Person Page - 1005

     Paul Bradley Light was buried at Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana.^6,10 He Paul Bradly Light, Mar 3, 1943 - Nov 27, 2022. Paul Bradly Light, 79, passed away on Sunday, November 27, 2022 at his home in Fort Wayne, IN. He was born in Montgomery City, VA to the late Carson and Hazel (Conner) Light. Paul worked as a Masseur at the Central Branch YMCA for 52 years, retiring in 2017. He attended Avalon Missionary Church. Surviving are his children, Lois (Mark) Light, Laurel (Michael) Miller and Andrew C. (Ashley) Light; brothers, William (Francis) Light, Wiley Light and Wayne (Betsy) Light; sisters, Opal "Dini" Ferris and Fern Fizer; grandchildren, Laurel "Brittany", Danielle, Chelsea, Spencer, Haley and Tanner; 10 great-grandchildren; and many other loving family members. Paul was also preceded in death by his first wife, Peggy Perry; second wife, Ronna Flohr; sister, Jackie Compton and grandson, Ryan Zimmerman.⁶ He was born on March 3, 1943 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^3,5,6,7 He married Peggy Marie Perry on September 24, 1965 at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana.^8,6 Paul Bradley Light married Ronna J. Flohr circa 1984.^11,12,6 Paul Bradley Light died on November 27, 2022 at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana, at age 79.⁶

     Eugenia Clarice Whitenack FLOYD - Mrs. Eugenia Whitenack NcNeil, 84, died Wednesday in a Salem nursing home. She was the widow of Samuel E. McNeil and formerly of Terrys Fork. Surviving are five daughters, Mrs. Herbert (Glenna) Manning, Mrs. Collin (Luetta) Gregory, Mrs. Everett (Marion) Lancaster, all of Salem; Mrs. Paul (ElFreda) Duncan, Blacksburg; Mrs. Banks (Opal) Conner, Roanoke, one son, Sam E. McNeil, Roanoke, 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Ruth Austin, Copper Hill; Mrs. Ollie Hale, Check. Funeral will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Haven's Chapel Methodist Church with the Rev. Fred Austin and the Rev. Joseph M. Willard officiating with internment in Wilson Cemetery.⁶ She was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^7,6 She was born on September 15, 1900 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,7,3,4,5 She married Samuel Eldridge "Sam" McNeil, son of Henry McNeil and Mary E. Delilah Smith, on September 3, 1922 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,8,4,6,5 As of September 3, 1922,her married name was McNeil. Eugenia Clarice Whitenack died on February 27, 1985 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 84.^7,4,6,5

     Mathursia Ann "Thursy" Lawrence was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,5,1 She was born on July 12, 1873 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,2,1,3 She married Oscar Wiley Whitenack, son of Jonathan A. Whitenack and Sarah Ann "Sallie" Vest, on August 9, 1891 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,6,3 As of August 9, 1891,her married name was Whitenack. Mathursia Ann "Thursy" Lawrence died on November 27, 1939 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 66.^5,1,3

     His Social Security Number was 231-30-8008.⁸ Alvah Holland Compton was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3 He was born on November 18, 1931 at Elliston, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^8,1,3,5,6,7 He married Jacqueline Frances "Jackie" Light, daughter of William Carson Light and Hazel Rachel Conner, on January 12, 1952 at Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^9,10,1,11 Alvah Holland Compton died on January 24, 1993 at Virginia at age 61.^8,2,3,4,5 He COMPTON, Alvah Holland, 61, of Elliston, died Sunday, January 24, 1993. He is survived by two daughters, Ms. Gail Martin, Newport News, Miss Fay Compton, Eagle Rock; one son, Larry Compton, Elliston; his mother, Mrs. Lillie M. Compton, Elliston; two sisters, Mrs. Ramona Dunn, Mrs. Norma J. Dunn, both of Elliston; one grandson, Joshua Compton, Elliston. Interment in Sherwood Memorial Park. on January 26, 1993.²

