Ruth Wood Barbour age 90 of Fries, Virginia passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia. Ruth was born on August 18, 1921 and was the daughter of William Pitt Wood and Gladys Vaughan Wood. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two brothers Earl Wood and Robert Wood.

She is survived by her daughter and son in law Mary Barbour Morris and Gregory Allen Morris of Warrenton, Virginia; her son and daughter-in-law Michael James Barbour and Mary Ingles Barbour of Dublin, Virginia; grandsons Boyd Morris, Rafe Morris and Micah Barbour; great-grandchildren Kelsey, Brandy and Brooklynn Morris,; nephew Craig Wood and nieces Sandra Wood Marshall, Janice Wood Melton , Janet Wood Lydie and Robin Wood Funk.

Ruth was a 1939 graduate of Fries High School and a 1943 graduate of Madison College in Harrisonburg, Virginia. After her graduation from college she began a career as a public school teacher at Jackson Memorial High School in Austinville, Virginia. She thereafter taught in Pittsylvania County, Virginia where, as a high school science teacher, she was once recoginzed as the Teacher of the Year in the State of Virginia. Ruth left her career to raise her children Mary and Michael, but returned to teaching in 1973 as an elementary teacher at Providence Elementary School in Grayson County, Virginia where she taught a generation of students before her retirement. She was proud of all of her former students and nothing pleased her more than to encounter her former students as successful adults.

Throughout her retirement and until her death, Ruth was a volunteer at Twin County Community Hospital, Galax, Virginia, TCCH Director of Volunteer Services, Ellen Moretz, was Ruth's wonderful and steadfast friend. Ruth was also an active member of the Twin County Wellness Center. She was blessed by the friendship of her physical therapist and fitness instructor Teresa Roberts. Words cannot fully express the family's appreciation of Ellen and Teresa for their friendship with and concern for Ruth.

Ruth was a lifelong member of the Fries United Methodist Church and her funeral service will be held at the church at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 with Rev. Lee Thomas and Rev. Mike Jefferson officiating. A private interment will follow in the Fries Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday evening, October 31, 2011, from 7:30 until 9:00 PM at the Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home in Galax.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to the Fries United Methodist Church Building Fund, 629 Church Street, Fries, Virginia 24330 or to a charity of your choice. A guestbook is available at www.vaughanguynn.com 

Dr. Cortez Alonzo “Corty” Cooper

Dr. Cortez Alonzo “Corty” Cooper, 80, of Lynchburg, Va. died Tuesday morning, October 25, 2011, in the St. Joseph Hospital, Towson, MD. He was born in Thomasville, GA on October 6, 1931 and was the son of the late Cortez Alonzo Cooper, Sr. and Billie D. Cooper.

Surviving are:

Wife – Patricia Sartelle Cooper

Sister – Ann Cooper Schaffer

Children -Patty & Dick Cummings; Cortez & Caroline Cooper; Peter & Janet Cooper; Preston & Katrina Cooper

12 Grandchildren

2 Great-Grandchildren

Sister-In-Law & Spouse – Susan & Rev. Calvin Jett

Brothers-In-Law & Spouses – Rev. Preston O. Sartelle, Jr. & Mary Ellen Sartelle; Rev. John & Janet Sartelle

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Draper Valley Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Preston O. Sartelle, Jr., the Rev. John Sartelle and the Rev. Calvin Jett officiating. Following the service there will be a reception in the Church Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers the family wishes memorials be made to the Bethany Christian Services, 901 Eastern Ave., NE, P.O. Box 294, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0294.

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, Va. 

Erby Wilmer Turpin, Sr. loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, age 87, of Dublin, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2011, after valiantly enduring with inspiring dignity for over a decade, many life threatening illnesses and pain. His example of patience in trial is unsurpassed.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Inez(Bubbles); his parents, Elbert and Velva; brothers, Dewey and Iford; and sister, Verley .

He is survived by his wife, Lula Mae; sister, Gertrude and husband, Harry East; daughter, Nancy Shorter and husband, Mike; sons, Erby Jr. and wife, Renee; Tony and wife, Dana; two step daughters, Debbie and husband, Daniel; Lois and husband, Doug, & two step-sons, Ronnie and Donnie Akers; loving grandchildren and great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Dad lived his life in the service of God, family, and his country always putting the needs of others before himself. He found joy in hard work and the rewards it brings. He loved birds, going to the mountains with Tony, and keeping his property fastidiously maintained. He instilled in the hearts of his children to love unconditionally and forgive quickly and to always remember that we do not know what struggles another may be going through to cause them to behave in a manner not pleasing to us at the time.

