Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, September 16, 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, September 16, 2003 Today's deaths John P. Chase Sr., 74, Frederick, Md. Geneva V. Harris, 72, Saltville Doris Gunda Hayden, 76, Marion Annie Belle Hicks, 76, Mount Airy, Md. Robert Burns Miller, 81, Bristol Virginia Melanie Ann Owens, 36, Clintwood Norman Cairl Owens, 55, Abingdon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John P. Chase Sr. FREDERICK, Md. -- John P. Chase Sr., 74, died Monday, Sept. 15, at Frederick Memorial Hospital. Born in Clintwood, Va., he was a son of the late Roland E. Chase Jr. and Dora D. Hamilton Chase. He was the great-grandson of the late Capt. John Perry Chase and the late Sen. Roland E. Chase. He was a graduate of the University of Maryland and a member of their basketball team. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the Air National Guard. He retired from the federal government after 23 years of service with the EPA. Surviving are his wife, Mary Harriet Drury Chase; three sons: Kevin Michael Chase and Craig Francis Chase, both of Mount Airy, Md.; and Patrick Edward Chase of Frederick; one daughter, Jeanine Patricia Matthias of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a sister, Mary Lou Priovolos of Potomac, Md.; a brother, Roland H. Chase of Cheverly, Md.; and nine grandchildren. Graveside services will be held in Silver Spring, Md. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 108 Byte Drive, Suite 103, Frederick, MD 21702. Stauffer Funeral Homes of Mount Airy is in charge of arrangements. Grace T. Hamm CHILHOWIE -- Grace Estelle Thomas Hamm, 67, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, at her home. She was the daughter of Pansy Harris Thomas and the late Lee Thomas. Besides her father, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherry Stamper; and a granddaughter, Savannaha Stamper. Besides her mother, she is survived by her husband, James Howard Hamm; three sons, Howard (Sonny) Hamm, Phillip Hamm and Danny Hamm, all of Chilhowie; two daughters: Judy Hamm Haga, Konnarock, Va.; and Michelle Hamm Clatterbuck, Marion; three brothers: Melvin Eugene Thomas and Jimmy Thomas, both of Marion; and Donald Thomas, Saltville; two sisters: Mary Feeny, Martinsville, Va.; and Kay Hutton, Chilhowie; and 10 grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Williams Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Gene Little officiating. Burial will be in the Grosses Creek Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie, is in charge of arrangements. Geneva V. Harris SALTVILLE -- Mrs. Geneva V. Harris, age 72, went to be with the Lord Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol Tennessee. She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Alice Blevins. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Katherine Blevins and Daphine Brooks. Survivors: husband of 56 years, Tommie Harris; one son and daughter-in-law, Roger A. and Dawn Harris, Waynesville, N.C.; one daughter and son-in-law, Gaile and Ted Hunt, Saltville; two sisters: Elizabeth Hayden, Saltville; and Carolyn Barr and husband, Roger, Chilhowie; three grandchildren: Tiphney and husband, Michael Evans, Saltville; and Amber and Joseph Harris, Waynesville; great- grandson, David Evans, Saltville; several nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law: Robert and Glen Harris, Saltville; and Charles Pauley, Roanoke; sisters-in-law: Margaret Robinson and Becky Harris, Saltville: Virginia Kestner, Abingdon; and Mary Lou Pauley, Roanoke; and loving cousin and best friend, Josephine Stuart, Stafford, Va. A graveside service for Mrs. Harris will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003, at Mount Rose Cemetery, with Rev. Bill Taylor officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. The family would like to express their appreciation to the Wellmont Hospice. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Harris family. Doris Gunda Hayden MARION -- Doris Gunda Hayden, age 76, died Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, in the Francis Marion Manor in Marion. She was born in New York to the late Henry and Helen Reichman Ritter. She had a career as an executive secretary in Manhattan, N.Y., for many years. Survivors include: cousin, Miriam Walker Brodkin and friend, Joseph Beck, Rich Valley, Va. Funeral services will be private and memorial service will be held at a later date. Bradley's Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Hayden family. Annie Belle Hicks MOUNT AIRY, Md. -- Annie Belle Hicks (nee Morrell), age 76, formerly of Bristol Tennessee, died Monday, Sept. 15, 2003, at Gilchrist Hospice Center, Towson, Md. Born in Bristol Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Auburn Morrell and the late Leona Morrell (nee Barnett).? She was a homemaker and a member of Elders Baptist Church in Eldersburg. Md. Surviving are her daughter Wilma Pescetto of Mount Airy; brother, Auburn L. Morrell of Bristol Tennessee; sister, Mary Jenkins of Bristol Tennessee; grandchildren, Josh and Justin Pescetto of Mount Airy; and numerous nieces. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003, in Eldersburg. Those desiring may make contributions to The Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care, 6601 N. Charles St., Towson, MD? 21204. Arrangements made by Burrier-Queen Funeral Directors, P.A. www.burrier- queen.com. Robert Burns Miller BRISTOL, Va. -- Mr. Robert Burns Miller, 81, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003, at his home. Mr. Miller was a native of Fremont, Va. He was U. S. Navy World War II veteran. With his brother, R. C. Miller, he co-owned Miller Funeral Home in Clintwood. He later relocated to Miami, Fla., and owned and operated a Standard Oil garage and service station. Mr. Miller was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Counts Miller. Survivors include one son, Robert Wilson (Bob) Miller and wife Debbie of Gainesville, Fla.; one daughter, Robin Miller Cox of Orlando, Fla.; and two grandchildren, Robert Paul (Robby) Miller and Casey Pierce Miller. Funeral services for Mr. Miller will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. at the branch facility of Farris Funeral Service located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19145 Lee Highway Abingdon. Pastor Darrell Harmon will officiate. Mr. Miller's son, Bob Miller, will deliver a eulogy. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Ross Miller, Michael Miller, Thomas Asbury, Butch Bishop, Bruce Howard, Robby Miller, Casey Miller and Leon Harrell. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Pugh, Harold Stapleton, Ron Harrington and Joe Breeding. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212 or to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Miller family. Ford P. Murph KINGSPORT -- Ford Patterson Murph, 80, went to be with the Lord early Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003, at Indian Path Medical Center. He was a native of Concord, N.C., and resided in Kingsport most of his life. Mr. Murph retired from Tennessee Eastman Chemical Company after 45 years. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving during World War II. Mr. Murph was a member of the Charles DeWitt Byrd Post 3382 of the VFW and the American Legion Post? 3/265. He was a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church. His parents, H. B. Murph Sr. and Laura Stough Murph, stepmother, Myrtle Murph, sister, Catherine Deifenderfer, half sister, Sara Alice Murph, and nephew, Charles Deifenderfer, preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Noleka N. Murph; son and daughter-in-law, Mark W. and JoAnn Murph, Johnson City; daughter and son-in-law, Lanna M. and Stan Taylor, Anderson, S.C., grandchildren, Shanna E. Elgin, Belton, S.C., Jaeda Burkey, Johnson City, and David Murph, Johnson City; and one brother, H.B. Murph Jr. and wife Jane; three nephews, Michael Murph and wife Debbie, Ed Murph and Mickey Deifenderfer and wife Betty; one great-niece, Katy Murph; one great- nephew, Toby Murph; great-great-nephew and great-great-niece, Andrew and Abby Murph. Calling hours will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport. Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Mark Fleenor and Rev. Ray Mullins officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Oak Hill Memorial Park by Charles DeWitt Byrd Post 3382 of the VFW. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads United Methodist Church, 200 Bays Cove Trail, Kingsport, TN 37660 or the American Heart Association P.O. Box 985, Kingsport, TN 37662. Melanie Ann Owens CLINTWOOD -- Melanie Ann Owens, age 36, went to be with the Lord Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. Words can never express how much she will be missed. Melanie leaves behind to mourn her passing, her husband-in-waiting, Roy Hicks of Clintwood; her dear mother, Geraldine Owens of Dukedom, Ky.; two sisters and brothers-in-law: Shelia and Vern Hamet of Dukedom; and Vicky and Randy Moore of St. Louis, Mo.; two brothers and one sister-in-law: Mike Owens and David and Regina Owens, all of Dukedom; and nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind Roy's children, their spouses, and his grandchildren, whom she felt were her own and loved dearly: Jason, Stacy and Allie Hicks of Clintwood; Shane and Stacy Hicks of Wise; Sonya, Bradley and Miana Fleming of Clintwood; Tonya, Aaron, Nicholas and Ariana Gentry of Wise; and Gina and Ginger Hicks of Clintwood; and a host of friends, including a very special friend, Jody Pallas. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the Clintwood Baptist Church, with Pastor Allen Bonnell officiating. Burial will be in the Lambert Family Cemetery, Hatchett Section, Nora. Active pallbearers will be friends and family, Larkin Turner, Charles Hay, Jason Hicks, Shane Hicks, Jason Nichols and Johnny Nichols. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, where a song service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the family. Norman Cairl Owens ABINGDON -- Norman Cairl Owens, 55 years of age, formerly of Buchanan County, passed away Sunday, Sept. 14, 2003. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Gertrude Wood Owens, Vansant, Va., and the late Ellis Owens. He was a resident of Buchanan County several years prior to moving to Abingdon, a graduate of Grundy High School and a member of Big Prater Primitive Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict and was a disabled coal miner. Mr. Owens is survived by his wife, Brenda Branham Owens, Abingdon; two daughters: Melissa Cairl and husband Chris Looney, Vansant; and Monica Cheryl and husband, Pat Rakes, Mt. Carmel, Tenn.; two sisters: Wilma and husband, Danny Owens, Abingdon; and Peggy and husband, Bill Smith, Chesterfield, Va.; also survived by five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Delores OQuinn. Funeral services for Norman Cairl Owens will be conducted Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Big Prater Primitive Baptist Church, with Elders Jeff Arnold, Keith Bower, Aaron Williams, Carl Campbell and Unice Davis officiating, with burial to follow in the Owens Cemetery on Squire Oak Road, Prater, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. The body of Mr. Owens will be moved to the Big Prater Primitive Baptist Church Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. to await the funeral hour at 11 a.m. Active pallbearers will be Chris Looney, Pat Rakes, Landon Rakes, Todd Owens, Ryan OQuinn, Chris Fisher, Darren Fisher and Adam Owens. Honorary pallbearers will be Tivis OQuinn, John Lester, Kent Viers, Bill Smith and Danny Owens. Full military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post l64 of the American Legion. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Larry B. Smith CLINTWOOD -- Funeral services for Larry B. Smith will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2003, at the Clintwood Funeral Home, with Minister Terry Price officiating. Burial will follow at the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, Clintwood. Pallbearers will be Josh Dingus, James Hubert Smith, Richard Smith, Russ Fleming, Ricky Mullins and Vester Woods. Honorary pallbearers: Albert Large, Rufus Horton, Glen Stanley, Art Mayes, Houston Chester, Ronnie Mooney and Mickey Mullins. Mr. Smith age 55, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003, at the Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital, Norton. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Raymond C. Taylor BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Committal services for Raymond C. "Dink" Taylor will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the National Cemetery in Mountain Home, Tenn. Military honors will be presented by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Holston Christian Church Building Fund, 261 Sand Bar Road, Bristol, Tenn., or to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Taylor, master sergeant (retired), of 172 Crescent Drive, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Phyllis I. Warren BRISTOL, Va. -- The funeral service for Phyllis I. Warren will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the graveside in Shelby Hills Cemetery, with military rites. Pallbearers will be Mark Harless, Steve Blair, Matthew Wheeler, Jason Wheeler, Jason Warden and Josh Holland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Bristol Humane Society, P.O. Box 1586, Bristol, VA 24203 or Theatre Bristol, 506 State St., Bristol, TN 37620. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net.? Miss Warren, captain MSC USN (retired), 73, died Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Miss Warren.