Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, June 30, 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 30, 2003 Today's Deaths Alexander Lee Allen, 11, Bristol Virginia Doris Louise Barrett, Tannersville, Va. George Walter Boothe, 66, Tazewelle, Va. Wiltha Robbins Brooks, 75, Sugar Grove, Va. Hughie R. Hicks, 73, St. Paul, Va. Kathleen Wilkinson Keith, 83, Abingdon Amanda Jo Overbay, 24, Kingsport William Emory Seale, 74, Knoxville Harold Wayne Viars, 54, Wytheville, Va. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alexander Lee Allen BRISTOL, Va. -- Alexander Lee Allen, age 11, a resident of 120 E. Mary St., died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com . Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of arrangements. Doris Louise Barrett TANNERSVILLE, Va. -- On June 29, 2003, the Lord took Doris Louise (Granny) Barrett home at 8 a.m. at Smyth County Community Hospital. Although born in North Carolina, she was a lifelong resident of Tannersville. She had a very successful life. Survivors: one son, Albert Neal Barrett Jr., of Tannersville; two daughters, Sarah Jane Lamie and Henry Jackson, of Saltville and Annie Mae Lamie of Saltville; one brother, Hiram Edgar Broome of Richmond; three sisters, Mrs. Patsy Delano and her husband, Howard, of Opholia, Va., Mrs. Sarah Walker and her husband, Jerry, of Hampton, Va., and Mrs. Johnnie Felter and her husband, Dennis, of Dinwiddie, Va.; grandsons, Henry Jackson Lamie Jr. and Tammy of Saltville and John Neal Barrett and his wife Nancy, of Blacksburg, Va., and Charles Edward Lamie and his wife Savannah of Saltville; and great- grandchildren, Victoria Star and Benjamin Albert Lamie. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; and special friend, Bill Coward of Richmond. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Wiley Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Cauldwell Family Cemetery. Family will receive friends from 7 till 9 p.m. Monday at Henderson Funeral Home. Pallbearers: Ronnie Kinder, Billy Lee Kinder, Mike Davis, Russell Robbins, Jackie Lamie, Charles Lamie and John Barrett. Honorary pallbearers: Rufus Kinder, Jack Davis and Johnny McCloud. Iva L. Blankenship The funeral service for Iva L. Blankenship will be conducted at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the graveside in Mountain View Cemetery, with Rev. Lester MacKinnon officiating. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mrs. Blankenship, 91, formerly of Bristol, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at the Brian Center Nursing Home in Hickory, North Carolina. Mrs. Blankenship and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Va. George W. Boothe TAZEWELL, Va. -- George Walter Boothe, age 66, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at his home. Born in Tazewell County, Va., he was a son of the late William and Hattie Brewster Boothe. He was a 1957 graduate of Tazewell High School and a U.S. Army veteran. He attended Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tazewell and had retired from Consolidated Coal Company. He was also a member of the UMWA local 6025 in Bishop, Va. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Stella Lambert and Mary Boothe Hall: three brothers, Roy Boothe, Harold Boothe and James Boothe. Survivors include his wife, Betty Woodall Boothe; one daughter, Tammy (Neeley) Turner and husband Bobby of Bristol Virginia; two sons, Jimmy Neeley and wife Brenda of Cedar Bluff, Va., and Keith Boothe of Tazewell; two sisters, Euva Walback of Brooksfield, Fla., and Mallie White of Whitesville, N.C.; two brothers, Frankie Boothe of Big Stone Gap, Va., and William Boothe Jr. of North Tazewell, Va.; eight grandchildren, Chad Turner, Jordana Boothe, Chris Neeley, Brandy McDougald, Kyla Turner, Amber Boothe, Haley Boothe and Zackery Boothe; and one-great- grandson, Jarod McDougald. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, with the Rev. Henry Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va. Pallbearers will be Chad Turner, Chris Neeley, Jimmy Fox, Doug Sheets, Dale Woodall and Bobby Turner. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2003. Wiltha R. Brooks SUGAR GROVE, Va. -- Wiltha Robbins Brooks, age 75, died Sunday, June 29, 2003, in the Francis Marion Manor. She was born in Konnarock to the late Coy Herman Walls and Mary Mae Dolinger Walls and was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Pennington; and three brothers, Galen Walls, Arley Walls and Glenn Walls. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, C. L. Robbins; and her second husband, Smitty Brooks. She retired from Harwood after 34 years of service and was a member of the Russell's Chapel. Survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Frank Robbins, Sugar Grove; three brothers, Herman Walls, Konnarock, Ambers Walls, Troutdale and Lloyd Walls, Pennsylvania; two sisters, Cora Alice Welch, Germantown, Md., and Irene Wright, Troutdale; two grandchildren, Stephanie Robbins and Priscilla Robbins; and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 8 p.m. from the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Herman Cress officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Laurel Cemetery in Konnarock. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial donations can be made to the Russell's Chapel, c/o Billy Reynolds, Scratch Gravel Road, Marion, VA 24354. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the family of Mrs. Brooks. William J. Canter Sr. BRISTOL, Va. -- The funeral service for William Joe Canter Sr. will be conducted at 6 o'clock Monday in the Blevins Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, with Rev. Gary Garland officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mr. Canter died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Canter and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Va. Thelma Odum Eads BRISTOL, Va. -- Graveside service for Thelma Odum Eads will be held Monday, June 30, 2003, at 11 a.m. from the Mountain View Cemetery, with the Rev. Allen Baldwin officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Hanor, Dr. Gwaltney, Dr. Chanler and Dr. Cowan. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Eads, age 80, of 2421 Randolph St., went to be with the Lord Friday, June 27, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Edna Hall BRISTOL, Va. -- The family and friends of Edna Margaret Smeltzer Hall will meet at 10 o'clock Monday morning at the funeral home to go in procession to the Cleveland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Abingdon for a service at the graveside at 11 o'clock, with Reverend Tom Mussleman presiding. Pallbearers will be Bobby Smeltzer, Kenny Smeltzer, Steve Smeltzer, Sam Smeltzer, Sam Brawley and Bill Booher. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Hall, 92, passed away Friday, June 27, 2003, at her home. Mrs. Hall and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Hughie R. Hicks ST. PAUL, Va. -- Hughie R. Hicks, 73, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. He was born in Russell County, Va., son of the late Wallace and Mary Wise Hicks. He was preceded in death by two sons, Ralph Hicks and Kelly Hicks. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Hicks; four daughters, Deloris Fields and husband Donald of Castlewood, Bonnie Addington and James Gray of Castlewood, Pamela McCoy and husband Timothy of Castlewood and Darlene Sheilds and husband Calvin of Castlewood; four sons, Jerry Hicks and wife Shelia of Castlewood, Carter Hicks and wife Lois of Castlewood, Richard Hicks of Trinity, N.C., and Richard Stevenson of Pounding Mill, Va.; one sister, Retha Hall of Castlewood; one brother, W. H. Hicks of Castlewood; special friend, James Osborne; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Hughie R. Hicks will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with the Rev. Estol Amburgey and Rev. Scott Mullins officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Fields, Marty Fields, Adam Jessee, Johnny Addington, Josh Wright and Brit Bentley. Honorary pallbearers will be Joney Hamilton, Gene Couch, G. C. Combs, James Gray and Scott Mullins. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Hicks family through our web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Roby Bruce Jones ABINGDON -- The funeral service for Roby Bruce Jones will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, June 30, 2003, in the House of Prayer Church, with Rev. Herbert Bailey and Rev. Charles Clifton officiating. Interment will follow in the Valley View Cemetery. Casket bearers will be family members and the following friends, Roy Norris, Pete Cuddy, Les Royston and Eddie Widener. Honorary casket bearers will be family and friends. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Jones, age 69, went home to rest with his Savior Thursday, June 26, 2003, at the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. Roby Bruce Jones. Kathleen W. Keith ABINGDON -- Kathleen Wilkinson Keith, age 83, died Sunday, June 29, 2003. She was a native of Washington County, Va. She was the daughter of the late John Ellis and Sarah Arlena Minton Wilkinson, and the widow of the late William Harold Keith. She was preceded in death by two sons, Kenneth and Roger Keith. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Survivors include one sister, Virginia Blanche Stanley of Bristol Virginia; and several nieces, nephew and cousins. Funeral services for Kathleen Wilkinson Keith will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2003, in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Harry Booher officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Michael Saul, Perry Stanley, Kerry Stanley, Ed Reed, Lee Saul and Freddie R. Nunley. The family will receive friends at the Campbell Funeral Home from 7-9 p.m. Monday evening. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of arrangements. Amanda Jo Overbay KINGSPORT -- Amanda Jo Overbay, age 24, departed this life Saturday, June 28, 2003, after a long struggle with diabetes. She attended Mt. View Ministry, Bristol Tennessee. She was preceded in death by grandfathers, Bud Overbay and Paul Peters. Surviving are her loving parents, Joyce and Dale Overbay, Kingsport; grandmothers, Georgia Overbay and Irene Peters; her special love, John (Robbie) Branch; and special cousin, Darlene Overbay. Amanda leaves behind cousins, aunts, uncles and special friends whom she loved dearly. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Oak Hill Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. in the chapel at Oak Hill Funeral Home, with Pastors Bobby Branch and Ralph Crawford officiating. Friends may call at the family's home any time. The graveside service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Memorial Park. The family and friends will meet at the graveside. Pallbearers will be Tommy Carroll, Ronnie Larkin, Ralph Black, Andy Light, Shane Ray, Charles Jones and J. O. Light. Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Overbay and Roger Overbay. Music will be provided by Nawadah Winegar, Natasha Bice and the Griffith Quartet. Amanda will live forevermore in the hearts of all those who loved her. Her beautiful blue eyes will forever shine. Our loss is Heaven's gain. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. View Ministry and American Diabetes Association, Kingsport. The staff of Oak Hill Funeral Home is serving the Overbay family. William E. Seale KNOXVILLE -- William Emory Seale, age 74, died 1:03 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Medical Center. He was a member of First Christian Church of Knoxville and a retired auditor with the IRS. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Kent Seale. Survivors: nieces, Donna Richards, Wanda Hayter, Brenda Black, Linda Barr, Alice Jeffers, Anna Schwartz, Barbara Kent and Kristen Valle; nephew, Joseph Smith; and brother-in-law, Dr. Arwoods Kent. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Christian Church, with Dr. Scott Rollins officiating. Family and friends will meet 2:45 p.m. Tuesday at Shelby Hills Cemetery in Bristol Tennessee for a 3 p.m. graveside service and interment. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church Endowment Fund, 211W. 5th Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917. Family will receive friends 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at Stevens Mortuary and from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Mr. Seale's guest book is also available at www.stevensmortuaryinc.com. Carolyn C. Thomas BRISTOL, Va. -- The funeral service for Carolyn Clark Thomas will be conducted at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the graveside in Mountain View Cemetery, with Rev. Thomas Keeney officiating. Burial will follow. Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Arnold, Jim Arnold, Mike Ketron, Clyde D. Hopper Jr., Harold Dingus, Dr. David Thompson and Dr. Roger McSharry. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 o'clock Monday evening at the home of Paul and Julie Thomas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Girls, Inc., the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, YWCA, the Bristol Public Library and/or the Barter Theater. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mrs. Thomas died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at her home. Mrs. Thomas and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Va. Harold Wayne Viars WYTHEVILLE -- Harold Wayne Viars, age 54, passed away Saturday, June 28, 2003, at his residence. He was born in Pulaski, Va., and was preceded in death by his father, Harold Edgar Viars. He was a member of the Open Door Baptist Church and a retired U.S. Navy veteran. He is survived by his wife, Ella Jean Doss Viars of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Tommy Cox of Rural Retreat; two sons, Russell Wayne Viars and James Michael Viars, both of the home; one granddaughter, Kaitlyn Joy Cox; his mother, Thelma Jackson Viars of Austinville; and one sister and brother-in- law, Karen and Ronnie Coleman of the Piney community. Funeral services will be held Monday, June 30, 2003, at 8 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Jeff Rowland and the Rev. Doug Rowland officiating. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the Mt. Zion Cemetery. American Legion Post 9 will conduct graveside military rites. The family will receive friends at the Barnett Funeral Home Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. or at the residence at any time. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is in charge of the arrangements