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

DATE: THURSDAY, January 5, 1995                   TAG: 9509220016
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

ANDREWS, Rev. Allen Howard, 44, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Roanoke, passed away Monday, January 2, 1995. He was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Ga. and a former pastor of the First Baptist Church Amsterdam of Daleville, Va. He was employed by the Atlanta Hilton Hotel as Chef. He leaves to rejoice in his memory his father, Rev. Willie Andrews; his mother, Mrs. Addie Andrews; five brothers, Cecil Andrews, David Andrews, James Andrews, Paul Andrews, all of Roanoke, Willie Andrews Jr. of Charleston, S.C.; two sisters, Ms. Annette Baxter and Ms. Brenda Howard of Roanoke; god daughter, Miss Tonya Gardner of Roanoke; four sisters-in-law, Mrs. Nancy Andrews, Mrs. Evelyn Andrews, and Mrs. Jeanetta Andrews, all of Roanoke, and Mrs. Carolyn Andrews of Charleston, S. C.; seven aunts; four uncles; nine nieces; four nephews; six great-nieces; two great-nephews; a host of cousins and many friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 7, 1995, by the Rev. Kenneth B. Wright at First Baptist Church, 310 North Jefferson Street, with the wake at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home, Friday, January 6, 1995 from 7 to 8 p.m.

ARRINGTON, Lila Mae Hodges 80, of Roanoke passed away Tuesday, January 3, 1995. Mrs. Arrington was active in church work throughout her life and was a member of Ridgevue Brethren In Christ Church. She was a retired employee of Roanoke County Schools. Surviving are her husband, R. Edward ""Ed"" Arrington; daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and the Rev. John Rogers, Hoganville, Ga., Betty and Clarence Tarpley, Roanoke, Virginia and Jerry Shaver, Troutville; grandchildren and spouses, W. Arthur Harris III, Chamblee, Ga., Marla and Bob Whiteloon, Charlevoix, MI., Ginger Harris, Roanoke, Adam and Willa Tarpley, Salem, Jay and Annette Tarpley, Roanoke, Jay Shaver and Angie Shaver, both of Roanoke; great-grandchildren, Nick Cripps a nd Christina Cripps; a number of nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Eunice Prillaman, Roanoke, Marjorie Arrington, Princeton, W.Va. Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Friday, at Oakey's North Chapel by Darrell L. Smucker and the Rev. John Rogers. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Oakey's North Chapel.

BRYAN, Arthur Houston, 89, of Covington, died Tuesday, January 3, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Loving Funeral Home Chapel

BUNN, Roncie Friel, 77, of Fancy Gap, died Tuesday, January 3, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m., Friday, Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home Chapel, Galax.

BURKS, Rachel Dorothy, 41, BURKS, Natasha Leigh, 9, of Clifton Forge, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Arrangements by Nicely Funeral Home.

BURNETTE, E. Sherrill, 85, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995, at his home after a long illness. He was retired from the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (Washington, D.C.), and a member of Belmont Baptist Church for almost 80 years. Mr. Burnette was a member of the Free Masons . Surviving are his wife of over 60 years, Vera English Burnette; two sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas W. and Florence M. Burnette of Alexandria, Richard L. and Mari-Ane Burnette of Strasburg; five grandchildren, Anne, Susan, Douglas, Tai, and Bradford Burnette. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Friday from Oakey's Roanoke Chapel with the Rev. Wayne Clay Harrison and the Rev. Chris Rakestraw officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Burial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, where the family will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

COX, Edna Olean, 77, of Galax, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home Chapel.

