Person Page - 724

     Allen David Richards was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia; His tombstone reads "VA Tec 4 HQ Co Island Comd WWII."^1,2,5,6 He was born on September 30, 1914 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4,5,6 He married Betty Jo Hedrick on July 17, 1942 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.³ Allen David Richards and Betty Jo Hedrick were divorced before October, 1947.⁸ Allen David Richards married Edna Mae Thomas, daughter of Luther Martin Thomas and Betty Gearheart, on October 10, 1947 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,7,8 Allen David Richards and Edna Mae Thomas were divorced on June 7, 1956 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁷ Allen David Richards died on March 11, 1957 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 42.^1,2,5,6

     Edna Mae Thomas was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Bedford, Bedford Co., Virginia.⁷ She Edna Mae Thomas Reese, 87, of Lynchburg, and formerly of Bedford, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. She was born on Wednesday, September 29, 1926 in Christiansburg, a daughter of the late Luther E. Thomas and Betty Gearhart Thomas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, James Anderson Reese. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and worked at Vista Foods. Surviving are her daughter, Carol Reese Jones and fiance, Paul Caruso of Lynchburg; her two grandsons, Christopher Paul Jones of Lynchburg and Timothy Wayne Orange and wife, Katie, of Thaxton; and a brother, Edgar "Bud" Thomas of Christiansburg. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. from the Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with Rev. Vernon Delong and Rev. Wessley Patterson officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.⁷ She was born on September 29, 1926 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,4,6,7 She married Allen David Richards, son of Charles Lee Richards and Lucy Alice Akers, on October 10, 1947 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,4,5 As of October 10, 1947,her married name was Richards. Edna Mae Thomas and Allen David Richards were divorced on June 7, 1956 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁴ Edna Mae Thomas died on February 25, 2014 at Lynchburg, Virginia, at age 87.⁷

     Betty Gearheart was buried at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 2880 North Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.¹ She was born circa 1903.¹ She married Luther Martin Thomas on November 25, 1925 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.² As of November 25, 1925,her married name was Thomas.² Betty Gearheart died on November 25, 1995 at Bedford Co., Virginia.¹ She THOMAS, Betty Gearheart, 92, of Christiansburg, died Saturday, November 25, 1995 in a Bedford health care center. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Edna and James Reese of Bedford; a son and daughter-in-law, Bud and Kathleen Thomas, Christiansburg; four sisters, Mary Alderman, Flossie Aliff both of Christiasnburg, Lula Taylor, Council Bluffs, Iowa and Princess Chandler of Shawsville; nine grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 10 gre at-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday from the Richardson-Horne Funeral Chapel with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Arrangements by Richardson-Horne on November 27, 1995.¹

     Her Social Security Number was 228-76-0594.⁵ Sharon Kaye Richards married Edward Allen Bowyer Sr.¹ Her married name was Bowyer. Sharon Kaye Richards was born on October 5, 1949 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,3,2,5 As of October 9, 1971,her married name was Orange.² She married Herbert Wellington Orange Jr. on October 9, 1971 at Thaxton, Bedford Co., Virginia.² Sharon Kaye Richards and Herbert Wellington Orange Jr. were divorced on February 24, 1987 at Bedford Co., Virginia.⁴ Sharon Kaye Richards died on May 17, 2004 at Bedford Co., Virginia, at age 54.^5,6

     Herbert Wellington Orange Jr. was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Bedford, Bedford Co., Virginia.⁶ His Social Security Number was 227-40-6199.⁷ He Herbert Wellington Orange, Jr., 74, of Bedford died Friday, October 15, 2010 at the Summit Health and Rehab of Lynchburg. Born in Bedford, Virginia on December 12, 1935, a son of the late Herbert Wellington Orange, Sr. and Tina Carter Orange. In addition to his parents Herbert was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Ruff and a brother, Russell Orange. Herbert was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Bedford. He loved to read and study his bible, watch western movies and spending time outdoors. He is survived by two sons, Tony R Orange and his wife, Toni of Lynchburg and Timothy W Orange and his wife, Katie of Thaxton; one daughter, Dana R. Orange of Bedford; five grandchildren, Heather Stoehr and her husband, Clint, Michael Watts, Jr. and his wife, Sarah, Jason Orange, Dustin Orange and Zachary Orange; two sisters, Betty Jean Robertson and Relia Ann Padgett and her husband, Doug; a half brother, Donnie Orange and his wife, Lynn; a special friend, Martha Leonard; also numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.⁴ He was born on December 12, 1935 at Bedford, Bedford Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,7,4,6 He married Sharon Kaye Richards, daughter of Allen David Richards and Edna Mae Thomas, on October 9, 1971 at Thaxton, Bedford Co., Virginia.¹ Herbert Wellington Orange Jr. and Sharon Kaye Richards were divorced on February 24, 1987 at Bedford Co., Virginia.³ Herbert Wellington Orange Jr. died on October 15, 2010 at Lynchburg, Virginia, at age 74.^7,5,4,6

