ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 9, 1996 TAG: 9612090128
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
BLEVINS, Earl W., 80, of Abingdon, died Sunday, December 8, 1996, at his home. He was born in Smyth County and had lived in Abingdon for 34 years. He was the founder and owner of Empire Motor Lodge and Restaurant. Mr. Blevins was a former automobile dealer in Smyth County, having worked for 15 years. He was a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, and was a lifetime member of Grosses Creek Baptist Church. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of NationsBank (formerly Sovran Bank), and was a supporter of many civic and service organizations. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cora Teaters Blevins; five sons and daughters-in-law, Joe Allen (``Bud"") and Violet Blevins, Joel V. and Debbie Blevins, Lowell W. and Rosemary Blevins, and Rocky L. and Brook Blevins, all of Abingdon, and Willis P. and Wanda Blevins of Marion; one daughter and son-in-law, Pauline B. and Joe L. Anderson of Abingdon; one brother, Gilbert L. Blevins of Marion; two sisters, Mrs. Colene Combs of Chilhowie and Mrs. Marie Billings of Seven Mile Ford; 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Earl W. Blevins will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 11, 1996, at Grosses Creek Baptist Church, with the Rev. Lloyd Sheets, the Rev. Fred Harcum and the Rev. Sheldon Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Mr. Blevins will be taken to the church two hours before the services. Flowers will be accepted, or memorial contributions may be made to the Grosses Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Jackie Blevins, HC61, Chilhowie, Va. 24319. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Blevins.
BOHON, Willard Webster, 74, of Salem, passed away Friday, December 6, 1996. Funeral 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oakey's North Chapel.
BOOTH, Eileen Dooley, 90, of Roanoke, died Saturday, December 7, 1996 in a Roanoke nursing home. She was the widow of Ernest Bryan Booth. Surviving are a son, Herbert Gary Booth, Florida; sister-in-law, Willie B. Eversole, Austinville; brother-in-law, Bruce E. Booth, Salem; sister-in-law and husband, Edith and John Martin, Richmond; sister-in-law, Hazel Booth, Christiansburg; nephew and wife, Robert S. and Meda Booth, Austinville; also several other nieces and nephews. Funeral services will b e at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 1996, with the Rev. Art Hearn officiating. Interment in the Booth Cemetery in Wythe County, 1 p.m. Tuesday.
BRINKLEY, Sadie Whitt, 84, of Pulaski, died Saturday, December 7, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, Thomas M. Seagle & Sons Funeral Home.
BURDETTE, Robert St. Clair, 53, of Roanoke, died Sunday, December 8, 1996, in Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley after a short illness. H e graduated from Indiana University. A music major, he toured and performed in Germany as a member of an award-winning woodwind quintet. Upon his return to the United States, he played French Horn with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for a number of years. His love of music was lifelong, continuing in many guises until his death. He was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and enjoyed its fellowship for many years. He was General Manager for Rebos, Inc., an affiliate of A.A. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Rowland and Fay Bostic Burdette; his elder brother, Charles Anthony, and his sister, Julia Burdette Hall. Survivors are his niece, Karen Gritis and her husband Peter of Fairfax; his grand-niece, Erin Kimberlea, and his two grand-nephews, Peter Tuler and Spencer Sinclair, also of Fairfax. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Interment will be private.
CAIN, Ernest Carroll, Jr., 76, of Ridgeway, died Saturday, December 7, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, St. Josephs Catholic Church, Martinsville. Arrangements by McKee Funeral Services, Martinsville.
CASSELL, Frank Pete, 52, of Bassett, died Saturday, December 7, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Bassett Funeral Service Chapel.
DEAN, Charlie Franklin Henry, Sr., 54, of Vinton, died Friday, December 6, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Lotz Vinton Chapel.
