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

DATE: SUNDAY, February 19, 1995                   TAG: 9509220042
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BAUMGARDNER, Virgil A., 81, of Salem, died Saturday, February 18, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

BLESSING, Jerry Kenneth, 60, of Roanoke, died Friday, February 17, 1995. Mr. Blessing was retired from Standard Parts Corporation. Surviving are his wife, Martha S. Blessing; his mother-in-law, Edna P. Shupe, Roanoke. A graveside service will be conducted 10 a.m. Monday, February 20, 1995, at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Emory N. Tarpley, Sr. and Chaplain T.G. Ayers officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 4404 Williamson Rd., NW, Roanoke, VA 24012. Friends may call after 12 noon Sunday at Lotz Roanoke Chapel where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m.

BRAFORD, Andrew, 4, infant son of Richard and Lori Braford, of Blue Ridge, passed away Saturday, February 18, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

BRUCE, Garland Stafford, of 1988 Peppers Ferry Road, Pulaski, died Friday, February 17, 1995, in the Pulaski Community Hospital. He was born in Hollins and was the son of the late Frank Lee Bruce and Anna Copenhaver Bruce. He was a retired employee of Appalachian Power Co., Pulaski, having 41 years of service. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pulaski, a member of the Pulaski Elks Lodge and also a member of Thornspring Golf Club. Mr. Bruce was a veteran having served during WW II in the U.S. Army. Surviving are his wife, Frances Bruce, Pulaski; one sister, Mrs. Dorothy Bruce Cruser, Salem; one brother, Frank Lee Bruce Jr., Richmond. Funeral services will be held Monday 11 a.m. from the Stevens Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Norman Wilhoit officiating. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Cemetery, Marion. Visitation Sunday 7 to 9 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home. The family wishes that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church, 135 Fourth St. NW, Pulaski, Va. 24301, or to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home.

COLES, Milton S., 62, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, February 17, 1995. Survivors include three sisters, Norma C. Hale, Elva M. Coles, Lill A. Robertson; two brothers, Lemuel (Annie B.) M. Coles Jr., all of Roanoke, Byron C. (Nancy L.) Coles Sr., Salem; four aunts; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

COLLINS, Fannie, 87, of Newport, died Friday, February 17, 1995, at her home. Born in Giles County on April 25, 1907, she was the daughter of the late Freddie and Bertie Farley Lang and was preceded in death by her husband Carl Collins. She is survived by a special friend, Lillian M. Ratcliff of Pembroke who made her life brighter and her home cozy and the Marshall Huffman family originally of Clover Hollow near Newport with whom she made her home for many years. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 10 a.m. in the Kendall Funeral Home Chapel in Pembroke. Burial will be in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. Friends will be received at the funeral home Sunday 6 to 8 p.m. and may call at any time after 1 p.m.

DENISON, Fred E., 79, of Umatilla, Fla., died Saturday, February 18, 1995. Mr. Denison was born in Scott County, and moved to Umatilla in 1973 from Astor, Fla. He moved to Astor, Fla. in 1964 from Vinton. Mr. Denison was a machine operator with Vinton Weaving Mill, Vinton. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Astor, Fla. Surviving are his wife, Leah Denison of Umatilla, Fla.; two daughters, Silvia Arnold of Grand Island, Fla., Rose Mary Saunders of Roanoke; a brother, Raymond Denison of Johnson City, Tenn., a sister, Beatrice Catron of Collinsville; two grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Arrangements by Beyers Funeral Home, Umatilla, Fla.

DUNCAN, Matthew H., Jr., 67, of Winter Park, Fla., formerly of Fincastle, died Tuesday, February 7, 1995. Surviving are daughter, Pauline Hackathorn; son, Paul Duncan; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three sisters, Bonnie Housman, Winifred Seay, Hazel Prease. Arrangements were handeled by Garden Chapel, Orlando, Fla.

