ROANOKE TIMES

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

DATE: SUNDAY, November 12, 1995                   TAG: 9511130067
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long


OBIT

ADKINS, David A., 28, of Sterling, passed away Friday, November 10, 1995. He was the son of Adele Greer Adkins of Sterling, formerly of Whitetop. Graveside services, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Blevins Cemetery, Whitetop. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence.

ALLDREDGE, William David, 57, of Salem, passed away Friday, November 10, 1995. He was a member of Mason Cove Chapel, and was employed Adams Construction Company for 35 years. He is survived by his wife, Betty Ann Alldredge; a daughter, Tracy L. Hodges, Salem; a son, Vernon Alldredge, Baxley , Ga.; stepdaughters, Patricia A. Wickline, Christiansburg, Connie S. Smith, Shawsville, Diane Waldron, Elliston; his mother, Susie Alldredge, Roanoke; brothers, Alvin Alldredge, Forrest, Clinton Alldredge, Odessa, Fla., and sisters, Ella Mae Elmore, Vinton, Sarah Reana Watson, Lakeland, Fla. Funeral services will be conducted at noon Monday, November 13, 1995, at Lotz Salem Chapel, with the Rev. Arley (``Sonny"") Miller and the Rev. Paul Hatfield officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. Arrangements are bring handled by Lotz Funeral Home, Salem

ALLEN, Alphonso, 83, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, November 11, 1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

AMIS, Frances Barlow, 55, of Shacklefords, died Tuesday, November 7, 1995, at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital, Gloucester. The Roanoke native was formerly employed as a clerk/typist for the McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond. She was a member of Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church in Roanoke. She is survived by her husband, Harvey J. Amis, Shacklefords; a son, Richard L. Barbour Jr. of Richmond; four stepchildren, Geraldine Foreman of New Jersey, James Amis of Dover, Del., Richard Amis of West Point and Office Bingham of Shacklefords; three sisters, Sandra Reed of Mansfield, Ohio, Sarah Barlow of Roanoke and Rachael Lynch of Hampton; stepmother, Dorothy Barlow of Hampton; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson, and a daughter-in-law, Dannette Barbour. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Antonio D. Thomas officiating. Interment will be in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. (Arrangements by White-Tidewater Funeral Home, Jamaica, Va., and locally by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.)

BAKER, Gary S., 48, of Couer d'Alene, Idaho, formerly of Christiansburg, Va., passed away, Wednesday, November 8, 1995. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg, Va.

BARNETT, Virginia Angell, 88, of Martinsville, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Graveside 11 a.m. Monday, Hickory Grove Methodist Church Cemetery, Pelham, N.C. Arrangements by McKee Funeral Services, Martinsville, Va.

BARTON, Margaret Lovell, 77, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, November 11, 1995. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James L. and Ginny L. Barton, Vinton; stepchildren, Georgie Gibson, Roanoke, Wallace Barton, Roanoke, Raymond Barton, Salem, Ward Barton, Virginia Beach. Also surviving are two grandchildren. Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, November 13, 1995, in Hall's Church Cemetery, Ironto, with the Rev. Chester Lykins officiating. Arrangements are being handled by Lotz Funeral Home, Salem.

BOBBITT, Leva Shaw, 78, of Independence, passed away Friday, November 10, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Monday, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

COLLINS, Gary Thomas, Jr (``Tom'') 26, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, November 11, 1995 at his home. Surviving are his mother, Carol A. Collins, Roanoke; father, Gary T. Collins, Sr, Thaxton; sister and brother-in-law, Tina and Mark Stragand; niece, Jessica Stragand; stepsisters, Tranessa and Brandie Collins; grandparents, Cleveland and Joan Puckett, Mrs. Lillie Collins, Mrs. Evie Feathers, all of Roanoke. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey 's Vinton Chapel at 11 a.m. Monday, November 13, 1995 with the Rev. Dewey V. Page officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may call Sunday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

CONWAY, Clyde Everett, 74, of Roanoke, died Thursday, November 9, 1995. Graveside with military honors 1 p.m. Tuesday, Culpeper National Cemetery. Arrangements by Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service.

COX, Thelma K., 84, of Roanoke, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Arrangements by Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

DILLON, Lillian Williams, 84, of Roanoke, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. She was the wife of the late Welford Ellison Dillon. She was born May 4, 1911, the daughter of the late Henrietta and Guy Williams. Mrs. Dillon was a member of First Christian Church. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald and Ann Dillon, Wayne and Rachel Dillon; four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Services will be at Oakey's South Chapel at 12 noon Monda y, November 13, 1995. The Rev. Jim Rivers will officiate. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel, where the family will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday

FARRIS, Arthur Garnett, 73, of Draper, Va., died Thursday, November 9, 1995. Funeral Monday, 10 a.m. in the Grubb Funeral Home Chapel, Wytheville.

FROST, Arnold Lee, 60, of Pulaski, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, Stevens Funeral Chapel.

