ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 1, 1997 TAG: 9701020063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: HOLIDAY
ALFORD, Nancy Jane Wash, (``Granny""), 68, of Tazewell, died Monday, December 30, 1996, at a Kingsport, TN hospital. Born July 23, 1928 at Rockbridge County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Hubert Earl and Lena Elsie Martin Wash. She was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church at Tazewell, Va. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin F. Alford, Sr., one sister, Betsy Wash and one aunt, Lois Craft Lewis. Survivors include four sons, Calvin F. Alford, Jr. and his wife Diane of Athens, Ga., Michael Alford and his wife Pam, Robert B. Alford and his wife, Vicki, and Willie S. Alford and his wife, Wendy, all of Tazewell, Va.; three daughters, Susan A. Dowdy and her husband, Bill of Tazewell, Jenny A. Walk and her husband, Tom of Tazewell and Mary A. Adkins and her husband Dean of Newport, TN; one brother, hubert E. ``Pete"" Wash, Jr. of Chesapeake; one sister, Peggy Jo Chaffin of Huntington, W. Va.; twelve grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a special little friend, Cara Cecil of Tazewell, Va. Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 1997 at the Main Street United Methodist Church at Tazewell, Va., with Dr. Thomas A. Conley officiating. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. in the Mount Zion Methodist Church Cemetery near Glasgow, Va. in Rockbridge County. Friends may call at the Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home at Tazewell, Va. from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, January 1, 1997. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Main Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, 315 E. Main St., Tazewell, Va. 24651.
ATKINS, Lillie Mae, 84 of Roanoke died Sunday, December 29, 1996 at a local hospital. She is survived by her husband, Eugene Atkins; three daughters, Juanita Mullins, Nancy Austin both of Roanoke, and Barbara Lyons of Cana; three sons, Marshall Snider of Charlottesville, Billy Snider and Donald Lee Snider both of Roanoke; a special son-in-law, Bill Austin of Roanoke; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; Lilli e's special friend, Nurse Linda, CCU, Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel 1 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 1997 with the Reverend Carter Sloan and the Reverend Claude Dykes officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.
AYERS, Muriel Hawks, 61, of Hillsville, died Monday, December 30, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Funeral Home.
BOWENS, Virginia Margaret, of 950 Crescent St. N.W. died Tuesday, December 31, 1996. She is survived by her husband Alfred Bowens, four sons, William Davis, Robert Davis, Jerry Davis and Jimmy Davis, one sister-in-law, Mrs. Lillian B. Jones, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 3, 1997 at 11 a.m. at Valley Word Ministries,1928 Lock Haven Dr. The Rev. Eddie Crabtree will officiate with burial at Williams Memorial Park. Friends may call Thursday, January 2, 1997 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Hamlar Curtis Funeral Home.
BRUMFIELD, Blanche Dudley, of Titusville, Fla., formerly of Reidsville, N.C., and Ashland, Ky., died Monday, December 30, 1996, at Mariner Health Center in Titusville. Born on March 10, 1904, in Franklin County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Davis Jackson Dudley and Julia Miriam Dudley, Her husband, deceased in 1975, was the late Garrie Edmond Brumfield. After completing her studies at Ferrum College, Mrs. Brumfield taught in Virginia public schools for several years. She also taught Sunday school for many years at Penn Memorial Baptist Church in Reidsville and at First Christian Church in Titusville. A longtime member of First Christian Church of Titusville and the Ladies Sunday School Class, Mrs. Brumfield had been an active participant in volunteer charitable work in Titusville area nursing homes since 1975. She was a member of the Ladies Circle and was active in all areas of the Christian Women's Fellowship, including the Wednesday Night Bible Study Class. She was a resident of Ashland, Ky., for 22 years; Reidsville, N.C., for 22 years, and Titusville, Fla., for almost 28 years. Surviving are two daughters, Naomi Faye Brumfield McGuire and her husband, Raymond, of Mims, Fla., and Birdie Brumfield Akers Bassett and her husband, John Edwin Jr., of Bassett, Va.; one sister, Florence Dudley Maxey of Roanoke, Va.; one brother, Carroll Dewitt Dudley of Rocky Mount, Va.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 1997, at the t ime of interment in Reidlawn Cemetery in Reidsville, N.C. Officiating will be the Rev. Jim Meredith. The family will receive friends at Wilkerson Funeral Home from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to the graveside service. Arrangements are being handled by North Brevard Funeral Home in Titusville and Wilkerson Funeral Home in Reidsville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church, Riverside Drive, Bassett, Va. 24055.
