Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, April 19, 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 Saturday, April 19, 2003 Hattie Aldridge BLUFF CITY -- Hattie Marie Aldridge, 83, of 404 Pine Ridge, died Friday, April 18, 2003, at the home of her daughter. Arrangements are incomplete. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Aldridge. Holly Coe STAUNTON, Va. -- Holly Coe, 37, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 16, 2003. Holly was a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, with degrees in piano, flute and voice. She was the pianist for the First Church of God in Christ and the Staunton Community Choir. She was the adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marion A. "Steve" Coe. Surviving are her adopted mother, Edna Coe, Clintwood; her mother, Gerry Coe, Staunton; and a son, Jarred Sarper Kerman. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday from the Clintwood Baptist Church with Rev. Allen Bonnell officiating. Burial will follow in the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, Clintwood. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the Clintwood Funeral Home. Deacons of the Clintwood Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Deel, Ronald Shortt and Marshall Hughes. Additional memorial services will be conducted from the First Church of God in Christ, Staunton, Friday, April 25, 2003, at 1 p.m. with Elder Joseph Pride and others officiating. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to the First Church of God in Christ, 864 Middlebrook Ave., Staunton, VA 24401 or a memorial contribution to Clintwood Baptist Church, Box 710, Clintwood, VA 24228. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Wade S. Coffey ABINGDON -- Wade Suddreth Coffey, 79 years of age, formerly of the Leemaster area of Buchanan County, passed away Friday, April 18, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon following a brief illness. Born in Caldwell County, N.C., he was the youngest and last surviving son of the late James William and Myrah Suddreth Coffey. Mr. Coffey came to Buchanan County in the early 1940s, where he met and married his wife of 51 years, Geraline "Gerry" Baldwin. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II as private first class, Company A of the 203rd Engineering Combat Battalion. He actively served his country in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. While in service he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon and Croix De Guerre with Palm. Mr. Coffey operated his business at Leemaster, Wade Coffey's Garage, for many years prior to moving to Abingdon. Besides his parents and seven siblings, Mr. Coffey was preceded in death by his wife, Gerry, on Sept. 27, 1994. He is survived by two sons: Randal Wade Coffey, Abingdon; and James William Coffey, Grundy; one daughter, Deborah Coffey Icenhour, Abingdon; one daughter- in-law, Ruby Yates Coffey, Grundy; one son-in-law, Lewis Edward "Ed" Icenhour, Abingdon; granddaughters, Brook B. Baker, Abingdon, Kathleen Coffey, Grundy, and Molly Coffey, Grundy; grandson, Nicholas R. Belcher, Abingdon; and grandson-in- law, Brian B. Baker, Abingdon. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 21, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Larry David Ratliff officiating with burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Sunday evening between the hours of 6 and 8 p.m. Active pallbearers will be nephews. Honorary pallbearers include former business friends and acquaintances of Mr. Coffey. The family suggests in lieu of flowers that contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 2231l. Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Sue Couch ST. PAUL -- Sue Couch, 62, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at her residence. She was born in Dante, Va., the daughter of the late Ed Castle. She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Couch; two sons: Kenneth "Zip" Couch Jr. and wife Ginger of Castlewood; and Bo Couch and wife Cinnamon of Castlewood; mother, Jane Castle of Dante, Va.; one sister, Brenda Herndon of Castlewood; one brother, Glen Castle of Dante; three granddaughters, Kendra Couch, Bethany Couch and Kara Couch; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, April 19, 2003, at 8 p.m. at Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Brent Logan and Rev. Scott Suttle officiating. Committal services will be held Sunday, April 20, 2003, at 2 p.m. in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Pallbearers will be Charlie Boothe, Kenneth Gullett, Grant Marshall, Stephen Phillips, Jimmy Phillips, Lester Boothe, Leo Boothe and Jim Campbell. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 19, 2003, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Couch family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Retha Elam LEBANON -- Retha Marie Kegley Elam, 77, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, in Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport. Born Feb. 21, 1926, in Russell County, a daughter of the late Garland Kegley and Hattie Jane Cook Kegley, she attended Collins Chapel Church. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Wilma Davis and Sue Elam; a grandson, Harold Elam; a sister, Beulah Duncan; and a brother, John Kegley. Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Vernon Elam; three daughters: Betty and husband Charles Jennings, Castlewood; Louise and husband William Skeens, Lebanon; and Reba Cook, St. Paul; nine grandchildren; and 20 great- grandchildren; two sisters, Fannie Salyers and Gladys Elam, both of Castlewood; two brothers: Paul J. Kegley, Nicklesville; and Grover Kegley, Gate City; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 20, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Jessie Jones and the Rev. Gene Brooks officiating. Burial will follow in the Grassy Creek Community Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Randall Skeens, Carson Skeens, Will Skeens, Daniel Beavers, Roger Hurd, Charles Jennings and Michael Salyers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003, at the funeral home or at the home of her daughter, Reba Cook in St. Paul. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Elam. Edna Griffitts Edna E. McCormick Estep Griffitts, 71, died April 16, 2003. She was born on Jan. 6, 1932, in Chilhowie. Surviving are one daughter, Roseanna Paolini, Lakeside, Calif.; two sisters, Katherine Thomas and Eva Horne, both of Chilhowie; one brother, Paul McCormick of Orlando, Fla.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 25, 2003, in United Methodist Church, Chilhowie, Va. All donations may be sent to United Methodist Parish Fund, P.O. Box 367, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Lakeside-Santee Funeral Chapel of Lakeside, Calif., is in charge. Clay Leonard Funeral services for Clay Leonard will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003, at the graveside in the Eastern Heights Cemetery with Rev. Jess Neal and Rev. Rick Light officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 4205 Hillsboro Road, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37215. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Leonard, 51, of 236 Alex Lane, Bristol Tennessee, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, April 16, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jessie Leonard BLOUNTVILLE -- Funeral services for Jessie Leonard will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bobby Wheeler officiating. Burial will follow in Johnson Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mike Trail, Ralph Pope, Walter Thomas, Darrell Salyer, Bill Crumley and Tyler Trail. Mr. Leonard, 82, of 466 Seneker Lane, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, April 15, 2003, at West Haven Retirement Home in Abingdon. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Kathryn Looney GRUNDY -- Kathryn Ann Cline Looney, 82 years of age of the Roseann area of Route 1, passed away Friday, April 18, 2003, at Buchanan General Hospital following a brief Illness. Born in Panther, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Sammy C. and Pricey Ellen Midkiff Cline. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a member of the Oakwood Church of Christ. Mrs. Looney is survived by her husband, Ernest Carter Looney, Route 1, Grundy; three daughters: Martha and husband, Jerry Scarberry, Grundy; Teresa and husband Lawrence Smith, Ewing, Va.; and Patricia and husband Bill Justus, Hurley, Va.; three sons: Larry and wife Merilyn Looney, Grundy; James Ernest and wife Mary Jane Looney, Valdosta, Ga.; and Ted and wife Rhonda Looney, Oglethorpe, Ga.; 16 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great- grandchild. Mrs. Looney was preceded in death by one daughter, Ellen Alice Justus; and two brothers, Sam and Butch Cline. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 21, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelist Keith Hovis officiating with burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Vivian Virginia Mulkey NORTH TAZEWELL, Va. -- Vivian Virginia Mulkey, 94, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at a Tazewell Hospital following a brief illness. Mrs. Mulkey was born at Cedar Bluff and was a daughter of the late Henry Clay and Tiny Maria Maxwell Trivette, Tazewell County natives. Mrs. Mulkey had made her home at North Tazewell most of her life. She was a former employee of General Instrument Corp. of North Tazewell and she was a member of Pounding Mill Christian Church. She was the widow of Andrew Jackson Mulkey. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, James Waddell; four sisters, Lillian Hoops, Dora Peery, Annie Angles and Elora Whittaker; and two brothers, Joseph and Roy Trivette. Survivors include daughter, Mrs. Wilovene Waddell of North Tazewell, Va.; sons: Kenneth Mulkey and wife Rachel of North Tazewell; Nelson Mulkey and wife Mary Etta of North Tazewell; and Raymond Mulkey and wife Nancy of Bluefield, Va.; sister, Mrs. Mary Rader of Pearisburg, Va.; brother, William Trivette of Florence, Ky.; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 21, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel, Tazewell, with Revs. Lance West and Ron Carpenter officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Va. Pallbearers will be Kenny Mulkey, Greg Mulkey, Michael Mulkey, Andy Waddell, Scott Mulkey and Adam Waddell. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Pounding Mill Christian Church. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday evening after 6 p.m. Friends may contact the family at 701 W. Riverside Drive, North Tazewell. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneral homes.com. Richard M. Parrott Richard "Dick" Maurice Parrott, 65, of Bristol Tennessee, passed away Thursday, April 17, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of Bristol and was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Lucinda Petty Parrott; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, James and Lakie Lawson; and a brother-in-law, Wayne Lawson. He attended the University of Tennessee -- Memphis Pharmaceutical School and retired from Chapman Wholesale Drug Company after 29 years of service. He had been active in civic organizations and received a trophy for outstanding community service as a volunteer with the American Red Cross. He was a member of State Street United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Edith Lawson Parrott; special companion, Rascal; first cousins, George and Neva Petty of Mooresburg, Tenn.; second cousins: Mrs. Jack (Linda) Morie and Mrs. Eddie (Debbie) Douglas of Mooresburg, Tenn.; and Mrs. Jack (Glenda) Davis and Mrs. Roy (Jackie) Webb of Rogersville, Tenn.; brothers-in-law: Kenneth Lawson and wife Deborah; and Clarence Lawson and wife June, all of Kingsport; and sisters-in-law: Wilma Mullins and husband Robert of Church Hill, Tenn.; and Barbara Stout and husband A.J. of Kingsport. The funeral service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Fred Dearing and the Rev. Jane Taylor officiating. The eulogy will be given by Glenda Petty Davis. The committal service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Marcum, Richard Crumley, Frank Easterly, Kenneth Lawson, Clarence Lawson, Jerry Mumpower, Lee Baker; and his brothers-in-law and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be sent to the East Tennessee Pharmaceutical Association. The family wishes to express their special thanks to Dr. John Green. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at Akard Funeral Home. E-mail condolences to the family may be sent to akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Parrott. Elizabeth Shreve CEDAR BLUFF -- Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth E. Shreve will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Henry Collins officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Mark Shreve, John Shreve, Kevin Shreve, James Blankenship, James Keene, Jimmy Lockhart and Lance Horn. Mrs. Shreve, 81, of the Kents Ridge section, died Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at her home following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. James G. Street WENDELL, N.C. -- Graveside services for Mr. James Grayson Street will be conducted Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Street Family Cemetery at Rowe, Va., with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Mr. Street, 65, of 1800 Tree Charm Court, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at a Raleigh, N.C., hospital following a brief illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Sammy Ray Turner CLINCHCO, Va. --Funeral services for Sammy Ray Turner will be conducted Saturday, April 19, at 11 a.m. in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel with Elder A.L. Yates and Pastor Darrell Thacker officiating. Burial will be in the Turner Family Cemetery, Route 1, Clinchco. Pallbearers will be Tim Wampler, Hardaway Turner, Jeffrey Turner, Stephen Turner, Andy Edwards and John Edwards. Honorary pallbearers: Ray Edwards, Sunny Barton and Danny Mondrage. Mr. Turner, 49, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2003. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Turner family. Lettie M. Van Huss ABINGDON -- Mrs. Lettie Mae Van Huss, 89, died Thursday, April 17, 2003, at her home. Born in Russell County on July 5, 1913, she was a daughter of the late Houston James Kiser and Orphic Wolfe Kiser. She was the widow of John R. "Bob" Van Huss and was also preceded in death by her children, Marie Tugman, Charles H. Van Huss, Ella Mae Faw, James C. Van Huss, John A. Van Huss, Paul A. Van Huss and Ralph H. Van Huss. Mrs. Van Huss was a resident of the Watauga Community for many years and was a longtime and devoted member of the Macedonia Church of Christ. She is survived by three sons: Robert L. Van Huss and wife Ruth of Biloxi, Miss.; Harold D. Van Huss and wife Brenda of Roanoke, Va.; and Gary M. Van Huss and wife Terry of Abingdon; four daughters: Bonnie J. Estep of Abingdon; Doris Yarber and husband Riley of Glade Spring; Linda C. Anderson and husband Lewis of Mouth of Wilson, Va.; and Janet McClelland and husband Herbert of Lake City, Fla.; a brother, Grover Kiser of York, Pa.; two sisters: Frances Smith of Silver Creek, N.Y.; and Minnie Cox of Melbourne, Fla.; 27 grandchildren; several great- grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2003, in the Macedonia Church of Christ with Evangelist Michael McCoy and Pastor James Ling officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Casketbearers will be Andrew Dolinger, Richard Williams, Jeff Widener, James Self, John Stiltner and Ray Shortridge. Honorary casketbearers will be grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 540 W. Main St., Wytheville, Va. The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and staff of the Hospice of Southwest Virginia. Those wishing to send messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Lettie Mae Van Huss. Robert C. Widener Robert C. Widener, 74, of Bristol Tennessee, died Wednesday, April 16, 2003, at Greystone Health Care in Blountville. A son of the late Bertcie Homer Widener and Bonnie Brown Widener, he was born in Bristol Tennessee. Mr. Widener was employed by Raytheon before becoming a practicing attorney. In addition to his law practice, he was also an acting judge. Survivors include his daughter, Mary Louise "Lou" Jones and her husband, Lt. Col. Robert Jones of Fort Meade, Md.; a brother, Gaines Widener and his wife Mary of Bristol Virginia; a sister, Ann Louise Cahman and her husband Alfred of Lakeland, Fla.; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was also survived by two special friends, Marilyn and Ward Hale. There will be no service or visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a favorite charity of one's choice. Condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail at condolences@blevinsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements especially for Mr. Widener were made through Blevins Funeral Home.