Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 13, 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 Sunday, July 13, 2003 Today's Deaths Helen K. Baker, 74, Bluff City Glenn Smith Cress, 76, Marion Anne S. Davidson, 89, Kingsport Jewell Lee Grizzle, 51, St. Paul, Va. Hazel Hickman Harr, Blountville Harold Everett Hickman, 74, Bristol Virginia Jackie King, 61, Bluff City Douglas Irvin Looney, 61, Maxie, Va. Nell Ruth Owens, 72, North Highlands, Calif. Dora Mae Pickle, 96, Saltville Eugene Ratliff, 56, Davenport, Va. W.J. "Jack" Smith Jr., 84, Perry, Ga. Kermit Mack Thomas, 69, Glade Spring Helen Peacock Grinstead Wassum, 90, Marion Mary Jane Wheeler, 71, Abingdon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helen K. Baker BLUFF CITY -- Helen K. Baker, age 74, 1073 Mount Holston Road, went to be with the Lord, Friday, July 11, 2003, at her residence. She was born Nov. 12, 1928, a daughter of the late Edgar and Dollie Susan Smith, and was a lifelong resident of the Mount Holston Community. She was a member of the Bluff City Chapter 414 of the Eastern Star and attended the Mount Holston Baptist Church. She was the widow of Howard Lee "Bud" Baker Sr. and was preceded in death by a sister, Nellie Larimer. Survivors include children, Dianna Buchanan and husband Frank and Howard Lee "Sonny" Baker and wife Janet; grandchildren, Rattie Buchanan, Jack Baker, Jordan Baker and Howard Lee Baker III; brother, Omer Smith; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, July 14, 2003, in the Mount Holston Baptist Church, with Dr. Dennis Fields and Dr. Danzel Fink officiating. Burial will follow in the Crumley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry Baker, Bob Baker, Jeremy Baker, Charles Robert Jenkins, Jack Payne and Allen Pope. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Robbins, Bill Baker and Johnny Webb. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Special thanks to the Hospice Home Health caregivers. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Sharen Kay Billings BRISTOL, Va. -- Mrs. Sharen Kay Billings, age 46, passed away Friday, July 11, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House. She was born in Washington County, Va., was formerly of Chilhowie and had lived in Bristol for several years. She was a member of the Grosses Creek Baptist Church. Sharen was a receiving clerk at Bristol Compressors and enjoyed working with flowers. She was preceded in death by her father, Elbert Powers; and a brother, Ray Powers. She is survived by her husband, Mark S. Billings; two sons, Brian E. Sheets and wife Stephanie of Bristol Virginia, and Marcus D. Billings of Bristol, Virginia; her mother, Rose Powers of Chilhowie; four brothers, Lloyd Powers and wife Carolyn, J.C. Powers and wife Judy, Darrell Powers and wife Patty and Lee Powers and wife Donna, all of Chilhowie; four sisters, Stella Powers of Maryville, Tenn., Velma Doss and husband Doug of Chilhowie, Karen Scyphers and husband Gary of Abingdon and Janice Blevins and husband Ted of Max Meadows, Va.; sister-in- law, Carolyn Powers of Chilhowie; and her beloved dog, Wienie. Survivors also include father-in-law and mother-in-law, Roby and Mary Billings of Bristol Virginia; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dennis and Sue Billings of Bristol Virginia. A graveside service will be conducted Sunday, July 13, 2003, at 3:30 p.m. in the Grosses Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Carl Young and Rev. Sam Haynes officiating. Pallbearers will be Dennis Billings, David Scyphers, Garry Hammond, Wayne Smith and Nathan Leonard. Honorary pallbearers will be the forklift operators of the raw casting and receiving at Bristol Compressors. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620. The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff and fellow employees of Bristol Compressors and Wellmont Hospice House for all the kindness shown them during Sharen's illness. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Billings. Edgar Charles The funeral service for Edgar Charles will be conducted at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning in the National Cemetery at Mountain Home, with Fred Charles officiating. Burial will follow. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Monday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- cook.com. Mr. Charles, 79, died Thursday, July 10, 2003, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn. Mr. Charles and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Glenn Smith Cress MARION -- Glenn Smith Cress, age 76, went to be with our Lord Friday July 11, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. Mr. Cress was born in Smyth County to the late John S. and Betty Blevins Cress and was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Carolyn Cress; a granddaughter, Precious Ann Widner; and two brothers, Fred Cress and John Robert Cress. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, having served in World War II and Korea. He was a member of the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667, The American Legion Post 18 and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a member and deacon of the Hopkins View Primitive Baptist Church. Survivors include two sons, John and Reba Cress, Marion and James and Mary Cress, Titusville, Fla.; two daughters, Debra Ann Cress, Marion and Sue Widner and husband James, Marion; two brothers, Doug Cress, Chilhowie and Roger Cress, Sheryl's Ford, N.C.; five sisters, Patsy Bowman, Marion, Lola Pennington, Marion, Violet Cress, Abingdon, Ruth Yule, Fallsmills, Va., and Mae Ward, Kodak, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Renee Widner, Jason Widner, Megan Cress, Logan Cress, Amber Cress and Connie Cress; two great-grandchildren, Shayli and Mason Newsome. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Elder Larry Blevins, Elder Danny Smith and Elder Danny Blevins officiating. Interment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery with full military honors being rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6- 8 at the funeral home or any time at the residence of Debra Cress, 116 Sprinkle Ave., Marion. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Cress family. Anne S. Davidson kINGSPORT -- Anne S. Davidson, 89, of Kingsport, formerly of Jonesville, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. She was a retired school teacher, teaching in Lee County and Coeburn. She was a member of Scenic Park Baptist Church in Bristol and the DAR. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Kenneth Davidson; her parents, Hillary and Lilly Snodgrass; two brothers, Roy and John Snodgrass; and one sister, Lorene Glass. She is survived by one son, Bill and wife Karis Davidson of Coeburn; two daughters, Helen and husband Lee Hines of Nashville, N.C., and Nancy and husband Zeb Bacon of Morristown, Tenn.; six grandchildren; and seven great- grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Arney-Mullins Funeral Home in Jonesville. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Wayne Perry officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Lee Memorial Gardens in Woodway, Va. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Saturday to go to the cemetery in procession. Arney-Mullins Funeral Home of Jonesville is in charge of arrangements. Jewell Lee Grizzle ST. PAUL, Va .-- Jewell Lee Grizzle, 51, died Thursday, July 10, 2003, in the Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. Born April 4, 1952, in Russell County, he was a son of the late Simon Grizzle and Hettie Kiser Grizzle. He retired in 1991 as a longtime employee of the Town of St. Paul and was a member of the Riverside Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Grizzle. Survivors include a daughter, Laura C. Armstrong, Saltville; two sons, Wendell L. Grizzle and Calvin D. Grizzle, both of Saltville; four grandchildren, Katelyn Armstrong, Daniel Hanshew, Hannah Hanshew and Alexis Grizzle; three sisters, Jean Dollarhyde and Minnie Izie Grizzle, both of St. Paul, and Jennifer Helbert, Castlewood; two brothers, Calvin F. Grizzle, Castlewood and Bill S. Grizzle, St. Paul; also three half brothers; two half sisters; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, July 14, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. John A. Kiser officiating. Burial will follow in the Kiser Family Cemetery, Carbo. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Billy Joe Grizzle, Michael Grizzle, Mitchell McReynolds, Curtis Powers, Jeff Chandler and Scottie Williams. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Sunday, July, 13, 2003, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Grizzle. Hazel Hickman Harr BLOUNTVILLE -- Hazel Hickman Harr died Friday, July 11, 2003, in Wellmont Hospice House. Mrs. Harr was a native and lifelong resident of Sullivan County, Tenn. She was the daughter of the late Tess and Lydia Hickman. She was a loving mother to her children and all of her pets. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack H. Harr. Mrs. Harr was a member of Reedy Creek Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a daughter, Sherry Powers of Blountville; one son, Tim Harr of Blountville; one sister, Allie Lark of Blountville; one sister-in-law, June Doyle of Blountville; and special friends, Roy Doyle and Nancy Berry. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Charles McChesney officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at noon Monday, July 14, 2003, in Harr Family Cemetery on Seneker Lane, Blountville. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday prior to the service. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mrs. Harr at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Harr. Fred G. Hawkins NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Mr. Fred Garland Hawkins, age 78, of 51 Huxley Place, formerly of Raven, Va., died Thursday, July 10, 2003, at a Newport News hospital, following a brief illness. He was born in Raven and was a son of the late James M. and Maggie Reedy Hawkins, both Tazewell County natives. He had made his home in the Newport News area the past 50 years and was a retired employee of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. He was a World War II U. S. Navy veteran and was of the Methodist faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters and five brothers and was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Survivors are his wife of 54 years, Mrs. Hazel Webb Hawkins; one daughter, Mrs. Pam Fleming of Richmond; one son, Mr. Jimmy L. Hawkins of the home; one step- granddaughter, Rachel Keller of Newport News; special brother-in-law and sister- in-law, Bob H. and Joann Webb of Cedar Bluff, Va.; five nieces; and one nephew also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Fred