Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 6, 1995                   TAG: 9510040003
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

ALFORD, Macie Jennings, 82, of Rt. 1, Austinville, the Poplar Camp Community, died Saturday, March 4, 1995 in the Malin Health Care Center in Wytheville. She was born in Carroll County, the daughter of the late Robert Heath and Nora Bowman Jennings. She was a school teacher and a member of the Retired Teacher's Association, a member of Bethany United Methodist Church, Christian Women's Club and the Senior C itizen's Club of Bethany. For over forty years she worked with her husband and his brother in the Alford Brothers General Store in Poplar Camp. She also wrote the ""Bethany News"" column for the Southwest Virginia Enterprise for over forty years and was preceded in death by her husband, Kent K. Alford. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Bill Ward, Montvale, Judith and Joseph Sclafani, Christiansburg; one grandson, Joey Sclafani; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Emmett and Catherine Jennings, Norfolk, Robert and Josephine Jennings, Rt. 1 Austinville; special sisters-in-law, Reta and Bernice Jennings. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at the Bethany United Methodist Church with the Rev. Earnest Chinault officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethany Cemetery. The body will be taken to the church one hour before service time. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorials to the Bethany United Methodist Church Special Fund. Arrangements by Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville.

BANE, Hazel Stafford, 87, of Bland, died Sunday, March 5, 1995, at her residence. She was born in Mechanicsburg, the daughter of the late William Henry and Emma Wright Stafford. She was a member of the Bland Presbyterian Church, homemaker and co-operated a large farm in Bland County with her late husband. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Asa Bane and three brothers, Albert M. Stafford, John C. Stafford and R. Porter Stafford. She is survived by two daughters, Lucy McDonald Bane, New Hill, N. C., Barbara Bane Nichols, Richmond; one son, Robert Stafford Bane, Bland; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 7, 1995, at 2 p.m. at the Newberry Funeral Home with June M. Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Me chanicsburg. The family will receive friends at the Newberry Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 6, 1995. The family suggest that those who prefer may make memorials to the Bland Rescue Squad or the Mechanicsburg Cemetery Association. Newberry Funeral home in Bland is in charge of the arrangements.

CALDWELL, Marguerite Smith, of New Castle, passed away Saturday, March 4, 1995, at Community Hospital of Roanoke. She was a member of Mountain Chapter #168 Order of the Eastern Star and of the New Castle Christian Church. Surviving are her husband, Robert Lee Caldwell; two daughters, M. Teressa Caldwell, Springfield; Stephanie L. Caldwell, New Castle; two cousins, Harry E. Block, Roanoke, Harriet Leurant, Charleston, W. Va. Funeral services will be conducted by Dr. Ernie Johnson at New Castle Christian Church, 11 a.m. Monday, March 6. Interment will be in Huffman Memorial Cemetery, New Castle. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Craig Co. Rescue Squad. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

CLAYTOR, Alexander B., (``A.B.""), 84, of Lexington, passed away Sunday, March 5, 1995, in a Lexington Hospital. A member of a very large and prominent family of Claytors, he was the oldest survivor of the descendents of William and Judith Claytor, the first generation removed from slavery. He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Solon Claytor and a native of Floyd County. He received his early education in the Floyd County, Botetourt County and Roanoke City School Systems. Furthering his education he attended Virginia State Normal School (Virginia State University) and Tennessee State University. The owner of a 310 acre farm in Rockbridge County, he raised hogs and cattle for more than 20 years. He also served the area as Insurance Agent, and as a Funeral Director. He was married to Miss Christine Williams, the daughter of one of Roanoke's pioneer Funeral Directors, C. C. Williams, for whom the C. C. Williams Memorial Burial Park is named. Fifteen years ago he honored his wife and his father with the ``Christine and Solon Claytor"" Scholarship Fund at Washington and Lee University. Survivors include his foster sister, Mrs. Johnnella Charlton Walker, Stockton, Calif; and a host of cousins in the Roanoke, New River Valley and Floyd County areas including Dr. John (Ruth) Claytor, Dr. Walter (Kim) Claytor, Mrs. Irene Green, Mrs. Dorothy (Marshall) Curtis, Mr. Howard (Emma) Hopkins, Mrs. Elsie White and others in Roanoke; Rexford Hopkins, Rocky Mount, Edgar and Roy Claytor of Radford; a host of other cousins around the country and many generations of second and third cousins including a favorite, Dr. Conrad Claytor of Roanoke. Family headquarters are at the home of a favorite cousin and condifante, James (Redd) Charlton and Evelyn, 3318 Kershaw Road, N.W. Funeral services will be held in Roanoke later this week. Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

DENTON, Jesse W., 75, of Martinsville, died Saturday, March 4, 1995. Funearl 2 p.m. Tuesday, Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel, Ridgeway.

