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

DATE: SUNDAY, November 5, 1995                   TAG: 9511060078
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

CARVER, John Thomas Sr., 98, of Riner, formerly of Lunenburg County, died Friday, November 3, 1995 at his home. His life was dedicated to the service of the Lord. He was a member of the Alleghany Church of Christ in Christiansburg. He had served as Elder and Bible School Teacher at the Alleghany Church of Christ, as well as at the Cool Spring Christian Church near Keysville in Lunenburg County. He was preceded in death by his firest wife, Ruth Shelton Carver. Surviving family members include his wife, Zela Wirt Carver; a son, J. T. Carver Jr. and wife Mary, Knoxville, Tenn.; a daughter, Mary Ruth Carver, Salem; a grandson, John Thomas Carver III and wife Patricia, Knoxville, Tenn.; granddaughters, Janet Carver Smith and husband David, Bloomsburg, Penn., Deborah Carver Sayne and husband Tommy , Chattanooga, Tenn.; sister, Isona C. Wilson, Farmville; two great-granddaughters; and one great-grandson; one stepdaughter, Naomi W. Smith; and son stepson, Ford Wirt; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 6, 1995 at 10 a.m. at the Alleghany Church of Christ in Christiansburg, with Porter Riner, Minister, officiating. Burial will follow at the Cool Spring Christian Church Cemetery on Route 622 in Lunenburg County at 2:30 p.m. The family will receive friends Sunday, November 5, 1995, from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alleghany Church of Christ, 2095 N. Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Va. 24073 or the American Diabetic Association, 1290 Seminole Trail # 2, Charlottesville, Va. 22901. Arrangements are being handled by Richardson-Horne in Christiansburg.

CROCKETT, Virginia Wood, 73, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, November 4,1995. Virginia was loved very much by all who knew her. She was a member of Preston Oaks Baptist Church, the Social Order of the Beauceant, and the Carrie Lee Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was an avid piano player and devoted Avon lady. She was preceded in death by her two beautiful sons, Paul Anthony and Thomas B. Crockett Jr. She is survived by and will be missed by her very loving and devoted husband, Thomas; her daughter who loved her so very much, Michelle; also surviving are her sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy Wood Laym an and husband Clarence, Roanoke; aunt and uncle, Kathleen and Raymon Catron, Roanoke; an aunt, Annie Laura Wood, Roanoke; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Edison and Blanche Crockett, Lake City, Fla.; and a number of relatives in Buchanan County, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Preston Oaks Baptist Church, 102 Preston Ave., Roanoke, Va. 24012. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday at Oakey's North Chapel by Pastor Joe Greene and the Rev. James Millsaps. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Oakey's North Chapel.

DeHART, Walter Lee, 56, of Roanoke, died Thursday, November 2, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Lotz Salem Chapel.

DUFF, Andrew Franklin, Sr., 61, of Rocky Mount, died Saturday, November 4, 1995. Arrangements by Lynch Funeral Home.

DURHAM, George William, 68, of Sandy Ridge, N.C., died Friday, November 3, 1995. Graveside services, 11 a.m. Monday, Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Sandy Ridge. Arrangements by Tomlinson Funeral Home, Ridgeway, Va.

ELLIOTT, Martha Kate Bachtell, 78, of Lexington, died Friday, November 3, 1995 in the Stonewall Jackson E.C.F. Mrs. Elliott was born August 29, 1917 in Rockbridge County, a daughter of the late George Samuel Boone Bachtell and Lula Wilmore Bachtell. She was a very loyal and active member of the Elliott's Hill United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by a sister, Irene Scott and a brother, Linford B. Bachtell. Surviving are her husband, Lewis R. Elliott Sr.; one son, L. Russell Elliott Jr., Lexington; three sisters, Grace Pultz, Annie Bachtell, both of Lexington, Peggy Payne, Portsmouth; two granddaughters and husbands, Pamela E. Horan and Scott, Kristi E. Mathia and Edward. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, November 6, 1995 in the Harrison Funeral Chapel with the Rev. W. Pembroke Hall officiating. Burial will f ollow in the Rockbridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions to be made to the Elliott's Hill United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Harrison Funeral Home, Lexington, Va.

ENTSMINGER, Marguerite Gertrude Conner, 90, of Covington, died Saturday,November 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday in the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel.

GIBSON, Cecil Victor, Sr., (``Hoot""), 66, of Pittsville, died Saturday, November 4, 1995. Funeral 4:30 p.m. Monday, St. John Episcopal Church, Mt. Airy. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna.

