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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 17, 1995                   TAG: 9503210115
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

SPENCE, Robert Denver, (``Bobby""), 25, of Draper, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 1995. Funeral 10 a.m., Friday, March 17, 1995, Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski.

JENNINGS, Margie J., 67, of Gretna, died Thursday, March 16, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Saturday, Colbert-Moran Funeral Chapel.

PEARSON, Steve R., 33, of Chatham, died Thursday, March 16, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Piney Fork Baptist Church. Arrangements by Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna.

CLARK, Josie Reeves, 80, of Bassett, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995. Funeral Saturday 2 p.m., Bassett Church of the Brethren. Collins Funeral Services of Bassett handling arrangements.

PURDY, James M., 74, of Bassett, died Thursday, March 16, 1995. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Service.

LONGO, Maggie Frances Odum 84, of Box 131, (Havaco) Welch, W. Va., died Wednesday, March 15, 1995, at the Community Hospital of Roanoke, Va. Born on March 18, 1910 in Abingdon, she was a daughter of the late James and Sarah Barrett Odum. Mrs. Longo had been a resident of Havaco for 37 years and was a homemaker. She was a member of the Havaco Community Church and was a former member of the Rebekah Lodge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Carlo Longo, Sr.; 11 brothers; 4 sisters; and 3 half-sisters. Survivors, one son, Joseph Carlo Longo, Jr., Leesburg; two daughters, Mrs. Vernon Lee (Jeanette) Campbell, Welch, W. Va., Sonja Lester, Roanoke; half-brother, Joe Odum, Meadowview; four half-sisters, Annie Phaup, Roanoke, Ruby Odum, Meadowview, Blanche McEleyea, Abingdon, Grace Logan, Concord, Tenn.; two granddaughters, Kathy Rotenberry, Gina Walker-Hardy, both of Roanoke; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 18, 1995 at 1 p.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, W. Va. with Pastor Glenn Green officiating. Entombment will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Bluewell. Friends may call at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, Saturday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

VAUGHAN, Ardenia Delane, 37, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 1995. Funeral services Saturday 11 a.m. at High Street Baptist Church with Dr. N. C. Taylor officiating with burial in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the church. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

PAIGE, Jones, 61, of San Jose, Calif., formerly of Bent Mountain, passed away Friday, March 10, 1995, in Paloacto, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Annie Paige and a sister, Phylliss Ann. Jones was a retired Marine. Upon retirement from the military Jones was employed with the postal service and the veterans facility. He enjoyed traveling and recreation. Jones was born August 28, 1934 at Back Creek, Va. He was a member of Bent Mountain Baptist Chnurch. He is survived by four brothers, Robert Neal Paige, San Jose, Calif., Lewis and Lois Paige, Apple Valley, Minn., Philip Paige, Richmond, Ronald and Carol Paige, Roanoke; three sisters, Marie Brown, Salem, Frances and James Jackson, Roanoke, Bessie Paige, Bent Mountain; six aunts; two uncles; a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Hamlar-Curtis Chapel with the Rev. Herman Word officiating with burial in Williams Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

SCHWAN, Christine V., 82, of Lexington, died Thursday, March 16, 1995. Arrangements by Harrison Funeral Home.

MABRY, Randall William, 50, of Virginia Beach, formerly of Lexington, died Thursday, March 16, 1995, at a Virginia Beach hospital. He was born in Lexington April 15, 1944 and was the son of Wayne P. Mabry, of Lexington, and the late J. Walter Mabry. He was Parts Manager for Automatic Equipment Sales of Norfolk, Inc. Surviving, besides his mother, are his wife, Wanda VanNess Mabry, Virginia Beach; daughter, Mystic M. Schneider, Chesapeake; son, Tony W. Mabry, Virginia Beach; sister, Nancy Christenson, Bel Air, Md.; brother, Albert W. Mabry, Lexington; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 18, 1995, at 1 p.m. in the Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel, with Father Thomas A. Ianucci officiating. Burial will be at Rosewood Memorial Park, Virginia Beach. Friends may join the family for visitation at the funeral home from 7 to 8 pm. Friday evening. In lieu of flowers, the famil y suggests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

ALGER, Willie Millie, 96, of Buena Vista, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995 at Stonewall Jackson Extended Facility. Born in Page Co., Va. on May 2, 1898, he was the son of the late Mattie Alger. He was a licensed Gun Smith and retired from Buena Vista Foundry. He is survived by his wife, Pansy Garrett Alger, Buena Vista; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Sandra Bennington, Barren Springs; two grandchildren. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at the Buena Vista Pentecostal Holiness Church with The Rev. David Bain officiating. Interment will follow in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday evening at Lomax Funeral Home.

