Person Page - 1209

     Bishop Robert Marvin Stuart married Mary Ella Rose.^4,3 Bishop Robert Marvin Stuart was born on November 22, 1909 at Paullina, O'Brien Co., Iowa.^3,5 He died on November 11, 2003 at Palo Alto, Santa Clara Co., California, at age 93.³ He Retired United Methodist Bishop R. Marvin Stuart, 93, who advocated full clergy rights for women in the denomination, died Nov. 11 at his Palo Alto, Calif., retirement home. Born in Paullina, Iowa, Stuart was ordained in 1934 and elected bishop in 1964. He served as president of the Council of Bishops in 1978. His election to bishop highlighted a ministerial career that included 22 years as pastor of First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto, as well as service at other churches in the San Francisco Bay area. He served 16 years as bishop in Denver and San Francisco. At the 1956 General Conference, Stuart was the chairman of the legislative body for the committee on ministry and presented the report for the church to approve full clergy rights for women. As a result, the assembly granted clergywomen full rights in the United Methodist Church that year. Stuart served as a General Conference delegate from 1952 to 1964. He was also responsible for beginning the denomination's national training program for district superintendents and directors of councils on ministries. "I knew Bishop Stuart well and had high regard for him," said retired Bishop Jack Tuell of Des Moines, Wash. "One of the things that marked his ministry before he was elected bishop and after was the incredible energy he devoted to his ministerial work." Stuart received an associate degree from Taylor University in Indiana and later received bachelor's and master's degrees in sacred theology from Boston School of Theology. He also received an honorary doctorate from Taylor University. Tuell said Stuart was an idea person, particularly with regard to missions. "Bishop Stuart was phenomenal at fund raising for mission programs, and First United Methodist Church was one of the leading churches in the denomination for supporting a variety of Advance Specials (mission projects). He devoted considerable energy to mission in an outstanding way," Tuell said. When Stuart was appointed pastor of First Church in 1948, the congregation had only a few hundred members. During his 22-year tenure, the church grew to 2,000 members, and a gothic-styled sanctuary was constructed in 1962. As bishop, he led the denomination's Denver Area for eight years, beginning in 1964, and later oversaw the San Francisco Area until his retirement in 1980. During his ministerial career, Stuart was an advocate for social justice. "He was in the forefront of people working to integrate the church during the '60s," Tuell said. Stuart's wife, Mary Ella Stuart, died in 2001. He is survived by his son, Robert Lee Stuart of San Francisco. A memorial service will be held Jan. 17 at First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto. Donations may be made to the Stuart Landscaping Endowment, First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301. on November 17, 2003.³

     Elizabeth Mary Stuart was buried at Wethersfield Village Cemetery, 332 Hartford Avenue, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut.⁴ Her Social Security Number was 013-24-7966.⁵ She was born on February 20, 1912 at Iowa.^5,6 As of May 29, 1935,her married name was Gates.³ She married Rev. Jo Bernard Gates on May 29, 1935 at Grant Co., Indiana.³ Elizabeth Mary Stuart and Rev. Jo Bernard Gates were divorced in 1981 at Hartford Co., Connecticut.⁷ Elizabeth Mary Stuart died on April 29, 1994 at Canton, Hartford Co., Connecticut, at age 82.^5,6,4

     Charles Conner Stuart was born on September 30, 1913 at Akron, Plymouth Co., Iowa.²

