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

DATE: TUESDAY, December 13, 1994                   TAG: 9508250050
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BITTLE, Nancy Overfelt, 84, of Radford, died Sunday, December 11, 1994, at Richfield Nursing Center in Salem. She was born in Franklin County, May 21, 1910, and was the daughter of the late Willie A. and Della Custer Overfelt. She was a member of the Fairlawn Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald W. Bittle Jr. Surviving are a devoted sister, Mary Akers Loudermilk of Fairlawn; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 14, 1994, at 11 a.m. from the Fairlawn Presbyterian Church with Dr. William H. Jackson officiating. Interment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford. In lieu of flowers, an expression of sympathy may be made in the form of a donation to Fairlawn Presbyterian Church or to the Pulaski County Life Saving Crew. Arrangements are being conducted by DeVilbis s Funeral Home in Radford.

BRYANT, Edward, Alcorn, 75, of Danville, died Saturday, December 10 1994 . Surviving are his wife, Agnes P. Bryant of the home; a son, Robert E. (Bob) Bryant; daughter-in-law, Judy B. Bryant; granddaughter, Kristina L. Bryant; grandson, John R. Bryant, all of Roanoke; a brother, James B. Bryant of Danville. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 14, 1994, in Danville Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Dr. J. Wesley Inge officiation. Military Honors given by American Legion Post 325. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Wrenn-Yeatts Westover Chapel. The family requests that memorials be made to the Danville Life Saving Crew, Inc., 202 Christopher Lane, Danville, Va. 24541. Arrangements by Wrenn-Yeatts Funeral Home.

BURNETTE, Andrew Davis, 35, of Shawsville, died Sunday, December 11, 1994. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie R. Burnette; sons, William Edward Burnette and Jacob Daniels Burnette; father, Clovis A. Burnette, Roanoke; mother, Clara F. Bassett, N.C.; brothers, Mark W. Burnette and Michael E. Burnette, both of Roanoke. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 1994, at Mt. View Cemetery, Vinton, by Rev. Michael Slaughter. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Lotz Vinton Chapel. Memorials may be made to the Andrew D. Burnette Fund c/o 3518 Yellow Mtn. Road, Roanoke, VA 24014.

CHOATE, Click, 90, of Dublin, died Saturday, December 10, 1994 in Radford Community Hospital after a long illness. He was born September 29,1904 in Alleghany Co., Sparta, N. C. He was the son of the late Emmett and Flora Choate. He was a member of the Faith Tabernacle United Holy Church, Dublin, Va., where he served as deacon and superintendent of Sunday School. He was the past president of the General Usher Dept. of the United Holy Church of America and past president of the W. Va. District Usher Dept. Survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Opal Thomas and Mrs. Patsy L. Slade, both of Winston-Salem, N.C., Mrs. Barbara Witcher of Dublin, Va.; two sons, Harley J. Choate of Wake Forest, Va. and Burnette Choate of Winston-Salem, N.C.; one daughter-in-law, Hazel Choate of Wake Forest, Va.; one son-in-law, Winifield Slade of Winston-Salem, N.C.; one brother, Mr. Winifred Choate of Sparta, N.C.; one sister-in-law, Cora Lee Choate of Sparta, N.C.; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Dublin United Methodist Church, Dublin, Va., with Elder Mike Brown officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening at the Faith Tabernacle United Holy Church on Baskerville St., Dublin, Va., from 7 to 9 p.m. Burial will be at the Choate Family Cemetery, Sparta, N.C. Arrangements by Penn's Funeral Home, Pulaski.

CRABTREE, Helen Marie, 81, of Narrows, died Monday, December 12, 1994. Arrangements by Riffe's Funeral Service.

DUDLEY, H. Hester, 61, of Rocky Mount, died Monday, December 12, 1994. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.

EPPERLY, John David, 51, of Tampa, Fla. and formerly of Bluefield, died Friday, December 2, 1994, in Tampa, Fla. He was born in Chicago, Ill. and was a son of Hilda S. Huffard of Bluefield and the late Jack M. Epperly. He was a graduate of Graham High School and received a BS Degree in music from Concord College in 1965. He began his musical career with the Blue Chords, a local rock & roll band. From 1965 until 1994 he developed a career in circus and show music. He was a renowned keyboardist arranger/director in many shows including Hoxie Brothers, The Royal Lippizzan Stallions, The Beatty-Cole Circus, Ringling Bros., The Ice Capades, Circus Vargas, International Circus, The Shrine Circus, Clyde Brothers and most recently, The Bentley Brothers Circus. He was a member of the Circus Hall of Fame in Sarasota, Fla. He performed in 46 states throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico during his career. Additional survivors include a brother, Steve Epperly, Bluefield; and nephew, Mark Epperly, Bluefield. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield. Burial will be in the Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg. Donations may be made to the American Heart Fund.

