Person Page - 1203

     Stacy Holt was born circa 1838 at Floyd Co., Virginia.² She married Thomas Jack King, son of Henry D. King and Sarah Ann Bartlett, on March 30, 1857 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3,2 As of March 30, 1857,her married name was King.

     Infant King died on February 15, 1866 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on February 15, 1866 at Floyd Co., Virginia.¹

     Her Social Security Number was 226-40-1111.⁶ Betty Joyce Weeks was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,7 She was born on July 13, 1932 at Roanoke, Virginia.^6,2,3,4,7 As of December 15, 1951,her married name was Ferguson.⁴ She married Freddie Allen "Fred" Ferguson, son of Henry William Ferguson and Bertha A. Rminty King, on December 15, 1951 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,4,7,5 Betty Joyce Weeks died on November 1, 2003 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 71.^1,6,8,7 She Betty Ferguson, 71, of Roanoke, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2003. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Preacher Weeks and a sister, Frances Parker. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Freddie A. Ferguson; daughter, Vicky Caudle and husband, Steve; son, Tommy Ferguson and wife, Cathy; grandchildren, Stacy Pratter, Garry Pratter, Amber Caudle; brothers, Richard Weeks, Don Weeks. Interment will follow in Restvale Cemetery. on November 3, 2003.¹

     His Social Security Number was 226-01-0038.³ William Burnett Jones was born on April 7, 1888 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^3,2 He married Mary Silkie Yates, daughter of Ballard Smith Yates and Minnie Victoria Hall, circa 1915.^1,4,5 William Burnett Jones died on September 1, 1972 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 84.^3,5

     His Social Security Number was 227-36-4691.⁵ William Burnett Jones Jr. was born on November 21, 1917 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,1,5,2 He married Nellie Ruth Ridgeway on September 19, 1942 at Roanoke, Virginia.^4,2,6 William Burnett Jones Jr. died on June 12, 2004 at Montgomery Village, Montgomery Co., Maryland, at age 86.^5,2 He Dr. William Burnett Jones Jr., 86, of Montgomery Village, formerly of Scotia, N.Y., died June 12, 2004, at Montgomery Village Health Care Center after a long illness. Born Nov. 21, 1917 in Salem, Va., he was the son of William Burnett Sr. and Mary Yates Jones. He was the husband of Ruth Ridgway Jones for 61 years prior to her passing on Nov. 2, 2003. Jones earned a bachelor of science degree with distinction from Roanoke College in 1939, and a doctorate with highest honors in experimental nuclear physics from Cornell University in 1947. While attending Cornell, he did a sabbatical at the MIT Radiation Laboratory from 1943 to 1945 as part of the war effort during World War II. After graduating from Cornell, he moved to Schenectady, N.Y., to begin a 37-year career with General Electric, from 1948 to 1985. He became a noted expert in solid-state lasers. He authored more than 20 scientific publications, and had 10 patents to his credit. He received certificates of recognition from the War Manpower Commission in 1943 and the U.S. Office of Scientific Research and Development in 1946. He was a member of two honor societies, Sigma Xi and Phi Kappa Phi. Throughout his career with General Electric, he received numerous awards for meritorious service. His professional memberships included American Physical Society, Optical Society of America, and Association for the Advancement of Science. Jones was an avid golfer and a member of the Edison Club in Schenectady for decades. He is survived by two children, Walter Jones and his wife, Perlita, of Gaithersburg, and Richard Jones and his wife, Lesley Kantor, of Westford, Mass; and five grandchildren. Prayers for his repose were held at Simple Tribute Funeral Home in Silver Spring Thursday. In accordance with his wishes, he was cremated, and his ashes will be scattered in Salem, Va. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dr. William B. Jones to Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850. on June 29, 2004.²

     Her Social Security Number was 224-09-3474.⁶ Virginia Woodrow Obenchain was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,7 She was born on February 28, 1913 at Hollins, Roanoke Co., Virginia; The SSDI has a birth date of Feb 26, 1913.^6,3,4,5 As of April 4, 1942,her married name was Poff.³ She married Harvey Leonard "Buddy" Poff Jr., son of Harvey Leonard Poff and Tennessee Powell "Tennie" James, on April 4, 1942 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 Virginia Woodrow Obenchain died on January 11, 2001 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 87.^6,2,8 She POFF, Virginia O., 87, of Troutville, went to be with the Lord Thursday, January 11, 2001. Surviving are her husband, Harvey L. Poff Jr; daughter, Debbie J. Poff of Troutville; sons and daughters-in-law, Harvey L. Poff III and Mary Beth Poff of Wilmington, N. C., Charles L. (Tee Dee) and Gail J. Poff of Troutville, Douglas and Deborah Poff of Fincastle, Fred A. Poff of Bedford County; grandchildren, Harvey L. (Pete) Poff IV, Jill Poff, Holly Poff, Charles L. (Chuck) Poff II, David A. Poff, Alyson M. Poff, Brian Poff, Richard (Rick) Poff, Jason Poff; sister, Mae E. Obenchain of Roanoke; sisters-in-law, Geneva (Cotton) Brown of Portsmouth, Mary Lou McKinstry of South Bridge, Mass; a number of nieces. Interment will be in Sherwood Memorial Park. on January 13, 2001.²

