ROLAND M. BORAN
Roland Michael (Mike) Boran, age 77, of Woolwine, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 3, 2017.
He was born in Alexandria, on the 11th day of the 11th month, 1939, to the late Roland J. Boran and Charlotte D. Boran. He attended several Catholic parochial elementary schools and then entered the Alexandria Public Schools where he was graduated from Francis C. Hammond High School.
Music and performing were natural to him, and famously in high school he rescued a sold-out dance with his “Capitol City All-Stars,” when the booked band did not show. He was a self-taught keyboard and guitar player and was a vital part of the Alexandria music scene in the late-1950s as a member of the Alexandria Abstracts.
With John Phillips, Bill Cleary, and Phil Blondheim, the band changed their name to The Smoothies, and Blondheim changed his name to Scott MacKenzie when they began recording for Decca Records in New York City and appeared on television’s “American Bandstand.” After the band broke up, Mike joined up with Tim Rose and they performed as Michael and Timothy.
Boran continued to perform while he entered the academic community and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the American University of Washington D.C. and a master’s of education degree in political science from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
He was, for 25 years, a proud member of the faculty at Herndon High School in Fairfax County, where he taught government and political science. He was known for wearing a lab coat (as a social scientist), and wielded a broken pool cue which he used to perform drum rolls on the trash can.
He was well known for performing “You’ve Got a Friend” each year at Herndon’s graduation. He was the first and only high school teacher in Fairfax County to be asked to speak the commencement address at a graduating class—year 1976. That was one of his greatest tributes, and he treasured it.
During this time, with the help of many former students, he built a rustic log-and-stone home deep in the Bull Run Mountains of Fauquier County, at his beloved “Mount Hope,” so named because it “don’t Mount to much, but we Hope it don’t fall down.” That home provided him with his treasured privacy. He lived there for three decades, and it was there that he married his beloved Christine.
Mr. and Mrs. Boran later moved to their spacious old farmstead, which had been converted into a gracious, venerable country estate in the Blue Ridge Highlands of Southwest Virginia’s Patrick County near the tiny, charming mountain town of Woolwine.
He built a recording studio and produced two albums of his interpretations of rock and soul standards. He had a love of doing challenging crossword puzzles. In the 1990s, he was published twice for his clever creations of ‘The Puzzle’ in the “Washington Post Magazine.”
He was a man with an engaging and sly sense of humor, who could tell you a joke heard a hundred times and still evoke laughter. He loved teaching, particularly history, and generations of students found him the most valuable teacher of their high school years. He had a talent for friendship and could be either gregarious or a quiet and patient listener.
Loyal to a fault, he exemplified an enduring caring for his friends, expecting no return on such investment of time. As a friend, he was ever present and always available. His role model and hero was Thomas Jefferson, as founding father of the country and the University of Virginia—evidence of his values.
He and Christine spent his last years enjoying their dogs and cats and the wildlife in Woolwine at their ‘Woolwine House.’ When he wasn’t cooking and listening to blues songs, Mike could be found relaxing by the pond or rumbling through the woods in his four-wheeler or sitting in his parlor reading writings of Henry David Thoreau and listening to classical music. He found his peace living the quiet life inside the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Mike is survived by his wife Christine, son Andy Boran, daughter Nancy Travers, brothers Paul and Ed, and three grandchildren, Travers Eubank, Ann Gardner Eubank, and Luke Boran. He also leaves behind a legion of friends and students who will never forget his open mind, quick wit, and his generosity. He will be sorely missed by the many whose lives he made richer.
Per his wishes, no formal funeral services will be held. Christine will be compiling a creative memory book honoring her late husband. She requests anyone wishing to submit cards, letters, notes, stories, and photos for this unique memory collection honoring his life may do so by sending them to P.O. Box 314, Woolwine, Va., 24185.
The family requests that memorial gifts be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 18981 Jeb Stuart Hwy., Stuart, Va., 24171.
Online condolences may also be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
ELLEN W. DULL
Ellen Wilson Dull, 94, of Patrick County, passed away on Friday, June 2, 2017.
She was born on May 1, 1923 to the late Walter Wilson and Mary Gillie Wilson. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson T. Dull.
She was a member of Mountain View Church of God of Prophecy.
She is survived by her daughter, Peggy Tate and husband Harold of Reidsville, N.C.; a grandson, Ronald Tate and wife Jean; and a great-grandson, Zachary Tate.
A graveside service was held Monday, June 5, at Patrick Memorial Gardens, Stuart, with Pastor Tom Warren officiating.
Arrangements were by Norris Funeral Services and Crematory of Stuart. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
VIOLET W. ELGIN
Violet Wood Elgin, 85, of Stuart, passed away Saturday, June 3, 2017, at Blue Ridge Rehab Center in Martinsville.
She was born on June 16, 1931, in Patrick County and was a daughter of the late Oscar Lee Wood and Myrtie Fulcher Wood. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Demris Holt, Doris Holt, and Arlene Smith; brothers, Hoy Wood, Aaron Wood, Donald Wood, and Glenn Wood; and twin sons, Garry Gene and Barry Dean. Violet was a 1949 graduate of Stuart High School and was valedictorian of her class. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Christian Church.She is survived by her husband, Buren Randolph Elgin of the home; daughter, Pam Elgin of Salem; son, Steve Elgin and wife Cindy of Forest; brother, Marion Wood of Stuart; and grandson, Andrew Elgin of Forest. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Norris Funeral Services Stuart Chapel with the Revs. Jim Pence and Danny Gilley officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Providence United Methodist Church Cemetery in Patrick Springs.
Arrangements are by Norris Funeral Services and Crematory of Stuart. Online condolences may be made at www.norrisfuneral.com.
