Obituaries Floyd Press 11-29-07

HILDA BERNICE HARRIS HELM with pix
COPPER HILL-Hilda Bernice Helm, 83,  was called home to her Lord after a long courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday November 21, 2007.  She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Virginia Harris, sister,  Gloria F. Wheeler, and niece,  Gwendolyn Wheeler.
Left to mourn her loss is: her devoted and caring husband of 48 years, Theodore Lawson Helm;
Sons, Theodore A. Helm, Wendell Hughes, Barry Hughes, James Holland, Jimmy Tolliver; sister, Betty Ponton; grandchildren, Rhiannon Helm, Phillip, Whitnee and Daryn Hughes; two great-grandchildren; special niece, Wanda Widener; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and associates.
Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m.  Sunday November 25, 2007 at the Maberry Funeral Home Chapel, Floyd, with Rev. Clinton Crump officiating.  Interment followed at Little River Cemetery. 

RENVA WEEKS KNOWLES
CHRISTIANSBURG- Renva Weeks Knowles, 95, passed away Thursday Nov. 22, 2007.  She was born near Doswell, Hanover County, Virginia June 27, 1912 and was the only daughter of the late Esper Rose and Emma Harman Weeks.  She was the widow of the late Leland Albright Knowles, son of Abner James and Nina Albright Knowles.  Renva was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law Moir Curtis and Edna Mantz Weeks.
  She is survived by: nieces and nephews,  Walter Reece Knowles, Estelle Simmons, Jean Peters. Frances Shelor, Maritha Handy, Lora Biggs, Elizabeth Hale, Helen Flaharity; other relatives and friends.
She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christiansburg.  Funeral service was held 2:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, 2007 at Maberry Funeral Home with Rev. David Goodpasture officiating.  Interment followed at Topeco Cemetery.  Contributions may be made to Topeco Church of the Brethren, 3460 Floyd Hwy. South, Floyd, VA 24091.

DWIGHT ELWOOD MABRY
CHERRYVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA-Dwight Elwood Mabry, 74, entered into eternal rest November 16, 2007 at Shelby, North Carolina. He will be missed by all who knew him, and will always be remembered as the strongest man we ever knew.

He was born December 21, 1932 in Norwood, North Carolina to Robert Glenn and Ethel Mabry. A 1955 graduate of High Point University, he played baseball there for four years. After graduating from college, he played professional baseball for the Cincinnati Reds until this career was cut short by an injury. After teaching school for several years, he and his wife owned and operated the Western Auto in Cherryville, North Carolina. During his busy lifetime, he also refereed ACC basketball, was a licensed auctioneer, farmer, and devoted family man.
He was a beloved husband, father, papaw and friend. Elwood committed his life to serving others in the community. He was a charter member and first Captain of Cherryville Rescue Squad, a charter member and first Chief of Hugh’s Pond Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of Pee Dee Lodge #150, Scottish Rite Bodies, and Oasis Shrine Temple. He was a member of Porter Baptist Church, Porter, NC, and attended First Presbyterian Church of Cherryville.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother of Norwood, North Carolina and three brothers,  David Mabry, Sydney Mabry and Harold Mabry.
Left to honor and cherish his memory is: his wife,  Helen Phillips Mabry (formerly of Floyd County); daughter,  Cathy and husband Alan Cloninger of Dallas, North Carolina; son,  Douglas and wife Tami Mabry of Cherryville, North Carolina; and his two adored granddaughters Shawna Barrett of Greensboro, North Carolina and Madison Mabry of Cherryville;  three brothers-and-sisters in law, Mr. and Mrs. Alton Mabry of Hendersonville NC,  Mr. and Mrs. Lane Mabry of Baxley, Georgia,  and Mr. and Mrs. P.L. Mabry of Sunset Beach, South Carolina. He is also survived by brothers-and-sisters-in-law, George and Ruth Heafner, Greensboro, NC; Earl and Mamie Vest, Floyd, , and Morris and Freeda Phillips, Christiansburg.  Elwood was a loving son-in-law to the late Cordova Phillips of Floyd.
The family received friends Saturday evening from 6-8:30 at Stamey’s Funeral Home, Cherryville. Funeral service was conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 18, at First Presbyterian Church with interment at Cherryville City Cemetery. No greater gift can one receive in life than a Father who held steadfast and dutiful to his belief in God, family, love, and respect for others. “Well done Thy Good and Faithful Servant.”

