The Roanoke Times New River Obituaries Published on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- AKERS, Willie Lawrence, 82, of Christiansburg, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2001 in Lewis-Gale Hospital, Salem. Surviving are his wife, Cora Akers; a nephew, Jerry Lester, wife, Susan and their daughter, April of Alum Ridge; brother-in-law, Willie Herman Hill and wife, Nancy of Shawsville; grandchildren, Kristie Jearls and husband, Mitch, Roanoke, Lee-Ellen Cox and husband, Chad, Ashlyn Akers, all of Christiansburg; great-grandchildren, Chandler Jearls, Roanoke, Kade Akers, Christiansburg. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2001, in the Horne Funeral Chapel conducted by Mr. C. E. Mannon with burial to follow in Sunset Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2708 Hydraulic Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22901. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BEASLEY, Rev. Shirley Amos, Jr., born in Christiansburg, January 3, 1930, departed from this life on Monday, January 22, 2001 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. He was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice Smith; father, Shirley Beasley, Jr.; stepfather, Edward "Rabbit" Smith; and brother, James "Booty" Beasley. Rev. Beasley was survived by his two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Mills, wife of Aubrey Mills, and Ada Mae Bratcher; dearly beloved wife, Dorothy Dickason Beasley; six children, Freda Johnson, wife of Alan Johnson, Andra Beasley, Connie Teele, wife of Anthony Teele, Darlene Beasley-White, Ricky Beasley, Rhonda Allen, wife of Erwin Allen; grandchildren, Andra and Eric Beasley, Casey and Alan "A.J." Johnson II, Irvin White II and Nakecia English, David McCall, Maurice Beasley and Erin Janae Allen, Ricky II, Ryan, and Ross Beasley; as well as two sisters-in-law, Beatrice Morgan and Kathleen Spencer, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews in addition to a host of friends. Rev. Beasley was a dedicated Christian and faithful member of the Greater Mt. Zion Holiness Church. He served in the U.S. Army for six years and diligently worked for M. K. Bowen Construction, Radford Arsenal, and manager of Hill's (Department Store) shoe department for some nineteen years. He was a very loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather as well as a servant to his community. Rev. Beasley played a key role in establishing community activities during his time as coordinator for the Christiansburg Community Center, petitioned to create sidewalks in his neighborhood, along with being an active member of the local Ruritan Club. His family will be receiving friends at Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church on High Street on Wednesday, January 24, 2001 from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 25, at 2 p.m. also at Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church with Elder Larry Carter presiding. Arrangements provided by Penn's Funeral Home, 248 Randolph Ave., Pulaski, Va. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- GUNSTEN, Paul Harold, Jr., 77, of Blacksburg, died Monday, January 22, 2001 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. He was born in Springfield, Ill., on July 24, 1923 to the late Paul Harold, Sr., and Dora Bienhoff Gunsten and was also preceded in death by his first wife, Lucretia Post Gunsten in 1975. Paul was a retired Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve and a veteran of WW II. He was an Associate Professor Emeritus at VPI&SU and a past president of the National Intramural Recreation Sports Association and was voted Outstanding Director of Intramurals in 1973. He was a past president and member of Phi Delta Kappa. He began his teaching and coaching career in Virginia at Bridgewater College from 1953 to 1967 and served as consultant at the college from 1997 to 1999. He was an active volunteer with Special Olympics for over 30 years. He was a past Master of Hunters Lodge #156 A.F.&A.M., a past District Grand Master, 40th Masonic District and past Grand Marshall of Grand Lodge of Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Martha Jane Callaway Gunsten of Blacksburg; two daughters, Pamela Gunsten of Grafton, Ill., Claujia Gunsten of Bridgewater, Va.; a son, Pastor Paul "Chip" G. Gunsten of Roanoke; three stepchildren, Charles Brammer of Tarpon Springs, Fla., Linda Park of Hudson, Fla., Rebecca Minish of Ormond Beach, Fla.; three grandchildren, Sara Gunsten, Anna Gunsten, Codi Heieren; six stepgrandchildren, Chad Brammer, Derek Brammer, Scarlet Brammer, Trevor Park, Amanda Shirley, Angela Lankford; and a brother-in-law, Willard Post of Quincy, Ill. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, January 24, 2001 at 2 p.m. in the Blacksburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. Don Roberts and Rev. Don MacNicoll officiating. Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. Paul requests that no flowers be sent, but memorial contributions may be made to the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 931, Blacksburg, Va., 24063, or the Humane Society of Montgomery County, P.O. Box 287, Blacksburg, Va., 24063-0287. Friends may call anytime after 1 p.m. Tuesday and the family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday evening at the McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg with Masonic Rites conducted at 8:30 p.m. by Hunters Lodge #156, A.F.&A.M. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- KENT, Thomas Huntley, 92, of Radford, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2001. He was a retired employee of J. A. Jones Construction Company. He was a member of The Presbyterian Church of Radford, the Radford Host Lions Club and a 1929 graduate of Mississippi College. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Temple Kent. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas Huntley, Jr. and Kathy Kent of Houston, Texas and Louis Temple and Nancy Kent of Radford; four grandchildren, Matthew and Ruth Kent Pumo of Amarillo, Texas, Carol Lee Kent of Richmond, Thomas Huntley, III and Souad Kent and Michael Lee Kent, all of Houston, Texas; two great-grandchildren, Brooke Noel and Joseph Kent Pumo. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 24, 2001 at 11 a.m. at The Presbyterian Church of Radford with the Rev. O. Wendell Manuel officiating. Interment will follow in West View Cemetery in Radford. Members of Radford Host Lions Club will serve as honorary pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to The Presbyterian Church of Radford Memorial Fund, 201 Fourth Street, Radford, Va. 24141. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- MARSHALL, Harold Plunkett, 75, of Blacksburg, died Sunday, January 21, 2001 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, January 23, 2001 at 2:00 p.m. in the Christ Episcopal Church with the Rev. Clare Fischer-Davies officiating. Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 164, Blacksburg, VA 24063 or the Blacksburg Host Lions Club, c / o Hank Forkner, 506 Country Club Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- MORTON, Valerie Lewis, 68, of New River, passed away Monday, January 22, 2001. Arrangements by Claytor-Dean Funeral Home, Radford, Va. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ROSE, Robert Dwayne, 20, of Christiansburg, passed away Sunday, January 21, 2001. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the graveside in Sunset Cemetery. Arrangements by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- SMITH, Ruby Dobbins, 81, of Christiansburg, passed away Monday, January 22, 2001. Arrangements by Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- PRICE, Louise Covey, 78, of 420 Junction Street, Mt. Airy, N.C., formerly of Pulaski, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 21, 2001 in the North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. She was born on June 3, 1922 in Pulaski County and was the daughter of the late Jesse and Sena Covey. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Estel Price. She was retired from Jefferson Mills and was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are daughters and sons-in-law, Jo Ann P. and Ronnie Mooney, Roanoke, Sandra and Albert Stowers, Mt. Airy, N.C.; grandchildren and spouse, Laurie and Steve Kuuskvere, Hoboken, N.J., Jeremy Stowers, Mt. Airy, N.C., Jessica Stowers, Clarksville, Tenn., Jason Stowers, Mt. Airy, N.C.; a loving friend, Susan McBride, Mt. Airy, N.C.; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. from the Stevens Funeral Chapel with Pastor Dewayne Sands officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. Visiting will be Tuesday evening from the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, Virginia. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- LILLY, Rev. J. Virgil, 89, died Monday, January 22, 2001. He was born January 2, 1912 in Winding Gulf, West Virginia to the late Owen Rife and Kate McCoy Lilly. His early education was at elementary and high schools in Montgomery and Pulaski Counties, Virginia. He attended Johnson Bible College, Lynchburg College, Madison College, The American University, The University of Virginia, The University of Richmond and Union Seminary. He was ordained into the ministry on June 10, 1934 at Euclid Avenue Christian Church, Lynchburg, Virginia. He held pastorates at Lebanon Christian Church, Lee Hall, Virginia; First Christian Church, Shenandoah, Virginia; First Christian Church, Rockville, Maryland; First Christian Church, Salem, Virginia; and was Director of Religious Education and Evangelism, United Christian Missionary Society and Arkansas Missionary Society. Rev. Lilly held many interim and supply pastorates throughout the State of Virginia after his retirement from full-time ministry. He was named Pastor Emeritus of the First Christian Church, Salem, Virginia in October, 2000. He was a member of Lions Club International, lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge, Rockville, Maryland and was an avid outdoorsman, gardener and photographer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Martha Flora Lilly, two infant grandchildren, one sister, Lotus Albert, and one brother, Noel Lilly. He is survived by three children, Elaine Allen, Lynchburg, Virginia, Ashley Lilly and Sue Ann of Bland County, Virginia, Carolyn Newell and Charlie of Salem, Virginia; four grandchildren, Rondys Cook and Bill, Lynchburg, Virginia, Carole Bulter and Bernie, Kernersville, North Carolina, Sherrill Wilson and Louis, Monroe, Virginia, Marty DeBord and Jason, Salem, Virginia; seven great-grandchildren, Ashley, William, Sarah and Andrew Cook, Lynchburg, Virginia, Keith and Mary Wilson, Monroe, Virginia, and Kate DeBord, Salem, Virginia. In addition, he is survived by one sister, Oueta Jones, Blacksburg; two brothers, Oakley Lilly, Christiansburg, Warren Lilly, Pearisburg. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lotz Funeral Home, Salem, Virginia on Tuesday, January 23, 2001. Graveside service will be at Sherwood Memorial Park at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2001, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at First Christian Church, Salem, Virginia, with the Rev. Diann Johnston officiating. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, Salem Virginia, Housecall Hospice, or Salem Educational Foundation. The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to special caregivers, Matilda Bonds, Jan Racel, June Reavis and Pam Madison. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- NICHOLS, Ralph St. George, (Rusty), 83, of Three Otters Road, Bedford, died peacefully Saturday, January 20, 2001 at his residence. A son of the late James Robert Nichols, Sr. and Mary Cooney Nichols, he is survived by his wife, Wanda H. (Nenie) Nichols; son, James H. Nichols and his wife, Marilyn of Pacifica, Calif.; son, John R. Nichols of Alameda, Calif.; daughter, Karen and her husband, Tom Sorenson of Walnut Creek, Calif.; brother, S. Kent Nichols and his wife, Rosalie K. Nichols of Bedford; sister-in-law, Jane H. Stewart of Cookeville, Tenn.; and brother-in-law, H. Eugene Huddleston of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; also three beloved grandchildren, Renee Nichols, Scott Sorenson and James Nichols; four nephews; nine nieces; and special great-nieces and nephews and cousins. A well-known trombonist and singer from the 30s and 40s Big Band Era, he played and recorded with the Charlie Spivak Orchestra and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra before returning to Virginia where he produced and directed his own music group on Floor Show on WDBJ-TV in Roanoke; and was a longtime ad salesman in the commercial end of radio time sales, both in Roanoke and later in his hometown of Bedford where he and his family have lived since the early 60s. A familiar face with great humor added to his popularity both on and off the bandstand as he performed untiringly at Hotel Roanoke, the Greenbrier, Colonial Hills Supper Club, The Fine Arts Center and many more, long past retirement age. Rusty was an Army veteran during World War II. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, January 25, 2001 at St. John's Episcopal Church with the Rev. G. Thomas Mustard officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Carder--Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, 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/