Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, April 29, 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, April 29, 2003 Ozella Altizer VALLS CREEK, W.Va. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Ozella Burah Nelson Altizer will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Tazewell with Rev. Darrell Long, Rev. Max Linkous and Rev. J.C. Steele officiating. Interment will follow in Grandview Memory Gardens at Bluefield, Va. Pallbearers will be Connie Fox, V.G. Altizer, Eric Crawford, Darian Musick, Roger Robinette, Gary Barton, Alfred Altizer and Clyde Tipton. Ken Toney will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Mrs. Altizer, 78, died Saturday, April 26, 2003, at a Richlands hospital. Lena Miller Atwell ABINGDON -- Lena Miller Atwell, 86, died Monday, April 28, 2003. She was a native of Washington County and lived in Alexandria, Va., before moving back to Abingdon in 1980. She was the daughter of the late Scott Winfield and Sarah Elizabeth County Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Arel Aston Atwell; two sisters, Carrie M. Scott and Elsie M. Grubb; and three brothers, Scott Paul Miller, Charles Thomas Miller and Guy Edward Miller. Survivors include two daughters: E. Roxanne A. Hileman of Abingdon; and B. Maxine A. Stowers of St. Louis, Mo.; three grandchildren: James Dorsey Wykle of Woodbridge, Va.; Carla Lynn Blankenship Henderson of St. Louis; and Vikki Dhonyale Blankenship of Alexandria; four great-grandchildren, Cassie Marie Wykle, Cody JamesWykle, Christopher Robert Blankenship Merdith and Kelsey James Blankenship; and several nieces and nephews. Entombment services will be conducted at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2003, in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with the Rev. Howard Robinson officiating. Family and friends are to meet at the cemetery for the service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the mausoleum. The family suggest that flowers be omitted and expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to the Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of the arrangements. Lois V. Benning BRISTOL TN -- Lois Varker Benning, 78, died Monday, April 28, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Benning. Ida Boyd Cahill SALTVILLE -- Ida "Bish" Boyd Cahill, 88, died Friday, April 25, 2003, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was born on Jan. 27, 1915, at Plasterco, Va., the daughter of Leondus Hagy Boyd and Ida Montgomery Boyd. She was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 1966; two sisters, Mollie Davidson and Alice Colley; and three brothers, William Boyd, Floyd (Bud) Boyd and Lon Boyd. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Janet Cahill, Dayton, Ohio; four grandchildren, Maria Suglio, Donald Cahill II and Matthew Cahill, all of Dayton, and John Cahill of Columbus, Ohio; and three great- grandchildren, Jordan Cahill and Nicolas and Isabella Suglio. The funeral service will be conducted Friday, May 2, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Bill Cahill, the Rev. Sharon Wiley and Dr. Eva Boyd Evans officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Rose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Madam Russell Memorial Methodist Church, 115 First St., Saltville, VA 24370. Those wishing to send messages of sympathy online may do so at www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 1, 2003, from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Ida "Bish" Boyd Cahill. Emma Viers Edwards NORTON -- Funeral services for Emma Viers Edwards will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Clintwood Funeral Home Chapel with Ministers Terry Price and Lynn Vanover officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens, Abingdon. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons. Mrs. Edwards, 87, passed away Saturday, April 26, 2003, at the Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, Norton, after a long illness. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Hubert Gibson POUND, Va. -- Hubert Gibson, 70, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, April 27, 2003, at Norton Community Hospital. He was a retired federal mine inspector, a member of Pyles Memorial Church and a member of the Pound Masonic Lodge 59 AF&AM. Hubert was preceded in death by his parents, James Buck Gibson and Lettie Jane Newsome Gibson; his first wife, Ramona Stallard Gibson; brothers, J.B. Gibson, Donald Gibson, C.M. Gibson and Holbert Gibson; and several half-brothers and half-sisters. Surviving are spouse, Phyllis M. Stallard Gibson, Pound; daughters: Elizabeth Gibson Mullins, Pound; and Connie Fleming, Clintwood; sons: David Allen Gibson, Big Stone Gap; Randy Beverly, Clintwood; and Ronald R. Fleming, Clintwood; grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Gibson, Valerie Jo Ellen Mullins, Douglas Lee Gibson, Kelly Ray Fleming, Randi Beverly, Aaron Fleming, Tyler Beverly