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

DATE: THURSDAY, December 29, 1994                   TAG: 9509220009
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BYRD, Louisa Blacknall, 70, of Burlington, N.C. (Anderson Community), died Wednesday, December 28, 1994 at her home. Born in Pittsylvania County, she was the daughter of the late Charles Perry Blacknall and Maude Davis Blacknall. She was a teacher in Caswell County Schools for 27 years, a member of Bethel United Church of Christ, where she served as Moderator and Deaconess. She attended Elon College, Western Carolina and Guilfo rd College. She was a member of Caswell County Ladies Auxillary of the VFW, Anderson Homemakers Club and the Elizabeth Fitch Circle. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Goldenston. She is survived by her husband, Hassel Allen Byrd Sr., of the home; three sons, Hassel Allen Byrd Jr., Burlington, N.C. David Blacknall Byrd, Anderson, N.C. and Steven Hayes Byrd, Greensboro, N.C.; one daughter, Mrs. Charles Anna Ribelin, Vinton, Va.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Mrs. Byrd will remain at Lowe Funeral Home until being taken to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. Funeral service 2 p.m. Friday, December 30, 1994, at Bethel United Church of Christ. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The family requests memorials be made to Bethel United Church of Christ, Rt. 3, Box 265, Burlington, N.C., 27217 or to Hospice of Alamance-Caswell, 317 N. Graham-Hopedale Rd., Burlington, N.C. 27217. Arrangements by Lowe Funeral Home, Inc., Burlington.

CLARK, Lena Staples, 86, of Hillsville, died Wednesday, December 28, 1994. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Harrison Funeral Home Chapel, Lexington.

CRAWFORD, Lola M., 67, of Salem, died Tuesday, December 27, 1994. Graveside service 11 a.m. Friday, Mt. Union Cemetery. Arrangements by Rader Funeral Home, Troutville.

CUPP, Chester Thomas, (Sonny), 71, of Blacksburg, died Tuesday, December 27, 1994, at the VA Medical Center, Salem. Mr. Cupp was born in Blacksburg on April 16, 1923, a son of the late Robert L. and Addie Linkous Cupp. He was a World War II veteran. Survivors include three sisters and a brother-in-law, Ann Boyd, Winter Haven, Fla., Evelyn Linkous, Blacksburg, Dorothy and Fred J. Cromer, Richmond; special friends, Marvin and Beanie Howard, Randall Howard, and Laura Bean Howard, and family, all of Christiansburg; several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 30, in Westview Cemetery with the Rev. Dale Snider officiating. The family will meet at the funeral home to go to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 176, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home.

DENNIS, Eula Burns, 89, of Grundy, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 1994, in Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn., following a lengthy illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Willie Lee and Mary Ann Fletcher Dennis, both Buchanan County natives. Miss Dennis was a life long resident of Buchanan County and was a member of Grundy United Methodist Church. She was a graduate of Grundy High School, Radford State Teachers College, University of Virginia and had taught school and served as librarian for the Buchanan County School System for more than 40 years. She was a member of the Virginia Retired Teachers Association, a member of Florence Ann Chapter of the Eastern Star and was the last surviving member of her family. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. Earl (Chloe) Smith and Mrs. Henry (Ruth) Scott, three brothers, Percy V. Dennis, Sr., W. Clyde Dennis and John Dennis. She is survived by four nieces, Anne Ryan, Doris Bruce, Jean Bliss and Charlotte Fitzgerald; two nephews, Bob Dennis and Bill Dennis; one special great-nephew, Michael Dennis, Richlands. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, December 30, 1994, at 11 a.m. at the Grundy United Methodist Church by the Rev. Warren Stewart, Rev. Jay Ferguson and Evg. Clarence Greenleaf officiating. Burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill. Friends may call Thursday evening at 6 p.m. Arrangements by Grundy Funeral Home.

EHRISMAN, Robert Glenn, 66, Of Middlesburg, Fla., formerly of Roanoke, Va., died Monday, December 26, 1994. Funeral services 11 a.m. Friday, December 30, 1994, Rose and Quesenberry Peace Chapel. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Chapel, Beckley, W.Va.

FARRAR, Fannie Charleston Sarver, 86, of Lynchburg, died Wednesday, December 28, 1994. Born in Newport, November 25, 1908, she was a daughter of the late George Henderson Sarver and Ether Mae Tabor Sarver. She was the widow of Elijah W. Sarver. She was a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church, the Dorcus Ladies Club, and the Senior Saints Ministry. She is survived by four sisters, Louise Willard of Richmond, Hattie Gillispie of Roanoke, Lola Kirk and Margie Scott, both of Newport; two brothers, Walter Sarver of Bedford, and Clarence Sarver of Newport; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Lacy Sarver. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Thomas Road Baptist Church, Pate Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Jerry Falwell, and Pastors Jerry Cordic and Norman Hedding. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas Road Baptist Church Senior Saints Ministry, or Elim Home, Madison Heights, VA 24572.

