Bristol, VA - December 28, 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 ************************************************************************** Annabelle Wingo Ball Annabelle Wingo Ball, 79, of Bristol Virginia, went to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born Sept. 11, 1923, in Raven, Va., daughter of the late Miles and Blanch Dye Wingo. She was a homemaker and attended Shiloh Freewill Baptist Church and Fleenor's Memorial Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tolley Ball; a daughter, Betsy Goin; a granddaughter, Elisa Sue Addison; five sisters; and two brothers. Survivors include daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Robert Dersch, Bristol Virginia, Dorothy and Maim Harrison, Jewel Ridge, Va., Frances and Tom Harris, Bristol Virginia, Norma and Wade Hensley, Delta, Pa., Bernice and Paul Hutchins,Westminster, Md., and Kathy and Randy Cross, Bristol Virginia; son and wife, Rev. Roger and Patty Ball, Bristol Virginia; sister, Ethel Pauley, Cleveland, Ohio; brother, Charles Wingo, Florida; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. Burial will follow in the Campground Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Keith Tabor, Kelly Tabor, Chris Hensley, Mike Harrison, Brad Cross, David Ball and Daniel Ball. Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Harrison, Mark Hutchins, Dr. John Sherrill, Dr. Michael Baron, Dr. T.C. Greene, Vernon Thomas and Benny Thomas. Special thanks to the care givers, Vickie Keith and Angie Heath. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the WeaverFuneral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Robert F. Clarke ABINGDON -- Funeral services for Robert F. Clarke will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with the Rev. Lee Kidd officiating. Entombment will follow inValley View Mausoleum, Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be James Ray, Ernest Ray, Roger Jessee, Dewey Smith, David Ray and Gerald Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Virginia Cemetery Association. Condolences may be sent to the Clarke family via e-mail at condolences@castlewoodfuneralhome.com Mr. Clarke, 69, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Andrew Cox HONAKER -- The funeral service for Andrew Cox will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel in Lebanon with the Revs. Bill Gobble, Jeff Stevens and Carl Young officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be David Lampkins, Darrell Lampkins, Dwayne Helbert, Jonathan Purcell, Edward Purcell and Tom Hubbard. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Gobble, Paul Spencer, Gerald Albert, Paul Helbert and George Boardwine. Online condolences may be made to the family at defriece@cablenet-va.com. Mr. Cox, 67, of Route 1, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, in the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Cox. America D. Davidson MARION -- Mrs. America Ann "Merkie" Doane Davidson, 96, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in Francis Marion Manor. Mrs. Davidson was preceded in death by her husband, Rosser Kelly Davidson; three daughters, Eva Mae Davidson, Eloise (Nancy) Johnson and Edna Ruth Johnson. She was raised on Beaver Creek near Saltville, Va., until her mariage to Rosser Davidson, when she made her home on Cedar Branch. She resided there until 1960 when she moved to Maryland and accepted employment as primary care giver to Mary Unglesbee. She ramained there for 18 years until her retirement. Survivors include three daughters, Laura Belle and Marvin Johnson, Saltville, Evelyn Cecelia Chapman, Saltville, and Billie Jeanette Hunt, Saltville; 17 grandchildren; two step-grandsons; 26 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; extended family includes the Unglesbee family, Doris and Dorsey Unglesbee, and Betty and David Isis; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Shirley Carter officiating. Burial will follow in the Elizabeth Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 7 till 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Marvin Johnson Jr., Gerald Johnson, Brian Chapman, Jeff Johnson, Bobby Johnson, Claude Johnson, Jonathan David Rawn and Barry Richardson. Honorary pallbearers are Robbie Johnson, Ricky Johnson, James I. Goodman, Leo Hayden and Marvin Johnson Sr. The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the family. Paul A. Dingus CLINTWOOD -- Paul A. Dingus, 81, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002. A lifelong resident of Dickenson County, he was the son of the late Samuel Patton and Nannie Meade Dingus. He was a member and deacon of Valley View Freewill Baptist Church, a retired UMWA coal miner and a member of Clintwood Masonic Lodge 66, AF&AM. Other than his parents, his first wife, Nina Rose Dingus; and 13 brothers and sisters preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Italy