Mildred Ferguson

Mildred Ferguson, 86 of Floyd, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2020. 

She is survived by her sons, Bobby Thomas, Wayne Thomas, Jerry Thomas, and Roger Thomas; daughter, Sherry Shelton; brothers, David Radford, William Radford, and Jimmy Radford; sisters, Betty Martin, Mary Grooms, and Nancy Wade; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2020 in the Williams Cemetery with Pastor Mike Bowman officiating. 

William "Bill" Brenc

William “Bill” Brenc of Danbury, CT died on May 19th, 2020 peacefully at home with family by his side.

Bill was born January 18, 1938 in Joliet, IL to William and Victoria Brenc and is survived by his wife Mary Jane Brenc, nee Burigo, to whom he was married for almost 56 years; his three children, Victoria Borin (Chris) of Floyd, VA; Stephanie Parker (Bob) of Danbury, CT; Andrew Brenc (Joyce) of Springboro, PA; his sister Lois Jean Heilman (Lee) of New Lenox, IL; his brother Gerald Brenc, of Wheaton, IL; his ten grandchildren, Christopher Borin (Kelly), Matthew and William Borin, Gregory and Nicholas Parker, Rachel Behrens (Ryan), Tyrus, Lauren, Cate, and Jane Brenc; his great-granddaughter Polly Borin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

Bill served in the U.S. Army Signal Corp. from 1958 to 1960 in Vincenza, Italy, and joined General Food Corp. in Chicago in 1961. A year later General Foods transferred him to White Plains, NY, and it was while working there that Bill met Mary Jane Burigo, who he would marry in 1964 and with whom he would settle in Danbury, CT two years later to start a family. 

Bill was given an international assignment a few years later, and he and Mary Jane and their three children spent four years in Europe, returning to Danbury in 1974. 

In 1981 Bill completed his education and earned his MBA degree from Pace University in 1987. In recognition of his many years of dedicated service, the Beverage DIvision of General Foods awarded Bill the Dick Gallagher Leadership Award. Five years later Bill retired from General Foods. After retiring, Bill thoroughly enjoyed visiting many national parks with family and friends. 

Bill spent his free time giving generously to his community, and he especially relished his time coaching Danbury Little League and Danbury Junior League Baseball teams. Bill was an original board member of the Danbury Westerners baseball team and was a contributing and active member for several years. Bill and Mary Jane also delivered Meals on Wheels to the needy and provided periodic volunteer support to Saint Elizabeth Seton parish in Ridgefield, CT. 

Bill will be remembered for his remarkable zest for life, his unfaltering work ethic, and his devotion to his wife and children. He will be dearly missed. A private Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Floyd, VA. A Memorial Mass, interment and a celebration-of-life luncheon will be held in Danbury, CT at a future date. 

Faye A. Sumner

Faye A. Sumner, 78 of Floyd, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2020. She is preceded in death by her husband, David Sumner; son, Steve Lawson; parents, Earl & Bonetta Gilbert; sister, Janet Goad; and brother, Larry Gilbert.

She is survived by her son, Joel Lawson (Penny); step-daughter, Missy Bradley (Brandon); grandchildren, Eric Lawson (Dana), Michael Lawson, Josh Lawson, Stephanie Velo, Ethan Bradley and Marley Bradley; brothers, Ralph Gilbert (Gail) and Fred Gilbert (Carolyn); sister-in-law, Brenda Gilbert; and very special friend, Jerry Bugg.

A private graveside service will be held.

Mildred Rakes DeHart

Mildred R. DeHart, 82 of Floyd, passed peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, May 17, 2020. She is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Abraham DeHart; parents, Walter “Goode” & Laura Rakes; and siblings, Gaye Worley, Marilyn Lynn Rakes, Altrude Shively, Judy Hale, Oscar Rakes, Randolph Rakes, and Richard Rakes.

She is survived by her five children, Norma Jean Rector, Kerby DeHart (Sandy Thorton), Jacqueline Radford (Ricky), Donna Spangler (Kenneth), and Vickie Wade (Jeff); 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Orben Rakes, Hubert Rakes, Cleo Rakes, and Lane Rakes; sisters, Edna Mae Duncan and Rena Lou Stone; and several nieces and nephews. 

