Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, August 12, 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 Tuesday, August 12, 2003 Today's Deaths Roy William Barbrey, 73, Marion Ira W. Boyd, 80, Defiance, Ohio Anna Fields Brewer, 78, Liberty, N.C. Herman Dean, 72, Jonesborough, Tenn. Geraline Harrison, 64, Lebanon Clyde J. Huffman, 81, Lebanon Blanche Barker Laughrun, 93, Jonesborough Tenn. Robert Evelyn Mason, 70, Greensboro, N.C. Tom Lee Osborne, 77, Culpeper, Va. Hank Richardson, 75, Marion Margie Christine Gray Richards, 76, Erwin, Tenn. Edna B. Sexton, 86, Chilhowie Roxie Smith, 84, Norton Myrtle Sparks Ethel Wells -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William Roger Ball RICHLANDS -- Mr. William Roger Ball, age 53, of the Daw Road section, passed away Saturday, August 9, 2003, at a Richlands hospital following a brief illness. Born in Tazewell County, Va., he was the son of the late Rush Ball and Kathleen White Lowe. He was a coal miner for S & D Coleman Coal Co. He was a U.S. Army veteran. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Gary Ball. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Hess Ball; two sons, Aaron Ball and Joseph Ball, both of Raven, Va.; one stepson, Ryan Ward of the home; one stepdaughter, Valerie Pruitt of Ashland, N.C.; two brothers, Clyde Ball and Harley Ball, both of the Daw Road section of Richlands, and one sister, Frances VanDyke of the Daw Road section of Richlands. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Sister Donna Johnson, Pastor Dedri Rowe and Pastor Barry Absher officiating. Burial will follow in the Ward Family Cemetery at Swords Creek, Va. Friends and neighbors will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Ball family. Roy William Barbrey MARION -- Roy William Barbrey, age 73, died Monday in the Edgemont Nursing Center in Wytheville. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion. Edward D. Bostic Jr. COUNCIL, Va. -- Mr. Edward Dewey Bostic Jr., age 74, of the Copperhead section, passed away Sunday, August 10, 2003, at his home. Born August 16, 1928, in Buchanan County, Va., he was a son of the late Edward Dewey Bostic Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Osborne Bostic. A lifelong resident of the Council area, he was a retired and disabled logger. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Norman Edward Bostic, one sister, Grace Keen and two brothers, Ervin Bostic and Henry Bostic. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Ella Marie Bostic of the home; two daughters, Virginia (Lois) Stevens and her husband, Ira of Honaker and Rosa Bostic of the home; 10 sons, James Bostic and Pattie of Honaker, Roy Bostic of Pilgrim's Knob, Va., Brady Bostic and his wife, Brenda, of Vansant, Va., Elmer Bostic and his wife, Anna Ruth, and Darrell Bostic and his wife, Debbie, all of Honaker, Charlie Bostic and his wife, Ronda, and Ronald Bostic and his wife, Janet, all of Council, Gerald Bostic and his wife, Jessie, of Cleveland, Va., Jerry Bostic and his wife, Donna, of Council and Danny Bostic of the home; six sisters, Letha Wilson, Angie Combs, Thelma Rasnake, Beulah Ball and Ida Bell Wilson, all of Council, and Velva Wilson of Abingdon; six brothers, Ellis Bostic and Jess Bostic, both of Council, Herman Bostic of Davenport, Va., Eugene Bostic of Belfast, Va., Curtis Bostic of Bee, Va., and Claude Bostic of Honaker; 23 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren and four step-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Evangelist Mike Trent officiating. Interment will follow in the Frank Smith Cemetery on Big A Mountain, Va. Pallbearers will be Raymond Bostic, David Bostic, David (Fuzz) Bostic, Adam Stevens, Scott Bostic, Robert Bostic, Stan Bostic, B.J. Bostic, Kennie Ball and Artie Nuckles. Honorary pallbearers will be William Harris, Randy Compton, Ezra Harris, Clyde Ball, Clyde Lambert and Joseph Scarberry. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home at any time prior to the funeral hour. Ora W. Boyd DEFIANCE, Ohio -- Ira W. (Buddy) Boyd, 80 years of age, formerly of Buchanan County, passed away Friday, August 8, 2003, at his home following an extended illness. Born in Leemaster, Va., he was a son of the late George Dewey and Martha Jane Duty Boyd. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and retired from Campbell Soup Company, with 21 years of service. Mr. Boyd is survived by his wife, Shelbia Church Boyd, Defiance; three sisters, Pricie Fay Boyd Coleman, Vansant, Va., Stella Breeding, War, W.Va., and Gay Lester, Vansant, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three sisters, Hassie Bostic, Annie Boyd and Ethel Jackson. Funeral services for Ira W. (Buddy) Boyd will be conducted Thursday, August 14, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Lester Boyd officiating, with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m., with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be: Randy Bostic, Herman Bostic, Roger Coleman, James Michael Church, Doug Church, Roger Cuddy, Keith Boyd, Dwayne Church, Carl Jackson and James Osborne. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Anna Fields Brewer LIBERTY, N.C. -- Anna Frances Fields Brewer, 78, of 3517 Flynt Road, died August 10, 2003, in Universal Health Care, Ramesur, N.C. Born in Washington County, Va., she was the daughter of the late John Willis Fields and Winnie Mae Fleenor Fields. She grew up in a time and place in the mountains where she worshipped and praised the Lord by radio and daily readings of the Bible. Surviving are six daughters, Linda Harding of Maysville, Ky., Penny Jenkins of Liberty, Debra Roark of Beckley, W.Va., Tracie Badalato and Holly Autwell, both of Greensboro, and Melody Roberts of Sparks, Md.; three sons, Michael Fields and Rex Brewer, both of Bristol Tennessee, and Tim Brewer of Greensboro; sister, Jeanetta Janey of Browns Summit; 21 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held Thursday in Greensboro. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, No. 999, Charlotte, NC 28215. Lambreth-Troxler Funeral Home of Greensboro is in charge of arrangements. Herman Dean JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. -- Herman Dean, age 72, died Friday, August 8, 2003, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Medical Center Hospital. Mr. Dean was a Johnson County native and a son of the late Hobert and Flossie Cowan Dean. In addition to his parents, Mr. Dean was preceded in death by one brother, Von Dean, and one sister, Grace Vannoy. He was a member of Boone Trail Baptist Church. Mr. Dean retired from Babcock and Wilcox in Barberton, Ohio, after 38 years of service. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in the Korean War. Mr. Dean is survived by his wife, Anna Jane Larimer, of the home; two sons, Ronald Dean, Jonesborough, and Sam Dean, Camden, W.Va.; two brothers, Earnest Dean, Dearborn, Mich., and Joe Dean, Port Richey, Fla.; one sister, Maxine Norman, Anderson, S.C.; one grandson, Zachary Dean, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, August 11, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home, with Rev. Ira Cunningham officiating. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends Monday from 6 until 8 p.m. in the East Chapel of the funeral home. The graveside committal service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Sugar Grove Baptist Church cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the Dean family at www.appalachianfuneralhome.com. Appalachian Funeral Home, 800 E. Watauga Ave., is in charge of arrangements. Geraline H. Farmer LEBANON -- Geraline "Jerri" Harrison Farmer, 64, died August 10, 2003, at her home. Born February 14, 1939, in Russell County, the daughter of the late Henry Harrison and Daisy Grizzle Harrison, she was the wife of the late Caney Farmer Jr. She was a member of the Lebanon Baptist Church. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Crystal Gayle Breeding, and a brother, Samuel E. Harrison. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Donna Roberts and Rodney "Cotton" Roberts, Lebanon; grandson-in-law, Gary Joe Breeding, Lebanon; granddaughter, Jessica Osborne, Lebanon; great-granddaughter, Deanna Paige Breeding, Lebanon; sister-in-law, Shirley Mullins, Clintwood; niece, Rebecca Woods and her husband Jeff Woods; great-nieces, Emily and Gracie Woods, and special friends, Warren and Phyllis Mullins, Arbutes Horton, Jean Elliott, Gussie Farmer and Linda Comer Phillips. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Tom Edwards officiating. Burial will follow in West Hill Cemetery. Members of the Cleveland Lifesaving Crew will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Woods, Mark Phillips, Jamie Phillips, Michael Phillips, Gary Joe Breeding, Mike Garrett and Darrell Beavers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Farmer. James Corbett Hall ASHTABULA, Ohio -- Funeral services for James Corbett "Toby" Hall will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2003, in Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Clay Austin officiating. Calling hours are from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday prior to the service at Akard Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2003, in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Hall at akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Hall, age 48, died Saturday, August 9, 2003, in James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. Wendell E. Hibbitts MANASSAS, Va. -- Services for