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

DATE: TUESDAY, October 25, 1994                   TAG: 9507120023
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

AUSTIN, James Peter, (``Pete""), 76, of Buchanan, died Sunday, October 23, 1994. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emmett Kyle and Molly Dillon Austin,brothers, Carper Austin, Junior Austin, and David Austin, sisters, Mary Ruth Austin and Carrie Forbes. Mr. Austin was a member of the Buchanan Baptist Church, American Legion Post #93, Veterans of Foreign Wars #5895, and the Moose Lodge #690 of Glasgow. Survivors include his wife, Julia Trail Austin; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda A. and Roger Layman, Roanoke, Kathy A. and Dennis Wiley, Buchanan; son, Mike Austin, Buchanan; sisters, Marie Forbes, Lula Belle Ruehl, and Margaret Sink, all of Buchanan; his loving grandchildren, Heather Layman, Derek and Kara Wiley, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wed nesday, October 26, 1994, at 2:00 p.m. in Buchanan Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Woody officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Buchanan. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Buchanan Rescue Squad. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Rader Funeral Home, Buchanan.

BASHAM, Pauline Elizabeth, of Roanoke, died Sunday, October 23, 1994. She is survived by daughters, Louise B. Hodges, Mearline B. Melson; and grandchildren. Graveside services will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 26, 1994, at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with the Rev. John Cochran officiating. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, October 25, 1994, at Oakey's North Chapel.

BOGGS, Bettie B., 84, of Dresher, Penn., died Saturday, October 22, 1994 after an illness. She was a guest at the Dresher Hill Nursing Home for the past six years. She was a former resident of Roanoke, Va. and was the wife of the late Louis S. Boggs. She was born in Bedford County, Va., June 15, 1910, to the late George and Clemmie (Milton) Bruce. She attended Bedford County Schools in Va. and was a former employee of Sidney's Ladies Clothing Apparel until her retirement. She was a member of Bethany Christian Church, Roanoke. She is survived by one son, Donald N. Boggs, Butler Pike, Ambler, Pa.; three grandchildren; one sister, Lessie Ferris, Blue Ridge, Va.; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 8:30 a.m. Wednesday , October 26, 1994 for relatives and friends, from the Emil J. Ciavarelli Funeral Home, Inc., 951 E. Butler Pike, Ambler, Pa., with religious services to be held at 10 a.m. The Rev. Deborah McConomy Wallace, Pastor at Upper Dublin Evangelical Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment in Whiremarsh Memorial Park, Prospectville, Pa. Friends may call on Wednesday morning, 8:30 a.m.

BRANCH, Lemuel C., 77, of Hardy, died Saturday, October 22, 1994. Surviving are his wife, Hildred N. Branch, of the home; three daughters, Sylvia Nolte of Bucyrus, Ohio, Linda Margaraff of New York, Pearl Koch of Rocky Mount; two sons, Alfred Branch of Roanoke County, Carlos Branch of Hardy; two brothers, Howard Branch of Sophia, W.Va., Eddie Branch of Alabama; three sisters, Sylvia Barber of Abingdon, Goldie Saunders of Oklahoma, Ollie Cook of Bristol, Va.; also surviving are eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 1994, at the Arrington Bussey Funeral Home Chapel with Elder John Wingfield officiating. Burial will follow in Liberty Cemetery, Patrick County. Friends may call after 12 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home where the family will be from 7 until 9 p.m. Arrington Bussey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

BROWN, Jeremeiah Edward Sr. 45, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, October 23, 1994. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

COMBS, Graham Allen, 44, of Marion, died Sunday, October 23,1994. Funeral Thursday, 11 a.m., Barnett's Funeral Home Chapel.

COOK, Gladys Vernell, 63, of Roanoke, passed away Monday, October 24, 1994. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

GRELL, Kelsie Deloris, 87, of Galax, died Sunday, October 23, 1994. Graveside service at the Johnson Memorial Cemetery, Pikeville, Ky., 2 p.m. Thursday. Arrangements by Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home.

