Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, August 8, 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, August 8, 2003 Today's Deaths Clarence Swanson Call, 84, Glade Spring Margaret E. Clear, 85, Saltville Daisy Scott Fletcher, 91, Vansant, Va. Margaret P. Hagan, 77, Abingdon Rush E. Hayes, 61, Sugar Grove, Va. Annie M. Johnson, 82, Bristol Virginia Daisy Matney, 91, Springfield, Va. James Howard Rhea, 73, Piney Flats Bill G. Richards, 69, Fall Branch, Tenn. Sybil Williams Shackelford, 80, Bristol Tennessee H. Tony Smile, 44, Elizabethton Christie Sulfridge, 71, Norton Dennis Ervin Thompson, 55, Wise -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nancy Boyd LEBANON -- Graveside services for Nancy Lee Gray Boyd will conducted 11 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, at Russell Memorial Cemetery, with the Rev. Tom Edwards officiating. Neighbors will serve as pallbearers. Those attending the service are requested to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. Mrs. Boyd, age 89, died Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at her home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mrs. Boyd. Joshua S. Bryan BRISTOL, Va. -- Funeral services for Joshua "Sonny" Scott Bryan will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. John Thrasher officiating, assisted by Rev. Jane Ayers. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Sgt. John Austin, Deputy Bob Cumbow, Major David Mapels, Agent Jeff Carter, Danny Rasnake, Matthew Williams, Officer Mark Freeman and Officer Steve Crawford. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials to Bristol Virginia Dare Program, c/o Bristol Virginia Sheriff's Department, Bristol, VA. 24201. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. Friday prior to the service. Mr. Bryan, age 19, 312 Sioux Road, died Monday, August 4, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Clarence S. Call GLADE SPRING -- Mr. Clarence Swanson Call, born August 28, 1918, died Thursday, August 7, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Louise Coe Call; his mother, Blanche Call; one sister, Evelyn Doane, and two brothers, Allen and Carl Call. Mr. Call was a veteran of the U.S. Army, had received two Purple Hearts and was a Bronze Star recipient. Survivors: his wife, Sadie Marie Joannou Call of Glade Spring; one sister, Ruth Fullen of Saltville, and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Mr. Call will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, August 10, 2003, at Mount Rose Cemetery, with Rev. Dennis Banks officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Saltville VFW Post 7328. The family will receive friends from 6 -- 8 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home. The family would like to express special thanks to Shirley Coe, Barbara Call, Tony Fullen, the staff of Smyth County Community Hospital and to Dr. Reynolds. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Call family. Margaret E. Clear SALTVILLE -- Miss Margaret E. Clear, age 85, died Thursday, August 7, 2003, at her home. She was a member of the Roberts Chapel United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mae Nutter Clear and Stephen Guy Clear; two brothers, Charles Edward Clear and William Oscar Clear, and three sisters, Agnes C. Altman, Hazel C. Frye and Doris Jean Clear. Survivors: one brother, Guy S. Clear of Broadford, Va.; two sisters, Juanita C. Farris of Saltville and June Smith Wilson of Johnson City; nephews, Oscar C. Clear, Bobby Clear, Charles Clear, Don Clear and David Clear, all of Saltville, Matthew Clear of Meadowview and Michael Clear of Richmond; nieces, Connie Kinder of Abingdon, Barbara Wiseman of Johnson City and Robyn Smith of Nashville, and several great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. Funeral services for Miss Clear will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2003, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Billy Gillespie and Mary Virginia Coe officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Rich Valley. Pallbearers will be Oscar C. Clear, Bobby Clear, Charles Clear, Don Clear, David Clear, W.T. Gillespie Jr., Blake Taylor and C.P. Brickey Jr. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 -- 9 p.m. at the funeral home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Clear family. Curtis Deel HAYSI -- Funeral services for Curtis Deel will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Rev. Darrell Thacker officiating. Burial will follow in the C.W. Deel Cemetery, Route 1, Haysi. Brothers, nephews and brother-in-law, Norman Boyd, will serve as pallbearers. Curtis Deel, age 54, passed away Tuesday, August 5, 2003. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Daisy S. Fletcher VANSANT, Va. -- Daisy Scott Fletcher, 91 years of age, passed away Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Martha Osborne Scott. She was a life-long resident of Buchanan County and a charter member of Vansant Presbyterian Church. She and her late husband, Red Fletcher, owned and operated Vansant Cash Store for more than 65 years. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and homemaker. Mrs. Fletcher was preceded in death by her husband, Arville Lawrence "Red" Fletcher, June 10. 1983. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Matney and Gay Shortt; and one brother, John B. Scott. She is survived by one son, James A. and wife Clara Mae Fletcher, Vansant; one sister, Alice Sexton, Grundy; one sister-in-law, Edna Feltcher Hilton, Eaton, Ohio; two grandchildren, James Mark and wife Carol Fletcher, Vansant, and Tracy Suzanne Fletcher, Mount Pleasant, S.C., and one great-granddaughter, Candace Dawn Fletcher, Vansant. Funeral services for Daisy Scott Fletcher will be conducted Saturday, August 9, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Phyllis Canter officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. with a special love service and song service by Vansant Presbyterian Church choir at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be John Hale, Claude Hilton, John Shortt, David Shortt, Harry Scott, Frank Matney, Jerry Sexton, Junior Sexton, Terry Dean Sexton, Frank Pritchard, Pollard Shortt and Johnny Scott. Honorary pallbearers will be staff of Hospice and Palliative Care and staff of Heritage Hall Nursing Home. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to Vansant Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 757, Vansant, VA 24656. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Margaret P. Hagan ABINGDON -- Margaret P. "Peggy" Hagan, 77, formerly of Dickenson County, Va., and Fairfax, Va., passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at NHC Healthcare in Bristol Virginia. Mrs. Hagan was born in Clinchco, Va. She was a 1946 graduate of Madison College, Harrisonburg, Va., and lived in Fairfax for over 50 years before moving to Abingdon in 2002 to live with her sister, Ida Patton. She was registrar at Fairfax (Va.) High School for over 30 years before her retirement in January, 2002. She was a member and volunteer of the Historical Society of Washington County (Va.), member of Friends of the Washington County Public Library and member of the Booklovers Club of Abingdon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert F. "Bob" Hagan Sr. in 1990; her parents, Rudd C. and Verna (Deel) Patton; and sisters, Rebiel Lawson and Pauline Patton. Surviving are her children, Robert F. "Robin" Hagan Jr. and wife, Susan, of Purcellville, Va., Sarah Jane Hagan Hartman and husband, Steve, of Atco, N.J., and John R. Hagan and wife, Beth, of Big Stone Gap, Va.; nine grandchildren, Christopher Hagan, Joshua Hartman, Carrie Hartman, Erin Grace Hagan, Andrew Hartman, Jessee Hagan, Taylor Hagan, Ryan Hagan and Jake Hagan; three sisters, Ida R. Patton, Abingdon, Jo Ann Patton, Bristol Virginia, and Shirley Goodman and husband, V. B. Chandler, Fayetteville, Tenn.; one brother, Dr. Robert C. Patton and wife, Bette, Kingsport, and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, at Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon and again from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2003, at Everly Funeral Home in Fairfax. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at Memorial Chapel, Ft. Myer Army Base, Arlington, Va., with Father Stephen McWhorter officiating, and interment will follow in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Hagan and family request memorials be made to Friends of the Washington County Public Library, 205 Oak Hill St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Holding Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap is in charge of arrangements. Rush E. Hayes SUGAR GROVE, Va. -- Rush E. Hayes, age 61, died Thursday, August 7, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service. Annie M. Johnson BRISTOL, Va. -- Annie M. Johnson, 82, died Wednesday, August 6, 2003, in Wellmont Hospice House. A daughter of the late Lewis Price and Lula Barr Price, she was born in Washington County, Va. Mrs. Johnson worked for 49 years at Lorain Manufacturing Company, which was later Westbury Manufacturing Company, and was a member of Temple Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include her daughter, Carolyn Ann Johnson of Bristol Tennessee; her son, Paul Lewis Johnson of Bristol Virginia; three grandchildren, Tim