Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 4, 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 Friday, July 4, 2003 Today's Deaths Delpha Boyd, 85, Davenport, Va. Gladys Marie Craig, 74, Bluff City Mae Canter Davenport, 78, Damascus James "Jim" Halloway, 63, Riverdale, Md. Thurman Harlow, 85, Bristol Tennessee James C. Johnston, 80, Greeneville, Tenn. George Perry Jones, 77, Richlands Bedford L. "Perk" Perkins, 84, Knoxville Joseph Clarence Smith, 48, Hurley, Va. Robert Harrison (POP) Vanover, 75, Wise Mary Ruth Widener, 84, Glade Spring -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vicki May Booher BRISTOL, Va. -- A memorial service for Vicki May Booher 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. Mrs. Booher, age 49, passed away Monday, June 30, 2003, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Caroline 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 Hale. 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; nine 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. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Boothe. Delpha Boyd DAVENPORT, Va. -- Delpha Boyd, age 85, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands. Born in Buchanan County, she was the last surviving child of the late George W. and Phoebe Cannady Charles. Ms. Boyd was a homemaker and of the Christian faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; a son, David; two sisters; and 10 brothers. Survivors include a daughter, Margie Boyd Wenner of Bee, Va.; seven sons, Frank Boyd, Billy Boyd, Hassell Boyd and Ray Boyd, all of Davenport, Tommy Boyd and George Boyd, both of Haysi, and Ransome Boyd of Six Lakes, Mich.; 21 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and a special caregiver, Avon Ward. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Saturday July 5, 2003, at Haysi Funeral Home with Rev. Clyde Lambert and Rev. Denver Barton officiating. Burial will follow in the Boyd Cemetery, Davenport. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the employees of Total Home Care.The family will receive friends after 6:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday with a song service at 7:00 p.m. both evenings. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Gladys Marie Craig BLUFF CITY -- Gladys Marie Craig, age 74, of 249 Morrell Creek Road, passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was the daughter of the late Hugh and Maggie Morrell Richardson and was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. She was retired from Monroe Calculating and was a member of Sunrise Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Craig; and a sister, Iva Mullis. Survivors include: children, Jerry Craig and wife Phyllis of Bluff City, Michael Craig and wife Robin of Bluff City, Donna Simcox and husband Raymond of Marion, N.C., and Gary Craig and wife Jody of Bluff City; sisters, Hazel Richardson of Bluff City, Jeanette Stidham of Taylor, Mich., and Anna Whaley of Sandusky, Ohio; brother, Hobert Richardson of Bluff City; seven grandchildren, one great- grandchild; and special friend, Ruby Lynn Carrier. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Pete Booher officiating. Commital services will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Shipley Cemetery. Pallbearers include: Kenny Morrell, Wayne Morrell, Stanley Morrell, Chris Carrier, Sammy Settle and Danny Gross. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 5-6:45 PM at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.Weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mae Davenport DAMASCUS, VA. -- Mae Canter Davenport, age 78, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2003, at her residence. She was a native of Shouns, Tenn., and had lived in Damascus since 1949. She was retired from Sandvik Tools in Bristol Virginia and was a member of the First Baptist Church. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Hugh M. Davenport; one son, Charles Allen Davenport and his wife Karen of Bristol Tennessee; two daughters, Brenda Lindsey and her husband Jerry of Richmond and Martha McVey and her husband Bill of N. Granby, Conn.; one brother, Mark Canter of Damascus; two sisters, Cora Lewis of Creston, N.C., and Dora Wood of Kelton, Pa.; three grandchildren, Chuck Davenport, Lisa Lindsey-Kraus and Laura Lindsey; two great- grandchildren, Brandy Davenport and Jacob Lindsey; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. Saturday, July 5, 2003, in the First Baptist Church in Damascus with Rev. Alan McCullough officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 6, 2003, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 W. Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382. The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 P.M. Saturday prior to the funeral service at the First Baptist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family through our web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Davenport. Rhea Poore Felty BLUFF CITY -- Rhea Poore Felty, age 79, of 119 Maplehurst Lane went to be with the Lord Wednesday, July 2, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Felty was born in Bristol Virginia on May 14, 1924, to the late John and Virgie Dills Poore. Mrs. Felty was a member of the Virginia Avenue Baptist Church, where she served as treasurer for the Gleaners Sunday School Class. Mrs. Felty is survived by: her husband, Walter "Dub" Felty, whom she was a loving wife to for 58 years; two daughters and son-in-law, Linda Profitt and husband Darrell of Piney Flats and Kathy Barker and Hal Boyd of Bristol Tennessee; three sisters, Lucille Bledsoe of Bristol Virginia, Charmie Bell of Johnson City and Janette Pritchard of Bristol Virginia; one brother, Gene Poore of Bristol Virginia; five grandchildren, Dara McBrayer, Wally Proffitt, Brad Proffitt, Hollie Ferguson and Michael Barker; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held Saturday, July 5, 2003, at 3:00 P.M. in the Virginia Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul Ross, Rev. Cass Farrior, and Minister Bob Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Steve McBrayer, Wally Profitt, Brad Profitt, Michael Barker, Kelly Profitt, and Shawn Profitt. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Thompson and staff. The family would like to say a special thanks to special caregivers Rebecca King and Sharon Hopkins. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 until 8:00 P.M. in the Weaver Funeral Home or any other time at the residence. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Memorials may be sent to the Virginia Avenue Baptist Church. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Margaret L. Gilbert LEBANON -- Funeral services for Margaret Lillian Gilbert 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. Mrs. Gilbert, 83, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 1, 2003, following a short illness. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon. James Halloway RIVERDALE, Md. -- James "Jim" Halloway, 63, of 4902 East West Highway, died at his home Wednesday, July 2, 2003. Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood, Va., is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete. Thurman Harlow BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Thurman Harlow, age 85, of 1018 Tennessee Ave., passed away Thursday, July 3, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Harlow was born in Scott County, Va., on March 4, 1918, to the late Luther and Meade Harmon Harlow. He had lived most of his life in the Bristol area, and had retired with 34 years of service from Yellow Coach Lines. Mr. Harlow is survived by: his wife of 60 years, Minnie Harlow; one daughter and son-in-law, Mary Sue Wyatt and husband Lewis of Bristol Tennessee; three sons and daughters-in-law, Charles E. Harlow and wife Thea of Bluff City, Billy Joe Harlow and wife Diana of Bristol Tennessee, and Randy Lee Harlow of Bristol Tennessee; five grandchildren, Joyce Church, Sherry Vance, Billy Joseph Harlow, Tahita Reene Droke and Morgan Brittany Harlow; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Grady Harlow of Bluff City; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held Friday, July 4, 2003, at 8:00 P.M. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Rick Light officiating. Graveside service will be held Saturday at 11:00 A.M. in the Sunrise Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 until 8:00 P.M. in the Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. George Willis Horne BRISTOL, Tenn. -- George Willis Horne, 68, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 1, 2003, from Select Specialty Hospital - Tri-Cities. He was born in Smyth County, Va., a son of the late Ellis and Margarette Cross Horne, and had lived in Bristol for 64 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was commander of the Hackler-Wood Post 145 of the American Legion and was a member of the Patton-Crosswhite Post 6975 of the VFW. He was also a member of Faith Baptist Church, King Masonic Lodge and the Jericho Shrine Temple and was retired from Dairymen Inc. Survivors include three brothers, John Horne and his wife Patsy of Melbourne, Fla., Robert Horne and his wife Cathy of Bristol Tennessee, and Roger Horne and his wife Phyllis of Bluff City; two grandsons, Eric Ford and Shane Ford; a special friend and companion, Lillian Ford; one niece; and two nephews. The family will receive visitors from 12 o'clock noon until 1:45 Saturday afternoon at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel with Rev. Eddie Zimmerman officiating. Burial will follow in Shelby Hills Cemetery with military graveside rites presented by the V.F.W. Post 6975 Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Eric Ford, Shane Ford, Jeff Mustared, Bill Crusenberry, Cameron Horne, Randy Thomas, Mike Bowers and Bob Hall. Friends may call at the home of Robert and Cathy Horne, 120 Ridge Road, Bristol, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720. 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 with the Rev. Jane Taylor officiating. 