Garland Hawkins will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Stafford Compton officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Sunday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com . Harold E. Higgins BRISTOL, Va. -- Harold Everett Higgins, age 74, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, in James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Higgins at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Higgins. Jackie King BLUFF CITY -- Jackie King, 61, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Douglas Irvin Looney MAXIE, Va. -- Douglas Irvin Looney, 61 years of age, passed away Friday, July 11, 2003, at his home. Born in Buchanan County, Sept. 14, 1941, he was the son of the late Burley Thomas Looney Sr. and Sidney Margaret Stiltner Looney. He was a employee of the Federal Mine and Safety Administration, a member of the Little Josie Old Regular Baptist Church and a member of the Willowbrook Country Club. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed golfing, fishing and turkey hunting and a loving husband, father and grandfather. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Michelle Looney; and two brothers, Howard Looney and Lawrence Looney. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Emalene Yates Looney of Maxie; two sons, Dr. Brian Douglas Looney and wife Denetta of Vansant, Va., and Shannon Howard Looney of Maxie; three sisters, Marie Anton of Richmond, Mary Belcher of Morristown, Tenn., and Irene Hendricks of Roanoke; and three brothers, Elmer Looney of New Jersey, and Billy Mack Looney and Burley Looney Jr., both of Dover, Del. He is also survived by one grandson, Cade Douglas Looney; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Douglas Irvin Looney will be held Monday, July 14, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, Grundy, with Elders Russell Hicks, Toy Looney, Freddie Ramey and Elbert Hagerman officiating. Burial will follow in the Yates Cemetery on Greenbrier, Prater, Va. Active pallbearers will be James Conaway, Russell Hicks, Elbert Hagerman, Donald Shortridge, James Salyer, Kedrick Sanders, Billy Mack Looney and Burley Looney Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be management and coal workers of the Elkhorn City and Pikeville, Ky., MSHA Field Office, Dr. William Lester, Dr. Robert Weinacker and his many care givers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Sunday evening. Service will be held at 7 p.m. The family of Douglas Irvin Looney is being served by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy. Nell Ruth Owens NORTH HIGHLANDS, Calif. -- Mrs. Nell Ruth Owens, age 72, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2003. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mason W. Owens; her parents, Baughn and Cirga Wimmer; and one sister, Marilyn Young. Survivors include her daughter, Verna Crouthers of Tennessee; one grandson, William Crouthers of Washington; five great-grandchildren; four sisters, Linda Collins and Lorene Lemons, both of Arkansas, and Lela Cotter and Betty Palmer, both of Washington; one sister-in-law and two brothers-in-law, Ed and Gay Childress and Lester Clark, all of Honaker. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Clark Cemetery on Big A Mountain, Va., with Rev. Jerry Clark officiating. Interment will follow. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to assemble at the cemetery. Honaker Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Dora Pickle SALTVILLE -- Ms. Dora Mae Pickle, age 96, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. Dora Mae was the last surviving of 12 children born to Will and Julia Enscore. She is survived by several nieces and nephews; special caregiver and loving great-niece, Pam Pickle; and special family members, Johnny Pickle and Sadie Pickle, Saltville. Family would like to thank the staff at Ritchfield and Valley Health Care Nursing Homes for their care and kindness to Dora Mae. Graveside service for Ms. Dora Mae Pickle will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, July 14, 2003, at the Pickle Family Cemetery, with the Rev. E.D. Swartz officiating. D. R. Henderson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Eugene Ratliff DAVENPORT, Va. -- Eugene Ratliff, 56, of the Hurricane Section, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, July 12, 2003. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Honaker Funeral Home in Honaker. Ervin J. Rife POUND -- It is with great sadness and tremendous respect that the family of Ervin J. Rife announce his passing on July 11, 2003, at Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital in Norton, with his family by his side, after a long and courageous struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. Ervin cherished each moment with his family and leaves behind to mourn his passing the following: two sons, Edwin Rife (Sherry) and Donald Gerald Rife, all of Pound; and two daughters, Clella Falin (Donnie) and Rita Ann Diamond, all of Pound. He also leaves six grandchildren, Stephanie Diamond, Dave (Beverly) Diamond, Leslie Aaron Falin, Valerie Rife, Natalie Rife and Samantha Rife; and two great-grandchildren, Codi and Casey Diamond. Ervin was preceded in death by parents, Fred Rife and Belva (Lane) Rife; his wife, Martha Marie Rife of Pound; and a sister, Damaris Ball of Columbia, Ohio. Born Oct. 24, 1914, in Dickenson County, Va., Ervin spent nearly 89 years on this earth as an expert mechanic and a well-known sawmill constructor and operator, as well as retiring from Majestic Mining Company as a heavy equipment operator. He also gave a large part of his life to our country by serving in the U.S. Army during World War II as a mechanic and then as an infantryman, where he participated in many combat engagesments, for which he was later awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained overseas. On Monday, July 14, 2003, the family will receive friends from 5-9 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home with a 7 p.m. song service. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel, with the Reverend Greg Cyphers officiating. Burial will follow at the Layne Cemetery in Dickenson County, where the Pound VFW Post 9600 will conduct military graveside services. Baker Funeral Home, Pound, is serving the family of Ervin J. Rife. W. J. Smith Jr. PERRY, Ga. -- W. J. "Jack" Smith Jr., of 1014 Cherokee Road, died July 12, 2003. Born in Dante, Va., he lived to Bristol Tennessee until April, 1959, when the family dairy farm partnership (Elmdale Farms) was moved to Houston County. He was the son of the late W.J. Smith Sr. and Myrtle Large Smith. A member of Perry Presbyterian Church, he served on the diaconate and session, was chairman of the plant improvements committee and an elder emeritus. He was a member of the Perry County Club. He served on the Board of Director of the National Dairy Council and was the first president of the Georgia Milk Producers Cooperative and the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Dairymen, Inc., and served as president of Dairymen, Inc., Tank Division. He also served on the Agriculture Council of America in Washington, D.C., and was instrumental in the development of a federal dairy marketing order that covered the United States. He also served in various capacities in other dairy-related organizations. Surviving are his wife, Anne S. Smith; daughters, Patricia S. O'Neal of Atlanta and Susan S. Ellis of Centreville, Va.; a son, W.J. "Jack" Smith III of Perry; a sister, Vivian S. Arnold of Warner Robins; five grandchildren; and four great- grandsons. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 14, 2003, in Perry. Donations may be sent to Perry Presbyterian Church Building Fund. Watson Hunt Funeral Home of Perry is in charge of arrangements. Kermit Mack Thomas GLADE SPRING -- Kermit Mack Thomas, 69, passed away Saturday, July 12, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus. Helen Wassum MARION -- Helen Peacock Grinstead Wassum, age 90, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital. Mrs. Wassum was a nurse in Smyth County for many years, having worked at Lee Memorial, Marion General, Smyth County Community Hospital and Southwestern State Hospital, where she retired. She was a member of South Fork Baptist Church and the senior bowling league. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Arthur McDonald Grinstead and Thomas F. Wassum; and a son, Kenneth C. Grinstead. She is survived by one daughter, Betty C. Vaught of Wytheville; one son and two daughters-in-law, Mack and Dottie Grinstead and Betty F. Grinstead, all of Marion; three granddaughters, Beverly Wymer, Becky Pierce and Charlene G. Cassell; one grandson, Donald W. Vaught; eight great-grandchildren, Shannon Deichman, Arron C. Lowe, Whittney A. Pierce, Ashley Pierce, Kelley Pierce, Anna Lee Wymer, Ryan Wymer and Amanda Wymer; and one great-great-grandson, Michael Deichman. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Mark Totten and Rev. David Neitch officiating. Graveside services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to South Fork Baptist Church, c/o Fran Hayes, 3137 South Fork Road, Sugar Grove, VA 24375. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Wassum Family. Mary Jane Wheeler ABINGDON -- Mrs. Mary Jane Wheeler, age 71, died peacefully at home, July 11, 2003, and is now with the Lord. She was born Nov. 19, 1932, in Russell County, Va., but had lived most of her life in Washington County, Va. She was a member of the Rosedale Baptist Church. Jane will be remembered as an exceptionally loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and a very special friend to all. She was preceded in death by her father, John D. Meade; and a daughter, Bobbie Jane Bolling. She is survived by: her husband of 27 years, Douglas Wheeler; her mother, Fannie Belle Meade of Abingdon; one son, David Hamilton and wife Ruth of Abingdon; two stepdaughters, Kathy Burnette of Bristol Tennessee, and Debbie Cross of Bristol Virginia; a brother, John Meade Jr. of Bristol Virginia; two grandchildren Adam and Sara Hamilton; four step-grandchildren, Todd and Alyson Cross, Reene Daugherty and Tyler Burnette; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Ginger. A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, July 13, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Dr. Don L. Paxton officiating. A committal service will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. John Stapleton. The family will receive friends from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be David Cross, David Burnette, Donald Hinchey, Floyd McVey, Ralph Price and Adam Hamilton. Honorary pallbearer will be Harold Hilt. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Wheeler.