     Hazel Avice Whitenack was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,11 Her Social Security Number was 225-22-1584.¹² She was born on August 13, 1919 at Little River, Floyd Co., Virginia.^{12,11,2,1,6,3,4} She married Cecil Ray "Bill" Austin, son of Jessie Vinton R. Austin and Nannie Gay Clower, on July 11, 1935 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,5,2,6 As of July 11, 1935,her married name was Austin. Hazel Avice Whitenack died on January 26, 2000 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 80.^12,11,5,13 She Hazel Whitenack Austin, 80, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 26, 2000. She was the beloved wife of Cecil for 64 years, and a dedicated homemaker. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a special friend to all. She will be sadly missed. She was the daughter of the late Chester and Gracie Vest Whitenack. Mrs. Austin is survived by: her husband, Cecil R. (Bill) Austin of Christiansburg; son and daughter-in-law, Lindsey R. and Barbara Austin, Salem; daughter and son-in-law, Judy A. and Larry Atkinson, Elliston; grandchildren, Ronnie Austin, Austin, Texas, Cheryl Austin, Roanoke, Sonya Austin, Elliston, Rhonda Martin, Don Joe and Shawna Hall, all of Christiansburg; step grandchildren, Mike and Laura Henry, Clermont, Florida, Scott and Julie Henry, Ashburn, Virginia, Ken White, Savannah, Ga., Lorrie and Tim Earp, Charlotte, NC; great-grandchildren, Robbie and Yvette Martin and Amber Hall, Christiansburg, Hannah Austin, Elliston; step great-grandhchildren, Allen and Abby Henry, Clermont, Florida, Christopher and Matthew Henry, Ashburn, Virginia; sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Bernard Vest, Check, brother and sister-in-law, Mason and Charlotte Whitenack, Roanoke. Interment was in Wilson Cemetery. on January 28, 2000.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 230-38-1360.⁸ John Darnell "Whitey" Ferris was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^2,6,9 He was born on June 8, 1934 at Roanoke, Virginia.^8,4,5,6 He married Opal Dean Light, daughter of William Carson Light and Hazel Rachel Conner, on July 9, 1955 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3,4,6 John Darnell "Whitey" Ferris died on January 1, 1993 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 58.^8,2,6 He FERRIS, John D., ("Whitey"), 58, of Roanoke, died Friday, January 1, 1993. He attended Hollins Road Church of the Brethren, and was a retired employee of the City of Roanoke. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Opal L. Ferris; one daughter and son-in-law, Kathy F. Mattox and husband, Neal of Roanoke; one son and daughter-in-law, Mark D. Ferris and wife, Cynthia, Roanoke; five grandchildren; four brothers, Noah E. and Jimmy D. Ferris, both of Roanoke, G. M. (Tom) Ferris, Woodbridge, Robert W. Ferris, Phillipine Islands; three sisters, Omega Madison of Arlington, Agnes Sanderson, Maryland, Joyce Wyatt, California. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on January 3, 1993.²

