Person Page - 6296

     His Social Security Number was 230-20-5424.¹⁰ Richard Dean Via Richard D. “Dick” Via, 86 of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening, June 12, 2013. He was a longtime member of Rainbow Forest Baptist Church, as well as it’s Agape Sunday School Class. Dick was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was employed as a sales rep for Champion Spark Plug Company for over thirty years, then satisfied his love of the outdoors by working for the Blue Ridge Parkway for another ten years. Mr. Via was preceded in death by a daughter, Robin Denise Via, and is survived by two sons, Rev. Rick Via (and wife Janet); Raymond Gary Via; five grandchildren, Josh Via (and wife Tasha), Jonathan Via (and wife Kelly), Jared Via (and wife Danielle), Jacob Via (and wife Keesha), Joy Ezelle (and husband Jay); sixteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Libby Phillips (and husband Bill), of Brunswick, GA; former spouse and mother of his children, Janice Via; and a special friend, Boots Ingram. Interment will follow in Sherwood Burial Park.⁴ He was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^4,5 He and Janice Beverly Unrue were divorced.⁴ Richard Dean Via was born on March 23, 1927 at Henry Co., Virginia.^11,10,5 He married Janice Beverly Unrue on January 26, 1952 at Roanoke, Virginia.² Richard Dean Via died on June 12, 2013 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 86.^3,10,5

     Elizabeth Hope "Libby" Via was buried at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Cherokee Co., Georgia.^2,3 She Mrs. Elizabeth (“Libby”) Hope Via Phillips, age 93, of Blairsville, GA, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on April 13, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Phillips was born in Bassett, Virginia, on December 13, 1928 to the late Homer Okla Via, Sr. and Violet Lee (Hall) Via. She married William “Bill” Phillips on January 21, 1948, in Martinsville, Virginia, after he returned from service overseas during WWII. The couple lived a majority of their married lives in Tampa and Brooksville, Florida, before moving to Brunswick, Georgia, and finally to the north Georgia mountains to be closer to family. Libby enjoyed cooking, crafts, and shopping, while talking about cooking, crafts and shopping. She also loved being with family and friends. A devout Christian, Libby was of the Methodist Faith. She retired as a Health and Rehabilitative Services caseworker for the State of Florida. Preceding Mrs. Phillips in death are her loving husband of 68 years, William Clarence Phillips (2017), son Michael Stephen Phillips, sister Catherine Wyatt Via, brothers Larry Grey Via, Homer Okla Via, Jr. and Richard Dean Via. Surviving Mrs. Phillips are her son and daughter-in-law Scott and Paula Phillips of Blairsville, GA; grandchildren, Monica P. Edenfield (Nathan) of Evans, GA, and Aaron Michael Phillips (AnnaLee) of Statesboro, GA; great-grandchildren, Bailey, Gracie, Ian, Ethan, and Owen Edenfield, all of Evans, GA. She is also survived by a niece, a really large number of nephews, many other friends and a few grand-dogs. The family would like to extend its sincere and heartfelt appreciation to the many staff members of the Union County Nursing Home and Union General Hospital, who provided loving care and attention to Mom, both long-term and most recently during her brief illness. Mrs. Phillips will be interred along with her husband at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.² She was born on December 13, 1928 at Bassett, Henry Co., Virginia.^2,3 As of January 21, 1948,her married name was Phillips.⁵ She married William Clarence "Bill" Phillips on January 21, 1948 at Martinsville, Virginia.^9,2,4,5 Elizabeth Hope "Libby" Via died on April 13, 2022 at Blairsville, Union Co., Georgia, at age 93.^2,3

     His Social Security Number was 262-84-1763.⁷ Homer Okla Via Jr. was buried at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW. 102nd Ave., Bushnell, Sumter Co., Florida.^8,9 He was born on May 5, 1932 at Henry Co., Virginia.^3,7,8,9 He died on November 28, 2010 at Florida at age 78.^7,8,9,10 He VIA, Homer Jr., 78, of Brooksville, died Nov. 28, 2010. He is survived by his sister Elizabeth "Libby" Phillips and family. on December 1, 2010.¹⁰

