Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory - Roanoke

02/01/2026

A memorial service celebrating the life and legacy of Cornelia “CeCe” Coles will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Grace AME Zion Church, 3722 David Cox Road, Charlotte, NC 28269.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 9, 2026, in the Hamlar-Curtis Chapel in Roanoke. Interment will be in C R Lee Meadows, 1500 Block of Chellis Ford Road, Lynch Station,lp loop VA24571. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or info@hamlar-curtis.com.

Cornelia CeCe Coles, 58, of Charlotte, North Carolina, entered eternal rest on Thursday, January 22, 2026. Born on March 18, 1967, in Bedford, Virginia, CeCe was the cherished daughter of Connie Ray Lee Sr. and Alice Lee, who welcomed her home to heaven. CeCe was the heart of her family

01/29/2026

Herman Matthew Via, 83, of Callaway, Virginia, was born February 13, 1942, to the late Roosevelt Via and Zola Dawson. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his stepfather, William Red Dawson his brother, William WT Dawson and his sister, Dorothy Vann Paige. He is

01/29/2026

Though VDOT crews continue to make additional progress clearing neighborhood streets, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for additional snow starting tomorrow afternoon.

Roanoke County Public Schools students will have a second virtual learning day for Friday, Jan. 30.

Elementary students should complete the packet for January 30. Middle and high school students should log into Canvas for their assignments under the A day schedule.

Additionally, all weekend events/activities are cancelled or postponed.

01/29/2026

Thomas Nelson Page, 84, of Roanoke, passed peacefully on January 20, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on Bent Mountain, he was raised in the Kingstown community and became a lifelong member of Ebenezer Baptist Church.

A public viewing will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home & Crematory. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Live Streaming will be available from the Hamlar-Curtis website. Click "View Live Streaming Here" at the top of the screen, then select "Facebook Live Stream - Roanoke". The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private interment will be in the Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donating to Faith for a Cure, 401 Gainsboro Rd NW, Roanoke, VA | FFAC Donation Link | (860) 253-2582. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or info@hamlar-curtis.com.

01/29/2026

SALEM CITY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED ON THURSDAY - JANUARY 29
Significant progress has been made by our incredible Street and Maintenance Department workers, and the schools division's own facilities staff. Main roads and school properties have improved, and we are grateful for the long hours and hard work that have gone into those efforts.

Despite that progress, current conditions, combined with low overnight temperatures, continue to present too much of a risk to safely open schools on Thursday.

One key factor in this decision is the conditions students face as they make their way to bus stops. In many neighborhoods, sidewalks remain icy or snow-covered, and narrow streets limit safe walking space. This combination forces more students into roadways during the early morning hours, increasing safety risks—particularly during the morning commute and in below-freezing conditions.

We fully understand the impact repeated school closures have on families, students, and staff, and these decisions are not made lightly. The only reason we would even consider opening under these conditions is because we have already missed six days of school; however, concern for missed instructional time cannot outweigh student safety. Safety must remain our first priority.

As always, we make the best decision possible with the information available to us at the time, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these challenging conditions.
Thank you for your continued support of Salem City Schools.

01/29/2026

VDOT crews continue to make progress clearing neighborhood streets, however many roads are still snow covered and difficult for our school buses to traverse.

Therefore, Roanoke County Public Schools students will have a VIRTUAL LEARNING DAY FOR THURSDAY, JAN 29. Elementary students should complete the packet for January 29. Middle and high school students should log into Canvas for their assignments under the B day schedule.

Parents wishing to pick up school meals can do so at any one of three pickup locations from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.:
Herman L. Horn Elementary (1001 Ruddell Road, Vinton)
Oak Grove Elementary (5005 Grandin Road Extension, Roanoke)
RCPS Central Office (5937 Cove Road, Roanoke)

Distribution of meals (two breakfast and two lunch meals) will be first come, first served from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Those students receiving free and reduced meals or students attending CEP schools will receive meals at no cost. All other students will be charged the normal rate.

The community meeting about the dangers of smartphones and kids at Mount Pleasant Elementary scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon.
Also, the all-county choir concert at Northside High School tomorrow night has been cancelled.

01/29/2026

Due to continued wintry conditions, schools will be closed again tomorrow, Thursday, January 29, and we will have another Remote Learning Day. Students should complete the second day of assignments in their learning packets. Central Office will open on time.

Grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches will also be available again tomorrow from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at William Fleming High School (Door #2) and Patrick Henry High School (Door #13). Meals are available for all RCPS students.

Lastly, as shared at last night’s School Board meeting, we will be holding a Virtual Budget Town Hall next Thursday, February 5, from 6 to 7 p.m. to share information about recent school funding policy changes and answer questions from our community. Please visit rcps.info/provideyourinput to learn more and submit questions.

01/24/2026

Honoring the life of Mr. Thomas Nelson Page. Serving in Roanoke.

Thomas Nelson Page, 84, of Roanoke, passed peacefully on January 20, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on Bent Mountain, he was raised in the Kingstown community and became a lifelong member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. A graduate of Carver High School, Mr. Page devoted more than 30 years of service

01/23/2026

John (Jack) Ham, Jr., of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Jack was born on July 12, 1950, in Holden, Massachusetts, to Beverly and Phil Ham. After attending St. John’s High School in Worcester, Jack earned a degree in civil engineering from Merrimack College.

A funeral mass will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, January 23, 2026, at Basilica of Saint Andrew, 631 North Jefferson Street, Roanoke, Virginia 24016. Live Streaming will be available. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral mass. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or info@hamlar-curtis.com.

01/23/2026

Thankful for the large turnout today for our first pre-need planning session of 2026! More than 70 attendees were able to learn, fellowship and enjoy lunch. We love educating the community members regarding funeral services so that they are able to make informed decisions. Pre-planning is not a death sentence; it’s a display of love that offers peace of mind and lifts financial burdens for those you love when death occurs. -Curtis

01/22/2026

John Jack Ham, Jr., of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Jack was born on July 12, 1950, in Holden, Massachusetts, to Beverly and Phil Ham. After attending St. Johns High School in Worcester, Jack earned a degree in civil engineering from Merrimack College. In 1975, Jack

01/21/2026

Carl Asan Edmonds was born to Carla Edmonds on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. He entered eternal rest on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. We find comfort knowing he knew only warmth and love and now hes resting in the arms of God. Though our time together was short, Carl will be