Person Page - 951

     His Social Security Number was 226-68-8894.⁷ Jerry Wesley Shilling was buried at Monte Vista Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 25 Wades Gap Road, Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.³ He was born on January 28, 1949 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^7,2,3,4 He married Margaret Teresa Edmonson on October 16, 1971 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ Jerry Wesley Shilling died on February 14, 1976 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 27.^7,3

     Her Social Security Number was 235-07-1305.⁶ Estelle Virginia "Stella" Link was buried at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Hoges Chapel, Giles Co., Virginia.² She married John Marvin "Bus" Thorn.² Her married name was Thorn. Estelle Virginia "Stella" Link was born on May 27, 1906 at Waiteville, Monroe Co., West Virginia; The SSDI has a birth date of May 25, 1906.^2,6 She died on October 1, 1993 at Rich Creek, Giles Co., Virginia, at age 87.^2,6 She PEARISBURG - THORN, Estelle Virginia, 87, of Pearisburg, died Friday, October 1, 1993, in a Rich Creek nursing home. Born in Waiteville, W.Va. on May 27, 1906, she was a daughter of the late Harve and Rosa Poff Link. She was the wife of the late John Marvin ("Bus") Thorn of Princeton, W.Va. Mrs. Thorn served her community as a nurse at Princeton Memorial Hospital and later for private physicians in St. Petersburg, Fla. She was preceded in death by a brother, Elsworth ("Pugie") Link and a beloved sister, Lillian Link. She is survived by several in-laws and a host of cousins and friends who loved her. Graveside services will be conducted Sunday, October 3, 1993, at the Mt. Lebanon Church Cemetery near Pembroke with the Rev. Jesse Kearns of the First Christian Church in Pearisburg officiating. Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke is in charge of arrangements. The Funeral Home will be open for visitation any time Sunday morning until service time. on October 3, 1993.²

     John Marvin "Bus" Thorn married Estelle Virginia "Stella" Link, daughter of Harve Benton Link and Rosa Lindabelle Poff.¹ His Social Security Number was 236-07-7255.² John Marvin "Bus" Thorn was buried at Oakwood Cemetery, Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ He was born on January 5, 1909 at Princeton, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,2,3 He died on February 22, 1984 at West Virginia at age 75.^2,3

     George Ellsworth "Pugie" Link was buried at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Hoges Chapel, Giles Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on February 25, 1909 at Mercer Co., West Virginia.^4,5 He died on April 8, 1955 at Flat Creek, Lancaster Co., South Carolina, at age 46; Died in an auto accident.^4,5

     Her Social Security Number was 226-92-7295.⁴ Toye Nettie Duncan was buried at Willis Cemetery (also known as Keith Cemetery), Rt. 221 at Rt. 764, Willis, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁵ She was born on July 21, 1898 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,4,2 She married Woodie Isaac Akers, son of William Charlton Akers and Mary Jane Alley, on March 26, 1922 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,5 As of March 26, 1922,her married name was Akers. Toye Nettie Duncan died on January 28, 1996 at Willis, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 97.^5,4,2 She AKERS, Toye Duncan, 97, of Willis, passed away Sunday, January 28, 1996 at the home of her daughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodie I. Akers. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Woody Clarence and Audrey Akers, Sarasota, Fla; two daughters and sons-in-law, Virginia Gertrude and James Martin, Muncie, Ind., Phyllis and Sherrell Poff, Willis; granddaughter, Vickie Poff Shelor, Floyd; grandson and wife, Eugene and Jenny Reed, Muncie, Ind; one stepgreat-granddaughter, Emily Kidd, Muncie, Ind; brother, Roscoe Duncan, Riner; sister, Lovell Akers, Riner. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roy Turpin officiating. Burial will follow in the Willis Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Maberry Funeral Home on January 30, 1996.⁵

     Woodie Isaac Akers was born on May 30, 1897 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,2,3 He married Toye Nettie Duncan on March 26, 1922 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,5 Woodie Isaac Akers died on April 16, 1967 at age 69.²

     Posey Leonard Southern Jr. married Ida Jean Rowland.¹ His Social Security Number was 226-34-7605.² Posey Leonard Southern Jr. was born on December 9, 1931.² He died in January, 1980 at age 48.²