     Wanda Elizabeth Whitenack Wanda Elizabeth Whitenack Vest, of Check, Virginia, born June 25, 1925, passed away at her home on November 7, 2024. She was 99 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents Chester Whitenack and Gracie Vest Whitenack, her husband, James Bernard Vest, sisters Claudine Conner and Hazel Austin, her son-in-law, Jesse Jackson, and daughter-in-law, Cheryl Vest. She is survived by her three children, Carol Jackson of Virginia Beach, VA, Robert Bery Vest and wife Mary of Bent Mountain, VA, John Vest of Floyd, VA, and her brother Mason Whitenack and wife Charlotte of Troutville, VA. She has nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild due in January 2025. She also has many beloved nieces and nephews. Wanda had an interesting life in her 99 years. She went to a one room school, Double Springs School, in the early grades. She loved school but said she had difficulty with her hearing and couldn't whisper so she spent time "in the corner" for talking in class. She wanted a high school education and to do that she had to walk two miles through the fields carrying a lantern to catch the bus to go to school. She wore boots and jodhpurs to keep her legs warm on her walks and started a fashion trend in her school. After graduation, she worked in a local factory and earned enough money to buy a bedroom suite that is still in her home. During WWII she worked in Roanoke, VA at Norfolk and Western Railway and learned to use a Burrus calculator. While doing her job she found a mistake in the coal shipment calculations that saved Norfolk and Western $2,000. After WWII, she married Bernard Vest and moved back to Check in Floyd County and they started a family and had a dairy farm. Over the years she worked in local factories and then retired from Skyline Manor in Floyd where she worked in dietetics and in housekeeping. She was always ready for fun and participated in skits and shows with other employees to entertain the residents. Wanda and Bernard raised their family in a strong Christian home. They went to church together and participated in church activities. Wanda loved her family very much. She said her proudest accomplishment was her three children. She was an excellent wife and mother and later grandmother and great grandmother. She was a great cook known for her biscuits, coconut cakes, applesauce cakes, pies, macaroni and cheese, and lasagna. She enjoyed sewing, especially quilts. She made large quilts and then baby quilts when the grandchildren and great grandchildren came along. Wanda loved reading and read the Bible every day and was always reading a library book or a book her daughter, Carol, had sent her. Wanda was loved by family, friends, and neighbors. She was kind to everyone. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. Special thanks go out to Wanda's granddaughter, Amie, and her husband, Brian, and their children, Abby, Katelyn, and Caleb, who provided loving care for Wanda/Granny in her home during her final years. Also, thank you to caregivers Robin and Michelle, and Carilion Hospice workers and Good Samaritan Hospice workers for the care they provided. A graveside service will be held at Iddings Cemetery in Check, VA.⁴ She was buried at Iddings Cemetery, near intersection of Daniel's Run Road and Huffville Road, Terrys Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,6 She was born on June 25, 1925 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,4,11 She married James Bernard Vest, son of William Arthur Vest and Nettie Mae Gearhart, on January 19, 1946 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^{7,1,2,3,4,5,6} As of January 19, 1946,her married name was Vest.⁵ Wanda Elizabeth Whitenack died on November 7, 2024 at Check, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 99.⁴

     Donnie Elizabeth Moates was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.^1,4,6 Her Social Security Number was 228-18-2505.⁷ She was born on November 19, 1922 at Greenville, Greenville Co., South Carolina.^7,3,4,5,6 As of December 21, 1940,her married name was Vest.³ She married Alwin David Vest, son of Cleophus Edwin "Cleo" Vest and Effie Viola Sink, on December 21, 1940 at Richmond, Virginia.^1,2,3,6 Donnie Elizabeth Moates died on November 28, 1996 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 74.^1,7,4,6 She VEST, Donnie Moates, 74, of Roanoke Co., died Thursday, November 28, 1996. Mrs. Vest was a long-time and faithful member of Enon Baptist Church and was the widow of Alwin David Vest. Surviving are her sons and daughters-in-law, Edwin David and Janice Edwards Vest, Roanoke, Donnie Alwin and Gudrun Tiefenthaler Vest, Colorado Springs, Colo., Steven M. and Deann Rognon Vest, Flagstaff, Ariz; her grandchildren, Donna Vest Howell and husband, Raymond, Parrott, Va., David and Kimberly Vest, both of Roanoke, Christian and Ashley Vest, Colorado Springs, Colo., Jennifer Vest, Memphis, Tenn., Alexandra and Madison Vest, Flagstaff, Ariz; great-grandchildren, Holly, Ryan, Samantha, Sarita and Sierra Howell; brothers, James Moates, Aiken, S.C., Robert (Bob) Moates, Midlothian, Va. A graveside service will be held in Evergreen Burial Park. on November 29, 1996.¹

