ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250104
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
AYERS, Julia Brown Smith, 75, of Bedford, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Graveside services 2 p.m. Saturday, Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home.
BENKELMAN, Olive Scott, was born December 18, 1907 in Elk Creek, Va. to Alice Delp Scott and Dr. William Worley Scott. She departed this life at her residence in Elk Creek, Wednesday, October 23,1996. She was a graduate of Elk Creek Academy in 1929, graduate of Radford College in 1936 with a B.S., elementary school teacher and principal in Grayson County Schools from 1927 - 1930. She was a social director of Radford College from 1935 - 1941, and guidance counselor at Mt. Vernon High School from 1941 - 1944. She married Alvin C. Benkelman in 1944. She created original heraldic jewelry, painting ancestral coats of arms, both in water colo rs and on fine china jewelry. She lectured on the subjects of heraldry, Christian symbols and Grayson County History. She studied with the head gardner at Mt. Vernon, Va. and painted jewelry featuring the flowers from George and Martha Washington's gardens. She also specialized in the tea leaf design from the china of Abraham Lincoln. She was invited to hold a one woman art show at the Chicago Public Library (in the late 50's) . Olive Benkelman was an energetic, positive influence on all she touched. She was the founder of the Scott Family Reunions (descendants of James and Rachel Scott). She was a 5th generation member of Lebanon United Methodist Church, where she taught the Adult Sunday School Class and was active in United Methodist Women. She belonged to the New River Pioneer Chapter, Daughter of the American Revolution, Magna Charta Dames, National League of American Pen Women, Americans of Armorial Ancestry, the Huguenot Society Zonta International, Grayson County Historical Society. She was a ``Silver Haired Legislator"" for Virginia from 1984 - 1986. She traveled throughout the United STates and Europe. Those who knew her admired her many interests in knitting, sewing, painting, astronomy, natural history, Bible studies, regular long walks and reading. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Scottie and Bucky Pritchard, Elk Creek; stepson and daughter-in-law, Alvin C., Jr. and Carol Benkelman, Warrenton, Va.; four grandchildren and wife, Matthew Scott and Stacy Pritchard, Midlothian, Grayson Keirn Pritchard, Richmond, Earnest A. Pritchard, III, James Madison University, Virginia Alice Pritchard, Elk Creek; three stepgrandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren also survive; brother and sister-in-law, George and Mirian Scott, Elk Creek. Graveside services will be conducted Friday, October 25, 1996 at 2:30 p.m. at Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Virginia Eminhizer and the Rev. Rick Eminhizer officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Memorial Fund of Lebanon United Methodist Church, C/O Mrs. Pauline Conner, P. O. Box 67, Elk Creek, Va. 24326 or Elk Creek Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 147, Elk Creek, Va. 24326. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence, Va., is in charge of arrangements.
BISHOP, Judith Marie, 49, of Christiansburg, died Tuesday, October 22, 1996, in a Salem hospital. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday from the Richardson-Horne Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Wayne Burnette with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at Richardson-Horne in Christiansburg.
BOARD, Ervin Curtis, 92, of Roanoke County, died Thursday, October 24, 1996. He was retired from the N&W Railroad. He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Sylvia E. and Cyrus Carmack of Roanoke County; a son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence C. and Tenny Board of Dallas, Texas; two sisters, Ora Wood and Bertha Perdue of Roanoke; six grand children, and six great-grand children. Graveside services will be held at 12 noon Saturday, October 26, 1996, in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, with the Rev. William C. Logan officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Fri day at the Lotz Salem Chapel
BOOTHE, Vesta, 86, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, October 24, 1996. Funeral 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oakey's North Chapel.
BROUGHMAN, Harry Lee Clayton, 76, of Clifton Forge, died Thursday, October 24, 1996. Graveside service 3 p.m. Friday, Central Advent Christian Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Nicely Funeral Home.
COLLIER, Althia Ire ne, 73, of Blacksburg, died Tuesday, October 22, 1996, at her son's home in Westchester, Pa. She was born on January 17, 1923 in Copper Hill to the late Horace and Myrtle Hale. Some of her favorite hobbies included canning and gardening and she was also known as a master at making homemade quilts. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Darrel and Mary Collier, Westchester, Pa.; two grandchildren, Dillon Hale Collier and Jordan Peter Collier, both of Westchester, Pa.; a sister, Nadine Slusher, Floyd; three brothers, Robert Hale, Thomas Hale, both of Roanoke, and William Hale, Ohio; and a brother-in-law, John Swope, Roanoke. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 26, 1996, at 10 a.m. at the Blacksburg Baptist Church with Dr. Ray Allen officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. The family will receive friends Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the Neighborhood Hospice, 795 Marshall Street, Suite 204, Westchester, Pa. 19380-4412, or the New River Valley Hospice, 111 West Main Street, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home.