BUNN, Ronald Shannon, 28, of Atlanta, Ga., passed away Tuesday, December 31, 1996. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence, Va.
CARTER, Florence D. (``Granny""), 93 of Roanoke passed away Monday, December 30, 1996. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, C.J. and Marie Carter of Roanoke; two daughters and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Les Lamb of Las Vegas, Nev., Jean C. Kidd of Roanoke; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several loved nieces, nephews and cousins; and many loving and devoted friends. Graveside services will be held Thursday, January 2, 1997, 10 a.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Lotz Salem Chapel.
CLARK, Margaret Frances, 78, of Fieldale, died Tuesday, December 31, 1996. Arrangements by Norris Funeral Services, Martinsville.
CRAFT, Gladys Via, 91, of Clifton Forge, died Monday, December 30, 1996, at Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg. She was born in Clifton Forge on July 30, 1905, daughter of the late Aubrey Chalmer and Nealie Jane Webb Via. She was a homemaker and member of the Central United Methodist Church. She was the widow of Phillip Jackson Craft, who preceded her in death in 1977. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Thomas L. (Madeline) Nicely of Clifton Forge, Mrs. William W. (Doris) Pugh of Christiansburg and Mrs. Joe (Jean) Armentrout of Stuarts Draft; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in Mountain View Cemetery, with the Rev. William O. Webster and the Rev. W. Pembroke Hall officiating. Interment will follow. Active pallbearers will be Neal Pugh, Tim Armentrout, Kent Nicely, Tom Callaghan, Adam Callaghan, Matthew Powell, David Lindsay and Lynn Fridley. Memorial gifts may be made in her name to Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 419, Clifton Forge, Va. 24422, or to Central United Methodist Church in Clifton Forge. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Nicely Funeral Home, 405 Alleghany Street, Clifton Forge, or any time at the residence of her daughter, Madeline Nicely, 848 Acacia Street, Clifton Forge.
DAVIS, Thelma Grace, 94, of Lexington, died Monday, December 30, 1996. Funeral Thursday, 11 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, Lexington. Arrangements by the Harrison Funeral Home.
EAST, Elsie Hartman, of Richmond, widow of Clifford Madison East, died Monday, December 30, 1996. She is survived by two sons, Harold Madison East and David Wade East, both of Powhatan; a granddaughter, Amy Marie Crawford, Richmond. Her remains rest at Bliley Funeral Home's Chippenham Chapel, 6900 Hull St. Road, where services will be held 7 p.m. Friday. Interment will take place 1 p.m. Saturday at the Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem, Va.
EDWARDS, Betty, 84, of Woodlawn, died Tuesday, December 31, 1996. Graveside 3 p.m. Thursday, Worrell-Guynn Cemetery. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Funeral Home, Hillsville, in charge of arrangements.
FLOWERS, Lois Hunley, 72, of Richmond, formerly of Roanoke died Sunday, December 29, 1996. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 1997 at Hillcrest Cemetary, Louisa, Va. Arrangements by Lacy Funeral Home , Orchid, Va.
