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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 26, 1995                   TAG: 9507260072
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

BAIRD, Teneva Scott of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, July 25, 1995. She was a member of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church and was retired cashier from Hotel Roanoke. Surviving are her brothers and sister-in-law, James W. and Lucille Baird, Salem, William M. Baird, Roanoke; her sister and brother-in-law, Virginia B. and Robert I. Price Jr., Roanoke; also several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held in Sherwood Memorial Park Thursday, July 27, 1995, 1 p.m. with the Rev. Walter M. Lockett Jr. officiating. Friends may call at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

BARKER, William Woodrow, 76, of South Main Street, Blacksburg, died Tuesday morning, July 24, 1995, at Montgomery Regional Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Reba Epperly Barker; two daughters and a son-in-law, Sharon Barker of Blacksburg, Teresa and Mark Sowers of Floyd; a brother, Mason Barker, Childress; a sister, Irene Salmon of Blacksburg. The funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday from the North Fork Baptist Church in Ellett, conducted by the Rev. Olen Gardner, with burial in the North Fork Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions be made to the Blacksburg Rescue Squad, Progress St., Blacksburg, Va. 24060. Friends may call anytime Wednesday and also on Thursday morning at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg. The family will receive friends at Richardson-Horne on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

BEAMER, Mary Overton Smith, 85, of 112 - 11th St., Pulaski, died Monday, July 24, 1995, at her home. She was born in Pulaski on October 25, 1909, and was the daughter of the late Lewis Smith and Eva Howard Smith. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Pul aski. She helped organize Cub Scouting in Pulaski and was the first Den Mother. She was past president of the Women's Society of Christian Service, the Pulaski Girl Scout Council, the Pulaski Co. T.B. Association, the Child Study Club, the Book Review Club, the Embroidery Club, and the Salvation Army Auxiliary where she organized Associate Memberships. She was past member of the Chamber of Commerce, in charge of setting up the polio clinics in the county, and past member of the Community Fund. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Lee Beamer. Surviving are daughter, Elizabeth Beamer, Pulaski; foster daughter, Mary Lee Henry, Harrisonburg; two sons, Dr. Robert Beamer, Columbia, S.C., Harold Beamer Jr., Oakridge, Ore.; one brother, Conway Smith, Chesterfield, Mo.; four grandchildren, three foster grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held Thursday morning in Oakwood Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Stevens Funeral Chapel with Rev. Norman Wilhoit and Dr. Otis McClung officiating. The family will receive friends after the service at Stevens Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 229, Pulaski, VA 24301, or to the New River Valley Hospice, Inc., 111 West Main St., Christiansburg, VA 24073. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Inc., Pulaski.

BOWYER, Emma Irene Ward, 79, of Route 1, Montvale, died Monday, July 24, 1995 in a Roanoke nursing home. She was born in North Dakota on May 7, 1916, a daughter of the late Harvey Preston Ward and Lillian McPeak Ward. She was preceded in death by her husband Vernon Arthur ``Albert"" Bowyer and one brother, Joseph D. Ward Jr. Mrs. Bowyer was a member of Montvale Presbyterian Church. She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Arthur P. ``Buddy"" Bowyer, Montvale, Ricky L. and Tammy Bowyer, Blue Ridge; one daughter and son-in-law, Gala B. and Buck Ellis, Montvale; one brother, Robert L. Ward, Goodview; six grandchildren, Steven and Betty Bowyer, Roanoke, Pam Ertel, Roanoke, Justin Bowyer, Buchanan, Matthew Bowyer, Montvale, Lindsey Bowyer, Montvale, Michael Bowyer, Winchester; two great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 1995 at Montvale Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dewey V. Page and Rev. Billy Leonard officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Carder-Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

BRACKENS, Richard Joseph, 68, of Wytheville, died Monday, July 24, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday, West End Cemetery, Wytheville. Arrangements by Barnett Funeral Home.

CHATTIN, Lewis Griffin, 68, of Goodview, went to be with the Lord after a long battle with Cancer on Saturday, July 22, 1995. He is survived by his wife, Rachel D. Chattin; sons, Robert Chattin, Goodview, Michael Chattin, Elliston; daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn Jennings, Vinton, Joy and James Hannabass, Moneta, Nancy and Roger Jones, Princeton, W.Va.; grandchildren, Michael, Kimberly, and Kristi Jennings, Shannon Hannabass, Christopher and Jessica Chattin, Ashley Chattin, Matthew and Trevor Jones; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Edna Chattin, Goodview; sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Phillip Hunt, Roanoke; special friends, Andy Shandor, David Easterling, and Howard Dickerson. Funeral services was conducted at 12 noon Tuesday, July 25, 1995, at Goodview Baptist Church, with the Rev. Joey Phillips and the Re v. Doby Salmons officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Moneta, Chamblissburg/Stewartsville Rescue Squad. Arrangements are being handled by Lotz Funeral Home Vinton.