     Catherine Wyette/Wyatt Via was born on August 7, 1930 at Henry Co., Virginia.¹ She died on May 16, 1935 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 4.¹

     William Clarence "Bill" Phillips was buried at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Cherokee Co., Georgia.^4,3,5 He Mr. William Clarence Phillips, age 93, of Blue Ridge, GA, and formerly of Hiawassee, GA, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Erlanger Medical Center after an extended illness. Mr. Phillips was born in Fries, VA, on Wednesday, September 19, 1923 to the late Willie S. Phillips and Addie M. Funk Phillips. Mr. Phillips was a member of both the Masons and Shriners. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, crafts, woodworking and the outdoors. William was also a founding member of the Hernando Association for Special Needs Citizens, and a past president of the Hernando County FL Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Phillips was an Assistant Vice President in the Auditing Department for the First National Bank of Brooksville, FL. Mr. Phillips served his country in World War II as a member of the United States Army. Mr. Phillips was of the Methodist Faith. Preceding Mr. Phillips in death are his sisters Maude Phillips, Carrie Phillips, Elizabeth Jane Nester, brothers Floyd Phillips, Robert Phillips, Benjamin Phillips, and a son, Michael Stephen Phillips. Surviving Mr. Phillips are his loving wife and best friend of 68 years Elizabeth Hope Via Phillips, son and daughter-in-law Scott and Paula Phillips of Blairsville, GA, grandchildren Monica Edenfield, and Aaron Michael Phillips, and great grandchildren Bailey, Gracie, Ethan, Ian, and Owen. Many other friends and relatives also survive.³ He was born on September 19, 1923 at Fries, Grayson Co., Virginia.^4,3,5,7,8 He married Elizabeth Hope "Libby" Via, daughter of Homer Oklahoma Via and Violet Lee Hall, on January 21, 1948 at Martinsville, Virginia.^1,2,3,6 William Clarence "Bill" Phillips died on January 6, 2017 at Waleska, Cherokee Co., Georgia, at age 93.^4,3,5

     Janice Beverly Unrue Janice Unrue Via, September 5, 1930 - February 11, 2018. Janice Unrue Via, (affectionally known as Nena) went home to be with Jesus on Sunday evening, February 11, 2018. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Robin Denise Via; her parents, George Pickett and Verna Elsie Unrue; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Elsie Mae and LT. Col. Mayo Adams, Velma and Gene Davis. Nena’s faith in the Lord Jesus impacted everyone who knew her, especially her son, Raymond Gary Via; son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Janet Via; her grandchildren and their spouses, Joshua and Tasha Via, Jonathan and Kelly Via, Jared and Danielle Via, Jacob and Keesha Via, Joy and Jay Ezelle; and special loved ones, Jeremiah and Jennifer Hambrick; and her 26 great grandchildren. She also had many special friends at Sunshine Services and Gentle Shepherd Hospice. Nena has left behind a legacy of a deep trust in God and an unshakeable confidence in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her prayers became wings that continue to carry the Gospel message to the ends of the earth through her family. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park.² She was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3 She and Richard Dean Via were divorced.⁵ Janice Beverly Unrue was born on September 5, 1930 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,3,2,4 As of January 26, 1952,her married name was Via.¹ She married Richard Dean Via, son of Homer Oklahoma Via and Violet Lee Hall, on January 26, 1952 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Janice Beverly Unrue died on February 11, 2018 at Virginia at age 87.^3,2

