Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, September 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 Monday, September 8, 2003 Today's Deaths William Burgess Bowman, 74, Johnson City Ella Mae Cornett, 79, Bristol Tennessee Donald H. Dotson, 85, Coeburn Leola Mattox Fisher, 83, Drewryville, Va. Wayne W. Keesee, 69, Marion Victor Roger Owens, 60, Coeburn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William B. Bowman JOHNSON CITY -- Mr. William Burgess Bowman, age 74, of 507 Rose Ave., died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, following an extended illness. Mr. Bowman was a native of Carter County and a son of the late Butch and Sarah Russell Bowman. He attended Happy Valley High School and was a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a degree in mathematics. Mr. Bowman was employed with North American Rayon Corp. from 1947 until 1952 in the Coning Department. He retired from the Picitinny Arsenal Co. in Rockaway, N.J., as a nuclear engineer for the federal government. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean conflict. He was a member of the American Legion. He was preceded in death by his wife, Celia Diana Roe Bowman, in 1988 and one brother, Carroll Holden. Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy and George Riedel of Rockaway, Teresa Reed of Richmond and Sheila and Floyd Reed of Piney Flats; one son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Yong Hwa Bowman of the home; one brother, Odell and his wife Jean Holden of Kingsport; one sister, Helen Westmorland of Milligan College, Tenn.; nine grandchildren, Michelle and her husband Andrew Durning of New Jersey, Jennifer and her husband Jacob Klee of Richmond, Cindy Bowman of Milligan College, Linda Bowman of Johnson City, Samantha Reed and Sheila Reed, both of Piney Flats, George Riedel III of Rockaway, Randall Reed Jr. of Richmond and Jerry Bowman Jr. of Johnson City; two sisters-in-law, Hazel Holden, Milligan College, and Wylene Vandeventer of Elizabethton; one brother- in-law, Mack McGee, Johnson City, and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral service for Mr. William Burgess Bowman, will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home, with Rev. D. C. Byrd and Rev. Nathan Jennings officiating. Graveside service and interment will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Military honors will be accorded by Capt. Lynn H. Folsom VFW Post 2166. Active pallbearers will be George Riedel Jr., George Riedel III, Andrew Durning, Jerry Bowman Jr., Randall Reed Jr. and James Warren. Honorary pallbearers will be the staff, nurses and physicians at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center ICU Unit, members of River of Life Church and Amedisys Home Health of Johnson City. To those who desire, memorials may be made to the Johnson City Animal Shelter, 525 Sells Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601. The family will receive friends in the funeral home from 6 until 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, prior to the service. Friends may also call at the residence at anytime or at the residence of a daughter, Shelia Reed, 408 Piney Ave., Piney Flats. Everyone will meet at the funeral home at 10:45 a.m. Friday to go to the cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.hathawaypercy.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home. Anna Branham BLOUNTVILLE -- Graveside services for Anna Belle Keeling Branch Branham will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, at Glenwood Cemetery, Bristol Tennessee. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be David Andes, Larry Irick, members of Blountville Christian Church, N.H.C. Healthcare and the office and staff of Dr. Jeff Farrow. Donations may be made to N.H.C. Healthcare Intercom System. Please visit our Web site at www.mem.com and place your tribute to the family. Mrs. Branham passed peacefully away into her Savior's arms on Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, at Colonial Hills Nursing Home, Johnson City. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Branham family. Jack Breeding LEBANON -- A graveside service for Jack Ervin Breeding will be held Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Ketron Memorial Garden Mausoleum, Lebanon, with the Rev. Clyde Lambert, the Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Pastor Brent Logan officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Visitation will be one hour before the service Mr. Breeding, 57, passed away at Russell County Medical Center Friday, Sept. 5, 2003. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements. Charles W. Cook MARION -- Charles Wendel Cook, age 81, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital. He was a very active member of First United Methodist Church, Marion. Mr. Cook was an extremely skilled craftsman who loved working with his hands, specializing in woodworking. He enjoyed working with the children of the local Odyssey of the Mind team. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army-Air Corps, and was a member of Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. He served on the State of Virginia Water Board. Mr. Cook was employed by DuPont for 15 years before working with Burlington Industries, where he retired in 1989. He was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Hemby Cook of Marion; one son, Dr. Charles E. Cook of Marion; three sisters, Loretta C. White of Titusville, Fla., Margaret C. Waterman of Kingsport and Mildred Welch of Concord, N.C.; two brothers, Dennis E. Cook of Ridgeview, W.Va., and Bernard L. Cook of Dayton, Ohio; two grandchildren, Chris Cook of Raleigh, N.C., and Cori Cook of Marion, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, at 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Marion, with Rev. Buddy Miller and Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 until 8 p.m. at the church. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Cook Family. Ella Mae Cornett BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Ella Mae Cornett, age 79, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Washington County, Va., and was the daughter of the late Walker and Margaret Vannoy Cornett. She had lived in Bristol most of her life and retired from Burlington Industries. She was a member of the Woodman of the World Lodge 6035 in Bristol and was a member of the Wrights Chapel United Methodist Church in Damascus. She was preceded in death by one sister, Jeanne Long, three brothers, Harold Cornett, Clyde Cornett and Roy Cornett, and a very dear friend, Dennis Plummer. She is survived by three sisters, Lillian Rice of Bristol Virginia, Barbara Long of Damascus and Betty Widener and her husband Bob of Damascus; two brothers, Albert Cornett and his wife Jean of Bristol Virginia and Jimmy Cornett and his wife JoAnn of Damascus, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. R.J. Cullop officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 p.m. Monday prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Ella Mae Cornett. Donald H. Dotson COEBURN -- Donald H. Dotson, 85, passed away Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003, at his home. Donald was born Feb. 24, 1918, one of six children born to Jett and Hettie Dotson. His beloved Magalene and wife of 63 years preceded him in death and also a brother, Paul Dotson. Their life together would see them to have two sons, Ronnie Dotson and Jerry Dotson; two daughters, Donna Dotson and Jamie Conley; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Wayne Dotson, and three sisters, Ruby Dotson, Ada Dotson and Lucille Mullins. From the beginning of their life together, both recognized there was a greater power and with love, trust and encouragement, their lives were an unshakable example of unconditional love. Donald was a retired employee of Clinchfield Coal Company, a member of the Friendship Baptist Church, Coeburn, and spent his retirement celebrating life with his family. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Tuesday evening in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Jack P. Weikel officiating. Entombment will be on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003, in the Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening 6 p.m. until time of service at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. The family request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Hospice Department of the Wellmont Foundation, P.O. Box 1069, Kingsport, TN 37662-9968. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, is in charge of arrangements. Leola M. Fisher DREWRYVILLE, Va. -- Our dear mother, Leola Mattox Fisher, 83, widow of Frederick William Fisher Jr., went to be with the Lord Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003. Survivors include a son, Frederick William Fisher III and wife Linda of Bristol Virginia; two daughters, Bonnie Fisher and Gail Spence, both of Richmond; four grandchildren, Jenny Telwar and husband A.B. of Brentwood, Tenn., Kelly Fisher of Bristol, Stephen Spence of Hartsville, S.C., and Joanna Spencer of Virginia Beach; two great-grandchildren, Kelemet and Mattox; two sisters, Margaret Duckworth and husband Bob of Salem and Nell Mitchell of Emporia, Va., and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Fisher was preceded in death by a grandson, Aaron Frederick Spence. The family will receive friends 7- 8:30 p.m. Monday (tonight) at Owen Funeral Home in Jarratt, where the funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2003. Interment will follow at Drewryville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Scholarship Fund in memory of Aaron Frederick Spencer at Fork Union Military Academy. Owen Funeral Home of Jarratt is in charge of arrangements. Frances L. Johnson BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Frances L. Johnson, age 73, went to be with the Lord, Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, at her residence. A native of Wise County, Va., she was a daughter of the late John H. and Bessie Smith Bray and lived most of her life in the Bristol area. She was a retired employee of Beecham Laboratories with 47 years of service, was a member of the Open Door Baptist Church and she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Johnson, a sister, Marjorie Bray, and two brothers-in-law, Robert Sourbeer and Jimmy Kite. Survivors include four sisters and brothers-in-law, Wanda Sourbeer, Phyllis and Jack Lewis, all of Bristol Virginia, Jean and Donald Mauk and Jane Kite, all of Bristol Tennessee; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Jimmy Bray of Bristol Tennessee, Ronda and Mary Alice Bray of Boone's Creek and David and Mary Evelyn Bray of Bristol Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews. The committal will be at 4 p.m. Monday in the Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be men of Open Door Baptist Church and George Trivette. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Wayne W. Keesee MARION -- Wayne W. Keesee, age 69, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. He was born in Broadford to the late Charlie and Mae Goodman Keesee and raised in the Nebo Community of Rich Valley. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Pete Keesee, Harley Keesee and Herman Keesee, and two sisters, Emily Keesee and Lula Lawson. He had retired from Southern States after working there for over 25 years and was a member of the Chilhowie First Church of God. He was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Korean conflict and was a member of the VFW Post 4667. Survivors include wife of 48 years, Doris Jean Keesee; two sons and a daughter- in-law, Darrell Keesee and friend Melissa Armstrong, Marion, and Darwin and Kim Keesee, Rich Valley; two daughters and sons-in-law, Theresa and David McGhee, Atkins, and Tammie and David Minton, Rich Valley; one brother and sister-in-law, Rex and Betty Keesee, Catronsville, Md.; two sisters, Sadie Hess, Atkins, and Goldie Wilson, Roanoke; 10 grandchildren, Jonathan Keesee, Davy McGhee, Lance Minton, Patrick McGhee, Tyler Keesee, Trevor Keesee, BreAnna McGhee, Tabitha Minton, Darian Keesee and Elizabeth Keesee; one great-grandchild, Taylor Keesee, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday from the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Charlie