CROCKETT, Hester Elizabeth, 90, of Wytheville, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Gillman Funeral Chapel.
CRUMP, Ruth Long Graham, 63, of Lake Lure, N.C., passed away Friday, October 18, 1996, at her home. She was preceded in death by her father, Allen E. Long; and her son, Rodney L. Graham. Survivors include her husband, Bill Crump of the home; three daughters, Mrs. David (Karen) McCorkle, Charlotte, N.C., Ms. Dana Pittman, South Dakota, and Mrs. Barry (Ann) West, Clover, S.C.; her mother, Ada R. Long, Radford; two sisters, Mrs. Jean Ray ley, Monroe, N.C. and Mrs. Joseph (Lula) Hollins, Radford; one brother, James B. Long, Charlotte, N.C. Funeral services were held Monday, October 21, at Chimney Rock Baptist Church in North Carolina with burial in the church cemetery. Crowe Funeral Home in Rutherfordton, N.C. was in charge of the arrangements
CUNNINGHAM, Garrett Wayne, 42, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Survivors include three sons, Garrett Wayne Isaac Cunningham of Washington, D.C., Jamal Cunningham of Connecticut, Garrett Wayne Mays; one daughter, Tasha Annette Mays; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Carl (Florence) Hardy, Ralph Ha rdy and John Percy Cunningham; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Annie Luvenia (Harold) Preston and Norma Cecelia Smith, and two grandchildren, Jazelle Mays and Deante' Mays, all of Roanoke, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Bethlehem Baptist Church, with the Rev. Thomas Woods Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery in Mount Pleasant. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home
FLEISHER, Matthew J., Sr., 67, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, October 22, 1996. Graveside funeral services noon Friday, Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.
FRANCIS, Verna Hall, 89, of Burlington, N.C., formerly of Bluefield, W.Va. and Roanoke, Va., died Wednesday, October 23, 1996 at Alamance Regional Medical Center. She was born in Marion, Va. to the late Edgar R. Hall and Virginia Oakes Hall and was the widow of the late Maurice Russell Francis. Mrs. Francis was a member of Windsor Hills United Methodist Church of Roanoke, Va. Survivors include her daughters, Mrs. Betty Francis Miller of Denver, Col., Mrs. Patricia Francis Breuninger of Hoboken, N.J., Mrs. Laura Francis Campbell of Burlington, N.C.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, October 25, 1996 in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Roanoke, Va. with the Rev. Donald E. Carlton, Pastor of Windsor Hills United Methodist Church, Roanoke, Va. officiating. The body will remain at the Rich & Thompson Mortuary in Burlington, N.C. until time to be taken to the cemetery for the graveside service. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
GAGLIARDI, Elizabeth M., 46, of Blue Ridge died Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.
GRAVELY, Frank Winston, 66, of Martinsville, died Tuesday, October 22, 1996. Funeral Saturday, 11 a.m., Stanfield-Miller Funeral Home Chapel.
GRAVES, Phoebe Louise, 99, of Roanoke passed away Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Survivors include a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held Monday, 2 p.m. Sweet Union Baptist Church with the Rev. E. T. Burton officiating with burial to follow in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday, October 28,1996, 30 minutes prior to the service at the church. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.
HELMS, Ricky L., 48, of Bassett, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Funeral Sunday, 1 p.m., Gethsemane Pentecostal Holiness Church. Arrangements by Stanfield-Miller Funeral Home, Martinsville.