HANCOCK, Kevin Alan, 30, of Roanoke, passed away early Monday, October 24, 1994 as the result of an auto accident. He was preceded in death by his sister, Karen Marie Hancock, his maternal grandparents, Glenn F. and Frances W. Sink, and his paternal grandfather, Vernon T. Hancock. He is survived by his mother, Judy S. Hancock, Roanoke, his father and stepmother, Philip M. Sr. and Maxine Hancock, Blue Ridge; brother and sister-in-law, Phil M. and Susan Hancock, Roanoke; nephew, Hunter Hancock; and niece, Heather Hancock, both of Roanoke. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Amer Belle Hancock, Daleville; and his maternal great-grandmother, Mamie J. Williams, Roanoke; and by numerous aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be from Oakey's North Chapel, 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 1994, with the Rev. Jim Harrison and the Rev. Tony Price officiating. I nterment will be in Cedar Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at Oakey's North Chapel, where the family will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

HANNAH, Robert R. 98, of Augusta, W. Va., died Friday, October 21, 1994. He was the beloved husband of the late Stella C. Hannah (Hurst); devoted father of Doris June Greggs, James D., Wayne D., and Ronnie R. Hannah; dear brother of Marion Chittum and Burt Hannah. Also survived by thirteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements by Duda-Ruck Funeral Home. Interment in the Gardens of Faith Cemetery, Baltimore, Md.

HATCHER, Thurman C., 86, of Roanoke, died Saturday, October 22, 1994 in a local hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Belle Hatcher, and a brother, Daniel Lee Hatcher. He was a veteran of WWII, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievements in action while serving with a medical detachment of the 5th Army in Italy. He is a member of the Villa Heights Baptist Church. He is survived by several cousins and close friends. Graveside service 10 a.m. Wednesday Sherwood Memorial Park with the Rev. Harold C. Lewis officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p. m. Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Villa Heights Baptist Church, 4080 Challenger Ave. Roanoke, 24012. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

HOLLEY, Gina Thornton, 31, of Roanoke, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Sunday October 23, 1994 at her home. She was a member of Green Ridge Baptist Church and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. She was associated with the HANDS Group of Roanoke Valley and was a graduate of the Community Hospital School of Practical Nursing. Surviving are her husband, Fred Holley, Jr.; son, Joshua Holley, of the home; mother, Sandra Light Thornton, Vinton; father, H. Malcom Thornton, Jr., Christiansburg; sister and brother-in-law, Stephanie and Todd McCray, Roanoke; brother, Christopher Thornton, Vinton; mother-in-law, Alice Marie Holley, Bradenton, Fla.; grandparents, Selby N. and Evelyn Light, Jean Adams Thornton, all of Roanoke. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 26, 1994 with the Rev. J. Michael Palmer officiating. Burial will be Sherwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation or Roanoke Emergency Services. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

HUNTER, Earle, 98, of Radford, died Monday, October 24, 1994. She was the daughter of the late Fletcher Hunter and Valley Jones. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, October 26, 1994, at 11 a.m. from the Claytor-Dean Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Marion Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements by Claytor-Dean Funeral Home.

JACKSON, Sally Lee Brumfield, 80, of Pulaski, passed away Monday, October 24, 1994. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

McCONNELL, Alice Jester, 95, of Roanoke, died Monday, October 24, 1994. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

MULLINS, Harold Jennings 72, of Salem, died Monday, October 24, 1994. Funeral arrangements by the Lotz Salem Chapel.

MULLINS, Harold Jennings, 72, of Salem, died Monday, October 24, 1994. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elijah and Beulah Mullins, and brother, Jack M. Mullins. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Eunice Mullins; sons and daughters-in-law, Michael J. Mullins, Steven A. and Julie S. Mullins, Brad E. and Sheri P. Mullins; daughter and son-in-law, Susan M. and Richard H. Tate; brother and sister-in-law, Donald G. and Jeannie S. Mullins; sister and brother-in-law, Norma M. and Darrell R. Collins; sister-in-law, Ruby Davis Mullins; grandchildren, Steven A. Mullins Jr., Carter S. Tate, Hunter E. Mullins, Kelly E. Tate, Jamie L. Mullins, Taylor L. Tate, Davis C. Mullins; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church by the Dr. Rev. Robert T. Copenhaver, with burial in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Lotz Salem Chapel. Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or to the Good Samaritan Hospice Inc. Arrangements by Lotz Salem Chapel.

