New River Obituaries ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BENNETT, Delilah Boone, 83, went to meet her heavenly Father on Saturday, May 12, 2001 at her home in Dublin. She was a member of White Sulphur Pentecostal Holiness Church in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. She was preceded in death by a son, Marshall Douglas Bennett, Sr. of Smithfield. Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Rev. C. O. Bennett, Sr. of Dublin; three sons and daughters-in-law, Charles O., Jr. and Petty Bennett and Billy Ray and Gail Bennett, all of Radford and Jerry Lee and Kathy Bennett of Dublin; two daughters and son-in-law, Phyllis Imogene Simpkins of Dublin and Patricia Louise and Buster Bishop of Pulaski; a sister-in-law, Ruth B. Judd of Ashburn, Va.; 18 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Mrs. Delilah Boone Bennett honored, praised and served the Lord her entire life. Her dedication to Him was widely known as she faithfully supported the 55 year ministry of her husband, the Rev. C. O. Bennett. The family extends loving thanks to everyone for the prayers and support during this time of sorrow and joy. Our heartfelt gratitude will forever be with the caring staff and nurses of Gentle Shepherd Hospice who have been a blessing to us all. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 14, 2001 at 2 p.m. at French's Chapel Church, with the Rev. Billy Akers, Rev. Danny McGlothin and Rev. Kenneth Fogus officiating. Interment will follow in the Pentecostal Conference Cemetery in Dublin. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- GIBBS, Lois Pratt, 79, of Floyd, departed this life for her Heavenly Home on Saturday, May 12, 2001. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Gibbs. Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Robert Edward (Bob) and Sue Gibbs of Christiansburg, William L. and Sue Ann Gibbs of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Lois Ann and David Via of Floyd; grandchildren, Allen Gibbs, Donald Gibbs, Jack Gibbs, Lee Gibbs, Lisa Via King, Jack Via; seven great-grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-law, Lawrence Pratt of Floyd, Elwood and Sylvia Pratt of Christiansburg; nieces and nephews; and many friends and neighbors. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, Floyd with Rev. Lawrence Nuckolls officiating. Burial will be in Jacksonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Maberry Funeral Home. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- HOWES, Grace Helen, formerly of Blacksburg, Virginia, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon May 8, 2001 in Williamsburg, Virginia. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee, February 14, 1913, the daughter of the late Thomas Jefferson and Stella Claudia Holland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Cecil Edgar Howes, and by numerous brothers and sisters. She attended Nursing School at Vanderbilt University. She enjoyed life and had many interests including the VPI Faculty Women's Club, especially the Cooking Interest Group and the Antiques Interest Group. She was a member of several Bridge Clubs and the Blacksburg Garden Club and was well known around town for her hospitality. She was an active member of Blacksburg United Methodist Church. She was a wonderful and loving mother to her children. She is survived by one son, Thurston Howes, Richmond; two daughters, Karen Tyler of Blacksburg, Gayle Francis and husband Drew of Williamsburg; five grandsons, Jim Alger and companion Lydia Turner, Roanoke, Dan Alger, Germantown, Maryland, David Alger and wife Ramona, Severn, Maryland, Ethan Howes, Richmond, Josh Jeffers, Aurora, Colo.; three granddaughters, Emma Howes, Richmond; Denille Francis, Yorktown, Tiffany Francis,Williamsburg; one special niece, Virginia Novak and husband Andy and numerous other nieces and nephews. At her request, a wake will be held this summer at the family camp at Shin Pond, Maine with her ashes joining her husbands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- PHARES, Timothy Wayne, 42, of Dublin, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2001. Survivors includes a daughter, Brendi Jean Booth of Summersville, W. Va., seven brothers and two sisters. At the family's request, there will be no funeral service. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2001, at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- POWELL, Phillip Patrick Sr., 87, of Pearisburg, passed away Saturday morning, May 12, 2001 at Pulaski County Retirement Center. Mr. Powell was born March 6, 1914 in Pearisburg. Pat was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a member of the Pearisburg First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Pop Finley Sunday School Class. In previous years when his health permitted, he was an avid supporter and worker in the Giles County Lord's Acre program and had a strong interest in town and community government. Pat was a retired coal miner and loyal member of UMWA District 17. Since March Pat had made his home at the Pulaski County Retirement Community where he found great comfort in his frequent visits