Person Page - 705

     Nellie Ruth Wickham Nellie Childress Mullins, 87, of Salem, VA passed away Sunday, October 8, 2023. She was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by many family and friends. Nellie was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Christian Hezekiah Wickham and Louise Ella Conner and her first husband, Giles G. “Chilly” Childress, Jr; sisters, Virginia Marie Martin, Helen Christine Martin and Betty Jane Stanley; brothers, Christian Hezekiah Wickham, Jr. and James Wilburn Wickham. Nellie was a longtime member of the Rockingham Court United Methodist Church. “Nellie loved all her family, loved adventurous travel taking many vacation trips with them near and far over the years, including fishing trips to Nags Head, trips to the Grand Strand, SC, Tampa, FL, Hawaii, skiing Canaan Valley, WV, Whitewater Rafting the French Broad River, Asheville, NC, Paris, London, a Mediterranean Cruise, Puerto Rico, Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro” She is survived by her husband, William Edward “Eddie” Mullins; her daughter, Pamela T. Cofer (Robert) of Roanoke; her son, Giles G. “Terry” Childress, III (Katie) of Rock Hill, SC; step-daughters, Debbie Farrar (Steve) of Danville, Martha White of Moneta and Kristi Casey (Don) of Farragut, TN; and step-son, Roger Mullins of Roanoke; sisters, Anne Clark (Carlton) of Vinton and Mary Alice Smith of Nags Head, NC; grandchildren, Terri A. Cofer of Roanoke, Robert C. Cofer of Roanoke, Justin Childress of Charlotte, NC, Giles G. “Tad” Childress, IV (Melissa) of Fort Mill, SC, Hayden Childress (Andrea) of Brooklyn, NY, Jay Farrar (Kim) of Danville, Adam Farrar (Anna) of Danville, Ben Farrar (Janee) of Burlington, Dana Rife, David Rife, Daniel Casey, Patrick Casey, Emma Casey and Abigail Casey. A graveside service is planned at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.^9,8 She was buried at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road N. W., Roanoke, Virginia.⁸ She was born on July 3, 1936 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^3,10,4 As of March 18, 1955,her married name was Childress.³ She married Giles Gilmer "Chilly" Childress Jr. on March 18, 1955 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^11,3,8 Nellie Ruth Wickham and Giles Gilmer "Chilly" Childress Jr. were divorced on March 10, 1987 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ As of October 25, 2007,her married name was Mullins.³ Nellie Ruth Wickham married William Edward “Eddie” Mullins on October 25, 2007 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,6,8,3 Nellie Ruth Wickham died on October 8, 2023 at Virginia at age 87.⁸

     Donald Ray Conner was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^10,14 His Social Security Number was 235-52-2362.¹⁵ He was born on April 26, 1934 at McComas, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^9,10,15,4 He married Mildred Maxine King on December 5, 1953 at Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^9,10,2,3 Donald Ray Conner died on February 5, 2008 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia, at age 73.^10,15,4 He Donald R. Conner, 73, of Glenwood, died peacefully Tuesday, February 5, 2008, at Princeton Community Hospital. Born April 26, 1934, at McComas, he was the son of the late Gracie Ann Austin Conner and Doc Huff Conner. Mr. Conner served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and survived the Tet Offensive while stationed at Da Navy Air Base. He retired as TSGT and had received several decorations, medals and honors during his career. Following the service, he worked for 13 1/2 years for Overnite Transfer Company in Green Valley, retiring in 1989. He loved the Atlanta Braves even when they let him down. He attended the Fairview Community Church when his health permitted. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, John Cerbert Conner, Jackie Lee Conner, Garwood Conner and Roy Conner, along with sisters, Ocie Ann Conner, Hazel Davis and Mayda Williams. Left to cherish is memory, his devoted and loving wife of 54 years, Mildred King Conner. He will be deeply missed by his daughters, Donna and husband Galen Morris of Roanoke, Va., Deborah Hubbard Hood of Princeton, and Diana and husband Courtney Fiery of Bluefield, Va. His legacy includes three grandsons, three granddaughters, one great-grandson, and four great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his sister, Jean Belcher and husband Calvin of Garwood; brother, Randolph Conner and wife Faye of Bainbridge, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Maxine Conner of Lashmeet, and many nephews and nieces. His extended family, Dr. Chambers, Dr. Gabe, Dr. Patel and the many nurses and staff of Princeton Community Hospital, and Jason Rose, Michael King and James Wells. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Courthouse Road in Princeton. Serving as pallbearers will be Steven Morris, Glen Allen Hubbard Jr., Matthew Fiery, Gus Chaknes, Eric Crocker, and Jason Rose. Military graveside services will be conducted by the West Virginia Honor Guard Team. on February 8, 2008.¹⁰