A private graveside service will be held. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you for all of the prayers as well as special thanks to Dr. Christene Jordan and the medical staff at Blacksburg Internal Medicine and Lewis-Gale Montgomery Hospital and to the nurses from Kindred at Home and Intrepid. 

Throughout multiple illnesses over the course of several years, Mildred overcame many obstacles. Her unwavering faith in God was a quality she possessed until the very end. She loved to share her testimony for her Lord and Savior with her nurses and doctors. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who will be dearly missed.

Betty Ann Akers Harman

Betty Ann Akers Harman, of Floyd County, was born to the late Ruby Teel and Clynton Tazewell Akers on May 5, 1936. She entered Heaven's gates May 16, 2020.

Betty loved her family and loved to laugh.  She was an excellent cook, a sharp dresser, and avid traveler.  She loved God and tried to always do what was right.

She is predeceased by her husband, Robert Wayne Harman; brother, Tazewell Akers; sister & brother-in-law, Albertine Faye and Robert Montgomery; and son-in-law, Paul McManners.

Surviving are her daughters & son-in-law, Tanya and Steve McDaniel, and Donna McManners; granddaughters, Maegan, Taylor and Katie; great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Paul and Ryan; and numerous special nieces and nephews and long term friends.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to White Rock Church of the Brethren, 1863 White Rock Rd NW, Floyd, VA 24091.

Rose Marie Ratcliffe

Rose Marie Ratcliffe, 69 of Floyd, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents, Daniel & Alice M. Ratcliffe; and siblings, Carol Ann Ratcliffe, Kathy Griffin, and Robert Ratcliffe. 

She is survived by her sister & brother-in-law, Betty & Jimmy Boothe; special sister-in-law, Liz Morgan; and nieces & nephews, Charlie Ratcliffe, Brian Ratcliffe, Robert Ratcliffe, II, Robert Ratcliffe, III, Ashley Harmon, and Christina Hinegarener. 

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2020 in the Beaver Creek Cemetery with Rev. Graham Mitchell officiating.

Glenn Harvey Peters

Glenn Harvey Peters, 93 of Copper Hill, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard & Chloe Peters; son, Roger Peters; brother, Wayne Peters; sister, Peggy Harris; and brother-in-law, Don Fortner.

Glenn was a man who never knew a stranger. He loved his family and friends and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Glenn was a lifelong farmer and loved the land and his cows. He was a simple man who enjoyed the simple things in life. He will be remembered as always having a smile on his face.

He is survived by his wife 58 years, Nancy Hall Peters; son & daughter-in-law, Larry & Carol Peters; daughter & son-in-law, Carole & Brent Craighead; grandchildren, Becca Peters, Bradley Peters, and Samantha Craighead; sister, Shelby Fortner; and brother-in-law, Leonard Harris.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2020 in the Restvale Cemetery with Pastor Roy Turpin and Pastor Warren Brown officiating and Military Rites by Floyd VFW Post 7854 and American Legion Post 127.

Sarah Elizabeth Carroll

Sarah Elizabeth Carroll, 38 of Roanoke, surrounded by family, peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2020. She is preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Hairston Fontaine; and brother, Christopher Hairston.

Sarah was a 2000 graduate of Patrick Henry high school. She went on to receive her Associates degree in Nursing and was employed as a registered Nurse at Lewis-Gale Hospital until her health declined.

Sarah was and still is a beacon of light for many in our community. She always had an image of being a supportive and compassionate woman; a caring and empathetic nurse; and most notably a loving, strong and generous mother.

She is survived by her children, Aryanna Carroll, Devonte Wiley, Keshanti Wiley, and Aaron Carroll; father, James Dale Carroll (Linda); siblings, Samantha Carroll-Hill (Stephon), Judy Hairston (Jeremiah), James Carroll, II, and Michael Carroll (Kimberly); nieces & nephews, Nekeah Stokes, Taylor Hairston, Janaiya Hill, Stephon Hill, Logan Hairston, and Chrislyn Hill; special friend & caregiver, Sidney Via; uncles, Dwayne Hairston (Joyce), James Parker, and Darrell Parker (Crystal) along with a host of other aunts and uncles; cousins, Christina Hairston and Kaelani Stephens along with a host of other cousins.

A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 4, 2020 at the Little River Cemetery, 934 Poor Farm Road SE, Floyd, VA 24091 (off of Route 221 North) with Pastor Jeff Wilson officiating.