Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 17, 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 Friday, Oct. 17, 2003 Today's Deaths Peggy Augusta, 56, Norton Dorothy C. Barnes, 69, Piney Flats Linda Carolyn Bays, 58, Bristol Virginia Lucy Blankenship Belcher, 78, Oakwood, Va. Michael Lester Blevins, 52, Marion Vivian Deel, 80, Dante, Va. John Allen Farmer, 37, Marion Alberta Winston Fritz, 76, Lebanon Georgia Ella Lovegrove, 89, Bristol Virginia Alice Lee Moore, 69, Saltville Larmer M. Nicely, Blountville Doug Poston, 34, Sugar Grove, Va. Preston Rose, 78, St. Paul, Va. Jay Kelly Short, 83, Cedar Bluff Ray Ellis Vandyke, 74, Vansant, Va. Lincus Yates, 91, Haysi -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peggy Augusta NORTON – Peggy Ann Augusta, 56, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, in Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. Surviving are her mother, Udell Dean, Norton; sister, Nellie Wireman, Norton; two nieces, Jackie Scott, Norton, and Anita Stinnett, Wise; great-nephew, Cody Scott; great-niece, Courtney Stinnett, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Randy Hensley officiating. Burial will follow in the Wells Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Dorothy C. Barnes PINEY FLATS – Dorothy C. Barnes, age 69, of 1160 Pickens Bridge Road, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, in the Johnson City Medical Center. She was a native and life-long resident of Piney Flats and daughter of the late Maynard and Rowe Day Curtis. Mrs. Barnes had worked for Raytheon Corporation for 17 years. She was a member of New Bethel Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Barnes was preceded in death by one sister, Amelia Curtis, and two brothers, Earnest Curtis and Jim Curtis. Survivors include her husband, Harold L. Barnes; two daughters, Brenda Miller, Fall Branch, and Ruth Barnes, Gray; two sons, Lynn Barnes and Dean Barnes, both of Gray; three sisters, Shirley Goodman, Bluff City, Willie Feathers, Piney Flats, and Sheila Cross, Johnson City; two brothers, John Curtis, Johnson City, and M.D. Curtis, Franklin, Va.; one granddaughter, Jennifer Barnes, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service for Mrs. Barnes will be 8 p.m. Friday in the Morris-Baker South Chapel. Dr. Andrew Spence will officiate. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday. Graveside services will be 10 a.m. Saturday in the New Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Friends of the family will serve as pallbearers. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements are under the care of Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, (282-1521). Linda Carolyn Bays BRISTOL, Va. – Linda Carolyn Bays, age 58, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Bays was a life-long resident of Bristol Virginia and a daughter of the late Matthew J. and Lillie D. Whiston Craft. She was employed with Piccadilly Cafeteria at the Bristol Mall. She was a loving sister and aunt who possessed the gift of caring about her family. She was the glue that held everyone together and she will be truly missed. Survivors include a sister, Mary Louise McDowell of Bristol Virginia; five brothers, Matthew Jackson Craft and wife Barbara Jean of Clinchfield, Ga., Coy David Craft and wife Billie Jean, James Robert Craft and Randall Allen Craft, all of Bristol Virginia, and Steven Wayne Craft and wife Wanda Darlene of Kingsport; a step-mother, Fay Rutledge of Bristol Virginia; several nieces and nephews, including Jason McDowell; special great-nieces, Stephanie Bays, Brittney Craft and Ashley Craft, and special great-nephews, Dustin Fairchild and Matthew Fairchild. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. David Gardner officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the graveside in Pine Hill Cemetery, Willow Branch Road, Bristol, VA 24202. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Fairchild, Marvin Cook, Randall Craft, Steven Craft, Larry Clark and Travis Weatherly. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday prior to the service at Akard Funeral Home. 