Obituaries

Aug 14, 2017

Aug 12, 2017

Elizabeth Sidney Yonce Hunter, 97, of Eagle Rock, VA, died Saturday, August 12, 2017. Sidney was preceded in death by her husband, William T. Hunter, Sr., by her parents, Gordon Victor and Josephine Guy Yonce, and by her siblings Virginia Yonce Gates, G. Victor Yonce, Jr. (Rosa Hill Yonce), and William I. "Bill" Yonce. Born on October 16, 1919,...

Aug 9, 2017

Jerry Wayne "Petie" Dudley, 61, of Buchanan, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2017. He was preceded in death by his father, Thurman Edgar Ayers and mother, Laura Hilda Dudley; grandparents Lowell "Teen" & Lucy "Ida" Dudley, Pete & Dalie Ayers, and honorable mention step-grandparents Ed & Bertha Dudley; as well as the many uncles and aunts he loved so...

Jul 16, 2017

Bethany Marie Franklin July 11, 1987 - July 16, 2017 Our baby girl was taken from us suddenly early Sunday morning. Bethany was a beautiful young lady who cared for so many. She was a dedicated paramedic, fire fighter, respiratory therapist, daughter and friend. She was always working to improve herself, recently graduating at the top of her class...

Jul 9, 2017

Richard Arlen Chapman, 86, of Roanoke, passed away on 07/09 of complications from kidney cancer. Born in Buchanan, VA in 1930 to the late Buchanan Police Chief, Frank L. Chapman and Bertha Stinnett Chapman. Richard was a graduate of Buchanan High School. Preceding in death was his wife, Blanche Gallimore Chapman. Surviving are his son, Richard Arlen Chapman Jr....

Jul 4, 2017

John William "John Bill" Watts, 89, of Natural Bridge passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2017. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Saville Watts. He is survived by his daughters, Shelly Strange of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; Deborah Evans and husband, Mike of Madison, GA; grandchildren, Alexandria Strange, Sheldon and Shane Hebert, Andi and Hannah Dangerfield; great-grandson,...

Jun 30, 2017

Rebecca Marie "Becca" Weeks, 41, of Buchanan passed away Friday, June 30, 2017. Becca was preceded in death by her grandparents, Dewey and Joy Wright, Jim Weeks; and great-grandparent, Marie Harlow. Survivors include her father Larry Allen Weeks of Buchanan; mother and step-father, Rebecca Wright Taylor and John Henry Taylor of Buchanan; brother, Christopher Allen Weeks, of Buchanan; aunts...

Jun 28, 2017

Sharon Denise Dawson Bonds, 56, of Roanoke passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2017. She was preceded in death by her father, Curtis Dawson; brothers, Sterling, Clifford, Leo, and Rodney Dawson. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, James Bonds; mother, Genevieve Dawson Brown; step-children, Trina Fluellen, James Clark, and Martin Clark; step-granddaughter, Rebecca Fluellen; brothers, Stafford, Curtis,...

Jun 28, 2017

James Burhman Booze, 75, of Fincastle passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2017. James was a US Army Veteran, a Shock Trauma Tech with Fincastle Rescue Squad, and a Master Auto Technician with General Motors working with Bolton's in Fincastle and Valley Cadillac in Roanoke. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Viola Mae Falls Booze. Survivors...

Jun 23, 2017

David Baldwin Layne, 73, of Buchanan passed away Friday, June 23, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleophus and Sadie Layne and step-daughter, Carol Lynn Richards. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Rita Layne; daughters, Lisa Crawley and Crystal Layne; grandchildren, Christopher, Alexis, Steven, and Adriana, numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Betty...

Jun 19, 2017

Fleeta Hale Newcomb, 83, of Eagle Rock, passed away Monday, June 19, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy Lee Newcomb; parents, Arthur and Edna Hale; sister, Joann Hicks; and brother, Rodney Hale. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Gary Simpson; grandchildren, Amanda and Jeremy Bennington, Lee and Karmen Simpson, Heather Bennett,...

Jun 18, 2017

Raymond Luther Meador, Jr., 72, of Roanoke, formerly of Fincastle, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday, June 18, 2017. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond, Sr. and Virginia Mae Bell Meador; brothers-in-law, Billy and Jacob Simmons. He attended Northside High School and UNC-Chapel Hill. Ray was a Charter member of North Roanoke Baptist...

Jun 15, 2017

Jun 11, 2017

Sarah Lorraine Hibbitts Nunley, 88, of Eagle Rock, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2017. She was born January 7, 1929 in Elliston, Virginia. Sarah was preceded in death by her parents, Hattie and John Hibbitts. Along with her husband, she co-owned Gala Grocery for over 25 years, she loved being outside, gardening, and birdwatching from her porch. She was...

Jun 6, 2017

Willie Edward Vassar, 94, of Buchanan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. Ed served in the Army Corps of Engineers in World War II, stationed in the Pacific Theatre as a Construction Machine Operator, where he was awarded several medals and awards. He later retired from Lone Star Cement. He was preceded in death by his wife,...

May 23, 2017

Michael Patrick McLaughlin, 53, of Troutville, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Memorial Services will be held 2:00pm Sunday, May 28, 2017 at Lithia Baptist Church. Arrangements by Botetourt Funeral Home, Buchanan 540-254-3000.

May 22, 2017

Viola Miller Smith, 102, of Fincastle, passed away Monday, May 22, 2017. Graveside Services will be held 12:30pm Friday, May 26, 2017 in Broad Creek Cemetery. Arrangements by Botetourt Funeral Home, Buchanan 540-254-3000.

May 19, 2017

Roger Dale Johns, 63, of Eagle Rock, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017. He was a giving man; serving his country, community, and the wellbeing of others. Roger was a veteran of the US Marine Corps, a Volunteer with the Eagle Rock Fire and Rescue Squad, and an organ donor. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles...

May 3, 2017

Viola "Big Mama" Trail, 96, of Roanoke, passed away Wednesday, May 3, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Woodson Trail; son, Rodney L. Trail; parents, Roy and Katie Simpson; and sister, Ellen Linkenhoker. She is survived by her children and spouses, Mary and Chester Hollingsworth, Henry and Barbara Trail, Doris and Hugh Jones, Janie and...

Apr 30, 2017

Louis Edward Smith, 83, of Eagle Rock, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil and Nelva Smith and grandson, James Louis Smith. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Nicely Smith; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Clay Coleman of Fincastle; sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Lisa Smith of...