     April Nicole Harris April Nichols, a devoted mother, loving wife and true servant of God, went home to be with her savior on May 10, 2026 at the age of 49. She was surrounded by the family she cherished the most, held in the love she so freely gave throughout her life. Born on September 18, 1976, April built a life rooted in unwavering faith, deep love and selfless giving. She was the cornerstone of her family creating a warm, welcoming home filled with laughter, grace and never-ending love. Her steadfast faith in the Lord guided her every step, giving purpose to her days through her work in physical therapy and her dedicated service to her community and church. April’s compassionate spirit, generous heart, and lasting contributions to the Floyd County Community and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will be felt for generations to come. Above all, April’s greatest joy was found in time spent with her family and her dear friends she considered family. She treasured countless camping trips, where she found peace in the beauty of God’s creation sitting by a crackling fire surround by those she loved most. She often said her “perfect day” was a simple one: gathered around a fire with her family, wrapped in love, laughter, and the blessings of togetherness. April had a rare gift for making people feel seen, valued and cared for, offering encouragement, laughter, and comfort in ways both big and small. April was preceded in death by her niece Kelsea Jade Nichols, and her grandparents: Sherman and Geneva Moran, Cleveland and Malinda Harris. Forever left to cherish her memory includes her best friend and beloved husband of 27 years Duane and their beautiful daughters Olivia Grace, Karlie Aliza [Matthew] and Ella Rose Marie. Her parents: John and Margaret Harris, Brother: Scott [Stephanie], Mother-in-Law: Arnetta Nichols, Brothers and Sisters in Law: Nila [Ricky] Poff, Pamela [Jonathan] Vest, Tuff [Angie] Nichols, Winky [Faith] Nichols, Rachel [Tray] Baker and Michelle [Adis] Mehmedovic. Nieces and nephews: Mason Poff, Shane Nichols, Tristan Vest, Shawn [Miah] Nichols, Dillon [Makayla] Harris, Amber Harris, Emma [Jesse] Bishop, Paxton Vest, Jared [Katie] Nichols, Jaden Paige Nichols, Winslet Vassar, Peyton Harris, Waylon Baker, Malachi & Hezekai Mehmedovic. Great Nieces and Nephews: Ivy Nichols, Stetson Bishop, John Carter Harris, Ezra Jo Nichols and Molly Bishop. Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. In addition to her family, April was deeply blessed with an extraordinary circle of friends, work family, and neighbors whose lives are forever changed by her love, kindness and unwavering presence. April’s passing leaves our world dimmer, and she will be missed beyond words. She was the calm in every storm, the steady in moments of chaos, and the one who always seemed to know exactly what to do and say. Every memory of her is filled with laughter, love, and the warmth of the best hugs in the world. Her presence was a gift, her love a comfort, and her absence will be deeply felt forever.⁴ She was born on September 18, 1976 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,3,4 She married Duane Nelson Nichols, son of John Nelson "Johnny" Nichols and Arnetta Jean Porterfield, on May 29, 1999 at Floyd, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4 As of May 29, 1999,her married name was Nichols. April Nicole Harris died on May 10, 2026 at Virginia at age 49.⁴

     Gratin Ashby Jones was buried at Norbeck Memorial Park, 16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney, Montgomery Co., Maryland.⁴ His Social Security Number was 224-24-3993.⁷ He was born on October 26, 1922 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^7,3,6,5,8 He married Betty Marie Sisson, daughter of Guy Learmond Sisson and Roxanne Mattie "Roxie" Simpson, on September 11, 1948 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3,9,5 Gratin Ashby Jones died on July 1, 2006 at Maryland at age 83.^7,3,8 He Gratin Ashby Jones, 83, of Olney died July 1, 2006. He was a resident of Maryland for 47 years. Born Oct. 26, 1922, in Roanoke, Va., he was the son of the late Clifton and Annie R. Painter Jones. He was the husband of Betty Sisson Jones for 57 years. Mr. Jones served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a member of the 157th Infantry in Company D. His unit liberated Dachau Concentration Camp, and he was awarded many medals for his contributions to the war effort, including a Bronze Star with oak leaves. He worked for Plumbing Local 490 in Roanoke and retired from the Washington, D.C., government as an inspector of engineering. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Veirs Mill Baptist Church. Survivors in addition to his wife include two daughters, Carolyn M. Tanner and husband John of Staffordsville, Va., and Sandra E. Mercer of Gettysburg, Pa; one sister, Rachel Anderson of Vinton, Va; three brothers, Clifton Jones and wife Arbutus of Roanoke, Dennis Jones and wife Ela of Moneta, Va., and Sam Strickler and wife Margaret of Blacksburg, Va; three sisters-in-law, Mildred Asbury of Lynchburg, Va., Francis Prentis of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Mary Sisson of Roanoke; one brother-in-law, Aubrey Chumney of Blackstone, Va; three grandsons and one great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. Two sisters, Ruby Farley of Bedford, Va., and Mildred Nichols of Roanoke, and one brother, Tracy Jones of Vinton, Va., preceded him in death. on July 12, 2006.³

     Jenna Marie Loving Jenna Loving Conner, 76, of Blue Ridge, passed away, Sunday, April 27, 2025 at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, George Edgar Loving, Sr. and Marquerite Elise Carter Loving and a brother, Dallas Loving. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Roy "Muff" Conner; daughter, Deana Bronson (Randy); son, Jeremy Conner; grandchildren, Jeb Bronson, Conner Bronson (Alisa), Hannah Smith (Trent); great grandson, Bronson Smith; great granddaughter to arrive in September; sister, Trudy McNew (Mac); brother, George Loving (Rita) and loved by many nieces and nephews. She was born in Roanoke, Virginia on April 11, 1949. She worked for The Roanoke Times in various positions for 46 years. She had a vibrant personality who always had a beautiful smile. She loved planting flowers and enjoyed bird watching especially hummingbirds and bluebirds. She was dedicated to her family and especially enjoyed "cookie bakes" with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews in their younger years.² She was born on April 11, 1949 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3 She married Roy Russell Conner, son of Robert Russell "Bobby" Conner Jr. and Martha Lou "Peggy" Bennett, on March 16, 1968 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2 As of March 16, 1968,her married name was Conner.¹ Jenna Marie Loving died on April 27, 2025 at Blue Ridge, Botetourt Co., Virginia, at age 76.²