Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, June 14, 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 Saturday, June 14, 2003 Today's Deaths Martha Beck Davidson, 79, Bristol Tennessee Harold J. Elswick, 69, Meadowview, Va. John Dennison "J.D." Lyons, Bluff City Velma Davidson Manuel, 81 Chester Lee Perkins, 83, Jewell Ridge, Va. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martha R. Davidson BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Martha Beck Davidson, age 79, went to be with the Lord, Friday, June 13, 2003, at the NHC Healthcare Center. She was a native of Washington County, Va., born April 13, 1924, to the late George and Lola Grady Davidson. She had lived in the Bristol area for the past 27 years. She was a retired employee with the L. C. King Company, was a member of the First United Methodist of Bristol Tennessee where she also participated in "Young at Heart," member of the United Methodist Women, Shaw-Anchor Sunday School Class and member of the Eastern Star. She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles "Buddy" Davidson. Survivors include: sister, Margaret Davidson Chitwood, Rocky Mount, Va.; brother: John "P.D.' Davidson, Bristol Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David St. Claire officiating. Burial will follow in the Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Rick McVey, Tony Burnette, Jim Burnette, Ronnie Davidson, Lynn Sproles and David Abulbusson. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Harold J.Elswick MEADOWVIEW, Va. -- Mr. Harold J. Elswick, age 69, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, at the Johnson City Medical Center. He had lived in Buchanan County, Va., until 1996, when he moved to Meadowview. He was a U. S. Air Force veteran and a retired bulldozer operator for the United Coal Company, having worked 26 years. After retirement, he became a dedicated farmer. He was a member of the Vansant Church of Christ and the American Legion Post 164. He was preceded in death by a brother, Elmer Elswick. He is survived by: his wife, Nova Looney Elswick; three sons, Samuel T. Elswick of Birchleaf, Va., James Adam Elswick of Meadowview and Phillip Michael Elswick, Vansant, Va.; one daughter, Tammy Sue Belcher of Gray, Tenn.; four sisters, Helen Yates of Abingdon, Fern Duty of Grundy, Va., Carol Willie of Abingdon and Connie Azure of Blountville; five grandchildren, Joshua Elswick, Sarah Elswick, Rena O'Quinn, Teddy Joe Belcher and Jessie James Elswick; two great- grandchildren, Matthew Logan O'Quinn and EmaLee Renea Belcher; and special friends, Bill Deel and Carl Anderson. A funeral service will be held Sunday, June 15, 2003, at 2:30 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel with Mr. Mike Rife officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell's Chapel Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Teddy Belcher, Matthew O'Quinn, Jennings Yates, Gary Elswick, Mike Caudill and Jim Caudill. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Deel, Carl Anderson, Bill Farris, Robin Yates, Jeffery Lester, David Lester, Dr. William Taylor, Dr. Jeff Farrow and Dr. J. P. Sutherland. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Elswick. Glenna Olean Gilmer BRISTOL, Va. -- Committal services for Glenna Olean Gilmer 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. 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. Ruth H. Johnson HICKORY, N.C. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth Hall Johnson 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. Mrs. Johnson, age 76, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in a Hickory hospital. John Dennison Lyons BLUFF CITY -- John Dennison "J.D." Lyons, of 1256 Pleasant Grove Road, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 12, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Velma D. Manuel Velma Davidson Manuel, 81, peacefully entered her heavenly home Thursday, June 12, 2003. Her selfless devotion as a Christian wife, mother, granny, great-granny, neighbor, and friend will be remembered and missed by all. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Albert David (A.D.) Manuel Jr.; daughter, Nancy Farmer and husband Rev. Thomas E.; two sons: Norman Wayne Manuel and wife Caroline and A.D. (Tony) Manuel III; and wife Vicki; sister, Ruth Large and husband Ralph, both of Bristol; eight grandchildren; and 10 great- grandchildren. Her remains rest at the Bliley Funeral Home's Chippenham Chapel, 6900 Hull Street Rd., where the family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and where funeral services will be held 8 a.m. Saturday. Interment Dale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 10230 Hull Street Rd., Midlothian VA 23112. 