FRALIN, Ollie Elizabeth, 91, of Roanoke, died Monday, December 12, 1994. She was born in Franklin County, June 21, 1904. Her parents were William Harrison and Martha Kate Pasley. She was a former teacher in Franklin County in a one room schoolhouse. She married Grover Gordon Fralin, now deceased, and moved to Roanoke, where she was a housewife. Mrs. Fralin was preceded in death by one son, Horace Grover Fralin; and is survived by his wife, Ann Huff Fralin. She is also survived by two sons, Gordon Wayne Fralin, M.D. and William Heywood Fralin; three sisters, Evelyn Pasley Moore, Mary Pasley, Sally Pasley Aldridge; grandchildren, Mark Wayne Fralin, Michael Gordon Fralin, William Scott Fralin, Gale Elizabeth Fralin, Joh n Timothy Fralin, Jill Louise Fralin, William H. Fralin Jr., Katherine L. Fralin, Robert P. Fralin, Kay F. Bechtel; a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 10:30 a.m., Wednesday with Elder Lane Carter officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel after 12 noon Tuesday, where the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m.

GOGGIN, Bonnie Perry Ponder, 107, of Roanoke, died Friday December 9, 1994, in a local nursing home. She was the widow of Boyce Hamilton Goggin. Surviving are devoted friends, Calvin Hyatt and Gene Ellis of Roanoke; one nephew, William F. Newman, Tampa, Fla. Funeral services will be at the graveside, Sherwood Memorial Park at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 14, 1994, with the Rev. Walter M. Lockett Jr. , officiating. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

GROVES, Walter Madison, 51, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, December 11, 1994. Survivors include his wife, Sarah Johnson Groves; one daughter, Madison Groves; one son, Casey Groves, all of Roanoke; one brother, Jonathan Howell, Des Moines, Iowa; stepfather, Leroy Howell, Brooklyn, N.Y.; mother-in-law, Lillie Mae Johnson, Moneta; two sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; four nieces; one nephew; other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the family. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

HUBBARD, John Paul, 84, of Baltimore, Md., formerly of Roanoke, died Sunday, December 11, 1994. Beloved husband of the late Ada N. Dalton Hubbard. Surviving are three daughters, Marian Neeb, Paulette Hubbard and Vickey Kloetzer; one sister, Priscilla Goode; 6 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to call at Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., Baltimore, Md. on Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Services will be held on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Interment in Evergreen Burial Park. Arrangements by Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., Baltimore, Md.

HUNT, Gertrude Good, 91, of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord, Sunday evening, December 11, 1994. She was the widow of R. Dewey Hunt, a member of First Baptist Church for over 50 years (where she was in the Mary Martha Class and the Chancel Choir), a member and former officer of the South Roanoke Garden Club, and the retired treasurer of R. D. Hunt & Son, Inc. Surviving are a daughter, Betty Jane Hunt, a son and daughter-in-law, Robert D. Jr. and Mary Lee Hunt, all of Roanoke; four grandchildren and spouses, Mary Beth and Bryan Dearing, Martin, Tenn., Terri and Lawrence Jessee, Augusta, Ga., Sandy and John Bishop, Wytheville, Becky Hunt, Fort Myers, Fla.; nine great-grandchildren, Robert, Amy, Sarah, Megan, Joseph, and Benjamin Jessee, Emily, Charles, and Grayson Dearing; two sisters, Grace Huss, Carmichael, Calif., Eleanor Umberger, Roanoke; two brothers, Ralph Good, Roanoke and Sam Good, Salem. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday from Oakey's Roanoke Chapel with the Rev. John D. Cochran and the Rev. Doyal V. Spence officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering c/o First Baptist Church (P.O. Box 2799, Roanoke, VA 24001). Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel where the family will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

KINDER, Beulah Ann, 94, of Rural Retreat, died Monday, December 12, 1994. Funeral services 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 1994, at the Lindsey Funeral Home Chapel, Rural Retreat.

KITTS, William H., (``Bill""), 66, of Christiansburg, died Sunday, December 11, 1994. He was a re tired fire safety inspector with the RAAP Fire Department, with 25 years service, a veteran of WWII, a life member of the DAV and a member of the VFW. Surviving are his wife, Marie Kitts; two daughters and sons-in-law, Louse and Rick Dyer of Springfield, Va., Ruth Ann and Rick Bramblett of Waldorf, Md.; one sister, Elizabeth K. Moye, Christiansburg; and three brothers, Jack W. Kitts, Floyd, Joseph B. Kitts and Huston W. Kitts, both of Christiansburg. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Richardson-Horne Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Fred Clemons, with burial in Sunset Cemetery. The family requests flowers be omitted and contributions be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, Box 176, Christiansburg, Va. 24073 or to the charity of one's choice. Friends may call anytime after noon on Tuesday at the funeral home and the family will receive friends there from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evening. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne.

