Person Page - 4117

     His Social Security Number was 229-62-8178.¹⁰ Roger Wayne Via was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^1,6,3 He was born on August 9, 1946 at Roanoke, Virginia.^10,2,4,5,8,3 He married Mabel Frances Gilmer on August 20, 1965 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ Roger Wayne Via and Mabel Frances Gilmer were divorced on July 13, 1984 at Botetourt Co., Virginia.⁵ Roger Wayne Via married Linda Cheyenne Friesland on July 20, 1984 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁴ Roger Wayne Via died on June 26, 1992 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 45.^3,6 He Roger Wayne Via, age 45 of 2701 Hollowell Rd., S. W., died Friday, June 26, 1992, after a short illness. He was a former employee of the N & W Railway and was preceded in death by his father, Rufus L. Via, Jr. Surviving are two daughters, Lisa Via Albert, Daleville; Tracy L. Via, Roanoke; mother, Emma Jean Via, Roanoke; grandson, Joshua K. Albert; special son, Boyd S. Greever, Newport News; sisters and brothers-in-law, Joy and Carl Proffitt, Roanoke; Rita and Dan David, Johnson City, Tenn; Karen and W. K. Langley, Charlottesville; nephews, Brett and Chad Proffitt and Mitchell Langley; niece, Kristin David; a number of aunts and uncles and a special friend, Jan Potter. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on June 28, 1992.⁶ He and Linda Cheyenne Friesland were divorced on March 3, 1994 at Roanoke, Virginia; Roger had already died when this divorce was finalized.⁵

     Her Social Security Number was 227-64-6907.² Rachel Estelle Francis was born on September 23, 1923 at Gladys, Campbell Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 As of September 19, 1969,her married name was Via.¹ She married Charles Wayne Via, son of Rufus Lemon Via Sr. and Minnie Ocie Terry, on September 19, 1969 at Bedford Co., Virginia.¹ Rachel Estelle Francis died on January 21, 1997 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 73.^2,4

     Patricia Ellen Shepherd was buried at Salisbury National Cemetery Annex, 501 Statesville Boulevard, Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina.^2,6 She was born on November 20, 1947 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3,6 As of March 27, 1970,her married name was Collins.¹ She married Robert Eugene Collins on March 27, 1970 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,4,5,2 Patricia Ellen Shepherd died on July 31, 2019 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 71.^2,6 She Patricia (Pat) Shepherd Collins, 71, passed away July 31, 2019 at Baptist Hospital. Burial with military honors will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Salisbury National Veteran's Cemetery. Pat was born November 20, 1947 in Roanoke, Va. to the late Helen Via Shepherd and Jessie Shepherd. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her loving husband of 36 years, Robert Eugene Collins; great-grandson, Jaxson Hull; and her poodle "Pookie". Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Michele Hull and husband Greg and Tricia Thomas and husband Keith; grandchildren, Danielle Watt and Joseph Schneider, Anthony Thomas, Amber Hagan and Travis, Joshuah Arellano, Kelsey Hull, Jessica Arellano and Robby Hull; great-grandchildren, Madi Watt, Gavin Hagan, Reagan Watt, Zachary Witcher and Eevee Brinkley. Following graduation from Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Pat enlisted in the United States Army and served her country honorably. She adored her family and enjoyed having big family gatherings. She was known for her karaoke talents at American Legion Post 55 in Winston-Salem, NC. on August 3, 2019.²

     Robert Eugene Collins was buried at Salisbury National Cemetery Annex, 501 Statesville Boulevard, Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina.⁸ He was born on May 16, 1941 at Seattle, King Co., Washington.^1,9,5,8 He married Patricia Ellen Shepherd, daughter of Jessie Daniel Shepherd and Helen Marie Via, on March 27, 1970 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3,4 Robert Eugene Collins died on December 30, 2006 at Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 65.^5,9,6,7,8 He Mr. Robert E. Collins (SSGT Ret.), 65, of Roanoke, went home to be with the Lord Saturday December 30, 2006. He is preceded in death by his father Robert Maxwell Collins and stepfather Bill Thoday. Mr. Collins served his country faithfully in the U.S. Army, retiring after 20 years of service and then retired from Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital after 15 years of service. He was a member of Clearbrook Rescue Squad and was a loving father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Patricia; daughters, Michele C. Hull and husband Gregory of Vinton and Tricia N. Thomas and husband Keith, Kernersville N.C; grandchildren, Danielle, Anthony, Amber, Joshuah, Kelsey, Jessica and Robby; mother, Cleo Thoday; brothers Richard and Steve Collins; sister Chris Dineen; several nieces and nephews and special bud "Pookee". on January 3, 2007.⁷

