ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 24, 1995 TAG: 9512270119
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
Amanda Jean Taylor and James William Copenhaver were married Dec. 16, 1995 in First Baptist Church, Radford by Rev. Joe Burton. The reception was held at the Norwood Room. Matron of honor was Cathy Begley, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Elizabeth Moore, cousin of the bride and Cara Copenhaver, sister of the groom. Flowergirl was Karaneese Payne, friend of the bride. Best man was William B. Copenhaver Jr., father of the groom. Ushers were Charles Begley, brother-in-law of the bride, Jay James, cousin of the groom, John Shumate and Greg Boling, friends of the groom. Ringbearer was Justin Begley, nephew of the bride. Candlelighters were John Shumate and Greg Boling. The guestbook was attended by Stephanie Winder. The bride wore a silk brocade gown with cathedral train. She carried a cascade bouquet of all white gardenias, roses, stephanotis and ivy.
The bride is a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Taylor of Radford. She is a graduate of Radford High School and attends Radford University. The bridegroom, son of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Copenhaver Jr. of Salem, is a graduate of Radford High School in Radford and NRCC in Dublin. He is employed by ITTI Gallium Arsenide Technology Center. The newlyweds will live in Salem after the wedding trip to the Caribbean. Craft-Neuhs
Sandra Kay Neuhs and Carl Edward Craft were united in marriage, Saturday, December 23, 1995 in a double ring ceremony at Mill Creek Baptist Church, Fincastle, Virginia. Rev. Jim George was the officiating clergyman.
The bride was given in marriage by her parents and was escorted to the altar by her father. The bride's gown was made of white taffeta with raschel lace and accented with pearls and sequins, portrait neckline, multi tier peplum back and full chapel train accented with cut out lace appliques. She carried a bouquet of white roses.
Maid of honor was Kimberly Adkins, Roanoke, cousin of the bride. Bridesmaids were Holly Myers, Suzanne Whitley, both of Blue Ridge, and Shannon Kimberlin, Goldsboro, North Carolina, all friends of the bride. Flowergirl was Amber McGill, niece of the groom.
Best man was Richard W. Craft, II, Eagle Rock, brother of the groom. Ushers were Eric Bolton, Fincastle, Mike Kimberlin, Goldsboro, North Carolina, both friends of the groom, and Rick Craft, Eagle Rock, nephew of the groom.
Ralph McCampbell sang ``Keeper of the Stars'' while the couple lit the unity candle. Jimmy Kelly was the pianist for the ceremony. The wedding was directed by Mrs. Dorothy Adkins, aunt of the bride.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held in the church Fellowship Hall.
The bride is the daughter of Ms. Laura B. Dolinger, Daleville, Virginia, and Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Neuhs, Covington, Virginia. The groom is the son of Mrs. Minnie H. Craft, Eagle Rock and the late Mr. Richard W. Craft.
After a wedding trip to Gatlinburg, the couple will reside in Eagle Rock, Virginia. Marshall-Lancaster
Linda Kelley Lancaster and Gerald Alexander Marshall were married December 9, 1995, at Evergreen Wedding Chapel in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with the Reverend William E. Davis officiating.
The bride is the daughter of John and Elva Kelley of Roanoke, and the mother of Jeanette Lynn Lancaster and Kel ley Marie Lancaster. The groom is the father of Lara Lee Marshall Strickler, Gregory Allen Marshall and Kevin Gerald Marshall.
The couple will live in Buchanan. Melvin-Wheeler
Amy Jo Wheeler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian and Janie Wheeler of Roanoke, and Brian Rex Melvin, son of Ms. Frances Williams of Plainfield, NJ, recently outwardly celebrated the life partnership they have been inwardly creating for six years.
Friends and family members, who were asked to wear clothing that reflected their own heritage, gathered in a circle on September 23, 1995, at Brookside Gardens in MD, to share stories about the couple. Cynthia Oakey Bays of Richmond, Va. was among those who shared stories. The ceremony, which was written by the bride and groom, included an activity on diversity and an offering of support from participants.
Wyatt Oakey, soloist of Roanoke, led the gathering in song and Julie Kiracofe of SC, sister of the bride, concluded by leading a silent blessing. The bride's father presented the couple's rings, which were designed by a Navajo artist.
Amy Jo wore a French-inspired turquoise brocade suit and Brian wore a coordinating traditional African gown. Both outfits, designed by the bride and groom, were adorned with African embroidery.
