Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, March 23, 2003 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/Page/TRI_FrontPage ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ==================================================================== Bristol Herald Courier Sunday, March 23, 2003 Mary Anderson FARMVILLE, Va. -- Mary Katharine Ballard Anderson, formerly of Bristol Tennessee, went to be with her Lord on March 11. She resided in Farmville and was 89 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. George A. Anderson. Born the daughter of William Riley Ballard and Laura Blanche Banister Ballard in Glen Jean, W.Va., she is survived by six sons and a daughter, Dr. Andrew S. Anderson, Dr. Sidney B. Anderson, Dr. Charles C. Anderson, Dr. Peter W. Anderson, Edith B. Anderson, David B. Anderson, and Dr. George E. Anderson. Katherine has 21 grandchildren; and one surviving sister, Elizabeth Stone of St. Albans, W.Va. After her own children were raised, two very special friends were unofficially adopted, Barbara Troxell and Tommy Knowles. Mrs. Anderson was a graduate of West Virginia University, Vanderbilt and Moody Bible Institute. She was a teacher, songwriter and artist. She delighted most in serving and encouraging those of every age, leading them to the great savior of mankind, Jesus Christ. Katherine regularly hosted youth meetings in her home. With a team from Fairmount Presbyterian Church, she organized a mission church, Fairhaven Chapel, in the Blackley Road community. She also attended Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church and Vance Bible Church. A graveside service was held Friday, March 14, at 2 p.m. at the family graveyard in Farmville. A website in her memory is at www.va-wva.org. Shorter Funeral Home of Farmville was in charge of arrangements. John C. Fields DANTE, Va. -- John C. Fields, 80, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, in Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. He was born in Nickelsville, Va., and a resident of Dante most of his life. He was the son of the late James Harvey and Sally Mae Poston Fields. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army. He was a retired miner and member of the U.M.W.A. Local 1256, a life member of Dante Rescue Squad and Dante Fire Department and also a member of the V.F.W. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Fields; four daughters, Wanda "Frog" Osborne and husband Larry of Dante, Debra "Butch" Jordan, Teresa "Tiny" Mays and husband Ronald, Rita Bradley and husband Bill, all of Castlewood; two sons, Larry "Snake" Fields of Dante and Tim "Beaver" Fields and wife Vicky of Blountville; three sisters, Pauline Bradley of St. Paul, Ann Lee Rasnick of Kingsport and Dorothy Hulsey of Hay Market, Va.; one brother, James H. "Smokey" Fields Sr. of Dante; nine grandchildren, Lora Jean Hall, Larry Bracken Fields, Katherine Lewis, Amanda Leann Smallwood, Heather Hamilton, Fuzz Bradley, Jessica Bradley, Veronica Mays and Jordan Fields; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Ted Phillips and Rev. D.J. Couch officiating. Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery leaving at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Military rites will be conducted by the Lebanon V.F.W. Post 9864 of Lebanon. Pallbearers will be Dan "Butch" Glass Jr., Jarod Glass, Paul Phillips, Wade Holbrook, Dennis Fields and Matthew Fields. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Smith and members of Dante Rescue Squad and Dante Fire Department. A special thanks to Lebanon Medical Group, Southwest Cancer Center, Mercy Ambulance Service, Russell County Medical Center, Home Health, Dr. Emory Robinette and Dr. Ernest Henry. The Fields family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Fields family through our website at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Phoebe Jane Fields ABINGDON -- Mrs. Phoebe Jane "PJ" Fields, 84, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2003, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. She had lived all of her life in Washington County, Va. She was of the Presbyterian faith and preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Fields. She is survived by three sons, Richard Fields of Abingdon, Gary Fields and wife Pam of Abingdon and Darius Fields and wife Drema of Roanoke; two daughters, Denna Pierce and husband Lee of Abingdon and Mary K. Rodriguez and husband Jose of Abingdon; one brother, Andy Perkins of Salem, Va.; one sister, Polly Sparrow of Norfolk, Va.; grandchildren, Joey and Matthew Rodriguez, Cory Barker and David Fields; and great-grandson, Anthony Fields. A funeral service will be conducted Monday, March 24, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be David Fields, Joey Rodriguez, Cory Barker, Greg Case, James Hope and Charles Hope. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Fields. Elaine Dallas Foster Elaine Dallas Foster, 69 of 739 Fifth St., Bristol, Tenn., went to be with the Lord Friday, March 21, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Foster was a native of Taylorsville, N.C. but had lived in the Bristol area for the past 64 years. She was the daughter of the late Walter and Beulah McCurdy Bennett. She was a member of the Everflowing Well Church and attended Salter High School. Mrs. Foster was preceded in death by two brothers, Redworth McCurdy and Johnny McCurdy. Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Spurgeon Mark Foster; five sons, Charles McCurdy of Athens, Ga., Glen Foster of Portland, Ore., Mark Foster of Washington, D.C., Spurgeon Foster Jr. of Bristol Tennessee, Ronald N. Foster of Bristol Tennessee; three daughters, Bertha M. Foster of Bristol Tennessee, Lisa A. Richmond of Bristol Tennessee, and Melinda E. Foster of Bristol Tennessee; and one sister, Luvenia Moffitt of Charlotte, N.C. Also surviving are 19 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003, in the Mountain View Cemetery with Rev. W.A. Johnson and Rev. William Reed officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Foster. Robert A. Fraley BIG STONE GAP, Va. -- Rev. Robert A. Fraley, 89, went home to be with the Lord after a lengthy illness on Friday, March 21, 2003. He was born in Roda, Va., and lived all of his life in the coalfield region of Appalachia and Big Stone Gap. He was a retired miner U.S. Steel, Lynch, Ky., and the Stonega Coke and Coal Company after 36 years of service. He was a member of the UMWA District 28, Local 7425. He was a previous pastor of the Holiness Church of God in Jesus Name in Big Stone Gap for over 20 years. He was a member of Thee Church in Appalachia, Va. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, friend to a host of people and a devoted minister to God's word. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary V. Fraley; his parents, Elizabeth and Lilburn Fraley; two sisters, Vivian Garrett and Retha Gilliam; one brother, Bea Fraley and wife Blanche Stidham Fraley; one great-granddaughter, Kayla Sartin; stepmother, Emma Fraley; two stepbrothers, Norville and Paul Johnson; and special aunt, Cora Fraley. He is survived by his wife, Tressa Fig Fraley; four sons and daughters-in- law, James L. Fraley and wife Ruby Anna Lee, and Kenneth A. Fraley and wife Nila, all of Newport, Tenn., Robert H. Fraley and wife Monie, White Pine, Tenn., and Everette W. Fraley and wife Eva, Pennington Gap, Va.; brother and sister-in- law, Everette Joseph Fraley and wife Delia, Orlando, Fla.; eight grandchildren and special grandchild, Gene Pack; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandson; one stepsister, Jenelle Mullins; two stepbrothers, Charles and J.B. Johnson; special friends, Bobby Cress, Duke Barker, Billy Pelfrey and Demp Pelfrey; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Friends may call 5-7 p.m. Monday at Thee Church in Appalachia. Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday from the church with the Rev. Duke Barker officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday from Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap. Family and friends are requested to meet at the church at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to proceed to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tony Nidiffer, Frank Thacker, Walter Williams, Robert Cress Jr., Mike Fig and Lee Collier. Honorary pallbearers will be Ole McMahan, Demp Penley and William Fig. Holding Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Nancy Gibson BIG STONE GAP, Va. -- Nancy Evelyn Brickey Gibson, 80, died March 21, 2003, in Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport. She attended Powell Valley Presbyterian Church. She was born in Imboden, Va.,. and had lived most of her life in Big Stone Gap. A charter member of the hospital staff, Nancy retired from Lonesome Pine Hospital after 20 years of service as head of dietary services. she worked for many years for Stonega Coke and Coal Co. as a saleslady of women's clothing. She was an avid bowler and recently received an award for 40 years of bowling. After her retirement in 1993, Nancy volunteered her time as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary serving as secretary, historian and chair of the Memorial Committee. She will be remembered as a dedicated and knowledgeable volunteer. She was a counselor for the American Cancer Society, was head of the dietary services at Lonesome Pine Hospital and a life resident of the area. Surviving are her loving husband of 47 years, Melvin H. Gibson; sons, Joseph F. Varney Jr. and wife Brenda of Lebanon and Billy R. Gibson and wife Leisa of Big Stone Gap; sisters, Inez Blevins, Big Stone Gap and Mildred Pierce and husband James of Grafton, Va.; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by father, Charles Nelson Brickey and mother, Bessie Anderson Brickey; two brothers, William H. Brickey and Kelley A. Brickey. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Gilliam Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 7 p.m. March 23, 2003, at Gilliam Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bobby Hamilton officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Graveside services will be Monday at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens at 11 a.m. Family and friends are asked to assemble at Gilliam Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Gilliam Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap, is in charge of arrangements. Wade Hale COEBURN -- Wade Hale, 47, passed away Friday, March 21, 2003, in the MCV Hospital, Richmond. Surviving are his wife, Charlotte Lynn Hale; a son, Brandon (Goose) Hale of Coeburn; three daughters, Amanda Porter of Coeburn, Nikki Moore and Pamela (Curly) Moore, both of Damascus; three brothers, Zane Hale, Brad Hale and James Hale, all of Coeburn; a sister, Shirley Mullins of Coeburn; five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with Pastor Leon Lawson officiating. Burial will follow in the Hale Cemetery, Coeburn. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Sunday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements. Emory Alden Henry KINGSPORT -- Emory Alden Henry, 81, of 212 Henry's Private Drive, died March 22, 2003, in Indian Path Medical Center, Kingsport. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a lifetime resident of Sullivan County, a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II, a graduate of Holston Institute and James Milliken University. He retired as a surveyor. He was preceded in death by his parents, W.A. and Annie Milhorn Henry. Survivors: wife of 57 years, Peggy C. Henry of the home; sons and daughter- in-law, Philip Henry and his wife Patty of Kingsport and Mark Henry of Kingsport; sister, Ruby Tipton and her husband, Laney; brother, Gentry Henry and wife Wilma; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 24, 2003, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 100 Cannongate Road, Kingsport at 7 p.m. with Bishop LeGrande Boyer. Graveside service will be Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at the National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn. at 11 a.m. Those wishing to attend should meet at the cemetery at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. Honorary pallbearers will be family and friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Humanitarian Fund, c/o The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 100 Cannongate Road, Kingsport, TN 37660. Condolences may be sent to the family at cartertrent fh@chartertn.net. Carter-Trent Funeral Home of downtown Kingsport is serving the Henry family. Winfred Hill RAVEN, VA. -- Mr. Winfred Hill, 73, passed away Saturday, March 22, in a Richlands hospital following an apparent heart attack. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, Va. Laura Mae Hogans Funeral services for Mrs. Laura Mae Hogans will be conducted 3 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at John Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Donald Daniels officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until time of service at the church and at other times at 1023 Columbia Road. Online condolences may be sent to robinsonmortuary@earthlink.net. Mrs. Hogans, 87, of Bristol Tennessee died Thursday, March 20, 2003, at Greystone Health Care Center, Blountville. Robinson Mortuary is serving the family of Mrs. Laura M. Hogans (276) 669- 5155. Betty T. Huffman SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Betty T. Huffman, 68, died March 21, 2003. She was a homemaker. Service will be 1 p.m. March 25, 2003, at the Lima Family Santa Clara Funeral Home. Interment will be in Mission City Memorial Park, Santa Clara. William H. Muthard Mr. William H. "Bill" Muthard went to be with the Lord, March 21, 2003, in Columbus, Ohio. He was born in Philadelphia, the son of Edith E. Bell and Edward Muthard. He was a resident of Bristol since 1997 and was a member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church. He was retired from Business Opportunity of the Blind as a food concession manager at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. He was a current member of the Bristol Host Lions Club. He was president from 1994-1996, chaplain from 1996-1997, tail twister from 1990-1991 of the Lincolna Lions Club of Alexandria, Va. He received the International Lions Club State of Achievement Award 1994- 1996. In 1983, he was RA teacher at Westover Baptist Church, Arlington, Va.,. and a 1992 member of the Chamber of Commerce, Arlington, Va. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Muthard. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Mary Muthard; one daughter, Brenda Zumwalde and husband John, Sicklerville, N.J.; one son, Arthur Tip Hill, Winter Haven, Fla.; one brother, John H. Bell, Absecon, N.J. He is also survived by three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two aunts, Mae Fisher and Ann Morrison and her husband Bill. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Euclid Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Bob Jones and Rev. Jim Best officiating. Burial will follow in West Hills Cemetery, Lebanon. Pallbearers will include Ron Simmons, Wilmer Robins, Tom Yates, Frank Phillips, Eugene Chaffin and Jackie Chaffin. Honorary pallbearers will include Ron Simmon's Sunday School Class, elders and deacons of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church and the Bristol Host Lions Club. The family will receive friends at the Akard Funeral Home Tuesday from 6 until 8 p.m. Condolences may also be made to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Those wishing may make memorials to the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church, 900 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Muthard. Roy E. Woody COEBURN -- Roy E. Woody, 84, passed away Fri day, March 21, 2003, at the Heritage Hall Health Care, Wise. He was a retired employee of VIC Coal Company as a bookkeeper and a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Gilbert and Aura Bell Carpenter Woody; his wife, Gladys V. Hall Woody; two brothers, Alva Woody and Jim Woody. Surviving are three sons and daughters-in-law, Roy Wayne and Diann Woody of Joppa, Md., Gary and Margaret Woody of Myersville, Md., and Ron and Glenda Woody of Wise; a brother, Ed Woody of New Bern, N.C.; two sisters, Alma Elswick of Richlands and Myrtle Adkins of Cleveland, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Monday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Les Ritchie officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Monday until time of service. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, in charge of arrangements. Joan B. Yates CLINTWOOD -- Joan B. Yates, 66, passed away Friday, March 21, 2003, at Norton Community Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Dickenson County and a retired employee of the Dickenson County School Board. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Alan Yates. She was a member of the Turner Old Regular Baptist Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband of 48 years, A.L. Yates of Clintwood; four children, Jennifer Spolarich and husband George of King, N.C.; Rita Smith of King, Jeff Yates and wife Sue of Clintwood and Tim Yates of Clintwood; two brothers, James Barrett of Roxboro, N.C., and Harry Barrett of Tarboro, N.C.; one sister, Clara Simmons of Richmond; six grandchildren, Kevin Spolarich, Kenny Spolarich, Phillip Smith, Chris Yates and Nathan Yates and Stephanie Smith; one great-grandchild, Makayla Rodriguez; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and relatives. Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 23, at 11 a.m. in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel with Elders Willie Cantrell, Trinkle Mullins and Carl Mullins officiating. Burial will be in the Sylvan Yates Cemetery, Caney Ridge Section, Clintwood. Pallbearers will be Ray Perrigan, Roy Gilbert, Brian Baker and grandsons Kevin Spolarich, Kenny Spolarich, Phillip Smith, Chris Yates and Nathan Yates. Honorary pallbearers: Jean Perrigan, Vernell Gilbert, Texas Rose, Irene Turner, Rosalee Fleming, Carolyn Childress, Elsie Compton, Nevalee Osbourne, Gaynell Sykes and Stella Stanley. The family received friends Saturday, March 22, at 6 p.m. in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel where a service was held at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Turner Old Regular Baptist Church. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Yates family.