and Paul Fleming; great-grandchild, Madelyn Faith Moore; and a host of friends and loved ones. Calling hours are 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at Baker Funeral Home. Services will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2003, in Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel, Baker Funeral Home, with Reverend Randy Carter officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Masonic and graveside services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2003, in Stallard Cemetery, Pound. Baker Funeral Home, Pound, is entrusted with the care of Hubert Gibson. Irene W. Hartsock JOHNSON CITY -- Irene Wolfe Hartsock, 75, NHC HealthCare Center, died Monday, April 28, 2003, at NHC. She was born Aug. 13, 1927, in Russell County, Va., and had lived in Johnson City since 1967. Mrs. Hartsock was a daughter of the late Leonard and Nannie Vanderpool Wolfe. She retired from General Shale Products Corp., Johnson City, and the Johnson City Press Chronicle. She was a member of Central Baptist Church, Johnson City. A very active member of the community, Mrs. Hartsock had received numerous awards and accolades for her many years of community service. She touched many lives in her belief that one should live to help others. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Hartsock was preceded in death by her sister, Muriel Love; and her brother, Glen Wolfe. Surviving are a son, Ronald P. Hartsock, Bluff City; his fiancee, Carol Speaks and her children, Gabriel and Heather Speaks, all of Kingsport; two nieces; and two nephews. The funeral service will be conducted 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Dr. Ronald F. Murray and the Rev. R. Willard Warfield will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday. The committal service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Washington County Memory Gardens, where friends are invited to meet the family for this service. For those who prefer, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Central Baptist Church, 300 N, Roan St., Johnson City, TN 37601. Online condolences may be sent to the Hartsock family via www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements are by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave, Johnson City. Lora Gay Helton SWORDS CREEK, Va. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Lora Gay Helton will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Jim Richardson officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Helton, 78, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2003, in a Bristol Tennessee hospital. Hazel C. Jessee KINGSPORT -- Hazel Crowder Jessee, 89, of 276 Valley St., went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 27, 2003, at her residence. She was a member of the Midfields Freewill Baptist Church where she enjoyed her church and Christian fellowship. She was a true prayer warrior and was everyone's "Granny." She was born in Russell County, Va. She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Jessee; her parents, Charles E. and Ella Sexton Dingus; and her brother, Ray V. Dingus. Surviving are two sons: Troy Edward Crowder and wife Sherry of Kingsport; and Douglas Ray Crowder of Gray; two daughters, Ms. Annette Crowder and Mrs. Harold (Iris) Deskins, both of Kingsport; nine grandchildren; 11 great- grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; as well as several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at the Carter-Trent Funeral Home of downtown Kingsport. Friends may also call any time at the residence. Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Billy Gregg and the Rev. Jessie Hartgrove officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at East Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail at cartertrentfh@chartertn. net. Carter-Trent Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ruth Joy Lester HICKORY, N.C. Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth Joy Lester will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Kyle Ratliff and Rev. Tom Huntsinger officiating. Interment will follow in the Thompson Cemetery on Chestnut Ridge, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Lester, 58, passed away Friday, April 25, 2003, in a Hickory hospital. Betty S. Little GRUNDY -- Betty Rose Snead Little, 69 years of age, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2003, at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, following an extended illness. Born in Swannanoa, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Glenn A. and Lucy Bateman Sneed. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life, a member of the Church of Christ and a graduate of Grundy High School Class of 1952. Mrs. Little served as volunteer executive director of the Buchanan County Chapter of the American Red Cross for more than 30 years, was chairman of the Bloodmobile for Buchanan County and had given more than six gallons. She was to receive the Clara Barton Award for meritorious service for volunteer leadership on May 15, 2003. She was a member of the Phoebe Circle at the Grundy Church of Christ, active in class reunions and was a member of the Heavenly Helper Relay for Life Cancer Team Walk-a-Thon. She was an avid camper and fisherwoman. Mrs. Little was an assistant cub master for Cub Pack 746 sponsored by the Grundy Church of Christ. She was a supporter of various Scouting programs including the Pinewood Derby, Camporees, Rain Gutter Regata, Sequoyah Council Pow Wow, various field trips and many other outdoor activities. She was to have been a member of the 2003 Yellowstone-Glacier-Grand Teton National Park Trek this July. She was a former employee of Grundy Funeral Home, Wells Esso and Grundy Credit Jewelers and was a homemaker. Mrs. Little is survived by her husband, Robert L. Little of Grundy; three sisters: Wanda and husband, Elvis Scales, Muncie, Ind.; Elizabeth "Tootsie" and husband Robert Waters, Muncie; and Glenna and husband Roger Cornett, Portsmouth, Va.; one brother, Johnny and wife, Amelia Snead, Cullman, Ala; five sisters-in- law: Evelyn Snead, Grundy; Lucille Meadows, Grundy; Kathy Penn, Lexington, Ky.; Sue Stringer, Somerset, Ky.; and Omalee Hawkins, Grundy; also several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Joe Snead; and one sister-in-law, Jean Wilson. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelist Sam Casebolt, Evangelist Tom Cooper and Evangelist Mike Rife officiating, with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. There will be services Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Active pallbearers will be Johnny Fletcher, Joe Snead Jr., John Snead, Jim Snead, Virgil Meadows, William (Hody) Woodard, Curtis R. Mullins, Joshua Snead and Jon Hogston. Honorary pallbearers will be lifetime friends and associates. The family suggests that expression of sympathy be made in the form of donations to American Red Cross, Buchanan County Chapter, 901 Commonwealth Ave., Bristol, VA 24201 in memory of Betty S. Little. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Lillian H. Love Burial for Lillian Hammett Love will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mike Pierce, Steve Pierce, Justin Rouse, Shane Garrett, Ronnie Hillard and Tim Eades. E-mail condolences may be sent online at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Love, 90, a former resident of Edgemont Towers, went to be with the Lord, April 27, 2003, at Sunbridge Hillside Nursing Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mabel Elliott Martin BRISTOL TN -- Graveside services for Mabel Elliott Martin 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. Condolences may also be sent to the family by e-mail at akardfh@peercom.net. Mrs. Martin died Saturday, April 26, 2003, at her home. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Martin. Bertha Mae McVey MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Bertha Mae McVey, 84, died April 26, 2003, at her residence while under the care of hospice. Born June 13, 1918, in Anawalt, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Minter and Bessie Harris Blevins. She was a member of the Leetown Baptist Church. She is survived by one son, Leonard Odell McVey of Ijamsville, Md.; three daughters: Dorthulia "Sudie" Wines of Hedgesville, W.Va.; May Carlisle of Kearneysville, W.Va.; and Wilma Rogers of Kearneysville; one sister, Opal Alley of Hopewell, Va.; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and seven great- great-grandchildren; and close and dear friend, Don Thompson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard T. McVey; infant son and daughter, Mary and Jerry McVey; four sisters, Rebecca Blevins, Maggie Blevins, Charlotte Blevins and Ruth Blevins; three brothers, Will Blevins, Ora Blevins and Les Blevins; and one grandson, Roland McVey. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 29, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the Brown Funeral Home with Pastor Earl Hairston officiating. Interment will be in Pleasant View Memory Gardens. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Hospice of the Panhandle, 122 Waverly Court, Martinsburg, WV 25401 or to Special Olympics, 471 Gantt Drive, Martinsburg, WV 25401. Richard B. Monk LEBANON -- Richard B. (Monkey) Monk, 69, of the Crossroads section, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2003. Arrangements are incomplete at Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon. Opal Orender WISE -- Opal Orender, 80, passed away Monday, April 28, 2003, at Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap, Va. She was of the Freewill Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Oma Buchanan Orender; and one brother, Troy Orender. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law: Rodney and Janet Orender of Dublin, Va.; and Jerry and Glennette Orender of Wise; two brothers: William D. Orender of Pound; and Charles Orender Jr. of Kingsport; one grandson, Joshua Orender; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Norton, with Rev. Ricky Mullins and Rev. Billy Hibbitts officiating. There will be no visitation at Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral home, Wise, is in charge of arrangements. Lillian C. Roberts CASTLEWOOD -- Lillian C. Roberts, 83, died Monday, April 28, 2003, at her residence. She was born in Newhall, W.Va., daughter of the late Frank and Myrtle Gullett Wilson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hampton Roberts; two sons, Daniel Roberts and Sandy Roberts; one daughter, Judy Roberts; one grandson, Daniel Roberts Jr.; two sisters, Ruby Fraley and Ruth McMurray; and one brother, James Wilson. She was a member of St. Paul Freewill Baptist Church. She is survived by two daughters: Kathy Turner of Castlewood; and Barbara Rose of Huntsville, Ala.; five sons: John Hampton Roberts Jr. of Sheridan, Wyo.; Ernest Roberts of Sheridan; James Edward Roberts of Kenosha, Wis.; Richard Roberts of Kenosha; and Patrick Roberts of Bristol Virginia; one sister, Glenna Worley of Castlewood; one brother, Earl Wilson of Shelbyville, Ky.; 22 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 1, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Thomas Slemp and Rev. John A. Kiser officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons. The Roberts family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Roberts family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ina P. Sanders BRISTOL VA -- Ina Pauline Sanders, 79, of 1266 Island Road, was carried to heaven by God's chosen angels on Saturday, April 26, 2003. Born in Bristol Virginia on May 24, 1923, to the late Anna Hudson Fee and James Vernon, she worked at Gordon Garment and was a foster mother for Bristol Virginia Social Services for many years. She was a member of the Full Gospel Fellowship Church for many years and had attended Gethsemane Baptist Church. Besides her parents, she was preceded in rest by her stepfather, Worth Fee; stepmother, Juanita Vernon; two brothers; one sister; two special grandsons, Chris (Brush) Booher and Jeffery Jones; a son-in-law, Bobby J. Gibson; one stepbrother; four stepsisters; several aunts, uncles and cousins; and many special friends who all are waiting with Jesus to welcome her to heaven. She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, David Sanders Jr.; one son, James D. (Red) Sanders; two daughters: Barbara Gibson; and Rita Witt and husband Billy, all of Bristol Virginia; one granddaughter, Paula Kilby Carver; five grandsons, Mark Booher, Allen Witt, Michael Witt and wife Jessica, Steven Witt, and Jimmy Sanders and wife Ellen; 10 great-grandchildren, Atlanta, Constance, Nicole, Trinity Grace, Dustin, Dalton, Harley, Brandon, Bryson and McKinnley; one stepbrother, Jules Fee; and her little dog, Tootsie. Mama was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was loved by everyone that knew her. She loved all her family and friends and they were all special to her. But most of all Mama loved her Lord. She loved going to church and singing his praises and that is what she did most all of her life. Mama was and will always be the most precious person in this world to all of us and we will miss her always. The family would like to thank Dr. Fred Greear and his staff, Amedisys Home Health, Wellmont Hospice, staff of 3 West at Wellmont, Bristol Life saving Crew, Bristol Ambulance for all the care they gave our Mama. Also we went to thank Rev. Jerry Russell and Janet, special friends, Ruby Fleenor, Peggy Blevins and Missy Helbert; and sister-in-law, Louise Worley. The family received friends from 6 till 7:45 p.m. Monday, April 28, at Castle Funeral home. Funeral service was held Monday, April 28, at 8 p.m. in the Castle Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Russell and Dr. Howard Robinson officiating. Graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, in Glenwood Cemetery. Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Castle Funeral Home, 14298 Lee Highway ( across from John Battle High School) is serving the Sanders family. Alma Lee Wix SEVEN MILE FORD, Va. -- Mrs. Alma Lee Wix, 78, died Sunday, April 27, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was a member of Chilhowie Christian Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Wix; and three sons, Claude Jr., Doug and Jackie Wix. Survivors: one son, James L. Wix, Saltville; one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Eula) Hall, Newton, N.C.; one sister, Doris Ann Robinson Pippin, Lynchburg, Va.; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2003, at Henderson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Frank Branson officiating. Interment will follow at Elizabeth Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. The family would like to extend special thanks to the Ball family and to the staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Wix family.