from family and long-time friends. He loved nature and the beauty and serenity of the mountains. Pat was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Daisey Stover Powell; five brothers; and two sisters. He leaved his seven children, Phillip Powell, Jr. of Blacksburg; daughter, Shirley Scott of Narrows; daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Tom Dillon of Falls Church; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Ray Petterson of York, Pa.; daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Austin Hall of Dublin; son and daughter-in-law, Pam and William O'Neal of Roanoke, son and daughter-in-law, John and Judy Powell of Pearisburg. He also leaves a special granddaughter, Kristi Hall and is also survived by 13 other grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, May 15, 2001 at 11 a.m. in the Pearisburg First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Charles Lockerby and Dr. Fred Austin officiating with interment in Birchlawn Burial Park. The family will receive friends at the Givens Funeral Home, Pearisburg Monday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- RYE, David Lee, 57, of Blacksburg, died Friday, May 11, 2001 at his home. He was born March 2, 1944 at Cucumber, W.Va. and was raised in Tazewell, Va. He was predeceased by his parents, James Arthur and Mae Bausell Rye, a brother, William R. Rye of Maryville, Tenn., two sisters, Edith R. Etter of Tazewell and Marie R. Isaacs of Hyattsville, Md. and his father-in-law, Maynard DeHart of Blacksburg. Dave was an avid golfer and loyal Hokie fan and loved spending tie with his many friends. He is survived by his wife, Ila Chris DeHart Rye; and a son, Michael Thomas Davis of Blacksburg; a brother and sister-in-law, James A. and Louise Rye of Buckingham, Va.; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Virgie R. and Allen Whitt of Hyattsville, Md., Louise R. and Guy Duvall of Lansing, N.C., Inza Mae and Erwin Bircher of Mooresville, N.C.; two brothers-in-law, Ulis Isaacs of Hyattsville, Md. and Varney Etter of Tazewell, Va.; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Carla Jo and Randy Whitaker of Harrisburg, Penn.; and his mother-in-law, Jo DeHart of Blacksburg; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, May 15, 2001 at 2 p.m. at the Blacksburg Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Rev. Johnny Loughridge will officiate. Interment will follow at Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg. The remains will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. and the family will receive friends and loved ones from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2001 at the church. In lieu of flowers, which will also be appreciated, memorial may be made to the organ fund, Blacksburg Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 240 Watson Avenue, Blacksburg, Va. 24060 or to Good Samaritan Hospice, P. O. Box 6245, Christiansburg, Va. 24068. Arrangements and services conducted by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- SPENCE, Evelyn Surles, 91, of Draper, passed away Friday, May 11, 2001. Funeral 2 p.m. Monday at the Bower Funeral Chapel, Pulaski. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- WORRELL, William Thomas, (Tom), 70, of 1720 Newbern Road, Pulaski died early Saturday morning, May 12, 2001 at his home. He was born in Pulaski on March 18, 1931 and was the son of the late William Harrison Worrell and Hazel Mabry Worrell. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Curtis Ray Worrell. He was retired from the US Army as Sergeant First Class regular Army. He served his country in the Korean Conflict and fought on Heartbreak Ridge. He served in the National Guard for 23 years. He was Group Leader for the Pulaski VFW Post #1184 and was Past Commander of the American Legion Post #7. He retired from Coca-Cola after working there for 36 years. He then worked part-time for Fontaine for 5 years before retiring. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Pulaski. Surviving are his wife of 46 years, Shirley Tickle Worrell of Pulaski; four sons and three daughters-in-law, James "Jim" and Jeannie Worrell of Draper, Timothy Worrell of Pulaski, Jeffrey and Marcie Worrell of Pulaski, John and Melinda Worrell of Dublin; two grandchildren, Tara Worrell and Dylan Worrell; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Sereta Young of Pulaski, Helen and Rudy Quesenberry of Dublin, Ocie and Emory Sutphin of Dublin; two brothers and sister-in-law, Ron Worrell of Tennessee, Terry and Doris Worrell of Pulaski. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. from Stevens Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bob Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin with Pulaski VFW Post #1184 conducting the military graveside rites. Visiting will be Monday evening from the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. The family wished to that donations may be made to the First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1007, Pulaski, Va. 24301. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Local content copyright © 2000 The Roanoke Times HAPPY MOTHERS DAY Rena