     His Social Security Number was 223-38-5349.⁷ Giles Gilmer "Chilly" Childress Jr. was buried at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road N. W., Roanoke, Virginia.¹ He was born on February 24, 1931 at Roanoke, Virginia.^7,2,3,4,6 He married Nellie Ruth Wickham, daughter of Christian Hezekiah Wickham Sr. and Louise Ella Conner, on March 18, 1955 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,8 Giles Gilmer "Chilly" Childress Jr. and Nellie Ruth Wickham were divorced on March 10, 1987 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.³ Giles Gilmer "Chilly" Childress Jr. died on May 13, 2004 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 73.^1,7,5 He Giles Gilmer (Chilly) Childress, Jr., 73, of Roanoke, died Thursday, May 13, 2004. Chilly was a long-time employee of Skyline Door and Hardware, retiring as vice president in 2002. He was a perfectionist with respect to the quality of his work and to his customers. He attended Rockingham Court United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Roanoke Moose Lodge #284. Chilly was an avid fisherman and also enjoyed ballroom dancing. He truly appreciated nature, having enjoyed the many bird houses, squirrel feeders, landscaping and working with flowers in his yard and growing vegetables in his garden at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel Agee Childress and Giles Gilmer Childress, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nellie Wickham Childress; one daughter and son-in-law, Pamela C. and Robert E. Cofer of Roanoke; one son and daughter-in-law, Giles G. (Terry) Childress, III and Katie Childress of Rock Hill, South Carolina; five grandchildren, Terri Anne Cofer, Robert C. Cofer, Justin B. Childress, Giles G. (Tad) Childress, IV, and Hayden C. Childress; one brother and sister-in-law, Charles W. and Hazel Childress of Roanoke; five sisters-in-law, Marie Martin and her husband, Robert, Christine Martin, Betty Stanley and husband, Coy, Mary Alice Smith, and Anne Clark and husband, Carlton, all of Roanoke; a special family friend, Lonnie Pratt of Roanoke; and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends. Burial will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. on May 14, 2004.¹

     His Social Security Number was 231-05-5428.⁷ Leslie Myron "Pete" Eary Sr. was buried at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road N. W., Roanoke, Virginia.^1,5 He was born on June 28, 1920 at White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier Co., West Virginia.^7,3,5 He married Elva Ethel Wickham, daughter of James Wilburn Wickham and Ann Ethel "Annie" Martin, on November 14, 1998 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,4 Leslie Myron "Pete" Eary Sr. died on May 10, 2002 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 81.^1,7,5,6 He EARY, Leslie M. Sr., (Pete), 81, of Roanoke, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, May 10, 2002. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Helen Radford Eary; parents, George Leslie and Maude Dean Eary; a sister, Lorraine Huff; and a brother, Gary Eary. Mr. Eary was a member of the Copper Hill Church of the Brethren. Surviving are his wife, Elva W. Eary; sons, Leslie M. "Les" Eary, Jr. and wife, Dianne, David L. Eary and wife, Martha, all of Salem; grandchildren, Melissa Raines, Cherie Eary, Drew Eary, Adam Eary, Lauren Eary; great-grandchildren, Jonathan Eary and Sarah Raines; brother, Bill Eary and wife, Lois of Troutville; extended family, Tim Holt and wife, BeBe of Manassas, Gerald Holt and wife, Linda of Salem, Carol Perdue and husband Kerry of Roanoke; and many friends. For those preferring to make memorials, the family suggests Copper Hill Church of the Brethren, PO Box 67, Copper Hill, Va. 24079 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 554, Roanoke , Va. 24003. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2002 at Simpson-Tharp Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, by the Rev. James R. Worline. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Simpson-Tharp Funeral Home, 366-0707.
on May 12, 2002.¹

