armitstead officiating. Interment will follow in the Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

BEARD, Viola Mason, 84, of Stuart, Fla., formerly of Roanoke, died Sunday, August 14, 1994. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

BLANKENSHIP, N. Florence Dinkel, 80, of Stone Mountain, passed away Monday, August 15, 1994 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Morgans Baptist Church and the Ladies' Friendship Class. She was preceded in death by her husband, Amos K. Blankenship, and parents, Baxter and Nannie Ashwell Dinkel, and a brother, Clifford Dinkel. Surviving are four sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis R. and Madeline B. Blankenship, Bobbie O. and Lois C. Blankenship, Lynwood A. and Alma O. Blankenship, Michael W. and Sharon E. Blankenship; four daughters and sons-in-law, Algie B. and William W. Mayhew Sr., Marjorie B. and Silas D. Dalton, Shelby B. and C. Barry Robertson, Sandra B. and Leslie E. Falls Sr. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; five brothers, Elsworth Dinkel, Willie O. Dinkel, Burford B. Dinkel, Ray Dinkel, Thurston Dinkel; and four sisters, Flora D. Cox, Erma D. Stinattis, Myrtle D. Burnett, Lucille D. Morgan; special friends, Pauline Mitchell and Mildred Bragg. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 17, 1994 at Morgans Baptist Church, with the Rev. Tommy Speight officiating. Burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Updike Funeral Home, Bedford. Memorials may be made to Moneta Rescue Squad or Moneta Fire Department.

BOARD, Eula Jennings, 91, of Albany, Ga., formerly of Pulaski, died Saturday, August 13, 1994 in Albany, Ga. A native of Pulaski County, she was the daughter of the late Norman Clyde and Alice Ashworth Jennings. She was a graduate of Radford College, Radford, and taught in the Pulaski County School System. After the death of her husband, William Marvin Board, she moved to Albany, Ga. There she was a member of The First Presbyterian Church. Surviving are daughter, Martha Board Howell, Albany, Ga.; two sisters, Peggy Jennings Barnes, Redlands, Calif., Ruth Jennings Hunsberger, Petersburg; brother, Edwin Cassell Jennings, Sr., Kilmarnock; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 20 at 2 p.m. in Oakwood Cemetery, Pulaski with the Rev. Richard Bethune officiating. The family will receive friends after the service at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either First Presbyterian Church of Pulaski, Va. or First Presbyterian Church, Albany, Ga. Arrangements be Kimbrell Stern Funeral Home, Albany, Ga. and Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski.

CHAMBERS, Willa Marie Browning, 68, of Route 1, Fairfield, died Saturday, August 13, 1994, at her residence. She was born on January 15, 1926, in Oakland, Md., a daughter of the late J. Frank Browning and May Williams Browning. Mrs. Chambers was a member of Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church. She was a member of Artists in Cahoots and worked as a photographer. Also, she was a member of the Rockbridge Artists Guild and Habitat for the Humanity. Mrs. Ch ambers retired from an administrative position at the College of William & Mary. Mrs. Chambers was preceded in death by one brother, George Browning and one sister, Elizabeth Anderson. Survivors include her husband, Jay L. Chambers; two daughters and a son-in-law, Mrs. Ann C. and Michael J. Theis, Richmond, Ms. Carol L. Chambers, Philomath, Ore.; two brothers, Richard Browning, McHenry, Md., and John F. Browning, Bradenton, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Lucile Grant, Newbury Park, Calif., and Mrs. Mary Lu Edwards, Ft. Mill, S.C. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 24, 1994 at the Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Daniel H. Malcolm officiating. The family will received friends at their residence. The family suggests that memorial donations may be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice, P.O. Box 948, Lexington, VA 24450 or Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church for the Youth Camp and Retreat Fund, Rt. 5, Box 281, Lexington, VA 24450. Williams Funeral Service, Lexington, is in charge of arrangements.

CHEWNING, Maggie Leona, 88, of Pulaski, formerly of the Mechanicsburg Community, Bland, Va., died Sunday, August 14, 1994 in a Dublin nursing home. She was born August 22, 1905 at Long Spur, Va., the daughter of the late Edward Lee and Ollie Millirons Hamblin. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orsen Wylie Chewning and three sons, Wallace Chewning, Willie Chewning and Fred Chewning. She is survived by two sons, Earl Chewning, Pulaski, Robert Lee Chewning, Bland; five daughters, Mrs. Mary Loraine Talbert and Mrs. Martha Alma Pruitt, both of Bland, Mrs. Nellie Lue Pruitt, Wytheville, Mrs. Edna Mae Collins, Winston-Salem, N. C. and Mrs. Frances Janie Wright, Dublin; one brother, Earnest Hamblin, Front Royal; 24 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral servic es will be Wednesday, at 2 p.m. in the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate, with the Rev. Jerry Long and the Rev. Ernest Chinault officiating. Burial in the Hoges Chapel Cemetery, Bland. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. and at the home of Mrs. Loraine Talbert at anytime.

