Bristol, VA - December 21, 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 ************************************************************************** Dorothy J. Baker HURLEY, Va. -- Dorothy Justus Baker, 75 years of age, of the Guesses Fork section, passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, in Buchanan General Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Ance and Sally Smith Justus. She was a life-long resident of Buchanan County, a member of Guesses Fork Church of God and was a homemaker. Mrs. Baker was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Baker, Dec. 29, 1997. She is survived by one daughter, Gail and husband, Dan Justus, Hurley; three sons, Gene and wife, Sue Baker, Richlands, Nelson and wife, Loretta Baker, Berlin, Mich., and Larry and wife, Debby Baker, Hurley; two sisters, Fredia Hurley, Hurley, Va., and Victoria Jesse, Paw Paw, Ky.; three granddaughters; one grandson; and one great-grandson. She was preceded in death by three sisters; and two brothers. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at noon at the Guesses Fork Church of God with Revs. Donnie Prater, Wilbur Dotson and Doug Blankenship officiating with burial to follow in the Baker Cemetery on Guesses Fork, Hurley. Services will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Guesses Fork Church of God. The family wishes to express special thanks to the Grave Diggers. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Fayrene Ball LEBANON -- Funeral services for Fayrene Ball will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at 11 a.m. at Owens & Farmer Funeral Service with Rev. Clyde Lambert officiating. Interment will follow at Russell Memorial Cemetery, Lebanon. Family will receive friends on Saturday one hour before the service at the funeral home. Miss Ball, 69, formerly of Council, Va., passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002. Owens & Farmer Funeral Service, Lebanon, Va. Sammy Joe Breeding SALEM, Va. -- Mr. Sammy Joe Breeding, 70, died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, in Salem. Sam retired in 1994 from General Electric in Salem after 38 years. He is survived by is wife and sweetheart of 50 years, Laura Frances Saul Breeding of Salem; one son, Jerry Breeding of Newton, N.C.; one daughter, Sharon Carroll of Roanoke; one brother, John G. Breeding; three granddaughters; and two grandsons. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at 1 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Spencer Broce and Rev. Emmitt Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. prior to the service at the Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. Condolences may also be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Breeding. William M. Carrier BLUFF CITY -- Funeral services for William Murphy Carrier will be conducted 1 p.m. Saturday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sam Haynes officiating. Burial with military honors conducted by Patton-Crosswhite V.F.W. Post 6975 will be in Shipley Cemetery. Pallbearers: Wade Lockner, Lonnie Lockner, Joey Whitaker, Rusty Whitaker, Sam Carrier, Billy Widner, Drew Grubbs, Bobby Widner and Greg Whitaker. Honorary pallbearers: Larry Barker, Dr. John Byers, Dr. Roger McSharry, Dennis Guinn and the staff of CICU Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. E-mail condolences may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Carrier, 74, 281 Oak Lane, died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Agnes Novella Cobb LOUDON, Tenn. -- Agnes Novella Cobb, 73, of 166 Creekwood Circle, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at Parkwest Hospital. She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Rhynes. Survivors: son and daughter-in-law, Lonnie and Phyllis Booher, Bristol Virginia; sister, Lane Susie Lester, Bristol Virginia; grandchildren, Rena Gibson; and great-granddaughter, Kaylee Gibson, Bristol Virginia; and special cousin, Liz of Chattanooga. Funeral services 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Loudon Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Jeff Schrimsher will officiate. Interment 10 a.m. Monday in Steekee Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday in Loudon Funeral Home. Clara B. Daggs Graveside services for Mrs. Clara B. Powell Daggs will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at the Meadowview Cemetery, Meadowview. 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. Mrs. 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. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Daggs have been made through Robinson Mortuary Inc. Eugene E. Dempsey Funeral services for Eugene E. "Gene" Dempsey will be held at Fellowship Baptist Church in Bluff City Saturday, Dec. 21, with Rev. Scott Watson officiating. The church will be open at 10 a.m. for those desiring to come early. