ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 13, 1997 TAG: 9703130079
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
ALIFF, Nellie Irene, 93, of Pembroke, departed her home to be with her Lord in her Heavenly home in the morning of Wednesday, March 12, 1997, after a long illness. Nellie was born on February 14, 1904 in Pembroke, a daughter of the late John Henry and Ollie Belle Jones Merrix. She was a member of the Pembroke Church of God, and retired from the Hoechst-Celanese Plant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Una Vesta Aliff; five sisters, Bird Stevers, Frances Meredith, Lena Tawney, Phoeby Shaver, and Pauline Wilburn; and five brothers, Edd Merrix, Emmitt Merrix, Kendill Merrix, and George Merrix. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, who lovingly cared for her during her illness, Edith and John Lewis Williams of Pembroke; two grandchildren, Teresa D. Williams and John Christopher Williams and wife, Robin Pennington Williams; five brothers, Jim Merrix at the home, Emory Merrix of Princeton, W.Va., Junior (Jim) Merrix of Petersburg, Tyler Merrix of Pearisburg, Roy Merrix of Dublin; a sister, Nannie Sue Merrix of Martinsville. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 14, 1997, at 2 p.m. in the Kendall Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. James Walker officiating. Burial will be in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at the Kendall Funeral Home at 605 Snidow St. in Pembroke Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m.
ASHWELL, Odell Herman, 80, of Huddleston, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Updike Funeral Chapel, Huddleston.
AYERS, Edgar F. Sr., (``Edd''), 89, of Max Meadows, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997, at his residence. He was born in Carroll County, the son of the late Andrew Jackson and Sarah Emma Tate Ayers, and was preceded in death by his wife, Lessie Viars Ayers; a daughter, Frances Lee Ayers. He is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Madeline and Andrew Viars, Mary Lee ``Nancy'' Ayers, all of Max Meadows; four sons and daughters-in-law, Carl E. and Shirley C. Ayers of Wytheville, Garnett E. ``John'' Ayers, Edgar F. ``Edd'' Jr. and Libby Ayers, Gary M. and Benita Ayers, all of Max Meadows; two sisters, Mae Ogle of Pulaski, Elizabeth Taylor of Abingdon; one brother, Cloyd J. ``Jack'' Ayers of Roanoke; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 14, 1997, at 2 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel in Wytheville with the Rev. Oscar R. ``Sonny'' Ayers officiating. Interment will follow in the Draper Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
BALDWIN, Geneva, 73, of Bedford, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Arrangements by Bedford Funeral Home.
BISHOP, Carl Stanley Sr., 78, of Christiansburg, d ied Tuesday, March 11, 1997, in a Princeton, W.Va. hospital. He retired after 23 years of service from the U.S. Air Force. He served with distinction in the South Pacific during World War II and retired with the rank of Master Sgt. Surviving are two sons, Carl S. Bishop Jr., Roanoke, Jackie Bishop, Christiansburg; two daughters, Ruth B. Wilson, Mary V. Hawkins, both of Charleston, S.C.; two sisters, Elsie Gould of Pennsylvania, and Esma I. Basham, Christiansburg; three brothers, John David Bishop, Dunn, N.C., Allen W. Bishop, Christiansburg, Robert C,. Bishop, Pulaski; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday from the Richardson-Horne Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Homer D. Sawyer and Rev. Lawrence Broughman. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, Box 176, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. Friends may call after 10 a.m. Thursday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
BOOTHE, Garrison Lee, 84, of Orlando Fla. formerly of the Roanoke died Tuesday , March 11,1997. Graveside service will be held Friday, March 14, 1997 at 2 p.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park. Arrangements by Lotz Salem Chapel.
BURGESS, Travis Paul, infant son of Kevin and Karen Burgess of Ferrum, passed away Monday, March 10, 1997. Graveside service 2 p.m. Friday, Story Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Lynch Funeral Home.
BURROWS, William Alexander, 72, of Lynchburg, died on Tuesday, March 11, 1997, at Virginia Baptist Hospital. He was born on September 23, 1924, the son of Ethel Howell Burrows and the late Clarence Grady Burrows. His wife, Dorothy Smith Burrows, predeceased him in 1980. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Rockwood, Tenn., and was educated at Roanoke College and the University of Virginia. Mr. Burrows attained the rank of Eagle Scout and continued to be active in Boy Scout work during his adult life. Following retirement from Burlington Industries, his last assignment having been as Manager of Adler Mfg. Co. in Rockwood, Tenn., he owned and operated office supply businesses in Rockwood, Tenn. and Lynchburg for a number of years. During World War II Mr. Burrows served in the European Theatre with the 100th Infantry Division, Seventh Army. He was a Master Naturalist, a member of the Appalachian Trail Club, and the Virginia Wildflower Society, Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and a former member of the Kiwanis Club. Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his son and daughter-in-law, William A. Burrows Jr. and Lisa Burrows of Rockwood; daughter, Deborah L. Burrows of Lynchburg; two sisters, Dorothy M. Burrows and Helen B. Arthur of Bedford; two grandchildren, Darby and Lacy Burrows; two stepgrandchildren, Andrea and Emily Lawson, all of Rockwood; and a devoted friend, Phyllis H. Marshall of Roanoke. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 1997, at Carder-Tharp Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Carl H. Douglass Jr. and the Rev. D. Glen Langston officiating. The family will greet friends at the residence of Mr. Burrows' mother on Fancy Farm Road in Bedford County. M emorial gifts may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Nature Conservancy. Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford, is handling the arrangements.