     Ethel Louise Richards was buried at Sunset Cemetery, 501 South Franklin Street, Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^6,3 Her Social Security Number was 233-20-3390.⁷ She married William Ward.³ Her married name was Ward.³ Ethel Louise Richards was born on August 21, 1912 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^7,2,3,4 As of December 22, 1929,her married name was Stewart.⁸ She married Sparks Way Stewart on December 22, 1929 at Winding Gulf, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.⁸ Ethel Louise Richards died on October 20, 1988 at New Market, Shenandoah Co., Virginia, at age 76.^7,3

     His Social Security Number was 228-30-6460.⁶ Charles Lee Stewart was born on February 28, 1933 at Beckley, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^1,6 He married Elizabeth Georgia Drumheller on July 5, 1952 at North Garden, Albemarle Co., Virginia.¹ Charles Lee Stewart died on January 24, 2000 at Rockingham Co., Virginia, at age 66.^6,2

     Eugene Edward Stewart married Vivian Dawn Abbott.^3,5 Eugene Edward Stewart was born on September 28, 1930 at Winding Gulf, Raleigh Co., West Virginia.^2,3 He married Susan Frye on March 25, 1988 at Shenandoah Co., Virginia.² Eugene Edward Stewart died on March 9, 2010 at Timberville, Rockingham Co., Virginia, at age 79.^6,3 He Eugene Edward (Mr. Gene) Stewart, 79, of Timberville, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at his home. He was born Sept. 28, 1930, at Winding Gulf, W.Va., and was a son of the late Sparks and Ethel Richards Stewart. Gene retired from the United States Air Force, where he was a staff sergeant and cryptologist. He was a faithful member of Wood's Chapel Independent Bible Church, north of New Market, where he served for many years as a deacon. He had previously resided in Bridgewater for many years. He was married twice. His first wife, Vivian Stewart, died in 1986. His second wife, Susan Stewart, survives. Besides his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Dawn Marie Woodrum and husband, John, of Mount Sidney; two stepchildren, Thomas Cassidy and wife, Susan, of Poway, Calif., and Ruth Cassidy Jones and husband, Nicholas, of Verona; a granddaughter, Hannah Rhea Woodrum; five stepgrandchildren, Sara and Maxwell Jones and Dylan, Aaron and Emma Cassidy; and a close friend, Danny McBride, of New Market. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, who raised him, Mrs. Lucy Richards, and two brothers, Charles and Larry Stewart. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Wood's Chapel Independent Bible Church. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the church with the pastor, Glen Turner, officiating and assisted by the Rev. Sam Frye and Pastor Donald Bradley. on March 11, 2010.³

     Nancy Jane Poole was buried at Thornspring Methodist Church Cemetery, Pulaski, Pulaski Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 She was born on April 30, 1904 at Carroll Co., Virginia.² She married Charles Lee Richards, son of William J. Richards and Melvina Catherine Epperly, on May 8, 1944.^1,2,3,4 As of May 8, 1944,her married name was Richards. Nancy Jane Poole died on January 16, 1953 at Pulaski, Pulaski Co., Virginia, at age 48.² She Mrs. Nancy Jane Richards, 48, died Friday morning at her home, 671 east Main street, after an extended illness. She is survived by her husband, Charles Lee Richards; one son, Charles Lee Richards, jr; four brothers, Sam Poole, of Austinville, Paul Poole, Tom Poole and Jim Poole, all of Pulaski; four sisters, Mrs. Mag Lambert, and Mrs. Bell Bonds, both of Friev, Mrs. Walt Gallimore, Austinville, and Mrs. Charles L. Henley, Pulaski. Funeral services will be held today at 2:30 p.m. from the Church of God with the Rev. J. L. Summers and the Rev. C. J. Peyton oficiating. Interment will follow in the Thornsprings cemetery. The body will remain at Thomas M. Seagle & Sons funeral home until one hour before services when it will be taken to the church to lie in state. Flowerbearers will be Mrs. Glen Carmany, Mrs. Clarence Henley, Mrs. Carl. Gallimore, Mrs. Morris Burton, Mrs. Calvin Hall, Mrs. Levi Jones, Mrs. Hassell Beverely, Mrs. Vernon Thornton, Mrs. C. R. Crouse, Mrs. Henry Clark, Mrs. Preston Jones and Miss Beulah Hawkins. Active pallbearers will include Preston Jones, James A. Jones, Robert S. Jones, Carl Gallimore, Johnnie Caramany and James Slusher. on January 18, 1953.³