As a WW2 veteran of United States Army, he earned many commendations including 2 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. Dad was a prisoner of war in Germany.

Funeral services will be held Saturday 11:00 A.M. in the Bower Funeral Home Chapel, Pulaski with Rev. Michael Blouse officiating. Interment will follow in Newbern Cemetery with military honors conducted at the graveside by the Pulaski VFW Post #1184.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Bower Funeral Home,Pulaski.

To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski is handling the arrangements for the Turpin Family. 

GENEVA MAE DUNCAN SUMMERS

 

Geneva Mae Duncan Summers, 65, of Pulaski went to be with the Lord on Monday October 24, 2011 at home with her family and friends by her side. She was born on February 27, 1946 and was the daughter of the late George A. Duncan, Sr., and Margaret S. Duncan. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Richard, Artie, George Jr., Henry and Jimmy Duncan, a sister, Mary Ruth Dunagan and by a grandson, Joseph Artie Spence.

 

Surviving are:

 

Husband of 43 years – William F. Summers

 

Daughters – Teresa S. Grimes and her husband Jackson Grimes

                     Janice S. Spence and her fiancé Charles Holcomb

 

Son – William E. Summers

 

Brother – Jerry Duncan and his wife Patricia

 

Grandchildren – Jessica, Julie and Jennifer Spence

                           Teresa E. Guynn and her husband Steven

 

Great Grandchildren – Carlton Michael, Valarie Ellen and Ceenie Elizabeth Guynn

 

Sisters-in-Law – Tena Duncan

                            Etta Duncan

                            Ruby Summers

 

Several Nieces and Nephews

 

Funeral service will be held Friday at 2:00 PM from Stevens Funeral Chapel with Rev. Dale Akers and Rev. Charles McPeak officiating. Burial will follow in the Memorial Christian Church Cemetery, Draper. Visiting will be Thursday evening from the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.

 

Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski 

LOUISE MORRIS RIGNEY

Louise Morris Rigney, a very loving wife and mother, of 3600 Black Holler Rd., Dublin, VA died Monday, October 24, 2011 in the LewisGale Hospital Pulaski. She was born in Danville, VA and was the daughter of the late James Morris and Maude Colvard Morris. She was also preceded in death by her husband Basil Rigney, by two sons Larry Warren Rigney and William Joseph Rigney, by two brothers, Bud Morris and Essrin Morris and by a grandson Bradley Rigney.
Surviving are:
Daughters & Sons-In-Law – Glenthia & Dewey Fisher
     Faith & Nathan Stephens
     Sue & Mark Alley
 Grandchildren – Stacy Paul Brewer
 Mary Brewer Blanks
Chad Stephens
Sara Ratcliffe
 Beth Alley
Steven Alley
Joey Rigney
 Great-Grandchildren – Jackson Stephens
     Casey Brewer
     Ella Stephens
     Emerson (Emme) Blanks
     Jaiden Rigney
 Sisters – Mozelle Morris
Naomi Johnson
Iotha Morris
 Special Niece – Beverly Rudd
 Loving Caregivers – Lin Gryder
Betty Guynn
 Kim King
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM from the Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin, with the Rev. Teresa Tolbert officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. A “Celebration of Her Life” will be held Wednesday at the family farm from 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that memorials be made to the “Backpack Program”, C/O Pulaski County Public Schools Education Foundation, 202 N. Washington Ave., Pulaski, VA 24301.
Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski, VA.

MICHAEL DONALD MABRY

Michael Donald Mabry, 55, of Fairlawn, Pulaski County, passed away on Saturday, October 22, 2011. He spent his last beautiful fall day working in his yard enjoying family time with his beloved wife, Amy, and twin sons Reece and Brent. Mike grew up in Pulaski, the second son of Herbert Donald Mabry and Mary Jane Moore Mabry. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1974, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, tennis and scholastics. He had outstanding football careers at Davidson College and Emory and Henry College, where he graduated in 1979. In his younger years, he was a talented artist, and he maintained a lifelong interest in the arts.
Mike is survived by his wife, Amy Charon Mabry; daughter, Courtney Michelle Mabry; sons Miles Addison (Brittany) Mabry, Brent Walker Mabry and Reece Avril Mabry. His father, Don Mabry, sister, Melanie Mabry and brother, Todd Mabry, also survive him. Other loving relatives and friends include the Charon family and the extended Mabry and Moore families. His mother, Mary Jane Mabry, brothers, Victor Herbert Mabry and Eric Paige Mabry, preceded Mike in death. Grandparents James Avril Mabry, Sr. and Blanche Baugh Mabry, and Shafter Holston Moore, Sr. and Edna Chinault Moore also preceded him.
The family will receive friends at Stevens Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 26, from 5-7 pm, with a Celebration of Life service following at 7 pm. There will be no graveside service. Friends wishing to honor Mike with donations are encouraged to support The Rescue Mission of Roanoke (www.rescuemission.net), P.O. Box 1525, Roanoke, VA 24022-1525 or The Heritage Foundation (www.myheritage.org), 214 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002-4999. The family wishes to thank all the loving friends and relatives for their outpouring of support during this time.
Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Pulaski.