Walker, Rev. Bobby Dunn and Rev. Jud Compton officiating. Interment will follow in Ridgedale Cemetery with military honors being rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. The family will receive friends Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Keesee family. Rick Marshall ELIZABETHTON -- Rick Marshall, age 47, of 782 Quail Hollow Drive, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003, at his residence following an extended illness. He was a native of Johnson City, but lived all of his life in Elizabethton. Mr. Marshall was a son of Earlene Thomas Marshall of Elizabethton and the late Don R. Marshall. He was a member and deacon at Grace Baptist Church in Elizabethton and a lifetime member of the Carter County Rescue Squad. Mr. Marshall was employed by Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals, Research Triangle Park, N.C., as a senior executive sales representative. He was a graduate of East Tennessee State University. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Howard Marshall, and maternal grandfather, Earl Thomas. Survivors, in addition to his mother, are wife, Kennetha Wilson Marshall of the home; daughter, Ericka Marshall of the home; paternal grandmother, Alene Marshall, Elizabethton; maternal grandmother, Grace Thomas, Elizabethton; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Karen and Jeff Reed, Elizabethton, Kathy and Dale Wilkes, Honolulu, Hawaii; one brother and sister-in-law, Mick and Lori Marshall, Elizabethton; mother and father-in-law, Ruth and J.C Wilson, Elizabethton; two brothers-in-law, Dale Wilson, Elizabethton, and Gary Wilson, Church Hill, Tenn.; two nephews; six nieces; two aunts and one uncle, Linda and Troy Brown, Elizabethton, and Jo Vaughn, Johnson City, and several cousins also survive. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, at Grace Baptist Church, 1114 Broad Street Extension, Elizabethton, with Rev. Ron Owens and Rev. Dennis Wilson officiating. The eulogies will be provided by friends. Music will be under the direction of Rev. Gordon Kyte. The committal and entombment service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, in the Mausoleum of Peace at Happy Valley Memorial Park, Elizabethton. Active pallbearers will be Bobby McDavid, Rick Million, Mickey Hunsinger, Todd Buck, Carl Burrough, Jim Hyder, Dale Wilson, Jackie Collins, Ken Long and Tim Robey. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Grace Baptist Church, Paul Elliott, Dr. Stephen Loyd, Gary Wilson, Bill Hunsinger, Paul "Red Man" Souder, Todd Hunsinger, Ronnie Taylor, Dan Mills, Hugh Buckles, Ronnie Jones, Pat McGinnis, Fred Fohl, Troy Brown and members of the Carter County Rescue Squad. Those who plan to attend the committal service are requested to meet at Grace Baptist Church at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday, Sept. 8, from 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Carter County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 682, Elizabethton, TN 37644. A special thanks to the Johnson City Medical Center Hospice and staff for all their love, care and kindness to Rick Marshall and his family. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is in charge of the arrangements. Victor Roger Owens COEBURN -- Victor Roger Owens, 60, passed away Saturday, Sept. 6, 2003, in the Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital Norton. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn. Dorothy V. Peaks BLUFF CITY -- Funeral services for Dorothy Virginia Peaks will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday in Central Holston Christian Church, with the Rev. Lester MacKinnon and Jeff Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Shipley Cemetery. Pallbearers: Larry Bunn, Donald Gentry, Wayne Smithson, Phil Hawk, Harry Booher and Buddy Chapman. The body will be taken to the church one hour before time of service. Mrs. Peaks, age 82, 414 Stoney Hill Road, died Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Albert A. Rosenbaum BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Funeral services for Albert A. "Rick" Rosenbaum will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Woodrow Morrell and the Rev. Roy Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in Weaver Funeral Home. Mr. Rosenbaum, age 48, 305 Oak Road, died Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Myrtle Mae Saylor JOHNSON CITY -- Funeral services for Myrtle Mae Saylor will be conducted 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, in Calvary Baptist Church, 515 Hart Avenue, Johnson City, with the Rev. Jim Chapman and the Rev. Kenneth Chapman officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday in Washington County Memorial Gardens. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the church Monday evening from 6-7:45 p.m. Mrs. Saylor, age 92, 1021 Lincoln Avenue, died Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, in Appalachian Christian Village. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Geraldine Totten BRISTOL, Va. -- Funeral services for Geraldine "Jerri" Totten will be held 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Lin Lockwood. The entombment will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Forest Hills Mausoleum Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Totten, age 76, of 522 Hill Dr., passed away Friday, Sept. 5, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Carl James Welch BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Military graveside services for Carl James Welch will be 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, 2003, in the Ordway Cemetery, conducted by Highlands Fellowship Church Veterans Honor Color Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Morrell, David Blevins, Louis Watson, Louis Smith, Gary Rosenbalm, Rex Gentry, Lee Roy Dixon, Don Rasnick, Roncie Emmert, Richard Welch and Kermit Belvins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Weaver Funeral Home, 630 Locust St., Bristol, TN 37620. Mr. Welch, age 81, passed away Thursday, Sept. 4, 2003, at his residence. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Welch.