LEWIS, James Edward Sr., 70, of Hollins, passed away Saturday December 10, 1994. Funeral services will be Wednesday 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Hollins. Rev. Charles Calloway will officiate with interment in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday 7 to 8 p.m. at the church. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

MARTIN, Fannie Emmaline, 97, of Hillsville, passed away Sunday, December 11, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m., Wednesday, Gladesboro Lutheran Church. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in charge of arrangements.

McCRAY, Gwendolyn Faye Wood, 46, of Salem, died Sunday, December 11, 1994, in Lewis-Gale Hospital. She was born in Troutville, and had been employed at the Cycle Center in Salem, where she worked in the Parts Dept. She was a member of the First Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her father, Dewy R. Wood, sisters, Dorothy Wilkerson and Sandra K. Stacey. Survivors include her husband, Robert ``Bob"" McCray; a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry Dale Sr. and Elizabeth Ann McCray of Salem; a daughter, Sondra Michelle McCray of Salem; a grandson, Jerry Dale McCray Jr.; her mother, Flora Belle Wood of Troutville; brothers, Matthew E. Wood of Troutville, D. R. Wood Jr. and Henry Wood, both of Roanoke, Ronnie E. Wood of Troutville; sisters, Christine L. Watson of Midlothian, Va., Joyce Bishop of Troutville, Nancy Avery of Roanoke, and Katherine Sligh of Troutville. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 1994, at 11 a.m., in the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel in Salem, with the Rev. Wayne W. McCauley officiating. Burial will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Monday from 7 until 9 p.m., and Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 until 9 p.m at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Volunteer Rescue Squad, or the American Cancer Society.

RICHARDSON, William Zeb, 68, of Chilhowie, died Monday, December 12, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Wednesday, Barnett's Funeral Chapel. Arrangements by Barnett's Marion Funeral Chapel.

RILEY, Mamie Frances 84 of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, December 11, 1994. Surviving are one sister, Maude V. Stanley, Roanoke; one brother, Clarence H. Riley, Roanoke; a number of nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Kelly Dampeer. Friends may call at Oakey's North Chapel.

SNOW, Laura Alice 81, of Pulaski, passed away Monday, December 12, 1994. Funeral services 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 14, 1994, at the First Church of God, Airport Rd., Bluefield, W.Va. Arrangements by Seaver, Sanders & Mullins.

SNOW, Laura Alice Belton, 81, of Bluefield, W. Va., passed away Monday, December 12, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Wednesday, First Church of God, Airport Road, Bluefield, W. Va. Arrangements by Seaver-Sanders, Mullins Funeral Home, Princeton.

SOWERS, Beulah Slusher, 82, of Christiansburg, formerly of Floyd, passed away Monday, December 12, 1994. She is survived by her husband, James Sowers, Christiansburg; one daughter, Kathryn S. Stewart, Tenn.; two grandsons, Christopher Stewart and Timothy Stewart, both of Tennessee; one brother, Raymond Slusher, Bedford, Indiana. Funeral services will be Wednesday, 11 a.m., at Gardner Funeral Home Chapel in Floyd, with the Rev. Donald Peters and the Rev. Elbert Lee Naff officiating. Interment in Jacksonville Cemetery in Floyd. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 pm. at the Christiansburg Church of the Brethren, Christiansburg.

STONE, Rachel W., 52, of Bassett, passed away Sunday, December 11, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oak Level Baptist Church. Arrangements by Norris Funeral Services.

STONEMAN, Harry Brooks, 90, of 1633 Fancy Gap Road, Mount Airy, N.C., died Sunday, December 11, 1994, at Northern Hospital of Surry County, after a lengthy illness. Brooks was born in Carroll County, March 7, 1904, and was a retired carpenter and a member of Mount Airy Church of Christ. He is survived by one daughter, Carol Stoneman Corder and one son-in-law, Billy Corder of 1637 Fancy Gap Rd., Mt. Airy, N.C.; two granddaughters, Sherry Corder Hamm of Mt. Airy, N.C., and Sheila Corder Bowman of Kernersville, N.C.; four great-grandchildren, Austin and Caleb Hamm, and Heather and Brian Bowman. He is also survived by s everal nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 14, 1994, at 2 p.m. at Oakland United Methodist Church conducted by Charles Ward and Billy Corder with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax, on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., where his body will remain until time to be carried to the church to lie in state 30 minutes before the funeral service. Memorials may be made to the Activities Fund of the Skilled Care Facility of Northern Hospital of Surry County, Mt. Airy, N.C. or Oakland Cemetery Fund. Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax, in charge of arrangements.

