Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, September 29, 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 29, 2003 Today's Deaths Betty Louise Davis, 64, Doran, Va. Clyde Hall Jr., 75, Bristol Tennessee James Tom Hess, 80, Steelsburg, Va. Richard Hughes, 39, Abingdon Kathleen Dishman Milhorn, 84, Wise Minnie Brown Musick, 94, Bristol Virginia Yolanda M. Pomrenke Curtis L. Ramsey, 94, Abingdon Gary Dean Robinson, 49, Marion Melvin George Rohr, 92, Bristol Tennessee Walter Thomas, 76, Abingdon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cora Cruey Carter SALTVILLE -- Funeral services for Mrs. Cora Cruey Carter will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at Ridgedale United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Carter, age 90, passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, in the Valley Health Care center. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Carter family. Betty Louise Davis DORAN, Va. -- Mrs. Betty Louise Davis, age 64, passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, in a Richlands hospital following a long illness. Born in Tazewell County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Bill and Katie Carr Casey and was a homemaker. Mrs. Davis is survived by her husband, Marvin L. (Donnie) Davis; two daughters, Pennie of Richlands and Katie of the home; three sons, Dennis of Richlands, Danny of Doran and Ronnie and wife Lynn of Richlands; three half sisters, Connie Lawrence and husband Harry of Fincastle, Va., Mary Coleman of Franklinton, N.C., and Alice Pruitt of Lakeland, Fla.; two special aunts, Mildred Taylor of Doran and Elizabeth Marshall of Cincinnati; loving friend, Michelle Fuller, and four grandchildren, Nicole Davis, Reagan Davis, Hope Davis and Brandon Fuller. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Grady McGlothlin and Rev. Kenny Pruitt officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be friends. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Clinch Valley Medical Center Dialysis. The family will receive friends at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6-9 p.m. Monday. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Davis Family. Jean Hartfiel Earp ABINGDON -- Memorial services for Jean Hartfiel Earp will be held on Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at 6 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Gary Garland officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Weaver Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Earp passed away on Sept. 23, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Edna Roberts Hagy ABINGDON --Graveside services for Mrs. Edna Roberts Hagy will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, in Knollkreg Memorial Park, with the Rev. Bill Rowland officiating. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy may be in the form of memorial contributions to the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, or to a charity of choice. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Mrs. Hagy, age 96, passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Clyde Hall Jr. BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Clyde Hall Jr., age 75, of 1234 7th Ave., passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House. Mr. Hall was born in Damascus July 30, 1928, and had lived in Bristol for the past 35 years, serving as district manager for United Insurance Company. He was a member of North Bristol Baptist Church. Survivors include wife, Yvonne Ramsey Hall of Bristol Tennessee; son, Mark Hall of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and grandson, Mark Hall III of Myrtle Beach. Funeral services for Clyde Hall Jr. will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, from the Knollkregg Chapel of Memories in Abingdon, with Rev. Niles Kitzmiller officiating. Burial will follow in the Knollkregg Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Knollkregg Chapel of Memories in Abingdon. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Hall. James T. Hess STEELSBURG, Va. -- Mr. James T. (Tom) Hess, age 80, passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at his home following a long illness. Born in Tazewell County, Va., he was the son of the late Henry Hess and Laura Horton Hess Fox of Seaboard, Va. He lived and worked in Brook Park, Ohio, having worked for Ford Motor Co., before moving to his home at Steelsburg in 1985. He was a member of the Calvary Temple Holiness Church of Richlands and was a member of the Richlands Masonic Lodge 318 A.F. & A.M. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Hulah A. Patterson Hess, brothers, Jay, Henry, Charles and Joe Hess, sisters, Audrey Lester and Tina Crawford, and one son-in-law, Douglas Runyon. Mr. Hess is survived by his wife, Dorothy L. Hess of Steelsburg; four sons, Ronnie Jackson of Wardell, Va., Randy Hopkins and wife Sharon of Pounding Mill, Va., Michael Hess and wife Lee Ann of LaGrange, Ohio, and James A. Hess of Brook Park; one daughter, Joetta Runyon of Brook Park; one brother, Harry Eugene Hess and wife Georgia of Elyria, Ohio; one sister, Margaret Elswick of Seaboard, Va.; 24 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special caregivers, Sue Lawson and Cindy Talbert of Hospice, and special friend, Jack Reedy of Tazewell, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Grady McGlothlin and Rev. Rosso Jackson officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Wayne Lester, Bob Lester, Tommy Jackson, Jack Reedy, Bud Jackson and Harry Hess. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Iosif, Louis Hunter, Gary Jackson, Tim Elswick, Matthew Gruver, Russell Deel and Jack Keene. The family will receive friends at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, from 6-9 p.m. Monday with Masonic Services at 8 p.m. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Hess Family. Richard Hughes ABINGDON -- Mr. James Richard Hughes, age 39, passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, in Lebanon. Richard was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Allen Hughes, his paternal grandfather, Charlie Hughes, his maternal grandfather, Maven Howard Compton, and a nephew, Christopher Allen Hughes. He received an honorable discharge from the U. S. Navy. Survivors include two daughters, Hannah Renee Hughes and Abigail Victoria Hughes, both of Damascus; his mother, Lois Compton Hughes, Abingdon; two brothers, Timothy Allen Hughes and Michael Wayne Hughes, both of Abingdon; a sister, Michelle Lynn Hughes Goodson, Abingdon; his maternal grandmother, Zora Mae Compton, Honaker, and paternal grandmother, Fannie Mary Hughes, Abingdon; In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the family. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Hughes family. Ritter Matney RICHLANDS -- Mr. Ritter "Jam-Up" Matney, age 88, of 501 Kents Ridge Rd., went to be with the Lord Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born in Buchanan County, Va., and was a son of the late Dave and Cora Perkins Matney, both Buchanan County natives. He made his home in the Buchanan County area most of his life, was a retired miner with the Red Jacket Coal Company and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He was a member of the Levisa Assembly Church on Rt. 618 at Marvin, Va., where he served as Sunday School superintendent for 33 years. He had lived in Richlands the past six years and was a member of the Richlands Lodge 318 A.F. & A.M. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Eva Akers, and three brothers, Roy, Ellis and Galley Matney. Survivors are his wife of 67 years, Mrs. Audrey Lois White Matney; two daughters, Mrs. Wayne (Lois) Davis of Belfast, Va., and Mrs. Eddie (Freda) Bowman of Wardell, Va.; three sons, Mr. Nelson Matney and wife Threcia of Dublin, Va., Mr. Ronald Matney and wife Carol of Abingdon and Mr. Carless Lee Matney and wife Jerlene of Marvin; one sister, Mrs. Pearl Sampson of Slate Creek, Va.; one half-sister, Mrs. Nell King of Whitewood, Va.; five brothers, Mr. Glenn Matney of Marvin, Mr. Jack Matney of Whitewood, Mr. Luther Matney of Slate Creek, Mr. Emory Matney of Patterson, Va., and Mr. Elwood Matney of Beckley, W.Va.; one half-brother, Mr. David Matney of Galax, Va.; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and employees of Total Home Care. Funeral services for Mr. Ritter "Jam-Up" Matney will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Carl Robinson and Rev. Jimmy Richardson officiating. Interment will follow in the Hankins Cemetery in Richlands. Pallbearers will be Eric Vandyke, Richard Shortridge, Leo Matney, John Matney, Terry Matney, Samuel Matney and Ron Matney. Dr. Ramesh Kabaris will serve as an honorary pallbearer. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands Monday after 6 p.m. Members of the Richlands Lodge 318 A.F. & A.M. will conduct Masonic services at 7 p.m. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Robert Louis Mauk BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The funeral service for Robert "Bob" Louis Mauk will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30th, at the graveside in Glenwood Cemetery, with the Rev. Fred Dearing officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to one's favorite charity. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Mauk, age 80, passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, in Bristol Nursing Home. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423)989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Robert "Bob" L. Mauk. Kathleen D. Milhorn WISE -- Kathleen Dishman Milhorn, 84, passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at the Norton Community Hospital, Norton. She was a retired LPN from the Wise Hospital, Wise, and was of the Protestant faith. Surviving are two sons, Sammy Osborne of Wise and Johnny Dishman of South Carolina; one sister, Margie Mayes of Norton; one grandson, Samuel R. Osborne of Woodstock, Ga., and special care giver, Tina Sluss of Pound, Va. Graveside services for Kathleen Dishman Milhorn will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, at the Wise Cemetery, with Pastor Ben Murphy officiating. Burial will follow. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Belinda L. Monroe BRISTOL, Tenn. -- The burial for Belinda Loveless Monroe will be 11 a.m. Monday in the Happy Valley Memory Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be Eugene Walton and Dr. Bernard Gunstra. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Ms. Monroe, age 43, of 448 Beechwood Circle, passed away Thursday, Sept. 24, 2003, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. William C. Mullins CLINTWOOD -- Graveside services for William (Bill) Clarence Mullins will be Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, with Clergymen Lynn Vanover and Joe Glenn Sluss officiating. Active pallbearers are grandsons, Vance Surratt and Jason Childress, sons-in- law, Tommy Childress and Bobby Short, and special friends, Alex Sluss, Richard Sluss and Bill Fleming. Mr. Mullins, age 75, passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2003, at Norton Community Hospital. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Mullins Family. Minnie Brown Musick BRISTOL, Va. -- Minnie Brown Musick, age 94, passed away Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at NHC Healthcare in Bristol. She was a native of Abingdon and was a member of the Midway Baptist Church in Bristol Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Matt O. Musick Sr. Survivors include two daughters, Judy G. Mink and husband Jerry of Bristol Virginia and Peggy Bostic of Greenville, S.C.; one son, Matt O. Musick Jr. of Kansas City, Kan.; 11 grandchildren, Erin Mink, Matthew Mink, Gary Bostic, Donnie Bostic, Karen Stribbling, Patty Henson, Nancy Czinege, Marta Buser, Susan Hopkins, David Harmon and Debbie Fulgar; 24 great-grandchildren and one great- great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Dexter Terry and Rev. Robert Tolar Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park, with Matthew Mink, Donnie Bostic, Gary Bostic, Preston Brown, Irvin G. Brown, Bobby Smeltzer, Kenny Smeltzer and Mike Rush acting as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the Campbell Funeral Home from 7 to 9 on Tuesday evening. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of arrangements. Yolanda M. Pomrenke Yolanda M. "Toni" Pomrenke passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. She was born in Naso, Sicily, and emigrated to the United States at the age of five. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Grace Franchina Gorgone of Trenton, Mich. Toni moved to Bristol in 1983. She was a bookkeeper for several local businesses and non-profit organizations. She was an active member of St. Anne's Catholic Church. Toni was also involved closely with Girls Inc., Wellmont Hospice House, Healing Hands Health Center and St. Anne's Catholic School. She is survived by six sons and their families, Kurt Pomrenke and his children, Sarah and Paul, of Bristol Virginia, Karl Pomrenke and his wife Sandy and their children, Joseph and Lindsay, of Christiansburg, Va., Kent Pomrenke and his children, Zakary and Jak, of Whitehall, Mich., Keith Pomrenke and his wife Sharon of Bristol Virginia, Kenneth Pomrenke and his wife Naomi and their children, Marissa and Michael, of Radford, Va., and Kraig and his wife Kristie and their children, Dylan, Jennifer, Nicholas and Kassandra, of Sioux Falls, S.D. She is also survived by three sisters, Rose Monitz and her husband John of Novi, Mich., Grace D. Carlson, and her husband Dick of Newnan, Ga., and Josephine Burke and her husband Mark Boyanowski of Trenton, Mich. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 7 o'clock Tuesday evening at St. Anne's Catholic Church, with Rev. Timothy E. Keeney, the celebrant. The family will receive friends from 5 until 6:45 prior to the service Tuesday evening in the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to Girls Inc., 613 Highland Ave., Bristol, VA 24201, or St. Anne's Catholic School, 300 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Toni Pomrenke and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Anne Lee Poore BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Funeral services for Anne Lee Martin Poore will be held on Monday, Sept. 28, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Rick Light officiating. Committal services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends on Monday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service and other times at the home of Allen Poore at 147 Ridgedale Drive, Bristol, Tenn. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Poore passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Greystone Health Care Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Curtis L. Ramsey ABINGDON -- Mr. Curtis L. Ramsey, 94, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at Westhaven Retirement Living. Funeral arrangements are incomplete but will be announced later by Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon. Gary Dean Robinson MARION -- Gary Dean Robinson, age 49, passed away Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, in the V.A. Medical Center in Salem, Va. Mr. Robinson was born in Richlands and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served in Korea. He was employed as a medical equipment engineer with General Electric and Toshiba and most recently was self-employed. He was a former member of the Marion First Church of God. Survivors include three children, Sarah Beth Robinson, Dallas, Joseph Patton Robinson, Dallas, and Christopher Dean Robinson, Dallas; mom and dad, Lorraine and Dean Robinson, Marion; sister and brother-in-law, Vanessa and Wayne Evans, Marion; special niece, Kiah Evans, Blacksburg; former wife, Joy P. Robinson, Dallas, and special friend, Linda East, Salem, Va. Also surviving are very special aunts and uncles, including a special great-aunt, Gertie Dill. Funeral services will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Sept. 30, 2003, from the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Dennis Banks and Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Claypool Hill Memory Gardens, with full military honors being rendered. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made to the Gideon's International, P.O. Box 1326, Marion, VA 24354. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley's Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Robinson family. Melvin George Rohr BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Melvin George Rohr, 92, died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Rohr was born in West Carrollton, Ohio, a son of the late George Frank and Ida Francis Rohr. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Magdalene Rohr, and his brothers, Orville Joseph Rohr, Darrell Charles Rohr, Dallas Leroy Rohr and Bernard Glen Rohr. He was a veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marines/Coast Guard and was a member of the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his son, Dr. Errol G. Rohr and his wife Dr. Karen Gegner Rohr, two grandchildren, Liese Anne Rohr and Eric Gegner Rohr and his wife Lin Luck Rohr, a great-grandchild, Sarah Garman Rohr, and a sister, Lillian Estelle Little. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at Cold Spring Presbyterian Church, with Reverend Dr. Errol G. Rohr officiating, assisted by Reverend Dr. Gregory D. Jordan. The committal and interment will follow at Cold Spring Presbyterian Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eric Rohr, Don Middleton, Robert Rohr, Mike Carty, Ron Walker and Roy Tester. The family will receive friends from 1 o'clock until 1:45 Tuesday afternoon at Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Rohr and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. William Rowland BLUFF CITY -- William "Bill" Rowland, of 148 Kaluna Ave., died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Bristol Fresenius Medical Center at the site of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. A son of the late David Luther Rowland and Blanche Doyle Rowland, he was born in Smyth County, Va. Mr. Rowland had been an insurance salesman and manager for many years with Metropolitan, American General and Midland Life Insurance Companies. He was an veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served in World War II. He was of the Methodist faith. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Hazel Severt Rowland, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning at the graveside in Roselawn Cemetery in Marion, with Rev. Frank Branson officiating. Following the service at the graveside, the family will receive friends at the home of Robbie and Patsy Doyle, 204 Rolling Hills Drive, in Marion. Friends and family may meet at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday and travel in procession or may meet at the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Monday evening at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Bill Wilson, Jamie Bunker, Paul Severt, Matthew Horton, Dean Edwards, Gary Conley I and Gary Conley II. In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Bristol Heart Association, P.O. Box 544, Bristol, VA 24203-0544, or the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee, P.O. Box 1135, Blountville, TN 37617. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Rowland and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Walter Thomas ABINGDON -- Walter Thomas, 76, of Cleveland Road, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at his home. The arrangements are incomplete. Mr. Thomas and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va.