Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, April 27, 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, April 27, 2003 Virgil David Bowers JOHNSON CITY -- Virgil David Bowers, 91, 2018 Sherwood Drive, formerly of 408 East L St., Elizabethton, died Saturday, April 26, 2003, in the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A native of Bristol Virginia, he was a son of the late Henry "Abe" and Katie Morrell Bowers. He had lived a number of years in Elizabethton. Mr. Bowers operated the Elizabethton Business College for a number of years. He had lived in Johnson City for the past year. He was a member of the Dashiell Masonic Lodge 238 and the American Legion Post 49. Mr. Bowers was a member of the First Christian Church of Elizabethton and the Men's Class. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ada Bowers; four sisters, Mary Whitaker, Gladys Rawn, Kathleen Monday and Virginia Bowers; and two brothers, Grover and Herman Clay. Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law: Shirley and Bruce Curde, Elizabethton; and Nancy White, Johnson City; one son, Virgil David Bowers II, Craigsville, Va.; three sisters and two brothers-in-law: Ruth and Lester Taylor, Bristol; Frances and Frank Carter, Nashville; and Louise Wohlford, Montgomery, Ala.; a sister-in-law, Beatrice Robinson, Elizabethton; five grandchildren: Leslie Brockley, Houston; Cindy Clark, Bristol Tennessee; Lorrie Case, Jonesborough; Scott Bowers and Jessica Webb, both of Roanoke; four great- grandchildren: Rachelle Seljouki, Houston; Jason Peters, Elizabethton; Matt Ott, Canton, Ohio; and Trey Webb, Roanoke; a great-great-grandchild, Jordon Seljouki, Houston; several nieces and nephews; and two special friends, Stan Kniepkamp and Wanda Bowers. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday in Memorial Funeral Chapel with Mr. Donald B. Marshall and Mr. Brent Nidiffer, ministers, officiating. Graveside service and interment will be at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Mr. Gene Estep will provide the music. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Tuesday, will be Jeff Case, Jason Peters, Scott Bowers, Andrew Webb, Bruce Clark and Doug Vandeventer. Honorary pallbearers will be Phil Vandeventer, Paul Knapp, John Bryant, Bill Young, Kirk Lumsden and the Men's Class of First Christian Church. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Friends may also call at the residence of his daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Bruce Curde, 1586 Southside Road, Elizabethton. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Tuesday to go to the cemetery. Condolences to the Bowers Family may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net. Memorial Funeral Chapel, Elizabethton, is in charge. Ida Boyd Cahill ABINGDON -- Mrs. Ida Boyd "Bish" Cahill, 88, passed away Friday, April 25, 2003, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are incomp-lete. Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is serving the family of Ida Boyd "Bish" Cahill. Deborah K. Greer Deborah Lynn Knoll Greer, 45, of Bristol, died Thursday, April 24, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born in Bristol Tennessee, the daughter of Tom and Barbara Knoll. She was a member of The Fath-er's House Church. Deborah was a graduate of Tennessee High School, Class of 1976, and attended East Tennessee State University. She worked as an insurance agent with AFLAC. Deborah was associated with Relay For Life and Breast Cancer Support Group and developed a basket ministry for uplifting cancer patients. She was a wonderful daughter, mother and friend who was an inspiration in faith and courage. Survivors include her parents, Tom and Barbara Knoll of Bristol Tennessee; paternal grandmother, Edith Knoll of Bristol Tennessee; two sons, Chris Greer of Johnson City, and Aaron Greer of Bristol Tennessee; brother, Ted Knoll of Bristol Virginia; former husband, Chad Greer of Knoxville; several aunts, uncles and cousins; several nieces and nephews; and several close friends. The funeral service for Deborah Lynn Greer will be conducted at 8 o'clock Sunday evening in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Cowart officiating. Burial will be at 10 o'clock Monday morning in Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol Tennessee. Pallbearers will be friends and family members. Honorary pallbearers will be Drs. Ben Cowan and Fred Harkelroad. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Condolences and memories may be sent via e-mail to condolences@oakley-cook.com. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial contributions to Bristol Cancer Society, 126 Johnson St., Bristol, VA 24201; or The Father's House, 948 Beaver Creek Road, Bluff City, TN 37618. Arrangements especially for Deborah have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Margaret L. Hastings MARION -- Margaret L. Hastings, 91, died Saturday, April 26, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service. Maxine C. Hill ATHENS, Tenn. -- Maxine Childress Hill, 52, died Friday, April 25, 2003, at her residence. She was a native of Washington County, Va. She was a daughter of the late C. Dennis Childress and was preceded in death by a brother, C. Nelson Childress. Survivors include: her husband, Paul Henry Hill of Athens; two sons, Timothy Edward Hill and Patrick Paul Hill, both of Athens; her mother, Retha J. Keith of Abingdon; four sisters, Lois E. Wise, Wilma L. Fields, Patsy Fields and Wanda S. Fredrick, all of Abingdon; two brothers, D. Wayne Childress and Leslie A. Childress, both of Abingdon; three granddaughters, Kansas Brooke Hill, Faith Hill and Tiffany Maxine Hill; two grandsons, Skyler Hill and Joshua Issac Hill; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Counts Cemetery with the Rev. Jerry A. Eggers officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be William Alexander, Walter White, Michael Mitchell, Greg Wise, Michael Wise, Tony Childress, Christopher Fields, Gary Scott and Raymond Fredrick. There will not be any visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions toward funeral expenses be forwarded to Retha J. Keith, 9487 Sugar Cove Road, 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. Ella Mae Honaker BRISTOL TN -- Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Mae Honaker will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2003, at the Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Stan Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens, Blountville. Pallbearers will be Steven Steele, Josh Walden, Patrick Staples, Steve Moore, Jerry White and Brad Grubb. Honorary pallbearers will be J.B. White, James Grubb, Ron Lopez, Dale Lopez, Robert Carpenter, Dr. Robert Williams and Jerry Grubb. Condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peer-com.net. Mrs. Honaker, 86, of 1868 Highway 75, Bristol, Tenn., died Wednesday, April 23, 2003, at the home of her daughter, Gay Steele Smith of Bristol Tennessee after a lengthy illness. The Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Honaker. Thomas Huffman LEBANON -- The funeral service for Thomas Huffman will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Bobby Turner and the Rev. Jimmy Huffman officiating. Burial will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Darin Huffman, Jeff Turner, Mark Huffman, Tim Rose, Bob McComas, Mark Rose and Bobby Lyall. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Blankenship, Winston Kiser, Wiley Cantrell and Duff Meade. Mr. Huffman, 86, died Friday, April 25, 2003, at his home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Huffman. Michael B. Huffmon BRISTOL VA -- Michael Burke Huffmon, 48, of 13932 Indiana St., Hassan Heights, died as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident that occurred March 7, 2003, near Konnarock, Va. Michael was born Feb. 23, 1955, in Ivirington, Ky., and had lived in Puerto Rico and Georgia before returning to live in Bristol. He was a 1973 graduate of John S. Battle High School and also Virginia Highlands Community College. He was of the Baptist faith. He is survived by his parents, John and Peggy Huffmon of Bristol Virginia; one sister, Julie Taylor and her husband Michael of Blountville; and two nephews, Adam Taylor and Aaron Taylor, both of Blountville. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles and cousins; and special friends, David and Tammy Sexton, Eric Dakins and Roger Freeman. He was a gentle person who enjoyed sunsets, camping and fishing. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. The family will receive friends Sunday, April 27, 2003, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Akard Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make memorials to your favorite charity. Condolences may also be made to the family by e-mail at akardfh@peer-com.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Huffmon. Celestia T. Kawha CHILHOWIE -- Celestia Thamsy Kawha, 85, passed away Saturday, April 26, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. Arrangements are incom-plete. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville will be serving the family. Elihu Looney LEBANON -- Elihu Looney, 93, of the Green Valley community, died Friday, April 25, 2003, at his home. Born June 17, 1909, in Buchanan County, a son of the late Adolphus Looney and Louvina Church Looney, he had lived in Green Valley the past 23 years, moving from Buchanan County. He was retired employee of Sycamore Coal Co. with 29 years of service and was a member of the UMWA Local 1509. He was a member of the Honaker United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rosa Matney Looney; an infant son, Fred Looney; three brothers, Eligh Looney, Hollen Looney and Bill Looney; three sisters, Nancy Childress, Mary Catherine Looney and Ida Mae Looney. Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Kelly, Beaufort, N.C.; and Faye Bowman and husband Harold Bowman, Rosedale; three sons: Harold Creade Looney, Monticello, Ky.; Kenneth Looney and wife Betty Looney, Elizabeth City, N.C.; and Emil Looney and wife Louise Looney, Dallas; 13 grandchildren; several great- grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. The family extends a special thanks to his caregivers and best friends, Joann Stinson and Gay Chaffin, Russell County Home Health Care nurses, Russell County Medical Center Hospice Care, and Rev. Chris Musick, Dr. Michael Ulrich and Rev. Mike Ward. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Mike Ward officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum in Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Dean Bowman, Neil Farmer, Ben Farmer, Jarrett Farmer, Michael Kelly, Scott Spivey, Doug Bowman and Herman Bowman. Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Owens, Donald Mosier, Dr. Michael Ulrich, Lynn Justice, Billy Kim Stinson and Steve Freeman. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2003, at the funeral home and where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m. at the home of Harold and Faye Bowman in Rosedale at any time. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Looney. William H. Marshall ST. PAUL -- William Harold Marshall died Friday, April 25, 2003, at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. Arrangements are incomp-lete. Estes Funeral Home, Inc. (276) 395-2441. Mabel E. Martin BRISTOL TN -- Mabel Elliott Martin died Saturday, April 26, 2003, at her home. She was the daughter of the late James and Margaret Jones Elliott. She was preceded in death by her husband, William "Bill" Martin in November 2002. She is survived by a special niece, Sandy Keesee of Florida, and several other nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; two stepdaughters: Connie (Charles) Jones, Damascus; and Rita (Randy) Heath of Catlettsburg, Ky.; five step-grandchildren: Cheryl Jones, Caitlin Jones, Greg (Beth) Evans, all of Damascus; Chris (Kristie) Jones of Somersville, S.C.; and Neil Evans of Bristol Virginia; and three step-great-grandchildren, Tanner Jones, Tyler Evans and Abbey Evans. Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park, Damascus, with Pastor Glen Murray officiating. Pallbearers will be Bill Keesee, Ronnie Keesee, Greg Evans, Neil Evans, Danny Shumate and James Hubbard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Akard Funeral Home. Condolences may also be sent to the family by e-mail at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Martin. William R. Miller CLAYPOOL HILL, Va. -- Funeral services Mr. William Russell "Bill" Miller will be conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Max Linkous, Rev. Wayne Mullins and Rev. Erston Young officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Friends and relatives will serve as pallbearers. Members of Casey- Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands and Disabled American Veterans Tazewell County Chapter 31 will conduct military graveside rites. Mr. Miller, 62, died Thursday, April 24, 2003, at the Duke Medical Center in Durham, N.C., following a courageous battle with cancer. 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. Vernon Salyers LEBANON -- The funeral service for Vernon Salyers will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Lester Sexton officiating. Burial will follow in the Salyers Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry Glovier, Bernie West, Ralph Salyers Jr., Daniel Fields, Samantha Glovier and Irene Salyers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2003, at the funeral home. Mr. Salyers, 76, died Friday, April 25, 2003, in the Russell County Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Salyers family. Michael K. Sargent DORAN, Va. -- Mr. Michael Kevin "Digger" Sargent, 30, died Thursday, April 24, 2003, in Wyoming County, W.Va. He was born in Tazewell County, Va., and was a son of Mr. Gerald Sargent of Richlands and Mrs. Betty Wright Hunter of Doran. He was a lifelong resident of the Tazewell County area, attended Richlands High School and was of the Protestant faith. At the time of his death, he was an equipment operator for Gasco Drilling, Inc., at Cedar Bluff. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Nellie Wright. Survivors, in addition to his parents, are his wife and soul mate, Mrs. Buffy Marie Sargent; his little angel, daughter, Haley Brooke Sargent of the home; his pride and joy, son, Michael Keith Sargent of the home; two brothers who were his best friends, Gerald Keith Sargent of Doran and Shaun Patrick Sargent of Doran; his stepfather, Mr. James Hunter of Doran; paternal grandparents, Elbert and Opel Sargent of the College Estates section of Cedar Bluff; father-in-law, James Short of Richlands; sister-in-law, Bobbie J. Sargent of Bristol Tennessee; a special niece, Brittany Hope Sargent of Tennessee; several aunts, uncles, cousins; and a very special friend, Sammy Tuggle of Doran. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Carl Ball officiating. Entombment will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum in Richlands. Pallbearers will be Sammy Tuggle, Carlos Vance, Bob Fitzgerald, Doug Hess, Steven Hartford and Bill Green. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands from 6-9 p.m. Sunday. Michael was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend. To know him was to love him. He touched so many lives, his smile was like sunshine on a rainy day. Michael loved the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He was an inspiration to all of us. We will forever keep him in our hearts. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscott funeralhomes.com. Charles Starnes NORTON -- Funeral services for Rev. Charles Ray Starnes will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jimmy Clark and Rev. Raymond Bentley Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Rev. Starnes, 74, died Thursday, April 24, 2003, in Heritage Hall Health Care in Big Stone Gap, Va. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home, Norton, is in charge. Ronald H. Supernault BRISTOL VA -- Ronald Henry Supernault, 68, died Thursday, April 24, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Rochester, N.Y., where he resided for 62 years. Upon his retirement he moved to Bristol in 1997. Mr. Supernault worked the majority of his life in the baking industry and retired from Sentry Group in 1996. He was a member of Three Springs United Methodist Church. He was preceded by his wife, Doreen. Survivors include one daughter, Debra Scheible of Rochester, N.Y.; two sons: Thomas Supernault of Rochester; and Daniel Supernault of Caledonia, N.Y.; two sisters: Gladys Bailey of Honeoye Falls, N.Y.; and Carol Supernault of Rochester; two sisters-in-law: Cherie Stout of Bristol Virginia; and Nancy Davis of Phoenix, Ariz.; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Supernault has been returned to Rochester, where Vay & Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Three Springs United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 6610 Reedy Creek Road, Bristol, VA 24202. E-mail condolences to the family may be sent at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home was in charge of local arrangements for the Supernault family. Claude Wayne Taylor WISE -- Claude Wayne "Nobody" Taylor, 54, died Friday evening in Norton Community Hospital. He was a former employee of Paramont-Pittston Mining with 28 years of service. He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Junior Taylor; and grandparents, Robert "Big Daddy" and Bessie "Big Mother" Jones. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sandra "Sandy" Sexton Taylor, Wise; son and daughter-in-law, Christopher Wayne and Wendy Taylor, Newport, Tenn.; son and fiancee, James Byron "Porky" Taylor and Missy Lane, Wise; daughter and son- in-law, LisAnn Michelle and Michael Marcum, Wise; grandchildren, Alex, Brendan and Taylor; mother, Inez Helbert, Duffield, Va.; stepfather, Garland Helbert, Duffield; brothers and sisters-in-law: Larry and Janice Taylor, Wise; and Frank and Janice Helbert, Big Stone Gap;. sister and brother-in-law, Judy (Helbert) and Mike Hall, Duffield; special friend, Wayne Wheatley, Wise; one niece; several nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel in Norton with Rev. Jack Blanton officiating. Burial will follow in the Carter-Hall-Taylor Cemetery in Jasper, Va. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Dorothy Jean Vance ROSEDALE, Va. -- Mrs. Dorothy Jean Vance, 70, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2003, in a Lebanon hospital. Born June 8, 1932, in Russell County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Ida Robinette Boyd. She was of the Protestant faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Nettie White and Nellie Dye; and two brothers, Edward Lee Boyd and Paul Boyd. Survivors include her husband, Jessie Vance of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Gale and Darrell Rasnake of Rosedale; and five sisters: Pearl Paul of Jacksonville, Fla.; Opal Carver, Pansy Bostic and Letha Robinette, all of Swords Creek, Va.; and Avis Plaster of Raven, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Eugene Elkins and Rev. Clyde Rose officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Lonnie Blackwell, Lonnie Ball, Jerry Marshall, Chester Elkins, Dennis White, Ronnie O'Quinn, Charles Brewer and Donald Ray. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Sunday. Ronald Dorr Voorhees JOHNSON CITY -- Mr. Ronald Dorr Voorhees, 65, died Friday, April 25, 2003, at Johnson City Medical Center. He was a native of Michigan and a son of the late L.A. and Beatrice McClung Voorhees. He was also preceded in death by a son, Ronald Stephen Voorhees; and a brother, Robert Voorhees. Mr. Voorhees retired from Amerace Corporation in Piney Flats. He was a member of Edgefield United Methodist Church. Surviving: his former wife, Dorothy Nelson Voorhees, Jonesborough; two sons and daughters-in-law: Sam and Donna J. Voorhees, Piney Flats; and Benjamin and Donna L. Voorhees, Johnson City; a daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Ann and Norman D. Littleton, Jonesborough; a stepmother, Nancy Voorhees, Roanoke; two brothers: Russell Voorhees, Roanoke; and Richard Voorhees, Martinsville, Va.; a sister, Ruth Vancleave, Roanoke; one grandson, Joshua Stephen Voorhees; two granddaughters, Anna Frances Littleton and Heather Lauren Littleton; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2003, at Dillow- Taylor Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mack Houston officiating. Interment will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at Edgefield Methodist Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rome Chapman, Connie Jenkins, Jamie Horne, Johnny Weaver, Jimmy D. Hicks and Jim West. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2003, prior to the funeral service. Condolences may be sent e-mail www.dillow-taylor.com. Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home, Inc. 753-0514.