Willis Emmitt Coddington

On June 23, 2010, Willis Emmitt Coddington, of Salem, Va., went to be with Jesus. Born on July 15, 1913, in Bradley County, Ark., he was the eldest of 10 children born to the late Clarence and Fannie St.John Coddington. He was predeceased by an infant son, Jan Lloyd Coddington; and by eight of his siblings. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 75 years, Lorene Morgan Coddington; and three daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Glen Toms, of Roanoke, Va., Sandra McCaslin, of Birmingham, Ala., and Camille and James Glazebrook, of Roanoke, Va. He is also survived by his youngest sister, Betty Rains, of Dermott, Ark.; 10 grandchildren; and 15 greatgrandchildren. He was a resident of Salem, Va. For over 60 years, he and his family were residents of Eudora, Ark. In addition to running his own television business, he was also active in the life of his community. He served as President of both the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club. He was a long time member of the Eudora Baptist Church where he served in numerous capacities. He was currently a member of First Baptist Church in Roanoke. A Memorial Service honoring his life will be held at noon on Friday June 25, 2010, at Oakey's South Chapel on Brambleton Ave. conducted by Dr. Bryan Smith and the Rev. Charles Krause. Private interment will be at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at Oakey's South Chapel one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances be made to either the "Future Generations Now" fund at First Baptist Church, 515 Third Street, SW, Roanoke, Va. 24016 or to AMEDISYS Hospice, 1312 W. Main St., Salem, Va. 24153. Arrangements by Oakey's South Chapel, 540-989-3131.