     Virginia Claudine Poff was buried at Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia.^2,5 She was born on June 23, 1917 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,4 As of December 25, 1937,her married name was Spicer.³ She married Herbert Dabney Spicer on December 25, 1937 at Portsmouth, Virginia.^1,2,6,3 Virginia Claudine Poff died on January 21, 1997 at Portsmouth, Virginia, at age 79.² She Claudine Poff Spicer, 79, of Chesapeake, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1997, in a Portsmouth hospital. She was a native of Salem, Va., and the widow of Herbert D. Spicer. She is survived by a daughter, Lynn Spicer Scruggs of Chesapeake; two grandchildren, Wayne Elliott Scruggs and Michael Dabney Scruggs; and three great-grandchildren, James Elliott "Jes" Scruggs, Jacob Wayne Scruggs and Michael Dabney Scruggs Jr. A graveside service will be conducted in Olive Branch Cemetery. on January 22, 1997.²

     Herbert Dabney Spicer was buried at Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia.^2,4 His Social Security Number was 231-01-9004.⁵ He was born on November 15, 1909 at Louisa Co., Virginia.^5,2,3,6 He married Virginia Claudine Poff, daughter of Harvey Leonard Poff and Tennessee Powell "Tennie" James, on December 25, 1937 at Portsmouth, Virginia.^7,1,2,8 Herbert Dabney Spicer died on May 8, 1978 at Portsmouth, Virginia, at age 68.^5,2

     Ronald Arthur Walker Ronald Arthur Walker, 67, a retired general manager for an auto dealership, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997, in Cleburne. Graveside service was held in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Ronald Walker was born Nov. 30, 1929, in Fort Worth. His youth was spent growing up around a planing mill which was owned by his grandfather, Eura Hunt. Ronald enjoyed sports and especially playing football. After graduating from Paschal High School, Ronald joined the Navy. At that time, he developed the skills for his life's passion, flying. He became a very accomplished pilot and continued to fly extensively for many years after leaving the Navy. While stationed in Virginia, he met and dated the love of his life, Gladys Poff. He was so smitten with her memory he returned 10 years later to ask her to marry him. Ronald and Gladys (known to everyone as Jackie) returned to the Fort Worth area and began to raise a family of four children. Ronald began a career in automobile sales. During the Vietnam War he also owned the defense contracting company, Marine Components. In 1994, Ronald's health forced his retirement as general manager from a Pontiac dealership in East Texas. He and his wife, Jackie, had hoped to live out the rest of their lives in the historic Victorian home they had bought. After retirement, Ronald and Jackie moved to the Cleburne area to be closer to their children. Jackie unexpectedly passed away this summer. Ronald has joined her to be with the Lord. Ronald was a man who liked people and loved to share stories. He was known for his love of cars, airplanes and ham radios. A challenge or a difficult situation was an open invitation to him. His diligence and determination made him an extraordinary survivor. In contrast to his adventuresome side, one could not know Ron without knowing he was also a compassionate man who had almost no limit when it came to someone that he deemed to be in need. Survivors: Sons, David R. Walker of Cleburne and Phillip A. Arnn of Arlington; daughters, Melinda B. Walker of Carrollton and Ronna Walker of Anna; grandchildren, Jenny Verner of Anna and Sydnie J. Walker of Cleburne; son-in-law, Garry Verner of Anna; and daughters-in-law, Dianna C. Walker of Cleburne and Laurie Arnn of Arlington.² His Social Security Number was 462-38-4959.⁴ He was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 2301 N. Sylvania Avenue, Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas.^7,2 He was born on November 30, 1929 at Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., Texas.^{1,7,2,4,5,8,6} He married Gladys Powell "Jackie" Poff, daughter of Harvey Leonard Poff and Tennessee Powell "Tennie" James, on August 21, 1958 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,9,2 Ronald Arthur Walker and Gladys Powell "Jackie" Poff were divorced on April 27, 1976 at Dallas Co., Texas.¹⁰ Ronald Arthur Walker married Gladys Powell "Jackie" Poff, daughter of Harvey Leonard Poff and Tennessee Powell "Tennie" James, on April 5, 1990 at Tarrant Co., Texas.³ Ronald Arthur Walker died on October 9, 1997 at Cleburne, Johnson Co., Texas, at age 67.^{7,2,4,11,6,12}