EICHELBERGER, Eleanor Smoot Sutphin, 80, of 6000 Blk. Prince Ave., Norfolk, died Sunday, August 14, 1994, in Norfolk Hospital. She was born in Radford, Va., was married to Hugh C. Eichelberger and worked as a clerk at the J.C. Penney, Military Circle, Norfolk. Mrs. Eichelberger was a member of Virginia Heights Baptist Church in Norfolk and the Railroad Retirees of Tidewater. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Minnie Estelle Sutphin, Radford; two sisters, Mary Theresa Tilley an d Virginia Smoot, both formerly of Radford; a brother, Willie T. Smooth, Radford; two grandchildren, Theresa L. Sutphin and Norman A. Sutphin Jr. She is survived by a daughter, Phyllis Stark, Lynchburg; sons, Norman A. Sutphin, Norfolk, Barry L. Sutphin, Wheeling, W.Va.; sister, Ethel S. Atkinson, Radford; brother, Howard L. Smoot, Radford; six grandchildren, Tammy Harmon, Bill Stark Jr., Carol Sue Crockett, Debbie Crockett, Barbara Sutphin, Barry Sutphin Jr.; one great-grandson, Timothy Stark. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 1994, at 2 p.m. in Virginia Heights Baptist Church in Norfolk with the Rev. George Boyd officiating. Burial will be held at Rosewood Memorial Park. Kellum Funeral Home, Virginia Beach, Kempsville Chapel, Pleasant Hall is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Contributions may be made to the Church Building Fund or to a charity of your choice.

FERRIS, Gracie Beckner, 67, of Salem, died Sunday, August 14, 1994. She is survived by her husband, Ira Franklin Ferris; sister-in-law and husband, Carol and Kenneth Gibson of Salem. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, August 17, 1994, at 10 a.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park with the Rev. William McDaniel officiating. Friends may call at Lotz Salem Chapel.

FINLEY, Lucy Lee, of Roanoke, passed away Monday, August 15, 1994. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

FULKS, Elva Christine Graham, 79, of Radford, passed away Sunday, August 14, 1994 at Wheatland Hills Retirement Center in Radford. Mrs. Fulks was a retired school teacher and a member of the Carter Street United Methodist Church in Radford. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Cassell Fulks. Surviving are one brother and sister-in-law, Everett and Doris Graham, Radford; one sister, Miss Madge Graham, Radford; seven nephews and three nieces. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday, August 18, 1994 at Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home, Radford with the Rev. Harold Russell officiating. Burial will follow in West View Cemetery in Radford. The family will receive friends at Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.

GESSNER, Cheryl Alice Hunt, 46, of Dublin, passed away Monday, August 15, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday in the Newbern Community Christian Church. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

GRAVELY, George, of Rocky Mount, died Monday, August 15, 1994. Arrangements by Lynch Funeral Home.

HARDY, Rogie Conn, 38, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, August 14, 1994. Survivors include his mother, Annie C. Hardy; one son, James Stokes; five brothers, Clarence, Linwood, Donald, Chester and Steve Hardy; one sister, Patricia Hardy, all of Roanoke; a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home Chapel.

HILTON, Peggy Slaydon, 66, of Salem, passed away Sunday, August 14, 1994. She is survived by her sons, Byron T. Hilton, Christiansburg, Mark C. Hilton, Hardy, Joel A. Hilton, Salem; brother, Charles W. Slaydon, Jr., Roanoke. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 17, 1994, at the North Roanoke Baptist Church by Rev. John Cannon and Rev. Gary Grogan with burial in Barnhardt Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday at the Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

HOWARD, Andrea Rena Anderson, 87, of Covington, died Sunday, August 14, 1994. Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home.

HOWELL, Piercie T., (Jake), 91, of Gretna, died Sunday, August 14, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Wednesday, at Summersett Baptist Church. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home.