EDWARDS, Robert S., (``Bob""), 48, of Galax, formerly of Independence, passed awqy Thursday, February 16, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Reins-Sturdivent Funeral Chapel, Independence.

HALE, Harold E., 77, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, February 17, 1995. He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola E. Hale. He is survived by a daughter, Rita J. Rogers, Roanoke; two sisters, Macie Shively and Lillian Guilliams, both of Ferrum; grandchildren, James R. Ransom, Goodview, Shelia R. Sink, William E. Ransom, Christopher H. Stoneman, all of Roanoke; also seven great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, February 20, 1995, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Lotz Funeral Home Roanoke.

HANKLEY, Charles Everett, 69, of Wytheville, died Friday, February 17, 1995, in the Bluefield Regional Medical Center, Bluefield, West Virginia. He was a retired Service Manager from the Ford Dealer in Wytheville. He was a member of the Wytheville Masonic Lodge #82 AF & AM and was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He is survived by his wife, Helen Blair Hankley of Wytheville; a daughter, Brenda Hankley Martin of Wytheville; and a granddaughter, Amanda Leigh-Anne Martin. Funeral services will be Monday 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Grubb Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. A. C. Ashford, with the interment to follow in the West End Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Grubb Funeral Home Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., with a Masonic service at 8 p.m. conducted by the Wytheville Masonic Lodge #82 AF & AM. The Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

HESSE, Anne MacNaught Sutcliffe, of Blacksburg, passed away February 18, 1995, at the Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Blacksburg. She was born in Bristol, R.I. on July 16, 1900, the daughter of the late Malcolm W. and Bertha Horton MacNaught. She was preceded in death by her first husband of 37 years in 1964, J. William Sutcliffe, and her second husband of 3 years in 1969, Carl Hesse, her brother Ma lcolm MacNaught Jr., and her son J. William Sutcliffe Jr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sally S. and Felix J. Pierce of Blacksburg; her daughter-in-law, Irene F. Sutcliffe of Tolland, Conn.; five grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Her grandchildren include Patricia Pierce Jones and her husband Casey of Blacksburg, Jennifer Pierce Hody Jr. and her husband Robert of Roanoke, Christopher A. Pierce and his wife Katherine of Nashville, Tenn., J. William Sutcliffe III and his wife Jane of Tolland, Conn., and Scott W. Sutcliffe and his wife Pamela of Seminole, Okla. Her great-grandchildren include Andrew R., Caitlin P. and James W. Hody, Keely A. Jones, Courtney M. Pierce, John W. Sutcliffe IV, and Michael G. Sutcliffe. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Ellen MacNaught of Bethesda, Md.; her sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Richard McGill of Seattle, Wash.; and her sister-in-law, Corrine MacNaught of Barrington, R.I. A private memorial service will be held for family members only. Interment will be in Forest Chapel Cemetery in Barrington, R.I. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home.

HINES, Robert Francis, (``Tod""), 67, of Roanoke, died Friday, February 17, 1995, in a Salem hospital. Mr. Hines attended V.P.I. He was a member of several golf clubs. He was a 32 degree Mason, a member of Virginia Heights Lodge #324, a member of Kazim Temple and the Elks Club. Surviving are his wife, Helen C. Hines; daughter and son-in-law, Pamela R. and Robert T. Morse of Houston, Texas; a brother, Charles M. Hines of Albany, Ga; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at Oakeys Roanoke Chapel 1:30 p.m. Monday, February 20, with Dr. Gregory L. Adkins officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends at Oakeys Roanoke Chapel.

KERFOOT, Beatrice Stone, (``Tiny""), 82, of Salem, died Saturday, February 18, 1995. She was a member of Salem Baptist Church and her husband, Howard L. Kerfoot, preceded her in death. Surviving family includes a brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Margaret Stone; a sister, Louise S. Watson; a favorite niece, Betty S. Mowbray; an aunt, Bonnie Linkous, all of Salem; a stepdaughter, Anita Kerfoot Booth of Richmond; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, February 20, 1995, at Sherwood Memorial Park with the Rev. Lew Bennett officiating. The family will receive friends at John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home in Salem on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

KING, Luther Marion, 75, of Austinville, died Saturday, February 18, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Poplar Camp Church of God of Prophecy. Arrangements by Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville.