FOSTER, Flossie Rakes, 88, of Collinsville, died Sunday, March 5, 1995. Visitation 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Flora Funeral Service. Funeral services 8 p.m. Tuesday, Flora Funeral Chapel. Burial 10 a.m. Wednesday, Rakes Ferguson Family Cemetery, Ferrum.

GRAY, Bartie Marie Toney, 89, of Roanoke and formerly of Scarbro, W.Va., died Sunday, March 5, 1995. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter R. Gray, sons John L. and W. Ralph Gray, daughter Rosella Saunders, granddaughter Ann Beckner. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Alvie and Louise Gray, Roanoke; a sister, Myrtle Roope, Scarbro, W.Va.; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. Funeral at Lotz Roanoke Chapel noon Tuesday, March 7, with Rev. Fred Rakes, and Rev. Roy Shewbridge officiating. Interment in Bethesda Cemetery, beside Blue Ridge Church of the Brethren. Friends may call at Lotz Roanoke Chapel from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday.

GREER, Minnie Wolfe, 106, of Ballard, W.Va., died Sunday, March 5, 1995. Funeral 1p.m. Tuesday, Broyles Funeral Home Chapel, Peterstown.

HAYNES, Burbee Martin, (``Peggy""), 79, of High Ridge Street, Fieldale, died Saturday, March 4, 1995. Services 2 p.m. Tuesday. Arrangements by McKee Funeral Service, Martinsville.

HICKS, Ruth Virginia, 86, of Route 4, Moneta, passed away Sunday, March 5, 1995, Bedford County Memorial Hospital. She was born in Bedford County on May 20, 1908, a daughter of the late Jessie Leonidas Nichols and Mary Lillian Overstreet Nichols. She was a homemaker and a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church. Her husband was the late Thomas Edwin Hicks. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Carl W. (Pete) and Martha Hicks, Lynchburg; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mrs. Myra H. and Zane Koch, Blue Ridge, Mrs. Sandra H. and Frank Lancaster, Rocky Mount and a daughter, Mrs. Barbara H. Harper, Vinton; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Riley Smith and the Rev. A. Dave Snead. The family will receive friends at Updike Funeral Home, Bedford, Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and suggests that memorials be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church or your favorite charity.

HIGGENBOTHAM, Anna Bishop, 93, of Roanoke, formerly of Galax, died Sunday, March 5, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Wednesday, Gladeville United Methodist Church, Galax. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.

HUNT, Mary Ida Lea, 83, of Cambridge, N.Y., died Sunday, March 5, 1995. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Cremation Service, Bedford.

KNIGHT, Nannie Sue, of Rocky Mount, died Sunday, March 5, 1995. Graveside 11 a.m. Tuesday, El Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Tomlinson Funeral Home, Ridgeway.

LANKFORD, James C., 76, of Ridgeway, died Saturday, March 4, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, McKee Funeral Chapel.

MACKEY, Hugh Preas, 71, of 906 Peaksview St., Bedford, passed away Saturday, March 4, 1995, in Bedford County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Mackey was born in Bedford County on April 20, 1923, a son of the late Dr. Graham Leech Mackey and Nelle Preas Mackey. He was a 1946 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, was retired from sales for Mayrand Pharmaceuticals an

d was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Anne Conduff Mackey; four sons, Graham and Mary Mackey, Bedford, Tom and Susan Mackey, Tazewell, Joseph and Ellen Mackey, Culloden, W. Va. and Randolph Mackey and Lisa Hawkins, Bedford; one daughter, Hope and Don Wilkerson, Bedford; a sister, June M. Slaughter, Bedford; a grandson, Garrett Mackey Jr.; four granddaughters, Kristen Mackey, Hannah Mackey, Liza Mackey and Caila Mackey. Services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, from Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford by the Rev. D. Glen Langston. The family suggests that memorials be made to the Main Street United Methodist Church Building Fund or your favorite charity. Updike Funeral Home, Bedford, is handling arrangements.

