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

DATE: MONDAY, March 20, 1995                   TAG: 9510010007
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

AKERS, Sidney Edward, 54, of Sunnyside, died Friday, March 17, 1995 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. Mr. Akers was born in Montgomery County, on December 14, 1938, a son of the late Edward McKinley and Rose Fields Akers. Survivors include his wife Eunice Sheppard Akers; two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary and Shirley Akers, Sunnyside, and Larry and Ruth Ann Akers, McCoy; one daughter, Lynn Akers of the home; two special grandsons, Sheldon Akers and Justin Akers; five sisters, Edith Cromer, Blacksburg, Hazel Hinkley, Radford, Alva Linkous, Shawsville, Edna Franklin, Roanoke and Lillian A. Lanier, N. C.; three brothers, Bentley Akers, Thurman Akers both of Christiansburg, and John David Akers, Germany; nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 20, 1995 at Sunnyside Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Dallas Jewell, the Rev. Layne Board and the Rev. Frankie Graham Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.

ARMSTRONG, Paul, 64, of Marion, died March 19, 1995. Arrangements by Seaver-Brown Funeral Home, Marion, Va.

ASHLEY, Roy Walter, 76, of Martinsville, died Sunday, March 19, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Old Center Primitive Baptist Church. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Services, Bassett.

ASTIN, Virginia Gray, 81, of Wytheville, died Saturday, March 18, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Barnett Funeral Home Chapel.

AYERS, Otey C., of Roanoke, died Saturday March 18, 1995 in the Veterans Medical Center. He resided at Fairington Apartments on Route 419 for a number of years. He was a veteran of WWII, serving with the Railroad Battalion in Europe. He was an employee of Norfolk & Western Railroad Eastend Shops for a number of years as a boiler maker and during the 1960's was owner of The Country Kitchen Restaurant on route 419. He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Bonnie A. and Larry Bailey, Diane A. and Corky Kidd; his former wife, Rose V. Ayers, all of Roanoke; also survived by a daughter, Karen L. Ayers, of Roanoke; several grandchildren; Gene Wilhelm and his wife Rhonda, Mark WIlhelm, Keri Kidd, Kevin Kidd, Rebecca Ashby, Joseph Ashby; stepgrandchildren; Teddy Bailey and his wife Jennifer, Greg Bailey, Dana B. Ransom and her husband Chris, Brian Bailey; also four great-grandchildren; one brother, J. Alfred Ayers, of Vinton; one nephew; and four nieces. Funeral services will be conducted 12 noon, Tuesday, March 21, 1995 at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel with the Rev. John D. Cochran officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

BLANKENSHIP, Robert Ray, 61, of Route 2, Narrows, died Saturday, March 18, 1995 at his residence. A lifelong resident of Giles County, he was born on February 7, 1934 and was the son of Mrs. Mable Spicer Blankenship of Narrows and the late Frank Marion Blankenship. He was preceded in death by two brothers and a sister. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Patty Hughes Blankenship of Narrows; a son and daughter-in-law, Tony Ray and Gail Blankenship of Narrows; a daugher and son-in-law, Leisa B. and David Meredith of Narrows; a sister, Zelma B. Blankenship of Narrows; two grandchildren, Candice Nichole Blankenship and Shana Renee Blankenship both of Narrows. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Riffe's Funeral Serivce in Narrows with the Rev. James Pentecost and Rev. Tom Gordon officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Narrows. The family will receive friends at Ri ffe's in Narrows, Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.

BLEVINS, Evelyn Bailey, 73, of Rural Retreat, died Sunday, March 19, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sharon Baptist Church, Rural Retreat. Arrangements by Lindsey Funeral Home.

