Person Page - 679

     Shirley Maenola "Nola" Witkowsi was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 She was born on December 22, 1938 at Washington.² She married Oliver Julius "Jack" Sweeney, son of Major Lee Sweeney Sr. and Margaret Marie Powell, on April 17, 1954.^4,2 As of April 17, 1954,her married name was Sweeney. Shirley Maenola "Nola" Witkowsi died on January 16, 2008 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 69.^2,5 She In the early morning hours of January 16, 2008, Shirley finally rejoined Jack in God's kingdom. Shirley Nola Witkoski Sweeney, 69, of Christiansburg, formerly of Floyd, slipped into heavenly peace surrounded by family at Avant Rehab Center in Roanoke. Born December 22, 1938 in the state of Washington, Shirley was a wonderful person who was loved by all she met, and she truly loved life. She lived life to the fullest, and loved her cat, Boots like her child. She was a devoted wife, and the most wonderful mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend you could ever ask for. Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Jack, her parents, Ben and Helen Witkoski, a sister, Yvonne Braget, and a brother, Jerry Witkoski. Left to cherish her memory are her daughters and son-in-law, Marla Melvin of Christiansburg and Susan and Arlie Hill of Radford; her grandchildren and spouses, Amy and Butch Cook of Fredericksburg, Shana and Brian Griffith of Christiansburg, Daniel Hill of Radford, Kayla Melvin of Radford, and Brandon Hill of Richmond; six and a half great-grandchildren, Madeline, Jack, Emma and Lilly Cook, Onyia and William Griffith, and an unborn great-grandson, Travis Mabe, who is due January 30; a special niece, Deborah Baum of Floyd; her brother and sisters, Bernard Witkoski of South Carolina, Cherie McKinnley of South Carolina, Marla Price of Washington State, and Judy Hendricks of Washington State. Along with many other family members who will miss her dearly, she is also survived by her longtime friends and sisters-in-law, Pauline Sweeney and Daphine Sowers. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, January 19, 2008, at Gardner Funeral Home Chapel, with the Reverend Graham Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow at Jacksonville Cemetery. Friends may call at Gardner Funeral Home on Friday after 10 a.m., where the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. The family expresses a special thank you to Avant? of Roanoke for all of the care and support given to Shirley during her stay there. Arrangements are being handled by Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd. on January 17, 2008.²

     Frances Pearl Conner was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on December 7, 1946 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4 She married Jackie Ray Sowers, son of James Andrew Sowers and Dorothy Marie Hatcher, on June 5, 1965 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,8,4,2 As of June 5, 1965,her married name was Sowers. Frances Pearl Conner died on October 12, 2014 at Virginia at age 67.² She Frances Pearl Conner Sowers, 67, of Roanoke, passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackie R. Sowers, Sr; daughter, Sherry Elaine Sowers; mother and father, Willie Sisson Conner and John Cledys Conner; brother, Kenneth Conner; mother-in-law, Dorothy Sowers; Father-in-law, James Sowers; special cousin, Doris Conner; and special friend, William Robertson. Frances is survived by her son, Jackie and wife, Vicki and their children, Camden and Cole of Fredericksburg, Va; daughter, Teresa and husband, Mike and their children, Devin and Madison of Cloverdale, Va; daughter, Lisa of Glen Allen, Va; brother, Earl Conner and wife, Carol, of Roanoke, Va; sister-in-law, Barbara Conner; sister-in-law, Lois Hartman and husband, Herman; brothers-in-law, Russell Sowers and wife, Sharon, Bill Sowers and wife, Jeanette, Roger Sowers and wife, Laura; and many special nieces and nephews. She attended Garden City Baptist Church and worked at ITT Exelius, where she had many friends. Prior to her position at ITT, she was well known as a caregiver to numerous children who kept in touch with her throughout her life. Interment will follow at Red Oak Grove Cemetery in Floyd, VA. on October 14, 2014.²

     Charles Arthur Peters was buried at Head of the River Cemetery (also known as Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery), Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on February 24, 1883 at Franklin Co., Virginia; His WWI Draft Registration card has a birth date of Feb 24, 1882.^4,1,2,3 He married Arizona A. Turner on December 30, 1909 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 Charles Arthur Peters died on August 7, 1951 at age 68; The Iddings book has a death date of Aug 7, 1952.^4,1