     His Social Security Number was 225-22-5556.³ Warren Guy Brown was buried at Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia.^2,5 He was born on March 12, 1925 at Norfolk, Virginia.^2,3,4,5,6 He married Geneva Pearl "Cotton" Poff, daughter of Harvey Leonard Poff and Tennessee Powell "Tennie" James, on July 7, 1959 at Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., North Carolina.¹ Warren Guy Brown died on June 8, 1989 at Portsmouth, Virginia, at age 64.^2,3,5,7

     Ray Morgan McKinstry was buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Southbridge, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.³ His Social Security Number was 028-14-6017.⁴ He married Mary Lucille "Mary Lou" Poff, daughter of Harvey Leonard Poff and Tennessee Powell "Tennie" James.⁵ Ray Morgan McKinstry was born on August 6, 1923 at Worcester Co., Massachusetts.^2,6,4,7 He died on March 23, 1984 at Southbridge, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, at age 60.^6,7

     Douglas W. Poff Douglas Poff, Nov 3, 1950 - Feb 6, 2026. Douglas Poff, 75, of Roanoke, passed away Friday, February 6, 2026 at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey Leonard Poff, Jr. and Virginia Obenshain Poff; his wife, Deborah Lynn Meadows Poff and son, Jason Michael Poff. He is survived by two sons, Brian D. Poff and Richard (Rick) Poff and his wife, April; two grandsons, Tyler Poff and Aiden Poff; three brothers, Harvey L. (Bucky) Poff, III, Charles L. (Tee Dee) Poff, Frederick A. "Fred" Poff; one sister, Debbie J. Poff along with several nieces and nephews.⁴ He was born on November 3, 1950.⁴ He married Deborah Lynn Meadows in 1968.^5,4 Douglas W. Poff died on February 6, 2026 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 75.⁴

