New River Obituaries ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- BROOKS, France Elizabeth, 83, of 125 Virginia Heights Road in Pearisburg, died February 13, 2001 in Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital in Pearisburg. Funeral arrangements are pending with Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- CHAFIN, Rev. Eugene Elwin, 85, of Blacksburg, died Monday, February 12, 2001 at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nannie Bowyer Chafin and Kyle R. Chafin, two brothers and four sisters. Rev. Chafin was born December 12, 1915 in Montgomery County. He received his education in Montgomery County, Roanoke County, at Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., and Virginia Tech. After 18 years as department supervisor at the Lynchburg foundry, he was inspired by a calling to preach and became a licensed minister May 16, 1951. Rev. Chafin began his ministry on the Eggleston Circuit in 1952. Subsequent pastorates in the Holston Conference included two United Methodist Churches in Virginia-at Rich Creek and Richlands- and two in Tennessee-Vermont United Methodist Church, Kingsport, and Christ United Methodist Church, Greenville. In 1954, while pastor of the Eggleston Circuit, he began the Lord's Acre program, an annual fund-raising effort for Giles County churches that is still active today. In 1958, Rev. Chafin was designated Commonwealth of Virginia Rural Minister of the Year. In 1959-60, he traveled to Cuba on an evangelistic mission, where, under constant threat from the newly-empowered Castro regime, he won many converts to Christ. During his ministry, he conducted revivals throughout Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. He also led numerous tours to the Holy Land. Post-retirement, Rev. Chafin served as a member of the Giles County School Board from 1980-1987. After moving from Giles County to Blacksburg in 1988, he was assistant to the minister of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church and a volunteer minister at Warm Hearth Village. Rev. Chafin is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Akers Chafin of Blacksburg; son, Harold Chafin and wife, Norma of Pearisburg; daughter, Carolyn Johnston and husband, Clinton of Blacksburg; a sister, Nelsie Kupersmith of Nashville, Tenn.; five grandchildren, Sheree Davis, Teri Eppling, and Janet Millirons of Pembroke, Steven Chafin of Pearisburg, Cindy S. Johnston of Alexandria; and ten great-grandchildren. The family will receive visitors from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, February 14, 2001, at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg. The funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, February 15, 2001 at the Pearisburg First United Methodist Church, 1101 Valleyview Dr., with the Reverends Charles Lockerby, Dr. Fred Austin, James Hankins, and William St. Clair officiating. Interment will follow at Birchlawn Mausoleum, Pearisburg. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Live a Difference Foundation, P.O. Box 7228, Alexandria, Va. 22307 and / or the Alzheimers Association, P.O. Box 5014, Roanoke, Va. 24012. Arrangements are being handles by Horne Funeral Service in Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- CRUM, Junior Irvin, 53, of Floyd, died Monday, February 12, 2001. Funeral services 2p.m. Wednesday at Lynch Funeral Home Chapel, Rocky Mount. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- HUBBARD, Earnest, 83, died peacefully at his home in Willis, Monday, February 12, 2001. He was well known in the timber and lumber industry for many years. He was an active member of the Willis United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Helms Hubbard; a grandson, Lyndon Hylton; two brothers, Frank and Luther Hubbard; and two sisters, Anna Mae Burnett and Ruth Hubbard. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Jack Hylton Willis; son and daughter-in-law, Dallas and Margaret Hubbard Floyd; grandchildren and spouses, Scott and Khris Hylton, Floyd, Trina Hylton, Radford, Leon and Annette Hubbard, Floyd, Terry Hubbard, Christiansburg; three great-grandsons, Justin, Jonathan and Jordon Hylton, Willis; one brother and sister-in-law, Lewis and Ruth Hubbard, West Virginia; one sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Carmen Marsigilia, Maryland; brother-in-law and wife, Leston and Myrtle Helms, Ridgeway; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, Floyd with Rev. Lawrence Nuckolls and Rev. Mike Varner officiating. Burial will be in Topeco Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Maberry Funeral Home and other times at the family home in Willis. Flowers will be appreciated or contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Willis United Methodist Church in care of Ann Lee Miller, Treasurer, 6774 Indian Valley Road, Willis, Va. 24380 or to the charity of your choice. The family expresses their gratitude to his special care-givers Priscilla Poff, Judy Brown and Brenda Criner. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- LIGHT, Forrest Alden, 91, of Pilot, passed away Sunday, February 11, 2001. Born July 30, 1909, he was the son of the late Grover and Flora Iddings Light. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a sister, Allene Criner and a grandson, Phillip Correll. Mr. Light was a member of Red Oak Grove Church of the Brethren. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mildred Light, Pilot; daughter and son-in-law, Doris and Wayne Correll, Roanoke; four sons and daughters-in-law, Melvin and Beverly Light, Vinton, Wendell and Dianne Light, Donald and Beverly Light, Ronald and Julia Light, all of Pilot; sister, Bertha Wimmer, Riner; ten grandchildren, Joan and Mark Kesterson, Jeff and Kim Light, Jerry and Teresa Light, Larry Light, Barry Light, Brian Light, Paul Light, Tammy Light, Amanda Light, Jason Light; and great-grandson, Zachary. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 14, 2001 at 11 a.m. at Red Oak Church of the Brethren with the Rev. Elbert Lee Naff, Rev. Hebron Quesenberry, and Rev. Jimmy Cannaday officiating. Interment will follow in Iddings Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Tuesday at Gardner Funeral Home where the family will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Gardner Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- MEYER, Larry James, 54, of Christiansburg, passed away after an extended illness. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2001 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Rev. Doug Kanney officiating. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2708 Hydraulic Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22901, St. Paul United Methodist Church, 220 W. Main Street, Christiansburg, Va. 24073 or to a Church of Charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Horne Funeral Service. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- SHEPHERD, Luther Franklin, 42, of Ironto, passed away Friday, February 9, 2001. Memorial service 7 p.m. Thursday at Seneca Baptist Church. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service. Arrangements by Grant E. Bryant Funeral Home, Elliston. (540) 268-2331. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- SPANGLER, Russell Sameul, 44, of Shawsville, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, February 12, 2001. He is survived by his parents, Benjamin Ray Spangler, Sr. and Geraldine Anne Spangler; his loving wife, Reba Darlene Spangler; his beautiful daughter, Anne Marie Spangler; one brother and sister-in-law, Benjamin Ray Spangler, Jr. and Thelma, all of Shawsville; aunt, Alice Nasworthy of Ludowici, Ga.; father and mother-in-law, James and Marie Shepherd of Ironto. He also leaves behind a multitude of family and friends who are all at a great loss for losing such a wonderful person with such a great zest for life and laughter. He will be missed by all who loved him. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, February 15, 2001 at Seneca Baptist Church, Elliston with a memorial service to follow at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Virgil McHone officiating. There will be no burial. The family requests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association, 3201 Brandon, Ave., Roanoke, Va. 24018. Arrangements by Horne Funeral Service in Christiansburg. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- STABNOW, Dale Harold, 80, of Radford, passed away Monday, February 12, 2001 at Wheatland Hills Retirement Center. He was a retired supervisor for the Badger Ordinance Plant and a volunteer firefighter in Wisconsin. He was a member of the Methodist Church. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of W.W. II and Korea. He was an avid sportsmen, with his greatest love being for trout fishing and deer hunting. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Macie Quesenberry Stabnow, Radford; and several nieces and several nephews; and several cousins. Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 15, 2001 at 2 p.m. at the Captain George Cemetery in Floyd County with Rev. Don Sizemore officiating. Members of V.F.W. Post #776 will conduct military graveside rites. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Mullins Funeral Home in Radford. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----