KIRTNER, Robert M., (Joe), 72, of Goodview, died Friday, February 17, 1995. He was a Marine Corps Veteran of World War II. Surviving are two daughters, Jacquetta Gaye Schoppert, Goodview, Judie Carol Glick, Mt. Airy, Md.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mackie Huffman, Conneaut, Ohio, Edith Witt, Salem; two brothers, Richard N. Kirtner, Juliett, Idaho, William D. Kirtner, Goodview. Graveside funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 1995, in Westview Cemetery, Radford with the Rev. F. Cecil Albano officiating. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel after 9 a.m. Monday.

LEPHEW, Annie Marie, 25, of Roanoke, died Friday, February 17, 1995. She is survived by her mother, Shirley Ann Robertson, Roanoke; her father and step-mother, Marvin H. and Essie Lephew, Elliston; two daughters; one sister, Miss Louise Lephew, Roanoke; one brother, Marvin H. Lephew Jr., Roanoke; one half-brother, Sonny Lephew, Elliston; one step sister, two step brothers; and her maternal grandparents, Marvin and Cora Lephew, Elliston. Graveside service Tuesday, February 21, 11 a.m. at Little Hope Cemetery, Roanoke Co., with the Rev. Virgil McHone officiating. Arrangements by Grant E. Bryant Funeral Home, Elliston.

MABE, Dovie Plaster, 89, of Patrick Springs, died Saturday, February 18, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Howell Funeral Home Chapel.

MANN, William Wayne, (``Billy""), 51, of Thaxton, died Saturday, February 18, 1995. Graveside services 3 p.m. Monday, Troutville Cemetery. Arrangements by Rader Troutville Chapel.

McCRARY, Col. John Adger Jr., 82, of Lexington, died Thursday, February 16, 1995, at Stonewall Jackson Hospital. Born April 16, 1912 in Saltville, he was the son of the late John Adger McCrary Sr. and Mary Shepard McCrary. He was also preceded in death by a son, John Adger McCrary III. Col. McCrary served in the U.S. Air Force in World War II and was retired from the U.S. Government. He was a member of R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church, a 1934 graduate of Virginia Military Institute, past president of English-Speaking Union and a board member of the Friend of the Preston Library. He is survived by his wife, Ann K. McCrary, Lexington; a daughter, Susan M. Cain, Lexington; a son, Michael R. McCrary, Aiea, Hawaii; and four grandchildren. Fu neral services will be Monday, February 20, at 11 a.m. at R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church with the Rev. R. David Cox, the Rev. Sandra Levy and the Rev. D. Holmes Irving officiating. Interment will follow in Stonewall Jackson Cemetery. The family will receive friends at home, 905 Ruffner Place, Lexington, immediately following services. Contributions may be to Lexington Lifesaving Crew or R. E. Lee Memorial Episcopal Church.

MURPHY, Edith Rigsby, 89, of Cloverdale, died Friday, February 17, 1995. She is predeceased by her husband, Ernest L. Murphy Sr., two daughters, Louise M. Pasley and Doris M. Young, and one son, Robert E. Murphy. Survivors include one son, Ernest L. (Buck) Murphy, Elliston; a daughter, Mrs. James E. (Wanda) Wright, Daleville; sister, Hattie Ashboy, Mich.; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted Monday, February 20, 1995, at 1 p.m. in Daleville Cemetery with the Rev. John Oyler officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home, Troutville, and at other times at the home of Wanda Wright, 2170 College Drive, Daleville.