McCoy Dingus, Clintwood; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Brenda Dingus, Clintwood; daughters and sons-in-law, Dr. Brenda Long and husband Howard, Richlands, and Nancy Baker and husband Doug, Lebanon; sister, Leona Moore and husband Burley, Clintwood; six grandsons, Rev. Mike Baker, Bluefield, Va., Chuck Baker, Kingsport, Matthew and Jason Dingus, Clintwood, and Howie and Benjamin Long, Richmond; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, at Valley View Freewill Baptist Church with Ministers Mike Baker and Lynn Vanover officiating. The family will receive friends after 4 p.m. until time of service Sunday at the church. Additional graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday at Rose Hill Cemetery, Route 1, Clintwood, by the Clintwood Masonic Lodge 66 AF&AM. Family and friends will meet at the church on Monday morning at 10:15 to form the funeral procession. Active pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are deacons of Valley View Freewill Baptist Church. The family will accept flowers or a memorial contributions may be made to the Valley View FWB Church, Route 3, Box 587, Clintwood,VA 24228. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. William L. Dorton CASTLEWOOD -- Burial with military rites conducted by the Lebanon VFW Post 9864 for William L. (Billy) Dorton 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. Mr. Dorton, 74, of Route 2, died Sunday, Dec. 22, 2002, at his home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Dorton family. T.B. Freeman TITUSVILLE, Fla. -- Thomas B. Freeman, 87, an evangelist/preacher, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, in Titusville. Mr. Freeman was born at Seven Mile Ford, Va., on Oct. 5, 1915. He pastored seven churches in the East Tennessee area. He moved to Florida in 1957. In 1971, he founded and pastored Tabernacle Baptist Church for 13 years and remained a member until his death. As an evangelist, he spoke in 38 states, Canada, Jerusalem and the St. John's Islands. His words of encouragement were always, "Keep looking up." Survivors include his sons: Thomas, John and James Freeman; brothers Blane and Wallace Freeman; and sisters Kathleen Goins and Ruth Wampler. He had eight grandchldren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline; daughter, Betty King; and two brothers, Truett and Samuel Freeman. North Brevard Funeral Home in Titusville is in charge of arrangements. Brian A. Lowe CHILHOWIE -- Brian Anthony Lowe, 14, died Friday, Dec. 27, 2002, in the Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion, Va. He was loved by everyone who met him. Survivors are his father and mother, Glenn Marshall and Agnes Darlene Lowe; one uncle, Steven M. and wife Vetra Lowe, Chilhowie; three aunts, Connie and husband, Bob Surber, Kathy and husband Wally Blevins and Vicky and husband Shawn Brooks, all of Chilhowie; special grandmother, Mary Reedy, Chilhowie; one half-brother, Jamie Phipps, Chilhowie; birth mother, Trish McClure, Troutdale,Va.; also several special cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his birth father, Douglas Glenn Lowe. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in Williams Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Joey McClure, Elder Carlton Houck and Elder Earl Barker officiating. Burial will be in the McClure Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Williams Funeral Home. James P. Mannix James P. Mannix died on Christmas Eve 2002. Dearly loved husband of the late Mary R. Deeply mourned by children, Mary Ellen Ragazzo (NYS Court Officer), Patrick, Delia (NYPD), James, Dennis, Paul (FDNY); 10 grandchildren; a great-grandson; sons and daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends in U.S. and Ireland. A shining example of the Greatest Generation, he served his country aboard the USS Ranger during World War II. Retired sergeant/NYPD, Lector at Holy Trinity R.C. Church, member of Holy Name Society, Msgr. Dillon K. of C., and VFW Post 4787. Predeceased by parents, Patrick and Delia; and brothers, Thomas and John. Reposing at Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home LLC, 10-25 150th Street, Whitestone, N.Y. Mass of Christian burial will be Monday at 9:45 a.m. at Holy Trinity. Interment Mt. St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting Saturday and Sunday 2 to 5 and 7 to 10 p.m. Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home, LLC is in charge of arrangements. Minnie G. Mitchell ABINGDON -- Mrs. Minnie Gay Mitchell, 93, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at the NHC Healthcare Center in Bristol. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County and was a daughter of the late James Larimer and Margaret Ellen Hyler Larimer. Mrs. Mitchell was a member of the Abingdon Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husbands, Mount Vernon Bowman and Clint Mitchell; and a son, Robert Bowman. She is survived by three daughters, Doris Umberger of Abingdon, Betty Carol Hurd of Knoxville and Ruth Annette Collier of Kingsport; three sons, Pete Bowman of Jonesborough, Tenn., Mack Bowman of Johnson City and George Bowman of Bristol Virginia; grandchildren, Nancy B. Jackson, Rachel Bowman, Harold Hurd Jr., Michael Collier, Matthew Bowman, Cindy Perkins, Alice Albro, Kenneth Bowman, Kara Sundermeyer, Monty Collier and Candace Mitchell; and 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, in the Farris Funeral Chapel with Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Casketbearers will be the following grandsons: Alex Perkins, Matthew Bowman, Kenneth Bowman, Michael Collier, Monty Collier and Harold Hurd Jr. The family will receive friends from noon until 1:45 p.m. Sunday before the funeral service. Those wishing to send messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Minnie Gay Mitchell. Albert E. Moretz Sr. Committal services for Albert E. Moretz Sr. will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the MountainView Mausoleum. Honorary pallbearers include Tony Henson, James Thompson, David Richards, Tony Houser, Dave Houser, Bobby Shupe, Charles Shupe, Junior Kirby and R.C. Houser. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Mr. Moretz, 90, of 326 Randolph St., Bristol, Va., passed away on Dec. 25, 2002, at Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ellis D. Musick Jr. CASTLEWOOD -- Ellis Donald Musick Jr., 81, died Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. He was born in Newhall, W.Va., son of the late Ellis and Lucy Musick Sr. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army and a member of the U.M.W.A. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rhoda Musick. He is survived by one daughter, June Gentillucci of Weyers Cave, Va.; five grandchildren, Cheryl "Dee Dee" Dunlap of Bristol Virginia, Debbie Ellen Cordero of Foothill Ranch, Calif., and Anita Higgins, Mark Gentillucci and Damon Gentillucci, all of Weyers Cave; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, 2002, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with the Rev. John A. Kiser officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, with military rites conducted by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard of Abingdon. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The Musick family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2002, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood. The Musick family would like to give special thanks to Linda Kay Hileman. Condolences may be sent to the Musick family by e-mail to condolences@castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Myrtle A. Parks ALVARADO, Va. -- Myrtle A. Parks, 87, was surrounded by her family as she went away to be with the Lord on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, at her residence. She was born in Washington County, Tenn., and had lived in Sullivan County, Tenn., for many years until she moved to Washington County, Va., in 1959. She was a member of the Greenwood Free Will Baptist Church in Alvarado where she had taught Sunday school for several years. She was the widow of Bill Parks and was preceded in death by one daughter, Eulla Baumgardner; and one son, Clarence "Jiggs" Parks. She is survived by seven daughters, Clara Blevins of Abingdon, Edith Baumgardner and her husband Henry and Elizabeth Sinclair and her husband Carl, all of Bristol Tennessee, Eileen Lane and her husband Ed of Damascus, Frances Stoots and her husband Sherman and Barbara Vestal, all of Richmond, and Retha Wilson and her husband Al of Bristol Virginia; four sons, Delmar "Bud" Parks and his wife Irene and Roger Parks and his wife Kathy, all of Abingdon, Ronnie Parks of Hebron, North Dakota, and Doug Parks and his wife Linda of Damascus; one stepson, Charles Bumgardner and his wife Jan of Nashville, Mich.; a special friend, Frances Roberts of Bristol Tennessee; 61 grandchildren; 102 great-grandchildren; 34 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, 2002, in the Greenwood Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Jack Sprinkle, Rev. Walter L. Statzer, Pastor Floyd D. Nelson and Pastor Ernie Powers officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Delmar Parks, Lester Parks, Steve Parks, Smokey Parks, David Baumgardner, Tim Blevins, Michael Smythe and B.J. Sinclair. Honorary pallbearers will be Lacy Roberts, Bill Denton, Robert Montgomery and all of the grandsons. The family would like to acknowledge their sincere appreciation to Beverly Henley, Karen Lamie and all the other home health personal care givers. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Sunday at Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus. 