FOSTER, Mildred Jean, 70, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, December 28,1994. Arrangements by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

FRIEND, Kenneth E. Sr., 60, of Bozoo, W.Va. died Tuesday, December 27, 1994. Funeral services 2 p.m. Thursday, Broyles Funeral Home Chapel, Peterstown, W. Va.

GUFFEY, Thomas Paul, 20, of Wirtz, died Wednesday, December 28, 1994. Graveside services 2 p.m. Friday, Ferguson Family Cemetery, Wirtz. Arrangements by Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount.

HANCOCK, Tony Lamont, 39, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, December 22, 1994, in Reston. Survivors include his mother, Esther Burns; one son, Tellas Minor; one stepson, Gregory L. Hunt, all of Roanoke; two brothers, Charles (Barbara) Hancock and Cosby (Janie) Burns, both of Roanoke; four sisters, Patricia Hancock, Carolyn (James) Hardy, Janice Hancock, all of Roanoke, Angela Burns, Rocky Mount; two devoted friends, Betty Duncan and Brenda Minor, both of Roanoke; a host of other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be Friday 11 a.m. at the Hamlar-Curtis Chapel. Rev. U. N. Broady will officiate. Interment will be in Williams Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

HARRIS, Nannie Payne, 90, of 498 Bassett St., Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 1994, at the Park Medical Center in Columbus. A native of Goodview, she was the daughter of the late Winston and Alice Payn e. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Ernest, Mack, John Dayton and Willie Payne; and five sisters, Fannie Wallace of Pittsburgh, Mabel Crawford of Baltimore, Lula Dean of Moneta, Martelia Curtis and Norval Belton of Roanoke. She moved to Columbus as a young woman and made her home there until her death. She was the Grand Matriarch of the Payne Family Reunion that meets about three times each year in Baltimore, Columbus and Roanoke. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Elsie Jones Colter of Baltimore; five generations of nieces and nephews; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Mamie Payne, Goodview, Mrs. Lottie Payne Murphy, Vinton. She embraced one niece, Frances (``Kitty'') Ranson as a young child, as her own, and Kitty and her family have cared for (``Aunt Nannie'') for many years. This family also includes a great-nephew, Dr. Robert Ransom and his wife, Phyllis; a great-niece, Joyce Wolfe; great-great-nieces, Rosa Harper and Rashida Ransom; great-great-nephew, Dannie Harper Jr. and great-great-great-niece, Angel Harper, all of Columbus. There are several generations of nieces and nephews in Goodview, Moneta, Roanoke, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Landover, Md., Georgia and Providence, R.I., who will rejoice in her memory. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 31, 1994, at the Chapel of Diehl Whitaker Funeral Home, 720 Long St., Columbus, Ohio, with the Rev. Eugene Wooden officiating. Burial in Evergreen Cemetery in Columbus. (Information submitted by Hamlar-Curtis).

HOPKINS, Harriot Rutherfoord 66, of Daleville, died Wednesday, December 28, 1994 at her home. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

HUMPHRIES, Joanne Harrison, 62, of Selma, died Wednesday, December 28, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Nicely Funeral Home Chapel, Clifton Forge.

KOCH, Pearl Faye 45, of Rocky Mount, died Tuesday, December 27, 1994. Arrangements by Arrington Bussey Funeral Home, Rocky Mount.

LAYMAN, Elsie Louise, 71, of Salem, died Wednesday, December 28, 1994. Memorial services 2 p.m. Saturday, Lotz Salem Chapel.

LONG, Stanley W., 70, of Roanoke, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 28, 1994. ``Children's Children are the crown of Old Men; and the Glory of Children are their fathers'' Prov. 17:6. He was a native of Roanoke, a World War II Navy veteran and retired from the N & W Railroad. He was preceded in death by his parents, John D. and Berta T. Long of Salem and a brother, Raymond J. Long. Survivors include his wife, Helen F. Long, Roanoke; a sister and brother-in-law, Juanita and John W. Glass of Titusville, Fla.; two sons and daughter-in-law, John D. Long and Stanley W. and Kelle Long all of Roanoke; five daughters and sons-in-law, Helen L. and Kenneth W. Johnson, Nila and Bill Stickney of Roanoke, Lita L. and Randy L. Long of Fincastle , Mary L. and Robert Bunn of Maysville, Kentucky, Sherry L. and Keith Joseph of Smilax, Kentucky; also surviving are 23 grandchildren and three nieces. Funeral services will be held Friday, 1:30 p.m. at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel with Pastors J. E. Edwards and Paul Campbell officiating. Friends may call Thursday at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the Gideons International.

