Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 16, 2003 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/Page/TRI_FrontPage ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bristol Herald Courier Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 Today's Deaths Thurman Amos, 74, Castlewood Mary Virginia Billings, 89, Marion Ann Elizabeth Bowman, 94, Abingdon Hannah Ashworth Bush, 85, Norton Nadine Strong Carmack, 83, Mount Carmel Virgie H. Chapman, 78, Saltville Velva D. Holstein, 91, Marion James Willard Leonard, 43, Bristol Tennessee Jack May, 73, Bluff City Mark R. Mefford, 36, Coeburn John H. Payne Sr., 75, Bristol Virginia Garland Richard Pierce Sr., 56, Bristol Tennessee James Clayton Puckett, 74, Meadowview Harold Junior Rose, 69, Raven, Va. Essie Vendetta Moore Vance, 89, Bristol Tennessee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwendolyn Aeschliman BRISTOL, Tenn. – Burial for Gwendolyn (“Miss Dolie”) Aeschliman will be Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at 11 a.m. in the Greendale Chapel Cemetery in Greendale, Va. Miss Aeschliman of 206 Hickoy Road, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at Appalachian Christian Village in Johnson City. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Thurman Amos CASTLEWOOD – Thurman Amos, 74, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. He was born in Russell County, Va., son of the late Samuel and Alta Smith Amos. He was preceded in death by his wife, Goldie Ellen Cantrell Amos, and two sons, Marvin Amos and Bernard Amos. He was a talented musician and he loved to entertain his family and friends. He is survived by one daughter, Patricia Grizzle of Nora, Va.; three sons, William Stephen Amos and wife Sue of St. Paul, Va., Samuel “Mark” Amos and wife Judy of Cleveland, Va., and Guy Edward Amos of Johnson City; three sisters, Mozelle Higgins of Castlewood, Vivian Moran of Maryland, and Cornelia Turner of St. Paul; three special friends, Oscar Skeens, John Grizzle and Betty Grizzle; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Thurman Amos will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. D.J. Couch officiating. Interment will follow in Kiser Cemetery, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. The Amos family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Amos family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Johnny Lee Bailey Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service for Mr. Johnny Lee Bailey Sr. will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Tim Norris and Rev. Dan Birchfield officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. View United Methodist Church Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Billy Garrett, Bob Pope, Eddie Smith, Van Roark, Michael Hall and Jim Bailey. Honorary casket bearers will be Justin Graham, Clinton Vestal, Jimmy Lee Hall, Danny Hall, Danny Roark and Jamie Clark. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Bailey, age 58, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, in the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. Johnny Lee Bailey Sr. Mary V. Billings MARION – Mary Virginia Billings, age 89, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at her home after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Gray M. Billings, three sisters and five brothers. Virginia was born in Smyth County and lived most of her life in West Virginia and Ohio. She was employed by Union Supply Company, a subsidiary of U.S. Steel, before joining two friends to open the Trio Shop in the Great Lakes Shopping Center in Mentor, Ohio. After retiring, Virginia joined her family in Marion. A special note of appreciation for the kind and compassionate care given to Virginia by Dr. Fernando and Barbara Garzon, Dr. Rodolfo and Victoria Ceballos, the dietary and skilled nursing units of Smyth County Community Hospital, all the special care given by the workers in the field and Sally Lefler and the Smyth County Community Hospital Home Health Care field workers. Appreciation also for the love and support of cousins, Elizabeth Roberts, Dot Wyatt and Margaret McKinnon, special friends, Lois Brickey, Rick and Lisa Shuler and all of our loving and caring neighbors and friends. Words are inadequate to express our appreciation. Survivors include two sisters, Clara Billings, Marion, and Gerry (Geraldine) Billings, Marion; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Darlyn Gerber, Concord, Calif., and special nephew, David Billings, St. Louis, Mo.; also numerous loving and supporting cousins and a special aunt, Nora Roberts. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Roselawn Cemetery, with Rev. Neville Mozingo and Rev. Rick Shuler officiating. In lieu of flowers, if so desired, contributions may be made to Eagle Mountain Christian Park, P.O. Box 1274, Marion, VA 24354. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Billings family. Ann E. Bowman ABINGDON – Ann Elizabeth “Libby” Bowman, age 94, a resident of 21664 Green Spring Road, at the Green Spring Retirement Center, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a life-long resident of Washington County, Va. She was a member of the Green Spring Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir for 75 years. She was a school teacher and retired from the Washington County School System. She was a daughter of the late Vance Edward Bowman and the late Dorcis Elnora Minnick Bowman. Surviving are one sister, Vivian McConnell of Abingdon, 14 nieces and nephews and 43 great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday in the Green Spring Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Larry Chapin and Dr. Frank Preston officiating. Burial will follow in the Green Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be nephews. Men of the Green Spring Presbyterian Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the Campbell Funeral Home from 6:30 to 8:30 Thursday evening or at the Green Spring Retirement Center at anytime. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to the Green Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Rita Reynolds, Treasurer, Green Spring Presbyterian Church, 22007 Green Spring Church Road, Abingdon, VA 24211. Those who wish may leave condolences online at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Hannah A. Bush NORTON – Hannah Ashworth Bush, age 85, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in Norton Community Hospital after a brief illness. She was a longtime resident of Norton and a member of Norton United Methodist Church. Hannah was a mother and homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, O.D. Bush, sister, Betty Compton, brothers, Ed Ashworth and Silvian Ashworth, and a half-brother, Claude McConnell. Survivors: son, Joseph L. Bush and wife Elaine of Plainsboro, N.J.; granddaughters, Emily of Pennsylvania, Julia of North Carolina and Laura of the home; brother, Frank Ashworth, Richmond; special niece and husband, Margaret and Dewey Singleton, Abingdon; also their children and a host of friends. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday in Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel in Norton, with funeral service being conducted at 8 p.m., with Rev. Joe Bryant officiating. Interment will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, with Rev. Roy LaDuke in charge. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Empire Old Citizens. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Nadine S. Carmack MOUNT CARMEL – Nadine Strong Carmack, 83, formerly of 140 Ross Campground Road, went to be with the Lord early Tuesday morning, Oct. 14, 2003, at Bristol Nursing Home after a lengthy illness. She was born in Wise County, Va., but had spent almost all of her life in this area. She was a homemaker. Mrs. Carmack was a member of Ross Campground United Methodist Church, where she had served as president of the Ladies Circle for over 25 years. Ross Campground United Methodist Church was the central part of her life, where the children of the church and community were like her own. They meant so much to her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin H. (Bud) Carmack in 1999, her parents, Thomas and Ollie Meade Strong, six sisters, Gladys Burleson, Opal Anderson, Pauline Richardson, Dorothy Lawson, Rosie Collier and Louana Neal, and three brothers, Charles Strong, Kyle Strong and Clarence Strong. Surviving are two brothers-in-law, Bob Carmack and wife Betty and Bill Carmack and wife Faye, all of Bristol Tennessee, along with several nieces and nephews. The family wants to send out a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Bristol Nursing Home and especially her main nurse, Michelle Laws, who went beyond her call of duty for Nadine’s care. Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Carter-Trent Funeral Home of Church Hill. Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Bob Wilkerson and the Rev. Calvin Tabor officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Oak Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Robbie Carmack, Jack Williams, Jimmy Lynn Carmack, Cliff Carmack, Chris Carmack, Wayne Strong, Charles Bellamy and Robert Brooks. Honorary pallbearers will be Virgil Bellamy, J.C. Clark, Carl Neal and members of the Ladies Circle of the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Ross Campground United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Janie Kincheloe, 930 Jackson St., Mount Carmel, TN 37645. Condolences may be sent to the Carmack family via e-mail at cartertrentfh@chartertn.net. Virgie H. Chapman SALTVILLE – Mrs. Virgie H. Chapman, age 78, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fannie Elizabeth and Jake Lilburn Davidson, her husband, Paul Andrew Chapman, son, Paul Andrew Chapman Jr., and grandson, Paul Andrew Chapman III. Survivors: two sons, William Gene Chapman and wife Mary Sue of Chilhowie and Carl Chapman and wife Linda of Saltville; four daughters, Malinda C. Henderson of