Person Page - 7012

     William Jerome Allen William Jerome "Jerry" Allen, aged 61, of Roanoke, VA, passed away on August 29, 2024. Born on February 7, 1963, in Roanoke, VA, Jerry was known for his selfless, hardworking, loving, kind, and caring nature. Jerry is survived by his daughters, Ashley Allen and Brittany Klepeisz, and son-in-law Matthew Klepeisz and Michael Smith. He was a cherished grandfather, aka “Poppy”, to Amberlyn and Tessa (Ashley), Grace, Michael, and Abigail (Brittany). He leaves behind his father, William Allen, and mother, Mary Jane Allen; his sisters and their spouses, Sonya and Ricky Carter, Debbie and Keith Blankenship, Missy and Dave Sutler; and many cherished nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wendy Allen. His funeral service will be held at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, 5737 Airport Rd NW, Roanoke, VA.³ He was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, 5737 Airport Road NW, Roanoke, Virginia.³ He was born on February 7, 1963 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3 He married Patricia Ann "Patty" Stilton, daughter of David Randolph Stilton and Shelia Rae Whitlow, on April 18, 1987 at Vinton, Roanoke Co., Virginia.² William Jerome Allen and Patricia Ann "Patty" Stilton were divorced on June 22, 1998 at Franklin Co., Virginia.¹ William Jerome Allen died on August 29, 2024 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 61.³

     Cressinda Joy Whitlow was buried at New Zion Cemetery, Elgood, Mercer Co., West Virginia.³ She was born on April 15, 1979 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3 She died on December 4, 2020 at Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 41.³ She Cressinda “Joy” Whitlow, 41, of Christiansburg, Va., passed away suddenly at her home on Friday, December 4, 2020. Joy was born April 15, 1979 and lived in Christiansburg most of her life, also residing in Wytheville and Floyd County most recently. Joy was a 1997 graduate of Christiansburg High School. Joy was traditional in the fact that she never missed a birthday or holiday with a hand written card. She was sel?ess and generous in giving of her time to anyone in need. Joy was the name she went by, as well as what she brought to others. She was an old soul and had the most unique personality. She was a loving, caring person with a heart of gold. Joy had the ability to love and didn’t know any other way to love, but unconditionally. She was passionate about ?owers, butter?ies, and animals. She was a brilliant writer and crafter, writing poems and creating beautiful crafts for the family. She reused everything and was connected to the earth. Joy saw the beauty and potential in everything and could take something someone else discarded to create a unique piece of art, craft, or functional piece of furniture. The beauty she saw in everything was a re?ection of her own beauty. She was one of God’s rare and special designs. Joy is survived by her lifetime love, Jeremy Jones; mother, Mona Chandler, special dad, Johnny Simmons; sisters, Sherry Hollandsworth and Samantha Meadows; brothers, Randy Whitlow and Kevin Whitlow, special uncle, George Pritchard; a very special aunt and uncle in W.Va., John and Peggy Gordon; “Momma T”, Teresa McCoy; an extraordinary “grandma”, Charlotte Matusevich; precious great-niece, Claire along with many other loved nieces, nephews, and cousins; lifelong friend, Deanna Linkous; special friend, Melinda Huff, and her cats, Charlie and Midge. Joy was preceded in death by birth mother, Lesa Whitlow Faller; stepfather, Fred Chandler; sister, Amber Whitlow; and grandfather, George Whitlow (PawPaw). Inurnment will follow in New Zion Cemetery. on December 9, 2020.³

     Melody Ann Merckling was born on January 8, 1947 at Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio.¹ As of October 3, 1980,her married name was Gibbs.² She married Thomas Franklin Gibbs Jr., son of Thomas Franklin Gibbs Sr. and Wilmoth Emily Jane Whitlow, on October 3, 1980 at Wichita Co., Texas.^2,1 Melody Ann Merckling died on February 5, 2002 at Carlsbad, Eddy Co., New Mexico, at age 55.¹ She Melody Ann Gibbs, 55, died Merckling Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, at Carlsbad Medical Center. She is survived by her husband, 1Sgt. Thomas F. Gibbs Jr. (Retired) and countless loved ones. She touched everyone she knew and to list them all would be near impossible. She was born Jan. 8, 1947, in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Theus M. Merckling and the late Maurice L. Merckling. She was former resident of Morrow County. She was a Westerville High School graduate class of 1964. She was a lifelong member of the George L. Behrens Chapter 504, Order of the Eastern Star. As a girl, she was active in Grange and Jobs Daughter's. She married Thomas in 1980 and they traveled wherever the U.S. Army took them. She made every duty station home but felt the most comfortable in the desert and longed to return. In November 2001 that dream was fulfilled. Even though it was short time lived it was the happiest of her life. Hers is a wild magical spirit, she died exactly as she pleased and spent her life helping others. She had planned to start an all species rescue with her daughter within the next year. The plans for that rescue are still in the works and her spirit will live on with the help of her husband, daughter, Lehnanne, and son-in-law, Michael. on February 7, 2002.¹