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     Ocelia Gretchen Manning Ocelia Gretchen DeWeese, 89, of Bent Mountain, Virginia went to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 29, 2025. She was born on August 8, 1935, to Oscar and Hattie Manning. Ocelia married Arving Huburt DeWeese on November 15, 1952. They were married for 69 years until his death on April 17, 2022. Ocelia and Huburt made their home in the Bottom Creek area of Bent Mountain where they raised their 3 children, Philip, Cindy, and Bruce. She was a member of the Faith Tabernacle Church in Bent Mountain, Virginia. Ocelia worked for many years and retired from Maid Bess Corporation in Salem, Virginia. Ocelia was predeceased by her parents, Oscar and Hattie Manning, brothers Vincent and Maynard, and her very dear little sister, Janie. She is survived by her children, Phillip (Billie Jo) DeWeese, Cindy K. Manning, Bruce (Kathie) DeWeese; grandchildren, Jason Manning, Travis DeWeese, Dustin Manning, Lisa K. Manning, Elisha Cuddy (Brian), Kevin Manning, Kristen Beckner (Tyler), Noah DeWeese (Autumn) and 12 great grandchildren. Ocelia is also survived by 2 sisters-in-law, Lois Rock and Josephine (Bill) Barksdale, and many nieces and nephews. Interment will follow at Restvale Cemetery.² She was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on August 8, 1935 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2 She married Arving Hubert DeWeese, son of Trigg Preston DeWeese and Laura Ellie Bowles, on November 15, 1952 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^8,4,6,2 As of November 15, 1952,her married name was DeWeese. Ocelia Gretchen Manning died on June 29, 2025 at Virginia at age 89.²

     George Cundiff Poff was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^8,9,1,10 His Social Security Number was 719-14-0372.¹¹ He was born on April 15, 1905 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^9,11,1,10,2 He married Ethel Clara Criner on October 3, 1925 at Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tennessee.^3,8,1,12 George Cundiff Poff died on September 1, 1975 at Radford, Virginia, at age 70.^9,8,1,10 He George C. Poff, age 70, died Monday Sept. 1, 1975, in the Radford Community Hospital. He was former administrator of the Radford Community Hospital for thirty years, retiring in 1970. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ethel Criner Poff; one daughter, Mrs. Clinton (Rowena) Slusher, Salem; four sisters, Mrs. Clara Sink, Roanoke; Mrs. Hybunia Naff, Check; Mrs. Augustine Walton, Norfolk; Mrs. Edith Pearl Thomas, Floyd; three brothers, Moyer H. Poff, Dayton, Ohio; Wythe A. Poff and Winston W. Poff, both of Check; 3 grandchildren. Burial will be in Restvale Cemetery, Floyd County. on September 4, 1975.⁸

     Ethel Clara Criner was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,1,4,2 Her Social Security Number was 134-09-2589.⁵ She was born on June 19, 1907 at Giles Co., Virginia.^3,5,1,4 She married George Cundiff Poff, son of William Fleming "Willie" Poff and Hoover Jane King, on October 3, 1925 at Bristol, Sullivan Co., Tennessee.^6,7,1,2 As of October 3, 1925,her married name was Poff. Ethel Clara Criner died on March 27, 1987 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 79.^3,1,4 She Mrs. Ethel Criner Poff, age 79, of 420 Shanks Street, Salem, died Friday. She was the widow of George C. Poff and is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Rowena P. Slusher, Salem; grandchildren, Lt. Col. George Slusher, U.S.A.F., Santa Maria, Calif; Steven and Margaret Slusher, Woodstock, Calif; Ric and Joyce T. Tolero, San Rafael, Calif; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Solare Tolero, Rebekah Lee Slusher; and a godchild, Patricia Martin, Glen Allen. Graveside funeral services will be held at the Restvale Cemetery. on March 28, 1987.²

