Person Page - 763

     Julia C. "Juliett" Gray was buried at Jumping Branch Cemetery, Jumping Branch, Summers Co., West Virginia.³ She was born on July 19, 1851 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3 She married Charles Henry Reed, son of William Amsterdam Reed and Catherine Margaret Farley, on July 7, 1867 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ As of July 7, 1867,her married name was Reed. Julia C. "Juliett" Gray died on March 6, 1895 at Summers Co., West Virginia, at age 43.³

     His Social Security Number was 230-12-6535.¹⁰ Ralph Leslie Shank was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^4,6 He was born on January 21, 1924 at Roanoke, Virginia.^10,2,3,4,6 He married Naomi Francis Hancock on September 1, 1948 at Roanoke, Virginia.^11,5,12 Ralph Leslie Shank died on April 6, 1982 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 58.^10,4,6

     Thomas Preston Shank was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² He was born on September 28, 1925 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.² He died on March 1, 1938 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 12.²

     Her Social Security Number was 228-30-5630.⁹ Mary Elizabeth "Bibbie" Shank was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.¹ She was born on July 5, 1928 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^9,2,3 As of November 10, 1951,her married name was Boitnott.⁴ She married Spurgeon Victor "Spud" Boitnott on November 10, 1951 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,10,4 Mary Elizabeth "Bibbie" Shank died on July 1, 1994 at Boones Mill, Franklin Co., Virginia, at age 65.^1,9,11 She BOITNOTT, Mary Elizabeth Shank, 65, of Route 3, Boones Mill, died Friday, July 1, 1994, at her residence. She was a member of Valley View Wesleyan Church and retired from Eli Lilly after 22 years of service. Surviving are her husband, Spurgeon Boitnott; one daughter and son-in-law, Linda B. and Ken Downing, Hampton, Ga; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Mary Wellford Boitnott, Boones Mill; one grandson, John Robert Boitnott; two sisters, Dorothy S. Whitmire, Roanoke, Norma S. Williams, Salem; two brothers, John S. Shank, Staunton, Leonard G. Shank, Roanoke; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at Valley View Wesleyan Church (2302 Oakland Blvd., Roanoke), 10 a.m. Tuesday with Rev. Randy Garner and Rev. Raymond Powers officiating. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may call after 2 p.m. Monday with the family receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 342 S. Main St., Rocky Mount and other times at the home. on July 2, 1994.¹

     Dorothy Marie "Dot" Shank was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁵ She was born on September 1, 1929 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^3,4,5 As of July 29, 1950,her married name was Whitmire.⁴ She married Linwood Jefferson "L.J." Whitmire on July 29, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.^9,1,4,5 Dorothy Marie "Dot" Shank died on December 26, 2021 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 92.⁵ She Dorothy "Dot" Shank Whitmire, September 1, 1929 - December 26, 2021. Dorothy S. "Dot" Whitmire, 92, of Roanoke, passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Mary Cooper Shank; husband, Linwood "LJ" Whitmire; and several brothers and sisters. Dot was a longtime member of Edgewood Christian Church and served as bookkeeper of the family business, L.J. Whitmire Plastering. Surviving are her son, Larry Whitmire (Diane); daughter, Brenda Gayle Trent (Jimmy); grandchildren, Lynn Whitmire (Melissa), Jimmy Trent, III (Amy) and Michael Whitmire (Lauren); great-grandchildren, Dylan and Owen Whitmire; brother, Leonard Shank (Barbara); and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Salem Terrace at Harrogate for their many acts of care and compassion. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday, December 30, 2021, at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. on December 29, 2021.⁵

     Norma Jean Shank was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.⁶ Her Social Security Number was 227-44-7683.⁸ She was born on August 3, 1937 at Roanoke, Virginia.^8,3,4,5 As of November 8, 1954,her married name was White.⁹ She married Billy Jeanne White on November 8, 1954 at Roanoke, Virginia.^9,4 Norma Jean Shank and Billy Jeanne White were divorced on December 13, 1956 at Roanoke, Virginia.⁵ As of April 20, 1957,her married name was Williams.⁵ Norma Jean Shank married Walter Daniel "Dan" Williams on April 20, 1957 at Bennettsville, Marlboro Co., South Carolina.^6,5 Norma Jean Shank and Walter Daniel "Dan" Williams were divorced on March 13, 1984 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁵ Norma Jean Shank died on March 4, 2007 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 69.^6,8,10 She Norma Shank Williams, 69, of Salem, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2007. She was predeceased by her husband, Dan Williams; parents, Thomas and Mary Shank; brother, Ralph Shank and sister, Mary "Bibbie" Boitnott. Surviving are her daughter, Becky Moore and husband, Jim of Salem; son, Mike Williams and wife, Kelly of Troutville; grandson, Jason Moore; granddaughter, Rachel Williams; brothers, Leonard Shank and wife Barbara and Johnny Shank; sister, Dorothy Whitmire and several nieces and nephews. The family extends special appreciation to the staff on 5 West at LewisGale Medical Center. A graveside funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2007, in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Dr. D. Michael Houff will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Oakey's North Chapel, 362-1237. on March 7, 2007.⁶

