Esther Evelene Conner

Esther Evelene Conner, 75 of Meadows of Dan, passed away on Friday, January 29, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jabe H. & Millie Eva Conner; and sisters, Mary Wood and Rachel Conner.

She is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Amy & Joe Haas; son, Kenneth Handy; grandchildren, Jordan Haas, Tessa Haas, Brett Handy, Jonah Handy, and Thelma Handy; great-grandchild, Lennon Handy; brothers & sisters-in-law, Henry Conner, Jabe & Kathy Conner, Oral Lee Conner, James Conner, and Glen & Susan Conner; and sisters & brother-in-law, Irene Goad, Rebecca Sowers, and Brenda & David Hickman.

Services will be private.

Eula Day Barnhart Chambers

 

Eula Day Barnhart Chambers, 99 of Hagerstown, MD, formerly of Willis, passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2021.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur E. Chambers; and parents, Courtland & Loula Spence Barnhart.

Eula married her husband Arthur on January 16, 1971. She was a lifelong member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Willis, VA. In pursuance of her professional career, Eula graduated with a Bachelor’s in Home Economics from Radford University, a Master’s from the University of West Virginia, and also worked toward her PhD. She taught Home Economics in Washington County for 20 years before serving as a Supervisor for 10 years on the Washington County Board of Education.

She is survived by a very close family friend, Cheryl Hamby.

A private graveside service will be held with Pastor Wanda Childs officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Mark Lutheran Church, c/o Pat Coulehan, Treasurer, 2590 Duncan Chapel Road, Willis, VA 24380.

Velma Shankle Gaunt

Velma Shankle Gaunt, 96, of Bristol, Virginia passed away January 24, 2021. She was the last surviving of six children of S. C. and Belle Edwards. Velma was also preceded in death by her husband Jack N. Shankle in 1974 and her second husband Randolph Gaunt in 2002.

She is survived by her four children, Norma Shankle Royals (Don) of Richmond Hill, Georgia, Doris Shankle Blair (Rus) of Punta Gorda, Florida, Byron Shankle (Shelley) of Madison, Virginia Eddie Shankle (Louise) of Bristol, Tennessee; and step-daughter Mary Marshall Miller (Larry) of Savannah, Georgia. She was blessed with eight grandchildren, Genevieve Shankle, Brittany Shankle, Garrett Shankle, Evan Shankle, Christina Paez (Juan), Daniel Royals, Amanda Erdman (Brad), Alicia McGraw (Madison) and nine great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday March 20, 2021 in the Jacksonville Cemetery with Pastor Timothy Hale officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Floyd United Methodist P.O. Box 55 Floyd, Virginia 24091.

Lillian Rose Payton Roland

Lillian Rose Payton Roland, 87 of Floyd, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021. She is preceded in death by her husband, Willie Byron Roland, Sr.; her parents, Mary Payton and Dewey Payton; and her brothers, John Payton and Joe Payton.

She is survived by her children, Brenda L. Simmons, Willie B. Roland, Jr. (Dottie), Mark E. Roland (Andrea), Sarah J. McClintock (Mark), and Laura A. Scherrep; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Zelda M. Rosti (Ray) and James B. Payton; and many nieces and nephews.

In 1950 when Willie and Lillian married, she cared for their home and children. Later Lillian attended and graduated from the Falls Church Beauty School in September 1964. For many years Lillian worked as a beautician in northern Virginia and then in Burnsville, NC. When she and Willie moved the family to Floyd, VA in 1980 she worked as a caregiver. Lillian was a member of the Floyd Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses where she will be remembered fondly. After the death of her husband in 2003, she took up the full-time ministry and thoroughly enjoyed having this opportunity.

In an effort to keep everyone safe during this pandemic, a memorial service using zoom is scheduled to take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2021. For those interested in attending, please contact Adam Tony at (607) 223-2692 or Bill Fenwick at (540) 320-4903 for complete instructions. Those wishing to sign the guest book may do so during the hours of 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday before Friday, February 5, 2021 at Maberry Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Floyd Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, P.O. Box 756, Floyd, VA 24091 or online at https://donate.jw.org

The family would like to extend special gratitude to those at Skyline Nursing and Rehabilitation Center who cared for Lillian since February 2020.

Janice Perdue Mallory

 

Janice Perdue Mallory, 76 of Check, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Carol Mallory Yopp.

Janice was a loving wife and mother who will be greatly missed by her husband of 57 years, Daniel Mallory; son & daughter-in-law, Christopher & Barbara Mallory; son-in-law, Tim Yopp; sister, Joyce Willis; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

At her request, there will be no services.

Caleb Dillon Blankenship

 

Caleb Dillon Blankenship, 26, of Willis, VA, passed away on Wednesday, January 13th 2021.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Wendell and Shirley Sutphin.

He is survived by his wife, Cortney Blankenship; his sons, Mattis and Cruz Blankenship; his parents, Mary and David Blankenship; his grandparents, Clyde and Elsie Blankenship; his sisters & brother-in-law, Lydia & Jaylen Major and Emma Blankenship; his uncles, Jerry & Kim Sutphin and Mark Blankenship; and a host of other family and friends.