TAYLOR, Charles Emmett, 79, of Bedford, died Monday, December 12, 1994, in Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was born in Bedford County on March 13, 1915, a son of the late Percy R. Taylor and Hallie Brown Taylor. He was preceded in death by his two wives, Frances Rawlings Taylor, and Elizabeth Hundley Nance Taylor, and also one sister, and three brothers. He was a retired employee of L.T. Stewart Chrysler-Plymouth Dealership, and a veteran of World War II, and was awarded the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart with Two Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, a nd a member of Main Street United Methodist Church. He is survived by a stepdaughter, Sharon Nance Cargill, Martinsville; a niece, Angela Taylor Hume, Port Tobacco, Md.; two nephews, Bruce R. Taylor, Hialeah, Fla., and Lynn B. Taylor, Fairfax Station; four stepgrandchildren. Cryptside services will be conducted Wednesday, December 14, 1994, at 12 noon at Virginia Memorial Park Mausoleum with the Rev. D. Glen Langston and the Rev. Dr. Carl H. Douglass, Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church or the Bedford Life Saving Crew. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

THACKER, Virginia Burroughs, 62, of Roanoke, died Sunday December 11, 1994, in a local nursing home. She was the widow of Ralph J. Thacker. A retired employee of Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley. A member of Central United Methodist Church, Salem and The Rebecca Lodge. Surviving are a daughter, Rachel Thacker Huddleston and her husband, Rick, of Roanoke; son, Dr. Wayne Thacker and wife, Teresa of Ona, W.Va.; four grandchildren, Chase, Beth and Clay Thacker, Ona, W.Va., Nikki Huddleston, Roanoke; twelve brothers and sisters, Jack Burroughs, Fred Burroughs, both of Pulaski, Harry Burroughs, Stephen City, Charles Burroughs, Morrow, W.Va., Orin Burroughs, Odessa, Wash., John Burroughs, Bonnesville, Ky., Mable Morris, Bluefield, W.Va., Maxine Eaton, Wanda Blankenship, Betty Lane, all of Bland, Dorothy Vest, Dublin, and Frances Parcell, Poplar Hill. Funeral services will be from Oakey's Roanoke Chapel noon Wednesday with the Rev. Dr. William A. Davis Jr. officiating. Interment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.

TRUMP, William M., 89, of Christiansburg, died Sunday, December 11, 1994, at Radford Community Hospital. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Pete Flinchum and the Rev. Mike Reynolds, 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 are being handled by Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

TURNER, Jeanne Alice, 59, of Glenshaw, Pa., formerly of Bedford, died Sunday, December 11, 1994, in a Roanoke hospital. She was born in Bedford County of May 9, 1935, a daughter of the late Earl Thomas Turner, Sr. and Alice Woodford Creasey Turner. She is survived by two brothers, E. Thomas Turner, Jr., Bedford, Carl Wayne Turner, Tocoma, Wash.; several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 1994, at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel with the Rev. John Carroll Mitchell, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

WEDDLE, Mamie Lee Turner, 79, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, December 11, 1994. Funeral 12 p.m. Tuesday, Lotz Vinton Chapel.

WILLIAMS, Maggie Deans, 94, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, December 11, 1994, in Friendship Healthcare Center. Formerly of Smithfield, she was a daughter of the late Judson A. and Margaret Russell Deans. Mrs. Williams was the widow of Floyd E. Williams, Sr., and a member of Melrose Baptist Church. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Ava W. and James E. Morgan, Roanoke; son and daughter-in-law, Floyd E., Jr. and Patricia S. Williams, Portsmouth; grandchildren, Pam and Jay Morgan, Becky Frenia and Tim Williams; 5 great-grandchildren; sisters, Bertha Spivey, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., Thelma Carroll, Smithfield; a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Melrose Baptist Church. A graveside service will be conducted 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, in Sherwood Memorial Park by the Rev. Larry E. Sprouse. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Oakey's North Chapel.

WILSON, Margaret Frances Lutian, 70, of Roanoke, died Monday, December 12, 1994, at her home. She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church and was retired from S. H. Heronimus. Surviving are her husband, James Everett Wilson; two daughters, Connie Wilson Leff, Burlington ,Vt. and Anna Wilson Smith, Slidell, La., a son, James Wilson, Greensboro; one grandson, Jonathan Leff, Burington, Vt.; three granddaughters, Heather, Angela, and Holly Smith, all of Slidell, La.; a sister, Barbara Ash, Stowe, Ohio. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 1994 at Oakey's North Chapel with the Rev. Peter Tran officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel.

WIRT, Ruby Alice, 81, of Christiansburg, died Sunday, December 11, 1994. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

WORRELL, William Harrison, 88, of Dublin, died Sunday, December 11, 1994. Funeral Wednesday, 11 a.m., Stevens Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.