ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605220075
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
ALDRIDGE, Mildred Guilliams, 89, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 1996. She was the widow of Howard R. Aldridge. Surviving are four sisters, Eva Nichols of Roanoke, Mary Likens of Roanoke County, Lottie Flora of Rocky Mount, and Daisy Thomas of McClellanville, S.C.; one brother, Albert Guilliams of San Antonio, Tex.; a special great niece, Kelly Whitlock of Columbia, S.C.; a special great nephew, Jonathan B. Willett of Raleigh, N.C. Also surviving are nu merous nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be conducted at Lotz Roanoke Chapel 10 a.m., Friday, May 24, 1996. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. The family will receive friends at Lotz Roanoke Chapel 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Thursday
ALEXANDER, Charlie, 85, of Draper, died Monday, May 20, 1996. Graveside service 11 a.m., Thursday, May 23, 1996, Draper's Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Draper, Va.
BALLARD, Randall Bryan, 91, of Christiansburg, died Monday morning, May 20, 1996 at his home. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Richardson-Horne Funeral Chapel, conducted by Mr. Jones Oliver with burial in Sunset Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Faith Christian Church, 1125 Roanoke St., Christiansburg, 24073 or the New River Valley Hospice, 111 West Main Street, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. Arrangements are being handled by the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.
BENNINGTON, Anna Taylor, 96, of Knoxville, Tenn., and formerly of Rural Retreat, Va., died Thursday, May 16, 1996. Funeral Thursday, 1:00 p.m. at the Rural Retreat United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, Va.
CROOKS, Nina Gray Woody, 73, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 1996. She was a World War II veteran of the Army Air Force. Surviving are her husband, Robert B. Crooks; son, Benjamin W. Crooks; daughter and son-in-law, Betty A. and Darrell H. Altizer; grandchildren, Ryan H. Altizer, Heather A. Altizer, all of Roanoke; brothers, Roger D. Woody, Winston Salem, N.C., William S. Woody, Roanoke. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Gentle Shepherd Hospice, 4040 Franklin Rd., Roanoke, VA 24014 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 554, Roanoke, VA 24003. A graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens by the Rev. John McGraw. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Oakey's North Chapel.
DAVIS, Alma Combs, 79, Galax, died Monday, May 20, 1996. Funeral 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Camp Zion Church. Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
DOSS, Gladys Mitchell, 76, of Roanoke County, passed away Tuesday, May 21, 1996, at her home. She was preceded in death by her son, Thomas H. Doss III. Mrs. Doss was a charter member of Colonial Avenue Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband, Thomas H. Doss Jr.; daug hter and son-in-law, Margo D. and James Richardson, Rocky Mount; five grandchildren, Teresa M. and her husband, Nate Taylor, Richmond, Katherine Ann Richardson, Rocky Mount, Jimmie and his wife, Michelle Richardson, Palm Springs, Calif., Kevin Richardson, Rocky Mount, Margo M. Richardson, Rocky Mount; one great-grandchild, Eric Taylor, Richmond; one brother, R. Edward Mitchell; one sister, Mary M. Dent, both of Roanoke. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's South Chapel 1 p.m. Friday, with the Rev. Bruce Robinson officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. Friends may call after noon Thursday at Oakey's South Chapel, 4257 Brambleton Ave
GEARHART, Rockford E., 75, of Buena Vista, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, May 21, 1996. He died at Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Lexington. He was born April 4, 1921 in Roanoke County, son of the late Reverend Thomas L. Gearhart and Ella Vest Gearhart. He was preceded in death by a brother, I. Laban Gearhart. Mr. Gearhart was retired from Lee's Carpets after 46 years service. He was a veteran of World War II. Surviving are his wife, Beatrice Dyer Gearhart; and children, Gary Wayne and Dorothy Gearhart, Carolyn Gearhart Roberts and Melvin Roberts, David Winslow and Donna Gearhart, Joseph Rockford Gearhart, Thomas Leslie Gearhart and fiance, Becky Miller; seven grandchildren; brother, Emory Gearhart of Salem. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Brethren Church with Pastor Butch Grow and the Rev. David Bain officiating. Burial will follow in the Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the residence at anytime, 1409 Woodland Ave. Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations may be made to the Buena Vista Rescue Squad.