STATON, Dora Sorrells, 81, of Vesuvius, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Born March 17, 1913, in Amherst County, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Johnston Sorrells and Empress Ramsey Sorrells. She was a member of the Oronoco Church of the Brethren. She is survived by her husband, Ashby Dewey Staton, Vesuvius; son and daughter-in-law, Walter J. and Charlotte Staton, Greenwood; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Oliver Moore, Vesuvius; son, Ashby ``Sonny"" Staton, Vesuvius; a sister, Mary Bradley, Buena Vista; and five grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 1995, at Oronoco Church of the Brethren with the Rev. James Worley and the Rev. Earl Byers officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 17, at Lomax Funeral Home, Buena Vista.

COOPER, Howard Elton, 42, of Richmond, died Saturday, March 11, 1995. Funeral 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Long Family Cemetery, Collierstown.

WRIGHT, Lorene Wilmoth, (``Monk"") 63, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 1995. Survivors include two brothers, Leonard A. Wright, Columbus, Ohio, H. Cecil Wright, Route 3, Goodview; one sister, Anna N. White, Vinton. Graveside services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 1995, from the Barnhardt Baptist Church Cemetery in Stewartsville. Friends may call at Lotz Vinton Chapel after 12 noon Friday.

BLACKBURN, Dorothy Gay Stump, 75, of Vinton, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 1995. She was the widow of Noval William Blackburn. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Sandra B. and J. Richard Thomasson; one brother, Richard (Johnny) Stump, Eggleston; six sisters, Phyllis S. Gusler, Pearisburg, Janie S. Lucas, Pembroke, Margaret S. French, Donie S. Mann, both of Vinton, Nancy S. Thacker, Eggleston, Lois (Susie) Sadler, Pembroke; also several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 12 noon Saturday, March 18, 1995, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel. The Rev. Ed. West will officiate. Burial to follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at the Lotz Vinton Chapel after 1 p.m. Friday.

EDWARDS, Frances DeWeese, 70, of Vinton, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 1995. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon D. and Ronald Jeter, Roanoke, Shirley D. and Gary Hale, Roanoke, Nancy D. and Larry Graham, Roanoke, Joyce D. and Harry Hale, Eagle Rock, Rita D. and James Poda, Vinton; also 17 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a number of special nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 1995, at Lotz Roanoke Chapel with the Rev. Charles Hoffler officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

HUDLOW, Thelma Fisher, of 777 Blvd., Salem, formerly of Covington, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995, in South West Texas Methodist Hospital, San Antonio, Texas. She was the widow of William Robert (Sonny) Hudlow, who preceded her in death in 1971. Mrs. Hudlow was born in Covington, a daughter of the late Edgar Frank Fisher and Marcia Sizer Fisher. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Salem, and was formerly employed with Belk-Leggett Company as a ready to wear buyer. She was also a former house mother with Longwood College, Farmville. Mrs. Hudlow is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Hugh (Sue) Wellford, San Antonio, Texas, Mrs. Dennis (Sarah) Ryder and Mrs. Roger ( Sherrill) Suiter, both of Charlotte, N.C.; one sister, Mrs. Otho (Hallie) Knighton, Sterling; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at the graveside Monday at 11 a.m. in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Covington, with the Rev. John Bennett officiating. A memorial service will be conducted Monday at 3 p.m. in First United Methodist Church, Salem, with the Rev. John Bennett officiating, assisted by the Rev. John Alexander. The family will receive friends Monday at 10 a.m. at Loving Funeral Home, Covington, prior to the service.