Saltville, Lucille C. Clear and husband David of Saltville, Georgia Morrison and husband Robert of Meadowview and Lydia Chapman and husband Ronnie of Saltville; two brothers, Leonard S. Davidson of Mt. Pelier, Va., and David O. Davidson of Ashland, Va.; one sister, Billie Bradley of Marion; 15 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. Chapman will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at Henderson Funeral Home, with Rev. Scott Spence officiating. Interment will follow at Elizabeth Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Chapman family. Daniel Gragg BRISTOL, Tenn. – Daniel Gragg, age 67, of 954 Bethel Drive, went to Heaven to be with his wife, Elizabeth Gragg, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in the Cambridge House. He was a life-long resident of the Bristol area and the son of the late Grant and Lena Gragg. He was a former employee of Powell Construction Company. Survivors include daughters, Vivian Dianne Kerns and Tammy Lynn Beach, both of Bristol Tennessee; son, Daniel Jarried Gragg of Los Angeles; brothers, Isaac Gregg of Bristol Tennessee, Noah Gragg of Bluff City, Jacob Gragg of Bristol Tennessee and Elijah Gragg of Bristol Tennessee; sister, Ollie Potter of Jacksonville, Fla., and grandchildren, Amanda Beach, Ben Beach Jr., Megan Kerns, Colby Kerns and Takoda Beach, all of Bristol Tennessee. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Isaac Gregg and Rev. Jess Neal officiating. The burial will be in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens 11 a.m. Friday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday evening prior to the service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Claudia E. Hankins CEDAR BLUFF – Funeral services for Mrs. Claudia Earls Hankins will be conducted Friday at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Evangelist Bob Smith and Rick Hankins officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Michael Rasnake, Marty Rasnake, Kenneth Earls, Jim Crouse, Mike Hankins, Rick Hankins and Joe Hankins. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. James H. McVey, Dr. Mario Stefanini, Jim Robinette and Robert Radcliff. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Thursday. Mrs. Hankins, age 92, of 1457 Earls Branch Road, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at her home following a lengthy illness. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Velva D. Holstein MARION – Velva D. Holstein, age 91, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in the Francis Marion Manor. She was born in Kettle, W.Va., to the late Louis and Margaret P. Summers and was preceded in death by her husband, J.E. Holstein. Survivors: one son, John E. Holstein Sr., Marion; one daughter, Rae H. Penn, Dalton, Ga.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2003, at the First Baptist Church in Dunbar, W.Va. Interment will follow in Grandview Memorial Park. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Holstein family. James W. Leonard BRISTOL, Tenn. – James Willard Leonard, age 43, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Lola Frances Little ABINGDON – Graveside committal and interment services for Mrs. Lola Frances Ennis Little will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Knollkreg Memorial Park. Brother Paul Stanley, Brother Ron Peal, Brother David Gibson and Brother Mike Spence will officiate. Casket bearers will be the following family members: Jeffrey Harless, Ronald Lynn Little, J.R. Little, Charles Sullins Jr., Bryan Blankenship, Dallas Hughes, Jerry Harless, Wayne Harless and Walter Little. Honorary casket bearers will be Hugh Arnold, Frank Mumpower, Gilmer Harless, Kenneth Wolfe and Bobby Lloyd. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center, 1945 Roanoke Blvd., Salem, VA 24153. Mrs. Little, age 82, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, in the Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center in Salem, Va. Farris Funeral service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Lola Frances Little. Vera G. Markwalter ABINGDON – Committal services for Vera Grubb Markwalter will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Pallbearers will be Richard Hall, Freddie Wallace, Jimmy Mullins, Roger Davis, Bill Hubbard and Skip Ramsey. Online condolences may be sent to the Markwalter family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Mrs. Markwalter, 47, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jack May BLUFF CITY – Jack May, age 73, of 338 Sigman Hollow Road, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, at his residence. He was the son of the late Elbert Andrew and Frances Atalee Sheets May. He worked at Black Diamond and retired from Line Power. Mr. May was an Air Force veteran. Survivors include his wife, Lena Jenkins May of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Glenna and Alton Geressy, Chesapeake, Va., and Laura and Ronnie Williams, Chattanooga, Tenn.; three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Sharon