Dorothy "Dot" Smith Hylton

 

Dorothy “Dot” Smith Hylton, age 75, of Willis went home to be with our Lord on March 30, 2025. She was born on October 14, 1949 in Floyd, VA and spent her entire life in Floyd County, VA. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Thelma Smith; brother, Jimmy Smith; infant brother, Marion Lee Smith; and brothers-in-law, Steve Ellis and Foster Williams.

Dorothy was a 1968 graduate of FCHS. She worked six years at The Bank of Floyd, spent 14 years as a homemaker, raising three children with her husband, David, which was a joy, then worked at Willis Elementary School as a Teacher Assistant/Computer Lab Assistant for 25 years, retiring in 2015. Dorothy loved to travel, scrapbooking, reading and playing with the grandchildren. Dorothy was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church and loved and trusted our Lord Jesus Christ.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 52 years, David N. Hylton; three children, Michael Hylton (Allison), Dwayne Hylton, and Sonya Peyton (Chip). She is also survived by eight fantastic grandchildren, Mason and Aidan Hylton, Olivia and Aria Hylton, Allie, Emma and Sadie Peyton, and Hollis Leffell; one brother, Pete Smith (Glenna); three sisters, Helen Williams, Thelma Jean Spangler (Ben) and Debbie Ellis; one brother-in-law, Norman Hylton (Judy); and eight nieces and nephews, Donnie Williams (Diana), David Williams (Lynn), Melanie Leonard (Robin Quesenberry), Richard Williams (Kerri), Lisa Miller (Bill), Melissa Foster (Brad), Travis Hawks (Rachel) and Nicole Epperly (Jason).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025 in the Pine Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Matthew Schmidt and Pastor Jeff Dalton officiating.  Interment will follow in the Willis Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel. 

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go…Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never ever the same.”

Reba Jean Mitchell

Reba Jean Mitchell, age 89, of Christiansburg went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 27, 2025 after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Jessie, of 56 years, her parents Hogue, Sr. and Verda Barnette; sisters Gladys, Margie, Mae and brother, Jerry, father-in-law and mother-in-law Jessie and Lettie Mitchell, brothers-in-law, Donald Mitchell and Michael Heffernan.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Jeffrey (Angel). She also leaves behind four brothers, Wendell (Brenda), Hogue, Jr., David (Sherry), Rick Barnette; sisters, Verda “Tutti” Robbins (Bud), Bernice Woods, Ella Breeding (Bobby); sisters-in-law, JoAnn Heffernan, Barbara Stockner, Nancy Mitchell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Jean’s caregivers Tammy and Stacie and her neighbor Sue. Jean and family deeply appreciate the care you gave her which enabled her to stay at home until Jesus took her to Heaven.

Jean was a member of Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church. She was a woman of great faith who loved the Lord. No matter what she was facing she knew her Lord was sufficient to sustain her. Jean cherished her family, church and friends who were blessed to be partakers of her love for cooking. She enjoyed the simple things of life one being a love for her beautiful flowers and plants which adorned her front porch during the warmer months. The life Jean lived showed that true hospitality doesn’t come from material resources, but from a heart that sees and serves others with God’s love.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025 in the Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church with Elder Lowell Hopkins and Elder Carlton Brown officiating.  Interment will follow in the Indian Creek Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Melissa "Missy" Rae Quesenberry

Melissa (Missy) Rae Quesenberry, 58 of Christiansburg, was born on April 8, 1966 to Linda & Jack Quesenberry, stepped into Heaven where she was received by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. She is preceded in death by her loving dad, Jack Quesenberry; her adored grandma, Ricie Quesenberry and grandfather, Arnold Quesenberry; uncle, David Quesenberry; maternal grandparents, Edmond and Dorothy Smith; aunt, Sharon Custer; and uncle, Larry Smith.

Missy is survived by her precious mom, Linda Rae Smith Quesenberry; loving aunt and uncle, Shirley and Doug Phillips; special first cousin, David Phillips and girlfriend, Kim; paternal uncle, Roger Smith; special friend, Michelle Hollandsworth; friends, Darrell and Tara Hollandsworth (Dawson and Tinley); friend and caregiver, Chelsea Sale; and many loving cousins. Some of these cousins were diligent in visiting her at the CNRV Medical Center where she was a patient in the CCU for seven days after her surgery: Katie and Tasha Moore, Vera Hall and Tara, Kathryn Gerald, Glenna and Joe Cox and sons, Greg and Phillip, Mozell Quesenberry, Jackie Cox, Dorie Phillips, and others.

