ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 10, 1996 TAG: 9610100110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
ARMSTRONG, Idella Simmons, 86 of Troutville passed away Tuesday, October 8, 1996 in a local hospital. She was the widow of Melvin P. Armstrong and a member of the Bonsack B aptist Church. Surviving are a daughter, Vilas A. Secrist of Troutville; grandchildren, Linda Secrist Dwyer and husband Roy P. Dwyer, Jr. of Blue Ridge, Kathy Secrist Freites and husband Johnny Z. Freites of Jacksonville, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Sara Anne Freites, Charles Preston Freites, Jessica Caroline Dwyer; sister, Evora S. Stone of Stuart; two brothers, Hylton F. Simmons and Eldon B. Simmons both of Columbia, N.C.; also a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at Oakey's Vinton Chapel 3 p.m. Friday, October 11, 1996 with Dr. Robert G. Moore, III officiating. Interment will be in the Rosewood Memorial Park, Virginia Beach, VA 2 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 1996 with the Reverend Frank Hughes officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.
BURKE, Dorothy Barger, Memorial service will be conducted at Salem Presbyterian Church, Friday, October 11, 1996 1:30 p.m. Interment will follow in White Cemetery, Shawsville. Memorials may be made to Salem Rescue Squad or Salem Presbyterian Church. John M. Oakey & Son, Salem.
CARSON, Margaret Jones, 80, of Covington, died Monday, October 7, 1996. Graveside service 2 p.m. Friday, Falling Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home.
CONNER, Elbert C., 74, of Check, passed away Wednesday, October 9,1996. Arrangements by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd.
DeBUSK, Charles Francis, 83, of Blacksburg, died Sunday, October 6, 1996. The funeral will be 10 a.m., Friday, October 11 from the Richardson-Horne Funeral Chapel in Christiansburg, conducted by the Rev. Fred Brugger, the Rev. Monroe Hedrick, and the Rev. Ernie Baker. A graveside service will follow at 2 p.m., Friday in Monticello Memorial Park, Charlottesville. Visitation was held Tuesday at Richardson-Horne.
DIVERS, Emma Scott, 91, of Charleston, S.C., and formerly of Roanoke, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Funeral Thursday, 12 noon, Lotz Salem Chapel.
DIVERS, Emma Scott, of Charleston, S.C., and formerly of Roanoke, died Monday, October 7, 1996, in Charleston, S.C. She is survived by two sons, Robert C. Scott, Hot Springs, Ark., William W. Scott, North Charleston, S.C.; two stepsons, John D. Divers, R. Donald Divers; two stepdaughters, Virginia Silcox, Betty Overby, all of Roanoke; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held T hursday, October 10, 12 noon, at the Lotz Salem Chapel, with the Rev. Walter Lockett officiating. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Green Memorial United Methodist Church in Roanoke. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service
DRISCOLL, E. Mabel Barlow, 103, of Alexandria, and formerly of Roanoke, passed away Monday evening, October 7, 1996. She was bo rn in Richmond, May 28, 1893, and was the widow of J. Earl Driscoll, whom she married in 1921. Mrs. Driscoll lived in Roanoke until 1985, and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church. She moved to Alexandria, where she lived with her son until her death. Surviving are her son, Colonel James E. Driscoll, USAF, Retired and his wife, Ann; five grandchildren, Jennifer A. Coffey, Houston, Texas, Jamie L. Hess, Susan L. Driscoll, both of Alexandria, Angela M. Powell, Marysville, Wash., Martha E. Allman, Gerrardstown, W. Va.; great-grandchildren, James and Juliana Hess, Johnathan, Jocelyn and Shannon Powell; two nieces, Mrs. Ernest Barchet, Richmond, and Mrs. Leon Jenkins, Rockingham, N.C. Funeral services will be conducted from the graveside, St. Andrews Diocesan Cemetery, at noon Saturday. Friends may call after noon Friday at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, where the family will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday.
EASTERLING, William D., 64, of Bedford County, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, October 13. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.
FRYE, Styrl Leslie, 80, of Glade Hill, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996 in the local hospital. He was born in Hickory, N.C. October 2, 1916, the son of the late Leslie Joe Frye and Lula Johnson Dill. Mr. Frye founded Independent Directory Services in 1958 and retired in 1980. He was a member of Furnace Creek Baptist Church and Rocky Mount Lodge #201 A.F.&A.M. and was a veteran of World War II having served in the Navy. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Ruby Rector Frye, of the home; two sons and a daughter-in-law, James T. Frye, of the home, George M. and Linda Frye, Glade Hill; one grandson, Max Frye; one sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Robert Spencer, Roanoke; one nephew, Greg Spencer, Richmond. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday in Flora Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Troy Mays officiating. Interment will follow in Franklin Memorial Park with rites by Rocky Mount Lodge #201 A.F.&A.M. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Thursday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.
GEIST, Dorothy Mae, 75, of Wirtz, died Wednesday, October 9, 1996. Services will be announced later. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.
