Judy Harris Duesberry

 

Judy Harris Duesberry, 82, of Portsmouth, VA, passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 in Lake Mary, Florida, at the home of her daughter.

She was born November 4, 1941 in Roanoke, Virginia to Cornelia and Vernon Harris. Judy graduated from Floyd County High School and received a degree in fashion design from Richmond Professional Institute (RPI).

After beginning her career as a department store model and elementary school teacher, Judy taught for 20 years in the special education department of Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, VA. She was a talented artist, loved by her students, and enjoyed shopping, reading, traveling and arts and crafts. After retirement, she enjoyed several years back in her hometown, and later resided in Florida.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents; her former spouse, Harry Edward Duesberry; and her great-niece Annalia Meredith Wills. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Regina and Michael Christian; her sister and brother-in-law, Constance and John Mitchell; her niece, Christie Wills; and her great-nephew and niece, Jackson Thomas and Augusta Claire Wills.

She is being buried at Baldwin-Fairchild Oaklawn Cemetery.

Jacob Wendell Harris

 

Jacob Wendell Harris, 88, of Meadows of Dan, passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 in Galax. He was born on February 3, 1935 in Floyd County, the seventh child of Clarence Cornelius & Lura Alderman Harris. He is preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; and three brothers.

Mr. Harris was a brick mason in the Northern Virginia area until his retirement. He moved to Meadows of Dan in 1998, where he married his high school sweetheart. He became an active member of the church that he and his family attended in his childhood, Burks Fork Church of the Brethren. He worked tirelessly for the church as deacon, trustee, and treasurer during his years of service. His proudest accomplishment was the building of the fellowship hall next to the main church building. He loved bluegrass music and he and his wife spent many happy hours at concerts and shows throughout the area.

Left to cherish and honor his memory are his wife of 25 years, LaNita Howell Harris; two daughters, Rada Nicody (Fred) of Culpeper, VA and Leanna Baker (Melvin) of Leesburg, VA; two step-children, Leslie Shelor of Meadows of Dan and Sammy Shelor (Jordyn) of Floyd; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A private graveside service will be held in the Topeco Cemetery with Rev. Mike Battle officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Burks Fork Church of the Brethren, c/o Robin Vest, 4905 Floyd Hwy N, Copper Hill, VA 24079.

Cooper Allen Reed

Cooper Allen Reed, age 3 days, of Floyd, passed away in his parent’s arms on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital NICU. He is now safe in the arms of Jesus.  

Cooper is the son of Michael Reed & Kasey Fox of Floyd. He is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Richard & Kim Fox of Floyd; paternal grandparents, Robert & Judy Reed of Floyd; sister, April Bourne; and brother, Bentley Bourne; uncle, Thomas Fox; and aunt, Heather Ball (Phillip).

Graveside services will be held at Noon on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 in the Eastview Slusher Cemetery (corner of Route 8 and Fairview Church Rd SW) with Pastor Marvin Wade officiating.

Linda Maxey Maxwell

 

Linda Maxey Maxwell wasn’t your typical Southern woman. She avoided the kitchen at all costs, entering only to grab a diet Dr. Pepper, she hated shopping and liked to wear cheetah print and plaid at the same time. Though she didn’t teach us how to bake a loaf of bread or pumpkin pie (preferring to buy directly from Country Kitchen), she taught us to be true to ourselves, never let anyone hold us back and to hold on tight to the people we love. 

Tasked with describing her legacy in her own words, she wrote, “Everyone who knows me can tell you that family has always been the thing that gives me the greatest joys of my life.” 

She passed away at her home in Christiansburg on December 17, 2023. She is survived by her husband of 46 wonderful years, David Maxwell; her sister, Anne Swain; her three children, Sean Whittemore (Amy Hunter), Tammy Reed (Jeff), and Lacy Bush (Kevin); and her seven grandchildren, Caleb, Tanner, Erika, Seth, Micah, Karly and Max. She was 73.

Thomas "Harlan" Wade

 

Thomas “Harlan” Wade, 83, of Roanoke County, VA, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on December 21, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cline and Alma Wade; in-laws, Berman and Ila Cox; and brothers-in-law, Jabe Hollandsworth and Wilkie Cox.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 60 years and caregiver, Bonnie Cox Wade of Roanoke County, VA; sons, Michael Kevin Wade and Alan Jeffery Wade, of Roanoke, VA; sister, Norma Foutz (Bob), of Roanoke, VA; sisters-in-law, Wanda Hollandsworth and Bonnie Bradley Cox, of Christiansburg, VA; nephew, Corvin Weddle, II (Heidi), of Nantucket, MA; nieces, Michele Rice (Gary), of Roanoke, VA, Jennifer Bodine (Tim), of Salem, VA, Kathy Beale (Craig), of Roanoke, VA, Anita Ferguson, of Christiansburg, VA, Jessica Marquart (Ryan), of Christiansburg, VA, and Lisa Rutherford (Todd), of Christiansburg, VA.

