Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 20, 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 20, 2003 Today's Deaths Herbert V. Anderson, 73, Big Stone Gap, Va. Barbara J. Bowers, 70, Monticello, Ind. Anthony Branca, Kingsport Lillian J. Folkner, 84, Blountville Douglas Luther Hawkins, 59, Clintwood Texas Zona Hughes, 86, Marion Elizabeth Shull Mahan, 94, Mountain City, Tenn. Carolyn G. Maines, 79, Elizabethton Deborah Hamilton Valentine, 37, Coeburn Madeline E. Whited, 80, Akron, Ohio Herbert V. Anderson BIG STONE GAP, Va. -- Herbert V. Anderson, age 73, of the Crackers Neck community, passed away Friday, July 18, 2003, at home. He was a member of the Durhams Chapel Baptist Church, where he was the bell ringer and greeted people. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters and brothers. Survivors include: sisters, Jeanette Anderson of the home, Janice Green and Nell Baylous of Plant City, Fla., and Frances Groat and husband Pete of Milton, Fla.; brother-in-law, Kenneth Sorah and wife Betty, Plant City; brothers, Jimmy Anderson and Don Anderson of the home; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Friends may call 6-9 p.m. Sunday at Holding Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday from the Durhams Chapel Church, with the Rev. Jonah Shoop and Rev. James Holcomb officiating. Burial will follow at Barkers Cemetery at Crackers Nick. Nephews and friends will serve as pallbearers. Holding Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Richard D. Blansett CLINTWOOD, Va. -- Funeral services for Richard "Ricky" Dane Blansett 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. Mr. Blansett, age 35, of Route 1, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Barbara J. Bowers MONTICELLO, Ind. -- Barbara J. Bowers, 70, died July 17, 2003, in White County Memorial Hospital in Monticello. Born in Sullivan County, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Glen Brown and Lucille Brummet. She had lived in the Monticello community since 1966, coming from Bristol Tennessee. She had worked at the old Monticello R.C.A. Plant for several years and for the last 25 plus years she had worked at the Monticello Spring Factory. She attended the Zion Bethel Church in Monticello. Surviving are four daughters, Jackie Reed, Pulaski, Ind., Tina Rice, Monticello, Tammy Capes, Lafayette, Ind., and Robin Wade, Monon, Ind.; one son, M. Brent Bowers, Monticello; four sisters, her twin Bernice Townsend of Bristol Virginia, Charlotte Murray of Wilshire, Ohio, Linda Sharna of Andersonville, Tenn., and Andrea Miller of Jefferson City, Tenn.; three brothers, Jerry Brown, Knoxville, Roger Brown, Lumberton, N.C., and Wayne Brown, Indianapolis; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral will be held Monday, July 21, 2003, in Monticello. Memorials may be made to the White County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Miller-Roska Funeral Home of Monticello is in charge of arrangements. Information provided by Weaver Funeral Home, Bristol Tennessee. Anthony Branca KINGSPORT -- Anthony Branca of Bristol Virginia passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2003, at Bristol Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center after a long illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Oak Hill Funeral Home, Kingsport. Amanda Eastridge ABINGDON, Va. -- 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; and six great- grandchildren, Josh Lowe, Beth Casey, Emily Casey, Elizabeth Haney, Rachel Haney and Zebulon Roche. 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. Lillian J. Folkner BLOUNTVILLE -- Lillian J. Folkner, 84, died Saturday, July 19, 2003, at her home. Mrs. Folkner was born in Scott County, Va., a daughter of the late John and Emma Spangler Jones, and lived most of her life in Sullivan County, Tenn. She was the widow of Joseph H. Folkner, was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and was retired from Imperial Reading, formerly Big Jack Manufacturing Company. Mrs. Folkner is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Arnold and her husband Johnny of Kingsport (Indian Springs); two sons, Willis N. "Bud" Folkner of Blountville and William C. Folkner and his wife Sonja of Blountville; three sisters, Louise Worley of Benhams, Va., and Stella Cuddy and Dorothy Taylor, both of Bristol Virginia; one brother, J.W. Jones, of Bristol Tennessee; eight grandchildren, Treva Curtice, Ricky Anderson, Russell Anderson, Dennis Bruner Jr., Tamara Folkner, Monika Hamby, Mike Arnold and Allen Arnold; 14 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Kitty Chappell, Frances Cross and Jack and Mary Arnold. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Phyllis Bruner; three sisters, Vada Gardner, Novella Crawford and Jeanette Cross; and two brothers, Paul Jones and Elmer Ray Jones. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Monday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home with the funeral service to begin at 8 o'clock. Rev. Carl Blackburn and Mr. Charlie Castle will officiate. The committal service will be conducted at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning at the graveside in East Lawn Memorial Park in Kingsport. Pallbearers will be Mike Arnold, Allen Arnold, Jack Arnold, George Millard, Steve Hamby, Richard Jones, Darrel Gardner and Lewis Keller. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Chappell, Simon Barr, Joe Mike Akard, Jerry Williams and men of the Adult Sunday School Class and other members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. Those who wish may meet at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home at 9:45 Tuesday morning to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Wellmont Hospice and Aldersgate United Methodist Church. The family expresses their special gratitude to the Wellmont Home Hospice nurses and aids and the doctors and staff of 4 East at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Arrangements especially for Mrs. Folkner have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Douglas L. Hawkins CLINTWOOD -- Douglas Luther Hawkins, age 59, born July 19, 1943, in Letcher County, Ky., died July 17, 2003, at Norton Community Hospital, Norton, He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emory and Pal Fleming; his father, Luther Hawkins; and his first wife, Brenda Hawkins. Doug is survived by his wife, Verna Fleming Hawkins, Clintwood; his mother, Birdie Stanley of Peaks Branch, Ky.; stepmother, Patsy Hawkins of Pounding Mill, Va.; one son, Douglas Hawkins and one daughter, Tina Hawkins, both of Norton; one stepson, Jess H. Davis and one stepdaughter, Cindy Davis Stanley, both of Clintwood; eight brothers, Ray Hawkins, Northridgeville, Ohio, Clyde, Charles and Billy Stanley of Peaks Branch and Lester, Kenny, Johnny and Tommy Stanley, of Pound, Va.; two sisters, Anita Mullins, Dorton, Ky., and Penny Meade, Tazewell, Va.; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Davis, Venessa Hawkins, Jarrod Davis, Patrick Bacety, Douglas Hawkins, Joseph Hawkins and Matt Ruth Stanley; two great-grandchildren, Chantee Davis and Abigail Ward; and two step-grandsons, Craig and Chris Stanley, Clintwood. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m. with Mannie Strouth and Gene Vanover officiating. Burial will be in the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, Clintwood. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Guy Vanover and Roy Strouth. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Hawkins Family. Harold E. Higgins BRISTOL, Va. -- Memorial services for Harold Everett Higgins 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. Mr. Higgins, age 74, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, in James H. Quillen Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Higgins. Texas Zona Hughes MARION -- Texas Zona Hughes, age 86, died Friday, July 18, 2003, at the Smyth County Community Hospital. Survivors and arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Bradley's Funeral Home. Bradley's Funeral Home in Marion is serving the family. Elizabeth S. Mahan MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. -- Elizabeth Shull Mahan, age 94, of 919 Medical Park Drive, formerly of Neva Community, passed away Friday, July 18, 2003, in the Mountain City Care Center. She was a native of Johnson County and was a daughter of the late James A. and Rebecca McQueen Shull. She as preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Boyce H. Mahan; a son, Charles I. Mahan; a grandson, Christopher T. Mahan; two brothers, Hal and Malcolm Shull; and three sisters, Carolyn Hall, Sarah Miller and Virginia Shull. She was a graduate of Watauga Academy and Carson-Newman College and received her master's degree from Appalachian State University. She taught at Cleveland High School, Cleveland, Va., Watauga Academy, Butler, Tenn., and the Johnson County High School, Mountain City. She was a member and Sunday School teacher at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Survivors: two sons and wives, James B. and Shelby Mahan, Butler, and Herbert C. and Melinda Mahan, Richmond; daughter-in-law, Charlotte Mahan, Bristol Tennessee; one sister, Florence Shull Kloss, Bristol Tennessee; grandchildren, Stephen and Douglas Mahan, Pamela Johnson, David and Mollie Elizabeth Mahan, Teresa Lesnak and Susie Jennings; seven great-grandchildren; and 12 nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday from the chapel of the Henson Funeral Home with Brother Bruce Simcox to officiate. Burial will be in the Brown Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews. The family will receive friends from 1 till 2:45 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brown Cemetery, c/o Bill Shull, 310 Big Dry Run Road, Mountain City, Gideons International, P.O. Box 155, Mountain City, or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1833, Merrifield, VA 22116-8033. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at henson@funeral-plans.com. Henson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Carolyn G. Maines ELIZABETHTON -- Carolyn G. Maines, 79, 1010 Fairview St., went home to be with the Lord July 18, 2003, in the Johnson City Medical Center after a lengthy illness. She fought a good fight, she finished her course, she kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for her a crown of righteousness, II Timothy 4:7-8. Mrs. Maines was a native of Bluff City and had lived in Elizabethton most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Clarence (Casey) and Effie Hodge Jones of Bluff City. She was preceded in death by a son, Rev. James D. Maines in 1990. Mrs. Maines was a graduate of Bluff City High School and Bristol Business College. She worked for Montgomery Ward for 10 years and retired from the Carter County Trustee's office after 30 years of service. Mrs. Maines was a member of the Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton. She had previously served East Side Free Will Baptist Church as pianist and church treasurer for several years. Survivors include her husband, James F. Maines, with whom she celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 18, 2003; two sons and daughters-in-law, Rev. Gary and Ann Maines, Centreville, Va., and Rev. Tom and Sherry Maines, Elizabethton; a former daughter-in-law, Janice Maines Garland, Elizabethton; two brothers, Bobby Jones, Bristol, and Clarence Jones Jr., Bluff City; eight grandchildren, Tabetha and her husband, Michael Graybeal and Veronica and her husband Troy Graybeal, all of Elizabethton, Andrea and her husband, Rev. Mark Ousley, Nashville, and Michael Maines, Matthew Maines, Adam Maines, Mitchell Maines and Aaron Maines, all of Centreville; and one great-granddaughter, Destie Graybeal, Elizabethton. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday in Memorial Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Gary Maines, Rev. Tom Maines and Rev. D.C. Byrd officiating. Graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Music will be provided by Ann Maines and the congregation. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, will be Troy Graybeal, Michael Graybeal, Mark Ousley, Michael Maines, Matthew Maines, Adam Maines, Mitchell Maines and Aaron Maines. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Friends may also call at the residence. To those who prefer, memorials may be made in memory of Mrs. Maines to the Carter County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 776, Elizabethton, TN 37644. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to go to the cemetery. Condolences to the Maines family may be e-mailed at mfc@chartertn.net. Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge. Chester A. Parks CASTLEWOOD -- The funeral service for Chester Admiral Parks 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. Mr. Parks, 53, died Thursday, July 17, 2003, at his home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Parks. James W. Riffey BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Funeral services for James W. Riffey will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2003, at 4 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Gary Rowlette and Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. Committal services will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. at the National Cemetery in Mountain Home, Tenn. Military honors will be presented by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard. 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. Mr. Riffey, age 60, of 204 St. Louis Ave., went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 17, 2003. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Samuel P. Robinson LEBANON -- Samuel Paul Robinson, 76, died Friday, July 18, 2003, at his home. Born March 16, 1927, in Russell County, a son of the late Walter D. Robinson and Sally J. Cox Robinson, he was a retired employee of the Virginia Department of Transportation with 23 years of service. He was a member of the Bascom United Methodist Church and was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Arnold Robinson; and a sister, Sue Robinson Gibson. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Okema Fields Robinson; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Edith and Bob Cox, Rosedale, and Dorothy and Carter Taylor, Honaker; two special nephews, Sam Fields and David Robinson; a special niece, Sherry Spears; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Richie Neese and the Rev. Virgil Musick officiating. The committal service and burial will be at 3 p.m. Monday in the Ketron Memorial Gardens. Those attending are requested to meet at the funeral home by 2:30 p.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Sam Fields, David Robinson, Thomas Paul Robinson, Tim Phillips, Doyle Fields, Kendall Fields, Jerry Fields and Harold Spears. Honorary pallbearers will be Howard Sword, John Patton Robinson, Jerry Hawkins, Larry Robinson, Bobby Ferguson, Ricky Riley Jr. and Harry Ferguson Jr. Flowers will be appreciated or memorials may be made to Bascom United Methodist Church, Route 1, Box 130, Lebanon, VA 24266 or Dennison United Methodist Church, HC-64, Box 34, Rosedale, VA 24280. The family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. Sunday prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Robinson family. Deborah Valentine COEBURN -- Deborah Hamilton Valentine, 37, passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2003, in Locust Grove, Va.. She was a 1984 graduate of Coeburn High School. She attended Mountain Empire Community College, Radford University, was of the Freewill Baptist faith and was an employee of Second Bank and Trust in Culpepper, Va. Surviving are her husband, Kenneth Valentine of Locust Grove; two sons, Charles Valentine and Kenneth Lee Valentine of the home; her father and mother, Claudie and Dolly Stanley Hamilton of Coeburn; her brother, Duane Hamilton of Damascus; and maternal grandmother, Nina Stanley of Coeburn. Funeral services for Deborah Hamilton Valentine will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Curtis Bond and Rev. Charlie Couch officiating. Burial and graveside committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2003, at the Edwards Cemetery, Sandy Ridge. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2003, till time of services at 7 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Home of Coeburn in charge of arrangements. Madeline E. Whited AKRON, Ohio -- Mrs. Madeline E. Whited, age 80, passed away Friday, July 18, 2003, in a Akron nursing facility. Born in Punkin Center section of Swords Creek, Va., she was a daughter of the late Cleveland and Rosella Bostic Dye. She was a member of the Akron Bible Church and had owned and operated the Massillon Road Marathon for 22 years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Whited; one sister, Dulcie Mays; and two brothers, Cleveland Dye Jr. and Elwood Dye. Survivors include two daughters, Sheila Collins of Akron and Linda Burkett of Centerville, Texas; three sisters, Arbutus Forrester of Honaker, Carol Cox of Florida, and Avalene Dye of Fredricksburg, Va.; and five grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Howard Duma officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Alzheimer's Association, 1815 West Market St., Suite 301, Akron, OH 44313. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. 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 5 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, 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; 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. 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 P. O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212; Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620; 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.