Wendell Eugene Hibbitts will be conducted at the Clintwood Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at noon, with Rev. Arnold Rose officiating. The family will receive friends at the Clintwood Funeral Home from 11 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow in the Yates Cemetery on Caney Ridge. Mr. Hibbitts, age 62, died Thursday, August 7, 2003, at Prince William Hospital, Manassas. Price Funeral Home in Manassas and Clintwood Funeral Home of Clintwood are in charge of the arrangements. Clyde J. Huffman LEBANON -- Clyde J. Huffman, 81, went to be with the Lord at his home on Monday, August 11, 2003. Born in Russell County, November 27, 1921, a son of the late Melvin Huffman and Bessie Jessee Huffman, he was a retired farmer and sawmill operator. He was a disabled U. S. Army veteran of World War II and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was a member of the Mill Creek Baptist Church. He was a good and loving husband and father. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Walters, and two brothers, Bill Huffman and Tom Huffman. Survivors include his wife of 57 years and 10 months, Mary Helen Huffman; six children, Margaret Nadine Sutherland, Carbo, Richard Larry Huffman, Lebanon, Phyllis Christine Howard, Abingdon, Jerry Glen Huffman, Lebanon, Imogene Dye, Abingdon, and Shirley Ann Huffman, Lebanon; 11 grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; two sisters, Kathleen Kiser and Josephine Garland, both of Lebanon, and two brothers, Herbert Huffman, Appalachia, and Jimmy Huffman, Lebanon. Several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Ray Garland officiating. Entombment will follow in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum in Ketron Memorial Gardens, where military rites will be conducted by the Lebanon V FW Post 9864. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Dallas Campbell, Charlie Cantrell, Winston Kiser, Clarence Estep, Roy Kramer and Russell Sykes. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Huffman. Blanche B. Laughrun JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. -- Mrs. Blanche Barker Laughrun, 93, died Sunday, August 10, 2003, at John M. Reed Nursing Home after a lengthy illness. God answered her prayer and called her home. Mrs. Laughrun was a native of Taylors Valley, Va., and a daughter of the late Edward and Rhonda Jane Price Barker. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Rev. A.M. Laughrun in 1951, four brothers and two sisters. She was the oldest member of New Hope Church of the Brethren, joining in 1923. She was a homemaker. Surviving are three daughters, Sarah Smith and husband Alf, Dorothy "Dot" Sult and Betty Armentrout and husband Herb; one son, Bill Laughrun and wife Glenna, all of Jonesborough; a stepdaughter, Jessie Billheimer and husband Herbert of Elizabethton; eight grandchildren, Sharon Camper, Bristol Tennessee, Dawn Sparks, Shawn Laughrun, Shea Holder and Dustin Laughrun, all of Jonesborough, Derick Cook, Johnson City, Carroll Billheimer, Unicoi and Judy Hampton, Elizabethton; 14 great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren in Arizona and California and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Blanche Laughrun will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at Fairview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Phil Vinson, Kevin Sparks, James Hampton II, David Holder, Jim Hampton and Lynn Bradshaw. Honorary pallbearers will be Lester Jones, Charles Kyker and Carroll Billheimer. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2003, and other times the homes of her children. Memorial donations may be made to the John M. Reed Nursing Home, 124 John M. Reed Nursing Home Road, Limestone, TN 37681. Condolences may be sent to the Laughrun family at www.dillow-taylor.com, Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home, Jonesborough, Tenn. Robert Evelyn Mason GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Robert Evelyn Mason, 70, of 2415 Kery Drive, died Saturday at Evergreens Nursing Home in Greensboro. Born in Russell County, Va., he was a son of the late John H. and Mary Ellen Duty Mason, and had lived in Greensboro for most of his life. He was a retired admission associate at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital, with 35 years of service, a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean conflict, a member of the Revolution Masonic Lodge, a 32nd Degree Mason and a very active member of Bessemer United Methodist Church. He was the widower of Barbara Jean Brooks Mason. Surviving are a son, Ywan Vance Christian Mason of Brown Summit; daughter, Kayren Anna Maria Mason of the home; grandsons, Robert Vance Chancellor Mason of the home and Joseph Samuel Mason of Brown Summit, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Tuesday in Bessemer United Methodist Church. Citty Funeral Home in Reidsville is in charge of arrangements. Tom Lee Osborne CULPEPER, Va. -- Tom Lee Osborne, 77, died June 25, 2003, in UVA Hospital, Charlottesville, Va. Born January 5, 1926, in Norton, Va., he was the son of the late Walter Benjamin Osborne and Delphia Maddux Osborne. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Bruce, Fred, George and Ronald Osborne. He was a retired educator and farmer. Tom will be remembered as a loving father and grandfather, an avid golfer and he enjoyed farming. Survivors: his wife, Marcia Osborne; his son, John T. Osborne; his grandson, Thomas Lee Osborne; his granddaughter, Georgia Lynn Osborne, all of Culpeper; his brothers, W.B. Osborne of Haines City, Fla., and Harold Osborne of Lexington, N.C., and sisters, Ruth O. Franklin of Knoxville, Nell O. Culver, Freeta O. Campbell and Patricia O. Winiger, all of Kingsport. Funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 30, 2003, in Clore-English Funeral Chapel. Ministers, Mr. Bobby Sylvia and Mr. Franklin Zimmerman, officiated. Burial was in Culpeper National Cemetery, with military honors provided by American Legion Post 330 and VFW Post 2524. Visitation was from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at Clore-English Funeral Home. Memorial contributions: American Lung Association of Virginia, Northwest Area, 39 South Gate Court, Suite 102, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. Condolences may also be sent via e-mail at moreinfo@cloreenglish.com. Clore-English Funeral Home of Culpeper was in charge of arrangements. Louise P. Pizzuto LEBANON -- A graveside service for Louise P. Pizzuto will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Phipps Memorial Cemetery in Clintwood. Ms. Pizzuto, formerly of Clintwood, Va., passed away on Saturday, August 9, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, Va. Margie Richards ERWIN, Tenn. -- Mrs. Margie Christine Gray Richards, age 76, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, August 10, 2003, after a brief illness. Mrs. Richards was a Raleigh, N.C., native and had lived most of her life in Erwin. She was a loving wife for 38 years and a wonderful mother and grandmother. Mrs. Richards was a daughter of the late R.R. "Shorty" and Ruby Mae Hardin Gray. She was formerly employed with Southern Pottery and was also a homemaker. Mrs. Richards was a charter member of Central Baptist Church, where she served as pianist for 40 years. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Jane Stockton. Survivors include her husband, John Ed Richards; one son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Ann Richards, Johnson City/Myrtle Beach; one daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Tim Arwood, Bristol Tennessee; two grandsons and one granddaughter-in- law, Jeremy and Jennifer Richards, Franklin, Tenn., and Jason Richards, Johnson City; two granddaughters, Tracy Arwood and Stephanie Arwood, both of Bristol, and two great-grandchildren, Jacob Richards and Morgan Richards. Funeral service for Mrs. Richards will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday from Central Baptist Church. Reverend Joe Moran and special adopted son, Reverend Bill Nelson, will officiate. Music will be provided by Central Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memory Gardens, Johnson City. Deacons of Central Baptist Church will serve as pallbearers and are requested to assemble at the church by 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The body will be placed in the church by 1 p.m. Wednesday. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society, c/o Jeanie Mayhew, 3960 Old Asheville Highway, Erwin, TN 37650 or Central Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 578, Erwin, TN 37650. Erwin Memorial Funeral Home, 1015 N. Main Ave., Erwin, is in charge of the arrangements. Hank Richardson MARION -- Hank Richardson, age 75, died Sunday, August 10, 2003, in Newark, Ohio. Arrangements will be announced later by Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion. James W. Robinson ABINGDON -- Former member of the Virginia House of Delegates James W. (Jim) Robinson passed away Friday night in Washington County, Va., as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Mr. Robinson, age 72, was a member of the Virginia House from 1983 through 1987, representing Wise and Dickenson Counties. He was a graduate of Pound High School, attended Emory & Henry College, Randolph Macon College, served in the U.S. Air Force and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1957. He was manager of Pound Hardware Co. for many years, vice president of Wise County National Bank and currently co-owner of