BARBARA ABBOTT NEWMAN
BEDFORD-Barbara Abbott Newman passed away November 11, 2007 at Lynchburg General Hospital. She was born in Bedford, may 13, 1940. She was the daughter of the late Robert Lloyd and Sarah Witt Abbott.
Surviving are: her husband, Harold Dean Newman of Bedford; daughters and son-in-law, Evelyn and Michael Conner of Check, Brittany M. Newman of Bedford; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert D. and Wendy Newman, Eric D. and Terri Newman, Scott Ellas Newman, Timothy E. Newman, James L. and Sherri Newman, and Ryan L. Newman, all of Bedford; grandchildren, Lindy Rupe of Floyd, Deana Trail and Debra Conner of Check, Robert Earl Newman of Bedford, Michael Lloyd Newman of Roanoke, Tyler Newman of Bedford and Keifer Calhoun of Wertz; great-grandchildren, Caytlynn Rupe, Amber Rupe, Matthew Conner and Nathan Trail; brothers, Nelson R. Abbott and Lewis E. Abbott; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was held at Updike Funeral Home in Bedford. 

NANNIE THURLAND PHILLIPS

WILLIS-Nannie Thurland Phillips, age 91, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday November 20, 2007.  During her earthly life she was a devoted wife of 66 years, a homemaker, a gentle loving mother and grandmother.  She was well known for her “green thumb” with the ability to make any plants thrive.  Her needlework and quilting were also traits that her family and friends will treasure for many years to come.
She was a faithful member of Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church.  She was blessed to share her love and devotion for her church and her Lord and Master.  We as a family feel that we are the ones that are truly blessed to have had such a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother for so many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents,  Noah Lee and Addie Phillips,  husband of 66 years,  Victor Phillips,  a beloved son,  Joe Phillips,  grandchildren,  Vicki Belcher and Andrew Phillips,  great-grandchildren,  Misty Jo Cox and Alex Love.
She is survived by:  sons Wayne Phillips of Willis, Nelson and Gelia Phillips of Indian Valley and Tobias and Kathy Phillips of Pearisburg; sister, Helen and Elza Cox of Lexington, NC.; grandchildren,  Rebecca and Lloyd Cox, Lonnie and Cindy Phillips, Victoria and Scott Harris, Donna and Tony Quesenberry, Lisa and Steve Love, Mark and Calli Phillips;  19 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Friday November 23, 2007 at the Indian Creek Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Kenneth Hopkins officiating.  Interment followed at Indian Creek Cemetery. Please consider a donation to the Floyd County Rescue Squad.  Arrangements by Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd.

LOUISE TIDY QUESENBERRY
FLOYD-Louise Tidy Quesenberry, age 90, of Floyd passed away Tuesday November 20, 2007.  She was preceded in death by two husbands, Frank Underwood and Aba Quesenberry, and sons,  David A. Underwood and Donald Underwood.
Survivors include: daughter-in-law,  Peggy Underwood; granddaughters, Lisa Smith and husband Jason, Linda Harris and husband Rick; great-grandson,  Kendall Huff; great-granddaughters, Kendra and Tiffany Smith; brothers and sisters-in-law,  James and Ruth McGrady, David and Nancy McGrady, Columbus and Lovealene McGrady, Martin and Jenny McGrady; sisters,  Norma Marshall, Stella Sowers; very special friends, Brady Lambert, Vera Lee
Graveside funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m.  Wednesday November 21, 2007 at Captain George Quesenberry Cemetery with Rev. Clyde Bishop officiating.  Arrangements by Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd.

Obit for MICHELLE LEIGH RADFORD

Michelle Leigh Radford, age 35, of Christiansburg, passed away Wednesday November 21, 2007.  She was preceded in death by her father, Ralph Radford, Jr. & mother, Barbara Radford.

SURVIVORS
SISTERS & BROTHER-IN-LAW
Rebecca Eanes
  Copper Hill
Rhonda Radford & Bill Huff
  Check
NIECES
Mykayla Eanes
Megan Radford
  Both of Copper Hill
AUNTS & UNCLES
Sylvia Radford
  Bent Mountain
Kathie Mays
Gloria Radford
  Both of Roanoke
Cora & Russell Walker
  Salem
Bonnie & Russell Brown
  Floyd
Jimmy Radford
  Copper Hill
Ralph & Martha Mays
  Roanoke
Michelle also had many cousins & friends who will greatly miss her.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 PM Tuesday November 27, 2007 at the Vest Cemetery, Floyd, with Rev. J.C. Holden officiating.
The family would like to say a special thanks to Paula, Michelle’s neighbor, and Junior Eanes for their assistance.  Donations to the Lupus & Arthritis Foundations, in Michelle’s memory, would be greatly appreciated.
Arrangements by Maberry Funeral Home, Floyd.