The ceremony was followed by an activity-filled cruise, decorated by cultural pieces created by the mother of the bride, aboard the Potomac Spirit. The couple then went on to enjoy two weeks in Cancun, Mexico.
The couple will remain in Arlington, Va., where Amy Jo is a consulting writer and survey analyst for the Department of Energy and is completing a Masters of Education degree, and Brian is Manager of Membership Sales for the Air Force Association and is pursuing studies in a graduate photography program.
The couple gratefully thanks everyone who traveled many miles to celebrate with them. Millirones-Hall
Miss Chrystal Gail Hall and Mr. Christopher Patrick Millirones were pronounced husband and wife, at a candlelight Christmas wedding on Saturday, the second of December, nineteen hundred and ninety-five at 5 o'clock at Villa Heights Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va., with Reverend Harold Lewis officiating. The reception was held at the Fralin Center.
Serving as maid of honor was Kimberly Millirones, sister of the groom. Bridesmaids were Jan Grisso, Ann Carroll, Opal Helmick and Dawn Hunter. The flowergirls were Julia and Sarah Lott, cousins of the groom.
Best man was John Millirones, father of the groom. Groomsmen were Edward Trout and Ted Friedel. Ring bearer was Blake Klaiber, cousin of the bride.
Music was performed by guitarist and soloist Jimmy Blankenship; also soloist Sandra Powell. Janie Dye directed the wedding.
After taking a honeymoon to the Caribbean, the newlyweds will reside in Roanoke, Va.
A special thanks goes to the Country Sweet Shop, Barry Brooks Photography, The Fralin Center, and all the friends and family that we love so much. Otey-Bonomo
Gina Maria Bonomo, daughter of Vittorio and Jane Bonomo, wed D. Joseph Otey Jr., November 11, 1995 at 4:00 pm at the New Dublin Presbyterian Church. Ben Trawick officiated. The bridesmaids were Karen Ferry Hayes of Minneapolis, Mn., Becky Moore of Chicago, Il., Ruth Ann Otey of San Antonio, Tx., Julie Flynn Ligon of Blacksburg, Linda Durrill of Radford, and Brian Whitley of Richmond. The groomsmen were Donald Otey, father of the groom, Charles Cantus of Washington, D.C., David Wegerek of Charlotte, N.C., Joseph Sykes of Burlington, N.C., and Stuart Covey of Dublin.
The bride is president of Sole Mate Shoes Inc. and the groom is an associate vice president with First Union Bank. After a honeymoon at the Greenbriar, the couple are residing in Blacksburg. Phillips-White
Donna Sue White and Michael Patrick Phillips were married Saturday, the 18th of November, 1995. The wedding occurred at Grandin Court Baptist Church, with the Reverend Philip E. Motley presiding over the ceremony. A very festive reception was held at the Hidden Valley Country Club Ballroom.
The maid of honor was Martha Gordge of Boulder, Colorado, friend of the bride. The bridesmaids were Jane Willard of Charlottesville, friend of the bride; Kimberly White, sister-in-law of the bride, Sheri Burge, and Pamela Smith, friends of the bride, all of Roanoke; Kathleen Shelton and Mary Caldwell, friends of the bride, both of Salem; Rebecca Cameron of Roanoke, and Kathleen Phillips of Richmond, sisters of the groom.
The flowergirl was Caitlin Marie White of Roanoke, niece of the bride.
The best man was Dr. Thomas Phillips of Smith Mountain Lake, father of the groom. The groomsmen were Christopher Phillips of Rockville, Md., David Phillips of Richmond, and Anthony Phillips of Smith Mountain Lake, all brothers of the groom; Ted Fields of Kingsport, Tenn., James Gregory of Alexandria, and Jeffrey Greiner of Baltimore, Md., all friends of the groom; Chuck White of Roanoke and Corbin White of Bent Mountain, brothers of the bride.
The ringbearer was Robert Tucker White of Roanoke, nephew of the bride.
The guestbook was attended by Susan Phillips of Rockville, Md., sister-in-law of the bride.
A special thanks to Mr. Douglas Cameron and Mr. Barry Willard for their special readings during the ceremony, and Mrs. Norma Waters for assisting at the reception. Also, to Mrs. Kelley Bartin of Roanoke, friend of the bride and groom for her role as wedding coordinator and also for her recipe, ``A Meal To Catch A Man With!!'' A very special thanks to Corbin White for introducing ``Okie'' and Donna!
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. White of Roanoke. She is also the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. White of Vinton, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lewis H. Price of Roanoke.
