"Minnie I. Watkins Ware, 96 of Roanoke, died Sunday, April 21,
2002, at Traylor Nursing Home.
   Services will be Wednesday, April 24, at 2 p.m. at First
Baptist Church, 549 Riley St., Roanoke, with the Rev. Gilbert E.
Staples officiating.  Interment will be in East Roanoke Cemetery.
   Survivors include one son, Billy E. Williams of Roanoke; one 
sister-in-law, Ms. Ruth Watkins of Roanoke; five grandchildren;
three great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, cousins 
and friends.
   Ms. Watkins was the llth of 14 children, born Jan. 16, 1906, 
in Heard County, Ga.  The family migrated from Heard County to 
Roanoke, where at an early age she joined First Baptist Church 
and remained a faithful member until her passing.  Ms. Ware was 
the last survivor of her family, having been predeceased by all
of her 13 siblings.  She was the widow of the late James Ware,
who died in the 1970s.  Mrs. Ware had been confined to Traylor
Nursing Home since 1997.
   Arrangements are by Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke."

Source:  The Randolph Leader April 24, 2002, contributed by:
Marilyn M. Girardi <MMGir@aol.com>