Link, Vonnie Rakes

Vonnie Rakes Link, 93, of Narrows, passed away Saturday, August 13, 2011 at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Ross Rakes, and by her second husband, Dorsey Link. Left to cherish her memory are her three sons and their wives, William and Barbara Rakes, of Roanoke, Kenneth and Kay Rakes, of Narrows, and James and Janet Rakes, of Blacksburg; two stepdaughters, Mary Ann Davis and Carolyn Link, of Pembroke. She is also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, who affectionately called her “Mamaw”, David Rakes and wife, Lori and their children, Katherine and William; Margaret Rakes; Pam Monk and her husband, Danny and their son, Austin; Amy Gilmer and her husband, Brock and their children, Braxton and Madison; Todd Rakes and his wife, Sarah and their daughter, Emma; and Mark Rakes. After her retirement from the family grocery store, she worked for a number of years at Celanese Corporation in the company store. She did volunteer work with the Progress In Narrows Now (PINN) organization, the Narrows Art Gallery, and at First Baptist Church in Narrows. She was an accomplished quilter and derived great joy from making quilts for her family and friends, and contributing quilts to charity fund-raisers. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Narrows. The Rev. Jerry Sawyers is officiating. Burial will follow in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. The family will receive friends at Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The family requests that those sending memorial contributions, please consider First Baptist Church, 609 Wolf Street, Narrows, VA 24124, to be earmarked for the Kitchen Committee. The family is being served by Riffe’s Funeral Service in Narrows, 540-726-2442, and online at riffefuneralservice.com.