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

DATE: SATURDAY, August 5, 1995                   TAG: 9508070051
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BARTON, Rachel Lorraine, 72, of Salem, died Friday, August 4, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

BATEMAN, Trudy Virginia, 42, of Roanoke, died Thursday, August 3, 1995, at her home. She was a lifelong member of Central Church of the Brethren. She had many interests including outdoor activities and volunteering with the Church of the Brethren Disaster Relief, Rescue Mission, and serving on her churches witness commission. Surviving are her father and mother, Willis and Eunice Bateman of Roanoke; two sisters, Pam Green of Roanoke, and Kay Carr of Roanoke; five aunts, Dorothy Cletis Richards of Roanoke, Pauline Diehl of McGaheysville, Va., Ernestine Bateman of Roanoke, Evelyn Miles of Lynchburg, Frances Laug of Green Valley, Ariz.; two nephews, John Green and David Green; two nieces, Meli ssa Carr and Karen Carr; and many close friends including Chris Pappas, Susan Gray, April Lail, Shelby Weikle, Hedy Crosswhite, all of Roanoke. Private services will be held at the graveside at the Evergreen Burial Park. A memorial service will be held at the Central Church of the Brethren at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 12, 1995. Omit flowers. Memorials may be made to Central Church of the Brethren, any animal protection organization and the Roanoke Memorial Hospice. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

BLANKENSHIP, Lula Martin, 83, of Roanoke, died Thursday, August 3, 1995. She was the widow of Robert Blankenship and is survived by her sons and daughter-in-law, Freddie J. and Lessie M. Caves, Bayonne, N.J., Raymond L. Caves, Virginia Beach; four grandchildren; three nieces. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Monday at the Lotz Roanoke Chapel, with burial in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

BLEVINS, James Robert, 76, of Marion, died Friday, August 4, 1995 at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tn. He was preceded in death by a daughter and son, Aloma Deon ""Donnie"" Frye and Max Leon Blevins. Mr. Blevins was a member of Middle Fork Baptist Church. He was a member of the Chilhowie Masonic Lodge #250 AF & AM and a member of the Order of Eastern Star Chapter 72. He is survived by his wife, Okla Montgomery Blevins of Seven Mile Ford; two daughters and son-in-law, Teresa and Roy Tilson of Seven Mile Ford, Lisa and Dominic O'Connor of Virginia Beach; three sisters, Ruth Osborne and Lucille Surber, Glade Spring, and Gay Poston, Marion; one granddaughter, Samantha D. Frye of Atlanta, Ga.; two grandsons, G. Matthew Blevins, Marion, and Sean Patrick O'Connor, Virginia Beach. One great-grandson, Justin Edge of Atlanta, Ga. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, August 7, 1995 at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Rev. Dennis Blazier and Rev. Paul Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Middle Fork Cemetery in Chilhowie. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

BRYANT, Marie Stanley, 80, of Vinton, died Friday, August 4, 1995. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Price and Darlene Bryant, Hollins, Bruce and Avonda Bryant, Vinton; one daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Danny Hall, Vinton; her mother, Annie Louise Stanley, Vinton; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a special friend, Richard Goad, Vinton. A graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, August 7, 1995, at Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton. The Rev. Wm. Anthony (Tony) Layman will officiate. The family will receive friends after noon Sunday at Lotz Vinton Chapel.

CARTER, Belva M., 86, of Galax, passed away Friday, August 4, 1995. Funeral service 11 a.m., Monday, Oldtown Baptist Church. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence, in charge of arrangements.

COPENHAVER, Agnes Elizabeth ""Libby"", 61, of Bristol, died Thursday, August 3, 1995. Funeral 3 p.m. Sunday at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Arrangement by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service.

EVANS, Christopher Dwayne, three week old son of Teddy Evans of Narrows and Melissa Meadows Byrd of Glen Lyn, died Thursday, August 3, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Kendall Funeral Home Chapel.