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 Mrs. Parks. Ruby Gilley Phibbs CHILHOWIE -- Ruby Gilley Phibbs, 82, 1277 Cherokee Lane, passed from this life on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in Smyth County Community Hospital. Mrs. Phibbs was born in Ashe County, N.C., on Aug. 29, 1920, to her parents, the late James Webb and Oda Osborne Gilley. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her only child, a son, Gary Wayne Phibbs, Oct. 18, 2002; three brothers, Woodrow, Bill and Russell Gilley; two sisters, Pearl Gilley Lambert and Reba Gilley Hawks. She is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Foy L. Phibbs of Chilhowie; one sister, Belle G. Davenport of Chilhowie; and two brothers-in-law, John Phibbs and Clifton Phibbs, all of Fries, Va. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002, at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Elder Eddie Lyle officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 12:30 until 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Pond Mountain Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Elder Eddie Lyle, 1521 Elliott Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Phibbs Family. Joy McNamara Ringley The committal for Joy McNamara Ringley will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Mary's Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Internet condolences may be sent to www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Ringley, 85, former resident of Gate City Highway, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Dec. 26, 2002, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Clarence J. Rosenbalm The funeral service for Clarence J. Rosenbalm will be conducted at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the chapel of Blevins Funeral Home with Dr. Charles C.Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Rooty Branch Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wallace Reed, Ed Pruitt, Jimmy Havens, Chris Reed, James Pucket, Clayton Jones, Tyrone Rosenbalm and James Garland. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family via e-mail to condolences@blevinsfuneralhome.com. Mr. Rosenbalm, 73, of 204 Reservoir St., Bristol, Va., died Monday, Dec. 23, 2002, in South Carolina. Arrangements especially for Mr. Rosenbalm have been made through Blevins Funeral Home. Janet Rowe LEXINGTON, Tenn. -- Janet Rowe, 49, passed away on Dec. 26, 2002, at Jackson General Hospital. Survivors include sisters, Lisa Rowe of Bristol Tennessee, Lora Johnson of Lexington and Marie Ray of Lexington; three nieces; and three nephews. Graveside services will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the MountainView Mausoleum Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Danny B. Sloan GATE CITY, Va. -- Danny B. Sloan, 44, of Route 7 went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002, at his residence. He was born in Sullivan County on Sept. 1, 1958, and was the son of the late Thomas and Eva Mae Williams Sloan. He was a loving husband, father, brother and friend. He was employed with TEC as a truck driver. Mr. Sloan was a member of Midway Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a nephew, Brandon Nathaniel Whitlock. Surviving are wife, Theresa Hensley Sloan; daughters, Ashley Sloan and Allison Sloan of the home; twin brother, Denny Sloan, Clinchport, Va.; sister, Barbara Sue Whitlock and husband Nat, Bristol Tennessee; nieces, Natalie Whitlock, Kingsport, and Jacqulayne Sloan, Greeneville, Tenn.; nephew, Chad Sloan, Clinchport; great-niece, Kaitlyn Drew Turner, Greeneville; and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be conducted at the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday at 1 p.m. with Rev. George Willis Jr., Rev. Paul Allison and Brother Kenneth Neeley officiating. Midway Quartet will provide the music. Burial will follow at Holston View Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Danny Crawford, Bill Gilliam, Allen Rhoton, Marvin Egan, Brandon Hensley, Scott Hensley, Darrin Pendleton and Teddy Pendleton. Honorary pallbearers are Midway Baptist Church deacons. Thomas Workman Sr. PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Funeral services for Thomas Workman Sr. 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. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbellfuneralhome.com Mr. Workman, 71, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 23, 2002. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, Va., is in charge of arrangements. Vera Watson BLUFF CITY --A private funeral service for Vera Watson will be conducted at 11 o'clock Friday morning at the graveside with Rev. Steve Hensley officiating. Condolences and memories may be sent via e-mail to condolences@oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Watson, 86, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Watson have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home.