Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, April 4, 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 Friday, April 4, 2003 Eva T. Blankenship OAKWOOD, Va. -- Mrs. Eva T. Blankenship, 93, went to be with the Lord on April 1, 2003. She was a native of Buchanan County, born in Hurley, Va., but lived the past 55 years in Oakwood. She was a member of the Hillcreek Baptist Church and Garden Baptist Church. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family in her generation. She was a homemaker and loved to garden, cook and sew. She was totally devoted to her family and friends. In addition to her parents, Mary McGraw and Clinton Hamburg, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Blankenship, in 1974; one son, Billy Blankenship; two brothers, Jeff McGraw and Ance McGraw; and two sisters, Bessie Whitt and Vicey Blankenship. Survivors are: four daughters, Mrs. Thene (Mary) Singleton of Akron, Ohio, Mrs. Bill (Ruby) Fletcher of Vansant, Va., Mrs. Gene (Betty) Claborn of Mogadore, Ohio, and Mrs. James (Joyce) Street of Oakwood, Va.; one son, Jerry Blankenship and wife Pam of Cuyahoga, Ohio; one grandsons/son, Ronnie Blankenship of Washington, D.C.; 18 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and five great- great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, April 5, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel in Keen Mountain, Va., with Rev. Bill Fletcher officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in Grundy. Pallbearers will be Barry Fletcher, David Fletcher, Michael Fletcher, Mark Fletcher, Chris Street, John Street, Jeff Franklin, Danny Singleton, Billy Blankenship and Bill Neeley. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy McGraw, Mack McGraw, Kenneth Fletcher, deacons from Garden Baptist Church and deacons from Hillcreek Baptist Church. Friends may call at the Buchanan Funeral Service from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday with a song service at 7 p.m. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Buchanan Funeral Service is serving the Blankenship Family. Robert Carl Casey ABINGDON -- Funeral services for Mr. Robert Carl (Bob) Casey will be held Friday, April 4, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel. Rev. Paul Price will officiate. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Mickey Gregory, Steven Gregory, Terry Gregory, Buddy Parris, Gary Gregory, Lonnie Farmer, Bunny Toliver and Jerry Belise. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Roark, Ronnie Roark, Bobby Hamilton, Greg Farmer and George Wyatt. Mr. Casey, 72, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Robert Carl (Bob) Casey. Mary Jane Colley CARLISLE, Pa. -- Mary Jane Colley passed away March 31, 2003, after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, James R. Colley, formerly of Saltville, Va. Survivors: two daughters, Alice Colley of the home and Nancy Taylor, Deland, Fla.; four grandchildren, Deland; seven great-grandchildren, Deland; two brothers-in-law, Wyndham Colley, Pasadena, Md., and Denton Colley, Aurora, Colo.; three sisters-in-law, Janie Allison, Saltville, Celestia Kawha, Saltville and Eleanor Holmes, Saltville. A memorial service will be held at a later date. This obituary courtesy of D.R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville. Margaret C. Fritz Margaret C. Fritz, 78, of 1102 North Paperville Road, Bristol, Tenn., died Wednesday, April 2, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Hagerstown, Md., a daughter of the late Randolph J. and Edna Campbell Shilling; and the widow of Joseph Fritz. Mrs. Fritz had made her home in Bristol for many years, was co-owner of the former Big Daddy's Deli and retired from Big Eddie's Deli. Survivors include her son, Eddie Miller and wife Brenda, of Bristol Tennessee; four sisters, Lucille Livingston of Norfolk, Va., Betty Perrin and Dottis Thomas, both of Hagerstown, and Linda Findley of Clear Spring, Md.; one brother, Berkley Shilling, of Summerfield, Fla.; three grandchildren, Eddie Cooper of Bristol Tennessee, Susan Allen of Martinsburg, W.Va., and Shelly Caruthers of Largo, Fla.; three great-grandchildren, Nikki Allen, Brooke Ours and Phillip Ours; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Keith Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Akard Funeral Home. E- mail condolences may be sent to the Fritz family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the Fritz family. Helah Graybeal BLOUNTVILLE -- The spirit of Helah Sherman Adams Graybeal, 78, of 234 Banner St. went to be with the Lord Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at her home. Mrs. Graybeal was born in Clinchburg, Va., to the late William and Jettie Adams. She has lived in the Blountville area since 1960 and was a housewife. Mrs. Graybeal