     Deborah Lynn Meadows was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3 She Eulogy for Deborah Lynn Meadows Poff, Jun 11, 1950 - Aug 15, 2008. Deborah Lynn Meadows Poff was a beloved wife to Doug, a treasured mother to Brian, Rick and Jason; a respectful daughter to Freeman and Eva; a caring sister to Mike, Cathy and Joey; a dear aunt, niece, sister-in-law, cousin, true and loyal friend to many here today. She is preceded in death by her father, Freeman Meadows, and by her grandparents, Walter and Gladys Martin and Roy and Glenna Meadows. Deborah was born in the Jefferson Hospital in Roanoke in the late afternoon of June 11, 1950, the eldest child of Freeman Meadows and Eva Martin Meadows. She passed away on the afternoon of August 15, 2008 after a lengthy illness. Deborah lived a good life, well liked by everyone who knew her. Today we honor her memory and celebrate her life. Her family would like to express their gratitude to everyone for coming here today. Thank you also for all the acts of kindness shown. A special thanks to the staff of Woodhaven Nursing Home, where Deborah spent the last days of her life, for the care and concern shown her. I have asked members of her family and friends to share some of their fondest memories of Deborah. When Deborah was very young, she was quite a handful. Eva remembers her running away and hiding from her in the barn under the cows when she was just 2-3 years old. Several “switches” later, she finally stopped doing that. All of us who knew her then remember her stubborn streak and temper tantrums. I remember her hitting her head on the floor whenever she was mad, and crying and holding her breath until her lips turned blue when she was a very young child. However, all of this changed when she grew up a bit. Deborah turned into a wonderful child, very calm and collected. She was very sweet, modest and proper. She never cared much for make-up and seldom wore any at all. Maybe that is why her skin was so very smooth and “satiny”. As you can see from the video pictures, she was quite a beauty. She had lovely dark hair and even as her hair peppered with age, she was still beautiful. Deb was very intelligent. She read profusely, always keeping a book in her hand when she was in school. I remember talking to one of her elementary teachers who told me that she had read nearly every book in the Troutville Elementary Library. The teacher said she had a difficult time finding a book for her that she hadn’t already read. Deb would take her own children to the library, and they would check out a children’s book or two. But Deb would check out an armful of books. She would return them all the next week, having read most of them or deciding she did not like the rest. When Eva asked her what she wanted for her last birthday just two months ago, Deb replied that she wanted a book. So, that’s what Eva gave her. I remember when she first became ill, one thing she said she missed the most was her ability to read. The words and lines just seemed to run together, and that frustrated her more than anything did. She had lost her favorite pastime. Jason remembers about ten years ago when he happened to meet her coming out of the library. She hardly recognized him, and didn’t have any books checked out because she could no longer read. That’s when he realized how ill she really was. Deb’s intellect was obvious in her high school years as she graduated in 1968 from Lord Botetourt High School as an honor student. She made all A’s except in math, a subject she did not like. She was an excellent typist and landed her first job at Allstate Insurance as a typist in the claims department at the young age of 18. Deborah was always very quiet, but keenly interested in what you said to her. She could carry on a great conversation, but never bragged or boasted about herself. She had a great memory and was trusted by her father to help him with various legal/financial matters until her disease prohibited her from doing so. Doug also depended upon Deb to handle the bill paying and other family business matters because she was very good at that. The boys said that she spoiled them by handling situations for them, but that was her nature- to be helpful to everyone, especially her family. During her high school years, she was very conscientious. She worked hard to make good grades, but also did a lot of babysitting. One year, she babysat all summer to earn enough money to buy an Aigner pocketbook. She even had some money left over for some school clothes. She always was nicely dressed, although she seldom shopped. She was content with hand-me-downs and did not spend much money on herself. But she always made sure her boys were clean and nicely dressed, sacrificing her own needs for theirs. She sewed many of her own clothes and even sewed clothes for the boys. During her high school years, she fell in love with a “younger man”. She and Doug were married in November, 1968. She was 18 and he only 17. Had she lived until November, they would have been married for 40 years- not your typical teenage marriage and certainly not what everyone expected. They lived with Doug’s parents in what Doug’s father called “the shack” until they moved into an apartment. Later, they purchased a trailer in which they lived for about 8 years. During this time, they had three sons, Brian, Rick and Jason. Can you imagine living in a small trailer with three little boys? Deb spent the best years of her life being a devoted wife to Doug and mother to her “babies.” She always loved babies- of any kind- human or animal. Her most recent baby was “Meggie,” her dog whom she treated like one of her children. She was a strict, but fair disciplinarian. When Doug was out of town, she had to correct the boys. But her children obeyed her, respected her, and remembered her famous words, “Wait until your Daddy gets home.” Doug and Deb purchased their first house in Botetourt East when the boys were very young. They recall moving from the trailer to their first house- thrilled to have so much more room. Later, they built a dream home in Fincastle. All of us were sadden when the Fincastle home burned to the ground in 2006. What a heart-breaking event for the two of them. They lost everything- precious, irreplaceable keepsakes like things she had made, woodworking items from her father, and of course pictures of precious memories. Deborah spent many hours of her family life crocheting and doing various crafts. She was a perfectionist and created many beautiful things, giving them as gifts to her special family members and friends. She liked many different kinds of crafts, macramé, crochet, and sewing. She also loved doing crossword puzzles and was very proficient at them. She loved country music- the old kind- and the music seemed to calm her during her illness. She also developed into an expert cook and loved to fix good things for her family’s table. She cooked “down-home” food mostly, but also could make éclairs and pies. She always made chocolate pies for the boys and a lemon pie for herself. Joey remembers her making delicious homemade pizzas. Rick said she would make a big breakfast for special occasions like the first day of school. She did not work while the boys were very young, but to help make ends meet, she later worked at various jobs at Tweeds, at an insurance agency, and at First Union Bank. Jason remembers her studying big, thick manuals for her position at First Union. She had to study computer procedures as part of her training. And she really read those manuals. She had a very responsible job at the bank until her health failed, and she had to accept a lesser position. Deborah cultivated strong roots in her children and set good examples for them. Because she was a stay-at-home mom, she was able to do many things with the boys when they were young. She would volunteer at school, come to see special programs in which they participated, and of course attended all their games. Rick remembers her dressing up once as the Easter Bunny. He wasn’t quite sure it was she until she waved specially to him.
