Bristol, VA - December 26, 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 ************************************************************************** Frank Alfred NICKELSVILLE, Va. -- Rayburn Franklin "Frank" Alfred Sr., 69, entered into rest Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at Indian Path Hospital. Mr. Alfred was born March 5, 1933, in Covington, Va., son of the late Nathan C. and Frances Baker Alfred Wheeler. He was a member of the Nickelsville United Methodist Church, a past member of the LOOM 610 and the American Legion Post 4. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in the Korean conflict. Mr. Alfred is survived by his wife, Ruth McConnell Alfred, Nickelsville; daughter, Mrs. Doug (Kathy) Williams, Greenbriar, Tenn.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Frank Alfred Jr. and Janet Alfred, Covington and Kelly Alfred, Nickelsville; stepdaughter, Mrs. Steve (Gretchen) Branch, Yadkinville, N.C.; two stepsons and step-daughter-in-law, Greg Kiser, Wesley Chapel, Fla., and Joe and Kim Kiser, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Marcie, Emily, Courtney, Jessica, Rachel, Joshua, Brandon and Alex; one great-grandson, Isaiah; sister, Carolyn Lipe, Roanoke, Va.; and brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Pat Alfred, Belpre, Ohio. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at the Gate City Funeral Home and other times at the residence. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. in the Juanita S. Falin Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Joe Barber and the Rev. Millard Johnson officiating. Military graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, by the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 of the V.F.W. at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Covington. Charles McConnell, Gary Hilton, Bucky Clabaugh, Steve Branch and Doug Williams will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Frank Alfred to the Nickelsville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 70, Nickelsville, VA 24271. Online condolences may be made to the family at gcfh@mounet.com. Altia D. Bailey VANSANT, Va. -- Altia Deel Bailey, 88 years of age, of Route 1, Vansant, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at her home following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Marion and Cora Didema Isabelle Boyd Deel. She was a life-long resident of Buchanan County and a member of Pilgrim Home Old Regular Baptist Church 57 years. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and was a homemaker. Mrs. Bailey was preceded in death by her husband, Elder Evans Bailey, Oct. 3, 1992. She is survived by five daughters, Mable Gibbs, Hurley, Va.,. Pansy Hawkins, Vansant, Pearlie Marie Bailey, Vansant, Donna Jena Turpin, Pikeville, Ky., and Connie Lou McClanahan, Grundy; four sons, Johnny Bailey, Vansant, Everett Bailey, Vansant, Arnold Bailey, Vansant and Leo Bailey, Vansant; two sisters, Gertrude Deel, Vansant and Trula Deel, Vansant; 19 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Willoughby and Hanford Bailey; three sisters; and five brothers. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, at noon at Pilgrim Home Old Regular Baptist Church on Sunset Hollow, Route 1, Vansant, with Elders Frank Newsome and Cardel Edwards and Brothers Theadore Looney and William McClanahan officiating with burial to follow in the Bailey Cemetery near Haysi, Va. Friends may call at Pilgrim Home Old Regular Baptist Church Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. with services Thursday and Friday evenings at 6 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Riley Gibbs, Tim McClanahan, John Riley Gibbs, Carl Harrison, Daniel Deel, Bill Hawkins, Edd Charles, Tracy Edwards, Larry Blackburn, Dwayne Belcher and Jeff Bailey. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Pilgrim Home Old Regular Baptist and Dr. Muhammad R. Javad. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. John C. Berry LEXINGTON, N.C. -- Rev. John Charles Berry, 69, of Webb Road, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at his home after an illness of a year and a half. Mr. Berry was born in Washington County, Va., on July 21, 1933, to Joseph King Berry Sr. and Mary Haseltine Harrison Berry. He attended Emory & Henry College in Emory, Va.,. before serving in the U.S. Army Intelligence for two and a half years. He graduated from Piedmont Baptist College in Winston-Salem with a bachelor of religion and a bachelor of theology. He received his master's degree in Christian education from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C. He retired after many years as administrator of Christian schools and served as dean for Calvary Baptist Bible