     Lloyd Guy Donahue was buried at Lakeview Memorial Park, Greensboro, Guilford Co., North Carolina.^4,5 His Social Security Number was 229-32-2556.⁶ He was born on May 11, 1932 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,6,3,4 He married Doris Ellen Via, daughter of Rufus Lemon Via Sr. and Minnie Ocie Terry, on November 18, 1952 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,7,5 Lloyd Guy Donahue died on January 30, 1982 at Greensboro, Guilford Co., North Carolina, at age 49.^3,4,5 He Lloyd Guy Donahue, age 49, of Greensboro, N.C., formerly of Roanoke, died Saturday. He was an employee of Coca-Cola. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Doris Via Donahue; two daughters, Mrs. Linda McCanless, Julian, N.C; Miss Laura Donahue, Greensboro; two sons, Larry and Les Donahue, both of Greensboro; sister, Mrs. Juanita McClure, Roanoke; four brothers, Roy L. Donahue, Callaway; Cline L. Chesapeake; Elmer Lee Donahue, Reidsville, N.C; Howard R. Donahue, Roanoke; six grandchildren. Burial will follow in Lakeview Memorial Park. on January 31, 1982.⁵

     Daniel Joseph "Dan" David Daniel Joseph David, age 73, is now present with the Lord after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, at home with his beloved family by his side. Dan was a loving husband, dad, “Pop-Pop”, friend, and physician. Dan was born on August 30, 1951 in Bluefield, West Virginia to Joyce Arnold David Fleming. After spending his early years in West Virginia, he and his mother moved to live with his maternal grandparents in Roanoke, VA. He went on to graduate from William Byrd High School in 1970, Washington & Lee University in 1974, and University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1978. During this time, he married his “Princess”, Rita in 1972. They celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on June 23, 2025. He completed his residency at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in 1981 and went on to serve in the United States Air Force (USAF) – spending four years at Carswell Air Force base in Fort Worth, TX. Following discharge from the USAF in 1985 he joined the faculty of the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, TN. There he served most of his career as the Residency Director of the Family Medicine program, helping train hundreds of future physicians. Dan used his skills as a physician to serve those locally and internationally. He had a passion for caring for the elderly and always had a listening ear when a nursing home resident wanted to chat. He also served on several medical mission trips to Mexico, including some with his only child (Kristin), nephew (Mitchell), and son-in-law (Chris). While in Mexico the team was grateful to have the opportunity to save lives - both physically and spiritually (sharing God’s love to all who wanted to hear). After retirement, Dan and Rita moved to Ooltewah, TN to be closer to their daughter, son-in-law, and beloved granddaughters (Kendall and Lily). Dan became active in their church’s “Lifeboat” men's group. They frequently went to breakfast or lunch to share in fellowship and food. Dan and Rita enjoyed spending time in Pigeon Forge, TN, Destin, FL, and even closer to home – driving the loop of Enterprise South to take in God’s creation. They were known to love a good road trip! He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Joseph “Joe” Arnold and Mary Gray Runions Arnold; mother Joyce Arnold Fleming; aunt Jackie Arnold Fitzgerald; uncles Jim “Jimmy” Arnold and Neal Wray; mother-in-law Emma Jean Via; and brother-in-law Roger Wayne Via. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Rita Mae Via David; “daddy’s girl” daughter Kristin (Chris) Ownby; granddaughters Kendall and Lily; special sisters Joy (Donnie) Via Scott and Karen Via Langley; uncle Dean Fitzgerald; cousins Mark (Katrina) Fitzgerald, Kasey Fitzgerald, and Linda Gail (Jyll) Luallen Maddox; nephews (Brett, Chad, Mitchell, and Dylan); and nieces (Lisa and Tracy). The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gregory Sutton and the entire team at Tennessee Oncology (Ringgold, GA), Dr. Juan Sarmiento (Emory University Hospital), the “Lifeboat” Men’s Group at Christ United Methodist Church (Chattanooga, TN), their “Front Gate Circle”, Gooden Compassionate Care, and Hearth Hospice. Burial will be at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.⁴ He was buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., Tennessee.⁴ He was born on August 30, 1951 at Bluefield, Mercer Co., West Virginia.^1,4 He married Rita Mae Via, daughter of Rufus Lemon Via Jr. and Emma Jean Huffman, on June 23, 1972 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 Daniel Joseph "Dan" David died on June 29, 2025 at Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., Tennessee, at age 73.⁴