Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries:  Bristol Herald Courier, May 6, 2003

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Bristol Herald Courier
Tuesday, May 6, 2003

Bonnie R. Ballou
GLADE SPRING, Va. -- Mrs. Bonnie Rhudy Ballou, 83, died Monday, May 5, 2003, at
the Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Arrangements will be announced by Farris Funeral Service.

Ida Bess Barrett
TAZEWELL, Va. -- Ida Bess Barrett, 82, died Friday, May 2, 2003, at Our Lady of
the Valley Nursing Home in Roanoke after a courageous battle against several
debilitating illnesses.
Funeral services will be announced by Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell.

Thomas L. Bise Jr.
MELVERN, Ark. -- Thomas Lincoln Bise Jr., 44, died in Melvern from injuries
sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Mr. Bise was a native of Saltville, Va.
Arrangements are incomp-lete at this time. The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is
serving the Bise family.

Myrtle F. Burnette
ABINGDON -- Myrtle "Marie" Fleenor Burnette, 62, died Sunday, May 4, 2003, at
the Grace Healthcare Center in Abingdon.
A native of Washington County, Mrs. Burnette was the daughter of the late Arthur
William Fleenor and Lucy B. Whitt Fleenor. She spent 25 years of her life in
Fairborn, Ohio, before returning to Abingdon seven years ago. She was a member
of Wyndale United Methodist Church. Mrs. Burnette was a retired mortgage loan
underwriter.
Survivors include her son, Gary Burnette and wife Judy of Cincinnati; brothers:
William Douglass (Bud) Fleenor and wife Joann of Abingdon; Donald Wayne Fleenor
of Abingdon; Johnny and wife Terasa Fleenor of Meadowview and Michael E. Fleenor
of Abingdon; sisters: Sue A. Logan and husband Ed of Shelbyville, Ky.; Joyce
Bryant and husband Millard of Piedmont, S.C.; Brenda Vance and husband Ronny of
Gulf Breeze, Fla.; and Linda Slone and husband Jim of Abingdon; two
grandchildren, Amy and Brian Burnette; 16 nieces and nephews; and 18 great-
nieces and great-nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at 12:30 p.m. at Wyndale
United Methodist Church. Rev. John Sarver will officiate. Interment will follow
in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael Ross, Bradley Fleenor, John
Bryant, Mark Fleenor, Robin Logan, Kevin Fleenor, Stephen Slone and Ricky
Larimer.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Farris Funeral
Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wyndale United Methodist Church,
16545 Wyndale Road, Abingdon, VA 24210 or Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 325
Cummings St., Abingdon, VA 24210.
Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting
www.farrisfuneralservice.com.
Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Burnette family.

Walter Dixon
PINEY FLATS -- Graveside services for Walter Dixon will be conducted 11 a.m.
Tuesday at St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery. E-mail condolences may be
sent to the family at akardfh@p-eercom.net.
Mr. Dixon, 75, died Saturday, May 3, 2003, in the Wellmont Bristol Regional
Medical Center.
Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Walter Dixon.

Ruby M. Galliher
MARION -- Mrs. Ruby Martin Galliher, 92, died Sunday, May 4, 2003, at her home.
She was born Oct. 22, 1910, near the Friendship community in Washington County,
Va. She was the daughter of the late George and Flora Bonham Martin. Ruby was a
graduate of the Barrack High School near Love's Mill, Va. She had lived in the
Black-
well's Chapel community from 1936 until 1970, then moved to Marion where she
lived until her death. She was employed by the Smyth County Community Hospital
for several years. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed reading, quilting and
needlework. Ruby was of the Baptist faith. She was the wife of Bruce Galliher
who died in 1969. She was preceded in death by seven brothers, John Martin,
Milton Martin, Fred Martin, Orrie Martin, Ed Martin, Carson Martin and Donald
Martin; and one sister, Etta Mae Martin Witcher.
She is survived by two sons: Charles Galliher and wife Linda of Chilhowie; and
Bill Galliher and wife Patsy of Glade Spring; two daughters: Doris Stephens of
Taylorsville, N.C.; and Margaret Watts of Walkersville, Md.; seven
grandchildren, Jonathan and Martin Stephens, Chuck Galliher, Randy Galliher,
Chrissy Galliher Orfield and Darris and Alissa Watts; six great-grandchildren,
Cory Galliher, Angus and Hannah Orfield, Kiersten and Kara Watts and Eleanor
Stephens; a special friend and neighbor, Bess Johnson; a special friend and co-
worker, Beulah Nunn; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the
Farris Funeral Chapel with Rev. John Surber. Burial will follow in the Knollkreg
Memorial Park. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting
www.farrisfuneralservice.com.
Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Galliher.

