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

DATE: MONDAY, August 28, 1995                   TAG: 9508280170
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BLANKENSHIP, John Walter Jr., 67, of Staffordsville, died Friday, August 25, 1995. Mr. Blankenship was a retired coal miner and a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Army. He was born in Canebreak, W.Va. on August 25, 1928 and was a son of Lucille Christian Blankenship of Staffordsville and the late John Walter Blankenship Sr. Besides his father, he was preceded in death by a son, Johnny Blankenship. Besides his mother, he is survived by his wife, Charlene Carroll Blankenship, Staffordsville; two sons, Danny Blankenship, Baltimore, Md., Richard Blankenship, Staffordsville; one daughter, Kathy Graham, Princeton, W. Va.; daughter-in-law, LMarilyn Edwards, Ripplemead; one brother, Jimmy Blankenship, Essex, Md; four grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; six stepgreat-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. in the Givens Funeral Chapel, Pearisburg, with the Rev. Darrell Childress and the Rev. Lester Shelton officiating, with entombment in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton, W.Va. Arrangements by Givens Funeral Home.

BOLLING, James Henry Sr., 85, of Gretna, died Sunday, August 27, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Gretna Christian Church. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home.

BRADSHAW, Danny Eugene, 48, of Bland, died Sunday, August 27, 1995. Arrangements by A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate.

CARTER, George William, 78, of Bedford, passed away Sunday, August 27, 1995. Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home.

CLARK, Audrey Coleman, (``Ollie""), 90, of Lexington, died Sunday, August 27, 1995 in the Stonewall Jackson Hospital. Mrs. Clark was born October 30,1904 in Rockbridge County, a daughter of the late Charlie Coleman and Catherine Mason Coleman. She was a member of the McCutchen Presbyterian Church. She was the widow of Graham B. Clark Sr. Surviving are three daughters, Beulah C. Wagner, Silver Spring, Md., Lissie C. Norcross, Fairfield, Va., Lora C. McCurdy, Colonial Heights, Va.; one son, Graham B. Clark Jr., Fairfield, Va.; two sisters, Mary Clark, Lexington, Beulah Clark, Buena Vista; one brother, Elmer Coleman, Buena Vista; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 1995, at the Harrison Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Phillip Mace and the Rev. David Dickerson officiating. Burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Harrison Funeral Home, Lexington, Va.

CRUMPLER, Dr. Robert P., 56, of Normal, Ill., formerly of Draper Valley, Va. (Pulaski County), passed away Thursday, August 24, 1995. Graveside service 11 a.m. Thursday at Draper Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

FERNATT, Goldie Inez, 87, of Roanoke passed away Sunday, August 27, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

GOAD, Wilmer, (``Jargo""), 83, of Dublin passed away Saturday, August 26, 1995 at Pulaski Community Hospital. Survivors include two brothers, Jess Goad of Bedford, and Carl Goad of Pulaski; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Harrell of Radford and Hazel Mooney of Pulaski, good friends, Dick and Mary Alice Davis. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 29, 1995 at 11 a.m. at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, with the Rev. Faye Hubbard and Rev. Tommy Ramsey officiating. Interment will follow in the Thornspring Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.

GRANT, Henry L., 77, of Tallahassee, Florida died Friday, August 25, 1995. Funeral Monday, 2 p.m. at Lomax Funeral Home Chapel.

GUILLIAMS, Bernard Wilford, 78, of Callaway, died Sunday, August 27, 1995 at Eldercare of Franklin County. He was the son of the late Charlie Cleveland Guilliams and Ulala Jones Guilliams. Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, James B. and Lorene Guilliams, Rocky Mount; one daughter and son-in-law, Mary G. and Bill Fulcher, Danville; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Wilma Sigmon, Callaway, and Irene Moore, Virginia Beach; one brother Paul Guilliams, Rocky Mount; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, 1995 at Lynch Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Chris Payden-Travers officiating. Burial will follow in the Guilliams Family Cemetery, Callaway. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Monday, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Peters Episcopal Church, Route 640, Callaway, Va. 24067 or to Hospice of Franklin County, 124 Floyd Avenue, Rocky Mount, Va. 24151. The family will also receive friends at the home of the son James and Lorene Guilliams, 128 Ann Sink Street, Rocky Mount, Va. Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge of arrangements.

