Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 11, 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 11, 2003 Today's Deaths J. Morrell Fleming, 87, Clintwood Maynard Marie Bunton Johnson, 84, Hiddenite, N.C. Tommy Lee Light Sr., 62, Big Stone Gap Margaret Ann Messick, 59, Tazewell, Va. Mack Curtis "Curt" Vance, 73, Honaker William Jesse Watson, 91, Glade Spring, Va. Bessie Collins Whited, 97, Wise -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Bucky" Carmody EDGEWATER. Fla. -- The funeral service for Martin Michael "Bucky" Carmody will be conducted at 11 o'clock, Friday morning, July 11th, at the graveside in Shelby Hills Cemetery with Rev. Lester MacKinnon officiating. Burial will follow. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Carmody, 54, passed away Friday, July 4, 2003, at his home. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Michael Carmody. Bruce C Carruth EMORY, Va. -- A memorial service for Dr. Bruce Chandler Carruth will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2003, at the Memorial Chapel of Emory United Methodist Church, with Rev. Beverly Robinette and Rev. Timothy Kobler officiating. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts in memory of Dr. Carruth be made to the Emory United Methodist Church Children's Ministry, P.O. Box 985, Emory, VA 24237. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Those wishing to send memories and messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Dr. Carruth, age 77, died Monday, July 7, 2003, at his residence. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Dr. Bruce Chandler Carruth. Minnie Lee Chafin LEBANON -- Funeral services for Minnie Lee Chafin will be held on Friday, July 11, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Owens Funeral Service Chapel, with Rev. Charles Peake, Brother Ester Amburger and Rev. Roger Phillips officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Interment will follow at West Hill Cemetery, Lebanon. Mrs. Chafin, 93, passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2003. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon. James Robert Creasy LENOIR, N.C. -- A graveside service for Mr. James Robert Creasy will be held Friday, July 11, 2003, at 11:30 a.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at Farris Cremation and Funeral Center, located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19145 Lee Highway, Abingdon. Pallbearers will be John Billiter, Michael Hall, Jeffery Malone, Kevin Creasy, Leonard Creasy and Steven Creasy. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Creasy, 76, formerly of Washington County, Va., passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2003, at Frye Regional Hospital in Hickory, N.C. Farris Cremation and Funeral Center is serving the Creasy family. Janice Dash CASTLEWOOD -- Funeral services for Janice Bernice Carico Dash will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Chris Musick officiating. Committal services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2003, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Pallbearers will be Douglas Carico Jr., Brent Carico, Sean Collins, Justin Collins, Bill Higgins and Joe Coates. The Dash family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Dash family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfu-neralhome.com. Mrs. Dash, 61, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at her home. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. J. Morrell Fleming CLINTWOOD -- J. Morrell Fleming, age 87, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol Tennessee. He was a lifelong resident of Dickenson County, a 1933 graduate of Dickenson Memorial High School and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II having served with the 7th Division, 32nd Infantry, 2nd Battalion, E Company. He was also a member of the Clintwood VFW. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jonas and Ada Fleming; stepmother, Bernice Fleming; and brother, Palmer Fleming. His survivors include: son, Clark Fleming of Abingdon; daughter, Myra Waddell of Kernersville, N.C.; brothers, Harold Fleming of Temple Hills, Md., and Harry Fleming of Rural Retreat, Va.; sisters, Blanche Bowman of Kingsport, Nell Owens of Abingdon and Janice Rowlett of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; and grandsons, Adam Waddell and Joshua Waddell. The family will receive friends Friday, July 11, from noon until 2 p.m. in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. with Pastor Joe Glenn Sluss officiating. Burial will be in the Fleming Family Cemetery, Jerry's Branch Section, Clintwood. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Clintwood DAV Chapter 35, VFW Post 8979 and American Legion Post 227. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers: Guy Vanover, R.C. Fleming, Gerald Don Mullins and the Hardee's breakfast group. