Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, September 14, 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 Sunday, September 14, 2003 Today's Deaths Betty Lester DeFriece, 66, High Point, N.C. Taft Eggers, 94, Trade, Tenn. Hoflin Fleming, 82, Pound Myra H. Long, 64, Tazewell, Va. Teresa Lunsford, 57, Norton Lee Roy Mitchell, 63, Haysi Van Clovis Mullins, 67, Clintwood Lydia Crumb Roberts, 89, Hurley, Va. Phyllis I. Warren, 73, Bristol Virginia Eva Jean Webb, 71, Lebanon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R. J. Cullop DAMASCUS -- A Masonic graveside service for Rev. R. J. Cullop will be conducted by the Liberty Hall Masonic Lodge 104 at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, at the New Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon United Methodist Church, c/o Sue McVey, 16023 Kittyhawke Drive, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Rev. Cullop, age 75, of 31198 Nova Drive, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Rev. R. J. Cullop. Betty L. DeFriece HIGH POINT, N.C. -- Mrs. Betty Lester DeFriece, 66, of 2309 Woodruff Ave., died Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at High Point Regional Hospital. Mrs. DeFriece was born Oct. 8, 1936, in Glade Spring, a daughter of Albert M. and Mary Ethel Ratliffe Lester. She was an assistant teacher at Oakview and Parkview Schools until her retirement in 2003. On June 20, 1955, she married Fred Denny DeFriece Jr., who preceded her in death Feb. 27, 1988. She was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Christine L. Kennedy, and three brothers, Robert O. Lester, Alfred M. Lester and John M. Lester. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Sandra D. Roach and husband Mark of High Point; two sons, Keith D. DeFriece and wife Cara of Lexington and Timothy R. DeFriece and friend Sabrina Southern of Thomasville; five grandchildren, Adam and Mary Beth Roach, Justin Snow and Megan and Haley DeFriece; two brothers, Cecil Lester and wife Billie of Glade Spring and Harold Lester and wife Bonnie of Meadowview, and two sisters-in-law, Helen Lester and Shelby Lester. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in Sechrest Chapel on E. Lexington Ave., by Rev. Dan Roberts. Interment will be in Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation was at the funeral home Saturday from 7 until 8:30. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Dr., High Point, NC 27262 or to charity of one's choice. We invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with the family through www.mem.com. Taft Eggers TRADE, Tenn. -- Taft Eggers, age 94, of 504 Taft Eggers Lane, passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at the Watauga Medical Center, Boone, N.C., following a brief illness. Mr. Eggers was born Oct. 28, 1908, to the late Millard Monroe and Nelia Main Eggers and was a native of Trade. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Rosa Miller Eggers, who passed away in 1999, one daughter, Jean Eggers Lipford, one daughter-in-law, Eleanor Roberts Eggers, an infant daughter, one brother, Stacy Eggers, one sister, Lola Wilson, and one son-in-law, Dick Wilson. Taft was a farmer, logger and a former employee of the Johnson County Highway Department. He was a member of the Centerview Church of Christ. Survivors include four daughters, Shirley Jenkins, Trade, Sue Wilson, Mountain City, Tenn., Phyllis Parker and husband Dallas, Trade, and Wanda Brown and husband Bill, Mountain City; three sons, Earl Eggers, Mountain City, Eddie Eggers, Powhatan, Va., and Ted Eggers and wife Jan, Bristol Tennessee; four sisters, Alice Bumgardner, Bristol Tennessee, Venie Cornett, Trade, Inez Miller, Mountain City, and Mae Cornett, Avondale, Pa.; one brother, Millard Eggers Jr., Landenberg, Pa.; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; seven great-great- grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a special friend, Boyd Wilson, Mountain City. Funeral services for Taft Eggers will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, from the chapel of the Hux-Lipford Funeral Home, with Mr. Bud Gentry and Mr. Darrell Broking to officiate. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. prior to services. Entombment services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, from the Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum of Love. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are grandchildren, Dr. Susanne McAdams, Dr. Peter Ashline, Johnson County Rescue Squad, IMCU and ICU nursing staff of the Watauga Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Johnson County Rescue Squad, 203 Vandilla St., Mountain City. 