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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 4, 1995                   TAG: 9510040085
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

AMES, Frances Ferguson, of Salem, died Monday, October 2, 1995. She was born in Ferrum, Va., October 19, 1911. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Paul Shelton Ames, who died August 17, 1995. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David and Carol Ames, Salem; daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Jack Proctor, Moneta; daughter, Barbara Ames Brown, Salem; a brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Reubenia Ferguson, Roanoke; sister-in-law, Mrs. Grady Ferguson, Ferrum. Her eight grandchildren, Alex Brown, Gibson Brown, Elizabeth Brown Repass, Paul Ames, all of Salem, Matthew Ames, Roa noke, Shelton Brown Duffy, Fredericksburg, David Proctor, Burmingham, Ala., and Patrick Proctor, St. Petersburg, Fla.; there are eleven great-grandchildren. Mrs. Ames was a charter member of Bethel Baptist Church, Salem. She taught Sunday School there for many years, was a member of the choir, and the church band. Mrs. Ames donated her body to the Medical College of Virginia for medical research. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday evening at 721 Red Lane, Salem. A memorial service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church 3 p.m. Thursday with the Rev. Stuart Carlton officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Salem Rescue Squad or Bethel Baptist Church.

ASHBROOK, Keith, 18, of Rocky Mount, died Monday, October 2, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.

BRAXTON, Gordon Jr., 71, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

COOPER, Robert Lee Sr., 60, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

CRONK, Garnet Light, 87, of Salem, and formerly of Lynchburg, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 1995, in Hickory, N.C. Mrs. Cronk was a retired registered nurse and was the widow of Dr. Lacy Devine Cronk. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Sherry Cronk, Morganton, N.C.; her grandsons, Gregory and Patrick Cronk, both of Hickory, N.C.; three sisters, Gertrude Hubbard, Roanoke, Thelma Blount, Bertha Johnston, both of Salem; a brother, Warren Light, Roanoke. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's North Chapel Thursday, October 5, 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. G. William Foster Jr. officiating. Interment in Sherwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to the Connelly Memorial Baptist Church, 3907 Hershberger Road, N.W., Roanoke, VA 24017, in her memory. The family will receive friends Wednesday 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel.

DAVIS, Garnett, (``Junior''), 57, of Marion, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Arrangements by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service.

DEFIBAUGH, Lena Virginia Harris, 73, of Iron Gate, died Monday, October 2, 1995, in the Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born February 21, 1922, in Montgomery County, Va. a daughter of the late Jesse N. and Nannie Hixon Harris. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Clifton Forge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Alonza Defibaugh. She is survived by three daughters, Margaret Roden and Joyce Leftwich both of Roanoke, and Martha Defibaugh of Iron Gate; three sons, James Defibaugh of Covington, Harold W. Defibaugh of Glen Wilton and Willard E. Defibaugh of Roanoke; a sister, Margie Woods of C hristiansburg; a brother, James Harris of Christiansburg; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, from the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home in Clifton Forge with the Rev. Garlin Strouth and the Rev. Edith Snedegar officiating. Interment will be made in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. Active Pallbearers include Jerry Johnson, Tom DePriest, Ralph Johnson, Calvin Huffman, Johnny Craft and Jimmy Bryant. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge.

DOSS, B. Eugene, ``Gene"", 82, of Moneta, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at home. He was retired from Hercules Powder Company. He was a member of Independent Order of Old Fellows. As a member of Blacksburg Lodge #20, he served as Noble Grand, Past Grand and District Deputy Grand Master. He was an associate member of Salem Lodge #100 and served as Chief Patriarch of the Magic City Encampment #33. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mike Doss. He is survived by two daughters and son-in-law, Georgia and Bill Rakes, Moneta, Polly Ann Lafon, Roanoke; three sisters, Mae Bowman, Vinton, Jane Emerine, New Auburn, Wis., Jenny Hudgins, Vallejo, Calif.; four grandchildren, Terry Schoonover, Butch Rakes, Chad Lafon, Clay Lafon and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be h eld Thursday, October 5, 1995, 10 a.m. at the Lotz Salem Chapel with the Rev. Bruce Cooke officiating. Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Good Samaritan Hospice Inc., 3825 Electric Road, S.W., Suite A, Roanoke, VA 24018. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