RAMSEY, John Paul, 71, of Christiansburg, died suddenly Friday, February 17, 1995. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday from the First Pentecostal Holiness Church, Christiansburg, conducted by Rev. Edward Wood, Rev. Bobby Smith and Rev. Richard Kingrea with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, Box 176, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

READ, Frank Drummond, 74, of 1015 New Hampshire Ave., Lynchburg, Va., died Friday, February 10, 1995, at his residence. He was the husband of Geraldine H. Read of Tappahannock, Va. Mr. Read was the former president of McCarthy Read Inc. Realtors, served on City Council eight years as Vice Mayor and Mayor Lynchburg, served in W.W.II as a U.S. Navy Air Lieutenant 1942-1946 in the European Theater, where he was awarded two air medals. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Robin Strosnider of Roanoke, Karen Carson of Ashland, Vivian Montgomery of Lynchburg; two brothers, Lee A. Read and Dr. Louis J. Read. A memorial service was held in Lynchburg.

REEVES, Straley Thomas, 87, of Grassy Creek, passed away Saturday, February 18, 1995. Graveside services 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Reeves Family Cemetery, Grassy Creek. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence.

SANDRIDGE, Harold Thomas Sr., 61, of Forest, died Thursday, February 16, 1995, in Lynchburg General Hospital. He was the husband of Mildred C. Sandridge. Born in Rockbridge Co. March 1, 1933, he was a son of the late Howard Olton and Louise Wade Sandridge. He was an active member of First Church of Christ Scientist. He was preceded by a brother, Howard O. Sandridge. In addition to his wife he is survived by three sons, and their wives, H. Thomas Sandridge Jr. and Mary G. Sandridge, Concord, Kevin M. Sandridge and Pamela G. Sandridge, Goode, Randy L. Sandridge and Rena H. Sandridge, Forest; two brothers, George L. Sandridge, Raphine, Clyde C. Sandridge, Staunton; one granddaughter, Amanda L. Sandridge; three grandsons, Joseph M. Sandridge, Randy Lee Sandridge Jr., and C. Hunter Sandridge. A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, February 20, 1995, in New Providence Presbyterian Church in Brownsburg, Va., by the Dr. John H. H. Lewis, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Diuguid Waterlick Chapel and others times at the residence.

SIMMONS, Ray Eugene, 68, of Roanoke, died Saturday, February 18, 1995. Mr. Simmons was retired from Adams Construction Company. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother and is survived by a son, Daniel (Dan) Simmons, Roanoke; two daughters, Dawn Waters, Roanoke, Cathy Younger and husband, Morris, Lynchburg; a granddaughter, Margaret-Anna Younger, Lynchburg; former wife, Margie Velma Moore Simmons, Roanoke; several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 1995, at Lotz Roanoke Chapel, 1001 Franklin Road, SW, Roanoke, Va., with the Rev. J. Landon Maddex officiating. The interment will be private. The family will receive friends at Lotz Roanoke Chapel 6 to 9 p.m. Monday.

SLOAN, Sambo, 60, of Lexington, died Friday, February 17, 1995, at his residence. Born in Botetourt Co., February 25, 1935, he was the son of the late Newman Russell Sloan and Ethel Perry Sloan. Mr. Sloan was a member of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church, Rockbridge Bear Hunters Association, and was retired from Charles Barger & Son. Surviving are his wife, Mary Ann Hickman Sloan, Lexington; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ellen S. and Gary T. Campbell, Lexington, Missy S. and Wayne L. Dudley, Lexington; three sisters, Myrtle Farrow, Lexington, Shirley Sloan and Nadine McAllister, both of Eagle Rock; one brother, Joe Sloan, Lexington; one granddaughter, Selena Brooke Dudley, Lexington; a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Sunday, February 19, 1995, at 3 p.m. fr om the graveside at Oxford Presbyterian Cemetery, with the Rev. Kenneth Price officiating. In lieu of flowers the family suggest contributions to Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church or Rockbridge Area Hospice, P.O. Box 948, Lexington, Va. 24450. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Harrison Funeral Home.

