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

DATE: SATURDAY, October 28, 1995                   TAG: 9510300099
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

OBIT

AYERS, Alvin Arnold, 81, of Hillsville, passed away Friday, October 27,1995. Funeral 1 p.m. Sunday at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, Hillsville.

BARGER, Fred M., 78, of Willow Grove, Penn., died Tuesday, October 17, 1995. He is survived by his devoted wife, Malen Dudley Barger, of Willow Grove, Penn.; a daughter, Rebecca Barger, Philadelphia, Penn.; son, Neil Barger, Willow Grove, Penn.; sister, Evelyn Matthews, Mechanicsville, Va.; two brothers, Homer E. Barger, Martinsville and Edward L. Barger, of Roanoke Graveside service will be held at Fairview Cemetery, Buchanan, Va. on Saturday, November 4, 1995 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Fairview Cemetery Memorial Fund, P.O.Box 553, Buchanan, Va. or the Warminster Presbyterian Church, 500 Madison Avenue, Warminister, Penn. 18974. The Decker Funeral Home, Warminster, Penn. is in charge of arrangements.

BOWERS, Virginia Mae, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 26, 1995. Surviving are her sister, Mary Bowers Girdon; a brother and sister-in-law, Robert William and Joan Capps Bowers; a niece and her husband, Cynthia Bowers and Jimmy M. Fralin and their daughter a great niece, Jessica Leigh Fralin; a nephew and his wife, Robert William II and Rhonda Flowers Bowers; and several cousins. She was a retired resident manager of Bowers Holiday Village. She faithfully & lovingly cared for her mother, Carrie McCoy Bowers, until her death. Also she was the sole caretaker of her brother, John Thomas Bowers Jr., whom she loved dearly and was dependent upon her special care. She was educated at Kennet Business College. The family will receive friends Saturday and Sunday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, October 30, 1995, at Oakey's North Chapel, with Pastor Philip Mark Crandall officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park.

BRYANT, Hugh Douglas, 68, of Rt. 1, Henry, died Friday, October 27, 1995. Private graveside services will be held. The family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of Franklin County, 124 Floyd Avenue, Rocky Mount, Va. 24151. Friends may call after 2 pm Saturday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 342 S. Main St., Rocky Mount.

COLLLINS, Roy Clinton 87, of Salem, died Thursday, October 26, 1995. He was retired from the N&W Railroad. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ella Taliaferro Collins. He is survived by two daughters and son-in-law, Ella C. (Coozie) and James C. (Pete) MtCassell, Dorothy L. Collins, all of Salem; two sons, Walter Clinton Collins, Corpus Christi, Texas, Silas Daniel Collins, Lakewood, Calif.; two granddaughters; two grandsons; two great-grandsons; three great-granddaughters. Graveside services will be held Monday, October 30, 1995 at 2 p.m. at the MtCassell Cemetery in Roanoke County, with the Rev. Willie Yates officiating. Friends may call at Lotz Salem Chapel after 7 p.m. Saturday.

CONNER, Loys Rayburn, 78, of Salem, died Thursday, October 26, 1995. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary B. Conner, Salem; two daughters, Mrs. Linda Gail Duncan, Radford, Ms. Geneva DiDanato, Salem; two sons, Robert Van Dowdy, Christiansburg, Leonard James Dowdy, Pulaski; three sisters, Madalene Cousin, Floristene Blankenship, Evadene Dockery, all of Salem; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Marie Conner, Salem; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Graveside service at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 1995, at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Grant E. Bryant Funeral Home, Elliston.

GRAY, Lawrence Freeburn, of Moneta, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus after a courageous battle with cancer, Thursday, October 26, 1995. Mr. Gray was born on April 17, 1923 in Blue Ridge, the son of the late Dewey H. and Effie Hall Gray. He was preceded in death by a brother, Welton E. Gray and two grandchildren, Melissa Dawn Pagans and Eric Scott Lee. Mr. Gray was a retired quarry foreman and terminal manager for the Lone Star Cement Corp. He was a member of Burnt Chimney United Methodist Church, Boone Masonic Lodge No. 247 where he was a past Worshipful Master and a member of the Woodmen of the World for 57 years. Surviving is his loving and devoted wife with whom he celebrated his 49th wedding anniversary in May, Lena B. Gray; two daughters and son-in-law, Janet G. and Wayne Pagans, Wirtz, Freda G. Ramey, Moneta; four grandchildren, Karen P. and husband John K. Guffey, Radford, Stacey Pagens, Wirtz, Lawrence Alan Ramey and Amber Ramey, Moneta; three great-grandsons, Keifer Scott Lee, Bedford, Thomas Bailey Guffey, Radford and Justin Dwayne Lee, Roanoke; also surviving are four brothers and sisters-in-law, Dewey H. Gray Jr. and wife Ingrid, Troutville, Irvin Gray and wife Kathleen, Elliston, John Gray and wife Mary, Wirtz, Charles Gray and wife Barbara, Boston, Mass.; two sisters and brother-in-law, Oneil G. Graybill and husband E. B., Thaxton, Phyllis G. Hawley, Moneta; life-long friends, Calvin and Marie Hamblin Sr., Moneta and Clyde E. Harris, Yancey, Texas; he is also survived by many nieces, nephews and many friends and neighbors. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel at 1 p.m. Monday, October 30, 1995 with the Rev. Luther Ramsey, the Rev. Calvin Hamblin Jr. and the Rev. DeRoy Campbell officiating. Masonic services will be conducted at the chapel by Boone Lodge No. 247 A.F.&A.M. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorials be made to the Burnt Chimney United Methodist Church Organ Fund and the Hospice of Franklin County. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

HAIRSTON, Elder Firdan Soldier, 76, of Rt. 1, Axton, died Tuesday, October 24, 1995, in Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. He was born September 29, 1919, in Henry County. He was the son of the late Vance Hairston and the late Eva Millner Hairston. He was retired as a Security Officer from Martinsville Novelty Furniture Company. He was a member of New Fall Creek Primitive Baptist Church and a pastor of Black Knob Primitive Baptist Church. He was married to the late Lizzie Moore Waller Hairston. He is survived by five daughters, Mary L. Hairston of the home, Tammy D. Hairston of Axton, Karen R. Hairston of Bassett, Vanessa Hairston of Roanoke, Joan Jones of Italy; three sons, John F. Hairston, Curtis B. Hairston, both of Stuart, Edward L. Hairston of Wilmington, N.C.; three brothers, Henry B. Hairston of Axton, Tracy Hairston of Danville, Glennie Hairston of Los Angelos, Calif.; three sisters, Helen Fountain, Clara Fountain, Effie Martin, all of Axton; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Funeral will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at New Fall Creek Primitive Baptist Church with the Elder Russell Redd officiating with burial following in Hairston Family Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the church and other times of the home of a granddaughter in the Axton Trailer Park. Arrangements by Stanfield-Miller Funeral Home.

HINE, Robert Henry, Sr., 85, of Bedford, died Thursday, October 26, 1995. Graveside service Monday, Fern Hill Cemetery, Stuart, Fla. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home

HODGE, Roscoe Junior, 58, of Elk Creek, passed away Thursday, October 26, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Reins-Sturdivant Chapel, Independence.

HOPCROFT, William Theodore, 73, of Radford, passed away Friday, October 27, 1995. Arrangements by Seaver, Sanders & Mullins Funeral Home.

JONES, Edward Clifton Sr., 90, of Clifton Forge, died Friday, October 27,1995. Graveside service 2 p.m. Sunday in the Crown Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Nicely Funeral Home.

LANDERKIN, Bessie S., 98, of Salem, died Friday, October 27, 1995 in a local nursing home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Lee Landerkin. She is survived by a son, John William Landerkin; a sister, Jessie Smith; several nieces and nephews also survive. A graveside service will be held Sunday in the West View Cemetery in Blacksburg. The family will receive friends at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m.

LARGE, Ethel Parks, 90, of Marion, died Thursday, October 26, 1995. Funeral services Sunday, October 29, 1995 at 2 p.m. in Barnett's Funeral Chapel.

LAWSON, Ronald Wayne Sr., 44, of Martinsville, died Friday, October 27, 1995. Graveside service 11 a.m. Monday, Roselawn Burial Park. Arrangements by Roselawn Funeral Home

LEONARDI, Leanne Angela, 5 1/2 months, of Blacksburg, died Thursday, October 19, 1995 at Duke University. She is survived by her parents, Bill and Patty; and both maternal and paternal grandparents. A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 29, 1995 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Blacksburg, followed by a gathering in the church's lower level. In lieu of flowers, contributions are requested to ``Markert Lab Fund - DUMC"" to further research in thymic transplants. Please bring contributions to the memorial service.

LEWIS, Forrest Y. of Martinsville, died Thursday, October 26, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, 1995 at Tomlinson Funeral Home Chapel, Ridgeway.

