Person Page - 1538

     James Melvin "Jim" Tabor Sr. was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, 1300 Mountain View Road, Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁵ His Social Security Number was 226-28-3057.⁶ He was born on December 1, 1926 at Roanoke, Virginia.^6,3,4 He married Christine Rosebud Gearheart, daughter of Emory Christian Gearheart and Alice Josephine "Jocie" Heath, on February 14, 1992 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,5,7 James Melvin "Jim" Tabor Sr. died on February 20, 2008 at Virginia at age 81.^6,5 He James M. Tabor Sr., 81, of Roanoke, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. He was a member of the Garden City Baptist Church and a United States Navy veteran of World War II. He was retired president of Weddle Plumbing. James is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Stanley Tabor; a sister, Helen Litchford; and a brother, William E. Tabor. Surviving are his wife, Christine Snead Tabor; sons, James M. Tabor Jr., of Roanoke, and Michael L. Tabor, of Hardy; daughters-in-law, Sandra Tabor, of Roanoke, and Shelley Tabor, of Hardy; grandchildren, Derrick, Jeff, Leanne, Michael and Zachary Tabor, Stacy and Alex Snead, Emily Link, Nikki and Kory Blevins and Kristen Moses; great-grandchildren, Darren and Bridget Tabor; sisters and brothers-in-law, Rosilee Clark, of Roanoke, Thelma and Karl Smith, of Vinton, Dessie and Emory Stump, of Goodview; stepson and daughter-in-law, Thomas Gary and Cheryl Snead, of Hardy; and stepdaughter and son-in-law, Tondra and Douglas Blevins, of Concord, N.C. Interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton. on February 23, 2008.⁵

     His Social Security Number was 228-05-7918.⁶ Howard William Snead was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,5,7 He was born on March 3, 1918 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^6,3,4,5 He married Christine Rosebud Gearheart, daughter of Emory Christian Gearheart and Alice Josephine "Jocie" Heath, on February 25, 1944.^1,2,7 Howard William Snead died on March 15, 1990 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 72.^1,6,5 He Howard William Snead, age 72, of 3171 Garden City Blvd. S.E. died Thursday, March 15, 1990. He was the retired manager of the Towers ABC Store. Mr. Snead was a member of Garden City Baptist Church and was an army veteran of World War II. Surviving are his wife, Christine Gearheart Snead; a son, Thomas G. Snead, of Calloway; and preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Suzie Snead, on January 25, 1990; a daughter and son-in-law, Tondra S. and Douglas A. Blevins, of Simpsonville, S.C; three granddaughters, Stacy Snead, Emily Snead, and Nikki Blevins; one grandson, Alex Snead; and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Emory Gearheart. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park. on March 17, 1990.¹

     His Social Security Number was 227-94-3690.⁶ Billy Joe Whitt was buried at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, Smyth Co., Virginia.^2,7 He MARION, Va. - Billy J. Whitt, age 55, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. He was a very loving father and friend. He had a very kind heart and loved his family dearly. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his father, David Wolfe; and his mother, Freda Whitt, both of Marion; and his loving grandparents, Jim and Louise Whitt. Survivors include his wife, Patty Whitt, Roanoke, Va; one daughter, Jamie Whitt, Roanoke; one son, Adam Whitt, Marion; his step-children, Kenny Waddell, Marion, and Candy Ryan, Roanoke; his grandchildren, Taylor Moody, Roanoke, and Ryan and Chase Waddell, Marion; two aunts, Mary Geneva Brown, who mothered him like her own son, Marion, and Mary Caroline Whitt Ratliff, who he called his sister, Chilhowie, Va; very special cousins, Cindy Brewer, Marion, Randy Brewer, Forrest, Va., Ronnie Brown, Goodview, Va., Earnie Brown, Atkins, Va., and Matt Whitt, Meadowview, Va. Interment will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery.² He was born on December 4, 1957 at Smyth Co., Virginia.^7,3,4,6 He married Patricia Faye "Patty" Perdue, daughter of Alvis Vernon Perdue and Virginia Imogene "Jean" Walters, on May 28, 1982 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,4 Billy Joe Whitt died on February 9, 2013 at Smyth Co., Virginia, at age 55.^2,7,6,5

     George Leonard Weaver was buried at Fair View Cemetery, 3300 Melrose Ave. N.W., Roanoke, Virginia.^6,3 His Social Security Number was 719-01-5868.⁷ He was born on September 9, 1901 at Roanoke, Virginia.^6,3,4,5,7 He married Gillie Irene Poff, daughter of Noah Curtis Poff and Rebecca Mary Frances Altice, on December 24, 1928 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2 George Leonard Weaver died on February 22, 1973 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 71.^6,3

