MICHAEL OLAND WRIGHT, SR.
ROANOKE - Michael Oland Wright, Sr. passed away Sunday, January 26, 2003. He was born May 27, 1946 in Hampton, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his father, Oland R. Wright, and his grandparents, John and Frankie Wright, and Robert and Nannie Belle Rucker, and also a special pet "Prissy."
Surviving are: his beloved wife of 17 years, Brenda Wright, Roanoke; two sons and daughters-in-law, Michael Wright, Jr. and his wife Lisa, of Powder Springs, Georgia, Scott Wright and his wife Beth, of Pell City, Alabama; grandchildren, Kayla, Keri, Terence and Morgan; his mother, Violet R. Wright, Roanoke; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary R. Wright, Sr. and his wife Faye, Jerry Wright and his wife Karen, all of Salem; his mother-in-law and her husband, Darlene and Glenn Harris, Salem; father-in-law and his wife, Erbie and Helen Moore, of Hillsville. Many other loving family and friends including Roger and Nancy Mannon of Floyd; two special friends, Lynn Thompson and Roy Thierry as well as his fishing buddies also survive him.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Paul Richards and staff, Gentle Shepherd Hospice, and Dr. Robert Andrew Whisnant and staff for their care and support.
Funeral services were conducted at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 at Oakey's South Chapel with Pastor Paul Flint officiating.
MAYNARD E. ALDERMAN
GLENNS - Maynard E. Alderman, 77, formerly of Willis died Sunday, May 11, 2003.
He is survived by: his wife of 16 years, Myrna Alderman; one daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Bruce Bowe; Loretta; two sons and daughters-in-law, Garry and Pam Alderman, Ronald Dean and Cheryl Alderman, both of Warsaw; three sisters, Gracie Bolt, Willis; Pauline Turner, Fieldale, Lorraine and Keith Goad, Dugspur; two brothers and sister-in-law, Buel Alderman, Meadows of Dan, Delmar and Lois Alderman, Hillsville; ten grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; several special friends; several nieces and nephews and a host of dedicated employees.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 16 at the Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville. Reverend S.G. Bolt will officiate. Burial will be in C.B.Webb Cemetery in Floyd County. Military rites by Hillsville V.F.W. Post 1115.
ELMO EARL DICKERSON
MARYLAND - Elmo Earl Dickerson, 81, died May 9, 2003 at Civista Medical Center, La Plata. He was a retired lumberman. He was born on December 19, 1921 in Willis. He was the son of the late Early Waite Dickerson and the late Bertha Dickerson of Willis.
He is survived by his son, Richard E. Dickerson and his wife Terri of La Plata, Md.; 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; one sister, Alice Quesenberry and her husband Clark of Dugspur. Mr. Dickerson has many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law throughout the country.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Joyce Margaret Dickerson who died in 1995 and a son Duane Dexter Dickerson who died in 1999. He is also preceded in death by one brother, Lon Dickerson, and four sisters, Rettie Weddle, Ida Vaughn, Oakie Bolt, and Hattie Wade.
He served as a member of the Air Force during World War II stationed in Grand Forks, ND, Lawrenceville, Il., Biloxi, MI, and in Italy as part of the 327th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron. Following his military service he moved back to Willis to work on the family farm and in the timber business. Subsequently, he moved to Southern Maryland where he has lived for the last 43 years. He was a skilled mechanic and after he retired, became quite accomplished at woodworking. Mr. Dickerson was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Willis for 57 years. Visitation will be Friday, May 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Funeral Home, Inc., Hillsville.
Services will be held Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Funeral Home, Inc. Burial will take place at the Dickerson Family Cemetery, Willis. Pastor Brian Childress will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Dickerson Family Cemetery Fund, P.O. 2602 La Plata, MD 20646. Arrangements are being handled by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata.
SCOTT ALLEN HYLTON
WILLIS - Scott Allen Hylton, 43, was killed in the line of duty Friday morning, May 9, 2003. He was a member of the Christiansburg Police Department, Floyd Masonic Lodge #329 AF & AM, The Virginia Army National Guard, Floyd American Legion Post #127 and Topeco Church of the Brethren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Landon Allen Hylton, brother, Lyndon L. Hylton and his grandparents, Earnest and Ruby Hubbard and Ferry and Odell Hylton.
