Lessie B. Wakeman

Lessie B. Wakeman, 93, of Vinton, Va., passed into the waiting arms of her Lord on Thursday, October 29, 2009. She is the daughter of the late B.F. Bucklew and Alice R. Bucklew and is also preceded in death by her husband, Walter D. Wakeman; son, Neil D. Wakeman; and brothers, Chester and Aubrey Bucklew. Lessie worked for many years at the American Personnel and Guidance Association in Washington, D.C. and attended the Arlington Church of the Brethren of which she and her husband, Walter, were charter members. They moved to Roanoke after retirement and attended The Ninth Street Church of the Brethren. She was gifted in sewing and creative crafts, as well as organizational skills. Surviving are her daughter, Joanne W. Reed and husband, Benny, of Vinton; daughter-inlaw, Georgia W. Harrison and husband, Jim, of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Tracy Wilson and husband, Allen, Dana Sewell and husband, Donnie, Amy Beecher and husband, Grant, Julie Hare and husband, Matt and David Reed; greatgrandchildren, Bobbi Smith and husband, Matt, T. J. and Clint Cook, Jeremy, Timothy and Ryan Sewell, Hannah, Tabitha, Bethany and Estelle Beecher, Savannah Madison and Jackson Hare; greatgreat-grandson, Keisler Fechner; also many nieces, nephews and friends. A memorial funeral service will be held at The Ninth Street Church of the Brethren 11 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009, with Pastor Patrick Starkey and Pastor Stafford Frederick officiating. The family will receive friends at the church at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Association, 2728 Colonial Ave. SW Suite 2, Roanoke, Va. 24015 or to Camp Bethel, Fincastle, Va. Arrangements by Oakey's North Chapel, 540-362-1237.