Obituaries from the Appalachian News-Express, Pike Co., Ky ********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net Transcribed by: Gloria R. gloriag@iwaynet.net Date: Apr 1999 *********************************************************************** April 18, 1999 Jo Ann Ray, 61, of Pikeville, died at 11:40 p.m. Thursday, April 15, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. She was born in Pike County, Aug. 27,1937, a daughter of Myrtle Iricks Tibbs of Pikeville and the late OrvilleMay. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. Sheis survived by her husband, Ernest B. Ray Sr.; one son, Ernest B. Ray Jr. of Pikeville; two daughters, Ernestine Ray of Pikeville and TeressaAnn Ray of Las Cruces, N.M.; one brother, Tommy Tibbs of UpperMarlboro, Md.; one sister, Carolyn Blackburn of Columbus, Ohio; and one great-aunt, Nola Telford of Silver Springs, Md. Funeral services willbe held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 19, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral HomeChapel with Robert Worrix, Paul Dean Justice and Paul Badgettofficiating. Burial will follow in Johnson Memorial Park, Pikeville. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Eugene Morgan, 74, of Elkhorn City, died Monday, April 12, 1999, atPikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Pike County, March 8, 1925,a son of the late Shuler and Mary Morgan. He was a retired coal miner, amember of United Mine Workers of America, a U.S. Army veteran,member of the American Legion, and the Ashcamp Church of Christ. Hewas preceded in death by one son, Gregory Gene Morgan; onedaughter, Mary Lou Belcher Hobson; three brothers and three sisters.He is survived by his wife, Anna Morgan; one son, Donald G. Morgan ofDandridge; two daughters, Adena Carol Justice of Pikeville and LindaKay Hurley of Florida; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 16, in the Morris Chapel with Doug Ramey and Charlie Ward officiating. Burial followed in the Wilson Cemetery, Draffin. Arrangements were under direction of Justice Funeral Services-Morris Chapel of Justiceville. Graveside military rites were conducted by DAV Chapter 140, Elkhorn City. Alfred Clay Blackburn, 70, of Surfside Beach, S.C., died Friday, April 16,1999. He was born in South Williamson, Dec. 21, 1928, a son of the lateAlexander C. and Marie Lowe Blackburn. He was retired from the Norfolk & Southern Railroad as division chief of police, a member of Fraternal Order of Police, a member of Moose Lodge #1613 in South Williamson,and a U.S. Army veteran. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Augustine Thacker Blackburn; and one son, Robert Blackburn of Murells Inlet, S.C.; and three sisters, Dalphine Nelson of Vienna, W.Va., Yvonne Gillespie of Simpsonville,S.C., and Winogene Toler of Riverside, Calif. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 19, at Annie E. Young Cemetery, East Shelbiana, with Frank Crum and Gary Nelson officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Thacker Memorial Funeral Home of Pikeville.Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Sunday in the Thacker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Brody James Owens, five-week-old son of Lonnie Herman and ShaunaElkins Owens of Lick Creek, died Friday, April 16, 1999, at the Universityof Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. He was born March 12, 1999,in Fayette County. Besides his parents, he is survived by his paternal grandparents, Chris Taylor of Little Card and Herman Owens of Charlotte, N.C.; and his maternal grandparents, James and Sharlet Elkins of Lick Creek. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 18, in the First Church of God, Lick Creek, with Kathy Cantrell officiating. Burial will follow in the Abshire Family Cemetery, Lick Creek. Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Joyce Gay "Ruth" Norman, 62, of Phelps, died Friday, April 16, 1999, ather home. She was born June 27, 1936, a daughter of Clyde and FannieDotson of Phelps. She was a member of the Freeburn Church of God.She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Norman; and one sister. Besides her parents, she is is survived by one son, Michael Norman of Kimper; one brother, Jim D. Dotson of Phelps; four sisters,Della Mae Coleman, Betty Mounts, and Tabitha Vanhorn, all of Phelps, Lucille Charles of Middlesboro; and one grandson. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, April 19, in the Phelps Funeral Services Chapel, with Bobby Dale Wolford and DeWitt Furrow officiating. Burial will follow in the family cemetery at Phelps. Arrangements are under direction of Phelps Funeral Home of Phelps. Special services will be held Sunday night. Pallbearers are Lester Varney, Cliffton Preece,Charles Hensley, Kenny Runyon, Dave Dotson, Robbie Compton,Randall Taylor, and Gary Hensley. May 2, 1999 Arnie Cecil Anderson, 78, of Vansant, Va., died Friday, April 30, 1999, at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy, Va. He was born in Pike County, a son of the late James and Mary Hurley Anderson. He was a retired coal miner, formerly employed by Island Creek Coal Corporation, a member of United Mine Workers of America Local Union 1568, a member of Vansant Church of Christ, and a World War II Armyveteran, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was preceded in death by five brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Belle Vandyke Anderson; one son, Darrell Anderson of Richlands, Va.; two daughters, Linda (Mrs. George) Coleman of Fort Smith, Ark., Sharon(Mrs. Jug) Kyle of Washington, Ind.; one sister, Annalee Tooney of Wilmington, Del.; seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2, in the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Mike Rife, Michael Trent, and Jerry Bliffen officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Garden, Claypool Hill, Va. Arrangements are under direction of Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy. Graveside military services will be conducted by the John Ratliff Post #164 of the American Legion. United Mine Workers of America Local Union #1568 will also conduct graveside rites. Kiera Je'Lyn Ramey, infant daughter of Jeffrey and Crystal Abshire Ramey of Mouthcard, died Friday, April 30, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. She was born Friday, April 30, 1999, at Pikeville MethodistHospital. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her maternal grandparents, Larry and Sue Abshire of Feds Creek; and her paternal grandparents, Truman and Nola Mae Ramey of Mouthcard. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 2, 1999, at State Line Pentecostal Church of God at Mouthcard, with Ray Sayers officiating. Burial will follow in the Flanary Cemetery, Mouthcard. Arrangements areunder direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Roy Shortridge, 62, of Feds Creek, died Thursday, April 29, 1999, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn., following a long illness. He was born in Pike County, April 9, 1937, a son of Willie Shortridge of Oak Harbor, Ohio, and the late Gladys Elswick Shortridge. He was a retired coal miner, a member of Mountain View Church of Christ, a member of Disabled American Veterans, and a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shelby Jean Keene Shortridge, who died July 31, 1998. Besides his father, he is survived by one son, Patrick Kirk Ratliff of Feds Creek; one daughter, Sheila Shortridge of Arizona; two brothers, Ray Shortridge of Abingdon, Va., Ronald Shortridge of Marysville, Ohio; and three sisters, Ruby Leen Hurlbut of Fremont, Ohio, Nell Justice of Columbus, Ohio, Betty Parkerof Port Clinton, Ohio. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday,May 2, 1999, in the Mountain View Church of Christ at Lick Creek, with Frank Crum officiating. Burial will follow in Johnson Memorial Park, Pikeville. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Pallbearers are Bill Jack Fuller, Bobby Ray Fuller,Marcum Keene, Phillip Keene, Brett Keene, and Danny Justice.Honorary pallbearer is Kermit Sloan. Graveside military rites will beconducted by DAV Chapter 166 of Johns Creek. Bobby Gene Smith, 62, of Burning Fork Road, Pikeville, died Thursday,April 29, 1999, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. He was born in Pikeville, March 18, 1937, a son of the late Armel J. and Ethel Gross Smith. He was a disabled coal miner, formerly employed by Neukitt Coal Co., and a member of the Caney Creek Old Regular Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis May Smith; two daughters, Pamela Smith Ratliff and Monica Smith Charles, both of Pikeville; three brothers, James Smith, Troy Smith, and Cam Smith, all of Michigan; one sister, Lois Smith of Michigan; and one grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 2, in the Lucas & Hall Funeral Home Chapel, with Windell Hamilton, Roger Hicks, Eles Case, and others officiating. Burial will follow in the Claudie Allen Cemetery, Stone Coal. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. May 5, 1999 Hencle Wright, 82, of Frenchburg, died Friday, April 30, 1999, at Elkhorn City, following a sudden illness. He was born at Praise, May 12, 1916, a son of the late Andrew Jackson and Miranda Anderson Wright. He was a retired factory worker, a World War II Army veteran, and a member of DAV Chapter #140, Elkhorn City. He is survived by three brothers, Cecil Wright of Cleveland, Tenn., Sterling Wright of Mousie, William Wright of Pikeville; and one sister, Thelma Hampton of Virgie. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, in the Floyd Funeral Home Chapel with theRev. Teddy Tackett officiating. Burial followed in the Wright Family Cemetery, Elkhorn City. Arrangements were under direction of FloydFuneral Home of Prestonsburg. Pallbearers were Ronnie Roberts, DaleLittle, Josh Osborne, Nathaniel Little, and Johnny Wright. Memorials may be made to DAV Chapter #140, Elkhorn City. Naomi Frances Senters, 71, of Columbus, Ohio, died Friday, April 30,1999, at her home. She was a daughter of the late William Heanon andKansas May Phipps Stanley. She was a retired machine operator formerlyemployed by Copco Paper Company, and was a member of the LittleAngel Old Regular Baptist Church. She is survived by two sons, Larry G.Senters Sr. and Richard Senters, both of Columbus; one daughter, GlennaY. Senters of Columbus; three brothers, Kenneth R. Stanley of Columbus,Gene A. Stanley of Kentucky, Jack C. Stanley of Orient; three sisters,Berta Lorraine Thompson and Sharon K. Stanley, both of Kentucky, LeonaRuth May of Columbus; 12 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, twostepgrandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, at the Little Pond Old RegularBaptist Church with burial following in the Wilson Cemetery, Draffin.Arrangements are under direction of Bailey Funeral Home of Elkhorn City. Jesse Oscar "J.P." Johnson, 75, of Virgie, died Sunday, May 2, 1999, athis home. He was born at Speight, June 8, 1923, a son of the late Allenand Jenny Holbrooks Johnson. He was a retired coal miner and coalshooter formerly employed by V.S. Coal Company of Bypro, a World WarII Army veteran, and a member of the Church of Christ. He was precededin death by one brother and three sisters. He is survived by his wife,Annette (Johnson) Johnson; and one son, Jackie Johnson of Long Fork ofVirgie. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, in the Lucas & Hall Funeral Home Chapel with Phillip Johnson, Johnny King, and others officiating and burial following in the Jesse Johnson FamilyCemetery, Long Fork. Arrangements are under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Pallbearers are Shannon Bentley, Mark Salyers, Lamar Tackett, Eldon Tackett, Chris Stanley, Jimmy Johnson, David Bates and Gene Bow Johnson. Gregory Leon Ray, 42, of Long Fork of Virgie, died Friday, April 30, 1999, at Pikeville Methodist Hospital. He was born in Pike County, May 17, 1957, ason of the late Garland and Verda Tackett Ray. He was a construction worker employed by McCoy Construction Company, and a U.S. Army veteran. He was preceded in death by one brother, Garland Ray Jr.; and one sister, Ellen Land. He is survived by his wife, Lucille McCoy Ray; oneson, Gregory Dalton Ray of Caney Creek; three stepsons, David Scott ofTeaberry, Thomas Scott of Robinson Creek, Robert Scott of Indian Creek;four stepdaughters, Mona Tackett and Lisa Tackett, both of Indian Creek,Teresa Hamilton and Vanessa Scott, both of Teaberry; Three brothers,Gary Ray of Greasy Creek, Gleen Ray of Virgie, Simon Newsome ofDanville; five sisters, Mary Merguzz of Port Austin, Mich., Hazel Kornacki of South Lyon, Mich., Laura Hugh of Bean Station, Tenn., Julia Price of Kernersville, N.C., Ruby Fields of Pikeville; one grandchild and 16 stepgrandchildren. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 4,at the Long Fork Freewill Baptist Church with Greg White, Phillip Damron and others officiating. Burial followed in the Ray Family Cemetery, Virgie. Arrangements were under direction of Lucas & Hall Funeral Home of Pikeville. Harold Lee Toppins, 55, of Old House Branch Road, Ransom, diedSaturday, May 1, 1999, at the South Williamson Appalachian RegionalHospital Emergency Room. He was born in Logan, W.Va., Feb. 29, 1944,a son of Ottis Toppins of Madisonville, Tenn., and the late Maxine FowlerToppins. He was a disabled diesel mechanic. He was preceded in deathby one brother. Besides his father, he is survived by his stepmother,Maxine J. Toppins of Madisonville; one son, J.R. Toppins of Valparaiso,Ind.; five daughters, Marsha Toppins, Cindy Toppins, Linda Toppins, SheliaAllen and Laura Sarasch, all of Chicago; one brother, Ed Toppins ofPikeville; one stepson, Greg Estep of Ransom; one stepdaughter, TammyRudisill of Ransom; three sisters, Barbara Ivens and Shirley Remarous,both of Madisonville, Dorothy Kemp of Lexington; seven grandchildren andtwo stepgrandchildren. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday,May 4, at the Samaria Primitive Baptist Church with Mike Smith, PaulVarney and others officiating. Burial followed in the family cemetery,Chauncy, W.Va. Arrangements were under direction of Rogers FuneralHome of Belfry. Cline Blackburn, 66, of Taylor Fork Road, Turkey Creek, died Sunday, May2, 1999, at Mingo Manor Health Care Center in Williamson, W.Va. He wasborn at Dwale, Va., June 1, 1932, a son of the late Hugh Blackburn andChloe Woods Blackburn Hackney. He was a retired construction workerand of the Freewill Baptist faith. He is survived by two sons, KennyBlackburn of Bronson, Fla., and Richard Blackburn of Chiefland, Fla.; foursisters, Mary Dees of Gainesville, Fla., Wanda Samply of Trenton, Va.,Debbie Scholl of Harrisburg, Pa., Sharie Barber of Chiefland; ninegrandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at2 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, in the Rogers Funeral Home Chapel withBuddy Kendrick officiating and burial following in Mountain View MemoryGardens, Huddy. Arrangements are under direction of Rogers FuneralHome of Belfry. Vaughn Stanley Roberts, 78, of Harold, died at 10:45 p.m. Sunday, May 2,1999, at Parkview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Robinson Creek. Shewas born in Floyd County, Aug. 27, 1921, a daughter of the late CharlesWesley and Kate Mead Salisbury. She was a homemaker and a memberof the Harold Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by herhusband, James Millard Roberts. She is survived by three daughters, MaryCatherine Spradlin and Erica Roberts (a granddaughter she raised), bothof Harold, and Sandra Dee Branham of Virgie; one brother, CorbitSalisbury of Lower Johns Creek; and six grandchildren. Funeral serviceswill be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, at the Harold Church of Christwith burial following in the Bush Cemetery, Harold. Arrangements areunder direction of J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home of Pikeville. Marie French Varney, 95, of Turkey Creek, died Thursday, April 29, 1999,at Williamson Memorial Hospital, Williamson, W.Va. She was born atOffut, Nov. 23, 1903, a daughter of the late Jesse and Mattie PenixBranham. She was a homemaker and a member of the Rogers ParkMissionary Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by two husbands,R.J. French and John Varney; one son, Charles J. Dameron; threebrothers and one sister. She is survived by four granddaughters, fourgreat-granddaughters, three great-grandsons, three nieces, and onenephew. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 3, in theHatfield Funeral Home Chapel with Rocky Layne officiating. Burial followedin Mountain View Memory Gardens, Maher, W.Va. Arrangements were under direction of Hatfield Funeral Chapel of Toler. Walter Thompson, 75, of Rawl, W.Va., died Tuesday, April 27, 1999, at theSouth Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital. He was born at Aflex,May 12, 1923, a son of the late Carm and Hazel Maynard Thompson. Hewas a retired tipple operator formerly employed by Pond Creek MiningCompany, a member of United Mine Workers of America Local Union8840, and a member of Rawl Freewill Baptist Church. He was preceded indeath by one brother and one sister. He is survived by one brother, EarlThompson of Logan, W.Va.; two sisters, Agnes I. (Mrs. Carl) Thompsonand Marie (Mrs. Russell) Hardin, both of Rawl; one nephew and threenieces. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 29, in theHatfield Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Danny Scott officiating. Burial followed in the family cemetery, Lick Creek, W.Va. Arrangements were under direction of Hatfield Funeral Chapel of Toler. Wilma Pruitt Hackney, 55, of Phelps, died Sunday, May 2, 1999, at herhome. She was born Jan. 16, 1944, a daughter of Henry Dawson and thelate Minnie Pruitt. She was a homemaker and of the Christian faith.Besides her father, she is survived by her husband, Darryll Hackney; oneson, Charles Rocky Mounts of Phelps; two daughters, Stella Blankenshipof Freeburn and Wanda Joyce Hunt of Phelps; two brothers, Jerry Dawsonand Freddie Dawson, both of Bradshaw, W.Va.; one sister, BrendaDawson of