Person Page - 6989

     William Mark Eavey was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.^3,5,6 He was born on February 15, 1961 at Warren Co., Virginia.^3,4,5 He died on October 30, 1981 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 20.^3,5,6 He William M. Eavey, age 20, of 220 Cassell Lane S.W., died Friday. He was a former member of the school safety patrol at Crystal Spring Elementary, had served as a newspaper carrier for the Times-World Corporation between the ages of 12 and 17, and was a former member of Junior Achievement and Boy Scout Troop #1 at First Presbyterian Church. Mr. Eavey had participated in the Strings Orchestra at James Madison Junior High School, Patrick Henry High School, and the All City Orchestra. Following his junior year of high school, Mr. Eavey traveled to Germany as an exchange student. He was a commended Merit Scholar and Honor Graduate of Patrick Henry High School. He attended The American College in Paris and Boston University. Surviving are his parents, James W. Eavey, Jean W. Eavey; sister, Mrs. James A. (Marjorie E.) Hartley, Pearisburg; nephew, Michael J. Hartley; grandmother, Katherine H. Eavey, Weyers Cave; also surviving are three uncles, two aunts, and eight cousins. Graveside services will be in Evergreen Cemetery. on November 1, 1981.⁶

     Michael David Eavey was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.³ He died on August 24, 1955 at Virginia.³ He was born on August 24, 1955 at Virginia.³

     Thomas William Eavey was buried at Fairview Cemetery, 822 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, Culpeper Co., Virginia.^3,4 He was born on November 28, 1957 at Warrenton, Fauquier Co., Virginia.^3,4,5 He died on November 30, 1957 at Warrenton, Fauquier Co., Virginia.^3,4

     Robert Lee Eavey was buried at Evergreen Burial Park, 1307 Summit Ave SW, Roanoke, Virginia.³ He died on February 10, 1960 at Virginia.³ He was born on February 10, 1960 at Virginia.³

     Willard Palmer Gowdy Jr. was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.^3,4 He Willard Palmer Gowdy, Jr. passed away on May 9, 2018, after a long illness. Willard was an outgoing, friendly man who knew no strangers. The loves of his life were his wife Marjie Gowdy of Callaway, VA; his son Todd Gowdy and wife Lori Saunders of Amherst, VA; his four grandchildren Nathan, Sam, Cara and Luke; his son Craig Gowdy and wife Iris Gowdy of Chester, VA; his son Michael Hartley and fiancée Jessica Conway of Baskerville, VA; his daughter Mary Catherine Hartley of Roanoke, VA; his sister Lynn Byrd and husband Wesley Byrd of Dayton, TN. Willard is also survived by his stepbrothers David Kahlstorf and Dr. William Kahlstorf of Mississippi and their families. Willard was preceded in death by his father Willard Palmer Gowdy, Sr. and wife Frances Gowdy of Tupelo, Mississippi; his mother Jean Gordon Gowdy; and brother, Douglas Gordon Gowdy, all of Greenville, Mississippi. A native of Greenville, Mississippi, Willard was graduated from Greenville High School and the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a bachelor’s degree of science and two Master’s degrees. He later joined the U.S. Army, trained in the Nursing program, and started his career in anesthesia. Willard was very good at his profession and performed over 20,000 cases as a nurse anesthetist for more than 35 years, caring for his patients in the military and civilian worlds. Willard achieved the rank of Major in the U.S. Army, rising to the distinction of Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. He participated with the medical attachment to Operation Eagle Claw, the Iranian hostage rescue mission in 1980, as part of the U.S. Army Special Forces unit Delta Force. Willard also served with Special Forces units in Operation Enduring Freedom, Haiti, in 1994. Willard was a proud military member, receiving a number of military service distinctions, including the National Defense Medal, the Humanitarian Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal for Operation Eagle Claw, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal for Uphold Democracy. His passion for civil service also earned him a chairman’s position with the Giles County, Virginia, Board of Supervisors. Willard was a devout animal lover and was particularly fond of his little dogs Gizmo and Boudreaux, his Scottish Highland cattle, horse, donkey and numerous cats and goats that he and Marjie raised on their small farm in Virginia. Willard loved boating, hosting friends and family on the trawler Vagabond Shoes in the Mississippi Sound, while living in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Willard was a former member of the Biloxi Yacht Club and enjoyed many hours with great friends at the Rub Rail. Willard shared close ties with friends in the Gulf Coast region especially while working to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, and returning to Roanoke, he was honorary member of the WHAs. Willard enjoyed sports, coaching his sons and their teams in the early years, and later traveling to watch his grandchildren participate in their events. He was an ardent Packers fan, taking a pilgrimage to Lambeau Field 20 years ago. Travel was another joy for Willard which included numerous trips to the western part of the U.S., along with multiple visits to Europe and the Caribbean. Highlights of some of his adventures included a German wedding, a Fort Lauderdale ‘Parrothead’ trip, and a Richard Petty Driving School Experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Inurnment will follow at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Continuous Living Center at the Salem Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC), to Healing Strides of Roanoke, or Planned Pethood of Rocky Mount, Virginia. The family expresses special appreciation to the staffs of Carilion Medical Center, Catawba Hospital, and the Palliative Care and Hospice units at the Salem VAMC for their loving care over the past year.³ He married Marjorie Lynn "Marjie" Eavey, daughter of James William Eavey and Doris Jean Wood.^1,2 Willard Palmer Gowdy Jr. was born on April 30, 1942 at Greenville, Washington Co., Mississippi.^3,4 He died on May 9, 2018 at age 76.^3,4

