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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 2, 1994                   TAG: 9508010017
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BALL, Charles R. Jr., 48, of Snellville, Ga., formerly of Martinsville, died Friday, October 28, 1994. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, 1994, at Collins Funeral Services, Bassett.

BELFIELD, Jean Jennings, 75, of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Roanoke, passed away Monday afternoon, October 31, 1994 in Vero Beach. She was a native of Roanoke, who also lived many years in Richmond, Va. and Huntington, W.Va., before retiring to Vero Beach. Mrs. Belfield was a graduate of Jefferson High School in Roanoke and Sullins College in Bristol. She had been active in various civic organizations, including The Garden Club. Mrs. Belfield was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Holly Jennings, and is survived by her husband, A. Bruce Belfield Jr., Vero Beach, Fla.; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Bruce III and Donna Belfield, Hurricane, W.Va., Michael S. Belfield, Vero Beach, Fla.; two grandchildren, Bruce IV and Brooke Belfield, Hurricane, W.Va.; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Evelyn and Elbert Waldron, Shawsville, Betty and Frank Van Balen, Roanoke, Carolyn and Eugene Frost, Roanoke; two sisters-in-law, Louise Belfield, Richmond, Marjorie Grenoble, Falls Church; a number of nieces and nephews; and three special friends, Mrs. Barbara Black, Vero Beach, Fla., John and Helen Gillespie, Huntington, W.Va. Funeral services will be conducted from the graveside, Evergreen Burial Park at 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. John W. Myers officiating. Friends may call after noon Thursday at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, where the family will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

BILLINGS, Leonard Ray, ``Preach"", 72, of Marion, died Monday, October 31, 1994. Funeral services 11 a.m., Thursday, Barnett's Funeral Chapel.

BRYANT, Daniel Rufus, 86, of Clifton Forge, died Monday, October 31, 1994. Funeral Thursday, 2 p.m., Nicely Funeral Home Chapel.

CARSON, Ruth Reinicker, 95, of Spotsylvania, died Sunday, October 30, 1994. A graveside service will be conducted Thursday, November 3, 1994 at 11 a.m. from the Central Cemetery in Radford, with the Rev. Will Robbins officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford.

CASSADY, Lois Jenkins, 86, of Martinsville, died Saturday, October 29, 1994. Funeral 3 p.m. Thursday, Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel.

CHARLTON, Ronald Cecil, 61, of Bluefield, W.Va., died Saturday, October 29, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, Tynes Chapel, Rocky Gap. Arrangements by Newberry Funeral Home, Bland.

COOPER, Howard Earl, 70, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 1994. He was a long time member of The Vinton Fire Department having served as Captain, and was the first full time employee of that department. He also served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and was retired from Toledo Scales. Surviving are his wife, Nellie Bowman Cooper; one son Charles Earl Cooper and wife, Georgia Cooper of Vinton; three brothers and sisters-in-law, James W. Cooper of Troutville, Curtis A. and Norma Jean Cooper, Eugene C. and Sara Cooper, all of Vinton; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Catherine C. and Bill Silver of Vinton, Helen C. and Billy Thomason of Rocky Mount. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 1994 from the Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg. Dr. William K. Smithwick will officiate. Should friends desire contributions may be sent to the Vinton Fire Department. Th e family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lotz Vinton Chapel.

DENT, Alease Kier, 84, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, October 28, 1994. Survivors include two brothers, Irving (Myrtle) Kier, Roanoke, Lee Kier, Philadelphia, Pa.; four grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 1994, at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Charles T. Green will officiate with interment in Franklin Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service at the funeral home.

ELMORE, Primmie C., of New Castle, died Tuesday, November 1, 1994 in a Salem hospital. She is survived by her husband, Dallas Elmore; one son, Willie Parris, New Castle; two brothers, Lawrence Cantrell, Cowpens, S.C., Henry Cantrell, Cascade; a granddaughter, Edna Parris, Roanoke; numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Thursday, November 3, 1994, 2 p.m. at Craig Valley Baptist Church with interment in Crowder Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Boitnott Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Craig County Rescue Squad.

FISHER, Dana Simpkins, 78, of Humble, Texas, died Monday, October 31, 1994 in a Humble, Texas hospital. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 5, 1994 at 2 p.m. from the DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford, Va. Arrangements by DeVilbiss Funeral Home.

