Person Page - 981

     Rachel Ellen Taylor was buried at Restvale Cemetery, Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.² She was born on February 6, 1923 at Pulaski, Pulaski Co., Virginia.² She married Duard Murphy Poff, son of Hosea Ezekiel Poff and Minnie Lynnwood Hall, on July 8, 1944.^3,1,2,4 As of July 8, 1944,her married name was Poff.² Rachel Ellen Taylor died on January 16, 2007 at age 83.² She Rachel Ellen Taylor Poff, of Salem, our beloved mother, passed away on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. She was born on February 6, 1923 in Pulaski, Va., the daughter of James and Alice Katherine Hall Taylor. Her father predeceased her in 1980 and her mother in 1996. She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1942 and enjoyed attending all of her class reunions. After school she worked for the Hercules plant where she met her husband, D. Murphy Poff. They were married on July 8, 1944 and eventually settled in Copper Hill, Va. to raise their family. In 1966 they moved the family to Salem, Va., and Murphy passed away on February 2, 1971. After Murphy died she worked at several different jobs, among them the J J Newberry store and later at the Sportswear Mart. After retiring she cared for her mother until her death in 1996. Rachel spent her last 10 years living at the Ridgecrest Apartments where she was very happy and had many, many friends whom she dearly loved. She was a wonderful mother and will be sadly missed by her family that she was so proud of. She is survived by her sons, Don Poff and wife, Sharon of Salem, Joe Poff and wife, Luana of Salem and Terry Poff of Copper Hill; her daughter, Julie Duffy and husband, Mike of Salem. She also has five grandchildren, Brad Poff and wife, Beth, Monica Stevens and husband, Mike, Keri Chaney and husband, Mike, all of Salem, Heather Parisi and husband, Michael of Manassas and Jared Poff of Salem. She has six greatgrandchildren, Taylor and Braden Poff, Jack and Katie Stevens and Jakob and Landon Chaney. She is also survived by her sister, Katherine Morris of Dublin and her sister-in-law, Joy Taylor of Pulaski. Sadly she lost her brother James in 1977. She has very special friends, Carrie Chittum, who she enjoyed so much in her last years and Shirley Cooper who was such an inspiration to her. Rachel is also survived by many nieces and nephews and by many of her children's friends that she considered to be her children also. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and had many loving friends in her church family. Her family would like to thank Raleigh Court Nursing Center for their care of our precious Mama and the kindness to our family. They would also like to thank everyone for the calls, visits and cards during her illness. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January, 19, 2007 at 11:00 am at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home Chapel in Salem with the Rev. Brenda Rowe officiating. Interment will follow at Restvale Cemetery in Copper Hill. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 18, 2007 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. She was a very special lady and will never be forgotten. On-line condolences may be made at www.johnmoakey.com. on January 18, 2007.²

     Rebecca "Becky" Fisher married Albert Ray Sowder, son of John Albert Sowder and Levenia Ethel Palmer.¹ Her married name was Sowder.¹ Rebecca "Becky" Fisher was born on July 31, 1946.¹ She died on October 17, 2015 at Virginia at age 69.¹ She Rebecca Fisher Sowder, 69, of Roanoke, went home to be with the Lord Saturday October 17, 2015. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Ray Sowder. She was born July 31, 1946, to the late Benjamin and Mae Fisher. Mrs. Sowder graduated from William Byrd High School in 1964, and then Roanoke College 1968. She taught at William Byrd Middle School for 15 years and then decided to stay-at-home and be a full-time Mom. After her children grew up she worked as a real estate agent, working alongside her husband with his construction company, E.R.S. Builders, Inc. She will be dearly missed by her family. She leaves behind her beloved daughters, Emily Chernick and husband, Peter, Erin Sowder-Doole and husband, David; grandchildren, Skyler, Benjamin, Rebecca Lynne, William, Lillian, Raegan, Elizabeth; brother, Gary Fisher and wife, Holly; niece, Bentley Fisher; special cousin, Barbara Hannabass and husband, Frank. Per Mrs. Sowder's request, there will not be a service, but the family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Oakey's South Chapel. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Smiles Forever Animal Rescue on October 18, 2015.¹

     Dorothy Lane Gruber was born on September 20, 1922 at Pennsylvania.^1,2,3 She married James Thornton Prillaman, son of John Tyler Prillaman and Elvada Esther Conner, on November 3, 1941 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,1 As of November 3, 1941,her married name was Prillaman. Dorothy Lane Gruber died on October 12, 1980 at Palm Beach Co., Florida, at age 58.²