ELIZABETH S. GEORGE
Elizabeth “Betsy” Shelor George, age 69, of Meadows of Dan, passed away Monday, May 29, 2017, at her home.
She was born on July 11, 1947 in Patrick County to the late William “Bill” Shelor and Alice “Tinkey” Bolt Shelor.
Betsy graduated from Meadows of Dan High School in 1965 and retired from Meadows of Dan Elementary School in 2014 after many years of teaching.
She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Tom George of the home; a daughter, Jane George of Meadows of Dan; aunts, Ruth Jean Bolt of Meadows of Dan and Eileen Dalton of Atlanta, Ga.; cousins, B.H. and Gail Dalton, and Ashley and Virginia Dalton, all of Atlanta, Ga.; brothers-in-law, Steve George and wife Suzanne and family of Wetumpka, Ala., and David George and family of Pickens, S.C.; and sisters-in-law, Deborah Hollingsworth and family of Ararat, and Agnes George and family of Yadkinville, N.C.
A memorial service was held on Friday, June 2 at Meadows of Dan Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Burial was private.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Meadows of Dan Baptist Church Building Fund, Meadows of Dan Baptist Church, 2511 Jeb Stuart Hwy., Meadows of Dan, Va., 24120. Arrangements were by Moody Funeral Home in Stuart. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
SALLY W. JOYCE
Sally White Joyce, 94, of Bassett, passed away on Saturday, May 27, 2017.
She was born in Ararat on November 15, 1922 to the late Bud and Senora Flippin White. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jesse “J. Harold” Joyce; daughter, Linda Alexander; brother, Calvin White and sister, Edith Gordon.
She is survived by a son, David Joyce; four grandchildren; a special cousin, several nieces, nephews and other loving family members.
The funeral was held Friday, June 2, in the Bassett Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Dale Wilson officiating. Burial was at Roselawn Burial Park.
ROY G. MARSHALL
Roy Gene Marshall, 72, of Ararat, passed away Saturday evening, June 3, 2017, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on December 23, 1944 in Patrick County and was a son of the late Rev. Edward Green Marshall and Nannie Evelyn Peele Marshall. He was also preceded in death by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Jay and Hattie Marshall Atkins, and Douglas and Virginia Irene Marshall Harold.
He had a love and passion for horses and hunting.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Melody Page Marshall; two daughters, Claudia Stowers and Sarah Marshall; four grandchildren; four and a half great-grandchildren; two sisters, Frankie Edwards and Frieda Hall; two brothers, Wilford Marshall and Glenn Marshall; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Tuesday, June 6, at Oakdale Cemetery with the Rev. Deward Scott officiating.
Memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mount Airy, N.C. 27030.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to his special nurse, Paige Combs, for all of the love and care shown to him during his illness.
GRACE M. MARTIN
Grace Mae Martin, age 104, of Stuart, passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at the Blue Ridge Nursing Center.
She was born in Patrick County on October 23, 1912 and was a daughter of the late Claude Woodall and Minnie Hudson Woodall. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Roy Franklin Martin; a daughter, Lorene Martin; a son, Johnnie Martin; a sister, Elaine Corns; four brothers, Bobby, Johnnie, Marion, and Alvin Woodall; and a son-in-law, Junior Fulcher.
She was a longtime member of Spoon Creek Primitive Baptist Church.
She is survived by her children, Florence Fulcher of Bassett, Dorothy Lawson and husband J.E. of Stuart, Franklin Martin and wife Athajean of Stuart, Lois Vandergrift and husband Tommy of Ridgeway, and Alvin Martin and wife Ann of Brosville, 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 28 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, June 2, at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Pastor Terry Martin officiating. Burial was in Patrick Memorial Gardens.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfueneralservices.com.
CONLEY B. WAGNER JR.
Conley “Beryl” Wagner Jr., affectionately known as “Bull,” age 73, of Stuart, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 3, 2017.
He was born in Roanoke on November 15, 1943 to the late C. Beryl Wagner Sr. and Carrie Neal Rotenberry Wagner. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by aunts, Cynthia Ward, Claudine Phillips, Grace Cole, Florence Berry, Roxanne Rotenberry; and uncles, Bill Wagner, Ira Rotenberry, Hurley Rotenberry, David Rotenberry and Clayton Rotenberry.
He faithfully served his country in the Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He had a special relationship with his lineman brothers from I.B.E.W., in particular Tommy Keough of MTV Solutions of Holbrook, Mass.
Beryl was a man who never met a stranger, helped every one he could, and never passed a hitchhiker. He took several mission trips to Lima, Peru and one to a reservation in Arizona with a dear friend/mother, Sue Barnett. He was a legend in his own time!
Beryl is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Mitzie Bowman Wagner of the home; sons, Keith Wagner and Tommy Wagner, both of Richmond, and Steve Wagner and wife Shirley of Stuart; daughters, Bambi W. Gladfelter of Richmond and Balei Wagner of Radford; grandchildren, David Gladfelter, Stevie Wagner, Madison Wagner, Kaelyn Wagner, Sarah Wagner, and Marisa Wagner; two of many adopted children, Alex Parkinson of the home and J. Matt Murphy of Kentucky; sister, Judy Jarrell and husband Phil of Beckley, W.Va.; special cousins, Martha Ward Hill of Pelham, Ala., and Elijah Goad of Laurel Fork; special brothers, David “Crockett” Campbell of South Carolina, Kurt Robinson of Patrick Springs, and Warner Dodson of Ararat; and many union brothers.
A celebration of life service was held on Tuesday, June 6 at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Stuart with Pastor David Heath, Tony Bowman, Mike Price, and Warner Dodson officiating. Burial was private.
Memorial donations may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, 18981 Jeb Stuart Hwy., Stuart, Va., 24171.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com.