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol. Pallbearers include Howard Francis, Gary Wilkinson, Robert Blevins, James Jackson, Darryl Chambers and John Goodman. Honorary pallbearers include Ron Leonard, Kevin Nichols, Rick Poe, Mike Dobbins, Robert Thomas, Fred McGrew, Randall Sargent, Dr. Cecil Collins Sr., Dr. Mark Overbay, Jimmy Harkleroad, John Beach, Howard Cross, Jimmy Denton and the Fellowship Baptist Church Men's Sunday School Class. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fellowship Baptist Building Fund, 3557 Highway 390, Bluff City, or to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN. Mr. Dempsey, 93, died at 6:08 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, at his home on Mountain View Road. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Gusta D. Edwards FARMINGTON, Mich. -- Funeral services for Gusta D. Edwards will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. James Castlen officiating. Burial will be in the Temple Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Castlewood. Mrs. Edwards, 81, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Edwards family. Willie Anne Finney Willie Anne Finney, 100 Ash St., died Friday, Dec. 20, in the Bristol Nursing Home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Castle Funeral Home. Castle Funeral Home is serving the Finney family. Shelvia J. Garrett Mrs. Shelvia Jean Johnson Garrett, 65, of Bristol, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, after a brief illness. She was born in Clinchco, Va., to the late Everett Wythe Johnson and Pherba Elizabeth Bond Johnson. She was a native of Dickenson County, Va., and had made her home in Bristol Virginia since 1961. She was an active member and worker of Spring Creek Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder. She was also a teacher's assistant at Spring Garden Pre-School in Bristol Virginia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Freddie Don Garrett. Her survivors include sons, Freddie Don Garrett Jr. and wife Teresa Gail Garrett of Bristol Virginia, Billy Wayne Garrett and wife Debbie Harrison of Elizabethton, Tenn.; one daughter, Katrenia E. Foster and husband, Steve W. Foster of Bristol Virginia; grandchildren, Lauren and Ashley Foster and Derek Harrison; and she was happily anticipating the arrival of her newest grandchild, Garrett Andrew Foster in February of 2003. Also surviving are a brother, Billy (Coffee) Johnson of Columbus, Ohio; three sisters, Judy Bryant of Granville, Ohio, Norma Tipton of Greensboro, N.C., and Nancy Linkous of Hampton, Va.; several nieces, nephews; and a special friend, Mr. E.P. (Pete) Salyer of Abingdon. A graveside funeral service will be held Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Rev. Steve Talbert will officiate. Pallbearers will be Freddie Garrett Jr., Bill Garrett, Steve Robinson, Dave Dierks, Steve Foster and Billy Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be the congregation of Spring Creek Presbyterian Church. The procession will assemble at 2 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so at www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Garrett family. Sallie Edwards Grizzel Sallie Edwards Grizzel, 84, of the Yuma Community, died Friday morning, Dec. 20, 2002, at her home after an extended illness. A native of Dickenson County, Va., she had resided in Yuma since 1948. She attended Prospect United Methodist Church in Yuma. She was the widow of Worly H. Grizzel and the daughter of the late Patton and Mollie Grizzle Edwards. She was preceded in death by sisters, Vivian Smith, Sena Smith and Emma Smith. Survivors include: son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Barbara Kirk Grizzel of Kingsport; granddaughters, Deanna Moore and husband Jason of Kingsport and Kara Grizzel of Kingsport; great-grandson, Christian Moore of Kingsport; sister and husband, Alma and Raymond Bowman of Gate City, Va.; brothers and wives, Cecila and Nannie Edwards of Hiltons, Va., and Gordon and Elsie Edwards of Blue Ridge, Va.; and special nieces, Gay Brown and Virginia Rader, both of Gate City. The family would like to say a special thanks to caregivers, Bonnie Howard, Norma Francis, Laura Ritchie and Brenda Buchanan. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home in Bristol and on Monday from 1:30-2:45 p.m. at Prospect United Methodist Church in the Yuma Community. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. at the church with Rev. Don Large officiating. Burial will follow in Holston View Cemetery in Weber City, Va. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Memorials may be made to the Wellmont Foundation for Hospice , P.O. Box 1069, Kingsport, TN 37662-9968. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Cale Heft JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Mrs. Mary Cale Heft, 78, passed away on Monday, Dec. 16, 2002, at her home. She was the youngest child born to Fields M. Cale and Elizabeth Jennings Cale in Smyth County, Va. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Rev. Fieldon Cale and Fletcher Cale; sisters, Major Elizabeth C. Flanagan and Alice C. Looney. Mrs. Heft was a lifelong member of Ebenezar Lutheran Church in Marion. Survivors: husband, Edward Heft of the home; two sisters, Viola C. Clear, Saltville, and Eleanor C. Demarest, Baltimore; one brother, William J. Cale, Marion; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sharon Wiley officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Marion. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the family. Alsa Hess CHILHOWIE -- Mrs. Alsa Catherine "Granny" Hess, 86, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, in Valley Health Care Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Clarence Lee "Poppy" Hess; and a son, Mr. John Harvey Hess. Survivors: one daughter-in-law, Shirley Hess, Chilhowie; one brother-in-law, Oscar Hess, Broadford, Va.; two sisters-in-law, Thelma Hess, Marion and Lucy Davis, Avondale, Pa.; four granddaughters, Wanda Barbrow, Glade Spring, Sherry Hinchey, Abingdon, Debbie Belcher, Glade Spring and Teresa Snider, Chilhowie; seven great-grandchildren, Leigh Ann Miller, Heather Barbrow, Derrick Snider, Aaron Barbrow, Shane Belcher, Natasha Hinchey and Brittany Barbrow; one great-great-grandson, Matthew Miller; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at the Church of God of Prophecy in Glade Spring with Rev. Geary Jonas officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Rose Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Saturday evening at Henderson Funeral Home. Friends may visit at the home of Wanda Barbrow, 309 Crescent Drive. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Special thanks to the nursing staff at Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the family. Frank L. Ketron Jr. LEBANON -- Entombment with military rites conducted by the Lebanon V.F.W. Post 9864 for Frank L. Ketron Jr. will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Those attending are requested to meet at the mausoleum. Honorary pallbearers will be Claude Kinder, Estes Gibson, Franklin Gilmer, Charles Dickenson, Stephen Quillen, James Alexander, Billy Gray, J.S. Easterly Jr. and Buzzy Jenks. Those desiring should make memorials to the Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church, 120 Tate St., Lebanon, VA 24266. Mr. Ketron , 76, died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, in the Russell County Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Ketron family. Mattie Ellen Lester GLADE SPRING -- Mrs. Mattie Ellen Lester, 97, died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hunter V. Lester; a son, Hunter V. "Pee-Wee" Lester Jr., a daughter, Rose Marie Porter; and a son, John R. Lester. Survivors include two sons, Francis T. Lester, Calleo, Va., and Delmar W. Lester, Gainesville, Va.; three daughters, Virginia Neish, Abingdon, Ruth E. Hawes, Purceville, Va., and Rachel A. Johnson, Alexandria, Va.; a sister, Virginia Franklin, Harrisonburg, Va.; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at 1 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel with Reverend Mahlon Wyatt officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Glade Presbyterian Cemetery, Glade Spring. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7-9 p.m. in the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is serving the Lester family. Roxie P. Lewis DAMASCUS -- Mrs. Roxie Allene Pierce Lewis, 61, died Friday at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. A native of Smyth County, Mrs. Lewis spent most of her life in Washington County. She was a member of Macedonia Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents, Durwood and Ruby Pierce and her brother, Ernest Pierce. Survivors include her husband, Jimmy E. Lewis of Damascus; one son, Jackie L. Lewis and wife Karen of Abingdon; one daughter, Kathy Henderson and husband, Darian Henderson of Abingdon; one son, Wayne Pierce of Abingdon; sisters, Jean Reed of Abingdon, Shirley Sailor of Abingdon, Martha Kestner of Chilhowie, May Crouch of Alabama, and Nevie Miller of Damascus; one grandchild, Michael Gage Lewis. Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at 1 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel. Rev. R.J. Cullop will officiate. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Funeral Chapel. Rev. R.J. Cullop will officiate. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Robert Cornett, Wayne Henderson, Shawn Henderson, Mark Bordwine, Rusty Lewis and Larry Brown. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Lewis family. Ronnie Lee Morton Ronnie Lee Morton, 48, of Carolina Avenue, Bristol Tennessee, passed away on Friday, Dec. 20, 2002, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Kimberly T. Popp ABINGDON -- A memorial service for Kimberly Susan Townes Popp will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, in the Farris Funeral Chapel with Rev. John E. Massey Jr. officiating. Those wishing to send messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Ms. Popp died Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Kimberly Susan Townes Popp. Amanda Ethyl Presly HAGERSTOWN, Md. --Funeral services for Amanda Ethel Presley will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at Duty View Primitive Baptist Church with Elders Bobby Arrington, Garnell Gilbert, Bill Stevens and Leonard Barton officiating. Burial will follow in the O'quinn Cemetery at Bee, Va. Mrs. Presley, 89, of Stonecroft Court, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, at Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Howard C. Ritter The funeral service for Howard Cameron Ritter will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at the graveside in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. Casketbearers will be Allen Gentry, George Houser, David (Spider) Owens, Jason Fields, Eddie Fields and Jake Faust. Honorary casketbearer will be Dr. David H. Franzus. Family, friends and pallbearers attending the service are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 1:50 p.m. Saturday. Those wishing to send messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Ritter, 62, went to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, at the Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center in Kingsport. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Howard Cameron Ritter. Harold Rossoff Mr. Harold "Hal" Rossoff, of Bristol Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was the owner of House of Rossoff, a drapery and fabric sore, for approximately 40 years, retiring about three years ago. Harold Rossoff was born in Massena, N.Y. on Nov. 16, 1927. After graduating from Massena High School in 1945, he was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps and honorably discharged in 1947. He graduated from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., with highest honors in government and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the national honor society. After working in Washington, D.C. for a short while, he moved to Bristol area where he and his former wife founded the House of Rossoff. He was an active member of B'nai Shalom Congregation, serving as it's president in the 1980s, as well as other offices. His second wife, Jean Timberg Rossoff died in July 1993. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Ira Zimmerman; a niece, Lisa Zimmerman; and a nephew, Mark Zimmerman, all of the New York City area. Also surviving are Samuel M. and Gladys G. Carrier, long time friends and business associates. Funeral services will be held on Sunday at 11 a.m. at Akard Funeral Home. Burial will follow at B'nai Shalom Congregation Cemetery in Bristol Virginia. Memorials may be made to the B'nai Shalom Congregation or your favorite charity. Condolences may also be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Hal Rossoff. D. Joe Sorrell Jr. ELIZABETHTON -- The committal service and burial for D. Joe Sorrell Jr. will be at 1:30 Saturday afternoon in Miller Cemetery on Reedy Creek Road. Pallbearers will be Tommy R. Baker, Carl Dickenson, Brett Kilgore, Bart Kilgore, Larry McMurray and Jesse Pitcock. Honorary pallbearers will be Joey Boothe, Marty Keefer, Frank Osborne, Terry Rutherford, Floyd Sullins Jr. and Dr. Adetla Kassim. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home at 12:30 p.m. Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolences and memories may be sent via e-mail to condolences@oakley-cook.com. Mr. Sorrell, 40, died of complications from leukemia on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Arrangements especially for Joe Sorrell have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Dora Belle Stevens VANSANT --Funeral service for Dora Belle Stevens will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at Haysi Funeral Home with Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Rev. Don Sullivan officiating. Burial will follow in the Stevens Cemetery, Bee, Va. Grandsons and Kermit Lester will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Stevens, 83, of Route 1, passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Evelyn Murphy Vance Evelyn Murphy Vance, 79, of Bristol Virginia, died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born in Scott County, Va., a daughter of the late Otis and Eura Williams Murphy, grew up in Norton and moved to Bristol in 1955. She was the widow of Paul Vance, attended Fellowship Chapel and was a receptionist for the Bristol Crisis Center. She is