Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, March 25, 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 Tuesday, March 25, 2003 Johnny H. Blanton RAVEN, Va. -- Funeral services for Mr. Johnny Harmon Blanton will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Dannie Short officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Mr. Blanton, 70, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at a Richlands hospital following a brief illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. William A. Booher Rev. William A. Booher, 82, of 404 Pennsylvania Ave., Bristol, Tenn., went home to be with his Lord Sunday, March 23, 2003, at his home following a lengthy illness. Born in Sullivan County, he had resided in Middleville, Mich., for 20 years working in the automotive plants. He served as a pastor at Ketrons Chapel and was owner and operator of Twin City Builders. Rev. Booher was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was an active member of Hickman Memorial Church. His parents, Robert and Maggie Booher; four sisters; three brothers; a granddaughter; a grandson; and a great-grandson preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Louise Booher, Bristol Tennessee; two daughters and sons-in-law: Barbara and Walter "Skip" Ayers, Kaleva, Mich.; and Virginia "Diane" and Dan Trent, Bristol Tennessee; eight grandchildren, Yancy and Brenda Ayers, Kim and Ray Hutchins, Tammy and John Trent, Wesley and Shannon Ayers, Aaron and Sharon Ayers, Marsha Trent, Jessica Trent and Barbara Lynn Ayers- Nichols; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Sam Booher, Blountville; and numerous nieces and nephews. Calling hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, or any time at the home. Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hickman Memorial with Rev. Dewey Shaffer and Rev. J.E. Mauk officiating. Burial will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 3 and 265. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Horne, Ross Moore, Terry Shaffer, Jimmy Gross, Bill Rhoten and Lynn Steadman. Honorary pallbearers will be Ezra Whittaker and Scott Whittaker. E-mail condolences may be sent to hamlettdobson@charter.net. Pearl H. Childress VANSANT, Va. -- Pearl Hagy Childress, 99 years of age, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2003, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late George W. and Hester Ann Looney Hagy. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a member of Big Prater Baptist Church for 80 years. Mrs. Childress was a former school teacher for Buchanan County School System. In her early years she operated logging camp boarding houses and served as an apartment house supervisor. She enjoyed crocheting afghans for friends and relatives, was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and was a homemaker. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. "Jack" Childress. She is survived by: one daughter, Georgie Ellen Damron, Tucson, Ariz.; and two sons: James E. "Jim" and wife Pearlie M. Barbour Childress, Vansant; and Leon Childress, Carson City, Nev. Also, she is survived by 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Juanita Lee Stiltner; three sisters, May Yates, Edna Baldwin and Dolly B. Looney; and three brothers, Stuart V. Hagy, A.T. "Thurm" Hagy and Earl Hagy. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jeff Slone and Rev. Larry Ratliff officiating with burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Friends called at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Monday afternoon at 5 p.m. Active pallbearers will be men of Big Prater Baptist Church and Vansant Presbyterian Church. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Clint Sutherland, Dr. Jeff Larson, Rev. Ancil Childress, Evangelist Michael Trent, Evangelist Mike Rife, Phyllis Canter, Sam Justus, Mary Cook, Jean Cline, Edith Clevinger, Adelaide Looney, Lena Keen and Barbara Sutherland. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of memorial gifts to Big Prater Baptist Church, Route 2, Box 481, Vansant, VA 24656 or to Vansant Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 22, Vansant, VA 24656. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Shirley M. Combow Shirley M. Myers Combow, 57, of 2316 Carolina Ave., Bristol, Tenn., went to be with the Lord Saturday, March 22, 2003, at Wellmont Hospice House. Shirley was born June 2, 1945, in Bigfor, W.Va., a daughter of the late Lester and Lona Price Grubb. She had made her home in Newark, Del., where she was a nurse's aide at Wilmington Medical Center before moving to Bristol in 1985. She attended Florence Union Church. Survivors include her husband, Charlie D. Combow; daughters: Vicky Honaker; Theresa Ringley and her husband Billy; and Kimberly Royle and her husband Edward; son, Michael Myers; stepchildren: Penny Federow and husband Rick; Tabatha Federow and her husband Curtis; Sherry Combow and Jimmy Bott; sisters, Juanita Hooker, Norma Trivett and Stella Rogers; brothers, Robert Grubb and Weldon Henry Grubb; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; six step- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services and entombment will be Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Bobby Tester and Rev. Mike Able officiating. Pallbearers will be Don Cumbow, John Trivett Sr., John Trivett Jr., Billy Ringley, Michael Myers, David Grubb, Jack Worley and Jackie Nash. Special thanks to Karen Murdock, Donna Mooney and the staff of Wellmont Hospice House and Florence Union Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Weaver Funeral Home. John C. Fields DANTE, Va. -- Committal services for John C. Fields 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 VFW Post 9864. 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. Online condolences may be sent to the Fields family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Mr. Fields, 80, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, in Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Elaine Dallas Foster Graveside services for Elaine Dallas Foster 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. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Foster, 69, of 739 Fifth St., Bristol, Tenn., went to be with the Lord Friday, March 21, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Foster. Frances Gilliam POUND -- Frances Gilliam, 64, went home to be with her precious Lord and Savior after a courageous battle with cancer. She left her earthly home on Sunday, March 23, 2003, with her family by her side. Frances was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. She attended the Church of Christ in Pound. Mrs. Gilliam was preceded in death by her husband, Ercell Gilliam; her parents, Maggie Mullins Johnson and Richard B. Mullins. Surviving: daughters: Vickie L. Brooks, Englewood, Fla.; Tammy L. Banks, Whitesburg, Ky.; Donna Y. Potter, Seco, Ky.; and Carressa (Casey) Gilliam, Pound; sons: Michael Gilliam, Pound; and Daniel Burke, Pound; sisters: Helen Ward, Pound; Trula Overcash, Fort Pierce, Fla.; and Darlene Silvestri, Hialeah, Fla.; brothers: A.J. Johnson, Pound; and Laymon Johnson, Shady Grove, Fla.; three grandchildren, Nicole, Cody and Jamie; one great-grandchild, Elijah; and a host of friends and loved ones. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel, Baker Funeral Home, with Pastor Tim Shepherd officiating. Interment will be in Gilliam Cemetery, Pound. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Calling hours are 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003, in Baker Funeral Home. Baker Funeral Home, Pound, is entrusted with the care of Frances Gilliam. Nellie Hurley DAMASCUS -- The funeral service for Nellie Hurley will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Alan McCullough officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mrs. Hurley, age 108, passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Nellie Hurley. Stephen Juba NORTH EAST, Md. -- Stephen Juba, 85, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, in North East. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late John and Mary Hrynkiv Juba. He served in the U.S. Army (private first class) during world War II. He was a licensed practical nurse at the VA Medical Center in Perry Point, Md., and retired in 1979 after 33 years. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Nursing Class of 1960. He was the widower of his first wife, Stella C. Juba. Surviving are his wife, Martha G. Bise Juba; son, Allen E. Juba, Conowingo, Md.; daughter, Barbara S. DeBonis, Aberdeen, Md.; three grandsons; and one granddaughter. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Northern Chesapeake Hospice Foundation, c/o Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 766, Perryville, MD 21903-0766. Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, P.A., in charge of arrangements. Information courtesy of Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, Va. Flossie Mink ERWIN, Tenn. -- Flossie Mae Robinson Mink, 96, 518 Old Stage Road, died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at Erwin Health Care Center. She was a native of Fish Springs, Tenn., and was a daughter of the late David Kitts and Nora McQueen Robinson. She grew up in the town of of old Butler and attended Watauga Academy. She lived in Bristol Tennessee for 47 years and was an active member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church before moving to Erwin in 1981 and uniting with Ninth Street Baptist Church. She was retired from United Inter-Mountain Telephone Company as a toll supervisor after 32 years of service having worked in the old Butler, Johnson City and Bristol exchanges. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Roy James Mink Sr.; one sister, Retia Robinson Rosenmund; and two brothers, Earl Robinson and Grady Robinson. Survivors include: one daughter, June Kegley Padgett, Erwin; one son, Roy Mink Jr., Franktown, Va.; five grandchildren: Joy Kegley and Larry W. Stoots, Johnson City; Steve and Traci Davis Kegley, Stafford, Va.; Andrew and Kim Mink, Orange, Va.; Susanne and Martin Spady, Eastville,Va.; and Anthony and Kem Padgett, Jonesborough; 10 great-grandchildren, Lara Elisabeth and Jared Kegley Stoots, Daniel Seth and Zachary Davis Kegley, Claire Mink, Katie, Tucker and Mallory Spady, Cory Jordan and Dawson Craft Padgett; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in the Chapel of Valley Funeral Home. Dr. Chris Ward and Dr. Allen Davis will officiate. Music will be provided by Traci Davis, Lara Stoots and Brian Wilson, trumpet. The family will receive friends from noon until service time Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in the Chapel of Valley Funeral Home. Graveside service and interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, Bristol Tennessee. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials for Mrs. Mink be made to Ninth Street Baptist Church, 310 Ninth St., Erwin, in memory of her love for children to the children or youth funds, or in honor of her love for Christian music to the church music fund. Online condolences may be e-mailed to the family through our Web site www.valleyfuneralhome.net. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Mrs. Flossie Mink through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main Ave., Erwin, valleyfuneralhome.net. Ralph McNeil Musick VIVIAN, La. -- Ralph McNeil Musick, 71, went to be with the Lord Friday, March 21, 2003. He was born in December 1931 in Hamlin, Va., and retired to Vivian. He was a member of the American Legion Post 141 in Vivian and was of the Baptist faith. Ralph was a decorated veteran of the Korean and Vietnam conflicts and retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1981 as a chief master sergeant. He was preceded in death by his father, Elexious W. Musick and mother, Mary Virginia Couch (Big Mom) Musick. He is survived by his wife, Jennie Mae (Peggy) Odle Musick; daughter, Kristie K. Musick of Columbia, S.C.; son, Martyn A. Musick and wife Alicia Beth of Vivian; brothers: Sam Jack Musick of California; Joe B. Musick and Harry Musick of Lafayette, Ind.; sisters: Vena Price of Gravelick, Va.; Lexie Smith, Doris Miller and Lydia Mae Pollard of Morristown, Tenn.; and Ruth Porter of Williamstown, Ky.; and one grandchild, Martyn McNeil Musick. Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 26, 2003, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. George Odle officiating. Burial will follow at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City. William H. Muthard Funeral services for Mr. William H. "Bill" Muthard will be conducted 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Euclid Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Bob Jones 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 Simmons' 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. and 1:30-3 p.m. prior to the service at the church. 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. Mr. Muthard went to be with the Lord, March 21, 2003, in Columbus, Ohio. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Muthard. Frances O'Quinn SALTVILLE -- Mrs. Frances O'Quinn, 93, died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at her home. She was a member of Aistrop Hollow Pentecostal Holiness Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Morgan O'Quinn; and a son, Marvin O'Quinn. Survivors include three sons: Norman O'Quinn, Saltville; George O'Quinn, Saltville; and Dayton O'Quinn, Saltville; seven daughters and sons-in-law: Mary and Estel Douglas, Jellico, Tenn.; Mamie and Fred Musick, Saltville; Gladys and Earvin Mutter, Chilhowie; Bertha Cardwell, Saltville; Viola and Edward Thompson, Bristol Virginia; Oma and Ronald Stallard, Glade Spring; and Edna and Awney Blevins, Saltville; 43 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Henderson Funeral Chapel with Rev. David Neitch and Rev. Roger O'Quinn officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Rose Cemetery in Glade Spring. Pallbearers will be the grandsons. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the O'Quinn family. Miness Pridemore ABINGDON -- Mr. Miness Pridemore, my loving, kind and previous husband, went to be with the Lord this morning, March 24, 2003, in his home on Gillespie Drive. He was an active member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Abingdon. He was born in Chapmanville, W.Va., on Nov. 10, 1926, to James H. and Elizabeth Dingess Pridemore who preceded him in death. Four sisters and one brother also preceded him. He came to Virginia in 1964 as a heavy equipment operator with Island Creek Coal Company, where he worked for many years. He was a member of Local Union 1509 and an executive board member of the United Mine Workers of America. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Nickles Pridemore of Abingdon; one sister, Mary Farley of Vinton, Ohio; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Farris Funeral Chapel. Pastor Elden Bergen and Pastor John Massey will officiate. Entombment will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Active pallbearers will be George Mitchell, C.L. Campbell, Marcus Prater, Naaman Hensley, Homer Sexton and Jack McCrady. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Pilgrim Baptist Church, men of Buchanan County Group, Wayne Blevins, Alvin Pridemore and Herbert Kiser. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Pridemore family. Bessie Clara Robinette ATKINS, Va. -- Bessie Clara Robinette, 82, died Sunday, March 23, 2003, in Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Ga. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Edith Robinette and Desser Robinette, both of Atkins; three nieces: Shelba Crigger of Rural Retreat, Va.; Betty Brantley of Houston; and Rita Deihl of Phoenix, Ariz.; four nephews: Paul Robinette of Cleveland, Ohio; Curtis Robinette and Ralph E. Robinette, both of Rural Retreat; and Emory Robinette of Atkins; and a special friend, Louise Kelley of Rome, Ga. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Groseclose, Va. The family will receive friends Wednesday morning from 10 until 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Robinette Family. Mary Sharrett Mary Ruth Eaton Sharrett, 44, of 831 Clinton Ave., Bristol, Va., passed away Saturday, March 22, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Sharrett was a native and lifelong resident of the Bristol area. She was the daughter of the late George and Mary Crusenberry Eaton and was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Edward Eaton; and one sister, Joyce Ann Eaton. Survivors include two daughters: Sandra Eaton of Bristol Tennessee; and Elizabeth Cunningham of Bristol Virginia; and two sisters: Linda Harless and husband Conley of Bristol Virginia; and Carolyn Eaton and Earnest Leonard of Bristol Virginia. Also surviving is one granddaughter, Jade Cunningham; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2003, in the Campground Cemetery with Rev. Dennis Burnette officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at 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. Sharrett. Charles G. Thompson Jr. Charles Gwyn Thompson Jr., 49, died Monday, March 24, 2003, at his home in Bristol Tennessee. He was a graduate of Virginia Tech and was a territorial manager for Philip Morris for nearly 20 years. Gwyn enjoyed the outdoors and particularly loved biking and fishing with his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Charles and Carolyn Bonham Thompson. He is survived by Linda Stevens of Bristol Tennessee; his stepmother, Virginia Sarvis and husband Roy of Morristown, Tenn.; six sisters and four brothers-in-law: Betty and Luther Moseley of Salem, Va.; Susan and James Alexander of Asheville, N.C.; Lyn Thompson of Marion;, Meg and Brendon Pagano and Cindy Thompson, all of Atlanta; and Kathi and Mark Lines of Roseville, Calif.; three brothers and sisters-in-law: Robert Thompson and fiancee, Karen Phillips of Corvallis, Ore.; Jeff and Mary Anderson of Bristol Virginia; and Brian and Rhonda Anderson of Abingdon; step-grandmother, Georgia Richardson of Marion; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 27, 2003, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Marion with Rev. Buddy Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. He will be taken to the church one hour before the services. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Thompson Family. Darris G. Viars BLOUNTVILLE -- The funeral service for Darris G. Viars will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2003, in the Farris Funeral Chapel with Pastor Steve Viars officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Casketbearers will be selected from family and friends. Those wishing to send messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Viars, 68, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Darris Gray Viars. William Lewis Wall ROANOKE -- Mr. William Lewis Wall, 80, peacefully passed on to be with the Lord and his loved ones this past Sunday night. He was a proud World War II veteran, proud American and proud father. Mr. Wall is survived by his son, Fred L. Wall of Roanoke; his daughter, Laura Collins Wall of Herndon, Va.; and his brother, Don Wall of Glade Spring. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 27, 2003, at Knollkreg Cemetery in Abingdon with military rites by Saltville VFW Post 7328. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the family.