Person Page - 663

     Vera E. Sowers was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,4,5,6 She was born on October 16, 1910 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4,5,6 She married Eddie Ephram Conner, son of Joseph Flemon Valentine "Joe" Conner and Sarah Melvina "Cuzzie" Conner, on July 27, 1932 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,1,2,4,5 As of July 27, 1932,her married name was Conner. Vera E. Sowers died on May 29, 1968 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 57.^1,4,5,2,6 She Vera Sowers Conner 57, wife of Edie E. Conner, died in a Christiansburg hospital Wednesday. Also surviving are her mother Mrs. Addie Howrey Sowers, Pilot; three sisters Mrs. Watson Graham, Christiansburg; Mrs. Albert Martin; Pilot; Mrs. Johnnie Radford, Floyd; three brothers Harold Sowers, Pilot; Howard Sowers, Roanoke; Ferd Sowers, Christiansburg. Burial in Restvale Cemetery, Copper Hill. on June 6, 1968.²

     Merle Crockett Brooks was buried at Highland Memory Gardens, 5555 Lee Highway, Dublin, Pulaski Co., Virginia.^3,5,4 His Social Security Number was 230-16-8311.⁶ He was born on May 28, 1914 at Radford, Virginia.^6,2,5,3 He married Annie Ruth Epperly, daughter of Willard Linkous Epperly and Annie Ruth Epperly, on December 23, 1939 at Radford, Virginia.^7,2,3,8,4 Merle Crockett Brooks died on May 15, 1982 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 67.^6,3,4 He Merle Crockett Brooks, age 68, died Saturday in a Salem hospital. He was a retired engineer with the Norfolk & Western Railway. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Ruth Epperly Brooks, Radford; two daughters, Mrs. Donald (Wanda) Wirt, Christiansburg; Mrs. Donald (Merlene) Poff, Christiansburg; one son, Jerry R. Brooks, Onancock; his daughter-in-law, Penny C. Brooks, Onancock; two sisters, Mrs. Helen B. Stump, Roanoke; Mrs. Aileen B. Chesney, Washington, D.C; and seven grandchildren. Entombment will follow in the Highland Memory Gardens Mausoleum. on May 16, 1982.⁴

     Henry Jackson "Jack" Mullin Sr. Henry Jackson "Jack" Mullin Sr., 79, died at home on January 2, 2016 in Yulee, FL with his family present. Mr. Mullin was born on February 2, 1936 in Princeton, W.VA. After serving in the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, he married Clara Lee Conner in 1957. The Mullins moved to Jacksonville, FL where Jack began work at Maxwell House Coffee. Later, he began his career as a diesel mechanic with Ryder and Caterpillar. He retired as shop foreman from Overnite Transportation, then moved to Yulee, FL in 2000 where he enjoyed working on his property and helping raise his two grandsons. Mr. Mullin is survived by his wife Clara Lee Mullin, his son Henry Mullin Jr., his daughter Michelle Smith, his son-in-law Sean Smith; and two grandsons Dalton Maddox and Gage Maddox. He is preceded in death by his mother Euva Pennington, his brother Ronald Mullin; and his nephew Carl Mullin. Following the service he'll be laid to rest at the Jacksonville National Cemetery.⁴ He was buried at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Duval Co., Florida.^3,5,4 He was born on February 2, 1936 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^6,1,7,3,5,4 He married Clara Lee Conner, daughter of A. R. B. Conner and Clara Bena Wheby, on September 21, 1957 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^6,1,2,7,8,4 Henry Jackson "Jack" Mullin Sr. died on January 2, 2016 at Yulee, Nassau Co., Florida, at age 79.^3,5,4

     Eva Joyce Epperly was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 2880 North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁹ She was born on March 17, 1936 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 She married David Lee Poff, son of Robert Thomas Poff and Mamie Virginia Snider, on January 24, 1953 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2 As of January 24, 1953,her married name was Poff.² Eva Joyce Epperly and David Lee Poff were divorced on February 11, 1975 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹⁰ Eva Joyce Epperly married Karl Newton Mowry on February 21, 1975 at Williamsburg, Virginia.^1,5,2,3,8 As of February 21, 1975,her married name was Mowry.² Eva Joyce Epperly married Karl Newton Mowry on February 18, 1987 at Flagler Co., Florida.¹¹ Eva Joyce Epperly died on February 3, 2022 at Virginia at age 85.³ She Eva Joyce (Epperly) Mowry, age 85, passed away on Thursday, February 3, 2022, after a short illness. She was born March 17, 1936. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Karl Mowry; her daughter, Karen; her son, Gary; daughter-in-law, Beth; and stepson, Karl N. (K.N.) She is survived by her sons, Dennis Poff, Rick (Juliann) Poff; stepdaughter, Amber (Jimmy) Spikes; grandchildren, Julie (Scott) Habeeb, Ritchie (Marissa) Poff, Monica (Tom) Noble, Travis, Savannah, and Daniel Poff, Benjamin (Amanda) Poff, Christopher (Maddie) Poff, Todd Davis, Yana (Bobby) Hunter, Shane (Kymn) Spikes, Amanda Spikes, Shannon (Mitch) Turner, Seth (Stephanie) Mowry; 22 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Joyce was a servant, a caregiver, and above all else, a child of God. When Karl was alive, they did everything together. They cooked together, they rode bikes together, they grew gardens, tended flowers and fruit trees, and took such good care of their neighbors. When their families came to visit, they were sure to take them to the ocean, the pool, to church, and to keep them in the air conditioning during the worst of the Florida sun. They loved the Atlanta Braves, playing Uno, and watching their "shows" which really meant Days of our Lives and Another World. Once they moved back to Virginia, Joyce loved spending time with her children and her grandchildren on a more regular basis. She also joined her beloved church and made so many friends that she completely embraced as family. She delighted in each new grandchild, great grandchild and great great grandchild that was born. She loved seeing pictures of everyone and hearing stories of their craziness. She also treasured the yearly reunion with her Epperly family where she got to have in person updates on all of her siblings, cousins, and extended family. She was an irreplaceable treasure and while our hearts will always be missing a piece, we are so grateful she is having a chance to reunite with her loved ones that went before her to heaven and how sweet that hug with Jesus will be. The family expresses much gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and especially Nicole from the Palliative Care Unit at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery. They went above and beyond to make her comfortable in her final days. on February 6, 2022.³