DEBO, Jerome D., Sr. (``Jerry''), 67, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995, in the VA Medical Center, Salem. He was a retired employee of Structural Steel and a Army Veteran of WWII. Surviving are his wife, Sylvia H. Debo, Roanoke; three daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Dennis Callahan, Virginia Beach, Diane and Roger Barber, Vinton, Donna Goad and Kevin Legge, Roanoke; two sons, J. Douglas Debo, Jr., R. David Debo, both of Roanoke; mother-in-law, Marie Hopcroft; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen Louise Beckley, Vienna, Dawn McCrea, Roanoke, Mildred (Junie) and Reginald Carr, Roanoke, Mary Ann and Billy Callahan, Ronaoke; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, R.J. and Linda Hopcroft, Mechanicsville; sister-in-law, Inez H. Mitchell, Roanoke; also a number of nieces and nephews. A funeral mass of the resurrection will be held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, 11:15 a.m. Friday, with the Rev. Randy Rule officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. A prayer vigil service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday in Oakey's Roanoke Chapel. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Oakey's Roanoke.

DIAMOND, Michael Allen, 40, of Hickory, N.C., passed away Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Galax. Arrangements by Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax.

ELLIS, Richard Shelton IV, 62, of Mt. Rush Farm, Buckingham, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, January 3, 1995. He is survived by his wife, Irene Stoneman Ellis; two daughters and sons-in-law, Randolph and Irene Ellis Leech of Elliston, Timothy and Margaret Anne Ellis Martin of Rustburg; three grandchildren; Kristen, T. J., and Richard Martin; a sister, Helen Ellis Petrill of Charleston, S.C. he was preceded in death by a son, Charles Shelton Ellis and his parents, Richard Shelton Ellis III and Kerah Carter Ellis. A Virginia Tech graduate, he was active in agricultural organizations in Virginia and nationally and a strong supporter of Cooperative Extension. He was a pro ducer of Angus cattle and Yorkshire hogs. At the time of his death he was chairman of the board of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative. He was a lifelong member and an Elder in Maysville Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be held at Maysville Presbyterian Church in Buckingham Court House on Friday, January 6, at 2 p.m. with burial in the community cemetery. The family will meet friends at Dunkum Funeral Home in Dillwyn between 7 and 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 5. Memorial contributions may be made to Maysville Presbyterian Church of Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center.

GOSNELL, Kathryn Gills, 87, of Granville, Ohio, died Monday, January 2, 1995. She was the sister of Mildred G. Wood, Bedford. Funeral and burial will be in Granville, Ohio.

HACKLER, June R., 80, of Independence, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Reins-Sturdivant Chapel.

HEATH, Chloe Akers, 67, of Chilhowie, died Tuesday, January 3, 1995. Funeral 1 p.m. Friday, Chihowie Christian Church. Arrangements by Williams Funeral Home.

HUTCHINSON, Susan L. 44, of Roanoke, died Sunday, January 1, 1995. In addition to others, surviving are her mother, brother and three children.

JOHNSON, Elizabeth S., 86, of the Lodi Community, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was a native of Washington County, Va., a member of Rock Spring Presbyterian Church and was a retired employee of the Southwestern Virginia State Hospital. Survivors include two sons, Robert Glen (Bob) Johnson of Abingdon, Thomas E. Johnson, of Bristol, Va.; three daughters, Mrs. Bill (D. Johnnie) Mullins and Mrs. Ray (Katherine Faye) Jones, both of Roanoke, and Mrs. Dan (Peggy J.) Tuggle of Newark, Del.; two sisters, Margaret Rutherford of Blountville, Tenn., Mary C. (Kate) Sheffield of Bristol, Tenn.; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robert Thornton officiating. Interment will be in the Rock Spring Cemetery. The family will receiv e friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Thursday at the Johnson Funeral Home in Damascus.

LAWSON, Ben Lloyd Sr., 89, of Washington, D.C., and formerly of Pulaski Co., passed away Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

LIVELY, H. M. Jr., (``Duke""), 50, of Blue Ridge, died Monday, January 2, 1995. He was a U. S. Army Veteran having served in Germany and Vietnam. Mr. Lively was an employee of ITT and a member of St. Philip Lutheran Church. Surviving are his wife, Elaine M. Lively; sons, Robert D. Lively, St. Paul, Minn., David S. Lively, Americus, Ga.; sisters, Mildred Gulley, Decatur, Ala., Shirley Baker, Ind.; a number of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Memorial Fund at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 8115 Williamson Road, Roanoke, VA 24019. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday at St. Philip Lutheran Church with the Rev. Paul ``Chip"" Gunsten officiating. Interment will follow in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Oakey's North Chapel.