     George Leonard Weaver Jr. was buried at Fair View Cemetery, 3300 Melrose Ave. N.W., Roanoke, Virginia.^4,6 He was born on July 8, 1941 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3,4,5 He married Geneva Starlene Stevenson on September 10, 1962 at Roanoke, Virginia.² George Leonard Weaver Jr. and Geneva Starlene Stevenson were divorced on December 13, 1967 at Roanoke, Virginia.⁵ George Leonard Weaver Jr. died on August 24, 2015 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 74.^4,6 He George Leonard (Butch) Weaver Jr., 74, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Monday, August 24, 2015, after a lengthy illness; now freed from his pain he is received in Heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Weaver Sr. and Irene Poff Weaver; sisters, Francis Weaver Barger and Virginia Mae Secrist; and beloved brother-in-law, Leonard Whitson. Left to cherish his memory are his sister, Iva Josephine Whitson; daughter, Jeanie Lynn Weaver; nieces, Robin Hall, Cindy Eakin, and Lenora Montuori; beloved niece and final caregiver, Debbie Jones; and nephews, Bobby Belcher, Leonard Whitson Jr., David Secrist, Sammy Secrist, and Ricky Secrist. George served in the United States Army in Greenland, France and Germany and was employed as a trucker. He retired from Shorewood Packaging Company. He spent his last year in the care of niece, Debbie Jones and her husband, Wesley Boone, who tried to help him fulfill his "bucket list." George was a loving uncle, with a sharp wit and great devotion and loyalty to his family and friends; often offering his home to those in need. He will be sorely missed. Sincere thanks to the nurses and staff at Salem VA Medical Center Hospice Unit for their loving care and kindness. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Fair View Cemetery. on August 26, 2015.⁶

     Her Social Security Number was 230-40-7215.⁹ Virginia Mae "Gin" Weaver was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^2,10 She was born on October 1, 1935 at Roanoke, Virginia.^9,3,4,10,5 As of October 19, 1951,her married name was Belcher.³ She married Howard Dalton Belcher on October 19, 1951 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3 Virginia Mae "Gin" Weaver and Howard Dalton Belcher were divorced on August 31, 1955 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹¹ As of August 8, 1958,her married name was Secrest.³ Virginia Mae "Gin" Weaver married David Rowland Secrest on August 8, 1958 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,12 Virginia Mae "Gin" Weaver died on July 12, 1998 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 62.^2,10,12 She SECREST, Virginia Mae, ("Gin"), 62, of Roanoke, died Sunday, July 12, 1998. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Rowland Secrest. She is survived by a daughter, Tina and her husband, David Rogers; five sons, Howard D. Belcher Jr., Robert C. Belcher, David A. Secrest and wife, Carolyn, Samuel R. Secrest and wife, Sue and Rickey J. Secrest and wife, Drema; 10 grandchildren; a brother, George L. Weaver, and a sister, Iva J. Whitson, all of Roanoke. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on July 14, 1998.²

     David Rowland Secrest was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^2,4,6 His Social Security Number was 224-24-4230.⁸ He was born on May 13, 1926 at Roanoke Co., Virginia; His gravestone and death certificate have a birth year of 1925.^3,4,5,6,7,9 He married Lena May Poff, daughter of Noah Curtis Poff and Rebecca Mary Frances Altice, on July 2, 1949 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.³ David Rowland Secrest and Lena May Poff were divorced on February 18, 1958 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹⁰ David Rowland Secrest married Virginia Mae "Gin" Weaver, daughter of George Leonard Weaver and Gillie Irene Poff, on August 8, 1958 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,3,6 David Rowland Secrest died on April 5, 1991 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 64.^4,11,5,6,8,9 He David Rowland Secrest, age 65, of Roanoke, died Friday. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Mae Secrest ; daughter, Tina Christine Rogers, Roanoke; three sons, David Alan Secrest , Roanoke; Samuel Rowland Secrest , Vinton; Ricky Joseph Secrest , Roanoke; two stepsons, Howard D. Belcher, Jr., Roanoke; Bobby Charles Belcher, Salem; sister, Mrs. Lenora Haynes; two brothers, Joseph M. Secrest , Samuel H. Secrest and seven grandchildren. Burial in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on April 6, 1991.²