FRANKLIN, Laura Ball, 90, of Roanoke, passed into eternity on Monday, December 30, 1996 at her home. She was the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. W. M. Smiley, Sr., Salem, Va. Educated at Salem High School and Virginia College in Roanoke. She was a member of the faculty of James Madison College in Harrisonburg for eleven years and was employed since 1976 by the A F L A C of Columbus, Ga. retiring in 1994. Mrs. Franklin was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Victory Bible Class, member of the General James Breckinridge Chapter-Daughters of American Revolution. She was also a member of the Roanoke Valley Women's Democratic Club and was a volunteer of the Pink Ladies Organization-Community Hospital for 10 years. She is preceded in death by four sisters, Thelma S. Couk, Nancy Smiley Speck, Hazel I. Smiley Turner, Annie Smiley; four brothers, Cecil S. Smiley, William Macon Smiley Jr., Dr. Jack Smiley, Dr. Russell B. Smiley Sr.; nephew, Warren Danford Smiley. Survivors include nephews, Dr. Russell B. Smiley Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Paul Gregory Speck, Harrisonburg & N.Y., Frank Chandeler Turner Jr., Portsmouth, Dr. Macon S. Couk, Richmond, Dr. David E. Couk, Warrington; nieces, Ms. Dorothea M. Smiley, Salem, Mrs. Peggy Anne Smiley Mills, Roanoke, Mrs. Dorothy Couk Nixson, Richmond, Mrs. Kendall Speck Smith, California; brother-in-law, Dr. Frank C. Turner Sr., of Portsmouth; sister-in-law, Mrs. Peggy Duke Smiley, Salem. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 1997 with Dr. Harry Y. Gamble and Rev. Dennis Herman officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel after 11 a.m. Wednesday.
GILBERT, Harry Rainia, 80, of Martinsville died Monday, December 30, 1996. Funeral 1 p.m. Thursday, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. Arrangements by McKee Funeral Home, Martinsville.
GILLESPIE, Harold E., 56, of Christiansburg died Monday, December 30, 1996 in Heritage Hall Nursing Home. Surviving are his wife, Linda M. Gillespie; two sons, Dale Eugene Gillespie, Denton Lee Gillespie; one granddaughter, Danyelle Nicole Gillespie, all of Christiansburg; two sisters, Geraldine Alderman, Blacksburg, Edith Simms, Elliston. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, January 2, 1997 at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Jerry Shepherd with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may call anytime after noon on Wednesday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Wednesday evening
GODBEY, Melvin Collins, 82, of Radford, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 1996 at Wheatland Hills Retirement Center in Radford. She was a member of The Radford Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband; Charles Emmett Godbey, Sr. Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Charles E. (Chuck) and Bonnie Godbey, Jr., Riner; one brother , Charles Henry Collins, Hopewell; two grandchildren and husbands, Veronica L. and George McCall, Paige Renae and Sean Todd; one great-grandson, Shane Todd. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 2, 1997 at 11:00 a.m. at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, with the Rev. Dennis Martin officiating. Interment will follow in West View Cemetery in Radford. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Seaver-Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home in Radford
GREGORY, Edward 80 of Roanoke passed away Tuesday, December 31, 1996. He was a retired truck driver for Rockydale Quarries with over 23 years of service. Surviving are his wife, Katherine Gregory, son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Sharon Gregory of Chicago Ill.; daughter and son-in-law Viola and Leo Tayl or of Boones Mill; four grandchildren, James Gregory of Roanoke, Eric Taylor, Raymond Taylor and Duane Taylor all of Boones Mill; A sister and brother-in-law, Catherine and Joseph McCormick of Washington, D.C.; also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at Lotz Roanoke Chapel 2 p.m. Monday, January 6, 1997 with the Rev. J.R. Hughes officiating. Burial will follow in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Lotz Roanoke Chapel,1001 Franklin Rd. S.W., 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday, January 5, 1997
HAIRSTON, Odell Jr. 44, of Roanoke, Va passed away Friday, December 27, 1996. Survivors include, two sons, Kareem O'dell Hairston of Montvale, Va; Odell Lewis Noel of Roanoke, Va; one brother, Deacon Donald E. Hairston, sister-in-law, Evangelist Patricia Hairston both of Roanoke; one sister, Barbara Jean (Melvin) Hobson of Montvale; a devoted aunt Dorothy Cofer of Montvale; devoted friend Leola Hairston of Montvale. Funeral services will be Thursday, January 2, 1997 at 1 p.m. at the Montvale Baptist Church with the Rev. Thomas Woods officiating. Interment will follow in the Montvale Community Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Church one hour prior to the funeral service. Arrangements by Serenity Funeral Home, 126 Gilmer Ave.
