Person Page - 580

     Elizabeth Jane King was buried at Puckett Cemetery, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.³ She was born on May 30, 1843 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3 She married Samuel R. "Sam" Conner, son of John R. Conner and Doshia/Docia Wilson, on January 31, 1867 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ As of January 31, 1867,her married name was Conner. Elizabeth Jane King died on September 27, 1927 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 84.³

     Margaret J. Yearout was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ She was born on March 29, 1829 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹ She married Hulen L. Sowers, son of Johannes H. "John" Sowers and Catherine Lester, on March 22, 1849 at Floyd Co., Virginia.² As of March 22, 1849,her married name was Sowers. Margaret J. Yearout died on December 25, 1914 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 85.¹

     Catherine "Kitty" Sowers Moved to Texas after marrying Abraham Bower. She married N. F. Sowers. Catherine "Kitty" Sowers was born on September 16, 1856 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 She died on June 14, 1914 at Texas at age 57.²

     David Slusher was buried at Laurel Branch Cemetery (aka Goodykoontz Cemetery), Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He married Nancy Cox.¹ David Slusher was born on September 6, 1790.¹ He died on April 6, 1840 at age 49.¹

     William Letcher Sowers was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on January 16, 1879 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3,2 He married Lillian "Pearl" Howery, daughter of Jonathan Howery and Elizabeth Alice "Eliza" LeSueur, on January 16, 1902 at Floyd Co., Virginia.³ William Letcher Sowers died on September 12, 1943 at age 64.¹

     Lillian "Pearl" Howery was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on April 10, 1882 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1 She married William Letcher Sowers, son of N. F. Sowers and Catherine "Kitty" Sowers, on January 16, 1902 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ As of January 16, 1902,her married name was Sowers. Lillian "Pearl" Howery died on December 12, 1959 at age 77.²

     Nancy Cox married David Slusher.¹ Nancy Cox was buried at Laurel Branch Cemetery (aka Goodykoontz Cemetery), Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ Her married name was Slusher. She was born on August 7, 1794.¹ She died on June 26, 1880 at Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 85.¹

     Claud Merle "Claudie" Sowers was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁴ She was born on June 21, 1922 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,3 As of December 27, 1939,her married name was Rakes.³ She married Herman Columbus Rakes on December 27, 1939 at Simpsons, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,5,3,4,6 Claud Merle "Claudie" Sowers died on May 10, 2017 at Virginia at age 94.⁴ She Claudie "Merle" Sowers Rakes, 94, of Shawsville, passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. Merle and her husband Herman were the owners of Rakes Building Supply for over 50 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Reese Sowers and Roxie Sowers Flinchum Bradford; two sisters, one brother; one son; and one great-grandson. She is survived by her husband of 77 years, Herman C. Rakes; sons and spouses, Don Rakes (Ida), Bill Rakes (Janice), Bruce Rakes (Sally), Ron Rakes (Kitty); daughter-in-law, Edean Rakes; brother, Joe Sowers; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, friends, and employees at Commonwealth Assisted Living. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 12, 2017, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at 2 p.m. in the Horne Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Ed Watkins officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery. on May 12, 2017.⁴

     Charles Osburn "Charlie" Sowers was buried at Huffville Union Church Cemetery, Terrys Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,11,12 His Social Security Number was 226-26-8690.² He was born on March 1, 1924 at Finlow, Fayette Co., West Virginia.^{1,2,4,12,5,7,8} He married Melia Ann Trail on August 26, 1950 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,3,4 Charles Osburn "Charlie" Sowers died on July 13, 1994 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 70.^1,2,11,12,6 He SOWERS, Charlie O., 70, of Christiansburg, died Wednesday, July 13, 1994 at his home. He was a retired employee of RAAP and is survived by his wife, Melia A. Sowers; a son, Howard L. Sowers; three daughters, Linda Harrison, Connie Burk, and Susan Sowers; a granddaughter, Angie Reedy; great-granddaughter, Kayla Reedy; a step-granddaughter, Ashley Griffith. All are of Christiansburg. Also surviving are a brother, Joe Sowers, Alexandria; a sister, Merle Rakes of Shawsville and a half sister, Etta Mae Reed of Dublin. The funeral will be at the Huffville Church in Floyd County, with burial in the Huffville Cemetery. on July 15, 1994.¹¹