MUSSER, Edna Umberger, 75, of Route 4, Wytheville, an employee of the Smith Oil and Grayson-Carroll Insurance Company, died Sunday, October 23, 1994, in the Wythe County Community Hospital. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Bill Matthews, Chattanooga, Tenn.; one son and daughter-in-law, Ran and Pat ``Suzie'' Musser, Wytheville; two sisters, Atha M. Umberger, and Elsie U. Moyers, both of Wytheville; one brother, Raymond L. Umberger, also of Wytheville; three grandchildren, Crystal A. Musser, Chadwick B. Perkey and John R. Matthews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Grubb Funeral Home with Pastor Joseph Shumate officiating. Interment will follow in the Lebanon Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Grubb Funeral Home. The Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

PETERS, Lester Hamilton, 67, of Ferrum, died Saturday, October 22, 1994, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital of Lung Cancer. He served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1946. After brief employment at Angle Silk Mill in Rocky Mount, he was a supervisor in the weaving room at the Schoolfield Division of Dan River Mills in Danville for seven years. In 1952 he went t o Reynolds Medal Company in Richmond where he was employed until 1962. He returned to Ferum where he began his own business as a logger until his retirement in 1986. His remaining years, Mr. Peters spent farming. Surviving are his wife, Pearl Quinn Peters; his daughter, Connie Gale; two grandsons and a granddaughter-in-law, Carl Rochelle, III, John and Virginia Rochelle; a great-nephew, K. T. Quinn, all of Ferum; two sisters, Grace Bryant, of Martinsville, Iris Burns, of Illinois; four brothers, Willie Peters and Henry Peters, both of Ferum, Hugh Peters, of Rustburg, Jonas Peters, Lawton, O.K. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Wednesday in Flora Funeral Chapel with Rev. Edward Peters officiating. Interment will follow in Republican Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Because of Mr. Peters love for children, in lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials to: ""We care of Franklin County"", P.O. Box 396, Rocky Mount, Va. 24151. Friends may call after 1 p.m., Tuesday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 8 p.m. at Floral Funeral Service, 342 S. Main St., Rocky Mount.

POFF, Nora Carter, 97, of Covington, died Sunday, October 23, 1994. Graveside service Wednesday 2 p.m., Carter Cemetery, Alleghany County. Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home.

SCOTT, Warren Hayden, 71, of Buena Vista, died Sunday, October 23, 1994, in a Salem hospital. He was born December 28, 1922, in Buena Vista, the son of the late Hayden and Carrie Staton Scott. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army and was retired from Burlington Mills. Surviving are two sisters, Frankie Stinnett and Mildred Wright, both of Lexington; one brother, Donald Scott, Salem. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 1994, at the Lomax Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Dean Staton. Burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

SIMMS, Nellie Corn, 87, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, October 23, 1994. She was a retired clerk from the Selective Service Department of the U.S. Government. She was the widow of Dr. John C. Simms. Surviving are her sons, John A. Simms, Wilmington, Del., Paul C. Simms, West Lafayette, Ind.; her sisters, Mrs. Don F. Jonlin, Mrs. Edyth Waterman, both of Roanoke, Mrs. James S. Phelps, Bristol, Va.; her brothers, Ralph Corn, Radford, Paul Corn, Roanoke; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Huntington Court United Methodist Church Wednesday, October 26, at 10 a.m. with Dr. Alton M. Washington officiating. Interment in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to the Memorial Fund of Huntington Court United Methodist Church in her memory. There will be no visitation at Oakey's North Chapel.

