Person Page - 5134

     Florence Kilby Florence Matthews, 80, of Mount Laurel, beloved local restaurateur, accomplished cook, crack bartender, and hostess extraordinaire, died Wednesday, July 2, at Cooper University Hospital in Camden. She was in the hospital for dehydration, her oldest daughter, Judy Dress, said. She had been receiving treatment for colon cancer. Mrs. Matthews, better known as Flo, spent her professional life in hospitality, and she learned it by doing it. At 15, she was waitressing at a diner in the nation's capital called the Dollhouse. Marriage brought her north to New Jersey, where she waitressed in such venerable Cherry Hill institutions as the swanky Latin Casino, Cinelli's restaurant, and the Cherry Hill Inn. In 1985, she fulfilled her dream of a place of her own and opened the popular Flo's Lakeside Tavern in Hainesport with her husband, Kenneth Matthews. "She knew the business stem to stern," Dress said. "She was kind of quiet but strong inside," the daughter said. "She was hospitality-oriented, but she knew how to handle the late-night bar crowd." That inner strength took her far. On Sept. 15, 1933, she was born to Robert and Beulah Kilby on a farm family in Remington, Va. "She drove a tractor for them at the age of 9," Dress said. Her father was much older than her mother, and when he died and the mother took ill, Mrs. Matthews, then 15, moved herself and her mother to the D.C. area, where she supported them both by waitressing. At 16, she gave birth to Dress; two years later she had a son. "My mother would never talk about that time," Dress said. She did what she had to do, waitressing to support her children and mother, Dress said "My mother never complained about anything," Dress said. She found love and constancy with Ken Matthews, the banquet manager at the Cherry Hill Inn, where she waitressed. The couple had a child, bringing Flo's brood to five. They bought a house in Mount Laurel. And they had their restaurant. "She was the personality," Dress said, "what they call in the industry the front of the house." It was like a home away from home to the family and to their grandchildren to come. Dress said she and one of her sisters worked there, and even the grandkids helped out. Ken Matthews died about 17 years ago, but Mrs. Matthews kept the place going. The tavern had a small but lively bar, the restaurant was tastefully rustic, with wood paneling, table linens and fine china from Wanamaker's, and the food, Dress said, was delicious, made from her mother's recipes. The hours were long, but the memories were good, Dress said. The restaurant closed once a year: Christmas. On that day, her mother and one of her cooks would make a massive feast for the family, as many as 70 people. "She loved her family - the big kids, the little kids," Dress said. She was "Mom-Mom" to 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. An avid jitterbugger in her younger days, Mrs. Matthews had her last dance five years ago with a grandson at his wedding, Dress said. Like her late husband, Mrs. Matthews donated her body to science. Eventually, Dress said, their ashes may be spread across their beloved ocean.⁵ She was born on September 15, 1933 at Remington, Fauquier Co., Virginia.^4,5,3 As of August 21, 1955,her married name was Ronaldson.² She married James Michael Ronaldson Jr. on August 21, 1955 at Arlington, Virginia.² As of September, 1964,her married name was Matthews.^4,7 Florence Kilby married Kenneth Anthony Matthews in September, 1964 at Camden, Camden Co., New Jersey.^4,5,7 Florence Kilby died on July 2, 2014 at Camden, Camden Co., New Jersey, at age 80.^4,5,8 She Florence Matthews better known to those who knew and loved her as Flo, transitioned into the arms of the Universe Wednesday, July 2, 2014. She lived 80 full years. Flo was born Sept. 15, 1933, in Remington, Va. to Robert and Beulah Kilby. The majority of her life was spent in New Jersey where she raised five children. She resided in Mount Laurel for 45 years. Fulfilling her life-long dream, she opened Flo's Lakeside Tavern in 1985, catering to the public with the best food, drinks and ambience in town. Loving wife of the late Kenneth Matthews, she was the mother of Judy Dress, John Ronaldson, Robin Zwick, James Ronaldson and Tammy Prasol and their spouses. She also is survived by 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who knew her as Mom-Mom. on July 10, 2014.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 179-22-8815.⁶ Kenneth Anthony Matthews was born on June 16, 1932 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.^6,4,7,5 He married Florence Kilby, daughter of Robert S. Kilby and Beulah M. Jane Pardue, in September, 1964 at Camden, Camden Co., New Jersey.^1,2,8 Kenneth Anthony Matthews died on May 24, 1997 at Mount Laurel, Burlington Co., New Jersey, at age 64.^6,3,4,7 He Kenneth A. Matthews, 64, of Mount Laurel, died Saturday at home. Mr. Matthews had lived in Mount Laurel for 33 years. He was co-owner of Flo's Lakeside Tavern in Hainesport and a retired general manager of the St. David's Inn, Radnor, Pa. He was also the former vice president of the First Wayne Corp., Radnor, Pa. He was past president of The Banquet Manager's Guild of Philadelphia and a member of the National Association of Catering Executives. He was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Florence of Mount Laurel; three daughters, Judith Dress of Eastampton, Robin Zwick of Mount Laurel and Tammy Collins of Fort Washington, Pa; two sons, John Ronaldson of Shamong and James Ronaldson of Brookhaven, Pa; 10 grandchildren; and a sister, Janet McCloskey of Voorhees. on May 26, 1997.³

