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

DATE: SATURDAY, October 1, 1994                   TAG: 9506080019
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

ANKRUM, Esther McAvoy, 96, of Bo ones Mill, died Thursday, September 29, 1994, at Eldercare of Franklin County. Mrs. Ankrum was born at Fayetteville, West Virginia on October 18, 1897, daughter of James and Mary Alice Sanger McAvoy. She was a 1917 graduate of Bridgewater College and a 1951 graduate of Shepherd College. In 1925 she married the Rev. Freeman Ankrum and become mother to his three young children, Paul, Laird, and Genevieve. She was a devoted mother, teacher, and pastor's wife having taught school twenty-eight years in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland where her husband held pastorates and also lived in Indiana and Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband Freeman in 1972, and son Laird in 1987. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Alice and Willard Bowman, Boones Mill; also son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Frances Ankrum, Ithaca, N.Y.; daughter, Genevieve A. Shidler, Advanca, N.C.; grandchildren, David, John, Stephen and Doug Ankrum, Jay and Steve Shidler; Laird and Kent Bowman; Carol B. Barba and Julia B. Dunman; and twelve great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Galen and Effie McAvoy of Boones Mill; also several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Ankrum was a member of the Bethlehem Brethren Church, Harrisonburg and had been an active participant in the Bethlehem Church of the Brethren since moving to Franklin County in 1968. Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 2, 3 p.m. at Bethlehem Church of the Brethren, Boones Mill with the Rev. Keith W. Simmons and the Rev. Edward West officiating. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Organ Fund, Bethlehem Church of the Brethren, Rt. 1, Boones Mill, Va. 24065. The family will receive friends Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.

BIGGER, Daniel J., 48, of Roanoke, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. He was born in Illinois and reared in Tullahoma. He was the son of Thomas Oaden and Jeanne Ridgway Bigger, now residing in Winchester. Active in the Elk River Boy Scout Program, he was an Eagle Scout and earned the God and Country and Order of the Arrow Awards.. Mr. Bigger was a U. S. Army veteran, with service in Germany and the Redstone Arsenal as a Missiles Program Instructor. Following his Army service, he was a Field Engineer with Burroughs Corp., Director of Marketing for several condominium developments and for the past seven years, was Director of Four Marketing Consultants, Inc., a consulting firm in Roanoke. He is survived by his wife, Juel Adams; a son, Daniel Huffman Bigger, Gulf Shores, Ala.; stepchildren, Chelsea Sheffield, Roanoke and Eric Sheffield, Atlanta, Ga.; a brother, Thomas Ridgway Bigger, Hixon, Tenn. He was a longtime member and acolyte of the Tullahoma First United Methodist Church. He was Vice President of the Board and Head Usher at the Unity Church of Roanoke Valley. He was a member of the New Warrior Chapter in Roanoke. A memorial service will be held in Roanoke on Sunday, October 2, 1994 at 5 p.m. at the Unity Church of Roanoke Valley. A memorial service will be held in Tullahoma pending final arrangements. He will be buried beside his deceased younger brother, Shelvin Brooks Bigger in Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Coffer County. The family requests memorials to the Unity Church of Roanoke Valley and the New Warriors Association, in lieu of flowers.

BOLLAND, Othelia Eaves, 97, of Wake Forest, passed away Wednesday, September 28, 1994 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Bolland, and a son Monroe Eaves. Surviving are one sister, Eliza Johnson of Cambridge, Md.; one brother, Harry Eaves of Alexandria; two sister-in-laws, Thelma Eaves of Wake Forest, Ethel Eaves of Alexandria; one daughter-in-law, Ruth Eaves of Columbus, Ohio; three stepgrandchildren, Mattie Johnson, Earl Johnson and Willy Johnson, all of Columbus, Ohio; three nieces, Louise Milton of Alexandria, Linda Eaves of Wake Forest, Mary Cathrine Roy of Alexandria; six nephews, William Eaves Jr. of Wake Forest, Rayown Eaves of Wake Forest, Harry Eav es Jr. of Alexandria, Howard Eaves of Alexandria, Paul Eaves of Los Angeles, Calif., Samuel Sherman of Hampton; several great-nieces and nephews; two great-great-nephews; one great-great nieces; and a host of cousins and friends. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 2, 1994 at Wake Forest Baptist Church with the Rev. Marcus Turner officiating. Burial will be at Wake Forest Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday, October 1, 1994 from 7 til 9 p.m. at Wake Forest Baptist Church.

CARTER, Hattie, 78, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, September 22, 1994. Graveside service 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Williams Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

CLOWERS, Jessie G., Sr., 53, of Roanoke, died Friday, September 30, 1994. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.