McGHEE, George Washington, 90, of Rocky Mount, died Friday, March 3, 1995. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Gracie McGhee, of the home; three daughters, Miss Christine McGhee, Washington D.C., Mrs. Allena Williams, College Park, Md., Mrs. Margaret Board, Rocky Mount; three sons, Clarence, McArthur, and Curtis McGhee, all of Rocky Mount; three sisters, Mrs. Alzie Johnson, Mansfield, Ohio, Mrs. Virginia Tuning, Rocky Mount, Mrs. Hattie Cooper, Roanoke; one brother, William McKinley Patterson, Rocky Mount; 20 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, 1 p.m. at Morningside Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Kirby Whitfield officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. Interment in Franklin Memorial Park. Arrangements by Stanfield Mortuary Service.

McGHEE, Jack D. Sr., 67, of Collinsville, died Friday, March 3, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, Collins Funeral Services Chapel, Bassett.

MUSICK, Edith T., 77, of Abingdon, died Sunday, March 5, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Tuesday, Campbell Funeral Home Chapel.

NELSON, Meredith K., 82, of Kingsport, Tenn., formerly of Grayson County and a long time resident of Bloomington, Ill., died Sunday, March 5, 1995, in the Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn. Mr. Nelson was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Marr Nelson. He was a member of the Royal Oak Presbyterian Church. Mr. Nelson graduated from the University of Nebraska, Phi Beta Kappa, receiving his Bachelor and J.D. degrees. He was retired from State Farm Insurance Company where he was assistant Vice President of Claims in Bloomington, Ill. He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Cornel Vanciu of Midland, Mich.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Meredith R. and Janet Nelson of Greensboro, N.C., and Michael C. and Lori Nelson of Howell, Mich.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. Edgar Ferrell and Rev. Sheldon Sorge officiating. Burial will follow in the Grant Cemetery in Grayson County. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to the Royal Oak Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 912, Marion, Va. 24354. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service of Marion, Va. is in charge of the arrangements.

PENN, Dolphfred Wilson Sr., (``Mickey""), of Roanoke, passed away Friday, March 3, 1995. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Chapel with Dr. J. Eugene Young officiating. Burial will be in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

REESE, Rev. Leon Morgan, 46, of Gainesville, Ga., met his loving Savior face to face on Friday, March 3, 1995. A native of Lincoln Co., he had been a resident of Hall County for 91/2 years. He was employed with Cottrell Inc. Mr. Reese was a member of the Autumn Hill Assembly of God where he was a Sunday School teacher. Mr. Reese was an Ordained Minister with the Assemblies of God. He was a graduate of Holmes Theological Seminary. He served as a Missionary from 1970 to 1977 in Manaus Amazonas, Brazil. He served as the Superintendent of the Foreign Missions Dept. with the Congregational Holiness Church from 1977 to 1985. Rev. Reese began his ministry in the country of Brazil in June 1970. In 1972 the field was efficiently opened by Rev. Reese and his wife. Today there are 37 churches and missions with 43 workers in the Amazon region. On March 11, 1982, Rev. Reese established a work in India; today there are 35 churches and missions and 30 workers. He is survived by his wife, Beverly H. Reese, Gainesville, Ga.; two sons, CPL Leon Morgan Reese Jr., Fort Hood, Texas, and David McNeill Reese, Gainesville, Ga.; a daughter, Andrea Joye Reese, Gainesville, Ga.; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Ross and Eunice Reese, Lincolnton, Ga.; brothers, Russell Reese, Jack Reese and Eddie Reese, all of Lincolnton, Ga., Doug Reese, Valdosta, Ga.; sisters, Marietta Stone, Myra Griffith, Eugenia Freeman, Barbara LeRoy, Carol Cox, all of Lincolnton, Ga., Dorsy Edmunds, Barnwell, S.C., Emily Leckie, Martinez, Ga., and Shearell Gianfrancesco, Macon, Ga., and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11a.m. Monday, March 6, at the Autumn Hill Assembly of God, Cleveland Hwy, by the Rev. Patrick Saint and Rev. Hugh Skelton. The burial will follow at 4 p.m. at the Cross Roads Congregational Holiness Church Cemetery in Lincolnton, Ga. In lieu of flowrs, please make contributions to the Mission Fund c/o Autumn Hill Assembly of God, P. O. Box 363, Gainesville, Ga. 30503. Arrangements by Memorial Park Funeral Home, Gainesville, Ga.

