ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 29, 1996 TAG: 9602290096
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
ALTIS, Robert William, 81, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 1996. Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Hazel Martin Altis; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert Jr. (Bobby) and Ruth Boone Altis of Salem; a daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Paul Greenway of Roanoke; two granddaughters, Kelley Altis of Shawsville, Dena Greenway of Salem; two grandsons, Mike Altis and wife, Susan of Blue Ridge, Scott Greenway of Roanoke; a brother, Clarence Altis of Stafford; three sisters, Irene Callis and Mary Hall, both of Roanoke, Clara Barber of Graham, N.C. Funeral services will be conducted 12 noon Friday, March 1, 1996, at Lotz Roanoke Chapel with the Rev. Irvin W. Sloan officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends at Lotz Roanoke Chapel 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
BAILEY, William Knox, (``Bill''), 86, of Lexington, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996, in Stonewall Jackson Hospital. Born in Bluefield, W.Va., February 7, 1910, he was the son of the late John Henry and Donna Brown Bailey. Mr. Bailey was a retired salesman and a member of Lexington Presbyterian Church. Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth W. Bailey, Lexington; two sons, William Knox Bailey Jr., Houston, Texas, Samuel Whitten Bailey, Waverly; also seven grandchildren. Memorial services will be conducted Thursday, Febr uary 29, 1996, at 10 a.m. from the Lexington Presbyterian Church with Dr. William Klein officiating. Harrison Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements
BOCOCK, Ruby Lee, 74, of White Gate, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996 in a Roanoke hospital. She was born January 23, 1922 at White Gate, the daughter of the late Robert Lee and Ella Sue Morehead Gusler. She was preceded in death by a sister, Thelma Riddle; a brother, Ross Gusler. She was a member of the Bland Bible Church. She is survived by her husband, Loyd G. Bocock; one son, George Bocock, Orlando, Fla.; three daughters and sons-in-law, Marie and Duane Billips, White Gate, Sue and Gary Woodyard, Goldsboro, N.C.; Verna and David Brumfield, Salem; six grandchildren, Diana Cassell, Anthony Billips, Jennifer Woodyard, Katherine Woodyard, Tyler Brumfield, and Jeff Thompson; one great-grandchild, Emily Cassell. Funeral services will be Friday at 2 p.m. at the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dwayne Martin, the Rev. Bob Blankenship, and the Rev. E. H. Shaver officiating. Burial will be in the Stinson Cemetery, White Gate. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday after 1 p.m., and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Flowers will be appreciated, but those wishing can make donations to the Bland Bible Church.
BOWLES, Jeffrey A., 37, of Altamonte Springs, Fla., died Sunday, February 25, 1996. Mr. Bowles was a marketing representative for Atlas Marketing. Born in Montgomery, W.Va., he moved to Central Florida in 1990. Survivors include his mother, Carolyn Bowles, Roanoke; father, James Bowles, Roanoke; brothers, Jimmy Bowles, Salem, Larry Bowles, Vinton, Kelly Bowles, Boones Mill; sister, Carol Marvin, Salem; companion, Larry Ruark, Altamonte Springs, Fla. Beacon's National Cremation Society, Winter Park Chapter.
BURKE, Gertrude Ryan, 82, of Buena Vista, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996, in the Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born January 11, 1914 in Boston, Mass. Surviving are her husband, Lawrence J. Burke, Buena Vista; two sons, Lawrence J. Burke Jr., Westcliff, Colo., David Paul Burke, Greensboro, N.C.; a brother, John A. Ryan, Norwell, Mass.; two sisters, Alice T. Carey , Medford, Mass., Rita Burton, Victorville, Calif.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-granddaughters. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2, 1996, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Father J. Morton Biber officiating. The burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service, Buena Vista
CARTER, Viola Hampton, 71, of Woodlawn, died Wednesday, February 28, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, CME Methodist Church. Arrangements by Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home, Galax.
CHANDLER, James Odie, 92, of Galax, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Grassy Creek Baptist Church, Grassy Creek, N.C. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence.
