Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, June 21, 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 21, 2003 Today's Deaths Luther K. Blevins, 77, Chilhowie Myrtle L. Carver, 94, Elizabethton Thelma Cates, Coeburn Polly Compton, 81, Vansant, Va. Robert P. Connett, 85, Abingdon Mary K. Dotson, 89, Lebanon Hazel S. Hengerer, 79 Mary E. Hill, 86, Chilhowie Cleman E. Justice, 77, Oakwood, Va. Lorraine Messimer, 90 Jeffery Minor, 43, Norton, Va. Edith M. Robinson, 82, Bristol Virginia David H. Umbarger, 54, Groseclose, Va. Kennith Yates, 58, Haysi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luther K. Blevins CHILHOWIE -- Luther K. Blevins, age 77, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. Survivors and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Bradley's Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie. Myrtle L. Carver ELIZABETHTON -- Myrtle Little Carver, age 94, 2200 State Line Road, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, at Johnson City Medical Center Hospital. She was a native of Carter County and the daughter of the late Arthur Ruble (Buck) and Lena Madge Hatcher Little. Mrs. Carver attended East Tennessee State Teachers College and was employed as a teacher and principal in the Carter County School System. She was a member of the Valley Forge United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Carver; two sisters, Nannie Renfro and Cora Lee Little; and five brothers, Thurman, Paul, Harry, Tillman and Clarence Little. Survivors include two daughters and one son-in-law, Louise Carver, Bristol and Linda and Robert Fanslow, Kingsport; four grandchildren and spouses, Robert and Jan Fanslow, Atlanta, Mary Fanslow, Kingsport, Jane Fanslow Eaton and Larry Eaton, Atlanta and Thomas Fanslow, Washington, D.C.; one sister, Rose Little Welch, Elizabethton; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Emory Lewis "Jack" and Dorothy Little and Winona Rader Little, all of Elizabethton; and many nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service for Myrtle Little Carver will be conducted at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, June 23, at Valley Forge United Methodist Church, with Rev. Paul Humphrey and Rev. Lon Tobin officiating. Music will be under the direction of Linda Baughman, Judy Little and Trilla Little. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at Happy Valley Memorial Park, immediately following the funeral service. Active pallbearers will be Bob Fanslow, Tom Fanslow, Kenneth Jewett, Larry Jewett, Berdell Little, Joe Nave, Danny Tolley and Kenneth Welch III. The family would like to express appreciation to Connie Hess, Delores Snead, and Bonnie Webb, special caregivers, to the medical staff of Wing 5400, Johnson City Medical Center, and to Dr. Robert Allen. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Mrs. Carver to Valley Forge United Methodist Church, 3974 Highway 19E, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is in charge of arrangements. 423-542-2232. Thelma Cates COEBURN -- Mrs. Thelma Lynn Smith Cates passed away Thursday, June 19, 2003, at the home of her daughter, Betty, in Coeburn, Va. She was lovingly known as "Gi-Gi" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church of Coeburn. She is preceded in death by her husband, Hershel Cates; a daughter, Linda Jean Cates; a grandson, Jeff Crusenberry; also her parents, Ethel Bouton Smith and Errett Murphy Smith. She leaves behind her loving children, Carol Crusenberry of Charleston, S.C., James Cates Jr. and his wife Gequetta of Chapin, S.C., and Betty Kent and her husband Paul of Coeburn; a brother, Haynes Smith of Bristol; several nieces and nephews; grandchildren include David and Robin Crusenberry of Charleston, Angela Kent Salyer of Abingdon, Barry Kent of Coeburn, Chris Kent of Wise and Troy Cates and Amy Prewitt of South Carolina; great-grandchildren include Robert, Melissa, and Cole Crusenberry of Charleston, Merryanna, David James and Molly Cates of Chapin, Brittany Kent and Drew Salyer of Coeburn and Dustin Salyer of Abingdon. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2003, at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2003, in the Blevins Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, with Reverend Dennis Burnett of Bristol officiating. The committal service and burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Glenwood Cemetery, with family and friends gathering at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home at 10 a.m. to go in procession. Pallbearers will be grandsons and great- grandsons. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Cates have been made through Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Polly Compton VANSANT, Va. -- Polly Jane Deel Compton, age 81, of Route 2, passed away Friday, June 20, 2003, at her residence. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late George W. and Missouri Deel. She was a homemaker and of the Old Regular Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hosea Compton; a son, Clarence Compton; four brothers, Paris Deel, Archie Deel, Newburn Deel and William Deel; and two sisters, Melvina Conaway and Larna Gay Deel. Survivors include two daughters, Vandory Howell and Edith Compton, both of Vansant; four sons; Tony Compton, Lonnie Compton, Ronnie Compton and Claude Compton, all of Vansant; three brothers, Lando Deel of Tazewell, Donald Deel of Haysi and Earl Deel of Vansant; one sister, Euvie Dales of Pounding Mill, Va.; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one step-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Frank Newsome, William McClanahan and Billy Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in the George W. Deel Cemetery, Route 2, Haysi. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at the funeral home, where a song service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Robert P. Connett ABINGDON -- Robert Paul Connett, age 85, died Tuesday, June 3, 2003, at his home. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 29, 2003, in the Abingdon United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends following the service. Memorial gifts may be made to the choir of Abingdon United Methodist Church or to the Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 325, Cummings St., Abingdon, VA 24201. Mary K. Dotson LEBANON -- Mary Katherine Dotson, 89, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, at home. Born August 18, 1913, in Dickenson County, she was the widow of Tollie Dotson. She was of the Christian faith. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Farrell Dotson and several brothers and sisters. Survivors include a son, James L. Dotson, Lebanon; two granddaughters, Scarlet King, Salem, Va., and Crystal and husband Jeff Rife, Michigan; one great- granddaughter, Kattie Rife, Michigan. The funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Danny Harris officiating. Burial will follow in Dotson Family Cemetery. Friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Dotson Hazel S. Hengerer Mrs. Hazel Sullivan Hengerer, age 79, died Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at her residence. She was born in Sturgills, N.C., and was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Howard. Hengerer Jr.; and a sister, Blanche Ballard. Mrs. Hengerer was a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, was involved in many clubs and activities and was a well-known flower judge. She was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State at Cape Girardeau, Mo.. She had taught school for many years and was retired from the Bristol Virginia School System. She is survived by her sister, Polly Zeller of Springfield, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews. It was Mrs. Hengerer's wish to be cremated and have her ashes scattered on Whitetop Mountain. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Those wishing to send memories and messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Cremation and Funeral Center (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens), 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Hazel Sullivan Hengerer. Mary E. Hill CHILHOWIE -- Mary Ethel Thomas Hill, 86, died Wednesday, June 18, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion. She was the widow of Jessie Hershell Hill. Survivors include one sister, Lucille Aistrop, Saltville; also several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, in Sulphur Spring Cemetery, with Rev. Jimmy Lundy officiating. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery. Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Cleman E. Justice OAKWOOD, Va. -- Mr. Cleman Eugene Justice, age 77, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2003, in a Buchanan County hospital following a brief illness. Born in Pike County, Ky., he was the son of the late John William Ross Justice and Emily Justice Matney. He was a retired coal miner and a member of UMWA Local 1509. He was a member and a deacon of Harvest Time Tabernacle. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia Ethel Stiltner Justice; six sons and daughters-in law, Virgil and Ruby Justice of Abingdon, Robert and Sue Justice of Page, Va., Herbert and Thelma Justice of Burton, Mich., Eddie and Brenda Justice of Raven, Va., Donnie and Karen Justice of Page and Ray and Darline Justice of Oakwood; two daughters and sons-in-law, Helen and Bob Maxwell of Lewisburg, Tenn., and Ruth and Ralph Ratliff of Rowe, Va.; two sisters, Draxie Blankenship of Elk Garden, Va., and Gladys Anderson of Chicago; 21 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; nine step-great- grandchildren; one step-great-great- grandchild; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2003, at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain, Va., with Revs. Frank Blankenship, Michael Justice, Ancil Childress and Billy Harrison officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Ramon Motos and elders of Harvest Time Tabernacle. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with a service each evening at 7 p.m. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Buchanan Funeral Service is serving the Justice family. Charles E. Lady Jr. BLOUNTVILLE -- The committal service and interment for Charles E. Lady Jr. will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Gunnings Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be nieces, nephews, senior men of First Baptist Church of Blountville and Mr. Lady's doctors and nurses. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to First Baptist Church of Blountville, Building Fund, P.O. Box 117, Blountville, TN 37617. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Lady at akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Lady, age 82, died Wednesday, June 18, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Lady. Lorraine Messimer Lorraine Doris Frank Messimer, age 90, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, at NHC Healthcare. She was a native of West Frankfort, Ill., and a daughter of the late Emil Thomas Frank and Vina Jane Williams Frank. She attended Christian Normal Institute, Grayson, Ky., and graduated from East Tennessee State College. She was a lifetime member of Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Grandview Christian Church. Mrs. Messimer was a member of Fig Tree. She married Erby Messimer August 26, 1934, and enjoyed 58 years of a loving marriage and Christian home. She was a wonderful preacher's wife who served as a Sunday School teacher, a women's group leader and generously shared her home, love and laughter with many people through the years. She loved teaching children at Barnes, Austin Springs and Lamar Elementary Schools in the Washington County School System. Mrs. Messimer was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Marion and Cornelia Frank; a sister and brother-in-law, Maxine and Frank Aten; a sister, Ernestine; twin baby brother and sister; a daughter-in-law, Pat Messimer; and a son, Don Messimer. Survivors are four sons and daughters-in-law, Emil and Joan, Wendell, Pansy and Ronnie and Susie, all of Johnson City, and Dr. James Erby and Ann, Bristol Tennessee; five grandchildren and their spouses, Dr. Sheri and Will Wingate, Johnson City, Danny and Lisa Messimer, Acworth, Ga., Dr. Sam and Lisa Messimer, Johnson City, Jennifer and Christopher James, Gray, and James and Joy Messimer, Johnson City; eight great-grandchildren, Austin, Calvin, and Payton Wingate, Johnson City, Ashley and Sierra Messimer, Acworth, Elizabeth James, Gray, Benjamin Messimer, Johnson City and Thomas Messimer, Johnson City. Funeral services for Lorraine Doris Frank Messimer will be conducted Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Grande View Christian Church. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m. Saturday. Graveside services and burial will follow services on Sunday at Monte Vista Burial Park. Pallbearers will be grandson and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Kentucky Christian College, 100 Academic Dr., Grayson, KY 41143 or to Emmanuel School of Religion Scholarship Fund, 1 Walker Dr., Johnson City, TN 37604. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601. Jeffery Minor NORTON -- Jeffery Minor, age 43, passed away Thursday morning, June 19, 2003, at Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, Norton. He was a lifelong resident of Norton and was the only child of Kenneth and Clella Minor. Jeff, who was handicapped since birth, was raised around Minor Funeral Home and became well-known to many people. Those who knew Jeff knew that he was a unique person. To say that he was full of surprises would be an understatement. His closest family member is an uncle, Palmer Minor, Norton. Jeff is survived by a few other relatives and many friends. Graveside funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2003, in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap, Va. Pallbearers will be friends. Visitation will be noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements cared for by Carty Funeral Home, Norton-Wise. Edith M. Robinson BRISTOL, Va. -- Edith McReynolds Robinson, age 82, 22187 Log Cabin Way, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 19, 2003, at her home. She was born in Cleveland, Va., on July 9, 1920, daughter of the late Arthur and Elsie McReynolds. She lived her early life in Lebanon before moving to Bristol in 1948. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church and was a retired employee of Sears with 25 years of service. She was preceded in death by her only daughter, Sandra; and brothers, Millard McReynolds and Dan McReynolds. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Dr. Howard Robinson; sisters, Irene Cook, Bristol Virginia, Betty Ann Robinson and husband Lacy of Bristol Virginia, Beulah Comer, Bristol Virginia, and Barbara Sturgill and husband Byron of Piney Flats; brothers, James McReynolds and wife Helen, Lebanon, Tanner McReynolds and wife Nell, Lebanon and Billy McReynolds and wife Audrey of Bristol Virginia; grandsons, Shawn Butterworth and wife Cheryl, Deltona, Fla., and Traves Butterworth, San Diego; and great-grandchildren, Tiffany Butterworth and Zoe Butterworth, both of Deltona. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Victory Baptist Church, with Dr. Austin Cook officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Deacons of Victory Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2003, at Victory Baptist Church. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Evelyn D. Salyer LEBANON -- The funeral service for Evelyn D. Salyer will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 21, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Gene Brooks and Mr. Larry Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Wayne Nunley, Sonny Osborne, Adam Wampler, Jamie Hughes, Bob Bausell, and Stephen Winn. Honorary pallbearers will be: Paul Fields, Paul Jessee, Bud Mullins, and the men of the Memorial Chapel Church. Mrs. Salyer, 81, died Thursday, June 19, 2003, in NHC in Bristol Virginia. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Salyer. David H. Umbarger GROSECLOSE, Va. -- David Harold Umbarger, age 54, died Friday, June 20, 2003, at his home in Groseclose. He was born on Nov. 4, 1948, in Smyth County and was preceded in death by his father, Arlington Neal Umbarger. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served in Vietnam, a life member of the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667 and a member of the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church. Survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Davy and Alicia Umbarger, Radford, Va.; mother, Nellie Shupe Umbarger, Groseclose; three brothers, Larry Umbarger, Rural Retreat, Va., Roger Umbarger, Atkins, Va., and Jerry Umbarger, Atkins; two sisters, Nancy Widner, Rural Retreat, Sharon Davis, Middleburg, Fla.; special friend, Jennie Cregger, Wytheville, Va.; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 4:00 p.m., from the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church, with Rev. Mike Sage officiating. Interment will follow in Resurrection Gardens, with full military honors being rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Umbarger family. Kennith Yates HAYSI -- Kennith Yates, age 58, of Route 2, passed away June 19, 2003, at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy. A native of Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Charlie and Eva Oquinn Yates. He was a retired miner, working last at Coleman and Yates Coal, a member of the UMWA Local 7170 and was of the Old Regular Baptist faith. Survivors include his wife, Orpha C. Yates; one daughter, Lisa Deel, Haysi; two sons, Brian and Felix Yates, Haysi; one brother, Gary Yates, Haysi; four sisters, Elva Brooks and Phyllis Deel, Haysi, Mavis Deel and Blanche Conaway, North Carolina; and three grandchildren April Deel, Shannon Deel and Shasta Yates. Funeral service will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 23, 2003, at Russell Prater Old Regular Baptist Church, with Elders Andy Deel, Danny Yates, David Oquinn, Eddie Newsome and Bobby Davis. Burial will follow in the Oquinn-Deel Cemetery, Route 2, Haysi. Friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 5:00 p.m. at Russell Prater Church, where an evening service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.