He is survived by: his wife, Khris L. Hylton, Willis; daughter, Kayelin Darlene Hylton, Willis; sons, Justin Hylton, Jonathan Hylton, Jordan Hylton, Willis; father and mother, Jack and Darlene Hylton, Willis; sister Trina Darlene Hylton, Radford; father and mother-in-law, Gene and Linda Schwidde, Wytheville;
Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2003 at Topeco Church of the Brethren with Reverend Mike Varner officiating. Interment
followed in Topeco Cemetery with graveside services by Floyd Masonic Lodge #329, AF & AM, Christiansburg Police Honor Guard and the Virginia Army National Guard Det. 1 Co. B 1st. Bn. 116 Infantry. 29th. Infantry Div. (Light). Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd, handled arrangements.
GERARD KENNETH MARCHON
PILOT - Gerard Kenneth Marchon, 58, passed away Friday, May 9, 2003 at his home.
He is survived by: his wife, Camille Marchon, Pilot, two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jerry Marchon, Point Pleasant, NY, Eric and Sidney Marchon, Copper Hill; two step-daughters and husbands, Tara and Adam Neitzey of Floyd, Erin and Nathan May, Cherry Hill, New Jersey; two step-sons and wife, Kyle Marchon, Pilot, Doug and Melisa Jeruzal, Laurel, Maryland; grandchildren, Alexander Joseph, Alyssa Marchon, Gavin Marchon, Thomas Marchon, Brian Neitzey; brother, Victor K. Marchon, II , Dix Hill, New York; two sisters and husbands, Barbara and Howie Erichsen, Belle Rose, New York, Patricia and Thomas Buhler, Ridgee, New York.
A memorial service was held Sunday, May 10 at 3:00 p.m. at the Floyd Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses with David Battagelia officiating. Arrangements by Wood Funeral Home.
HARLIE LEWIS MARTIN
CHECK - Harlie Lewis Martin, 70, passed away, May 8, 2003 at his home. He retired from the Virginia Department of Transportation after 19 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenvar and Aldie Martin; brother, Herman Martin.
He is survived by: his wife of 42 years: Betty Martin; son and daughter-in-law, Robert (Bubba) and Vickie Martin; daughter: Carol Martin and special friend Chuck Rector; grandson: Daniel Edwards; step granddaughter: Michelle McGinnis and husband Jason; step great grandson, Michael Wayne McGinnis; 2 nieces, a nephew.
Funeral service was held Sunday, May 11, 2003 at 2 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Walker and Mr. Rodney Collins officiating. Interment
followed at Restvale Cemetery. Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd handled arrangements.
WILMA HUFF MCDANIEL
FLOYD - Wilma Huff McDaniel, 89, passed away Friday, May 9, 2003. Survivors include: daughters and sons-in-law, Mary Etta McDaniel, Washington, DC, Trenda and Curtis Conner, Wilmington, DE, Peggie and Bill Fenwick, Floyd, Ruth and Willie Reese, Elliston; son and daughter-in-law, Curtis and Jerrie McDaniel, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; daughters-in-law, Ruth McDaniel, Lelia McDaniel; sister-in-law, Viola Huff; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Graveside service was held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 12, 2003 at Little River Cemetery with William Fenwick and Curtis McDaniel officiating. Donations may be made to the Floyd County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 257, Floyd, VA 24091.
VIRGINIA RUTH CANADAY
FLOYD - Virginia Ruth Canaday, 79, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2003 at Skyline Manor Nursing Home. She was a retired secretary of Turman-Yeatts Motor Company. She was the daughter of the late Dewey and Lucinda Belcher Canaday.
Survivors include: sisters-in-law, Vera Mae Canaday, Floyd, Joyce Canaday, Defiance, OH; niece, Karen and Tom Hammond, Griffin, GA; nephews, Lewis and Nancy Canaday, Riner, James Canaday, Frank Canaday, Floyd, David and Susan Canaday, Laurel Fork; great nephew, Tyler Canaday; great nieces, Michelle and Jim Kenndy, Amy and Adam Bruce, Amber Canaday; great-great-nieces, Tayler and Michaela Bruce.
Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2003 at the Maberry Funeral Home with Reverend Richard W. Thomas officiating. Burial followed in Topeco Cemetery.
WAYNE G. GILLESPIE
MARYLAND - Wayne G. Gillespie, 64, died Friday, January 10, 2003 at Garrett County Memorial Hospital, Oakland Maryland. He was born August 24, 1938 in Welch, West Virginia to Walter Gillespie, Floyd, and the late Nancy (Harmon) Gillespie.
He graduated from West Point and spent his career in the military, including service in Vietnam. He was a member of the Proctor Kildow Post 71 American Legion, and the owner of the Haley Farm Bed and Breakfast. Surviving in addition to his father are: his wife, Kamlesh (Nath) Gillespie; son, Gordon Gillespie, Berlin, Germany; two daughters, Haley Gillespie, McHenry, Maryland,and Patricia Gillespie, Moscow, Russia; one sister, Margaret Murphy, El Toro, California.
A memorial service was conducted at the Durst Funeral Home, Oakland, Thursday, January 16.
The family requests memorials be directed to the Wayne G. Gillespie Memorial Fund, 16766 Garrett Highway, Oakland, Maryland 21550.
JANET ELEANOR HUFFMAN
RINER - Janet Eleanor Huffman, 89, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2003 at Lewis-Gale Medical Center. She was a longtime member of Auburn United Methodist church, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.
She was a Registered Nurse having taken her training at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gaylord H. Huffman.
She is survived by: daughters and son-in-law, Shirley and Bruce Prillaman, Roanoke, Wanda Bivens, Longwood, Florida; sister, Nellie Corder, Mount Solon; grandchildren, Natalie and David Holland, Baltimore, Maryland, Susan Prillman, Warrensburg, MO, Vickie Ditchman, Las Vagas, Nevada, Edward Williamson, Longwood, Florida; several great-grandchildren; special friends, Iva Huffman, Nancy Richardson, Riner.
Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 3 at Auburn United Methodist Church with Reverend Steve Aker officiating. Burial followed in Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg. Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd, handled arrangements.
LUCY PUGH MANNON
SALEM - Lucy Pugh Mannon, 96, peacefully passed away on Friday, January 31, 2003. She resided in Wilmington, Delaware for 66 years before moving to Salem in April of 1991. He husband, Emmert, daughter, Shirley and sister, Ola, preceded her in death.
Her surviving family includes: sons, C. Allen Mannon and his wife, Pat of Mountville, PA, Roy Mannon and wife, Janet of Front Royal; nephew, Wayne Mannon of Riner; seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral service was held Monday, February 3, 2003 at 11 a.m. in the John M. Oakey and Son Chapel in Salem with the Reverend Leslie Pugh officiating.
Burial followed in the Mannon Cemetery in Floyd. Arrangements by John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home in Salem. Memorial gifts may be made to the First Christian Church at 712 Front Avenue, Salem, VA 24153.
PERSIS M. PLAISTED
FLOYD - PLAISTED, PERSIS M., 80, passed away Monday, January 27, 2003 at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald E. Plaisted, father, Carleton R. Metcalf, MD, brother, Paul R. Metcalf, mother, Lucy Persis Parker, twin infant sons, and step mother, May J. Metcalf.
She graduated from Concord Academy in Concord, MA in 1940 and from Marot Junior College in Thomson, CT in 1942.
She received a B.S. in biology/medical technology from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH in 1947. It was here that she met and married Donald Ernest Plaisted.
She worked as a medical technologist (M.T.) registered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists for over 50 years. She was employed by hospitals and clinics in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Virginia. She also worked for the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH.
She was very active in a wide range of volunteer and charitable endeavors. These included, among others, The American Red Cross, The American Heart Association, The American Legion Ladies Auxillary Unit #94, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, Civil Defense and the Durham Youth (sports) Association.