James D. Gardner
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- James D. "J.D." Gardner, 87, passed away Sunday, May 4, 2003,
at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport.
He was a native of Hiltons, Va., and had lived in the Bristol area for many
years. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Harriet Gardner; and a
sister, Nellie Shivley.
Mr. Gardner was a World War II veteran serving in the U.S. Navy. He retired from
Tennessee Eastman Company after 37 years of service.
He attended Blountville United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Hazel Blackburn Gardner; two daughters:
Mildred Groseclose of Bristol Tennessee; and Debbie Lunsford of Kernersville,
N.C.; three granddaughters, Rhonda Groseclose, Sheri Gerald and Rachel Lunsford;
one great-granddaughter, Hali Gerald; two sisters, Iris Hensley and Ada Crain,
both of Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Akard Funeral
Home Chapel with the Rev. John C. Anderson officiating. The committal service
will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at the graveside in Tri-Cities Memory
Gardens with military graveside rites conducted by the Patton-Crosswhite VFW
Post 6975 Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Louis Blackburn, Tony Blackburn, E.B.
Henry, Richard Henry, Don Leonard and Jimmy Stidham. In lieu of flowers, the
family requests memorial contributions be sent to the Blountville United
Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 686, Blountville, TN 37617. The family
will receive friends at Akard Funeral Home prior to the service from 6-7:45 p.m.
Wednesday. E-mail condolences to the family may be sent to akardfh@peercom.net.
Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Gardner.

Bessie P. Hartsock
BRISTOL, Va. -- Bessie P. Hartsock, 95, of 124 Commonwealth Avenue Extension,
passed away on Monday, May 5, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
She was born Dec. 3, 1907, a daughter of the late John and Virgie Dell Poore.
She was a former employee of Valleydale Packers and was a member of North
Bristol Baptist Church. She was the widow of Charlie Hartsock and preceded in
death by a daughter, Ethel Dillard; and two sons, Gary and J.B.
Survivors include: daughter, Roma Jean Keeser and husband Herbert; son, Mack
Hartsock and wife Louise; grandchildren, Kitty, Donna, Terry, Connie, Pamela,
Tammy, Kimberly and David; step-granddaughter, Sonya; 16 great-grandchildren;
several great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by Gary Hartsock, J.B. Hartsock and Ethel Dillard.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Weaver
Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Eric Godfrey officiating. Interment will follow at
Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of the family. Honorary
pallbearer will be Dr. Jeffrey Ginther. The family will receive friends on
Tuesday 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.

Herbert Hashbarger
BLOUNTVILLE -- Herbert Allen Hashbarger, 73, died Monday, May 5, 2003, in
Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Arrangements are incom-plete. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr.
Hashbarger.