     Her Social Security Number was 226-26-7991.¹⁰ Rowena Elizabeth Poff was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on November 7, 1926 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,10,3,4,5 As of July 6, 1946,her married name was Slusher.¹¹ She married Clinton Eastwood Slusher, son of Clinton Elijah Slusher and Martha Alice "Allie" Reed, on July 6, 1946 at Radford, Virginia.^{1,12,2,6,13,11,3} Rowena Elizabeth Poff died on October 12, 2001 at Virginia at age 74.^2,10,3 She SLUSHER, Rowena Elizabeth Poff, 74, of Salem, Va., passed away Friday, October 12, 2001, after a brief illness. She was born November 7, 1926, in Roanoke to the late George Cundiff Poff and Ethel Criner Poff, Radford. Rowena had a passion for flying. At a time when few women were pilots, she became a commercial pilot, owned several airplanes, and had a flying service. Rowena was the first woman to fly for a scheduled airline in the United States. She was a member of the 99s (an international organization of women pilots) and a major in the Civil Air Patrol, where she led several search missions. Rowena served the American Red Cross for many years as a volunteer, instructor, and disaster relief coordinator. Rowena will be sorely missed by her family and the many people whose lives she enriched. She is survived by Clinton Eastwood Slusher, her husband of 55 years; her son, Lt. Col. George Clinton Slusher of Eugene, Ore; son, the Rev. Steven Lloyd Slusher and his wife, Margaret Lee Williams Slusher, Woodstock, Ga; daughter, Joyce Elizabeth Slusher Tolero and her husband, Ric Reyes Tolero of Berkley, Calif; and beloved granddaughters, Elizabeth Solar Tolero, Rebekah Lee Slusher, and Marissa Reed Tolero. She is also survived by her goddaughter, Patricia Martin Walton, her husband, Charles, and daughter, Lia, and Henry Francis Fisher of Huddleston, who she treated as a son, and by a special friend and near-daughter, Christine Roosma, her husband, Warren, and children, Garry and Rachael. Rowena would want to remember her longtime physician and friend, Dr. Charles Hefner. Interment at Rest Vale Cemetery in Floyd County. on October 14, 2001.²

     Stella H. Luck was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Clifton Forge, Alleghany Co., Virginia.² She was born in August, 1865 at Virginia.^1,3,2 As of circa 1888,her married name was Griffith.³ She married Dr. George Caleb Griffith circa 1888.^4,3,2 Stella H. Luck died in 1936.²

     His Social Security Number was 227-16-1204.⁹ Clinton Eastwood Slusher was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on April 6, 1923 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^{1,9,2,4,10,5,6,7} He married Rowena Elizabeth Poff, daughter of George Cundiff Poff and Ethel Clara Criner, on July 6, 1946 at Radford, Virginia.^{11,1,12,13,14,15,10} Clinton Eastwood Slusher died on January 4, 2004 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 80.^1,9,3,10,5 He Clinton Eastwood Slusher, 80, of Salem, passed away late Sunday, January 4, 2004. Clinton was born April 6, 1923, in Christiansburg, to Clinton Elijah Slusher and Allie Reid Slusher. He grew up in Roanoke and graduated from Jefferson High School. Following training and commissioning in the U.S. Army Air Forces, Clinton served with great courage and distinction as a navigator on B-17s with the Eighth Air Force in England during 1944-1945. He flew in bombing missions over Germany, many as lead navigator for the mission. He earned seven Air Medals and other awards for his courageous service. After returning from the war, Clinton attended business school and became an expert accountant, earning the Certified Public Accountant license. He worked for an accounting firm for several years, then joined Double Envelope Corporation in 1951. At Double Envelope, he rose to be the Secretary-Treasurer during a time of rapid growth and expansion of the company. He retired from Double Envelope in 1988. Clinton married the former Rowena Poff of Radford in July 1946. They began married life in Roanoke, but moved to Salem after the birth of their third child in 1951. They lived in Salem the rest of their lives. Rowena preceded Clinton in death in October, 2001. Clinton is survived by three children, George Slusher of Eugene, Oregon, Steven Slusher and his wife Margaret, of Woodstock, Georgia, and Joyce Tolero and her husband Ric, of Berkeley, California; and three grandchildren, Elizabeth and Marissa Tolero and Rebekah Slusher. He also left many friends, colleagues and people he helped, including his goddaughter, Patricia Walton, plus Gratton Brotherton, Henry Fisher, and Christine and Woody Roosma and their children, Rachel and Gary. He will be remembered and missed by many others who had the pleasure and treasure of knowing him. Clinton was widely known for his generosity and was active in many civic organizations, especially the Boy Scouts of America. He was a cubmaster, scoutmaster, and in other leadership positions in the local council. Clinton became active in local politics, as well. He was elected to the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, then resigned when Salem became a city. He later served one term on the Salem City Council, including two years as Mayor of Salem. Following his retirement, Clinton served with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), assisting new and small businesses. Clinton and Rowena were both pilots and together ran a small aviation business, Roanoke Valley Aviation. Later, they decided to let someone else do the flying and traveled all over the world--Africa, Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, Antarctica, India, Machu Pichu, the Galapagos Islands--every continent except Australia. They enjoyed meeting people and learning about the cultures and wildlife of many places, especially off the beaten track. Interment will follow in Rest Vale Cemetery in Floyd County. on January 8, 2004.¹⁶

