New River Obituaries ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BOYD, Dewey Henry Jr., 75, of Radford, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2001 at his home. He retired from Burlington Industries after 39 1 / 2 years service in 1988. He served his country in World War II with Patton's Third Army, Fifth Infantry Division, and was decorated with the Bronze Star. Combat included the Battle of the Bulge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey and Mattie Boyd; three sisters, Ellen Gravley, Georgia Lawrence and Ruby Tinley; and one brother, Otis Boyd. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Maleita S. Boyd, Radford; one daughter and son-in-law, Patsy B. and Dr. Robert Baker, Raleigh, N.C.; a son and daughter-in-law, Randy J. and Melanie Boyd, Radford; two brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Lula Boyd, Radford, Clyde and Betty Boyd, Baltimore, Md.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Shirley and Charles Spence, and Pauline Lazarek, all of Baltimore, Md.; and his very best friend, Elwood Smart, who was there for him every day. Three grandsons, Jason and Brandon Baker, Raleigh, N.C., and Justin Boyd, Radford also survive. The family wishes to give special thanks to Gentle Shepherd Hospice, friends, family and neighbors for their support. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, July 6, 2001 at the Fairlawn Baptist Church with Rev. Danny Collins and Rev. Tom Oliphant officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 5, 2001 at The DeVilbiss Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. V.F.W. Post #776 will conduct military graveside services. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- CARTER, Martha Neill, 56, of 404 Lawndale Drive, Pearisburg, died Monday, July 2, 2001 in Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke. Born in Clarksdale, Miss. on September 4, 1944, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Mattie Meador Neill. She is survived by her husband, Robert W. Carter; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert Neill and Karen Hamilton Carter of Charlotte, N.C.; and a daughter and son-in-law, Leigh Carter and Douglas W. Packett of Richmond; and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in the Kendall Funeral Home Chapel at Pembroke. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Giles County Life Saving and Rescue Squad. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- COX, Barbara Graham, 61, of Christiansburg, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2001 at the home of her daughter. Her husband, Namon E. Cox; her parents, Edwin and Martha Graham, and her daughter, Wanda Sue Cox, preceded her in death. Barbara is survived by two sons, Kent Cox and Roy Cox; a daughter, Veronica Altizer, all of Christiansburg; nine grandchildren; four brothers, Homer Graham, Rocky Mount, Va., Paul Graham, Wirtz, Va., Wendell Graham, Riner and Neal Graham of Richmond, Va.; sisters, Bonnie Hawks, Christiansburg, Va. and Beatrice Belcher, Floyd, Va. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 6th at the Horne Funeral Chapel conducted by Pastor Tom Rice with burial to follow in Beaver Creek Cemetery, Floyd County. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Carilion New River Valley Hospice, 111 West Main Street, Christiansburg, Va. 24073. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 5th at the Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg, Va. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- SHEPPARD, Byrd Franklin Jr., 70, of 5654 Old Route 11, Dublin, passed away at his home on Monday, July 2, 2001. Born December 28, 1930 in Montgomery County, he was the son of the late Byrd Franklin Sheppard, Sr. and Mary Arnetta Hart Long. He was a veteran of the United States Army. His wife, Ruby Lillian Amick Sheppard, and sister, Ruby Holliday, preceded him in death. He retired from Virginia Tech with over 15 years of service. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Otis C. and Carol Davidson; daughter and son-in-law, June and Robert White of Valrico, Fla.; brother, Robert O. Sheppard of Blacksburg; sister, Pansy S. Surface of Blacksburg; sister-in-law, Hilda Rorrer of Dublin; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski with the Elder Stephen Waller officiating. Interment will follow at the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski. Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski is handling the arrangements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- WILLIAMS, Marie C., 93, of 217 Locust Street, Floyd, passed away Tuesday afternoon, July 3, 2001 in a Roanoke hospital. She was the last surviving child of the late Milton A. and Lillie Dickerson Williams of Floyd. She was preceded in death by brothers, Walla G., Ora D. and Guy M. Williams; and a sister, Annie Williams Smith. She was born September 27, 1907 in Floyd County, graduated from Floyd High School and Radford College n'ee University. Marie was a long time fourth grade teacher at Floyd Elementary School where she instilled a love for Floyd County and Virginia history in her students. Miss Williams was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church of Floyd where she served as deacon. She had served as president of the Floyd Courthouse Women's Club and the Floyd County Education Association, had been a member of the Garden Club, Delta Kappa Gamma, Historical Society and the retired teachers organization. Her survivors include nieces, Margaret A. Smith of Floyd, Virginia Williams of Richmond; and nephew, Floyd P. Smith, Jr. (Pat) of Check. Also her first cousin, Geraldine Dickerson Larson of Arlington. Three great-nephews and two great-nieces also survive her. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday at the Presbyterian Church of Floyd with the Rev. Michael Nelms officiating. Interment in Jacksonville Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Wood Funeral Home. Flowers will be appreciated, or donations may be made to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, or the Floyd Rescue Squad. Friends may call anytime Thursday at Wood Funeral Home.