LITTLETON, Emily Campbell, 85, of Covington, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995. Graveside service 2 p.m. Friday in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home.

McGREGOR, George Arthur, 58, of Covington, died Thursday, March 16, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday in the Loving Funeral Home Chapel.

FRIES, Elsie Mae, 91, of Salem and formerly of Lexington, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995. She is survived by a niece and her husband, Jane F. and Steven L. Peery, Roanoke; a nephew and his wife, Jay R. and Annette Rooney Fries, Baltimore, Md.; five great-nieces, and great-nephews, Christopher Steven Peery, Shannon Marie Peery, Michael Scott Peery, Anja Catherine Fries and George Rooney Fries. A graveside service will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday, March 20, 1995 at Springwood Baptist Church Cemetery, Botetourt County. The Rev. Harold E. Cook will officiate. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel.

SPEIGHT, Milton Gregory, 61, of Roanoke, died Thursday, March 16, 1995, in Lewis Gale Hospital, Salem. He was a member of Virginia Heights Lodge, the Roanoke Scottish Rite, the Kazim Shrine Temple, the Roanoke Valley Shrine Club, the Clifton Forge Shrine Club, the Legion of Honor, and the Kazim Temple Klown Unit, where he served as director in 1989. He served as Chief Aide of Kazim Temple from 1993 until the present. He was an honorary fireman for the City of Virginia Beach and was a charter member of the Brunswick Rescue Squad. Surviving are his devoted and loving wife, Janet F. Speight; daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Joey Doyle and their sons, Jock and Payton; daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Larry Hylton and their children, Matthew and Beth-Anne; one son, M. Gregory Speight Jr.; one brother, William M. Speight; three sisters, Frances S. Downes, Shirley S. Fischl, Marguerite S. Sell. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 18, 1995, at Oakey's North Chapel, with the Rev. George M. Pearson Jr. officiating. Burial with Masonic rites will be conducted by the Virginia Heights Masonic Lodge in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. The family suggest memorials, in lieu of flowers, be made to the Shriner's Hospital's for Crippled Children, Greenville Unit, c/o Kazim Temple, 628 Campbell Ave., Roanoke, VA 24016. The family will receive friends at Oakey's North Chapel from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.

YOPP, Harold David 49, of Roanoke County, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 1995. He is survived by his wife, Martha P. Yopp; daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Wes Bishop, Salem; son and daughter-in-law, David and Sharon Yopp, Riner; grandchildren, Amanda Bishop, Peggy Snydor; mother, Garnet C. Wagner, Roanoke; brothers, Walter Wade Yopp Jr., Vinton, Daren Yopp, Roanoke, Doug Yopp, Salem, Steve Yopp, Roanoke; sisters, Martha Cole, Ohio, Phyllis Hodge, Roanoke, Carol Hodge, Roanoke, Donna McDaniel, Craigville. Funeral services will be held 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 1995, at the John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home Chapel, Salem. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. Family will receive friends 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, at the funeral home.

HOGE, Georgie Hamilton 85, of Bland, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, at the Newberry Funeral Home Chapel, Bland.

LEFTWICH, Roy Jacob, 78, of Bastian, died Thursday, March 16, 1995, at his residence. He was preceded in death by his parents, John David Leftwich and Leonn Reynolds; and his wife, Helen Bruce Leftwich. He was a retired guard at the Bland Correctional Center. He is survived by one daughter, Valerie Leftwich of Bastian; two sons, Jay Leftwich of Bastian, David Leftwich of Hillsville; three grandchildren; two sisters, Emma Edwards and Lula Combs, both of Cana, Va.; one brother, Arnold Leftwich of Cana. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 1995, at the Bastian Union Church, with the Rev. Ralph Kidd and the Rev. David Wall officiating. Interment will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Bastian. The family suggests that those who prefer may make memorial donations to the Bland County Rescue Squad or the Wythe/Bland Hospice. Newberry Funeral Home, Bland, is in charge of the arrangements.

