Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 26, 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 26, 2003 Today's Deaths W.W. Gifford, 84, Bristol Tennessee Ray Hubble, Abingdon James K. Jones, 81, Bristol Virginia Elmer Cecil Leonard, 75, Bristol Tennessee Mary Catherine Lester, 45, Aurora, Ill. Terry Lee Marshall, 29, Castlewood Ervin A. Mitchell, 94, Baptist Valley, Va. Leovia Crosswhite Moore, 93, Abingdon Beecher Roosevelt Robins, 63, Fairfax, Va. McKinley William Vance, 81, Unico, Tenn. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W. C. Baker Jr. NOKOMIS, Fla. -- Funeral services for W.C. "Bill" Baker Jr. will be conducted at 1 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. 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. -- Funeral services for Maxie Lee Belcher will be conducted 1 p.m. Saturday in the Hagy & Fawbush 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. Mrs. Belcher, 88, departed this world to be in her eternal home in Heaven on July 23, 2003. 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. Mrs. Gallimore was born on Nov. 15, 1928, in Wytheville, Va., a daughter to the late Paris Burley "Tobe" and Nellie Sue Taylor Cline. She lived all of her adult life in the Bristol area and was a member of the Woodlawn Baptist Church. Mrs. Gallimore had retired from Bristol Compressors with 15 years of service and was a Avon Representative for 40 years. Mrs. Gallimore was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas M. Gallimore Sr. Mrs. Gallimore is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Deborah Gobble and husband, James, of Bristol Virginia, Kathy Gallimore of Bristol Tennessee, and Patricia Leonard and husband, Allan, of Bristol Virginia; one son, Douglas M. Gallimore Jr. of Johnson City, Tenn.; one sister, Vivian Dix of Lee Hall, Va.; seven grandchildren; and one step-grandchild, Travis Gobble, Tracey Gobble, Amanda Estes, Melissa Leonard, Leslie Hill, Jessica Leonard, Lori Ann Gallimore and Jessica Stone; and eight great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held Saturday, July 26, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Stephen Playl officiating. Graveside service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. from the Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 until 7:45 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. W.W. Gifford Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. -- W.W. Gifford Sr., age 84, of 1000 Bluff City Highway, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2003, at Wellmont Hospice House. He was born in Whites Creek, Tenn., the son of the late Charlie and Emma Gifford. He had spent most of his life in the Bristol area, was a retired driver for Super Service and Time D.C. and was a well-known builder in the Bristol area. He was a member of Brookside Baptist Church and was a U.S. Navy veteran serving in World War II as a gunman on the U.S.S. New Mexico Battleship. Survivors include: wife, Katherine Patrick Gifford; daughter, Janice Stevens and husband Ray; sons, Mike Gifford and wife Debbie, Cliff Gifford and wife Debbie and Woodrow "Wink" Gifford; grandchildren, Jennifer Minor and husband Baron, Tiffany Kruse and husband Tim, Josh Stevens, Robert and Rebecca Gifford, Nicole, Crystal, Jarrod and Destenee Gifford, Shawna and April Oaks, Christy Baskette and Misty Woods; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Alex, Aaron and Addison Minor and Chad Gifford; sister, Bertha Cantrell; brothers, William Gifford and wife Sue and Marshall Gifford and wife, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Fred Potter officiating. Interment will follow at Weaver Cemetery. Pallbearers will be sons and grandsons. Military honors will be presented by the Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Color Guard. Special thanks to the Hospice House, Dr. John Green and Dr. Sue Prill. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ray Hubble ABINGDON -- Mr. Ray Hubble passed away Friday, July 25, 2003, at his home. He was preceded in death by a sister, Clady Johnson, and was a member of the Mt. Carmel Christian Church. He is survived by his wife, Marie Hubble; a son, Freddie Hubble of Abingdon; a daughter, Karen Suarez of Florida; two brothers, Hugh Hubble of Dante, Va., and Tommy Hubble of Castlewood, Va.; a sister, Maxine Chandler of Nora, Va.; and three grandchildren, Peyton, Bianca and Natonya. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. Ray Hubble. James Kelly Jones BRISTOL, Va. -- James K. "Grandpa" Jones, 81, died Thursday, July 24, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Abingdon and had been a resident of Bristol Virginia for over 40 years. He was retired from VDOT having worked in the Bristol District Office and he was a member of Fellowship Chapel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Clinton and Phoeba Leona Pierce Jones, and his wife, Annie Musick Jones. Mr. Jones is survived by one daughter, Kelly J. Zimmerman of Bluff City; two sisters, Edith Cox of Lutherville, Md., and Margaret Steward of Monkton, Md.; one brother, Harold Jones of Parkton, Md.; three grandchildren, Stephanie and Sarah Zimmerman and Cheyenne Ryans; and several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral service will be conducted Sunday, July 27, 2003. Details will be announced in the Sunday edition of the Bristol Herald-Courier. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Harold Jones, Jerry Ryans, Clarence Branson, Jimmy Honaker, Danny Smith and Jimmy Thayer Jr. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Southeast Region, 208 Sunset Drive No. 521, Johnson City, TN 37604 or the American Diabetes Association, 4205 Hillsboro Rd., Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37215. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Saturday evening at Akard Funeral Home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Jones. Elmer Cecil Leonard BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Elmer Cecil Leonard, 75, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 24, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Bristol Tennessee and was a son of the late Alvin L. and Charmie Hagy Leonard. He lived in Staunton, Va., for 26 years before returning to Bristol. Mr. Leonard was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and was retired from Smith Transfer. He was a member of the Happy Hearts Club and the Mountain View Baptist Church in Johnson City. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Gene Leonard. Mr. Leonard is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn Hinkle Leonard; two daughters, Terry Leonard of Staunton and Lesa Byrum and her husband, Mark, of Springfield, Va.; two sons, Rev. Ron Leonard and his wife, Cindy, of Charleston, S.C., and Larry Leonard and his wife, Susan, of Burlington, N.C.; one sister, Inez Pullon, of Bristol Tennessee; two sisters-in-law, Laura Leonard of Bristol Virginia and Becky Leonard of Marion, N.C.; two grandchildren, Sarah Leonard of Charleston, S.C., and Ronnie Leonard Jr. of Bristol Virginia; two step-granddaughters, Amanda and Elizabeth Byrum; one step-great-granddaughter, Juliette Moore; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 7:30 Sunday evening, July 27, in the chapel of Akard Funeral Home, with Rev. Sherril Nave and Rev. James Cambron officiating. The committal service and burial will be conducted at 11 o'clock Monday morning at the graveside in Shipley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews, Ricky Whitson, Jeremiah Wallace, David Cooper, Emanuel Morenings, Gary Carrier and Preston Justice. Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Cambron's Sunday School Class of Mountain View Baptist Church. The family would like to extend many thanks to the 4th floor and ICU nurses and respiratory therapists of Bristol Regional Medical Center and to Dr. Byers, Dr. Baron, Dr. Charles Bolick, Dr. Pierre Istfan and Vickie Lewis, "We love you." In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Mountain View Baptist Church, 4005 Bristol Highway, Johnson City, TN 37601. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:30 Sunday evening at Akard Funeral Home prior to the service. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Leonard. Mary C. Lester AURORA, Ill. -- Mary Catherine Lester, age 45, died peacefully surrounded by her family after a short illness on July 21, 2003, at Provena Mercy Hospital in Aurora. She was a certified nursing assistant for 25 years at Provena Fox Knoll Nursing Home, which was the love of her life. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Autry Lester; and a sister, Deliah Kay Lester. Survivors include her parents, James G. and Bonnie Lester of Aurora; three brothers; Kevin Head, Randy Head and Tom Head; her grandparents, Mary and Roy Miller; uncles, John C. Lester Jr. of Forest, Va., W.L. Lester of Clover, S.C., L. Ted Lester of Meadowview and C. Ned Lester of Blacksburg, Va.; aunts, Betty L. Cline of Abingdon, Peggy L. Robinson of Glade Spring, Sue L. Comey of Charlottesville, Va., Nancy L. Leonard of Fincastle, Va., and Mary L. Heinke of Napa, Calif.; and several cousins. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Old Glade Spring Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Timothy Bird officiating. Burial will follow the service in the Old Glade Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Cousins will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the services on Sunday. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Those who would like may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212. Friends may express their sympathies online at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Howard Liebenow Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. -- A memorial service for Howard William "Pop" Liebenow Sr. 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. Mr. Liebenow, age 91, 24 Kilmainham, died Thursday, July 24, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Terry Lee Marshall CASTLEWOOD -- Terry Lee Marshall, 29, died Thursday, July 24, 2003, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. He was born in Norton. He was preceded in death by one brother, Jimmy Allen Marshall. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Marshall; two daughters, Trinity Marshall and Nickey Marshall, of Castlewood; one son, Brandon Marshall, of Castlewood; his parents, Wilburn and Lois Marshall, of Castlewood; three sisters, Carol Cook of Pineville, W.Va., Linda Steffey of Castlewood and Sherry Campbell of Castlewood; one brother, Michael Marshall of Vero Beach, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Terry Lee Marshall will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 2003, in Marshall Cemetery, Sandy Ridge, Wise County, St. Paul, Va., with Rev. Blake Mullins officiating. The family will meet at the funeral home at 1 p.m. Sunday and will go in procession to the cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Online condolences may be sent to the Marshall family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Ervin A. Mitchell BAPTIST VALLEY, Va. -- Mr. Ervin A. Mitchell, age 94, passed away Thursday, July 24, 2003, at his home following a long illness. Born in Tazewell County, Va., he was the son of the late Mack and Mary Catherine Baldwin Mitchell. He was a retired carpenter. He attended the Assembly of God Church at Baptist Valley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Harmon Mitchell; one son, Ervin Milbern Mitchell; two brothers, George Mitchell and Isaac Mitchell; two sisters, Oakley Whitt and Pearl Harman; and several half brothers and sisters. He is survived by two sons, Joe Mitchell and wife Barbara and Powell Mitchell and wife Carolyn, both of Baptist Valley; one sister, Mae Beavers of Baptist Valley; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 2003, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Barry Absher and Rev. Robert Whitt officiating. Burial will follow in the Hankins Family Cemetery at Baptist Valley. Pallbearers will be David Beavers, Shawn Roberts, Travis Bandy, Jerry Wyatt, Kirk Wolfe and Roger Hankins. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Mitchell family. Leovia C. Moore ABINGDON -- Mrs. Leovia Crosswhite Moore, age 93, died Thursday, July 24, 2003, at the Westhaven Retirement Living. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va. She was a member of the Meadowview United Methodist Church. Leovia was preceded in death by her first husband, Zollie Crosswhite, and second husband, Dewey Moore. She is survived by one son, R. D. Crosswhite and wife, Penny, of Marion, Ohio; two daughters, Doris Ann Hart and husband, Bill, of Springfield, Va., and Shirley Rector and husband, Wayne, of Meadowview; one brother, Joy Hayter and wife, Ernestine, of Abingdon; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several stepchildren and step-grandchildren; and a special friend and caregiver, Teresa Boyd. A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, July 27, 2003, at 4 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Katye Fox officiating. Burial will follow in the Knollkreg Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 7 - 9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Steve Rector, Scott Rector, Matt Rector, Chuck Porter, Bob Hayter and Freddie Hayter. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of the Meadowview United Methodist Church. In lieu of the flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Meadowview United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 255, Meadowview, VA 24361 or Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 Westridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382. Those wishing to express a memory or condolence may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Moore. Clyde D. Puckett CLAYPOOL HILL, Va. -- Funeral services for Mr. Clyde Davis Puckett will be conducted Saturday at 1 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. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Mr. Puckett, age 77, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Beecher R. Robins FAIRFAX, Va. -- Mr. Beecher Roosevelt Robins, age 63, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, in Fairfax. He was born in Russell County, Va., and had lived in Meadowview before moving to Fairfax 40 years ago. He was a member of the Centreville Assembly of God, where he was a trustee, former deacon and assisted his wife teaching the Primary Class for 20 years. He was a graduate of the Washington County Technical School in auto mechanics. He was a former yard foreman at the Maryland Cast Stone Company in Rockville, Maryland, before becoming a maintenance supervisor for the Culmore Realty Company where he had worked 25 years. We will always remember your warm smile, your laugh and gentleness that was you. You showed your love in the things you did to help make each of our lives easier. You taught us compassion for others by the examples you set. You truly had a servant's heart. You left a legacy to people that is rich with love and humility. You will live in our hearts forever. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Nickels Robins; three daughters, Lisa Michelle Swaney and husband, Richard, of Athens, W.Va., Susan Diane Bates and husband, Anthony, of Lynchburg, Va., and Kimberley Lynn Catron and husband, Robert, of Athens; three brothers, Charlie Robins, Clarence Robins and James Alfred Robins, all of Meadowview; a sister, Pearl Bricker of Chilhowie; nine grandchildren, Krystin Swaney, Robert Paul Catron, Alexis Bates, Joshua Swaney, Kassie Catron, Bryan and Brandon Bates, Lindsey Bates and Nathaniel Catron; three brothers-in- law, who were like brothers, Jim Nickels, Buddy Nickels and Kenneth Nickels. A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, July 27, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. David Forkey and Rev. Jim Nickels officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Methodist Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Saturday night at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Derrick Nickels, Clarence Robins Jr., Michael Robins, David Robins, James Nickels and Mike Wyatt. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Emmert, Odell Moore, Carl Berglund, Buddy Nickels and Kenneth Nickels. Those wishing to express a memory or condolence may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Robins. Wilma A. Stewart BRISTOL, Tenn. -- A memorial service for Wilma A. Stewart 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, 77, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 22, 2003, from her home. 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 -- The funeral service for William Ira Stratton will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2003, in Weaver Funeral 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. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Stratton, age 74, of 380 Johnson Hollow Rd., passed away Thursday, July 24, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House. McKinley W. Vance UNICOI, Tenn. -- McKinley William Vance, age 81, of 137 Springbrook Road, passed away at his home Wednesday, July 23, 2003. He was a Sunday School teacher for 20 years at the Mansfield Freewill Baptist Church in Mansfield, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hogue and Winnie (Stanley) Vance. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. He is survived by his wife, Pauline Vance of Unicoi; sons, Wayne Vance of Unicoi and Michael Vance of Knoxville; sister, Polly Stevens of Mansfield, and brother, Joe Vance of Lucas, Ohio. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27, in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Wayne Keith and Pastor Robbie Hay officiating. Burial will be in the Presley Place Cemetery, Sutherland Ridge Section, Stratton. Pallbearers: Darris Vance, Kevin Vance, Daron Hickson, Roger Vance, Benny Vance and Gerald Vance. Military graveside services will be conducted by the Clintwood DAV Chapter 35, VFW Post 8979 and American Legion Post 227. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26, in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Vance family. Dewey Junior Vannoy BLUFF CITY -- A funeral service for Mr. Dewey Junior Vannoy will be conducted Saturday, July 26, 2003, at 2 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. 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. Mr. Vannoy, age 78, died Wednesday, July 23, 2003, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Vannoy.