GARLAND, Elizabeth Ann^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]}

1939 - 2023  (83 years)

 Set As Default Person

• Name	GARLAND, Elizabeth Ann  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
  Birth	17 December 1939	Staunton City, Virginia, United States of America   [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7]
  Gender	Female
  Death	2 February 2023	Roanoke, Roanoke City, Virginia, United States of America   [4, 5]
  Notes	Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Garland Allison of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the age of 83. She was born in Staunton, Va., the daughter of Bill and Blanche Obenshain Garland. The family moved to Pulaski, Va., where her father became Principal at Pulaski High School and her mother taught Art and Latin. The education profession would come to be Liz's career and passion as well. As a child and teenager Liz loved spending time at her grandfather B.P. Obenshain's farm at Mill Creek in Botetourt County. At an early age, she became a talented pianist and continued to perform and accompany several church and school choirs throughout her life. She loved the theater and storytelling. She graduated from Pulaski High School, earned a bachelor's degree from Mary Washington College, and a master's degree from Hollins College. During her college years, she took part in Summer Stock Theater in Massachusetts and lived in New York City after graduation. She married Barclay Allison Jr. of Wytheville, Va., in 1962. mar/div (1962-1988) In Wytheville, Liz first worked as a WYVE-AM as a newsreader. Her interest and knowledge of broadcasting and journalism would become valuable in her next career choice, the one that would define her professional legacy, as a teacher. Liz began her teaching career in Wythe County Public Schools. She would go on to teach at Rural Retreat High School, Fort Chiswell High School, and George Wythe High School, where she taught journalism, humanities, English, and literature. She also sponsored the radio broadcasting club and school newspaper. In 1983, she moved to Roanoke, Va., and began teaching English at William Fleming High School, where she retired in 1999 as Chair of the English Department. Her many students often described her as their favorite teacher; smart, irreverent and funny, and always holding them to the highest standards. Liz was an active member of the Roanoke Valley Sister Cities organization and represented Roanoke in a group that traveled to its sister city of Saint-Lô, France. She also generously opened her home to host visitors from Saint-Lô. She enjoyed being a member of the Athenian Society for Arts & Sciences and was formerly a member of First Presbyterian Church in Roanoke. She loved music, art, travel, and to share good meals and stories with friends and family. Liz was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, William Neal Garland. She is survived by her children, Will Allison of Vinton and Suzanne Allison of Roanoke; two grandchildren, Benjamin Allison of Roanoke, and Ross Allison of Vinton; and her brother, David Garland of Eagle Rock. A celebration of Liz's life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Oakey's Funeral Service – South Chapel, Roanoke, VA (540) 989-3131.
  Person ID	I422549907900	Ancestry dot com tree
  Last Modified	22 Oct 2025

  
  

  Father	GARLAND, William Raymond,   b. 13 September 1906, Virginia d. 16 May 1998 (Age 91 years)
  Mother	OBENSHAIN, Blanche Emma,   b. 4 December 1908   d. 26 October 1997 (Age 88 years)
  Marriage	14 Jun 1935	Virginia, USA   [8, 9]
  Family ID	F8509	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	ALLISON, Thomas Barclay,   b. 15 Jun 1933   d. 17 Mar 1997 (Age 63 years)
  Marriage	11 Aug 1962	Pulaski, Virginia, USA   [2, 3, 6, 10, 11]
  Divorce	7 Mar 1988	Wythe, Virginia, USA   [3, 11]
  Children	1. ALLISON, W.   2. ALLISON, S.
  Family ID	F8663	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	22 Oct 2025

  
  

• Sources

  [S1640033476] Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.). [S1683397143] Ancestry.com, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia, Marriages, 1936-2014; Roll: 101144680. [S1681853333] Ancestry.com, Virginia, U.S., Divorce Records, 1918-2014, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia Divorce Records, 1918-2014. [S1640045228] Ancestry.com, Global, Find A Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.). [S1690223998] Ancestry.com, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s-current, (Ancestry.com Operations Inc), The Roanoke Times; Publication Date: 5 Feb 2023; Publication Place: Roanoke, Virginia, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/925298472/?article=e8fabeb7-c38e-4723-bc2d-5615a9e6d659&focus=0.35601524,0.07093742,0.6365679,0.32606414&xid=3355. [S1692490615] Ancestry.com, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Marriage Index, 1800s-current, (Ancestry.com Operations Inc), The Roanoke Times; Publication Date: 15/ Apr/ 1962; Publication Place: Roanoke, Virginia, USA; URL: https://www.newspapers.com/image/914743917/?article=9d3dff80-b10f-49aa-9690-aebf5e12520b&focus=0.36867827,0.035363298,0.4889071,0.14275624&xid=3398. [S1675964582] Ancestry.com, 1950 United States Federal Census, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.). [S1677784942] Ancestry.com, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Registers, 1853-1935, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.), Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA; Virginia Marriages, 1853-1935. [S1677784942] Ancestry.com, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Registers, 1853-1935, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.). [S1683397143] Ancestry.com, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.). [S1681853333] Ancestry.com, Virginia, U.S., Divorce Records, 1918-2014, (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.).