     Herman Columbus Rakes was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on May 23, 1918 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,5,3 He married Claud Merle "Claudie" Sowers, daughter of Joseph Reese Sowers and Roxie Gertrude Poff, on December 27, 1939 at Simpsons, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,5,6,4 Herman Columbus Rakes died on October 25, 2017 at Virginia at age 99.⁴ He Herman C. Rakes, 99, of Shawsville, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. Herman and his wife were owners of Rakes Building Supply for over 50 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Merle Sowers Rakes; parents, Daniel J. and Minnie Woods Rakes; four brothers; three sisters; one son; and one great-grandson. He is survived by his sons and spouses, Don Rakes (Ida), Bill Rakes (Janice), Bruce Rakes (Sally), Ron Rakes (Kitty); daughter-in-law, Edean Rakes; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Horne Funeral Home. The Funeral will be at 11 a.m. in the Chapel, with Pastor T. Michael Bond and Pastor Ed Watkins officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Cemetery. on October 27, 2017.⁴

     Her Social Security Number was 227-46-6975.³ Melia Ann Trail was buried at Huffville Union Church Cemetery, Terrys Fork, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4 She was born on August 2, 1933 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,3,2,4 She married Charles Osburn "Charlie" Sowers, son of Joseph Reese Sowers and Roxie Gertrude Poff, on August 26, 1950 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^5,1,2 As of August 26, 1950,her married name was Sowers.² Melia Ann Trail died on May 31, 2008 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 74.^1,3,4 She Melia Trail Sowers, 74, of Christiansburg, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Sowers. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Howard Sowers and wife, Donna; daughters, Linda Harrison, Connie Burk and husband, Richard, Susan Sowers and fiance, David Breeden; granddaughter, Angie Craiger and fiance, Melvin Tincher; great-grandchildren, Kayla and Dalton; stepgreatgrandchildren, Elisha, Alyssa and Victoria; sisters and brothers-in-law, Katie and John Lester, Gladys Petrie, Bessie and Jerry Knoll and Margaret and Walter Goens; brother-in-law, Joe Sowers and wife, Ruby; sisters-in-law, Merle Rakes and husband, Herman, and Etta May Reed; special friends, Arlene Brennan and Ed Farmer; along with many other good friends. Interment to follow in Huffville Cemetery, Floyd County. on June 2, 2008.¹

     Christopher C. Hodges married Sarah E. Hale. Christopher C. Hodges was born in 1848. He died on May 7, 1932 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹

     Sarah E. Hale married Christopher C. Hodges. Her married name was Hodges. Sarah E. Hale was born circa 1857 at Virginia.¹

     Her Social Security Number was 230-38-4786.⁴ Nelle Marie Martin was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, McLennan Co., Texas.² She was born on January 14, 1909 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^4,2,1 As of circa 1927,her married name was Gray.⁵ She married Alonzo Huston Gray on August 31, 1928 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ Nelle Marie Martin died on August 29, 1996 at McLennan Co., Texas, at age 87; Her gravestone has a death date of Aug 28, 1996.^4,6,2

     Sarah Louise Martin was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, 1300 Mountain View Road, Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ Her Social Security Number was 223-22-9515.⁶ She was born on September 12, 1910 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^6,4,5 She married William Earl Campbell on January 10, 1934 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,7 As of January 10, 1934,her married name was Campbell.⁴ As of September 29, 1975,her married name was Hall.⁵ Sarah Louise Martin married Hubert Vance Hall on September 29, 1975 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,5 Sarah Louise Martin died on November 17, 1992 at Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 82.^1,7 She HALL, Louise Martin Campbell, 82, of Rt. 2, Moneta, died Tuesday, November 17, 1992, in a local hospital. She was retired from the Veteran's Hospital in Salem and was preceded in death by three brothers, Alfred T. Martin, J. James Martin, Norris Martin; one sister, Mary Martin Poole. Surviving are her husband, Hubert Vance Hall; one son and daughter-in-law, William E. and Jean Campbell, Roanoke; one brother, George Martin, Charlotte, N.C; four sisters, Nelle Gray, Waco, Texas, Helen Clark and Lucy Robertson, both of Roanoke, Josephine Wimmer, Rock Hill, S.C; two grandsons, William David Campbell, Mark Jeffrey, both of Roanoke, one granddaughter, Cindy Lou Campbell Troy, South Yarmouth, Mass; two great-grandchildren, Mark A. Campbell and Erica Faye Campbell. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, November 20, 1992, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel. The Rev. Michael Winters and the Rev. Charles Hoffler will officiate. Interment in Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Friends may call at Lotz Vinton Chapel. on November 19, 1992.¹