The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Phillips of Smith Mountain Lake. He is also the grandson of Mrs. Rosalie Raley and the late Mr. Irvin Raley of Alexandria, Va., and Mrs. Ruth Flagg and the late Mr. James Flagg of Collinsville, Ill.
The newlyweds will reside in Roanoke County. Powers-Russell
Elaine Marie Russell and Richard Lovern Powers were married November 11, 1995 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Roanoke. Father Joseph Metzger officiated the ceremony.
The bride was escorted to the altar and given in marriage by her brothers, Dr. Harry Patrick Russell II and Michael Anthony Russell. A wedding reception was held at Hotel Roanoke following the ceremony.
The bride wore a formal wedding gown of ivory peau de soie silk. The cathedral-length train was of peau de soie silk accented with bugle beads and seed pearls. The bride wore her mother's bridal headpiece, a queen's crown of iridescents and pearls with a cathedral veil. She carried a full bouquet of variegated apricot roses and purple statis.
The matrons of honor were Karen Russell, sister-in-law of the bride, and Donna Lantagne, friend of the bride. Maid of honor was Leslie Yount, friend of the bride. Bridesmaids were Karen Ringler and Allison Alouf, cousins of the bride, Leigh Powers, sister of the groom, Jennifer Thomas, Leslie Phrang, and Karen Harvey, all friends of the bride. Elizabeth Fort, niece of the groom, served as flower girl. Jack S. Powers, Sr. served his son as best man. Groomsmen included Jack S. Powers, Jr., brother of the groom, Steve Mau, Ken McCraw, Wally Lawirmore, Anthony Dallas, Cale Tanner, John Horton, Kevin Reed and Tim Carter, all friends of the groom.
Lectors for the ceremony were Anne Marie Sinclair, cousin of the bride, Terry Flowers, and Laura Monrad. Kim Powers, sister-in-law of the bride carried the Gospel Book.
A beautiful program of wedding music was played by Mark Duvall, organist, assisted by Jeff Kresge, trumpeter, and vocalists Jack S. Powers, Sr., father of the groom, and Jan Fort, sister of the groom. Organist for the recessional was James Sadie of Alabama, cousin of the bride. Mr. Sadie performed an original composition written especially for the bride and groom.
A special highlight of the reception was a performance by the groom and his brother, Jack Powers, Jr., joined by other members of the wedding party. Michael Russell, guitarist, brother of the bride, and Deborah Ringler, vocalist, cousin of the bride, added to the musical enjoyment of the evening. Charlie Floyd's Band provided music for the celebration.
The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Eileen Alouf Russell and the late Harry Patrick Russell. She is a graduate of Roanoke Catholic High School, Virginia Tech, and Mercer University Law School, and is employed as a corporate general counsel in Atlanta, Georgia.
The groom is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Jack S. Powers, Sr. of Georgetown, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Georgetown High School and the University of South Carolina. Mr. Powers is a sales executive with Oneita Industries, Inc.
Prior to the wedding, a rehearsal party was hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Jack S. Powers, Sr. at The Jefferson Club, and a bridal luncheon was held at Hunting Hills Country Club hosted by Mrs. Jean Jones. The bride and groom chose a wedding trip to Tortola and St. Martin-British Virgin Islands followed by a ski trip to Montana. The couple will reside in Alpharetta, Georgia. St. Clair-Wright
Laura K. Wright and Bobby E. St. Clair were united in marriage Saturday, December 16, 1995 at Glade Creek Baptist Church with Pastor Phillip Ayers officiating. The reception was held in the Church Fellowship Hall.
Tammy Foster, friend of the bride, was matron of honor. Kim Wright, sister of the bride, was maid of honor. The flowergirl was Elizabeth Burke, niece of the groom.
Garry Rock and Tracy Coe, friends of the groom, served as best men. The ushers were Rob Burke, brother-in-law of the groom; Terry Wright and Doug Roupe, brothers of the bride. The ringbearer was Timothy Burke, nephew of the groom.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wright of Wytheville. She is a graduate of George Wythe High School and Roanoke Memorial Hospital School of Radiologic Technology. She is employed by Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman St. Clair of Blue Ridge. He is a graduate of Lord Botetourt High School and Virginia College. He is employed by the City of Salem as a firefighter.
The newlyweds will reside in Roanoke.
We would like to thank our parents, family and friends for all their help in making this day special. Also special thanks to Barry Brooks Photography for capturing our special day for us to remember forever.
LENGTH: Long : 235 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: 9 photosby CNB