Blair, Tracy Wells and Susie Blair; three great-grandchildren, Katie Wells, Amanda Harter and Casey Church; two great-great-grandsons, Logan and Jared Harter, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the graveside in Mountain View Cemetery, with Rev. W. C. Amos officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 Friday evening at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- blevins.com. Mrs. Johnson and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Va. Joseph Reid Kiser BRISTOL, Va. -- A graveside service for Joseph Reid Kiser will be conducted Friday, August 8, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. Eddie Hannah officiating. Family and friends are to meet at the cemetery before the service on Friday. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The infant son of Mark and Tonya Kiser died Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Joseph Kiser. Daisy Matney SPRINGFIELD, Va. -- Daisy Matney, 91 years of age, of Green Springs Village, passed away Saturday, August 2, 2003, in the Alexandria Hospital, Alexandria, Va. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late John and Lydia Deskins Matney. She was a graduate of Radford College with a bachelor's degree and did graduate work at the University of Virginia. She taught school in many counties of Virginia. She retired from teaching English at the Jeb Stuart High School in Fairfax County in 1973. She was a member of the Arlington Women's Club and active member of the Mount Olivet Methodist Church. She loved cooking and sharing with others. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Rachel Matney Baker and Louise Matney, and three brothers, Warren Pete Matney, Stuart Jay Matney and Eugene H. Matney. She is survived by two sisters, Josephine Matney, Springfield, and Marjorie Stiltner of Salem, Va., and two brothers, John Matney of Springlake, N.J., and E.H. Matney of Bristol Tennessee. She was also survived by several nieces and nephews. Memorial services for Daisy Matney will be conducted Monday, August 11, 2003, in the Green Springs Village Chapel, Springfield, Va., at 11 a.m. Information provided by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy. Mack McClure SHADY VALLEY, Tenn. -- Mack McClure, age 63, of the Sutherland Community, passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2003, in the Mountain City Care Center in Mountain City, Tenn. He was a native of Damascus and had lived in the Sutherland Community in Shady Valley for many years. He was the son of the late John and Julia McClure and was of the Protestant faith. He is survived by two sons, FCT Bryan McClure and his wife, Courtney, stationed in the U.S. Navy, and Mike Wimer and his wife, Judy, of Bluff City; one daughter, Cathy Hodge and her husband, James, of Strawberry Plains, Tenn.; one sister, Dean Hilton of Lenoir, N.C.; five brothers, Bob McClure of Lenoir, Bo McClure of Ashtabula, Ohio, Dan McClure of Salem, Va., Jerry McClure of High Point, N.C., and Wayne McClure of Newark, Del.; his companion, Sally McClure of Bristol Tennessee; two half-brothers, James Hand of Hickory, N.C., and Johnny Hand of Samaritan, Del.; three stepsisters, Willie Hammons of Abingdon, Shirley Rogers of Front Royal, Va., and Kathleen Holloway of Damascus; one stepbrother, Carl Hand of Laurel Bloomery; one grandson, Hunter Michael Wimer; two granddaughters, Eden Wimer and Sydnie Hodge, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2003, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Alan McCullough officiating. Burial will follow in the Mock Cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. I'll meet you in Heaven one day, Love Sally. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mr. McClure. James Howard Rhea PINEY FLATS -- James Howard "Pete" Rhea, age 73, passed away Thursday, August 7, 2003, after a brief illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of Sullivan County, Tenn., and a son of the late Milburn D. and Ina Grace Hicks Rhea. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, served in the Korean conflict and he retired from Georgia Pacific after 23 years of service. Mr. Rhea was a member of Hull's Chapel United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Typhia Harr Rhea, on March 24, 1996, one sister, Edith Hale and one brother, Clyde Rhea. Mr. Rhea is survived by a daughter, Sheila Cash and her husband, Aaron, of Piney Flats; a son, Donald James Rhea of Piney Flats; four sisters, Helen Copas of Gray, Tenn., Hazel Shaffer and Carrie Neal, both of Blountville, and Ruth Rhea of Bristol Tennessee and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Millard J. Johnson officiating. The committal service and burial will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 9, in Muddy Creek Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Rhea, Larry Ferguson, Gary Hale, Chuck Ray, Lynn Stewart and Danny Stewart. . The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, August 8, at Akard Funeral Home prior to the service. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Rhea at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Rhea. Bill G. Richards FALL BRANCH, Tenn. -- I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. II Tim. 4: 7 Chaplain Bill G. Richards, 69, of Shed Ridge Lane, left this earth for life everlasting Wednesday, August 6, 2003, having fought a long hard battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's) disease. His family was by his side. Preceding him to his heavenly home were his father and mother, Cecil D. and Anna Lee Harrison Richards; two sisters, Betty Sizemore and Juanita Lamb, and a grandson, Joshua Richards. Bill made plans for his everlasting home April 25, 1965, and he has been a wonderful Christian husband, dad, granddad, brother, and in-law. He was a retired employee of 35 years with Eastman Kodak. Bill began "The Starting Point" Ministry 25 years ago, worked faithfully as a volunteer chaplain at the Sullivan County jail for 25 years and visited different prisons in other states witnessing to folks as well as the state of Tennessee. Bill was a great soul winner pointing souls to Christ. Bill was a faithful member of Double Springs Baptist Church, which faithfully supported him with prayer and financial help during his jail and prison ministry. Bill will be patiently waiting for these loved ones to join him in heaven. Zada P. Richards of the home, his wife of 51 years; three sons, Pete Richards, Fall Branch, Tom and Pam Richards, Puyallup, Wash., and Michael Steven Richards I and Delphia, Kingsport, and a daughter, Barbara Goins, Kingsport. Also his grandchildren, Lori Tornquist, McCleary, Wash., Michael Steven Richards II, Kingsport, Naci Goins, Kingsport, Isaac Richards, Tulsa, Okla., Kristen Richards, Fall Branch, Melinda Crowe, Kingsport, Molly, Griffin, Riley Geravis, Puyallup, and Missy Johnson, Atlanta; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Zachary and Veronica Tornquist, McCleary, Timmy and Jake Crowe, Kingsport, and Teah and Nikkea Johnson, Atlanta; and a special little girl who adopted Bill as her "Papaw", Katie Bishop; three sisters, Mary Ann Richards, Kingsport, Pauline Thomas, Greeneville, and Janet Richards, Ferndale, Wash. Bill also has two sisters-in-law whom he helped raise, Norma Kern and her husband Everett of Kingsport and Nova Draper and her husband Norman of Nashville, and a special brother-in-law whom he also helped to raise, Lowell Phillips and wife Ada of Fall Branch. He has several nieces and nephews. His greatest wish would be for everyone he ever met or knew to meet him in heaven. The family will receive friends at the Fall Branch Chapel of Hamlett- Dobson Funeral Home from 6 -8 p.m. Friday, August 8. His graduation ceremony will be held following visitation by his Pastor Joe Shelton II and his Christian brother-in-Christ, Brother Amos Lockhart, who called Bill his "little buddy." Music will be furnished by Brother Mike Ervin and Larry and Suzanne Nelson. The eulogy will be given by his brother-in-law, Norman Draper. Anyone who might have something to say is welcome to do so. Pallbearers will be Lynn, Robert (Buster) and Don Haren, Elmo Owens, Everett Kern, Terry McClain, Norman Draper and Lowell Phillips. Graveside services will be at Bethesda Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 9, with Pastor Joe Shelton and Brother Amos Lockhart officiating. In lieu of flowers, you may give to The Starting Point Ministry, c/o Elmo Owens, P.O. Box 93, Kingsport, TN 37660 or Tri-Cities ALS Support Team, P.O. Box 112, Kingsport, TN 37662. A special thanks to Dr. Mark Jenkins, who so patiently helped us to deal with the ALS diagnosis and the Adventa Hospice nurses for all of their tender loving care during the past few months of Bill's life; you are loved and greatly appreciated. May God bless each of you. E-mail condolences may be sent to hamlettdobson@charter.net James Richardson Sr. LAUREL BLOOMERY, Tenn. -- Mr. James David Richardson Sr., age 82, of 1134 Sugar Creek Road, passed away Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at the Watauga Medical Center, Boone, N.C. He was born August 30, 1920, to the late Fielden and Maggie Richardson, and was a native of Taylorsville, Va. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary M. Richardson, and seven of his brothers. Survivors include one son, James David Richardson Jr., Elizabethton; three daughters, Bettie and James Bellamy, Bristol Tennessee, Carol and Roger McClure, Madison, Ala., and Linda and Brian Dewald, Elizabethton; one brother, Edgar Richardson, Roanoke; one sister, Alice Craft, Bristol Tennessee; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for James David Richardson Sr. will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, from the chapel of the Hux-Lipford Funeral Home, with Pastor Jim Hutchinson to officiate. Music will be under the direction of the Liberty Christian Church Choir. Active pallbearers will be grandsons. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 9, 2003, from the Sunset Memorial Park, Damascus. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, prior to services at the chapel of the Hux-Lipford Funeral Home. Friends may also call at the residence anytime. Hux-Lipford Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.hux- lipford.com Sybil W. Shackelford BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Sybil Williams Shackelford, 80, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at her home. Mrs. Shackelford was born in Hinton, W.Va., a daughter of the late George Walter and Permellia Taylor Ayers. She was retired from United Inter-Mountain Telephone Company and the Thrifty Market and was a member of Beech Grove United Methodist Church. Mrs. Shackelford was one of a kind, a very giving and loving individual. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank S. Williams, a sister, Madelyn Walker, and two brothers, Bernard and Richard Ayers. Survivors include her husband, Hugh L. Shackelford of Bristol Tennessee; a daughter, Freda Weddle and her husband, Vernon, of Bristol Tennessee; two sisters, Sue Adkins and Doris Burnette, both of Meadow Bridge, W.Va.; two brothers, George W. Ayers of Rainelle, W.Va., and Cecil H. Ayers and wife, Brenda, of Bluff City; three grandchildren, Lee Weddle of California and Kevin and Gary Weddle of Bristol Tennessee; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Tina Ayers, and a special nephew, Chad Ayers. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, August 9, 2003, at Beech Grove United Methodist Church, with Rev. Emmitt Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Frank Barnett, Marvin Farmer, Chad Ayers, Bill White, Gary Lovin and James Wright. Honorary pallbearers will be all the men of The Upper Room Sunday School Class. The family would like to express special gratitude to the nurses and aides of Adventa Hospice and to Drs. Anand Karnad and Frank A. Forbush. The family request that memorials be sent to Adventa Hospice, 106 Rogosin Dr., Elizabethton, TN 37643 or Beech Grove United Methodist Church, 7149 Gate City Highway, Bristol, VA 24201. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, at Akard Funeral Home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mrs. Shackelford at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Shackelford. H. Tony Smile ELIZABETHTON -- H. Tony Smile, age 44, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, August 4, 2003, at his home. Born on Oct. 15, 1959, he had suffered for several years from heart problems and died from heart failure. He spent most of his life in the Bristol/Johnson City area, where he had many friends and accomplishments. He was a top insurance salesman and later led the sales department of a major telecommunications company for Lucent Technologies. He was an acclaimed photographer and song writer. He loved family get-togethers and to take his nieces and nephews fishing and bowling. He was a member of Borderview Christian Church in Elizabethton. Mr. Smile was preceded in death by his father, Jaber B. Smile. He left behind a mother, Linda Smile; four brothers, Scott, Al and Sammy Smile and Larry Swift; one sister (and best friend), Dianne Smile-Monforte, and several nieces and nephews. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word to say to others. His charismatic personality drew people to him and he never met a stranger. He was a wonderful son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and friend to all. His passing was unexpected and leaves everyone who knew him with a sad heart. He will be missed by so many. Please keep us in your prayers. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, August 10, at 2 p.m. at Morris-Baker Funeral Home South Chapel. Mr. Tim Wallingford of First Christian Church will officiate. The committal service will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Kingsport. Pallbearers will be Mike Monforte, Chuck Parsell, Bo Eastridge, Ken Clifton, Danny Eastridge and Eddie Drayne. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, August 8, from 6 until 8 p.m. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Heart Association, 208 Sunset Drive, Johnson City, TN 37601. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements by Morris-Baker Funeral Home, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, 423-282-1521. Ralph W. Stump BRISTOL, Va. -- Funeral services for Ralph W. Stump will be held 2 p.m. Friday, August 8, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Lewis Smith, Rev. Jimmy Epperson and Rev. James Gentry officiating and singing by Cecil Arnold. The burial will follow in the Susong Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rev. Gordon Hughes, Rev. James Smith, Bob McCracken, Allen Hess, Paul Dowell and Mike Warren. Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Claude Canter and Rev. Paul Rouse. Special thanks to Haskell and Virginia Sanders. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Stump, age 72, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, August 6, 2003. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Christie Sulfridge NORTON -- Christie Lee Jones Sulfridge, 71, died Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at the home of her daughter in Douglasville, Ga. A former resident of Norton, she had made her home in Douglasville and was a member of the Atlanta West Pentecostal Church in Lithia Springs, Ga. Surviving: son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Polly Sulfridge, Sherwood, Ohio; daughters and son-in-law, Joyce and Gary Davis, Douglasville, and Carolyn Harbuck, Dawson, Ga.; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and sister, Ruth Frazier, Osaka, Va. The family will receive friends from 9-11 a.m. Saturday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel, with Donald Culbertson officiating. Burial will follow in the Gray Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Dennis E. Thompson WISE -- Dennis Ervin Thompson, 55, Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the Lord is a "strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." Born in Greenville, S.C., January 26, 1948, died unexpectedly at his home Wednesday, August 6, 2003. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ervin S. and Frances Kline Thompson, a member of the First Baptist Church of Appalachia and was avid Dale Earnhart fan and collector of NASCAR memorabilia. He was a member of the DAV and VFW, served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam, 1967-1968, Third Battalion, Third Marines Division Lima Company, receiving the Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Color W/Palm and Frame) and the Purple Heart. He was also a former employee of Glamorgan Coal Company. Surviving are his son, Dennis Todd Thompson and his wife, Angela, of Appalachia, Va.; a sister, Frankie T. Hensley and her husband, Rusty, of Wise, and a niece, Mary Susan Isaac of Knoxville. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Friday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with Pastor Nick Brewer officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in the Wise Cemetery, Wise, by Norton VFW Post 4301. The Family will receive friends Friday evening 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to charity of one's choice. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Graham Williams Sr. BRISTOL -- Funeral services for Graham Edward "Pete" Williams Sr. will be held on Friday, August 8, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Woodlawn Baptist Church, with Rev. Steve Playl and Rev. Clarence Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers include Walter Counts Williams, Ralph Williams, Kenneth Williams, Jerry Williams, Abie Williams, Ronnie Williams, Denny Williams, Randy Williams, Gary Williams, Bert Martin, Phillip Martin, Kent Williams and Jonathan Williams. Honorary pallbearers include Men's Sunday School Class of Woodlawn Baptist Church, Dr. T. C. Green, Dr. Charles Bolick and Dr. David Ashburn. Memorials may be made to the Woodlawn Baptist Church Van Fund, 1400 Southside Ave., Bristol, Tenn. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Williams passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Harold Cecil Wright BRISTOL, Va. -- Committal service for Harold Cecil Wright will be at 11 a.m. Friday in High Point Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Fred Scharff III, Eddie Wright, Andrew Wright, Kenneth McCulley, Eric Tranum and Lee Moulse. Honorary pallbearers are Scott and Hunter Tolbert. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Wright, age 79, of 1235 New Hampshire Ave., went to be with the Lord Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.