Deb was the typical mother, stressing over the boys learning to drive and other capers in which teenagers get involved. She never wanted them to cut the grass, she was afraid they might get hurt. So most of the time, she mowed the grass herself. She was very protective. All three sons said she went beyond the call of duty for their sake. Rick recalls her patiently typing all the info needed to install an early computer program onto the TV. She typed for hours, but something was wrong with the instructions because they could not get it to work. But Deb never got upset over that in spite of all she did to try to get it to work. She never complained about anything she had to do to help her loved ones or friends, especially Doug and the boys. It was about 10 years ago when Deborah began to have health problems. She hid her problems at first from the family. But, as she was driving to work one morning, she got lost on her routine commute to the bank. he panicked when she could not find her way. She had a few wrecks also, and everyone was afraid to let her drive anymore. So the family took turns driving her to work. She eventually had to resign her job and go on disability. She gradually lost the ability to read simple things like recipes and found it harder and harder to do regular household chores. Slowly, she lost control of her ability to maneuver around, couldn’t tell left from right, and could not dress or feed herself properly. Fortunately, she had a wonderful husband to care for her. Doug, we all appreciate your devotion to her, and the care you gave her not only while she was ill, but for the nearly 40 years you were married. Your sons and all of us know that she could have not been better cared for. It was obvious that you were devoted to each other. And no two people could have loved each other more.
When we think of Deborah, we tend to recall only the past few years. Our memory becomes clouded by the horrible circumstances that took away the old Deborah and left us sorrowing as we watched her decline into an individual we hardly knew anymore. We watched her become disoriented, delusional, paranoid, and forgetful. We grieved as she was unable to relate to us nor communicate with us any longer. We sorrowed as she had to be taken to the nursing home. We watched a beautiful lady in her 50’s turn into a helpless child, nothing like the person we used to know. But Doug stayed by her side through it all, never wavering in his care and concern for her. And so today, we remember the quiet, caring, sensitive, beautiful person she was. As her family and friends, we remember the young woman who was always pleasant to talk to and easy to love. We will remember her unselfish, understanding and giving nature. Each of you boys will forever miss calling her for the good advice she was always able to give. It will be hard to adjust to her not being just a phone call away. Deb was totally self-less where her family was concerned. That’s because she adored you and was so very proud of each of you. And, I know you will never forget the love she had for you. She lived an extraordinary life, respectfully and responsibly caring for her family. Deb worshiped her husband and sons. Doug, we know you will miss your soul mate, the love of your life. She took as much care of you as your did of her. She was devoted to you and to the boys, and each of you were as devoted to her. We grieve this loss with you and can only offer you comfort and support. When I asked Doug what he would remember most about her, he said, “How beautiful she was.” We all know her beauty went deep into her soul, causing her to be lovely to look at, but also lovely inside. Deborah Lynn Meadows Poff, we love you. We honor you as wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. We miss you, and a great void is now in our hearts as we try to handle your departure. But, we know today that you are at rest, not suffering, and free from the terrible pain of body and mind that beset the last years of your life. May God bless your husband, children, mother, and other family and friends today. And may our memories of you guide us, strengthen us, and encourage us to live our lives as graciously as you lived yours.⁴ Her Social Security Number was 226-74-2498.⁵ She was born on June 11, 1950 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,6,5 As of 1968,her married name was Poff.¹ She married Douglas W. Poff, son of Harvey Leonard "Buddy" Poff Jr. and Virginia Woodrow Obenchain, in 1968.^1,2 Deborah Lynn Meadows died on August 15, 2008 at Bedford Co., Virginia, at age 58.^1,5,7 She Deborah Lynn Meadows Poff, 58, of Troutville, passed away Friday, August 15, 2008. Deborah was born in Roanoke on June 11, 1950, a daughter of the late Freeman E. Meadows and Eva Corbett. Deborah was a 1968 graduate of Lord Botetourt High School. She was a homemaker who loved reading crafts and taking care of her family. She married Douglas Poff in 1968, a union of 39 years. Deborah leaves to cherish her memory her devoted and loving husband, Douglas Poff, of Troutville; her loving mother, Eva Corbett, of Troutville; three loving sons, Brian Poff, of Botetourt, Richard Poff and wife, April, of Salem, and Jason Poff and wife, Suzanne, of Salem. Also surviving are two brothers, Mike Meadows and wife, Esther, of Timberville, and Joey Meadows, of Troutville; a sister, Cathy George and husband, Randy, of Grantsville, Md; and numerous friends and family. Inurnment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. on August 18, 2008.¹

     Judy Elizabeth Byrd Judy Elizabeth Byrd, 65 of Roanoke, passed away Friday, December 25, 2020 at Salem Health & Rehab Center. She was born on Monday, April 18, 1955 in Roanoke, a daughter of the late William Charles Byrd and Elizabeth Irene Poff Byrd. She is survived by her brother, Gary Byrd & wife, Barbara. Graveside services will be held at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.⁴ She was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^6,4 She was born on April 18, 1955 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,6,4 She died on December 25, 2020 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 65.^6,4