     Samuel Johnson "Sam" Hayes was buried at Greenlawn Cemetery, Miami Co., Indiana.¹ He was born on February 21, 1847 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,1 He married Joanna Aldredge, daughter of William M. Aldredge and Lucy Ann Aldredge, on December 1, 1870 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 Samuel Johnson "Sam" Hayes died on July 6, 1921 at Miami Co., Indiana, at age 74.¹

     His Social Security Number was 313-36-6100.¹⁰ William Eldridge Hayes was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, 11 Mount Hope Road, Peru Township, Miami Co., Indiana.^1,8,9 He was born on January 5, 1903 at Peru Township, Miami Co., Indiana.^10,1,8,3,9 He married Helen Genevieve Miller on July 11, 1931 at Indiana.^1,2,11,9 William Eldridge Hayes died on February 10, 1981 at Peru Township, Miami Co., Indiana, at age 78.^10,1,8,9 He Services for William E. (Bill) Hayes, 78, 381 Blair Pike, Peru, will be at Friday. He died at 7:10 a.m. Tuesday at Dukes Memorial Hospital, Peru. The son of Stanton and Ollie Walters Hayes, he was born in Peru on Jan. 5, 1903. He was married to Helen Miller on July 11, 1931, and she survives. A retired carpenter, he was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church, Peru. Also surviving are two sons, Thomas, Galveston; and Samuel, Fort Wayne; two daughters, Barbara Pollett, Chicago; and Marcia Moore, Danville, Ill; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Peru. on February 11, 1981.⁹

     Noah Walter Hayes was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, 11 Mount Hope Road, Peru Township, Miami Co., Indiana.^1,3 He was born on November 23, 1908 at Peru, Miami Co., Indiana.^2,3 He died on March 27, 1932 at Miami Co., Indiana, at age 23.³

     Wendell Winston Poff Wendell Winston Poff, 79 of Copper Hill, died Friday, September 4, 2020. Born in Copper Hill, VA, he is preceded in death by his parents, Wythe Alsem & Iris Floy Van Buskirk Poff; and his wife of 54 years, Lelia Frances Pochick Poff. He is survived by his son, Wendell Kevin Poff and daughter-in-law, Cynthia V. Poff of Roanoke; daughters, Kimberly E. Poff of Copper Hill and Karen P. Wilson and son-in-law James E. Wilson of Check; grandson, Cody W. Carico of Salem; granddaughter, Ashley P. Krawchison and grandson-in-law, Michael Krawchison and two great-grandsons, Cason and Easton Krawchison of Bent Mountain; grandson, A. Jordan Poff of Roanoke; sisters & brothers-in-law, Margaret Poff Wimmer (Sid) of Olympia, WA, Phyllis Poff Marks (Jim) of Vinton, and Lynette Poff Harmon (Mike) of Ferrum; as well as many nieces and a nephew. In accordance with his wishes, he will be cremated and his cremated remains will be interred at Restvale Cemetery.⁴ He was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,6 He was born on March 31, 1941 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3,5,6 He married Lelia Frances Pochick on May 14, 1960 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,9,3,4,7 Wendell Winston Poff died on September 4, 2020 at Virginia at age 79.^4,6

     Lelia Frances Pochick was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,4 She Lelia Frances Pochick Poff, 75, of Copper Hill, died Monday, March 9, 2015 at her home. Born In Wolfe WVA, she is preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Lillie Frances Johnson Pochick, her brothers Raymond Pochick and Mike Pochick Jr., and her sister Louise Marie Pochick. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Wendell Winston Poff; Son, Wendell Kevin Poff and daughter-in-law, Cynthia V. Poff of Roanoke, Va.: Daughters Kimberly E. Poff of Copper Hill, VA and Karen P. Wilson and son-in-law James E. Wilson of Check, VA; Grandson, Cody W. Carico of Rocky Mt. VA; Granddaughter, Ashley P. Krawchison and grandson-in-law Michael Krawchison of Bent Mt, VA; Grandson, A. Jordan Poff of Roanoke. In accordance with her wishes, she will be cremated and her cremated remains will be interred at Restvale Cemetery.⁴ She was born on March 15, 1939 at Wolfe, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^3,5 She married Wendell Winston Poff, son of Wythe Aslem Poff and Iris Floyd VanBuskirk, on May 14, 1960 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^6,1,3,7,4 As of May 14, 1960,her married name was Poff.³ Lelia Frances Pochick died on March 9, 2015 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 75.^5,4