CAMPBELL, Alice Dill, 84, of Radford, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997 in a Salem hospital. She was the widow of Andrew B. Campbell Sr. Surviving are a son, Andrew B. (Andy) Campbell Jr., Gulfport, Miss.; a daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Buddy Martin, Radford; a brother, Harold F. Dill Sr., Roanoke; and two grandchildren, Matthew Campbell Martin and Margaret Karr Martin, Radford. A service of remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 14, 1997 at St. Jude's Catholic Church with F ather Jim Grealish officiating. Interment will follow in Sunrise Burial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the DeVilbiss Funeral Home with a Christian Wake Service at 8 p.m.
COCHRAN, Edith Richardson, 63, of Martinsville, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday, Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel.
COMER, Gary H., 48, of Wikel, W.Va., died Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday at Victory Pentecostal Church. Arrangements by Broyles-Shewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, W.Va.
DAVIS, Margaret Elizabeth, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997, in a local hospital. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Robert M. and Margaret O. Davis; a brother, Robert Jr.; a sister, Dorothy Virginia. Miss Davis was a retired employee from Times-World Corp. with 44 years of service. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Surviving are cousins, Mrs. Mary Murphy, San Pablo, Calif., W. Kesler, Pinale, Calif., and Mrs . Frances Sanderson, Garden City, Ga. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. John D. Cochran at 1 p.m., Friday, from Oakey's South Chapel. Interment will follow in Evergreen Burial Park. The body is at Oakey's South Chapel. Friends may call after 12 noon Thursday.
DELP, Harry C., 85, of Elk Creek, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel, Independence.
EARLY, Louise Thompson, 80, of Glasgow, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 11, 1997. She was preceded in death by her parents, the late Lelia Anthony and Meshack Thompson Sr.; and her husband, Theoplis Early Sr. She was employed for 25 years with ARA Food Service, serving the Lee's Carpet Plant. She is survived by two daughters, Jean Wilkerson of Glasgow and Edna Alexander of Lexington; three sons and three daughters-in-law, Donald W. and Wanda F. Early of Glasgow, Theoplis Jr. and Priscilla Early of Capitol Heights, Md., Rodney E. and Mary W. Early of Glasgow; three sisters, Matilda T. Martin and Alice T. Turner, both of Glasgow, and Florence Kyle of Laurel, Md.; two brothers-in-law, Robert B. Kyle of Laurel, Md. and Rodney Carter of Glen Burnie, Md.; eleven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 15, 1997, at 2 p.m. at Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Artis Appling officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Arrangements by Lomax Funeral Home, Buena Vista.
ELDER, William C., (``Bill''), 66, of Clarksville, Tenn., formerly of Radford, died Monday, March 10, 1997. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah; and a son, Alvin L. Price. Surviving are two sons, Kenneth W. Price, California, and William C. Elder Jr., Plano, Texas; three daughters, Peggy P. Mills, Radford, Cynthia Martin, Clarksville, Tenn., and Amy Mack, Normal, Ill. Fourteen grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be at Smith-Sutherland Funeral Home in Panama City, Fla. at 11 a.m. Friday, March 14, 1997 with interment to fo llow in Callaway Cemetery, Panama City. Obituary courtesy of DeVilbiss Funeral Home, Radford
GRAINGER, Elsie, 101, of Wayne, Pa., died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Funeral Monday, in Wayne, Pa.
GREER, Roger Lee, 72, of Sugar Grove, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday at Wharf Hill United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service.
GROGAN, Julia Ann, 82, of Bent Mountain, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Arrangements by Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd.
HOLDREN, Joy Edward, 69, of Vinton, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Arrangements by Lotz Vinton Chapel.
HOUSE, Myrtle B., 97, of Martinsville, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Arrangements by McKee Funeral Services, Martinsville.
HUFFMAN, Bobby N., 62, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Funeral Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 1 p.m. Thursday.
IKENBERRY, Elizabeth Flora, 81, of Boones Mill, died Monday, March 10, 1997. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, Antioch Church of the Brethren. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service, Rocky Mount.
