Person Page - 1008

     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

     Joel Shank was buried at Shank Cemetery, on the former Henry and Joel Shank farm and Beaver Dam Creek and U.S. 221, Floyd Co., Virginia.² He was born on August 19, 1834 at Botetourt Co., Virginia.^1,2 He married Mary Antoinette Wickham, daughter of Nathaniel R. Wickham and Mary B. "Polly" Shortt, on June 23, 1859 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ Joel Shank died on June 23, 1914 at Little River, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 79.^2,3

     Mary Antoinette Wickham was buried at Shank Cemetery, on the former Henry and Joel Shank farm and Beaver Dam Creek and U.S. 221, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on November 10, 1840 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3,2 She married Joel Shank on June 23, 1859 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ As of June 23, 1859,her married name was Shank. Mary Antoinette Wickham died on February 6, 1931 at age 90.²

     Her Social Security Number was 229-78-6696.⁷ Harriet Agatha Shank was buried at Radford Cemetery, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway on Route 888, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on December 9, 1914 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^7,1,3 She married Alvin Peter "Alvie" Allen, son of Charles William Allen and Annie Mary Redman, on January 9, 1938 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,8 As of January 9, 1938,her married name was Allen. Harriet Agatha Shank died on June 8, 1992 at age 77; Murdered in her home by a deaf mute.^7,2,3 She Harriet Agatha Shank Allen, age 77, died at her home Monday, June 8, 1992. (author note - she was murdered by a deaf-mute Thomas Lonnie Helms, Jr., who was judged not competent to stand trial and sentenced to a state mental institution) She was the widow of Alvie P. Allen, and was a daughter of the late Richard M. and Gertrue Vest Shank. She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Janet and Gabrielle Chin, Ann Arbor, Mich; Susan Collins, Shawsville; Nancy and Roy Demory, Fairfax Station; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Mark and June Allen, Salem; David Allen, Charlotte, N.C; eight grandchildren; one sister and brother-in-law, Manilla and Stanford Cannaday, Roanoke; one brother and sister-in-law, Richard M., Jr., and Jane Shank, Floyd. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ferrum College or a charity of choice. Arrangements are incomplete and are being handled by Wood Funeral Home, Floyd. on June 12, 1992.²

     Manila Miles Shank was buried at Cannaday Family Cemetery, River Ridge Road SE, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.³ She was born on August 18, 1917 at Little River, Floyd Co., Virginia.^8,1,3,4 She married Stanford Aldridge Cannaday, son of Andrew Luther Cannaday and Nora Dell Aldridge, on October 16, 1947 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3,5 As of October 16, 1947,her married name was Cannaday. Manila Miles Shank died on June 10, 2020 at Virginia at age 102.³ She Manila Miles Shank Cannaday of Roanoke, Virginia, passed into eternity with her sense of humor intact on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at the age of 102. Mrs. Cannaday was born in Floyd County, Virginia on August 18, 1917, to Richard Miles Shank Sr. and Gertrue Iva Vest Shank. She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Harriet Shank Allen; brother, Richard Jr; and husband of 50 years, Stanford Aldridge Cannaday. In addition to her careers with the Viscose Corporation and Roanoke City Schools, Mrs. Cannaday enjoyed music, art, gardening, reading, and dancing with Stanford. She is remembered as a wonderful storyteller, skilled cruciverbalist, and a scholar, frequently requesting library books until the very end. She is also remembered by so many as a gentle and even-tempered soul who never raised her voice in anger. In her own quiet way, she was an independent woman ahead of her time. Manila will be missed by her daughter, Iva and son-in-law, John Ferguson; granddaughters, Elizabeth (Clifton Stuckey) and Danielle (Matthew Boch); sister-in-law, Nancy Jane Shank; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Also surviving are her beloved friends, Virginia Lancaster Shields, Peggy Templeton, and Janice Smyth. Manila and her family are grateful for their church family at Woodlawn United Methodist Church, the residents and staff of Our Lady of the Valley and staff of Good Samaritan Hospice. A brief graveside service will be held at the Cannaday Family Cemetery, Copper Hill, Virginia. on June 12, 2020.³