SMALL, Christopher Columbus Sr., 81, of Roanoke, passed away Monday, October 24, 1994. Funeral Friday 2 p.m., Central Baptist Church. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

SONGER, Beulah Juanita, 72, of the Maybrook Community near Pembroke, died Sunday evening, October 23, 1994, in a Blacksburg nursing facility. Born in Big Stone Gap, Wise County, she was a daughter of the late John and Ellen Phillips Osborne. Surviving are her husband Wirt Songer; a son, Wirt R. Songer, Pearisburg; a daughter, Sylvia Jean Thompson, Gibsonville, N.C.; a brother Talmadge Osborne, Kingsport, Tenn.; two sisters, Opal Bryington, Big Stone Gap, Loretta Hubbard, Chicago, Ill; and five grandchildren, Kenneth Thompson, Michele Thompson, Amy Elizabeth Maxey, Sherrie Ann Songer, and Brian Christopher Songer. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Kendall Funeral Home Chapel in Pembroke. Burial will be in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.

SPRADLING, Billy V., 70, of Roanoke, died Monday, October 24, 1994. Survivors include one daughter, Lois Jean Hale, Roanoke; a sister, Lucille Massey, Vincent, Ohio; one brother, Thomas E. Spradling, Nederland, Texas. It was Billy's wish that his body be donated to University of Virginia Research Department in the hope that he might instrumental in the fight against cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Hospice Department, P.O. Box 13367, Roanoke, VA 24033.

TEASS, James Albert, 74, of Route 4, Bedford, passed away Monday, October 24, 1994, in the Bedford County Memorial Hospital. He was born September 11, 1920 in Bedford County, a son of the late Edward Francis Teass and Nannie Teass Teass. He was a veteran of World War II, a member of the Ephesus United Methodist Church, a member of the Woodman of the World, the American Legion Post #54, and was a member of the Bedford County Board of Supervisors for 18 years, serving two separate terms, one from January 1960 - December 1964, and again from January 1980 until his death. He was vice chairman in 1963, 1992, 1993, and was chairman in 1980, 1988 and at the time of his death was serving as chairman. He is survived by his wife, Josephine Johnston Teass; a daughter, Sarah Catherine Teass, Bedford; a sister, Nancy Teass Parr, Bedford. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, October 26, 1994 at 2 p.m. from the Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford by the Rev. Bob Maas. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will begin after 11 am today, where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home, and other times at the residence. The family requests that those wishing to make memorials consider the Ephesus United Methodist Church Building Fund, Route 4, Bedford, VA 24523. Updike Funeral Home, Bedford is handling arrangements.

TESTER, Wilbert Kent, 58, of Hardy, died Saturday, October 22, 1994. Funeral services 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Thrasher Chapel of Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church.

WOOD, Howard Eugene Sr., 79, of Covington, died Monday, October 24, 1994. Funeral Thursday 11 a.m., McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home.

WRAY, William Oscar, 87, of Callaway, passed away Monday, October 24, 1994, at Friendship Manor. He was the widower of Nana B. Wray, a member of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Floyd County, and was retired from Harris Hardwood. Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Alice W. and Robert J. Pearcy, Callaway, Shirley W. and Ray W. Hodges, Boones Mill; a son, Dr. William H. Wray, Callaway; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; a half-brother, Daniel Joseph Wray, Bent Mountain. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 26, 1994, at Oakey's South Chapel, with the Rev. Frank H. Wimmer and the Rev. Pete Bain officiating. Interment will follow in Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Bent Mountain, Callaway or Boones Mill Rescue Squads. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel.

ZIMMERMAN, Louise Mildred Garst 83, of Roanoke, died Sunday, October 23, 1994, following a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold R. Zimmerman Jr. and a was member of Grandin Court Baptist Church. She was retired Deputy Commissioner of Revenue for Roanoke City. Surviving are two daughters and sons-in-law, Norma Jean and Donald D. Printz, Rebecca and Edwin Menefee, all of Roanoke; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert H. and Carolyn Zimmerman, Guilford, Conn.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 1994, at the Oakey's South Chapel, with the Rev. Richard Elmore and the Rev. J. Landon Maddex officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel after 12 noon Tuesday where the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m.