CROSS, Floy Alice Hull, 96, of Jamestown, Tenn., died Saturday, July 22, 1995. She is survived by her sons, Carl S. Cross, Roanoke, Cecil John Cross, Chattanooga, Tenn.; stepson, Roy Cross, Nashville, Tenn. Arrangements were handled by Mundy Funeral Home, Jamestown, Tenn.

FREEMAN, Ruth Lee Cox, 67, of Austinville, died Tuesday, July 25, 1995. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday, Barnett Funeral Chapel, Wytheville.

GRANT, Roy T., 50, of Eden, N.C., died Monday, July 24, 1995. Funeral 7 p.m. Wednesday, Tomlinson Funeral Home, Ridgeway, Va.

HALL, Eleanor Shumate, 62, of Rural Retreat, died Monday, July 24, 1995, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. Albert J. Shumate of Rural Retreat. A graduate of Marion and Roanoke Colleges, she was a lifelong educator who taught elementary school for 28 years with the Wythe County schools. She was a dedicated member of the Grace Lutheran Church, devoting countless hours to the activities and functions of the church. Additionally, she was very active in the McDowell Music and Rural Retreat Women's Clubs. She is survived by her husband, John F. Hall; sons and daughter-in-law, Willie and Barbara Hall, David Hall; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Doug Matney, Jennifer and George Reasor; grandsons, Nathan and Brian Matney, Luke and Eric Reasor, Jordan Hall; brother and sister-in-law, Dallas and Margaret Shumate; nephews, Bradley and John Shumate, all of Rural Retreat. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, July 27, 1995, at the Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry M. Bollinger officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery in Rural Retreat. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church organ fund. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Lindsey Funeral Home, or at the residence at any time. Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, is in charge of arrangements.

HAMM, Carrie J., 82, of Marion, died Monday, July 24, 1995. Graveside 11 a.m. Thursday, Mountain View Cemetery, Chilhowie, Va. Arrangements by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service.

HANKINS, Reese Otis, 90, of Roanoke, died Monday, July 24, 1995. He was a graduate of the National Business College, and was a Charter Member of the West Hampton Christian Church. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Port Charlotte, Fla. He is survived by his son, Warren M. Hankins, Evansville, Ind.; brother, Edward Hankins, Cedar Bluff; sisters, Aulena Stafford, Narrows, Ocie Price, Roanoke, and Lula Mae Waddell, North Tazewell; grandchildren, Dr. Kimberly Shortt, Grand Rapids, Mich., and Dr. Warren Tracy Hankins, Grand Rapids, Mich., Corinda Hankins, Evansville, Launa Hankins, Evansville; great-grandson, A.J. Shortt. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday at the Lotz Roanoke Chapel by Dr. Paul Matheny and Rev. Walter Bingham Jr., with burial 11 a.m. Friday at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Bluefield, Va. Friends may call from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Lotz, Roanoke Chapel or 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Dudley Funeral Home, Bluefield, Va.

JENNINGS, Susan Frasier Lunsford, (``Sue""), 77, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, July 25, 1995. Funeral 10 a.m. Friday, St. John's Episcopal Church. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

JOHNSON, David Allen, 49, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, July 25, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

LANDIS, Beryl Curry, 90, of Covington, died Tuesday, July 25, 1995. Arrangements by Loving Funeral Home.

LITTLETON, Ethel Hodges, 87, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, July 25, 1995. She was the widow of Alexander Paul Littleton. Surviving is her daughters and sons-in-law, Wanda L. and Gordon S. Hamilton of Roanoke, Lillian L. and Theodore F. Blackwelder of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two granddaughters, Melissa Turi, Laura Blackwelder, both of Scottsdale, Ariz.; several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 1995, in Evergreen Burial Park. The Rev. Roy S. Whitescarver will officiate. Friends may call at Oakey's South Chapel after 3 p.m. Wednesday where the family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m.

LONG, Melvin Randolph, 67, of Salem, died Monday, July 24, 1995 in the Salem Veterans Hospital. He had retired as a Stone Cutter with Marsteller Corp. where he had worked for over 20 years. He was an Army Korean Veteran. Survivors include his wife, Ramona Hill Long; a son and daughter-in-law, Curtis R. and Dianne L. Long of Salem; two granddaughters, Nicole A. Long and Crystal G. Caudill both of Salem; two sisters, Betty Rose of Martinsville and Barbara Craighead of Salem. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Wednesday at the John M. Oakey & Son Chapel, Salem, with the Rev. Keith Johnston and Rev. Michael L. Slaughter officating. Burial will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday at the funeral home from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The family would like to thank the Salem Veterans Hospital and Dr. Thomas Eldridge and his medical staff and the two dedicated ICU nurses that helped our family through this difficult time along with a very special friend Dr. Neil Musselman. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salem Rescue Squad.

McKEE, Judith B., 45, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, July 25, 1995. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel.

NANCE, Lee Edward, 66, of Roanoke, passed away Tuesday, July 25, 1995. Arrangements by Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home.

OSLER, Klaher Owen, 70, of Lynchburg, died Sunday, July 23, 1995. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Ann Oliver Osler; children, John T. Osler, Woodbridge, Edward I. and Nancy Osler, Lynchburg, Dixie and Robert Conrad, Stafford, Claire and Ronald Rao, Colonial Beach; sister and brother-in-law, Louise and Kenneth Barton Sr.; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 12 noon Thursday at the Lotz Roanoke Chapel by the Rev. Carter Sloan with burial in Fairview Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Lotz Roanoke Chapel.

PATCH, Jillian Ryan, 9 year old daughter of John and Cathy Patch, of Rural Retreat, died Saturday, July 22, 1995. Funeral 1:30 p.m. Friday, Rural Retreat United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Lindsey Funeral Home.

SWEITZER, Carlton Laverne, (``Corkey""), 66, of Penhook, passed away Monday, July 24, 1995. Funeral 1 p.m. Thursday, Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Arrangements by Arrington Bussey Funeral Home, Rocky Mount.

VARSANO, Robert Allan, 41, of Stewartsville, died Monday, June 24, 1995, after a long illness. Surviving are his mother, Daisy DeBlasio; his father, Sam Varsano; brothers, Ronald and Steven Varsano; sister, Michelle Cabrera. He was born a Leviticus Jew and lived his life a born again Christian. He touched many lives and will be missed by all. Interment will be in Marietta, Ga. Memorial services will be held on August 6, 1995, at 2 p.m. at Faith Life Baptist Church, Montvale.

VAUGHT, Edward Lee, 81, of Rural Retreat, died Monday, July 24, 1995 in the Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion. He was born in Wythe County, the son of the late George and Mazie Ann Horne Vaught. He was a native of Rural Retreat all his life and a member of the Grace Lutheran Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ila Hall Vaught. He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Howard Heffelfinger, Huntsville, Ala.; one brother, Fred Vaught, Rural Retreat; three granddaughters, Laura Heffelfinger, Amanda Heffelfinger, and Amy Heffelfinger. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 28, 1995, at the Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry M. Bollinger officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery in Rural Retreat. Flowers will be appreciated or memorials may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Lindsey Funeral Home, or at the residence at any time. Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, is in charge of arrangements.

WERTZ, Jack Brown, 72, of Temple Hills, Md., died Sunday, July 23, 1995, in the Southern Maryland Hospital. He was born in Roanoke, Va., on February 22, 1923, the son of the late Larry H. and Elizabeth Brown Wertz . Surviving include his wife, Juanita Wertz; children, Susan Grammer and Larry Wertz; grandchildren, Ryan and Lauren Grammer. The burial will take place in Lakemont Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Davidsonville, Md. Contributions may be made in his memory to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Lee Funeral Home, Clinton, Md.

WILSON, Hazel Smith, 87, of Vinton, died Sunday, July 23, 1995, in Kansas City, Mo. She was a long time member of Belmont Christian Church and was formerly employed by Puritan Mills of Roanoke. She was preceded in death by four sisters, Nomina Lucado, Oletta Deyerle, Myrtle Webb and Georgia Rader and a brother, Haymon Smith. Surviving are her husband, William Morton Wilson; a son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Frankie R. Wilson, Kansas City, Mo.; a sister, Willie Cundiff, Roanoke; a brother, Alburn Smith, Vinton; 12 nieces; four nephews. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 1995, with the Rev. Michael W. Barnes officiating. Burial will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. The family suggest in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Belmont Christian Church, 1101 Jamison Avenue, Roanoke, Va. 24013. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.