     Helen Kathleen Martin was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Her Social Security Number was 224-09-1585.⁴ She married Joseph Whitehead "Joe" Clark.¹ Her married name was Clark. Helen Kathleen Martin was born on January 8, 1912 at Virginia.^4,1 She died on August 11, 1996 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 84.^4,5,1

     Jesse James Martin was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,5 He and Sue Elizabeth Rixner were divorced.⁵ Jesse James Martin was born on August 16, 1913 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,4,5 He married Sue Elizabeth Rixner on January 10, 1942 at Arlington, Virginia.⁶ Jesse James Martin died on November 9, 1969 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 56.^1,5

     William Norris Martin was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² He was born on February 17, 1915 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2 He married Nina Canary Moore on April 2, 1936 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ William Norris Martin died on March 1, 1975 at Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 60.²

     Her Social Security Number was 226-01-5969.⁶ Mary Elizabeth Martin was buried at East Hill Cemetery, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3 She was born on September 18, 1916 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^6,3,2 As of December 6, 1937,her married name was Poole.² She married Howard Raymond Poole on December 6, 1937 at Clifton Forge, Alleghany Co., Virginia.^1,2 Mary Elizabeth Martin died on May 17, 1979 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 62.^6,1,3

     His Social Security Number was 223-12-0001.⁵ Alfred Tennyson Martin was buried at Manteo Cemetery, Manteo, Dare Co., North Carolina.² He First American soldier to set foot on the Burma Trail during WWII. He married Ruth Rae Knight.² Alfred Tennyson Martin was born on February 23, 1918 at Virginia.^5,1,2 He died on March 19, 1988 at Dare Co., North Carolina, at age 70.^5,1,2

     Josephine Naomi "Jo" Martin married Howard Allan Wimmer, son of Letcher Hayden Wimmer and Nina Pearl Hanley.^1,2 Josephine Naomi "Jo" Martin was buried at Grandview Memorial Park, 649 South Cherry Road, Rock Hill, York Co., South Carolina.² Her married name was Wimmer. She was born on April 4, 1922 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,2 She died on October 11, 2009 at Rock Hill, York Co., South Carolina, at age 87.^4,2 She ROCK HILL - Mrs. Josephine Martin Wimmer, 87, widow of Howard Allan Wimmer Sr., died Oct. 11, 2009, at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at Oakland Baptist Church, with Dr. Robert Shrum and the Revs. Russell Wimmer and Howard Wimmer officiating. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum at Grandview Memorial Park - S. Cherry Road. A native of Salem, Va., Mrs. Wimmer was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Etta Hodges Martin. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters. She was a member of Oakland Baptist Church. Surviving are three sons and their wives and one daughter and her husband: Russell and Dorothy Wimmer of Rock Hill; Howard Jr. and Judy Wimmer of Greenville; George and Katherine Wimmer of Rock Hill; and Sarah and Gene Robbins of York. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Steve, Kristen, Rebecca, Mary, Allan, Joanna, Daniel and Carmen; and 18 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732 and other times at the home, 709 Twin Lakes Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hospice & Community Care, P.O. Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731; to Agape Hospice, 1317 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732; or to Oakland Baptist Church, 1067 Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC 29732. on October 13, 2009.²

     His Social Security Number was 230-12-6444.⁷ George Stephen Martin was buried at Raleigh Memorial Park, Raleigh, Wake Co., North Carolina.³ He married Jeanne Unknown.⁸ George Stephen Martin was born on May 12, 1924 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^7,2,3,4 He married Helen Hurt Akers on November 15, 1945 at Roanoke, Virginia.² George Stephen Martin died on April 26, 2002 at Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., North Carolina, at age 77.^7,1,3 He Mr. George Stephen Martin of Charlotte, died Friday, April 26, 2002 at Carolinas Medical Center, University. He was 77. Funeral services will be held at a later date to be announced. Lowe Funeral Home of Charlotte is in charge. on April 28, 2002.¹

