The Roanoke Times New River Obituaries Published on Thursday, January 11, 2001 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ECHOLS, John Franklin Jr., (Frank), 61, of Elliston, died Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at Lewis Gale Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Jean Echols of Elliston; son and daughter-in-law, John Franklin, III and Jennifer Echols and their dog, Sigismond, all of Atlanta, Ga.; sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Gene Dixon of Athens, Ga.; aunt, Willie Kay Kelly; many close and dear friends and several nieces and nephews also survive him. Friends may call anytime after 12 noon Thursday, January 11, 2001 at Horne Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2001 at Lafayette United Methodist Church, with Pastor Jack Baily officiating. A graveside service will be held 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Christiansburg. The family requests in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to Lafayette United Methodist Church, 5625 Lafayette Rd., Elliston, Va. 24087. Arrangements by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- EVANS, Harold Russell, 83, of Floyd, passed away at his home Wednesday, January 10, 2001. Surviving are his wife, Frances Yeatts Evans of Floyd and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Gardner Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in Jacksonville Cemetery. Friends may call after 12 noon Thursday at Gardner Funeral Home where the family will be from 4 until 6 p.m. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- HOBACK, Elizabeth Chafin Broce, 86, of Christiansburg, formerly of Cocoa, Fla., passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. Her husbands, William J. Broce and Paul Hoback, preceded her in death. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Cocoa, Fla., a retired Licensed Practical Nurse for many years, the daughter of the late Sherman and Mary Bower Chafin. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Sally Broce of Yuba City, Calif; a daughter, Jackie Broce Miller of Daleville; a daughter and son-in-law, Darlene Hoback and Wade Wilburn of Christiansburg; and a daughter and son-in-law, Audrey Carolynn Hoback and Karl Munoz of Metairie, LA.; 11 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at the Horne Funeral Home. Services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Horne Funeral Home. The Rev. Legrand Adams will officiate. The family requests in lieu of flowers, your memorials be made to the church of your choice. Arrangements by Horne Funeral Service. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- WALKER, Clarence Wilmer, 91, of Radford, passed away Monday, January 8, 2001 at Wheatland Hills Retirement Center. He was a member of Carter Street United Methodist Church and a retired crane operator at Lynchburg Foundry with 44 years service. He was preceded in death by his wives, Thelma Bishop Walker and Sylvia Shelor Walker, and a son, Frank Walker. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Wilmer and Alma Walker of Radford; a brother, Howard Walker of Christiansburg; three sisters, Frances Roberts, Mabel Body and Betty Hinkley, all of Radford; five grandchildren, Brenda Walker, Dianne Santolla, Joyce Webb, Lisa Davis and Bradley Walker; six great-grandchildren, Adam Farmer, Celena Shumate, Leigh Ann Santolla, Michael Santolla, Derek Webb and Rachael Davis; and two great-great-grandchildren, Brittney Farmer and Karli Shumate. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at 2 p.m. at the Carter Street United Methodist Church with Rev. Terri Gregory officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- LITTLE, Fred R. Jr., 71, of Atkins, died Tuesday, January 9, 2001 in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia. He was the son of the late Fred and Essie Little of Lansing, North Carolina. Mr. Little retired from Brunswick Corporation with over 40 years of service. He was the owner of Little Auto Sales and was an avid family man. Mr. Little was preceded in death by a grandson, Dylan Randolph Fender. He is survived by his wife, June Rupard Little of Atkins, Virginia; three daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and Sam Blevins of Galax, Virginia, Teresa and Bill McDonald of Blacksburg, Virginia and Donna and Doug Fender of Marion, Virginia; five grandchildren, Samantha Blevins, Stephanie Blevins, Douglas Fender, Savannah Fender, and Joseph Randolph McDonald; one sister, Jewell Osborne of Glade Spring, Virginia; one brother, Charles Little of Abingdon, Virginia; several nieces, nephews, and cousins, including a special cousin, Ken Osborne of Marion, Virginia. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 12, 2001 at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Rev. Eugene Little, Rev. Grady Byrd and Rev. Lewis Fender officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery where Masonic Rites will be conducted by Marion Masonic Lodge #31 A.F. & A.M. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Little family. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- WHITE, Stearlin Benjamin, 66, of Cleveland, Ohio, formerly of Pulaski, Va., passed away Sunday, January 7, 2001. Funeral 11 a.m. Friday at Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski. Visitation Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BREWSTER, Claris Radford, 80, of Salem, formerly of Floyd, Va., passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2001. She was retired from General Electric. Claris was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard L. Brewster and her parents, George and Liddie Radford. Surviving family include a son, Melvin B. Brewster (Carolyn Bolt Brewster); a grandson, Bernard C. Brewster; a granddaughter, Wanda Brewster-Disher (Gene Disher); a great-grandson, Dakota Patrick Disher; her caregiver and special friend, Kathy Cochran; a special cousin, Lala Epperly; also several cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, January 12, 2001 at Oakey's North Chapel, with the Rev. Thomas C. Clay officiating. Interment will follow in Radford Cemetery, Floyd, Va. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. E. Blackford Noland of Lewis-Gale Clinic for his dedicated care. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- HILL, Hillard Junior, 79, of Botetourt County, beloved husband, father and papaw, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2001 after a courageous battle with cancer. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Gladys Martin Hill; a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Judy Hill; daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Richard Robinson; a sister-in-law that he considered a daughter, Lillie Mae Keatts and husband, Lewis; grandchildren and spouses, Allen and Kim Robinson, Keith and Kirsten Robinson, Angela and Ike Katsilianos, Dawn and Michael Jones, Brian Hill; great-grandchildren, Jon Robinson, Kymbre Robinson, Alex Katsilianos; brother, Buddy Hill; sisters and their husbands, Vielda Jones, Nadine and Casey Jones, JoAnna and Harry Austin; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and their spouses, Herman and Margaret Martin, Huford and Irene Martin, Juanita Mitchell, Louise Jenkins; stepbrothers and sisters-in-law, Nellie and Dalton Ferguson, Elizabeth and Perry Sigmon, Otis and Hazel Wood; numerous nieces and nephews. He was a member of The Gospel Light Baptist Church and a former charter member of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Radford, Va. He was retired from Beatrice Foods (Clover Creamery), and a veteran of World War II serving in the South Pacific. Funeral services will be conducted from Oakey's East Chapel at 11 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2001 with the Rev. Earl B. Clemons, Rev. George Puffenbarger and Rev. Jerry Gibson officiating. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Flowers will be appreciated, but Dad requested donations to Carilion Hospice Services of Roanoke at 1917 Franklin Road, Roanoke, Va. 24014 as he was always thinking about other's needs. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Oakey's East Chapel. (977-3909) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- PRICE, Sharlene Stewart. On Wednesday, January 10, 2001 Sharlene Stewart Price, a precious daughter of the King, achieved the ultimate healing as she entered the presence of Jesus Christ. Sharlene was the wife of Gary Austin Price and devoted mother of Virginia Sharlene "Gini" Price, and Christine Kylene Price, and stepdaughter, Renee Price Watson. They spent many happy years at their home, Rose Hill Farm in Elliston, Virginia and recently at their "Ivy Christian Cottage" in Salem, as well. Sharlene was predeceased by her father, James Hite Stewart. Other surviving family members include her mother, Grace Vance Stewart; sister, Margaret S. Shields and her husband, Chaplain, Jerry K. Shields, U.S.N., and their children, Thomas S. Shields and wife, Rebecca, Christie Shields Horton and husband, Jim; brother, J. Oliver Stewart and wife, Debra, and their children, Courtney and Shannon. Her surviving in-laws include mother-in-law, Virginia Sexton Price; sister-in-law, Linda Price Segraves, her husband, Steve and daughters Kimberly and Jessica; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Price Gerth, and her daughters, Jada and Megan. Sharlene was a graduate of Baileysville High School, Wyoming County, West Virginia, where her father was principal. She received her BA degree from West Virginia University, and earned her Master's degree from Virginia Tech. A devoted educator, Sharlene taught five years in West Virginia, five years in Montgomery County, twelve years in Salem, Virginia and spent four years as coordinator of the Parent Resource Center and Title I Program for City of Salem Schools. During the years with City of Salem Schools, she was the lead teacher for the SEEK Program, coordinated the Gifted Program, was a Reading Specialist, and a 4th grade teacher. In 1983, Sharlene brought the Odyssey of the Mind Program to the Roanoke Valley; in 1990, her peers voted her "Teacher of the Year" at East Salem Elementary School. From 1993-94, Sharlene served as President of the Roanoke Valley Reading Council; in 1997, after being nominated by a former student, Johanna Fisher, Sharlene received the "Most Favorite Educator's Award" by the Governor's School. After founding and coordinating the Rose Hill Farm 4-H Club, it received statewide recognition for "Community Service." A member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, Sharlene served as a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, member of the Guild of Martha and Mary, Parish Hall bulletin board coordinator, member of the prayer chain and Mefi Rowland's Bible Study / Sunday School class. She was a part of the Reach Out Ministry and served as a Lay Eucharistic Minister. Throughout her eight year battle with cancer, she never wasted her suffering, but used it to introduce others to the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. Sharlene focused on Christ, not the circumstances and her goal was to glorify God. Although she was a lifelong Christian, she developed a vibrant relationship with Christ as she studied His word in Bible Study Fellowship International for the last 6 1 / 2 years. She freely shared her faith and trust in Christ wherever she happened to be and her joy in the Lord was evident. Never missing an opportunity to extend an invitation to BSF, she served as a children's leader and usher. Gini and Christine have been studying with Sharlene since the BSF School Program opened 4 1 / 2 years ago. Sharlene's life verse was Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Romans was her favorite book of the Bible. Visitation will be at John M. Oakey & Son Salem Funeral Home, Friday, January 12, 2001 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Rev. Timothy K. Vance will conduct a celebration of Sharlene's life at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 42 W. Main Street, Salem on Saturday, January 13, 2001 at 10 a.m. A private graveside service for the family will follow after which the family will greet friends in the St. Paul's Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, it was her desire to help fulfill the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, by donating to Bible Study Fellowship International, 19001 Blanco Road, San Antonio, Texas 78258-4019. We will never know this side of Heaven how many people Sharlene touched for Christ, by the way she lived. Deeply loved by her family and friends, our lives have been richly blessed by this beautiful Christian lady. The "Fair Rose" of Rose Hill will forever bloom in our garden of memories. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- 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/