Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 20, 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. 20, 2003 Today's Deaths Clarence Adkins, 86, Clinchco, Va. Luther Martin Barnette, 68, Norton Billy E. Burton Sr., 69, Erwin, Tenn. Kimberly Renea Eden, Clintwood, Va. Janice Deane Hand, 62, Damascus Thelma S. Jessee, 93, Lebanon Gusta King, Bristol Virginia Edna Parish, 96, Grundy Earl Raymond Rector, 78, Bristol Tennessee Kathleen Wright Tillison, 82, Blountville -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clarence Adkins CLINCHCO, Va. – Clarence Adkins, 86, died at his home on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was the son of the late Dave and Elizabeth Puckett Adkins and was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Stewart Adkins, a brother, Oscar Adkins, and sisters, Glenna Davis, Stella Sutherland, Ann May and Lillian Leffew. Mr. Adkins was a life-long resident of the Clinchco area. He received an accounting degree from Johnson City Business College and worked as an accountant for Clinchfield Coal Corp. for over 40 years, retiring in 1980 to take care of his wife. He was a fine gentleman who will be missed by everyone. Surviving are two sons, Dan (Jessica) Adkins, Clinchco, and Rick (Deborah) Adkins, Cape Coral, Fla.; three daughters, Drema (Earl) Latherow and Dilla Robinson, Ft. Myers, Fla., and Diannah (John) Fleming, Richmond; two sisters, Nevalee Deel and Bonnie Wallace, Clintwood; one brother, David (Dorothy) Adkins, Pickney, Mich.; a brother-in-law, Paul May, Bluefield, W.Va.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, from the Clinchco Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Joey Fuller and Rev. William Compton officiating. Burial will follow at the Kiser-Stewart Cemetery, Dante. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Clintwood Funeral Home, with an evening service at 7 p.m. Music provided at both services by Mr. Chester Robinette. The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Clinchco Missionary Baptist Church and the Faith Bible Church, also in Clinchco. Pallbearers will be Wayne Sutherland, Bob Deel, Bill Patton and other nephews. The body will be taken to the church one hour prior to services. The family of Mr. Adkins wishes to express special thanks to his caregivers, Becky Salyers and Virgie Sloan, and to his Hospice Choice nurses, Joy Fletcher and Michelle Barger. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Margaret Ann Bailey ABINGDON – At the request of Margaret Ann Bailey, there will be no viewing nor visitation at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held at the Forest Hills Memory Gardens on Monday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m., with Rev. John E. Massey Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart Association at P.O. Box 6215, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting farrisfuneralservice.com. Ms. Bailey died as a result of a stroke at Johnston Memorial Hospital on Oct. 18, 2003. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Ms. Margaret Ann Bailey. Luther M. Barnette NORTON – Luther (Luke) Martin Barnette, 68, passed away Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at his home. He was a retired coal miner, a member of the UMWA District 28 and was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are four sons, Gary Barnette of Pound, Va., Ronald Barnette of Coeburn, Jackie Barnette of Pound and Charles Barnette of Appalachia, Va.; four daughters, Carolyn Coeburn of Norton, Mary Stallard of Coeburn, Barbara Edwards of Haysi and Lisa Salyer of Wise; three stepsons, Bobby Pippin of Wise, Dave Barnette of Knightsville, Ind., and Fred Barnette of Dallas; three brothers, Jerry Barnette of Wise, Leonard Barnette of Ohio and Burley Barnette of Big Stone Gap; five sisters, Faye Davis of Big Stone Gap, Minnie Manis of Kingsport, Lyndia Williams and Della Payne, both of Blackwater, Va., and Marcella Beverly of Zion, Ill.; a special friend, Faye Woods of Castlewood; 20 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Rev. Larry Coeburn and Rev. Steve Powers officiating. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Monday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Billy E. Burton Sr. ERWIN, Tenn. – Billy E. Burton Sr., 69, 705 Ninth St., died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital. He was a native of Russellville, Va., and was a son of the late Willie E. and Gladys Clark Burton. He retired from CSX Railroad as a certified civil engineer. He was a member of Ninth Street Baptist Church. Survivors include wife, Patsy Daugherty Burton, Erwin; three sons, Billy E. Burton Jr. and wife Jennie, Marion, N.C., Bobby Burton and wife Jo, Erwin, and Rick Burton and wife Sandy, Johnson City; six grandsons, Brian Burton, Jerod Burton, Philip Burton, Garrison Burton, Will Burton and Corey Burton; two granddaughters, Amy Burton and Amanda Burton; one sister, Shirley Burton Garland and husband Joe, Surfside Beach, S.C., and four brothers, Carlos Burton, Panama City, Fla., Jim Burton, Chattanooga, Tenn., Ernest Burton, Castlewood, and Allen Burton, Panama City. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, at Ninth Street Baptist Church, 310 Ninth St., Erwin. Dr. Chris Ward will officiate. Vocal selections will be provided by Teresa Treadway. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until service time Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, at Ninth Street Baptist Church. Graveside services and interment will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, at Evergreen Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brady Stockton, F.B. White, Ralph Hampton, Frank Cook, Gene Garland and Bob Likens. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, Brian Burton, Jerod Burton, Philip Burton, Garrison Burton, Will Burton and Corey Burton. Also serving as honorary pallbearers will be brothers-in-law, Glenn Daugherty, Russ Docter, Bobby Broadwater and Joe Garland. Those wishing to attend the graveside services can meet at Valley Funeral Home by 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Ninth Street Baptist Church, Projector Fund, 310 Ninth St., Erwin, TN 37650. Online condolences can be e-mailed to the family through our Web site at valleyfuneralhome.net. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Billy E. Burton Sr. through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N. Main Ave., Erwin, TN 37650. Dollie Collins NORTON – The family of Dollie Collins will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Monday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Danny Mullins officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Mrs. Collins, 86, died Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at her residence on Kentucky Avenue. Floyd Harless Corns HONAKER – Funeral services for Mr. Floyd Harless Corns will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Kenny Taylor and Rev. Carter Wells officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Douglas Lambert, Stanley Brown, Danny Wells, Truel Corns, Ellis Bostic and Jerry Hale. Honorary pallbearers will be Morris Miller, Dr. Michael Ulrich and the staff at Altamont Manor. Mr. Corns, age 86, passed away Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, in a Lebanon nursing facility. Kimberly Renea Eden CLINTWOOD, Va. – Kimberly Renea Worley Eden passed away at home Saturday, Oct. 28, 2003. She is survived by her parents, Shirley Kelly and stepfather Blaine Kelley of Clintwood; her father, Hon Lee Worley and stepmother Wanda Worley of Dante, Va., and three sons, Jason Rawls of Abilene, Texas, Jeremy Quaid Eden of Abilene and Jessee Blaine Eden of Abilene. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, in the Rolley Kelly Family Cemetery, Route 3, Clintwood Brush Creek Section, with Clergyman Joe Glenn Sluss officiating. Pallbearers will be Shaun Hall, Brandon Hall, Kenneth Kelley, Allen Kelley, Cecil Kelly and Kyle Phipps. Honorary pallbearer: Glenn Minton. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Eden family. Goldie Lee Eldreth BRISTOL, Va. – The burial for Goldie Lee Snyder Eldreth will be held 2 p.m. Monday in Mt. View Mausoleum. The family will receive friends 6 to 7:45 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Eldreth, age 82, of 39 Carriage Hall, went to be with her Heavenly Father Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Hoy W. Greer DAMASCUS – The funeral service for Hoy W. Greer will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at the First Baptist Church in Damascus, with Rev. Alan McCullough and Rev. Tim Blevins officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. Pallbearers will be Charles Cook, Jackie N. Johnson, Don Foster Sr., Eugene Neely, David Matlock and Monte Stamper. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Blevins, Clayburn Surber Sr., Lawrence Shumate, Bron Duncan and Arthur Jones. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 993, Damascus, VA 24236. The family, ministers, pallbearers and friends will all meet at the First Baptist Church at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 p.m. Monday prior to the funeral service at the church. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mr. Greer, age 102, passed away on Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Hoy W. Greer. Janice Deane Hand DAMASCUS – Janice Deane Hand, age 62, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at her residence. Arrangements are incom-plete at this time. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family Mrs. Hand. Geneva Hess RAVEN, Va. – Funeral services for Geneva G. Dye Hess will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Brother Joe Gross, Brother Chester Pericllia and Brother Mike Altizer officiating. Interment will follow in the Dye Cemetery at Swords Creek. Pallbearers will be Roger Hubbard, Danny Hubbard, Curvin Harris, Randall Breedlove, Randall Dye, Jamey Whited, Keith Boyd, Jeremy Hess and Bobby Dye. Mrs. Hess, age 70, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003, at her home. Thelma S. Jessee LEBANON – Miss Thelma S. Jessee, age 93, died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, after a lengthy illness. Her parents were the late Gilmer and Gertrude Baker Jessee. A native of Russell County, Thelma was a farm owner and cattle producer in the upper Moccasin Valley. She was a member of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church and active in church and community affairs until her illness confined her to the home. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Howard G. Jessee, a sister, Jeannette Jessee Mays, and two nieces, Jeane M. Bivins and Virginia Karen Tauscher. Surviving are a sister, Carolyn Jessee Cooper, Kingsport; a nephew, Michael E. Jessee, Lebanon; a niece, Peggy Mays Dean, Kingsport; two great-nephews, Jeffrey S. Bivins and Michael Jessee; three great-nieces, Lisa Godsey, Debi Seaver and Sarah Ehlert; two great-great-nephews, Will Godsey and Lucas Michael Jessee, and six great-great nieces, Ashley and Jessica Godsey, Kathleen and Caraline Bivins and Isabella Gibson and Madison Ehlert. Thelma is also survived by cousins by the dozens and many of whom called her “Aunt Thelma,” a host of friends, also a special “sister,” Ella Boothe. The service celebrating Thelma’s life will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Jim Lyttle and the Rev. Leonard Smith, former pastors of her church, officiating. Graveside services and burial will be at noon, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2003, in the Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon. Those attending should meet at the funeral home by 11:30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Casket bearers will be Roger Jessee, Jerry Fields, Kenneth O. Fields, Jim Wooten, Jerry Boothe and Ryan Delp. Honorary casket bearers will be Robert Jessee, Maynard Jessee, William George Jessee, Greg Jessee, Howard Bivins and Robert E. Tauscher. The family will receive friends 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Miss Jessee. Gusta King BRISTOL, Va. – Gusta King died Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. A daughter of the late Daniel Hawkins and Hattie Elizabeth Nowlin Hawkins, she was born in Clintwood, Va. Mrs. King was a teacher’s aid with the Brevard County School System in Florida for 30 years. After her retirement, she moved to Bristol and worked at Antiques Unlimited for many years. She was an avid sports fan and was very involved with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Henry King. She is survived by her two daughters, Jean Burnette of Bristol Virginia and Margaret King Bumgarner and her husband Don of Drexel, N.C.; her son, Doyle Goode and his wife Diana of Charlotte, N.C.; three sisters, Joann Flemming of Detroit, June Fisher of Radford, N.C., and Betty Taylor of Clintwood; two brothers, Jim Hawkins of Damascus and Calvin Hawkins of Radford, Va.; seven grandchildren, Kim Burnette of Knoxville, Lisa Wilhoit and her husband Tony of Johnson City, Jon Goode and his wife Michelle of Chicago, Michael Goode of Charlotte, and Tell Bumgarner, Cameron Bumgarner and Margaret Currey and her husband Brett, all of Drexel; two great-granddaughters, Ali Onks and Sarah Wilhoit of Johnson City, and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind several very special friends. The memorial service will be conducted at 3 o’clock Monday afternoon in the Oakley-Cook Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be sent to Theatre Bristol, 506 State St., Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. King and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Edna Parish GRUNDY – Edna Mae Looney Parish, 96 years of age, passed away Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at Heritage Hall in Grundy. She was a native and life-long resident of Buchanan County. She was the daughter of the late J. Paris and Jennie Belle Wyatt Looney. She was a homemaker and was the oldest member of the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church, having taught the young children’s Sunday School class for many years. She attended the Grundy Presbyterian School. She was a life member of the Presbyterian Women and was named to the Homemaker’s Hall of Fame in 1986. She was preceded in death by her husband, W.G. (Grady) Parish, one son, William G. Parish Jr., two brothers, Keith Looney and Paris Looney, and two sisters, Vida Davis and Gladys Thompson. She is survived by a son, Roger Parish and wife Lynn of Mauldin, S.C.; one daughter, Kathryn Leggett and husband Army of McMinnville, Tenn.; daughter-in- law, Polly Parish of Abingdon; one brother, Robert Looney and wife Ginna of Elizabethton, and one sister, Elizabeth Williams of Bluefield, Va. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Edna Mae Looney Parish will be conducted at the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2003, with grandsons, Rev. John Parish Leggett and Mr. William G. Parish III officiating, being assisted by Rev. R. Brian Brock, with burial following at the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church Improvement Fund of the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1339, Grundy, VA 24614. Active pallbearers will be Kyle McClanahan, James Bevins, Scotty Owens, Pete Marcum and members of the Session of the Buchanan First Presbyterian Church. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Clint Sutherland, Therman Boyd, Frank Witt, Winfred Chambers, members of the Heritage Hall staff and special caregiver and friend, Penny Matney. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Earl Raymond Rector BRISTOL, Tenn. – Earl Raymond (Ray) Rector, age 78, of 2106 Broad St., went to his Heavenly home, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at the NHC Healthcare facility in Bristol Virginia. He was the son of the late James Fulton Rector and Elizabeth Mae White Rector. Earl was a loving husband and father. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS General CC Ballou. He sailed around the world one and one half times. He retired from Burlington Mills with over 40 years of service. He was a member of North Bristol Baptist Church in Bristol Virginia, where he served as an usher for many years. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy, in Jan. 2003, and a sister, Trula Reynolds. Survivors include two sons, James E. Rector and wife Donnie, Kingsport, and Jerry M. Rector and wife Barbara, Bristol Virginia; grandchildren, Chris Rector, Kingsport, Chuck Rector, Johnson City, Joseph Rector, Bristol Tennessee, Stephanie Weddle, Bristol Virginia, Patrick Poe, Savannah, Ga., and Angela Weaver, Bluff City; great-grandchildren, Issac, Cody and Taylor; three sisters, Hazel Willett, Mary Blanche Kestner and Bertha Mae Sanders; one niece and one nephew and their families. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Michael McCloud officiating. The committal will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of the North Bristol Baptist Church of Bristol Virginia. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Bristol Baptist Church, 46 Church St., Bristol, VA 24201-1564. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. C. Fred Severt BRISTOL, Tenn. – The committal service and burial for C. Fred “Peanut” Severt will be conducted at 11 o’clock Monday morning in Roselawn Cemetery in Marion. Nieces and nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Chuck Carrier, David Mason, Louis Gurley, George Galloway, Fred Emmert and Pete Faith. Following the graveside, the family will receive friends at the home of Robbie and Patsy Doyle, 204 Rolling Hills Drive in Marion. Those who wish may meet at 9:45 Monday morning at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home to go in procession to the cemetery. In addition to flowers, donations may be sent to Anderson Street United Methodist Church Men’s Club, Attn. Louis Gurley, 954 Anderson St., Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Severt, 76, died Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at NHC Healthcare of Bristol in Bristol Virginia. Mr. Severt is in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Lucille M. Slate LEBANON – Funeral services for Lucille M. Slate will be held on Monday, Oct. 20, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Owens Funeral Service Chapel, with Pastor Scott Suttle and Brother Brent Logan officiating. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow at Ketron Memorial Gardens, Lebanon. Mrs. Slate, 69, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon. Beryl M. Thomas KINGSPORT – Calling hours for Beryl M. (Pawley) Thomas will be 6-8 p.m. Monday at the East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 8 p.m. in the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Glenn Hicks officiating. Entombment will be 1 p.m. Tuesday in the East Lawn Mausoleum of the East Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Living Waters Freewill Baptist Church, 910 Union Hill St., Kingsport, TN 37660. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the family. Mrs. Thomas, age 77, passed away Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at 9:45 p.m. at the Hospice House in Bristol after a brief illness. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Thomas family. Kathleen W. Tillison BLOUNTVILLE – Kathleen Wright Tillison, age 87, died Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Hospital. She was a native of Washington County, Va., and was a daughter of the late Hattie and Milt Wright. She worked for Monroe Calculators and retired from the Bristol Tennessee Public School System. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church and attended Fellowship Baptist Church in Bluff City. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Tillison, and a son, Jack A. Tillison. Survivors include a daughter, Jane Simpson and her husband Bill of Bristol Tennessee; a son, Ronald C. Carrier and his wife Dorothy, also of Bristol Tennessee; two granddaughters, Kim Rowe and Lisa Thomas; one grandson, Randy Simpson; three great-granddaughters, Amber Rowe, Tiffiny Thomas and Jackie Thomas; one great-grandson, Michael S. Simpson; three great-great-grandchildren and a special friend, Doris Coffey. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. Scott Watson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Monday 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. Tillison.