     Josephine "Jo" Stuart was born on December 4, 1922 at Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa.^3,4 As of September 19, 1944,her married name was Juett.⁴ She married John M. "Jack" Juett on September 19, 1944.⁴ Josephine "Jo" Stuart died on October 3, 2013 at Lakeside, Ottawa Co., Ohio, at age 90.⁴ She Josephine S. "Jo" Juett, 91, of Lakeside, OH died October 3, 2013 at her residence. She was born Dec. 4, 1922 in Spencer, IA the daughter of Robert Lee and Josie Lena (Conner) Stuart. She married John "Jack" Juett Sept. 19, 1944 and he preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 2005. Mrs. Juett was a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church where she was active in the United Methodist Women. She was the official welcoming committee at Otterbein North Shore Retirement Village and she was awarded Otterbein Angel of the Year. She was a concert pianist at Taylor University and also a cheerleader at Taylor. She enjoyed refinishing furniture. Surviving are her daughter: Susan K. (Chip) Walaska of North Liberty, IA, Mary Elizabeth (Dennis) Wise of Twinsburg, OH; grandchildren: Ben Ringena, Ethan Ringena, Jason (Jessica) Ringena, Amanda Bucalo, Jackie Bucalo; great-grandchildren: Evyn Ringena and Graysen Ringena. She was preceded in death by her husband, three brothers and one sister. Memorial services will be conducted 3:00PM Sunday, October 6, 2013 at Lakeside United Methodist Church where the family will receive friends following the service. Memorial contributions may be given to Lakeside Association. Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, Lakeside - Marblehead, OH is handling the arrangements. on October 5, 2013.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 223-48-1626.⁵ Hop Gray Thurston Jr. was buried at Old Dominion Memorial Gardens, 7271 Cloverdale Road, Cloverdale, Botetourt Co., Virginia.⁴ He married Patricia Ann Brizendine.⁴ Hop Gray Thurston Jr. was born on October 11, 1937 at Bristol, Virginia.^1,5 He married Frances May Poff, daughter of Millard Oliver Poff Sr. and Ruby Gaye Vest, on July 12, 1968 at Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 Hop Gray Thurston Jr. and Frances May Poff were divorced on June 6, 1985 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,7 Hop Gray Thurston Jr. died on December 31, 2008 at Virginia at age 71.^4,5 He Hop Gray Thurston Jr., 71, of Vinton, Va., passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2008. He was preceded in death by a son, Jack Daniel Thurston; and wife, Patricia Ann Brizendine Thurston. He is survived by three sons and their wives, William and Lenn, of Bedford, Gary and Brandy, of Floyd, and Mark and Cindy, of Floyd; stepdaughter and husband, Patricia and Jim Slusser of Vinton; 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and lifelong friend Earsul (Hank) Williams and his wife, Vickie, of Botetourt County. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2009, in the Mausoleum of Old Dominion Memorial Gardens with Bishop Paul Williamson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2009, at Oakey's Vinton Chapel, 540-982-2221. on January 3, 2009.⁴

     Joseph Arno Weddle was buried at Topeco Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Rt. 221, Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.² His Social Security Number was 224-24-9468.³ He was born on February 23, 1923 at Meadows of Dan, Patrick Co., Virginia.^3,2 He married Sylvia Loraine Correll, daughter of Alton P. Correll and Gracie Ruth Lovell, on January 19, 1957 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ Joseph Arno Weddle died on January 16, 1998 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 74.^3,2 He WEDDLE, Joseph Arno, 74, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, January 16, 1998, at the V.A. Hospital in Salem. He was born in Meadows of Dan, Va., to the late Mr. Emmett and Mrs. Addie Hatcher Weddle. Arno was preceded in death by his brothers, Elbert and John Weddle, and sisters, Margaret Weddle and Ruby W. Lovell. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Laura W. and Steven Goad of Troutville; grandson, Jonathan Alton Goad; sister, Mrs. Martin (Mae) Hall of Floyd, Va; brother-in-law, Waller Lovell of Pilot, and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 1998, in Topeco Cemetery, Floyd, with the Rev. John Huffaker officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd. In keeping with Mr. Weddle's wishes, please make a memorial contribution (in lieu of flowers) to Topeco Church of The Brethren, Route 2, Box 171, Floyd, Va. 24091. on January 17, 1998.²

     His Social Security Number was 274-30-9609.² Ernest Clyde Williams Jr. was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.³ He was born on February 21, 1935 at Virginia.^1,2 He married Juanna "Ann" Vest, daughter of Troy Wade Vest and Irene Walters, on February 25, 1989 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ Ernest Clyde Williams Jr. WILLIAMS, Ernest C. Jr., ("Sonny"), 60, of Floyd, passed away Friday, December 1, 1995 in a Salem hospital. He was retired Administrative Superintendent of the Floyd-Floyd County Public Service Authority. He was a member of the Floyd Moose Lodge #2300 and Floyd Lodge #202, I.O.O.F. Survivors include his wife, Ann Williams, Floyd; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Gary Williams, Amherst, Todd and Jeannie Williams, North Charleston, S.C; one daughter, Donna Reed, Floyd; mother, Edva Slusher Williams, Floyd; sister, Corene Hanes, Centerville, Ohio; stepson, Douglas Sowder, Check; granddaughter, Kay Dale Reed; stepgranddaughter, Amanda Sowder. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 4, 1995, at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Harvey Eugene Jennings officiating. Burial will follow in Jacksonville Cemetery, with graveside services by Floyd Moose Lodge #2300. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Maberry Funeral Home. on September 3, 1995.³ He died on December 1, 1995 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 60.^3,2

     His Social Security Number was 509-14-0977.³ Edward L. Wimmer was born on November 28, 1919 at Kansas.^1,3 He died in May, 1980 at age 60.³

     Robert L. Whitenack was born on February 15, 1866 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹

     Her married name was Epperly. Garnett Vivian Whitenack married Tazwell Edgar Epperly.⁴ Garnett Vivian Whitenack was born circa 1902 at Virginia.³ She died in 1964.

