The Roanoke Times New River Obituaries Published on Monday, January 08, 2001 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- AKERS, Greenberry, 69, of Floyd, passed away Saturday night, January 6, 2001 at his home. Surviving are three brothers, Noah and Rosie Akers, Russell Akers and Henry Akers, all of Floyd; three sisters, Mary Alice Akers of Hillsville, Robetene Clemons of Floyd and Linda Duncan of Christiansburg; a half sister, Pattie Reed of Floyd; also special friends, David and Arlene Radford of Floyd. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at Wood Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Joseph P. Cox officiating. Interment will be in the Sowers Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Wood Funeral Home. Wood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BIRCKHEAD, Louis Oscar, 71, of Christiansburg, died Thursday, December 28, 2000. Memorial services Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Roanoke. Arrangements by Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory, Radford. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- KENLEY, Eva Mae Viers, 90, of Radford, passed away Sunday, January 7, 2001 in a Dublin nursing home. She was a member of the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Radford. She was born January 2, 1911, daughter of the late William T. and Ida K. Viers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oakley Maynard Kenley and a daughter, Bettey Jo Kenley. She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Mary K. Kirtner and Virginia K. Smart and her husband, Ellwood Smart, all of Radford and Judy K. Duncan of Kingston, Tenn.; two sons, Ralph E. Kenley and his wife, Evalina Kenley and Richard L. Kenley and his wife, Linda J. Kenley, all of Radford; a brother, Jack Viers and his wife, Ethel Viers; a sister, Joann Alderman; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and her very special friend, Tom Price. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 9, 2001 at 2 p.m. at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, with Pastor Hal Adams and Larry Phillips officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- MERIX, Minnie Louise, 75, of Blacksburg, passed away Friday, January 5, 2001 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, January 8, 2001 at 11 a.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- MURPHY, Dr. William Francis, (Bill), 51, of Blacksburg, died unexpectedly Thursday, January 4, 2001. Memorial Mass, Monday, January 8, 2001, at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 11 a.m. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- PENN, Maria Lewis, 92, of Pulaski, departed this life on Thursday, January 4, 2001 at the Asbury Center at Birdmont, Wytheville, Va., after a long illness. She was born May 27, 1908 in Riner, Va., the daughter of the late Solomon Lewis and Laura Barrett Lewis. She attended Morristown, Virginia State and Bluefield State Colleges. She also worked in the school system of Pulaski County as a teacher and teacher assistant until she retired in the mid-seventies. While able, Mrs. Penn worked tirelessly in her community. She was a faithful member of the Randolph Avenue United Methodist Church, serving for a number of years as chairperson of the United Methodist Women, also, serving as Lay Speaker and a member of Church Women United. She was a founding board member of the Corbin Branch YMCA, also the T. G. Howard Community Center. Maria was a past Worthy Matron of the Pulaski Chapter #35 Order of Eastern Star. She was a past President of the Mary White Buford Woman's Club, a member and past President and organizer of District Three of the Virginia State Federated Colored Women's Club. She was also a member of the Pulaski County Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. She was a member of the Pulaski County Democratic Party and past member of the Pulaski County Housing Authority. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Preston Penn, Sr., a son, Alvin Edward Penn, one sister, Alfreda Lewis Wilson, two brothers, Harless Barrett and Earl Lewis. She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Mary Penn Lewis of Seattle, Wash.; four sons, Dr. Clarence (Dr. Paulette) Penn, Jr. of Surry Va., Lewis B. Penn of Richmond, Va., William F. Penn of Roanoke, Va. and George E. Penn, Sr. of Pulaski, Va.; one brother, Walter (Virginia) Lewis of Pulaski, Va.; two sisters, Constiene Lewis Horton of Philadelphia, Penn. and Lelia Lewis King of Pulaski, Va.; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at 2 p.m. at Randolph Avenue United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Leroy Henry officiating. Burial will be at Pinehurst Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening form 7 to 9 p.m. at Randolph Avenue Methodist Church. Penn's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- PRICE, Judy Wells, 59, of Blacksburg, died Friday, January 5, 2001 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. She was born in Lafayette, Va. June 6, 1941 to the late Malvin R. and India Kate Redmond Wells. She is survived by her husband Hassell H. Price, Jr. of Blacksburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Matthew H. and Jennifer A. Price, Cary, N.C.; one sister and brother-in-law, Sue W. and Dr. Buren Hanson, Raeford, N.C.; three brothers and sisters-in-law, M. L. "Pug" and Mary Lee Wells, Elliston, Joe W. and Elsie Wells, Elliston, Lewis Wayne and Darlene Wells, Salem. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday, January 8, 2001 at Gateway Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dewey O. Weaver, Jr. and the Rev. Jack Bailey officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery. Friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. Sunday and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- SPENCE, Roy Elder, 82, of Floyd, left this world peacefully to be with the Lord, his creator, on Saturday, January 6, 2001. He died at the Brian Center, Fincastle, Va., in the presence of his wife and family. Born November 23, 1918, he was a member of Laurel Hill Church of Christ, Radford, Va. He was retired from the Hercules Company of Radford after 32 years service. He enjoyed handcrafting violins, mandolins and banjos and encouraged everyone to learn to play the instruments. He gave each child and grandchild and several special family members an instrument. He was a loving husband of 58 years to his surviving wife, Hasaba Criner Spence. Also surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Beatrice and Ken Thompson, Troutville; son, Wayne Spence, Christiansburg; brother, Fray Spence, Willis; sisters, Loma Martin, Willis, Flora Pugh, Roanoke, Dot Spence, Havre de Grace, Md.; grandchildren and spouses, Cheryl and Jeff Lunsford, Troutville, Lisa and David Bess, Roanoke, Ricky and Mendy Spence, Floyd, Donnie Spence, Stuart; great-grandchildren, Erin and Ryan Lunsford, Brandon Spencer, Brooke Bess, Jared and Abigail Spence, Spencer Bess, who was named in honor of his great-grandfather. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, with C. E. Mannon and the Rev. Roy Turpin officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Maberry Funeral Home. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- PERRIN, Belva Opal, of Ellenton, Fla., passed away Wednesday, January 3, 2001. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Campbell Perrin and Vergie Caroline Perrin. She was a graduate of Radford University and retired with 31 years of service in the Government. She worked in the Office of the Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff until her retirement. She is survived by her brother, Harlan Perrin; sister, B. Dare Perrin, both of Ellenton, Fla.; two aunts; and many cousins and friends. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 10, 2001, at Lotz Salem Chapel with the Rev. Frank Feather officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. There will be a public visitation on Tuesday, January 9, 2001, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- OVERTON, Linda Weddle, 79, of Roanoke County, died Friday, January 5, 2001. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie E. "Bill" Overton, Jr. She was a graduate of Roanoke Memorial School of Nursing and retired after many years of service as a R.N. and nursing supervisor. She is survived by one son James E. Overton, Roanoke; one daughter, Linda Gayle Overton Verzinskie; one grandson, Brad Verzinskie; one granddaughter, Stacy Verzinskie; one great-granddaughter, Ansley Lynn Gutierrez, all of Stockbridge, Ga.; one brother, Paul A. Weddle, Sr., LTC USA (Ret.), of Dunwoody, Ga.; two sisters and two brothers-in-law, Helen W. Dillon, Blacksburg, Ruth W. and William L. Thigpen, Wilmington, Delaware, Jean E. Lyon, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; two sisters-in-law, Nina R. Weddle, Martinsville and Ethel C. Weddle, Christiansburg; also, several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 9, 2001, with the Rev. Frank W. Feather officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem. The family will receive friends Monday, January 8, 2001 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made to a favorite charity. The family expresses special thanks to Dr. David Cummings for all his care given to Linda over many years. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- CUNDIFF, Eula Scruggs, 79, of Roanoke, and formerly of Huddleston, passed away Saturday, January 6, 2001, in the Carilion Community Hospital. She was born December 12, 1921, in Franklin County, a daughter of the late Lester Cleveland Scruggs and Maggie Cundiff Scruggs. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Herman Cundiff; a sister, Viola S. Ferguson; and a brother, Robert L. Scruggs. She was a member of the Mentow Baptist Church. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Margie and Doug Witt, Roanoke; three granddaughters and their husbands, Karen and Tommy Tucker, Va. Beach, JoAnn and Shannon Laughon, Chamblissburg, and Ginny and Paul Fitzgerald, Boones Mill; three great-grandchildren, Anthony Tucker, Va. Beach, KaLee Tucker, Va. Beach, and Emily Laughon of Chamblissburg; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lydia (Tunny) Meador, Roanoke, Mary Elizabeth and Curtis Dillon, Roanoke; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Maylon Scruggs, Rocky Mount, George and Phyllis Scruggs, Salem, and Bill Scruggs, Wirtz; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Dellis, Huddleston; a brother-in-law, Franklin Cundiff Scruggs. A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, January 9, 2001, at 12 p.m. from the Mentow Baptist Church, by the Rev. Randy Hatcher and the Rev. Glenn Stevens. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home, Bedford. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Tami P. Ramsey [email protected] President, Pulaski County Genealogy Club Pulaski County VA GenWeb Coordinator & Listowner http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapulask/ Montgomery County VA GenWeb Coordinator & Listowner http://www.rootsweb.com/~vamontgo/montgomy.htm Washington County VA GenWeb Coordinator http://www.rootsweb.com/~vawashin/ Overton Co. TN GenWeb Coordinator & Listowner http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnoverto/overton.htm Fentress & Pickett Co. TN GenWeb Coordinator http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnfentre/fent.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnpicket/pick.htm Webmaster Wilderness Road Regional Museum http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapulask/wrrm/index.htm Webmaster for New River Historical Society Homepage http://www.rootsweb.com/~vanrhs/ RAMSEY Family Webpage http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ramsey/ SULSER Family Webpage & Listowner http://sulser.rootsweb.com/