New River Obituaries ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ANDERS, Rex L., (Big R), 67, of Christiansburg, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 10, 2001, at his home. Born May 1, 1934, he was a veteran of the Korean War and was the former owner of Big R Road Service in Christiansburg. Preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by his wife, Linda Gail Anders; three daughters, Doris Renee Anders, Melissa Gail Taylor, and Hope Yvonne Anders; one son, Timothy LeRoy Anders; three grandsons, Jacob Aaron Sartin, Matthew Wayne Anders, and Rex Allen Taylor; one brother, Tommy Anders; two sisters, Charlotte Bolt and Phyllis Calloway. The family would also like to send special thanks to Montgomery Regional Hospital, Christy Sexton, Elizabeth Cook, Dr. White, and Dr. McMillian. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2001, at the Horne Funeral Chapel with interment to follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday evening at the Horne Funeral Service. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BLANKENSHIP, Dustin Kent, , 6 week old son of Edward Hamilton Tillman, III and Tabatha Renana Blankenship, of Christiansburg died Saturday, June 9, 2001. Arrangements by Dudley Memorial Mortuary, Bluefield. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- KESSINGER, Kerena Jarrells, 34, of Riner, passed away Sunday, June 10, 2001. Arrangements by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- RIDPATH, Clarsie O'dell, 89, of Snowville, died Saturday, June 9, 2001, at her home. Born July 9, 1911, in Pulaski, Va. She was the daughter of the late Jake Abraham O'dell and Doshie Holliday O'dell. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Blueford (Blue) Ridpath; two sons, Basil Hugh Wilson and Ernest William Wilson; and a sister, Mrs. Kermit Bentley (Mannie Lou) Wilson; and three brothers, Arlie O'dell, Collie O'dell, and Luther O'dell. Surviving are daughters-in-law, Mrs. Annie Bell Wilson of Radford and Mrs. Peggy Jane Mitchell of Christiansburg; four grandchildren, Joyce Wilson Rakes, Brad Wilson, Angie Wilson, and Brenda Sue Fulton; three great-grandchildren; sister, Mrs. George (Mazzie Jane) Akers of Shawsville; and special friends, Tina Wilson and Roy E. Mitchell. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski, with the Pastor Wallace W. Yopp officiating. Interment will follow at the Cecil's Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery (Hiwassee). The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday evening at the Bower Funeral Chapel, 1631 Bobwhite Blvd., Pulaski. Bower Funeral Chapels is handling the arrangements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- VEST, Mary Emily Hetherington, 80, of Dublin, died Sunday, June 10, 2001, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born October 5, 1920, in Madison, W.Va., the daughter of the late Archibald and Flora Bruce Gillespie. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Joseph Hetherington. She was a member of the Dublin United Methodist Church and the White Gate Ruritan Club. She is survived by her husband, James (Jack) Vest; one son and daughter-in-law, John and Donna Hetherington, Lexington, Tenn.; two daughters, Rev. Jo Ellen Hetherington, Roanoke, and Vicki Hetherington, Salem; two stepdaughters, Judy Feaganes and husband, Otis, Staunton, and Dorothy L. Vest, Marion; two grandchildren, Shawna and Chad Hetherington, Lexington, Tenn.; one great-grandson, Tyler Hetherington, Lexington, Tenn.; special friends, Emogene Cullip, Herbert and Carol Vest. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate, with the Rev. Larry Williams officiating. Burial in the Mechanicsburg Cemetery, Mechanicsburg. Visiting will be at the funeral home Monday after 1 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Dublin United Methodist Church or the Byrnes Chapel United Methodist Church Local content copyright © 2001 The Roanoke Times