Harlan owned and operated a successful business, Quality Office Machines, in Roanoke for many years until his retirement.

He and his wife Bonnie were adventurous travelers, and upon retirement they visited all fifty states and several times traveled the spectacular Alaskan Highway through Western Canada into Alaska, their favorite trip.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father and son and he will be missed by all those who knew him. Harlan accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and we look forward to the day when we rejoin him in Heaven.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Kenny Wurzberger officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Our deepest gratitude is extended to Addy and Lee, RNs with Carilion Hospice for their meaningful care and support of the family during this difficult time.

David Thomas Harris, Sr.

 

David Thomas Harris, Sr., 77 of Galax, passed away on Monday, December 18, 2023.

Services will be private.

Evelyn Harman Janney

 

Evelyn Harman Janney, 85 of Floyd, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023. She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Chester Elwood Janney.

She is survived by her sons & daughters-in-law, Steve & Grace Janney and Robert & Sherrie Janney; daughter & son-in-law, Anita & Butch Goad; grandchildren, Darin & Ashleigh Goad, Stephanie & George Hairston, Lindsey & Alex Poff, Logan Janney, Austin & Grace Janney, and Ava Janney; brothers & sisters-in-law, Austin & Gaye Harman and Harry & Hazel Harman; sister, Elnora Markle & the late Robert Markle; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023 in the Stonewall Church United Methodist Brethren with Pastor Jerry Hylton, Pastor Darren Landon, and Pastor Rodney Collins officiating. Interment will follow in the Vest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stonewall Church United Methodist Brethren Building Fund, c/o Marie Thomas, 536 Poor Farm Road SE, Floyd, VA 24091, or to Virginia Ag in the Classroom, P O Box 27552, Richmond VA  23261.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lois Hubbard, Brenda Hale, Tammy Rutrough, and Sherrie Janney who made it possible for Evelyn to remain comfortably at home.

Brenda Mae Duncan Bond Robertson

 

Brenda Mae Duncan Bond Robertson, 73 of Roanoke, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Brenda was born on February 18, 1950 in Floyd County. She is preceded in death by her sister, Lois Elaine Duncan; and her mother, Ima Mae Duncan.

She is survived by her sons, Scott Bond and Mark Bond; sisters, Vona D. Weddle (Tony) of Willis and Cathy Hunley of Hillsville; and brothers, Wayne Duncan (Peggy) of Willis and Dale Duncan of California.

There will be no services at this time.

Bernice Ann Altizer Akers

Bernice Ann Altizer Akers, 87 of Floyd, went to be with the Lord on December 13, 2023. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Willard Russell Akers; son, Davis Akers; parents, Vada and Annie Altizer; brothers, Edward Altizer, Lawrence Altizer; and sister, Betty Altizer Duncan.   

She is survived by her brothers, Teddy Altizer, Tazewell Altizer, Phillip Altizer (Norma), Tommy Altizer; sisters, Ruthie Moran, Rosie Altizer (Gene); sister-in-law, Dott Hale (David); special nephew and niece, Mike and Lisa Miller and numerous other nieces and nephew.            

The family would like to say a special thank you to her great niece, Natalie Janney for helping take care of Bernice the last month.                                   

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Roy Turpin officiating. Interment will follow in Lester Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.                               

In lieu of flowers the family requests for donations to be made to the Virginia Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in memory of her son, Davis Akers. Donations can be mailed to 7202 Glen Forest Dr. Ste 102, Richmond, VA 23226 or made online at give.cff.org/Virginia/donate.

Beatrice Ann Phillips

Beatrice Ann Phillips, 75 of Indian Valley, passed away on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Becky Seay; parents, Vernon & Mollie Seagraves; and siblings, June Seagraves, Johnny Seagraves, and Sandy Seagraves.

She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Clarence D. Phillips; sons, Robert D. Phillips and Jerry L. Phillips; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, Harley Seagraves and Billy Seagraves; sisters, Brenda Buckner, Georgia & Hubert Montgomery, and Peggy Camp; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 11, 2023 at Graysontown New Life Ministries, 5270 Graysontown Rd, Radford, VA 24141 with Pastor Justin Quesenberry officiating. The family will receive friends from Noon until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Graysontown New Life Ministries, 5270 Graysontown Rd, Radford, VA 24141 in memory of Beatrice.