SCEARCE, John D., 42, of Patrick Springs, died Saturday, March 4, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday, Moody Funeral Home, Stuart.

SIMMONS, Edith Mattie Bryant, 72, of Roanoke, passed away, Saturday, March 4, 1995. Funeral services 12 noon Monday, Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

SMITH, Mamie Buckner, 80, of Roanoke, died Sunday, March 5, 1995, in a local hospital. Surviving are two sons, William C. Smith, Roanoke, J.C. Smith, Roanoke; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Vickie Marie Smith, Vinton, Betty and Don Wheeler, Roanoke, Cathy and Gary Spradlin, Vinton; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lessie Argabright, Boones Mill, Ruby Lumsden, Ypsilanti, Mich.; two brothers, Grady Buckner, Canton, Ohio, William Buckner, Rocky Mount. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, with the Rev. Marvin Lloyd officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

SUTPHIN, Paul R., 83, of Christiansburg, passed away Sunday, March 5, 1995. Arrangements by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd.

THOMAS, Eddie Lee, 43, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, March 5, 1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

WILLIAMS, Nannie M., 77, of Roanoke, passed away Sunday, March 5, 1995. Arrangements by Lotz Funeral Home, Roanoke.

WILMER, Chester H., 85, of Buena Vista, died Saturday, March 4, 1995 in the Va. Medical Center, Salem. Born in Amherst County August 23, 1909, the son of the late Lewis R. and Willie Humphries Wilmer. For many years he was an automobile salesman for W arrens Chevrolet-Buick Sales in Buena Vista. He was a 50 year member of the American Legion Post #126 and a member of the Buena Vista Presbyterian Church. Surviving are his wife, Molly LaRue Wilmer; one daughter, Barbara Ann Byers, Ruckersville; one nephew/son Stephen K. Freeman, Buena Vista; three grandchildren, Clyde E. Byers Jr., Christopher H. Byers, both of Grayson, Ga., Samuel L. Freeman, Buena Vista; one sister, Virginia W. Thacker, Madison Heights; one brother, Everett G. Wilmer, Sanford, Fla. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the Lomax Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Sandra M. Rushing. Burial will follow in the Timber Ridge Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Lomax Funeral Home.

WOOD, Charlie L., 72, of Vinton, died Saturday, March 4, 1995, in a Salem hospital. He was a member of Lynn Haven Baptist Church and the Brotherhood Sunday School Class. He was preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Wood; two sisters, June Wood, Cassie Kinsey; three brothers, Ezra Wood, Roy Wood, Harry Wood. Surviving are his wife, Pauline C. Wood; daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Stan Oliver, Vinton; son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Pam Wood, Vinton; brothers and sisters-in-law, James W. and Hylda Wood, Roanoke, Marvin E. and Geneva Wood, Roanoke, R. Paul and Ina Wood, Boones Mill; grandchildren, Mark and Chad Whitworth, Vinton, Kristin and Cory Wood, Vinton; mother-in-law, Mary H. Cundiff, Roanoke; si sters-in-law, Hester Wood, Clyde Wood both of Boones Mill, Lottie Wood, Roanoke; also several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted from the Lynn Haven Baptist Church 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, with the Rev. Jay D. Owen and the Rev. Brian Jones officiating. Interment will be in Bluexs Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Oakey's Vinton Chapel from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

WOOLWINE, Robert Harmond, (``Bob""), 69, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, March 4, 1995. He is survived by his wife, Mary E. Woolwine; daughters, Mary Lou Woolwine, Laura Leigh Woolwine, Anne Draper Woolwine; grandchildren, Brian Matthews Woolwine, Miranda Nichole Woolwine; sister and brother-in-law, Florence W. and Louis Mychesky. Graveside interment services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, Cedar Lawn Burial Park. Arrangements are being handled by Lotz Funeral Home, Salem.