HYLTON, Ralph Mervil, 69, of Floyd passed away Sunday, August 27, 1995 in a Roanoke nursing home. He was a veteran of World War II and a retired employee of Citizens Telephone Cooperative in Floyd. He was a farmer and milk hauler for 18 years. He was a member of Laurel Branch Church of the Brethren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, John B. and Lissie Weeks Hylton and one brother, Frederick Roscoe Hylton. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Louise Alderman Hylton, Floyd; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary E. and Lien Hylton, Richmond; one daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn Hylton and Donald Epperly, Pilot; three grandchildren, Mary Louise Hylton, Gary Hylton Jr. both of Richmond, and John Hylton Epperly, Pilot; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Curtis and Lillian Hylton, Meadows of Dan and G. W. and Miriam Hylton, Christiansburg; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Elizabeth and Harold Bolt, Roanoke, Shirley and Robert Richards, Floyd; one sister-in-law, Thelma Hylton, Bedford; a special sister-in-law, Louise Gray, Roanoke; a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 29, 1995 at Gardner Funeral Home with Rev. Stanley Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow in Laurel Branch Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Monday at Gardner Funeral Home where the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Floyd County Rescue Squad.

MACHERAS, Demetra Vahlas, 95, of Lexington, died Saturday, August 26, 1995. Funeral 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Harrison Funeral Chapel.

MATTOX, Howard Gilbert, 60, of Hurt, passed away Sunday, August 27, 1995. Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home., Huddleston

MAYO, Garnett Long, 85, of Natural Bridge Station, died Saturday, August 26, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday at Harrison Funeral Chapel, Lexington.

MILLER, Thelma Louise, 78, of Roanoke died Saturday, August 26, 1995 in a local nursing home. She is survived by a sister, Elizabeth F. Miller of Vinton. Graveside services will be held in Sherwood Memorial Park, 11 a.m. Tuesday, with Pastor Kenneth Lane officiating. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.

MILLIGAN, Cora May Griffin, 81, of Roanoke, Friendship Manor, formerly of Vinton, died Sunday, August 27, 1995. She was the widow of Fred L. Milligan and was also preceded in death by a grandson, Gary H. Gabrielson. Surviving are daughters and son-in-law, Joan H. Marlow, Bath, England, Patricia A. and George W. Russell, Roanoke; sister, Dorothy Doty, Jensen Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Richard Marlow of Florida, Scott and Sherri Gabrielson, Rocky Mount, Bruce and Kim Gabrielson, Christiansburg, Joanie and George Needham, Virginia Beach, Susan and Chris Kaye, Savannah, Ga.; eight great-grandchildren; and many beloved friends and family. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 29, 1995, with the Rev. Dr. George Wesley Jones officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday.

NESTER, Irene Wood, 62, of Montvale, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 27, 1995. She was born November 5, 1932 in Bedford County, a daughter of the late Willie L. Wood and Pearl Ayers Potter of Roanoke who survives. She was a member of the Colonial Baptist Church. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, Carlton B. Nester; a daughter, Lori Ann Nester, Montvale; a son and daughter-in-law, Carlton Wayne and Cheryl Nester, Thaxton; a sister and brother-in-law, Joyce Ann and Lindy A. Hayes, Roanoke; her step father, Benjamin C. Potter, Roanoke; a grandson, Brandon Orange Nester; a granddaughter, Rachel Faith Nester, both of Thaxton; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, August 29, 1995 at 11 a.m.from the Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford, by the Rev. Garvin L. Dykes and Rev. John Dooley. Interment will follow in the Glade Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Blue Ridge. The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home, Bedford.

PEYTON, Leon Harless, 67, of Pulaski, died Saturday, August 26, 1995. Arrangements by Penns Funeral Home.