     Charles Lee Richards Jr. Charles Lee Richards Jr. age 64, of Pulaski, passed away Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, at his home. Born March 13, 1947 in Pulaski he was the son of the late Charles Lee Richards Sr. and Nancy Poole Richards and was raised by the late Charles and Lou Henley. One brother, C.L. Henley, also preceded him in death. Charlie served in the U.S. Air Force and in the Vietnam War. He proudly served his country. He was involved with the Recreation Department for little league football and men's softball for many years. Surviving are his wife of 22 years, Kathy L. Richards of Pulaski; children, Steven Mark Richards, Matthew Scott Richards, Melissa Sue Richards, Michael Charles Richards, Angela Kathleen Richards and Kristin Renee' Richards; step-children, David Wayne Lawson and Michael Jackson Lawson; 17 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and two special friends, Trey & Alana Crowder. Funeral services will be held Monday, Nov. 14, at 11 a.m. at Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski, with Pastor Kenny Wyatt officiating. Interment will follow at Thornspring Cemetery, Pulaski, with military honors conducted by Pulaski V.F.W. Post 1184. The family will receive friends from Sunday, 5-7 p.m., at Bower Funeral Home, Pulaski. The family would like to thank Dr. John Boone and Dr. Tina Smusz, and nurses, Teresa, Sherri, Tammi and Vanessa Coake, with Carilion Hospice.³ He was buried at Thornspring Methodist Church Cemetery, Pulaski, Pulaski Co., Virginia.⁶ He was born on March 13, 1947 at Pulaski, Pulaski Co., Virginia.^7,3,4,5 He married Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Bogardus on December 4, 1966 at Sparta, Alleghany Co., North Carolina.^1,5 Charles Lee Richards Jr. and Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Bogardus were divorced on March 31, 1987 at Pulaski Co., Virginia.⁵ Charles Lee Richards Jr. married Kathy Louise Lawson on April 13, 1989 at Pulaski Co., Virginia.⁸ Charles Lee Richards Jr. died on November 10, 2011 at Pulaski, Pulaski Co., Virginia, at age 64.^3,7

     Ralph Edward Conner was buried at Barnett Cemetery, Rt. 637, on Sisson Farm in the middle of the dairy farm, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^10,1,11 His Social Security Number was 719-07-5930.¹² He was born on July 15, 1901 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^{4,10,12,13,11,3} He married Alpha Carnegia King, daughter of John Reuben King and Leititia Jane Wright, on April 8, 1921 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^4,13,2 Ralph Edward Conner died on October 25, 1991 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 90.^10,1,12,2 He Ralph Edward Conner, age 90, of Roanoke died Friday. He was retired from the N & W Railroad East End Shops with 45 years service. He is survived by his sons, Wilmer Conner, Shawsville; James and Howard Conner, both of Roanoke; Douglas R. Conner, Tennessee; daughters, Annie Lee Huffman, Buena Vista; Ruby May Gibson, Roanoke; brother, Ivan Conner, and sister, Gladys King, both of Shawsville; thirteen grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and one great-great-stepgrandchild. Graveside funeral ceremonies will be held at the Barnett Cemetery in Shawsville. on October 27, 1991.¹

     Ocie Ella Worrell was buried at Piedmont Cemetery, Rt. 11 to Shawsville, turn at nursing home, Rt. 637, about 8 miles on the left, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^3,5 She was born on October 13, 1914 at McDowell Co., West Virginia.^2,3,5 She married William B. "Bill" Conner, son of Omar Eldridge "Homer" Conner and Ettie Gay Conner, on January 15, 1932 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^6,2,3 As of January 15, 1932,her married name was Conner. Ocie Ella Worrell died on June 9, 1980 at Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 65.^3,5,7 She Ocie Worrell Conner, 94, of Shawsville, Va., passed away peacefully at home and went to be with the Lord on June 24, 2009. She was born in McDowell County, W.Va., on October 13, 1914, to the late Rev. George Charles Worrell and Eura Spangler Worrell. She was preceded in death by her husband, William B. Conner; daughter, Sylvia J. Wyatt; and son, Joseph O. Conner. Ocie was a woman of great strength and character. She always put the needs and comfort of others above herself and was dearly loved by her family and friends. Ocie was also preceded in death by 10 siblings and survived by sisters, Ethel McPeak, Mildred Barnett, Bessie Stevens, and Willie Marie Hill; and sister-in-law, Edna Worrell, all of Virginia, and Dorothy Keating, of Pipestem, W.Va. Ocie is survived by four children, Pauline Sutphin and husband Bill, Wesley Conner, Kathleen Gravell and husband, Bob, all of Shawsville, and Audrey Dickerson, of Bedford. She is also survived by 40 grandchildren; 30 greatgrandchildren; and 14 greatgreat-grandchildren. We wish to express our thanks to a special nephew, the Rev. J.P Hale; and two special nieces, Bonnie Cardwell and Evelyn Vest, for all their love and assistance during this time. The viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 27, 2009, at the Horne Funeral Home. The funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday in the Horne Funeral Home Chapel officiated by the the Rev. J.P. Hale. Interment to follow at Piedmont Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice, Christiansburg. The Conner family is in the care of Horne Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to www.hornefuneralservice.com. on June 26, 2009.³