We prayed for her, sang to her, played songs by Tara Hollandsworth, Dawson, and Tinley, who prayed for Missy by video and Brother Mike Bond who visited and prayed for her. We want to especially thank the Christiansburg Rescue Squad, ER team, OR team, CCU nurses and doctors at CNRV Medical Center, who were so good to her in trying to get her well, and Maberry Funeral Home who are always so caring in taking care of our loved ones. Many thanks to all the churches and each person who has prayed so hard for Missy. We are so heartbroken but so thankful that she is no longer suffering and is in Heaven with Jesus Christ and all our loved ones.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Joe Cox, Pastor Phillip Cox, and Pastor Greg Cox officiating. Interment will follow in Captain George Quesenberry Cemetery. The family will receive friends from Noon until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Pauline Hattie Pratt Poff

 

On March 20, 2025, Pauline Hattie Pratt Poff passed peacefully, entering the pearly gates with Lois Ann and Darlene welcoming her. She was 27 days shy of being 102 years young. She was born April 16, 1923, at Black Ridge in Floyd, Virginia. She was the last living sibling of 13. 

Pauline is preceded in death by her parents, Mullins and Nora Alma Pratt; sisters and brothers, Wilma Hubbard, Melvin Pratt, Lawton Pratt, Ivan Pratt, Aldon Pratt, Freeman Pratt, Christine Bower, Hubert Pratt, Mary Buckner, Lenford Pratt, Clinton Pratt, and Sylvia Gunter; her husband, Flemon Poff; children, Imogene Poff, Katherine Poff, Edsel Poff, Darlene Poff Dove, and Lois Ann Poff Akers; and grandson-in-law, Mark Woollums.

She is survived by her daughter, Melinda Shaver (Melvin); son-in-law, Calvin Dove; grandchildren, Joana Shelor (Jeff), Lisa Saul (Jerry), Carolyn Akers, Rodney Shaver (Beth), Glynda Woollums, Russell Smith, and Dayton Poff; great-grandchildren, Holly Coalson, Natalie Shaver, Matthew Woollums  (Faith), Ryan Woollums, Anna Guiter (Dylan), Madison Tolle (Adam), Francesca Shaver, and Aaron Shelor; great-great-grandchildren, Lynnox Coalson, Fynnleigh Coalson, and Hutton Goad; sisters-in-law, Rosie Pratt and Violet Pratt; brother-in-law, Paul Gunter; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family and friends. 

Pauline loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and went to church when she could. She loved gardening, quilting, crocheting, traveling, fishing, and making fried apple pies. She quilted each grandchild a double wedding ring quilt, baby blankets, and crocheting baby blankets. She traveled the east coast up and down to Canada and Florida, and west to California. While in Canada, she visited the old country and visited Niagara Falls from both the Canadian and American sides. In Florida, she visited Disney World with her daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Melvin, where she rode Space Mountain with her grandson Dayton. She went to the Grand Ole Opry and Dollywood in Tennessee. She would fish from a pier, bank, boat dock, and boats. It didn’t matter as long as she caught a fish, big or small, she was happy. She enjoyed camping with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On her way to California to see the California Redwoods, a stop was made in Las Vegas where she played the nickel slot machine once. She even enjoyed going to the beaches looking for shells while she walked.

Pauline experienced a lot in her 101 years here on this earth, transportation being one. She started walking to places, then rode a horse and buggy, drove a car, rode a train, and flew several times in an airplane. She was always up for an adventure. Pauline was known by many for her fried apple pies. She dried her apples on a screen door lying across her wood stove in her kitchen. She was tickled when she received orders for pies from Norfolk. Her best customer was Ernie Dove.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Dwayne Martin and Rev. Leon Alley officiating. Interment will follow in Restvale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from Noon until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Thank you to the staff at English Meadows in Blacksburg for the last three years. Thank you to Medi Home Health & Hospice. A very special thank you to her granddaughter, Joana, for taking such good care of her and visiting almost daily with her.

Zelda Inez Yearout

 

Zelda Inez Yearout, 96 of Floyd, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025. She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Andrew Lewis “Buzz” Yearout; daughter, Paula Yearout Willis; and brothers, Bruce Largen, Gerald Largen, and Sherman Largen.