GAMMON, Gary Alvin Sr., 42, of Galax, died Monday, October 31, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, Collins Funeral Chapel, Bassett.

GRIFFITH, Robert A., 50, of Christiansburg, died Sunday evening, October 30, 1994 in the Montgomery Regional Hospital. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, Box 176, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne.

HANCOCK, Margaret Thompson, 62, of Vinton, died Tuesday, November 1, 1994, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Hancock was born in Orange County and was reared in Culpepper, Va. She was the daughter of the late Robert and Ethel Lloyd Thompson. Survivors include her husband, Romie W. Hancock, Jr.; a daughter, Lynne H. Sauer of Charlottesville; one sister, Ann T. Shoemaker of Roanoke; two grandchildren, Holly Michelle Sauer and Paul William Suer. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 1994, in Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, by Dr. Gary Powell and Rev. David Johnson. The burial will be at Rosemont Cemetery, Sedley. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

HYLTON, Early Clyde, 88, of Wheatland Hills Retirement Center, Radford, formerly of Willis, passed away peacefully Monday night, October 31, 1994. He was a longtime member of Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren, where he actively served the Lord faithfully in numerous ways. he retired from Hercules in 1970 after 19 years of service as a millwright. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Floyd and Mary Alice Hylton, and a brother Claborne Price Hylton. Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Ila Alderman Hylton, Willis; daughter and son-in-law, Nell Jane and Stanley Long, Christiansburg; son and daughter-in-law, David E. and Gloria Hylton, Christiansburg; four grandchildren, Sharon Heller, Gregory Hylton both of Chris tiansburg, Randy Long, Fincastle, Anthony Hylton, Radford; two stepgrandchildren, Tony Huff, Pilot, Tracy Huff, Norfolk; seven great-grandchildren; one stepgreat-grandchild. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, Floyd with the Rev. Roy Turpin officiating with interment in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Willis. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Maberry Funeral Home where the family will friends from 7 to 9 p.m.

HYLTON, William B., 82, of Martinsville, died on Monday, October 31, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday, Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel, Ridgeway.

JACOBS, Beulah Hylton, 84, of Roanoke, died Monday, October 31, 1994. She was the widow of the Rev. Elisha J. Jacobs and was also preceded in death by her son, E. James Jacobs Jr. Mrs. Jacobs was a life time member of the Ninth Street Church of the Brethren. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Mildred J. and Morris W. Baldwin Sr., Roanoke; two grandsons, Rev. M. Winston Baldwin Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Baldwin, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Jimmy G. Baldwin, Roanoke; four great-grandchildren, Erich Baldwin, Glade Spring, Sarah, Jacob and Isaac Baldwin, and their mother, Jeanette M. Baldwin; two sisters, Irene H. Raper, Carrie H. McCormack, both of Roanoke; three sisters-in-law, Ena Hylton, Bridgewater, Helen Hy lton, Roanoke, Evangeline Jacobs, Hopewell; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 1994, at the Ninth Street Church of the Brethren, with the Rev. M. Winston Baldwin Jr. and the Rev. Dr. John Huffaker officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. The family suggests memorials may be made to the E. J. Jacobs Scholarship Fund, c/o Ninth Street Church of the Brethren. Friends may call anytime after 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oakey's Downtown Chapel.

JEFFERIES, Christine Estes, 81, of Martinsville, died October 31, 1994. Arrangements to be announced by Stanfield-Miller Funeral Home.

JONES, Treva D., 74, of Rural Retreat, formerly of Rugby, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday in Corinth Baptist Church, Rugby. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence.

LAWSON, Gene Paul, 55, of Staffordsville, died Sunday morning, October 30, 1994, at his residence. He was born at Raleigh, W.Va., on October 14, 1939, and was the son of the late Willie Jasper and Ruby Perkins Lawson. He was a member of the New Village Pentecostal Holiness Church at Staffordsville and was past President of the Twin State Radio Association. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Lawson. He is survived by his wife, Sue S. Lawson; a son, T/Sgt. Gene Allen Lawson, Tuscon, Ariz.; a daughter, Mary Ellen (Dilly) Dalton, Staffordsville; brothers, James W. Lawson, Pearisburg, B.J. (Bucky) Lawson, Radford; sisters, Evelyn L. Ratcliffe, Faye L. Dunford, Delores L. Johnston, all of Narrows; a granddaughter, Mar randa (Randi) Dalton, Staffordsville. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Riffe's Funeral Chapel in Narrows with the Rev. Dr. Joe Burton and the Rev. Leslie Shelton officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Narrows. The family will receive friends at Riffe's in Narrows, 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The family suggests that those who are going to send memorials, please consider the Ronald McDonald House of S.W. Virginia, 2224 S. Jefferson Street, Roanoke, VA 24014.