May, Hampton, Tenn., Gary and Nancy May and Larry and Edna May, Bluff City; 12 grandchildren, Robbie May, Ashley Rutherford, David May, Roy May, Matthew May, Sara May, A.J. Geressy, Jordon May, Jared May, Jeremy May, Troy Williams, and Jacob Williams; five step-grandchildren, Jerry Waters, Frank Lopez, Ashley Leonard, Lettie Trevizo and Jamie Geressy; three step-great- grandchildren, Kolby Waters, Tyler Lopez and Dillion Lopez; three sisters, Verna Lowe and Blanche Hoss of Michigan and Delcie Cregger, Knoxville, and several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Bluff City, with Rev. Frank Osborne and Rev. Jerry Shaffer officiating. Interment will follow in Vanover Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Keith Bloomer, Robby May, Jerry Leonard, Frank Lopez, Jerry Waters, Shannon Sigman, James Osborne and Steve Sigman. Honorary pallbearers will be Raymond Smithson, Howard Green, Bill Vestel, Danny Bartley, Mac Lyons, Carl Lyons, Russell Gross, Bearl Jenkins and Frank Richards. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in the chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Bluff City, and other times at the residence. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home, Bluff City, is in charge of the arrangements. Martin McGuire BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service for Martin “Marty” McGuire will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Minister Dennis R. Spears officiating. Burial will follow in Susong Cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from friends. E-mail condolences to the family may be sent to akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. McGuire, age 33, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. McGuire. Mark R. Mefford COEBURN – Mark R. Mefford, 36, passed away Sunday, Oct. 12, 2003, in the Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville. He was an employee of the B.A. Mullican Flooring Company, a member of the Appalachia Masonic Lodge 229 A.F. & A.M. and a ham radio operator. Surviving are his wife, Remona Lou Mefford; a daughter, Julia Christine Mefford of Wise; his mother, Lana Mefford of Norton; his maternal grandmother, Nancy Ring of Coeburn; a brother, Robbie Mefford of Norton, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Joe Dearry officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery, Norton. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Thursday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Masonic services will be conducted 7:30 p.m. Thursday by the Appalachia Masonic Lodge 229 A.F. & A.M. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, in charge of arrangements. Helen L. Muse CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Helen L. Muse, a resident of Southminster, died Monday at Carolinas Medical Center, Pineville. She was 81. Formerly of Abingdon and St. Paul, Va., she was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Muse, and her parents, the former Virginia Sen. M.M. Long and Charlotte T. Long. She is survived by two daughters, Nancy M. Winchester of Laurel, Md., and Susan M. Allred of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and her son, James A. Muse Jr. of Charlotte. She leaves seven grandchildren, Sarah S. Crosby, Andrew B. Scott, Peter A. Scott, Elizabeth P. Muse, Meredith B. Muse, James A. Muse III and Elizabeth C. Scott, and two great-grandchildren, Austin and Emily Scott. She is also survived by two sisters, Virginia L. Burns and Charlotte L. Brillhart of Abingdon. Interment will be private at Temple Hill Cemetery in Castlewood. The family will receive friends Saturday, Oct. 18, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Abingdon. Memorials can be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church Alter Guild, 124 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, or The William King Regional Art Center, 203 Academy Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210. Hankins and Whittington, Charlotte, is in charge of arrangements. John H. Payne Sr. BRISTOL, Va. – John H. Payne Sr. , age 75, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a son of the late W.C. “Bill” and Mina Cole Payne. He was a life-long resident of Bristol and was a retired welder from Bristol Steel and Carolina Steel. He was also a farmer, a member of Shakesville Church of Christ and a 1946 graduate of Wallace High School. Mr. Payne was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Korean War. Survivors include wife, Mary E. Booher Payne; son, John Payne and wife Joyce; grandchildren, Bridget Lail and husband Chance and Nathan Payne; great-grandson, Nicholas; sisters, Mildred Howell and husband Jim and Frances Peters; brother, Charles “Sol” Payne; step-granddaughter, Lisa Hayden; step-great-granddaughter, Amanda Hayden, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Less Ketron and Mister Roger Phelps officiating. Committal services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at High