GRISSO, Viola Henry, 85, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, November 10, 1995 at her home. She was born July 7, 1910, the daughter of the late Ben and Maude Mountcastle Henry of Bent Mountain, and her foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will Thomas of Catawba. She was preceded in death by her husband, Carridon Grisso, a son, Lynwood Grisso, and a daughter, Rowena Grisso. Mrs. Grisso was a member of Catawba United Methodist Church and a member of C.U.M.U. for many years. Surviving are two sons and a daughter-in-law, Raymond L. Grisso, Herbert A. and Judy Grisso; a daughter, Caroline G. Nolen; three special granddaughters, Debbie Grisso and fiance', Mark Funderburke, Kim and her husband, Chris Richardson, and Jennifer Grisso; four grandsons who are very special, Randy Grisso, Chad Grisso, Tommy and wife, Doni Grisso, and Jason Grisso; a great-grandson, Christopher Taylor Richardson; a special niece, Katie Barney and family, North Carolina; a special nephew, Bill Harper and family, North Carolina; and lots of other nieces and nephews; two daughters-in-law, Virginia Grisso, Speedwell and Emma Lou Grisso. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, from Oakey's North Chapel, with the Rev. R. C. Wagner, the Rev. Rob Colwell and the Rev. Charles Roberts officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's North Chapel, where the family will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

HARMON, Leona Arnold, 79, of Rt. 3, Wytheville, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Liberty Hill Pentacostal Holiness Church. Arrangements by Barnett Funeral Home.

JIRACEK, George Michael, Jr., 64, of Moneta, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

MASON, Brenda Mullins, 52, of Roanoke, died Friday evening, November 10, 1995 at her home. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

NELSON, Patrick Hascue, 95, of Radford, died Friday, November 10, 1995 at his home. He was a member of the Grove United Methodist Church and was born in Scott Co., V a. He was preceded in death by a son, William Jack Nelson and a sister, Laura Salling. Surviving are his wife, Monnie Starnes Nelson of Radford; a son and daughter-in-law, Sidney H. and Dr. Beth Nelson of Radford; several brothers and sisters of Calif.; three grandchildren, Judy Nelson-Bordornes of Dublin, Jeanie Anderson and Betty Whitley both of Radford; four great-grandchildren, Jon Anderson, Travis Whitley, and Carter Whitley all of Radford, M. Sydney Lawson of Dublin; and one great-great-grandson, Sawyer Lawon of Dublin. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home. Services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Clarence Dishman officiating. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, at the Holston View Cemetery in Weber City, Va.

PATSEL, Billy Wayne, 54, of Roanoke, died Friday, November 10, 1995. He was an employee of Home Lumber Company. Surviving are his wife, Sherry Suzanne Martin Patsel; his mother, Margaret Peggins Patsel, Roanoke; five brothers, Ned Patsel and Bobby Lee Patsel both of Roanoke, Herman E. Patsel, Vinton, Claude R. Patsel, Roanoke, Roger A. Patsel, Franklin Co.; four sisters, JoAnne Hawks, Moneta, Joyce Marie Adams, Franklin Co., Gloria J. Overfelt, Roanoke, and Betty Sue Robertson, Montvale. A graveside service will be conducted 10 a.m. Monday, November 13, 1995 at Evergreen Burial Park with the Rev. Gary Sparks and the Rev. Freeman J. Hamrick officiating. Friends may call at Lotz Roanoke Chapel after 12 noon Sunday.

PATTERSON, Oscar, Jr., 70, of Roanoke, died Friday, November 10, 1995. Arrangements by Fizer Funeral Home.

PERDUE, Lena Brown, (Mrs. Benjamin), 75, of Glade Hill, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.

PRICE, Danny Wayne, Sr., 54, of Roanoke, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. He was an active member of Hollins Road Baptist Church, and was president of the Joyful Servants Sunday Schoo l Class. Danny was a graduate of New Castle High School and Lynchburg College. He had been employed by G. E. Corporation for more than 30 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister. Surviving are his wife, Judy Huffman Price; son and daughter-in-law, Danny Wayne Price Jr. and wife Crickett, Roanoke; daughter, Tammy Price, Roanoke; granddaughter, Logan Price; brother, Ronney Price, New Castle; sister and brother-in-law, Martha P. and Ed Mattox, New Castle, and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday at Oakey's North Chapel by the Rev. Mark Washington. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Oakey's North Chapel.

ROBINSON, Edwin LeRoy, 66, of Roanoke, died Friday, November 10, 1995. He was a member of Edgewood Christian Church and a veteran of the U. S. Navy. Surviving are his wife, Grace S. Robinson; daughters and sons-in-law, Judith and John Douffas, Roanoke, Sharon and Guy Carroll, Greenville, S.C.; three grandchildren, Guy and Chris Carroll, Greenville, S.C., Athena Douffas, Roanoke; mother, Thelma Pickett, Roanoke; two brothers, Harold Robinson and Pete Robinson, Roanoke; two sisters, Nellie Tolley and Mary Gearhart, Roanoke; also, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Roanoke Chapel at 1:30 p.m. Monday, November 13, 1995, with Brother Larry D. Atkin and Brother Marion Harris officiating. Interment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

SAYERS, Edd Jackson, 85, of Wytheville, died Saturday, November 11, 1995 in the Wythe County Community Hospital. He was retired from Coleman's Furniture and was a World War II Veteran. He is survived by his wife, Emily Chrisley Sayers of the home; one daughter, Betty J. Sayers of Wytheville; two sisters, Lethia Ratcliffe of Wytheville, Callie Ratcliffe of Pulaski; two grandchildren, Dane and Samantha Cochran of Max Meadows, Tammy and Greg Turner of Ivanhoe; two great-grandchildren, Dexter and Roger. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 14, 1995 in the Draper Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Kenneth Fogus officiating. The body will be placed in the church one hour before service time. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with the American Legion Post #9 conducting graveside rites. The family will receive friends at the Grubb Funeral Home Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. Arrangements by Grubb Funeral Home.