MEGGINSON, Helena D., 91, of Roanoke, passed away Monday, January 2, 1995. Funeral services will be held Saturday 1 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Hollins, with the Rev. Charles Calloway officiating. Burial in Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Concord, Va. The family will receive friends Friday 7 to 8 p.m. at the church. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

MERCHANT, Richard Lewis, 83, of Lexington, formerly of Route 3, Moores Creek, Lexington, died peacefully in a local hospital on Wednesday, January 4, 1995. He was born on February 17, 1911, in Rockbridge County, a sons of the late Richard Isaiah Merchant and Lucy Isabelle (Empy) Merchant. Mr. Merchant was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a retired self-employed carpenter. He was a poet and a friend to many. Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews, including John and Ruth Harris, Lexington, also Lewis Atkinson; and great-niece, Anita Atkinson, both of Richmond, Elizabeth Jones, Mary Nowlin, and Richard Merchant, all of Lexington. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, January 6, 1995, in the Williams Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Barto n L. Hellmuth officiating. Interment will follow in the Deacon Family Cemetery, Rockbridge County. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m Thursday, January 5, 1995, at Williams Funeral Service, Lexington. Memorial donations may be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice, P. O. Box 948, Lexington, Virginia 24450.

PATSELL, Flossie F., 91, of Vinton, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 1995. She was the widow of Robert Henry Patsell and was predeceased by two sons, Paige Patsell and Bobby Patsell. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmie E. and Janice Patsell, Vinton, Jerry D. and June Patsell, Bedford County; daughter-in-law, Karen Patsell; former daughter-in-law, Peggy P. Peters; two brothers, Henry Flippen, Roanoke, Charlie Flippen, Bedford County; three sisters, Meada Holdren, Janie Wills, both of Vinton, Daisy Blevins, Spindale, N.C.; ten grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at noon Friday, January 6, 1995, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel, with the Rev. Holly O. Phillips officiating. Burial to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at Lotz Vinton Chapel after noon Thursday.

PETERSON, Bessie M., 95, of Bethel Park, Pa., formerly of Buena Vista, died Monday, January 2, 1995, in the Canonsburg Hospital, Canonsburg, Pa. A daughter of the late Littleton and Minerva Stores Nowlin, she

was born July 3, 1899 in Rockbridge County. For the last 5 years, she had lived with her niece, Mrs. Ocie Ponton in Bethel Park, Pa. and had been a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Library, Pa. She was preceded in death by a daughter and two sons. Surviving are three sons, Harold C. Anthony, Canton, Ohio, Emery Peterson, Philippines, and Stanley Peterson, Buena Vista; two daughters, Mrs. Madelyne Fields, Atlanta, Ga., and Mrs. Virginia Mills, Sacramento, Calif.; 17 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a sister, Mr s. Canzie Marshall, Lexington; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the First Baptist Church on Thursday evening from 7 until 8 . Friends may also pay their respects on Friday at the church from 12 noon until the 2 p.m. service time at which the Rev. Carl Tinsley will officiate. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Lexington. J. B. Lewis Funeral Service is handling the arrangements.

PIKE, Helen Elizabeth 93, of Salem, died Tuesday, January 3, 1995. She was a retired school teacher from Salem Schools. She is survived by one sister, Annie P. Hardison, Roanoke; nieces, Joan C. Pike, Elliston, Pat Cassidy, Roanoke, Susan Bishop, Botetourt; nephew, Richard Hardison, Texas; also numerous great nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, at Sherwood Memorial Park with the Rev. Thomas Joyce and Rev. Jonathan Bennett officiating. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 pm. Thursday at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem.