     His Social Security Number was 227-47-6365.⁵ Andrew William Hartley was buried at Birchlawn Burial Park, Pearisburg, Giles Co., Virginia.^3,4 He was born on April 14, 1983 at Blacksburg, Virginia.^2,3,4,5 He died on May 29, 1990 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 7.^3,4,5 He Andrew William Hartley, age 7, died Tuesday, May 29, in the Brenner's Children's Hospital, Winston-Salem, N.C. Andrew born in Blacksburg, Va. on April 14, 1983, and was the son of James and Marjorie Eavey Hartley. He was a first grade student at Macy McClaugherty School, and a member of the Tiger Cub Scouts. He loved video games, school and fishing. Besides his parents, he is survived by one brother, Michael Hartley at home; a sister, Mary Catherine at home; maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Eavey of Roanoke; paternal grandmother, Mrs. M. J. Hartley of Roanoke; maternal great-grandmother, Mrs. R. D. Eavey of Weyers Cave, Va; and a host of friends. Burial will be in the Birchlawn Burial Park. on May 30, 1990.³

     Helen Elizabeth Guthrie was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.⁴ Her Social Security Number was 227-52-2293.⁵ She was born on December 9, 1919 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,5,6 As of January 20, 1968,her married name was Mills.² She married Richard Kenneth "Dick" Mills, son of Brainard Pierce Mills and Rosa Bell Hollins, on January 20, 1968 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2 Helen Elizabeth Guthrie died on February 7, 2004 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 84.^5,4 She Helen Guthrie Wright Mills, 84, of Roanoke, went home to be with her Lord on Saturday, February 7, 2004. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil E. Wright and her son, Cecil Stewart Wright. She was a longtime and faithful member of Hollins Road Baptist Church. Helen owned and operated Helen's dress shop. She was active in the Children's Home Society of Virginia in foster care. Surviving are her children, Daniel E. Wright, Sr. and his wife Sandra D. Wright of Roanoke, and Joyce Wright Howell and her husband Dr. W. Ron Howell of Hardy; grandchildren, William R. Howell, Jr., Debra H. Hartman, Tammy W. Peters, and Daniel E. Wright, Jr; great-grandchildren, Robert W. Hoffert, Donny R. Hoffert, W. Christopher Howell, Kyle O. Peters, and Charles D. Wright; a sister, Oneida G. Mason of Franklin County; and several nieces and nephews. The family extends sincere and deepest thanks to Dr. Richard M. Newton and to Helen's Sunday School Class at Hollins Road Baptist Church. Interment will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on February 10, 2004.⁴

