All Tributes

Charles Lloyd “Charlie” Nelson, age 59 of Fincastle, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2021 following a long struggle with multiple sclerosis. Charlie was born February 25, 1962 in Johnson City, Tennessee and lived in the Roanoke Valley since 1969. He was the son of the late Frank P. Nelson, Jr. and Joyce N. Wilhelm Nelson. Charlie was a machinist for many years with Ingersoll Rand. He was a Christian and was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and his dog...

Andrew Thomas "Drew" Merritt, Sr., age 46 of Fincastle, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2021 following an extended illness. Arrangements are pending with Rader Funeral Home.

Georgie Alees Markham Hender, age 94 of Buchanan, passed away Sunday, April 4, 2021 following a brief illness. Georgie was born in Buchanan and lived in the Botetourt area most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Gilbert G. and Thalia C. Taylor Markham. Georgie was a homemaker and enjoyed her birds, dogs, and flower gardens. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sons Thomas Corso and Joseph Corso; and is survived by her son, Jesus Barton Nieves of...

Terri Stevens Huffman, age 56 of Daleville, passed away Saturday, April 3, 2021 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital following a long illness. Terri was born October 10, 1964 in Roanoke and lived in Botetourt most of her life. She was the daughter of the late William D. and Mary M. Breeden Stevens. Terri was a secretary for the Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years. She was a member and deacon at Melrose Baptist Church. She enjoyed her grandchildren and Disney. In addition...

David D. Havens, age 59 of Roanoke, passed away Friday, April 2, 2021 at the Veterans Medical Center of Salem. David was born in Roanoke and was the son of the late Frank Havens and Thelma Dunavan Havens, who survives. He lived in the area all of his life. David served with The United States Marine Corps and was a steel worker with John Hancock Steel. He enjoyed spending time and raising his grandson Frankie. In addition to his father, David was preceded in death by his sister Barbara...

Erik John “Rik” Schwendeman died Friday, April 2, 2021 after a brief illness. He was born June 19, 1952 in Sewickley, Pennsylvania to Anne (Jarowey) and Louis Schwendeman, and grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana and graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He earned his Master’s degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University...

Mary Emma Ellis Brugh Lee, 91, of The Summit Retirement Home, Hockessin, DE, daughter of the late Jerry Byron Ellis (1901-1939) and Anna Kate Trundle (1902-1997) died at The Summit on 18 March 2021. Emma was born 25 April 1929 in the "Pink House" on Napoleon Boyd Ellis' farm, near Sevierville, TN. First given the name Betty Lou Ellis, she was renamed Mary Emma when her Great-grandmother, Emma Rachael McMahon, died later in 1929. She graduated Sevier County High School on May...

Thelma Mary Frances Flowers Cronise, age 95 of Eagle Rock, passed away Monday, March 15, 2021 at Kissito Post-Acute-The Brian Center Alleghany following a brief illness. Thelma was born in Jeters Chapel November 29, 1925 and was the daughter of the late Garman E. and Willie L. Preston Flowers. She lived in the area all of her life. Thelma was homemaker and helped her husband Rhudy on the farm. She loved country music. In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by her husband...

With sorrow and regret, we want to inform family and friends of Gisela Jackson's passing on March 6, 2021, due to a long battle with illnesses. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Michael, her sister, Inga Lechner, of Germany, her son and daughter-law, Stephen and Michelle Jackson, her daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and John Rizzo, and three grandchildren Kaitlin, Celina, and Cameron. Gisela Maria Jackson was born on September 9, 1942, in Augsburg, Germany, to Anne and Julius...

Ricky Allen “Rick” Huffman, age 57 of Lynchburg, died Friday, March 5, 2021 at his home following a long illness. Rick was born in Roanoke February 13, 1964 and lived in Lynchburg all of his adult life. He was the son of the late Charles E. Huffman, Sr. and Marjorie L. Dunbar Huffman. Rick was a cashier for Scott’s Thrift Store for twelve years and most recently worked for Billy Craft Honda in Lynchburg. He enjoyed bingo and 80’s music. He is survived by his...