Galax Gazette Tuesday, September 11, 2001 Virginia Dare Powers Billings, 70, of Independence, died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001, at her home. She was born May 28, 1931, in Lansing, N.C., to Austin and Mamie Powers Powers. Survivors include her husband, Harold T. "Bill" Billings of the home; five daughters and sons-in-law, Carol and Tommy Sumners, Sue and Bo Bobbitt, and Sherry and Curtis Johnson, all of Independence, Billie and Joseph Teti of Toughkenamon, Pa., and Mary Lynn and Robert Wilkie of Elkton, Md.; three sons and daughters-in-law, Joe and Regina Anders of Galax, Harold Jr., and Marie Billings of Independence and James and Laura Billings of Nottingham, Pa.; six sisters and three spouses, Alice Mikeal of Lansing, N.C., Mary and Arlis Glenn of West Grove, Pa., Margie and Ken Green of Little River, N.C., Nancy Little of Jefferson, N.C., Rita and Mike Johnson of West Jefferson, N.C., and Sandra Powers of Crumpler, N.C.; one brother and spouse, John and Judy Powers of Lansing, N.C.; 19 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; a special sister-in-law, Aunt Clarice Billings of Independence; and a special friend, Trula Wigington of Independence. A funeral was held Saturday at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Independence, with burial in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Bobby Jennings and the Rev. Fred E. Jennings officiated. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. ========= Mary Testerman Hash, 84, of Atkins, formerly of the Laurel Hill Community, Rugby, died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001, at Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion. She was born Feb. 3, 1917, in Troutdale to Cicero and Bertie Ball Testerman. Survivors include two sisters, Stella Finley of Atkins and Ella Echols of Marion; one brother, Boyd Testerman of Atkins; and 15 nieces and nephews. A funeral was held Saturday at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with burial in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, Rugby. The Revs. Rex Hall, Fred E. Jennings and Mike Sage officiated. ======== Betty Louise Goins, 71, of Galax, died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001, at Blue Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Jan. 12, 1929, in Galax to Zachery and Blanche Ward Goins. Survivors include two sisters, Katherine Phipps of Galax and Ethel Parnell of Mapleshade, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held today, Monday, at 11 a.m. at Oldtown Cemetery. Pastor Barbara Jarrett and Minister Peggy Blair will officiate. Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements