Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, June 23, 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 Monday, June 23, 2003 Today's Deaths Betty Lou Cruey, 68, Pounding Mill, Va. Charles Wayne Dotson, 63, Cedar Bluff John P. Garcia Sr., 63, Bluff City Henry Ellis Johnson, 82, Bristol Tennessee Lois Mae Leonard, 72, Bristol Tennessee Ruth I. McCormick, 72, Abingdon Gary E. Waddell, 53, Pennington Gap, Va. Vernon C. Wilson, 87, Piney Flats, Tenn. Donald E. Worsham, 62, Bristol Tennessee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luther K. Blevins CHILHOWIE -- Luther Kenneth Blevins, 77, passed away Thursday, June 19, 2003, at the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. He was born in Carter County, Tenn., to the late William Elkanah Blevins and Tancy Barker Blevins Martin, and was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Betty Ruth Haga Blevins; and his stepfather, R.N. "Rob" Martin. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, having served in World War II as a tail gunner on B24's. He was the recipient of several medals of valor and was retired from Sprint Telephone Company. Survivors include: sons and daughters-in-law, Bruce and Monica Blevins, Chilhowie and Ken and Gail Blevins, Wilkesboro, N.C.; daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Scott Johnson, Gillett, Pa.; grandchildren, William Luther, Gavin Nathaniel and Megan Alyce Blevins and Anna Lee and Melanie Sue Johnson; one brother, Elder Eugene Blevins, Chilhowie; one sister, Mabel Martin, Chilhowie; one half sister, Hallie Martin, Chilhowie; three stepsisters, Aileen Russell, Marion, Fern Haga, Galva, Ill., and Elsie Anderson, Altona, Ill.; also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. from the Bradley's Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie, with Rev. Larry Blevins officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverside Cemetery with full military honors being rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie, is serving the Blevins family. Caven Calloway MEADOWVIEW -- Caven Alexander Calloway, infant son of Chris and Candice Cress Calloway, went to be with the angels Friday, June 20, 2003, in the Community Hospital of Roanoke. Other survivors include paternal grandparents, J. R. and Ramona Calloway, Meadowview; paternal great-grandfather, Jim Calloway, Abingdon; maternal grandparents, Joe and Margaret Cress, Meadowview; maternal great-grandmothers, Helen Cress, Fincastle, Va., and Pauline Hagy, Norton; and aunts, Karen Hollick, Melbourne, Fla., and Andrea Morton, Bristol. The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. at the graveside in Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Pastor Tommy Wilson officiating. There will be no visitation in the funeral home. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Caven Alexander Calloway. Joseph V. Carico Tallahassee, Fla. -- Funeral services for Joseph Vernon Carico will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Knollkreg Memorial Park, Abingdon, with The Rev. Frank Preston officiating. The family will receive friends at the mausoleum from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. There will not be any visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that expressions of sympathy may be in the form of memorial contributions to the Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308 or a church of choice. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Mr. Carico, age 75, died at his residence in Tallahassee on Friday, June 20, 2003. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Betty Lou Cruey POUNDING MILL, Va. -- Mrs. Betty Lou Cruey, age 68, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2003, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Born in Union Town, Ky., she was the daughter of the late James and Rosalie Floyd Hagan. She was a waitress for Pizza Hut. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one great-granddaughter. Survivors are her husband, Jim Cruey; one daughter, Mrs. Frank (Debra) Stacy of Blacksburg, Va.; one son, Charles Conner Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Father Dan Brady officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Cruey family. Charles W. Dotson CEDAR BLUFF -- Charles Wayne Dotson, 63, of College Estates section, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2003, at his home following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, Va., he was a son of the late Ransom and Hassie Price Dotson. He was a graduate of Garden High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a retired coal miner, having worked for VP 1 Island Creek for 20 years. He was a charter member of Community Heights Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and usher. He was a member of the Sandy Valley Masonic Lodge 17. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Maxine Crawford Dotson; one daughter, Mrs. Christina Barry of Fairfax, Va.; and two sisters, Mrs. Bennie (Arbedella) Endicott of Cedar Bluff and Mrs. Edward (Linda) Martin of Hayesville, N.C. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Craig Barber officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Benny Joe Endicott Jr., Larry Null Jr., Jason Looney, Todd Crawford, Chris Crawford, Matthew Crawford and Chris Barry. Honorary pallbearers will be Artie Herndon, Mike Moore, Harold Gregory, Wayne Pruitt, Nathan Robinson, Bill White, Rick Horn, Craig Byrd, Roger Lester and Dr. Michael Ulrich. Friends may call from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday at Singleton Funeral Service at Cedar Bluff. Masonic rites will be at 8:00 p.m., conducted by Sandy Valley Masonic Lodge 17. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Dotson family. John P. Garcia Sr. BLUFF CITY -- John Pantoha Garcia Sr., age 63, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Mike Gilbert BLOUNTVILLE -- The funeral service for Michel Wayne Gilbert will be conducted at 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 23, in Celebration Church in Blountville, with Rev. Craig Frye and Rev. Clay Austin officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday in Gunnings Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday at Celebration Church, prior to the service. "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Gilbert at akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Gilbert, age 60, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Gilbert. Etta Mae Goodman BRISTOL -- Etta Mae Jackson Goodman, 94, died Friday, June 20, 2003, at home in the Meadowood addition. She was born in Washington County, Va., near Wallace, and, prior to moving to Bristol, she lived in Benhams, where, she was an active member of Sugar Grove Union Church. She was a charter member of Jackson Memorial Church, which she had attended for the past 37 years. Mrs. Goodman was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Paul G. Goodman; three sisters, Ida Jackson, Beulah Goodson and Lucille Clark; and three brothers, Ritzie, Freeman and Dan Jackson. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Betty and Gene Owen of Bristol Tennessee, and Freeda and B. F. DeBusk of Abingdon; five grandchildren, Penny Nester, Tracey Miller, Tim Woodard, Mark DeBusk and Kristi Massie; six great- grandchildren, Meagan, Shane, Miranda, Rachel, Ross and Keeley; one brother, I. B. Jackson of Bristol Virginia; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 23, 2003, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Donald Page and Rev. Gary Harless officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mark DeBusk, Tim Woodard, Jeff Nester, Tom Malone, Mike Massie and Chad Gouge. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mrs. Goodman at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Goodman. Maude C. Hawkins SPRING HILL, Fla. -- A memorial service for Maude Couch Hawkins will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. at the Coeburn Presbyterian Church in Coeburn, with the Rev. John Sartelle, from Memphis, and Elders Kirby Holbrook and Ron Jenkins officiating. Any memorial contributions may be made to the Coeburn Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 291, Coeburn, VA 24230. Mrs. Hawkins, age 82, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2003, at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in Brooksville, Fla. Estes Funeral Home 395-2441. Fred Richard Hutton BRISTOL, Va. -- Graveside services for Fred Richard Hutton will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. Amy Yeary Holmes officiating. Military honors will be presented by the VFW Patton Crosswhite Post 6975. Memorial gifts may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 320 Carter St., Bristol, Va. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Hutton, age 79, passed away at home on June 21, 2003. Henry Ellis Johnson BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Henry Ellis Johnson, age 82, of 247 Steele's Road, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late Lewis and Dora Winebarger Johnson and had been a resident of Bristol for 40 years. He was a former employee of American Thread Company. Mr. Johnson was a Mason and a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Survivors include: wife of 8 years, Zane Fleenor Johnson; adopted son, David Johnson of Bristol Tennessee; stepdaughter, Kellie Mir of San Francisco; stepson, Wayne Fleenor of Austin, Texas; sister, Elizabeth Combs of Boone, N.C.; and special niece, Ruth Ann Payne. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Johnson; and two sisters, Sarah Fleenor and Ruth Henson. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Lester MacKinnon officiating. Committal services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include: Howard Combs, Paul Combs, Kenneth Combs, Paul Combs, Larry Jarrett, Virgil Stacy and Junior Winters. The family will receive friends on Monday from 6-7:45, prior to the service. Online condolences may be sent at www.Weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lois Mae Leonard BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Lois Mae Leonard, age 72, of 2509 Bay St., passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2003, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late George and JoAnn Ringley Frazier. She had been in Bristol for the last 30 years and was a retired nursing aide at NHC. She was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include: husband of 52 years, Paul E. Leonard; daughter, Susan Wyatt and husband Roger of Bristol Tennessee; sons, Gary Leonard and wife Rachel of Elizabethton, Daryl Leonard of Bristol Tennessee, Duane Leonard of Abingdon and Kevin Leonard and wife Linda of Bristol Tennessee; eight grandchildren, Ryan, Josh, Amber, Jessica, Autumn, Alexis, Madison and Macy; one great-grandson, Lucas; brothers, Russell Frazier of Mendota, Va., and Eugene Frazier of Bristol Tennessee. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Bill Goforth officiating. Committal services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the National Cemetery in Mountain Home, Tenn. Friends of the family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Monday 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. Ruth I. McCormick ABINGDON -- Miss Ruth I. McCormick, 72, died Sunday, June 22, 2003, at Grace Healthcare Center. Miss McCormick was a native of Pittsylvania County and had lived in Washington County most of her life. She was a member of Abingdon Church of Christ and was retired from Abingdon Harwood. Survivors include two sisters, Dora Lee Hampton and husband Roy and Nancy Whittaker and husband Jack, all of Abingdon; one sister-in-law, Geneva McCormick of Bristol; a special friend, Faye Roark; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Knollkreg Memorial Park. Mr. Bill Haywood and Mr. Joe Scroggin will officiate. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service. Special thanks to Grace Healthcare and staff, Hospice of Southwest Virginia, Dr. Swank and Marie of Abingdon Ambulance and Washington County Life Saving Crew. Contributions may be sent to Washington County Life Saving Crew or Hospice of Southwest Virginia. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Miss McCormick. Wheeler Moore BLOUNTVILLE -- Funeral services for Wheeler "Jim" Moore will be conducted in East Lawn Funeral Home's chapel on Monday, June 23, 2003, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Dewey Shaffer and Pastor Terry Shaffer officiating. Music will be provided by the Heavenly Way Trio. Graveside services will be conducted following the service in Gunnings Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Please visit our Web site at www.mem.com to place a condolence or tribute to the family of Wheeler "Jim" Moore. Mr. Moore, age 71, passed away early Saturday morning, June 21, 2003. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Moore Family. Elizabeth C. Mulkey RICHLANDS, Va. -- Mrs. Elizabeth Catron Mulkey, age 95, of 715 East Second St., passed away Saturday, June 21, 2003, in a Richlands hospital, following a brief illness. She was born in Tazewell County and was the daughter of the late George Thomas and Marilyn Yost Catron, both Tazewell County natives. She had made her home in the Richlands area all of her life and was a retired school teacher, having taught 35 years in the Tazewell County School System. She was a graduate of Richlands High School Class of 1927 and attended Radford State Teachers College in Radford, Va. She was a member of the Richlands First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Clinch Valley Medical Center Auxiliary. She was a former member of the Cedar Land Homemakers Club. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J. T. (Tom) Mulkey; one sister, Sarah Katherine Taylor; and one brother, Stuart (Buck) Catron. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survivors are: one daughter, Ms. Delores Mulkey of Richlands; one grandson, Dr. Peter Mulkey and wife, Jane of Pounding Mill, Va.; and two great-grandchildren, Ben Mulkey and Eric Mulkey. Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Catron Mulkey will be conducted Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with the Rev. David Brannock officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Dennis Hamm, Doug White, Buddy Altizer, Raymond Mulkey, Kenneth Mulkey, Nelson Mulkey, Jim Mulkey, Allen Mulkey, Larry Mulkey, Terry Mulkey, Jim Duncan and Pete Duncan. Honorary pallbearers will be Grant Gilbert, Donnie Gilbert, Dr. Mario Stefanini, Jim Mullins and members of Clinch Valley Medical Center Auxiliary. Friends may call after 6:00 p.m. Monday evening at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands. 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. Gary E. Waddell PENNINGTON GAP, Va. -- Gary E. Waddell, age 53, departed this life into an eternal life with Jesus on Saturday, June 21, 2003. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bascomb and Georgia Pugh Waddell. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Pennington Gap. He was retired from Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs, a former member of the Pennington Gap Fire Department and served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam conflict. He was a former chairman of the Lee County Republican Party, the 9th Congressional GOP chairman and a member of Virginia State Central Committee. In 2000, he had the honor to be a voting member of the Virginia Electoral College for president and vice-president. Gary was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Being a man of principle and conviction, he stood firm in his beliefs even in adversity. Survivors include: his wife, Barbara; children, Chris Waddell and Amanda Huff; and the sunshine of his life, a granddaughter, Haley Huff. Calling hours will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday evening at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Pennington Gap, Va. A celebration of life service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastors Doug Clem and Randy Aldridge officiating. Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday morning in Lee Memorial Gardens, Woodway, Va. Memorials may be made to the Pennington Gap Fire Department or to St. Jude's Research Center Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. Sturgill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Vernon C. Wilson PINEY FLATS, Tenn. -- Vernon C. Wilson, age 87, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2003, in his home. He was born in Butler, Tenn., and had lived in Embryville, Tenn. He was owner of Wolfe Brothers Church Furniture and a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. In past years, he has worked for the FBI and mined Mica in Spruce Pine, N.C. Survivors include his wife, Ann S. Wilson; daughter, Barbara Porteous, son-in- law, Doug Porteous and grandson, William Porteous of Gray, Tenn. Other survivors include his sister, Gladys May Welch of Winchester, Va.; nephew, Dr. William W. May of Charlestown, W.Va.; niece, Sue S. Lam of Allendale, Va.; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Condolences may be sent online at www.snydersfuneralhome.com. Serving the family of Vernon S. Wilson is Snyder's Funeral Home, Gray, Tenn. 477-7911/239-5671. Donald Worsham BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Donald E. Worsham, age 62, of 371 Booher Private Drive, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2003, at his residence. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Venice E. Wrenn NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Venice Uneeta Evans Wrenn, 75, died at Riverside Regional Medical Center on Saturday, June 21, 2003. She was a native of Wise County, Va., and a resident of Newport News since 1943, where she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Dorsey Wrenn; two brothers, Delmus C. Evans of Bristol Virginia, and Elza A. Evans of Chattanooga, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Matthew Gregory Trissel and Kristy Michelle Trissel. Mrs. Wrenn is survived by two sons, Larry Evans Wrenn and wife, Ileen G. Wrenn of Battery Park, Va., and Melvin Douglas Wrenn of Gulfport, Miss.; and a daughter, Donna Marie Wrenn of Newport News. Other survivors include three grandchildren, Lory Trissel, Barry Linhart and Nevin Baillio; five great- grandchildren, Amy and Kyle Trissel, Andrew and Jacob Linhart and David Baillio. Also surviving are two brothers, Chesley H. Evans of Bristol Tennessee, Sibley B. Evans of Chattanooga, Tenn.; three sisters, Valice E. Lee of Tucson, Ariz., Leona E. Kyle and Faye E. Elswick of Bristol Tennessee. Mrs. Wrenn is also survived by many loved nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, from 6-8 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, June 25, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. by the Rev. Roland Bugg in Peninsula Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park. Kennith Yates HAYSI -- Funeral service for Kennith Yates 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. Mr. Yates, age 58, of Route 2, passed away June 19, 2003, at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.