GREENE, Audrey Sensabaugh, of Lexington, slept away in Roanoke Memorial Hospital early Tuesday morning, May 21, 1996. A little woman with a big heart, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Franklin and Cora Frances Sensabaugh of the Alone Mill Community. For most of her adult life she and her husband, Hamilton Crist Greene, who passed away in 1987, enjoyed their little farm and many friends in the Whistle Creek Area. Prior to retirement, they operated the former Valley Jewelers in Buena Vista. Mrs. Greene was a member of New Monmouth Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Hamilton C. (H. C.) and Deborah E. Greene of Angier, N.C., who she enjoyed spoiling and who will miss her greatly; brother and sister-in-law, Roscoe and Nellie Sensabaugh, Sandy, Oregon; sister and brother-in-law, Ida and Marvin Botkin, McDowell, Va.; four sisters-in-law and husbands, Mabel Sensabaugh, Forest, Va., Emerson and David Gibson, Waynesboro, Katherine and Howard Pirkey, Grottoes, Carrie Lawhorne, Waynesboro; three brothers-in-law and wives, Maynard Greene, Buena Vista, Ronald and Letha Greene, Brownsburg, Robert and Connie Crissman, Newport News. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, May 23, 1996 at 3 p.m. from Harrison Funeral Chapel, with Dr. Ralph Piland officiating. Burial will follow in New Monmouth Presbyterian Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Harrison Funeral Home.
GUNN, Anthony, (``Tony''), 28, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, May 21, 1996. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home.
HARMAN, Nancy Smith, 82, of Willis, died Tuesday, May 21, 1996. Arrangements by Maberry Funeral Home.
LANE, Luther Samuel Sr., 86, of Pulaski, passed away Monday, May 20. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday, Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.
LOCKHART, Ruby Wolfe, of Covington, died Tuesday, May 21, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday from the Arritt Funeral Home Chapel.
MASON, Aretha Elizabeth H., 73, of Roanoke, passed away May 20,1996. Survivors include one sister and brother-in-law, Elsie and Bill Childress of Bronx, N.Y.; three daughters, Frances (William) Robinson, Brenda (Sam) Morris and Audrey Mason; two sons, Herman (Shaunice) Mason and David (Michelle) Mason; a special sister-in-law, Peggy Mason; seven grand children; four great grand children, all of Roanoke, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funera l services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Hamlar-Curtis Chapel, with the Rev. Lee Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home
MAUTESPAUGH, Frances Elizabeth Clark 66, of Lexington, died Monday, May 20, 1996. Funeral 1 p.m. Thursday, Harrison Funeral Chapel, Lexington.
NELSON, Susie Bernice Farris, (``Polly""), 61, of Max Meadows, died Monday, May 20, 1996, in the Wythe County Community Hospital. She was born in Wythe County, the daughter of the late Charles Walter and Josephine Viars Farris. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Clinton, Douglas, Jimmy Ray, Elmo, and Mason Farris. She is survived by her husband, John W. Nelson of the home; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Beatrice Surratt of Austinville, Della Mae and Bill Crockett of Kernersville, N.C., Dot and Roy Aker of Max Meadows, Shirley and Trenton Mabe of Kernersville, N.C.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Burton and Alice Farris, Bobby and Bonnie Farris, all of Max Meadows, Faye Jean Farris of Pulaski; five brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, James and Irene Nelson, Kelly and Bonnie Nelson, George and Aleen Nelson, all of Max Meadows, Paul and Linda Nelson of Society Hill, S.C., Cecil and Delores Nelson of Draper; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 23, 1996, at 11 a.m. at the Barnett Funeral Home with the Rev. Oscar ``Sonny"" Ayers and the Rev. Faye Snow officiating. Interment will follow in the Sanders Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday or at the residence or at the home of her brother, Bob Farris, Rt. 619 at any time. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
RATCLIFFE, Lewis Gale, of Pearisburg, Va., faithful husband of Marguerite for 62 years, completed his life and departed on his journey to be reunited with family and loved ones already in God's healing hands. His past few years on this earth were painful and racked with all man's fears. Monday, May 20, 1996, God took all that pain away. While his family has yet to deal with their pain, we take comfort knowing the love he gave. Lewis was the son of a union of John Allen Ratcliffe and Mary Ellen Fletcher of Bluff City. His siblings included Clarence Vivian, Fred, Clanie Marie, and Russell Allen who are awaiting him. His remaining friend and faithful sister, Faye Douthat lives in Dublin. Lewis and Marguerite produced three children, Lewis Douglas, who passed on in 1955; Judith Gail Corell of Banc; and Patricia Ellen Stone of Pearisburg. Through unions of these siblings Lewis leaves two very special