SEVERA, Donald Stephen Jr., 17, of Goodview, died Sunday, August 27,1995. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

SEXTON, Thomas Jackson, (``Jack""), 66, of Marion, died Friday, August 25, 1995 in Smyth County Community Hospital. He was an electronic operator at Brunswick, Inc. for 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Glenna Sturgill Sexton, Marion; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Dallas Cassell, Bristol; a son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Connie Sexton, Marion; a son, Tommy Sexton, Marion; four sisters, Florence Funk, Maxine Blevins, and Kate Farley, all of Marion, and Maudie Faye, Portsmouth; one brother, Fletcher Sexton, Rising Sun, Md.; two grandchildren; one step grandson; and one great-granddaughter. Funeral services wil be held Monday at 11 a.m. in Barnett's Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Edd Schack and the Rev. James Fore officiating. Burial will follow in Attoway Cemetery. Arrangements by Barnett's Funeral Chapel.

SHELOR, Evie Sowers, 90, of Roanoke, died Saturday, August 26, 1995. She was the widow of George W. Shelor and was a member of First Church of the Brethren. Surviving are her sisters, Mrs. Ruth S. Reed, Roanoke and Mrs. Nellie S. Huff, Christiansburg; also several nieces and nephews survive. Funeral services will be conducted at the graveside in Sherwood Memorial Park, 2:30 p.m. Monday, August 28, 1995 with Rev. David R. Miller officiating. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Lion's Eye Bank, 501 Elm Ave. SW, Roanoke, Va. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

SMITH, John Lunsford, 54, of Roanoke died Tuesday, August 22, 1995. Graveside service 10 a.m. Tuesday, Coyner Springs Cemetery. Arrangements by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

SMITH, Pearl Neighbors, (``Sister""), 77, of Roanoke, died Thursday, August 24, 1995. Funeral Monday, 11 a.m., I Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 3808 Brandon Rd. S.W., Roanoke. Oakey's Roanoke Chapel in charge of arrangements.

SMITHERS, Lillie Mae, 58, of Rocky Mount, died Sunday, August 27,1995 at her home. She is survived by her husband, Bob Smithers, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Loretta and Steve Crews, Missy and Timmy Brown, all of Rocky Mount; two grandchildren, Benjamin Crews and Jessica Brown; also surviving is a sister, Gladys Sink, Bassett; two brothers, Alfred Hammock, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Ben Hammock of North Carolina. Funeral services will be conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel, 3 p.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Kirby Phillips officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Monday, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 342 S. Main St., Rocky Mount.

SURFACE, Richard Randolph Sr., 62, of 1105 High Street, Pulaski, died early Sunday morning, August 27,1995 in the Pulaski Community Hospital. He was born in Pulaski, Va. on July 23, 1933. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Surface was a member of the First Church of the Brethren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Diane Surface and by one brother, Robert (Bobby) McCray Surface. Surviving are his wife, Della C. Surface, Pulaski; son and daughter-in-law, Richard R. Jr. and Rhonda Surface, Pulaski; two daughters, Carol Rena Surface, Christiansburg, Teresa Hope, Pulaski; parents, Hensel E. and Jewell H. Surface, Pulaski; one brother, Ronald Surface, Draper; and two grandchildren, Benjamin Albert Surface, Jarrett Randolph Surface. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. from the Stevens Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. David Shumate officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin, with Pulaski VFW Post #1184 conducting military graveside rites. Visiting will be Monday evening at Stevens Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Inc., Pulaski, Va.

WHITEHEAD, Sherry Davis, 49, of Covington, died Sunday, August 27,1995. Arrangements by Arritt Funeral Home.

WRIGHT, Deacon James R. Sr., of Rt. 1, Timberridge Rd., Bedford Co., departed this life Saturday, August 26, 1995 in Columbia, Md. He was the husband of Marie I. Wright, and was born in Washington, DC. on January 29, 1930. He was a faithful member of the Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Goode, Va., where he was the chairman of the Deacon Board, and was a retired employee of the Griffin Pipe Company in Lynchburg, Va. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army. In addition to his loving and devoted wife, he is survived by his loving mother, Elsie Proctor, Washington, D.C.; four caring children, James R. Wright Jr., Waldorf, Md., Raymond L. Wright, Columbia, Md., Shelia W. Brrown, Forest, Mark A. Wright, Salem; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three aunts; two daughters-in-law and other relatives and friends. The fam ily will receive friends at the residence, Rt. 1, Timberridge Rd., Bedford. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Goode, Va. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The remains will lie in state one hour prior to service. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home.