GOODMAN, Lena Hagee, 80, of Salem, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. She is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Mabel and Garnett Ratcliff, Salem; sister, Carolyn Alberson, Greensboro, N.C.; brother and sister -in-law, Leonard and Almeta Hagee, Pulaski; also several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at Mountain View Cemetery, Rural Retreat. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem.

HALL, Willard Kenneth, 57, of Bassett, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Mountain View Baptist Church, Collinsville. Arrangements by Tomlinson Funeral Home, Ridgeway.

HARLOW, Annie Wiley, 74, of Clifton Forge, died Monday, October 2, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday, Nicely Funeral Home Chapel.

HARTMAN, Troy E., 88, of Roanoke, passed away, Tuesday, October 3, 1995. He retired after 48 years of service with Farmer's National Bank, Salem, now First Virginia Bank. He was a lifelong resident of Peters Creek Rd. and was a longtime member and Elder at Westminister Presbyterian Church in America. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth James Hartman; sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald T. and Linda Hartman, Salem, Aubrey E. and Judy Hartman, Chesapeake; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Westminister Presbyterian Church, 2216 Peters Creek Rd., Roanoke, VA 24017 or to a favorite charity. Funeral services will be conducted 11a.m. Thursday at Westminister Presbyterian Church by the Rev. John R. Furman and the Rev. James G. Edwards. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Oakey's North Chapel.

JONES, Eric Lee, 21, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

JOYCE, Eugene M., 77, of Bassett, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday, Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel, Ridgeway.

KESLER, Larry Michael, 44, a graphic designer who was a native of Floyd County, died on August 26 at the Hospice of Washington. Mr. Kesler had lived in Washington since 1988, when he established the Washington office of Douglas Harding Group, an international design firm in Houston, Texas. He was founding partner and vice president of the firm. Prior to that he was vice president and design director of the Graphics Division of 3D/International, an international architectural and management firm based in Houston. Mr. Kesler graduated from Floyd County High School in 1969 and went on to graduate from Ferrum College, Ferrum, and the American University, Washington, D.C. He received a Master's Degree in Design from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills Michigan, and also studied at the Corcoran School of Art and the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. A member of the Society of Environmental Graphic Designers, Mr. Kessler specialized in the design of corporate identity programs, architectural signage and wayfinding systems, and exhibitions. While much of his work was for corporate clients or sites in Texas, such as the Texas Medical Center campus, he worked on projects in half a dozen states and a number of foreign countries. Overseas projects included pavilions at the World Fair in Australia, a military academy in Saudi Arabia, an urban development in Singapore, and a trade center in Malaysia. In the early 1970s, Mr. Kesler worked at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, where he assisted in the installation of some 60 museum exhibitions. While at Cranbrook he also worked on numerous museum installations. After graduating from American University, Mr. Kesler was assistant to the director of a private art gallery in Washington. After graduating from Cranbrook, he worked for the architectural firm of Swanke Hayden Connell in New York City, later moving to Houston to join the ar chitectural firm of Caudill Rowlett Scott as graphic designer. Survivors include his mother, Sadie Benn, Alexandria; father, Leo. E. Kesler, Newport News; grandparents, Evelyn Shank, Check, and Mr. and Mrs. D. Hatcher Kesler, Salem; brother, Rodney L. Kesler, Check; and half-sisters, Christina K. Cleary, Newport News, and Joylene L. Chappell, Seaford. A memorial service will be held on October 7 at 5 p.m. at the American University chapel.

