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

DATE: FRIDAY, October 6, 1995                   TAG: 9510060095
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

ANDERSON, Willie Ellen, 91, of Roanoke, died Monday, October 2, 1995, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Anderson was born June 12, 1904, to Frank and Edith Richie Otey in Bedford County. She had lived in Roanoke at an early age, and returned in later years to make it her home. On January 29, 1922, she married James R. Anderson in Bedford. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and tireless grandmother, who enjoyed doing for others. She took pride in herself, her home, and surroundings. She had an appreciation for GOOD food, and knew how to prepare and present pretty, plus delicious dishes, her daughter said. Mrs. Anderson was a member of Sweet Union Baptist Church in Roanoke, where she served on several committees. She loved her church and often spoke of Rev. Burton and how she always got something good from his sermons. Mrs. Anderson is survived by one daughter, Iris L. Anderson-Thomas, New Rochelle, N.Y.; one sister, Georgia B. Turpin, Roanoke; ten grandchildren, Beverly J. Ritson, Pennsylvania, Karen J. Smith, Delaware, Kenneth Ritson, Maryland, Judith Thomas, New Rochelle, N.Y., Robbin Thomas, New Rochelle, N.Y., Faye E. Claytor-Wood, Roanoke, who did many very special things for her Grandma, Gail R. Anderson, Roanoke, whom she raised from birth, was very devoted and caring. Gail gave quality time and effort to the care of her Grandmother when she became ill and could not do for herself, Vernon F. Claytor also did very special things f or his dear Grandma, Brian J. Thomas, New Rochelle, N.Y., Tonyalisa J. Thomas, New Rochelle, N.Y.; eight great-grandchildren, Lydia Q. Ritson, Kent Smith, Mya Q. Smith, Kevin Smith, Jaime Bynum, Bo Ritson, Dylan Ritson, Ryan Claytor; her husband; two daughters, Beverly Q. Ritson, and Marian A. Claytor; son, Gerald M. Anderson; three sisters, Ludie Moore, Martha Ritchie, Mae F. Gilliam; brother, Frank Otey, died earlier. Funeral services will be Saturday 2 p.m. at Sweet Union Baptist Church. Dr. E. T. Burton will officiate with the interment in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

BAXTER, Larry Douglas, 45, of Seaside, Calif., formerly of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, October 4,1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

BRAXTON, Gordon Jr., 71, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, Salem. Dr. James A. Braxton will officiate with the interment in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the church. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

BROOKSHIRE, Homer Franklin, 66, of Riverdale, Ga., and formerly of Roanoke, went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, October 4, 1995. He was a Kroger retiree, and served in the Marine Corps. He was a lifetime member and deacon of First Baptist Church, Riverdale. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Williams Brookshire; a son and daughter-in-law, Homer (``Butch"") and Sissy Brookshire, Fayetteville, Ga.; daughters and sons-in-law, Teresa and Keith Harris, Huntsville, Ala., Suzie and Michael Harper, Mansfield, Ohio, Lorrie and Walter Montgomery, Rawson, Ohio, and grandchildren, Jennifer, Rebekah and Daniel Harris, Bethany and Haley Brookshire, Olivia, Maureen and Celeste Montgomery. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 7, 1995, at First Baptist Church, Riverdale, with Dr. William Lacey officiating. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Gardens, Jonesboro, Ga. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Cerebral Palsy or American Heart Association. The family will receive friends at Pope Dickson and Son Phillips Drive Chapel, Morrow, Ga., from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.

CLAYTOR, Mary Fred, 93, of Lynchburg, formerly of Bedford, died Tuesday, September 26, 1995 at Drinkard Health Care Center in Lynchburg. She was born in Bedford on March 11, 1902, a daughter of the late Andrew Boyd Claytor and Lucy Parr Claytor. She was preceded in death by five brothers and one sister, Andrew Boyd Claytor Jr., John Mason Claytor, William Graham Claytor, Francis P. Claytor, Robert Claytor and Katharine Parr Claytor. She was a graduate of Radford College and received her Master's Degree at the University of Tennessee. She was a Home Economist with the Department of Agriculture and Southern Flavoring Company. She was a member of St. John Episcopal Chur ch in Bedford, and was a past member of the Board of Visitors of V.P.I. She is survived by three nephews, Andrew B. Claytor III, Bedford, William M. Claytor, Roanoke, Robert Claytor, Staunton; three nieces, Imogene C. Withers, Winston-Salem, N.C., Suzanne C. Gilbert, Bedford, Camille C. Stewart, Charleston, W. Va. A memorial service will be conducted Sunday, October 8,1 995 at 11:45 a.m. at St. John Episcopal Church in Bedford, with the Rev. James A. Creasy officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Johns Episcopal Church in Bedford. Arrangements are being handled by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

