Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, June 13, 2003 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/Page/TRI_FrontPage ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bristol Herald Courier Friday, June 13, 2003 Today's Deaths Okie Sparks Cole, 93, Cedar Bluff Virginia Hite Dowell, 86, Abingdon William David Eades, 56, Greeneville, Tenn. Kevin Niles Green, 14, Elizabethton, Tenn. Gladys Elizabeth Hopper, 87, Johnson City Paul E. Leonard, 70, Marietta, Pa. Robert "Bob" Roy Mize, 82, Blountville Virginia M. Olinger, 64, Marion Ralph Sherman Rasnic, 89, Riner, Va. Missouri Robinson Stanley, 92, Norton Carlton Eugene "Gene" Strouth, 66, Coralen Tidwell, Abingdon Connie Sue Troxell, Bluff City Thelma Ford Widner, 82, Bristol Tennessee Edward Emerson "Ned" Wiley Jr., Maryville, Tenn. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmy Blankenship POUNDING MILL, Va. -- Mr. Jimmy Wayne Blankenship, age 47, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in a Richlands, Va., hospital following a brief illness. Born in Buchanan County, Va., he was the son of the late William John Blankenship and Agnes Street Blankenship Cooper. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Alvis Cooper; and one brother, Thurman Blankenship. He is survived by his wife, Andrea S. Boyd Blankenship; one stepdaughter, Debora Boyd Fletcher; one grandson, Michael Raymond Fletcher; two sisters: Mrs. Donald (Ruby) Horn of Pilgrim Knob, Va.; and Mrs. Earnest (Shirley) Adams of Warsaw, Ohio; three brothers: Vester Blankenship and wife Bonnie of Jewell Valley, Va.; Ralph Blankenship and wife Jennifer of Vansant, Va.; and Terry Raymond Cooper and wife Linda of Umatilla, Fla. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 14, 2003, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, Va., with Rev. Tom Reed officiating. Burial will follow in the Street Cemetery at Rowe, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Blankenship family. Eda C. Clay PAINTSVILLE, Ky. -- Services for Eda C. Clay will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday from Peuther Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, with Minister Joe Glenn Sluss officiating. Burial will follow in the Clay Family Cemetery, Route 1, Clintwood-Caney Ridge. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Clay, age 85, passed away at the Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center, Paintsville, on Tuesday, June 10, 2003. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Matthew Clendenin BLOUNTVILLE -- The funeral service for Matthew Robert "Matt" Clendenin will be conducted at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, June 13, 2003, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home with Evangelist Pat Hammonds and Reverend Wayne Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in Baker Cemetery in Blountville. Pallbearers will be Rusty Vance, Gabe Van Noy, Josh Crain, Mark Christian, Eric Weatherly, John LeSueur, Ryan Bos, Matthew Hobbs and Eric Allen. The honorary pallbearers will be Ray Taylor, Dan Taylor, Rick Ford and Chris Salley. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.@oakley-cook.com. Mr. Clendenin, 18, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 10, 2003. Arrangements especially for Matt have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Okie Sparks Cole CEDAR BLUFF -- Mrs. Okie Sparks Cole, 93, passed from this earth Wednesday, June 11, 2003. She was born in Buchanan County and was a long time resident of Edgewater Drive, Cedar Bluff. She was a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. In earlier years, she was employed at St. Luke's Hospital, Bluefield, W.Va., and Clinch Valley Clinic Hospital as an LPN. She was also a former employee of Reserve Life Insurance Co., and Tazewell General Instrument Co., Tazewell, Va. As the last surviving member of her immediate family, she was preceded in death by husband, Byrd Ellis Cole; father and mother, Rufus Sparks and Bertha Wyatt Sparks; two sisters, Maude Woosley and Rosa Hunt; and one brother, Victor Sparks. In addition to her immediate family, she was preceded in death by two sons, Rufus Cole and Ralph Cole; a daughter-in-law, Shirley Matney Cole; a grandson, Thomas Dean Cole; and a great-granddaughter, Ashley Cole. She is survived by daughter, Cretta Reed and son-in-law, Winston Reed of Richlands; son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond (Bo) Cole of Abingdon; son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Cole of Tazewell; son and daughter-in- law, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cole of Cedar Bluff; two daughters-in-law, Harriet Dye Cole of Cedar Bluff and Barbara Cole of Swartz Creek, Mich.; two sisters-in-law, Carmie Ward of Cedar Bluff and Pansy Cole of Richlands; eight grandsons; eight granddaughters; several great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; beloved cousin and friend, Myrtle Altizer; and faithful caretakers, Gladys Shelton, Mildred Cordle, Pearl Marshall, Leola Boardwine and Gaynelle Nelson. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2003, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Carl C. Howell and Dr. Neil Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Clinch Valley Cemetery, Richlands. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Johnson, Bill Breeding, John Woosley, Perry Woosley, Lucian Woosley, Fred Fletcher, Hassel Ward, James Ward and deacons and elders of Covenant Presbyterian Church. Friends may call at Singleton Funeral Service from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2003. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Cole family. Virginia H. Dowell ABINGDON -- Virginia Hite Dowell, 86, passed away on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, following a long illness at her daughter's home. She was a member of the Jordans Chapel United Methodist Church, Pulaski, Va. She was preceded in death by her husband, Spencer Dowell; and parents, Walter and Thelma Roop. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2003, at Fairview Cemetery, Narrows, Va. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, Va. William David Eades GREENEVILLE -- William David Eades, 56, died June 8, 2003. Born and raised in Bristol Virginia, he was a graduate of Asbury College in Kentucky and received his master's degree in clinical psychology from the University of Kentucky. He had resided in Greeneville since 1994, where he was a member of the Towering Oaks Baptist Church. He practiced his psychology profession at the Holston Home for Children and at Frontier Heath Centers. David was an active leader in youth soccer and church ministry. Surviving are five children: Nicole Ferneding, Madison, Ga., and Elizabeth Eades, Mary Eades, Caleb Eades and Hannah Ruth Eades; and their mother, Laura Eades, all of Keystone Heights, Fla.; a sister, Anne Kolmes, Hickory, N.C.; brothers, Gene Eades and Jerry Eades, both of Tucker, Ga.; a nephew; an uncle; and an aunt. Memorial service will be held June 13, 2003, in Greeneville. Perry Funeral Chapel, Ashburn, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. Elmer Fletcher Sr. KINGSPORT -- Funeral services for Elmer Eugene "Gene" Fletcher Sr. will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2003, in the chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home. The Rev. Wayne Morelock and Elmer E. "Geno" Fletcher Jr. will officiate. Burial will follow in the Garden of Gethsemane in East Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Please visit our Web site at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the Fletcher family. Mr. Fletcher, age 56, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at 6:09 p.m. Monday, June 9, 2003, at his residence, following a brief illness. East Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Glenna Olean Gilmer BRISTOL, Va. -- Funeral services for Glenna Olean Gilmer will be held on Friday at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Eddie Zimmerman assisted by Pastor Clarence Dishman. Committal services will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers include: Harold Malone, Tim McCracken, Donald Phipps, Saul Hernandez, Tim Evans, Scott Bright, Barry Bright, and Tommy King. Honorary pallbearers include: grandchildren, Hubert Dishner, Coolidge Roark and Warren "Cotton" Phipps. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Gilmer, age 65, of 23303 Miller Hill Road, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Kevin Niles Green ELIZABETHTON -- Kevin Niles Green, age 14, 683 Gap Creek Road, passed away Tuesday, June 10, 2003, in Ohio. Kevin was a gentle, loving, and caring soul who will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. He was a Clearwater, Fla., native who had lived in Elizabethton since 1995. Kevin is the son of Thomas Dale and Faith Marie Barclay Green of the home. He was preceded in death by one grandfather, Glen B. Barclay; and one grandmother, Peggy Green. In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers: Timothy Card, Loraine, Ohio; and Brian Card, Clearwater; two sisters, Rachel Green of the home; and Valerie Barclay, Johnson City; grandfather, Donald Green, Zephyrhills, Fla.; grandmother, Vada