GREGORY, C. D., Jr., (``Bill""), 78, of Gretna, died Saturday, November 4, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Monday, Piney Grove Baptist Church. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home.

GROTJAN, Mary Elizabeth Grotjan, 71, of 4225 AIA South, St. Augustine, Fla, died at her residence on Friday morning, November 3, 1995. She moved to St. Augustine two years ago after visiting for ten years. She moved from Roanoke, Va., where she lived for 29 years. She was a Data Processor for The Roanoke Times. She was born in Decatur, Illinois where she lived for 42 years. Friends may call Saturday, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Croyle Funeral Home, St. Augustine, Fla., where prayers will be said at 5:45 p.m. She is survived by her husband, Leo D. Grotjan of St. Augustine; two sons, Ron of Bloomington, Ill. and Don of Douglasville, Ga.; three sisters, Hazel Gullo of Lake Forest, Calif., Vivian Awad of Chicago, Ill. and Patricia Ferraiuolo of Aurora, Ill.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Flowers are gratefully declined, please make contributions to Hospice.

HAMMOND, Patsy S., 59, of Glendale, Ariz., formerly of Bluefield, W.Va., died Saturday, October 21, 1995. She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Hammond; two sons, Steven and David; mother, Virginia Sands; three sisters, Lena Ellis, Jeanie Patterson, Rocine Hendricks; brother, Everett Sands, Jr.; granddaughter, Lisa Hammond. Graveside service was 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, 1995, at Phoenix Memorial Park, Phoenix, Ariz.

HENDRICKS, Rachel Mable, 87, of Dublin, died Tuesday, October 31, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday at Dublin United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Penn's Funeral Home.

JONES, Estill H., 61, of Fries, passed away Saturday, November 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel, Independence.

MARTIN, Harry Sherman, 86, of Christiansburg, died Saturday, November 4, 1995 in Montgomery Regional Hospital. Surviving are his wife, Norilla Hall Martin; daughter and son-in-law, Josephine Martin Briggs and Keith T. Briggs, Denton, Texas; two granddaughters, Jenny J. Wood, Denton, Texas, Michelle N. Smith, Chandler, Ariz.; six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 7, at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Arnold Naff, with burial in Sunset Cemetery. Friends may call anytime Monday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

McCULLOCH, James Lendo, Jr., 72, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, November 3, 1995. Jim was a Navy veteran of World War II, and was an active member of the New Life Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church where he served as the first president of the men's fellowship. He was past president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, Branch 524, and current vice president of the Me nded Hearts of Roanoke Valley, Chapter 144. He also was an active member of the following associations: American Legion, D.A.V., V.F.W., League of Older Americans, National Association of Retired Federal Employees and the AARP. He was preceded in death by his parents, James L. and Beulah McCulloch, and a brother, Bob McCulloch. He is survived by his wife, S. Jerry McCulloch; sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy and Lana McCulloch, Steve and Pam McCulloch; stepdaughters and husbands, Dixie and Lee Tarr, Brenda and Richard Baughman, Sheila and Danny Hall; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-laws, John and Elizabeth McCulloch, Jack and Betty McCulloch, Doc and Lynda McCulloch, Jerry and Corky McCulloch. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, November 6, 1995, at the New Life Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church, with the Rev. Walter L. Wood officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may call after 5 p.m. Sunday at Oakey's North Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mended Hearts Chapter 144 of Roanoke or to the New Life Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church.

PICKERAL, Louise Riddle, 78, of Gretna, died Friday, November 3, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Greenfield Baptist Church. Arrangements by Colbet-Moran Funeral Home.

ROBERSON, Edna F., 80, of Stuart, died Saturday, November 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Smith River Church of the Brethren. Arrangements by Moody Funeral Services, Stuart.

SHERMAN, Charles E., 52, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Bedford, died Friday, November 3, 1995, in Howard University Hospital in Washington. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, November 5, 1995, at the Otterville Baptist Church in Bedford County. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one prior to the service. Bedford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