sons-in-law, P. Jackson Corell of Banc, and husband of Judy, and John P. Stone Jr., husband of Patty; also, wife of Douglas until his death, Peggy S. Barnett. Lewis also leaves a beautiful legacy of family unity and love to the following grandchildren, Paula Ratcliffe Robertson and husband Joe, Richard D. Corell and Joan, John P. Stone III, Gregory Lewis Stone and wife Wanda, Barbara Barnett, Jill Corell Arrington and husband Gary; great-grandchildren are Michelle Corell, Kelly and Kyle Robertson, Cosbi, Ashly, and Gregory Lewis Stone Jr. Lewis also leaves a very special family friend, Gail W. Corell, and many nieces and nephews who shared in his life and always held a special place in his heart. Lewis began work very early in life and worked at the New River Tannery alongside his father, brothers, and many cousins and friends. In 1940 when Celanese opened its doors, Lewis was one of the first hired. He worked there until his retirement in 1983. Aside from his family, Lewis became an activist in the little community of Bluff City by seeing a need for the young boys who lived there. From one evening of helping these young boys learn about playing baseball, Lewis developed a ball club, known as the Bluff City Ducks, that spanned a period of about 20 years. There were so many of those young men who played baseball for the Ducks, and they all love him yet. Lewis later coached a softball team of young ladies and women who were known as the Gayettes, and then later as the Fillys. Lewis was also one of the Pearisburg High School's Red Devils most loyal fans and helped the high school coach several years working with all these fine young men. As Pearisburg became Giles High, Lewis' loyalty passed on to the Giles High Spartans. In addition to the youth, his concern for community led to his founding of the Bluff City Community Center. The many facets of his life was also rewarded by a very strong sense of God and family. As a young child and young man he attended the Baptist Church of which he was a member for many years. Later he was a leader and faithful member of the small union church in Bluff City which finally became a Methodist Church. This past year, through the counseling of two very dedicated ministers of God's word, arranged for his church membership to be transferred to First United Methodist Church of Pearisburg. His presence in all our lives will be missed. Funeral arrangements by Givens Funeral Home with visitation on Wednesday at 6-9. The funeral will be conducted at Givens Chapel on Thursday, May 23, at 11:00 a.m. by the Reverends Fred and Judy Long. Burial will follow in the Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg, Va
RIELLY, Thomas Hearst, (``Jerry""), 82, of Speedwell, died Sunday, May 19, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday, United Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville.
ROBINSON, Lilita Harmon, 80, of Pulaski, died Monday, May 20, 1996. Arrangements by Penn's Funeral Home.
SHOEMAKER, John Baxter, 43, of Martinsville, died Monday, May 20, 1996. Ffuneral 11 a.m. Thursday, Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel.
SLAYDON, Lois Woods, 85, of Salem, went to be with her Lord and Savior Monday, May 20, 1996. She was a member of Glenvar Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul V. Slaydon; daughter, Aileen S. Barnett. She is survived by two sisters, Alice Williamson, Bedford, Mildred Woods, Roanoke; grandchildren, Allen Barnett and wife, Snookie, Dallas, Texas, Sherry Atkinson and husband, Bob, Charlotte, N.C., Paul M. Barnett, Radford; great-grandchildren, Shannon, Kent, Monica Barnett, all of Dallas, Texas, Wendy Green and husband, Preston, Amber Atkinson, Robert Atkinson, all of Charlotte, N.C., and Kate Elizabeth Barnett; special sister-in-law, Edna Adams, Roanoke; son-in-law, William H. Barnett III, Salem. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton, with the Rev. Jim Jett officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem.
SPIVEY, Thomas E. Jr., 40, of Roanoke, died Thursday, May 16, 1996. Funeral 10 a.m. Wednesday, Coyner Springs Cemetery. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
STONE, Herbert Louis, Jr., 40, of Buchanan, died Monday, May 20, 1996. He is survived by his wife, Tamara L. Stone; one daughter, Jessica Edrie Stone, and one son, Thomas A. Martell, all of Buchanan; one sister, Sue White, and two nieces, Crystal White and Karyn White, all of Sayville, N.Y. Graveside services will be held Thursday, May 23, 1996, at 3:30 p.m. at the Fairview Cemetery. Arrangements by Rader Funeral Home, Buchanan.
THOMPSON, Grace B., 82, of Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, May 21, 1996. Arrangements by J. B. Lewis Funeral Service, Lexington.
TURNER, Tina Frances, 88, of Bassett, died Tuesday, May 21, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Thursday, Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel.
WHITLOCK, Lawrence Melvin (Chalk), 68, of Ferrum, died Tuesday, May 21, 1996. Arrangements by Lynch Funeral Home of Rocky Mount.
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