     Jack Maynard Fizer was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^5,7 He was born on April 18, 1935 at Roanoke, Virginia.^5,6 He married Elizabeth Fern Light, daughter of William Carson Light and Hazel Rachel Conner, on February 15, 1958 at Randolph Co., North Carolina.^1,2,3,4,5,8 Jack Maynard Fizer died on November 6, 2011 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 76.^5,9 He Jack M. Fizer, 76, of Roanoke, was born on April 18, 1935, and went to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 6, 2011. Left to cherish his memory is his loving and devoted wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Fern Light Fizer; sons and daughters- in-law, Jack (David) and Paula Fizer, James D. (Jim) and Kathie Fizer; grandchildren, Matthew, Shawn, Lindsey, Zoee and Paige Fizer, Jennifer and Hollyann Zaagsma and Bruce Rowe; three great- grandchildren; sister, JoAnn Stump; and many nieces and nephews. He was a member of Garden City Church of the Nazarene and owned and operated Fizer 's Garage for 25 years. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on November 8, 2011.⁵

     Cleophus Edwin "Cleo" Vest was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.^4,5 He was born on March 14, 1889 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3,4,5,9 He married Effie Viola Sink on March 4, 1912 at Roanoke, Virginia.^9,4,10 Cleophus Edwin "Cleo" Vest died on March 21, 1946 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 57.^1,4,5,11 He Cleophis E. Vest, 57, died Thursday morning at his home, 813 Sixth street, S. E. Surviving are his widow, a son and two daughters (should be sisters); Alwin D. Vest, AUS, Alaska; Mrs. Chester Whitenack and Mrs. Richard Shank, Floyd. on March 22, 1946.¹¹

     Erasmus Alvin "Ras" Conner was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^9,2 He was born on January 10, 1851 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,1,7 He married Laura Green Smith, daughter of Byrd/Bird Smith and Lydia Ann Iddings, on May 4, 1871 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3 Erasmus Alvin "Ras" Conner died on November 7, 1913 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 62.^10,11,7

     Her Social Security Number was 231-62-2685.⁵ Effie Viola Sink was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.^2,4,6 She was born on May 27, 1888 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,3,4,5 She married Cleophus Edwin "Cleo" Vest, son of David Washington Vest and Admonia Elizabeth "Addie" Conner, on March 4, 1912 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,4,6 As of March 4, 1912,her married name was Vest.³ Effie Viola Sink died on June 11, 1978 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 90.^2,4,6 She Mrs. Effie Sink Vest, age 90, of 7039 Goff Rd., Hollins, died Sunday in a local hospital. She was a member of Belmont Baptist Church and the widow of Cleo E. Vest. She is survived by one son, Alwin D. Vest, Hollins; three grandsons, Edwin Vest, Roanoke; Doni Vest, Colorado Springs, Colo; Steven Vest, Memphis, Tenn; and three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Mason (Maggie) Miller, Sr., Roanoke; Mrs. Grover (Kate) Bryant, Roanoke. Burial will be in Evergreen. on June 12, 1978.⁶

     Peggy Marie Perry was buried at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana.² She was born in 1933 at Wayne Co., West Virginia.² She married Paul Bradley Light, son of William Carson Light and Hazel Rachel Conner, on September 24, 1965 at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana.^3,1 As of September 24, 1965,her married name was Light.³ Peggy Marie Perry died on September 27, 1981 at Fort Wayne, Allen Co., Indiana; Died in an auto accident.⁴

