Nonia Turner Blaha

Nonia Turner Blaha, 91, of N. Dinwiddie passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024. She was born in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. in 1933, where lived there until her early teen years when she moved to Dinwiddie County with her father. She graduated from Dinwiddie County High school in 1952, where she was a cheerleader, treasurer, and vice president of the F.H.A. After graduation, she worked at Burton's dress shop in Petersburg. She enjoyed going to weekend dances with her friends. It was at one of these events where she met the love of her life, Tony Blaha. They were married in 1954 and began a family of three children. After the children were all in school, Nonia became a sales representative for AVON products and also drove a school bus for St. Joseph's school. 

Her love of fashion and style, for which she was known, led her to employment at Rucker-Rosenstock department store and later at Thalhimers in the Walnut Mall, where she worked and excelled in women's apparel. She retired shortly before the store's closing. While on vacation to Hawaii in 1969, the perpetual honeymooners attended a Tom Jones concert in Las Vegas. It was then and there she became a lifelong Tom Jones fan. She and Tony continued to attend dances with friends at various venues in Richmond and the Tri-Cities area. They were regular parishioners of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and attended functions within the parish. Nonia spent her later years as loving wife and dedicated mother and grandmother. Her love of family was a pillar in her life. 

She as preceded in death by her husband, Tony J. Blaha; brother, Clifton Turner; and sisters, Mildred Scott and Madge Peterson.

Nonia is survived by her daughters, Wanda E. Walker, Lisa Blaha-Walsh and husband, Patrick; son, Roger K. Blaha and wife, Denise; five grandchildren, Patrick Conner Walsh, Wesley Joseph Walsh, Kedron Walsh Corp and husband, Aaron, Nicholas Tony Blaha and wife, Louise and Alexandra Paige Blaha; great-granddaughter, Ava Walsh; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024 at the Crater Road Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Interment will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at the funeral home. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.