Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 3, 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 Thursday, July 3, 2003 Today's Deaths Alvin Beverly, 71, Springfield, Ohio Rhea P. Felty, 77, Bristol Tennessee Gladys Frye, 84, Kingsport Margaret Lillian Gilbert, 83, Lebanon George Wilson Horne, Bristol Tennessee Flora Berry Johnson, Kingsport Virginia C. Kilgore, 83, St. Paul, Va. Noah W. Kiser, 64, Coeburn Jordyn Tray Lawhorn, Bamberg, Germany Patsy Nelson, 62, Bristol Tennessee James Roger Skeens, 46, Abingdon Linda R. Smith, 56, Castlewood Luvenia Barbara Smith, 73, Chilhowie Fred W. Stowers, 74, Marion Robert Vinston Thomas, Piney Flats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alexander Lee Allen BRISTOL, Va. -- Funeral services for Alexander Lee Allen will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 3, 2003, in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Bob Robinson officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service and immediately following. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Alexander Lee Allen, age 11, a resident of 120 E. Mary St., died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at his residence. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of arrangements. Alvin Beverly SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- Alvin "Benny" Beverly, 71, passed from this life to God's perpetual care on June 23, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center, Springfield. Alvin was the beloved husband of Donna L. Beverly of the home; loving father to Lora Ragland, Springfield, Rachel Beverly, Oberlin, Ohio, Esther Beverly, Colvis, Calif., Allen Underwood and Kirk Thomas, both of Escondido, Calif., Benjamin Beverly, Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Christopher Beverly, Dayton, Ohio; loving brother to Fred Beverly and Clarise Robinette, both of Springfield; 11 grandchildren; and a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins. He was born in Glade Spring to the late Albert and Olivene Whitten Beverly, was a member of Unity Church of God where he served faithfully as a deacon. He was retired from International where he worked as an assembler and was a veteran of the Korean conflict. He loved to fish and garden. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by one daughter, Karen Davis; and two brothers, Thomas Beverly and Edward Beverly. Services were held Friday, June 27, 2003, in Springfield. Final tribute services handled by Porter-Qualls Funeral Home. Information provided as a courtesy to the family by Robinson Mortuary, Inc. Vicki May Booher BRISTOL, Va. -- Vicki May Booher, age 49, passed away Monday, June 30, 2003, at her residence. Mrs. Booher was born in Buchannon, W.Va., on April 28, 1954, a daughter of Meredith Edward and Clara Goraczkowski Riggs. Mrs. Booher has lived in the Bristol area for the past 26 years, where she worked as office administrator at Xpedx. Mrs. Booher was a member of the Sugar Grove Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her father, Meredith Edward Riggs; and one brother, Randy Riggs. Mrs. Booher is survived by two sons, Sgt. James K. Booher, of Fort Lewis, Wash., serving with the U.S. Army, and Christopher E. Booher, of Denton, Texas; mother, Clara Goraczkowski Riggs, of Inwood, W.Va.; one brother, Thomas A. Riggs, of Germantown, Md.; and two sisters, Judith Annette Jennings, Fredericksburg, Va., and Cindy K. Riggs, of Denton, Md. A memorial service will be held Saturday July 5, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Sugar Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Alvin Green officiating. Burial will follow in the Sugar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Sugar Grove Baptist Church or to the American Diabetes Association, 4205 Hillsboro Ave., Suite 200, Nashville, TN, 37215. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary C. Boothe LEBANON -- Mary Caroline Boothe, age 80, born August 23, 1922, of the Moccasin Community of Russell County, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, July 1, 2003. She was the daughter of the late Larkin and Elizabeth Bailey Boothe. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Baxter Ford Boothe; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Emmett Boothe of the home, Rev. Larkin and Doris Boothe, Bobby and Joann Boothe and Giles and Darlene Boothe, all of Lebanon; two daughters and one son-in-law, Sarah Gray and Peggy and Oakley Helbert, all of Lebanon; ni-ne grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Paul Hale, Castlewood and Kelly Hale, Nickelsville; two sisters, Catherine Sexton, Lebanon and Ruby Baker, Castlewood; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Larry Fields and the Rev. Billy Gobble officiating. Burial will follow in the Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Sam Hileman, Willie Cox, Randy Wampler, Jim Culbertson, Jake Helbert and Roger Hale. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Thursday, July 3, 2003, at the funeral home or at the home of her son, Rev. Larkin Boothe at anytime. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Boothe. Rhea P. Felty BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Rhea P. Felty, age 77, of 119 Maplehurst Lane, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 2, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Gladys H. Frye KINGSPORT -- Gladys Hedrick Frye, 84, of 2424 N. John B. Dennis Highway, died Tuesday, July 1, 2003, in Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after a brief illness. Mrs. Frye was born in Jonesville, Va., and had been a resident of Kingsport since September 2002. She was a graduate of Radford College and taught home economics at Chilhowie High School in the Smyth County, Virginia School System. Mrs. Frye was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and volunteered at Smyth County Hospital in Marion, Va. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Marion. Preceding her in death were her husband, Sanders Frye; her parents, Garvie and Martha Hedrick; one sister, Ovella Frazier; and two brothers, Braxton Hedrick and Claude Hedrick. Surviving are four sisters, Stella Kinney, Greenville, Ill., Ada Lamb, Jonesville, Nina Howard, Jonesville and Iva Ann Little, Clinton, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Williams Funeral Home Chapel in Chilhowie. Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Williams Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. John Graham of Mountain View United Methodist Church officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Mountain View United Methodist Church, Marion. Family members and fri-ends will serve as pallbearers. Memorials may be given to Mountain View United Methodist Church, c/o Boswell, P.O. Box 1722, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Margaret L. Gilbert LEBANON -- Margaret Lillian Gilbert, 83, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 1, 2003, following a short illness. She was a lifelong resident of Russell County, Va., and was a member of the Hansonville Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Rose Jackson Powers; her husband, Claude W. Gilbert; her granddaughter, Lisa Adams; and her son-in-law, Glen White. She is survived by four daughters, Glenna Mae Helton Rittenhouse of Lebanon, Mrs. Danny (Faye) Chapman of Harrisonburg, Va., Mrs. Glen (Evelyn) White of Castlewood and Mrs. Don (Annette) Hughes of Lebanon; two sons, Aldred C. Gilbert of Bridgewater, Va., and Kenneth Gilbert of Kingsport; 23 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Chapman, Don Hughes, William Honaker, Elmer White, John P. Robinson, P.J. Rasnake, Ernie Barton, Thomas Johnson and Tim Rittenhouse. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Owens Funeral Service Chapel, with Rev. Eugene Miller and Rev. David Perkins officiating. Interment will follow at Ketron Memorial Gardens, Lebanon. Family will receive friends on Friday, July 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon. Easley Glover BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Graveside services for Easley Glover will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2003, in the Vanover Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Benny Glover, Terry Glover, Tony Glover, Jerry Graybeal, Ronnie Jarrett and Toby Trivette. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.com. Mr. Glover, age 77, of 354 Beech Forest Rd., passed away Monday, June 30, 2003, in the Indian Path Medical Center, Kingsport. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Glover. John Henry Hall BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Funeral services for John Henry Hall will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2003, at the graveside in the Pine Hill Cemetery, with Rev. Rick Byerly officiating. Pallbearers will be Danny Hall, Ronnie Hall, Johnny Hall, Tim Taylor, Robert Blevins and Billy Hall. Honorary pallbearers will be Dewey Hall, Frankie Hall, Joe Hall, Bob Blevins, Dean Harold, James Taylor, James Kemp and Grant Kemp. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Hall, age 67, passed away Monday, June 30, 2003, in Bristol Virginia. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Brown Hardin BLUFF CITY -- Funeral services for Brown Hardin will be conducted Thursday, July 3, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Monte Vista Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Wayne Malone, Jimmy Malone, David Malone, Junior Malone, Robert Malone and Wayne Dollar. Military honors will be conducted by VFW Patton-Crosswhite Post 6975. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to Medical Center Homecare Service Hospice, 1807 West Market St., Johnson City, TN 37604. Mr. Hardin, age 74, of 209 Maple St., went to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at his home. Weaver Funeral Home. Nancy Hargrave A memorial service Nancy Harkrader Hargrave will be held at 11 Thursday morning, July 3, at State Street United Methodist Church. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mrs. Hargrave at akardfh@peercom.net. Mrs. Hargrave, 56, died Friday, June 27, 2003. Akard Funeral Home, Bristol Tennessee, is serving the family of Mrs. Nancy Hargrave. George Willis Horne BRISTOL, Tenn. -- George Willis Horne died Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Select Specialty Hospital in Bristol. Arrangements are in-complete. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Horne and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Flora B. Johnson KINGSPORT -- Flora Berry Johnson passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at Brookhaven Manor. Mrs. Johnson was born in Scott County, Va. Flora was preceded in death by her husband, Olin F. Johnson; and daughter, Nettie Johnson Satterfield. Surviving Mrs. Johnson are daughter, Carrie Johnson, Bristol Virginia; granddaughters, Rebecca Satterfield Russell, Alpharetta, Ga., Betsy Satterfield Winegar, Church Hill, Karen Johnson, Nashville and Kaye Johnson Goodfriend, Knoxville; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Kate Dalton, Kingsport, Frances Williams, Knoxville, Ona Hood, Church Hill and Ruth Gatner, Detroit; brother, Frank Berry, Mars Hill, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, July 4, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Oak Hill Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Graveside services will be Saturday, July 5, at 2:30 p.m. in Oak Hill Memorial Park. Family and friends will meet at the grave. The staff of Oak Hill is serving the Johnson family. Virginia C. Kilgore ST. PAUL, Va. -- Virginia C. Kilgore, 83, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at her home. She was born in Dante, Va., daughter of the late A. B. and Carrie E. Horne Kilgore. She was a member of St. Marks Episcopal Church in St. Paul. She was preceded in death by one brother, Clinton Kilgore; three sisters, Victoria, Clyda Mae and Mary. She served in the U.S. Army in World War II in the WAC. She is survived by two brothers, Elihugh "Hughie" Kilgore of St. Paul and Robert B. Horne of Moncks Corner, S.C.; three nieces, Elaine Territte, Jennifer Coffey and Alfreda Miller; four nephews, Jeffery Kilgore, Rev. Hugh Kilgore, Stephen Horne, and Timothy Horne; several great-nieces and nephews; and several great- great- nieces. Funeral services for Virginia C. Kilgore will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, July 4, 2003, at St. Marks Episcopal Church, St. Paul, with Rev. Frances McCoy officiating. Interment will follow in Horne Cemetery, Fort Blackmore, Va. Pallbearers will be nephews and friends. The Kilgore family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 3, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Kilgore family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Noah W. Kiser Jr. COEBURN -- Rev. Noah W. (Noon) Kiser Jr., 64, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2003, in the Norton Community Hospital, Norton. He was a peacetime veteran serving in the U.S. Air Force, a Freewill Baptist minister for 28 years, pastor of several churches in Wise County, former pastor of the Community Freewill Baptist Church in Flatwoods, chaplain at Norton Community Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital and a retired brakeman and conductor for the CSX Railroad. He was preceded in death by his parents, Noah W. Kiser Sr. and Edith McConnell Kiser; and a brother, Harry Kiser. Surviving are his wife, Joan Skeen Kiser; a daughter and son-in-law, Angie and Geoff Perry of Coeburn; three brothers, Jim Kiser of Coeburn, Bill Kiser of Fayetteville, N.C., and Bobby Kiser of Wise; a sister, Phyllis Holbrook of Sandusky, Ohio; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Marty Puckett and Pastor Wayne Perry officiating. Burial will follow in the Kiser Cemetery, Coeburn. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Friday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, in charge of arrangements. Jordyn Tray Lawhorn BAMBERG, Germany -- Jordyn Tray Lawhorn, infant son of Tracy and Christy Bare Lawhorn, passed away on June 15, 2003. He was preceded in death by maternal great-grandfather, O'Dell DeBusk and Russell Bare. Survivors other than his parents include: one brother, Tristan of the home; maternal grandparents, Chris and Lydia Bare of Salem, Va.; paternal grandmother, Ruth Gibson of Delaware; maternal great-grandmothers, Louise DeBusk of Meadowview and Corine Bare of Jefferson, N.C.; paternal great-grandparents, Leo and Carolina Lawhorn of Oak Hill, W.Va.; two uncles, T.C. Bare of Salem and David Bibb of Oak Hill; one aunt, Terri Lawhorn of Delaware; and several great- aunts and great-uncles and cousins. A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 5, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Sunset Memorial Park, with Rev. Ken Neinke officiating. The family will receive visitors Saturday, July 5, 2003, at the home of Alan and Vickie DeBusk, 18060 Limestone Drive, Meadowview. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Jordyn Lawhorn. William Morrell The family of William "Billy" Morrell will receive friends from 7 until 9 o'clock Thursday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 o'clock Friday morning at the graveside in Cold Spring Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- cook.com. Mr. Morrell, 45, passed away Monday, June 30, 2003. Mr. Morrell and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Patsy Nelson BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Patsy Nelson, age 62, of 1225 Kentucky Ave., passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Cora Ray VANSANT, Va. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Cora Agnes Ball Ray will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Ray, age 85, of Route 1, passed away Monday, June 30, 2003, in a Grundy hospital. Margaret Robinette MEADOWVIEW -- Mrs. Margaret Dutton Robinette, 65, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was a faithful member of Lebanon United Methodist Church where she had shared in teaching the Adult Sunday School Class and also was president of the Lebanon United Methodist Women for over 20 years. She taught school in Fairfax County, Wise County and Montgomery County. Mrs. Robinette was principal of Lafayette Elementary School in Montgomery County for three years. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society. She was preceded in death by her father, George Ernest Dutton. Mrs. Robinette is survived by her husband, David P. Robinette of Meadowview; one son, Mark D. Robinette of Marietta, Ga.; her mother, Mrs. Sara K. Dutton of Glade Spring; one sister and brother-in-law, Rebecca and Wayne Whitson of Virginia Beach, Va.; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Maggie Dutton of Roanoke, Va.; nieces are Debbie Dutton of Charlotte, N.C., and Amy Whitson of Richmond; nephews are Michael Dutton and his wife Stephanie of Herndon, Va., and Brian Whitson of Williamsburg, Va.; three great-nieces, Jackie, Natalie, and Maria Dutton, all of Herndon. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. on Friday, July 4, 2003, at Farris Funeral Chapel. Reverend Jim Denton, Reverend William Graybeal, and Reverend Beverly Robinette will officiate. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Bob Campbell, Glen Orfield, Mark Orfield, Phil Crane, Ken Mink and Conley Orfield. Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Tim Graham, Rev. Kenneth Sprinkle and Rev. Greg Garland. The family will receive friends Thursday, July 3, 2003, from 6-9 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service. Flowers will be accepted or those who wish may make a memorial donation to Lebanon United Methodist Church, Greenway Road, Meadowview Special thanks to the Chilhowie Home Health employees who were her wonderful caregivers for many years. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Robinette family. James Roger Skeens ABINGDON -- James Roger Skeens, 46 years of age, formerly of Vansant, Va., passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2003, from a brief illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of James Lundy Skeens, Vansant, and Mildred Jean Coleman Skeens Cook of Abingdon. He was a life-long resident of Buchanan County prior to moving to Abingdon three years ago. He was a graduate of Grundy High Class of 1974, a member of the Spanish Club, a member of The Honda Gold Wing Chapter "H" of Abingdon, where he and his wife, Pamela, were voted "Couple of the Year for 2003." He was an electrician for V.P. Coal Corporation and Consolidated Coal Company for 29 years and a member of United Mine Workers of America. Mr. Skeens is survived by his wife of 26 years, Pamela Page Woods Skeens, Abingdon; his father, James Lundy Skeens, Vansant; his mother, Mildred Jean Coleman Skeens Cook, Abingdon; one daughter, Amanda Page Skeens, Abingdon; one son, Andrew Michael Skeens, Abingdon; one half-brother, Paul Mark and wife Jenny Cook, Blountville; one stepsister, Beverly Cook Malay, Adelaide, Australia; one step-brother, Mark Edward Cook, Hollywood, Fla.; and one sister-in-law, Kimberly Woods Stiltner, Grundy. He is survived by his stepmother, Janet Looney Cook Skeens, Vansant; mother-in-law, Vera Mac Woods Coleman, Grundy; also three nieces; and five nephews. Funeral services for James Roger Skeens will be conducted Friday, July 4, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Evangelist Mike Rife officiating with entombment to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Thursday evening at 6 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Louis Peak, James White, Dwayne Church, Johnny Woods, Sean Stiltner, Pat Stiltner, David Jackson and Robin Yates. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Virginia Pocahontas No. 8 Mine, Virginia Goldwing Chapter "H" Club of Abingdon and uncles and cousins. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of arrangements. Linda R. Smith CASTLEWOOD -- Linda R. Smith, 56, died Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. She was born in Lebanon, daughter of the late Amos Vicars. She graduated from Wakefield High School, Arlington, Va., and several Dupoint Chemical Corporation training schools. She retired from Dupoint Chemical Corporation. She is survived by one son, Kevin Smith; her mother, Goldia A. Hileman Vicars of Castlewood; one brother, Bob Vicars of Bluefield, Va.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Ted Phillips officiating. Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2003, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Pallbearers will be Garry Hileman, Harry Sutherland, Jim Hileman, Ronald Hileman, Larry Hileman, and Eddie Sullivan. Honorary pallbearers will be Ray Hileman, Joe Hileman, Billy Sullivan, Frankie Sullivan, Ray Richardson and Larry "Beaver" Evans. The Smith family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Smith family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Luvenia Smith CHILHOWIE -- Reverend Luvenia Barbara Smith, age 73, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, July 1, 2003. She was born March 9, 1930, in Cumberland County, N.C., to the late Malachi and Albertha Blue. Against the tradition of the time, she was affectionately known as "Momma" and became an ordained minister in 1969. In 1970, she opened The Way of Peace Holiness Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she ministered and nurtured all who crossed her path. After her retirement from the ministry, she moved to Chilhowie, where she was embraced as one of their own. She is survived by her husband, William J. Smith; four children, Sharon Smith of Uniondale, N.Y., Diane Smith-Patton of Chilhowie, Dennis Smith of Chilhowie, Shirley Smith of Boston, and a man who has been more like a son, Stevie Patton Sr. of Chilhowie; eight grandchildren, Sha-Rein, DaySha, DaWayne, Joy, Stevie Jr., Anthony, Treadwell and Krystal; and one great-granddaughter, DaySha Simone. A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, July 6, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Melvin Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Chilhowie Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be DaWayne Patton, Anthony Patton, Treadwell Singfield, Stevie Patton Jr., Junior Hudson and David Hudson. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Reverend Smith. Fred W. Stowers MARION -- Fred W. Stowers, age 74, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Loura Hall Stowers and Henry E. Stowers; and two sisters, Virginia King and Francis Harden. Mr. Stowers is survived by his wife, Maxine Sheets Stowers of Marion; one daughter and son-in-law, Karlene "Karcie" and Anthony Lambert of Wytheville; three sons and daughters-in-law, Fred Henry and Barbara Stowers of Max Meadows, Va., Wiley Melvin and Trish Stowers of Austinville, Va., and James Wiley and Trisha Stowers of Marion; three sisters; and two brothers-in-law, Ruth and Shelby Hagy and Ethel McFarlane, all of Cedar Springs, Va., and Henrietta "Becky" and Vance Corvin of Abingdon; eight grandchildren, Adam Jason Stowers, Jeremy Cheyenne Stowers, Shelley Rose Stowers, Brandi Lynette Stowers Lewis, Joseph Steven Stowers, Brittany Danielle Lambert, Michelle Ann Stowers and Jessie Nicole Stowers; several nieces and nephews, including one special nephew, Robert Hagy; and special friends, Cecil Hall and Dennis Greer. Funeral services will be held at Seaver-Brown Chapel Saturday, July 5, 2003, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Don Tate officiating. Entombment will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Stowers Family. Robert V. Thomas PINEY FLATS -- Mr. Robert Vinston "Bob" Thomas went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, July 1, 2003. He was a native of Washington County, Va., was retired from CSX Railroad and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by his father, William R. Thomas. A most kind and gentle husband of Hazel Hopkins Thomas, he was a loving father to Victoria Lynn Thomas Riedling and husband Robert L. Riedling Jr. and grandfather to Sydney Lauren Riedling, Robert Lewis Riedling III and Nicole Leigh Riedling. Other survivors include his mother, Naomi Van Lear Thomas; five brothers, William R. Thomas and wife Jeanie, Joseph V. Thomas and wife Eloise, Gerald D. Thomas and wife Sandy, John C. Thomas and wife Linda and James Thomas and wife Holly; two sisters, Mary Reeves Weber and husband Ralph and Evelyn Silliman and husband James; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted Thursday, July 3, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with the Reverend Jim Ricther officiating. A committal service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Mountain View Baptist Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Bill Thomas, Robert Thomas, Kevin Thomas, James Silliman, Randy Garret, Ty Hockett, Brian Hopkins, Dennis Hushour and Eric Thomas. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. Friday for a procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212 or the Mountain View Cemetery Fund, 26697 Old Saltworks Road, Meadowview, VA 24361. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Robert Thomas. James Williamson Jr. ABINGDON -- The funeral service for Mr. James L. Williamson Jr. will be conducted Friday, July 4, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the Solid Rock Baptist Church, with the ministers of the Old Regular Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow in the Solid Rock Baptist Church Cemetery. The body will be moved to the Solid Rock Baptist Church Thursday, July 3, 2003, where the family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m., with a special service at 7 p.m. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Williamson, age 75, of Bethel Road, formerly of Forest Hills, Ky., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. James L. Williamson Jr.