MILLER, Guy Everett, 66, of Barren Springs, died Wednesday, October 25, 1995 in Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He was born November 3, 1929, son of James McKinley Miller and Josie Allison Miller. He was an employee of the State Highway Department. He was preceded in death by a brother, Arthur J. Miller. He is survived by three brothers, Bruce H. Miller, Detroit, Mich., Thomas R. Miller, Pulaski, David F. Miller, Detroit, Mich.; three sisters, Maxine M. Dorsey, Lear Miller, Stella M. Robinson, all of Detroit, Mich.; a number of nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, October 30, at Claytor-Dean Funeral Home, Radford, conducted by the Rev. Leslie Dean. Burial will follow in the Miller Family Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, October 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. Claytor-Dean Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MOOCK Paul 77, of Roanoke County passed away Thursday, October 26, 1995. Paul was a retired carpenter from J.H. Fralin & Son contractors. Surviving are his wife Millie Gerterdue Moock; his brothers Calvin Moock and Harry Moock both of Roanoke; his sisters Minnie Hoover of Roanoke, Madel Otrin of Westbrook Connecticut, Dorothy Harris of Edgewater Florida, Alma Carlan of Woodbridge Va. and Bernice Jones of Richmond. Also several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at Oakey's Vinton Chapel Sunday, October 29, 2:30PM with Pastor Wilmar Wegner officiating. Intermet in Bandy Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 P.M. at Oakeys Vinton Chapel.

SECRIST, Eddie N., 47, of Roanoke, passed away Thursday, October 26, 1995. Funeral 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oakey's North Chapel.

SIMMS, Phillip Douglas, 46, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, October 25, 1995. He was preceded in death by his mother, Violet Price Simms. Survivors include his father, John Henry Simms; one son, Jarrod Boyd; a stepson, Christopher Boyd; two sisters, Delores P. Simms and Cynthia Gail Simms; one nephew, Wayne Bagley; two aunts, Juanita S. Mosey and Danice Sims Hunt; a host of nieces and cousins; and a special friend, Daphne Boyd. Funeral services will be held Saturday, 11 a.m., at the Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home. Dr. J. Eugene Young will officiate with the interment in Williams Memorial Park.

TICKLE, William Albert, (``Buddy""), 69, of Augusta, W.Va., and formerly of Parrott, passed away Thursday, October 26, 1995, at his residence. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Surviving are his wife, Earline Tickle; four sisters, Grace Harless, Elliston, Mary Lee Likens, Radford, Virginia Helms, Elliston, Myrtle Snook, Casanova, Mich.; one half brother, Jesse Hall, Salem; numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements pending in Augusta, W.Va.

TOLLEY, Lewis M., 68, of Roanoke, died Friday, October 27, 1995. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, spending most of his time in the Pacific. Mr. Tolley was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Wendell; a son, Danny Tolley; and his beloved wife, Dorothy Ann Bradshaw Tolley. He was a member of Connelly Memorial Baptist Church and a retired employee of Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. He was a dedicated husband and father and will be sadly missed by his daughters and grandchildren. Surviving are his daughters and sons-in-law, Betty and Curtis Alphin, Midlothian, Jackie and Holley Halterman, Roanoke, Joanne Tolley Cooke, Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Scott Alphin, William Jason Morgan, Natashia Nicole Morgan; sister, Pauline E. Thomas, Roanoke. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Monday at Oakey's North Chapel by the Rev. G. William Foster. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Oakey's North Chapel.

WAGNER, Marga Roth, 68, of Vinton, died Friday, October 27,1995 after a long illness. She was a member of the Waverly Place Baptist Church. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Diane Wagner; granddaughter, Elizabeth Austin Wagner, all of Vinton; brother and sister-in-law, Walter and Maria Roth, West Germany; her former husband, Gunther O. Wagner, Miami, Fla. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's Vinton Chapel at 3 p.m. Monday, October 30, 1995, with the Rev. Charles Hoffler and the Rev. William E. Hungate officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a favorite charity. Friends may call at Oakey's Vinton Chapel Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to p.m.

WHITMER Thomas E. Jr. 74, of Vinton died Thursday, October 26,1995. Funeral 11AM Saturday at Vinton Baptist Church. Arrangements by Oakey's Vinton Chapel.

YOUNGER, Dewey David, 70, of Sandy Level, died Friday, October 27, 1995. Funeral 2 p.m. Sunday, Colbert-Moran Funeral Home Chapel, Gretna.