     Alonza Curtis Walton was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^7,8,3,4,5 He Alonza was adopted by his grandfather's brother, James Wellington Walton Jr. and his wife Mary Jane Conner. His father is unknown. He was born on May 26, 1892 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia; His WWII Draft Registration card has a birth date of May 26, 1893.^8,1,2,3,9,5 He married Mamie Virginia "Marie" Conner, daughter of George Benjamin Conner and Wilmuth Jane "Sis" Martin, on December 21, 1921 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^10,3,4 Alonza Curtis Walton died on June 24, 1961 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 69.^8,3,4,5 He Alonza C. Walton, 69, of Floyd, died Saturday in a Roanoke hospital. He is survived by his wife, Mamie Conner Walton; three daughters, Mrs. Richard Conner, Roanoke, Mrs. Arnold Janney, Pilot, and Mrs. Sebert Rorrer, Check; four sons, Elwin Walton, Annapolis, Md., Percy A. Walton, Dayton, Ohio, J. Lewis Walton, Amarillo, Tex., and Ezra Walton, Kansas City, Mo; a stepsister. Mrs. Martha Rierson, Copper Hill; and eight grandchildren. Burial will be at Wilson Cemetery. on June 25, 1961.⁴

     Phyllis Jean Caldwell Phyllis Jean Caldwell Poff, 68, of Radford, VA went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2024. Jean was preceded in death by her father, Charles Emmett Caldwell, Sr., her mother, Patsy Ann Caldwell, and Sister, Carolyn Graves. She is survived by her daughter, Monica Noble (Tom), son, Brent Sears, sister, Linda Hinkley, brother, Charles Caldwell, Jr, grandchildren, Alicia, James, Billie, and Timothy as well as many nieces and nephews. Jean was born on November 5, 1955. After graduating from Christiansburg High School, she began working for the law offices of Gillis, Whitehurst, and Obenchain. She also worked for 7-Q radio station in Christiansburg, VA. Later, she worked in telecommunications at Radford University. She worked at numerous places before retiring from Wilco in Radford, VA. After retiring, she became an avid online gamer. She had a large following who honored her with several posts from the online gaming community.⁴ She was born on November 5, 1955 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,3,4 She married Dennis Lee Poff, son of David Lee Poff and Eva Joyce Epperly, on June 7, 1974 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2 As of June 7, 1974,her married name was Poff.² Phyllis Jean Caldwell and Dennis Lee Poff were divorced on March 3, 1994 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁵ Phyllis Jean Caldwell died on April 12, 2024 at Radford, Virginia, at age 68.⁴

     Karen Elaine Poff Karen Elaine Conord, 62, of Christiansburg, Virginia passed away on Monday, April 13, 2020. Karen was born October 27, 1957. She was a graduate of Christiansburg High School, class of 1976. Karen lived in Florida for many years serving as a Director of a Day Care Center in Daytona Beach. She loved her “children”. She loved to cook, bake, and was very creative always making crafts or knitting chemo caps to donate to the local cancer center. She was a member of the Belmont II Ruritan Club and worked at State Electric in Christiansburg. Her nickname in our Ruritan Club started as Angel Girl. During one of the meetings, we talked about how they used to discipline kids in elementary school, and she had to stand inside a chalk circle on the blackboard. We quickly changed her name to chalk circle. But Monday she became Angel Girl again. Karen is preceded in death by her loving husband, Herbert Conord, step-father Karl Mowry, and her special companion Ricochet. She is survived by her loving mother Joyce (Epperly) Mowry, father David Poff (Fredene), brothers Dennis (Beth), Rick (Juliann), Gary (Teresa), and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. Special thanks to the care givers at Radford Health & Rehab Center and especially to the loving caretakers of Interpid Hospice for taking care of Karen even when we were not able to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions.⁵ She was born on October 27, 1957 at Radford, Virginia.^1,2,7,3,5 As of October 27, 1976,her married name was Shelor.² She married Lawrence Abraham Shelor on October 27, 1976 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2 Karen Elaine Poff and Lawrence Abraham Shelor were divorced on December 28, 1978 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁷ Karen Elaine Poff married James Richard Craft Sr. on September 3, 1982 at Roanoke, Virginia.² As of September 3, 1982,her married name was Craft.² Karen Elaine Poff and James Richard Craft Sr. were divorced on March 10, 1999 at Volusia Co., Florida.⁸ As of October 21, 2001,her married name was Conord.⁹ Karen Elaine Poff married Herbert Charles Conord Jr. on October 21, 2001 at Volusia Co., Florida.^9,5,10 Karen Elaine Poff died on April 13, 2020 at Virginia at age 62.⁵