Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 9, 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 Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003 Today's Deaths Fred James Ashlin, 81, Sugar Grove, Va. Carolyn Ann Seymore Blankenbeckler, 58, Blountville Beatrice Haga Blevins, 90, Bristol Virginia Dorothy E. Boyers, 87, Bristol Tennessee Ruby Owens Deel, 77, Hays, N.C. Dorothy Douglass Dickey, 101, Bristol Virginia Elsie Royston Dunn, 88, Bristol Tennessee Bertha F. Grubbs Houser, 74, Bristol Virginia Edith Dunbar Jones, 84 Regina Margaret Kelchner, 73, Bristol Tennessee Jasper N. Maggart, 81, Abingdon Elmer Mills, 81, Fredericksburg, Va. Ralph Kenneth Osborne Sr., 53, Castlewood John Skaggs Perter Jr., 75, Kingsport Lallah Faye Potter, Bristol Tennessee Johnnie Wenona Smith, 91, Bristol Tennessee Shirley Davis Sturgill, 57 Hampton Kelly Turner, 65, Kingsport Edward C. Wagner, 91, Bristol Tennessee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fred James Ashlin SUGAR GROVE, Va. – Fred James Ashlin, age 81, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. Survivors include wife, Geneva Ashlin, Sugar Grove; one son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Ernestine Ashlin, Sugar Grove; two brothers, Lee Ashlin, Sugar Grove, and Charlie Ashlin, Marion; one sister, Mattie Griffitts, Teas, Va.; three grandchildren, Kevin Ashlin, Sherri Ashlin Reid and Kimberly Ashlin Ferley; 11 great-grandchildren and one due in December. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Kenny Price officiating. Interment will follow in the Ridge Lawn Cemetery in Sugar Grove. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Ashlin family. Carolyn Blankenbeckler BLOUNTVILLE – Carolyn Ann Seymore Blankenbeckler, age 58, of 746 Highway 394, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. The arrangements are incomplete. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Beatrice H. Blevins BRISTOL, Va. – Beatrice Haga Blevins, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was formerly of Atkins, Va., and was a daughter of the late John A. and Gracie Holdaway Haga. She had made her home in Bristol since 1969 and was a homemaker and a member of McIver Memorial Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Blevins was the widow of Paul T. Blevins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Lizzie Cassell, Lessie Brock, Martha Haga and Dorothy Musser, and a brother, John A. Haga Jr. Survivors include two daughters, Emma B. Sexton and husband Charles of Atkins and Mary Ann Blevins of Bristol Virginia; two brothers, Robert E. Haga and wife Eva of Fenton, Mich., and Sherman W. Haga of Atkins; a granddaughter, Paula S. Violet and husband Greg of Durham, N.C.; a great-granddaughter, Susan M. Violet of Durham, and her special caregiver, Patsy Large. A funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Alan Chapman officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 7:45 p.m. Friday at Akard Funeral Home prior to the service. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in the Seaver- Brown Funeral Home Chapel, Marion, with Rev. William Wing and Rev. Alan Chapman officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. Saturday at Seaver-Brown Funeral Home prior to the service. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. Flowers will be accepted or memorials are requested to McIver Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1900 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201 or Nicks Creek Presbyterian Chapel, 170 Kelly Hill Rd., Atkins, VA 24311. 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. Beatrice Haga Blevins. Dorothy E. Boyers BRISTOL, Tenn. – Dorothy E. Boyers, 87, formerly of 400 Shelby St., Apt. 201, died on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at the Cambridge House. A memorial service for Mrs. Boyers will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at St. Anne’s Church in Bristol Virginia, with Father Tim Keeney and Deacon Hall officiating. Her family requests that memorials be given to St. Anne’s Church, 300 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201. Courtesy of Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City. Gary Alvas Carver ABINGDON – Funeral services for Gary Alvas Carver will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jerry A. Eggers officiating. Burial will follow in the Justice Cemetery in Asco, W.Va., at 3 p.m. Thursday. Pallbearers will be Jerry Adkins Jr., William Watson, Tommy Adkins Jr., Derek Czadcek, Jason Adkins and Jeramy Trent. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Mr. Carver, age 48, died Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at his residence. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Ellen M. Compton HONAKER – Funeral services for Mrs. Ellen Musick Compton will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Giles Wilson and Rev. Virgil Musick officiating. Interment will follow in the Meade Cemetery at Honaker. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Compton, age 89, went to be with the Lord Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Grundy. Ruby Owens Deel HAYS, N.C. – Ruby Owens Deel, 77 years of age, formerly of Buchanan County, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, in Wilkes Regional Medical Center, North Wilkesboro, N.C., from an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Charlie and Nancy Jane Deel Owens. She had been a resident of Buchanan County several years prior to moving to Florida and then to North Carolina. She was a member of North Wilkesboro Church of Christ, a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. She and her late husband, Donald C. Deel were the owners and operators of Royal Restaurant in Grundy for several years. Mrs. Deel was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Deel, Nov. 19, 1992. She is survived by two daughters, Kay and husband Mike Sikora, McGrady, N.C., and Barbara Deel, Hays; two sisters, Elma and husband Gordon Deel, Vansant, Va., and Janice and husband George Lockhart, Vansant; one brother, Omar Owens, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and one granddaughter, Kerry Sikora, McGrady, N.C. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Myrtie Sykes and Artie Sykes Cochran, and three brothers, Irvin, Leonard and Sidney Owens. Funeral services for Ruby Owens Deel will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Evangelist Michael Trent officiating, with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers: Frankie Deel, Freddie Deel, Ricky Deel, Darrell Deel, Howard Owens, Randy Deel, Bryan Lockhart and Eddie Bostic. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Dorothy Douglass Dickey BRISTOL, Va. – Dorothy Douglass Dickey, age 101, of Prospect Avenue, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, at NHC Healthcare of Bristol. She was born in Jefferson, Ohio, a daughter of the late William Edwin and Lydia Crosby Douglass. She was a graduate of Stetson University in Deland, Fla., with a major in English. She was the widow of Ernest Hatcher Dickey Sr. Mrs. Dickey was a member of First Baptist Church, past president of the Bristol Music Club, founder and past president of the Gibbon Study Club, founder and past vice-president of Ornithological Society of Bristol, past president of the Appalachian Girl Scout Council, founder of the Hospital Auxiliary of Bristol Memorial Hospital, founder of Phi Beta Music Honorary at Virginia Intermont, sustaining member of the Blue Stocking Club, past president of WMU of First Baptist Church, past superintendent of the Beginner’s Department of First Baptist Church, den mother for Boy Scouts of America, Mariner Girl Scout Troop leader, member and past officer in Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, member and past officer in Phi Beta Music Sorority, member of D.A.R., listed in Who’s Who of American Women and active in the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Dickey was preceded in death by her daughter, Margaret Dickey Geromanos, two sons, Ernest H. Dickey Jr. and John Douglass Dickey, a sister, Elizabeth Douglass Alfred, and two brothers, Frank Crosby Douglass and Edwin L. Douglass. Survivors include a daughter, Eleanor Dickey Heacock and her husband, Jack of Bristol Virginia; daughter-in-law, Doris Thompson Dickey of Elizabethton; 10 grandchildren, Kathy L. Burley and husband Steven of Deland, Doug Dickey and wife Pat of Montgomery Village, Md., Martin Dickey and wife Connie of Ft. Mill, S.C., Hatch Dickey and wife Sandi of Lake Mary, Fla., Kim O’Connell and husband Tim of Roanoke, Greg Dickey and wife Laura of Sanford, Fla., Jeff Dickey of Sanford, Lynne Butler and husband Charlie of Sanford, Shepley Orr and wife Joanne of Norwich, England, and Tasha Orr of Golden, Colo.; 12 great- grandchildren, Matthew, Ben and Jason Dickey, Brad and Brian Dickey, Ryan Larson, Sean and Kristin O’Connell, Ashley and Raina Dickey and Jessica Dickey and Jonathan Dickey, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews. A funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at First Baptist Church, with Dr. David Stancil and Dr. Jack Heacock officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. The grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the great-grandchildren, Bob and Becky Ingram, Gayle Stevens, Jane and Nat Copenhaver and Glenn Lawson. For those wishing to attend the funeral service and not familiar with First Baptist Church, there is an elevator available. The family will receive friends from 5 until 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Akard Funeral Home. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Steven Hanor, Sheila Murray and staff and the staff of NHC Healthcare of Bristol for their care and compassion. Memorials are requested to First Baptist Church, Sequoyia Council Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts Council or Pi Beta Phi Friendship Fund. 