HUTTON, Dr. Frederick Theodore, 95, of Salem, formerly of Baco Raton, Fla., died Monday, August 15, 1994, in a local nursing home. Dr. Hutton was born in St. Mary's, Ontario, Canada, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ontario, Canada. He was a graduate of the University of Toronto and had gone on to do his post graduate work at the Colombia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. He practiced medicine in Plainfield, N.J., for 36 years, specializing in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He was a member of the Baco Raton Hotel Club and the Delray Beach Club. He was preceded in death by his brother, Osman A. Hutton. He is survived by his wife, Mabel C. Hutton; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Frederick Arthur and Carla Hutt on, Topeka, Kansas; grandsons, John, Tim and Andrew Hutton, all of Topeka, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Salem on Wednesday, August 17, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Tom Clay officiating. Entombment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, 10:30 to 11 a.m., prior to the service. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity.

KABLER, Mrs. Charlotte R., 98, of Marion, passed away Saturday, August 13, 1994, in the South Austin Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Mrs. Kalber was born in Alsace-Lorraine, France, on September 10, 1895. She was preceded in death by her husband, Karl Frederick Kalber and a granddaughter, Julie Ann Kalber. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Joan (Birdie) and Ron Weindorf, Austin, Texas; one son, Karl A. Kalber, Marion; nine grandchildren, Karl R. Kalber, Christopher L. Kalber, John M. Kalber, Jennifer M. Kirby, Karl M. Kalber, Michael A. Kalber, Mark Sheehan, Susan Sheehan, and David Weindorf; two great grandchildren, Lindsey and Lucas Kalber; several nieces. There will be a Mass of Resurrection for family and friends at the St. John's Catholic Church in Mari on, Va., at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, 1994. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Rev. Robert L. Krenik officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery in Marion. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 - 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Arrangements by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service.

LAW, Roberta C., 82, of Martinsville, Virginia, died Sunday, August 14, 1994. Funeral Wednesday, 1 p.m. New Design Baptist Church. Arrangements by Stanfield-Miller Funeral Home.

McGHEE, Myrtle Marie, 78, of Lindside, died Monday, August 15, 1994. Graveside services 2 p.m., Wednesday, August 17, 1994. Arrangements by Broyles Funeral Home, Peterstown.

POFF, Cedric H., 89, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, August 14, 1994, in a local hospital. He was a long time member of the Shenandoah Valley Beagle Club and was a retired shop supervisor for Greyhound. Mr. Poff was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred P. Gray; and brothers, Reece Poff, Odell Poff, Rex Poff and Lewin Poff. Surviving are his wife, Guida C. Poff; a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Oakey's North Chapel by the Rev. George M. Pearson Jr. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until service time at Oakey's North Chapel.

ROBERTS, Fredrica Harmon, 46, of Radford, died Monday, August 15, 1994, at her home. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Radford, a graduate of Ferrum College and Radford University, and a 5th Grade Teacher at Riverlawn Elemetary School. She is survived by her husband, Martin R. ""Jigger'' Roberts, of Radford; two daughters, Carole R. Roberts, and Emily J. Roberts, both of Radford; her parents, Fred and Stanley-Bea Harmon, of Roanoke County; her grandmo ther, Audrey Lawrence, of Check; one sister, Stacy Barton, of Radford; one brother, Chetley B. Harmon, of Roanoke County; also surviving are two special friends, Shirley Levy and Peggy Huber, both of Radford. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 17, 1994 at 1 p.m. from the First Baptist Church in Radford with the Rev. Joe Burton, the Rev. Kent Taylor and the Rev. Mariel Myers officiating. Inerment will follow in Wilson Cemetery in Locust Grove. The body will be taken to the First Baptist Church on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, and expression of sympathy may be made in the form of a donation to the First Baptist Church Prayer Ministry, the New River Valley Hospice, or to the First Baptist Church World Hunger Fund. DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford is in charge of arrangements.

ROBINSON, Bessie Hurt, 90, of Christiansburg, died Monday, August 15, 1994 at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Robinson was born in Montgomery County, Va. on August 19, 1903, a daughter of the late George Hurt and Kathrine Dew Hurt. She has lived in Jacksonville, Fla. for the past 30 years, where she was a member of the North Jacksonville Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel M. Robinson and five daughters, Lutitia R. Caldwell, Georgie R. Daniels, Kathleen R. Poston, Korine R. Wheeler and Joyce R. Holland. Survivors include a daughter, Thelma R. Caldwell, Christiansburg; three sons, Billy R. Robinson, Jacksonville, Fla., David M. Robinson and Douglas M. Robinson, both of Bl acksburg; 16 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 17, 1994 in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Dewey O. Weaver Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Robinson Family Cemetery in Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New River Valley Hospice, Inc., P. O. Box 10896, Blacksburg, Va. 24062-0896. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

ROSENBAUM, Clairce Lowe, 79, of Fries, died Monday, August 15, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Wednesday, Fries Pentecostal Holiness Church. Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax, in charge of arrangements.