Staff Sergeant Caleb Blankenship enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on January 14th, 2014 and was stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, where he served as a member of the 4th Security Forces Squadron. Caleb deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism in 2016. In 2019, Caleb cross trained into Education and Training where he was currently serving as a Unit Training Manager for the 3rd Intelligence Squadron at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

Caleb had a strong love for his home state of Virginia and would visit often. Driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hunting, and spending time with family were his favorite things to do when he was home. One of Caleb’s biggest accomplishments was becoming a father. His favorite part of the day was taking his family to the park to play with his sons, Mattis and Cruz.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 22, 2021 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jeff Dalton officiating. Interment will follow in the Harris Cemetery with full military honors by the Seymour Johnson Air Force Funeral Honors. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the non-profit organization, Mission 22, 694 N Larch St #910, Sisters, OR 97759 or at https://mission22.com/ or to a charity of your choice in Caleb’s name.

Please keep in mind that due to the COVID-19 virus, seating is limited at this time. Masks must be worn when in Maberry Funeral Home’s facilities.

William Wayne Sutphin

 

William Wayne Sutphin, 88 of Christiansburg, passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. He is preceded in death by his parents, Willie & Myrtle Sutphin; brothers, Jim, Nulan, Mud, Dan and Jie; and sisters, Oleta, Gywna, Florace, and Bernice.

He is survived by his daughter & son-in-law, Karen & Terry Brizendine; grandchildren, Michael Caldwell (Marsha), Jason Brizendine (Brooklyn), and Sue Ann Saylors (Jimmie); great-grandchildren, Kris, Konner, Ethan, Garrett, Hannah, Andy, Skyla, and Hailey; great-great-grandchildren, Poppie, Aizen, Harper, and Emory; sister, Pat Stanley; sisters-in-law, Katie Sutphin and Dorothy Sutphin; and close friends, Alice Altizer and Debbie Greear; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the Cambria Pentecostal Holiness Church, 915 Montgomery Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073 with Pastor Josh Graham officiating.

Coleen S. Hutchens

 

Coleen S. Hutchens, 89 of Floyd, passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2021. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Julious Ray Reece and Thelbert Junior Hutchens; infant daughter, Teressa Rae Reece; and brothers, Junior Spence and Billy Wayne Spence.

She is survived by her daughter & son-in-law, Jan & Everett Rorrer; grandchildren, Daniel (Maegan) Rorrer, Samuel (Melissa) Rorrer, and Michelle Rorrer; great-grandchildren, William and Remington Rorrer; sister, Nelda Sweeney; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be private with Pastor John Chambers officiating. Interment will held in the Reece Family Cemetery.

Henry Rallon Thompson

 

Henry Rallon Thompson, 89 of Willis, entered the gates of Heaven on Sunday, January 10, 2021. He was born on December 8, 1931 to James Taylor & Annie Burnette Thompson. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by seven brothers and two sisters.

As Henry joined a multitude of family and friends, he leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Phyllis Hodges Thompson; son, Wesley Thompson & Lisa Edwards; daughter & son-in-law, Ann (Letty) Thompson & Ralph Houchins, Jr.; granddaughters, Kerri Williams and Karla Rodgers; five great-grandchildren; and many loving family and friends.

Due to the conditions surrounding the COVID-19 virus and in keeping with the family’s wishes, a private funeral service will be held with Pastor Jeff Dalton officiating and Military Rites by the Army National Guard. Interment will take place in Topeco Cemetery.

Those wishing to pay their respects and sign the register book may do so between the hours of 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Ewell & Linda Hodges, Fern Harris, and Terry & Wendy Bolt for all their help in the final days before Henry went to be with his Savior.

In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to personally help Phyllis may reach out to her to do so.

Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing practiced when inside of the Maberry Funeral Home facility.

Iva Dell Harris

 

Iva Dell Harris, 89 of Willis, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2021. She is preceded in death by her husband, Elmon Harris; granddaughter, Valerie Wade; parents, Glen & Mary Lee Hodges; sister, Eula Gay Edwards; and brother, Raymond Hodges.

She is survived by her sons & daughters-in-law, Eddie & Paula Harris, Freddie & Freeda Harris, and Gary & Pat Harris; daughter & son-in-law, Sonya & Gary Thompson; grandchildren, Retta Bertges (Mike), Justin Harris (Melissa), Angela Webb (Steve), Kaye Wheeler (Phillip), Shawn Harris, Tracy Tolbert (Jason), Deanna Swortzel (Brian), Jeremy Wade (Autumn), and Justin Thompson; 20 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; brothers & sisters-in-law, Hubert Harman, Kenneth & Pauline Hodges, Buster Hodges, and Ewell & Linda Hodges; sisters & brothers-in-law, Jean Lugar, Fern Harris, Willadean Hylton, Phyllis & Henry Thompson, and Jewell & Joe Spickard; and numerous nieces & nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2021 at the Topeco Church of the Brethren with Pastor Mike Varner and Pastor Ted Turner officiating. Interment will follow in the Topeco Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 – 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Topeco Church Women’s Fellowship, c/o Topeco Church of the Brethren, 3460 Floyd Hwy South, Floyd, VA 24091.

Masks should be worn for indoor services.