KUTZEN, Dorothy Margaret, 83, of Hillsville, died Monday, October 2, 1995. Funeral 11 A.M. Wednesday, October 4, 1995. Arrangements by Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville, Va.

LOCKARD, Alvie McKinley, 71, of Troutville, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Arrangements by Lotz Salem Chapel.

LONG, Nancy Duncan, 91, of Radford, died Monday, October 2, 1995. She was a member of Snowville Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cooper K. Long, and one son, Nathan A. Long. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Vernon (Roxie) Dishon and Mrs. Mary Young, both of Radford; one son and daughter-in-law, Harrison and Velva Long of Radford; a daughter-in-law, Melba B. Long of Radford; a brother, James F. Duncan of Willis; a sister, Mrs. Ella Sumner of Radford; five grandchildren, Nancy Y. Phillips, Donna Worrell, Peggy Long, Charles Long and Betty Smith, and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 1995, at the Seaver, Sanders and Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, with the Rev. Dennis Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin. I n lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Virginia. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Seaver, Sanders and Mullins Funeral Home in Radford.

LYNCH, Margaret Ruth Sayers, 74, of Roanoke, passed away Monday, October 2, 1995, at her residence. Mrs. Lynch was a member of Plantation Road Baptist Church and was retired from Halmode Apparel. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Lacy and Jessie Calfee Sayers, and was the widow of Alfred Kenneth Lynch Sr. Surviving are her sons and daughters-in-law, Alfred Kenneth Jr. and Becky Lynch, Robert Lloyd and Irma Lynch, all of Roanoke; her daughters and son-in-law, Judy Lynch Moore and Muharrem Tombakoglu, Alexandria, Lori Lynn Lynch, Roanoke; a granddaughter, Megan Lee Lynch; two sisters, Edith Metz, Susan Boitnott, both of Roanoke; a brother, Larry Sayers, Edmond, Okla. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's North Chapel Thursday, October 5, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Ronald W. Young officiating. Interment in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association in her memory. Friends may call at Oakey's North Chapel.

MENG, Florence Holdren, 80, of 720 Blue Ridge Avenue, Bedford, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995, at her residence. She was born in Bedford County on January 10, 1915, a daughter of the late Henry H. Holdren and Ida Craig Holdren. She is survived by one daughter, Brenda Donald Ball, Poca, WV; one sister, Fannie Holdren Leftwich, Bedford; two grandchildren. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 1995 in Greenwood Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Carl H. Douglass Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

MINTER, Bernard L., 68, of Martinsville, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Arrangements by McKee Funeral Services.

MUNDY, Blanch A., 86, of Springwood, Va. died Monday, October 2, 1995. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ashby F. Mundy, Sr. She is survived by four sons and three daughters-in-law, Claude (""Pete"") and Grace Mundy, Eagle Rock, Jerry and Barbara Mundy, Springwood, Louis and Francis Mundy, Springwood, Ashby (""Popeye"") Mundy and friend, Judy Imhoff; four daughters and sons-in-law, Ruby and Robin Hayth, Richmond, Judy and Wayne Thompson, Fincastle, Linda and Marrion Alexander, Chester, Patricia and Ricky Williams, Buchanan; 19 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law, Gardner and Irene Adams, Dry Fork, Va.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Morris and Helen Mundy; three sisters-in-law, Nellie Mundy, Marie Mundy, Martha Jane Staton; and special friend, Mary Keith. Family will receive friends Wednesday, October 4, 1995 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral service will be Thursday, October 5, 1995 at 2 p.m. at the Springwood Baptist Church with burial to follow in Church Cemetery with the Rev. Chester Carter and Rev. Harold Cook officiating. Arrangements by the Eagle Rock Funeral Home.