     John Samuel Shank was born on October 23, 1932 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^3,6 He married Sonja Carper Minnix on February 25, 1961 at Chesterfield, Chesterfield Co., South Carolina.⁶ John Samuel Shank and Sonja Carper Minnix were divorced on December 23, 1964 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁶ John Samuel Shank married Shelvy Jean Kerr on October 29, 1969 at York, York Co., South Carolina.⁶ John Samuel Shank and Shelvy Jean Kerr were divorced on March 23, 1988 at Augusta Co., Virginia.⁶ John Samuel Shank died on March 5, 2010 at Staunton, Augusta Co., Virginia, at age 77.³ He John Samuel Shank, 78, of Donaghe Street, died Friday, March 5, 2010 at his residence. He was born October 23, 1932 in Roanoke, a son of the late Thomas Leslie and Mary Clara (Cooper) Shank. Mr. Shank was a veteran of the U. S. Army. Prior to retirement, he worked for the Augusta County Service Authority. Family members include two sons and a daughter-in-law, John S. Shank, Jr. of Roanoke and Thomas L. and Michelle Shank of Swoope; a brother Leonard Shank; a sister, Dorothy Whitmire, both of Roanoke; and three grandchildren, Mackenzie Wade, Jordyn Shank, and Rylee Shank. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph and Preston Shank and two sisters, Elizabeth Boitnott and Norma Jean Williams. A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Harold W. “Pete” Campbell. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Virginia Blood Services, Augusta Health, Augusta Community Care Building, 64 Sports Medicine Drive, Fishersville, VA 22939.



on March 7, 2010.³

     Enoch Statts Randolph was buried at Cedarlawn Cemetery, 2434 West Capitol Street, Jackson, Hinds Co., Mississippi.^4,3 He Enoch S. Randolph, 80, died Sunday morning at the Old Men's Home, following an extended illness. A native of West Virginia, he had lived in Jackson for over 35 years. Mr. Randolph was a retired salesman and was a member of the West Capitol Street Church of Christ. His only survivor is his wife, the former Mamie Huber of Jackson. Interment will be in Cedarlawn cemetery. Pallbearer will be: J. C. Adams, J. S. Duvall, L. D. Loden, Earl Lawson, Phil Roberts and Raymond Thomas.³ He was born on August 28, 1877 at West Virginia; His gravestone has a birth year of 1878.^1,2,3 He married Dora Ellen Shank, daughter of John Wesley Shank and Sarah Jane Dickerson, on October 20, 1904 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,5 Enoch Statts Randolph died on April 21, 1957 at Jackson, Hinds Co., Mississippi, at age 79.³

     Elizabeth Ellen Randolph was buried at Family Cemetery on the old John W. Shank Farm, near Rt. 808, Simpsons, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,5 She was born on October 28, 1906 at Clay Co., West Virginia; The death certificate has a birth date of Oct 29, 1906.^4,5 She died on January 21, 1913 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 6.^4,5

     David Jackson "Jackie" Sisson was born in 1861.^1,2 He married Alie E. Hall, daughter of Jesse W. Hall and Emmoline V. "Emma" Showalter, on June 21, 1883 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 David Jackson "Jackie" Sisson died before 1890.²

     Lynwood Jackson Walton was buried at Walton Cemetery, Pee Wee Drive, S. E., Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3 He was born on April 5, 1921 at Lynchburg, Virginia.^1,2,3 He died on November 26, 1938 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 17; Died of rheumatic fever.³

     Mary Susie Mountcastle was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ She was born on October 2, 1895 at Franklin Co., Virginia.¹ She married Alfred Livingston Walton, son of Lewis Napolean Walton and Melvina Elizabeth Poff, circa 1920.^2,3,1 As of circa 1920,her married name was Walton.³ Mary Susie Mountcastle died on December 10, 1960 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 65.¹