     Her Social Security Number was 225-48-4212.⁴ Arizona A. Turner was buried at Head of the River Cemetery (also known as Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery), Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,3 She was born on June 12, 1891 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,1,4,2 She married Charles Arthur Peters on December 30, 1909 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 As of December 30, 1909,her married name was Peters.² Arizona A. Turner died on January 14, 1982 at Radford, Virginia, at age 90.^5,1,3 She FLOYD -- Mrs. Arizona Turner Peters, age 90, died Thursday night, January 14, 1982, in a Radford hospital. Surviving are six daughters, Mrs. Eva Sweeney, Mrs. Ocie Rakes, Mrs. Taz (Bivie) Yearout, Mrs. Cecil (Esther) Nolen, Mrs. Posey (Peggy) Harris, all of Floyd, Mrs. Jimmy (Alice) Page of Roanoke; five sons, Ellett Peters, Harrington, Wash., Herman Peters, Stockton, Calif., Ford Peters, Ray Peters, both of Floyd, Jack Peters, Baltimore, Md; one sister, Mrs. Laura Trail of Floyd; one brother, Morton Turner, Floyd; 36 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral was January 16 at Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Amos Hash and Rev. Donald Clay officiating with interment in the Salem Church Cemetery, Copper Hill. on January 21, 1982.³

     Jackie Ray Sowers was buried at Red Oak Grove Cemetery, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 He was born on September 2, 1942 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3 He married Frances Pearl Conner, daughter of John Cledys Conner and Willie Oliver Sisson, on June 5, 1965 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,5 Jackie Ray Sowers died on May 21, 1988 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 45.^2,3 He Jackie Ray Sowers, age 45, a native of Floyd, died in a Roanoke hospital Saturday, May 21, 1988. Surviving are: his wife, Frances Conner Sowers; one son, Jackie Ray Sowers, Jr; two daughters, Teresa Ann Sowers, Lisa Marie Sowers, all of Roanoke; his mother, Dorothy Hatcher Sowers; and one sister, Lois S. Hartman, both of Roanoke; three brothers, William "Bill" Sowers, Longwood, Fla., Roger Sowers, Stafford, Russell Sowers, Roanoke. Internment in the Church cemetery. on May 23, 1988.²

     Nelda Sue Spence Nelda Sue Sweeney, 90 of Roanoke VA, passed away on Thursday, February 27th, 2025. Nelda was born on September 15, 1934 in Willis, VA; the daughter of the late Howard and Guida Spence. Nelda graduated from Willis High School. She worked as a retail clothing buyer with Belk before attending nursing school. She spent her career working for RJ Reynolds hospital, the Department of Health and in home health care. Nelda was an avid gardener, her flower arrangements were featured in the local newspaper. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, singing gospel music, attending church, traveling, and dancing at the Floyd Country Store. She was a lifelong member at New Haven Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her son, Frank Ward Sweeney, Jr; grandson, Corey Scott Sweeney; brothers, Billy Wayne Spence and Howard Spence Jr; and sister, Colleen Hutchens. Nelda is survived by granddaughter, Ashley S. Carr (Geremy), Floyd VA; grandson, Lee M. Sweeney, Roanoke, VA; daughter-in-law, Donna Sweeney, Floyd VA; and great-grandchildren, Jaden, Cameron and Mason. Interment will follow in the Jacksonville Cemetery.² She was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on September 13, 1934 at Willis, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 She married Frank Ward "Sonny" Sweeney Sr., son of Claude Swanson Sweeney and Eva Lena Peters, on July 28, 1954 at South Carolina.⁴ As of July 28, 1954,her married name was Sweeney.⁴ Nelda Sue Spence and Frank Ward "Sonny" Sweeney Sr. were divorced on January 4, 1991 at Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ Nelda Sue Spence died on February 27, 2025 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 90.²

