OBITUARIES

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22, 2012

Edna Wright Vaught (Narrows, Va.)
Edna Kate Wright Vaught, 90, of Narrows, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, from her home surrounded by her loving family. Edna was a former employee of Celanese, and she faithfully attended the First Church of God in Rich Creek. Edna was born on January 20, 1922, in Bland, Virginia. Edna was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 60 years, Virgil Vaught; her mother, Lila Chandler Wright; her father, John Bowman Wright; her sisters, Clara Williams, Mae Blankenship, Della Ruth Wright, Minnie Williams, Anne Pfeiffer, Ina Ramsey; and her brother, Albert Wright. Edna is survived by her sister Ruby Hale and sister-in-law Thelma Wright of Narrows; her daughter, Cheryl Robertson of Knoxville, Tennessee; her son, Tommy Vaught of Narrows; four grandchildren and their families, Julie Dicer (husband Donny; Kearn and Macy Kate) of Athens, Georgia; Melanie Reynolds (Logan, River and Gracie) of Narrows; Keith Vaught (wife April; Zach, Amari, Courtney, Olivia and Zack) of Pearl City, Hawaii; Chris Robertson (wife Kim; Morgan and Cully) of Canton, Georgia; numerous nieces and nephews; a special caring niece, Sharon Wills of Rich Creek; numerous loved ones who knew her as "Mommaw;" many friends, neighbors, and newly acquired friends of Carilion Hospice, and her devoted companion and pet Teko. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows, with Pastor Alvin Trivette officiating. Burial followed in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at Riffe's Funeral Service Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider the Giles County Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. The family is being served by Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.

Lois Harless Stafford (Fairlawn, Va.)
Lois Harless Stafford, 76, of Fairlawn, entered her new eternal home on Friday, February 17, 2012, and was told by her Savior "Well done, my good and faithful servant." She was born in Giles County, Virginia on July 2, 1935 to the late Clarence and Hazel Weiss Harless. She was also preceded in death by four brothers; Cecil Harless, James Harless, Douglas "Mac" Harless, and Marshall Harless. She was employed by Klopman Mills in Dublin for many years and also worked at First Virginia Bank/BB&T in Radford until her retirement. She was an Avon sales representative for many years and enjoyed serving her customers. She was a long-time and active member of Fairlawn United Methodist Church. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. After being faced with a difficult diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, she lived each day to the fullest with courage, faith, and hope. Throughout her journey, she was blessed by the love and support of her family; her friends; her church family; Dr. Harry McCoy and the nurses of Blue Ridge Cancer Care in Christiansburg; a special caregiver, Mary Ann Harris of Comfort Care Senior Homes in Blacksburg; and countless others. Amazing, strong, courageous, determined, loving, spunky, intelligent, wise – no amount of words can describe who she was and how she influenced the lives of family, friends, and strangers. She put her family first, even above herself and she lived her faith every day. She was a counselor to many and you knew not to ask for her opinion unless you really wanted to hear it. She loved animals, flowers, and children, and she loved being outside and working in her yard. She dearly loved and cherished her grandson Nicholas, who was the light of her life. She will be with us forever and we look forward to seeing her again in Heaven. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Donald Stafford; daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia Stafford Counavelis and Tom Counavelis, of Raleigh, NC; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Kim Stafford, of Dublin; grandson Nicholas Counavelis, of Raleigh, NC; brother and sister-in-law, William (Bill) and Betty Harless, of Pearisburg; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty H. and James Roberts, of Pearisburg, Patsy H. and Bob Bruce, of Christiansburg, and Diane H. and Scotty Fewell, of Dublin; three sisters-in law, Charlotte Harless, of Williston, SC, Helen Harless, of Radford, and Patty Harless, of Pulaski; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Frances Stafford Bowling, of Roanoke, Charlotte Stafford Sartin, of Rich Creek, and Buford Steele, of Newport; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 20, 2012 from 5 pm until 7 pm at the Fairlawn United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held following the visitation at 7 pm with Rev. Bobby Lorton and Rev. Don Shelor officiating. Graveside services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fairlawn United Methodist Church, Roof Fund, 7584 Brandon Road, Fairlawn, VA 24141. The Stafford family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullins funeralhome.com

Dorothy Johnson Hale (Narrows, Va.)
Dorothy Pearl Johnson Hale, 90 of Narrows, affectionately known as "Granny" to all who knew her, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 19th, 2012 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born on February 22nd, 1921 and was the daughter of the late Ellis and Virgie Ferrell Johnson. In addition to her mother and father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Cecil Hale; and a brother, Walter Johnson. Left to cherish her memory are her son and his wife, Kenny and Carol Hale of Narrows; two grandchildren, Paul C. Hale, II of Narrows and Beth Swain and husband Maurice of Catawba; two great-grandchildren, Paula Cecile Hale and Kenneth Taylor Swain; a sister, Ruby Shepherd and husband Pete of Rich Creek; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and many special friends. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012 at 1 PM in the Chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows with Rev. Leon O'Quinn officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider Kathleen Memorial United Methodist Church, in care of Darlene Blankenship; 443 Skyview Lane; Narrows, Virginia 24124. The family is being served by Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows, (540) 726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.
Margie Thomas Lester
Narrows, Va.

Margie Mae Thomas Lester age 72 of Narrows, VA went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, VA. Born June 5, 1939 at Lindside, WV she was the daughter of the late Hugh Edward and Sylvia Grace Smith Thomas. Margie had worked at Mutts Trading Post, Riverview Restaurant, sold tickets at the Giles Theater at Rich Creek and worked as a bookkeeper for New River Supply. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Rich Creek. A precious loving, tender soul is now in heaven with Jesus. She will be sorely missed, but we know this is a temporary separation until we meet again. Survivors include her loving husband of 50 years, Michael Bee Lester, one son, Mark Lester and wife Shawn Bell Lester of Lynchburg, VA, one brother, David Thomas of Green Valley Rd., Peterstown, WV, two sisters, Virgie Page of Green Valley Rd., Peterstown, WV and Vickie Ratcliff, whom she raised as a daughter, and her husband Jack of Princeton, WV, two grandchildren, Kimberly and Jackson Ratcliff and one great grandson, Owen Helmondollar. Funeral Services were held Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jim Pickett and Rev. Jason Smith officiating. Entombment followed in the Birchlawn Abby Mausoleum, Pearisburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, love gifts/offerings can be made to the First Baptist Church of Rich Creek, PO Box 307, Rich Creek, VA 24147. Online guestbook can be signed or condolences may be sent to the Lester family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com. Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, WV.