ROYSTER, Elizabeth G., (``Pinky''), 68, of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., died Sunday, August 14, 1994. Mrs. Royster died suddenly at her daughter and son-in-laws home in Virginia. Surviving are her husband, Paul C. Royster, Mt. Pleasant; daughter and son-in-law, Gwen and Sam Taylor; grandson, Bo Taylor, all of Vinton; mother,Charlotte Powell, Mt. Pleasant; and a sister in Kingston, N.C. She was preceded in death by a loving son, Ronnie C. Royster. Arrangements by McAllister Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant, S. C.

SCHETTLER, Nancy Vogel, 57, of Desert Hot Springs, Calif., died July 28, 1994. She was born in St. Louis, Mo. and was a resident of Roanoke from1959 to 1975. Surviving are two sons, Daniel A. Schettler, Germantown, Md., William D. Schettler, Greenwich, Conn.; one daughter, Meta L. Schettler, Philadelphia, Pa. Funeral services were held in Desert Palm Springs, Calif. August 3, 1994.

SILVERS, Joseph Andrew, 80, of Christiansburg, died Sunday, August 14, 1994 in Montgomery Regional Hospital after a two year illness. Joe was a retired employee of Hercules/RAAP, having retired in 1975. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ada Light Silvers, a sister, Willie Mae Dick erson Duncan and brothers, Robert Sidney Silvers and Leslie Silvers. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Griffin Murray Silvers; one daughter and son-in-law, Nancy S. and Terry Thomas Curtis, Christiansburg; son and daughter-in-law, James Alan and Ann Umberger Silvers, Vinton; stepdaughter, Barbara Murray Soroka, Grundy; stepson and wife, Clifford Wallace and Margie Brown Murray, Salem; sister and brother-in-law, Eva Alls and Ralph Duncan, Christiansburg; sister-in-law, Yvonne Silvers, Christiansburg; grandchildren, Barbara Curtis Harman and husband, Bradley, Dianna Lynne Curtis Sheeseley and husband, George, Terri Jo Curtis, Anthony Alan Curtis and wife Tracy, Karen Sue Silvers, Amy Lou Silvers Skaff and husband, Dinny, Andrew Alan Silvers; stepgranddaughter, Lalena Karen Soroka; great-grandchildren, Bryce Edward Harman, Bailey Meredith Harman, Janet Nicole (Jana) Curtis and Milton McCormick Sheeseley; several nieces, nephews and a number of friends. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, 1994, at the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. Vernon D. Miller, with burial in Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad or the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

SUTHERLAND, Ralph L., 72, of Elk Creek, passed away Monday, August 15, 1994. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence.

THOMAS, Albert Donald, 71, of Roanoke, died Sunday, August 14, 1994, in a Salem hospital. He is survived by his wife, Joan Ann Thomas; a daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Nelson Daniel Sr., Roanoke; two grandsons and wives, Nelson Jr. and Brenda Daniel, Moscow, Idaho, Andrew and Dixie Daniel, Roanoke. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 17, at 2 p.m. at the Lotz Salem Chapel, with the Rev. Paris E. Bain officiating. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Lotz Salem Chapel.

WATSON, Lena Cundiff, 87, of Bedford, died Monday, August 15, 1994, at Richfield Retirement Center, Salem. She was born April 10, 1907 in Bedford County, a daughter of the late William Henry Clay Cundiff and Roberta Belle Johnson Cundiff. She was the widow of Gilmore Joseph Watson, a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Roanoke, and a former member of Main Street United Methodist Church, Bedford and was a retired employee of Hampton Looms of Virginia and Green's Drug Store. She is survived by two sons, William Douglas Watson and Gilmore Glenn (Chip) Watson, both o f Bedford; a daughter, Helen Lee Watson of Roanoke; two brothers, George W. Cundiff of Lynchburg and Bernard R. Cundiff of Bedford; a sister, Fleta C. Wood of St. Petersburg, FL; also three grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Emory N. Tarpley officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Elevator Fund, Grace United Methodist Church, 4404 Williamson Road, Roanoke, Va, 24012. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.