Person Page - 1591

     Gordon McDaniel Rice was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² His Social Security Number was 229-03-4889.³ He married Lila Lacy Poff, daughter of James Fleming Poff and Minnie Bell McNeil.^1,2 Gordon McDaniel Rice was born on July 14, 1919 at West Virginia.^3,2 He died on May 19, 1973 at Richmond, Virginia, at age 53.^3,2

     Richard Harding Poff Jr. was buried at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens, 4758 New Manchester Highway, Tullahoma, Coffee Co., Tennessee.² He Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent Richard H. Poff, Jr. died on Tuesday, April 29th, following a distinguished 25 year career with the Bureau. As the sole FBI agent of a resident agency responsible for six counties in southern Tennessee, Poff conducted numerous investigations of federal violations, to include financial crimes, narcotics trafficking, cyber crime, exploitation of children, public corruption, violent gang activity, bank robbery, health care fraud, and national security threats. Poff’s duties included extensive experience interviewing and interrogating numerous witnesses, victims, and perpetrators of crimes across the spectrum of federal violations and planning and conducting numerous arrests, to include high risk arrests and search warrants by multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. In addition to being entrusted with the nation’s lone single-man office, Poff was one of the most highly decorated agents in the entire FBI. His honors include: the FBI Medal for Bravery (2000), the Tennessee Law Enforcement Medal of Honor (2003), the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association (INEOA) Special Award of Honor (2000, 2007), the INEOA FBI Narcotics Investigation Award (2003), the INEOA Commendation Award for Outstanding Narcotics Investigation (1998), the Drug Enforcement Association (DEA) National Drug Enforcement Officers Association Distinguished Service Award (2008), the Tennessee Optimist Club FBI Special Agent of the Year (2012), the Tennessee Narcotics Officers Association Meritorious Service Award (2011), the Meritorious Service Award of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee (1998), the Commendation Award of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee (1997), the Outstanding Service Award of the Violent Crimes and Drug Task Force, District Attorney General for the Seventeenth Judicial District of Tennessee (1996, 1997), the United States Marshal Service Outstanding Service Award (2003), the Bedford Country Sheriff’s Department Outstanding Service Award (1998, 2000, 2009, 2010), the Shelbyville Police Department Outstanding Service Award (1996, 1997, 2007), the Manchester Police Department Outstanding Service Award (1997), the Winchester Police Department Outstanding Service Award (2007), the Appreciation Award of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (2011), the Tennessee Governor’s Task Force for Marijuana Eradication Award (2002), the FBI International Olympics Security Award (1996 Summer Olympics), the FBI Sustained Exceptional Performance Award (1998, 2006), and FBI Quality Step Increases (1997, 1999, 2003, 2006). His career with the FBI began after earning his B.A. with Distinction from the Virginia Military Institute in 1984, and his J.D. from the William and Mary School of Law in 1987. After graduating from William and Mary, Poff spent two years as an associate attorney with an insurance defense law firm in the Roanoke, Virginia District Court, before leaving the firm for the FBI due to his desire to aid the community and world at large by fighting crime. Poff’s stellar record as a public servant was rivaled only by his performance as a husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Lynn Mills Poff of Tullahoma; his daughter, Laura Ellis and her husband Matthew of Madison, AL; his two sons, Ryan and Austin Poff both of Tullahoma; his granddaughter, Emma Ellis of Madison, AL; sister, Becky Marshall of Gainesville, VA; brother, Tom Poff of Huntington WV; niece, Stephanie Ryan of Chantilly, VA; and nephew, Stephen Marshall of Midlothian, VA . Poff’s dedication to the pursuit of justice aided innumerable victims of violent and financial crimes and saw hundreds of criminals successfully detained and prosecuted. His legacy to his family, however, will not be in wealth or awards, but in the memory of his immeasurable love and devotion and his pristine example as a man, a husband, and a father. Visitation services will be held at Kilgore Funeral Home on Friday, May 2nd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, at 11:00am at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens with Rev. Alex Hoffner officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to Alzheimer’s disease research.² He married Lynn Mills circa 1978.² Richard Harding Poff Jr. died on April 29, 2014 at Tennessee.²