She is survived by her son, Lewis “Dale” Yearout (Shari Whitlock); granddaughter, Brandy Ballinger (Johnny); great-grandchildren, Emma, Carson, and Shaun Ballinger; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Allen Agee officiating. Interment will follow in the Jacksonville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from Noon until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Kenneth Ray Boyd

 

Kenneth Ray Boyd, 63 of Floyd, passed away on Friday, March 14, 2025. He is preceded in death by his father, Curbie Lee Boyd; sister, Donna Stump; and brother, Bill Boyd. 

Kenneth is survived by his mother, Joan Boyd; daughter, McKenzie Rosenbaum (Matthew); son, Justin Simpkins (Laurel); grandchildren, Avery Rosenbaum, Willow Simpkins; sister, Julie McCann (Dale); and numerous nieces, nephews, step-children and special friends.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Eldridge Elwood Cox

 

Eldridge Elwood Cox, 82 of Willis, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents, Garman and Glady Cox; daughter, Elaine Dawn Cox; four sisters; and seven brothers.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Mary E. Cox; son, Preston Cox (Leigh Anne Moye); daughter, Emma Cox (Kevin Underwood); grandchildren, Bailey Cox Burchette (Zach), Courtney Cox (Kevin Mills), Braxton Cox, Lily Cox; great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Sadler, Aliyah Burchette; brothers, Payton Cox (Judy), Waitman Cox (Patricia); sister, Gayle Warren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Justin Quesenberry officiating. Interment will follow in the Ambrose Cox Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Leroy Vester Young

 

Leroy Vester Young, 50 of Indian Valley, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 8, 2025. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Hoy, Ethlene, Lee and Eula; and nieces, Faith and Sarah.

Leroy was a loving father and outstanding grandfather. He was a jack of all trades and could do anything he set his mind to; nothing was impossible for him. He will be dearly missed by his family.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 30 years, Tracie M. Young; his son, Tyler Lee Young (Erica); daughter, Hope Geneva Young; grandchildren, Trey Andrew Young, Evan Lee Young, and Kaine Edward Young; his parents, Tommy, Sr. & Guenda Young; brothers and sister, Tommy Young, Jr. (Melinda), Derek Young (Niki), and Melissa Young; nieces and nephews, Ally, Katie, Caden, Seth, Addy, Asher, and Grayson; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Thursday, March 13, 2025 in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Leon Moles and Pastor Rocky Huff officiating. Interment will follow in the Thomas Quesenberry Cemetery. The family will receive 11 a.m. until Noon prior to the service at the funeral home. 

Walter "Lee" Sowers

 

Walter “Lee” Sowers, 71 of Pilot, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Eula Sowers; one brother; and one sister. 

Lee is survived by his wife, Diane Huff; brother, Randy Sowers; son, Brian Sowers (Jennifer); three granddaughters; and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Graysontown New Life Ministries, 5374 Graysontown Road, Radford, VA 24141.

James Cleve "J.C." Quesenberry

 

James Cleve “J.C.” Quesenberry, 93 of Willis, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025. He is preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 66 years, Fay Hollandsworth Quesenberry; oldest son, James Dale Quesenberry; great-great grandson, Axten Xavier Bullins; parents, Chris and Mattie Baker Quesenberry; and siblings, Ham Quesenberry, Dylie Quesenberry, Treva Quesenberry and Dallas Quesenberry Dalton.

Left to cherish his memory are his son and daughters-in-law, Frances G. Quesenberry, of Willis, VA, and Anthony and Debbie Quesenberry, of Copper Hill, VA; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Bill Worrell, of Hillsville, VA; 10 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 in the Turman Cemetery, 571 Borderline Road NW, Willis, VA 24380, with Pastor Roy Turpin officiating.

Patricia McCoy Fields

 

On February 24, 2025 Patricia McCoy Fields lost her battle with Lung Cancer.

She was a devoted wife, loving mother, and generous sister. 

She is survived by her husband, Brian Jeffrey Fields; her three children, Brian J. Fields II, Natalie Christine Fretwell, and Sarah Virginia Rash and their respective spouses and partners; her four grandchildren; and two remaining siblings, Teri Estes and Mark McCoy. 

She will forever be described as loving, loyal, wise, bright, warm, and joyful.

Those who wish to celebrate her life and legacy are welcome to attend her memorial service in the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel on March 17, 2025 at Noon. A reception will follow at the Floyd Eco Village. She was a bright person in life, so please be mindful to avoid black or dark wardrobe choices.