Bristol, VA - December 19, 2002 Obituaries: BRISTOL HERALD COURIER Uploaded to the USGenWeb Archives with permission from the Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com ************************************************************************ 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 ************************************************************************** John P. Baumgardner WYTHEVILLE -- Dr. John P. "Jack" Baumgardner, 78, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002. He was born Sept. 30, 1924, in Roanoke, son of the late Walter H. and Lillian McGrady Baumgardner. He was a graduate of Augusta Military Academy, Fort Defiance, Va., and Northern Illinois College of Optometry. Dr. Baumgardner served in the U.S. Army (1943-1946) attaining the rank of second lieutenant in the infantry. He opened his optometry office in Wytheville March 1950 and retired from the practice in 1991. A member of the Virginia Optometric Association for 42 years, he served as president, member and secretary of the Virginia Board of Optometry and was selected as Virginia Optometrist of the Year in 1992. He was a member of several civic organizations: chairman of the Joint Industrial Development Authority of Wythe County, Wytheville and Rural Retreat, from it's formation in 1989, past master and honorary member of Wytheville Fraternal Lodge 82, honorary member of Ivanhoe Lodge 235, Mt. Airy Lodge 226, New River Shine Club, Scottish Rite Bodies, Roanoke, Character Unit of Kazim Temple and served as a member of Grand Lodge Committee on Work. He was a member of Wythe Royal Arch Chapter, Lynn Commandry, Marion, Kazim Temple, Roanoke, trustee of Oak Hill Academy and former member of the Wytheville Lions Club. As a member of Wytheville Baptist Church, he served as deacon and secretary of Sunday School. He was past town councilman and vice mayor of the Town of Wytheville. He was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Dencer King. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Margaret Hicks Baumgardner; two sons, Keith A. Baumgardner, Greensboro, N.C., and Jerry L. Baumgardner and wife, Jane Crawford Baumgardner, Lancaster, Pa.; and four grandchildren, Kathryn, Sarah, William and John. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at 11 a.m. at the Wytheville Baptist Church with the Rev. Wade D. Tucker Sr., Pastor, and Rev. W. Wesley Huff, Director of Eagle Eyrie Conference Center, Lynchburg, Va., officiating. Interment will follow in the West End Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. A Masonic memorial service will be conducted at 8:30 p.m. Thursday by the Wytheville Fraternal Lodge 82 A.F. & A.M. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is in charge of the arrangements. Jewel Beaver The funeral service for Jewel Beaver will be conducted at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19, 2002, in the Heritage Chapel of Memories in Glenwood Cemetery with Dr. David Stancil officiating. Private interment will follow in Shelby Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to First Baptist Church, 1 Virginia St., Bristol, VA 24201 or charity of choice. The family will receive friends from 1 o'clock until the service hour in the Heritage Chapel of Memories. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family at condolences@blevinsfuneralhome.com Miss Beaver, 92, of Bristol Virginia, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements especially for Miss Beaver have been made through Blevins Funeral Home. Virginia M. Buckles MEADOWVIEW -- The funeral service for Mrs. Virginia Moore Buckles will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the graveside in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Dr. Carl Young officiating. Pallbearers will be Bill Buckles, Josh Buckles, Jonah Buckles, Adam Buckles, Erik Hinchey and Gino Vindetti. Those attending the service on Thursday are asked to assemble at the funeral home by 1:30 p.m. The procession to the cemetery will leave the funeral home at 1:45 p.m. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneral.com. There will be no visitation in the funeral home but friends may call at the home of the son, Joe Buckles, 15116 Cloudview Road, Abingdon, following the service on Thursday. Mrs. Buckles went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002. Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is serving the Buckles family. Margaret J. Carpenter HAYSI -- Margaret Juanita Johnson Carpenter, 92, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Lucy Carr Village, Chesterfield, Va. She was born in Dante and was a resident of Haysi from 1937. She owned and operated Haysi Theater. She was the daughter of the late Charlie and Margaret Sparks Johnson. She was a member of Haysi Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Stuart Carpenter; one son, Carroll Carpenter; and one daughter, Myra Vernon Carpenter. She is survived by one daughter, Jane Dunnavant of Richmond; one son, Charles Stuart Carpenter of Tucson, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with the Rev. Jim Viers officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The Carpenter family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood. Condolences may be sent to the Carpenter family by e-mail to condolences@castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ora Lee Cross Ora Lee Cross, 95, a native and life long resident of Sullivan County, Tenn., died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2002, in Holston Valley Community Hospital. She was the daughter of the late William and Cora Alice Smith Carr and a member of Buffalo Christian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton Cross. Survivors include several cousins. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rick Light officiating. Burial in Buffalo Cemetery will be private. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Clara B. Daggs Mrs. Clara B. Powell Daggs, 92, of 108 Cherrywood Lane, Bristol, Tenn., quietly slipped away to go and be with the Lord Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002, at The Cambridge House. She was born March 24, 1910, to the late Landon and Janie Powell in Meadowview and had made her home in the Bristol area most of her life. She was the beloved wife of the late George W. (Bill) Daggs and was preceded in death by a sister, Emily Hackney; and three brothers, Landon, James and William. She leaves to cherish her memory nephews, nieces, cousins, devoted neighbors and friends. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at the Meadowview Cemetery, Meadowview. Family visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday at Hood Memorial AME Zion Church with Rev. Raymond M. Dickerson presiding. The cortege will leave Robinson Mortuary 9:30 a.m. Saturday for the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the building fund of Hood Memorial AME Zion Church. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Daggs have been made through Robinson Mortuary, Inc. Carl Francis Fleenor DAMASCUS -- Funeral services for Carl Francis Fleenor will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Robert N. Lominack Jr. and Rev. Leonard Smith officiating. Graveside services will be held in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Knollkreg Memorial Park with military honors by Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be David Baber, Jeff Huffman, Brian Thompson, Jack Henderson, V.T. Rector, Larry Brown, Hugh Bolling and Greg Case. Honorary pallbearers will be Logan Bowling, Eric Sutherland, Roy Grubb, Ralph Cox, Joe Goolsby, Jimmy Fleenor, Russell Fleenor, Don Wright, Mac Johnson, John Robinson, Dr. W.E. Cline, Jerry Cornett and Maurice Smeltzer. Flowers will be accepted and those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Salvation Army, 137 Edgemont Ave., Bristol, TN 37620 or the Washington County Retired Teachers Association, c/o Lee Peterson, 15305 Foxchase Lane, Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Mr. Fleenor, 76 , died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, in the Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Solomon J. Hamm HILLSBORO, Ohio -- Solomon J. "Sol" Hamm, 67, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2002, at the Mansfield MedCentral Hospital in Mansfield. He was a native of Washington County, Va., and has lived in Hillsboro for the past several years. He was the son of the late Harrison and Virty Hamm. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was a member of the V.F.W. in Ohio. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hamm was also preceded in death by five brothers. He is survived by one son, Timmy Wayne Hamm of Hillsboro; two sisters, Beulah Hamm of Damascus and Mary Clark Lyons of Abingdon; three granddaughters, Dessiray Hamm, Ashlee Hamm and Olivia Hamm, all of Hillsboro; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at the graveside in Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus with Mr. Wayne Baker, minister, officiating. The V.F.W. Patton-Crosswhite Post 6975 will conduct military graveside rites. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Garrett Funeral Home. Special memories and condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail at condolences@garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mr. Hamm. Ruby Harless Funeral services for Ruby E. Nichols Harless will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, in the Mausoleum Chapel at Mountain View Cemetery with Pastor Bob Jones officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday in the Mausoleum Chapel and other times at the home at 717 Dakota Road. E-mail condolences may be online at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Harless, 78, of 717 Dakota Road, Bristol, Va., went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Daniel Clay Hay BIRCHLEAF, Va. -- Funeral services for Daniel Clay Hay will be conducted 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at Haysi Funeral Home with Elders Roger Fuller and Ronnie Rose officiating. Burial will be at the Robinson Cemetery, Laurel Branch, Va., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family to help with expenses. Mr. Hay, 67, passed away Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Bill Herron Jr. RICHLANDS -- Mr. Bill Herron Jr., 76, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, in a Richlands hospital following a long illness. Born in Lee County, Ky., he was the son of Grace Herron Blankenship Myers of Jolo, W.Va., and the late Bill Herron. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by wife, Margaret Elizabeth Herron; and stepfather, Carlos Blankenship. Mr. Herron was a retired coal miner for Island Creek Coal Company. He was a World War II veteran with the rank of sergeant. He was a member of Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 and Tazewell County Chapter 31 DAV. Mr. Herron was a member of the Berwind Masonic Lodge, UMWA and was a delegate for the Democratic Party. Survivors , in addition to his mother, are son, Clarence "Jerry" Herron and wife Mary of Cedar Bluff; daughter, DeEtta Ratliff and husband Mike of Kingsport; brothers, Clarence Herron of Rosedale, Va., and Harold Herron of Jolo; grandchildren, Matthew S. Herron of Roanoke and Beth Brown of Knoxville; special care givers, Reece Hess and Bernice Hess; and special friend, Gertrude Nearhood. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Stafford Compton officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Casey-Shortt V.F.W. Post 9640 and Tazewell County Chapter 31 D.A.V. Pallbearers will be Matt Herron, Andrew Brown, Charlie Warner, Gene Nolley, Chester Collins and Larry Herron. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Hale, Rudolph Whitt, Gene Cox, Dr. H.C. Scott, Dr. James H. McVey, Hardee's breakfast gang, Randy Barnes and the Collins brothers. Friends may call at Singleton Funeral Service from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Herron Family. Ruby W. Hill Ruby Waddell Hill, 81, died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, in Cambridge House. She was a native of Clintwood had made her home in Clinchco, Va., most of her life and had lived in Bristol for the past 12 years. She was a daughter of the late George Washington Waddell Jr. and Rosie Alice Stanley Waddell, and was the widow of William Foster Hill. Mrs. Hill retired from the Dickenson County (Virginia) School System and was a member of Kingsway Baptist Church. Survivors include two daughters, Linda Hill Waldron of Bristol Virginia and Teresa Hill Hemmings of Bristol Tennessee; one sister, Loveada Scheck of Portage, Ind.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Donald Page officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the graveside in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, Northeast Tennessee Chapter, 207 North Boone St., Suite 1050, Johnson City, TN 37604. The family will receive friends at Akard Funeral Home prior to the service from 6-7 p.m. Thursday. E-mail condolences to the family may be sent at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Hill. Mary Ella Huffman LEBANON -- Burial for Mary Ella (Myrt) Huffman will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Those attending should meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. to go to the cemetery in procession. Pallbearers will be Chris Wallace, Delmer Sweeney, Robert Meade, John Ratliff, Carroll Clark, Eddie Wiseman and Jeremiah Wiseman. Mrs. Huffman, 83, of Route 2, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, in the Russell County Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Huffman family. Bonnie W. Hurd LEBANON -- Bonnie Wise Hurd, 86, formerly of