Point Cemetery. Pallbearers include Jimmy Gilmer, Lee Musick, Charlie Musick, Tom Musick, Lynn Sproles and Eugene Latham. Honorary pallbearers include John Melvin, Daniel Dutton, Rudy Edwards, Ken Tillison, Ralph Cairns, Bill Keller, Lyle Henson and Raymond Hilliard. The family will receive friends following the funeral service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Garland R. Pierce Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – Garland Richard Pierce Sr., age 56, of 925 Bristol Caverns Highway, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a charter member and deacon at Freedom Baptist Church and was a security officer at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a coach and umpire at South Holston Little League for many years and was a lifetime member of the Hickory Tree Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Pierce also was a member of the Freedom Singers and Ten Pins team in his church bowling league. Survivors include wife, Barbara Pierce; sons, Garland Richard Pierce Jr. and Willy Pierce and wife Lisa; brother, Darryl Pierce and wife Diane; sister, Carol White; mother, Florence Pierce; brother-in-law, Wayne Potts and wife Helen; sister-in-law, Linda Rowlette and husband Roy; grandchildren, Kyle and Zachary Pierce, Zachriah, Elizabeth, Petyon Pierce and Brice Pierce; mother-in-law, Aline Potts; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and special friends, Dewey Reynolds, Glenda Reynolds and Brenda Greer. Funeral service will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Freedom Baptist Church, with Rev. Gary Garland and Rev. Dennis Burnette officiating. Burial will follow in Shipley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Glen Graybeal, Dewey Reynolds, Wayne Potts, Wayne Ashley, Josh Pierce, Darrel Epperson, Larry Mottern and Tim Adams. Honorary pallbearers include Dr. T.C. Greene, Dr. Nelson Gwaltney, Dr. John Byers, Mike Bundy, Matthew Duncan, security officers of Bristol Regional Medical Center, friends at Bristol Regional Medical Center, members of Freedom Baptist Church, Gary Graybeal and the church bowling league at Belmont Lanes. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. James Clayton Puckett MEADOWVIEW – James Clayton Puckett, age 74, died at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon on Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, after a lengthy illness. A native of Dickenson County, the son of the late Cowan and Stella Puckett, he was a retired truck driver of the Chrysler Corp. in Michigan. Mr. Puckett was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict. Surviving are his wife, Janice Mae (Reed) Puckett, Meadowview; four daughters, Patricia Krause and husband John, Onstead, Mich., Pamela Johnson and husband Leonard, Phoenix, Ariz., Stacy Forrester and husband Eric, Ruth, Mich., and Diana Reed, Meadowview; four sons, Lloyd Nelson and wife Debbie, Fairhaven, Mich., Richard Puckett and wife Coleen, Roseville, Mich., Robert Puckett and wife Jennifer, St. Clair Shore, Mich., and Marty Reed and wife Kim of Anderson, S.C.; three brothers, Carol Puckett and wife Ella Faye, Clintwood, Jerry Puckett and wife Sondra, Michigan, and Dave Puckett and wife Carolyn of Michigan; one sister, Ruby Swindall, Madison Heights, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at the Clintwood Funeral Home, with funeral services to follow at 7 p.m., with Rev. Franklin Hall officiating. Additional graveside services will be conducted at noon on Friday from the Puckett Cemetery, Route 3, Clintwood. Pallbearers will be friends of the family. The family will meet at the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Friday to form the procession to the cemetery. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Gay B. Richardson GRAY, Tenn. – Gay B. Richardson, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Life Care Center in Elizabethton. She was a native of Grayson County, Va., and had lived in Gray since 1988. She was preceded in death by her husband, Delmar A. Richardson, and one daughter, Helen Carty. Mrs. Richardson was of the Christian faith. She is survived by three daughters, Arlene Overstreet of Oxford, Fla., Mary Fields of Elizabethton and Retha Williams and her husband Allen of Lexington, N.C.; seven sons, Arthur Richardson and his wife Joan of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Lee Roy Richardson and his wife Cathy of Stanley, N.C., Paul Richardson and his wife Juanita of San Angelo, Texas, Charles Walton Richardson of Gray, Jimmy Richardson and his wife Pam of Elizabethton, Delmar Richardson and his wife Sylvia of Raleigh, N.C., and Elmer Richardson of Kingsport; one brother, Bruce Reedy of Marion; best friends, Lonnie and Mary Lewis and son Rusty; 27 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Mr. Bill McDonald officiating. Burial will follow in the Haw Orchard Cemetery in Grayson County. Pallbearers will be the following grandsons: Alden Carty, Wayne Carty, Kurt Carty, Irwin H. Fields, Lee Richardson, Dennis Strange, Kevin Strange and James Hardin. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus. Condolences may be sent to the family via our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Richardson. Ross Robinson SMITHS CREEK, Mich. – Graveside services for Ross “Tim” Robinson will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at the Robinson Cemetery, Route 2, Haysi, with Rev. Dion Marshall officiating. Mr. Robinson, age 55, formerly of Warren, passed away Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Alvia K. Rose BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Alvia K. Rose will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at 3 p.m. in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Mrs. Rose, age 93, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Harold J. Rose RAVEN, Va. – Mr. Harold Junior Rose, age 69, of the Fork Ridge section, passed away Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at a Pearisburg, Va., hospital following a brief illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of Goldie Sisk Rose of Raven and the late Jay Rose. He was a retired coal miner and truck driver and was preceded in death, in addition to his father, by a daughter, Darlene Rose, and two brothers, James Rose and Amos Rose. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mrs. Doris A. Webb Rose; three sons, David Rose of Pearisburg and Ricky Rose and Larry Rose and wife Bertina of Raven; one daughter, Mrs. Patricia Osborne and husband Marvin of Wardell, Va.; three sisters, Opal Tackett and Marie Johnson, both of Raven, and Alma McNulty of Wardell; three brothers, Darrell Rose of Raven, Virgil Rose of Claypool Hill and Aulbert Rose of Richlands; 10 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild and three step-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Edward Hess officiating. Burial will follow in the Davis Cemetery at Short Gap, Va. Pallbearers will be Steve Tackett, John Reedy, Wayne Lawson, Josh Smeltzer, Ronald Clemons and Jason Cordill. Honorary pallbearer will be Rick Addison. Friends may call at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6 until 9 p.m. Thursday. E-mail condolences may be sent at singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Rose family. Stephanie Steffey CASTLEWOOD – Graveside services for Stephanie Steffey will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, with Rev. Tim Collins, Rev. Bryan K. Hall and Rev. Phillip K. Cooper officiating. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Online condolences may be sent to the Steffey family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Ms. Steffey, 27, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. Ethel Powell Taylor MARION – Ethel Powell Taylor, age 60, formerly of Marion, died Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, in Grosses Pointe, Mich. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Renee D. and Sean Harris, Michigan; one son and daughter-in-law, Douglas A. and Tina Taylor, Michigan; mother, Lucille S. Powell, Marion; sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and James Reid, Chilhowie; grandchildren, Heather Nicole Green, Terrance Jovan Taylor and Jake Michael Taylor, and one niece, Lisa Reid Koch. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Laurel Springs Cemetery, with Rev. David Neitch officiating. Friends are ask to meet at the cemetery. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the family of Ethel Powell Taylor. Essie Moore Vance BRISTOL, Tenn. – Essie Vendetta Moore Vance, age 89, of 731 Beechwood Drive, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late John and Margaret Cross Moore. Mrs. Vance was a homemaker and a charter member of Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church, where she was in the Advancers Sunday School Class and was active in all aspects of the church. She was retired from the H.P. King Company and was the widow of Paul Vance. Survivors include daughters, Mrs. Paul (Peggy) Smith of Bristol Tennessee, Betty Brown of Bristol Tennessee, Annis Stuart of Bristol Tennessee and Juanita Adams of Bristol Tennessee; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and special friends, Donna Adkins and Tracy Phillips., Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. at Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Rick Light officiating. Committal service will be held on Friday at 10 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers include Earl Rogers, Joe Blake, Larry Carrier, Ray Johnson, Jack Riffey, Ralph Lowe and Curtis Rankin. Those desiring may make memorials to the Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 100 Cannon Ave., Bristol, Tenn. The family will receive friends on Thursday following the funeral service. The body will be taken to the church at 4 p.m. on Thursday until time of service. The family would like to say a special thanks to the Wellmont Hospice staff. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.