     Melvin Edward Wilson was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,4 He was born on March 24, 1942 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,4,6 He died on April 24, 1942 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,4

     Sandra Kay Franklin was buried at Henry Memorial Park, 8443 Virginia Avenue, Oak Level, Henry Co., Virginia.² Her Social Security Number was 227-66-9921.⁵ She was born on December 17, 1946 at Martinsville, Virginia.^1,5,2 She married Ronald Curtis "Ronnie" Graham on June 9, 1967 at Patrick Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 As of June 9, 1967,her married name was Graham. Sandra Kay Franklin died on August 30, 1975 at Martinsville, Virginia, at age 28.^1,2

     Her Social Security Number was 236-28-9869.⁹ Eva Arlene Kingrea was buried at Franklin Hills Memory Gardens, 5802 Elder Road, Canal Winchester, Franklin Co., Ohio.^3,10 She was born on February 1, 1920 at McComas, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,9,4,10,5 As of November 17, 1945,her married name was Ramsey.⁴ She married Arvel Ramsey on November 17, 1945 at Crane Creek, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,3,4 Eva Arlene Kingrea died on October 25, 2003 at Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio, at age 83.^9,3,10 She Eva Arlene Ramsey, age 83, went home to her Lord Saturday, October 25, 2003 at home. Attended Grace Memorial Church. Preceded in death by husband Arvel, her parents, sister Dana and brother Ronnie. Survived by son, Jimmy; daughters, Betty Jane (Cecil) Ray and Frances (Richard) Lackey, all of Columbus; grandchildren, Steven, Scotty, Frances, Amanda, Lonnie, Richard, and Eva; great-grandchildren, Nathan, Kayle and John; sister, Stella (Ralph) Blevins of California; brother, John (Norma) Kingrea of West Virginia; many nieces, nephews and friends. Interment Franklin Hills Memory Gardens. on October 27, 2003.³

     Robert Carlyle Perdue was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on April 21, 1925.² He died on April 26, 2013 at Virginia at age 88.¹ He Robert C. Perdue, 88, of Roanoke, slipped from this life in the early hours of April 26, 2013 and Heaven welcomed our wonderful husband, father and Pawpaw. Bob (you spell it the same way backwards and forwards), served in the US Navy and was a graduate of Roanoke College and VPI. He enjoyed a career as an Electrical Engineer and was proud to be the published Author of "The Gist of Life Ain't What it Was", a collection of original poetry. He will forever be remembered for his quick wit, his occasional opinion and his sometimes twisted sense of humor. He believed in justice and fair play, the Golden Rule and his country. Bob is predeceased by his parents, Oma and Nellie Perdue; his brothers, Fred, Oma Jr. and Billy Perdue; sisters, Francis King and Mary Snyder; grandson, Dale Poff. Those left to miss his big smile and good hugs are his wife, Prudia; his children, Linda Poff (Bob), Karen Switzer (Les); Bobby (Teresa), Chuck Carson (Becky) and his "adopted" daughter, Robynn Jaymes; grandchildren, Kevin, Jenny and Morgan, Laken and Lane Poff; Ashlynn Moore; Julia Switzer (Lynn Craven), Lyndsey, Sydney, Michaela and Malia; Dana King (Mike), Corina and Donata; Jennifer Gregg; Jessica (Shawn) Piescienski and Nicholas; CT Carson (Julie), Corey and Hannah; Carrie Altizer (Tim), Aiden and Alexis. Also surviving are his brothers and sisters, Ruth Gearheart, Betty Lancaster, Nancy Davis, Larry Perdue (Phyllis), Libby Perdue; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Drs. Steven Phillips and Timothy Bierne and their staffs for the love, support and care they gave to Bob and Prudia. A Celebration of Bob's Life will be held Monday, April 29, 2013, at 2 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel, with Pastor Horace Light officiating. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will welcome friends Sunday 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey's North Chapel. on April 28, 2013.¹