     Alonzo Huston Gray was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, McLennan Co., Texas.⁴ He was born on March 4, 1907 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,4 He married Nelle Marie Martin, daughter of Joseph William Martin and Mary Etta Hodges, on August 31, 1928 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² Alonzo Huston Gray died on December 26, 1989 at McLennan Co., Texas, at age 82.^4,5

     His Social Security Number was 231-24-9514.¹ Robert Houston Gray married Joyce Randerson. Robert Houston Gray was born on December 8, 1929 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,4 He married Frances Henrietta Cooper on September 22, 1962 at Leesburg, Loudoun Co., Virginia.³ Robert Houston Gray died on December 15, 1992 at Los Angeles Co., California, at age 63.^1,2

     Frances Sue Gray was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Waco, McLennan Co., Texas.⁵ She married John Allen Haynes Sr.² Frances Sue Gray and John Allen Haynes Sr. were divorced.³ Frances Sue Gray was born on September 7, 1933 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,4 As of 1974,her married name was Wolfe.² As of August 10, 1974,her married name was Haynes.³ She married George Edward Wolfe Jr. on August 10, 1974 at Virginia Beach, Virginia.^2,3 Frances Sue Gray died in 2019 at Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas.² She Sue Wolfe, a native of Virginia, passed away. In 1974, Sue married George Edward Wolfe, Jr. He was President of the family-owned business, Wolfe the Florist, Inc., that dates back to 1892. Sue had a varied work history that included clerking in Woolworth's as her first job, to later working at the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C. in the News Service and as Secretary to Gil La Gorse, head of the Advertising Department. Her subsequent employers were two national floral trade associations in Alexandria, VA. The Society of American Florists(SAF) where she was Office Manager, and lastly, as Executive Director of the Wholesale Florists & Florist Suppliers of America (WF&FSA). It was here that she met George Wolfe. He served four years as President of WF&FSA. After marrying George and moving to Waco, Sue was frequently asked where she was from. Her litany: "Born in Salem, Virginia, raised in Roanoke, attended college in Lynchburg, married to John A. Haynes and spent 21 years in Alexandria, and then got to Texas as fast as I could!" The church has played a major role in Sue's life. Raised in the Disciples of Christ Church, she became a Methodist in 1954. Upon marrying George, a cradle Episcopalian, she became one too. Throughout the past 42 years she has maintained an active role either by chairing committees or serving in some other capacity. These included Eucharist Minister, Lay Reader, Choir, Vestry, President of ECW, Chair for two years of the original Share The Joy Christmas dinner program for Waco's homeless.She graduated from the 1996 Community of Hope Diocesan program endorsed by Bishop Payne, where participants become Lay Chaplains to help with shortages in hospitals and communities. Sue also served on the Board of Directors of Mission Waco before its name was expanded to Mission Waco-World. An avid sports fan, Sue loved the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Baylor Bears (men and women), golf, and horse races. She and George were both champion Box Bird and Columbarium participants at events in the USA and abroad. Ballroom dancing became Sue's passion after George's death. She entered national competitions with her instructor and they were awarded numerous trophies in their several years of competing. Sue was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in July of 2017 at Scott & White Hillcrest Hospital in Waco. She was later moved to Kindred Hospital Ft. Worth Southwest, for rehabilitation until her discharge in November, 2017. Her final move was to The Forum, an Assisted Living facility in Dallas. This allowed her family easy access to help with doctor appointments and other needs. Her motto was: "It is what it is and God and I will handle it!" Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Alonzo Houston Gray and Nelle Marie Martin Gray; as well as her only sibling, Robert Houston Gray of California. Sue is survived by a daughter, Susan Haynes Tyrrell and husband, Patrick J. Tyrrell and family, of Barnstable, MA; son, John Allen Haynes, Jr., of Arlington, Texas; granddaughter, Meredith M. Sittmann; and two grandsons, Hunter J. L. Tyrrell and Austin G. Tyrrell. In addition, three step-sons and their wives: George E. and (Karen) Wolfe III, Thomas J. Wolfe, James H. and Sharon Wolfe; and their extended families of nine children; and ten great-grandchildren. on April 21, 2019.²