In addition, she was a founding/charter member of the Friends of Ordiorne Point marine education center in Rye, NH. If laboratory medicine was Persis's first love, marine biology was her second. Her passion for education, youth and the ocean lead her to become an award winning marine biology volunteer educator. She served as a marine education Docent for the U.N.H.. marine extension program for over ten years. This program involved teaching Marine Biology programs in schools throughout northern New England. She was also a volunteer for marine education at the Maine Aquarium in Saco, Maine. Her dedication to this field culminated in her becoming the first volunteer ever to be awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Northeast Marine Advisory Council for excellence in marine education. She and her family were very grateful for the many friendships she formed in southwest Virginia during the past 15 years. She was a member of the Pizzaro Ladies Group and the Floyd Chapter of T.O.P.S. She also maintained friendships with many fellow employees from Lewis-Gale Hospital.
She is survived by: her daughter and son-in-law, Persis G. Savage McHugh and Thomas McHugh of New Market, NH; her son, Carleton A. Plaisted of Floyd; grandchildren, Linda Miller and Dr. Keith Miller of Cumming, GA, Ryan and Sarah Beth Plaisted of Floyd, brother, Carleton R. Metcalf of Basking Ridge, NJ; sister and brother-in-law, Lucy and Tim Woodman of Concord, NH.
A memorial service was held at 4:00 p.m.Saturday, February 1, at the Horne Funeral Home. Interment
will follow at a later date in Durham, NH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Red Cross, 16 East Main Street Christiansburg, VA 24073. The Plaisted family was served by
Horne Funeral & Cremation Service, Christiansburg.
JEANETTE LILLIAN SHORDT
WILLIS - Jeanette Lillian Shordt, 86, passed away Friday, January 31, 2003 at Skyline Manor Nursing Home. She was the widow of Peter Henry Shordt.
Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 3 at Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Brian Childress officiating. Burial was in Captain George Quesenberry Cemetery.
VERA L. STEVENS
PILOT - Vera L. Stevens, 101, passed away, Friday, January 31, 2003 at Montgomery Regional Hospital following a stroke. Vera was raised in Grafton/Chester, Vermont and met her husband there. She taught school in a one-room schoolhouse for several years. In 1935 she departed the States with Elmer and moved to Panama where Elmer served as a structural engineer with the Panama Canal Company for 30 years. They both formed friendships with the Indians of the Interior and were very supportive of the missionary outreach in the San Blas Islands. Upon retirement, they moved to Ocala, Florida where they resided for 30 years and were active in the Highlands and First Baptist Church. Since moving to Floyd in 1994, Vera has had the honor of being the oldest member of Calvary Baptist Church.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Elmer (Steve), and a son Jim. Survived by: son and daughter-in-law, John and Joyce Stevens, with whom she resided in Floyd County; daughter-in-law, Marilyn; six grandchildren, Jim B. Stevens, John F. Stevens, Lori Campbell, Teri Ford, Diana Swain, Pamela Ryan; 11 great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church on Saturday, February 8, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Graham Mitchell officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the church. Interment
will take place in Simonsville Cemetery, Simonsville, Vermont. Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd, has minister to the family in this time of sorrow.
FREDERICK W. THOMPSON
CHRISTIANSBURG - Frederick W. Thompson, 86, passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003.
He was the former owner and operator of East End Feed and Seed, and was a part time Floyd County "gentleman farmer". A veteran of World War II he was a member of St Paul United Methodist Church, a former member of the Christiansburg Lion's Club and the New River Valley Square Dance Club. He was born in Floyd County to the late John D and Effie Sowers Thompson and was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline Conduff Thompson.
He is survived by a son, Walter Davis Thompson, Clover, SC; daughters, Cheryl T. Shull, Radford, Sallye T. Kennedy, Christiansburg, grandchildren, R. Scott Shull, Jess A. Shull, Tayler Shull, Zach Kennedy, Alex Kennedy, Adrienne Hill, Alyson Thompson, and Amelia Thompson; one great grandchild, Robert Hill, III.
Funeral service was held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at St. Paul United Methodist Church conducted by Rev. Doug Kanney with interment
to follow in Sunset Cemetery. The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christiansburg.
The Thompson family is being served by Horne Funeral and Cremation Service, Christiansburg.