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. Dorothy Douglass Dickey. Elsie Royston Dunn BRISTOL, Tenn. – Elsie Royston Dunn, 88, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a life-long resident of Sullivan County and was preceded in death by her husband, Gorman “Bud” Dunn, her parents, Lilburn Royston and Minnie Royston Emmert, and three brothers, Rev. Claude Emmert, Dayton Emmert and Fred Emmert. She was an active member of Addilynn Memorial United Methodist Church and attended Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church on Sunday evenings. She was retired from Gordon Garment and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, the Highlands Emmaeus Community, the Gospel Gordonaires, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Haven of Rest and worked with Child Evangelism. Survivors include a daughter, Marsha Everhart and her husband Bob of Bristol; two grandsons, Dr. Todd Everhart and his wife Renee of Bristol and Brett Everhart and his wife Aubrey of Nashville; a great-grandson, Daniel Todd Everhart; a half sister, Dorothy Welch of Bristol; two half brothers, Bob Emmert and Jack Emmert, both of Bristol; several nieces and nephews and two special friends, Charles Nash and Connie Ball. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Friday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with the funeral service to be conducted at 8 o’clock. Rev. Steve Brown will officiate. A candlelight committal service will follow in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Gordonaires. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Building Fund of Addilynn Memorial United Methodist Church. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Dunn and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Vernon Coy Hartsock The funeral service for Vernon Coy Hartsock will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in the Mausoleum Chapel in Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. Dennis Burnette officiating. Burial will follow. Nephews will serve as honorary pallbearers. Mr. Hartsock, of Bristol Virginia, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at Select Specialty Hospital. 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 Mr. Vernon Hartsock. Larry Wayne Helbert BLUFF CITY – The committal for Larry Wayne Helbert will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Glenwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Weaver Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Mr. Helbert, age 49, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, at his residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ezra Nolan Hensley BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for Ezra Nolan Hensley will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003, at the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Tony Trunnell officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at noon Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at the Silverleaf Baptist Church Cemetery in Rose Hill. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday prior to the service at the Weaver Funeral Home. The infant son of Tim and Donna Hensley went to be with the Risen Lord, Friday, Oct. 3, 2003. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Bertha Houser BRISTOL, Va. – Bertha F. Grubbs Houser, age 74, of 105 Kingsolver St., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House. She was born in Washington County, Va., but lived all her life in the Bristol area. She was the daughter of the late Albert and Ester Jane Hyatt Grubbs and the widow of William L. Houser. She was preceded in death by a son, Gary Wayne Nelson. She was a former employee of S & H Green Stamp Store and a member of East End Christian Church. She is survived by daughter, Carolyn Jane Roden; son, Charles Franklin Nelson; sister, Nancye Lasky; brother, Arthur Grubbs; several nieces, nephews and cousins; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, in the Mountain View Cemetery, with Rev. Jack Stevens officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Edith Dunbar Jones Edith Dunbar Jones, 84, died Oct. 8, 2003, at Johnson City Medical Center. Mrs. Jones was a native of Washington County, Tenn., a daughter of the late John E. Dunbar and Martha Pearl Broyles Dunbar and was a graduate of East Tennessee State University. She taught school for one year in the Washington County School System before leaving in 1942 to accept employment with the civil services branch of the government as a cryptographer for the Army Airways Communications System at Morrison Field Army Air Force Base in West Palm Beach, Fla. Following this, she was employed by the Atomic Energy Commissions facility at Oak Ridge, Tenn., where she was an instructor in the employment testing program. Mrs. Jones was married to Mack Preston Jones Jr. of Johnson City. They moved to Bristol Tennessee in 1947, where she was employed by the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education and continued teaching there for 23 years. She was a member of the Central Christian Church of Bristol and the First Christian Church of Johnson City. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, International, and a former member of the Retired Teachers Association. Mr. and Mrs. Jones relocated to Johnson City in 1989. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four brothers and four sisters. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Thursday evening at Oakley- Cook Funeral Home, with the funeral service to be conducted at 8 o’clock. Mr. Tim Wallingford and Dr. Ross Dampier will officiate. The committal service and burial will be held at 11 o’clock Friday morning at Glenwood Cemetery, Bristol Tennessee, with Rev. Bill Stansberry officiating. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Jones is in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Regina M. Kelchner BRISTOL, Tenn. – Regina Margaret Kelchner, age 73, of 308 Honeysuckle Lane, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born in Parsons, W.Va., but lived more than 50 years in the Bristol area. She was the daughter of the late Hubert G. and Delphia Kerns Kelchner and a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. She was a retired employee from Sprint. She is survived by nephews, David P. Kelchner of Bristol Tennessee and Charles L. Kelchner and wife Lola of Kingsport. A graveside service will be held Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Winchester, Va. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Jasper N. Maggart ABINGDON – Jasper N. Maggart, age 81, a resident of 21159 Vance Mill Road, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice. He was the son of the late Ezra and Bernnie Massey Maggart. Survivors include his wife, Ruby Maggart of Abingdon; one son and daughter-in- law, Jere and Lori Maggart of Abingdon; one granddaughter, Kristin Maggart; one brother, Wilbur and Margaret Maggart, and sister-in-law, Eddie Maggart. Funeral services for Jasper N. Maggart will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday in the Hermitage Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dan Spross officiating. Entombment will follow in the Hermitage Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Hermitage Funeral Home, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, Tenn. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of the local arrangements.' Alma Marchant BLUFF CITY – Alma Sergent Layne Marchant, age 47, of 1239 Egypt Road, died Friday Oct. 3, 2003, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. A native of Fleming, Ky., she was a daughter of the late Roy and Barbara Hall Sergent. She was preceded in death by a sister and a granddaughter. Survivors include her husband, Wayne Marchant, Bristol; two daughters, Leslie Malone and Angela Haynes, both of Bluff City; four grandchildren, Taylor Malone, Christopher Haynes, Dakota Malone and Hunter Haynes, all of Bluff City; one sister, Louise Johnson, Kite, Ky., and two brothers, Jeff Sergent, Weber City, Va., and Ken Sergent, Kentucky. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, in the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home- Bluff City, with Rev. Danny Osborne officiating. The graveside service and interment will be following the funeral service in Webb-Lady Cemetery, Bluff City. Active pallbearers will be Larry Tasker, Steven Malone, C.J. Sergent, Bobby Derr, Andy Malone and Harry Cannon. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Harrison, Frank Slaughter Jr., Jeff Sergent and Randel Johnson. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6-8 p.m. 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. Elmer Mills FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Elmer Mills, 81, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003. Arrangements are incomplete at Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon. Ralph K. Osborne Sr. CASTLEWOOD – Ralph Kenneth Osborne Sr., 53, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. He was born in Russell County, Va., son of the late Samuel M. Osborne. He was a former employee of Clinchfield Coal Company. He was a member of Castlewood Masonic Lodge 231 A.F. & A.M., Thirty Second Degree of Scottish Rite, Roanoke, and Kazim Shriners A.A.O.N.M.S., Roanoke. He was a member of the Brick Baptist Church, Castlewood. He was preceded in death by one son, Kenny Osborne. He is survived by his wife, Jane Ann Osborne of Castlewood; one daughter, Amber Jones and husband Ryan of Castlewood; one grandson, Seth Osborne Jones; his mother, Edna Ruth Collier Osborne of Castlewood; one sister, Anna O. Bush of Wytheville, Va.; three brothers, Bobby L. Osborne of Castlewood, Samuel M. Osborne Jr. of Williamsburg and Charlie F. Osborne of Castlewood; mother and father-in-law, Sidney and Frances Johnson, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Ralph Kenneth Osborne Sr. will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Charles Jones and Rev. Larry Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Osborne Family Cemetery, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Joe Jordan, Paul Wirt, Charlie Osborne Jr., Sid Johnson III, Jon Johnson, Stephen Jessee, Ben Jessee, Ernie Ramsey and Kevin Counts. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Castlewood Masonic Lodge 231, Bill Steffey, Dave Phillips, Steve Banner and Bud Wohlford. The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Emory H. Robinette and Dr. James A. Mann. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. A Masonic memorial service will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday by Castlewood Masonic Lodge 231 A.F. & A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605. Online condolences may be sent to the Osborne family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. John Skaggs Porter Jr. KINGSPORT – John Skaggs Porter Jr., 75, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol Tennessee. Born Feb. 12, 1928, in Russell County, Va., a son of Sallie Marshall Porter and the late John Skaggs Porter, he had lived in Lebanon, moving to Kingsport one year ago. He was a retired foreman for the Virginia Department of Transportation with 42 years of service. He was of the Baptist faith. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Lee Porter, and a sister, Lois Porter Johnson. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Elouise Hall Porter; a daughter, Linda Tignor and husband John Tignor, Elkton, Md.; a granddaughter, Suzanne Leffew and husband Jeremy Leffew, Earleville, Md.; his mother, Sallie Marshall Porter, Lebanon; three sisters, Joann Harrison and husband Roy Harrison, Lebanon, Dorothy Fugate and husband Clarence Fugate, Castlewood, and Lucille Salyer, Kingsport; a brother, Rev. Orbie Porter and wife Ann Porter, Castlewood, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel in Lebanon, with the Rev. Eugene Miller and the Rev. Wayne Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Craig Rasnake, John Duty, Roger Sisk, Harmon Rasnake, Ivan Duty, Leon Porter, Gregory Harrison and Ronnie Hall. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Porter. Faye Potter BRISTOL, Tenn. – Mrs. Lallah Faye Potter died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, in the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Faye was an optician for several years and was co-owner of Potter’s Abingdon Opticians. She was a fellow of the National Academy of Opticians and was of the Baptist faith. She was born Jan. 8, 1943, in Maury, N.C. She is survived by her husband, Sidney Potter, Bristol Tennessee; her daughters, Christine Potter Davidson and husband Charles, Abingdon, Kathleen Potter Mann and husband Donnie, Charlotte, N.C., Kelly Potter Puckett and husband Mark, Bristol Tennessee, and Kerry Stacy and husband Jon, Morristown, Tenn.; her parents, David and Rachel Hagan, Bristol Tennessee; her sister, Anna Roberts, Rockville, Md.; her brother, Michael Hagan, and her grandchildren, Sarah Puckett, Lindsey Mann, Austin Mann and Jillian Davidson. The memorial service for Faye will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Mr. Jeff Noah and Brother Phil Whitaker officiating. The family will greet friends immediately following the memorial service. Those wishing to express messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Instead of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Wellmont Bristol Regional Cancer Center, c/o Foundation Office, One Medical Park Blvd., Bristol, TN 37620, in memory of Faye. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Faye Potter. Claude K. Rasnake BEE, Va. – Funeral services for Mr. Claude Kenneth Rasnake will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Carson Powers and Rev. Curtis Dalton officiating. Interment will follow in the Duty View Cemetery at Bee. Pallbearers will be Jack Arrington, Daniel Barton, Harold O’Quinn, Kenneth Berk Barton, Vernal Boyd, Lannie Sutherland, Jimmie Dye and Gary Barton. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Rasnake, Nathan Rasnake and Jamie Johnson. Mr. Rasnake, age 60, passed away Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, in a Richlands hospital. Bulah E. Rose CLINCHCO, Va. – Funeral services for Bulah E. Rose will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, 2003, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Franklin Viers, Joel Turner and Roger Fuller officiating. Burial will follow in the Holly Ray Edwards Cemetery, Birchleaf, Va. Pallbearers will be Jonathan Bailey, Jody Bailey, Bradley Edwards, Mike Gary, Gary Edwards, Micky Owens, Gerald Hall, Nathan Edwards, Wesley Elswick and Allen Edwards. Mrs. Rose, age 74, of Route 1, passed away Monday, Oct. 6, 2003, at her residence. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Johnnie W. Smith BRISTOL, Tenn. – Johnnie Wenona Smith, age 91, 1532 Saint John St., died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, in Wellmont Hospice House. She was a native of Sullivan County and daughter of the late Joseph and Lena Frye Houser. She was a retired cafeteria worker at Bristol Tennessee High School and was of the Methodist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry T. Smith. Survivors include her children, Jimmy and Dee, Becky and Jackie, Bobby and Audrey and Henry and Phyllis, all of Bristol Tennessee, Larry and Suzi of Bluff City and Barbara. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, four great- great-grandchildren, two special friends, Rachael Robinette and Betty Smith, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday in Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. Scott Price officiating, assisted by Rev. Lester Mac Kinnon. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Shawn Smith, Winston Herrington and Frank Boardwine. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Weaver Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Nancy Proffitt Spencer MEADOWVIEW – Mrs. Nancy Proffitt Spencer, age 84, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003. Born on June 20, 1919, she was a daughter of the late James T. Proffitt and Mary Elizabeth Miller Proffitt. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ray Junior Spencer, a half sister, Martha Hicks, and two brothers, Joseph Proffitt and Charles Proffitt. Mrs. Spencer was a life-long resident of Washington County. She is survived by a daughter, Betty Jane Spencer of Damascus, several grandchildren, including Charlie Fields of Damascus, several great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Robert Griffin Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in the Holston Conference Cemetery in Emory, Va. Casket bearers will be selected from family and friends. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Nancy Proffitt Spencer. Shirley Davis Sturgill Shirley Sturgill passed away Oct. 7, 2003, at Holston Valley Medical Center after an extended illness. Shirley was born in Paynesville, W.Va., on March 7, 1946, making her stay here 57 years and seven months. She was the daughter of the late Artemis “Buster” Davis and Ocie Horn Davis Stacy, who lives in Rosedale, Va. She was a member of the Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Gray. Surviving are her husband, Dentis Sturgill of the home, daughter and her husband, Jeanita Lynn Large and Shannon; son and his wife, Dewayne Sturgill and Felicia; and grandson, Zackery Sturgill, all of Blountville; her mother, Ocie Davis Stacey of Rosedale; sister; Syvilla Rash, Whitewood, Va.; brother, Ralph Davis, Kissemee, Fla.; special friend, Hobie Honaker of Whitewood, and a host of relatives and friends. Calling hours will be 6-8 p.m. Thursday at East Lawn Funeral Home, with a brief memorial service at 8 p.m. in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, with Elder Chad Crawford officiating. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday in East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Phil Flanary and Elder Keith Bowers officiating. Interment will follow in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens, with Elder Unice Davis. Pallbearers will be friends and family. Honorary pallbearers will be staff of ICU of Holston Valley Medical Center. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Hope Primitive Baptist Church, 412 Droke Road, Blountville, TN 37617. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a tribute to the family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Sturgill family. John Robert Tate The committal service and burial for John Robert Tate will be at 10 o’clock Thursday morning at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Lee Highway, Bristol Virginia, with Brother Garry Taylor officiating. Pallbearers will be James Helton, Tony Roman, Leon Tate, David Tate and Danny Tate. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Tate passed away Monday evening, Oct. 6, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Hospital of an extended illness. Mr. Tate and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Hampton Kelly Turner KINGSPORT – Reverend Hampton Kelly Turner, 65, 805 Forrest St., departed this life on the early morning of Oct. 6, 2003, at his residence. He was a graduate of Douglass High School. He received an associate degree from Steed College and a B.S.W. from East Tennessee State University. He has a certificate in the Leadership Training Institute in the A.M.E. Zion Church, certificate of learning from Moodys Bible College and was continuing his training in the Dinwiddie Summer Institute in Dinwiddie, Va. Rev. Turner was former elder of the Johnson City District of the A.M.E. Zion Connection and was currently the pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Johnson City. He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Price, father, Paul Turner, stepmother, Truda Turner, and two brothers, Timothy Price and Jerry Price. Surviving is wife, Mrs. Denise Turner; three sons, Mr. Eric Lyons, Myrtle Beach, S.C., Randall Lyons, Kingsport and Roman Turner, Amsterdam, Holland; two daughters, Mrs. Valtina Gudger and Mrs. Veronica Joy Scott; five grandchildren, Brittney Trigg, Samantha Gudger, Madeline Gudger, Kristen Brice and Eric Kelly Lyons; three sisters, Mrs. Mattie Joyce Tarter, Mrs. Fonnie Ray Canty and Ms. Mary Linda McKinney, all of Kingsport, and two aunts, Mrs. Janie Gray and Mrs. Lena Burnette. Funeral services for Rev. Hampton Kelly Turner will be conducted at Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church, Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at 11 a.m. Family will receive friends at 10 a.m. until the hour of service, with Elder Raymond Dickerson and Elder James Reddick officiating. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn. Military rites will be conducted by the VFW Charles Dewitt Byrd Post 3382. Rev. Hampton Kelly Turner and family are in the care of Robinson Funeral Services, Kingsport, Tenn., 423-245-4971. Edward C. Wagner BRISTOL, Tenn. – Edward C. Wagner, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Brooklyn, a son of the late John and Anna Barbara Eich Wagner. He was retired from Sperry Farragut and a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Mr. Wagner enjoyed farming, gardening, fixing things, golf and politics. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Marie Wagner Madden, a brother, John Wagner, his first wife, Margaret Goins Wagner, and his second wife, Geneva Burroughs Wagner. Survivors include two daughters, Frances Wagner Masters and Margaret Wagner Williams; two sons, Edward C. Wagner Jr. and Thomas F. Wagner; a stepson, Charles E. Burroughs of Bristol Tennessee; seven grandchildren, Sharon Fontaine, Linda Ward, Michelle Sandusky, Diana Williams, Kristin Williams, Nicholas Wagner and Eric Wagner; four great-grandchildren, Eric Fontaine, Elizabeth Fontaine, Darren Sandusky and Catherine Sandusky, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, with Rev. Timothy E. Keeney, celebrant. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 until 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Anne’s Catholic Church prior to the service. 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 Mr. Edward C. Wagner. Norma Yuhasz MEADOWVIEW – Mrs. Norma Jean Humphreys Yuhasz, 56, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2003, at home after a brief illness with cancer. She was a native of Washington County and a daughter of the late George H. Humphreys Sr. and Annie Glass Humphreys. She was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School. Mrs. Yuhasz was a member of the Meadowview Pentecostal Holiness Church, where she served as president of the women’s auxiliary, music director, teacher and youth leader. She was presently the clerk of the Washington County General District Court. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Gladys Faye, Betty Lee and Lila Virginia Humphreys, brothers, Glenn, Delmar and Leonard Humphreys, sister-in- law, Mildred Humphreys, brothers-in-law, Bob Cullip and Rev. Wayne Parsons, and a nephew, Kevin Wayne Parsons. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Roger Lane Yuhasz; a son, George Louis Yuhasz of Raleigh, N.C.; a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Yuhasz of Blacksburg, Va.; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Ernest and Margaret Humphreys, Paul and Lois Humphreys and George and Phyllis Humphreys Jr., all of Abingdon; three sisters and brother-in-law, Lavina Cullip of Abingdon, Bertha Parsons of Meadowview and Phyllis and C.W. Price of Abingdon; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Humphreys of Lynchburg, Va., and Mary Ann Humphreys of Abingdon, and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted Friday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Tommy Wilson and Rev. Ronald Olinger officiating. Interment will follow in the Old Glade Presbyterian Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be nephews, Randy Humphreys, Mike Humphreys, Rick Humphreys, Rob Cullip, John Humphreys, Phillip Humphreys, Greg Humphreys, Mark Humphreys and Steve Parsons, and great-nephews, Jeremy Humphreys and Todd Humphreys. Honorary pallbearers will be Judge Thomas Hutton Jr., Judge David D. Brown, Retired Judge Joseph Tate, Judge Isaac Freeman, Connie Mack Steele, Dr. Emory Robinette, Michael Porcaro, Robert Whelen, David White, Rick Thomas, David Dalton, Keith Graham, Scott Belcher, Tim Keller and the Adult Sunday School Class of the Meadowview Pentecostal Holiness Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Meadowview Pentecostal Holiness Church, P.O. Box 385, Meadowview, VA 24361. The family would like to acknowledge the special relationship Jean had with the clerks, Libby Giffen, Betsy Ratliff and Cindy Green. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Yuhasz.