CONNER, Mae Angle, 84, of Roanoke, formerly of Bent Mountain, died Saturday, March 18, 1995. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clem M. Conner Jr. Mrs. Conner owned and operated a general store on Bent Mountain for over 40 years. Surviving are her sisters, Beatrice Angle Anderson, Iva Angle Cannaday Whitenack both of Roanoke; brothers, Clarence H. Angle, Roanoke, Woodrow W. (``Woody"") Angle Sr. of Tucker, Ga.; several nieces and nephews including Janet Cannaday King and Luci Anderson Graham; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Services will be at Oakey's South Chapel 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 1995. Dr. David Henderson will officiate. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel after 4 p.m. Monday.

DOOLEY, Frank Elvin, 81, of Roanoke, died Sunday, March 19, 1995. He was a member of the Catawba Valley Baptist Church and a member of V.F.W. Post #4522 of Vinton and was retired from Lone Star Cement with 28 years of service. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Dwier Dooley; sons and daughters-in-law, Elvin and Brenda Dooley, Fincastle, Gary Dooley, Roanoke, Michael and Kelly Dooley, Roanoke; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Michael Perry, Buchanan; sisters, Edna Taylor, Fincastle, Lucille Myers, Troutville; six grandchildren; one great-granddaughter. Funeral serivces will be held Tuesday, March 21, 1995 at 2 p.m. in Rader Troutville Chapel with Dr. Carl A. Collins Jr. and Rev. Douglas Turner officiating. Interment will follow in Trinity Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home, Troutville.

DOYLE, Rose Ella Widener, 81, of Atkins, died Saturday, March 18, 1995 at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Garland Raymond Doyle. She is survived by two daughters, Virginia Doyle and Barbara Doyle both of Atkins; four sons and two daughters-in-law, William and Dorothy Doyle of Rural Retreat, Charles Doyle and Herman Doyle both of Atkins, Bobby and Linda Doyle of Wytheville; three sisters, Cleatis Widener and Alberta Widener both of Seven Mile Ford, Golden Buck of Rural Retreat; four brothers, Herman Widener and Gordon Widener both of Marion, Buford Widener and Charles Widener both of Seven Mile Ford; two grandchildren, Joey and Stan Doyle; one great-granchild, Ryan Doyle; her little buddy, Fluffy. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 21, at 2 p.m. at S eaver-Brown Chapel with Rev. Grady Byrd and Rev. Mike Sage officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 to 9 p.m at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

GREENE, Richard Memory, 61, of Roanoke, died Sunday, March 19, 1995. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Cremation Service, Bedford.

JENKINS, Otha Ray, 79, of Pulaski, passed away Sunday, March 19, 1995. Funeral Tuesday 2 p.m., Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

KEGLEY, Gladys Hurst, 87, of Pulaski, died Saturday, March 18, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Stevens Funeral Home Chapel.

KEIM, Helen Nellie, 78, of Salem, passed away Sunday, March 19, 1995. She was active in the Lutheran Church for more than 45 years, as she served with her husband, Rev. Evans R. Keim Jr. who survives her. Mrs. Keim is also survived by a son and daughter-in-law, John E. and Donna K. Keim of Martinsville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley F. and Charles R. Hillman of Roanoke, Frances L. and Donald R. Stuebner of Reading, Pa., Mildred J. and Kenneth H. Westgate of Allentown, Pa.; brother and sister-in-law, David W. Jr. and Jeanne H. Field of Newark, Del. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, at College Lutheran Church, Salem, with Pastor D. J Westermann and Pastor Robert R. Ward officiating. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to College Lutheran Church, 210 College Ave., Salem, 24153 or Good Samaritan Hospice, 3325 Electric Rd., Roanoke, 24018. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. Friends may call after noon on Tuesday.

KIRBY, Doris J., 58, of Vinton, passed away Saturday, March 18, 1995 after a long illness. She is survived by her husband Wade H. Kirby, of Vinton; brothers and sisters-in-law, Claude E. and Sharon Jennings, of Weatherford, Texas, Charles and Judy Jennings, of Cottonwood, Texas; sister and brother-in-law, Jo and Vince Sandlin, of Texas; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Susan Kirby, of Ripplemead; mother-in-law, Mrs. Hazel Kirby, of Ripplemead; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Bob and Doris Sheppard, of Richmond. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 1995 from Oakey's Vinton Chapel with Tommy Blewett officiating. Burial will follow in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p .m. Monday.