SMITH, Evelyn Louise, 69, of Long Island, N.Y., died Thursday, February 16, 1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

SMITH, Holmes Burnett, 83, of Lynchburg, died Tuesday, February 14, 1995, in Roanoke. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, and had resided at the Roanoke United Methodist Home since July 1994. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Lloyd Martin Smith. Surviving are four children and their spouses, Gloria and Bob Seward, Kay and J. P. Vaughan, Jerry and Marty Smith, all of Lynchburg, Jane and Brantley Sydnor, Roanoke; 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services were held in Lynchburg at Centenary United Methodist Church on February 17, 1995.

STATON, James Albert, 64, of Taunton, Mass., formerly of Lexington, died Tuesday, February 14, 1995, in Carlton Memorial Hospital, Fall

River, Mass. He was born on March 2, 1930, in Lexington, a son of the late James Ed Staton and Cora Mae (Tedder) Staton. Mr. Staton was educated in Virginia and prior to his retirement, had been employed as a cabinetmaker for Wood-Hu Kitchens of West Bridgewater, Mass. for 36 years. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Shirley (Ratliff) Staton; three sons, Stanley R. Staton, Kenneth A. Staton and Douglas Staton; two daughters, Ms. Teresa Staton and Mrs. Kimberly S. Poirier, all of Taunton, Mass.; one brother, Herman E. Staton of Roanoke; one sister, Mrs. Emma S. Campbell of Rockbridge Baths; eight grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephe ws. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, February 20, at McElwee Chapel, Rockbridge County, with the Rev. Kenneth D. Huff officiating. Interment will follow in McElwee Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, February 19, at Williams Funeral Service, Lexington.

WALKER, Jackie Antoine Sr., 32, of Charlottesville, formerly of Lexington, died Thursday, February 16, 1995, in the University of Virginia Hospital, Charlottesville. A son of the late Mr. Charles H. Walker Sr. and Mrs. Florine C. Walker. He was born October 3, 1962, in Lexington. He was a 1981 graduate of Lexington High School and served in the U. S. Army Reserve. He was employed by Macko Railing of Charlottesville. Surviving in addition to his mother, Mrs. Florine C. Walker, are one son, Jackie Antoine Walker Jr., both of Lexington; four bro thers, Charles H. Walker III, Vernon O. Walker, Paul M. Walker, all of Lexington, James K. Walker, U. S. Navy, Guam; three sisters, Mrs. Gail D. Dixon, Lexington, Mrs. Charlene W. Fitch, Richmond, Miss Kelly A. Jones, Lexington; three aunts; one uncle; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends at the residence of Mrs. Florine C. Walker, 218 Lewis St., Lexington, at anytime, and at the Lewis Funeral Home on Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, February 21, 1995, at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Lexington, with the Rev. James B. Harris, Minister. The eulogy will be delivered by Elder Leon McCauley. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Arrangements by J. B. Lewis Funeral Service, Lexington.

WEBB, Paul Curtis, 78, of Floyd, passed away Friday, February 17, 1995, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was a kind, thoughtful, loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He was a retired owner of Floyd Jewelry Shop where he met many wonderful people from 1955 to 1981. He was an active member of Floyd Baptist Church where the children knew him as the ``Candy Man."" He was also a member of the Floyd Lions Club, Floyd V.F.W. Post, American Legion, Floyd Masonic Lodge #329, AF & AM, and honorary member of the Floyd Co unty Rescue Squad. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 52 years, Faye Ashburn Webb; two daughters and sons-in-law, Joyce W. & O. Kelly Patton of Greensboro, N.C., and Terri W. & Jack M. Morris of Floyd; two grandsons who were the light of his life, Andrew and David Morris; one brother and sister-in-law, Ethel & Ules Coe of Mount Airy, N.C.; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, February 20, at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joseph Womack and Dr. Alton Griffin officiating. Interment will follow in Jacksonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Maberry Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the Floyd County Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 257, Floyd, Va. 24091, who were so kind to him and of which he was a big supporter.