Tammy Serene Sowers

Tammy Serene Sowers, 36, of Willis, passed away Wednesday June 25, 2014. She is preceded in death by her grandmother Ruby Dickerson and Aunt Audrey Akers.

   She is survived by her husband Timothy Reed; Children, Christopher Sean Reed, Brandi Eva Mae Reed, Eric Nathanael Reed, Amy Madison Reed; Grandson, Aden Lee Yopp; Father, Tony Sowers;

Mother, Debbie Harvey.

   The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday June 28, 2014 at Maberry Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at 12:00 noon at the Willis Cemetery with Pastor Vernon Dalton officiating.

Treva Estelle Reed Poff

Treva Estelle Reed Poff, 85, formerly of Floyd, passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2014. She was born in Floyd County on July 16, 1928 to the late Early Denton and Annie Dulaney Reed. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her Husband, Harry Lee Poff; Son, William Lee Poff; Grandson, Michael William Poff, and Sister, Margie Moles.

  After marrying in 1945, Treva and Harry moved from the Floyd area to Bradshaw Rd. in Salem to work at Norfolk & Southern Railroad. She was employed at the Yale and Town Lock Plant for 10 years. Upon her husband’s retirement, they returned to Floyd County and lived in the Pilot community for almost 20 years. After becoming a widow in 1993 she moved to Vinton. She was a member of the Southside Baptist Church, Lynn Haven Baptist Church, and most recently Beaver Dam Baptist Church.    

  She is survived by her sons, Wayne Poff and wife Terri of Willis, VA, Mike Poff and friend Penny Warden of New Castle, VA; sister, Gladys Surratt of Roanoke; Grandchildren, Josiah Poff, Brandie Hall and husband Kevin, Travis Poff and wife Carrie, and Eric Poff; Great Grandchildren, Matthew Hall, Logan Hall, Kaylin Poff and Drake Poff.

   Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Edward P. Creel officiating. Interment to follow at Jacksonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 20, 2014 at Maberry Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, ATTN: Advance Guard, P.O. BOX  758518 Topeka, KS 66675, or by visiting woundedworriorproject.org

Ruth Ann Slusher

Miss Ruth Ann Slusher passed away at home on June 12, 2014. She was born at the home place on Rush Fork on December 10, 1921, to Roger Oliver and Pearl Sutphin Slusher. She and her five siblings grew up on the farm where she assisted three generations of Slusher farmers. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother R.O. Slusher, Jr.; and her sisters Neva Slusher Simmons, Edith Pearl Slusher, and Mary Lou Slusher Shelor. In addition, as a third generation teacher, Ruth Ann graduated from Radford State Teachers College and taught business classes for 47 years in the county. She was a member of the Floyd County Retired Teachers. Ruth Ann had been an active member of Willis United Methodist Church since the mid 1940s. She loved her church and served there in many capacities, including being the treasurer for a number of years. Gardening, knitting, sports and reading were among her lifelong pleasures. She was happiest being with family and dear friends, including those she was looking forward to seeing this weekend at their 74th Willis Class of 1940 reunion.

 She is survived by her sister, Jewel Slusher McDanel as well as by the Simmons, Slusher, McDanel and Shelor nieces, nephews; great and great-great nieces and nephews and a number of cousins. For us, Ruth Ann will always be the heart of our family.

 Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday June 14, 2014 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Darlene Marshall officiating. Interment to follow at Jacksonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial donations be made to the Willis United Methodist Church, 5671 Floyd, Hwy South, Willis, VA 24380.

Meda Arlene Hubbard McPeak

Meda Arlene Hubbard McPeak, 89, of Floyd, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin D. McPeak; four brothers and two sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are her children; Donald Ray McPeak, Edmond “Cricket” Monroe McPeak, Arlene Frances M. Morris and husband Andrew; grandchildren Evelyn M. Smith, Michael M. McPeak, Sarah L. McPeak, Jeffery D. McPeak, Becky J. McPeak, Victoria S. McPeak; two step-grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; three great- great grandchildren, sisters, Mary Largen and Grace Falls; sister-in-law, Hazel Yeatts; several cherished nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday June 12, 2014 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Roy Turpin officiating. Interment will follow in the Jacksonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday June 11, 2014 at Maberry Funeral Home.

Michael L. Sizemore

Michael L. Sizemore, age 75 of Floyd, passed away at the Salem VA Hospital in Salem on Saturday, June 7, 2014.

Mike was born September 23, 1939 in Welch, West Virginia. He grew up in Christiansburg and was a stellar athlete at Christiansburg High School.  He attended Concord College, Virginia Tech, and the University of Florida. He enlisted in the United States Army and served several tours of duty in Vietnam. Before retiring to Floyd County in the early 1970’s, Mike served as a Police Officer in Daytona Beach. In the mid 1970’s, Mike did a weekly sports report for the Floyd Press and dearly loved the FCHS Buffaloes and The Fighting Gobblers of Virginia Tech.

Mike was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Elizabeth; father, Emmett; daughter, Darcey; and son, Mikey.

Survivors include his longtime friends; Mary Grooms, Bruce, Austin, Jane-Elizabeth and Brandon Rakes; and loyal friends and helpers Larry and Brad Lester, and Elsie Seabrook.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held for friends and family at a later date.

Memorial contributions are welcome and should be mailed to the Floyd County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 257, Floyd, VA, 24091.