survived by three daughters, Sue Mumpower and Tiny Allison, both of Bristol Virginia, and Paula Whitaker of Simpsonville, S.C.; four sisters, Helen Summers of Norton, Louise Robinette of Powell Valley, Va., Earleen Arnold of Richmond and Billie Sue Statzer of Eubank, Ky.; five grandchildren, Rob Whitaker, Susan McMurray, Kevin Mumpower, Bonnie McKenzie and Rozlyn Murray; four great-grandchildren, Ally and Collin McMurray, Trinity Mumpower and Lily McKenzie; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by another grandchild, Trevor Mumpower. The funeral service will be conducted at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, Dec. 22, 2002, in the chapel of Blevins Funeral Home with Rev. Scott Price officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rob Whitaker, Kevin Mumpower, John Collins, Glen Collins, Lester Collins, Junior Collins, Jerome Collins, Stacy Murray and Spencer McKenzie. The family will receive friends from 2 until 2:45 Sunday afternoon before the service at Blevins Funeral Home. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to The Bristol Cancer Association, 126 Johnson St., Bristol, VA 24201, American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720 or Fellowship Chapel, 201 Crockett St., Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family at condolences@blevinsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Vance have been made through Blevins Funeral Home. Herbert Whitaker BLOUNTVILLE -- Herbert "Hub" Whitaker, 71, went to be with the Lord, Dec. 19, 2002, after a lengthy illness. "Hub" was born in Scott County, Va., a son of the late Bob and Martha Huffman Whitaker. He lived most of his life in the Bristol and Blountville area. He attended Hickman Memorial Freewill Baptist Church and worked for many years at Tri-State Lime Company. He was an avid hunter and loved his special dogs, Penny, PV and Jezzy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Sylvia Roller. Surviving are his wife, Jessie Lee Laughlin Whitaker; daughters and their husbands, Wanda and Gary Hooker, Blountville, and Teresa and Mark Barr, Bristol; grandchildren, Kristina Barr, Isaace Barr, Kelli Barr and Brittany Barr; and brothers, Garland "Dude" Whitaker, Alabama, Bobby Scott Whitaker and Charles Whitaker of Blountville. Friends may call any time at the home of the daughters and Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Mark Barr and Pastor Dewey Shaffer officiating. Interment will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Kristina Barr, Isaac Barr, Kelli Barr, Ricky Ford, Ezra Huffman, Ezra Whitaker, Allen Hickman, Randy Roller, Ross Moore and Ronnie Horne. Please visit online site at www.mem.com to send a condolence to the family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Whitaker Family. Nellie Grace White Nellie Grace White, 90, of Bristol Tennessee, passed away Thursday, Dec. 19, 2002, at Wellmont Hospice House. She was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area, a daughter of the late Elihugh and Rebecca Algerine Stout Skeens, and the widow of William Ernest White. Mrs. White was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Clyde (Patsy) Houser of Blountville, Mrs. Bud (Dot) Bolling and Joyce Dakin, both of Bristol Virginia; and one son, Ernest White Jr. and wife, Erma of Evans, Ga. Also surviving are seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. James E. Sproles and Dr. William E. Houck officiating. The committal service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the graveside in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Email condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. White. Emma Marie Witman Emma Marie Witman of Bristol Tennessee passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. A native of Yugoslavia, she was the daughter of the late Ferdinand and Margaret Stalzer, and she lived in the Bristol area since 1986. She was a homemaker and was a member of the St. Anne's Catholic Church. Survivors include husband of 46 years, Richard Witman; daughters, Robin Russell, Nashua, N.H., and Patricia Toribio, Redwood Valley, Calif.; brothers, Walter Stalzer and Henry Stalzer, both of Cleveland, Ohio; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at noon Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, in the St. Anne's Catholic Church with Reverend Timothy Keeney, Pastor of St. Anne's Catholic Church, assisted by Rev. Mr. Harry L. Hall. Entombment will follow in the Glenwood Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be men of the St. Anne's Catholic Church and The Knights of Columbus. Special thanks to the Adult Respite Care Center of Central Presbyterian Church and the Children of St. Anne's Catholic School. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the St. Anne's Catholic Church. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.