MINNICK, Engle Dove, 93, of Parrott, died Tuesday, December 27, 1994, in Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Blacksburg. She was a member of Parrott Church of God. Born October 15, 1901, she was the daughter of the late Andrew Jackson Jennell and Sarah Phillips Jennell. She is survived by a daughter, Virginia Almeta Albert of Parrott. Three Sons, Fred W. Minnick of Parrott, Donald K. Minnick of Parrott, and Jack H. Minnick of Radford. A daughter-in-law, Betty Minnick of Martinsville. Also survived by seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, December 30, 1994, from the Parrott Church of God with the Rev. W.O. Myers officiating. Interment will follow in the Sifford Cemetery in Parrott. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford.

QUARLES, Mary Edna Foster, 90, of Bedford, died Tuesday, December 27, 1994. Graveside services 2 p.m. Thursday, Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home, Bedford.

RAY, Donald L., 60, of Patrick Springs, Va. died Wednesday, December 28, 1994. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Moody Funeral Home Chapel.

RICHARDSON, Paul E., 79, of Rugby, passed away Wednesday, December 28, 1994. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence,Va.

ROBINSON, Jack Lewis, 74, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, December 27, 1994. He was a retired employee of the Norfolk & Western Railway with 50 years of service. He was a member of Pleasants Lodge #63 A.F. & A.M. and Webber High Twelve Lodge #282 A.F. & A.M. Mr. Robinson was a m ember of Oakland Baptist Church. Born in Roanoke, he was a former resident of Fincastle and was preceded in death by his parents, Louis E. Robinson and Naomi Ruth Strickler Robinson. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Robinson Dowdy and Otis L. Dowdy; two grandchildren, Erin Dowdy and Jessica Dowdy, all of Roanoke; one sister, Frances H. Robinson, Fincastle. Services will be at Oakey's South Chapel, 2 p.m., Friday, December 30, 1994. Dr. William L. Ross will officiate. Interment will follow in Troutville Cemetery. Masonic rites will be by Pleasants Lodge #63 A.F. & A.M. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

SIMMONS, Garnet Wilson, 85, of Ripplemead, died Tuesday, December 27, 1994, in Giles Memorial Hospital at Pearisburg. Born in Rockingham Co., on November 13, 1909, he was a son of the late Joshua and Maggie Lambert Simmons. He was a retired meat cutter and a member of Pearisburg Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Virginia Showalter Simmons; one daughter, Alice S. Hudson of Pembroke; two sons, Leon W. Simmons of Hartfield, Don W. Simmons of Stafford; one nephew, Harry Lee Simmons of Bridgewater; eight grandchildren, Brenda H. Metro of Blacksburg, Jennifer H. Williams of Pembroke, Karen A. Hudson of Pembroke, Tammy L. Edwards of Amherst, Amanda M. Simmons of Fairfax, Jeanne E. Simmons of Fairfax, Teresa S. Simpson of Staunton, Carl A. Simmons of Deltaville; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m., Friday, December 30, 1994, in the Kendall Funeral Home Chapel at Pembroke with the Rev. Randy Pittman officiating. Burial will be in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m.

SMITH, Agnes Bowles, 64, of Montvale, died Wednesday, December 28, 1994, in a Roanoke Nursing Home. She was born in Bedford County on September 14, 1930, a daughter of the late John Walter Bowles and Eva Brooks Bowles. She was a former employee H. L. Lawson and Son, Inc. and was a member of Vinton Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Donald R. Smith; two daughters, Donna S. O'Brien, Vinton and Vickie S. Henson, Salem; a brother, William H. Bowles, Montvale; a sister, Ada B. Troutt, Montvale; three grandchildren, Blaine O'Brien, Emily O'Brien and Brooks Henson. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, December 30, 1994, 11 a.m. at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel with Dr. William L. Ross officiating. Burial will follow in Montvale Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

WILLIAMS, Shirley, of Amherst, formerly of Bedford, died Wednesday, December 28, 1994. She is survived by four brothers, Elwood Williams Sr., Joseph Williams Sr., both of Bedford, Lawrence Williams, Montvale, Richard Williams, Roanoke; one sister, Bernice Jones, Bedford; other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held Friday, December 30, 1994, at 1 p.m. at the Bedford Funeral Home Chapel, Bedford. Interment will follow in the Fairmont Cemetery in Bedford. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home.