DAVIS, Ruth Edith Hunter, 92, of Morehead Nursing Center, Eden, N.C., died Thursday, September 29, 1994. She was born in Kernersville, N.C. and a retired employee of American Tobacco Co, Richmond, Va. Survivors are nieces & nephews. Graveside service 2 p.m. Saturday, Maury Cemetery, Richmond, Va. Vistation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at Fair Funeral Home, Eden, N.C.

FARRIS, Leon W., 64, of Salem, died Friday, September 30, 1994. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home.

GRAVETT, Ira Luck Sr., 98, of Roanoke, died Friday, September 30, 1994. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Gladys Gravett. Mr. Gravett was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, and retired from Norfolk-Southern Railway, a member of Lakeland Masonic Lodge #190 and, an honoraray member of Pleasants Lodge #63. He was a 33rd degree Mason and was in the Masonic Order for 70 years. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Ann L. Parker, Lakeland, Fl.; a son and daughter-in-law, Ira Luck, Jr. and Barbara Gravett, Petaluma, Calif.; and two grandsons, Daniel and Matthew Gravett. Funeral services with Masonic Rites will be conducted from the graveside, Sherwood Burial Park at 2 p.m. Monday with Dr. Harry Y. Gamble officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the following Scottish Rites Bodies charities: The I. Luck Gravett Scholarship Fund; Almoner's Fund; The Language Disorder Clinic (All at 622 Campbell Avenue, S.W., Roanoke, VA 24016). Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

GUILLIAMS, Kendall, infant daughter of Melissa and Cecil (Chuck) Guilliams II, of Callaway, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her twin sister, Kathleen Grace Guilliams; grandparents, Cecil and Bertha Guilliams, Roanoke, Frances Smith, Rocky Mount; great-grandfather, Walter Hodges, Rocky Mount. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles and other family members. Graveside services will be conducted at the Hall Family Cemetery, 2 p.m. Saturday with Brian Custer officiating. There will be no visitation. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, 342 S. Main St., Rocky Mount.

HICKMAN, James A., 41, Ridgeway, died Friday, September 30, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel, Ridgeway.

HODGE, Jessie Everett, 59, of Irving, Texas, formerly of Barren Springs, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. Funeral Monday, 2 p.m., Stevens Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

HOLMES, Albert Preston, 67, of Pulaski, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. Graveside services 11 a.m. Monday, The Pinehurst Cemetery, Pulaski. Arrangements by Penn's Funeral Home, Pulaski

HORNE, Burrell David, 83, of Salem died Friday, September 30, 1994, in a Salem Hospital. he was born in Roanoke County on August 12, 1911, to David Edward and Francis L. Horne. He is preceded in death by sisters, Rettie H. Moses and Glennie H. Stanley; a grandson, Robert Lee Horne. Mr. Horne was a member of the Mountain Pass Baptist Church where he was a deacon. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Lois Hairfield Horne; sons and daughter-in-law, Bobby L. and Jackie Horne , George R. Horne, all of Salem, Richard W. Horne, of Montrose, Colorado; daughters and son-in-law, Janet H. Reed, of Salem, Gerry H. and James Goodwin, of Roanoke; a sister, Mabel H. Tucker, of Crewe, Va.; 14 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 3, 1994, at 11 a.m. in the John M. Oakey and Son Chapel in Salem with the Rev. Ira F. Tolliver officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

JACKSON, John Walter Jr., 70, of Roanoke, died Thursday, September 29 1994. He was a Marine veteran of World War II and was a retired employee of C & P, where he was also a Pioneer. Mr. Jackson was a member of the Lutheran Church of America. Surviving are his wife, Erma Beeton Jackson, Roanoke; son and daughter-in-law, John Walter Jackson III and Tina of Waynesboro; one daughter, Sue Jackson Chapman, Plano, Texas; five grandchildren, Dagny Kara Collier of Sneads Ferry, N.C., Whitney Erin Jackson of Waynesboro, Steven Bain Chapman, Marshall Blair Chapman, Ashleigh Carole Chapman, all of Texas; one great-grandson, Jackson David Collier of Sneads Ferry, N.C. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's South Chapel 1 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. H. J. Beeton officiating. Friends may call after 6 pm. Saturday at Oakey's South Chapel

KREJCI, Marcus Frank, 64, of Galax, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. Graveside service Saturday 2 p.m., St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements by Grubb Funeral Home, Wytheville.

MARTIN, Allen Richards, 75, of Vinton, passed away Friday, September 30, 1994. Surviving are a brother, William Ray Martin, Rt. 1, Vinton; four sisters, Geraldine R. Mahaffey, Martinsville, Frances J. Doss, Roanoke, Betty Jean Altice, Roanoke, Peggy Joyce West, Vinton. A graveside service will be conducted at noon Saturday, October 1, 1994, at Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton, Va. Preston Naff, Pastor, will officiate. Friends may call at Lotz Vinton Chapel.