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. James C. Johnston GREENEVILLE, Tenn. -- James C. Johnston, age 80, of Jimmy Johnston Road, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a farmer and was formerly employed at Russell-Susong Hardware and Planters Warehouse. He was a member of New Ebenezer Presbyterian Church. Mr. Johnston was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Philippines. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Johnston; his daughter, Janice Sebourn of Dayton, Ohio; his son, Tim Johnston of Piney Flats; 10 grandchildren; 10 great- grandchildren; two brothers; one sister; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Louise B. Johnston; and his parents, Hugh and Cordie Morrell Johnston. Funeral services will be held Saturday in Greeneville. Rose Hill Funeral Home, Greeneville, 423-636-8007, is in charge of arrangements. George Perry Jones RICHLANDS -- George Perry Jones, age 77, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2003, at his home following an extended illness. Born in Raven, Va., he was a son of the late Issac A. and Eva Michaels Jones. Mr. Jones was a retired employee of VDOT and the Tazewell County School System. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Edna Bryner, Gertrude Calendar, Anna Lambert and Ada Jones; six brothers, Harley Jones, Paul Jones, Blaine Jones, Harry Jones, Bert Jones and Bill Jones; and a daughter-in-law, Juanita Sue Gray. He is survived by his wife, Mary Kate Jones; six sons, Marvin Ray Boothe of Baltimore,William Douglas Gray of Christiansburg, Va., Dwight A. Jones Sr. of Dillwyn, Va., Blaine E. Jones of Richlands, Perry Michael Jones of Charlestown, W.Va., and Curtis E. Jones of Indianapolis; four daughters, Patricia Jean Harkey of Sheridan, Ind., Barbara Lynn Evans of Vinton, Va., Edna Rebecca Honeycutt of Pounding Mill, Va., and Crystal Lea Ball of King, N.C.; one sister, Emilyn Pruitt of Wheeling, W.Va.; 18 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 5, 2003, in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, Va., with Rev. Raymond "Buddy" Harold Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Cemetery at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be grandsons. The family will receive friends at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6-9 P.M. Friday. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Jones Family. Virginia C. Kilgore ST. PAUL, Va. -- 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. Online condolences may be sent to the Kilgore family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Virginia C. Kilgore, 83, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at her home. Castlewood Funeral Home is 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 grandfathers, 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, Va., and David Bibb of Oak Hill; one aunt, Terri Lawhorn of Delaware; and several great- aunts, uncles and cousins. A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 5, 2003, at 2:00 PM 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 funeral service for William "Billy" Morrell 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, 1225 Kentucky Ave., died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, in Wellmont Hospice House. She was a native of Bristol, daughter of the late Arch and Carmen Richardson Nelson. She was a care giver and a member of Virginia Avenue Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a brother, Eddie Nelson Sr. Survivors include her adopted daughter, Lisa Nelson; a special child she cared for all her life, Stephanie Dunn; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Roy Mellenthien; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Loretta Nelson; nephew, Eddie Nelson Jr. and wife April Nelson; and a special aunt, Maggie Richardson. She is also survived by a special family, Ramona, David, Marci and Conner Christian, and her special dog, Honey. Graveside service will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Glenwood Cemetery with Rev. Paul Brown, Rev. Cass Farrior, Rev. Benny Bowman and Rev. Frank Lethcoe officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Bedford L. Perkins KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Bedford L. "Perk" Perkins, age 84, died Sunday, June 29, 2003, in Fort Sanders Parkwest Medical Center, Knoxville. He was born in Roxboro, N.C., and lived in Grundy and Lebanon before moving to Knoxville in 1978. He owned and operated the Russell Hardware & Furniture Company in Lebanon for many years. He also owned and operated Perks Markets in Maryville, Tenn., for 18 years until he retired. He was of the Southern Baptist faith. Survivors include: his wife, Mrs. Betty Perkins of Knoxville; two daughters, Melissa Vandyke of Knoxville and Mardell Larcen of Saratoga, Calif.; one son, Hunter Perkins of Kingsport; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2003, in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tommy Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be: Tom Morgan, Harvey Vandyke, Don Atwell, Zane Gervin, H.C. Pratt Jr. and Jack Kindle. The family will receive friends at the Campbell Funeral Home from 1 p.m. until the time of services on Saturday. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Margaret Robinette MEADOWVIEW -- Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Dutton Robinette 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. Flowers will be accepted or those who wish may make a memorial donation to Lebanon United Methodist Church, Greenway Road, Meadowview. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Robinette, 65, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Robinette family. Joseph Clarence Smith HURLEY, Va. -- Joseph Clarence Smith, 48 years of age, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at his home. Born in Tazewell County, Va., Jan. 6, 1955, he was the son of Mildred Ratliff Smith and the late Clarence Joseph Smith. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, attended Southwest Community College, was a member of the Church of Christ and employed by Jewell Smokeless Coal Corp. He was a loving son, husband and father. He is survived by his mother, Mildred Ratliff Smith of Hurley; his wife of 20 years, Linda Kay Ratliff Smith of Hurley; one daughter, Kelly Michelle Smith of Hurley; and two sisters, Mrs. Lin (Sandy) Spears of Kilmarnock, Va., and Trish Cook of Johnson City. He is also survived by two nieces, Ashley Nease of Charleston, S.C., and Nicole Nease of Johnson City. Funeral services for Joseph Clarence Smith will be held Sunday, July 6, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. at the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Ancil Childress officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, Va. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. J.P. Sutherland, Lin Spears, Roger Yates, Dean Johnson, Darrell Cook, Bill Ratliff, David Whited, Jerry Helton and the employees and management of Jewell Smokeless Coal Corp. Family will receive friends at the funeral home after 6:00 p.m. Friday evening. Services will be held Saturday at 7:00 p.m. The family of Joseph Clarence Smith is being served by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy, Va. Robert V. Thomas PINEY FLATS -- A committal service for Mr. Robert Vinston "Bob" Thomas will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Mountain View Baptist Cemetery. 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. Mr. Thomas went to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 1, 2003. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Robert Thomas. Robert Vanover WISE -- Robert Harrison (POP) Vanover, 75, passed away Wednesday July 2, 2003, at the Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center, Kingsport. He was a retired coal miner from Clinchfield Coal Co., a member of the UMWA, a minister of the Freewill Baptist faith and a member of Bethel Chapel. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Sullivan M. and Cosby J. Vanover; and three brothers, Ray, Joseph B. and Curtis B. Vanover. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Helen Miller Vanover of Wise; three daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda J. and David Hicks of Chattanooga, Rita G. and David Blanton of Castlewood and Jeannie and Eddie Williams of Coeburn; three sons and daughters-in-law, Jackie B. and Sue Vanover, Earl M. and Jeanie Vanover and ShannonVanover, all of Wise; three sisters, Jean Stanley of Ocean, Calif., Trula Hensley of Indianapolis and Gay Hall of Marion, Ind.; one brother, Jack B. Vanover of Wise; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Robert Harrison (POP) Vanover will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, July 5, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Rev. Troy Belcher officiating. Burial will follow in the Wise Cemetery inWise. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. Friday, July 4, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Mary Ruth Widener GLADE SPRING -- Mrs. Mary Ruth Widener, age 84, passed away Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at her residence. She was preceded in death by a son, William R. Widener Jr., and attended the Pilgrim Baptist Church. She was a native of Washington County, Va. Survivors include her husband, William R. Widener Sr.; a son and daughter-in- law, Coy James and Glenna Widener, Glade Spring; grandchildren, Melissa Widener Sturgill, Woodbridge, Va., and William R. Widener III, Washington County, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday, July 5, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel with Rev. John E. Massey Jr. and Rev. Mahlon Wyatt officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Damascus,. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-9 p.m. 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 Widener family. 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. 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.