     Thelma Elizabeth Epperly was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2 Her married name was Mills.¹ She married Richard Kenneth "Dick" Mills, son of Brainard Pierce Mills and Rosa Bell Hollins.^1,2 Thelma Elizabeth Epperly was born on June 10, 1916 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,3 She died on December 28, 1966 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 50.^1,2 She Thelma Epperly Mills, 50, of 4924 Florist Road, NW, died today at a Roanoke hospital. Surviving are her husband, Richard Kenneth Mills; a daughter, Connie Sue Mills, at home; four sisters, Mrs. H. C. Mills, Mrs. Harvey Bland, Roanoke; Mrs. Jack Hurst, Dublin; Mrs. Smith, Richmond. Burial in Sherwood. on December 28, 1966.¹

     His Social Security Number was 229-72-5385.⁷ Dallas Houston Loving was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^6,8 He was born on April 10, 1951 at Roanoke, Virginia.^2,3,7,5,8 He married Connie Sue Mills, daughter of Richard Kenneth "Dick" Mills and Thelma Elizabeth Epperly, on November 22, 1968 at Rockingham Co., North Carolina.¹ Dallas Houston Loving and Connie Sue Mills were divorced on December 11, 1975 at Roanoke, Virginia.² Dallas Houston Loving died on July 31, 2002 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 51.^4,7,8 He LOVING, Dallas H., 51, of Roanoke, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 31, 2002. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Elise Loving. He is survived by son and daughter-inlaw, Jason and Leslie Loving; granddaughter, Taylor Nicole Loving; brother and sister-in-law, George and Rita Loving; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jenna and Roy Conner, Trudy and Mac McNew; special nieces and nephews, Deana and Randy Bronson, Brad Loving, Jeremy Conner, Elise McNew, Jordan Loving, Micah and Judah Matheny, Conner, Hannah, Nathan and Amanda; other relatives and many caring friends. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. on August 2, 2002.⁶

     George Edgar Loving Sr. married Marguerite Elsie Carter.¹ George Edgar Loving Sr. was born on February 22, 1923 at Maryland.² He died on August 17, 1972 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 49.²

     Marguerite Elsie Carter was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Her married name was Loving.² She married George Edgar Loving Sr.² Marguerite Elsie Carter was born on July 22, 1925 at Virginia.¹ She died on March 8, 1973 at Virginia at age 47.¹

     Thomas Lee Mills Thomas “Tommy” Lee Mills, 62 of Roanoke passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2015 after a brief illness with cancer. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. Tommy retired in September 2014 from Fed-EX after 32 years of service. He served as a firefighter with the Salem Fire Department for many years. Along with the love of just being with his family he enjoyed building homes and riding his motorcycle with his brother and his good friends Shorty Minnix and Steve Dixon. He will be missed by his family, who loved him dearly and his many friends who enjoyed spending quality time with him. Tommy’s family would like to give a heartfelt thank-you to Dr. Mark Kochenderfer, Jolee Preston from the Blue Ridge Cancer Center and all the kind staff on 10 South at RMH. Tommy was predeceased by his parents, Curtis Mills, Sr. and Mary Hancock Mills and a nephew, Jesse Carper. He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Connie M. Mills, sons Jason S. Loving and Toby M. Mills, granddaughter, Taylor Loving, sisters, Peggy Freeman and her husband Barry, Joyce Pendleton and her husband Mark and Donna Carper and her husband Steve, brothers, Curtis Mills, Jr. and his wife Donna and Jimmy mills and his wife Margaret, many aunts, uncles, cousins but especially his nieces and nephews who were very special to Tommy. Interment Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.² He was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.^2,4 He was born on September 27, 1952 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,4,3 He married Connie Sue Mills, daughter of Richard Kenneth "Dick" Mills and Thelma Elizabeth Epperly, on May 15, 1976 at Roanoke, Virginia.¹ Thomas Lee Mills died on May 26, 2015 at Virginia at age 62.^2,4