Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 17, 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 17, 2003 Today's Deaths Helen Aucoin, 69, Sugar Grove, Va. Ella E. Branson, 88, Bristol Virginia Corinthia Faith Davis, Lebanon Mary E. Chapman, 79, Saltville Alvin L. Griffith, 85, Coeburn, Va. Margaret Dove Helpert, 89, Castlewood, Va. Joseph Misciagna, 17, Kingsport Ashby V. Owens, 72, Rosedale, Va. Randall K. Scott, 61, Marion Chancellor Lee Sluss, 70, Clintwood -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helen Aucoin SUGAR GROVE, Va. -- Helen Aucoin, 69, died Monday, July 14, 2003, at her home. She was born in Wise County, Va. , daughter of the late Jess and Virginia Wright Mitchell. She was preceded in death by one son, Donald Hale; a great- granddaughter, Jessica Michelle Ingle; one sister, Barbara Parks; and one brother, Cecil Mitchell. She is survived by one daughter, Kathy Adkins of Sugar Grove, Va.; one son, David Hale and wife, Marie, of Milford, Ind.; two sisters, Janice Hill and husband, Ray, of Coeburn, and Katie Carter of St. Paul, Va.; three grandchildren, Shannon Ingle, Cody Hale and Kylie Hale; one great-grandson, Jared Ingle; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Ronnie Collins Jr. officiating. Interment will be follow in Adkins Cemetery, Caney Ridge, Va. Pallbearers will be Carlton Hale, Christopher Collins, Floyd Maples, Billy Duncan, Daniel Garcia and Mike Hill. The Aucoin family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Aucoin family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Susie Ann Bowers BRISTOL, Va. -- Graveside service for Susie Ann Bowers 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. Mrs. Bowers, age 92, of 20488 Blue Spruce Road, went to be with the Lord Monday, July 14, 2003, at the residence of her son. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ella E. Branson BRISTOL, Va. -- Ella E. Luchini Branson, age 88, of 5463 Reedy Creek Road, went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at the residence of her daughter. Mrs. Branson was born on Oct. 26, 1914, in Bristol Virginia, a daughter to the late Samuel L. and Mattie J. Thomas Peltier. Mrs. Branson was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and a faithful member of the Antioch Baptist Church as long as her health permitted. Mrs. Branson was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, also a friend to all who knew and loved her. Mrs. Branson had a special love for children and flowers and a special love for her church family. She will be fondly remembered as "Nannie" and as "Ms. Ellie". Mrs. Branson was preceded in death by her first husband of 49 years, Charles M. Luchini, who was the father of their 10 children, also by her second husband, Roy L. Branson Sr., who brought joy to her life during their two years together. She was also preceded by a son, William Andrew Luchini; a grandson, Andy Grant; one sister, Helen Arnold; and by three brothers, Karl, Paul and Junior Peltier. Mrs. Branson is survived by five daughters and sons-in-law, Charlotte Shankle, Wyona Blevins and husband Bill, Barbara Welch and husband Wilkie, Shirley Reynolds and husband Roger and Debbie Ramsey; four sons and daughters-in-law, Charles "Leon" Luchini and wife Joyce, Robert "Bobby" Luchini and wife Darcie, Thomas "Tommy" Luchini and wife Billie and Steve "Stevie" Luchini and wife Tracy; one special stepson, Roy L. Branson Jr., and wife Ann of Bristol Tennessee; one stepdaughter, Jean Miller of Bakersfield, Calif.; one brother, Edward Peltier and wife Launa of Bristol Virginia; four sisters-in-law, Naomi Barger of Bristol Virginia, Marie Peltier of Bristol Virginia, Georgia Luchini of Elkton, Md., and Faye Peltier of Nashville, Tenn.; proud grandmother of 23 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; Nannie to many more who loved her; and several nieces and nephews Funeral service will be held Friday, July 18, 2003, at 11 a.m. from the Antioch Baptist Church on Old Airport Road, Bristol Virginia, with Pastor Brad Davis, Pastor Emeritus Rayton Puckett, Rev. Bob Steele, Rev. George Henderson and Dr. Roy L. Branson Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Billy Blevins, Jimmy Reynolds, Chuck Luchini, Tommy Luchini Jr., Charlie Reynolds, Lee Luchini, Sammy Welch, Chad Welch and Chris Church. Honorary pallbearers will be sons-in-law, friends of Antioch Baptist Church, Dr. Hanor, Dr. Levine, Dr. Carnell and Dr. Spear. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home. The family would like to say a special thanks to friends who were so faithful to visit, for the prayers and cards which she loved and to the ministers who came by and visited and brightened her day. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mrs. Branson's name to the Antioch Baptist Church, 1016 Old Airport Road, Bristol, VA 24201. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary E. Chapman SALTVILLE -- Mrs. Mary E. Chapman, age 79, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital. She had lived most of her life in Alexandria, Va., moving to Saltville in 1987. She was of the Holiness faith. She was preceded in death by one sister, Roberta Martin; and one brother, Willie T. Martin. Survivors: her husband of 29 years, Allen W. Chapman; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Mrs. Chapman will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2003, at Mahanaim Cemetery, with Rev. Bob Briggs officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the graveside service. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Chapman family. Ralph Norman Clarke BRISTOL, Va. -- Funeral services for Ralph Norman Clarke will be conducted at 8 p.m., Thursday, July 17, 2003, in Central Presbyterian Church, with Dr. David Wadsworth officiating. Committal services will be conducted at 11 a.m., Friday, July 18, 2003, in Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, with entombment to follow. Honorary pallbearers will be his numerous fellow postal workers, E. J. Johnson, John Boggs, Earl Rose and Herschel Stevens. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 17, 2003, at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church or Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Clarke at akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Clarke died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in Select Specialty Hospital . Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Clarke. Mr. Clarke was a member of Central Presbyterian Church. He was a retired director of customer service of the Bristol Virginia Sectional Center of the United States Postal Service. Mr. Clarke was a graduate of Beaver Falls College, Beaver Falls, Pa., and a member of the Bristol Elks Lodge. Mr. Clarke was a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Joyce Clarke, on June 17, 2002. Survivors include two sons, Jerry and Ann Clarke and Larry and Lois Clarke, both of Bristol; one daughter, Patricia and Duke James of Bristol; and one sister, Virginia Rutter of Warrenton, Va. Also surviving are seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Corinthia Faith Davis LEBANON -- Corinthia Faith (Faye) Davis departed this life on Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at home surrounded by loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the daughter of the late Lala Addison Davis and Leonard Davis of Lebanon. She is survived by her devoted sister, Lauretta Gray of Lebanon, with whom she made her home in recent weeks; several cousins; and a legion of friends. Miss Davis graduated from Lebanon High School, West Virginia Business College, Bluefield, W.Va., and East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tenn. She retired from Raytheon Company, Missile Systems Division, in 1995 after 36 years of service. She was also a member of the executive committee of Raytheon Employees Activities Association during her tenure there. A life-long volunteer, Faye Davis was recognized for her many outstanding contributions to her church, community and state and was named Woman of the Year by the Bristol Junior Woman's Club in 1968. She was a dedicated member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) for more than 40 years and served with distinction at every level. She was a member of the Bristol Junior Woman's Club and the Bristol Woman's Club and served both groups in many capacities, including that of president. She also served as president of both the Southwest District and the state federation of women's clubs, GFWC Virginia. While state president, Miss Davis chose as the state project the development of Camp Easter Seal-East was instrumental in the establishment of the multi-million dollar Virginia Easter Seals facility, a year-round camp for children and adults with disabilities. She served GFWC at the national level on the board of directors in several capacities, including International Affairs Department chairman and as special assistant to the international president. At the time of her death, she was serving as an international hostess to Aruba. Many lives have been touched by the generosity and graciousness of Miss Davis as she shared her talents with many organizations, including United Way of Bristol as a member of the board of directors, member of the executive committee of the Bristol Crisis Center; executive board of Helping Hands, chairman of the American Trauma Society and president of the Bristol Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Bristol, until failing health prevented her participation. Faye Davis was an inspiration to all who knew her. She enjoyed a good game of bridge, was an avid reader and an enthusiastic traveler. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Tom Edwards officiating. The committal service and burial will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2003, in Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon. Those attending are requested to meet at the funeral home by 1:30 p.m. Friday to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Camp Easter Seals, Easter Seals Virginia, 201 East Main Street, Salem, VA 24153. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Miss Davis. Alvin L. Griffith COEBURN, Va. -- Alvin L. (Pete) Griffith, 85, passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in the Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap, Va. He was a retired foreman for the Clinchfield Coal Company, a veteran of World War II, serving as a tech sergeant in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater and received the Purple Heart. He was a member of the Coeburn Masonic Lodge 97 A.F. & A.M. for 50 years. Surviving is his wife, Margaret D. Griffith, two sons and daughters-in-law, Robert (Bob) and Sherry Griffith of Katy, Texas, and Richard (Mayor) and Judy Griffith of Coeburn; a daughter, Jamie Griffith of Dandridge, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Ashly Griffith, Carrie Griffith, Adam Griffith, Ben Griffith, Mitchell Griffith, Cody Brooks and Natalie Hunter; a sister, Dana Smith of Copper Hill, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews. A Masonic service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel by the Coeburn Masonic Lodge 97 A.F. & A.M., following a funeral service at 8 p.m., with Sammy Hall officiating. Burial and military graveside services will be conducted by the Norton VFW Post 4301 at 11 a.m. Friday in the Laurel Grove Cemetery, Norton. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, in charge of arrangements. Margaret D. Helbert CASTLEWOOD, Va. -- Margaret Dove Helbert, 89, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 14, 2003, at Maple Grove Health Care, Lebanon. She was born in Castlewood, Va., daughter of the late Ed and Carrie Dale Cooper. She attended Reeds Valley Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Helbert; one son, Garry Helbert; and one son-in-law, Junior Kilbourne. She is survived by one daughter, Debbie Kilbourne of Castlewood; one daughter- in-law, Vanessa Helbert Ramsey of Bristol Tennessee; six grandchildren; 11 great- grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and loved ones. Funeral services for Margaret Dove Helbert will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Con Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Thomas Helbert, Lyle Helbert, Thomas McReynolds, Matthew McReynolds, David Duty, Ryan McCoy, Michael Blackson and Jerry Culbertson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Dwight Bailey, Nell King and David Culbertson. The Helbert family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. A special thanks to caregivers Linda Gale Reedy, Marie McReynolds and the staff of Maple Grove Health Care. Online condolences may be sent to the Helbert family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Joseph Misciagna KINGSPORT -- Giusseppe Antonio Misciagna, 17, passed away Wednesday morning, July 16, 2003, after injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Joseph was a rising senior at Sullivan Central High School where he was very active in soccer. He was a recently confirmed member of St. Dominic's Catholic Church. Survivors include his parents, Raffaele and Fausta Misciagna of the home; paternal grandparents, Giusseppe and Addolorata Misciagna, Palm Harbor, Fla.; maternal grandparents, Giusseppe and Maria Benedetto, Toritto (Bari), Italy; uncles and aunts, Mike and Enza, Mario, Riccardo and Mary, Isabella and Nicola, Dominica and Alfredo, Peppino and Titti, Bartoloneo and Concettina; and several cousins. Memorials may be given to St. Dominic's Catholic Church, 2517 John B Dennis Highway, Kingsport, TN 37660. Arrangements will be announced later by Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport Chapel. Ashby V. Owens ROSEDALE, Va. -- Ashby V. Owens, 72, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in a Lebanon hospital. He was born in Virginia and a retired Virginia Department of Transportation bridge construction foreman. He was a member of the Faith Independent Baptist Church of Lebanon. He was a son of the late Ira and Mary McFarland Owens. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Jerry and Robert Owens; and one brother, Billy Owens. Mr. Owens is survived by his wife, Irene Harris Owens; three sons, Gary V. Owens and his wife Josie of Lehigh Acers, Fla., Danny Owens and his wife Pattie of Council, Va., and Charles Owens and his wife Rena of Elk Garden, Va.; four grandsons, Gary Owens Jr., Johnny Owens, Phillip Owens and Caden Owens; one great-granddaughter, Audriaunna Rose Owens; four brothers, Buford (B.M.) and Evelyn Owens of Chesapeake, Va., Emerson and Patricia Owens of Bristol Virginia, Jack and Norma Owens of Council and Benny and Shirley Owens of Hurt, Va.; two sisters, Evelyn and Ralph Musick of Meadowview and Laska and Clarence Fuller of Rosedale; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. James Sims and Rev. Peerman Lester officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Pallbearers will be Andy Meadows, Ezra Harris, Don Turner, Don Barrett, Jackie Owens and Larry Fuller. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Ernest Henry, Glen Deel, Dr. Micheal Elrich and employees of Highlands Ambulance Service. Friends may call at Honaker Funeral Home in Honaker after 6 p.m. Thursday, where an evening song service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Edith H. Perry BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Graveside service for Edith Harrington Perry will be held Friday, July 18, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Weaver Cemetery, with the Rev. Lester MacKinnon officiating. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Perry, age 79, of 1908 Weaver Pike, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at the residence of her son. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Randall K. Scott MARION -- Randall K. Scott, 61, died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, in the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. Mr. Scott was born in Smyth County and was preceded in death by his father, Robert Kyle Scott; and a stepdaughter, Becky Edmiston. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and had worked as a project supervisor for H.S. Williams for a number of years. He was an avid bowler and an accomplished master of many trades. He was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church and attended the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church. Survivors include: wife, Wanda Hamm Scott; one son, Bryan Kyle Scott of the home; mother, Willie G. Wolfe Scott, Marion; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Betty and Don Hayes, Marion and Carol Snider, Marion; four nieces, Sandra Surber, Krystal Surber, Angie Comer and Julie Snider; great-nephew, Trey Owens; mother-in- law, Ethel Hamm, Chilhowie; brother-in-law and wife, Ronald and Roberta Hamm, Marion; several relatives; and many, many friends also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Scott will be conducted Friday at 8 p.m. from the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Mike Sage and Rev. Harry Howe officiating. Graveside services will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Resurrection Gardens. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial contributions can be made to the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church, Freedom Tabernacle Lane, Atkins, VA 24311. The family will receive friends from 6- 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Scott family. Chancellor Sluss CLINTWOOD -- Chancellor Lee Sluss, age 70, quietly went home to be with the Lord on July 15, 2003, at his home after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Sluss. He was a member of Tarpon Freewill Baptist Church and very faithful to the church and to God. He loved to sing praises to the Lord any time the opportunity arose. He was a disabled coal miner and a veteran of the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Lois Sluss; daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Keeron Vanover of Clintwood; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Larry Horton of Morristown, Tenn.; two special grandsons, Nathan Baker and Andrew Vanover; one very special great-granddaughter, Destinee Chryal; two step- grandchildren, Angie Haywood of Morristown and Amanda Phipps of Clintwood; and three step-grandchildren, Elizabeth Haywood, Kelsey Haywood and Hannah Phipps. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2003, at the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Joe Glenn Sluss and Rev Jerry Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in the Phipps Cemetery, Clintwood. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2003, where a song service will be held at 7 p.m. Pallbearers will be Nathan Baker, Andrew Vanover, Keeron Vanover, Larry Horton, Seth Baker and Oakley Collins. Honorary pallbearers will be E.J. Mullins, Roger Mullins, Joe Lee Baker, Clifton Salyers, Oliver Hill, Duane Deel, Bill Yates and Jerry Vitatoe. Mullins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. William E. Wagner SURGOINSVILLE, Tenn. -- William E. "Bill" Wagner, age 76, died Tuesday, July 15, 2003, at Indian Path Medical Center following a brief illness. He was of the Methodist faith. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Mr. Wagner was retired from AFG Industries following 27 years of service. Mr. Wagner was a lifetime farmer, operated a sawmill and drove a school bus for the Hawkins County School System. He was a member of American Legion Post 21, Rogersville, Clay Lodge 386, Church Hill and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite freemason. Mr. Wagner was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Wagner; parents, Charles and Jodie Ella Bailey Wagner; twin sister, Willie Rakestraw; and sister, Louise Culbertson. Survivors include one son, Rick Wagner and wife, Janice, and two grandchildren, Erica Wagner and Jonathan Wagner, all of Kingsport; four sisters, Ina Cox and husband, Ray of Mt. Carmel, Margaret Partin of Boca Raton, Fla., Emma Wagner of Johnson City and Opal Kirkpatrick and husband, Bill, of Rogersville; one brother, Conner Wagner and wife, Virginia, of Kingsport; special friend, Alma Williams of Surgoinsville; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2003, at Broome Funeral Home, Rogersville. Funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 17, 2003, in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Michael Cutshaw officiating. Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Friday, July 18, 2003, at Hawkins County Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amis Chapel United Methodist Church, 205 Amis Chapel Road, Surgoinsville, TN 37673. Broome Funeral Home, Rogersville, is in charge of arrangements.