Wytheville Enterprise Obituaries

Louise Crigger Babcock
Louise Crigger Babcock, 78, of Wytheville died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008, at her residence. A graveside service will be held Monday, Oct. 13, at noon at West End Cemetery with the Rev. Norman Wilhoit officiating.
The family will receive friends Sunday, Oct. 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Home.
She was born Nov. 13, 1929, in Wythe County, daughter of the late Elmer Hix and Eula Martha Umberger Crigger.
She is survived by her husband, Mark Babcock Jr., of the home; one son, Mark S. Babcock of Wytheville; two grandchildren and spouses, Leslie and Branscome Kincer and Keith and Kimberly Babcock, all of Wytheville; three great-grandchildren, Danielle Babcock, Jayson Kincer and Morgan Eversole; one brother and sister-in-law, Charles R. and Aileen Crigger of Pulaski; and several nieces and nephews.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements. 

Gladys A. Blair
Gladys Annette Blair, 90, of Carrington Place of Wytheville, formerly of Norfolk, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, at Highland Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Dublin.
Her ashes will be interred later at a memorial service at Walton Furnace.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John Caldwell Calhoun Blair and Annie Myrtle Shrader Blair; and two brothers, J.C.C. “Jack” Blair Jr. and R.J. “Pat” Blair.
Born June 29, 1918, in the Walton Furnace community of Wythe County, she was always a student. Her elementary and high school years began at Max Meadows under Miss Jenny Kent and ended as the 1935 salutatorian of Churchland High School.
Next came a few courses at Norfolk Business College followed by some entry level jobs around Norfolk. Shortly before World War II she joined the Naval Supply Office at Norfolk Naval Base helping to supply ships for the Lend-Lease Program as well as the Atlantic Fleet.
After the war, she continued her work until the early 1970s. While working, she continued her education at the Norfolk Division of William and Mary which ultimately became Old Dominion University. Her bachelor of science degree in philosophy earned in 1968 and her master of science degree in history earned in 1975 were merely road signs along a life of learning.
Her life was always interesting. She learned Spanish with enough fluency to be comfortable in Spain, Mexico and South America. She attempted to learn Chinese.
Whatever she learned she shared with family and friends. For example, her Pre-Columbian art studies became part of the Pre-Columbian education of the family. Family members and friends traveling with her would find themselves with exotic experiences or perhaps trying some new food such as Japanese tempura.
Her family and friends were the happy recipients of truly thoughtful gifts. Everyone eagerly anticipated the Christmases after her travels because they knew the gifts she gave were always chosen especially for that person. The gift, large or small, would always be full of love,
She was a courageous person seeking new experiences. She climbed Mt. Rogers and hiked across the Grand Canyon. At age 60, she started jogging.
She traveled around the world to places which included all continents except Australia and Antarctica. Nothing got in her way even after she traveled to known trouble spots. In her 60s and 70s, she hiked and camped in such places as Alaska and the Himalayas.
As a descendant of Jerome Blair, one of the founders of Galena Presbyterian Church near Austinville, she took the joy of being a Christian seriously whether participating in missions to help Indians in Mexico, restoring orphanages in Italy or walking barefoot on rocks during an Irish pilgrimage.
She was a dedicated member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Norfolk until she came to Wytheville where she became a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Always the student she would ask her sister to get books from the Wythe County Public Library to explain some point of a sermon.
She was a person who will be greatly missed by the friends and family who will be left behind, jealous of those people in heaven who will be introduced to a Christian who led a truly good and fascinating life.
Survivors include a sister, Margaret Blair Grimes of Wytheville; sister-in-law, Hazel Blair; nieces, Ann Blair, Sue Blair Murphy and Roberta Ainsworth Clay; nephew, John Anthony “Tony” Blair; and numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.

Gil J. Bowers
Gil Jackson Bowers, 50, of Wytheville died Tuesday night, Oct. 7, 2008, in Charlottesville after a long illness.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel with Pastor Dave Krug and the Rev. Elizabeth King officiating. Interment will be in the Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery.
He was born Dec. 28, 1957. He was an employee of AEP for over 30 years and was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church. He was a 1976 graduate of Fort Chiswell High School serving his class as parliamentarian.
He was preceded in death by his father, G. Clayton Bowers; a brother, Dennis Clayton Bowers; and a nephew, Tyler Dale Repass.
Survivors include his wife, Vicki Bowers of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and John Wilkins III of Fancy Gap; mother, Carol Jackson Bowers of Austinville; granddaughter, Hannah Lynne Wilkins of Fancy Gap; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Larry Sr. and Sue Govin of Max Meadows; five sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Larry Kenneth Govin Jr., Robert and Michelle Govin, Lisa and Bill Kitts, all of Wytheville, Tim and Theresa Repass of Christiansburg, Ricky and Meghan Govin of Tokyo, Japan; many very special nieces, nephews and friends; two Jack Russell terriers, Cody and Caylee; and two Labrador retrievers, Baily and Reese.
Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.

Charles W. LaBone Sr.
Charles William LaBone Sr., 57, of Wytheville died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at his residence.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m. at the Grubb Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Miriam Dakin officiating. American Legion Post 9 will conduct military rites.
He was an employee of Amcor PET and was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by his father, John C. LaBone Sr.
Survivors include his wife, Deborah Morris LaBone of the home; three daughters, Cassandra LaBone, Diane Pedraza and Judy Pedraza, all of Wytheville; son, Charles William LaBone Jr. of Wytheville; mother, Mary Long LaBone of Hightstown, N.J.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Cathy and Pat McCombs of Jacksonville, Fla., Mary and Kent Tosch of New Sharon, Maine; two brothers and sisters-in-law, John C. and Patty LaBone of Clarksville, Thomas and Joan LaBone of Aiken, S.C.; three grandchildren, T.J., Fiona and Jason; and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Oct. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. (service time) at the Grubb Funeral Home.
Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.

John W. Lambert
John Wesley Lambert, 46, formerly of Wytheville, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Oct. 12, at 2:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Ridenhour and Intern Virgil Cain.
He was a 1980 graduate of George Wythe High School and a 1985 graduate of Oklahoma State University.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Jeffery Lambert.
Survivors include his parents, Judson and Barbara Lambert of Wytheville; uncle and aunt, James Jr. and Linda Wampler of Laurel, Md.; cousins, James and Carol Wampler of Ocean City, Md.; special cousin, Miriam Allison; and many other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Oct. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Jean Lester, P.O. Box 958, Wytheville, VA 24382; or the Agape Food Pantry, 405 West Main Street, Wytheville, VA 24382.
Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.

Ronald G. Weatherman
Ronald Gerald Weatherman, 66, of Ivanhoe died Monday, Oct. 6, 2008, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.
Funeral service was held Thursday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. at the Reese Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Ken Blevins officiating. Interment was in the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
He was born March 25, 1942, in Carroll County, son of the late Fred S. and Virginia Jefferson Weatherman. He was preceded in death by a sister, Trudy Ann Taylor; and two brothers, Nickey Weatherman and Freddie Weatherman.
Survivors include his former wife, JoAnn Clemons of Wytheville; son, Ronny Weatherman of Ivanhoe; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Tony and Sue Weatherman of Palm City, Fla., Hal and Vickie Weatherman of Arab, Ala.; sister-in-law, Virginia Weatherman of Ivanhoe; and several nieces and nephews.
Reese Funeral Home in Austinville was in charge of the arrangements.