Bradshaw; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services will beheld at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, at the Lord's House at Phelps withMitch Bowling, DeWitt Furrow and Jim Patton officiating. Burial will followin the Pruitt Family Cemetery, Phelps. Arrangements are under direction of Phelps Funeral Services of Phelps. Georgia L. Little, 55, formerly of Caney Creek, died April 30, 1999, at theUniversity of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. She was born in Stuart,March 20, 1944, a daughter of the late Henry and Wyoming Tackett Little.She is survived by her husband, Ralph Nixon; three brothers, Willis Little ofWayne, Mich., Lloyd Little of Ypsilanti, Mich., Donlin Little of Adrian, Mich.;two sisters, Barbara Nixon of Ormond Beach, Fla., and Carolyn Hamiltonof Betsy Layne; and 21 nieces and nephews. Funeral services were heldat 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, at the Caney Creek Regular Baptist Churchwith Regular Baptist ministers officiating. Burial followed in the ReeseBranham Cemetery, Esco. Arrangements were under direction of R.S.Jones & Son Funeral Home-Virgie Chapel of Virgie. Flossie Hall, 91, of Dorton, died Saturday, May 1, 1999, at the JenkinsCommunity Hospital in Jenkins. She was born at Myra, Oct. 17, 1907, adaughter of the late Martin and Angeline Mullins Sowards. She was ahomemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Hall.She is survived by one son, Elder Glenn Hall of Pikeville; five daughters,Alene Hall, Loraine Belcher and Phyllis Johnson, all of Dorton, BettySmallwood of Jenkins, Virginia Beverly of Fort Wayne, Ind.; two brothers,Victor Sowards of South Shore and Everett Sowards of Florida; one sister,Myrtle Robinson of Caney Creek; eight grandchildren, 11great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild Funeral services wereheld at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, in the R.S. Jones & Son Funeral HomeChapel with Regular Baptist ministers officiating. Burial followed in theSowards Cemetery, Lick Fork of Beefhide. Arrangements were underdirection of R.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home-Virgie Chapel of Virgie. Dewey Young, 63, of Hurley, Va., died Monday, May 3, 1999, at BuchananGeneral Hospital in Grundy, Va. He was born in Pike County, Jan. 8, 1936,a son of the late Grant and Bertha Mink Young. He was a disabled coalminer and attended the Jesus Name Church of Christ in Hurley. He waspreceded in death by three brothers and one sister. He is survived by hiswife, Norma Jean Stiltner Young; two sons, Randy Young and JeremiahDaniel Young, both of Hurley; three daughters, Wilma Gene Young,Jessica Nicole Young and Mary Lou Young, all of Hurley; two brothers,Clayton Young of Hurley and Billy Young of Roanoke, Va.; five sisters,Hazel Justus, Ruth Ling and Angie Vanover, all of Hurley, Georgia Sullivanof Phelps, Lula Justice of Paw Paw; and three grandchildren. Funeralservices will be held at noon Thursday, May 6, at the Guesses ForkChurch of God, near Hurley, with the Rev. Willard Grizzle and the Rev.Michael Ashby officiating. Burial will follow in the Young Family Cemeteryon Mill Creek, near Hurley. Arrangements are under direction ofShortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy. May 7, 1999 Letisha Michelle Yates, 19, of Eastern, died Friday, April 30, 1999, atMartin, the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She wasborn in Morristown, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1979, a daughter of Donald Ray andJudy Kaye Anderson Yates of Eastern. She was a student atPrestonsburg Community College, a part-time employee of Wal-Mart, amember of the Kentucky National Guard, and attended Praise Assemblyof God in Prestonsburg. Besides her parents, she is survived by onesister, Loretta Darlene Crace of Huntington, W.Va.; her paternalgrandmother, Dora Evelyn Willis Yates of Del Rio, Tenn.; her maternalgrandparents, Ollie James and Janvee Ball Anderson of Myra; and herfiance, Stephen Wade Hunter of Wayland. Funeral services were held at2 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, at the Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church inDel Rio, with the Rev. Bill Murr officiating. Local services were held at 3p.m. Monday, May 4, in the Hall Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. J.M. Sloce officiating. Burial followed in the Piney Grove Cemetery, Del Rio. Arrangements were under direction of Hall Funeral Home of Martin. Emma Wilson Leonard, 94, of Williamson, W.Va., died at 4:10 a.m.Wednesday, May 5, 1999, at