Person Page - 758

     Hilda Margaret Ulmer married Winston William Poff, son of William Fleming "Willie" Poff and Hoover Jane King.^2,3 Hilda Margaret Ulmer was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,4 She Hilda Margaret Poff, April 15, 1919 - June 16, 2021. Hilda Margaret Poff, 102, of Copper Hill, Passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. She is preceded in death by her husband Winston and son Robert. She is survived by her two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A Graveside Service will be held at Restvale Cemetery.³ Her married name was Poff. She was born on April 15, 1919 at North Carolina.^3,4 She died on June 16, 2021 at Virginia at age 102.³

     Robert Fleming Poff was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁷ He Robert Fleming Poff, September 27, 1945 - April 08, 2020. Robert Fleming Poff, 74, of Copper Hill, VA. Passed away on Tuesday April 8,2020 at his home. Robert is survived by his mother, Hilda U. Poff; wife, Brenda Baker Poff; son, Robb Poff and daughter-in-law, Melissa S. Poff; daughter, Tracie M. Poff Burke and son-in-law, Steven Burke; grandchildren, Austin R. Poff, Megan E Poff, Mason W. Poff, and Allie M. Burke.⁴ He was born on September 27, 1945 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,4 He married Brenda Gail Baker on May 14, 1967 at Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^3,4 Robert Fleming Poff died on April 8, 2020 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 74.⁴

     Marie Ann Sowers was born on June 6, 1932 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,6,11 As of April 11, 1952,her married name was Vest.¹ She married Gratton W. Vest, son of Albert Washington Vest and Wilda Archester McNeil, on April 11, 1952 at Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^{1,12,2,3,4,11}

     Gratton W. Vest was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,16 His Social Security Number was 231-32-9809.¹⁷ He was born on November 4, 1930 at Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,6,17,16,8 He married Marie Ann Sowers, daughter of Dossie William Sowers Sr. and Erma "Emma" Conner, on April 11, 1952 at Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^{1,18,2,5,6,16} Gratton W. Vest died on October 3, 2007 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 76.^6,17,16,7 He Gratton W. Vest, 76, of Salem, Va. went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 3, 2007. He was born November 4, 1930 in Check, Va., to the late Albert Washington and Wilda McNeil Vest. He graduated from Check High School in May of 1948. His classmates will remember him for his awards of being voted the "biggest pest and best looking guy." He was a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church for many years where we learned he had a love of angels. He is a retired dispatcher from Wilson Trucking Company where he was employed for 24 years. He was better known for building homes in the Salem area and grooming several friends to learn the residential construction business. In total, he built over a 100 homes from 1960 until he retired from his company, Vest Construction, in 2005. He was a very devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He never stopped giving, never stopped helping, and never met a stranger. He spent the majority of his time studying the bible, playing solitaire, and watching the history and travel channel. He loved to hunt, fish, watch birds, and take long walks through the woods looking at nature and timber. He would take every opportunity to travel and see the world and did so on several occasions throughout the United States including Alaska and a trip to some of the Caribbean Islands. If you would take the time to slow down and sit with him, he would tell you of life experiences, the Bible, and his treasured memories. Most of his friends, family and business associates will always remember him for his sense of humor, guidance and his knowledge for building homes and a family. He was at peace with the world while standing on a bank catching fish. If you really knew Grat, you might even describe him as being "dumb as a fox." The sky will shine brighter tonight as you will see a bright "snickering" shining star in the sky. The birds will sing louder as they rejoice in heaven for his arrival. He will be greatly missed, but we will patiently wait for our paths to cross again as he waits for family and friends at heavens gate. The family would like to request if you have a story or special memory that you would share with the family, please mail to a family member. He was such a special man that we would like to have these special memories for keepsake so that we can reflect back on the great person that he was. After 55 years of marriage, he leaves behind a wife, Marie Ann Sowers Vest; three children, Becky Thomas of Salem, Debbie Feury Hakola and son-in-law, Henry Hakola of Shawsville and Janet Boxley and son-in-law, Watson Boxley of Cleveland, Ohio. Also, he leaves behind a special grand "son," Staff Sergeant Jesse Feury of Fayetteville, N.C. and special grand "daughter," Lindsay Thomas of Salem. Brothers and sisters that preceded him in death, Bonnie Vest Willis, brother-in-law, Roscoe Willis, Truman Vest and sister-in-law, Dorma Vest, Ruby Vest Foster, and brother-in-law, Clinton Foster, and Gerald Vest. He leaves behind a sister, Iva Vest Sowder; a brother, Hampton Vest; sister-in-law, Louise Dickerson Vest; along with several nieces, nephews; and several wonderful friends and business associates that Gratton cherished. We would also like to give special thanks to his very dear and special friends, Kenneth Duncan, Billy Pugh, DW Sowers (brother-in-law) and Cecil Waid for the many trips traveling back and forth to UVA for his doctor visits. Also special thanks to UVA, Dr. Yeaton, gastroenterology / endoscopy and Dr. Weiss, oncology / hematology. Many praises and thanks to Adventa Hospice and ResCare employees who enabled us to have him at home in his last days. Also, we want to extend a special thank you to the friends who touched Gratton's life, who are too numerous to list, along with his special "angel" who sang him to sleep. Sincerest thanks to Joyce and Richard Spencer who continued to support us through all the years. Interment will follow in Wilson Cemetery in Check, Va. on October 4, 2007.⁶

     His Social Security Number was 228-01-4967.⁵ Jesse Carl Foster was buried at Roselawn Burial Park, 103 Clearview Drive, Martinsville, Virginia.^3,4 He was born on May 13, 1906 at Virginia.^5,1,3,4 He married Beatrice Lura Poff, daughter of James Ira Poff and Lucy Gay King, on October 14, 1928.^1,3,4 Jesse Carl Foster died on April 17, 1974 at Martinsville, Virginia, at age 67.^1,3,4

     Frances Louise Foster was buried at Roselawn Burial Park, 103 Clearview Drive, Martinsville, Virginia.³ She was born on May 22, 1930 at Virginia.^1,3 She died on June 13, 1944 at age 14.^1,3