JOHNSTON, Pamela Ann, 50, of Covington, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home.
JONES, Leatha E., of Washington, D.C., formerly of Roanoke, died Sunday, March 9, 1997. Arrangements by Pope Funeral Home, Washington, D.C.
LAWTON, Destinee RaKayllah, infant daughter of Desiree Lawton, died Sunday, March 9, 1997. Graveside services C. C. Williams Memorial Park, 2 p.m. Friday. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke.
MANNING, Kevin E., 31, of Roanoke, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.
McKINNEY, Pauline M., 87, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday afternoon, March 11, 1997. She was the widow of Alfred Winston ``Pat"" McKinney, and a member of Connelly Memorial Baptist Church. Surviving are her son, W. Reid McKinney, Roanoke; and her sister, Mrs. Helen M. Parker, Copper Hill. Funeral services will be conducted from the graveside, Evergreen Burial Park, at 11 a.m., Thursday with the Rev. G. William Foster Jr. officiating. Friends may call until 10 a.m. Thursday at Oakey's North Chapel.
MUSSELMAN, Charles M., 89, of Roanoke, died Wednesday , March 12, 1997. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.
NEESE, Hazel Wohlford, of Wytheville, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997, in the Wythe County Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her son, Dallas R., ``Bucky'' Neese, and is survived by her husband, Frank W. ``Bus'' Neese of Wytheville; sister, Isabell Reed of Roanoke; brothers, Joe Wohlford of Columbus, Ohio, James ``Hub'' Wohlford of Ft. Pierce, Fla.; d aughter-in-law, Anne W. Neese of Wytheville; three grandchildren and spouse, Deidre and Scott Urban, Wendy Neese, Todd Neese; one great-grandson, Tyler Andrew Urban. Funeral services will be Friday, 11 a.m., in the Grubb Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. Robert Smith, with entombment in the Rosewood Mausoleum, Rural Retreat. The family will receive friends at the Grubb Funeral Home Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. The Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
PATTERSON, Billie Jean Oyler, 25, of Buena Vista, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Born in Lexington on June 6, 1971, she was the daughter of Judy Clements Oyler and the late William Douglas Oyler. Billie Jean was a Juvenile Corrections Officer at Natural Bridge Correctional Center. She was a member of the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church, and was Vice President of the Fraternal Order of Police-Women's Auxiliary. In addition to her mother, Judy Clements Oyler of Buena Vista, she is survived by her husband, Philip E. ``Jay'' Patterson II, Buena Vista; a sister, Jaime Oyler, Buena Vista; a half brother, William D. Oyler Jr., Richmond; a half sister, Effie Prior, Jacksonville, N.C.; stepchildren, Kelly Leanne Patterson and Jonathan Kane Patterson, both of Buena Vista; grandmother and stepgrandfather, Gladys and Harold Burch, both of Charlottesville; mother and father-in-law, Philip E. and Julie C. Patterson, Buena Vista; a special uncle, Wayne Oyler, Roanoke. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 14, 1997, at the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. David Bain, the Rev. Billy Griffin, and the Rev. William R. Mills officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Lomax Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Fraternal Order of Police, Women's Auxiliary, c/o Buena Vista Police Department, 306 Park Ave., Buena Vista, Va. 24416.
PEALE, Mary Lillian, 105, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Graveside service 10 a.m. Friday, Evergreen Burial Park. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.
POBLETT, George William, 30, of Roanoke, died suddenly Saturday, March 8, 1997. Mr. Poblett was born in Baltimore, Md. on December 25, 1966, and was a son of William John Poblett of Baltimore and Agnes Parks of Baltimore. George was an employee of the Wisneski Construction Co. of Roanoke. He is survived by one daughter, Ashley Poblett of Baltimore, Md; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Christina Fox and husband, Robert, of Roanoke, Tonia Henderson and husband, David, of Roanoke. A private visitation was held at the Givens Funeral H ome, Pearisburg on March 9, 1997. A private interment service will be held at a later date.
POWERS, Hubert N., 80, of Vinton, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Arrangements by Lotz Vinton Chapel.
RAY, Ronald Edward, 60, of Roanoke, passed on Saturday, March 8, 1997. He is survived by one brother, Thomas Ray of Bedford; two sisters, Bertha (Alfred) Blaney of Roanoke and Lillie Ray of Westport, Conn., and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, March 14, 1997, at the Hamlar-Curtis Chapel, with the Rev. Vater Colbert officiating. Interment will be in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Hamlar-Curtis Chapel. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home .
ROBERTSON, Mae Chism, 82, of Gretna, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Funeral 2 p.m. Friday at Round Pond Baptist Church. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home.
ROBINSON, Sylvester Gufford Sr., 80, of Covington, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Graveside service 2 p.m. Friday, Alleghany Memorial Park. Arrangements by Arritt Funeral Home, Covington.