HARMON, Beatris Duncan, 77, of Floyd passed away Monday, December 30, 1996 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. Survivors include, one daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Frank Keith, Floyd; five grandchildren, Diane Cannaday and husband, Calvin, Pilot, Dean Sutphin, Sandra Nolen and husband, Mike, Darrell Keith and wife, Missy, Rhonda Keith, all of Floyd; sister, Pearl Harmon, King George; nine great-grandchildren; three step sons; two step daughters ; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 1997 at Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Roy Turpin officiating. Burial will follow in Topeco Cemetery. Friends may call at the Maberry Funeral Home after 1 p.m. Wednesday where the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m
HUNTER, Richard Thomas, 62, of Roanoke died Tuesday, December 31, 1996. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.
JACOBS, Emmett Lester, of Roanoke, died Monday, December 30, 1996, in a Roanoke hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Tilton Jacobs and Nannie Bell Huffmond Jacobs; two brothers, Lowry and Garman Jacobs, and three sisters, Elsie Blair, Reba Flick and Claudia Almond. Emmett retired as Building Manager of the Boxley Building. He was the past president of the Fraternal Order of Police Association Lodge, past president of Optimist Club of Roanoke, a member of the Boxing Hall of Fame, a member of The Gideons and American Legion Post #3. During World War II, he was a Physical Instructor at the San Diego Naval Base, and was a member of Belmont Christian Church. Surviving are his wife, Mary White McCue Jacobs. He is also survived by nephews and nieces. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's North Chapel at 1 p.m. Thursday, with the Rev. Michael Barnes officiating. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton. Friends may call at Oakey's North Chapel, where the family will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
JOHNSON, Irene Kilby, 79, of Grant, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 1996. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence.
JOHNSON, Nobie Robertson, 88, of Rocky Mount, passed away Tuesday, December 31, 1996. Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, is in charge of arrangements.
KING, Helen Mae , 65, of Galax, died Monday, December 30, 1996. Funeral 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 1, 1997 in Savannah United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home.
LeCLAIRE, Fred R., 45 , of Roanoke died Monday, December 30,1996 after a long illness. He was born in Rhinelander, Wis.; and for ten years he worked as an area supervisor for Golden Corral Family Steak Houses in the Roanoke area. He was proud to Franchise his own Golden Corral in Oak Hill, West Virginia in May 1990. He is survived by his wife, Vicky Ellison LeClaire, a daughter, Susan Elaine LeClaire, a son Gary Ellison LeClaire all of Roanoke; his parents, Fred and Anne LeClaire of St. Augustine, Fla; his father in-law, Jack Ellison of Roanoke; two sisters, Sharon LeClaire Re of Omaha, Neb; Susan LeClaire Woodruff of St. Augustine, Fla.; four brothers, Larry LeClaire of LaCrosse, Wis.; Jim LeClaire of Nashville, Tenn.; Todd LeClaire and Tom LeClaire of St. Augustine, Fla.; also, 16 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother John LeClaire who died last week on Dec. 24, 1996. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel after 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 1, 1997 where the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Services and interment will be in Anniston, Ala.; on Saturday, January 4, 1997. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.
LEWIS, Robert Junior, of Roanoke, passed away on Saturday, December 1996, at Lewis-Gale Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Gevendin Pritchett Lewis; and daughters, Ymelda and Megan Lewis of Cary, N. C., and Coakley G. Lewis of Richmond, Va. He is survived by two brothers, Spencer Lewis of Baltimore, Md. and James A. Lewis of Washington, D.C. Mr. Lewis was a member of the Williams Memorial Baptist Church and held the following positions; Trustee Board member and Financial Secretary. He was a Contract Administrator and Project Manager in the Drive Systems Department of the General Electric Company in Salem, Va. He was an Honorably Discharged veteran of the Korean War. Mr. Lewis graduated from Virginia Western Community College and Radford University, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. Mr. Lewis is survived by a host of family and friends scattered in the states of Virginia, Maryland and District of Columbia. The family will receive visitors and friends at the home of the deceased, 1566 Golfside Ave., N. W. The memorial service will be conducted at the Williams Memorial Baptist Church on January 2, 1997 at 1 p.m. Inurnment will be private. In memory of Mr. Lewis, the family requests that in lieu of flowers or floral arrangements, please make donations payable to the Williams Memorial Baptist Church, Attn: Building Fund, 2105 Carroll Ave. Roanoke, Va. 24017. Arrangements by Fizer Funeral Home.
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