CORRELL, Beulah Boothe, 85, of Christiansburg, died Wednesday night, March 15, 1995, at Snyder Nursing Home in Salem. She is survived by two daughters, Jeanette Mountjoy, Middleburg, N.C., and Coleen Bane and husband, Howard Bane Jr.; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Correll, Savannah, Ga.; grandchildren and their families, Trey Bane and wife, Amal, Marietta, Ga., Amy West and husband, David and children, Caroline and Kathleen, Savannah, Ga., Connie Bane Walters and husband, Eric and daughter, Rachel, Charlotte, N.C., Lee Mountjoy, Blacksburg, Craig Mountjoy, Blacksburg and children, Sally, Zach, Ryan and Nelson, St. Paul, N.C. , John Correll, Cayce, S.C.; one brother, Ernest Boothe, Pilot. Mrs. Correll was a member of Alleghany Church of Christ. She served as a nurse at New Altamons Hospital for several years. Funeral services will be conducted by Mr. Porter Riner and Mr. Monroe Hedrick at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 19, 1995, at Alleghany Church of Christ, 2095 N. Franklin St., Christiansburg. Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg. The family requests that any donations made in lieu of flowers be made to: Eagle's Nest Campus Ministry, P.O. Box 2872, Radford, VA 24143. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

DUNCAN, Mabel East, 80, of Radford, died Thursday, March 16, 1995, in a Pulaski hospital. She is survived by two sons, Frankie Duncan, Radford, Archie Duncan, of North Carolina; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg, with burial in Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. Friends may call at the funeral home from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, where the family will receive friends. There will be no night visitation.

ELMORE, Vinnie Correll 90, of Christiansburg, died Thursday, March 16, 1995. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne Funeral Home.

THOMAS, Grace Lee Nesselrodt, 98, of Radford, died Tuesday, March 14, 1995 at Morris Memorial Nursing Home. She lived in Radford, Va. from 1928 until November 1994 when she moved to West Virginia to be closer to her son Robert L. Thomas of Huntington, W. Va. Mrs. Thomas was the daughter of the late Lorenzo and Josephine Kelly Nesselrodt. She was born in Shenandoah County, Va., November 3, 1896. She attended Bridgewater College and married Minor Wine Thomas on March 8, 1916. The Thomases moved to Radford in 1928 when Dr. Thomas took a position teaching at Radford College. After Dr. Thomas's death in 1966, Mrs. Thomas continued to reside at their home, Nesselrodt-on-New. Mrs. Thomas founded the first Girl Scout troop in the Radford area in 1931. She remained active in Scouting for many years. When asked about the most worthwhile activities of her life, she mentioned the Girl Scouts first. A member of Grace Episcopal Church in Radford since 1928, Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Women's Auxiliary and served as Chairman of the Alter Guild for eight years. An ardent gardener and horticulturist, she belonged to the Radford Garden Club for forty years. During that time she won dozens of ribbons and awards for her flower arranging and work in horticulture. She was awarded Life Membership in the Club for her many contributions. Cake baking and decorating, which began as one of Mrs. Thomas hobbies evolved into a full-time business out of her home. Her artistry was recognized throughout the area, and she continued baking professionally until she was well into her nineties. During that time she made hundreds of wedding cakes for brides from Bristol to Alexandria. Mrs. Thomas is survived by one of her sons, The Reverend Robert L. Thomas, of Huntington, W. Va.; her companion of 60 years, Edith Kathleen Saul; nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and four great great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Minor Wine Thomas Jr., and her daughter Bettie Josephine Thomas Wells. A funeral service will be held for Mrs. Thomas at Grace Episcopal Church in Radford, Saturday, March 18, 1995 at 2 p.m. Visiting will be from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the church. The burial will be at Sunrise Burial Park, immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers the family request memorials to Minor Wine Thomas Memory Garden at Grace Episcopal Church or Alzheimers Association, 919 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60611. Arrangements by Seaver, Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home, Radford.

