Person Page - 766

     His Social Security Number was 231-32-9809.¹⁵ Gratton W. Vest was buried at Wilson Cemetery, Daniel's Run Road (Rt. 661), Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^6,16 He was born on November 4, 1930 at Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,6,15,16,8 He married Marie Ann Sowers, daughter of Dossie William Sowers Sr. and Erma "Emma" Conner, on April 11, 1952 at Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^{1,17,2,5,6,16} Gratton W. Vest died on October 3, 2007 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 76.^6,15,16,7 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

     Linwood Carl Foster was born on April 1, 1933.¹ He died on June 28, 1933.¹

     Coy Douglas Foster was buried at Roselawn Burial Park, 103 Clearview Drive, Martinsville, Virginia.^2,5 He was born on July 19, 1937 at Bassett, Henry Co., Virginia.^1,2 He married Peggy Anne Miles on June 8, 1963 at Bassett, Henry Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 Coy Douglas Foster died on July 12, 2001 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 63.² He FOSTER, Coy Douglas, 63, of 305 Colonial Hill Drive, Bassett, died Thursday, July 12, 2001, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Born July 19, 1937, in Bassett, he was a son of the late Jesse Carl Foster and Beatrice Lura Poff Foster. Also preceding him in death were his sister, Frances Louise Foster and a brother, Lynwood C. Foster. He retired from J.D. Bassett Mfg. Company after 40 years of service. He was a graduate of Bassett High School, a member of Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church, the VMI Keydet Club, was a former member of Bassett Kiwanis Club and Ducks Unlimited, and served in the Virginia National Guard. Surviving are his wife, Peggy Anne Miles Foster; daughter, Anne Foster Sebastian and son-in-law, Gregory Allen Sebastian of Burlington, N.C; son, Chad Douglas Foster and daughter-in-law, Susan Cosby Foster of Fairfax; granddaughter, Taylor Paige Sebastian of Burlington, N.C; and brother, Wildon C. Foster of Bassett. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Meredith officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Burial Park. The family will receive friends Friday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Bassett Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 408, Bassett, Va. 24055, American Heart Association, Attn: Memorial Gift Chairman, P.O. Box 524, Martinsville, Va. 24115, or American Diabetes Association, 1290 Seminole Trail, Suite 2, Charlottesville, Va. 22901. Arrangements are being handled by Collins Funeral Services, Bassett.
on July 13, 2001.²

     Almeda Vernice Wood was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, 199 Cemetery Street, Martinsville, Virginia.³ She was born on July 12, 1915 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,1,3 She married James Otha Poff, son of James Ira Poff and Lucy Gay King, on December 22, 1934 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4,3 As of December 22, 1934,her married name was Poff. Almeda Vernice Wood died on October 11, 1987 at Collinsville, Henry Co., Virginia, at age 72.^4,3

     Marvin Edward Poff was buried at Cresthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery, Bedford, Lawrence Co., Indiana.⁵ His Social Security Number was 041-30-0032.⁶ He was born on March 6, 1938 at Martinsville, Virginia.^6,3,5 He married Jeanette Sue Daughtery on November 30, 1968 at Washington, D.C..^1,5,7 Marvin Edward Poff died on March 14, 2010 at Kernersville, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 72.^2,6,5 He KERNERSVILLE - Marvin Edward Poff, 72, died Sunday March 14, 2010. A Memorial Mass will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Paul Dechant O.S.F.S. officiating. Interment will follow at a later time. A native of Martinsville, Virginia, he was the son of the late Almeda Vernice Wood and James Otha Poff. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeanette Sue Daughtery Poff. He served his country proudly in the United States Air Force from 1957 until 1961. Marvin was a member of the Hyattsville, Maryland Lion's Club in which he served as secretary. He was also in the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his daughter, Kimberly Icenhower and her husband, Tim of Kernersville; son, Stephen P. Poff; grandchildren Griffin, Bryson and Caiman; nephew, Jim Arnold and his wife, Brandy of Collinsville, VA, and their children: Jake, Maggie and Carson; and sisters, Janice Miller and her husband, Henry of Tazwell, VA, and Nancy Arnold and her husband, David of Elkin, NC. The family will receive friends at the Church from 5 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2010, until time for a Rosary to be prayed at 6 p.m. on March 20, 2010.²