Person Page - 3829

     Lisa Diane Zimmerman Lisa Zimmerman Conner, Aug 7, 1959 - Apr 9, 2023. Lisa Zimmerman Conner, 63, of Roanoke, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 9, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jennings Bryan Zimmerman (Peggy), and Leona Zimmerman, as well as her father-in-law, Bobby Conner. Lisa, affectionately known to her many friends as LZ, is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Anthony W. Conner, and their children, Jackie Gardner (Brian), Jamie Conner, and John Conner (Ashleigh), and grandchildren, Berkeley Gardner, Jase Gardner, and Landry Conner, and her pup, Remy. She is also survived by her brothers Mike Zimmerman (Kathy) and Donnie Zimmerman (Karen), mother-in-law Rebecca Conner, and brothers-in-law Reggie Conner (Ellen), Brian Conner (Leigh Anne), and sister-in-law Valerie Moore, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Lisa was a graduate of William Byrd High School and Radford University. Well known for her great sense of style and her love of entertaining, Lisa never missed a design detail and turned every event into a true party. She had the best laugh and loved music, her dogs, travel, and sitting on the beach til after sunset. While she rarely turned down a shopping trip, especially if shoes and jewelry were involved, Lisa most loved being at Anthony’s side as they were cheering on their children and grandchildren as they participated in sports and other activities.³ She was born on August 7, 1959 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3 As of August 1, 1981,her married name was Conner.¹ She married Anthony Wayne Conner, son of Bobby Lavern Conner and Rebecca Anne "Becky" Huddleston, on August 1, 1981 at Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3 Lisa Diane Zimmerman died on April 9, 2023 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 63.³

     Deborah Sanford McGehee was born on March 4, 1958 at Richmond, Virginia.^1,2 As of September 12, 1981,her married name was Conner.¹ She married Randal Gary Conner, son of Lynwood Conner and Betty Lou Goad, on September 12, 1981 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 Deborah Sanford McGehee died on February 21, 2018 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 59.² She Deborah McGehee Conner, 59, of Roanoke, Va., passed away in her home on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, after a short battle with lung cancer. She was born on March 4, 1958, in Richmond, Va., where she spent her childhood. Debbie went on to receive a degree from the University of Mary Washington. After graduating, she moved to Roanoke, where she married her sweetheart. Together with her brother-in-law, they owned Country Way General Merchandise for many years, where Debbie's infectious personality and positive spirit became a staple in the community. Later in life, she was able to combine two of her biggest passions, children and consignment sales, into a business venture, Back on the Rack, LLC. Blessed with a servant's heart, Debbie used her many talents and her seemingly boundless energy to volunteer for countless organizations throughout the Roanoke Valley while raising her children. She was preceded in death by her children, Debra Lynn Conner and William Bennett Conner; her parents, Eleanor Randolph Boisseau McGuire and Charles Connor McGehee III; and her stepfather, Herbert Curtis McGuire. Debbie is survived by her husband of 36 years, Randal Gary Conner of Roanoke, Va; her sister, Kathryn McGehee Avery (Kendall) of Richmond, Va; her brother, Charles Connor McGehee IV of Virginia Beach, Va; her stepbrother, Steve McGuire (Domino) of Roanoke, Va; stepsister, Marcee McGuire of Charlotte, N.C; her children, Lisa Conner Parker (Brannon) of Charleston, S.C., Steven Lynwood Conner (Kelly) of Roanoke, Va., Eleanor "Kenzie" Conner Mitchell (Thomas) of Ravenna, Ohio, Peyton Conner Stevenson (Justin) of Buchanan, Va., and Greyson Phillips Conner of Roanoke, Va; and grandchildren, Haley Nicole Parker, Hannah Joyce Parker, Drew Randal Conner, Lorelei Eileen Conner. on February 23, 2018.²

     Edward Wesley Bowles Edward Wesley Bowles, 58, of Elliston, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2012 in Charlottesville. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Wesley and Claudine Akers Bowles. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dustin and Patricia Slate; grandchildren, Tori, Nathan, Brooke and Ryan; aunt, Ruby Owens; special friends, Kaitlin Moore and daughter, Mason, Chloe Clingenpell; numerous other nieces, nephews, family and special friends. Interment to follow in the Reesedale Cemetery.² His Social Security Number was 225-80-1296.⁶ He was buried at Reesedale Cemetery, Rt. 622, Ironto, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^7,2 He was born on September 30, 1953 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,4,5,6 He married Audrey Mae Conner, daughter of William B. "Bill" Conner and Ocie Ella Worrell, on October 5, 1981 at Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹ Edward Wesley Bowles and Audrey Mae Conner were divorced on January 29, 1986 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁴ Edward Wesley Bowles died on June 7, 2012 at Charlottesville, Virginia, at age 58.^2,3,6