was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a member of the Rush Creek Primitive Baptist Church, loved listening to bluegrass music and working on crafts. Mrs. Graybeal was a defense worker during World War II. Mrs. Graybeal was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Adams and Haines Adams; and two sisters, Edith Adams and Elsie Adams. Mrs. Graybeal is survived by her husband of 58 years, James E. Graybeal; two sons, James H. "Jim" Graybeal and wife Roselle of Blountville and Jack M. Graybeal and wife Betty of Blountville; one daughter, Cosette Graybeal Cox of Blountville; five grandchildren, Rocky Graybeal, Alicia Spain Hyland and husband John, Aaron Graybeal and wife Sherri, Helah Spain and Adam Graybeal; three great-grandchildren, Kirsti Layla Graybeal, Kelsie Cole Graybeal and James Ryan Graybeal; one brother, William J. Adams of Abbeville, S.C.; and one sister, Mildred Nutter of Woodlawn, Va. Graveside service will be held Friday, April 4, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Rush Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with Elder Kurt Heath and Elder Billy Cook officiating. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Hopkins, David Hopkins, Danny Hopkins, Tony Malone, Rocky Graybeal, Aaron Graybeal and Adam Graybeal. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lurlia Gross Lurlia Greene Gross passed away Thursday, April 3, 2003, at Wellmont Hospice House. She was a member of Calvery Baptist Church. She was also half-owner and operator of Greene Grocery. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Roxie Robinson Green. Survivors include her husband, Paul Gross; two stepsons, William David Gross of Bluff City and Fred Eugene Gross of Abingdon; four sisters, Lila Muncy of Norton, Mildred Gilley and Lynn Jackson, both of Bristol Tennessee, and Nancy Simcox of Johnson City. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 5, at Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Tony Trunnell officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wayne Sheridan, Larry Morton, Phil Parris, Bill Best, Robert McReynolds and Tom Webb. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 4, at the funeral home. Email condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Gross. Clara Honaker Heaven is an even lovelier place on April 1, 2003, since the passing of a loving wife, our precious mom and adored nana, Clara Marie Stoots Honaker. The Lord blessed this world for 77 years with her beauty. She has left behind her husband of 56 years, Willard "Larkie" Honaker; daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Dave Walker, Charlotte and Bill Worrell and Penny and Jock Taylor; daughter-in-law, Peggy Honaker; sweet grandchildren, Lindsey, Paige, Ivy, Landon, Sophie and Phoebe; precious great-grandchildren, Asha and Jaxon; loving sisters, Dee Robbins and Tootie Winkler; several nieces and nephews; and truest friend, Faye Barnett. She joins in heaven her son, Danny Honaker; granddaughter, Ashley Honaker; parents, Mae and Dee Stoots; and many loved ones and dear friends. Momma was very active in her church, Holy Mountain Baptist Church. She lived to praise and please her Savior. Her life was her testimony. She enjoyed her work with the Senior Adults, making candy and applebutter and taking trips. She was named "Senior Adult of the Year" in 1995. Mom was honored to be named "Mother of the Year" in 2000, of which she so deserved. It was a blessing and a privilege to call her Momma. There are no words to tell of our love for mother. She was there for us with the right words in every situation and always gave us unconditional love. Mom had every good quality that could be found in a person. With Mom, we have laughed and cried, and for her, we have thanked our Gracious Lord. Without her, our hearts are broken. Our lives will never be the same. She leaves behind many precious memories that time can never take away. We praise God for His love, mercy, grace and the peace we have in knowing that we will all be together again. Services will be held 7 p.m. Friday at Holy Mountain Baptist Church with mother's Pastor, Jerry Musick, and special friend, Mike Malone, officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday prior to the service at the church. A committal service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2003, at Oak Hill Mausoleum. Momma's dear friends, Jim Bishop and Rick Maultbay; sons-in-law, Dave, Bill and Jock; and grandson, Landon, will honor her by carrying Mom to her resting place. Visits may be made at Mom and Dad's home at 1637 Fairfield Avenue. The family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Williams and his nurse, Judy, for their comfort and exceptional care during Mom's illness. We thank the hospice program and nurses, Eleanor, Missy and JoAnna for their love, support and care for mother and our family. Our special thanks to those who sent Momma cards, visited her and prayed for her. These acts of kindness meant so much to mother. To our dear friend, Tim Vaughn, for showing such love and compassion for us during this most difficult time, we thank you. To our sweet Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross so that Mom can have everlasting life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christine LaGuardia Phillips Cancer Center. Proverbs 31:10-31. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, in charge of local arrangements. Thelma M. Howard LEBANON -- The funeral service for Thelma May Howard will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Howard Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Roger Wayne Howard, Glenn David Herbert, James Travis Herbert, Shawn Howard, David Matthew Howard Jr., Casey Dean Howard and Bruce Anthony Howard. Honorary pallbearers will be Glenn Herbert and Denver E. Johnson. Mrs. Howard, 71, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Howard. Lelia R. Hulvey ABINGDON -- Mrs. Lelia Radford Hulvey died at Johnston Memorial Hospital on April 3, 2003, at age 91, following a lengthy illness. She was the daughter of the late Thomas C. and Ida P. Radford. She was born in Franklin County, Va., on March 5, 1912, and lived in both Stuanton and Roanoke, prior to retiring to Abingdon in 1977. She was the widow of John William Hulvey. She is survived by sisters, Pauline Page of Roanoke and Virginia VanFossen of Staunton, Va.; sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. John Thomas Hulvey and wife Betsy of Abingdon and Dr. Larry William Hulvey and wife Judy of Jesup, Ga.; grandchildren, Elizabeth K. Hulvey and Margaret L. Hulvey of Charlottesville, Va., Dr. John Thomas Hulvey Jr. of Roanoke, Michael Christopher Hulvey and wife Bonney of Brunswick, Ga., Jonathon Patrick Hulvey of Athens, Ga.; and two great- grandsons. A graveside service will be held at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Roanoke on Saturday, April 5, 2003, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Michael Hostetter officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ecumenical Faith in Action, P.O. Box 2419, Abingdon, VA 24212. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Hulvey family. Eva Church Johnson The committal service and burial for Eva Church Johnson will be at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon in Mountain View Cemetery with Pastor Bill Lester officiating with Brother James W. Salyer assisting. Honorary pallbearers will be friends who visited with Mrs. Johnson on her front porch. Condolences and memories may be sent via e-mail to condolences@blevinsfuneralhome.com. Mrs. Johnson, 71, of 825 Highland Ave., Bristol, Va., died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Johnson have been made through Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. James Elmer Jones James Elmer Jones, 80, 10 Crown Circle, Bristol, Tenn., died Thursday, April 3, 2003, in Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete. Dennis James Kirkman Dennis James Kirkman, 47, of Bristol Tennessee, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at his home. He was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. He was the son of the late Jimmy and Helen Dobbins Kirkman and he was former owner of A-1 Enterprises Loaning Property Services. He was a member of the Marthina Memorial Church and he was preceded in death by a sister, Rose Kirkman Gorley. Survivors include: wife, Leona Morrell Kirkman; two sons, Auburn James "A.J." Kirkman of the home and Jordan Isaiah Kirkman of the home; three daughters, Rachel Michelle Kirkman of the home, Carrie Elizabeth Bare, Bluff City and Keyla Bare, Bluff City; brother, Roy A. Kirkman, Bristol Tennessee; sister, Margaret R. Bellamy, Castlewood; several nieces and nephews; father-in-law and mother-in- law, Auburn Lee Morrell Jr. and Evelyn Morrell; and special friend, Rodney Adkins. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2003, in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Scott Wise officiating. Entombment will be in the Glenwood Mausoleum. Honorary pallbearers will be John Gorley, A.J. Kirkman, Roy Kirkman, Carl Dobbins Jr., James Holt, Harvey Holt, Rodney Adkins, Mark Brian Bellamy and men of Marthina Memorial Chapel. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Marthina Memorial Presbyterian Chapel, Building Fund, 951 Glen St., Bristol, TN 37620. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Thelma Marie McKnight CLINCHCO, Va. -- Thelma Marie McKnight, 71, passed away at her home on Nealy Ridge Thursday, April 3, 2003. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Dillard J. Murray Dillard J. "Dee" Murray, 67, of 1675 Island Road, Bristol Va., went to be with the Lord Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at his home. Dee was born Nov. 2, 1935, in Cascade, Va., a son of the late Stuart and Mabel Faulks Murray, and has made his home in the Bristol area most of his life. He was owner/operator of Dee Murray Construction Co. and Dee Murray Monument Co. and attended Victory Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Pam Murray; children, Dillard "Jay" Murray II and his wife Rhonda, Denise Shutters, Karen Gilbert and David Murray and his wife Linda; stepchildren, Stepher Woodward and Brooke Woodward; sisters, Elizabeth Davis, Ora Brewer and her husband James, Barbara Fraley and her husband Ernest; his twin sister, Della Mae Greer and her husband Jimmy; brother, Billy Murray and wife Edith; grandchildren, Julie, Amanda, Crystal, Kristy, Nathan, Bethany, Megan, Joshua, Mackinzie and Kennedy; great-granddaughter, Katilyn; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Austin Cook and Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. The committal will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Murray, Alan Harlow, Kevin Fleenor, Nick Holbrook, Jason Rasnake, Joe Combs and Joey Jeffrey. Honorary pallbearers will be Ernest Degges, Jim Greer, Ernest Fraley, James Brewer and Ralph Jackson. Special thanks to Wellmont Home Hospice, Dr. James Lapis, Dr. Sue Prill and special care giver, Shirley Jackson. A procession of family and friends will leave from the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Weaver Funeral Home. Charlotte Rutherford NORTON -- Charlotte Mearlene Herron Rutherford, 64, died Thursday, April 3, 2003, at her home in the Hoot Owl Hollow community of Norton. She was a lifelong resident of Hoot Owl Hollow and attended the Freedom of Worship Church. She was preceded in death by a twin brother, Horace Herron; her father, James Hascue Herron; and her mother, Bessie Laney Herron. Surviving: husband of 44 years, Thomas Glen (Tom) Rutherford, Norton; daughter and son-in-law, Shirlene (Shirley) and Chris Peters, Norton; sons and daughters- in-law, Cecil and Carolyn Rutherford and Conley and Sandra Rutherford, all of Norton; eight grandchildren, Dakota, Amy and Jacob Peters and Abe, Brittany, Josh, Ashley and Sara Rutherford; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Hershel and Irene Herron and Ray and Kay Herron, all of Norton; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Allen Culbertson and Rev. Shawn Easterling officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in the Laurel Grove Cemetery. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Saturday to go to the cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Norton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1267, Norton, VA 24273. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Virginia Stanley Virginia Stanley, 81, of Edgemont Towers, Bristol, Tenn., died Wednesday, April 2, 2003, at her home. She was born in Appalachia, Va., a daughter of the late George and Donna McConnell Delp, and was the widow of Raymond W. Stanley Sr. She was an employee of the Quality Shop and was of the Methodist faith. Survivors include two daughters, Patti Palmer and her husband Henry of Port Orange, Fla., and Susie Leonard and her husband Joel of Charleston, S.C.; two sons, Ray W. Stanley Jr. and his wife Sue of Kingsport and Don "Bedo" Stanley of Charleston; a sister, June Bundrant of Clarksville, Tenn.; a brother, Frank Delp of Church Hill, Tenn.; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the Heritage Chapel of Memories at Glenwood Cemetery with Rev. Carl Young, Chaplain officiating. Entombment will follow. Pallbearers will be Billy Tuttle, James Ewart, Tony Palmer, Harold Palmer, Jay Stanley and Corky Stanley. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Friday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Condolences and memories may be sent via e-mail to condolences@oakley-cook.com. Arrangements especially for Mr. Stanley have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Talt Wolford CLINCHCO, Va. -- Funeral services for Rev. Talt Wolford will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday from the Tarpon Freewill Baptist Church with ministers Jerry Vitatoe, Junior Deel and Glen Sykes officiating. Burial will follow at the Hill Ridge Cemetery, Route 1, Clintwood. VFW Post 8979, DAV Chapter 35 and American Legion Post 227 will conduct military graveside services. Pallbearers will be Freddy Boyd, Michael Sexton, Grant Fullen, Vaughn Fullen, Daniel Carico, Duane Deel, Kemper Damron and Buddy Carico. Rev. Talt Wolford, 82, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 31, 2003, after a lingering illness. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.