COOPER, Robert Lee Sr., 60, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, October 3,1995. Survivors include one son, Robert Lee Cooper Jr., Valdosta, Ga.; one daughter, Lisa Marie Cooper, Roanoke; one godson, Alvin Murdock, Roanoke; two grandchildren, Kierra Lester and Xavier Lester, both of Roanoke; loving godmother and aunt, Mrs. Hattie P. Cooper; aunts, Mrs. Gladys Minor, Mrs. Pattie Cooper, all of Roanoke; Mrs. Pearl Barbour, Halifax; uncles, Mr. James (Minnie) Cooper, Washington, D.C., Rev. Pink (Angie) Wimbish, Halifax, Mr. Vernon Cooper, Washington, D.C.; a devoted friend, Ms. Edith Johnson; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 7, 1995, at 11 a.m. at the Garden of Prayer #7, with Elder Shadrach Brown officiating, with burial in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Saturday, one hour prior to service, at the church. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

DENNIS, Joe Reeves, 79, of 523 Nylon Blvd., Seaford, Del., died Wednesday, October 4, 1995 at Nanticoke Memorial Hospital of cancer. Mr. Dennis retired as a supervisor from The Dupont Co. in Seaford in 1978 after 41 years. He was an Army Veteran of WW II and served with the 3rd Infantry Division in the European Theater. He was a member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, Seaford, American Legion Nanticoke Post 6, the Seaford Lions Club, and the Seaford Golf and Country Club. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Frances Willey Dennis; one son and daughter-in-law, Craig J. and Debby H. Dennis, Charlotte, N.C.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte A. and William E. Graham, Seaford, Del., Thelma (``T.J.'') and Daniel W. Pizzu llo, Roanoke, Va.; one sister, Serene Fleenor; two sisters-in-law, Nellie Dennis and Agnes Dennis, both of Nashville, Tenn.; five grandsons; two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 315 High St., Seaford, Saturday, October 7, at 2 p.m. Contributions may be made in his memory to The American Cancer Society, 228-C N. Dupont Hwy., Georgetown, Del. 19947, or Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 315 High St., Seaford, Del. 19973.

GOINS, Elsie Cannaday, 83, of Vinton, formerly of Midway, W.Va., died Thursday, October 5, 1995. She was the widow of Thomas L. Cannaday and Chris Goins. Mrs. Goins was a member of the First Church of God, Hardy Road. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas L. and Kathryn S. Cannaday, Vinton; grandchildren, Douglas E. Cannaday and wife, Suzanne, Grand Forks, North Dakota, Darrell F. Cannaday and wife, Elsie, Brenda C. Bowman and husband, Mickey, Michelle C. Henritze and husband, Michael, all of Roanoke; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Alma W. Akers, Gertrude W. Adams, Jackie W. Ferguson, all of Roanoke; a brother, Charles Walker, Roanoke; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at Oakey's Vinton Chapel at 2 p.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Carl V. Woodie officiating. Interment will be in the Cannaday Family Cemetery, Floyd County, Va. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

GREEN, Georgiana Helen Wonders, 75, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 1995 in her home residence. She was born November 17, 1919 and was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur William Green, who died September 24, 1964. She was a retired Registered Nurse and graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, February 16, 1942. She is survived by her two sons and duaghter-in-law, Sandra and Brian Green, Great Falls, Va., Robin Green, Roanoke; grandchildren, Justin and Ashley Green, Great Falls, Va.; two sisters, Marguerite Campbell, Houston, Texas; and Francis Ackey, Paradise, California. Memorial services will be held Saturday, October 7,1995 at 1 p.m. at Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following services. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, October 12, 1995. Flowers may be forwarded to Oakey's North Chapel.

HACKLER, Albert Harold, 67, of Rural Retreat, died Thursday, October 5, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Lindsey Funeral Home Chapel, Rural Retreat.

HALL, Robert Clifton (``Cliff''), 78, of Buena Vista, died Thursday, October 5, 1995 in the Stonewall Jackson Hospital. Mr. Hall was born February 10, 1917 in Rockbridge County, a son of the late Robert Elihu Hall and Nancy Martin Hall. He was retired from Burlington Industries after 44 years service. Mr. Hall was a member of the Glasgow Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Christine Huffman Hall, Buena Vista; two sisters, Blanche H. Bogar, Edith H. Weade, both of Lexington; one brother, Ralph E. Hall, Vesuvius; two nieces, Melissa Harris, Buena Vista, Sandra Chaplin, Lexington; two great-nephews, D.W. Cash, Buena Vista, Michael L. Chaplin, Lexington. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, October 8, 1995 in the Glasgow Baptist Church with the Rev. William M. Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in the Rockbridge Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations should be m ade to the Buena Vista First Aid, the Glasgow First Aid or the Glasgow Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service, Buena Vista.