HENRY, Daniel L., Jr., (``Petey''), 61, of Hampton, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996, following a short, courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born in Covington on April 21, 1935, to the late Mary Scott Carter and Daniel L. (``Puddin'') Henry Sr., and had been a resident of Hampton for the past 19 years. Daniel enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (Strategic Air Command) in 1954 and retired as a T. Sgt. in 1977 with 23 years active duty. His tours of duty included Korea; Vietnam; New York; Texas; Minot, N.D.; Okinawa, Japan; Little Rock, Ark.; Germany; Philippines, and Thailand. He became employed with Virginia Power (Surry) in Hampton as a Security Control System officer in June 1977. After serving 16 and one-half years, he took early retirement in 1994. He was predeceased by an infant grandson, Jamar Haynes; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hughes; stepmother, Ruth L. Abbot Henry; stepfather, Irving T. Carter, and stepbrother, Melvin Carter. Surviving are his devoted wife of 42 years, Zulena Robinson Henry; three daughters and sons-in-law, Darlene L. and James Haynes of Richmond, ``Penny'' Orlandra K. and Marvin Brandon of Roanoke, and S. Sgt. Yvette M. and T. Sgt. Michael Barnes of Hampton and Warner Robbins Ga.; three sons and daughters-in-law, M. Sgt. Daniel L. III and Belinda Henry of Washington, D.C., S. Sgt. Charles R. and Tracey Henry of College Park, Ga., and S. Sgt. Raymond I. and S. Sgt. Phyllis Henry of El Segundo, Calif; 12 grandchildren; devoted cousin, Lorenzo Cosby of Covington; aunt, Mrs. Eva Johnson of Salisbury, N.C.; cousin, Paige Johnson of Richmond, and a host of other caring relatives and friends. Daniel was a former member of Pine Street Baptist Church in Covington, where his funeral service will be rendered at 2 p.m. Monday, October 28, 1996, with the Rev. James M. Harrison officiating. Friends may pay their respects at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The family is requested to assemble at the church at 1 p.m. Monday. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Covington. Hampton friends may call at 2086 Cunningham Drive, Apt. 201, after 1 p.m. Friday, October 25, 1996. Arrangements are being handled by J. B. Lewis Funeral Service, Lexington.
HOOPER, Lillian Board, of Roanoke, passed away October 17, 1996. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 11 a.m. from the Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Cedrick Malone officiating. Burial to follow in Stewartsville Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the church. Arrangements by Hamlar Curtis Funeral Home.
MARTIN, Peggy Grimes, 56, of Route 2, Ridgeway, died Thursday, October 24, 1996. Arrangements by Howell Funeral Home, Stuart.
MASTERS, Oma K., 74, of Peterstown, W.Va., died Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Funeral 1 p.m. Saturday, Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel.
MILLS, Dania Sheppard, 84, of Christiansburg, died early Thursday, October 24, 1996, in Montgomery Regional Hospit al. She is survived by her sons and daughters- in-law, Bill and Freeda Mills, Riner, Hobert and Barbara Mills, Shawsville, Freddie Mills, Christiansburg; daughters and sons-in-law, Christine and Bernard Dudley, Shawsville, Willie and Luther Spencer, Gertrude (Trudy) and John D. Worrell, Shirley and Gary Yates, all of Christiansburg; a sister, Pansy Gerald, Christiansburg; 33 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cambria Pentecostal Holiness Church, conducted by the Rev. Jerry Shepherd and Rev. Jube Burke. Burial will be in the Belmont Cemetery. The body will be taken to the church at 9 a.m. Friday to lie in state. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, Box 176, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the church. Arrangements are being handled by the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.
MITCHELL, Brian Cameron, 16, of Troutville, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996. He was a student at Lord Botetourt High S chool, and is survived by his mother and stepfather, Kathryn and Graham Weddington Sr. of Troutville; father and stepmother, W. Ross III and Amiee Mitchell of New Orleans; maternal grandparents, Robert F. and Valerie Wright of Holmdel, N.J.; paternal grandmother, Doretta A. Mitchell of Williamsburg; two brothers, William R. Mitchell IV and Robert Colin Mitchell, both of Troutville; three stepbrothers, Graham Weddington Jr. and Brad C. Weddington, both of Raleigh, N.C., and Whitney D. Mitchell of New Orleans; one stepsister, Nicole Marie Weddington of Raleigh, N.C.; two uncles, George W. Wright of Teaneck, N.J., and Robert F. Wright Jr. of Highlands, N.J., and one aunt, Debra Casady of Library, Pa. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, October 25, 1996, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, with Father Randy Rule officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Rader Funeral Home, Daleville.