COOK, Zana Perdue, 74, of Salem, died Wednesday, February 28, 1996. She was the widow of Eugene H. Cook. She was the youngest of nine children of Eliza Vaden Perdue and William Thomas Perdue. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and loved the church family as her own. She is surviv ed by a son, Stephen E. Cook, Roanoke; a daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Steve Pendleton, Salem; three grandchildren, Marney Cook, Neu Chattel, Switzerland, Sara and Seth Pendleton, Salem; also many nieces, nephews and in-laws. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday at Bethel Baptist Church, Salem, with the Rev. Brenda H. Rowe, the Rev. Gerald Etter and the Rev. Jack Perdue officiating. Interment will follow at Hall's Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home Chapel, Salem
CRADDOCK, Grace L., 83, of Claudville, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Moody Funeral Home Chapel, Stuart.
CROUCH, Willie Ernest, 78, of Montvale, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford.
EAVES, Ida, 85, of Dublin, died Monday, February 26, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Dublin United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Penn's Funeral Home, Pulaski.
ELLIS, Ethel Cecil, 88, of Salem, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996 at her home. She is survived by one sister, Betty E. Sisk, Salem; a number of nieces and nephews; a special nephew and wife, Billy and Elsie Sisk, Salem; sisters-in-law. Graveside services will be held Friday, March 1, 1996 at 2 p.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park, with the Rev. Randall S. Floyd officiating. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Lotz Salem Chapel.
GUSLER, Russell Charles, 77, of Pearisbu rg, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996, at his home. Mr. Gusler was born on February 19, 1919, in Eggleston, and was a son of the late Joseph G. and Minnie Gordon Gusler. Mr. Gusler was also preceded in death by his sister, Thelma G. Dillman. Mr. Gusler was an army veteran of World War II, a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg, and was a retired employee of the Hoechst Celanese Corp. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Phyllis S. Gusler of Pearisburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Rodney and Debbie Gusler of Wendell, N.C.; one daughter and son-in-law, Patsy and Woody Carbaugh of Eggleston; three grandsons, Tony and Todd Carbaugh and Jason Gusler; one granddaughter, Christie Gusler; one granddaughter-in-law, Angie Carbaugh; and one great-grandson, Tanner Carbaugh. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 1, 1996, at the Givens Funeral Chapel in Pearisburg at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Freddrick Long and the Rev. Judith Long officiating, with burial following in the Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Givens Funeral Home.
HARPER, Dr. Laura Jane, the tough-minded dean under whose leadership Virginia Tech's College of Human Resources (then Home Economics) achieved sustained national prominence, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996, in Madison, Miss. She was 81, and recently had entered a retirement home in Madison, near the home of her sister, Mrs. Wilma H. Baggett. Dr. Harper retired from Virginia Tech in 1980. She was the daughter of William P. and Elonora Collins Harper of rural Madison, Miss. The future college dean grew up on the family farm near Jackson, Miss. After attending local public schools, she earned her baccalaureate degree in home economics at Belhaven College, also in Jackson. She moved to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for graduate work, where she earned her M.S. degree in human nutrition. Later, after she had joined the Virginia Tech faculty, she took educational leave for study and research at Michigan State University in human nutrition and several other areas, which she completed in 1956. She also did other post-graduate work at Cornell University and at Virginia Tech, where she was appointed associate professor in 1949. At that time, Radford College (now Radford University) was the coordinate women's college of Virginia Tech (now officially Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Undergraduate women students, with few exceptions, were required to matriculate at Radford. After extensive external and internal studies of home economics programs at Radford and Virginia Tech in the late 1950s, a school of home economics was authorized at Virginia Tech. In 1960, Dr. Harper agreed to leave her teaching and research temporarily to accept appointment as dean, responsible for the home economics programs on both campuses, including the extension and research work in home economics at Blacksburg. Her ``temporary"" appointment lasted until her retirement 20 years later, although her responsibilities for the Radford program were dropped when Radford became a separate institution in 1964. One of her greatest accomplishments was the opening and dedication of Wallace Hall in 1968, when Home Economics had a modern home, complete with a closed-circuit TV