THOMAS, Grace Lee Nesselrodt, 98, of Milton, W.Va., died Tuesday, March 14, 1995, at Morris Memorial Nursing Home. She lived in Radford from 1928 until November 1994, when she moved to W. Va. to be closer to her son, Robert L. Thomas of Huntington, W.Va. Mrs. Thomas was the daughter of the late Lorenzo and Josephine Kelly Nesselrodt. She was born in Shenandoah County, November 3, 1896. She attended Bridgewater College and married Minor Wine Thomas on March 8, 1916. The Thomases moved to Radford in 1928 when Dr. Thomas took a position teaching at Radford College. After Dr. Thomas' death in 1966, Mrs. Thomas continued to reside at their home Nesselrodt-on-the-New. Mrs. Thomas founded the first Girl Scout troop in the Radford area in 1931. She remained active in Scouting for many years. When asked about the most worthwhile activities of her life, she mentioned the Girl Scouts first. A member of Grace Episcopal Church in Radford since 1928, Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Women's Auxiliary and served as Chairman of the Alter Guild for eight years. An ardent gardener and horticulturist, she belonged to the Radford Garden Club for forty years. During that time she won dozens of ribbons and awards for her flower arranging and work in horticulture. She was awarded Life Membership in the Club for her many contributions. Cake baking and decorating, which began as one of Mrs. Thomas hobbies evolved into a full-time business out of her home. Her artistry was recognized throughout the area, and she continued baking professionally until she was w ell into her nineties. During that time she made hundreds of wedding cakes for brides from Bristol to Alexandria. Mrs. Thomas is survived by one of her sons, The Rev. Robert L. Thomas of Huntington, W.Va.; Edith Kathleen Saul, her companion of 60 years; and by nine grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Minor Wine Thomas Jr., and her daughter, Bettie Josephine Thomas Wells. A funeral service will be held for Mrs. Thomas at Grace Episcopal Church in Radford, Saturday, March 18, 1995 at 2 p.m. Visiting will be from 12 until 2 p.m. at the church. The burial will be at Sunrise Burial Park immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to Minor Wine Thomas Memory Garden at Grace Episcopal Church or Alzheimers Association, 919 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611.

PRESTON, Thomas M., (``T.M.""), 40, of Christiansburg, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995. He is survived by one daughter, Katherine (Katie) M. Preston of Radford; one son, Kevin J. Preston, of Radford; one sister, Mary Preston-Alley of Dublin; one brother, Jack G. Preston of Rockbridge Baths. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 18, 1995, at 11 a.m. at the Dublin United Methodist Church with the Rev. Richard Patterson and The Rev. Joe Burton officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 until 9 at Dublin United Methodist Church in Dublin. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

BENTLEY, Nancy Moore, 80, of Pulaski, died Wednesday, March 15, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday, Stevens Funeral Chapel.

PINKARD, Ellen Clark, 67, of Martinsville, died Thursday, March 16, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel, Ridgeway, Va.

ARTHUR, Sam Washington, 84, of Moneta, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 1995, in Friendship Manor. He was born February 22, 1911, in Bedford County, a son of the late Jesse Thomas Arthur and Hyatt Victoria Ashwell Arthur. He was a retired carpenter and was a member of the Palestine Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Forlines Arthur; two daughters and son-in-law, Mary A. Pagans, Salem, Eve A. and Jerry Goode, Huddleston; a son and daughter-in-law, Jesse B. and Maurleen Arthur, Huddleston; two sisters, Burnice Pagans, Moneta; Lillian West, Lynch Station; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 17, 1995 at 2:30 p.m. from the Updike Funeral Chapel, Huddleston, by the Rev. Christopher Fowler. Interment will follow in the Palestine Church Cemetery.

WALTERS, Edna Bennington, 88, of Roanoke, died Thursday, March 16, 1995. She was the widow of the late Hubert Marvin Walters. She is survived by her only daughter, Pat Stultz, Norfolk; two granddaughters; four great-grandsons; two great-granddaughters; one great-great-grandson; two sisters, Mrs. Pauline DeHart and Mrs. Hazel Jones, both of Roanoke; one niece and newphew. Graveside services will be conducted 10 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 1995, in Evergreen Burial Park.

MURPHY, Ida Faries, 97, of Charlotte, N.C., died Thursday, March 16, 1995, in her home. She is survived by four children; and many grandchildren; one sister and husband, Frances F. Wright Dove and Leslie G. Dove, Roanoke. Arrangements are being handled by McEwen Funeral Home, Morehead Street, Charlotte, N.C.