New River Obituaries ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- AKERS, James W., 74, of Narrows, took his journey home to be with Jesus Christ on Monday, April 9, 2001 ending a courageous battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of Giles County. He was born on June 21, 1926 and was the son of Mrs. Ola Lawson Akers of Narrows and the late James Blaine Akers. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Walter F. "Bud" Lambert. He was the former owner of Akers Motor Company which was the Dodge-Plymouth Dealership in Narrows for many years. He was retired from the Celanese Acetate Plant at Narrows in 1991. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the V.F.W. Post #6000 of Narrows. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving and caring wife of 54 years, Maxine M. Akers of Narrows; a sister, Loraine Lambert of Narrows; a brother, Rusty Lane and his wife, Betty of Narrows; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Gary Williams of Forest, Debbie and Lewyn Caldwell of Roanoke, and Brenda Holdren of Roanoke; two sons, Martin and his wife, Sherry Akers of Forest, James W. Akers of Roanoke; grandchildren, Ben Caldwell and his wife, Valeria, Tracy Wright, Darryl Williams, Kristen C. Maxey, Cory Akers, Blaine Akers; great-grandchildren, Kelsi and Kiera Wright, Kristopher Maxey, Ethan Caldwell; special niece, Suzanne Woodward and her husband, Joe and children, Luke and Kara; special nephews, Butch Lambert and his wife, Darlene, and sons, Brad, Jason, Tanner, and Ross Lang. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 13, 2001 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows with the Rev. Eddie Kendall and the Rev. Jack Waldron officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Narrows with graveside rites conducted by the V.F.W. Post #6000 of Narrows in the Giles County American Legion Post. The family will receive friends at Riffe's in Narrows on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Gentle Shepherd Hospice, 4005 Electric Rd., SW, Roanoke , Va. 24014. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BILLITER, Charles E., (Ed), 79, of Christiansburg, Va., formerly of Peach Orchard in Pikeville, Ky., passed away Monday, April 9, 2001 in a Roanoke, Va. hospital. A member of The Presbyterian Church of Pikeville. He was a retired coal miner and was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Elizabeth T. Billiter, a son, John P. Billiter and a grandson. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Billiter; daughters and sons-in-law, Vonna and Tennis Newsome, Thomasville, N.C., Norma Moore, Indianapolis, Ind., Vickie and Dan Canada, Christiansburg, Va.; a grandson, Scott Canada and wife, Lorie, Christiansburg, Va.; seven other grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Jetta Greene, Christiansburg. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg, Va. The body will then be taken to the J. W. Call and Son Funeral Home, Pikeville, Ky. where visitation and funeral services will be held. Arrangements are being handled by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- COLLINS, Georgia Ann, 92, of 1725 Creasy Reynolds Lane, Blacksburg, died Monday, April 9, 2001 at Montgomery County Regional Hospital. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Blacksburg. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Sidney Collins (September 10, 1963); one daughter, Shirley Wiley; one son, Roy Collins; four brothers; and four sisters. She is survived by daughters, Elizabeth Alexander of Christiansburg, Berty Price of Columbus, Ohio, Margaret Shabazz of Radford, Mary Ann Dean of Radford, Edith Collins of Blacksburg, Lillian Collins of Blacksburg, Georgia Bonner of Blacksburg; sons, William Collins of Christiansburg, Charles Collins of Christiansburg, Thomas Collins of Blacksburg; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, April 13, 2001 at First Baptist Church of Blacksburg. Wake will be at the church on Thursday, April 12, 2001 from 7 to 8 p.m. Arrangements by Claytor-Dean Funeral Home. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- COX, Shirley Edward, 78, of 1232 Farris Mines Road, Hiwassee, Va., died Monday, April 9, 2001 at his home. He was born in Allisonia, Va. on October 5, 1922, and was the son of the late James Jethero "Dan" Cox and Zetta Stillwell Cox. He was also preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Paul A. Cox, Ella Cox Goad, Carlie Cox, Kenard Cox, Velma Cox Mitchell and Robert Cox. He was a member of the Dinwiddie Presbyterian Church. Mr. Cox was a farmer and served his country during WWII. He served as Worshipful Master of Snowville Lodge #159, and he was also a member of the Pulaski Masonic Lodge. Surviving are his wife, Dovie Huff Cox of Hiwassee; sisters, Edna Cox Hanks of Dublin and Vergie Cox Wright of Hillsville; brother, Eugene Cox of Oregon; many special nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Stevens Funeral Chapel with Rev. Jonathan Smith and Rev. Levi Humphreys officiating. Burial will follow in the Draper's Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Snowville Masonic Lodge #159 conducting the graveside rites. Visiting will be Wednesday evening at Stevens Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. The family wishes that memorials be made to the Dinwiddie Presbyterian Church, 2698 Homestead Road, Hillsville, Va. 24343. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Inc., Pulaski, Va. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- HIXON, Samuel Earl, 68, of Floyd, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2001, at the home of his brother and sister-in-law, Teresa Hixon. He was born September 29, 1932 to the late William H. and Mackie M. Hixon. He is survive d by brothers and sisters-in-law, Ruben and Janice Hixon, William H., Jr. and Rachel Hixon, all of Christiansburg, James and Emma Jean Hixon of Radford, Kenneth and Marie Hixon of Baltimore, Md.; sisters and brother-in-law, Ruby Wood, Helen Sutherland, Dorothy Harvey, all of Christiansburg, Lucille Bateman of Cleveland, Ohio, Erma Frierson of Baltimore, Md., Barbara and Edward Thompson of Ceres, Va.; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Hixon of Christiansburg. He is also survived by a special great-nephew and hunting partner, Matt Hixon; also numerous other nieces and nephews. Sam loved the woods, wildlife and the great outdoors. He was a life member of VFW Post #4667, a veteran of the Korean Conflict, as well as a member of the Open Door Baptist Church in Christiansburg. The family would like to express special thanks to the nurses and doctors of Hospice who took such good care of Sam. Funeral services will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at the Open Door Baptist Church with Rev. Barry Fleming and Rev. Sam Hancock officiating with interment to follow in Sunset Cemetery. In Sam's memory, the family asked that memorials be made to Open Door Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2524, Christiansburg, Va. 24068 or Hospice of New River Valley, 707 Randolph Street, Suite 251, Radford, Va. 24141. The family will receive friends at the Open Door Baptist Church, 3995 Roanoke Street, Christiansburg, Va. from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Thursday. Arrangements are being handled by Horne Funeral Service, Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- THOMPSON, Margaret Dickerson, of Pulaski, died Monday, April 9, 2001. Funeral services will be 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas M. Seagle & Sons. Visitation 6 until 7:30 funeral time. Local content copyright © 2000 The Roanoke Times