McCOY, Margaret Custer, 80, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, March 19, 1995. Arrangements by Lotz Vinton Chapel.

MEADOR, Anna Mae, 76, of Roanoke, died Saturday, March 18, 1995 in a local nursing home. She was retired from Singer Furniture and was a member of the Williamson Road Church of the Brethren. Mrs. Meador was preceded in death by her husband, James Chester Meador, and two sons, James Buchanan Meador and Charles Robert Meador. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca A. and Gary T. Fowler, of Vinton; grandchildren and their spouses, Christopher D. and Tammy Fowler, Jeffrey W. and Amy Fowler, Elizabeth A. Fowler, Charles Gregory and Debbie Meador, Jeff and Susan Diane Meador Smith; five great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Roanoke Chapel 10:30 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Harold S. Moyer officiating. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Oakwood Cemetery, Princeton, W. Va. with t he Rev. Gary T. Fowler officiating. The family will receive friends at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The family suggests that memorials be made to Palestine Baptist Church Building Fund, Huddleston, Va., 24104.

REYNOLDS, David W., (""Pete""), 78, of Salem, died Saturday, March 18, 1995. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Sons, Salem.

RHODES, Debra Alfreda, 36, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, March 19, 1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

ROSE, Edward Reed Sr., 70, of Covington, died Saturday, March 18, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Arritt Funeral Home Chapel, Covington.

SCOTT, Alanson Burl Jr., 79, of the Randolph House Home For Adults, Pulaski, died early Sunday morning, March 19, 1995 in the V.A. Medical Center, Salem, Va. He was born in Williamson, W.Va. on July 23, 1915 and he was the son of the late Alanson Burl Scott Sr. and Susan James Scott. He was a veteran having served in WWII in the U.S. Army. He was also preceded in death by one brother, James Dewight Scott, and by two sisters, Mary Louise Scott Steger and Helen Scott McFatridge. Surviving are one sister, Alice Scott Hale, of Blacksburg; two brothers, William Harry Scott, of Vero Beach, Fla., and Joseph Henry Scott, of Blacksburg; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. from the Stevens Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Norman Wilhoit officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery with Pulaski V.F.W. Post #1184 conducting the military graveside rites. Visiting will be Tuesday from 10 a.m. until service hour at the Stevens Funeral Home. The family wishes that memorials be made to the Randolph House Activity Fund, P.O. Box 1560, Pulaski, Va., 24301. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va.

SINK, George L., 88, of Collinsville, died Sunday, March 19, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday at Roselawn Funeral Home.

STIMPSON, Sylvester Leo, 64, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, March 18, 1995. He was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Linda Gravely, two brothers, Quincy and Lewis Cuthrell. Survivors include his mother Mamie Cuthrell, of Statesville, N.C.; one son James E. Stimpson, of Roanoke; stepson, Harvey L. Gravely, of Wilmington, Del.; two daughters, Sharon M. (Earl) Stimpson, Vicky (Raymond) Smith; stepdaughter, Ruth Morris, all of Roanoke; brothers, Jesse Cuthrell, of Lexington, N.C., Robert ""Luk"" Nickels, of North Carolina, Orlandus (Janice) Cuthrell, of Statesville, N.C.; sisters, Mamie (Robert) Jones, of Mocksville, N.C., Helen Pruitt, of Harmony, N.C., Molly (Ray) Redmond, of Harmony, N.C.; a very special and devoted friend, Sonnie Johnson; devoted friends, Mary Robertson and family, Georgia Franklin and family, Earl Myers and family; and a host of other friends. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 2 p.m. Hamlar-Curtis Chapel with the Rev. Paul Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