     Frank Ward "Frankie" Sweeney Jr. was buried at Jacksonville Burial Ground, Rt. 8, 0.25 miles south of Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,8 His Social Security Number was 223-84-5157.⁹ He was born on September 2, 1955 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,10,9,8,5,4 He married Shelia Sue DeHart on November 10, 1982 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ Frank Ward "Frankie" Sweeney Jr. and Shelia Sue DeHart were divorced on March 15, 1984 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹⁰ Frank Ward "Frankie" Sweeney Jr. married Nellie Ann Kincaid on April 8, 1984 at Indian Valley, Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ Frank Ward "Frankie" Sweeney Jr. and Nellie Ann Kincaid were divorced on November 18, 1985 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^11,10 Frank Ward "Frankie" Sweeney Jr. married Donna Marie Lemons on December 31, 1985 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹ Frank Ward "Frankie" Sweeney Jr. died on January 13, 2006 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 50.^2,9,8,6 He Frank Ward (Frankie) Sweeney, Jr., 50, of Floyd, passed away Friday, January 13, 2006. He was preceded in death by his son, Corey Scott Sweeney. He is survived by his wife, Donna L. Sweeney of Floyd; daughter, Ashley Shay Sweeney of Floyd; sons, Lee Michael Sweeney of Floyd, Charles Kincaid of Blacksburg; father, Frank W. (Sonny) Sweeney and wife Mary of Roanoke; mother, Nelda S. Sweeney of Floyd. Interment will follow at Jacksonville Cemetery. on January 15, 2006.²

     Madeline Dawn Sweeney Madeline Sweeney Shortt, 89 of Floyd, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, August 12, 2018. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Shortt, Sr., sister, Christine Moore and great-granddaughter, Caliana Rose Moody. Madeline was a founder and lifelong member of the Little River Baptist Church. She served her church as a choir director and also served as a Sunday school teacher. She was a great cook and loved gospel music as well as blue grass too. She spent her Friday nights with Hubert at the Floyd Jamboree. She will always be remembered for her sweet smile. She is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Jack Shortt, Jr. and Judy, Gene Dale Shortt and Peggy, Mark Shortt; daughters and son-in-law, Carolyn Shortt, Brenda Moody and Jim; brothers, Sonny Sweeney, Elwood Sweeney; grandchildren, John James, Kim Caldwell (Paul), Tara Pagan (Gamiel), Sarah VanDyke (Justin), Chad Moody (Sara), Krissy Davis (Jason);great-grandchildren, Brandon James, Mason James, Abbie Caldwell, Leah Pagan, Logan Pagan, Isabella Moody, Jazlyn Moody, Scarlett Moody, Paxon Moody, Saber Moody, Meadow Davis, River Davis; special friend, Hubert Harman. Interment to follow in the County Line Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, 7 West Cardiac Care, for their care and compassion.⁷ She was buried at County Line Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 1.4 miles down Rt. 635 from Blue Ridge Parkway, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁷ She was born on June 12, 1929 at Norristown, Montgomery Co., Pennsylvania.^1,3 She married Jack Lee Shortt Sr., son of Amos Benjamin Shortt and Callie G. Barton, on August 15, 1947 at Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,8,3,5,7 As of August 15, 1947,her married name was Shortt. Madeline Dawn Sweeney died on August 12, 2018 at Virginia at age 89.⁷

     His Social Security Number was 229-24-4815.⁶ Jack Lee Shortt Sr. was buried at County Line Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, 1.4 miles down Rt. 635 from Blue Ridge Parkway, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,7 He was born on January 24, 1923 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,6,2 He married Madeline Dawn Sweeney, daughter of Claude Swanson Sweeney and Eva Lena Peters, on August 15, 1947 at Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,1,8,9,10 Jack Lee Shortt Sr. died on February 8, 1994 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 71.^1,7,6,3 He SHORTT, Jack Lee Sr., 71, of Floyd, died Tuesday, February 8, 1994 at a Roanoke hospital. He was a veteran of World War II and a retired employee of Radford Army Ammunition Plant with 32 years of service. Surviving are his wife, Madeline Sweeney Shortt of Floyd; two daughters and a son-in-law, Carolyn Shortt of Charlotte, N.C., Brenda and Jim Moody of Monroe, N.C; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jack Lee Jr. and Judy Shortt, Gene Dale and Peggy Shortt, all of Roanoke, Mark Shortt of Floyd; six grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Marjorie Shortt of Floyd. Funeral will be Friday 11 a.m. at Wood Funeral Home with the Rev. Ted Turman and Mr. Doug Sweeney officiating with burial in the County Line Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Floyd Rescue Squad or Floyd Fire Department. Graveside services by Floyd Lodge #202 Independent Order of Oddfellows. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Wood Funeral Home. on February 10, 1994.¹