Rosa Caudill Herron
NORTON -- Funeral services for Rosa Caudill Herron will be conducted at 2 p.m.
Tuesday in the Ramsey Church of God in Norton with the Rev. Tim Tatum
officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.ha-gyfawbush.com.
Rosa Caudill Herron, 97, died Saturday, May 3, 2003, at her home following a
long illness.
Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Albert Hess
ROWE, Va. -- Mr. Albert Hess, 87, went to be with the Lord early Monday morning,
May 5, 2003, at Clinch Valley Medical Center, Richlands, following a lengthy
illness. Born April 15, 1916, in Buchanan County, Va., he was a son of the late
Fullen and Alice Street Hess. A lifelong resident of the Rowe area, he was a
member of the Rowe Free Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was a disabled coal
miner and spent most of his life either working at a sawmill or in a coal mine.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Carra
Elsie Bostic Hess; one brother, Coy Hess; and two sisters, Ethel Hess and Beulah
Helton.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret Sailey Rose Hess of the home; four
daughters: Sylvia Rose and her husband, Carlos; Gaye Street and her husband,
Luther; Shirley Street; and Mable Street and her husband Hobert, all of Rowe,
Va.; three sons: Harlis Hess and his wife Gaye of Rosedale, Va.; Herman Hess and
his wife Christine of Rowe; and Darrell Hess and his wife Loretta of Raven, Va.;
one sister, Liller Keene of Rowe; two brothers: Elihue Hess and his wife, Fonnie
of Honaker; and Brady Hess and his wife Allie of Rowe; 16 grandchildren; 20
great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Rowe Free
Pentecostal Holiness Church at Rowe with Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. Troy
Lester officiating. Interment will follow in the Nuckles Cemetery on Fletchers
Ridge, Va.
Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers will be Brad Meadows, Brian McGraw, Neil Blankenship,
Raymond Hess, Cecil Coleman, Bob Osborne and Michael Justice.
Friends may call at the Rowe Free Pentecostal Holiness Church after 6 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday.
Honaker Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Wallace W. Honaker
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Wallace W. Honaker, 82, of 1207 Florida Ave., went to be with
the Lord Saturday, May 3, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr.
Honaker was born on March 29, 1921, in Bristol Tennessee, to the late Henry
Russell and Eddie Ball Honaker. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran having served in
World War II. Mr. Honaker attended the Walker Mountain Baptist Church and was a
former employee of Enterprise Black Diamond. Mr. Honaker was preceded in death
by his wife, Katie Brewer Honaker; two sisters, Ola Phipps and Faris Honaker;
and three brothers, Carl, Clyde and Claude Honaker.
Mr. Honaker is survived by one brother, Joe Honaker of Bristol Virginia; several
nieces and nephews; and one very special friend, Hazel Rickson.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Weaver
Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Billy Denton and Rev. Donald Denton
officiating. Burial will follow in the Cedar Grove Cemetery with military honors
to be rendered by the Patton-Crosswhite VFW Post 6975. Pallbearers will be Billy
Balthis, Charles Balthis, David Balthis, Gene Dishner, Bill Fauver, Mark Fauver,
George Fields and Buddy Gilbert. Honorary pallbearers will be Hobart McReynolds,
Claude Wingo, Deward Hatcher, Carl Jackson and special friends. The family
received friends Monday evening 6 until 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home. The
family would like to say a special thanks to CICU, doctors, and nurses at
Bristol Regional Medical Center. Online condolences may be sent at
www.weaverfuneralhome.net.
Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Marie Leab
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Funeral services for Betty Marie Bowers Leab will be conducted
at 3 p.m. Tues-day, May 6, 2003, at the graveside in the Glenwood Cemetery with
Rev. Shelton Norris officiating. Online condolences may be sent at
www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Following the graveside service, family and friends
can meet at the home of Betty Marie Bowers Leab, 532 North Paperville Road,
Bristol, Tenn.
Betty Marie Bowers Leab, 70, of Bristol Tennessee, went to be with the Lord
Saturday, May 3, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Michelle Miller
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Burial for Michelle Miller will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in
Shipley Cemetery. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net.
Michelle Miller, age 12, of 608 East State St., went to be with the Lord Friday,
May 2, 2003, at the University of Tennessee Memorial Hospital.
Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Naomi Page
COEBURN -- Naomi Page, 80, passed away Sunday, May 4, 2003, in the Bon Secours
St. Mary's Hospital, Norton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vince
Luther Page, and attended the Church of Jesus Christ.
Surviving are five daughters: Irene Teasley, Joyce McClellan and Chris McCoy,
all of St. Paul; Janie Jordan of Coeburn; and Barbara Culbertson of West Dante,
Va.; a brother, Silas Woodruff of St. Paul; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-
grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Sturgill Funeral Home
Chapel, Coeburn, with Eva Murphy and Darrell Milgram officiating. Burial will
follow in the Salyers Cemetery, St. Paul, Va. The family will receive friends
after 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn.
Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, in charge of arrangements.

Barry Keith Presley
DAVENPORT, Va. -- Funeral services for Barry Keith Presley will be conducted 11
a.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at Haysi Funeral Home with Rev. Roy Lee Wilson
officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Mem-orial Gardens, Lebanon.
Pallbearers will be Jason Cline, Craig Thomas, Justin Price, Jerry Presley,
Richard Presley, Marty Rasnake, Jerome Presley, Junior Presley and Rodger
Presley. Honorary pallbearers will be John Cooper, Jarel Presley, Phillip
Presley, Loman Presley, Bill Epling, Micheal Epling, Robert Turner, Bobby Allen,
Ralph Baisden and Boris Pavoloski. The family will receive friends any time at
the home and after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at Haysi Funeral Home where a song
service will be held at 7 p.m.
Mr. Presley, 41, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2003, at his residence in Lebanon.
Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

