Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, April 14, 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 Monday, April 14, 2003 Eddie Baker KONNAROCK, Va. -- Eddie Baker, 90, died Sunday, April 13, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. He was born inWise County to the late Gilbert and Nancy Baker and was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sarah Ann Baker. He had worked as a coal miner in Wise County and lived in Colorado for several years before moving to northern Virginia and retiring from the state highway department. Survivors include: three children, Billy Baker, Norton, Nancy Baker Blevins, Konnarock and Arthur Baker, Falls Church, Va.; four grandchildren, R.C. Blevins Jr., Myrtle Beach, S.C., Eddie Blevins, Myrtle Beach, Phillip Blevins, Myrtle Beach and Brian Baker, Manassas; and three great-grandchildren, Eric Blevins, Katie Blevins and Brittany Blevins. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Bradley-Finney Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie. David Blankenship GRUNDY -- Elder David Crockett Blankeship, 67, of Route 4, passed away Saturday,April 12, 2003, at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late R.D. and Vicey Deel Blankenship. He was a retired coal miner and a member and moderator of J.S. Willis Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Eddie Matthew; a grandson, Eric; three brothers, Joshua, Monroe and Melvin; and two sisters, Annabelle and Clarcy; and eight infant brothers and sisters. Survivors include his wife, Jane Blankenship; five sons, Clay Blankenship and wife Lillian, Kermit Blankenship and wife Patricia, Randy Blankenship and wife Renee and David Crockett Blankenship Jr., all of Grundy, and Ronald Blankenship and wife Sam of Maxie, Va.; two daughters, Mary Owens and husband William of Haysi and Tina Fields and husband Mack Arthur of Grundy; one brother, Charlie Blankenship; two sisters, Vicey Blankenship and Louisa Raines; and seven grandchildren, Erin and Joshua Blankenship, Justin and Andy Blakenship and Tracy, Candace and Madison Owens. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2003, at Russell Prater Old Regular Baptist Church with Elders George Baker, Jackie Yates and Eddie Newsome officiating. Burial will follow in the Blankenship Cemetery, Grundy. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, at Russell Prater Church where a service will be held at 7 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Lillie Mae Boyd DAVENPORT, Va. -- Mrs. Lillie Mae Boyd, 93, of the Back Hurricane creek section, passed away Sunday morning, April 13, 2003, at the home of her daughter, Garnie Elswick. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker. Keith Herbert Broome Keith Herbert Broome, 51, of Bristol went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 11, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and had worked fro 18 and a half years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center before his retirement. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church and also attended Fellowship Chapel. He was preceded in death by his father, James Daniel Broome. Survivors include wife, Judy Rader-Broome of Bristol Tennessee; mother, Thelma C. Broome of Bristol Virginia; stepmother, Roberta Broome of Bristol Tennessee; son, Thomas Westin Rader of Bristol Tennessee; daughter, Angel Jordan and husband Kerry of Niceville, Fla.; grandchildren, Kyle, Jessie and Shawn Jordan of Niceville; sister, Nadine Broome Thompson and husband Dr. Robert of Columbia, S.C.; brother, Frank Broome and wife Edna of New Bern, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 1 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. Gary Chenowith, Rev. Dr. Robert Thompson and Rev. Scott Price officiating. Interment will follow at Glenw ood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Nicholas Dana Campbell Nicholas Dana Campbell, 85, of Bristol Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2003, at his residence. He was a former employee of Old Dominion Plywood and was the son of the late Richard Lawson and Sabra Walker Campbell. He attended Bethel Baptist Church. Survivors include wife of 70 years, Callie Callahan Campbell. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Noah Stout will officiate. Committal services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Rooty Branch Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ples Daniels Jr. CEDAR BLUFF -- Ples Daniels Jr., 83 years of age, formerly of Buchanan County, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2003, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Route 19 near Claypool Hill, Va. Born in Glen Allen, W.Va., he was a son of the late Ples Sr. and Mary Dell Mullins Daniels. He was a resident of Buchanan Conty several years and was of the Baptist faith. He was a retired section foreman for Norfolk and Western Railway for 29 years, a former employee of the Town of Grundy, serving as town manager and police officer. He was a member of IOOF Lodge No. 17 of Grundy and was a former employee of Grundy Funeral Home. Mr. Daniels was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Elswick Daniels, July 12, 1969. He is survived by his former wife, Ruth Fletcher Daniels, Route 1, Grundy; two daughters, Wanda Sue and husband George McCall, Woodbridge, Va., and Sandra Kay and husband Richard Timberlake, Orlando, Fla.; three sons, Harold Dean and wife Sue Daniels, Abingdon, Jerry and wife Betty Daniels, Abingdon and Nathan Blackburn, Abingdon; two brothers, Charlie Daniels of West Virginia, and Howard Lee Daniels of Route 1, Grundy; eight grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Sonny Daniels and Tommy Daniels; four brothers; and five sisters. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelist Michael Trent officiating with entombment to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Friends ay call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Monday afternoon at 5 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. J.P. Sutherland Jr., T.C. Mullins Jr., Donald Dawson, Michael Daniels, Curtis R. Mullins, Roger Daniels, Ronnie Daniels, Richard Blackburn, Earsel Daniels and Earl Howard Daniels. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Ella F. Dixon ESSEX, Md. -- Ella F. Dixon, 86, died Saturday, April 12, 2003, in Essex. She was the beloved wife of Bill Dixon; devoted mother of Helen F. Earles and Nina J. Dixon; loving grandmother of Denise Smith, Dana Earles, Barbara Brewer, Donna Brohawn and Douglas Earles; great-grandmother of Melissa Jordan and Kara Miller; and great-great-grandmother of Stephen Brewer, Angelo Lamartina and Deja Earles. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in Knollkreg Memorial Park, Abingdon, with Pastor Mike Dixon officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. The family will receive friends at the Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, from 7 to 9 Thursday evening. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Everette Hale Hagy ABINGDON -- Everette Hale Hagy, former member of the Washington County Board of Supervisors, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. He was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County, Va. Everette was a member of the Carvosso United Methodist Church where he served as church historian and had taught Sunday School for several years. He was a World War II veteran with the 11th Armored Division and particiapted in the Battle of the Bulge. He served on the Washington County Board of Supervisors for 12 years. He also served on the Electoral Board for several years. Everette was an avid reader and was interested in historical events. He was a member of the Historical Society of Washington County, Va., and had served on the Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Washington County Archeological Society. He was a son of the late Charles Albert Hagy and the late Daisy Davis Hagy. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Thornley Hagy, Windsor Hagy and Pfc. Kermit Hagy. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Kimberlin Hagy of Abingdon; three sisters, Mrs. Hazel Hayter and Mrs. Barbara Harris, both of Abingdon, and Mrs. Beryle Miller of Bristol Virginia; four brothers, Gayle Hagy of Bristol Virginia, Don Hagy and Harold Hagy, both of Abingdon, and James Hagy of Casselberry, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at the Carvosso United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, 2003, with the Rev. Leonard Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Nephews will serve as active pallbearers and the men of the Carvosso United Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be on Monday, April 14, 2003, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Campbell Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carvosso United Methodist Church, 19429 Rustic Lane, Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Marjorie K. Morefield Graveside services for Marjorie K. Morefield will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, April 14, in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dennis Morefield, Bob Seymore Jr., Rick Seymore, Derick Seymore, Jesse Musick and Greg Dorton. Honorary pallbearers will be Jarryd Widener, Andrew Morefield, Logan Seymore and James Shortt. Mrs. Morefield, 86, died Friday, April 11, 2003, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital. Castle Funeral Home, 14298 Lee Highway (across from John Battle) is serving the Morefield family. Buel A. Mutter BLUFF CITY -- Buel A. Mutter, 71, of 252 Cherry Lane, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He had lived in the Bristol area for 12 years after moving from Delaware and was a retired business agent for United Food Commercial Workers. He was a member of Belle Meadows Baptist Church. He was a U. S. Navy veteran serving in World War II. Survivors include wife of 32 years, Mary Venable Mutter; sons, Daryl L. Mutter and wife Lyn of Philadelphia, and B. Allen Mutter Jr. and wife Debbie of Newark, Del.; daughter, Carol Y. Cloud and husband Jeff of New Castle, Del.; stepsons, John B. Leonard and wife Marilyn of Conowingo, Md., Ralph W. Leonard and wife Linda of Newark, Del., and Phillip M. Leonard and wife Linda of Wilmington, Del.; stepdaughter, Paula V. Mairono of New Castle, Del.; brother, Ogden Mutter and wife Mary Ann of Blountville; sister, Dorothy Powers and husband Brad of Cocao, Fla.; 20 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 6 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dewey Williams and Rev. Sam Haynes officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday following the service at Weaver Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Belle Meadows Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Tennessee Campus. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Mutter will be taken to Wilmington, Del., for burial at Gracelawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Spicer- Mullikin Funeral Home in New Castle on the Dupont Highway from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday followed by a graveside service at 2:30 p.m. Pallbearers include grandsons. For those desiring in Delaware, memorials may be made to the Fairwinds Baptist School. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Gracie B. Powers MARION -- Gracie Mae Bateman Powers, 86, died Saturday, April 12, 2003, in University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service. Jason Roy Rasnake BEE, Va. -- Jason Roy Rasnake, 16, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2003, at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker. Catherine Lee Smith Catherine Lee Smith, 78, of 109 St. Louis St., Bristol, Tenn., died Saturday, April 12, 2003, at the Cambridge House after an illness of 12 years. She had been a resident of Bristol for the past 53 years. She was born in Washington County, Va., the daughter of the late Charles A. Riffey and Nora Belle Riffey. She was a homemaker and a member of Paperville United Methodist Church. Survivors include husband of 57 years, Joseph W. Smith of Bristol Tennessee; sons, Donald C. Smith Sr. and wife Tammy, Franklin D. Smith and Johnny L. Smith and wife Karla of Bristol Tennessee; sister, Roxie Vinson of Bristol Tennessee; brothers, Arthur Riffey and Paul Riffey of Bristol Tennessee, and Roy Riffey of Rocky Mount, N.C.; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor James Oxendine officiating. Interment will follow at the VA Cemetery. Pallbearers will be sons and friends of the family. The family will receive friends on Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mattie A. Stilwell CEDAR BLUFF -- Mrs. Mattie Mae Absher Stilwell, 90, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2003, at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, Md., following a brief illness. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Richlands will be serving the family. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Kevin Blane Taylor ABINGDON -- Mr. Kevin Blane Taylor, 43, went to be with the Lord, Friday, April 11, 2003. Kevin had lived most of his life in Washington County and was preceded in death by a brother, Perrion Lee Taylor. He was a member of Highlands Fellowship. Survivors include two daughters, Crystal Taylor Boyd, Bristol Virginia, and Laura Ann Reese, Bristol Virginia; his father, Ira Taylor, Meadowview; his mother, Celia Moore, Abingdon; two brothers, Cody Taylor and Stacy Greer, both of Meadowview; two sisters, Cynthia Taylor Baumgardner, Abingdon and Robin Barbrow, Chilhowie; a granddaughter, Abigail Rene Boyd; and special niece, Desirae Luchini. The funeral service will be conducted Monday, April 14, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel. Pastor Bill Edmondson will officiate. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Buchanan, Mike Millard, Albert Boyd, Danny Luchini, Butch Baumgardner, Breck Gibson, Taylor Gibson and Doug Pippin. The family will receive friends Monday following the chapel service in the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Kevin B. Taylor. Ralph VanHuss Sr. ABINGDON -- Funeral services for Mr. Ralph Houston VanHuss Sr. will be held Monday, April 14, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park with Mr. Michael S. McCoy, evangelist, officiating. Pallbearers will be Dale Adams, Billy Tugman, William Tugman, Gerald Combs, Arthur Singleton, Kenny Faw, Jamie Anderson, Eddie Cullop and David Estep. Honorary pallbearers will be his nieces and nephews. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. VanHuss died Thursday, April 10, 2003. Farris Funeral Service is serving the VanHuss family. Wayne K. Wagner BLOUNTVILLE -- Funeral services for Wayne K. "Flat" Wagner will be conducted 8 p.m. Monday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Rayburn officiating. Military graveside honors will be conducted by Patton-Crosswhite V.F.W. Post 6975 at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. Pallbearers: Bobby Roller, Dan Taylor, Richard Jones, David Helton, William Helton and Nathan Bledsoe. Honorary pallbearers, David Vaughn, Fred Bailey, Arthur Stratton, Ray Taylor, Junior Stratton, Don Morrell, John Stufflestreet, Harley Taylor, Larry Wagner and Norman Baker. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday prior to the service. Those desiring may make memorials to Bethel View Baptist Church, 156 Mapleview Drive, Bristol, TN 37620. Mr. Wagner, 74, 407 Central Heights Road, went to be with the Lord Friday, April 11, 2003, in Holston Valley Medical Center after a short illness. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Rick D. Watson LENOIR, N.C. -- The funeral service for Rick D. Watson will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, April 14, 2003, at the graveside at Rush Creek Cemetery with Mr. Jeff Lovitt, minister, officiating. The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. Monday prior to the graveside service at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mr. Watson, 47, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2003, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, N.C. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mr. Watson. Rhaldia Whiteman BLOUNTVILLE -- Calling hours for Rhaldia "Susan" Whiteman will be 5-7 p.m. Monday at the East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 7 p.m. Monday in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Raymond Amos officiating. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Garden of Devotions of the East Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salem United Methodist Church Building Fund, 230 Boozy Creek Road, Blountville, TN 37617. Please visit us online at www.mem.com for those desiring to place a condolence. Mrs. Whiteman, 91, passed away Saturday morning, April 12, 2003. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Whiteman family. Norman Whitt MARION -- Norman Carwood Whitt, 80, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 12, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice in Bristol Tennessee. He was born in Smyth County to the late James (Jim) F. and Margaret Ashby Whitt and was preceded in death by one brother, James Alvin Whitt; and three sisters, Martha Jane Whitt, Mildred Cress and Edna Ruth Patrick. He retired form the Town of Marion and received a key to the Town of Marion for his service. He was an avid fisherman and acquired many awards over the years. Survivors include: wife, Wanda Peake Whitt; three sons, Billy Ed Whitt and wife Dorothy, Chilhowie, Michael Whitt and wife Donna, Marion and Daniel Whitt, Marion; four daughters, Vietta Osborne, New York, Norma Gene Combs and husband Pete, Marion, Margaret Whitt, Marion and Freda Whitt, Marion; four sisters, Freda I. Whitt, Marion, Helen Burgess, Marion, Mary Geneva Brown, Marion and Mary Caroline Ratliff, Chilhowie; 11 grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. Many loving family members and friends also survive. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday from the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with Pastor Paul Horton officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Whitt Family.