MAYES, Esther Dawson, 75, of Collinsville, died Friday, September 30, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Bassett Church of the Brethren. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Services.

MCCUTCHEN, William Lindsay, 85, Roanoke, passed away Thursday, September 29,1994. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Richardson McCutchen and had retired after 40 years of service from the N&W Railroad. He is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Lynn Ellen McCutchen Thompson, Roanoke, Scottie McCutchen and Travis L. Whately, Roanoke; one brother, Dabney Graham McCutchen, Roanoke; grandchildren, Laura Lynn Thompson, James Thompson, Angela Lindsey Whately, and Mitchell L. Whately; great-grandson, Adam James Thompson. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at the St. Philip Lutheran Church by the Rev Willis S. Buchanan and the Rev. Paul G. Gunsten. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

SHEETS, Blanche Virginia Campbell, 82, of Dublin, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

SHIEL, Patrick Stephen, 33, of Vinton, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel Saturday, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and where there will be a Christian Wake Service at 8 p.m. Mr. Shiel will be taken to the Bliley's Chippenham Chapel, 6900 Hull Street Road, Richmond, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, with a Christian Wake Service to follow. Services will be conducted from St. Augustine Catholic Church, Beulah Road, Richmond, 10 a.m. Tuesday, with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

STACY, Mariam Kegley, 87, of Wytheville, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. She was born in Wythe County the daughter of the late Winfield Scott and Lula Earhart Kegley . She was a member of the Wytheville Pentecostal Holiness Church and an Avon representative for 30 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, The Rev. David J. Stacy. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Ruth Kegley of Bristol, Va.; a brother-in-law, Thomas Burton of Little Creek; several nieces and nephews; a special niece, Lois Martin of Wytheville. Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 2, 1994 at 2 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Edward Richardson officiating. Interment will follow in the Appalachian Pentecostal Holiness Conference Cemetery in Dublin. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 6 to 9 p.m. Sa turday or at the residence of her niece, Lois Martin, 725 N. 3rd St. at any time. The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorials to the Wythe-Bland Hospice. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.

STILWELL, Amos Macke, 90, of Route #4, Hillsville passed away Thursday, September 29, 1994 at Elder Care of Hillsville. Surviving are one brother, Roosevelt Stilwell of Dugspur; son-in-law, Guy Durnil of Hillsville; also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Funeral services 11 a.m. Saturday, Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville. Interment will follow in the Liberty Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville.

TURNER, Richard Alphonza, 52, of Moneta, died Friday, September 30, 1994. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home, Bedford.

WALTON, Raymond Ephraim Sr., 79, of Beckley, W.Va., formerly of Covington, died Friday, September 30, 1994. Funeral services 3 p.m. Monday, Arritt Funeral Home Chapel, Covington, Va.

WANZER, Mary Mills, of 1013 Madison St., Bedford, died Friday, September 30, 1994. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home, Bedford.

WEISS, Robert D., 79, of Pembroke, died Thursday, September 29, 1994. Funeral arrangements by Kendall Funeral Home, Pembroke.

WHITTAKER, Capt. Sherrell P., of Hampton, Va. and Davie, Fla., died Thursday, September 29, 1994 at age 79 after a long illness. Born and educated in Hampton, he learned to fly at Curtiss Field at the Boat Harbor in Newport News, Va. in 1937. After learning to fly, Capt. Whittaker became a partner in two airfields in Hampton. Prior to t he United States entering World War II, Capt. Whittaker went to Canada and joined the RAF until our entry into the war, when he returned home to join the Air Transport Command. During the North African Campaign, he flew drums of fuel oil from Brazil to our forces in North Africa, later flying numerous flights over the North Atlantic to Greenland, Labrador and England. One trip was flown over the Himalayas, also known as the ``Hump"" and many USO shows were also flown by him. After leaving the service, he flew a short while for TWA, leaving it, after they went on strike, to fly as a Captain for National Airlines, eventually retiring in 1975. Capt. Whittaker is survived by his widow, Nancy Tennis Whittaker of Hampton; one daughter, Sheryl W. Taylor; and eight grandchildren, all of Wytheville; two sisters, Richanda W. Cooney of Hampton and Evelyn W. Renn of Newport News; also three nieces and a nephew. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, October 3, 1994, at St. John's Cemetery, Hampton, Va., by the Rev. Nicholas Helldorfer. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home and the family will receive friends afterwards until 9 p.m. Expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, may be sent to your favorite charity.