     Her Social Security Number was 228-24-6987.⁵ Inez Adkins was buried at Via Cemetery, Fieldale, Henry Co., Virginia.⁴ She was born on January 24, 1925 at Henry Co., Virginia.^1,5,2,4 As of October 31, 1944,her married name was Via.¹ She married Larry Grey Via, son of Homer Oklahoma Via and Violet Lee Hall, on October 31, 1944 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,3,4 Inez Adkins died on September 25, 2008 at Fieldale, Henry Co., Virginia, at age 83.^5,4 She Inez Adkins Via, 83, of 166 Valley Drive, Fieldale, died Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, at her home. She was born in Henry County on Jan. 24, 1925, to Thomas Samuel Adkins and Mary Lee Ingram Adkins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Gray Via; two sons, Kenny and Geoffrey Via; two sisters, Frances Mason and Lucille Wright; and four brothers, Ralph, Thomas, Gene and Bobby Adkins. She was a member of Fieldale United Methodist Church where she had worked in the nursery. Surviving are two sisters, Nancy Wyatt of Collinsville and Mary Jane Hall of Fieldale; a brother, Jimmy Adkins of Martinsville; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Burial will be in the Via family cemetery. on September 27, 2008.⁴

     Geoffrey Lynn Via was buried at Via Cemetery, Fieldale, Henry Co., Virginia.^1,2 His Social Security Number was 231-80-9006.⁵ He was born on June 18, 1954 at Martinsville, Virginia.^1,2,4,5 He married Patricia Lynn Dent on November 11, 1978 at Martinsville, Virginia.^1,3 Geoffrey Lynn Via died on March 1, 1981 at Martinsville, Virginia, at age 26; Died in an auto accident.^1,2

     Patricia Lynn Dent was buried at Werth Cemetery (also known as Martin Family Cemetery), Patrick Springs, Patrick Co., Virginia.³ Her Social Security Number was 048-52-5748.⁵ She Patricia Dent Martin, 52, of Patrick Springs, died Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at the Blue Ridge Nursing Center in Stuart. She was born in Connecticut on October 18, 1955 to the late James Robert and Dorothy Dent. She was also preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Laurie Ann Reynolds, a stepgrandson, Adam Wayne Martin, and a sister, Carolyn Ann Harris. She was retired from Bassett Furniture Industries. Surviving are her husband, Clinton D. Martin of the home; one daughter, Tracy Ziglar of Patrick Springs; one son, James Robert Martin of Patrick Springs; one stepson, Danny Wayne Martin of Bassett; one stepgrandson; and one brother, James Robert Dent of Kansas City, Mo. Burial will follow in the Martin family cemetery.³ She was born on October 18, 1955 at Charlottesville, Virginia.^1,5,2,3,4 As of November 11, 1978,her married name was Via.¹ She married Geoffrey Lynn Via, son of Larry Grey Via and Inez Adkins, on November 11, 1978 at Martinsville, Virginia.^6,1 Patricia Lynn Dent died on December 18, 2007 at Stuart, Patrick Co., Virginia, at age 52.^5,6,3

     Kenneth Grey Via was buried at Via Cemetery, Fieldale, Henry Co., Virginia.^3,4 He married Dianne Humble.³ Kenneth Grey Via was born on March 24, 1949 at Martinsville, Virginia.^2,3,4 He died on August 9, 1991 at Boydton, Mecklenburg Co., Virginia, at age 42; Died in a stabbing.^3,4

     Robin Denise Via was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,5 She was born on November 13, 1961 at Norfolk, Virginia.^2,5,4 She died on June 28, 1966 at Virginia Beach, Virginia, at age 4; Drowned in a lake.^2,5

     Michael Stephen Phillips was buried at Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4002 N. 50th Street, Tampa, Hillsborough Co., Florida.^3,4 He was born on May 1, 1951.³ He died on October 3, 1954 at Tampa, Hillsborough Co., Florida, at age 3.^3,4 He Michael Stephen Phillips, age 3 1/2, of 3912 Bay Court, passed away Sunday morning in a local hospital. Interment will be in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Phillips, of Tampa, and his grandmothers, Mrs. Violet Alderman, of Tampa, and Mrs. W. S. Phillips, ot Filldale, Va. on October 5, 1954.⁴

     Henry E. Leckie was born in June, 1854 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,3 He married Keziah Eulalia "Kiza" "Kezia" Hall, daughter of John M. Hall and Mary Ann "Polly" Cole, on September 15, 1914 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2