     Her Social Security Number was 226-01-6281.⁵ Lucy Delma Whitenack was buried at Sunset Cemetery, North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^6,7 She married William Ezra "Bill" Cummings.⁶ Her married name was Cummings. Lucy Delma Whitenack was born on April 28, 1904 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,7,5 She married Estral Ray Conner, son of Robert Willis "Bob" Conner and Marcella Mays "Cella" Vest, on November 4, 1927 at Simpsons, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁸ As of November 4, 1927,her married name was Conner.^9,8 Lucy Delma Whitenack and Estral Ray Conner were divorced on June 5, 1936 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁸ Lucy Delma Whitenack died on September 5, 1990 at Riner, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 86.^6,7 She Delma Whitenack Cummings, age 86, passed away Wednesday, September 5, 1990. She was a member of the Valley View Primitive Baptist Church in Riner and is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Ralph E. and LaRae W. Cummings, Pilot; Paul L. and Nancy W. Cummings, Newport News; three grandchildren, Ralph E. Cummings, Jr; Christopher W. Cummings, both of Riner; Amy Suzanne Cummings, Newport News; two sisters, Ella W. (June) Thompson, Riner; Blanche W. Duncan, Christiansburg; four nieces; one nephew. The funeral will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the gravesite in Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg, conducted by Elder Raymond Goad. A memorial service in her memory will be held Sunday, September 16, 1990, at 11:00 a.m. in the Valley View Primitive Baptist Church in Riner. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Building Fund of Valley View Primitive Baptist Church, c/o, Mrs. Ralph Lucas, 2215 Camp Carysbrook Rd., Riner, Va. 24149. Friends may call anytime Friday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg. The family will receive friends there from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday evening. on September 7, 1990.⁶

     Ella June Whitenack was buried at Sunset Cemetery, North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.³ Her Social Security Number was 226-01-6280.⁵ She married Riner Howard Thompson.² Her married name was Thompson. Ella June Whitenack was born on July 14, 1906 at Virginia.^1,5 She died on July 2, 1993 at Riner, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 86.³ She THOMPSON, Ella June Whitenack, 86, of Five Points Road, Riner, died Friday night, July 2, 1993, at home. She was the widow of Riner H. Thompson. She is survived by one daughter, Sarah Jane Thompson Bishop, Riner; a sister, Blanche W. Duncan, Christiansburg; a granddaughter, Tracy Michele Bishop Moran. A graveside service will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 5, 1993, in Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg, conducted by Rev. Richard H. Horne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Auburn United Methodist Church, Riner, Va. 24149. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Richardson-Horne Funeral Home, Christiansburg. on July 4, 1993.³

     Casper Shedrick Whitenack was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^7,4 He married Elizabeth Lydia Hall.⁸ Casper Shedrick Whitenack was born on May 3, 1908 at Floyd Co., Virginia; His death record has a birth date of May 3, 1909.^7,4,6 He died on August 25, 1942 at Fort Sheridan, Lake Co., Illinois, at age 34.^3,7,4,6

     Her Social Security Number was 225-92-5459.³ Her married name was Sowers. Allie Bleeka Whitenack married Mosby Johnson Sowers.² Allie Bleeka Whitenack was born on December 12, 1910 at Virginia.^1,3 She died in May, 1973 at age 62.³

     Her married name was Nolen.³ Emily Blanche Whitenack married Troy J. Duncan.² Emily Blanche Whitenack married Frank Nolen.³ Her married name was Duncan. Emily Blanche Whitenack was born on December 3, 1913 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹

     William Ezra "Bill" Cummings was buried at Sunset Cemetery, North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^4,2 He married Lucy Delma Whitenack, daughter of Enoch Dalah Whitenack and Eliza Jane DeWeese.¹ William Ezra "Bill" Cummings was born on August 2, 1904.^4,2 He died on May 27, 1986 at age 81.^4,2

     Ralph Edward Cummings Sr. was buried at Sunset Cemetery, North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^3,4 He married LaRae Ann Wilborn.^1,4 Ralph Edward Cummings Sr. was born on January 14, 1941.^6,3 He died on July 11, 2005 at Pilot, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 64.^6,3,4 He Ralph Edward Cummings Sr., 64, of Pilot passed away at his home on Monday, July 11, 2005. He served four years in the Air Force and worked as a State Farm Insurance Agent for forty years. He was also a member of MacDaniel Masonic Lodge #86 AF&AM. He is survived by his wife, LaRae W. Cummings; sons and daughter-in-law, Ralph Jr. and Katherine Cummings, Chris W. Cummings; granddaughter Victoria A. Cummings; brother and sister-in-law, Paul L. and Nancy Cummings; father and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Wilborn; niece Amy Murray, husband Brian and daughter Briana. Graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2005 at Sunset Cemetery, Christiansburg with the Rev. William Hungate officiating and Masonic Service by McDaniel Masonic Lodge #86 AF&AM. There will be no visitation. Arrangements by Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd. on July 13, 2005.⁴