     Jane Marie "Janie" Zimmerman was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.^2,1,3 She was born on August 2, 1897 at Radford, Virginia; Her death certificate has a birth year of 1898.^2,1,3 She married Leonard Houston "Jake" "Leslie" Elmore, son of Paul Newton Elmore and Laura Katherine "Lora" Hancock, circa 1918.^4,5,1 As of circa 1918,her married name was Elmore.⁴ Jane Marie "Janie" Zimmerman died on January 18, 1931 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 33.^2,1,3

     His Social Security Number was 226-28-1730.¹⁴ Ray Calvin Poff was buried at Butts Cemetery, Glenvar, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² He was born on July 10, 1924 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^14,1,2,5,6,7 He married Doris Marie Flinchum, daughter of John Leslie Flinchum and Ida Mae Gearheart, on July 24, 1946 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^{15,1,16,17,18} Ray Calvin Poff died on December 19, 2002 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 78.^14,1,2,3 He POFF, Ray Calvin, 78, of Salem, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, December 19, 2002. He was a native of Salem, served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a Member of Bethel Baptist Church. He was retired from the Veteran's Administration Regional Office. His surviving family include his devoted wife of 56 years, Doris Flinchum Poff; a son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Cheryl Poff, of Salem; daughter Linda Willoughby, of Roanoke, daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Mark Bain, of Salem; a brother, Lewis Poff; sisters, Bonnie Linkous and Lillian Slusher; sister-in-law, Gaynell Poff; grandchildren, Ryan Poff, Kerri and Stephen Bain, all of Salem. on December 21, 2002.¹

     Lena Bonnalyn "Bonnie" Poff was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,10 She was born on October 18, 1907 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^10,3 She married Paul Ellett Linkous on July 2, 1927 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,11,10,3,4 As of July 2, 1927,her married name was Linkous.³ Lena Bonnalyn "Bonnie" Poff died on May 17, 2011 at Virginia at age 103.^1,10 She Bonnie Poff Linkous, 103, of Salem, joined the angels in Heaven on Tuesday, May 17, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; parents, Maggie and George Poff; brothers, Lawrence, Marvin, Lewis and Ray; and sisters, Lillian Slusher and Grace Funck. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Doris Poff; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Helen Johnston, Shirley Horn and Janet Young. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and also of Faith Rebekah Lodge #98. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family would like to thank everyone on 3 West at Richfield for her care. on May 20, 2011.¹

     Elizabeth Fleming Boyd Elizabeth Boyd Elmore, May 23, 1925 – July 21, 2016. Elizabeth Boyd Elmore, 91, passed away in her sleep Thursday, July 21, 2016, at Greenspring retirement community in Springfield, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Warren Elmore, originally of Roanoke, VA, and lately of Annandale, VA. Mrs. Elmore was born in Charleston, SC, moved to Spartanburg, SC during the depression, and graduated from Spartanburg High. She attended Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, until relocating to Washington, DC, where she worked for the US Soil Conservation Service of the Department of Agriculture. She met her husband in DC and they were married in 1947, finally settling in Annandale in 1954. Mrs. Elmore was primarily a mother and housewife, although later in life she worked over ten years for H&R Block and was certified as an Enrolled Agent practicing before the Internal Revenue Service. She was a founding member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Annandale. Her many ministries there included Altar Guild, Sunday School teacher, Kitchen, Bazaar, Rummage Sale, VBS, and a charter member of Chatting Fingers. The church honored her as a “Saint of Alban”. She was also active for many years in the Girls Scouts of the Nation’s Capital, was a Cub Scout den mother, and served on the Masonville Elementary PTA. She loved reading, TV crime shows, crossword puzzles, and pinochle. Mrs. Elmore is survived by: Four children: Ann E. Graham (Louis) of Forest, VA, Elizabeth E. Rhoad of Lexington, SC, James W. Elmore, Jr. (Pam) of Penn Laird, VA, and Leslie E. Martin (Warren) of Burke, VA. Eight grandchildren: Megan G. Watson, Casey Martin, J. Elliott Rhoad, George Graham, Kelly Elmore, Ben Martin, Austin Elmore, and J. Sterling Elmore. Nine great-grandchildren: Aiden Rhoad, James Watson, Elizabeth Watson, Amelia Rhoad, Katelyn Graham, Charley Ann Martin, Madison Graham, Connor Martin, and Calvin Martin.² She was born on May 23, 1925 at Charleston, Charleston Co., South Carolina.² She married James Warren Elmore Sr., son of Leonard Houston "Jake" "Leslie" Elmore and Jane Marie "Janie" Zimmerman, on April 26, 1947.^1,2 As of April 26, 1947,her married name was Elmore.¹ Elizabeth Fleming Boyd died on July 21, 2016 at Springfield, Fairfax Co., Virginia, at age 91.²