     James Michael Ronaldson Jr. was buried at Long Island National Cemetery, 2040 Wellwood Avenue, East Farmingdale, Suffolk Co., New York.^6,3,5 He was born on January 25, 1932 at New York, New York.^6,1,2,3,4,5 He married Florence Kilby, daughter of Robert S. Kilby and Beulah M. Jane Pardue, on August 21, 1955 at Arlington, Virginia.¹ James Michael Ronaldson Jr. died on December 25, 1972 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at age 40.^6,3,5

     John Henry Kilby was buried at Remington Cemetery, Remington, Fauquier Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on September 20, 1929 at Lee, Fauquier Co., Virginia.^1,3 He died on September 13, 1930 at Fauquier Co., Virginia.¹

     His Social Security Number was 147-34-5573.³ David Stanley Swick was buried at Saint Teresa Cemetery and Mausoleum, 136 Passaic Avenue, Summit, Union Co., New Jersey.^1,2 He was born on July 9, 1945 at Summit, Union Co., New Jersey.^3,4 He married Robin Patricia Ronaldson, daughter of James Michael Ronaldson Jr. and Florence Kilby, in November, 1979 at Denville, Morris Co., New Jersey.^5,2 David Stanley Swick died on February 8, 1981 at Summit, Union Co., New Jersey, at age 35.^2,6 He SWICK, David Stanley, on Feb. 8, 1981, of Summit, N.J., husband of Robin (nee Matthews), son of Alfred of Summit, brother of Frederick of Fredericksburg, Va., Dennis of New Baden, Ill., and Gary of Summit, Mrs. Ellen Shea of Cranford, N.J, Mrs. Mary Jane Tyler of Summit, and Marilyn Ann Swick of St. Louis, Mo. Interment St. Teresa's Cemetery, Summit, N.J. on February 9, 1981.²

     His Social Security Number was 225-28-7262.⁶ Lewis Allen Bolin was buried at Remington Cemetery, Remington, Fauquier Co., Virginia.² He was born on October 11, 1888 at Pride, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,4,5,6 He married Della Mae Thompson, daughter of John David Thompson and Nancy Emily/Emma DeWeese, on April 6, 1925 at Tazewell, Tazewell Co., Virginia.^1,3 Lewis Allen Bolin died on March 31, 1963 at Anne Arundel Co., Maryland, at age 74.²

     Floyd Alexander Bolin was buried at Remington Cemetery, Remington, Fauquier Co., Virginia.^2,5 He was born on April 18, 1926 at Giles Co., Virginia.^2,3,4,5 He died on May 18, 1947 at age 21.^2,5

     Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin, age 82 of Petersburg, WV, formerly of Upper Tract, WV, passed away on Monday, February 27, 2012 at Grant County Nursing Home. He was born at Remington, VA on February 18, 1930, the son of the late Lewis Allen and Della May Thompson Bolin. Mr. Bolin was twice married. His first wife, Thelma Hartman Peck resides in Franklin and his second wife Rhoda Stump Bolin preceded him in death January 7, 2002. He was a member of the Main Mountain Free Will Baptist Church. He worked at Hott's Feed Mill, Clark's Auto, and for Gerald Sites. Mr. Bolin is survived by: 4 daughters, Rose Smith, of Bridgewater, VA, JoAnn Hinkle of Harrisonburg, VA, Jeannie Puffenbarger of Waynesboro, VA, Ruth Ann Puffenbarger of Franklin; a son, Lawrence "Grasshopper" Puffenbarger of Franklin; 8 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandchild. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a grandson, David Jarvis. Interment will be at South Branch Valley Memorial Gardens, Petersburg.¹ He was buried at South Branch Valley Memorial Gardens, Petersburg, Grant Co., West Virginia.^1,6 His Social Security Number was 233-50-2850.⁷ He married Thelma Mae Hartman.¹ Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin was born on February 18, 1930 at Remington, Fauquier Co., Virginia.^1,6,2,7,8 He married Willadene Virginia Smith on June 1, 1956 at Moyers, Pendleton Co., West Virginia.⁹ Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin married Rhoda Jane Stump on April 18, 1964 at Petersburg, Grant Co., West Virginia.^1,3,10 Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin died on February 27, 2012 at Petersburg, Grant Co., West Virginia, at age 82.^1,7

     Thelma Mae Hartman Thelma Peck, age 82 of Franklin, WV, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2015 at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg, VA. She was born on December 9, 1932 in Franklin, WV., the daughter of the late Hobert and Mary Susan (Whitecotton) Hartman. On October 4, 1999, she married Luther L. Peck, who survives in Franklin. Thelma had attended Pendleton County Schools and had worked at Hanover Shoe in the Tacking Department. She was a member of the Franklin Church of God. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Peck is survived by: 3 daughters, Jeannie Puffenbarger of Staunton, VA, Joanne Hinkle of Harrisonburg, VA, Ruth Puffenbarger of Riverton, WV; a son, Lawrence Allen "Grasshopper" Puffenbarger of Franklin, WV; 2 sisters, Elizabeth Alt of Franklin, Sudie Hartman of TN; 8 grandchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: a grandson, David Jarvis; 3 brothers, Edgar, Roy, and Bryan Hartman; and infant siblings, Russell, Roscoe, and Margaret Catherine. Interment will be in the Durbin Cemetery in Durbin, WV.² She was buried at Durbin Cemetery, Durbin, Pocahontas Co., West Virginia.² Her married name was Bolin.¹ She married Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin, son of Lewis Allen Bolin and Della Mae Thompson.¹ Thelma Mae Hartman was born on December 9, 1932 at Franklin, Pendleton Co., West Virginia.^2,3 She died on September 28, 2015 at Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co., Virginia, at age 82.²

     Rhoda Jane Stump was buried at South Branch Valley Memorial Gardens, Petersburg, Grant Co., West Virginia.^5,3 Her Social Security Number was 233-50-3446.⁶ She was born on October 3, 1927 at Smoke Hole, Pendleton Co., West Virginia.^5,2,3,4 As of April 18, 1964,her married name was Bolin.² She married Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin, son of Lewis Allen Bolin and Della Mae Thompson, on April 18, 1964 at Petersburg, Grant Co., West Virginia.^1,2,3 Rhoda Jane Stump died on January 7, 2002 at Winchester, Virginia, at age 74.^1,5,3,7,4,6 She Rhoda Jane Bolin, 74, of Petersburg, W.Va., died Monday, Jan. 7, 2002, at the Winchester Medical Center. Mrs. Bolin was born Oct. 3, 1927, in Smoke Hole, W.Va., and was the daughter of the late Adam Grant Stump and Martha Jane Kimble Stump. She was a homemaker. Surviving are her husband, Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin; a daughter, Ruth Bolin of Franklin, W.Va; two stepdaughters, Rose Marie Bolin of Pennsylvania and JoAnn Hinkle, Harrisonburg; a stepson, Lawrence Allen Puffenbarger, Franklin, W.Va; a brother, Ersel Grant Stump, Martinsburg, W.Va; four nieces and four nephews. Burial will be at South Branch Valley Memorial Gardens in Petersburg. on January 9, 2002.³