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. Mr. Mize was a veteran of World War II serving with the U.S. Army as a forward observer for the artillery under Patton's Third Army 20th Corps. 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 with Dr. Clay Austin officiating. 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. Virginia M. Olinger MARION -- Virginia M. Olinger, 64, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Olinger. Survivors include: one son and wife, Richard Lewis and Cathleen Dole,Winchester; two daughters and son-in-law, Kathy and Johnny Dole,Winchester and Nellie Seabolt; mother-in-law, Sue Olinger, Chilhowie; three grandchildren; two brothers, Paul Gross and fiancee Katherine Owens, Chilhowie and Marion "Bud" Gross, Newport News, Va.; three sisters and brother-in-law, Elsie Louthian, Marion, Flora Nichols, Marion and Sue and Wayne Perkins, Adwolfe; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 15, 2003, from the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel, Marion, with Reverend Steve Hutton officiating. Interment will follow in Wassum Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Sunday from the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Olinger family. Chester Lee Perkins JEWELL RIDGE, Va. -- Mr. Chester Lee Perkins, age 83, died Thursday, June 12, 2003, at a Tazewell, Va., hospital, following a brief illness. He was born in Roda, Va., and was a son of the late William Harrison and Rachel Couch Perkins, both Wise County natives. He had made his home in the Jewell Ridge area most of his life, was a retired miner with Jewell Ridge Coal Corp. and a member of the UMWA Local Union 7327 of Jewell Valley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Patricia Ann Perkins; one son, Anthony Dale Perkins; two sisters; and five brothers. Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Edith Ruby Fletcher Perkins; six daughters, Mrs. Cathy Lee Sheahan of Pittsburgh, Pa., Mrs. Minerva Elaine Altizer of Bandy, Va., Mrs. Reba Delores Karabec of New Ark Valley, N.Y., Mrs. Phyllis Charlene Combs of Lexington, Ky., Mrs. Freda Sue Dye of Swords Creek, Va., and Mrs. Melissa Arlene Villanella of Bingington, N.Y.; four sons, Mr. Jimmy Bruce Perkins of Cedar Bluff, Mr. Chester Lonnie Perkins of Jewell Ridge, Mr. Paul Samuel Perkins of Lexington and Mr. David Eugene Perkins of Gainesville, Va.; 18 Grandchildren; 24 great- -grandchildren, three half brothers; and six half sisters also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Chester Lee Perkins will be conducted Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Lawrence Hayes officiating. Interment will follow in the Fletcher Family Cemetery on Bearwallow near Jewell Ridge. Pallbearers will be: Bruce Perkins, Shannon Perkins, Steven Altizer, Scottie Altizer, Michael Griffith, Paul Honto and Bryon Gilbert. Honorary pallbearers: Kevin Walters, James Altizer, Don Combs, Rick Karabec, Tony Villanella, Doug Dye and John John Sheahan. Friends may call at the Hurst- Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6:00 p.m. Saturday. 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. Gene Strouth The funeral service for Carlton Eugene "Gene" Strouth 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. Mr. 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. Arrangements especially for Mr. Strouth have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Coralen Tidwell ABINGDON -- The funeral service for Miss Coralen Tidwell 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. Those wishing to send memories and messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Miss Tidwell died Thursday, June 12, 2003, at the Grace Healthcare Center in Abingdon. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Miss Coralen Tidwell. Connie Sue Troxell BLUFF CITY -- Memorial funeral service for Connie Sue Troxell 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. Ms. Troxell died Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Thelma Ford Widner BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Graveside service for Thelma Ford Widner will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday from the Rust Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Widner, age 82, of 226 Patty Branch Road, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.