Hidden Valley in Washington County, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2002, in the Russell County Medical Center. Born July 12, 1916, a daughter of the late Conley Greer Wise and Golden Buckles Wise, she was the widow of Alonzo Hurd. She was a member of the Dante Church of God. She was preceded in death by three sons, Ricky Alexander Hurd, Phillip Stanley Hurd and Jackie P. Hurd; two sisters, Beulah Smith and Barbara Ring; and a brother, Giles Wise. Surviving are five daughters and sons-in law, Faye and Arthur Wootton, Valley City, Ohio, Freda and Roy Steffey, Wise, Mary Lynn Burke, Johnson City, Pamela and Walter Rym, Bulls Gap, Tenn., and Patty Ludene and David Kroger, of Illinois; three sons and daughters-in-law, Frank and Shirley Hurd, Willington, Ohio, Ted and Barbara Hurd, Tampa, Fla., and Joseph and Cathy Hurd, Lebanon; 30 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and a brother, Carson Wise, St. Paul. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel. Burial will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Hurd family. Mildred Livingston Mildred E. Trivett Livingston, 76, of 1609 New Hampshire Ave., Bristol, Va., went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Wellmont Hospice House. She was born March 30, 1926, a daughter of the late Thomas Oscar and Cordelia Wilson Trivett, and has made her home in Bristol all of her life. She was a retired employee of Exide Corporation, was a former employee of Speed Clip and was a member of Grace Baptist Church. Mrs. Livingston was preceded in death by a daughter, Amie Marie Livingston. She is survived by her husband, David Lee Livingston; two brothers, Junior Albert Trivett, Bristol Tennessee, and Fred D. Trivett, Blountville; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Rev. Wayne Lambert and Jim and Sally Duty. Special thanks to the staff of Wellmont Hospice House. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dennis Burnette and Rev. Mike Moore officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Hank Dowell, Matthew Duty, Jim Duty, Larry Smith Sr., Larry Smith Jr. and Danny E. Trivett. Honorary pallbearers are Charles Helbert, Danny Helbert, Bobby Scott, Junior Sullivan, Mark Trivett, Calvin Stewart, Donald Davis and Bill Sloan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620. E-mail condolences may be made online at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Weaver Funeral Home. Nannie C. Mallett Nannie Virginia (Comer) Mallett, 83, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002. She was a former employee of the Big Jack in Bristol and retired from Imperial Reading. She was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church and attended Blountville Christian on occasion. She was the daughter of the late Pete and Mary Comer of Bristol and was preceded in death by her daughter, Betty Comer; two sisters, Waunetta Icenhour and Dorothy Roberts; and three brothers, Lewis Comer, Emory Comer and Luther Comer. Survivors include husband, Hugh Mallett; daughters and sons-in-law, Florence and Ronnie Dotson of Bristol Tennessee, Pauline and Walter Vermillion of Rogersville, Tenn., and Bertha and Junior Manis of Church Hill, Tenn.; sons and daughters-in-law, Bill Comer of Kingsport, Ray and Betty Mallett of Johnson City and Jim and Liz Mallett of Surgoinsville; brother, Harold Comer of Granbury, Texas; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens with Rev. Dwight Shaffer officiating. A procession of family and friends will leave the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. The family would like to express their thanks to the care givers and nurses at NHC in Bristol Virginia. Your gentle care is very much appreciated. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ruby V. Malone BLUFF CITY -- Ruby V. Malone, 78, of 4481-2 Bluff City Highway, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at her residence. A native of Carter County, she was a daughter of the late Robert L. and Mae Morse Broyles. Mrs. Malone was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, William M. Malone; a son, Phillip Dean Malone; and sister, Thelma Boling. Survivors include three daughters and son-in-law, Brenda and Dan Nanney, Elizabethton, Carolyn Bowden, Bluff City and Kay Carty, Bristol Tennessee; eight grandchildren, David Nanney and Kristi Nanney, both of Elizabethton, Lisa Carty Jenkins, Eddy Carty, Lori Greer, Tina Bowden and Dena Malone, all of Bluff City, and Mendy Carty, Bristol Tennessee; one sister, Elizabeth Bowman, Bristol Tennessee; one brother, Frank