HALE, Sallie B., 82, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, October 9, 1996. Widow of Herman P. Hale. Arangements by Oakey's South Chapel.
KING, Audrey Louise, 55 of Elliston, formerly of Clay County, W.Va., passed away Monday, October 7, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Stump Funeral Home, Arnoldsburg, W.Va.
LANDRETH, Walter L., of Fries, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Mr. Landreth had retired from the U.S. Postal Service. Survivors include his wife, Gay S Landreth, Fries; a son, James W. Landreth, Galax; two sisters, Dalla L. Funk, Galax, and Ruth L. Funk, Galax; three brothers, Guy K. Landreth, Fries, William ``Pat"" Landreth, Fries, and Dr. Samuel F. Landreth, Marion. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 11, 1996, at Vaughan Guynn Funeral Home, Galax, with th e Rev. Virginia Eminhizer officiating. Interment will follow in the Providence Cemetery, Fries. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Vaughan Guynn Funeral Home in Galax.
MARTIN, Betsy Jane Altizer, of Roanoke, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 1996. She is now in peaceful rest with the Lord. Mrs. Martin is survived by five sons and two daughters, Jerry, John, David, Tom, Dean, Kim, and Leslie, and their families; 14 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Betsy's mother, Hazel A. Altizer, passed away in 1939. She is survived by her father and stepmother, Howard L. and Hazel B. Altizer; a sister, Jackie A. Heath. Betsy married and started her family at an early age. She attended nursing school, becoming an LPN and Head Nurse at Roanoke Memorial Hospital Rehab for 35 years. Betsy raised her children alone. Life was hard, but the children were raised to be honest, hardworking, upstanding citizens. Betsy may not have known financial wealth, but she had the greatest wealth in her children. In 1990, Betsy's health began failing, but God granted her children six more years with their mom. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. A. Lynn Beavers and his staff for their care and support for over 25 years. Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m., Friday, October 11, 1996, at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home Chapel, Salem, with Rev. Joe Green officiating. The interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
McCLARY, James Donald III, 18, of Independence, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.
McGEORGE, Lura Waldron, 90, of Vinton, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, Oakey's Vinton Chapel.
NOFFSINGER, Louise Watlington (Mrs. Jack R.), 76, of Winston-Salem, N. C., formerly of Roanoke, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at Knollwood Baptist Church, Winston-Salem.
PAYNE, Bette Sue, 74, of Gretna, died Monday, October 7,1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday at Anderson Memorial United Methodist Church. Arrangments by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home.
PITZER, Patricia M., of Roanoke, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. She was preceded in death by her husband, Blair Pitzer. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Lynn Pitzer and Ben D. Sites, and Sherry Pitzer and Frank H. Wedemeyer; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at St. John's Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. Friday, October 11, 1996 with the Rev. Tom O'Dell officiating. Entombment will follow in St. John's Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Oncology and Hematology Association of Southwest Va, 2013 South Jefferson St., Roanoke. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
PRICE, Lloyd Gabriel 77, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Arrangements by Fizer Funeral Home.
SIMONS, Phyllis Boyles, 60, of Marion, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. Phyllis Boyles Simons served in the Armed Forces of America in 1954. She was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans, having served as the organizations treasurer and adjutant. She also served as the Disabled American Veterans chairman of the women's issue committee at the state level. She also served on the Disabled American Veterans regional finance committee and was a former member of the Disabled American Veterans regional nominating committee. She was as lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #4667, and a member of the American Legion Post #18. She was a member of the Church of God on Matson Drive in Marion. Survivors are four daughters and sons-in-law, Cissy and Larry Lyon, Sugar Grove, Dee and Bill Blankenship, Lynchburg, Debbie and Craig Barbrow, Wytheville, Gina and Chris Ogle, Knoxville, Tenn.; two sons, Ernie Simons, Marion, Bart Simons, Marion; one sister, Mrs. Luther (Wanda) West, Marion; two brothers, Quinton Boyles, Abingdon, Thomas (Mike) Boyles, Atkins; 13 grandchildren, Mandi (Greer) Vanhoozer, Marion, Melissa Blankenship, Machelle Proffit, and Charlie Proffit, all of Lynchburg, Lindsey Murphy and Catherine Barbrow, both of Wytheville, Jennifer Ogle, Jill Ogle, Jamie Ogle, Julie Ogle, Andrew Ogle, all of Knoxville, Tenn., Ernie Simons and Jodie Simons, both of Rural Retreat; two special nieces, Melissa Pennington and Tanja Thompson, both of Marion. Two other nieces and two nephews also survive. Funeral services for Ms. Phyl lis Boyles Simons will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. from the Barnett's Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. John E. King officiating. Interment will follow in the Rosewood Memorial Gardens with the Francis Marion V.F.W. Post #4667 conducting full military honors and serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Barnett's Funeral Home, Marion, is in charge.