     Larry Gene Yeatts was buried at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park, 5070 Cove Road N. W., Roanoke, Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 223-50-1907.⁷ He was born on January 14, 1940 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,7 He married Betty Mae Wertz, daughter of Harry Preston Wertz and Lena Mae Wickham, circa 1957.^2,3 Larry Gene Yeatts died on November 30, 2009 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 69.^3,7 He Larry Gene Yeatts, 69, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Monday, November 30, 2009, at Lewis Gale Medical Center. God welcomed him to his Heavenly Home which He had prepared for him. He was a wonderful husband, son, father and grandfather. Mr. Yeatts was born on January 14, 1940, in Floyd County. He was a member and faithful deacon of Lakeside Baptist Church in Salem. He retired from Rowe Furniture, Salem Frame Division, with 40 years of service. He was preceded in death by his sister, Peggy Stinson; father, Kyle Yeatts; and stepfather, Mose Austin. He is survived by his loving wife of over 52 years, Betty Wertz Yeatts; son, Larry Daniel (Danny) Yeatts and wife, Donna, of Roanoke County; two daughters, Debbie Wimmer and her husband, Justin, of Check, and Dana Reince, and her husband, David, of Florence, S.C; mother, Madie Austin, of Floyd; brother, Joe Austin and his wife, Donna, and their family, of Covington; sister, Pat Austin and her family, of Floyd; six grandchildren, Jeff Wimmer, Travis Wimmer, Danessa Greenauer, Gary Yeatts, Brayden Reince, and Lauren Reince; stepgrandson, John Weeks and his wife, Ashley; three greatgrandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and special niece, Lisa Sutphin and her husband, Jeff, and their children, Peggy, Kelly and Brian. Mr. Yeatts fought a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer for five years. Funeral Service will be held 11 a.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009, at Lakeside Baptist Church. Pastors Art Hearne and Tom Maxwell will officiate. Interment will follow at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 800-227-2345. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel, 540-989-3131. on December 2, 2009.³

     Mark Bradford Wilder Mark Bradford Wilder, 68, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023. He was born on Wednesday, February 2, 1955, in Roanoke, Va., to the late Martin and Zola Wilder. Mark grew up in Northwest Roanoke, attending Huff Lane Elementary, Breckinridge Middle and William Fleming High Schools. He worked at the Mick or Mack grocery stores from 1974 until 1984. Mark then went to work for S & D Coffee Company from which he retired after 31 years of faithful service. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving partner of 38 years, Janet Gills; daughter, Missy (Kirk) White; granddaughter, Taylor (Donovan) Allen. He also leaves behind brothers, Marty (Vicky) Wilder and Mike Wilder, as well as brothers and sisters-in-law, Mike Willis, Nita (Ronnie) Bryson, Gene Willis; and nieces and nephews, Nicole, Matt, Tori, Zachary, Maggie, Kali, Angie, Harold, Mitch, Cameron, Jasmine, Teddy, Ty, and Toby. The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Good Samaritan Hospice, especially Clara and Nicole, for the compassionate kindness and care given to Mark and their family during his illness.² He married Janet Maria Willis, daughter of Oscar Boyd Willis and Ruth Arlene Stanley.¹ Mark Bradford Wilder was born on February 2, 1955 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3 He died on December 1, 2023 at Virginia at age 68.²

     Mary Beth East was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^3,4 She was born on December 22, 1961 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,5 As of October 18, 1997,her married name was Obenchain.² She married Gregory Dale "Greg" Obenchain, son of Lewis Dale Obenchain and Lucille Ann Dodson, on October 18, 1997 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,4 Mary Beth East died on October 1, 2007 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 45.^3,4,6 She Mary Beth East Obenchain, 45, of Shawsville, went to be with the Lord on Monday, October 1, 2007. She loved her husband very much, was a wonderful mother to her son, and was a great friend to many. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack East; mother, Margaret Louise Jeffreys; and her grandparents. Her surviving family includes her husband, Greg Obenchain; son, Clinton Horace Jack Obenchain; stepchildren, Michael Obenchain, Greg Obenchain, Johnny Obenchain, and Jasper Obenchain; sister, Nancy East Jones; brothers, Charles Dean East and Jack Andrew East; loving stepfather, Keith C. Jeffreys; and numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem. on October 3, 2007.⁴

     Richard Lee "Rick" Obenchain was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.³ His Social Security Number was 225-04-0676.⁸ He was born on June 23, 1961 at Roanoke, Virginia.^4,5,6,8 He married Cynthia Ann Fisher on April 13, 1979 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁵ Richard Lee "Rick" Obenchain and Cynthia Ann Fisher were divorced on May 16, 1983 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁶ Richard Lee "Rick" Obenchain married Cathy Gail Drumwright on September 9, 1985 at Roanoke, Virginia.⁵ Richard Lee "Rick" Obenchain and Cathy Gail Drumwright were divorced on May 23, 1994 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁶ Richard Lee "Rick" Obenchain married Sheila Ann Stump, daughter of Bobby Carson Stump and Ruth Irene Bohon, on August 10, 1996 at Roanoke, Virginia.^9,5,10 Richard Lee "Rick" Obenchain died on July 14, 2013 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 52.^3,8,7 He Richard Lee Obenchain (Rick), 52, passed away peacefully at his home in Salem early Sunday morning. He was an employee of Walker Foundry and the family appreciates their support during his recent illness. Rick was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lucille Ann Reese and Lewis Dale Obenchain; his maternal grandparents, Robert and Cora Dodson, and his paternal grandparents, Horace and Learleen Obenchain. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 17 years, Sheila Stump Obenchain; one son, Joe Obenchain; three daughters, Rebecca (Becky) and Mike Phillips, Danielle Obenchain, and Candice and Ross Campbell. He was Grandpa to his grandchildren whom he adored, Kinley and Annabelle, Jonah and Jossalyn, and Adam, Kadence, and Sally. His brother and sisters surviving him are Greg Obenchain, Teresa and Bruce Lucado, and Karen and Chuck Woolwine. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Ruth Stump; his life-long friend, Doug Baker; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. on July 15, 2013.³