     Jeffrey Miller Wilson Jeffery Wilson, Aug 5, 1959 - Jun 4, 2024. Jeffery M. Wilson, 64, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, after an extended illness. He was the son of the late Ira M. and Nancy Williams Wilson. He was retired from Botetourt County where he worked as a bus mechanic and part time driver for many years.⁴ He was born on August 5, 1959 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3 He married Janet Lynn Hambrick, daughter of Richard Andrew "Dick" Hambrick and Violet Marcella Conner, on July 2, 1983 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Jeffrey Miller Wilson and Janet Lynn Hambrick were divorced on March 25, 1985 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.² Jeffrey Miller Wilson died on June 4, 2024 at Virginia at age 64.⁴

     Larry Edward Donahue was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.⁵ His Social Security Number was 224-94-0437.⁶ He was born on September 19, 1963 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,6,2,4 He married Rosa Mae Conner, daughter of Harvey Daniel Conner and Ailene Maureen Pacetti, on November 29, 1983 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Larry Edward Donahue died on December 30, 1996 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 33.^6,3,5 He DONAHUE, Larry Edward, 33, of Roanoke, died Monday, December 30, 1996. Graveside service Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on January 4, 1997.⁵ He Two teenagers have been charged in connection with the Dec. 30 shooting death of 33-year-old Larry Edward Donahue. Michael Shrawn Benton, 19, of the 400 block of 13th Street Southwest, was charged with murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. A 17-year-old boy was charged as an accessory before the fact. Police will not release his name because of his age. His name will become public after he is arraigned today, according to a new state law. The teens were arrested separately without incident Sunday afternoon. Police said one of the teens apparently made a racial about Donahue before the shooting, but police would not say what was said. Both teens are black and Donahue was white. There is no indication that Donahue provoked the attack, police said. Donahue, 33, of the 1400 block of Patterson Avenue, died of a single gunshot wound to the head. His body was found on a sidewalk in front of a house in the 1300 block of Chapman Avenue shortly after neighbors called police about shots being fired. His death was the city's 13th homicide of 1996. Benton is being held without bond at the Roanoke City Jail. The 17-year-old, who lives in the Chapman Avenue area, is being held at Coyner Springs Detention Home. This is the second 17-year-old Roanoke boy to be charged with murder. A capital murder preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7. on January 6, 1997.⁷ He A teen-ager could face a long prison term for fetching a gun that was used to shoot a man in the back of the head along a sidewalk in Southwest Roanoke. Keith Riles, 17, pleaded no contest Wednesday to first-degree murder and a firearm charge in the Dec. 30 killing of Larry E. Donahue. Roanoke Circuit Judge Clifford Weckstein convicted Riles of both charges. He scheduled sentencing for July 18. A conviction for first-degree murder carries a minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison. The shooter, Michael S. Benton, 19, has already pleaded guilty. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors promised not to ask for more than 40 years on the murder conviction wher Benton is sentenced July 2. There was no plea bargain in Riles' case. But his attorney, Onzlee Ware, said Riles decided not to seek a trial because the evidence against him was enough to convict. Under the law, Ware said, Riles can be convicted of murder in much the same way that getaway driver can be convicted of bank robbery without setting foot in the bank. However, Ware will argue that Riles should get less time than Benton because Riles wasn't the one who pulled the trigger, and because he had no idea that Benton was going to kill Donahue. While no one disputes that Riles provided the gun and that Benton shot Donahue, there is disagreement over exactly what led to the shooting. Witnesses say Benton had vowed earlier that he was going to shoot someone. Some say that Benton shot Donahue, 33, at random while Donahue was walking along Chapman Avenue Southwest. Others say Benton and Donahue argued over drugs, then Benton pulled the gun and shot him. According to Riles' story, Donahue was trying, unsuccessfully, to sell Riles and Benton a bag of marijuana. Benton sent Riles inside Benton's house on 13th Street to get a semiautomatic handgun. After Riles brought him the gun, Benton, who black, pointed it at Donahue, who is white. C. Donahue took off, Riles said, and Benton fired three shots. One hit Donahue in the back the head, killing him. on May 22, 1997.⁸

     His Social Security Number was 228-86-1945.⁶ Jesse Stephen Blankenship was born on August 11, 1956 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,6,5 He married Billie Jean Lambert, daughter of William Randolph Lambert and Frances Norma Jean Conner, on December 28, 1983 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Jesse Stephen Blankenship and Billie Jean Lambert were divorced on October 23, 1995 at Roanoke, Virginia.³ Jesse Stephen Blankenship died on December 21, 2013 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 57.^2,6,4 He Jesse Stephen Blankenship, 57, of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 21, 2013. Jesse was preceded in death by his father and mother, Otey and Hazel Blankenship; his brother, Joseph Blankenship and his sister, Rita McGlothlin. Surviving are his children, Ashley Blankenship; Cory and wife, Kelsey Blankenship; his grandchildren, Ariana and Ryder Blankenship; Brandon Cole II; his sisters and brothers, JoAnn Linton; Debbie and husband, James Sapp; Otey and wife, Terri Blankenship and Ricky and wife, Donna Blankenship. on December 26, 2013.²