DODSON, Veltie Austin, 90, of Rocky Mount, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 1996. He was the last remaining child of Peter Peach and Sarah Alice Dodson. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 62 years, Olia Y. Dodson. Mr. Dodson was a self-employed barber in Rocky Mount for over 35 years. He also was active in various civic clubs: a charter member of Ferrum Lions Club, a veteran member of Gideons International, and a charter member and organizer of Waidsboro Ruritan Club. Mr. Dodson also served on the Franklin County Planning Commission and was active in the formation of the local Neighborhood Watch Program. He dearly loved his church, Story Creek Baptist Church, serving as Sunday school teacher, Sunday school Superintendent and Deacon. He attended faithfully as long as his health permitted. Mr. Dodson is survived by his wife, Vera Via Dodson of Collinsville. Left to cherish his memory are two sons and a daughters-in-law, Dan and Ellan Dodson of Blacksburg, and Roger and Judy Dodson of Ridgeway; four daughters and sons-in-law, Hazel and Webb Bowling of Roanoke, Shirley and Warren Wright of Rocky Mount, Linda and John Taylor of Mebane, N.C., and Joyce and Donald Scott of Ferrum. He also has five grandsons and five granddaughters; two great-granddaughters; one great-grandson, and one great-great-grandson, all who loved and will miss their ``Pop Dot"" very much. Other survivors include three stepsons; numerous nieces and nephews, and his friend and fellow barber, Herbert Bowling. Funeral services will be conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel at 2 p.m. Tuesday, with the Rev. Jack Corn and the Rev. P. A. Harman officiating. Burial will follow in Franklin Memorial Park. The family suggests that memorial gifts be made to the Renovation Fund of Story Creek Baptist Church, Franklin County Rescue Squad or Gideons International. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Monday, with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m., at Flora Funeral Service, and other times at the home of Shirley and Warren Wright.
GILBERT, Claude Edward, 55, of Buena Vista, died Saturday, December 7, 1996, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville. Born on June 13, 1942, in Rockbridge County, he was the son of Eddie and Etta Coffey Gilbert of Buena Vista. He w as a self-employed carpenter and a member of the First Brethren Church. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Peggy Dabney, Della Frank and Barbara Meeks. He is survived by two sons, Joseph (``Nicky'') Gilbert, Buena Vista, and Everette Gilbert, Berkeley, Calif.; four sisters, Mary Etta Bowen, Charlottesville, Frances Gilbert, Buena Vista, Betty Jane Kelly, California, and Pat Wampler, Natural Bridge. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 10, 1996, at the Lomax Funeral Home Chapel, with Elder Ferrell officiating. Interment will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, December 9, at Lomax Funeral Home
HART, Christopher Wayne, 27, of Sugar Grove, died Saturday, December 7, 1996. Arrangements by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service, Marion.
LUCAS, Linus R., 64, of Roanoke, died Sunday, December 8, 1996. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
MARTIN, Dorothy S., 74, of Salem, passed away Saturday, December 7, 1996. She is survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Leonard Odell and Louise Switzer, Covington, Calvin M. and Pauline Switzer, Salem, Benjamin Garland and Jane Switzer, Roanoke; sister-in-law, Lucille Switzer, Covington; devoted friends, Laura and Richard Bryant; a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 1996 from the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son, Salem. Burial to follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Mo nday at the funeral home
McCLOUD, Carl N., of Bedford, died Sunday, December 8, 1996. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home.
MIXON, William A., (``Bill''), 85, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, December 7, 1996. He was a member and Deacon Emeritus of Crystal Spring Baptist Church, the former South Roanoke Baptist Church, and was a watchmaker for many years. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Louray Stainback Mixon; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Jerry Wilson; grandsons and wife, Allen Tate and Mary Carol Wilson, David Wesley Wilson, all of Roanoke; two nephews; five nieces. Funeral serv ices will be conducted from Oakey's Roanoke Chapel at 12 noon Tuesday, December 10, 1996, with the Rev. Jeff Etheridge officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Burial Park. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel
PAINTER, Maurice Kenneth, (``Gabby""), 75, of Buchanan, died Saturday, December 7, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday, Botetourt Funeral Home Chapel.