College. He was a member of Lighthouse Baptist Church in Welcome. Surviving are spouse, Ann Talley Berry of the home; sons, John William Berry and wife Donna of Lexington, Joseph King Berry II and wife Stacey, all of Lexington, and Thomas Talley Berry and wife, Christina of King; daughters, Donna Berry Padon and husband, Marvin of Lexington and Merri Berry Holmes and husband, John of Rocky Mount; eight grandchildren, Megan Holmes, Heidi Holmes, Kelsey Holmes and Katie Holmes, all of Rocky Mount, Morgan Berry, Landon Berry and Julianna Padon, all of Lexington, and Arianna Berry of King; brother, Dr. James Berry and wife, Betsy of Gainesville, Fla.; sisters, Joan Clark and husband, Dr. Sam Clark of Glade Spring, Va., and Yvonna Brown and husband, Preston of Abingdon. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in Calvary Baptist Church in King conducted by Rev. Roger, Baker, Rev. Barry Surratt and Rev. Floyd Holmes. Military graveside services will be conducted by Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard 4 p.m. Friday at Green Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Abingdon. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Davidson Funeral Home and at other times at the home on Webb Road. To continue spreading God's Word, family requests of those who send a memorial that it go to Gideons, P.O. Box 285, Lexington, NC 27293. Davidson Funeral Home of Lexington is in charge of arrangements. Leona L. Blaylock The funeral service for Leona Virginia Lunsford Blaylock will be conducted at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon in the Chapel of Blevins Funeral Home with Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from noon until 1:45 p.m. Thursday and at other times at the home of Arlene and Randall Brooks. The committal service and burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Phil Brooks, Bill Brooks, Mark Brooks, Wayne Brooks, Roger Brooks, Earl Inman, Howard Widener, Roger Jackson and Mike Eades. Condolences and memories may be sent via e-mail to condolences@blevinsfuneralhome.com. Mrs. Blaylock, 80, of 704 Goodson St., Bristol, Va., died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at the home of her daughter. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Blaylock have been made through Blevins Funeral Home. Charles G. Campbell A graveside service for Mr. Charles G. Campbell will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at 11 a.m. in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Bob Neace Jr. officiating. Pallbearers will be James W. Clark, Rowland Roe, Edward Campbell, Wayne Campbell, J.R. Gilmer and Calvin "Cowboy" Odum. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Clifton, Johnnie Payne, Ted Callahan, Gary Kennedy and Michael Pippin. The family requests that friends omit flowers and those who wish may make a memorial contribution to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Campbell, 77, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at the Wellmont Hospice House. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Campbell. Nellie G. Cantrell WISE -- Nellie Gertrude Cantrell, 92, beloved mother and grandmother, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 24, 2002, at Norton Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, John Hiram Cantrell; a son, Billy Glenn Cantrell; a daughter, Rebecca Caroline Cantrell; three sisters, Ruby Chester, Eunice Meade and Della Stanley; four brothers, Letcher Meade, Oliver Meade, Troy Meade and Willie (Bill) Meade; and two grandsons, Joe Cantrell and Harold Hamilton. Surviving are eight sons and their wives, Dennis Alvin and Nora Cantrell, Thelmar Lee and Betty Cantrell, Carl Ola and Eva Cantrell, Doil Quinton and Donna Cantrell and Freddie Graton and Henrietta Cantrell, all of Wise, Tommy Ray and Judy Cantrell, Wytheville, Va., Kermit Wilson and Ann Cantrell, Catlett, Va., and Joel Thurston and Mary Lynn (Sally) Cantrell, Pound, Va.; three daughters and husbands, Dorothy Skeens, Zola and Dane Hamilton, Wise and Delilah and W.D. Bishop, Castlewood; one brother, Vester Meade, Hansonville, Va.; 35 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews and friends. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday at Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with Rev. Billy Hibbitts officiating. Burial will follow in the Cantrell Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Thursday with a song service at 7:30 p.m. at Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Ruth Evelyn Carmody Ruth Evelyn Carmody, 60, of 24141 Crimson Drive, Bristol, Va.,. passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Carmody was a native of Bluff City and had spent all of her life in the Bristol area. She was a retired nurse at the Old King Mountain Nursing Home and the Bristol Memorial Hospital. Ruth was a wonderful wife and mother. She was a member of the Community Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher in the children's department. Survivors include her husband, Roy Wyndell Carmody; one daughter, Wyndee Carmody Meade of Bristol Virginia; two sons, Rev. Richard Carmody of Bristol Tennessee, Rev. Mike Carmody of Bristol Virginia; her parents, Arthur and Virginia Holt of Bluff City; and two sisters, Carolyn Profitt of Sulpher Springs, Tenn., Patsy Stophel of Bluff City. Also surviving are nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lynn Smith and Rev. Todd Crusenberry officiating. Entombment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be George Vance, Carl Owens, Shawn Profitt, Scottie Worley, Adam Stophel and Alex Stophel. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Patrick, Jimmy Meade, Brandon Carmody and Johnny Jones. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at the Akard Funeral Home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Carmody. Pauline Clark WISE -- Pauline Clark, 77, passed away Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at Norton Community Hospital. A lifelong resident of Wise County, she was a homemaker and a member of Esserville Freewill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Viola Addington Bolling; her husband, Hadley Clark; and one brother, Kenneth Bolling. Survivors: two daughters, Sandra Clark and Paula Martin and husband Joe, all of Wise; one son, Jerry W. Clark and wife Shirley of Charleston, S.C.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral will be 11 a.m. Friday at Carty Funeral Home Chapel with Jerry Clark officiating. Burial will be in Wise Cemetery. Pallbearers will be deacons of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. There will be no visitation. Betty A. Copenhaver GLADE SPRING -- Betty Marie Andes Copenhaver, 77, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, in Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion. She was the widow of John Alden Copenhaver Sr. She was a retired employee of the Washington County Department of Social Services and a member of the Chilhowie United Methodist Church. Survivors include three sons and one daughter-in-law, Stuart C. and Vicki Copenhaver, Glade Spring, John A. Copenhaver Jr., Fredericksburg, Va., and Frederick V. Copenhaver, Marion; four grandchildren, Carla Copenhaver, Kimberly Mason, Whitney Copenhaver and Ashley Copenhaver; and one great-grandson, Aldren Mason. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Chilhowie United Methodist Church with Rev. Mary K. Briggs and Rev. David T. StClair officiating. Burial will be in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Chilhowie United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 367, Chilhowie, VA 24319. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie. William J. Craft Funeral services for William J. "Bill" Craft will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in the Rooty Branch Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Howard Campbell, Rev. Roger Carter and Rev. David Wright officiating. Burial will follow in the Rooty Branch Cemetery with military honors conducted by the VFW Patton-Crosswhite Post 6975. Pallbearers will be Paul Dover, Landon Townsend, Mike Grindstaff, Tim Rouse, Jerry Gragg and Bo Musselwhite. Honorary pallbearers are Ray Rouse, Nelson Waddell, Dennis Beddix, Atch Alexander and friends at Rooty Branch Church. E-mail condolences may be sent online at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, Bill requested that memorials be made to Rooty Branch Cemetery Fund, c/o Howard Campbell, 1097 Bristol Caverns Highway, Bristol, TN 37620. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Weaver Funeral Home and other times at the home of Glenna and Ray Rouse, 1089 Bristol Caverns Highway, Bristol, Tenn. Mr. Craft, 89, of 456 Bristol Caverns Highway, Bristol, Tenn., went to be with the Lord, Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. William L. Dorton CASTLEWOOD -- The funeral service for William L. (Billy) Dorton will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel in Lebanon with the Rev. Ernest Jessee officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by the Lebanon VFW Post 9864 will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, in the Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Those attending are requested to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. to go to the cemetery in procession. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. William L. (Billy) Dorton, 78, of Route 2, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at his home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Dorton family. Michael Allen Grant BLUFF CITY -- Graveside services for Michael Allen Grant will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Crumley Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include Justin Grant, Dave Poe, Wade Necessary, Lee Grant and Johnny Necessary. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Mr. Grant, 34, passed away on Oct. 15, 2002. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Anna Hall ATKINS, Va. -- Anna M. King Hall, 89, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, in Francis Marion Manor Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stanley Hall; a daughter, Thresa McKay; and her parents, Dexter and Vickie Gullion King. She is survived by five daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Joe Pennington of Troutdale, Va., Hallie Levins of Crystal River, Fla., Hazel and Don Folden of Roanoke, JoAnn and David Huffman of Winston-Salem, N.C., Emma Jean and Gary Huffman of Dobson, N.C., and Donald McKay; four sons and daughters-in-law, Henry S. and Geraldine Hall, Dean M. and Helen Hall, Perry A. and Mary Hall, all of Atkins, and Cecil M. and Revonda Hall of Marion; 27 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Gracie Ogle of Baltimore; one brother, Glenn King of Rural Retreat, Va.; and a special friend, Sonny Taylor. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Rev. Grady Byrd officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Groseclose, Va. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Hall Family. Irene M. Hess HONAKER -- Mrs. Irene McGlothlin Hess, 70, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, in a Richlands hospital. Born Oct. 30, 1932, in Buchanan County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Mont Elden and Laura Ellen Helton McGlothlin. She had spent most of her life in the area and was of the Free Will Baptist faith. She was formerly a seamstress at Honaker Mills. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Hess; two brothers, Justin "Doug" McGlothlin and Mack McGlothlin; one sister, Elsie Harris; and two grandsons, Billy Daniel Peck and Danny Joel Peck. Survivors include three daughters, Carmie Peck, Mrs. Corbett (Gracie) Baldwin and Mrs. David (Kay) Ball, all of Honaker; two sons, Gerald Hess and his wife, Trula and Ricky Hess, all of Honaker; three sisters, Velva Shortridge of Pounding Mill, Va., and Ola Dotson and Mattie Boyd, both of Fletcher Ridge, Va.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Clyde Lambert and Rev. Claude Rose officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Tim Peck, Joey Peck, Jeff Hart, Michael Baldwin, Mark Baldwin, Freddie Richardson, Rodney Musick and Mark Wade. Dr. James McVey will serve as honorary pallbearer. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Thursday. Thomas Johnson Jr. MARION -- Thomas Johnson Jr., 42, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced by Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion. Vernon Johnson MESA, Ariz. -- Vernon "Jim" Johnson, passed away Sunday morning, Dec. 22, 2002, in Mesa. The Johnsons lived in Bristol from 1957 until 1988. Jim worked with Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company for over 30 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II. Survivors include: wife, Helen Johnson; son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Christine Keller Johnson; and grandsons, Brett and Kevin Johnson. Graveside service and entombment will be Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at 3 p.m. at Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Alcoa, Tenn. Smith Mortuary, Maryville, Tenn., 865-983-1000, www.smithmortuary.com. Burt Lister KINGSPORT -- Charles Burton "Burt" Lister, 71, went to be with the Lord Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Cocke County, Tenn., (Newport), and had made his home in this area for several years. Mr. Lister served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of Riverview Baptist Church. He was owner/operator of an over-the-road tucking company. Mr. Lister was a member of a Masonic lodge in Delaware. He was preceded in death by his parents, Boyce Lee Hammett and Bertha Wild Lister; and one sister, Lillian Frances Smith. Surviving are his wife, Vivian Lambert Lister of the home; daughters, Vicki Boggs and husband David of Kingsport and April Baker and husband William of Orlando, Fla.; son, Charles Kelly Lister and wife Kelly of Nashville; grandchildren, Jessica Nicole Waller Boggs and Austin Davis Boggs; sister, Dink Christopher and husband Chris of Campobello, S.C.; brother, William King Lister of Gray, Tenn.; stepmother, Margaret Hammett of Campobello; his mother-in-law, Edith Lambert of Tazewell, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, down town Kingsport. Friends may also call any time at the residence, 1387 Dunlap Road, Kingsport. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at 7 p.m. with Rev. Johnny Mink and Rev. James Lambert officiating. Graveside services will be Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at 1 p.m. at Lambert-Greer Family Cemetery in Tazewell, Tenn. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery by 12:50 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail at cartertrentfh@chartertn.net. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the family of Mrs. Lister. Uba Fletcher McDilda ABINGDON -- Funeral services for Uba Fletcher McDilda will be held Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service. Rev. Chuck Trent will officiate. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. A graveside service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill with Rev. Wayne F. Chant officiating. Pallbearers will be Ike Thomas, Junior Blevins, Charlie Perkins, Brian Mercer, Fred McGlothin Jr., Winfred McGlothin, Frazier McGlothin and Glen Coffman. The family wishes to express their deepest and most heartfelt appreciation to the doctors and nurses at Johnston Memorial Hospital and the Wellmont Medical Center in Bristol Tennessee. Also, especially to the wonderful nurses and volunteers at the Wellmont Hospice. Thank you for caring for our mother. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. McDilda, 64, our sweet, gentle mother, went to be with God at 4:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at Wellmont Hospice in Bristol with all her children by her side. She was born in Jewel Ridge, Va., to the late Clarence and Mary Elswick Fletcher. She was a member of Trigg Street Church of God. She was employed with Long John Silvers since 1979 where she worked as assistant manager. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Charity McDilda; a brother, Ollis Fletcher; and sisters, Helen F. McGlothin and Ceila F. Stinson. Survivors include two sons, Robert C. McDilda Jr. of Corvallis, Ore., and Clarence (David) McDilda of Bristol Virginia; two daughters, Martha (Arlene) McDilda of Knoxville and Mary M. Millsap of Abingdon; one brother, Waldon Fletcher of Plant City, Fla.; two sisters, Fern F. Hutson and Effie F. Davis, both of Tampa, Fla.; four grandchildren, Chris Besse McDilda, Alyssa Faye Charity McDilda and Corey Logan McDilda, all of Bend, Ore., and Traci Michelle Millsap of Abingdon. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the McDilda family. Jerry L. McClanahan RICHLANDS -- Mr. Jerry Lee McClanahan, 55, passed away Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, in a Wytheville hospital following a brief illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, Va. Glen Ray Minnick Sr. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Glen Ray Minnick Sr., 69, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, in a local hospital. Born in Bluff City, he moved to Chattanooga in 1960 and was an insurance adjuster. Mr. Minnick was a graduate of ETSU and had taught school in Knoxville, Tenn. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was night manager of Holiday Bowl and also worked for Ryan's Family Steak House. He was preceded in death by his father, Glen Edward Minnick. Survivors include his high school sweetheart wife of 44 years, Diana Minnick, Chattanooga son, Glen Ray Minnick Jr., Chattanooga; two daughters and sons-in-law, Suzette (Mark) Melville and Chris (Skip) Padgett, both of Chattanooga; brother, Richard C. Minnick, Piney Flats, Tenn.; three grandchildren, Emily Padgett, Pete Padgett and Madison Melville, all of Chattanooga; mother and stepfather, Pauline and Allen Lindamood, Piney Flats; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Dennis Newman officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery with Skip Padgett, Mark Melville, Carl Gardner, Dwain Crump, Ken Wilson and Leif Thomas serving as pallbearers and the Barnabas Sunday School Class serving as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until the hour of service today at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road. Eileen O'Dell CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Eileen O'Dell, 84, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, in Cape Coral. She was a native of Sullivan County, daughter of the late John and Pernia Brown Lunsford. She had made her home in Florida since 1982. She was a wonderful mother to her children. She was also a "mother" to many relatives and friends. Through her faith in God, she accomplished her goal in life to help others. She was an upbeat person who was forever young at heart. She was a member of Central Holston Christian Church and attended Coronado Baptist Church in Cape Coral. She was a retiree from Gordon Garment Company. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leander O'Dell; five sisters; and five brothers. She is survived by a daughter, Carol O'Dell of Bristol Tennessee; son, Bill O'Dell, Midlothian, Va.; three loving sisters, Betty Nelson, Juanita Campbell and Nola Hardesty, all of Cape Coral; and grandsons, Kelly O'Dell and Brad O'Dell. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday in Central Holston Christian Church with Ministers Wayne Emery and Howard Taylor officiating. Eulogy given by Nancy Kincheloe. Burial will follow in Shipley Cemetery. Pallbearers: Joe Nelson, Jimmy Lunsford, Sam Witcher, Tom Hardesty, Bill Kincheloe and Peter Hardesty. Honorary pallbearers: nephews, nieces and Oren "Soupy" Campbell. Those desiring may make memorials to Hope Hospice, 2430 Diplomat Parkway, Cape Coral, FL 33909. E-mail expressions of sympathy may be at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Kenneth Harold Pippin Mr. Kenneth Harold Pippin, 71, of 19151 Benhams Road, Bristol, Va., died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born on June 6, 1931, in Washington County, Va.,. to the late Oscar and Pearl Vickers Pippi n and spent his entire life in the area. He was of the Baptist faith and the owner of Pippin Paving in Bristol, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Glen Pippin; and one sister, Audi Hensley. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia; along with one son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Sandra Pippin of Bristol Virginia; one brother, Sanford and his wife, Frances of Abingdon; along with one sister, Helen Denton of Bristol Virginia; one granddaughter, Lisa Cummings and her husband, Jon; and great-grandchildren, Brittany and Dylan Cummings also survive; along with several nieces and nephews; and many special friends. The family will receive friends beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, at Castle Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. Friends will serve as pallbearers. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.castlefuneralhome.com. Castle Funeral Home, 14298 Lee Highway, Bristol, Va., is serving the Pippin family. Doris Rash Memorial services for Doris Rash will be held on Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Rash, 66, of 312 Esther St., Bristol, Tenn., passed away on Dec. 23, 2002, at Greystone Health Care Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Eulah G. Slutz CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Mrs. Eulah Goff Slutz, 84, died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, at a nursing home in Charlottesville, where she had been in failing health for some time. Mrs. Slutz was born in Saltville, Va.,. on Jan. 15, 1918, a daughter of the late Rosie Mae Cuddy Goff and Arthur Lee Goff Sr. She was a graduate of Johnston Memorial Hospital nursing school in Abingdon and served as a registered nurse for approximately 40 years at Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga., Tenn. She was a member of the White Oak United Methodist Church, Chattanooga. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Reverend Dr. J. Homer Slutz; four brothers; and one sister. She is survived by one brother, Dr. Robert Oscar Goff and his wife, Florence of Luray, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be conducted Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at 11:30 a.m. in the Mount Rose Cemetery with Rev. Timothy W. Graham officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Emory & Henry College, Emory, VA 24327. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Slutz. Robert F. Testerman VINTON, Va. -- Robert Franklin Testerman, 72, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002. Robert was retired from Leonard Smith Roofing & Sheet Metal Company and was a life time member of Vinton Moose Lodge 1121. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Helen Marie Testerman; sons, Jerry Testerman of Roanoke, Jeff Testerman and Larry Testerman, both of Vinton, and Robert Testerman of Dale City, Va.; one daughter, Wanda Thigpen of Macon, Ga.; nine grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Funeral service will be held Friday in Oakey's Vinton Chapel. Information courtesy of Bradley's Funeral Home in Marion, Va. Wiley W. Thompson Wiley William Thompson, 87, of Bristol Virginia, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Thompson was born in Lebanon on Nov. 5, 1915, to Wiley Smith and Alice Leonard Thompson. He grew up on a farm near Glade Spring, Va. He spent his career with the U.S. Postal Service, working for many years on trains traveling between Bristol and Washington, D. C. In January, he moved from his home in Bristol Tennessee to The Grand Court in Bristol Virginia. He was married to Corinne Hayter who died in 1982. Subsequently, he was married to Margaret Ward, who also predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his parents; and by a brother, James Thompson of Glade Spring, Va. He was a devoted member of the Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church where he volunteered in the food pantry and enjoyed the activities of the men's group. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, W. William and Suzanne Thompson of Powell, Tenn., and Ronald A. and Janet Thompson of Lebanon, N.H.; one daughter and son-in-law, C. Edward and Carol Thompson Cate of Maryville, Tenn.; and a stepson and his wife, Richard and Connie Ward of Amherst, Va. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Matthew Cate and wife Mary, Jonathan Cate, Laura Thompson, Christopher Thompson, Maj. Jeffrey R. Ward and wife Cindy, Kimberly Dawson and husband Hank, Tamara Downey and husband James and Aaron Ward. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2002, in the Virginia Avenue Methodist Church with the Reverend Connie Huffine. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. Pallbearers will be Christopher Allen Thompson, Matthew Allen Cate, Jonathan Edward Cate, Bill Rutherford, Jim Rutherford, Andy Rutherford, Don Harris and Fred Kroupa. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 1127 Virginia Ave., Bristol, TN 37620. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Thompson. Bernice Washington Calling hours for Ms. Bernice Innetta Washington will be 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, at New Hope Baptist Church with funeral services at noon. Rev. William J. Reid will officiate. Burial will be in the National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn. Ms. Washington, lovingly called Tootie, 73, departed this life and went to live with her Heavenly Father Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, at Wellmont Systems-Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Bernice Innetta M. Washington have been made through Robinson Mortuary Inc. Thomas Workman Sr. PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Thomas Workman Sr., 71, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 23, 2002. He was born Aug. 10, 1931, in Chattaroy, W.Va. He was the son of the late Nimrod and Millie Workman. He lived in Virginia for many years, where he had many life long friends. He was retired from Lone Star Industries of Roanoke, Va., with 31 years of service, then he went on to pastor The Praise Tabernacle Church in Beaufort, S.C., where he lived for 18 years. He was a member of Gospel Life Christian Ministries in Beaufort. He was preceded in death by his wife of 26 years, Louise Eden Workman; and one brother, Billy Gene Workman. He was loved my many and will be greatly missed. Survivors include: one daughter, Brenda Workman Delp of Punta Gorda, Fla.; one son and daughter-in-law, Thomas Jr. and Gail Workman of Jacksonville, Fla.; two grandsons, Rodney Delp Jr. of Roanoke and Travis L. Delp of Blue Ridge, Va.; and two great-grandchildren, Autumn Delp and Kaitlyn Delp. Also surviving are brothers and sisters, Dorothy Hamilton of New Market, Tenn., Charles Workman of Strawberry Plains, Tenn., Lillie Mae Moore of Chesapeake, Va.,. Gladys Pearl McNeely of Williamson, W.Va., James Edward Workman of Lowell, Fla., Harvey Jay Workman of Carpet, Ga., Doris Ann Rivers of Belle View, Fla., Phyllis Sue Liptac of Bradenton, Fla., and Tronnie Scott Workman of Bell View, Fla.; and a very special friend, Fern McCaston of Beaufort. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Pook Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the Campbell Funeral Home from 7-9 Friday evening. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. I still hear the songs I still see the lights I still feel your love On cold winter nights I still share your hope and all your cares I'll even remind you to please say your prayers I just want to tell you You still make me proud You stand head and shoulders Above all the crowd Keep trying each moment To say in His grace I came here before you To help set your place You don't have to be Perfect all the time He forgives you the slip If you continue to climb To my family and friends Please be thankful today I am still close beside you In a new special way Now don't shed a tear Because I have spent My Christmas with Jesus this year Dedicated in memory of our father with all our love, Tom and Brenda. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, Va., is in charge of arrangements.