Roy Lee Quesenberry

 

Roy Lee Quesenberry, 78 of Dugspur, went to be with his Lord on Monday, November 27, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis & Ettie Quesenberry; and ten siblings.

Roy worked at the Radford Arsenal, Compton’s Construction, and drove a coal truck for Patsy Trucking before working for himself as a heavy equipment operator. He retired at the age of 62 but continued his love of farming. He was a hard worker who would do anything to support his family who idolized him. To say he was devoted was an understatement.

He is survived by his wife, Mitzie Quesenberry; daughter & son-in-law, Freda & Richard Calfee; step-son, Gary Vest; grandchildren, Staci Moore (Trey), Rebecca Vest, and Justin Vest; great-grandchildren, Ezekiel Moore and Ellie Moore, and Brooklyn Vest; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ralph Weeks, Mozelle Quesenberry, Joyce Quesenberry, and Fred Champ; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Brent Carrick officiating. Pallbearers for the service will be David Champ, Randall Quesenberry, Anthony Quesenberry, Billy Keith, Chris Bennett, and Brandon Smith. Interment will follow in the Simpkins, Phillips, Turpin, Quesenberry Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Eddie Harris

 

Eddie Harris, 74 of Salem, formerly of Willis, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmon & Iva Dell Harris; and nieces, Valerie Wade and Megan Gish.

Eddie was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and son that will be severely missed. In the words of his first cousin, Rex Bowman, he was “truly a sweet and remarkably merry-hearted fellow.” 

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Paula J. Harris; children, Retta Harris Bertges (Mike) and Justin Harris (Melissa Freeman); grandchildren, Miranda Harris, Andrew Harris, Carter Bertges, and Kevin Bertges; brothers, Freddie Harris (Freeda) and Gary Harris (Pat); sister, Sonya Thompson (Gary); and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Willis, VA with Pastor Wanda Childs officiating. A time of fellowship and recounting of memories will follow. 

Hugh Edward "Eddie" Howard

 

Hugh Edward Howard “Eddie”, 87 of Copper Hill, VA went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, November 17, 2023. He is preceded in death by his parents, Hugh and Ollie Howard.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Judith Howard; son & daughter-in-law, Mark & Donna Howard; granddaughter, Jessie Slaughter; step-grandchildren, Emily Harvey and Francine Porch; 4 great grandchildren; sisters and brother-in-law, Edith Light, and Mabel & Wayne Dulaney.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Roy Turpin officiating. Interment will follow in the Wilson Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until      11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Brenda Blankenship Rhea

 

Brenda Blankenship Rhea passed away peacefully on November 8, 2023 at her home in Floyd.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tommy Blankenship and Bertie Reed.

She is survived by her son, Steven Hill; three grandchildren, Britany, Derek and Meagan; brother, Hosea Blankenship (Lana); sister, Peggy Beran (Paul).

Brenda was one of a kind, she lived and died just the way she wanted.

She will be missed by her son and caregivers, Peggy, Kim, Missy, and special neighbor, Margaret Spangler.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Mary Ellen Altizer Spence

Mary Ellen Altizer Spence, 87 of Alum Ridge, went to meet her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 16, 2023.

Ellen was born and lived most of her life in the White Rock area of Floyd County. She is preceded in death by her parents, Aaron C. Altizer and Ada Lester Altizer; sisters, Chloe Bishop and Geneva Cox.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 69 years, Carlie Spence; son, Stephen Spence of Hendersonville, NC; sister, Hattie Ethel Trail of Radford; nieces and nephews, Cindy Bishop Hylton, David Trail (Sherry), Angelia Cox Quickery (Steven), April Cox Kegley (Stan), Allison Cox Alderman (Scott), Larry Quesenberry (Betty), and Joye Lester (Blake); and brother-in-law, Allen Cox.

Ellen was a woman of deep faith who loved to paint, sew, and read the Bible. She retired from Inland Motor/Kollmorgen after 31 years of service, working in Accounting, as Executive Administrator to the President, and in Human Resources.

Ellen was very active in White Rock Church of the Brethren, teaching Sunday School and as Church Administrator. She was loved and respected by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed, especially in the community and in her church family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 20, 2023 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Michael Pugh, Pastor Roy Turpin, and Pastor David Trail officiating. Interment will follow in the White Rock Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers for the service will be, Paul Bartos, David Trail, Shirley Boothe, Bobby Dickerson, Foster Bond and Coby Farmer. Honorary Pallbearers are Tazwell Altizer, Roderick West, Allen Cox and Gordon Harmon. 

Flowers are appreciated, or donations may be made in her memory to The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or to White Rock Church of the Brethren, 1863 White Rock Road NW, Floyd, VA 24091.

Joanne Harman Brusati

Joanne H. Brusati of Roanoke County and formerly of Willis, VA unexpectedly went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mr. J. Ray Harman and Nancy Smith Harman of Willis.

She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Brusati of Henrico, VA; son, Stephen Brusati of  Roanoke County; brother and sister-in-law, Mr. David R. Harman and Jean P. Harman of Willis; nieces, Ellen Mukai of Fairfax, VA, Sharon Whalen of Hickory, N.C., Laura LaRoy of Willis; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Mr. Ernie Grzenia and Marilyn Grzenia of Wheaton, IL; nephews, David and Brad Grzenia of Wheaton and niece Michelle Engstrom of Naperville, IL; in addition to having several great-nephews and two great-nieces along with numerous cousins.

Joanne was a 1958 graduate of Willis High School and 1962 graduate of Roanoke College. She received her medical technology degree from Roanoke Memorial and furthered her studies at the Duke Medical Center in Durham N.C.

Joanne spent her 40+ year career working in hospitals as a medical technologist around the Roanoke Valley. She was an active and well-respected member of St. John Lutheran Church where she served faithfully in various volunteer roles.

She will be remembered for her kindness, servant spirit, unconditional love, devotion to her family and friends and unwavering faith in Christ.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Saturday, November 18, 2023 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Rick Robers officiating. Interment will follow in Greasy Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until Noon prior to the service at the funeral home.

A celebration of life service will be conducted at St. John Lutheran in Roanoke at a later time.

Clifton "JR" Ferguson, Jr.

 

Clifton “JR” Ferguson, Jr., 43 of Willis, VA and formerly of Dunlow, WV, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. He is preceded in death by his father, Clifton Ferguson, Sr.; and grandparents, John & Norina Ferguson and Ira and Dorothy Napier.

JR was most proud of being a devoted husband and son. He was the best father and poppy in the ways that mattered most. He was an avid music lover and guitar player who genuinely enjoyed living life.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria Ferguson; mother & step-father, Janie Ferguson Messer & Donald; children, Victor (Hannah) Quesenberry, Tyler (Ashley) Quesenberry, Logan Quesenberry, and Peyton Harris; grandchildren, Madilyn Quesenberry and Nevaeh Quesenberry; mother & father-in-law, Hazel & Steven Harmon; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Morris Funeral Home in Wayne, WV with Pastor Mark Jarrell officiating. Interment will follow in the McClellan Crum Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, November 13, 2023 at Morris Funeral Home.