system. She had worked hard for such a facility since her early years on the campus. For a dozen years or more in the 1970s and early 1980s, she conducted a continuing study of changes and trends in home economics programs in higher education for the American Home Economics Association. She served on the SHEA Executive Committee, and also in the early 1980s was president of the Association's Foundation. In 1984, she was cited by the Association as one of the top 75 home economics leaders in the United States as the SHEA celebrated its 75th anniversary. She collected honors around the world, ranging from the 4-H Key award to Knight Class I, Order of the White Rose of Finland, from the President of Finland. She had written extensively, and was widely published in professional journals, monographs, book chapters and other publications. Dean Harper is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Wilma Pauline Baggett of Madison, Miss., and Mrs. Margaret Pino of Portland, Ore., along with two nieces and two nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church in Madison. In Blacksburg, a memorial service will be held at 12 noon Thursday, March 21, at Memorial Chapel on the Virginia Tech campus. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Virginia Tech Foundation, and marked for the Laura Jane Harper Scholarship Fund, and sent to the College of Human Resources, Wallace Hall, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. 24061-0426. Southern Mortuary in Jackson, Miss., is in charge of arrangements.
HAYES, Warren G., (``Tom''), 75, of Wytheville, died Wednesday, February 28, 1996. Arrangements by Grubb Funeral Home.
HOPKINS, Gray Switzer, 80, of Fairfax, died at her home February 1. She was a native of Botetourt County. She had lung cancer and suffered a stroke January 8. She graduated as valedictorian of the Fincastle High School Cla ss of 1932. She attended what is now known as Longwood College in Farmville, and received a teaching certificate in 1934, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1966. She taught both first and second grades in Fincastle and Troutville. In 1943 she moved to Fairfax, where she taught at several elementary schools until her retirement in 1977. Her husband, Amos T. Hopkins, whom she married in 1946, died in 1993. She is survived by a daughter, Alison, of Fairfax; a brother, Earl, of Roanoke; two sisters, Josephine, of Fincastle, and Nettie, of Alexandria; many nieces and nephews; and a friend, John Sowar, of Alexandria. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Northern Va., 4715 15th N., Arlington, Va 22207.
HOPSON, Jesse O., 88, of Wirtz, passed away Wednesday, February 28, 1996. Arrangements by Hamlar Curtis Funeral Home.
KIDD, Evelyn M., 77, of Christiansburg, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996. Graveside service 1 p.m. Thursday, Sunset Cemetery. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.
LEFTWICH, Mary Christine, 74, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, February 25, 1996. Survivors include two daughters, Judy (Roger) Anderson, Roanoke, Peggy (Theron) Bolton, Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Milton Bolton, Atlanta, Ga., Ernest (Chenise) Anderson, Roanoke, Cathy (Miles) Siler, Richmond, Christine (Mark) Thomas, Edgewood, Md., Diane (Freddie) Heath, Fort Knox, Ky., Towanda (David) White, San Diego, Calif.; great-grandchildren, Baise Thomas, Felicia Thomas, Antonio ``Shawn"" Anderson, Arron Heath, Jerrica Siler, Chelsea Siler; nephews, Ronald Leftwich, Jamesville, N.C., Donald Leftwich, Greenville, N.C.; other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, February 29, 1996 at Maple Street Baptist Church with the Rev. Vater Colbert officiating. Burial will be in Williams Memorial Park. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home
McKELVY, Sallie Rickey, 71, of Rt. 3, Max Meadows, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996, in the Wythe County Community Hospital. She was born in Max Meadows, the daughter of the late Charles Scott and Alvertie Porter Rickey. She graduated from Vanderbilt University and Lewis-Gale Hospital with a degree in nursing and was a retired registered nurse from the Erlanger Hospital. She was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church in Chattanooga, Tenn., and was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James E. McKelvy; a sister, Forrest R. Cole; and a brother, Boyd D. Rickey. She is survived by one daughter, Peggy Lynn Baker of Douglasville, Ga.; four sons, Charles E. McKelvy of Knoxville, Tenn., Gerald B. McKelvy of Chattanooga, Tenn., Michael A. McKelvy of Charlottesville, Steve R. McKelvy of Max Meadows; two sisters, Maude R. Umberger of Wytheville, Agnes Rickey of Max Meadows; three brothers, Russell A. Rickey of Pulaski, Robert C. Rickey of Max Meadows, Herbert H. Rickey of Wytheville; six grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 1, 1996, at 11 a.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Randy Morris officiating. Interment will follow in the West End Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is in charge of the arrangements.