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Fleming family. Bernard H. Gilbert RICHLANDS -- Funeral services for Mr. Bernard Harold Gilbert will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Stafford Compton and Rev. Jim Denton officiating. Interment will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Pallbearers will be Jody Sparks, Marcus Sparks, Michael Gilbert, Jason Gilbert, and Fred Sisk. Members of the Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands and Disabled American Veterans Tazewell County Chapter 31 will conduct military graveside rites. Mr. Gilbert, age 77, of 1801 Fifth St., died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Bernard F. Johnson The funeral service for Bernard Franklin Johnson will be conducted at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon in the Blevins Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, with Rev. Cass Farrior officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery with military graveside rites presented by the VFW Honor Guard Post 6975. Pallbearers will be E. Steward Butler Jr., Gary Johnson, Donald Ashley, Jefferie Garcia and Bill Johnson. Matthew Butler, Joshua Butler, Matthew Stokes and Joe Davis will be honorary pallbearers. Mr. Johnson went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 7, 2003, after a brief illness. Mr. Johnson and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Va. Marie B. Johnson Hiddenite, N.C. -- Maynard Marie Bunton Johnson, age 84, died Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at NHC Healthcare Center, in Johnson City. She was born in Alexander County, the daughter of the late Joseph Franklin Bunton and Esma Gilbert Bunton of Alexander County. She was a homemaker and had worked in the textile and furniture industries in Alexander County. She was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Waitsel B. Johnson. Surviving are daughter, Linda J. Kerley of Jonesborough, Tenn.; a son, Edgar D. Johnson of Abingdon; three brothers, J.F. (Joe) Bunton and Ralph Bunton, both of Statesville, and James Bunton of Mooresville; one sister, Eva B. Meredith of Taylorsville; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 12, in Hiddenite. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements. Tommy Lee Light Sr. BIG STONE GAP, Va. -- Tommy Lee Light Sr., age 62, passed away Wednesday, July 9, at his home from cancer. He was born in Osaka, Va., to Tom and Elsie Light, who preceded him in death. Mr. Light was a retired chief petty officer with the U.S. Navy, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Dot); a son, Tommy L. Light Jr. and wife Janet of Ocala, Fla.; daughters: Tommie Lynn Plews and husband Kevin of Goldsboro, N.C.; and Thomasina Lynnette Light of Baltimore; brother, John H. Light and wife Jaye of Big Stone Gap; sisters: Mary A. Phillips of Big Stone Gap; and Carol Gwinn of Big Stone Gap; and five grandchildren. Also surviving are stepchildren, Lisa Cloud McDonald, Karl F. Cloud and Brandon S. Cloud. Mr. Light requested cremation. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday night at Roy Green Funeral Home in Applachia, Va. A memorial service will follow visitation in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Ronnie Mutter officiating. William W. Massey Sr. BLUFF CITY -- The memorial service for William Walter Massey Sr. will be conducted at 2:30 Friday afternoon at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Kathie Wilson-Parker and Rev. Clarence Dishman officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bob Church, Jack Ford, Jack Welch, Don Davis, Joe Hagey, Lewis Lawson, Jack Reaves and Grant Reaves. Honorary pallbearers will be Louis Hyde, Graham West, Larry Wagner, Bob Barrett, Bill Gregory, Al Jackson, David King, Verlin King, Stuart Reid, Ed Nave, Sears retirees, Dr. Paul Brown and Dr. Roy Owen. Military graveside rites will be presented by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 322 Vance Drive, Bristol, TN 37620 or to the charity of your choice. Mr. Massey died Monday, July 7, 2003, at Johnson City Medical Center. Arrangements for Mr. Massey have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Margaret Messick TAZEWELL, Va. -- Mrs. Margaret Ann Messick, age 59, passed away Thursday, July 10, 2003, in a Bristol Tennessee hospital. Born Sept. 17, 1943, in Trammel, Va., she was a daughter of Bertha Jane Neece Howard of Council, Va., and the late Walter Allen Howard. A lifelong resident of the Tazewell and Buchanan County areas, she was of the Pentecostal faith. She was a former mail carrier in Tazewell County. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Messick; and one infant brother, Allen Howard. In addition to her mother, survivors include one daughter, Palma Messick of Belfast, Va.; five sisters: Gracie Davis of Johnson City; Wilma Lee of Richlands; Sadie Rowe of Malta Bend, Mo.; Mildred Smith of Honaker; and Juanita Winchester of Richlands; two brothers, Floyd Howard and Edward Howard, both of Council, and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Pastor Mike Ryan officiating. Interment will be private. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made on behalf of the family to: Honaker Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1620, Honaker, VA 24260. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6:00 p.m. Friday. Audrey C. O'Neal THOMSON, Ill. -- The graveside service for Audrey C. O'Neal will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Glenwood Cemetery, Bristol Tennessee. Mrs. O'Neal, age 76, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center, Clinton, Iowa. Weaver Funeral Home, Bristol Tennessee, will be in charge of graveside services. Arrangements in Illinois were by Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson, (800) 525- 2264. Memorials may be given to the York Township Library in Audrey's name. Edith Paulk ABINGDON -- The funeral service for Mrs. Edith Marie Bailey Paulk will be conducted Friday, July 11, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Reverend Walter Statzer officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Fletcher, Everette White, Mark Spears, Henry Anderson, Roger Cunningham, William Bott, Kenneth Long and Lonnie Long. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions to the American Alzheimer's Association, 207 N. Boone St., Johnson City, TN, 37604. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Paulk, age 80, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at her home in the Black Hollow Community. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Paulk family. Hazel I. Payne Funeral services for Hazel I. Weaver Payne will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, July 11, 2003, at the graveside in the High Point Cemetery, with Elder Bill Sexton officiating. Online condolences can be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Payne, age 87, formerly of Bristol Virginia, went to be in the Lord, Monday, July 7, 2003, at the Cambridge House. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne and Carl Weaver. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Amber C. Royston BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Funeral service for Amber Cheyenne Royston will be held Saturday, July 12, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dean Livingston officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joie Shaffer, Charles Hudson, Dewayne Jones, Johnny Royston Jr., Brad Childress and Cody Blevins. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Donations may be sent to Weaver Funeral Home, 630 Locust St., Bristol, TN 37620. Amber Cheyenne Royston, age 5, of 238 Basham Hill Road, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2003, in the Johnson City Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mack Curtis Vance HONAKER -- Mr. Mack Curtis "Curt" Vance, age 73, passed away Wednesday morning, July 9, 2003, in a Lebanon hospital. Born Feb. 1, 1930, in Swords Creek, Va., he was a son of the late John Walter and Abbie Day Vance. He was a lifelong resident of the Buchanan and Russell County areas. He was a retired coal miner with 47 years of service, 21 of those with Jewell Smokeless Coal Company. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jeanette Dye Vance of the home; one daughter, Barbara Vance of Honaker; one son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Debbie Vance of Honaker; one granddaughter, Amy Vance of Honaker; one grandson, Chris Vance of Brodnax, Va.; two sisters, Viola Morefield and Ethel Harris, both of Chesapeake, Va.; and two brothers, Ralph Vance of Southport, N.C., and Glen Vance of Narrows, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Evangelist Dennis Wimmer officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6:00 p.m. Friday, where an evening service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Carl Robinson officiating. William Jesse Watson GLADE SPRING, Va. -- Mr. William Jesse Watson, age 91, of the Grace Health Care Center and formerly of Glade Spring, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. He was born on May 17, 1912, in North Carolina to the late Bynum Watson and Mary Etta Watson. He was also preceded in death by a son, Harold A. Watson; a grandson, Paul W. "Buster" Jones; three brothers, Lloyd Watson, James Watson and Ralph Watson; and two sisters, Hazel Watson and Lucille Blevins. Mr. Watson was a retired farmer and had been a member of the Little Rock Baptist Church for 70 years. He is survived by his wife, Nellie E. Watson; a daughter, Mrs. Paul A. (Ettie) Jones of Glade Spring; two granddaughters, Mrs. Joseph (Sharon) Lester and Mrs. Larry (Peggy) Thomas, both of Glade Spring; two grandsons, Wayne Watson of Honaker and Tim Jones of Glade Spring; six great-grandchildren; five great- great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 12, 2003, at the Old Glade Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Brother Buster Mullins officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service. Casket bearers will be Tim Jones, Nathan Thomas, Bobby Blevins, Wayne Watson, Hunter Watson and Blake Watson. Honorary casket bearers will be Johnnie B. Osborne and Jason Lester. Those attending the service are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 a.m. Saturday. The family would like to give a special thank you to the employees of Grace Health Care Center and to Dr. Robert Walker, Dr. Andrew Rhinehart and Dr. Patrick Wallace. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. William Jesse Watson. Bessie C. Whited WISE -- Bessie Collins Whited, 97, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at the Norton Community Hospital, Norton. She was a former employee of the Wise Appalachian Regional Hospital, working in the dietary department. and she attended the Trinity Life Center in Coeburn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert F. Whited; a son, Harry Whited; a grandson, Scott Hickman; and a great-grandson, Jeffery Hickman. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Gene and Dorothy Whited of Rogersville, Tenn.; one daughter, Deloris Hickman of Norton; eight grandchildren; 10 great- grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great- grandchild. Funeral services for Bessie Collins Whited will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Friday July 11, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with the Rev. John McCarroll officiating. Burial and graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2003, at the Glencoe Cemetery Big Stone Gap, Va. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. till time of services at 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise, in charge of arrangements.