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. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, at the Horne Funeral Chapel conducted by the Rev. B.F. Holstein, Jr. with interment to follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are being handled by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BLANKENSHIP, Dustin Kent, 6 week old son of Edward Hamilton Tillman, III and Tabatha Renana Blankenship, of Christiansburg, died Saturday, June 9, 2001 in Christiansburg. He was born April 27, 2001 in Roanoke and has a twin brother, Dallas Ray Blankenship. Additional survivors include grandparents, Dennis and Freda Blankenship of Christiansburg, Edward T. Tillman, II of Pennsylvania, Deborah Lynn Shaver of Blacksburg; great-grandparents, Kenneth Lee Young, Sr. of Bluewell, W.Va., Patsy Louise Miller of Green Valley, Va., Joyce Sessa of Radford. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Bluefield, Va. with the Rev. Mike Cunningham officiating. There will be no visitation. Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, Va. is in charge of arrangements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- CREECH, Ruth Stafford, 79, of Pearisburg, died Monday, June 11, 2001. Funeral arrangements by Givens Funeral Home, Pearisburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- March 27,1967-June 10, 2001 KESSINGER, Kerena Maxine Jarrells, 34, a native of Blacksburg, and resided in Riner at the time of her death. She is survived by her husband, John Leslie Kessinger; son, John Allan Kessinger, age 11; her parents, Allan Ronald and Maxine Rena Sheppard Jarrells; brother, Allan Randell Jarrells (Randy); maternal grandparents, WillieJames and Dolly May Fain Sheppard; mother and father-in-law, Margaret and Jessie Kessinger; sisters-in-law, Anita Jarrells and Vanessa Kessinger; brothers-in-law, Barry and Todd Kessinger; nieces, Jennifer, April, and Amanda Jarrells, Montana and Dakota Kessinger; nephews, Travis Jarrells and J.T. Kessinger. Kerena also had many aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends. She will always be remembered and loved by all that knew her and was touched by her life. "This is not good-bye but see you soon we all love you very muich." Friends may call anytime after 12 noon on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 at Horne Fuenral Home where the family will received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2001, in the Horne Funeral Chapel with Dr. Glenn Griffin officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Horne Funeral Service in Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- MANNON, Ernest Smith, 86, of Radford, passed away Monday, June 11, 2001, in New River Valley Medical Center. He was a member of Radford Wesleyan Church and a retired yard clerk and assistant yard master with N&W Railroad with 43 years of service. He was the son of Charles Henry and Maude Dora Dobbins Mannon. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Smith Mannon; and his daughter, Betty Mannon White. Survivors include his wife, Danie Duncan Mannon of Radford; four sons and daughters-in-law, Paul and JoAnn Mannon and Joe and Martha Mannon, all of Radford, Ted and Micki Viers of Newbern and Bobby Viers of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; a daughter and son-in-law, Ruby and Don Huffman of Boones Mill; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 13, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Radford Wesleyan Church with the Rev. Jim Cochran and Pastor Tony Brescia officiating. Interment will follow in West View Cemetery in Radford. Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to either the American Cancer Society or the Radford Wesleyan Church. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- SIMMONS, Charlie Jackson, 71, of Pulaski, passed away Monday, June 11, 2001. Arrangements by Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- VEST, James Jackson, (Jack), 91, of Dublin, died Monday, June 11, 2001. Funeral 11 a.m. Thursday at A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- VEST, Mary Emily Hetherington, 80, of Dublin, died Sunday, June 10, 2001. Funeral 2 p.m. Tuesday at A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home Chapel, White Gate. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- WOODY, Bessie May McCain, 96, of Christiansburg, died Monday, June 11, 2001 in Wheatland Retirement Community. She was born in Montgomery, Ala. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Francis Woody. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert F. "Bob" and Garnett Woody of Christiansburg; daughter, Betty Jeanne Holloway of Sumner, W.Va. She is also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2001 in the Horne Funeral Chapel with Dr. Charles Stone officiating. A private interment will be held in the Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth, Va. Arrangements by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. Local content copyright © 2001 The Roanoke Times