the Mingo Manor Nursing Home, following along illness. She was born at Christiansburg, Va., Jan. 30, 1905, adaughter of the late Jerry and Susie Wilson. She was a homemaker anda member of the Logan Street First Baptist Church, which she joined in1913. She was the oldest living member of the church. She waspreceded in death by her husband, Oscar Leonard, who died Jan. 30,1923; and one daughter, Covell Leonard Phipps. She is survived by oneson, Alvin Leonard of Williamson; and a host of grandchildren andgreat-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May8, at the Logan Street First Baptist Church with the Rev. Gerald Dotsonofficiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memory Gardens, Maher,W.Va. Arrangements are under direction of Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry. Sarah Marie Sowards, infant daughter of Shawna Rene and JohnathanMullins of Cowpen, died Monday, May 3, 1999, at Pikeville MethodistHospital. She was born March 12, 1999, at Cabell-Huntington Hospital,Huntington, W.Va. She is survived by one brother, Johnathan WesleySowards of the home; two sisters, Delena Renea Sowards and KrystalDawn Sowards, both of the home; and her paternal grandparents,Charles and Sarah Sowards of Cowpen. Funeral services will be held at1 p.m. Friday, May 7, in the Thacker Memorial Funeral Home Chapel withCharles Sowards officiating. Burial will follow in the Mullins Cemetery,Cowpen. Arrangements are under direction of Thacker Memorial Funeral Home of Pikeville. Rhoda Slone, 83, of Lansing, Mich., formerly of Long Fork, died Sunday,May 2, 1999, at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing. She wasborn Feb. 2, 1916, a daughter of the late Bailey and Rebecca MeadeBurke. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by herhusband, Ira Slone. She is survived by two sons, Elmer Slone of LongFork and Lynn David Slone of Hurricane Creek; three daughters, ElamoF. Hampton, Rachel Bridgeman and Shirl Tackett, all of Lansing; one sister, Rissie Johnson of Long Fork; and four grandchildren. Funeralservices will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 7, at the Long Fork RegularBaptist Church with Gary Hampton, Dewey Roberts, Carson Wright, Billy Williams, and others officiating. Burial will follow in the Burke Family Cemetery, Marshalls Branch of Long Fork. Arrangements are underdirection of R.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home-Virgie Chapel of Virgie. Lassie Phillips, 88, of Kimper, died at 9:03 a.m. Thursday, May 6, 1999, ather home. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at presstime and willannounced by Justice Funeral Services of Pikeville. In lieu of flowers, thefamily has requested that contributions be made to the Kimper Church ofGod. Bob ElswickBob Elswick, 56, of Dandridge, Tenn., died Wednesday, May 5, 1999, atCocke County Baptist Hospital, following a long illness. He was a retiredpreparation manager for Bell County Coal Company, a Mason andShriner, a member of the Elks Club, a Kentucky Colonel, and member ofthe Hills Union United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, RuthElswick; one daughter, Belinda Elswick of Dandridge; one stepson, MikeMadlom of Union; one stepdaughter, Kim Madlom of Thomaston, Ga.; onebrother, Steve Elswick of Pikeville; one sister, Billie Lynn Layne ofPikeville; and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m.Friday, May 7, in the Farrar Dandridge Chapel with the Rev. David Mooreofficiating. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery at 10 a.m. Saturday.Arrangements are under direction of Farrar Funeral Home of Dandridge. Ruby Irene Bryant, 45, of Robinson Creek, died Wednesday, May 5,1999, at her home. She was born at Jellico, Tenn., Aug. 3, 1953, adaughter of the late Earl and Pearlie Carter Bryant. She was ahomemaker. She is survived by two sons, Rodney Bryant of RobinsonCreek and Roy Bryant Jr. of Peru, Ind.; one daughter, Robin Coleman ofColorado Springs, Colo.; three brothers, Delbert Bryant, Robert Bryantand Albert Bryant, all of Whitley City; two sisters, Earnie Cooper ofWhitley City and Orpha Miller of Corbin; and two grandchildren. Funeralservices will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 8, at the Robinson CreekOld Regular Baptist Church, with Mike Justice, Paul Younce, and DeweyRoberts officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylor Ridge Cemetery,Whitley City. Arrangements are under direction of R.S. Jones & SonFuneral Home-Virgie Chapel of Virgie. Special services will be held at7:30 p.m. Friday.