     Andrew Allen "Andy" Carper was buried at Woodland Cemetery, 3123 Indiana Avenue, Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina.³ He was born on October 15, 1878 at Fincastle, Botetourt Co., Virginia; His delayed birth certificate has Oct 7, 1878, his death certificate has a birth date of Oct 6, 1878 and his WWI Draft Card has a birth year of 1879.^2,3,8,4,5,6 He married Ida Adalene "Idie" Conner, daughter of John Haden Conner and Isabell Ellen Link, on December 31, 1902 at Roanoke, Virginia.^9,8,7 Andrew Allen "Andy" Carper died on February 18, 1944 at North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 65.^2,3

     Dale Lane Poff was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, 1300 Mountain View Road, Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on March 4, 1962 at Barksdale AFB, Bossier Parish, Louisiana.^3,2 He married Dawn Rebecca Scott on May 4, 1984 at Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3,2 Dale Lane Poff died on December 19, 2005 at Virginia at age 43.¹ He Dale Lane Poff, 43, of Botetourt County, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 19, 2005. Dale was an employee of V.D.O.T. for 20 years. He was an active member of the Colonial Baptist Church. He loved his church family and was very involved in the mission field having just returned from a mission trip to Africa. He enjoyed biking and going to the beach. Surviving are his wife of 21 years Dawn Scott Poff; daughters, Kaila L. and Kourtney L. Poff; father, Robert L. "Bob" Poff and his wife Linda of Salem; mother, Reba Gearhart Nance and her husband Thomas of Myrtle Beach, S.C; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sonny and Pat Scott of Blue Ridge; stepbrother and his wife, Kevin and Jenny Poff of Roanoke; sister-in-law, Dana Scott of Staunton; also are two nieces and one nephew. Funeral services will be at the Oakey's East Chapel 12 noon Tuesday, December 27, 2005 with Pastor John Dooley and Pastor Joel Wegner officiating. Interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton. The family will receive friends 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Oakey's East Chapel (Bonsack) 977-3909.
on December 24, 2005.¹

     Stella Frances Kingrea Stella Blevins, "Beloved Mrs. B" age 86, a resident of Oliver Springs, Tn, passed away, Saturday, June 20, 2015, at her home. Mrs. Blevins was born on February 3, 1929, in McComas, West Virginia. She has lived in this area for the past 9 years having lived most of her life in California. Stella was a retired Pre-School Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, and a lifetime member of the International Missionary Church in Reseda, Ca. Mrs. "B" was an avid reader, loved her gospel music, Gaither videos and her dogs. Her special soul and a nurturing spirit will now light the heavens. She was preceded in death by her parents: Eldridge Kingrea and Lucy Conner Kingrea; by her husband, Ralph W. Blevins; by one son, Michael R. Blevins; by one brother, Ronnie Kingrea, and by two sisters: Eva Ramsey and Dana Kingrea. Mrs. Blevins is survived by three children: Lea Ramsey and husband, Jack of Oliver Springs, Roger A. Blevins and wife, Rita of Pozzallo, Italy, and Peter R. Blevins of Oak Ridge; by grandchildren: Jeffery Blevins, Evelyne Blevins, and Katie Chinchak; by great-grandchildren: Erica Blevins, Josh Chinchak, and Dylan Chinchak and one great-great-granchild, Hannah. She is also survived by a brother John Kingrea and wife Norma, of Princeton, WV; by sisters-in-law, June Taylor of Las Vegas, NV, Shizu Work of Simi Valley, CA, and Bessie Kingrea of Beaver, OH. Also several nieces, nephews, and a host of special friends, relatives and loved ones are left to mourn her passing. Special mention is also made of her caretaker, Louise Laurence. Burial and graveside services will be held at Anderson Memorial Gardens.⁵ She was buried at Anderson Memorial Gardens, 640 Oliver Springs Highway, Clinton, Anderson Co., Tennessee.^5,9 She was born on February 3, 1929 at McComas, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,4,5 As of October 27, 1951,her married name was Blevins.⁴ She married Ralph Wilbur Blevins on October 27, 1951 at Wytheville, Wythe Co., Virginia.^1,3,4,5 Stella Frances Kingrea died on June 20, 2015 at Oliver Springs, Roane Co., Tennessee, at age 86.⁵