C. M. Smith
BLOUNTVILLE -- Family and friends of Charles Marion Smith will meet for a
graveside service 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. Pallbearers
will be Greg Cox, Sherman Smith Jr., Jeff Smith, Joseph Smith, Kevin Marsh, Tim
Ratliff and Mack Moore. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the
Bethel United Methodist Church, c/o Sylvia Scism, 451 Doran Hollow Road,
Blountville, TN 37617. Please visit our Web site at www.mem.com to place a
tribute to the family.
Mr. Smith, 88, formerly of Shipley Ferry Road, passed away at 8:20 p.m. Friday,
May 2, 2003, in the Wexford House.
East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Smith Family.

Robert O. Sproles
MENDOTA, Va. -- Funeral service for Robert Orvil "Bob" Sproles will be held
Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Pine Grove Baptist Church with the Rev.
James "Jim" Statzer officiating. Burial will follow in the Hendricks Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Bobby Raby, Kevin Raby, Jack Spivey, Roger Spivey, Eddie
Spivey and Gordon Barker Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Donald Lynn Sproles,
Tom Sproles, Randy Sproles and all men of Pine Grove Baptist Church. The family
will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral
Home or any time at the home of Bobby Raby, 19654 Greenbriar Drive, Bristol, Va.
Anyone wishing to may reach the family at (276) 669-5876. Online condolences may
be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Sproles, 73, of 15066 Barn Rock Road, went to be with the Lord Saturday, May
3, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

George Stiltner Sr.
DORAN, Va. -- Mr. George William (Bill) Stiltner Sr., 79, passed away Sunday,
May 4, 2003, at his home. Born in Russell County, he was the son of the late
Corbet and Glade Breedlove Stiltner. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II
serving with the 32nd Artillery Division in the South Pacific, New Guinea, the
Philippines and Japan.
He was a former coal miner and was the former electric shop manager at S&S
Machinery and Ingersol-Rand. He was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church at
Richlands.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joann Smith Stiltner; one son, George
William (Bill) Stiltner Jr. and wife Evelyn of Morristown, Tenn.; one daughter,
Sharon Smith and husband Steve of Doran; two sisters: Mrs. Kyle (Linda) Matney
of Abingdon; and Mrs. Nell Simmons of Doran; one granddaughter, Ami Stiltner;
and a great-granddaughter, Emma MaKayla Blagg.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, May 7, 2003, at 1 p.m. with Rev.
Stafford Compton officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory
Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va.
Friends will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6 until 9
p.m. Tuesday.
E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net.
Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Stiltner Family.

Nora R. Whiteman
BLOUNTVILLE -- Nora Roberts Whiteman, 90, went home to be with the Lord on
Sunday, May 4, 2003.
She was a lifelong resident of Sullivan County and a homemaker. She was a member
of Bellemont Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Whiteman was preceded in death by her parents, James M. and Barsha E.
Roberts; her husband, John W. Whiteman; her brothers, Tom Roberts, John Roberts
and Al Roberts; her sisters, Alice Lane, Bess Montieth, Ida Shoemaker and Nell
Bridges; and an infant daughter.
Survivors include her son, Harold W. Whiteman; and her daughter and son-in-law,
Shirley and Benny Chappell. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Kevin and
Michael Whiteman and John Mark Chappell, all of Blountville; Sharon Lauderbaugh
of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Joanne Tolliver of Bristol Tennessee; and six great-
grandsons.
Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, at Akard Funeral
Home with Pastor Larry Stallard officiating and Pastor Zane Sutherland
assisting. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 7, at
Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Blountville. The family will receive
friends from 6-8 p.m. at Akard Funeral Home and any time at the home of Benny
and Shirley Chappell. Honorary pallbearers will be Earl Tolliver, Roy Leonard,
Mike Leonard, John D. "Skip" Lauderbaugh, Ritchie Phillips, Don Whitaker, Howard
Fox and Bill Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sullivan County Public Library,
Geneology Department, P.O. Box 510, Blountville, TN 37617 or Bellemont
Presbyterian Church, 2601 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN 37620.
Email condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net.
Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Whiteman.

Ralph B. Wright
BRISTOL, Va. -- Ralph Blain Wright, 66, of 13 Midway St., passed away Sunday,
May 4, 2003, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Wright. Arrangements are
incomplete