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. Hoflin Fleming POUND -- Mr. Butler Hoflin Fleming, 82, entered into eternal rest Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at his residence. Hoflin was a retired miner and a former employee of Clinchfield Coal Company and Bethlehem Coal Company, a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II, a member of the United Mine Workers of America, a member of the Pound VFW Post 9600, a Kentucky Colonel and of the Methodist faith. Holfin was preceded in death by his parents, Butler and Lillie (Branham) Fleming, his wife, Anita (Bolling) Fleming, two sisters, Helen Meade and Faustina Gilliam, and a brother, Freddy Fleming. Surviving are daughters, Lynne Burke, Pound, and Candace Boling, Pound; sister, Pauline Roman, Mt. Morris, Pa.; brothers, Garnet Fleming, Kingsport, Jack Fleming, Kingsport, and Oren Fleming, Pound; a special friend, Betty McLemore Roberts, Wise; a host of friends and loved ones; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, in Baker Funeral Home. Services are 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, in Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel of Baker Funeral Home, with Reverend Charles Lippse officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Interment will be in Bolling Cemetery, Pound. Pound VFW Post 9600 will conduct full military graveside services. Baker Funeral Home, Pound, is entrusted with the care of Butler Hoflin Fleming. Steve Friesland MAYNARDSVILLE, Tenn. -- Steve Friesland, age 56, died Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, after a brief illness with family. He was the son of Verna Lilley Friesland, Bluff City, and the late Clifford G. Friesland. Mr. Friesland was a member of Riverbend Baptist Church and an auto mechanic for Halls Service Center, Knoxville. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include three brothers, Don Friesland of Bluff City, David Friesland of Gray, Tenn., and Kyle Friesland of Dallas, Ga.; one sister, June Mullins of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two stepsons, Jeff and Joey Yadon, both of Maynardsville; several uncles; several aunts and several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service will be conducted Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home- Bluff City, with the Rev. Joel Cook officiating. Graveside service and interment will be conducted Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. in the Sunrise Cemetery, with the Rev. Mike Pope officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be co-workers of Halls Service Center and closest friends. Those who plan to attend the graveside are requested to meet at the cemetery Tuesday at 10:55 a.m. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home- Bluff City. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home- Bluff City Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Myra H. Long TAZEWELL, Va. -- Myra H. Long, age 64, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at her home. Born Oct. 23, 1938, in McDowell County, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Harry A. Hall and Hazel M. Hall. She was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church in Tazewell. Mrs. Long worked for the Tazewell County School Board in the 1950s and she worked for the Department of the Navy in Washington, D.C. in the 1960s. She has been a homemaker for the last 30 years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Sandra Edmonds, maternal grandmother, Arrie Gregory, maternal grandfather, Shelby Gregory, and one brother-in-law, Robert Cline. Survivors include her husband of 46 years, Jack W. Long Sr.; one son, Jack W. Long Jr. and wife Pamela of Tazewell; two daughters, Tricia Petty and husband Todd of Morgantown, W.Va., and Amy Long of Atlanta; two sisters, Donna Cline of Tazewell and Nancy Fields and husband Jim of Chilhowie; one brother-in-law, Bill Edmonds of Bradley, W.Va.; five grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and special friend and caregiver, Regina Mullins. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, with the Rev. Larry Ramey officiating. Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, Va. Pallbearers will be Matthew Plumley, Oral Plumley, Billy Edmonds, Scott Prize, David Prize and Michael McVey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Main Street United Methodist Church, 315 E. Main St., Tazewell, VA 24651. Teresa Lunsford NORTON -- Teresa Gay Lunsford, 57, died Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, in Norton Community Hospital. She was a member of the Freedom of Worship Church. She was a lifelong member of TOPS 209 in Norton. Her mother, Oneida W. Davis, and her twin brother, Donald Ray Williams, preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Jimmy Ray Lunsford, Norton; son, Phillip Jeffrey Lunsford, Johnson City; son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy Dwayne and Donna Lunsford, Appalachia; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Paula Faye Robinette, Norton, and Debra Kay Thomas, Como, Texas; aunt, Stella Barker, Kingsport; uncle, James Williams, Inman, Va., and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Robert Fultz Jr., Rev. Eddie Fultz and Dr. Tom Renfro officiating. Burial will follow in the American Legion Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Freedom of Worship Church, P.O. Box 386, Norton, VA 24273. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Lee Roy Mitchell HAYSI -- Lee Roy Mitchell, age 63, of Route 2, passed away Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at his residence. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Floyd and Bertha Blankenship Mitchell. He was a retired coal truck driver and was of the Old Regular Baptist Faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepmother, Goldie Turner Mitchell, two brothers, George and Clinard Mitchell, two sisters, Daisy Owens and Martha Reynolds, two infant sisters and one grandson, Fredrick Scott Brown. Survivors include his fiancÈe, Brenda Deel and her family, James, Blaine, Brad, and Kim, Jason, Kayla, Sarah Beth and Shay; three daughters, Tina Dotson (Bruce) and Lisa Harrison (Joseph), both of Bristol Tennessee, and Mary Yarber (Brian) of Meadowview; three brothers, Jennings Mitchell of Vansant, Va., and Bill Mitchell and Bana Mitchell, both of Interlachen, Fla., and eight grandchildren, Frankie, Amy, Christy, Heather, Samantha, Erica, Shane and Amanda. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Jerry Newsome, Eddie Newsome, Danny Yates, David O'quinn and Earl Dean Yates officiating. Burial will follow in the Blankenship Cemetery. Pallbearers will be James Deel, Brad Deel, Blaine Deel, Roby Fuller, Jimmy Yates and Doug Mitchell. The family will receive friends after 5 p.m. on Sunday, where an evening service will be held at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Van Clovis Mullins CLINTWOOD -- Van Clovis Mullins, age 67, passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at his home. He was a life long resident of the Georges Fork Community. He was self-employed as a coal truck driver until his retirement. He attended the Georges Fork Freewill Baptist Church. He is preceded in death by a son, Clovis Eric Mullins, his parents, Harmon and Nora Mullins Dameron, and a sister, Marlene Fleming. Survivors include his wife of 45 years, June Mullins; two daughters, Linda Stanley and husband Kenneth, McClure, Va., and Donna Wilson, Wise; two sons, Donnie Mullins and wife Missy and Ronnie Mullins, all of Bristol Tennessee; three brothers, Hurbert Mullins, Morrison Mullins and Harmon Mullins Jr., all of Clintwood, and two grandchildren, Matthew Stanley and Brittany Wilson. Funeral services for Clovis Mullins will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at the Clintwood Funeral Home, with Brother Louis Mullins officiating. Burial will follow at the Mullins Family Cemetery, Route 2, Clintwood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Sunday evening at the Clintwood Funeral Home Chapel. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Lydia Crumb Roberts HURLEY, Va. -- Lydia Crumb Roberts, 89 years of age, of the Pounding Mill Road, passed away Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, at the Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Grundy following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Polly Lester Hall Blankenship. She was a member of the Blackey Baptist Church and a housewife and mother. Mrs. Roberts is survived by two daughters, Polly Justus of Hurley and Evelyn Stacy of Wolford, Va.; one son, Jack Crumb of Hurley; one sister, Georgia West of Abingdon, and one stepdaughter, Maxine Ray of Narrows, Va. She is also survived by five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and three step- grandchildren. Mrs. Roberts was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Lee Crumb, her second husband, William Roberts, one son, Paul Crumb, two sisters, Pearl Stiltner and Myrel Justus, and two brothers, Julius Hall and Verner Blankenship. Graveside services will be conducted Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at 1 p.m. by her brother-in-law, Mr. Stewart West, officiating, with burial to follow in the Levi Lester Cemetery on Pounding Mill Road, near Hurley. Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel after 6 p.m. Sunday. Active pallbearers will be nephews. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Phyllis I. Warren BRISTOL, Va. -- Phyllis I. Warren, captain MSC USN (Retired), 73, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, however, friends may call anytime at 40 Virginia Dr., Bristol, Va. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423)989-4800, is serving the family of Miss Warren. Eva Jean Webb LEBANON -- Eva Jean Webb, 71, of Route 3, went to be with our Savior, Friday, Sept. 12, 2003, in the Russell County Medical Center. Born March 15, 1932, in Scott County, she was the daughter of the late Joe Grigsby and Della Stapleton Grigsby. She was a member of the Free Hill Baptist church and the Pink Ladies of the Russell County Medical Center. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Stella Sue Johnson, two grandchildren, Jacob Webb and Jessica Leann Webb, two great- grandchildren, infant Stevens and Alex Stevens, and four half brothers, Roy, Neal, Ernest and Robert Shoemaker. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, James Webb; four sons and daughters- in-law, Billy Joe and Peggy Webb and Terry and Mary Jane Webb, Lebanon, Jimmy and Angela Webb and Gary and Kathy Webb, Nickelsville; grandchildren, Kevin Johnson, Sheila Johnson, Jennifer and husband Junior Stevens, Michael Webb, Jamie and wife Angela Webb, Jeanna Haun and husband Bo, Becky Carroll and husband Steven and Brandon Webb, Tyler Webb, and Kasie Ann Webb; great- grandchildren, Felicia Johnson, Sydney Stevens, Abagail Stevens, Matthew Webb, Joseph Webb, Jakob Haun and Emalee Haun; a half sister, Virgia Lois Harlow, Rogersville, Tenn.; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Willie and Georgia Elam, Lebanon, also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with Pastor Jean Layell and the Rev. Larry Beavers officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, at the funeral home and at the home at anytime. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Webb.