HOLDREN, Francis Harrison, (``Shorty""), 65, of Bedford, died Thursday, October 5,1995, in Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born in Bedford County on March 21, 1930, a son of the late Charles Harrison Holdren and Hallie Mae Jones Holdren. He was a retired employee of Piedmont Label Company, a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, and was a member of the Bedford Christian Church. He is survived by his wife, Ann Phillips Holdren; a son and daughter-in-law, W. Tucker and Debra J. Holdren, Vinton; a daughter and son-in-law, Theresa H. and J. Larry Wood, Bedford; a brother, Roy D. Holdren, Bedford; three sisters, Mary H. Mayhew, Bedford, Nellie H. Peters, Las Vegas, NV, Lois H . Agee, Troutville; five grandsons. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, October 7,1 995 at 3 p.m. at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Kenneth E. Burger and the Rev. William F. Murdock officiating. B urial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

JONES, Charles Vance, (``C.V.''), 65, of Chilhowie, died Wednesday, October 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Williams Funeral Home Chapel.

KLECKNER, Kathy Jo, 37, of Dublin, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Friedensburg, Pa. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

MABE, Roosevelt, 87, of Austinville, passed away Tuesday, October 3, 1995 in Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was born September 28, 1908 in Carroll County, son of the late Ira David Mabe and Nancy Judith Smythers Mabe. Mr. Mabe was preceded in death by his wife, Effie Crowder Mabe. He was a member of the Round Knob Church of Christ. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Anita and Larry Ewing, Roanoke; two sisters, Susie Smith and Nancy Frazier, both of Austinville; grandson and spouse, David and Eileen Allison; granddaughters and spouse, Anne Whitney and Andrew Smith, Lisa Gaye Allison; great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Morgan Smith. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, October 6,1995 at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville, with Mr. Curtis Graves officiating. Interment will follow in Mabe Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville. Flowers will be appreciated, however, donations may be made to the Laurel Rescue Squad, Rt. 5, Box 677, Hillsville, Va. 24343

MARTIN, Susie S., 86, of Lexington, died Wednesday, October 4, 1995 in Stonewall Jackson Extended Care Facility. Born July 26, 1909, in Rockbridge County, she was the daughter of the late Rodney Myers and Ethel Virginia Falby Myers. Mrs. Martin was a member of Lexington Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband, Curtis E. Martin, Lexington; son and daughter-in-law, Carl and Peggy Siron, Lexington; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Tommy Hall, Lexington, Marie and Ottie Smith, Natural Bridge; brother and sister-in-law, Andrew and Mary Virginia Myers, Lexington; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; special friend, Robbie Moore. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, October 7, 1995, at 2 p.m. from the Harrison Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Robert Leonard officiating. Burial will follow in Rockbridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Harrison Funeral Home.

MEEKS, Clay H. 84, of Rt. 2, Penhook, died Thursday, October 5, 1995 at the local hospital. Mr. Meeks was the owner of Meeks Garage and was preceded in death by his wife, Velvie Lee Meeks. Surviving are four daughters and one son-in-law, Virginia Gibson, Betty Mabry, Marie and Carl Bousman, Kitty Plybon, all of Penhook; two sons, Ronnie Meeks and Eddie Meeks, both of Penhook; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mattie Hall, Bassett. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday from Forrest HIll Christian Church with Mr. Ted Clifton officiating. Interment will follow in the Meeks family cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorials be made to the Snow Creek Rescue Squad or the Cool Branch Rescue Squad. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Friday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 342 S. Main St., Rocky Mount.

MIDKIFF, Janie Hancock, 79, of Martinsville, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995. Funeral Friday, 11 a.m. at McKee Funeral Chapel, Martinsville.

OVERSTREET, Harry James, 91, of Roanoke, died Thursday, October 5, 1995. He retired from Norfolk & Western Railroad. After retiring he took up selling tack at horse shows and stock yards. Mr. Overstreet is survived by a number of nieces and nephews including a special niece, Mrs. Ed Noell, Greensboro, N.C. Funeral services will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 7, 1995, at Oakey's North Chapel with the Rev. Sonny Miller officiating, with burial to follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call Friday at Oakey's North Chapel from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Mason Cove Rescue Squad or Mason Cove Chapel.

OVERSTREET, Maurice Gank, 79, of Forest, died Thursday, October 5, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

SAMPSON, Elvira Wilhelm, 90, of White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., died Wednesday, October 4, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, Loving Funeral Home Chapel, Covington.

SIFFORD, Robert Kenneth, 60, of Parrott, died Thursday, October 5, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Parrott Church of God. Arrangements by DeVilbiss Funeral Home, Radford.

WEIBEL, Barbara Virginia, 58, of Ferrum, died Tuesday, October 3, 1995 at her home. Born March 11, 1937 in Jersey City, N.J., she was the daughter of the late A. James and Virginia Bratton Hicks. She was a special education teacher for over 28 years, a very well known reading instructor throughout the country, member of the International Reading Association, and a life long member of NEA and NJEA. She was a born again Christian. Surviving are her husband, Dr. Donald Weibel, of the home; a son, A. Dennis Lauricella, California; a daughter, Tara B. Lauricella, Pennsylvania; three grandchildren; one niece; two nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 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. Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge of arrangements.