SMITH, Donald C., 72, of Newsmyrna Beach, Fla. and formerly of Salem, Va., died Friday, October 4, 1996 in the Hospice Care Center in Port Orange, Fla. Mr. Smith was born in Paint Bank, Va. and moved to Newsmyrna Beach in 1980. He was a member of the Salem Church of Christ, Salem and the AARP. He was a retired Postal Service employee. Lieutenant Smith served his country in World War II as a fighter pilot, flying in Air Offensive (Japan) New Guinea, China, Offensive Southern Philippines, Luzon and the Western Pacific in which he was decorated five times. He is survived by his wife, Christine Gibson Smith, Newsmyrna Beach, Fla.; sons, Randolph Smith, Salem, Bert Smith, Roanoke, Jesse Smith, Boones Mill; a step-son, Glenn Wade, Lakeland, Fla.; a brother, Rodney Smith, Salem; step-mother, Ann Smith, Sandstone, Va.; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 12, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. at the Lotz Salem Chapel with the Rev. Jerry M. Parr and the Rev. James H. Gibson officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Lotz Salem Chapel.
SUPINGER, Alice Tyree, 91, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. She was born December 6, 1904, in Rockbridge Baths, Va. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles M. Supinger; and her loving daughter and best friend, Joyce Harlow. She was a member of Edgewood Christian Church. She is survived by a daughter, Charlotte Beck, Roanoke; one son-in-law, Linwood A. Harlow, Roanoke; three sisters, Mary Drawbond, Raphine, Va., Isabel Snider, Rockbridge Baths, Frances Tyree, Roanoke; 10 grandchildren, Patricia Pack, Winston-Salem, N.C., Charles Harlow, Salem, Fred Beck, Salem, Gary Beck, Roanoke, Debbie Damewood, Salem, Jean Stump, Salem, Scott Harlow, Roanoke, Lynn Thompson, Roanoke, Katie Warren, Roanoke, Sherry Simmons, Salem; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; special friends, David and Josephine Stoner. Funeral services will be held Friday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. at the Lotz Salem Chapel with Preacher Larry Atkin officiating. Interment will be in Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery, Rockbridge Baths with graveside service at 12:30 p.m. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Lotz Salem Chapel.
TATE, Fred Douglas, 67, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Roanoke, passed away on Friday, October 4, 1996, in Washington, D.C. He was the beloved husband of John Eva Tate; devoted father of Fred, Michael and Thomas Tate, and Elsie Hussein. Also surviving are three grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Evelyn C. Brown, Lera C. Curtis, Laverne C. Prunty, all of Roanoke, and Loretha Peters, Charleston, W.Va.; brothers-in-law, Rev. Robert Craghead, Washington, D.C., and Thomas P. Jones, Roanoke; nie ces; nephews; other relatives and friends. Graveside services will be Friday, October 11, 3 p.m., at Williams Memorial park. Dr. Noel C. Taylor will officiate. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.
TAYLOR, Virgil, 77 of Penhook died Monday, October 7, 1996. Funeral services 2 p.m. Thursday at Flora Funeral Chapel, South Main St, Rocky Mount.
VIA, Winford Earl, 51, of Floyd, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 1996 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Mary E. Via, Floyd; son, David Earl Via, Floyd; two brothers, Peter C. Via, Walker Via, both of Floyd; two sisters, Frances Pugh, Floyd, Virginia Hardy, Radford. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Sister Irma Pastrana and the Rev. Marvin Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
VOLLMER, John G., 61, of Wytheville, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Graveside service 11 a.m. Friday, Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Gillman Funeral Chapel.
WHITT, William L., (``Bill''), 73, of 233 Carriage Hill Drive, Pulaski, passed away early Tuesday morning, October 8, 1996, in the Columbia Pulaski Community Hospital. Born September 23, 1923 in Max Meadows, he was the son of the late Robert Lee Whitt and Mallie Luvinda Gravley Whitt. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Mae Howlett Whitt; a daughter, Brenda Joyce Whitt; and three brothers, Richard Elbert Whitt, James Walter Whitt, and Robert Lee Whitt Jr. He was a retired veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II and Korea with 23 years of service, and was also retired from the Ft. Chiswell High School as a custodian with 15 years of service. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Joseph (Linda) Bonanno, Coral Springs, Fla.; two grandchildren, Carla Mae Bonanno, Alan Joseph Bonanno; one sister, Mrs. Eva Burchett, Draper. Graveside funeral service will be held Friday, 11 a.m., at the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin, with the Rev. Joseph Harrison officiating. Interment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. Visiting will be any time Thursday after 1 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Bower Funeral Chapel, 1631 Bob White Blvd., Pulaski, or any time at the home of his sister, Mrs. Eva Burchett, Route #1 (Mt. View Hgts.), Draper. Full military honors will be conducted at the graveside by the Pulaski VFW Post #1184, Pulaski. Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski, is handling the arrangements.
WILLIAMS, Edith Rapp, 90, of Clifton Forge, died Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Mountain View Mausoleum. Arrangements by Nicely Funeral Home.
WILLS, Rita J., 48, of Rich Creek, died Wednesday, October 9, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel, Peterstown, W.Va.
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