NOELL, James Stuart, (""Jack""), 97 of Roanoke, died Monday, October 2, 1995. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Faye Noell. He is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth N. Littreal; and son-in-law, Mason H. Littreal; one son, Charles S. Noell; and daughter-in-law, Elaine A. Noell, all of Roanoke; Also surviving are four grandchildren, Mark A. Noell, Alan Neil Littreal, Sharon L. Stevens, all of Roanoke, Kelly L. Holdsworth, Greenville, S.C.; their are also four great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Noell was a long time member of Huntington Court United Methodist Church, The Berean Bible Class and the Saturday morning Prayer Breakfast Group. He was a Mason and belonged to Lodge #106 AF AM in Pearisburg, Va. In lieu of fl owers the family requests that memorials be made to the Memorial Fund of Huntington Court United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 5066, Roanoke, Va. 24012. Funeral services will be conducted at Oakey's North Chapel, 10 a.m. Thursday, October 5, 1995 with the Dr. Alton Washington officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's North Chapel from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, 1995.

PIZZAMIGLIO, Sylvia A. Barnett, 56, of Roanoke, died Saturday, September 30, 1995. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the First Mount Airy Baptist Church, with the Rev. Matthew T. Barnett Sr. officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Interment in First Mount Airy Baptist Church Cemetery, Hardy. Arrangements by Stanfield Mortuary Service.

ROBERTS, Mildred L., (``Midge""), 67, of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Surviving are her husband, Leslie J. Roberts; sons and daughters-in-law, Curtis R. and Dianne Roberts, Aubrey C. and Jean Roberts, Roanoke; her mother, Lura Ann East, Daleville; grandchildren, James, Lisa, Lee Ann, Julie and Curtis Jr.; great-grandson, Dougie; sisters, Ruby Parker, Beaumont, Texas, Ester (``Sis"") Dickerson, Daleville, Bonnie Snyder, Roanoke; brothers, Jack East, Roanoke, Donnie East, Richmond, and a number of neices and nephews. For those preferring to make memorial contributions, the family suggests the American Heart Association, 4504 Starkey Road, Suite 115, Roanoke, Va. 24014. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at Oakey's Vinton Chapel by the Rev. Michael Lee. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton. Friends may call after 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

SHIELDS, Cecile Young, 85, of Burlington, N.C., died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. She is survived by three sons, Richard Shields of Charlotte, N.C., Lynn Shields of Greensboro, N.C., and David Shields of Burlington, N.C.; four sisters, Reva White of Roanoke, Evelyn Baker of Montvale, Christine Parker of Salem and Geraldine Harllee of Florence, S.C.; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Thursday in Burlington, N.C.

SMITH, Marion Willis (""Buster""); 85, of Lexington; died Sunday, October 1, 1995 at his home. Born in Rockbridge County on July 10, 1910, he was the son of the late Lee F. and Gracie Emaline Hostetter Smith. He was a retired equipment operator with Columbia Gas Co. he was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet Alla ""Bobbie"" Mutispaugh Smith. He is survived by a daughter, Shelia Kincaid, West Virginia; three sons, Wayne L Smith, Marion R. Smith and Vincent Carlos Smith, all of Lexington; a special grandson, Don C. Smith; ten additional grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 11 A.M. Thursday, October 5, 1995 from the Lomax Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John ""Art"" Brumit officiating. Interment will follow at New Monmouth Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at Lomax Funeral Home.

STONEMAN, Virgil K., 66, of Rocky Mount, passed away Monday, October 2, 1995 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was the son of the late Rufus and Minnie Stoneman. He was a member of the law enforcement profession from 1950 until 1991, when he retired from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board as supervisor for Southwest Virginia. He was a graduate of the FBI Academy. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Ken Stoneman. Surviving is his wife, Alice W. Stoneman, of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Dickie and Ann Stoneman, South Boston, Michael and Rosemary Stoneman, Rocky Mount, Gary and Jan Stoneman, Bassett; one daughter and son-in-law, Trenda and Doug Robertson, Yorktown; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Wanda Dalton, Ivanhoe, and Linda Kay Johnson, Westlake, Ohio; two brothers, Dorvan Stoneman, Chesterfield, and Donald Stoneman, Jonesborough, Tenn. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, October 5, 1995 at Lynch Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Herbert Seemann officiating. Burial will follow in Franklin Memorial Park, Rocky Mount. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 4, 1995 at Lynch Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, State Rd. 756, Rocky Mount, Va. Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge of arrangements.