LAWSON, John Merry, 87, of Covington, died Monday, October 31, 1994. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and being handled by Arritt Funeral Home, Covington.

LISK, Maynard C., 88, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, November 1, 1994. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

MAXEY, James T., 64, of Amarillo, Texas, formerly of Roanoke, died Monday, October 31, 1994. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

MEISS, Paul H., 73, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, November 1, 1994. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

RHODES, Michael Lynn, (``Mike""), 32, of Roanoke, formerly of Little Rock, Ark., died early Monday, October 31, 1994. Mike is survived by his parents, Thomas and Alice Rhodes; a maternal grandmother, Marie Sullivan; a brother and sister-in-law, James Dean and Zina Rhodes; a sister, Kelly Ledford and two nephews and a niece, all of Arkansas. Mike was an active volunteer with the Roanoke Aids Project. He lovingly and compassionately taught AIDS awareness at many schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Mike also appeared on television to promote AIDS education. Mike's cheefrulness and indomitable sense of humor was much celebrated. Mike was preceded in death by his dear friend, Marsha Aliff and will be sadly missed by his friends Alice, Alan and Chuck, Gina, Jim, Peg and Terri, Wanda, Willow, the Bushnell family and the officers and volunteers of the Roanoke AIDS Project. Please consider donations to the Roanoke AIDS Project or the Ryan White Fund, c/o P.O. Box 4367, Roanoke, VA 24015

SPICER, Ruby Hudson, 59, of Sebring, Fla., formerly of Roanoke, died Monday, October 31, 1994, in a Sebring, Fla. hospital. Surviving are her husband, Darrell R. Spicer, Sebring, Fla.; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Lynn Blankenship, Larry and Dana Blankenship, all of Roanoke; four stepchildren; three grandchildren, Brett Blankenship, Jessica Blankenship, Jason Blankenship; four brothers, Dalton Hudson, John Hudson, William Hudson, Michael Hudson. Funeral services will be conducted at Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 10 a.m., Friday with the Rev. Joe Bryant officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel Thursday, where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

SPINNER, Donald, (``Butch""), 39, of Bedford, died Tuesday, November 1, 1994. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home.

SUTHERLAND, John Marks, 73, of Roanoke, died Thursday, October 27, 1994. Surviving are a daughter, Carol Hudson Jones, Miami, Fla.; one son, David W. Hudson, Amberg, Wis.; one sister, Gloria S. Balthis, Salem. His body was donated to the Medical College of Virginia.

WADE, Elizabeth Garwood, 102, of Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, November 1, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, Nicely Funeral Home Chapel. Arrangements by Nicely Funeral Home.

WASHINGTON, Ishan Rachais Brooks, 17, of Rocky Mount, died October 31, 1994. Arrangement by Stanfield Morturary Service.

WHITE, Lillian M., 91, of Martinsville, died Sunday, October 30, 1994. Graveside services, Friday, 1 p.m., Carver Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Stanfield-Miller Funeral Home.

WOMACK, Ira Jessee, 83, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 1994. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

WOOD, Esther Marie Yeilding, 73, of Blacksburg, died Monday, October 31, 1994, at Montgomery Regional Hospital. She was born on March 10, 1921, in Birmingham, Ala. to the late John and Willa Lee Gober Yeilding. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl W. and James Ruggiero, Blacksburg; two grandsons, James Ruggiero, Radford, Paul Ruggiero, Blacksburg; one sister, Mary Lewis, Palmerdale, Ala.; one nephew, George Lewis, Birmingham, Ala. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, November 3, 1994, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Blacksburg, with Father Paul V. Gallagher officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery County Community Shelter, P.O. Box 2308, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home.

Yearian, Thomas L, 77, of Christiansburg, died Sunday night, October 30, 1994, in Montgomery Regional Hospital. Interment will take place in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in DuQuoin, Ill. The body has been taken to the Neal-McClure Funeral Home, DuQuoin from the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg.