Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 15, 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 Tuesday, July 15, 2003 Today's Deaths Susie Ann Bowers, 92, Bristol Virginia Noah Milburn Dotson Jr., 77, Coeburn, Va. Gary Wayne Fry, Morristown, Tenn. Spencer Jackson, 77, Russell County, Va. Jack E. Vanover, 66, Wise Charles White, 73, Berkley, Mich. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susie Ann Bowers BRISTOL, Va. -- Susie Ann Noonkester Bowers, age 92, of 20488 Blue Spruce Road, went to be with the Lord Monday, July 14, 2003, at the residence of her son. Mrs. Bowers was born on April 10, 1911, in Abingdon, a daughter to the late Jim and Bertie Wilson Noonkester. Mrs. Bowers was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and was a charter member of the Midway Baptist Church. Mrs. Bowers was a homemaker, a very loving and caring Christian, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and neighbor. Before she got sick, nobody could be around her any length of time before she would start talking about her best friend, her personal Lord and Savior. Mrs. Bowers always put everyone before herself and always would lend a helping hand to one and all. She is now with God in heaven and now at peace, feeling no pain. She will be greatly missed by all who had the blessing of knowing her. Mrs. Bowers was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Bowers; one son, James William (Bill) Bowers; her brothers, Charlie, Clarence, James, J.B., Henry and John Noonkester; and by two sisters, Beulah Dunn and Gerthal Watson. Mrs. Bowers is survived by two sons and three daughters-in-law, Robert Lee and wife Mary Alice Bowers, of Bristol Virginia, Edgar Lewis and wife Imogene Bowers of Bristol Virginia, and Mrs. Billie Bowers of Florida; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Sprinkle of Bristol Virginia, and Clifton Smelsor of Bristol Virginia; several nieces and nephews; and a special pet and friend, "Harvey." Funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at 6 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Dexter Terry and Rev. Luke Martin officiating. Visitation will follow the funeral service. Graveside service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. from the Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Tony Bowers, Danny Bowers, Eric Bowers, Josh Bowers, Jonathan Bowers and Jeff Bowers. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren, Craig Bowers, Justin Bowers, Andrew Bowers, Lyndsey Bowers, Blake Bowers, Pam Vaught, Lisa Vaught, Mike Bowers, Brian Bowers, Gary Bowers and Amanda Tweed. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Edgar Charles Edgar Charles, 79, died Thursday, July 10, 2003, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn. He as born in Prater, Dickenson County, Va., a son of the late McClellan and Loucindy Coleman Charles and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the American Legion and the VFW and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mazalee Rakes Charles; a son, Daniel William Charles; and several brothers and sisters. Survivors include two daughters, Vicky Webb of Gray, Tenn., and Betty Graybeal and her husband Jack of Kingsport; son, Larry Charles and his wife Neda of Bristol Tennessee; a sister, Altie Elzwick of Detroit; a brother, Fred Charles of Ohio; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral service will be conducted at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning in the National Cemetery at Mountain Home, with Fred Charles officiating. Burial will follow. Pallbearers will be Colton Webb, Terry Harless, Larry Charles, Jack Graybeal, Eddie Blair and Calvin Roark. Honorary pallbearers will be Cody Charles and Buddy Harless. Military graveside rites will be presented by Patton Crosswhite, VFW Post 6975 Honor Guard. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- cook.com. Mr. Charles and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Noah M. Dotson Jr. COEBURN, Va. -- Noah Milburn Dotson Jr., age 77, died at his home on Sunday, July 13, 2003. The son of the late Noah M. Dotson Sr. and Ada Elkins Dotson, he was a lifelong resident of Dickenson County. He was a past member of the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors, member of the United Mine Workers of America, member of the Clintwood Masonic Lodge 66 and Dickenson County Fox Hunters Association. Mr. Dotson retired from Clinchfield Coal Corp. after 35 years of service, was of the Freewill Baptist faith and a veteran of the U.S. Army, World War II. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Arvil, Glen, Ayers, Wayland and Oakley; three sisters, Marie Mullins, Carrie Lee Downey and Addie Mullen. Surviving is his wife, Justine Dotson; two sons, Gary Dotson, Castlewood, and Freddie Dotson, Clintwood; four brothers, Palmer Dotson, Abingdon, Bobby Dotson, Clintwood, and Denver Dotson and Curtis Dotson, both of Indiana; sisters, Pauline Mullins, Clintwood, Virginia Hicks, Indiana, Bernice Willoughby, Ohio, Ada Dotson, Abingdon, and Agnes James, Olympia Wash.; grandchildren, Stephanie Hawkins and Brent Dotson, and great-granddaughter, Emily Hawkins. Funeral services for Noah Milburn Dotson Jr. will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday from the Clintwood Funeral Home Chapel, with Ministers Keith Dotson and Lynn Vanover officiating. Burial will follow at the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, with military graveside services conducted by VFW 8979, DAV Chapter 35 and American Legion Post 227. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Tuesday with a Masonic service at 7 to be followed by an evening service. Pallbearers will be Jackie Dotson, Darrell Dotson, Martin Hawkins, Donnie Dotson, Ronnie Mullins, Johnny Dotson, Allen Dotson and Tommy Dotson. Honorary pallbearers will other nephews. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Gary Wayne Fry MORRISTOWN, Tenn. -- Gary Wayne Fry passed away on Monday, July 14, 2003. He was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by his father, Charles Fry, and a brother, Steve Frye. Survivors include mother, June Fry of Morristown; sister, Debbie Fry and husband Ronnie Musick of Cleveland, Tenn.; brother, Rick Fry of Morristown; nieces, Rikki Fry of Morristown and Angela and husband Rogo Seals of Whitesburg; and nephews, Blake and Zachary Seals of Whitesburg and Travis Musick of Morristown. Funeral services for Mr. Fry will be conducted at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in the Chapel of Mayes Mortuary. The Rev. George Dotson will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday prior to the services. Graveside services will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in Bristol Virginia at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2003. Mayes Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Spencer Jackson RUSSELL COUNTY, Va. -- Spencer Jackson, 77, of the Rosedale-Belfast Community died Sunday, July 13, 2003, at his home. Born Aug. 11, 1925, in Russell County, a son of the late James Lilburn Jackson and Nettie Hubbard Jackson, he was a retired carpenter. A U. S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member and served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dennison United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Clarence, Arthur and Graham Jackson; and one sister, Bess Taylor. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Dorothy (Dot) Jackson; a daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and Raymond Shepard, Belfast; two grandchildren, Brad Shepard and Ashley Boyd and husband Chris Boyd; a great-granddaughter, Akilah Grace Boyd; two sisters, Willie and husband Ed Cox, Belfast and Arlene King, Chesapeake, Va.; a special friend and nurse, Beverly Fuller; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in the Dennison United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Hite officiating. The committal service and burial will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill. Those attending are requested to meet at the church by 2:15 p.m. Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Chris Cline, Dickie Cox, Mickey Cox, Harvey Taylor, Earnie Jackson and William Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Jackson, Bill Jackson, Earnest L. Jackson Sr., A. M. Jackson, Frank Nunez and David Cox. Spencer loved flowers or contributions in his memory may be made to Dennison United Methodist Church, HC-64 Box 34, Rosedale, VA 24280. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday prior to the service at the church. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Jackson. Jackie Lynn King BLUFF CITY -- The committal for Jackie Lynn King will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Glenwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. King, age 61, went to be with the Lord Saturday, July 12, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Jackie Lynn King. Nell Ruth Owens NORTH HIGHLANDS, Calif. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Nell Ruth Owens 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. Mrs. Owens, age 72, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2003. Honaker Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Eugene Ratliff DAVENPORT, Va. -- Funeral services for Mr. Eugene Ratliff will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Gerald Lester officiating. Interment will follow in the Frank Smith Cemetery on Big A Mountain, Va. Pallbearers will be Eric Wampler, Jerry Ray, Lester Ray, Giles Ball, Guy Tiller, Walter Jackson, Lin Hess and Joe Presley. Honorary pallbearers will be Roger Vance, Grayson Perkins, Guy Ray, Keithel Breeding, Gary Smith, Don Wampler, David Harris and the men of the Full Gospel House of Prayer. Military graveside honors will be conducted by American Legion Post 164 of Grundy. Mr. Ratliff, age 56, of the Hurricane section, went to be with the Lord Saturday, July 12, 2003, in a Kingsport hospital. Kermit M. Thomas GLADE SPRING, Va. -- The funeral service for Kermit M. Thomas will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in the Glade Hills Church of God in Glade Spring, with Rev. James L. DeBord and Rev. Kenneth Poston officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the following grandsons: Doug Thomas, Mack Thomas, Chad Abrams, Rodney Nichols, Kellie Nichols and John "P-Wee" Hicks. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Wyatt, Anthony Hicks, Cody Hicks, Josh Widener and Devon Wyatt. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mr. Thomas, age 69, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2003, at his residence. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mr. Thomas. Jack E. Vanover WISE -- Jack E. Vanover, 66, passed away Monday morning, July 14, 2003, at the St. Mary's Hospital, Norton. He was a former employee of the Band Box Cleaners , a retired employee of Gladeville Quality Cleaners in Wise and was of the Freewill Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Sullivan and Cosby Vanover; four brothers, Ray Vanover, Curtis Vanover, Joseph Vanover and Robert Vanover. Surviving are three sisters, Jean Stanley of Ocean, Calif., Trula Hensley of Indianapolis and Gay Hall of Marion, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Jack E. Vanover will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Rev. Troy Belcher officiating. Burial and graveside committal services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at the Wise Cemetery, in Wise. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. till the time of funeral services at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Mary Lee Wallace CLEVELAND, Va. -- The funeral service for Mary Lee Smith Wallace will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Russell Baldwin and the Rev. Rick Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Puckett-Amos Cemetery in Reeds Valley near Cleveland. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at the funeral home. Mrs. Wallace, 63, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, at home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the Wallace family. Charles White BERKLEY, Mich. -- Charles White, age 73, passed away Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Berkley. He was a veteran of the Korean War. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Joyce White; children, Charles B. White, Glenna Jackson and Lisa Todd; sisters, Winona Henson and Bonnie Dixon, both of Bristol Tennessee; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A private veterans memorial service to be held. Information courtesy of Weaver Funeral Home. Rosie Harr Willen PINEY FLATS -- Burial for Rosie Harr Willen will follow graveside services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in Gunnings Cemetery. Those attending the graveside services are asked to assemble at the graveside by 10:50 a.m. Tuesday, July 15, 2003. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Please visit us at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the Willen Family. Mrs. Willen, age 88, of 886 Fairview School Road, went home to be with the Lord Saturday evening, July 12, 2003, at her residence. East Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Earl W. Yates Earl W. Yates, 90, passed from this life at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2003, at his home after an extended illness. He was born and resided in Buchanan County, Va., where he was employed as a coal miner until he moved his family to Sullivan County, Tenn., in 1959. Mr. Yates was a member of the Central Church of Christ of Johnson City. He owned and operated the Beulah Park Shell Service Station from 1959 to 1969 and Konnarock Shell Service Station from 1969 to 1972. He loved and enjoyed his family and friends and loved talking with people. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Violet Keene Yates, Kingsport; two sons, Richard C. Yates and wife, JoAn, Yorktown, Va., Frederick R. Yates and wife, Sherri, Phoenix, Ariz.; two daughters, Glenna Leonard and husband, Jim, Blountville and Brenda Steadman and husband, Pat, Statesboro, Ga.; eight grandchildren, Casey Steadman, Atlanta, James Leonard and wife, Peggy, Limestone, Tenn., Krista Renee Enright and husband, Matt, Atlanta, Amanda Ward and husband, Jeff, Phoenix, Rich Yates and wife, Susan, Arlington, Va., Derrick Yates and wife, Andrea, Phoenix, Brent Steadman, Augusta, Ga., and Seth Yates, Phoenix; three great-grandchildren, Jonathan Leonard, Katrina Ward and Christopher Leonard; two brothers-in-law, Melvin Keene Jr. and wife, Anna Rae, Grundy and Aldy Keene and wife, Jackie, Elkton, Md,; a sister-in-law, Nell Tedder, Lansing, N.C.; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home Chapel with Tim Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. Pallbearers are his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are his friends in Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Central Church of Christ Building Fund, P. O. Box 4021, Johnson City, TN 37602-3961 or Parkinson Disease Foundation, 710 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032-9982. E-mail condolences may be sent to violet.yates@charter.net.