MABERRY FUNERAL HOME - Key Persons
Margaret Amelia Cornett Atkins Worley, of Blacksburg, died peacefully on November 10, 2008 at Skyline Manor in Floyd, VA. She was born in Marion, VA on August 24, 1909, the eldest of eight children. Her parents were Anna Laura Umbargar of Marion, VA and Carl Cox Cornett of Elk Creek, VA.
After graduating from Marion Junior College and Scarlett College in Memphis, Tennessee, she taught school in Laurel Springs and worked several years as a social worker in Southwest Virginia and West Virginia. She was always concerned about fair play and doing the right thing, and participated in a variety of social and political activities.
Margaret and her first husband, Francis Neal Atkins, moved to Blacksburg in 1948 where they raised their two daughters while he taught at Virginia Tech.
She was active in the United Methodist Church of Blacksburg as a Sunday School Superintendent and a teacher; active in her circle and president of the Women's Circle. As a couple, they ran the youth group for several years. Margaret and two friends started the Kindergarten- Preschool at the church as well as beginning the Trick-or-Treat for U.N.I.C.E.F. program in Blacksburg.
One of her favorite activities was playing the soprano recorder in her recorder group, helping celebrate special holidays at Smithfield and other local places. She loved reading, friends, and did a lot of volunteer work through the community. Margaret and Francis were funding members of Founders Forest which later became Warm Hearth Complex, where she enjoyed living after the death of her second Husband, Charles Worley. During those years, she particularly loved the "Writer's Worship", run my Niki Giovani at Showalter. It was the highlight of her week.
Margaret is survived by two daughters and their husbands: Charlotte Atkins and Ernest Bryant of Check, VA; Joyce A. and David W. Jackson of West Hartford, CT; and a step-daughter and husband: Melinda Worley and Charles Brown of Richmond, VA; four grandchildren: Midge Carlson (Wethersfield, CT); Christopher Jackson (Los Angeles); Barbara and husband Kevin Humphrey of Pittsburgh, PA; and Aquaria Brown of Richmond, VA. There are five great-grandchildren: Haley and Paige Carlson of Wethersfield, CT and Mark, Ryan and Aidan Humphrey of Pittsburgh, PA. She has one living sister, Louise Warren of Marion, VA.
Myriam Virginia Newman Spence passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at her home in Willis, VA. She was born in Fries, VA to Celissie Bolen Newman and William Heath Newman on August 10, 1924. She moved to Hillsville at the age of 8 months after the death of her mother and was raised by her Uncle Burt and Aunt Elva Bolen Semones.
She was a devoted wife, mother, and friend. She was an active member of Willis United Methodist Church and the community until her mobility no longer allowed her to be. Her church family and the members of the Willis Homemakers were a special part of her life.
She is survived by her sons & daughters-in-law, Arthur D. Spence III (Marie), James D. (Jimmy) Spence (Janie), Michael (Mike) G. Spence; daughter & son-in-law, Katie S. Vest (James); grandchildren & spouses, James (Jimmy) Brian Vest, Michelle England (Keith), Melissa Cox (Greg), Gretchen Gleim (Tommy), Neeley Russell (Philip); nine great-grandchildren; one great great-grandson; special sister-like cousin, Doris Semones Gibson (Bill); sister-in-law, Madeline Spence Bayne; brother-in-law, Mac McCaughey; many extended family members and her precious feline companion, Calico.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Attendant / Cosmetologist
Rodney Thomas began working at the funeral home in June of 1954 after high school. He became a licensed embalmer in 1956 at the Cincinnati School of Embalming, and a licensed funeral director in 1959. Rodney retired from the funeral home in September of 2003 after over 40 years of service.
Job Titles:
- Funeral Attendant / Maintenance