STIMPSON, Sylvester Leo, 64, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, March 18, 1995. He was preceded in death by one stepson, Milton Franklin. Survivors include five stepdaughters, Margaret (William) Beauchamp, Belinda Franklin, all of New Haven, Conn., Dora A. Swain, Dorene Terry, and Georgetta Franklin, all of Roanoke; one stepson, Lynell (Gloria) Franklin Jr.; and a devoted friend Dora J. Franklin; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

STUART, Nancy Powell, of Covington, died Saturday, March 18, 1995. Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home.

TUCKER, Theresa Greene, 89, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, March 18, 1995. Formerly of Wytheville, Va. she was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett E. Tucker Sr., a daughter, Theresa T. Hall, and a grandson, James H. Tucker Jr. Mrs. Tucker was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Wythville. Surviving are her daughter, Helen T. Whitescarver, of Roanoke; sons, Emmett E. Tucker Jr., of Roanoke, James H. Tucker Sr., of Winston-Salem, N.C.; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 330 Church St., Wytheville, Va. 24382. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday at Oakey's North Chapel by the Rev. T. J. Shumate. A graveside service will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday in Green Hill Cemetery, Altavista, Va. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

UTT, Elbert Reeves, 94, of Rt. 2, Fancy Gap, passed away Sunday, March 19, 1995 at Laurel Meadows Home. Born July 26, 1900 in Carroll Co., the son of the late Tyler Akers Utt and Cillar Jane Martin Utt. He was employed as a Railway Mail Clerk, served in the U.S. Navy during WW II, was a member of the Marshall Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 39, Lynchburg and was of the Luther faith. He owned and operated an apple orchard in the Wards Gap community. He is survived by one brother, Ivan C. Utt of Mt. Airy, N.C.; two nephews, James Utt of Roanoke, William T. Jackson of Stuarts Draft; three nieces, Peggy Maultsby of Asheville, N.C., Judy Bozeman of Charlotte, N.C.; Carol Dejony of Cathoun Falls, S.C. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville, with the Rev. Duane Steele officiating. Masonic rites by the Hillsville Masonic Lodge #193. Interment will follow in the Gladesboro Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, March 20, at the Vaughn-Guynn-McGrady Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gladesboro Cemetery.

WEAVER, Robert L. 75, of Roanoke, died Sunday, March 19, 1995. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of War World II surviving Pearl Harbor. Mr. Weaver was a retired electrician with the I.B.E.W. Local #1340 and was an avid gardner. Surviving is his wife of over 40 years, Edna L. Weaver; his eight children, Robert, Reggie, Larry, Donna, Brenda, Debbie, Joyce, Michael; a sister, Jeanette Obaugh; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Services will be at Oakey's South Chapel 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 1995. The Rev. Phillip Motley will officiate. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel after 3 p.m. Monday where the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m.

WILHELM, Marion Gardner, (""Bubbie""), 62, of Route 4, Lexington, died Sunday, March 19, 1995 in Stonewall Jackson Hospital. He was born on November 5, 1932 in Rockbridge County, a son of the late Henry Gardner Wilhelm and Laura Mae (Entsminger) Wilhelm. Mr. Wilhelm was a member of the Timber Ridge ARP Church. He was also a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was supervisor of the Waste Water Plant for the city of Lexington with 28 years service. Surviving are his wife, Minnie Pearl (Entsminger) Wilhelm; four sisters, Mrs. Lillian W. Hall, Mrs. Edna W. Hostetter, Mrs. Geraldine W. Clark, Mrs. Annie W. Bowen, all of Lexington; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 1995 at the Williams Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Robert C. Gordon and the Rev. Phillip Hunsicker officiating. I nterment will follow in the Rockbridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Monday, March 20, 1995 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Williams Funeral Service, Lexington. Memorial donations may be made to the Timber Ridge ARP Church Fund.