     Laura Green Smith was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,4 She was born on September 20, 1853 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1 She married Erasmus Alvin "Ras" Conner, son of Daniel Peter "Dan" Conner and Elizabeth "Betsy" Wilson, on May 4, 1871 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1 As of May 4, 1871,her married name was Conner. Laura Green Smith died on December 18, 1947 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 94.¹

     His Social Security Number was 229-18-6623.¹¹ Richard Miles Shank Jr. was buried at Stonewall Cemetery, 4382 Route 221 N, Floyd Co., Virginia.³ He was born on March 19, 1921 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,11,4 He married Nancy Jane Blackwell, daughter of Robert Sherman Blackwell and Eula Belle Williams, on February 25, 1955 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,7 Richard Miles Shank Jr. died on April 15, 2007 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 86.^3,11,6 He Richard Miles Shank, Jr., of Floyd, passed away on Sunday April 15, 2007 at age 86. He was a member of the Stonewall United Methodist Church for many years. He served in the U. S. Army Air Force, in the 506 Fighter Squadron during WWII in Europe. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Jane Shank; sons and their wives, Joel and Amanda Shank, Stewart and Tammy Shank; grandsons Aaron, Micah and Christian Shank; granddaughters Hannah Elisabeth, Faith and Abigail Shank; sister Manilla Cannaday; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ileda Shelor, Louise and Thomas Hall, Robert and Patricia Blackwell, Mary and W. B. Nolen, Kenneth and Kathy Blackwell; mother-in-law, Eula Martin; stepbrothers-in-law, Fred Quesenberry and Eugene Quesenbetry; first cousins, Wanda and Bernard Vest, Mason Lee and Charlotte Whiteneck, Ruby Shank; and many nieces and nephews and other cousins. Interment in the Stonewall Cemetery, and military graveside rites by the Floyd VFW Post 7854 and Floyd American Legion Post 127. on April 16, 2007.³

     Roy Franklin Demory was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.³ He was born on March 7, 1943 at Alexandria, Virginia.^2,3,4 He married Nancy Miles Allen, daughter of Alvin Peter "Alvie" Allen and Harriet Agatha Shank, on September 13, 1966 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,7,1,3 Roy Franklin Demory died on August 18, 2004 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 61.^2,3,5 He Roy Franklin Demory, of Floyd, born March 7, 1943 to Carl and Eunice Demory in Alexandria, Virginia, left this life suddenly on August 18, 2004. He is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by Nancy Allen Demory, his wife of 38 years. Roy, called Tommy by his family, leaves his sisters, Leilani "Lani" Williamson and her husband, Jim, of Luray, Va., Georgia "Polly" Wilmer and her husband, John, of Crimora, Va. and Candace "Candy" Rountree of Otis, Kan. He leaves his little brother, Carl "Eddy" Demory and his wife, Bonnie, of Lyndhurst, Va. He leaves sisters-in-law, Janet Chin and her husband, Gabriel, of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Susan Collins of Charlottesville, Va; and brothers-in-law, Mark Allen and wife, June of Salem, Va., and David Allen of Lexington and Floyd and his friend Diane Bell of Washington, DC. He leaves nieces, Susan Brown and her husband, Jimmy, Carrie Wilmer, Christine Law and husband, John, Erin Gomez and husband, Dennis; and nephews James Williamson and his wife, Kimberly, and Carl Rountree. He leaves grand-nieces, Georgia Brown, Demory and Annabelle Williamson, and Kendra Gomez; and grand-nephews, Hunter McMillon and Carson Law. He leaves also one surviving uncle, Calvin Demory of Lancaster, Va; and cousins, Nancy's nieces and nephews and their children, and many friends. Roy met Nancy at Ferrum College on November 13, 1963 and let her know shortly thereafter that they would travel the rest of his life together. His working life was spent in public service as a Recreation Therapist at Eastern State Hospital, Williamsburg, Va., as a Sergeant on the Police Department of Lawrence, Kansas, as an officer with George Mason University Police in Fairfax, Va., and as an Inspector and Supervisor with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. Roy loved fleamarkets, collecting stuff, the Redskins, his dogs, Floyd County, his friends, his family, and life. on August 22, 2004.²