     Paul Ellett Linkous was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3,6 He was born on April 13, 1906 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 He married Lena Bonnalyn "Bonnie" Poff, daughter of George Lawrence Poff and Maggie Abigail Sisson, on July 2, 1927 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^7,1,3,5,6 Paul Ellett Linkous died on December 14, 1983 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 77.^1,3,6 He Mr. Paul Ellett Linkous, age 77, of 2427 Franklin Street, Salem, died Wednesday. He was retired from N & W Railway as a Leading Signalman of the Signal and Communications Department and he was a member of the Bethel Baptist Church, Salem. He is survived by his wife, Bonnalyn (Bonnie) Poff Linkous. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Interment in Sherwood. on December 16, 1983.⁶

     Beatrice Lillian Poff was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^11,12 Her Social Security Number was 229-14-4120.¹ She was born on May 29, 1916 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^13,12,1,2 She married Madison Hamilton Slusher Jr. on July 8, 1941 at Roanoke, Virginia.^14,11,13,15 As of July 8, 1941,her married name was Slusher.¹³ Beatrice Lillian Poff died on August 11, 2007 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 91.^{11,12,1,16,15} She Lillian Poff Slusher, 91, of Salem, Va., passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband, Madison H. Slusher, Jr. Her surviving family includes her two sons, Dale H. Slusher, Sr. and Larry R. Slusher, both of Salem; a sister, Bonnie Linkous, of Salem; sister-in-law, Doris Poff, of Salem; grandchildren, Valerie Skripak and husband, Stephen, of Blacksburg, Va., Sonia Gerald, of Salem, Dale Slusher, Jr. and wife, Janet, of Natural Bridge Station, Va., and Stephanie Farnsworth and husband, Jeff, of Concord, N.C; great-grandchildren, Carly and Dana Skripak, Megan Gerald, Benjamin Slusher, and Reese Farnsworth; many nieces and nephews; special cousin, Etta Mae Tarpley, of Salem; and special friend, Mildred Whitley, of Salem. She was a charter member of Bethel Baptist Church of Salem where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. A graveside service will be held at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. on August 12, 2007.¹¹

     Madison Hamilton Slusher Jr. was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,5,2 His Social Security Number was 223-10-2295.⁶ He was born on July 22, 1919 at Roanoke, Virginia.^6,7,5,2,4,8 He married Beatrice Lillian Poff, daughter of George Lawrence Poff and Maggie Abigail Sisson, on July 8, 1941 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,9,7,2 Madison Hamilton Slusher Jr. died on March 5, 1992 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 72.^6,1,5,2 He Madison Hamilton Slusher, Jr., age 72, of Salem, died Thursday. He is survived by his wife, Lillian Poff Slusher; sons, Dale H. Slusher, Sr; Larry R. Slusher, both of Salem; a sister and brother-in-law, Eunice and Horace Medley, Pasadena, Texas; granddaughters and spouses, Valerie and Steve Skripak, Memphis, Tenn; Sonia and Allen Gerald, Roanoke; Stephanie Slusher, Blacksburg; grandson and wife, Dale H. Jr. and Janet Slusher, Roanoke; great-grandchildren, Carly Skripak, Megan Gerald and Michael Gerald; a special cousin, Edith Cox, Riner; and numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at Sherwood Memorial Park. on March 7, 1992.¹