Loraine Hall, Clearwater, Fla.; four uncles: Daniel Barclay of the home; Glen Barclay, Ruskin, Fla.; Allen Barclay, Tampa, Fla.; and Jeff Green, Clearwater, Fla.; three aunts: Hope Barclay, Tampa; Carol Barclay, Mount Vernon, Mo.; and Sue Rosenburger, Clearwater; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. The funeral service will be conducted 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at the Happy Valley Church of Jesus Christ. Rev. Donny Reagan will officiate. Pallbearers will be Brian and Tim Card, David Larus, Josh Walton, Cody Oliver, Seth Babb, Clint Everett and Thomas Roark. The family will receive friends at the church from 5:00 p.m. Saturday until the time of the service. Graveside services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Sunday from the Happy Valley Memorial Park. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery for those services. Condolences may be sent to the family via www.morrisbaker.com . Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is serving the family. (423) 282-1521. John J. Hardin BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Burial for John J. Hardin will be Friday at 11 a.m. in McKinney Cemetery, with military honors conducted by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Color Guard. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Travis Hardin, Robert Hardin, Aaron Hardin and friends, Mike Hatcher, Brian Smith, Derek Reed, Donnie Lanham and Doug Buchanan. E-mail condolences may be sent to www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Road, Suite 102, Johnson City, TN 37601-1723. Mr. Hardin, age 80, of 967 Paddle Creek Rd., went to be with the Lord Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Gladys Hopper JOHNSON CITY -- Gladys Elizabeth Hopper, age 87, of Appalachian Christian Village, 2012 Sherwood Drive, died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at the Village. She was born and lived all of her life in Johnson City, a daughter of the late John A. and Bessie Gervin Hopper. Ms. Hopper was retired from Giant Grocery where she had worked in the deli. She had been a member of Calvary Presbyterian Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Ms. Hopper was preceded in death by four brothers and one sister. She is survived by a brother, John A. Hopper Jr., Bristol Tennessee; a nephew, Dewey Hopper Jr., Atlanta; niece, Ginger Baker, Bristol; and one great-niece, Misty Harrison and her husband, Cameron, Gastonia, N.C. The funeral service for Gladys Hopper will be conducted 8:00 p.m. Friday in the Morris-Baker North Chapel. Dr. James Richter and Rev. Carl Blackburn will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 until 8 p.m. Friday. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Those attending this service are invited to meet at the cemetery. For those who prefer, the family requests memorials to Appalachian Christian Village, 2012 Sherwood Dr., Johnson City, TN 37601, or to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2343 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City, TN 37601 or Aldersgate Methodist Church, Highridge Street, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences may be sent to the Hopper family through www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements are being handled by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave. Ruth H. Johnson HICKORY, N.C. -- Mrs. Ruth Hall Johnson, age 76, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in a Hickory, N.C., hospital. Born Aug. 3, 1926, in Rowe, Va., she was a daughter of the late James Melvin and Mary Compton Hall. She spent her early life in Mavisdale, Va., before moving to Hickory. She was a retired nurse, having worked several years for Grundy Hospital in Grundy, Va. Survivors include three sons: Gary Johnson, of Hickory; Darrell Johnson, of Mavisdale; and Elex W. Johnson Jr., of Grundy; four grandchildren: Amanda Johnson of Newton, N.C.; James Johnson of Greensboro, N.C.; Mary Ellen Stiltner of Grundy; and David Johnson of Hickory; and one sister, Opal Shortridge of Rowe, Va. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 14, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Hobert Kennedy officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be friends of the family. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 5:00 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2003. Garland Ray Leonard BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Funeral service for Garland Ray Leonard will be held Friday, June 13, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Phil Kestner and Pastor Randall Shaffer officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Anthony Andre Jr., Justin Keith, Travis Keith, Zachary Keith, Keith Hensley, Jason Blevins, and Tony Andre. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Sue Prill, Dr. Ben Cowan, nursing staff of Blue Ridge Medical Center and the nursing staff of the Wellmont Hospice House. Mr. Leonard, age 67, of 2604 Volunteer Parkway, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at his home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Paul E. Leonard MARIETTA, Pa. -- Paul E. Leonard, 70, of 418 East Hazel Ave., formerly of Norton, died early Thursday, June 12, 2003, at Heatherbank Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Columbia, Pa. Born in Appalachia, Va., he was the son of the late Nelson L. Leonard and Eva Shephard Leonard. He worked for 27 years, until his retirement in 1998, for Armstrong World Industries-Marietta Ceiling Plant as a foreman and a maintenance worker. He previously worked for Daniel's Plumbing and Heating in Norton. He was baptized in the Southern Baptist faith and was a former minister at the Free Will Baptist Church in Ramsey, Va. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a mechanic. Surviving are a son, Kenneth E. Leonard of Columbia, Pa.; a daughter, Sandy K. Orender of Norton; a sister, Ruth Stapleton of Big Stone Gap, Va.; a brother, Robert Leonard of Norton; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held Saturday, June 14, 2003, in Columbia, Pa. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home of Columbia, Pa., is in charge of arrangements. Robert Roy Mize BLOUNTVILLE -- Robert "Bob" Roy Mize, a world-class dulcimer maker, died at the age of 82 in the Johnson City Medical Center Wednesday, June 11, 2003, surrounded by his family. Bob was a native of Clayton, Ga., having lived in Blountville for many years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Blountville and retired from the TVA. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Maude Welborn Mize, who passed away March 15, 2001; his parents, Roy and Minnie (Palmer) Mize. Bob is survived by his loving family: John R. Mize of Blountville; Steve Mize of Johnson City; twin daughters, Jane Jones of Blountville and Jenny Williams of Bartow, Ga.; nine grandchildren, Nathan, Justin, Mark, Matthew and Timothy Mize, Luke and Caitlin Jones, and Marla and Allison Williams; great-grandson, Logan Mize; brother, David Mize of Clayton, Ga.; and a sister, Martha Mize of Tiger, Ga. Calling hours will be 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the First Baptist Church of Blountville. A funeral service will be 4 p.m. Sunday following the visitation period at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial gifts be made to the church of the children: John, First Baptist Church of Blountville; Steve, Grace Fellowship; Jenny, Minton Chapel and Jane, Blountville Christian Church. Please send contributions to P.O. Box 465, Blountville, TN. Please visit our Web site www.mem.com to place a condolence to the family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Mize family. Christopher Musick ROSEDALE, Va. -- The committal service and burial for Christopher Wayne "Chris" Musick will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2003, in the Jackson Family Cemetery. Those attending should meet at the church by 10.30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Bobby Gilbert, Shannon Musick, Scotty Laughlin, Wesley Steele, Blane Breeding and William Tiller. Mr. Musick, 29, died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Chris Musick. Virginia M. Olinger MARION -- Virginia M. Olinger, 64, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion. Ralph S. Rasnic RINER, Va. -- Ralph Sherman Rasnic, age 89, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2003. He was preceded in death by his wife, Reba G. Rasnic. Mr. Rasnic graduated from Virginia Tech in 1940 and served as a major in the U. S. Army during World War II. Mr. Rasnic's occupation was farming. He served on the Montgomery County Planning Commission and was a former member of the Christiansburg Lions Club. Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law: John and Nancy Rasnic of Orlando, Fla; Robert and Joanne Rasnic of Richmond; daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Greg Chamberlain of Norfolk, Va.; four grandchildren, John Rasnic Jr., Jeff Rasnic, David Rasnic and Kristen Rasnic; brother and sister-in-law, Tyler and Patty Rasnic of Jonesville, Va.; sisters and brother-in-law: Margaret Rasnic of Sticklyville, Va.; and Clara and Ernest Hall of Sherwood, Ohio; many nieces and nephews; and special nephew and wife, Bill & Ann Sage of Pennington Gap, Va. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., June 13, at Sunset Cemetery in Christiansburg with Rev. Richard H. Horne officiating. The family received friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at the funeral home. The Rasnic family is being served by Horne Funeral & Cremation Service, Christiansburg (382-2612). Willie Lawton Salyer CASTLEWOOD, Va. -- Funeral services for Willie Lawton Salyer will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, Va., with Rev. Larry Smith and Rev. Palmer Blevins officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be James Donald "Rabbit" Dale, Curtis Austin, Johnny Welch, and Paul Fields. Online condolences may be sent to the Salyer family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Mr. Salyer, 81, died Monday, June 9, 2003, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon, Va. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Elizabeth J. Shelton ABINGDON -- A funeral service for Mrs. Elizabeth J. Shelton will be conducted Friday, June 13, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel with Mr. Richard Gaminde officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be J. D. Matney, Charlie Matney, Toy Horn, Ricky Horn, James Horn, Dana Pauley, Nathaniel Mais, Dennis Pauley and Jerry Pauley. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212. Mrs. Elizabeth J. Shelton, age 87, died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, in the Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, Va., is serving the Shelton family. Missouri R. Stanley NORTON -- Missouri Robinson Stanley, 92, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at her home. She was of the Freewill Baptist faith and was preceded in death by her first husband, Jerome Robinson, father of her children; her second husband, Garland Stanley; a daughter, Loretta Lewis; and a great-grandson, Aaron Reed. Surviving are four sons: Joe Robinson of Norton; John Robinson of Castlewood; Pete Robinson of Coeburn; and Paul Robinson of Pound, Va.; four daughters: Rachel Mullins of Norton; and Jan Epley, Chris Orender and Joan Newman, all of Columbus, Ohio; two brothers: Bepo Robinson of Oregon; and Adam Robinson of Coeburn; four sisters: Olive Cantrell and Dine Mullins, both of Coeburn; and Alberta Buchanan and Artie Stanley, both of Wise; 24 grandchildren; several great- grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Rev. L. Myers Mullins officiating. Burial will follow in the Hutchinson Cemetery, Wise. A song service will be conducted 8:00 p.m. Friday evening and the family will receive friends 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Gene Strouth Carlton Eugene "Gene" Strouth, age 66, went to be with the Lord on June 11, 2003, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center with his family by his side. He was a loving husband and father. He attended Bluff City High School, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 until 1960, retired from Gunnoe's Sausage Company and was of the Methodist faith. Survivors include his wife, Marlene Hicks Strouth; his sons: Tim Strouth and his fiancÈ Debbie Stringfellow of Bristol Tennessee; Matt Strouth and his wife Connie of Bristol Tennessee; and Mike Strouth and his wife Roseann of Piney Flats, Tenn.; his grandchildren, Adam Strouth, Aaron Strouth, Andrew Strouth, and Emily Strouth of Bristol Tennessee, and Orbry Strouth of Blountville; his sisters, Helen Malone, Eloise Strouth and Josie Thomas; his brother, Stan Strouth and his wife Earlene; his stepmother, Pearl Strouth; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jess and Kate Hicks; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Sue Hicks; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Nannie Wilson Strouth. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Friday evening at Oakley- Cook Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 o'clock Saturday morning at the graveside in Glenwood Cemetery with Dr. Stan Anderson officiating, assisted by Pastor Bill Lafollette. Pallbearers will be Matt Strouth, Mike Strouth, Tim Strouth, Stan Strouth, Jim Hicks and Charles Jenkins. Honorary pallbearers will be doctors and staff of the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Howard Tester, Walter Thomas, Ernie Watts, Bill Lafollette, Bobby Bowers, and employees of Gunnoe's Sausage Company. Military graveside rites will be presented by the Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard. The family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:15 