EVANS, Willie Mae R., 61, of Rural Retreat, died Thursday, August 3, 1995, in Wythe County Community Hospital. She is survived by her husband, W. Paul Evans of Rural Retreat; one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Roger Havens of Rural Retreat; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Bill and Yvonne Evans, Tom Evans, all of Rural Retreat; four sisters, Frances Brown of Roanoke, Thelma Gray of Bassett, Linda Nye of Wytheville, and Mildred Robertson of Rural Retreat; two brothers, Robert Robertson of Rural Retreat, and Frank Robertson of Newark, Del.; five grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 5, 1995, at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Rev. Rance Edwards and Rev. Flabey Brown officiating. Entombment will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Hospice Support Services of Wythe-Bland, P.O. Box 381, Wytheville, VA 24382. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

FORTUNE, William B., 88, of Roanoke, died Thursday, August 3, 1995 at his home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn R. Fortune, and his son, Robert M. Fortune. Surviving are a daughter, Barbara F. Roberts, Greenville, S.C.; grandchildren, Chris and Lyn Roberts; brother, James M. Fortune, Timonium, Md; a niece, Helen Duryea; two nephews, J.B. Fortune and William Fortune, all of Md. A graveside funeral service will be conducted 10 a.m. Saturday, August 5, 1995, at Evergreen Burial Park with the Rev. Dr. William R. Klein officiating. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

GROSS, David Floyd, 30, of North Charleston, S.C., passed away Wednesday, August 2, 1995, in the VA Regional Medical Center, Charleston, S.C. He was born December 5, 1964 in Edinburg, Va., a son of Rev. Floyd Gross and Margaret Ray Gross of Bedford. He was preceded in death by a brother, Samuel Gross. He was a student at Trident Technical College and an employee of Applebee's in Charleston, S.C. In addition to his mother and father, he is survived by two sisters, Martha Williams, Vincennes, Ind., and Mary Scruggs, Bedford; two brothers, Jonathan Gross, Roanoke, and Timothy Gross, Bedford. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, August 7, 1995, at 3 p.m. from the Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, by Dr. John Stevens. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will begin Sunday after 2 p.m., where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home, Bedford.

JONES, Lenora Frances, 61, of Staunton, died Wednesday, August 2, 1995. Funeral services 11 a.m. Saturday, Mt. Salem Baptist Church, Staunton. Arrangement by J.B. Lewis Funeral Services, Lexington.

LEWIS, GRACIE HALL, 87, formerly of Danville, died Friday, August 4, 1995 at Westport Convalescent Center, Richmond. She was born in Pittsylvania County, October 9, 1907, and was the daughter of the late Anderson G. and Mattie Booth Hall. Mrs. Lewis had spent most of her life in Danville and was employed for many years by Belk-Leggett Company. She was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellwood W. Lewis. Surviving are daughters, Hazel L. Motley, Richmond, and Mamie L. Sleeper, Roanoke; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel in Danville. Interment will be in Danville Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel, Danville.

MILLIRONS, George Louis, 93, of Pearisburg, died Friday, August 4, 1995 in Giles Memorial Hospital following a long illness. Mr. Millirons was a veteran of WWI and was retired from the Hoechst-Celanese Corp. He was born in Bland County, Va. on January 7,1902 and was a son of the late R. Lee Millirons and Kate King Millirons. He was a member of the Davis United Methodist Church in Little Creek, Va. He is survived by his wife, Genoa Brunk Millirons, Pearisburg; one sister, Annie Hancock, Wytheville,; two brothers, Robert Lee Millirons, Star Rt., Dublin, John D. Millirons, Waynesbobo; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, August 6, 1995 at 2 p.m. in the Davis United Methodist Church, Little Creek, with the Rev. Richard Lindamood officiating, with burial in the Hidden Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Givens Funeral Home, Pearisburg, Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. and will receive friends at the church before the funeral service from 1:30 to 2 p.m.

MOORMAN, Mary Eliza Hagwood, 86, of Rocky Mount, died Wednesday, August 2, 1995. Funeral 1 p.m. Sunday, Blue Hill Primitive Baptist Church. Arrangement by Stanfield Mortuary Services.

NEWMAN, Hazel Carter, 90, of Lancaster, Calif., formerly of Roanoke, died Wednesday, August 2, 1995. Graveside service 11 a.m. Monday, Evergreen Burial Park. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

OVERSTREET, Elsie Anderson, 84, of Lynchburg, died Friday, August 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Roanoke. Arrangement by Whitten Timberlake Chapel, Lynchburg.

RAPER, Irene Hylton, 90, of Roanoke, died Friday, August 4, 1995, in a Vinton nursing home. Mrs. Raper was a lifelong member of the Ninth Street Church of the Brethren and a member of Electa Chapter #33 O.E.S. Surviving are two daughters, Miss Wanda Raper and Mrs. Margaret Manning, of Roanoke; a grandson, Paul Manning; sister, Mrs. Carrie Hylton McCormack, Roanoke; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Ena Hylton, Bridgewater, and Helen Hylton, Roanoke; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 7, 1995, with the Rev. John Huffaker and the Rev. Graham B. Sowers officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday. The family suggests memorials be made to the E.J. Jacob Memorial Fund at Ninth Street Church of the Brethran, 1103 - 9th St., S.E., Roanoke, Va. 24013.

REDMAN, Roscoe Theodore, 88, of Covington, died Friday, August 4, 1995. Arrangements by Arritt Funeral Home.

RICE, Bennie Morris, 80, of Route 2, Natural Bridge, died Thursday, August 3, 1995, in the Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Lexington. He was born on October 25, 1914, in Bedford County, a son of the late Walker Henry Rice and Minnie (Harris) Rice. Mr. Rice was a retired maintenance supervisor with the Rockbridge County School Board having thirty years service. He was a member and former deacon of the Natural Bridge Christian Fellowship Church and a member of the Glasgow Prayer Breakfast Group. Mr. Rice was the former police sergeant for the town of Glasgow and was a past commander VFW Post #7578, Glasgow. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Rice was a well known writer among family and friends. He was preceded in death by one son, James Henry Rice. Survivors include his wife, Ruby Thompson Rice; two sons, Andrew A. Rice, Natural Bridge and Thomas A. Rice, Roanoke; three daughters, Dorothy R. Fitzgerald and Ellen R. Caldwell, both of Natural Bridge, and Caroline R. Brown, Tallahassee, Fla.; three sisters, Dorothy R. Shifflett, Newport News, Pearl R. Silvey and Hazel R. Mason, both of Natural Bridge Station; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 6, 1995, at the Natural Bridge Christian Fellowship Church with Pastor Barry L. Nall and the Rev. William N. Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the Glasgow Cemetery. Memorial donation may be made to the Natural Bridge Christian Fellowship Church, Natural Bridge. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, August 5, 1995, at the Williams Funeral Service, Lexington.

SCHUCK, Carl S., 76, of Wytheville, died Thursday, August 3, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Gillman Funeral Chapel.

SHEPHERD, Christina Elizabeth, 16, of Copper Hill, died as a result of an automobile accident, Thursday, August 3, 1995. She was class member of the 11th grade at Floyd County High School. Surviving are her mother and stepfather, Carol and Henry Johnson, Copper Hill; father and stepmother, Ricky and Debbie Shepherd, Roanoke; a brother, Rodney Shepherd, Roanoke; maternal grandparents, John and Betsy Hodge, Dixie Caverns; paternal grandmother, Blanch Shepherd, Roanoke; paternal stepgrandparents, Robert and Linda Wright, Copper Hill; several aunts and uncles; and a close friend, Kevin Bower, Floyd. Funeral 11 a.m. Monday, August 7, 1995, at Wood Funeral Home, Floyd with the Rev. Greg Mills and Rev. William Stovall officiating. Interment at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Roanoke. Family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Wood Funeral Home.