Robinette Steel and Scrap Metal Company, Inc. Mr. Robinson's distinguished public service career also included many years with the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, Pound Lions Club, Mountain Empire Community College Foundation, Wise County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, Virginia Housing and Redevelopment Authority, service as member of the Town Council and as mayor of Pound, and numerous commissions and appointed positions in three Gubernatorial administrations. He was an avid Volunteer football fan and well-known amateur golfer. Mr. Robinson is survived by his wife Anita of their home; daughter Jamie and husband Jerry Cox of Atlanta; grandsons, Clay, Andrew and Alex Cox; daughters- in-law, Wanda Robinson of Bristol and Diane Robinson-Dunlap; grandsons, Matthew and Zack Robinson of Richmond; two sisters, Joyce Winston of Norton and Faye Barker of Pound, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Clay and Gladys Robinson, a sister, Clayetta (Robbie) Gascoigne, his wife, Elna, and son, Gray. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to the Mountain Empire Community College Foundation Scholarship Fund, P.O. Drawer 700, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219. Funeral services for James Walker (Jim) Robinson will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at the JW Adams Combined School auditorium. The family will receive friends from 5-9 p.m. at the JW Adams Combined School auditorium. Services will be conducted b y the Reverend William Slagle and the Reverend Allen Karnes. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, August 14, 2003, at the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, with full military rites by the Pound VFW Post 9600. Pallbearers will be Emory Wright, Trigg Dotson, Richard Settle, Charles Yates, Marty Large, Don Adams, Edward Pass and Clay Cox. Honorary pallbearers will be Clyde Wright, D.L. Boggs, Harold Kennedy, Harold Jackson, the Honorable Ford Quillen, Dude McElroy, members of the Glenrochie Country Club, members of the St. Mary's Hospital Board, members of the Mountain Empire Community College Foundation Board, members of the Board of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Authority, honorable members of the General Assembly, the Wise County Chamber of Commerce, the Pound Lions Club, the employees of Robinette Steel and Scrap Metal, the employees and staff of Pound Hardware and Kenneth Asbury. Baker Funeral Home of Pound is serving the family of James Walker (Jim) Robinson. Edna B. Sexton CHILHOWIE -- Edna Blevins Sexton, 86, died Sunday, August 10, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion. She was the widow of Walter W. Sexton and was also preceded in death by one grandchild, Hubert Nelson "Chip" Sexton Jr.; and one son-in-law, Kenneth Wike. Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Vern and Elaine Sexton, Colfax, N.C., Nelson and Gladys Sexton, Eden, N.C., Wayne and Barbara Sexton, Lilesville, N.C., and Don and Martha Sexton, High Point. N.C.; two daughters and one son-in-law, Brenda S. Wike, Taylorsville, N.C., and Anita and Ray Wood, Archdale, N.C.; two sisters, Effie Blevins and Erma Martin, both of Chilhowie; one brother, Ernest Blevins, Abingdon; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Grosses Creek Baptist Church, with Revs. Lloyd L. Sheets and Darrell Lambert officiating. Pallbearers will be Tony Sexton, Eric Sexton, Steve Sexton, Chris Trivette, David Williams and Gary Quillen. Honorary pallbearers will be Bradley Sheets, Paul Poe and Dr. Wayne C. Reynolds. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Grosses Creek Baptist Church Building Fund., c/o Jackie Lee Blevins, 250 Flatwood Acres Road, Chilhowie, VA 24319 or the Mountain View Untied Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Bill Boswell, P.O. Box 1722, Chilhowie, VA 24319. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church prior to the funeral service. Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Charles M. Shaw Committal services for Charles Michael "Mike" Shaw will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Rhudy's Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the VFW Patton- Crosswhite Post 6975. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Weaver Funeral Home. Mr. Shaw, age 48, passed away on Saturday August 2, 2003, at Ketchikan Memorial Hospital in Ketchikan, Alaska. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Roxie Smith NORTON -- Roxie Elizabeth Smith, 84, died Sunday, August 10, 2003, in Norton Community Hospital. She was a member of the Tacoma Holiness Church of God. She was former president and member of the VFW Post 7464 Ladies Auxiliary in Graysonville, Md. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie and Lucy Ann Coffey Sprouse, and two sisters, Thelma Romaine and Inez Muterspaugh. Surviving are her husband, Harold Bond Smith, Norton; three daughters, Karen Nesselrodt, Culpeper, Va., Patricia and John Weitzel, Mechanicsville, Va., and Debra and Michael Hall, Slanesville, W.Va.; four grandchildren, Jacki and Bill Hogue, Centreville, Va., Sandi and Gary Worthman, Bowie, Md., Christina and Gordon Sexton, Norton, Patrick and Missy Sowers, Woodbridge, Va., and seven great- grandchildren, William and Jennifer Hogue, Allyson and Erin Worthman and Stepanie, Scott and Mary Sexton. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Joe Dearry officiating. Cremation will follow. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Joseph C. Smithson BLUFF CITY -- Joseph C. "J.C." Smithson, age 78, of 711 Flatwood Road ( Hickory Tree Community), went to be with the Lord Sunday, August 10, 2003, at his home. "J.C." was born Nov. 21, 1924, a son of the late Arthur and Annie Turner Smithson . A life long resident of Sullivan County, he had retired from Gurley's Homestead. He was a decorated Army veteran of World War II, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation, Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Ribbon, Eame Theatre Ribbon with five Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and an Oak Leaf Cluster. He was a member of Ryder Memorial Presbyterian Church. "J.C." was preceded in death by his wife, Cleda Hinkle Smithson, and a son, Jamie Smithson. He is survived by his children, Stanley Smithson, Ricky Smithson and wife, Arlene, Leanna Morrell and husband, Ted, Allen Smithson and wife, Connie, Lynn Stuart and husband, Eddie, and Colleen Dishner and husband, Fred; daughters-in- law, Judy and Robin Smithson; 12 grandchildren, Lisa Craven, Kim Hahn, Michelle Beisel, Travis Smithson, Melissa Renfro, Heather Thacker, Brandi Baines, Matthew Smithson, Jad Dishner, Olivia Dishner, Thomas Dishner and Beth Crowe; two great- grandchildren, Olivia Kimberly and Ethan Craven, and one brother, Woodrow Smithson and wife, Vicky, and family. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Bill Watson. Committal services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Shipley Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Color Guard. Pallbearers will be Ricky Smithson, Jeff Renfro, Charles Hinkle, Jerry Sampson, Eddie Stuart and Travis Smithson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 1808 West End Ave., Suite 514, Nashville, TN 37203 or the American Cancer Association, 505 Princeton Road, Suite 102, Johnson City, TN 37601-1723. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at Weaver Funeral Home. Myrtle M. Sparks On Sunday, August 10, 2003, God sent His best angel to take our dear mother, Mrs. Myrtle Sparks, home. While on this earth, she was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed cooking big family dinners and loved for her kids and grandkids to come home and eat. She also loved to garden and enjoyed beautiful flowers. We will miss her dearly but our loss is Heaven's gain. Her last words on this earth were, "I'm going to see my Savior, the One who died for me." In the garden of flowers, mother was our rose. Mrs. Sparks had lived in Baptist Valley most of her life before moving to the College Estates area five years ago to make her home with her daughter, Teresa Hess and husband, Rusty, and their sons, Josh and Justin Hess. She was of the Holiness faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Ernest E. Sparks; son, Carlos (Corky) Sparks; three grandchildren; sister, Delphia Whitt, and brothers, Turpsey, Worley Jr., Cecil, Garland, and Clyde Lane. Survivors are two daughters, Mrs. Martha "Polly" Coleman and husband, J. R., of Tazewell, Va., and Mrs. Teresa Hess and husband, Rusty, of Cedar Bluff; seven sons, Mr. Ernest Sparks Jr. and wife, Jeanie, of Crane, Texas, Mr. Clyde Sparks and Millie of Cedar Bluff, Lt. Col. Robert "Bobby" Sparks and wife, Donna, of Gate City, Va., Mr. Roy Sparks and wife, Judy, of Doran, Va., Mr. Troy Sparks and wife, Peggy, of Richlands, Mr. Danny Sparks and wife, Connie, of Cedar Bluff and Mr. Ricky Sparks and wife, Annette, of Cedar Bluff; brother, Mr. Paul Edd Lane of Columbus, Ohio; 21 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Myrtle Mattie Sparks will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Max Linkous officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Grandsons will serve as honorary pallbearers. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Tuesday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com . Ethel Wells Ethel Wells passed away Monday, August 11, 2003, at Bristol Nursing Home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Robinson Mortuary, Bristol Virginia.