NICHOLS, Geneva Elizabeth, 71, of Ferrum, died Wednesday, February 28, 1996. Arrangements by Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount.
NUNN, Irma V., (``Granny''), 85, of Marion, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Seaver-Brown Chapel.
PIAZZA, Frank Peter, 74, of Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996. Funeral 10 a.m. Friday, Nicely Funeral Home Chapel.
PIERCE, Dr. Walter L., 71, retired Dentist, of Bluefield, Va. died Wednesday, February 28, 1996, at his home in Bluefield, after a long illness. He was an active member of the First Methodist Church and served the church in multiple capacities. Born in Bramwell, W.Va., he was the son of the late Rev. L. W. and Pearl Riley Pierce. After serving the U.S. Navy in the Canal Zone, Dr. Pierce graduated from Emory and Henry College and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Medical College of Virginia. In addition to his Bluefield, Va. dental practice, Dr. Pierce was formerly a member of the Bluefield, Va. Town Council and served as the town's Chairman of the nation's Bi-Centennial celebration in 1976. He also chaired the Town of Bluefield's 50th anniversary celebration and the 100th anniversary of the Town Charter. Dr. Pierce was a former President and Life member of the Kiwanis Club of Bluefield, Va. In October 1995, Dr. Pierce was presented an award for Distinguished Service to Emory and Henry College. He also received ``Citizen of the Year'' awards from the Bluefield, Va. Business and Professional Association and the Kiwanis Club. Dr. Pierce served on the Advisory Board o f Bluefield College and was an active supporter of its students. During his career, Dr. Pierce provided dental treatment for refugee camps in Costa Rica on four separate mission trips. Dr. Pierce is survived by his wife, Dorothy Hackman Pierce; mother-in-law, Mary Hackman of Salem; his son, Walter L. (Buddy) Pierce of Dallas, Texas; and a daughter, Mrs. Jane Lewis of Arnold, Md.; sisters, Mrs. Mary Sue Boesinger of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Mrs. Margaret Williams of Clemson, S.C.; brothers and sisters-in-law, James M. and Colleen Pierce of Bristol, and John W. and Margaret Pierce of Radford; granddaughter, Riley Elizabeth Lewis of Arnold, Md. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Bluefield, Va. with the Rev. John Farmer and the Rev. Don Nation officiating. Graveside services will follow at 4 p.m. in the Emory and Henry College Cemetery in Emory. Friends may call between 7 and 9 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the First United Methodist Church, or to Bluefield Community Hospice. Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, Va. is in charge of arrangements.
POPKO, Nora Thompson, 86, of Napa Valley, Calif., and formerly of Floyd Co., passed away Sunday, February 25, 1996. She is survived by two sisters, Elizabeth W. Bishop, Roanoke, Trinkle W. Thompson, Floyd Co.; numerous nieces and nephews. Interment will be in Saint Helena, Calif. on Thursday. Richard Pierce Funeral Home, Napa Valley, Calif., is handling arrangements.