     Willadene Virginia Smith was buried at Saint Michael's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Pendleton Co., West Virginia.^3,2 She Willadene V. Simmons, 76, of Sugar Grove, West Virginia died Monday, April 13, 2009 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, Virginia surrounded by her family. She was born February 2, 1933 and was the daughter of the late W. Gordon and Lulu P. Smith of Sugar Grove, WV. Willadene was a homemaker and a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and the Sugar Grove V.F.W. Post 9666 Ladies Auxiliary. Her passion was flower and vegetable gardening, along with sightseeing around the mountains of West Virginia, particularly her home place of Stoney Run. She also enjoyed spending her afternoons with her animals listening to gospel and country/bluegrass music. On July 19, 1958, she married W. Luther Simmons, who preceded her in death on January 26, 1982. Also preceding her in death were a brother, Gilmer Smith of Dayton, VA, two sisters, Glenna Puffenbarger of Sugar Grove, WV and Jane Downs of Lorton, VA and a great-grandson, Colton Tichenor of Harrisonburg, VA. Surviving are a daughter, Rose Marie Smith, one grandson, Eric Shane Tichenor and wife, Leah, and one great-granddaughter, Reagan Anne Tichenor, all of Harrisonburg, two brothers, Cletus Smith and Stanley Smith of Harrisonburg, six sisters, Sheba Rexrode of Doe Hill, VA, Cleo Simmons and Wilda McDorman both of Staunton, VA, Wanda Pitsenbarger of Franklin, WV, Vada Wilfong of Sugar Grove, WV and Charlotte Eckard of Harrisonburg, VA. Interment will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery in Sugar Grove, WV.² Her Social Security Number was 232-76-3195.⁴ She was born on February 2, 1933 at Sugar Grove, Pendleton Co., West Virginia.^1,3,2,5,4 As of June 1, 1956,her married name was Bolin.¹ She married Lawrence Allen "Joe" Bolin, son of Lewis Allen Bolin and Della Mae Thompson, on June 1, 1956 at Moyers, Pendleton Co., West Virginia.¹ Willadene Virginia Smith died on April 13, 2009 at Harrisonburg, Rockingham Co., Virginia, at age 76.^3,2,6,4

     James Preston Blevins was buried at James P. Blevins Family Cemetery, Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ He was born on July 28, 1878 at Ashe Co., North Carolina; His gravestone has a birth year of 1877.^2,3,4 He died on April 23, 1936 at Rock, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 57.³

     Norma Irene Blevins was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^2,3 She was born on November 27, 1923 at Charleston, Kanawha Co., West Virginia.^1,2 As of April 20, 1946,her married name was Olinger.¹ She married Gratton Dewitt Olinger on April 20, 1946 at Radford, Virginia.^1,2,4 As of October 4, 1981,her married name was Ashley.¹ Norma Irene Blevins married Frank Edwin Ashley on October 4, 1981 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2 Norma Irene Blevins died on February 14, 2016 at Virginia at age 92.² She Norma “Irene” Blevins Olinger Ashley, age 92 of Price’s Fork passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016. She was born in Charleston, WV on November 27, 1923. She was preceded in death by her loving husbands Gratton D. Olinger and Frank E. Ashley and stepchildren, Arnold D. Olinger, Loretta A. Foster and David R. Ashley. She is survived by stepsons, Lowell Ashley, Kenneth and Jean Ashley and grandchildren. She is also leaving many nieces, nephews, neighbors and life-long friends. She is a life-long member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church and sang in the choir for many years. She was a member of the Price’s Fork Grange and an Avon Representative for over 50 years. Irene will be laid to rest by her husband Frank at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Christiansburg. on February 16, 2016.²

     Gratton Dewitt Olinger was buried at Zach Price-James R. Long Memorial Cemeter, Prices Fork, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,3,6 His Social Security Number was 230-40-8372.⁷ He was born on October 19, 1894 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,3,7,4,5,2 He married Norma Irene Blevins, daughter of James Preston Blevins and Della Mae Thompson, on April 20, 1946 at Radford, Virginia.^1,8,6 Gratton Dewitt Olinger died on April 1, 1976 at Blacksburg, Virginia, at age 81.^3,6,2 He Gratton Dewitt Olinger, age 81, died Thursday in a local nursing home. He was a retired merchant in the Prices Fork Community, He is survived by his wife, Irene Blevins Olinger; son, Arnold Olinger, Blacksburg; one sister, Mrs. Lillie Price, Salem; two brothers, H. Dutton Olinger, Frank U. Olinger, both of Blacksburg. Burial will be in the Zack Price Cemetery, Prices Fork. on April 2, 1976.⁶