WALTON, Tommy N., 85, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, September 27, 1995. Survivors include cousins, Mozell, Georgianna, and Margie Walton, Estelle Marshall and Bertell Sheppard; and a host of nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews and other relatives and friends. A graveside service will be conducted 11a.m. Thursday, at the Williams Memorial Park. Friends may call the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home on Wednesday for viewing.

WATKINS, William Basil, 77, of Stuart, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995 at the home of his daughter in Bowling Green, Va. Born in Kenbridge, Va. Mr Watkins had retired from the Virginia Board of Education in 1984. During his career he had served as principal of Stuart High School for 13 years, and Superintendent of schools in Craig County for 7 years. He was a member of Stuart Baptist Church, where he had served as deacon and teacher of the Men's Bible Class. He was also a member of the Lions Club, past president of the Retired Teacher's Association, past president of the Stuart Chapter of the American Heart Association and was currently the secretary of the Patrick County Electoral Board. He was the widower of Gay Bridgeforth Watkins. S urvivors include a son, Stanley E. Watkins of Richmond; two daughters, Anne We. of Madison Heights and Wilma Be. Woodward of Bowling Green; a sister Emma L. Isallobaric of Massachusetts and 4 granddaughters. A memorial service will be held Thursday, October 5, 1995 at 11 Am. in Stuart Baptist Church with the Rev.'s Clint Hopkins and James Churchwell officiating. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Men's Bible Class of Stuart Baptist Church.

WEIBEL, Barbara Virginia, 58, of Ferrum, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995 at her home. Born March 11, 1937, she was the daughter of the late A. James and Virginia Bratton Hicks. She was a special education teacher for over 28 years. Surviving are her husband, Dr. Donald Weibel, of the home; a son, A. Dennis Alureicella, Calif.; a daughter, Tara B. Aluricella, Penn.; three grandchildren; one niece and two nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 6, 1995 at Lynch Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bob Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Henry Memorial Park, Bassett, Va. Friends may call anytime Thursday at Lynch Funeral with the family receiving friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, Va. is in charge of the arrangements.

WILBURN, Mary Blankenship, 84, of Narrows, died Sunday evening in a Rich Creek , Virginia Nursing Home. a lifelong resident of Giles County, she was born February 13, 1911 and was the daughter of the late Robert Lee and Rosa Perdue Blankenship. She was a member of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Narrows. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Jackson Wilburn; a daughter, Louise Trent; three sons, W. C. Wilburn, Clovis Wilburn, Robie Wilburn; two sisters, Gray Conley and Alice Ferrell; Brothers, Omie, Alva, Tommie, Jack, and Alfred Blankenship. She is survived by two sons, Larry Wilburn of Narrows, Va. and Marshall Wilburn of Bland, Va. ; three daughters, Barbara Wilburn, Pearisburg, Va. Rose Lee Cox, Peters town, WV. Ellen Shires, Rich Creed, Va.; two brothers, Fonso Blankenship, Salem, Va. Walker Blankenship, Narrows, Va.; two sisters, Dollie Horne, Narrows, Va. Della Crawford, Nashville, Tn.; 22 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 P.M. in the chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows with Kellis McClaugherty, Minister, and Rev. Dr. Don Clements Officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Narrows.

WRIGHT, Frank Dillon, (``Dilly""), 82, of Rt. 4, Rocky Mount, died Sunday, October 1, 1995. Funeral services 2 p.m. Wednesday at Flora Funeral Service Chapel.