Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 19, 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 Saturday, July 19, 2003 Today's Deaths Richard Dane Blansett, 35, Clintwood, Va. Martha Buckner, Kingsport Ernest Vernon Carty, 89, Coeburn Bertha Osborne Clark, 87, Glade Spring, Va. Amanda Eastridge, Abingdon Betty Sunshine McClellan Love, 81, Columbia, S.C. Chester Admiral Parks, 53, Castlewood Samuel Paul Robinson, 76, Lebanon Joyce Mock Wohlford, 51, Meadowview -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard D. Blansett CLINTWOOD, Va. -- Richard "Ricky" Dane Blansett, age 35, of Route 1, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Born in Virginia, he was a son of David and Dorothy Fleming Blansett. He was a disabled heavy equipment operator and of the Christian faith. Survivors include his wife, Cindy Blansett; parents, David and Dorothy Blansett of Clintwood; a sister, Nancy Davis of Clintwood; a brother, Bradley Blansett of Clintwood; maternal grandmother, Phoebee Fleming of Clintwood; paternal grandmother, Jarlene Blansett of Clintwood; two nieces, Whitney Davis and Jessica Mullins; a nephew, Cody Fuller; and a special brother-in-law, Jerry Fuller of Haysi, Va. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Sunday, July 20, 2003, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Rev. Lester Mullins and Rev. Alvin Meade officiating. Burial will follow in the Phipps Cemetery, Clintwood. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, at the funeral home where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Martha Buckner KINGSPORT -- Martha Ball Buckner, 1541 Greenfield Ave., died Friday, July 4, 2003, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. A lifelong resident of Kingsport, she was employed by Warpath Bowling Lanes. She was a member of Glenwood Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Freeman Lee Ball and Nannie Hale Ball; and one sister, Margaret Ball. Survivors include her daughter, Kim A. Buckner, Kingsport; two sons and daughter-in-law, Mark Buckner and wife Lisa, Oak Ridge and Chris Buckner, Kingsport; four grandchildren, Ben Buckner, Sydney Buckner, Luke Buckner and Madeline Buckner; four sisters, Mary Lynn Ball, Knoxville, Rose Marie Spriggs, Kingsport, Barbara Lou Forsythe, Dale City, Va., and Gail Rich, Bean Station; brother, Dan Ball, Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2003, at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, with the Rev. Jim Lindsey officiating. The family will receive friends immediately after the service. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2003, at East Lawn Memorial Park. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the graveside by 10:55 a.m. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Wanda Grills, 1217 Radcliffe Ave., Kingsport, TN 37664. Condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail at cartertrentfh@chartertn.net Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Buckner Family. Ernest Vernon Carty COEBURN -- Ernest Vernon Carty, 89, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2003, in the Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center, Kingsport. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army. Surviving are his wife, Margie Ellen Rose Carty; a son, Herman Carty of Coeburn; a daughter, E. Vada Igo of Norton, five half brothers, Vernon Carty and Clark Carty Jr., both of Alexandria, Va., Jimmy Kyle Carty of Wise, Larkin Carty of Coeburn and Odell Carty of Clintwood; a sister, Jeanette Coots of Mt. Hope, W.Va.; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Terry Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Ratliff Cemetery, Coeburn. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Saturday in the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes in charge of arrangements. Bertha O. Clark GLADE SPRING, Va. -- Mrs. Bertha Osborne Clark, age 87, died Thursday, July 17, 2003, at Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie. She was of the Methodist faith and was preceded in death by two sisters, Edna Maiden and Ruth Clark; and one brother, Paul Osborne. Survivors: her husband, Claude Clark, Glade Spring; one brother, Ray Osborne, Chilhowie; one sister, Bonita Taylor, Saltville; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Mrs. Clark will be conducted at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2003, at Mount Rose Cemetery in Glade Spring, with Rev. Tom Sullivan officiating. Pallbearers will be nephews. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 until 4:15 p.m. prior to the service. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Clark family. Mary Ruth Corral BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Memorial service for Mary Ruth "Mouse" Corral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 19, 2003, in the Holston Valley Christian Church, with Minister Gary Barnett officiating. At Ms. Corral's request, her body was cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Holston Valley Christian Church, 980 Bristol Caverns Highway, Bristol, TN 37620. Ms. Corral, age 47, a former resident of Bristol Tennessee, went to be with the Lord Thursday, July 10, 2003, at her home in Cherokee, N.C. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Beulah L. Dockery DUNGANNON, Va. -- Funeral services for Beulah Lea Cordle Dockery will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 19, 2003, at the First Baptist Church of Dungannon, where the body of Mrs. Dockery will be one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Kelly Carter and the Rev. Ronald Elliott will be officiating. Burial will follow the service at the Dockery Cemetery in Dungannon. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. Danny Darnell and Drs. Todd Cassell and Gary Michaels will serve as honorary pallbearers. Online condolences may be made to the family of Beulah L. Dockery at gcfh@earthlink.net. Mrs. Dockery went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 16, 2003, at Indian Path Hospital. Online condolences may be made to the family of Beulah L. Dockery at gcfh@earthlink.net. Gate City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Amanda Eastridge ABINGDON -- Mrs. Amanda Eastridge went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, July 17, 2003. She is at peace and resting in the arms of Jesus. She was a much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be sadly missed by many. She was a member of the Temple Baptist Church and had lived all of her life in Washington County, Va. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Charlie and Dorrie Casey, Abingdon; one daughter, Louise Widener and special friend, Paul Call, both of Abingdon; six grandchildren whom she loves very much, Donna Davis, Trish Widener, Jerry Casey, Jeff Casey, Ronnie Casey and Tony Haney; five great- grandchildren, Josh Lowe, Beth Casey, Emily Casey, Elizabeth Haney and Rachel Haney. The funeral service will be conducted Sunday, July 20, 2003, at 3 p.m. in the Temple Baptist Church, with the Reverend John Wesley Price officiating. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Josh Lowe, Jerry Casey, Jim Warren, Ronnie Meade and Kevin Price. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Bill Moody and the staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital and Virginia Home Health. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2-3 p.m. in Temple Baptist Church. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, Va., is serving the family of Mrs. Amanda Eastridge. Clarence Gilbert DRYDEN, Va. -- Clarence Gilbert, age 88, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at the Lee Regional Medical Center. He was born in Lee County, the son of the late Laura Gilbert. He retired from Purity Bakery Co. after 40 years. He was a member of the International Teamsters Retirees Chapter 519. He was a member of the Dryden Masonic Lodge 326. He was of the Methodist faith, but attended the Dryden Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Delana Quillen and Maybird Blair; and two brothers, Celan Gilbert and Roger Gilbert. Survivors include his wife, Mary Gilbert of the home; one daughter and son-in- law, Carol and R.C. Elkins of Jonesville, Va.; one son and daughter-in-law, Ralph (Buddy) and Lois Gilbert of Bristol Tennessee; one grandson, David Gilbert and wife Claudia of Bristol Tennessee; two great-granddaughters, Tessa and Chelsea; and a host of nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday evening in the Sturgill Funeral Home, Pennington Gap, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Darryl Blair officiating. Masonic rites will be given by the Dryden Masonic Lodge immediately following the service. Committal graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Powell Valley Cemetery, Dryden. Family and friends are asked to meet at the cemetery for the services. Contributions may be made in his honor to Dryden Baptist Church, P.O. Box 215, Dryden, VA 24243. Sturgill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. James Emitt Helton ABINGDON -- A graveside service for Mr. James Emitt "Pops" Helton will be held Saturday July 19, 2003, at 11:30 a.m. at Highlands Chapel Church Cemetery. Rev. Harry Booher will officiate. The family will receive friends Saturday before the service from 9-11 a.m. at Farris Funeral Service. Those wishing to express their condolences online may visit www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Helton, 77, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Helton family. Harold E. Higgins BRISTOL, Va. -- Harold Everett Higgins, age 74, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, in James H. Quillen Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn. Mr. Higgins was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict. He was a member of Interstate Christian Fellowship and a ham radio operator with call sign WD4LMC. He was preceded in death by his parents, C.C. and Maude Cox Higgins. Survivors include one sister, Mary Waldroup of Knoxville, Tenn.; and two brothers, C.C. Higgins Jr. of Redford, Mich., and Danny Higgins of Bristol Virginia. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held Monday, July 21, 2003, at 1 p.m., in the National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn., with Pastor Darrell Harmon officiating. The Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military honors. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2003, at Akard Funeral Home. 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. Betty Love COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Betty Sunshine McClellan Love, 81, died Friday, July 18, 2003. Born in Bristol Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Eugene D. McClellan and Helen Rutherford Davis, and was the widow of Joseph Daniel Love Sr. She attended Sullins College and retired after 31 years with the Internal Revenue Service. She was a member of Northeast Presbyterian Church. Surviving are children, J. Daniel Love Jr. of Columbia, Betty L. Kuhn of Christiansburg, Va., and Michael E. Love of Hixson, Tenn.; sister, Gruen M. Loman of Richmond; brother, Jason E. McClellan of Williamsburg, Va.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Graveside service will be held Sunday, July 20, 2003, in Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is in charge. Elizabeth Miley NORTON -- A graveside service for Miss Elizabeth Harris Miley will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, in St. John's Episcopal churchyard in Hampton, Va. The Reverend Mr. Will Gipe, minister of Gladeville Presbyterian Church in Wise, Va., will conduct the service. Miss Miley, 99, died Wednesday, July 16, at Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital in Norton. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral of Norton and Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home of Hampton are serving the family of Miss Miley. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Chester A. Parks CASTLEWOOD -- Chester Admiral Parks, 53, died Thursday, July 17, 2003, at his home. Born June 12, 1950, a son of the late Fermon Admiral Parks and Virginia Lois Page Parks, he was a disabled dairyman. Survivors include his children, Randy and wife Ruby Dickenson, Dungannon, Jenny Parks, Brandy Todd, Chester Parks and Amber and Kevin Hill, all of Castlewood, Kim Parks, St. Paul, Heather Todd, Roger Todd and Chasity Todd, whose address is unknown; a stepdaughter, Donna Whited; sisters, Sue Parks and Johnny Holley, Lebanon, Peggy and Marvin Dodson, Campbellton, Fla., Kim and Jr. Ramey, Coeburn and Margaret Parks and Randy Bradley, Bristol Virginia; brothers, Henry and Louise Parks, Castlewood and Fred Parks, Jacksonville, Fla.; also 11 grandchildren; 21 nieces and nephews; and 19 great-nieces and great-nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at noon Monday, July 21, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with Rev. Elmo Warner officiating. Burial will follow in the Parks Family Cemetery, near Nickelsville. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Darrell Lane, Joey Lane, Rick Keen, Sherman Bennett, Brian Bellamy, Travis Holley, Johnathan Keen and Chris Peck. The family will receive friends 10 a.m. until noon Monday prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Parks. James W. Riffey BRISTOL, Tenn. -- James W. Riffey, age 60, of 204 St. Louis Ave., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 17, 2003. He was born on March 31, 1943, in Chilhowie and had lived most of his life in the Bristol area. He was employed by Carolina Steel where he worked as a welder and was also a master wood craftsman. James and his wife Jeanette were well- known in the area as the Riffey Family Gospel Singers. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Surviving, besides his parents, are his wife of almost 39 years, Jeanette Riffey; daughters, Tammy Grizzle and husband David and Cris Johnson and husband Eric; parents, Arthur and Hazel Conley Riffey; grandchildren, Dustin Grizzle and Camille Grizzle; and sisters, Barbara Booher and Carolyn Hartline. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2003, at 4 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Gary Rowlette officiating. Committal services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at the National Cemetery in Mountain Home, Tenn. Military honors will be presented by the VFW Patton-Crosswhite Post 6975. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-3:45 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Samuel P. Robinson LEBANON -- Samuel Paul Robinson, 76, died Friday, July 18, 2003, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Robinson family. Clifford D. Simcox BRISTOL, Va. -- Clifford D. "Donnie" Simcox Jr., age 55, of 26 Highland Road, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in the Holston Valley Medical Center. He was born Sept. 30, 1947, in Detroit, but lived most of his life in the Damascus and Bristol Virginia areas. He had retired from the Machinery Components Division at Electro Mechanical Corp. in 2001. He was also a former employee of Raytheon, Sundstrand, Electrolux and Monroe. He was an Air Force veteran, having served as a sergeant in the Vietnam War and was a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was a charter member of Central Baptist Church in Bristol Virginia, where he served the Lord in the music ministry. He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford D. Simcox Sr.; and one niece, Melissa Holdren. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Linda Church Simcox. Also surviving: son, Michael Simcox and wife, Gina; daughter, Michelle Lander and husband, Mitch; mother, Ora Simcox; grandchildren, Kellie and Cody Lander and Keith and Brian Simcox; sisters: Joyce Holdren and husband, Joe; and Karen Strouth; brother, Tim Simcox; three nieces; and two nephews. The committal service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel with military honors conducted by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Color Guard. Pallbearers will be James Slaughter, Wayne Ritchie, Billy Paul Baker, Bert Owens, Wayne Boyd, Luther Pennington, Randy Evans and Bob Cook. Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Carl Sluder, Tony Ingle, Dr. Robert C. Lee, Dr. Steven Butler, Dr. Duc Q. Vu, Dr. Lissy Thomas, Johnny Humphrey, members of Central Baptist Church, employees of Machinery Components, Mr. Philip Turner and employees of A-1 Building and Remodeling, Doug Sykes, Bob Guffey and Dickie Fleming. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. at the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Joyce M. Wohlford MEADOWVIEW -- Mrs. Joyce Mock Wohlford, 51, went to be with the Lord Thursday, July 17, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House, ending a five-year battle with cancer. She faced the rigors of multiple treatments with unrivaled courage, bravery and eternal optimism. To many, Joyce was shy and quiet, but to those closest to her, she was known to have a fierce loyalty and a passion for justice tempered by a delightful sense of humor. Joyce dedicated her life in service to her family, home and church. She was an active member of Greenfield Baptist Church, Meadowview, where she enjoyed Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools. Her children's activities led her to joyfully serve in PTA, Little League and Rebel Regiment Boosters as well as Athletic Boosters, always cheering for Eric and Tracy plus nieces and nephews. Joyce was preceded in death by her father, Carl Foster Mock. Survivors are her husband of 27 years, Gerald M. Wohlford Jr.; son, Eric; daughter, Tracy; her mother, Vivian N. Mock; sister, Phyllis Thomas and husband David Thomas; brother, Glenn and wife Jan Mock of Denver, Colo.; nephews, Blake Mellinger and Alex Mock; and nieces, Brittany Mellinger and Mary Beth Mock. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 20, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel. Rev. Jim Cumbow and Rev. Thomas Capron will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Active and honorary pallbearers will be Ernest Copenhaver, Roger Copenhaver, Bob Copenhaver, S. B. Copenhaver Jr., Nathan Graybeal, Everette Neese Jr., Dan Cannon, David Cannon, Gary Cannon, Larry Neese, Wayne Neese, Woody Neese, Allen Mock, Bill Neese, Sam Neese, Blake Mellinger and Jim Neese. A special thanks to a vast number of family, friends and neighbors for prayerful support, food and visits. A debt of thanks to Wellmont Hospice and staff, Johnston Memorial Hospital and staff and Home Health and Cancer Outreach. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 205 W. Main St., Suite 23, Abingdon, VA 24210, Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620 or Johnston Memorial Home Care, 351 Court St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Wohlford family.