     His Social Security Number was 226-14-0292.¹¹ Stanford Aldridge Cannaday was buried at Cannaday Family Cemetery, River Ridge Road SE, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia; His tombstone reads "S Sgt US Army World War II."^12,13,14,5 He was born on October 21, 1914 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^{12,1,11,15,3,16,14,17,5} He married Dorothy Mae Gray, daughter of George Washington Gray Sr. and Mabel Clara Swortzel/Swartzel, on March 24, 1941 at Danbury, Stokes Co., North Carolina.⁶ Stanford Aldridge Cannaday and Dorothy Mae Gray were divorced in 1945 at Clay Co., Florida.⁷ Stanford Aldridge Cannaday married Manila Miles Shank, daughter of Richard Miles Shank Sr. and Gertrude Iva Vest, on October 16, 1947 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,15,2,4 Stanford Aldridge Cannaday died on May 22, 1997 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 82.^{12,13,11,5,14,16} He CANNADAY, Stanford A., 82, of Roanoke, died Thursday, May 22, 1997. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, and a member of Woodlawn United Methodist Church. Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Manila Cannaday; a daughter and son-in-law, Iva and John Ferguson; two granddaughters, Elizabeth Ferguson and Danielle Ferguson, all of Roanoke; a host of nieces and nephews. Interment will follow in the Cannaday Family Cemetery, Floyd County. on May 24, 1997.¹³

     Nancy Jane Blackwell Nancy Jane Blackwell Shank, born on January 30, 1934, in Floyd County, VA, went to be with the Lord on May 8, 2025. She was a long-time faithful member of Stonewall United Methodist Church where she taught a Sunday School class for preschool children for several years. She loved to read God's Word, having read through the Bible many times over the years. Nancy Jane is preceded in death by her husband, Richard Miles Shank, Jr; parents, Sherman and Eula Williams Blackwell; brothers, Robert Blackwell and Kenneth Blackwell; stepbrothers, Gene Quesenberry and Fred Quesenberry; brothers-in-law, Frank Shelor, Tommy Hall and Wilmer "W. B." Nolen; sisters-in-law, Harriet Allen and Manila Canaday. She is survived by sons, Joel Shank, wife, Amanda, and Stewart Shank, wife, Tammy; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Ileda Shelor, Louise Hall, and Mary Nolen; sisters-in-law, Patrica Blackwell and Kathy Blackwell; many nephews and nieces, including niece, Iva Ferguson, who was very special to her; and numerous cousins. Nancy Jane excelled as a homemaker, seamstress and cook. She enjoyed flower gardening when she was in good health. She was a member of the homemaking and quilting clubs at Floyd for years. She won awards for some of her quilts and canned goods. The family is grateful for the care she received at South Roanoke Nursing Home, particularly the care given to her by aide, Pam Terry. Interment will follow in the Stonewall Cemetery.⁷ She was buried at Stonewall Cemetery, 4382 Route 221 N, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁷ She was born on January 30, 1934 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,5,7 She married Richard Miles Shank Jr., son of Richard Miles Shank Sr. and Gertrude Iva Vest, on February 25, 1955 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3,7 As of February 25, 1955,her married name was Shank. Nancy Jane Blackwell died on May 8, 2025 at Virginia at age 91.⁷

     Byrd/Bird Smith was buried at Head of the River Cemetery (also known as Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery), Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,4 He was born on July 15, 1809 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,3,4 He married Lydia Ann Iddings, daughter of Henry Iddings and Abigail Olive Richardson, on September 13, 1832 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4,6 Byrd/Bird Smith died on February 22, 1896 at age 86.^2,3,4