SCHRADER, Bessie Cora, 100, of Pulaski, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Stevens Funeral Chapel.
SMITH, Frances Lee, 69, of Roanoke, passed away on Monday, March 10, 1997, in a Roanoke hospital. The family will receive friends Friday, March 14, 1997, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Hamlar-Curtis Chapel. The funeral service will begin at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Lee Lewis officiating. Interment will be in Williams Memorial Park, 10 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 1997. Friends may also call at Hamlar-Curtis on Thursday for viewing.
SUMNER, Rev. Harry Lee, 89, of Hanks Street, Dublin, formerly of Pulaski, went to be with the Lord early Tuesday morning, March 11, 1997 in the Columbia Pulaski Community Hospital. Born April 18, 1907 in Montgomery County, Va. he was the son of the late Ananias Sumner and Ethel Walker Sumner. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nina Lucille Lyon Sumner; a son, Roy Elwood Sumner; a sister, Geneva Doss. He was a retired minister of the Penecostal Church of God and the Pentecostal Holiness Church and a Radio Minister for more than 20 years. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Glenn (Ethel) Eichenberger, Holland, Mich.; two grandchildren, Rev. Michael Eichenberger, Tigard, Oregon, Mrs. Elliot (Deb) Hansen, Holland, Mich.; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Walter Sumner, Spartansburg, S.C. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, at the Bower Funeral Chapel Pulaski with the Rev. Michael Eichenberger, grandson and Pastor Gordon Shinn officiating. Interment will follow in the Appalachian Conference Pentecostal Holiness Cemetery Dublin, Va. Visiting will be anytime Friday after 2 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Bower Funeral Chapel, 1631 Bob White Blvd., Pulaski. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel.
THOMPSON, Jeffrey Lee, 33, of Abingdon, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. He was a lifelong resident of Abingdon and a member of High Point Baptist Church. He was owner/operator of J & M Trucking. He was a member of the Abingdon Fire Department for 19 years. Survivors include his parents, Earnest Ray and Hope A. Thompson, Abingdon; three brothers, Gerald Ray Thompson and David Allen Thompson, both of Abingdon, Michael Wayne Thompson, Damascus; two sisters, Pamela Kay Thompson and Karen Sue Thompson, both of Abingdon; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Rotenberry, Marion; six nieces and three nephews. . Funeral services for Mr. Jeffrey Lee Thompson will be conducted Thursday at 8 p.m. in Farris Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. David Critcher and Pastor Bob Neace officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday before the service beginning at 6 p.m. Pallbearers will be Randy Grubb, Cliff Keller, Todd Phillips, Joe Garrett, Mark Wilkerson and Steve Nerren. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Abingdon Fire Department. Committal services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. in the West Cemetery, Marion. Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. Thompson.
WADE, Elmer Winfred Sr., 69, of Gum Spring, formerly of Martinsville, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Graveside service 11 a.m. Saturday, Roselawn Burial Park, Martinsville. Arrangements by McKee Funeral Services.
WADE, Judy Mary, 89, of Basset, died Tuesday, March 11, 1997. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at Collins Funeral Chapel, Bassett.
WEST, Alvin L., Sr., 79, of Independence, passed away Wednesday, March 12, 1997. Arrangements by Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.
WOODFORD, Lewis Grant, 76, of Charlottesville, died Wednesday, March 12, 1997 at a local hospital. He was born November 14, 1920 in Vinton, Va., son of the late Samuel Wordenton and Lula Mae Woodford. Mr. Woodford graduated from Roanoke College in 1941 and served in the U. S. Army Air Force from 1942 to 1946. In 1948 he received an LL.B degree from the University of Virginia. He was vice-president of Albemarle Motor Company until it was sold in 1964. For two years, he was a Claims Adjuster at State Farm Insurance Company before joining S. W. Heischman Associates, where he remained until his retirement in 1985. Mr. Woodford was a member of First United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Virginia; his son, Michael and his wife Pat, of Bowie, Md.; two grandsons, David and Corey; four brothers, Dr. Curtis R. Woodford and his wife Beverly of Vinton, Calvin P. Woodford and his wife Macklyn, Warren E. Woodford and his wife Betty, all of Moneta. He is also survived by eleven nieces and nephews and their families. There will be a graveside service on Saturday, March 15, 1997 at 2 p.m. at Monticello Memory Gardens, with the Rev. Byron Wilkinson officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 14, 1997, at Hill and Wood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials, if desired, may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1290 Seminole Trail, Charlottesville, Va. 22901, or to the Alzheimer's Association, Charlottesville-Piedmont Chapter, P. O. Box 4634, Charlottesville, Va. 22903. His friends and family would like to request that we celebrate his life and not mourn his death.
LENGTH: Long : 315 linesby CNB