SORRELS, Grace Pugh, 87, of Buena Vista, died Friday, November 3, 1995, in a Roanoke hospital. She was born April 27, 1908, in Rockbridge County, daughter of the late Rev. William T. Pugh and Mary Slough Pugh. She was a member of the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church. Mrs. Sorrels was retired from Bernson Silk Mill. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann Sorrels. Surviving are her husband, the Rev. William A. Sorrels; three daughters and sons-in-law, Dorothy and Bill Ashburne of Charleston, S.C., Ruth and Sam Moore of Buena Vista and Carolyn Hill of Buena Vista; one son and daughter-in-law, Sheldon and Faye Sorrels of Buena Vista; three sisters, Bertha Rice of Buena Vista, Ruth Harris of Amarillo, Texas, and Margaret Ryals of Ft. Deposit, Ala.; six grandchildren, Stanley and wife Joy Ashburne, M.S.1 Gary Ashburne (U. S. Navy), Patricia and husband Arnold Bradley, Angels Sorrels, Lisa and husband John Bolen, and Pamela and husband James Blevins, and six great-grandchildren, Amy Ashburne, Kristin Ashburne, Jonathan Bradley, Amanda Bradley, Amber Bolen and Tarah Blevins. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church, with the Rev. David Bain officiating. Burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Bolling, Grose and Lotts Funeral Service in Buena Vista.

SOWERS, Sena Ellen Worrell Mrs., 90, of Route 2, Cana, Va., widow of the late Cana N. Sowers, died Friday night, November 3, 1995 at Central Continuing Care, Mt. Airy, N.C. Mrs. Sowers was born in Carroll County, Va., March 7, 1905, daughter of the late reuben and Alice Bowman Worrell, was a housewif e and a member of Martin Primitive Baptist Church. Surviving are three daughters and sons-in-law, Nora Alice and Bedford Martin of Fieldale, Va., Jo Ann and Lavern Combs of Cana, Va. and Jessie Lee Puckett of Lowgap, N.C.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Nelson and Hortense Sowers of Ridgeway, Va., Manuel and Ann Sowers of Daleville, Va.; three step-daughters, Iris Critz of Toast, N.C. Gene Gulledge of Charlotte, N.C., and Mavis Meredith of Fancy Gap, Va.; a step son, Willis (Bill) Sowers of Mt. Airy, N.C.; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; eleven step grandchildren; numerous step-great-grandchildren. In addition to husband and parents, Mrs. Sowers was preceded in death by a daughter, Norma Sowers and a son-in-law, Dennis Puckett. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 6, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. at the Martin Primitive Baptist Church conducted by Elder Gleason Worrell and Elder Leonard Vass with interment to follow in the church cemetery. Her body will remain at Moody Funeral Home of Mt. Airy, N.C. until time to be taken to the church to lie in state one hour before the funeral service. The family will receive friends at Moody ?Funeral Home of Mt. Airy, N.C. on Sunday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Martin Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Mrs. Ethel Vass, 168 Davis Ave., Hillsville, Va. 24343.

WALKER, Gilbert C. III, (``Boots""), 72, of Marion, died Wednesday, November 1,1995. Graveside service 2 p.m. Monday at Roselawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service.

WALKER, Otis V., 84, of Moneta, passed away Saturday, November 4, 1995. Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home, Bedford.

WALLS, Joseph Garl Sr., 54, of Rugby, passed away Friday, November 3,1995 at Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City, TN. Mr. Walls was born May 21, 1941 at Volney, Va. to Chester Lee and Gertie Mae Perkins Walls. He was retired from Columbus M ikinnon Corp, Abingdon, Va. with 25 years service. He was former Assistant Scout Master, Boy Scout Troop 93, First United Methodist Church, Marion, Va. He is survived by his wife, Rhonda Richardson Walls, of the home; daughter, Regenia Lou Walls, Emory & Henry College, Emory, Va. and Rugby, Va.; son, Joseph Garl Walls Jr., Abingdon; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Gladys and Robert Coolidge, Newark, Delaware, Glenna Walls, Volney; brother, Willis Ray Walls, Volney; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wilma and Dwight Richardson, Rugby; niece, Cindy Coolidge Collier, Wilmington, Delaware; nephew, Robert Lee Coolidge, Newark, Delaware. Funeral services will be conducted 11 am. Monday in Little Wilson United Methodist Church, Volney, Va., with interment in Little Wilson Cemetery. The Rev. Kenneth Blevins, the Rev. Audrey Whitlow and the Rev. Douglas Halsey are officiating. The body will lie in state at church thirty minutes preceding service. The body will be moved from Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence, Va., to the Mill Creek United Methodist Church, Rugby, Va. Sunday evening, where the family will receive friends at the church from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Flowers will be greatly appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to The Garl Walls Baseball Athletic Scholarship Fund, C/O Grayson National Bank, P. O. Box 186, Independence, Va. 24348. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence, Va., is in charge of arrangements.