SIMONEC, Nellie June, 52, of Salem, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. She is survived by her husband, Sherman Hale; seven daughters, Shirlene Smith, Roanoke, Victoria Lorah, Norfolk, Patricia Gunter, Bedford, Linda Thornhill, Roanoke, Tracy Hale, Christiansburg, Sharon King and Lisa McNeil, both of Shawsville; two brothers, Earl Shuler and Sherman Shuler; three sisters, Mattie Hall and Phyllis Shuler, all of Nicholasville, Ky., and Lilly Weston, South Mills, N.C.; 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, November 13, in John M. Oakey and Son, Salem Funeral Home Chapel, by Dr. Lester G. Wertz, with burial in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

SMITH, Noel Alexander, 82, of Martinsville, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Graveside services 2 p.m. Monday, Prillaman Family Cemetery. Arrangements by Norris Funeral Services.

TAVENNER, Robert Paul, (``Bob""), 76, of Salem, died Saturday, November 11, 1995 in a local hospital. He was born September 4, 1919, in Fort Gay, W.Va., to the late Ethel Chapman and Robert Graham Tavenner. He moved to Roanoke soon after birth. He was a 1939 graduate of Jefferson High School, where he excelled in sports and was an All-State End in football. He was employed with The Roanoke Times & World-News from 1941 to 1982 , when he retired as foreman of the pressroom. He left the newspaper to serve in World War II and returned after discharge from service. Mr. Tavenner was an engineer gunner with the rank of Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WW II and he flew 60 missions. He flew 25 missions on a B-24 in the Pacific Theater of the war as a member of the 90th Bomb Group, 400th Squadron. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service at the New Guinea Warfront in 1943. Afterwards, he was sent stateside, where he taught flight school at Biggs Airfield in El Paso, Texas until the summer of 1944. While there, he volunteered to serve in the European Theater. In September 1944, he joined the 9th Air Force, 397th Bomb group, 396th Squadron on the B-26. He flew 35 missions, including two on Christmas Day, 1994 against German Jets, during the Battle of the Bulge. In all, he received 8 medals: The Distinguished Flying Cross, 6 Air Medals, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Thomas Tavenner. Surviving are his two daughers and sons-in-law, Susan T. and Dirk S. Dixon of Lexington, N.C., Diane T. and Mitchell R. O'Dell of Salem. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren, Christian T. Dixon, Catherine H. Dixon, Elizabeth A. Wade and Shelly M. Wade. Also surviving are sisters and brothers-in-law, Stella T. See, Mary T. and James E. Nichols, Mildred T. and Aubrey Moles; brothers and sister-in-law, James A. and Frances E. Tavenner of Colonial Heights, and John Randolph Tavenner of Knoxville, Tenn.; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sabra T. and John C. Helms of Salem; brother-in-law, E. Jack Thomas of Fincastle; many nieces and nephews. All will miss his love, kindness, and humble nature. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Monday at Oakey's North Chapel with the Rev. Frank W. Feather officiating. Interment will be in Fair View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Oakey's North Chapel.

THOMPSON, Scott Lamont, (``Scotty""), 30, of Martinsville, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel, Ridgeway.

WILLIAMS, Bernice Ferguson, 73, of Route 1, Gladys, died Saturday morning, November 11, 1995, at her home. She was the wife of Ira Wilson Williams. She was born in Pittsylvania County on December 17, 1921, daughter of the late Lewis Hudson Ferguson Sr. and Irene Farmer Ferguson. She was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, and a former employee of Holland's Jewelry and Furniture Company in Brookneal. In addition to her husband, she is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Linda Williams of Rocky Mount; one daughter, Amy Jo Williams of Gladys; four grandchildren, Christie Williams of Richmond, Scott Miller of Charlotte, N.C., Tanya Fralin of Goodview and Tracy Moon of Spout Springs; two brothers, Henry Ferguson and L. Hudson Ferguson Jr. of Gretna, and one sister, Evelyn F. Scruggs of Mooresville, N.C. She was preceded in death by a grandchild, Sonya Williams, and a brother, Malcolm Ferguson. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Ebenezer Baptist Church by the Rev. Don Bryant and the Rev. Melvin Bradshaw, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Henderson Funeral Home, Brookneal, and will be at the residence at other times.

WRIGHT, Pauline Martin, 83, of Covington, died Saturday, November 11, 1995. Arrangements by J.B. Lewis Funeral Service, Lexington.



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