     Marion Gene Walton Austin was buried at Prospect United Methodist Church Cemetery, Brunswick Co., Virginia.^3,5 He was born on April 15, 1927 at Bent Mountain, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 He married Nancy Lee Vogt on December 24, 1950 at Norfolk, Virginia.^2,6,3,4 Marion Gene Walton Austin died on February 5, 2015 at South Hill, Mecklenburg Co., Virginia, at age 87.^3,5 He Mr. Marion Gene Austin, age 87, of La Crosse died Thursday February 5, 2015 in VCU Community Memorial Hospital. He was an Army Air Corp veteran in World War ll, a master electrician for the Department of the Navy and the widower of Nancy Vogt Austin. Mr. Austin is survived by his three sons: Douglas Lee Austin of Fountain Hills, Arizona; Garry Gene Austin of Norfolk and Steven Lynn Austin of La Crosse; two brothers: Lewis A. Austin, Jr. of Norfolk and Robert A. Austin of Cleveland, TN and his grandson Douglas Lee Austin, II of Phoenix, AZ. A funeral service was conducted on Sunday February 8 at 2:00 P.M. in Prospect United Methodist Church in Ebony with interment to follow in the church cemetery with full American Legion Post 79 Military Honors. The family received friends on Saturday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 P.M. in Crowder-Hite-Crews Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorial contributions may be made to the Prospect United Methodist Church. on February 10, 2015.⁵

     Her Social Security Number was 227-52-0272.⁹ Ethel Joyce Conner was buried at Restvale Cemetery, Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,10 She was born on October 14, 1938 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^9,4 She married James Randolph "Jim" Coates, son of Charles McKinley Coates Sr. and Monia Ruth "Mona" Poff, circa 1958.^5,11,3 As of circa 1958,her married name was Coates.³ Ethel Joyce Conner died on June 12, 2012 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 73.^3,9,12 She Ethel Joyce Coates of Copper Hill went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her surviving family members are her husband of 54 years, James Coates; three daughters, Kathy Coates, Cindy and John Gibbs, and Lisa Hassell. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Stormy and Beau Brieger, Chad Tankersly, Melissa, Leanna and Miranda Sutphin, Tim and Louis Hassell, two brothers, Fred and Janice Conner, Dean and June Conner, two sisters, Barbara and Jake Poff, Joan and Robert Wimmer. Preceding her in death are her son, James R. Coates II, her mother and father, Fred and Fannie Conner, a brother, Harold Conner and her son in law, Curtis Hassell. Interment will follow in Rest Vale Cemetery, Floyd County. on June 14, 2012.³

     Unknown Cole was buried at Cole Cemetery, off of Goff Road NE, Little River, Floyd Co., Virginia; Apparently died in infancy and buried in the family cemetery.² He was born on February 23, 1855 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹

     Nancy C./E. Poff was born on November 17, 1873 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 She died on December 28, 1875 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 2.³

     Unknown Poff was born in January, 1867 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ She died before September 21, 1870; Not enumerated with her family in the 1870 Census.²

     LaEula Ann Lavina "Lula" Conner was buried at Head of the River Cemetery (also known as Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery), Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ She was born on December 5, 1875 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,5 She married Peter Sigmon Stump, son of Elijah G. Stump and Martha J. Smith, on September 15, 1892 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ As of September 15, 1892,her married name was Stump. LaEula Ann Lavina "Lula" Conner died on April 11, 1902 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 26.⁶