POFF, Walter Hughes, 78, of 3601 Fairlane Dr., High Point, N.C., died Tuesday, January 3, 1995, at his home. He was born November 7, 1916 in Copper Hill, Va., a son of William Isaac and Stella Florence Reed Poff. He has been a resident of High Point since 1962, coming here from Roanoke. He was a PGA Professional with the City of High Point at Blair Park for 13 years, retiring in 1975. A veteran of WW II, he served in the Seabees. On June 24, 1970, he was married to Mary Neely who survives, of Jamestown. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Bob (Dora) Jennings and Mrs. Agnes Roberson, both of Roanoke; and one brother, Alfred Poff of Roanoke. Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Sechrest Chapel on E. Lexington Ave. The family will be at the funeral home Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p .m. The body will be sent to Lotz Funeral Home on Franklin Rd. in Roanoke, where a service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. The family will be at Lotz Funeral Home in Roanoke Friday 6:30 to 8 p.m. The family requests that memorials be made to the charity of one's choice.

STEELE, Watson Allen, 79, of Covington, died Wednesday, January 4, 1995. Arrangements by Arritt Funeral Home.

TOWLES, Margaret Smith, 79, of Shepherdstown, W.Va., died on Thursday, December 29, 1994, in Montgomery, Ala. A former resident of Roanoke, she lived the last 15 years in Shepherdstown, W.Va. She is survived by two daughters, Diane Towles Johnson of Broadway, and Margo Towles Garrett of Montgomery, Ala.; and a son, William T. Towles Jr. of Oak Grove; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on February 18, 1995, at Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Boys' Home, 306 Boys' Home Road, Covington, VA 24426. The family invites those attending to join them at the Ramada Inn on Franklin Rd. following the service.

VIERS, G. Pierce, 84, of Christiansburg, died early Wednesday, January 4, 1995, in the Montgomery Regional Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Larkin Viers and Fannie Arrington Viers Turner; and three sisters, Pauline V. Strickler, Carva V. Sowers and Delaphine V. Sowers. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth Simmons Viers; three sisters, Eula V. Pugh, Christiansburg, Ruth T. Ange, Culpeper, Omega T. Long, Blacksburg. The funeral will be 1:30 p.m. Friday from the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Sunset Cemetery. Friends may call anytime Thursday and also Friday morning at the funeral home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday, January 5, from 6 until 8 p.m. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne.

WINGO, Stella Lawson, 83, of Joppa, Md., formerly of Narrows, Va., died Tuesday, January 3, 1995, in the Fallston General Hospital in Bel Air, Md. She was born in Montgomery County, Va. on December 24, 1911, and was the daughter of the late Sam Scott and Drucy Linkous Lawson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Burl F. Wingo, four brothers and three sisters. She is survived by a son, Robert L. Woolwine, Elsmere, Md.; daughters, Kathryn Jane Lovern, Roanoke, Va., Elizabeth M. Thompson, Joppa, Md., Betty Thompson, Christiansburg, Va.; brothers, Ernest E. Lawson, Narrows, Va., Mason Lawson, Covington, Ky.; sisters, Ola A. Lucas, Narrows, Va., Mildred Dunn, Peterstown, W. Va., Bertha Rice, Pembroke, Va.; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral s ervices will be held Friday, January 6, 1995, at 11 a.m. at Riffe's Funeral Chapel in Narrows, with the Rev. Paul Terry and Rev. Eddie Kendall officiating. Burial will follow in Angel's Rest Cemetery, Narrows, Va. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday from 7-9 p.m.

YOUNG, Edwin M., 83, of Chesapeake, who served as an attorney in Roanoke, Richmond, and Chase City, died Monday, January 2, 1995, in the U.S. Naval Hospital, Portsmouth. During World War II he was an intelligence officer with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. He continued his service as an active member in the Naval Reserve. Mr. Young was graduated from the University of Virginia in 1933 in Business and two years later from the School of Law. That year he and another student constituted the team that won the coveted annual William Minor Lyle Moot Court Competition. Mr. Young was born in Petersburg on March 20, 1911. The son of William S. Young and Irby c. Young, he is survived by a son, Coleman, Norfolk and a brother, William, Charlotteville. There will be a graveside service at Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg on Saturday, January 7, 1995, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made to St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, Roanoke.