     His Social Security Number was 240-50-4173.³ Leonard Whitson Sr. was buried at Fair View Cemetery, 3300 Melrose Ave. N.W., Roanoke, Virginia.^2,4 He was born on October 30, 1936 at Yancey Co., North Carolina.^1,3 He married Iva Josephine Weaver, daughter of George Leonard Weaver and Gillie Irene Poff, on September 3, 1955 at Roanoke, Virginia.^5,6,1 Leonard Whitson Sr. died on February 20, 2008 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 71.^2,3 He Leonard Whitson Sr., 71, of Roanoke, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. He was originally from Red Hill Township, Mitchell County, N.C; having moved to the Roanoke Valley in 1953 to accept a position with the former Clover Creamery of Roanoke, where he was employed for more than twenty years. Initially employed as a route salesman, he met his wife of 52 years, Iva Josephine Whitson while making his daily milk delivery to Jefferson High School, where she was then a student. Their 52-year love affair produced a large family, as Leonard felt no one could possibly have too many children or dogs to love. Always the "life of the party" he never met a stranger and was known to always have a joke or funny story to tell. He is survived by his loving wife, Iva; a sister, Faye Ingram, of Bakersville, N.C; five children, Leonard Whitson Jr., of Roanoke, Lenora Montouri, of Roanoke, Cynthia Eakin, of Bedford, Debbie Jones, of Salem, and Robin Hall, of Salem. Leonard is also survived by eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren; virtually all of whom knew and loved him as their Paw-Paw. He was especially thankful for his devoted grandson, Eric Whitson, of Botetourt, who was always there for him; and his loving granddaughter, Anna Hall. These two grandchildren had spent significant time in the care of their Paw-Paw as small children, and had in recent years devoted much effort to his care. Both shared a genuinely special bond with him. His love of children and devotion to family brought many more-including nieces and nephews, friends of his children and even the children of his friends to his home and family circle. His nephew, Bobby Belcher, of Willis, was particularly special and loved as his own son. Leonard had been retired for several years from the former Unidyne Corporation, of Norfolk, Va. A graveside service will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Roanoke. on February 24, 2008.²

     Kenneth Gilbert Kinsley was buried at Ellett Cemetery, Montgomery Co., Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 223-30-3576.⁴ He was born on May 17, 1930 at Blacksburg, Virginia.^1,2,4,3 He married Margaret Anne Jennings, daughter of John Malcolm Jennings and Elizabeth Alice Taylor, on May 20, 1950 at Fincastle, Botetourt Co., Virginia.¹ Kenneth Gilbert Kinsley died on August 30, 1960 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 30.³

     His Social Security Number was 224-82-9051.⁴ David Jennings Kinsley was born on September 6, 1954 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,7 He married Audrey Lynn Fidler on January 18, 1980 at Roanoke, Virginia.² David Jennings Kinsley died on October 7, 2007 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 53.^4,7,5,6 He David J. Kinsley, 53, of Roanoke, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, October 7, 2007. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Kenneth Gilbert Kinsley and Margaret Jennings Kinsley Wilhelm and stepfather, Stanley Wilhelm. Surviving are his wife of 28 years, Audrey F. Kinsley; son, Christopher E. Kinsley; grandchildren, Austin Lane Kinsley, John Grady Jones and Allie Montana Kinsley; sisters, Charleen Frith and husband, Lynn of Boones Mill, Anne Sheppard and Sharon Lee Wilhelm, both of Roanoke; stepsister, Betty Long and husband, Robert of Clifton Forge; stepbrothers, Burton Wilhelm and wife, Margaret of Covington and Bobby Wilhelm and wife, Martha of Troutville; sisters-in-law, Linda Rhodes and husband, Mike, Nita McManus and husband, John and Ocie Fidler, all of Roanoke and numerous nieces and nephews. on October 9, 2007.⁶

     Jean Webster Cyphers was buried at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road N. W., Roanoke, Virginia.^1,3 She was born on January 14, 1928 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3 As of circa 1950,her married name was Palmer.⁴ She married Raymond Coolidge "Coolie" Palmer, son of Luther McKinley Palmer and Audrey Dehaven Conner, circa 1950.^4,1 Jean Webster Cyphers died on February 24, 2017 at Virginia at age 89.^1,3 She Jean Webster Cyphers Palmer, 89, of Vinton, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, February 24, 2017. The last of nine children, she was born to the late Charles Morton and Lila Ann Cyphers. She was a loving mother who welcomed her family and friends into her home built by her late husband of 46 years, Raymond Coolidge Palmer. She was also predeceased by a daughter, Tenita Jean Pickeral; and grandson, Jeremy Roger Jones. Surviving family includes daughters and sons-in-law, Judy Green, Leigh and Jerry Jones, Ginger Ross and Larry Pickeral; grandchildren, C. D. Green, Whitney Jones, and R. C. Ross, II, and Charity; great-grandson, "Bubba" Ross, III; sisters-in-law, Carrie Palmer, Ellen Grubb, and Dorothy and Bill Palmer. A special thanks to friends who took the time to visit regularly, Bill and Claudine Turner, Sue Murphy, Peggy Hartman, Linda Marnee Trenor, Mona Ward, Renee Robertson, Mary and J. L. Barbour, Lynn and Carolyn Cyphers, Phyllis Pratt, Becky Caldwell, Louise Sowers and Shirley Weaver. Interment will follow in Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. on February 26, 2017.¹