Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 13, 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, Oct. 13, 2003 Today's Deaths Lorine Blevins Castle, 80, Abingdon Hank Cole, 57, Whitewood, Va. Tony Scott Franklin, 39, Bristol Virginia Annie Hess, 64 Gerlene Prater McCroskey, 57, Little River, S.C. Veronia J. Miller, 73, Bristol Verlin L. Osborne, Piney Flats Rachel Stevens, 91, Dante, Va. Sylvester Wilson, 82, Richlands -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elizabeth Buchanan SEVEN MILE FORD, Va. – Mrs. Elizabeth Delp Buchanan, age 84, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. She was preceded in death by two husbands, Gip Delp and Glen Buchanan, and a son, Thomas W. Delp. Survivors: daughter, Katherine Harris, Seven Mile Ford; daughter-in-law, Lou Delp, Chilhowie; three granddaughters, Linda Little, Alabama, Kathy Arnold, Saltville, and Kitty Tolley, Saltville; two great-grandsons, Zachary Little, Alabama, and Evan Tolley, Texas; one great-great-granddaughter, Alex Little, and special friend, Polly Arnold. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2003, at Mt. Rose Cemetery, with Rev. Bob Surber officiating. The family will receive friends Monday evening 6 till 8 p.m. at Henderson’s Funeral Home in Saltville. Pallbearers will be David Arnold, Jerry Tolley, Jimmy Little, Dr. Joe Morris, Zachary Little and Evan Tolley. The D.R. Henderson Funeral home is serving the Buchanan family. Helen S. Burnette BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Helen Stewart Burnette will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Calvin Bailey, the Rev. Bill Peeler and the Rev. E.W. Ely officiating. Burial will follow in Shelby Hills Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Shane Booher, Jonathan Fauver, Don Whitaker and John Beeler. Honorary pallbearer will be Steve Fauver. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mrs. Burnette, age 79, went to be with the Lord, Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423)989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Helen Stewart Burnette. Lorine B. Castle ABINGDON – Mrs. Lorine Blevins Castle, age 80, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at her home. Lorine was a lifelong resident of Abingdon and was a mother, grandmother and “Granny” to many. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Castle, her parents, William T. and Lucy Hess Blevins, a daughter, Doris Gilliam, a grandson, Gary D. Gilliam, a stepson, Junior Castle, sisters, Millie Hilt and Nannie Snead, and a brother, Gilbert Blevins. Survivors include a son, James “Eyes” Castle and wife Diane; two daughters, Ella Quesenberry and husband Homer and JoAnne Reese and husband Don, all of Abingdon; stepdaughter, Sandra Glover and husband Bill, Richmond; two brothers, Junior Blevins, Abingdon, and Richard Blevins, Bristol Virginia; five sisters, Hazel Hodge and Katherine Thomas, both of Abingdon, Etta Millsap, Lothian, Md., and Frances Turley and Jean Price, both of Abingdon; 10 grandchildren, Sabrina Roark, Lisa Tyler, Michelle Gilliam, Chuck Reese, Donna Lowe, Travis Quesenberry, Tracey Linkous, Tommy Castle, Tammy Colangelo and Kristie Widener; 10 great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Junior Gobble and David Gaminde officiating. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Chuck Reese, Travis Quesenberry, Tommy Castle, Keith Linkous, Blake Roark, Brandon Reese and Evan Gilliam. Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Turley, Mike Price, Herman Snead and Wayne Thomas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County Life Saving Crew, 237 Park St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. A special thanks to many family members and Ruth Lawson who cared for Lorine. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Lorine B. Castle. Hank Cole WHITEWOOD, Va. – Mr. Hank Cole, age 57, passed away Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at his home following a long illness. Born in Whitewood, he was the son of the late Fulton G. Cole and Madge Jewell Cole. He was an equipment operator with Mac Construction Company in Oakwood, Va. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one foster sister, Pearl Cole. Mr. Cole is survived by his significant other, Joan Endicott of Whitewood; four daughters, Abigail Vile of Fort Lewis, Wash., Amy Morici of Jacksonville, Fla., Adria Kilbreath of Lake City, Fla., and Amanda Cole of Christiansburg, Va.; one brother, L.R. Cole of Whitewood, and six grandchildren also survive. The family will receive friends at the Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain, Va., from 6-9 p.m., Monday. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain, with Rev. Jimmy Cole officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Cemetery at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Jerry Elkins, Roger Cole, Mark McClanahan, Jimmy Kilbreath, Brian Shepley and Jimmy Pursley. E-mail condolences may be sent to buchanan@singletonfuneralservice.com. Buchanan Funeral Service is serving the Cole family. Powell S. Elswick Jr. RICHLANDS – Funeral services for Mr. Powell S. “Bud” Elswick Jr. will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with the Rev. Gerald Stacey officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. The staff of the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Foundation Inc., 1250 Hylan Blvd., Suite 4B, Staten Island, NY 10305. Mr. Elswick, age 83, of 1821 5th St., died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at his home following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Stella P. Estep NORTON – Graveside services for Stella P. Estep will be conducted at the Laurel Grove Cemetery at 11 a.m. Monday. Friends and family will gather at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home to then go in procession to the cemetery. Mrs. Estep, 81, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at Indian Path Hospital in Kingsport. Mrs. Estep’s family is served by Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton. Tony Scott Franklin BRISTOL, Va. – Tony Scott Franklin, 39, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. He was born in Rantoul, Ill., and was a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School in San Antonio. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and attended Harris-Anderson A.M.E. Zion Church. Survivors include his mother, Nina Silas Franklin; his father, Reginald M. Franklin; four sisters, Mary Y. Franklin Johnson, Vicci R. Franklin Lindsey, Ronnette G. Franklin Carter and Natasha C. Franklin Newton; two brothers, Thomas R. Franklin and Michael K. Franklin, and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Albert J. Franklin. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Harris-Anderson A.M.E. Zion Church, with the funeral service to follow at 12:30 p.m. The Rev. Jeanette Clark and Rev. Kevin Fisher will officiate. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Mountain Home. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mr. Franklin and family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Va. Annie Hess Annie Hess, age 64, a resident of Burke’s Manor Rest Home, passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, in a Richlands hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker. Gerlene McCroskey LITTLE RIVER, S.C. – Gerlene Prater McCroskey, age 57, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at the Grand Strand Medical Center in South Carolina. Arrangements are incomplete The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the McCroskey family. Veronia J. Miller BRISTOL – Veronia J. Miller, 73, of 1206 Indian Hill Dr., died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol. She was a native of Johnson City but had lived in Bristol the last several years. She was a daughter of the late Spencer E. and Mary Simerly Johnson. Ms. Miller was a retired employee of Fingerhut Corporation. She was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Bristol. She was an avid old-time square dance caller Survivors include a lifetime companion, Harold Honaker; two brothers, Sheller Johnson and his wife Pansy of Hampton and Bill Johnson and his wife Betty of Johnson City; two uncles, Grady Johnson and his wife Merle of Cranberry, N.C., and Brownlow Johnson and his wife Betty of Johnson City. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday from Monte Vista Memorial Park. Burial will follow the service. Rev. Lennie Smith will officiate. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Johnson, Don Holdren, Joe Hardwick, Hugh Kilgore and Brad Hale. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the graveside service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, 423-282-1521. Pat F. Morton BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Pat F. Morton will be held on Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at 7 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Minister Bob Robinson officiating. Committal services will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers include Mark Morton, Mack Morton, Bruce Morton, Zachary Morton, Matthew Morton, Jeffrey Feathers, David Bockian, Lynn Frazier, David Frazier and Stephen Frazier. The family will receive friends on Monday from 5-6:45 prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association at 4205 Hillsboro Road, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37215. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Morton, age 68, passed away on Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Verlin L. Osborne PINEY FLATS – Verlin “Cotton” L. Osborne went to be with the Lord, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at his home surrounded by his family and friends. Verlin was born in Abingdon and lived most of his life in Sullivan County on the family farm where he was a part-time farmer. He was a member of Avoca Christian Church. “Cotton” worked at the Kingsport Press for 14 years. He then served the public being self-employed at Peoples Service Station on Highway 23. He later retired from Appalachian Christian Village as maintenance supervisor in 1990. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving in World War II. He was a member of MM Martin Masonic Lodge 547 and had a 32nd degree from Knoxville Scottish Rite. Verlin was the only child of the late Luther and Vadie Osborne. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Rader Osborne; three daughters and sons-in-law, Jo Ann and Mike King, Brenda and Bill Davis and Sondra and Phil Henson; four grandchildren and spouses, Angi and Bill Phillips, Justin Henson, Jessica and Josh Elliott and Brooklyn Henson, and four great-grandchildren, Josh and Jared Osborne, Caden Elliott and Emily Young, who is his “great-god child”. Funeral services for Mr. Osborne will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in the Glenwood Chapel of Memories Mausoleum, with Don Moorhouse officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Military honors will be conducted by Highlands Fellowship Church Honor Color Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Lonnie Archer, B.F. Barker, Bud Hicks, T.J. Rader, Charles Rader, Jimmy Rader, Dr. Bergin Dossett, Dr. Mary Jane Gilbson and Dr. William Draelle from Mountain Home, Tenn. We give special thanks to Hospice House, nurses and caregivers and also to the Price family for support and special music. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Osborne. Charles W. Ratcliff SALTVILLE – Charles W. Ratcliff, age 77, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. He was a veteran of World War II, a member of Calvary Bible Church and a member of Saltville VFW Post 7328. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, three sisters and a great-grandson. Survivors: wife, Dorothy Ratcliff; three daughters, Peggy Kimberlin, Broadford, Va., Patsy Ratcliff, Saltville, and Kathy O’Quinn, Glade Spring; two sons, Curtis Ratcliff, Broadford, and David Ratcliff, Marion; two brothers, George Ratcliff, Marion, and Fred Ratcliff, Maryland; one sister, Hazel Wyatt, Seven Mile Ford, Va.; very special nephew, Troy Sawyers, Florida; seven grandchildren; four step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at the Calvary Bible Church, with Rev. Junior Warner and Rev. Kenny Gilbert officiating. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 6 till 8 p.m. prior to the services. Pallbearers will be Johnny Wilson, Robert Wilson, Jake Price, Johnny Wolford, Pete Myers, Darrell McCready, Steven Mitchell, Charles Bennett, Albert Doane and J.C. Wyatt. Honorary pallbearers, Becky Boardwine and Cletus Boardwine The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is serving the Ratcliff family. Johnnie R. Stanley CLINTWOOD, Va. – Funeral services for Johnnie Radford (Rad) Stanley will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday at the Clintwood United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at the Clay family cemetery on Caney Ridge. Ministers Bill Cahill and Joe Glenn Sluss will preside, while Ken Childress and John Daniel Hopkins provide music. There will be remarks by friends. Following the service, burial will take place at the Clay Family Cemetery on Caney Ridge. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Clintwood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 237, Clintwood, VA 24228. Active pallbearers will be Glen Stanley, Joey Hopkins, Roger Clay, Jackie Clay, Rick Mullins, Joe Scardo and Ron Kennedy. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim South, Jimmie W. Vanover, James Grimes, Paul Trent, Clyde Mullins, Don Clay, Bobby Clay, Gary Clay, Dr. Kurtz Alderman, Dr. Patricia Vanover, Dr. Ugwuala Nwauche, Paul Skeen, Ralph Cummins, Ben Sutherland, Gerald Gray and Bill Deel. The body will be taken to the church one hour prior to services on Monday. Mr. Stanley, 85, a beloved member of his community and family, died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at his home after a very long illness. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Rachel Stevens DANTE, Va. – Rachel Stevens, 91, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at the home of her daughter in Dante. She was born in Russell County, Va., daughter of the late Robert and Dora Grizzle Kiser. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hollis Stevens, two sons, Harold Stevens and Robert Darrell Stevens, and two daughters, Goldie May Stevens and Carolyn Ann Stevens. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Dante. She is survived by six daughters, Dorothy Taylor and husband Aubrey of Coeburn, Shirley Phillips and husband Arthur of Dante, Sylvia Wolfe and husband Billy of Dante, Cathleen French and husband Dean of McLeansboro, Ill., Blanche Chaffin and husband James of Dante and Glenda Cromer and husband Micheal of Dante; one son, Henry Stevens and wife Judy of Brook, Ind.; 20 grandchildren; 21 great- grandchildren; five great-great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Rachel Stevens will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Jim Pratt officiating. Burial will follow in Kiser Cemetery, Russell County, Va. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Stevens family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Hartsell Strouth CEDAR BLUFF – Funeral services for Mr. Hartsell “J.C.” Strouth will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with the Rev. Grady McGlothlin, the Rev. Mike Altizer, the Rev. Joe Gross and the Rev. Darrell Sutherland officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill. Pallbearers will be Stanley McGlothlin, Michael Goodie, Steven Goodie, Gary Goodie, Jamie Whited and Robert Vance. Mr. Strouth, age 70, of 134 Curve St., died Friday, Oct. 10, 2003, at a Bristol Tennessee hospital following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Sylvester Wilson RICHLANDS – Mr. Sylvester Wilson, age 82, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at a Tazewell, Va., hospital following a lengthy illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. H. Glenn Worley ABINGDON – Mr. H. Glenn Worley, age 90, went to be with his Savior on Oct. 11, 2003, in Grace Health Care of Abingdon. Glenn was born in Oct., 1913, in Washington County and lived his entire life in the Rich Valley Community. Farming was his joy for many years then later he was an employee of Abingdon Dodge and Wallace Oldsmobile. He was a member of the Abingdon Presbyterian Church, Lee Highway, and was preceded in death in 2001 by his wife, Mildred McCroskey Worley, and in earlier years, he was preceded in death by his parents, Monroe and Jo Anna Worley, and in the year 2003, the death of two brothers, Roscoe Worley and Pat Worley. He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Dorthy Worley; a daughter and son-in-law, Dellene and Jim Eades, all of Abingdon; six grandchildren, Teresa Howden, Pamela Sticken, Paul Wayne Worley, Beverly Tester, Cindy Woodward and Travis Worley; six great-grandchildren with a seventh expected in November; one sister, Rhoda Pippen, Bristol, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Bill Leuzinger officiating. The committal graveside service will be conducted Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at 11 a.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Those attending the graveside service are asked to assemble at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The family will receive friends Monday from 6-8 p.m. prior to the funeral service. The family would like to say a special thanks to the staff of Grace Health Care and Hospice Care. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. H. Glenn Worley.