SHIVELY, Brenda G., 46, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, August 3, 1995 in a local hospital. She was preceded in death by a son, Freddie Wayne Shively Jr., and her father, Milton R. Goff. Brenda was an employee of Carilion Health Care with 25 years of service. Surviving are her mother, Doris Wooldridge, Salem; sisters, Bonnie Mills of Buchanan, Donna Burnett of Blue Ridge; brother, Donald (Buddy) Wooldridge Jr., Salem; former husband, Freddie Wayne Shively Sr. of Roanoke; three nieces; two nephews; fiance, Rob Green of Roanoke; special aunt, Charlotte, of Roanoke. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's South Chapel 1 p.m. Monday. Entombment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

SHORT, Margie Marie, 72, of Roanoke, died Friday, August 3, 1995. She was the widow of Lindsey (Eddie) Short. Surviving are her sons, Roscoe Turner, Lynchburg, Eddie Short, High Point, N.C., Larry Short, Roanoke; daughters, Glenda Knight, McGaheysville and Sandra Peake Short, Roanoke; one sister, Eunice, Richmond; also five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted at Old Dominion Memorial Gardens 10 a.m. Saturday, August 5, 1995 with the Rev. Phillip Whitaker officiating. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

STATON, Douglas S. Sr., 92, of Buena Vista, died Thursday, August 3, 1995 in Stonewall Jackson Hospital. Born in Rockbridge County on March 20, 1903, he was the son of the late Alfred H. and Mary Elizabeth Huffman Staton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army; City Sergeant for the City of Buena Vista from 1952 to 1967; a former member of Buena Vista City Council, and a member of Calvary Church of the Brethren. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Carter Staton, Buena Vista; a daughter, Kathy S. Rion, Buena Vista; a son, Douglas S. Staton Jr., Los Alamos, N.M.; a sister, Mary McFaddin, Natural Bridge; a brother, David Staton, Natural Bridge; four grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, August 6, 1995, at the Calvary Church of the Brethren with the Rev. Kenneth Teague and Joseph ``Butch"" Grow officiating. Interment will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, August 5, at Lomax Funeral Home.

SUITS, Mary Elizabeth, 85, of Chilhowie, died Thursday, August 3, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Newberry Funeral Home Chapel, Chilhowie.

TURNER, Harry Roscoe, 75, of Salem, died Friday, August 4, 1995 in a Salem hospital. He was a Naval Veteran of World War II, a member of Bethel Baptist Church and retired from the C & P Telephone Company. He was preceded in death by his wife, Francis Catherine Turner. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Harry Roger and Mary L. Turner, Roanoke; a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra Sue and Keith Thornton, Irving, Texas; a sister, Irene Smallwood, Vinton; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel at 10 a.m. Monday, August 7, 1995 with the Rev. R. Stuart Carlton officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

WADE, Valerie Dawn, 16, of Floyd, died Thursday, August 3, 1995, in an automobile accident near Copper Hill. She was a Rising Junior at Floyd County High School. She is survived by her parents, Danny and Sonya Wade, Floyd; one sister, Deanna Kay Wade, Floyd; one brother, Jeremy Shane Wade, Floyd; grandparents, Iva Dell Harris, Willis, Coy and Frances Wade, Floyd; great-grandparents, Mary Lee Hodges, Willis, Octavia Wade, Floyd. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, August 6, 1995 at Topeco Church of The Brethren with the Rev. William C. Stovall officiating. Burial will follow in Lee Cemetery, Tuggles Gap. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Maberry Funeral Home

WHITE, Grace Akers (ERT), 94, Abingdon, died Friday, August 4, 1995. Funeral 3 p.m. Monday at Mountain View Cemetery, Bristol, Va. Arrangements by Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon.