Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, September 30, 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 30, 2003 Today's Deaths Kenneth H. Cullum, 62, Charlotte, N.C. Margaret Patricia Maiden Fortney, Richmond Lillian Ring Gibson, 89, Castlewood Annie Kemper Huffman, 80, Narrows, Va. William Fred Hughes, 62, Coeburn Harold McDonald Mosley, 63, Troutman, N.C. Beulah Mae Self, 91, Bristol Virginia Douglas L. Slagle, 53, Bristol Tennessee Margaret Virginia Tuggle, 89, Swords Creek, Va. Mabel Cowan Vlashart, 96, Bristol Virginia Geneva Burroughs Wagner, 88, Bristol Tennessee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth H. Cullum CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kenneth H. Cullum, 62, died Sept. 19, 2003, at his home in Charlotte after a long battle with cancer. Ken was born in Dallas, on Nov. 9, 1940, a son of the late Earl and Louise Cullum. He was a 1958 graduate of Miami High School in Miami, Okla. He graduated with honors with a B.S. degree from Purdue University in 1963. After graduation, Ken was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army. Following artillery schooling at Fort Sill, Okla., and Airborne training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in West Germany. During this three-year tour of duty, he served for a period as aide-de-camp to the assistant division commander. He was then assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam, where he served a one-year tour and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding meritorious service. Following his discharge from the service, he attended the University of Notre Dame, graduating with high honors in the charter M.B.A. class of 1969. He then joined Bristol Steel & Iron Works Inc., a privately-held steel fabrication and erection company headquartered in Bristol Virginia, where he was employed for 27 years, retiring in 1996 after serving as the president and chief executive officer for 10 years. Ken took particular pleasure in performing volunteer work, including the United Way of Bristol, where he was active for 17 years in numerous capacities. He was a Paul Harris Fellow in the Rotary Club of Bristol, served on the Board for the Greater Bristol Chamber of Commerce and was on the Board of Trustees for Virginia Intermont College. Ken was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Cullum. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his children, Joel Cullum and his wife Dayna of Bristol Tennessee, Lisa Denise Burkard and her husband Mike of Charlotte and Douglas Cullum of Seattle; his stepdaughter, Collie DeTullio and her husband Joe of Charlotte; his sister, Kaye Lee and her husband Ed of Poteet, Texas, and five grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Akard Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 5:30 till 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the United Way of Bristol, P.O. Box 696, Bristol, TN 37621, or Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, 3014 Oak Lawn Ave., Dallas, TX 75219. Condolences also may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, Tenn., (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Cullum. Margaret M. Fortney RICHMOND -- Margaret Patricia Maiden Fortney passed away on Sept. 26, 2003. She is survived by her husband, Mark Roy Fortney; her mother, Socorro G. McAllister; her brother, Larry G. Maiden; her sister, Mary Anne Knauer; her nephews, Brian A. Maiden and Matthew Knauer; her nieces, Lauren Knauer and Christen Knauer, and special friend, Sharon Miller. She was preceded in death by her father, Roby Maiden. Her remains rested at the Bliley Funeral Homes' Staples Mill Chapel, 8510 Staples Mill Road, where the family received friends Monday, 6 to 8 p.m., with a Christian Wake at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, 1 p.m., at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Entombment Signal Hill Memorial Park. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4240 Park Place Ct., P.O. Box 6359, Glen Allen, VA 23058-6359. Bliley Funeral Homes, Richmond, is in charge of arrangements. Lillian Ring Gibson CASTLEWOOD -- Lillian Ring Gibson, 89, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at The Wexford House in Kingsport. She was born in Dante, Va., daughter of the late Norman and Elizabeth Jessee Ring. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bascom Gibson. She was a member of Sulphur Spring Methodist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Gibson Warner and husband Kaney of Castlewood and Betsy Furin of Bethesda, Md.; one son, Charles Gibson and wife Edith of Kingsport; five grandchildren, Melinda Winikur, Nancy Smith, Greg Gibson, Stephanie Russell and Chris Furin; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Lillian Ring Gibson will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, with Rev. Charlie Killen and Pastor Allen Porter officiating. The funeral procession will leave for the cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Pallbearers will be friends. The family will receive friends from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sulphur Spring Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Rhonda Porter, Treasurer, Route 2, Box 16-P, Castlewood, VA 24224. A special thank you to Wexford House, Wing 200. Online condolences may be sent to the Gibson family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Clyde Hall Jr. BRISTOL, Tenn. -- 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. Mr. Hall, age 75, of 1234 7th Ave., passed away Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House. Annie K. Huffman NARROWS, Va. -- Annie Kemper Huffman, 80, formerly of Lebanon, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003. She was born in Russell County, Va., on Dec. 25, 1922, and was the daughter of the late William Cleveland and Maggie Helton Huffman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, William Edgar Huffman, and three sisters, Virginia Marie Huffman Cox, Rosa Lee Huffman Goolsby and Lena Huffman Gross. She is survived by two sisters, Lillian H. Thompson, Narrows, and Florine H. Chafin, Lebanon. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Riffe's Funeral Chapel in Narrows, with Rev. Ronald Smith officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. in the Russell Memorial Cemetery, Lebanon. The family will receive friends at Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.riffes.com. Funeral arrangements by Riffe's Funeral Service, Narrows. James R. Hughes The funeral service will be conducted at noon Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Harless Hess and Rev. David Harless officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Church Color Honor Guard. Casket bearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. Wednesday until the time of the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to them. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of James Richard Hughes. William Fred Hughes COEBURN -- William Fred Hughes, 62, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at his residence. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur R. and Mae Manies Hughes, father-in-law, Pete Lawson, and mother-in-law, Tootie Lawson, and a sister, Joann Igo. Survivors include by his wife, Judy Lawson Hughes; three daughters, Angel Clark, Coeburn, Brenda Hughes, Grundy, and Marie Hughes, Wise; four sons, William Hughes, Jefferson City, Tenn., Arthur Hughes, Grundy, James Hughes, Churchill, Tenn., and John Hughes, Manassas, Va.; one sister, Wilma Eaton, Cold Springs, Ky; several grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. Visitation for William Fred Hughes will be held Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, after 6 p.m. at Estes Funeral Home Chapel and funeral services will be at 7:30 p.m., with Rev. Leon Lawson officiating. Burial will be in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Coeburn on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Pound VFW Post 9600 will perform military graveside rites. The family will meet at Estes Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning prior to going to the cemetery. Estes Funeral Home Inc. (276) 395-2441. Ritter Matney RICHLANDS -- 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. Members of the Richlands Lodge 318 A.F. & A.M. will conduct Masonic services at 7 p.m. Mr. 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. 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. Harold M. Mosley TROUTMAN, N.C. -- Mr. Harold McDonald "Moe" Mosley, age 63, formerly of Richlands, died suddenly at his home in Troutman, N.C., Monday, Sept. 29, 2003. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. 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 K. 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.campbellfuneralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of arrangements. Yolanda M. Pomrenke The funeral mass for Yolanda M. "Toni" Pomrenke 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. The committal and internment service will be conducted at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning at the columbarium of St. Anne's Catholic Church Cemetery. 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. Mrs. Pomrenke passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Toni Pomrenke and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Anne Lee Poore BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Committal services for Anne Lee Martin Poore will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. 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, Virginia Educator, 94, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003. He was born in Sydnorsville, Franklin County, Va., on Jan. 31, 1909, the only son of the late Lottie Young and William Lee Ramsey. His wife, Martha Harrison, preceded him in death in 1982. Educated at Ferrum Training School, graduating in 1929, he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the College of William and Mary, and completed a year of doctoral study at the University of Virginia. Curtis L. Ramsey spent his career in education. Family and education were the most important things in his life. His first jobs were teaching and principal positions at Sontag, Wade, Burnt Chimney, Boonsboro and Huddleston Schools. In Bedford, he was the general supervisor of Bedford County School System. From 1952-53, he continued work on his doctorate at the University of Virginia. Mr. Ramsey came to Abingdon 50 years ago in 1953 to be the principal of William King High School and became the first director of the University of Virginia's Regional Center for Continuing Education in Southwest Virginia. He retired in 1978. He was a member of the American Association of School Administrators, past president of the Retired Teachers Association and past president of Ferrum College's Distinguished Alumni Award for service to education. Mr. Ramsey received many honors throughout his life. Governor Charles Robb presented the Service to Youth Award from the Model General Assembly Committee in recognition of his service to the youth of Virginia in 1985. He served on the Board of Directors for the State YMCA for many years until his death. In 1990, he was presented the Benjamin M. Beckham Medallion from Ferrum College, which is given annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to both the college and educational community and who best exemplifies the Ferrum College motto "Not self, but others." Mr. Ramsey was once quoted as saying "not many can say they have had the privilege of awarding each of their four daughters their high school diploma." He is survived by his daughters, Martha Lee Benz of Holland Point, Md., Susan Ackerman of Simsbury, Conn., Ann Ramsey of Charlotte, N.C., and Julia Walker of Cincinnati, and five grandchildren, James Lee Ackerman, Mollie Benz, Elizabeth Ackerman, Bryan Walker and Catherine Walker. He is also survived by one nephew and three nieces. His three sisters, Lorene Bixby, Gladys Ramsey and Gertrude Moore, preceded him in death. The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Helen Holbrook, Ann Murray, Faye Anderson and Ruby Phibbs (deceased), whose care and devotion made such a difference in Mr. Ramsey's life throughout his last years. The family is also grateful for the care provided by Westhaven Retirement Living and Hospice of Big Stone Gap. A scholarship in his memory will be established at Ferrum College in Virginia. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Ferrum College, Office of Development, P.O. Box 1000, Ferrum, VA 24088, marked for the Curtis Lee Ramsey Scholarship. The family will receive friends at Farris Funeral Service on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. The Rev. Craig R. Wylie will officiate. Interment will follow at Knollkreg Memorial Park. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Ramsey 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, Gene Rohr 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. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Cold Spring Presbyterian Church Mission Fund, 280 Cold Springs Church Road, Bristol, TN 37620, or to King College, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Mr. Rohr and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. William Rowland BLUFF CITY -- The funeral service for William "Bill" Rowland 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. 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, of 148 Kaluna Ave., died Saturday, Sept. 27, 2003, at Bristol Fresenius Medical Center at the site of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Rowland and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Beulah Mae Self BRISTOL, Va. -- Beulah Mae Self, 91, of Brandon Lane, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol Tennessee. She was born in Mabel, N.C., daughter of the late Robert and Effie Hicks Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kit Carson Self. She is survived by one daughter, Karen Greer of Bristol Virginia; three sons, Gary Self of Bristol Virginia, Robert Self of Utica, Mich., and Kenneth Self of Williamsburg, Va.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, in Chapel of Love Mausoleum, Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, with Rev. Joey Fuller officiating. Entombment will follow in Chapel of Love Mausoleum, Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Robert Self, Kenneth Self, Stephen Self, Michael Self, Carey Balch and Wayne Long. The Self family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Self family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Douglas L. Slagle BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Douglas L. Slagle, age 53, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at Bristol Nursing Home. He was the son of the late Thurman Douglas Slagle and Bena Lee Greer Douglas Slagle. He was a former employee of Shelby's Restaurant. Survivors include son, Douglas Slagle of Bristol; daughter, Melinda Worley of Blountville; four grandchildren and special friends, Shirley Wilson and Shelby Hopkins. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Rick Light officiating. Private committal services will be held at Eastern Heights Cemetery. The family would like to say a special thanks to the doctors and staff at Bristol Nursing Home and to all his friends who took time to visit with him at Shelby's Restaurant and at the nursing home. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6-6:45 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Walter M. Thomas ABINGDON -- Walter Melton Thomas, 76, of Cleveland Road, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, at his home. He was born in Bristol Virginia, a son of the late Paul Barton Thomas and Dorlusca Fain Minnick Thomas. He was a member of Cold Spring Presbyterian Church, where he was a deacon and Sunday School superintendent, and was a life- long resident of Washington County, Va. Mr. Thomas was a farmer and was also a member of the Sullivan County Farm Bureau and of Southern States Cooperative of Sullivan County and Washington County. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Helen Tallman Thomas, two daughters, Kay Littlefield of Abingdon and Donna Ostermeyer of Bristol Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Arthur Thomas. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock Tuesday evening at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning in Cold Spring Cemetery, with Rev. Les Ketron officiating. Pallbearers will be Eugene Gentry, Danny Gentry, Robert S. Garrett, Bobby Eller, Tyler Cross and Pat Saul. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe K. Thomas Jr., James C. Thomas, Tommy McConnell, George R. Thompson, Dr. Waverly Green Jr. and the physicians and staff of Doctors Green, PC. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Bristol Heart Association, P.O. Box 544, Bristol, VA 24203-0544. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mr. Thomas and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Margaret V. Tuggle SWORDS CREEK, Va. -- Margaret Virginia Tuggle, age 89, of Maple Gap section, passed away Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, in an Abingdon health care facility. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker. Mabel Cowan Vlashart BRISTOL, Va. -- Mabel Cowan Vlashart, age 96, died Sunday, Sept. 28, 2003, in NHC Healthcare of Bristol. She was a native of Mendota, Va., and had lived in California for 30 years before returning to this area in 1978. She was the daughter of the late Thomas H. and Eva Meade Cowan. She was a retired school teacher and attended the Blountville United Methodist Church. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Earl M. and Betty Keen Fleenor of Bristol Tennessee; three grandchildren, Sara Smith and her husband Bill, Mark Fleenor and his wife Cathy and Greg Fleenor and his wife Rhonda; six great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. John Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Gunnings Cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from family. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. Wednesday prior to the service at Akard Funeral Home. Memorials may be sent to Blountville United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 686, Blountville, TN 37617. 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 Mrs. Mabel Cowan Vlashart. Geneva B. Wagner BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Geneva Burroughs Wagner, age 88, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. 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 Mrs. Geneva Burroughs Wagner.