Broyles, Canton, Ohio; stepmother, Mary Broyles, Florida; eight great-grandchildren; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews survive. Also surviving are Eddie Carty and Cathy Malone Smith. Graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, from Morning View Cemetery, Bluff City, Active pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Mrs. Malone. Honorary pallbearers will be staff of Johnson City Medical Center Hospice, Robin Tester, Barbara Reid, Doris Nichols, Kenny Jenkins, Mike Greer, Selena Statzer and Stacy Fentress. Those who plan to attend the graveside are requested to meet at the cemetery Thursday at 10:50 a.m. Condolences may be sent via e-mail at condolences-bc@tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Bluff City 423/538-7131. Jack Reed Jr. COEBURN -- Jack Reed Jr., 76, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, in the Norton Community Hospital, Norton. He was a retired employee of Lemons Jewelers, Norton, and was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are his wife, Shelbie Bates Reed; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jackie and Janice Reed and Kim Reed, all of Coeburn; a daughter, Rebecca Stidham of Kansas City, Mo.; two granddaughters and husbands, Denise Carol and Joel Mayer of Kansas City and Melissa Anne and Richard Smith of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three great-grandchildren, Christopher Mayer, Nathaniel Mayer and Trevor Smith; a brother, Everette Reed of Roanoke; and two sisters, Osie Turpin of Roanoke and Agatha Markey of Trenton, N.J. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Owen Powers officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Coeburn. The family will receive friends Thursday evening 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, is in charge of arrangements. Barnes B. Rife MATLACHA, Fla. -- Barnes Burton Rife, 83 years of age, formerly of Grundy, passed away Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002, at his home following a lengthy illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Albert and Lydia Matney Rife. He was a member of the Northside Christian Church in Cape Coral, Fla., where he served as an elder. He was a former member and elder of the Grundy Church of Christ and served on the Board of Trustees of Mountain Mission School. He founded Grundy TV Cable, Richlands Cable and Tazewell Cable Companies and was a member of the National Cable Association. He founded and directed Rife's TV and Appliance, Rife Chevrolet and Rife Wholesale in Grundy before moving to Florida in 1968. He was a former partner in Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy. Mr. Rife is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mildred Keen Rife of Matlacha; two daughters, Gerri Henderson of Cincinnati and Joanna Williams-Laurence of Knoxville; two sons, Albert Jerome Rife of Matlacha and Barnes Jonothan Rife of Grundy; one sister, Juanita Henson of Abingdon; six grandchildren, Kent Henderson of Spokane, Wash., Kerri Powell of Cincinnati, Stacey Randolph Strom of Cincinnati, Robb Williams of Baltimore, Brian Rife of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Kris Williams of Richmond; and one step-granddaughter, Kori Laurence of Knoxville. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Alta Yates, Garnett Keen and Gertrude More; one brother, Ralph Rife; and one granddaughter, Carla Rife. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Church of Christ with Evangelists Michael Trent, Clarence Greenleaf and James M. Swiney officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel after 5 p.m. Friday with a song service at 7 p.m. The body of Mr. Rife will be moved to the Grundy Church of Christ, Saturday morning at 11 a.m. to await the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Brian Rife, Chris Williams, Robb Williams, Corky Looney, Roger McClanahan, Lonzo Rife, Ricky Owens and John Strom. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Rife, Earnest Matney, Bob More, Bill Horn, Ron Henderson, Lance Laurence, Jay Rife, Tom Powell, Jeff Matney, Bill Salyer, Mary Osborne and Gaynell Fowler. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to the Mountain Mission School, 1 Hurley St., Grundy, VA 24614. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Sarah B. Ringstaff RICHLANDS -- Mrs. Sarah Blanche Ringstaff, 93, of 1209 3rd St., died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, at her home. She was born in Sanders Mine, Va., and was a daughter of the late Conley Grover and Elva H. Lineberry McGee, both Carroll County natives. She was a 1927 graduate of Richlands High School, attended Radford State Teachers College and was a former substitute school teacher with the Tazewell County School System. She was a member of the Pounding Mill Christian Church and was a 50-year life member of the W.C.T.U. She was a member of the Barnes-Beavers VFW Post 7136 Ladies Auxiliary in Tazewell, Va., the Bluefield Chapter 3 Order of the Eastern Star, the White Shrine, the Richlands Rebekah Lodge 62 and the L.A.P.M. 3 in Abingdon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Charles R. Ringstaff; two sons, C.R. and John Grover Ringstaff; also six brothers, Ellis, Elmer, Conley Jr., Herman D., Hubert and Robert McGee. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survivors are three daughters, Mrs. Aileen Mitchell of Pounding Mill, Mrs. Don (Elva Lee) Vandyke of Claypool Hill, Va., and Mrs. Garnett (Martha) Webb of Bluefield, Va.; two sons, Mr. James Ringstaff and wife, Roberta of Matthews, Va., and Mr. Eugene Ringstaff and wife, Terri of Doran, Va.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth McGee of Roanoke; eight grandchildren, Tami Smith, Jane White, Robb Vandyke, Marty Ringstaff, Martin Ringstaff, Blake Ringstaff, Tina Miller and John Patrick Ringstaff; and three great-grandchildren, Ashleigh Smith, Austin Miller and Tanner Miller. Graveside services will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill with Rev. Mike Cunningham officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Cemetery. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the mausoleum. Memorial contributions may be made to W.C.T.U. c/o Mrs. Clyde Roland, 3802 Rolling Hill Ave., Roanoke, VA 24017. The family can be contacted at the home of Elva Lee Vandyke, 300 Fill St., Claypool Hill. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. W. A. Routh ERWIN -- Mr. W.A. "Babe" Routh, 78, 530 Vinton St., died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Routh was a Saltville native having lived in Castlewood before moving to Erwin in 1969. He was a son of the late William Nelson and Gussie Frye Routh. He was a World War II Navy veteran. Mr. Routh was a Clinchfield Railroad conductor before retiring in 1985. He was of the Methodist faith. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Jane Routh Wilfong; and two brothers, Ross David Routh and Paul Routh. Survivors include: his wife, Samye McCready Routh, Erwin; one daughter, Frances and Bob Morris, Erwin; one brother, Harry Franklin and Wilma Routh, Johnson City; six sisters, Mary Prater, Saltville, Va., Dorothy and Charles Guinn, Jonesborough, Ercelle Collins, St. Paul, Billie Woliver, Knoxville, Lyda and Jimmy Milhorn, Gray, Tenn., and Norma and M.C. Salyer, Castlewood; and special nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 7:30 p.m. Thursday from the Erwin Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend David Lyle will officiate. Music will be provided by Nancy K. Bogart. Graveside service and interment will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Evergreen Cemetery. Charles Hughes, Tom Sellars, John Miller, A. L. Chaffin, J.M. Harris and J.C. Masters will serve as pallbearers and are requested to assemble at the funeral home by 7 p.m. Thursday. Family, minister, pallbearers and friends will assemble at the funeral home by 1:15 p.m. Thursday and other times at the residence, 530 Vinton St., Erwin. Other survivors include son-in-law, Bob Morris; sister-in-law, Wilma Routh; brothers-in-law, Charles Guinn, Jimmy Milhorn and M.C. Salyer. Erwin Memorial Funeral Home, 1015 N. Main, Erwin is in charge of the arrangements. Emma Marie Witman Emma Marie Witman, of Bristol Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete. Alice Feathers Wright The funeral service for Alice Feathers Wright will be conducted at 11 o'clock Thursday morning in the Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home with Dr. Tony Collins officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 until 10:45 Thursday morning prior to the service at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Condolences and memories may be sent via e-mail to condolences@oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Wright, 75, formerly of Bristol Virginia, died Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Cambridge House, where she and her husband have lived for the past three years. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Wright have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. This story can be found at: http://www.bristolnews.com/features/obituaries/MGBK16G5W9D.html