Saturday morning to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Arrangements especially for Mr. Strouth have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Coralen Tidwell ABINGDON -- Miss Coralen Tidwell died Thursday, June 12, 2003, at the Grace Healthcare Center in Abingdon. Born in Morgan County, Tenn., she was a daughter of the late James Riley Tidwell and Henrietta Ralston Tidwell. She had formerly lived in Martinsville, Va., and moved to Abingdon in 1985. Miss Tidwell was member of the Palestine Baptist Church. Miss Tidwell is survived by three sisters: Glen Dora Tidwell of Abingdon; and Ruth King and Girnell West, both of LaPorte, Ind.; a half-brother, Junior Tidwell of Bandy, Va.; two half-sisters, Sharon Bandy and Karen Bandy, both of Bandy, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2003, at the graveside in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Randy Johnsey officiating. Family and friends will serve as casket bearers. Those attending the graveside service are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Those wishing to send memories and messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Miss Coralen Tidwell. Connie Sue Troxell BLUFF CITY -- Connie Sue Troxell died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at Wellmont Hospice House. She was the daughter of the late Paul and Nannie Doss Blevins. Survivors include her children, Glenna Blankenship, Teresa Blevins, Roger Dickie Blaylock and Roger Allen Blevins; sisters, Anna Barker Faye Roberts, Kathy McClellan, Nancy Watson and Pernie Ollis; brother, Ray Blevins; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Memorial funeral service will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Jimmy Sproles officiating. E-mail condolences may be sent to www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Thelma Ford Widner BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Thelma Ford Widner, age 82, of 226 Patty Branch Road, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Widner was born on Jan. 10, 1921, in Sullivan County to Mr. and Mrs. William and Elizabeth Gentry Ford. She had lived all her life in the Bristol area, was a housewife, and was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Widner is survived by: her husband of 58 years, Jess Widner; two daughters and son-in-law: Cleo Carico and husband Harry; and Bernice Call; two grandchildren, Brenda Blevins and Darrell Hilliard; one great-granddaughter, Amy Hilliard; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held Friday, June 13, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. James Sherman officiating. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday from the Rust Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening following the funeral service. Online condolences may be sent to www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Edward E. Wiley Jr. MARYVILLE, Tenn. -- Edward Emerson "Ned" Wiley Jr. passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at Asbury Acres Healthcare Center in Maryville. Dr. Wiley, a retired United Methodist minister, was a member of First United Methodist Church of Maryville. He served the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church in many capacities, beginning with the Jefferson City Circuit in Jefferson County, Tenn., in 1937. He and his wife, Frances, then served the St. Elmo Church and Centenary Church in Chattanooga, First Church of Maryville, Broad Street Church in Kingsport, State Street Church in Bristol, was superintendent of the Abingdon District in Virginia and First United Methodist in Newport, Tenn., before returning to First United Methodist of Maryville to serve as minister of visitation. He also served as chaplain at Asbury Acres Health Care. He is survived by his wife, Frances Tittsworth Wiley; brother, Frances A. Wiley and wife, Libby of California; and a beloved sister-in-law, Elizabeth Tittsworth of Jefferson City, Tenn. Funeral services will be held at Maryville First United Methodist Church in Maryville at 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 13, 2003, with Rev. James R. Green and Rev. Sterling Turner officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Family and friends will meet at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Lynnhurst Cemetery for the interment service with Dr. Ed Eldridge officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the church of your choice in memory of Dr. Wiley. (Please, no house plants). McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville, Tenn. (865) 982-6812 www.mccammonammonsclick.com.