Bessie Grogan Cherry

Bessie Grogan Cherry, 87, of Roanoke, Va., went to be with her Lord on Thursday, January 15, 2009. Born in Callaway, Va., on June 28, 1921, Bessie was the daughter of the late Robert A. and Nora Maude Kelly Guilliams. Bessie was the widow of James L. Cherry. She was also preceded in death by two brothers, Quincy and Clarence Guilliams; and three sisters, Bethel Guilliams, Jocie Richards, and Opal Sigmon. Bessie was retired from Salem Veterans Administration Hospital. She loved puzzles, reading, Christian music and church. She was a member of the Church of God. Bessie leaves three loving and devoted children to cherish her memory, her son, Thomas Rodney Grogan and wife, Doris, of Salem; two daughters, Charlotte Barker, of Roanoke, and Virginia Grogan, of Altamonte Springs, Fla. Also surviving are two sisters, Jessie Humphries and Conova Lipes, both of Maryland; seven loving grandchildren, Debbie Grogan, Donnie, Kathy and Steven Eakin, Laura Curtis, Carla Robles, and Timothy Tolley; and six great-grandchildren, Nick and Brandon Ruble, Mitchell and Nora Cassie Eakin, and Sydney and Sarah Silver. A service celebrating Bessie's life will be held 1 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2009, at the Roanoke Chapel of Lotz Funeral Home officiated by Pastor Raymond Martin. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Bessie's family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, January 18, 2009, at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made to www.lotzfuneralhome.com.