PATTESON, Samuel Alvious, born on January 6, 1922 in Tazewell County, passed away on December 8, 1996 around 3 a.m. Mr. Patteson suffered from pancreatic cancer for two years. He is survived by his son, Michael Patteson, Stuarts Draft; a daughter, Anne Lee Heise, Midland; six grandchildren, Jacqueline, Samuel, Matthew and Rachel Patteson, Cory and Christine Heise. He is also survived by three brothers, Carl of Giles County, Andrew of Houston, Texas, John of Falls Church; two sisters, Margaret Mitchell, Seattle, Wash., Mildred Copenhaver, Bristol, Va. Mr. Patteson graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Business Administration. He graduated a year early in 1943 to serve in World War II. Mr. Patteson then served in five major European campaigns, from the D-Day Invasion of France to the Russian Linkup on the Elbe River in Germany. He received a purple heart for wounds suffered in the battle for St. Lo, France. Mr. Patteson started his career as a real estate appraiser with the State of Virginia. From there he joined the staff of Fairfax County as an appraiser and was promoted to Director of the Real Estate Division. He worked his way up to Commissioner of Revenue and Supervisor of Assessments for Fairfax County. His accomplishments in this office included converting a manual tax system into a state-of-the-art computerized system which was studied and copied by other states and several foreign countries. At the time Mr. Patteson accepted this position, the county population was just 90,000 and it was over 800,000 at the time of his retirement. Mr. Patteson received the Onthank Award in 1971 for ``Fairfax County's Most Valuable Employee of the Year''. After 37 years of service, Mr. Patteson retired in January 1986. He cared for his wife, Ruth, a stroke victim, until her death in February, 1993. Mr. Patteson was a Master Mason for the Trinity Lodge in South Devon, England. Viewing will be held at Everly Funeral Home in Fairfax City on Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be held at Everly Funeral Home at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 1996. Interment in Fairfax City Cemetery.
RARDIN, Nell Jack, 92, of Roanoke, died Saturday, December 7, 1996. She was the widow of William G. Rardin, and was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. She was a retired employee of the former Peoples Bank of Bedford, and was active in civic and church affairs for many years. Surviving are one sister, Alleene V. Jack, Bedford; a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel at 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 9, 1996, with burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Bedford. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
ROBERTSON, Etta Brown, 88, of Union Hall, passed away Saturday morning, December 7, 1996, at her home. She was born March 6, 1908, to the late Peter Lewis Forest and Eliza Holland Brown. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Peter Robertson; five brothers, John T. Brown, Walter C. Brown, Irwin Brown, Fred M. Brown and Willie Brown; two sisters, Annie Perdue and Minnie Nichols; daughter and son-in-law, Eraldine R. and J. G. Covington Jr., and a grandson, Randall Robertson. She leaves behind her son and daughter-in-law, Tommy and Nancy Robertson of Union Hall; her grandchildren, Steve and Marion Covington of Ridgeway, Kenny and Robin Moran of Ridgeway, Keri Shea Robertson, and Kelle and Billy Laprade, all of Union Hall; two great-grandchildren, Katie Covington and John Cullen Moran of Ridgeway; four sisters, Nina Brooks of Union Hall, Verneda Dudley of Rocky Mount, Mary Frances Graham of Roanoke and Virginia Gallagher of Layton, Utah, and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 1996, in Shoemaker-Robertson Family Cemetery, with the Rev. Belle Robertson officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home after 2 p.m. Monday, where the family will be from 7 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Glade Hill Rescue Squad, Route 1, Box 82, Glade Hill, Va. 24092. Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge of arrangements.
SPANGLER, Bonnie Black, 87, of Roanoke, died Saturday night, December 7, 1996 in a Roanoke hospital. She was the widow of Harry M. Spangler, a member of Virginia Heights Baptist Church and a retired employee of S. H. Heironimus. Surviving are one sister, Fay D. Snyder, Falls Church; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at the grave in Sherwood Memorial Park, 11 a.m. Tuesday by Dr. Daniel E. Scott. The family suggests in lieu of flow ers, memorials be made to Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM), 824 Campbell Avenue, S.W., Roanoke, Va. 24016, or a charity of your choice. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday
WALKER, Albert W., 75, of Fieldale, died Saturday, December 7, 1996. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Fieldale Baptist Church. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Services, Bassett.
WRIGHT, Willie Rucker, 66, of Bedford, died Sunday, December 8, 1996 at Bedford County Memorial Hospital. He was born in Bedford County on June 22, 1930, a son of the late William H. Wright and Bertha Rider Wright. He was preceded in death by a sister, Frances Wright Overstreet. He was a retired employee of Rubatex Corporation, and was a member of the Bedford Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, Mary Leftwich Wright; a daughter, Sharon Ann Wright, Harrisonburg; three grandchildren, Nicholas E. Wright, Melissa Wright, and Alaina Wright, all of Harrisonburg; a sister, Martha W. Moore, Lynchburg; also one niece and two nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, December 10, 1996 at 2 p.m. at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Wessley C. Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. The family suggests those wishing to make memorials consider the Bedford Life Saving Crew. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.
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