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. Bays. Lucy B. Belcher OAKWOOD, Va. – Mrs. Lucy Blankenship Belcher, age 78, celebrated her homegoing Thursday morning, Oct. 16, 2003, at her residence in Oakwood. Born March 16, 1925, in Buchanan County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Rev. David Blankenship and Nora Bailey Blankenship. She had spent most of her life in the Buchanan County area and was a member of the Oakwood Full Gospel Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Faye Blankenship Street, and two brothers, Ovil Blankenship and Pat Blankenship. Survivors include her husband of 57 years, William R. Belcher Jr. of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronnie and DeeDee Belcher of Oakwood and Donnie and Ruth Belcher of Rowe, Va.; three sisters, Dorothy Harman of Tazewell, Va., and Trula Harman and Ruby Cox, both of Oakwood; four brothers, Arthur Blankenship of Lebanon, David Blankenship Jr. of Cedar Bluff, James Harlon Blankenship of Belfast, Va., and Bill Blankenship of Norton; four grandchildren, Ronna Belcher, Matthew Belcher, Mark Belcher and Ashlee Belcher; special caregivers, Nita Asbury, Margaret Hayes, Crystal and Cecilia, and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Oakwood Full Gospel Church at Oakwood, with Pastor Jerry Harman and Rev. Claude Crigger officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Bill VanDyke, David Keen, Chris Keen, James Stilwell, Hodge Chambers, Michael Cox, Matthew Belcher, Mark Belcher and James Harman. Honorary pallbearers will be Marie Abbott, Joan Fuller, Edith Honaker, Ruth Keen and Nancy Baldwin. Friends may call at the Oakwood Full Gospel Church after 6 p.m. Friday, where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m., with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Michael L. Blevins MARION – Michael Lester Blevins, age 52, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, in Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War having served in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his father, William Lester Blevins. He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Blevins of Bristol Virginia; one daughter, Jennifer Blevins Sullivan of Glade Spring, Va.; one son, Joshua Michael Blevins of Germany; three sisters, Linda Blevins Dean of Marion, Susan Blevins of Marion and Brenda Blevins Kilby of Bristol Virginia; one brother, Samuel Everett Blevins of Chantilly, Va.; one granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Sullivan, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Seaver- Brown Chapel, with Rev. David Neitch officiating. Burial will follow in Cabin Creek Cemetery, Grayson County, Va. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Blevins Family. Ann E. Bowman ABINGDON – Funeral services for Ann Elizabeth “Libby” Bowman 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 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. Ms. 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. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Hannah A. Bush NORTON – The family of Hannah Ashworth Bush 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 Older Citizens. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Mrs. Bush, age 85, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, in Norton Community Hospital after a brief illness. Vivian Deel DANTE, Va. – Vivian Deel, age 80, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, at Russell County Medical Center. She was a daughter of the late John and Rose Viers Moore. In addition, her husband, Coberson Jr. Deel, also preceded her in death. She had previously worked as a nurse and was of the Baptist faith. She is survived by two foster sons, Steven Mullins and Charles Robinson, both of Dante; three nephews, David Fuller and Willis Fuller, both of Stanley, N.C., and William Fuller of Mount Holly, N.C.; a niece, Jerry Bryson of Stanley, and a host of friends and neighbors. A graveside service will be held at the Viers Cemetery, Route 2, Haysi, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at 11 a.m., with Elder Danny Yates. There will be a visitation at Haysi Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, from 7 - 9 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. John Allen Farmer MARION – John Allen Farmer, age 37, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. He was born in Orlando, Fla., and was a graduate of Marion Senior High School Class of 1984. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Blain and America Farmer and Lacy and Lois Graham. Survivors include parents, Willard and Patty Farmer, Marion; one brother and sister-in-law, Frank and Marie Farmer, Marion; one sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Eddie Foster, Marion; nieces and nephews, Heather Marie Farmer and Dustin William Farmer; step-nephew, Tyler Armstrong; special friend, Chris Costigan, and several special aunts and uncles also survive. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Friday at the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Eddie Foster and Rev. Mike Sage officiating. Entombment services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Rose Wood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 6- 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Farmer family. Alberta W. Fritz LEBANON – Alberta Winston Fritz, 76, died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2003, at Holston Valley Regional Medical Center. She was a daughter of William and Pearl Rasnake. Surviving are son and daughter-in-law, John (Bill) and Judy Bise; son, Tom Bise; a sister, Pauline Hamner; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a special niece and friend, Diana Brown, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date due to extenuating family circumstances. The family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution consider the SWVA 2nd Harvest Food Bank, P.O. Box 2579, Abingdon, VA 24212. Snyder’s Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Daniel Gragg BRISTOL, Tenn. – The burial for Daniel Gragg will be in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens 11 a.m. Friday. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. 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. 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. 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. James W. Leonard BRISTOL, Tenn. – James W. “Jimmy” Leonard, age 43, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003. He was a son of Willard and Mary Jewel Hawks Leonard and was a life-long resident of the Bristol area. Jimmy had worked at Bristol Compressors for 25 years and was a member of Lime Hill Baptist Church. He was a 1978 graduate of John Battle High School. Surviving, along with his parents, are brother, Jeffrey Leonard, nephews, Logan Leonard and Tyler Leonard, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Ron Bradshaw officiating. Committal services will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Campground Cemetery. Pallbearers include Marvin Denton, Jim Smith, Dennis Leonard, Bobby Meade, Greg Meade, Allen Dean, Tom Church and Kerry Little. Honorary pallbearers include Steve Booher, Randy Booher, Preston Holmes, Randy Szulewski, Joe Dean and Ron Emmerson. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Georgia E. Lovegrove BRISTOL, Va. – Georgia Ella Lovegrove, age 89, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Hospital. Mrs. Lovegrove was born in Washington County, Va., and was the daughter of the late L.T. and Zora Garrett Stewart. She retired from cafeteria work at Virginia Middle School after 25 years of service and was a member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church. She was a loving mother and grandmother and was known as “Nanny” to lots of people. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Lovegrove, a grandson, Ricky Lovegrove, five brothers and three sisters. Survivors include two daughters, Mary Jane Phipps and husband Jim of Spindale, N.C., and Brenda Worley and husband William of Bristol Tennessee; a son, Billy A. Lovegrove and wife Frances of Bluff City; 11 grandchildren; 22 great- grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Scott Price and Rev. Lester MacKinnon officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday at the graveside in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Jon Crutchfield, Jamie Phipps, David Vicars, Dennis Vicars, Troy Lovegrove, Jim Johnson, Jon Henry and Mark Worley. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at Akard Funeral Home or anytime at the homes of Brenda and William Worley or Billy and Frances Lovegrove. The family expresses special thanks to the staff of NHC Healthcare of Bristol, especially to “her girls” on the second floor and to John and Tim, recreation directors. 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. Lovegrove. Alice Lee Moore SALTVILLE – Alice Lee Moore, age 69, died Oct. 16, 2003, at her home in Saltville. She was the daughter of the late Milton and Dolly Frye and also preceded in death by her husband, James F. Moore Sr., two sisters, Linda DeBord and Carol Heath, and a daughter, Patricia Gale Moore. Survivors: two sons, Randy Moore and James “Bo” Moore Jr. and wife Phyllis, all of Saltville; three daughters, Linda Jackson and husband Ricky, Debbie Sword and husband Clyde and Joy Rude and husband Frank, all of Saltville; seven sisters, Violet Mink, Janie Kestner and Sally Rhea, Saltville, Glenda Wyneager, Abingdon, Betty Gieseck, Alexandria, Ohio, Eva Dooley, Trenton, N.J., and Mary Compton, Tazewell, Va.; four brothers, Clyde Frye, Clarence Frye Sr., Franklin Frye and Joe Frye, all of Saltville; six grandchildren, Rodney Frye, Ricky Jackson Jr., Scotty Stallard, Mandy Tolbert, Amber Sword and Heather Moore, and four great- grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Alice Lee Moore will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday Oct. 19, 2003, at D.R. Henderson Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kyle French officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Rose Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 till 9 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Jason Heath, Jim Frye, Stanley Frye, Jeff Kestner, Tommy Rhea and Jack Frye. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Moore family. Larmer M. Nicely BLOUNTVILLE – Larmer M. Nicely passed away Oct. 16, 2003, after an extended illness. Born June 7, 1911, in Washburn, Tenn., he was the youngest of seven children. He had resided in this area for 41 years. He was a member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church of Bristol and for many years was a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Larmer was a farmer and elementary school principal in Grainger County for 28 years and later was director of Sullivan County Human Services. One of his favorite pastimes was gardening. He and Betty enjoyed numerous trips to Idaho, Kansas, Florida, Texas and Iowa to visit their children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Betty Nicely, and an infant son, Charles Edward Nicely. He is survived by four children, Donald Nicely and his wife Janet of Boise, Idaho, Edwin Nicely of Dallas, Phyllis Milhorn and her husband Larry of Shalimar, Fla., and Judy Adams of Blountville, and grandchildren, Michael Nicely of Blaine, Tenn., John Nicely, Twin Falls, Idaho, Molly Hagens, of Boise, Teri Szafran of Pensacola, Fla., Jeffrey Milhorn of Fort Drum, N.Y., Lisa Twaddle of Dallas, Amy Nicely of Dallas and Christopher Adams of Kingsport. Also surviving are 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family will greet friends Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home of Kingsport. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Bob Jones officiating. Interment will be at Tri--Cities Memory Gardens, Blountville, following the service. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a tribute to the family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Nicely family. John H. Payne Sr. BRISTOL, Va. – Committal services for John H. Payne Sr. 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. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Payne, age 75, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangement s. Garland R. Pierce Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral service for Garland Richard Pierce Sr. 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. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Pierce, age 56, of 925 Bristol Caverns Highway, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Doug Poston SUGAR GROVE, Va. – Doug Poston, age 34, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol Tennessee. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion. James C. Puckett MEADOWVIEW – Graveside services for James Clayton Puckett 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. Mr. Puckett, age 74, died at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon on Monday, Oct. 13, 2003, after a lengthy illness. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Gay B. Richardson GRAY, Tenn. – The funeral service for Gay B. Richardson 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. Condolences may be sent to the family via our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mrs. Richardson, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at Life Care Center in Elizabethton. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Richardson. 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. 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. Preston Rose ST. PAUL, Va. – Preston Rose, 78, died Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol Tennessee. He was born in Russell County, Va., son of the late Oliver and Ruby Blevins Rose Sr. He was retired from Clinchfield Coal Company and a member of the UMWA. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in World War II. He attended St. Paul Assembly of God in St. Paul. He is survived by his wife, Irene Cooper Rose; one son, Robbie Rose of St. Paul; one grandson, Alex Rose of St. Paul, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Preston Rose will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Ronald Hager officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, with military rites by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard, Abingdon. Pallbearers will be Jeff Brooks, Ron Brooks, Clifton Proffitt, Gary Proffitt, Doug Trent and Randall French. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Rose family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jay Kelly Short CEDAR BLUFF – Mr. Jay Kelly Short, age 83, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, in a Richlands, Va., hospital following a brief illness. Born in Buchanan County, Va., he was the son of the late Joe and Mollie Newberry Short. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a retired coal miner and a member of UMWA Local 1760. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude Short, two brothers, Roy Short and George Short, and three sisters, Sadie Absher, Dolly Whited and Dell Wade. He is survived by two daughters, Iva Fridley and husband David of Durham, N.C., and Teresa Holmes and husband David of Richlands; two sons, Douglas Short and wife Edie of Pounding Mill, Va., and Michael Short of Roanoke; one sister, Rosie Stilwell of Baptist Valley, Va.; four grandchildren, Christopher Meade, Johnathan Meade, Anthony Holmes and Kala Short, and three great-grandchildren, Gage Meade, Garrett Meade and Logan Jewell. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Jerry Casey and Rev. Monroe Greeley officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Bob Porter, Pat Brown, Ron Horton, Bill Monk, Jerry Tatum and Dale Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Jon Meade, Chris Meade, Anthony Holmes and Nicholas Fridley. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 and Tazewell County DAV Chapter 31. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, Va. E-mail condolences may be sent to singleton@netscope.net. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Short family. Essie Moore Vance BRISTOL, Tenn. – Committal service for Essie Vendetta Moore Vance 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. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Vance, age 89, of 731 Beechwood Drive, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2003, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ray Ellis Vandyke VANSANT, Va. – Ray Ellis Vandyke, 74 years of age, of the Deskins section, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, at his home. Born in Piketon, Ohio, he was the son of the late Perry and Stella Matney Vandyke. He was a retired coal miner, having worked for the Island Creek Coal Company, Beatrice and Virginia Pocahontas Mine 6 and a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He attended the Primitive Baptist church. Mr. Vandyke is survived by his wife, Trecy Keene Davis Vandyke of Vansant; one daughter, Sandra Deel of Vansant; one son, Sonny Vandyke of Grundy; one stepson, Joey Davis of Grundy; four brothers, Roy Vandyke of Patterson, Va., Roscoe Vandyke of Glascow, Ky., Ralph Vandyke of Largo, Fla., and Roger Vandyke of Farmville, Va.; two half-brothers, Robert Vandyke of Bristol Tennessee and Donald Vandyke of Petersburg, Va., and one half-sister, Nell Dean of Macon, Ga. He is also survived by three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one step- grandchild and one step-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nadine Smith Vandyke in 1996. Funeral services for Ray Ellis Vandyke will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Elders Bobby Arrington, Buford Deel, Garnell Gilbert, Franklin Viers, Roger Fuller and Delford Ward officiating, with burial to follow in the Community Cemetery on Baldwin Mountain, near Vansant. Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home after 5 p.m. Friday and there will be an evening service at 7 p.m., with Evangelist Michael Trent and Evangelist Hobert Kennedy officiating. Active pallbearers will be Eddie Sturgill, Jack Stiltner, Steve Vandyke, Gene Potter, Mack Keene, Denny Keene, Stanley Keene and Radford Keene. Honorary pallbearers will be brothers-in-law. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Lisa Ann VanMeter JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lisa Ann Burks VanMeter, age 35, departed this life Oct. 12, 2003, in an automobile accident in Jacksonville. She was a graduate of Abingdon High School and was employed as a broker. She was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Derene Burks. She is survived by her mother, Sharon Sue Blalock, Abingdon; her father, Lacy Burks, Blountville; sisters, Diana Fry, Jeffersonville, Ind., Teresa Hiatt, Abingdon, and Debra Mayhew, Jacksonville; maternal grandmother, Bessie Hileman, Adrian, Mich.; paternal grandfather, Cecil Burks, Blountville; niece, Jessica Bridgeman, and nephews, Allen Mayhew, Justin Bridgman and Andrew Fry. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Saturday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jerry Eggers and Rev. Jimmy Epperson officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers, Joe Kennedy, Tyron Kennedy, Billy Upright and Randy Upright. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in Weaver Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lincus Yates HAYSI – Lincus Yates, age 91, passed away, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at Buchanan General Hospital. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late George W. and Frankie Jane Deel Yates. In addition to his parents, his first wife, Dorothy, preceded him in death. A daughter, Betty Jean, and two sons-in-law, Clayton Hackney and Percy Yates, also preceded him. He was a member of Mountain View Old Regular Baptist Church and was a retired miner and member of UMWA Local 7170. He is survived by his wife, Lula Yates; six daughters, Minnie Kinder (Lee) of Narrows, Va., Merlene Yates (Bennie), Martha Kelly (Jimmie), Lucille Hackney, Katherine Coleman (Darrell) and Bessie Hargett (Jerry), all of Haysi; a son, Andy F. Yates (Carol) of Haysi; three sisters, Hattie Yates and Runna Yates, both of Haysi, and Ethel Roman of Kentucky; 22 grandchildren; 31 great- grandchildren; one step-grandchild; seven step-great-grandchildren and two step- great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Old Regular Baptist Church on Rakes Ridge, with Elders Freddie Ramey, Freelin Yates, Andy Deel, Lloyd Brown, Mark Justice and Toy Looney officiating. Burial will follow in the Yates Cemetery, Route 2, Haysi. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the church on Friday and Saturday after 5 p.m. with an evening service both evenings at 7 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Other Area Obituaries Rexie V. Brown, Jonesborough Stephen Todd Horsley, Johnson City, TN Rexie V. Brown Mrs. Rexie V. Brown, age 91, 784 Dry Creek Rd., Jonesborough, died Wednesday, October 15, 2003, in the Johnson City Medical Center, following a brief illness. Mrs. Brown was a native of Cranberry, NC, and had been a resident of Elk Park, NC until moving to Johnson City in 1948. She was a daughter of the late Walter and Mollie Pritchard Hughes. Mrs. Brown retired from Artcraft Glove Company where she was a seamstress. She attended Grace Freewill Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph R. Brown, Sr., in 1970; infant twin children; four brothers, Emmett Hughes, Charles Hughes, Gurney Hughes and Earl Hughes; and one sister, Elsie Henson. Survivors include three sons, Ralph R. Brown, Jr., and Glenn M. Brown, both of Johnson City, and Earl R. Brown, Jonesborough; three daughters, Louise B. Giles, Jonesborough, Eula M. Hurt, Piney Flats, Mary F. Poarch, Johnson City; one sister, Roberta Hodges, Johnson City; eighteen grandchildren; twenty one great- grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. Brown will be conducted Friday, October 17, 2003, at 8:00 PM in the Appalachian Funeral Home with Rev. Curtis L. Hurt and Rev. Terry Jones officiating. Graveside committal services will be held Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 11:00 AM in Monte Vista Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be selected from grandsons. Those planning to attend graveside services are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 AM Saturday. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM in the East Parlor of the funeral home. For those who prefer, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be made online at www.appalachianfuneralhome.com. Appalachian Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 800 E Watauga Ave., is serving the Brown family. Stephen Todd Horsley Stephen Todd Horsley, age 37 of 3511 Chelsea Lane, Johnson City, died Thursday, October 16, 2003, at Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Portsmouth, Ohio, Mr. Horsley was the son of Ronald Jewett and Barbara Ann Bennie Horsley. He was an Episcopalian. Mr. Horsley was a Quality Control engineer with Mead Paper. He was a graduate of DeVry University in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Horsley was an avid reader and loved Civil War history. In addition to his parents, survivors include two sisters Amy Lynn Bevins of Johnson City and Heather Nicholl Lenhart of Dayton, Ohio; and two brothers, Ronald Jewett Horsley II and Joseph Scott Horsley both of Columbus, Ohio. Several nieces and nephews also survive. He is also survived by a special friend, Toodles the cat. The Memorial Service for Stephen Todd Horsley will be conducted at 2:30 PM, Saturday, October 18, 2003, in the Sunrise Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Services, Johnson City with Rev. Frank M. Cooper, IV officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be nieces and nephews, Ronald Horsley III, Joseph Horsley, Brendan Horsley, Tyler A. Bevins, Stephen A. Bevins, Tara E. Horsley, Kaitlin A. Bevins and Madison N. Lenhart. The family will receive friends from 1:00 - 2:30 PM, Saturday, in the funeral home chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com Tetrick Funeral Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, (423)610-7171,is in charge of arrangements for the Horsley family.