     Rosemary Lucille Woodson was buried at Old Dominion Memorial Gardens, 7271 Cloverdale Road, Cloverdale, Botetourt Co., Virginia.³ She was born on April 12, 1937 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3,4 She married Walter Thomas "Tom" Palmer Jr., son of Walter Thomas Palmer and Effie Esther Wood, on February 26, 1977 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3 As of February 26, 1977,her married name was Palmer.² Rosemary Lucille Woodson died on February 13, 2023 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 85.³ She Rosemary Lucille Woodson Palmer, 85, of Vinton, Virginia, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital while receiving comfort care following a stroke. The daughter of Robert and Mamie Powell Woodson, she was born the thirteenth of fourteen children in Roanoke, VA on April 12, 1937. She graduated from Jefferson High School. She took pride in her work at Old Dominion Candies, Fulton Trucks, and Advance Auto. While an employee at Fulton Trucks, she met her husband of 36 years, Tom Palmer. They built a home in the Stewartsville area and together enjoyed trips to Holden Beach, card games with friends, family reunions, Labor Day family weekends at Camp Bethel, and Wednesday night Bible studies at their church, Ninth Street Church of the Brethren, where Rosemary also enjoyed singing in the choir. She was a member of the Moose Lodge of Catawba and for years bowled in a women's league at Vinton Bowling Lanes. A highlight of her year was an annual shopping trip in Williamsburg with her sisters and nieces. Rosemary is survived by two sisters, Joyce Reed (Lester, deceased), and Janice Sink (Ron); one brother-in-law, Marvin Foster; and one sister-in-law, Lois Woodson. In addition, she is survived by a multitude of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews, friends, neighbors, and her special dog, Sandy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom Palmer; her parents; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Rennie, Andrew, John, Joe (Zelda), Carl (Janie), Fred, and Bobby; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Roberta Garst (Howard), Dorothy Jean Hartman (Tommy), Rachel Guthrie (Frank), and Shirley Foster. The family thanks the nursing staff of the stroke unit and the nurses and doctors on the comfort care floor at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, as well as Dr. Bonnie Culkin, Rosemary's trusted doctor of many years. Interment will follow in Old Dominion Memorial Gardens. on February 15, 2023.³

     Itlean Hinds was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² She was born in 1923 at Florence, Florence Co., South Carolina.^4,2 She married Noah David Gray, son of Noah Bernard Gray and Lillian Lossie Bower, circa 1945.^1,2 As of circa 1945,her married name was Gray.¹ Itlean Hinds died on June 17, 2014 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3 She Itlean Hinds Gray, 91, of Salem, passed away Tuesday, June 17, 2014. She was born in Florence, S.C., a daughter of the late Oliver James Hinds and Georgia Hines Hinds and had been an area resident most of her life. She retired from Verizon following many years of service and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Noah David Gray, who died in 2012. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Ruby Gray and Sadie Hinds, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at the Oaks Assisted Living at Richfield for the love, care and support that they have given to Itlean during the last two years. In keeping with Itlean's wishes, there will be no visitation. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Sherwood Memorial Park. The Rev. Ivey Adams will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to Bethel Baptist Church, 1601 South Colorado St. Salem, VA 24153. on June 20, 2014.²

     Her Social Security Number was 231-24-6478.⁴ Claudine Ruth Bradley was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ She was born on December 16, 1924 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,3 She married Earl Bernard Gray, son of Noah Bernard Gray and Beatrice Lee Stevens, on August 25, 1973 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2 As of August 25, 1973,her married name was Gray.² Claudine Ruth Bradley died on August 6, 2000 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 75.^1,4,5 She GRAY, Claudine Bradley, 75, of Salem, passed away Sunday, August 6, 2000. She was a long time member of Central United Methodist Church, Salem, where she taught Sunday school for 50 years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Stella Payne Bradley and her husband, Earl Bernard Gray. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Mickey L. and Jo Ann St. Clair; grandchildren, Shaun St. Clair and Melanie St. Clair; a great-grandchild, Phoenix St. Clair; and a brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Lillian Bradley. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2000 at 11 a.m. at John M. Oakey and Son Salem Funeral Home with the Rev. Ed Birch officiating. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 8, 2000 from 7 to 9 p.m. at John M. Oakey and Son Salem Funeral Home. on August 7, 2000.¹

     Wilma McNeese married James Thornton Prillaman, son of John Tyler Prillaman and Elvada Esther Conner.^1,2 Her Social Security Number was 266-07-4020.³ Wilma McNeese was buried at Restvale Cemetery, Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ Her married name was Prillaman. She was born on June 30, 1914.³ She died on December 30, 1999 at Florida at age 85.^3,1 She PRILLAMAN, Wilma M., 85, of Delray Beach, Florida and formerly of Floyd County, died Thursday, December 30, 1999. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Thornton Prillaman. Surviving is one sister, Laurabelle Brola; five nieces, Joanna Baynon, Leslie Craig, Laura McIntyre, Susan Cox, Charla Prillaman all of Delray Beach, Fla; four stepdaughters, Becky Prillaman and husband, Bert Pearce and their two children, Jana and Michael Pearce, all of Atlanta, Ga., Natalia Prillaman of Charlotte, N.C., Sandy and Susan Prillaman of Atlanta, Ga; sisters-in-law and husband, Jenny and Frank Carmack of Roanoke, Pauline Prillaman; brothers-in-law and wives, John and Peggy Prillaman of Quinton, Va., Donald and Jean Prillaman of Orlando, Fla. Funeral services in Delray Beach Tuesday, January 4, 2000 at First Baptist Church where she was an active and faithful member. Graveside services will be Friday, January 7, 2000 at 2 p.m. at Restvale Cemetery in Floyd County. Dr. F. Tupper Garden of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Delray Beach, Florida 33484. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel. on January 5, 2000.¹