MONSOUR, Elizabeth T., (``Libby""), 74, of Moneta, died Thursday, October 24, 1996, at her residence. She was born in Roanoke on September 1, 1922, a daughter of the late Ferris Monsour and Yasmine Abraham Monsour. She was a retired restaurant owner/operator and was a communicant of Resurrection Catholic Church. She is survived by her nephew and his wife, Donald J. and Lee Ann Monsour of Moneta; a niece and her husband, Sandra M. and Anthony Puccinelli of Richmond; a great-nephew and his wife, Michael Anthony and Jenny Puccinelli of Richmond, and a great-niece, Stephanie Judith Puccinelli of Alexandria. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 26, 1996, at Resurrection Catholic Church, with Fr. James J. Begley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A Christian Wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 25, 1996, at Carder-Tharp Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, 3825-A Electric Road, S.W., Roanoke, Va. 24018, or Resurrection Catholic Church. The family will receive friends from 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Carder-Tharp Funeral Home in Bedford.
NEICE, Alonzo Everett, 70, of Christiansburg, died Tuesday, October 22, 1996, at Radford Community Hospital. Funeral services will be Friday, October 25, 1996 at 11 a.m. at McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Shepherd officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home.
PRICE, Howard Leffel, 87, of Prices Fork, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996, at the Virginia Veterans Care Center, Salem. He was born July 25, 1909 in Prices Fork to the late Leffel and Jeannette Price. Mr. Price was also preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Virginia Painter Price; and a sister, Lake Humphrey of Pulaski. He served in World War II and the Korean Conflict, and retired from VPI&SU in 1978 as Associate Director of Buildings and Grounds. Mr. Price is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Howard L. and Mariana Price, Fortyfort, Pa. and Jay A. and Mary M. Price, Blacksburg; six grandchildren, H. Leffel Price, Austin, Texas, David J. Price, West Point, Jason Painter Price, attending Va. Tech, Philip Reynolds Price, attending Wilkes College in Pennsylvania, Jennifer M. Kellinger, Roanoke, and Kimberly V. Price, San Diego, Calif.; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services and interment will be held Monday, October 28, 1996, at 11 a.m. at his residence, ``Lovers Leap'', 3953 McCoy Road, Blacksburg, with the Rev. Alfred C. Payne officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.
SNIDER, James Ivan, 83, of Raphine, died Tuesday, October 22, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Williams Funeral Service Chapel, Lexington.
STEFFEN, Joann Hastings, 61, of Blacksburg, died Tuesday, October 22, 1996, at Montgomery Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be Friday, October 25, 1996 at 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Porter Street, Blacksburg, with the Bishop Dean Stauffer officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.
STULTZ, Harold A., 66, of Martinsville, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Mount Olive Holiness Church. Arrangements by Stanfield-Miller Funeral Home.
THOMPSON, Dora James, 91, of Martinsville, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Roselawn Chapel Funeral Home.
VAUGHAN, Hazel Elizabeth, 67, of Roanoke County, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 24, 1996. She was a member of Boones Mill Baptist Church and is survived by her husband, Murrell Vaughan; two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Howard Childress, Vinton, Shelia and Bill Sweeney, Roanoke County; a son, Michael Vaughan, Roanoke County; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Childress, Michelle Childress, Ch ristopher, Jason and Ryan Vaughan; a brother, Hampton Britts, Roanoke; a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Ted Garrison, Roanoke. Funeral services will be conducted 10:30 a.m. Saturday from Boones Mill Baptist Church, with the Rev. James H. Steele officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Burial Park. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Friday at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
VERMEERSCH, Adrian Sylvester, 94, of Blacksburg, died Wednesday, October 23, 1996, at Heritage Hall Health Care Center. He was born May 12, 1902 in East St. Louis, Ill. to the late Sylvester A. and Mary Beedon Vermeersch, and was also preceded in death by his wife, Mary Henrietta Vermeersch. Mr. Vermeersch retired as the Secretary/Treasurer from the National Oats Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At retirement he moved to Arizona for twelve years and then moved to Blacksburg in 1981. He was actively involved in the Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus, and was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Charles S. and Joan S. Vermeersch, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Raymond J. and Marcella B. Vermeersch, Mountain Home, Ark; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Marie Ahrens, Clear Lake, Iowa, Rita and Vergil Robert Houser, El Cajon, Calif., Elaine and James Gaines, Blacksburg; 28 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mariam Bresnahan, Peoria, Ill., Margie Murphy, and Sister Jeannine Vermeersch, both of East St. Louis, Ill. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 26, 1996, at noon at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Donald Lemay officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 9 p.m., with a prayer service being conducted at 7:30 p.m., at McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.
WALKER, Mable Irene Hunter, 66, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, October 24, 1996. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.
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