     Marion Janet Allen was born on October 14, 1938 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,6,5 She married Gabriel Liang Cho Chin on August 1, 1970 at Taipei, Taiwan.^2,1,7,5 As of August 1, 1970,her married name was Chin.¹ Marion Janet Allen died on December 22, 2018 at Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Co., Michigan, at age 80.⁵ She Janet Allen Chin, 80, passed away at home in Ann Arbor on December 22, 2018 after an extended illness. Janet was born October 14, 1938 in Floyd Virginia, the daughter of Alvie Peter Allen and Harriet Agatha Shank Allen. She was baptized at Harris Cannaday Presbyterian Church in Floyd, Virginia, graduated from Check High School in 1957 and attended college at Ferrum College and Madison College (now James Madison University). After receiving a Master's degree in Christian Education from Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond Virginia, she served as a missionary in Taiwan from 1967 to 1970. In 1970 she married Gabriel Liang Cho Chin in Taipei Taiwan. They relocated to the United States in 1971 and took up residence in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Janet earned a Master's degree in Library Science at the University of Michigan and took courses towards a Master's degree in Art History. Janet worked as a librarian for almost fifty years, in public libraries and universities and as a professional cataloguer. She loved information in all its forms, including particularly history, trivia, prose, and puns. Janet had a close and loving relationship with her two brothers and two sisters, who all survive her: Susan Allen Collins of Charlottesville, Virginia, Wm. Mark Allen (June) of Floyd, Virginia, Nancy Demory Harrison (Robert) of Christiansburg, Virginia, and David Allen (Kazuko) of Floyd, Virginia. Janet was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband Gabriel, who passed in 2005. She is survived by four children and eight grandchildren: Elleanor Chin (Andrew Chang) of Portland, Oregon, Peter Chin (Cynthia Shaff Chin) of Portland, Oregon, Miriam Chin (David Schilmoeller) of Portland Oregon, Harriet Held of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Daille, Dorothy, and Hyacinth Held, Sophia and Tesla Chin, and Agatha, Edwin, and Beatrice Chang. Janet enjoyed reading, travel, painting and drawing, doing the New York Times crossword puzzle, and spending time with family. She was a member of Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Ann Arbor for over forty years. She volunteered with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and was a committed blood donor to the Red Cross. on December 27, 2018.⁵

     Elizabeth Susan Allen was born on May 21, 1941 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3,6,4,5 As of October 9, 1965,her married name was Kenny.³ She married Michael Gage Kenny on October 9, 1965 at Charlottesville, Virginia.³ Elizabeth Susan Allen and Michael Gage Kenny were divorced on October 28, 1968 at Charlottesville, Virginia.⁵ As of April 11, 1969,her married name was Collins.³ Elizabeth Susan Allen married Roderic Greene Collins IV on April 11, 1969 at Norfolk, Virginia.^3,6 Elizabeth Susan Allen died on February 26, 2024 at Virginia at age 82.⁶ She Elizabeth Susan Allen Collins, 82, of Charlottesville, VA, passed away Monday, Feb 26, 2024 after a long illness. She was born May 21, 1941 in Floyd, VA, the daughter of Alvie Peter Allen and Harriet Agatha Shank Allen, and was preceded in death by her husband, Rod Collins, and sister, Janet (Allen) Chin. Sue attended Ferrum and Union colleges before obtaining her masters in anthropology from the University of Virginia. She worked for many years as an administrative assistant in the University's Department of Chemistry, and participated in the 2002 CWA union organization effort. An accomplished artist and poet, Sue also volunteered for Reading for the Blind and was an active member of the Friends of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. She is survived by her sons Roddy Collins of Natick, MA, and Will Collins, of Charlottesville; her grandson, Nicholas Rosenberg-Collins of Wellesley, MA; by her sister, Nancy Demory Harrison (Robert) and brothers William Mark Allen (June) and David Allen (Kazuko), all of Floyd; and by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. on March 3, 2024.⁶

     His Social Security Number was 717-10-2219.¹⁶ Alwin David Vest was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.^3,7,10 He was born on August 20, 1919 at Roanoke, Virginia.^{16,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9} He married Donnie Elizabeth Moates on December 21, 1940 at Richmond, Virginia.^1,2,4,3 Alwin David Vest died on October 8, 1978 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 59.^{16,2,3,7,8,10} He Alwin David Vest, age 59, of 7039 Goff Rd., Hollins, died Sunday in a local hospital. He was a member of and former choir director of Enon Baptist Church and at his death was choir director of Glade Creek Baptist Church and was an employee of Norfolk & Western Railway for forty years. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Donnie M. Vest; three sons, Edwin David Vest, Roanoke; Doni Alwin Vest, Colorado Springs, Colo; Steven Monroe Vest, Memphis, Tenn; four grandchildren, Donna, David, Kimberly and Jennifer Vest. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery. on October 9, 1978.¹⁰