Douglas “Carlyle” Freeman, age 61 of Pulaski went to be with the Lord Tuesday, October 11, 2011 surrounded by his family.

Born July 19, 1950 in Pulaski, he was the son of the late Ernest Carl Freeman and Helen Linville Freeman. He was also preceded in death by two nieces, Teresa Duncan and Stephanie Charlene Yonce and nephew, Christopher Dale Yonce; & brother-in-law, George A Duncan, Jr.

Surviving- Children- Douglas Lee Freeman, Tammy Gravely, Stacey Freeman and mother, Pauline Freeman.

Step Daughter- Michelle Hoback, Eight Grandchildren, and three Great –Grandchildren.

Sisters & Brother-in-law- Lillian “Tena” Duncan, Iris Faye Dean, Arlene & Mike Haga.

Brothers and Sisters-in-law- George & Debra Freeman, Dillard Freeman, Ricky & Rose Freeman.

Numerous nieces and nephews & Great nieces and nephews

A special little girl-Trinity Rakes

Many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday 2:00 p.m. in the Bower Funeral Home Chapel, Pulaski with Rev. Dennis Haga and Rev. James Linville officiating.

Interment will follow in the Memorial Christian Church Cemetery, Draper.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Bower Funeral Home.

To send the family your online condolences, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski is handling the arrangements for the family. 

William Garrett Shelor, age 64 of Pulaski went to be with his Lord and Savior at his home surrounded by his family, Sunday, October 9, 2011.

Born September 22, 1947 in Radford, he was the son of the late Rufus Harold Shelor and Katherine Anderson Shelor.

Garrett was retired from Alliant Tech with 35 years of service. The last eight years, he was a Para-educator with the Pulaski County Schools. He was a graduate of Radford High School and was a very faithful member of the Pulaski Church of God.

He is survived by

His wife- Kathaleen Shelor-Pulaski, Children- Michael Lee Shelor- Fairlawn, Terri Michele Shelor and fiancé, Paul Kipley -Hardy, VA.

Step-Sons- Joshua Roseberry and wife, Tiara-Roanoke, Jacob Roseberry-Radford.

Grandchildren- Nichole, Austin and Logan Shelor & Gavin Kipley.

Sisters- Becky Shelor Cunningham and husband, Paul- Collinsville, Mary Shelor- Fairlawn

Niece- Patricia Harrison and husband, R.C.- Martinsville.

Garrett was a devoted husband, Father and brother. He will be loved and missed by many.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday 1:00 p.m., October 12, 2011 at the Pulaski Church of God with Pastor Jerry Collins officiating. Entombment will follow at Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, October 11, 2011 at the church from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com

The family suggests memorials in his memory may be sent to the Pulaski Church of God,P.O Box 2109,Pulaski,VA 24301 or the Good Samaritan Hospice,1160 Moose Dr.NW,Christiansburg,VA 24073 Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski is handling the arrangements for the Shelor family.

II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Charles Lindburg Burleson, 83, of Pulaski, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2011. Funeral service 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Stevens Funeral Home Chapel. 

John Kermit Bobbitt, 41, of Pulaski, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2011. Survivors include his parents, James Bobbitt of Austinville and Betty Bobbitt of Radford; four children, Erica, Ashley and Chris Bobbitt, all of Radford, and Logan Bobbitt of Pulaski; maternal grandmother, Edith Kenley of Radford; and brother and sister-in-law, Allec and Wendy Bobbitt and their three daughters, Laura, Lanie and Lyla, all of Calloway. Memorial services will be held Monday, October 10, 2011 at 7 pm at the Bethel United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The Bobbitt family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.