Gloria Jean Byer Topping, age 58, of Clifton Forge, died Sunday, January 25, 2009 at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Radford, Virginia.

She was born on July 21, 1950 in Covington, Virginia, a daughter of the late Charles Byron Byer and Evelyn Pearl Hodge Byer.

She was a former member of the staff of the Daily Review and Alleghany Highlander newspapers of Clifton Forge, and was an employee of the Commissioner of Revenue for the city of Clifton Forge for a number of years.

She was a former member of the Altamont Presbyterian Church in Covington.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by grandparents, John and Muriel Byer, who raised her; her mother-in-law, Evelyn Topping, and an uncle, Steven Kent Byer, Sr.

She is survived by her husband, Harry Robert "Bobby" Topping of Clifton Forge; a daughter, Melissa T. Phillips and fiancee, Andrew Fuller of Roanoke; a granddaughter, Rachel Elizabeth Phillips; five sisters: Joan Hawse and husband, Charles of Clifton Forge; Debbie Byer and friend, Erin Sullivan of Christiansburg; Annette McFadden and husband, Larry of Covington; Anita McGuire and husband, Bobby of Clifton Forge; and Joy Goad and husband, Cliff of Christiansburg; stepmother, Ellen Louise Byer of Clifton Forge; father-in-law, Harry Topping of Clifton Forge; and a number of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of the Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Reverend Bill Gilliland and Reverend Steven Noel officiating.

Entombment will take place in the Mausoleum of Alleghany Memorial Park and will be private. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Nicely Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, 701 Church Street, Clifton Forge, VA 24422 or to the Clifton Forge Fire Department Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 419, Clifton Forge, VA 24422.