Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 25, 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 Friday, July 25, 2003 Today's Deaths Maxie Lee Belcher, 88, Appalachia, Va. Orpha M. Rife Blankenship, 89, Abingdon James W. "Jay" Brown, 56, Duluth, Ga. Willie Kenneth Coleman, 68, Grundy Edna Cline Gallimore, 74, Bristol Virginia Howard William "Pop" Liebenow Sr., 91, Bristol Tennessee Bertha Meade, 93, Coeburn Jimmy Ray Sanders, 55, Coeburn Goldie M. Slagle, 87, Wise, Va. William Ira Stratton, 74, Blountville Dewey Junior Vannoy, 78, Bluff City -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W. C. Baker Jr. NOKOMIS, Fla. -- Funeral services for W.C. "Bill" Baker Jr. will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 26, 2003, at First Baptist Church in Bluff City with Dr. Andrew E. Spence Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Baker Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary Slagle, Sammy Wassom, Thurman Wassom, Allen Tester, Dexter Christenberry, Ron Ramsey, David Crockett Sr., Gary Rader, Leon Dunn, Earl Buchanan and Danny Bartley. Honorary Pallbearers will be Don Cooper, Harold Durham, Vince Sikora and Lebron Free. The family will receive friends at Akard Funeral Home from 6 until 9 o'clock on Friday evening. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Matthew's House, A Romanian Ministry, 122 Gillette Rd., Jonesborough, TN 37659. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net Mr. Baker passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 23, 2003. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Baker. Maxie Lee Belcher APPALACHIA, Va. -- Maxie Lee Belcher, 88, departed this world to be in her eternal home in Heaven on July 23, 2003. Psalm 116:15 "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." She attended the Zion Family Ministries. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Belcher; sister, Golda Tucker; brothers, Lonnie Ferrell, Curtis Ferrell, Frank Ferrell, Burley Ferrell and Ralph Ferrell; and one great- granddaughter, Jordan Christian Rowland. She was deeply loved by all of her family, which includes daughters: Teresa Belcher of Big Stone Gap, Va.; Carolyn Nappier and her husband Harold of Kingsport; Barbara Rutherford and husband Don of Appalachia; and Betty Rowland and husband Dewey of Appalachia; sons: Kenneth Belcher and wife Cathy of Kingsport; and Paul Belcher and wife Alice of Kingsport; grandchildren: Rebecca Bays and husband Matt; Cynthia Carr and husband Tim; Danny Rowland; Mike Rowland and wife Tina; Vicki Baskett and husband Greg; and Kay West and husband Richard; great-grandchildren, Reece Carr, Hannah Baskett, Aaron Baskett, Brandon Baskett, Chelsea West, Mitchell West and Alex Rowland; nephews, Jack Tucker and Jimmy Tucker; niece, Patsy Arnold; and special niece, Peggy Hammonds. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Ron Hager officiating. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Orpha Blankenship ABINGDON -- Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2003, for Orpha M. Rife Blankenship, 89, formerly of Bradshaw, W.Va., who died early Thursday, July 24, at her residence in Abingdon following a long illness. Elders Gary Estep, Jerry Stacy and Phillip Estep will officiate at the Samariah Old Regular Baptist Church at Jolo, W.Va. Burial will follow in Tom Sparks Cemetery on Bradshaw Mountain, near Paynesville, W.Va. Friends may call at the chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger Friday, July 25, from 6-9 p.m., where Reverend Donald Phayer of Abingdon will conduct an evening service at 7 p.m. Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger is in charge of arrangements. James W. Brown DULUTH, Ga. -- James W. "Jay" Brown, age 56, died on July 15, 2003. He retired from GM after 30 years and served during the Vietnam War. Jay was also a charter member of Campus Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Brown; daughter, Manisha Kinser of Duluth; mother, Margaret A. Brown of Richlands; lifelong friend, David Bays of Abingdon; and grandsons. A Celebration of Life Service was held July 20, 2003. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorials be made to GACS for Kinser Scholarship Fund, 1575 Indian Trail Road, Norcross, GA 30093. Charles T. Chaffin TRAMMEL, Va. -- Funeral services for Charles Tracy Chaffin will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Lanny Powers officiating. Interment will follow in Chaffin Family Cemetery, Russell County, Va. Pallbearers will be Mickey Phillips, Jackie Phillips, Terry Sperrow, Richard Phillips, Sam Phillips and John Phillips. Honorary pallbearers will be Cossie Phillips, Huleo Phillips, Little Mickey Phillips and Jackson Phillips Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. Online condolences may be sent to the Chaffin family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Mr. Chaffin, 30, died Friday, July 18, 2003, from the results of an automobile accident. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Willie K. Coleman GRUNDY -- Willie Kenneth Coleman, 68 years of age, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at Buchanan General Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Phelps, Ky., he was a son of the late George and Garnet Wolford Coleman. He had been a resident of Buchanan County several years and was of the Protestant faith. He served in the U.S. Army for 21 years serving in Korea, Vietnam and Germany, receiving the Sharpshooter Badge M-14, Expert Badge M-16, GCMDL (2,3,4 Award), VSM, VCM w/60 device and 4-O/S Bars. He was a member of John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion and Childs Gentry Post 7360 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. After retiring from the armed forces, he was employed as a truck driver and repairman. Mr. Coleman is survived by his wife, Deloris Nickels Coleman, Grundy; two sons, Tracy Kinder, Harrisonburg, Va., and Scottie Kinder, Richlands; two sisters, Claris Lester, Grundy, and Margie Collier, Greensboro, N.C.; one brother, Roger Lee Coleman, Grundy; and one grandson, Chase Kinder. He was preceded in death by one son, Roger Keith Coleman; and one nephew, George S. Lester. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, July 26, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelists Michael Trent, Mike Rife and Jerry Edwards officiating, with burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Services will be held Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Active pallbearers: Tracy Kinder, Scottie Kinder, Doris Nickels, Tim Nickels, Denford Deel and Arnie Nickels. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. J.G. Patel, Dr. H. Patel, Dr. J.N. Patel and ICU nursing staff of Buchanan General Hospital. Full military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Ray C. Counts HAYSI -- Funeral service for Ray Charles Counts will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2003, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Joe Edwards, George B. Combs, Victor Church and Otis Fields. Burial will follow in the Edwards Cemetery of Birchleaf. Dickenson County VFW Post 8979 will conduct military graveside rites. Pallbearers will be Craig Sykes, David Raines, Brad Viers, Roger Ramey, Chris Teague, Denver Ramey, Eddie Turner and K.J. Mullins. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Ramey, Dr. Molina, Kenny Mullins, Dr. Messak, Joe Ramey, Jerryl Raines, Jerry Gibson and Eddie Charping. Mr. Counts, age 57, died at his home, Tuesday, July 22, 2003. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Helen Pippin Degges BRISTOL, Va. -- Mrs. Helen Pippin Degges, age 69, died Tuesday, July 22, 2003 at her home. Mrs. Degges was born on Nov. 14, 1933, in Washington County, Va. She was preceded in death by her father, George Pippin; and a sister, Betty Pippin. She was a member of the Walnut Springs Church. She is survived by her husband, Ernie Degges; a daughter, Sherry Marie Leal of Eden, Okla.; her mother, Blanche Pippin of Abingdon; a sister, Ruth Haselden and husband Mack of Hahira, Ga.; two brothers: James Pippin and wife Mary of Columbia, S.C.; and Lewis Pippin and wife Jo of Bristol Virginia; a grandson, Jeremiah Kutz of the U.S Air Force; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 25, 2003, in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Dr. Austin Cook officiating. Interment will follow the service. Those attending the funeral service are requested to assemble at the cemetery by 12:50 a.m. Friday. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Helen Pippin Degges. Henry M. Fields ROANOKE -- Henry M. Fields, 81, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, July 23, 2003. He was born Aug. 18, 1921, in Washington County, Va. He was the son of the late Robert McKinley Fields and Rosie Bridgeman Fields. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Viola Robbins Fields; a son, Henry Wayne Fields; and a brother, Dale Fields. He was a retired Greyhound bus driver and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served in World War II and the Korean conflict. He was a member of the New Testament Baptist Church in Vinton, Va. Surviving are his daughter, Patsy Sue Doyle of Roanoke; two grandchildren, Sandra and husband, Amiel Tutolo and Jeff Doyle and wife Kim; two great- grandsons, Clay and Blake Doyle; three brothers, Robert, Carl and David Fields; three sisters, Kay Harris, Bertie Sanders and Mary Lou Wise; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 26, 2003, at 10 a.m. from Oakey's Vinton Chapel, with Rev. J.E. Edwards officiating. Interment to follow in Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, Va. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Oakey's Vinton Chapel (982-2221). Edna C. Gallimore BRISTOL, Va. -- Edna Cline Gallimore, age 74, of 110 Hilltop Drive, went to be with the Lord Thursday, July 24, 2003, at her residence. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. Howard Liebenow Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Howard William "Pop" Liebenow Sr., age 91, 24 Kilmainham, died Thursday, July 24, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Newark, N.J., son of the late Charles and Carrie Liebenow, and was a former resident of New Port Richey, Fla. He was a retired clerk with Prodential Insurance Company and was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Helen Liebenow. He is survived by a daughter, Connie Avento and her husband Joe Avento of Bristol Tennessee; one son, Howard William Liebenow Jr. and his wife Patricia Liebenow, Smithville, N.J.; five grandchildren, Joe Avento of Johnson City, Diane Kirchen of Bristol Tennessee, Bob Avento of Knoxville, William Liebenow of Brigitine, N.J., and Micheal Liebenow of Las Vegas. Also surviving are 11 great- grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted in St. Anne Catholic Church at noon on Saturday, July 26, 2003, with Father Timothy E. Keeney officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anne Catholic Church, 350 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Bertha Meade COEBURN -- Bertha Meade, 93, died Thursday, July 24, 2003, at her residence in Coeburn. Mrs. Meade was a lifelong resident of Coeburn and a member of the Church of God of Prophecy for about 65 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Meade; her parents, L.M. and Sarah Rigsby Carico; and a son, Darrell Meade. Survivors include four daughters: Margie Richardson, Crestline, Ohio; and Shirlean Smith, Juanita Salyers and Frances McReynolds, all of Coeburn; a son, Harlan G. Meade, Coeburn; a sister, Gladys Keen, Grundy; a brother, Clifford Carico, Ohio; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Bertha Meade will be held Sunday, July 27, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. at Church of God of Prophecy on Grand Avenue with Rev. Samuel Hall and Brother Danny Mefford officiating. Burial will follow in the Calvin Edwards Cemetery in Coeburn. The family will receive friends at Estes Funeral Home Saturday afternoon and evening. Estes Funeral Home Inc. (276) 395-2441 James A. Peters Sr. Funeral services for James A. (Jim) Peters Sr. will be held on Friday at 2 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Joe Hudson and Pastor Dwayne Green officiating. Interment will follow at High Point Cemetery. Pallbearers include grandsons, Chad Peters, Jason Peters and Joel Peters, grandson-in-law, Nathan McDuffie, and nephews, Jimmy Gilmer, John Payne Jr. and David Payne. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Peters, age 75, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 23, 2003. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Clyde D. Puckett CLAYPOOL HILL, Va. -- Mr. Clyde Davis Puckett, age 77, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born in Cleveland, Va., and was a son of the late Lonnie L. and Ava Dye Puckett, both Tazewell County natives. He was a life long resident of the Richlands and Claypool Hill area and was a retired employee of General Shale Corp. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Bertha Puckett; and three brothers, Charlie, Dewey and Clarence Puckett. Survivors are: two sisters, Miss Ruth Puckett of Claypool Hill and Miss Beulah Puckett of Claypool Hill; one adopted brother, Mr. Junior Boyd of Claypool Hill; one niece; and several nephews also survive. Funeral services for Mr. Clyde Davis Puckett will be conducted Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Darrell Sutherland and Rev. Charles Hubbard officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill. Pallbearers will be: Gene Puckett, Ronnie Fuller, Don Puckett, William Puckett, Randy Puckett and Clebern Newberry. Dr. M. J. Thakkar will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6:00 p.m. Friday. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Ricky Allen Ray Jr. CLEVELAND, Va. -- The funeral service for Ricky Allen Ray Jr. will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Eugene Miller and the Rev. Miles Honaker officiating. Burial will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Bradley Street, Hobart Phillips, Chris Penton, Billy Barton, Gerald Phillips, Brad Carpenter, Jason Hubbard and Rick McDaniel. Friends will serve as honorary pallbearers. Mr. Ray, 18, died Tuesday, July 22, 2003. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Ricky Allen Ray Jr. Jimmy Ray Sanders COEBURN -- Jimmy Ray Sanders, 55, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur R. Sanders; and a son, Timothy Sanders. Survivors include his wife Linda Sanders; son, Shone Sanders, Coeburn; daughter- in-law, Susanna Sanders, Coeburn; a granddaughter, Taylor Sanders, Coeburn; a sister, Patsy S. Hall, Bristol; and his mother, Virginia. Funeral services for Jimmy Ray Sanders will be held Saturday, July 26, 2003, at noon at Estes Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Darrell Bolling officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Coeburn. The family will receive friends Friday after 6 p.m. at Estes Funeral Home. Estes Funeral Home Inc. (276) 395-2441 Goldie M. Slagle WISE, Va. -- Goldie M. Slagle, 87, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at the Heritage Hall Health Care in Big Stone Gap, Va. She was of the Pentecostal faith. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Dave and Vestie Ingle Brock; husband, Charlie Slagle; two daughters, Bonnie Dean and Joyce Mullins; one brother, Watson Brock; and one sister, Laura Burgess. Surviving are two sons, Cecil Roberts of Norton and Darrell Roberts of Mt. Carmel, Tenn.; two sisters, Ollie Sloce and Stella Wells, both of Wise; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Goldie M. Slagle will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Rev. J.M. Sloce officiating. Burial will follow in the Roberts Cemetery, Norton. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, July 25, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Wilma A. Stewart BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Wilma A. Stewart, 77, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 22, 2003, from her home. She was born in Lane, Kan. She and her husband, George, have resided in Bristol since 1977. Wilma worked at Weight Watchers until her illness. She also had worked for Strong Robinette and Associated Contractors Services Inc. here in Bristol. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Verlie James of Ketchum, Okla., and a sister, Evelyn Osborn of Rockville, Md. Survivors include her husband, George R. Stewart, who will remain in Bristol; two sisters, Joan Niece of Tennessee Colony, Texas, and Judy Park of Wichita, Kan.; four daughters: Diana Helton of The Colony, Texas; Debbie Weckler of Powell, Wyo.; and Georgi Stewart and Kathy Stewart of St. Joe, Mo.; a son, James Mentzer of Crestview, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. A memorial service will be conducted at 10 o'clock Saturday morning, July 26, 2003, at Avoca Christian Church with Minister Bob Robinson officiating. In lieu of flowers, Wilma requested that memorial contributions be sent to Avoca Christian Church, 2417 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Stewart and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. William Ira Stratton BLOUNTVILLE -- William Ira Stratton, age 74, of 380 Johnson Hollow Rd., passed away Thursday, July 24, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House. He was born in Benhams, Va., and lived his life in the Bristol area. He is the son of the late Frank Lane and Macie Barker Stratton. He was an Army veteran and a life member of the VFW Patton Crosswhite. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and a supervisor for Bristol Metals. He is survived by his wife, Bettie Livesay Stratton. Also surviving, daughter, Linda Williams and husband, David; son, Ronald Stratton; granddaughters: Tracy Bledsoe and husband, Mark; and Heather Williams; great-grandson, Brett Logan Williams; sister, Lizzie Begley and husband, Clarence; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July Home Chapel, with Pastor Bobby King officiating. The burial will be follow in Glenwood Cemetery with military honors by VFW Patton-Crosswhite. Pallbearers will be Robert Dishner, Ernie Henley, Charles Nave, Howard Countiss, Roy Houser, Bill Yates and Mark Countiss. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday evening at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Dewey Junior Vannoy BLUFF CITY -- Mr. Dewey Junior Vannoy, age 78, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Washington County, Va., to the late Jessee and Irene Vannoy. He was a member of the Bluff City United Methodist Church. Dewey was a retired U. S. Army veteran serving in World War II, Korea and Vietnam as sergeant major, and earned numerous medals. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Martha Jean Orr Vannoy; one son, Jeffrey A. Vannoy and wife, Kristy of Ramona, Calif.; one daughter, Leona Streng of Bristol Tennessee; one brother, Tommy Lee Vannoy of Blue Ridge, Ga.; one sister, Eyvonne Wood of Sarasota, Fla.; five grandchildren, Aaron Streng, David Streng, Breanna Vannoy, Megan Vannoy and Nathan Vannoy. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, July 26, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel with Pastor Karen Albers officiating. Entombment will follow in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Military rites will be conducted by the Patton-Crosswhite VFW Post 6975. The family will receive friends from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Aaron Streng, David Streng, Scott Lawson, Lowell Shaw, Charles Stieler and Mick Davenport. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Ball, Charlie Blevins, Charles Hurley, Mike Miller and the Adult Bible Class. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Bluff City United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 190, Bluff City, TN 37618. Those wishing to express sympathy or a memory online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Vannoy.