RIDGE, Ruth Brown, of Hillsville, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 1996 at Twin County Regional Hospital. She had been a resident at Blue Ridge Highlands Nursing Home of Galax, for a year. Born June 30, 1918, in Jamestown, N.C. to Molsie Lineberry Brown and Walter Clark Brown, she was the youngest of eight children and was ""Lil Sug"" to her siblings. Survivors are daughters, Ruthie Griggs, Galax, (twins) Jane Burton, Nags Head, N.C., and Jean Crist, Bland; son and daughter-in-law, Elliott and Hope Ridge, Hillsville; sisters, Lucille Browne, Greensboro, N.C., Mrs. Hoyle (Kit) Cranford, Elkin, N.C. She was ``Nana'' to 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; and Aunt Ruth to several beloved nieces and nephews. In 1933, as a member of the Jamestown Girl Scout Troop, she was awarded The Golden Eaglet and received the National Bronze Cross of Honor for her heroism in rescuing a mother and her baby from a burning home. She was a member of Hillsville Chapter #71 Order of the Eastern Star, having served as Worthy Matron in 1955, and later as Grand Ruth. She was also a member of The Appalachian Trail Chapter D.A.R. During the early 1950's she worked diligently on The Hillsville Womans' Club memorable project of a World War I and World War II book featuring Carroll County residents. She had a beautiful alto voice and rendered it in her church choir as a long and faithful member of the First United Methodist Church, Hillsville. Two decades of Carroll County students loved having her as a substitute teacher. She will be remembered for her delicious cooking, for her wonderful sense of humor, and for her bridge playing. The family expresses profound gratitude to the entire staff of Blue Ridge Highlands Nursing Home. Memorials may be made to The Carroll Wellness Center, P.O. Box 1266, Hillsville, Va. 24343. Funeral services will be Friday, 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Hillsville, Fulcher Street, with the Rev. Nathan Malone and the Rev. James Carpenter officiating. Eastern Star rites will follow. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Hillsville. Interment will be in the Wilkinson Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are by Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville.
RILEY, Charles Franklin, 86, of Lexington, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Harrison Funeral Chapel.
SMITH, Bruce E., 86, of Boones Mill, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996, in a local hospital. Mr. Smith was retired from American Bridge Company and the State of Va. He was a past Master of Issac's Lodge #29 A.F. &A.M., a member of Boones Mill Lions Club, a member of Boones Mill Baptist Church and was a former Scout Master of Troop 31, Boys Scouts of America. Surviving are his wife, Ruth Murray Smith; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Dianne Smith, Boones Mill; grandchildren, Tony and Ashley Smith, Hanover, Pa. , Stephanie and Gary Grenier, Sherry and Mike Gregory, Kevin and Lois Goode, all of Boones Mill; five great-children; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Smith, Hatchechubbee, Ala.; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. James Wood officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain View Memorial Park with graveside rites by Issac's Lodge #29, A.F.&A.M. The family requests that memorials be made to the Boones MIll Rescue Squad. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Thursday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 342 South Main St., Rocky Mount.
TAYLOR, James Garfield, 71, of Chilhowie, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Williams Funeral Home Chapel.
WILLIAMS, Carl Felix, 81, of Cloverdale, died Wednesday, February 28, 1996. He was a Naval Veteran of World War II and a retired Teamster. He was preceded in death by two sons, Robert F. Williams and Michael D. Williams. Surviving are a daughter, Janice L. (""Cookie"") Williams, Roanoke. Graveside funeral services will be conducted at l:00 p.m. Friday, March 1, 1996 in Mountain View Cemetery with the Rev. Don McCaskill officiating. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.
WIRT, Earnest Paul, 83, of Christiansburg, died Tuesday, February 27, 1996 at Radford Community Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife, Toy A. Wirt. He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Shelba and James Pugh, Pinellas Park, Fla., and Shirley and Thomas Altizer of Christiansburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Donald Pat and Polly Wirt, Abingdon; one half sister, Beatrice Smith, Shawsville; two half brothers, Richard and James Wirt, Christiansburg; four granddaughters, Robin Gugliotta, Tucson, Ariz., Dawn Shanahan, Lutz, Fla., Lee Ann and Kim Harris, both of Christiansburg; two grandsons, Ray Wirt, Roanoke, Gene Wirt, Alberta; two great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons; three stepgrandchildren; special friends, Glenn and Eloise Reed, Dr. Robert Todd. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Benjamin Ullmer and the Rev. Jonathan Webster, with burial in Sunset Cemetery. Friends may call anytime after 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
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