     Erma "Emma" Conner was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁵ Her Social Security Number was 223-24-0151.¹⁰ She was born on October 10, 1909 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^{11,12,3,4,5,10} She married Dossie William Sowers Sr., son of Eld. Frazier Tuggle Sowers and Flora Ann Martin, on February 25, 1931 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,1,2,4,5,13 As of February 25, 1931,her married name was Sowers. Erma "Emma" Conner died on March 11, 2006 at Virginia at age 96.^5,10 She Erma Conner Sowers, 96, of Check, Va., passed away Saturday, March 11, 2006. She was born October 10, 1909 in Floyd County, Va., to the late Andrew Louis Conner and Almeda Vest Conner. She was of the Primitive Baptist faith, as well as, a generous and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She graduated from Christiansburg High School in 1929. She taught at Goose Creek, a one-room school, and she walked five miles each way for two years. She was known for her beautiful quilts and crochet work and for her dedication to genealogy. She has spent the last 30 years researching family history including Vest, Conner, Sowers, Martin, Iddings and Richardson. She enjoyed reading the "Signs of the Times" published by The Oldest Primitive Baptist of Meadows of Dan passed on to her by her mother, Almeda. Her husband, Dossie William Sowers, Sr. preceded her in death on April 25, 1968 after 37 years of marriage and she thought of him and missed him everyday. She continued the family farm business for the last 37 years. She leaves behind a daughter Marie Ann Sowers Vest and son-in-law Gratton W. Vest, Salem; and a son (D.W.) Dossie William Sowers, Jr., Salem; five grandchildren and spouses, Rebecca (Becky) Thomas, Salem, Debbie Feury Hakola and Henry Hakola, Shawsville, Janet and Watson Boxley, Atlanta, Ga., Steve and Renee Sowers, Roanoke, Doug and Deanne Sowers, New Castle; five great-grandchildren, Staff Sgt. Jesse Feury, Fayetteville, N.C., Lindsay Thomas, Salem, Hannah Sowers, Roanoke, Kaitlin Sowers and Justin Gable, New Castle; brother and sisters-in-law; Alvin and Ocie Conner, Velvia Agee and Ora Conner, all of Check; and several nieces and nephews; special cousins and friends Elmer and Gracie Conner, Radford, Virginia Absher, Dublin, Robert and Doris Johnson, Cincinnatti, Ohio. Special thanks to her caretakers for the last several months, Shirley Thomas, Shelba Kirby, Dolly Vest, and Cheryl Waldron. Special thanks to her neighbors Ray and Judy Vest and other neighbors. Interment will follow at Wilson Cemetery. on March 12, 2006.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 223-48-2161.⁷ Alvin Edwin Conner was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,5 He was born on February 19, 1912 at Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3,5,6,7 He married Ocie Gay Graham, daughter of Doctor Coy "Dock" Graham and Mirriam Alice Conner, on February 22, 1936 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3,4,5 Alvin Edwin Conner died on October 12, 2007 at Check, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 95.^4,5,7,8 He Alvin Edwin Conner, 95, of Check passed away Friday, October 12, 2007 at his home. He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Ocie Graham Conner; two daughters and spouses, Judith and Edward Howard, Glenna and James Vest; two sons and spouse, Macle and Gerlene Conner, Eddie Conner; granddaughters and husbands, Teresa and Jimmy Bowman, Sherry and Wayland Bond, Rhonda and Freddie Conner, Missy and Brad Mullins; grandsons and wives, Rodney and Sandra Vest, Mark Howard; seven greatgrandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 15, 2007 at Gardner Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Walker and the Rev. Roy Turpin officiating. Interment will follow in Wilson Cemetery. Friends may call after 1 p.m. on Sunday at Gardner Funeral Home where the family will be from 4 until 6 p.m. Arrangements by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd. on October 13, 2007.⁴

     Nancy Lee Vogt Mrs. Nancy Vogt Austin, age 78 of La Crosse and a retired bookkeeper, went to be with the Lord Monday, August 24, 2009 surrounded by her family in Community Memorial Healthcenter after a long and courageous battle with illness. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years Marion Gene Austin; three sons Douglas L. Austin and wife Cindy of Fountain Hills, Ariz., Gary G. Austin of Norfolk and Steven L. Austin of La Crosse; her grandson Douglas L. Austin, II of Mesa, Ariz., her sister Peggy V. Smith and husband Claude of Norfolk, and her aunt Betty Wease of Ellenboro, NC. Born in Bostic, NC to Raymond E. and Aileen H. Vogt, they moved to Norfolk in the late 1940's where she graduated from Maury High School and then met the love of her life Gene Austin and they were married December 24, 1950. They retired and moved to the Lake Gaston area and attended Prospect United Methodist Church in Ebony. She will be remembered for her love of life, family and the Lord. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Thursday ath the Church with interment in Prospect Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Church for one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church, 1974 Ebony Road, Ebony, VA 23845.² She was buried at Prospect United Methodist Church Cemetery, Brunswick Co., Virginia.² She was born on June 18, 1931 at Bostic, Rutherford Co., North Carolina.^2,5,3 She married Marion Gene Walton Austin, son of Lewis Arthur Austin Sr. and Cassie Ann Walton, on December 24, 1950 at Norfolk, Virginia.^1,2,3,4 As of December 24, 1950,her married name was Austin. Nancy Lee Vogt died on August 24, 2009 at South Hill, Mecklenburg Co., Virginia, at age 78.^2,5,3