Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 30, 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. 30, 2003 Today's Deaths Sanford E. Cunningham, 90, Bluff City Claude Allen Fine, 84, Bristol Virginia Frances O. Ross Godsey, 72, Bristol Tennessee Lou Ellen Hensley, 68, Norton Joe Lewis, 86, Wise Tom H. Matney, 73, Lebanon Kason Robert Mulkey, infant, Abingdon Linda C. Mullins Provance, 55, Wise Regis E. Shimborski, 71, Bristol Virginia Norval A. Taggart, 98, Bristol Tennessee Vivian Tollett, 91, Big Stone Gap Lorene Carter Welch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sanford Cunningham BLUFF CITY – Sanford E. Cunningham, age 90, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423)989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Cunningham. Bonnie Lee Dotson ABINGDON – The funeral service for Mrs. Bonnie Lee Dotson will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Elden Bergen officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Casket bearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In place of flowers, the family has asked for memorial donations to the Pilgrim Baptist Church, Awana Club Fund, P.O. Box 16438, Pilgrim Lane, Abingdon, VA 24211. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Dotson, age 68, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Bonnie Lee Dotson. Claude Allen Fine BRISTOL, Va. – Claude A. Fine, age 84, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a life-long resident of Bristol, a son of the late Chester B. and Addie Margaret Boy Fine and was retired from the garment industry. He was a member of Virginia Avenue Baptist Church, where he was a trustee and a member of the Auditorium Bible Class. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Mr. Fine was preceded in death by a daughter, Micah C. Fine Meade, and a brother, Kenneth Fine. Survivors include his wife, Mary B. Fine; a daughter, Debbie Worley and her husband Jimmy of Bristol Virginia; a son, Stafford Layne and his wife Ann of Marietta, Ga.; a sister, Audra Elizabeth Garrett of Memphis; three grandchildren, Jim Jim Worley, Larkin Layne and Robert Layne, and seven great- grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Cass Farrior and Rev. Frank Lethcoe officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Frank Jessee, Bill Bryant, Bill Hinkle, Keith Hobbs, Muncey Spraker and W. R. Buchanan. Honorary pallbearer will be Dr. David Thompson. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday 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 Mr. Fine. Frances Ross Godsey BRISTOL, Tenn. – Frances O. Ross Godsey, age 72, of 104 Tanglewood Drive, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 29, 2003, at Wellmont Hospice House. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incom-plete. Oma Mae Hagy DORAN, Va. – Funeral services for Mrs. Oma Mae Hagy will be conducted Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, at 1 p.m. at the Richlands Tabernacle Church in Richlands, with the Rev. Ralph Horton and Rev. Bob Osborne officiating. Interment will follow at Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Pallbearers will be Louie Compton, Willie Hagy, Rick Whitt, David Horton, Phillip Horton and Jerry Riley. Friends may call at the Richlands Tabernacle Church one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Mrs. Hagy, age 83, of the Baker Hollow section, passed away Monday, Oct. 27, 2003, at her home following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Lou Ellen Hensley NORTON – Lou Ellen Hensley, 68, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, in the Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl Hensley and Lucy Clemons Hensley, and two sisters, Dorothy Bell and Ruth Ann Hensley. She was of the Pentecostal faith and was a retired employee of Heritage Hall Health Care as a nursing aide. Surviving are a daughter, Donna Hensley of Norton; two brothers, Earl Leroy Hensley of Dryden, Va., and Teddy Wayne Hensley of Wise; three sisters, Nancy Absher of Kingsport, Wanda Mullins of Norton and Kathy Ireson of Big Stone Gap, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 7 p.m. Thursday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Rev. Robby Fultz officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday in the Laurel Grove Cemetery, Norton. The family will receive friends Thursday evening 5 p.m. until time of service at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Wise, is in charge of arrangements. Ralph W. Herndon BRISTOL, Va. – The committal and entombment for Ralph W. Herndon will be at 11 o’clock Thursday morning in Forest Hills Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Light, Don Miller, Hunter Miller, Gregory Osborne, David Herndon, Jeff Moyers and Mike Stinnett. Steve Stinnett will serve as honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Wellmont Hospice, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.@oakley-cook.com. Mr. Herndon, 74, died Sunday, Oct. 26, 2003, at his home following a lengthy illness. Arrangements especially for Mr. Herndon have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Jacob C. Hodgson BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for Jacob C. “J.C.” Hodgson will be held on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Dennis Burnette officiating. Committal services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers include Ralph Hughes, Curtis Moore, Fred Clark, Fred Baker, Randall Baker, Don Davis, Jeff Keene, Jerry Blaylock and Jimmy Dearker. Honorary pallbearers include Lloyd Fleenor, Bill Phillipi, J.W. Hughes, Lester Fleenor and the men of Friendship Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Hodgson, age 68, of 19048 Benhams Road, passed away on Oct. 28, 2003, at Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Madeline E. Ingram BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Madeline Eggleston Ingram will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at Calvary Baptist Church, Broad Street, Bristol, Tenn., with Rev. Tony Trunnell and Dr. Dewey Kerr officiating. The committal service and interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from noon until 1 p.m. Friday, prior to the service at Calvary Baptist Church. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mrs. Ingram, age 87, of 407 Montrose Drive, went to her Lord on Monday, Oct. 27, 2003, at NHC Healthcare of Bristol. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Ingram. Lewis P. Kestner The burial for Lewis Preston Kestner will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews: Steve Kestner, Troy Kestner, Donnie Kestner, George Shrader, Mike Taylor, Lynn Trammell, Kevin Wright and Larry Dye. Honorary pallbearers will be men of Higher Ground Fellowship and Shelby Street Church of God. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Higher Ground Youth Building Fund, 14095 Lee Highway, Bristol, VA 24202. Mr. Kestner, age 85, went to be with the Lord Monday, Oct. 27, 2003, at NHC Healthcare. Joe Lewis WISE – Joe Lewis, 86, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center after a long illness. He was of the Freewill Baptist faith, retired coal miner and a veteran of World War II during Pearl Harbor. He was preceded in death by a son, Curtis Lewis. Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Nora Elizabeth Bevins Lewis; a daughter, Linda Lewis of Wise; a son, Gary Lewis of Coeburn; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Rev. Gerald Osborne and Rev. Willie Stallard officiating. Burial will follow in the Roundtop Cemetery, Wise. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Norton VFW Post 4301. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise, is in charge of arrangements. Tom H. Matney LEBANON – Mr. Tom H. Matney, age 73, formerly of Vansant, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at a Kingsport hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born in Vansant and was a son of the late Alva H. and Mary O. Scott Matney, both Buchanan County natives. He was a life-long resident of the Vansant area and was a member of the Vansant Presbyterian Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Carl L. Matney. Survivors are one sister, Mrs. Ellen “Sis” Arrington of Vansant, and four brothers, Mr. Ellis F. Matney of Vansant, Mr. Paul G. Matney of Vansant, Mr. Sonny C. Matney of Abingdon and Mr. Frank K. Matney of Vansant. Funeral services for Mr. Tom H. Matney will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Evangelist Michael Trent and Pastor Phyllis Canter officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Ellis F. Matney, Paul G. Matney, Sonny C. Matney, Frank K. Matney, James Arrington and Kenneth Hooker. Honorary pallbearers: Jerry Sexton, Jeff Matney, Kenny Matney, David Matney, Terry Matney, Shawn Matney and Mike Matney. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Thursday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Kason Robert Mulkey ABINGDON – Kason Robert Mulkey, newborn son of Kathleen Lee Bowman and Jessie Allen Mulkey, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. He is survived by one brother, Brady Edward Mulkey of the home; his grandparents, Ronald and Peggy Bowman of Bristol Virginia, and Bill and Roxie Mulkey of Meadowview; his aunts and uncles, Robert and Jeannie Bowman of Bristol Virginia; Eric and Angela Simerly of Johnson City, Rebeca Bowman of Kingsport, Les and Brenda Mulkey of Meadowview, Pat and Angie Mulkey of Norton, and RoxAnne and Ronnie Blaylock of Bristol Virginia, and his cousins, Joey Brendel, A.J. and Kierstyn Simerly, all of Johnson City, Martha and Waylon Salyer of Kingsport, Ashley, Kayla and Loren Mulkey of Norton, Patti Holmes and Brook Smith of Bristol Virginia, and Thomas Gathercole and Abigail Bowmano of Bristol Virginia. He is also survived by his great-grandfather, Curtis Bowman, his great- grandmother, Kathleen Greer, and his great-aunt, Robin Bowman. He was preceded in death by his special great-grandmother, Bertha Lee Worley Bowman, who will be watching over him in Heaven. The family will receive friends Saturday morning from 9-10:30 a.m. at Farris Funeral Service, followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Rev. Paul Stanley will officiate. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Mulkey family. Linda Provance WISE – Linda C. Mullins Provance, 55, went to be with her Lord Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, in the Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center, Kingsport. She was preceded in death by her parents, Denver L. and Mary Addington Mullins. She was a former employee of the Belk Department Store and attended the Zion Family Ministries. Surviving are her loving husband, Allen J. Provance; a daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Joel Meitz of Newport News, Va.; a granddaughter, Mallory Meitz of Newport News; a brother, Denver L. Mullins Jr. of Wise, and a sister, Diane Meade of Wise. Funeral services will be conducted 7 p.m. Friday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Pastor Joel Meitz officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Family Ministries, P.O. Box 3634, Wise, VA 24293. The family will receive friends Friday evening 6 p.m. until time of service. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Katherine Robinson NORTON – The family of Katherine H. Robinson will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Friday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in the First Baptist Church in Norton, with Pastor Ray Jones Jr., Rev. John Ellington and Dr. Tom Renfro officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Mrs. Robinson, 46, died Monday, Oct. 27, 2003, at her residence. Regis E. Shimborski BRISTOL, Va. – Regis E. “Rege” Shimborski, 71, of Bristol Virginia and Pittsburgh, Pa., passed away Sunday, Oct. 19, 2003, at his home. Rege was a U.S. Army veteran and a retired employee of Lee Norse and Simmons- Rand. Rege is survived by his wife, Helen; his daughters, Denise, Diane and Dawn; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; four sisters and one brother, all of Pittsburgh, and a host of friends, both here and in Pittsburgh. Rege’s Mass of Christian Burial with military honors was held in Pittsburgh Friday, Oct. 24, 2003. A memorial celebration for Rege will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Tavern, Main Street, Abingdon. Norman A. Stanley BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for Norman Allen “Bob” Stanley will be held Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Valley View Baptist Church on Rich Valley Road. Rev. Kenny Widner will officiate. Entombment will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens Chapel of Memories Mausoleum, with Mason rites by York Lodge 12. Pallbearers will be Dallas Mullins, Leon Yates, Harvey Mays, Bill Venable, “Judge” Reynolds, Willis Manning and Jim Owens. Honorary pallbearers will be Brady Williams, Paul Pyle, Butch Lunsford, Archie Monk and Bill Ruble. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Stanley, 72, answered his Master’s call early Monday morning, Oct. 27, 2003. Farris Funeral Services of Abingdon is serving the Stanley family. Norval A. Taggart BRISTOL, Tenn. – Norval A. Taggart, age 98, a resident of Mendota, Va., died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, in Johnson City Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are being made through Weaver Funeral Home. Vivian Tollett BIG STONE GAP – Vivian Tollet, 91, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at Ridgecrest Manor Nursing Home, Duffield, Va. She was born in Appalachia, Va., on Feb. 20, 1912, to Jeff and Addie Alice Mahan. She was a Christian lady who loved gardening and her family. She was preceded in death by her first husband, John White, daughter, Doris White Wiseman, son, John White Jr., second husband, Jess Tollett, two sisters, Mary Strong and Nola Stirckland, and three brothers, Denny Mahan, Ed Mahan and Walter Mahan. Survivors: sister, Madge Trigg, Derby, Va.; grandchildren, Larry M. Bledsoe, Cathy Barker and husband Garner and Bucky Wiseman and wife Kim; great- grandchildren, Adam Wiseman and Clint Barker, and great-great-grandchild, Clay Barker. The family will receive friends at the Roy A. Green Funeral Home, Appalachia, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday at the Glencoe Cemetery, Big Stone Gap. Roy A. Green Funeral Home, Appalachia, is in charge of arrangements. Lorene Carter Welch It is with mixed emotions the family of Lorene Carter Welch announces her new address of No. 2 Gloryland Way. At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, 2003, she effortlessly moved into her new mansion that had been prepared for her. Its completion was in God’s perfect time. We can only imagine what today’s activities include, but we are certain she will spend time at the feet of Jesus laying down the many crowns that were her reward. Other activities are certain to include singing praises to the Lamb, walking on streets of gold and greeting her parents and other brothers and sisters in Christ. Even though this may sound like a busy schedule, we know she will feel none of the pain, sorrow or tears that she experienced during her 78 years on earth…only joy. By the way, that joy began at Son rise. She fought a good fight, she finished her course, she kept the faith. We will be celebrating her life as we receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Higher Ground Baptist Church in Kingsport, with services to follow. The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, at East Lawn Memorial Park in Kingsport. She was a loving wife and mother who is survived by her husband of 62 years, Cline H. Welch; her children, Mrs. Billy (Pat) Ray of Church Hill, Mrs. Patton (Sue) Mosley of Kingsport, Mrs. Roy (Deborah) Rhoton of Fall Branch, Eddie and Madge Welch of Kingsport, David Welch of Meadows of Dan, Va., and Mike and Sharon Welch of Rogersville; grandchildren, Mrs. Steve (Dianne) Forbes and Mrs. Ricky (Donna) Housewright, all of Church Hill, Mrs. Daniel (Ronda Fletcher) Smith of Bluff City, Daryl Fletcher of Kingsport, Kellie Rhoton of Fayetteville, N.C., Scotty Welch of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Jason Welch and Justin Welch, both of Kingsport; 26 great-grandchildren and two sisters, Betty Lou Garland of Indianapolis and Barbara Ann Fields of Fort Wayne, Ind. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Reverend Gene Hughes, Reverend Kelly Carter, Reverend Joe Hill and Dr. Phil Hoskins will officiate. The family will also receive friends at the home of a daughter, Sue Mosley, 805 N. Beason Well Road, Kingsport. Pallbearers will be Scotty Welch, Jason Welch, Justin Welch, Daryl Fletcher, Steve Forbes, Ricky Housewright and Daniel Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons of Fort Robinson Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to Golden State Missions, c/o Fort Robinson Baptist Church. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Welch family. Samuel G. Whitt Jr. STEELESBURG, Va. – Funeral services for Mr. Samuel G. Whitt Jr. will be conducted Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Stafford Compton and Rev. Max Linkous officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Barns-Beavers VFW Post 7136 of Tazewell, Va., will conduct military graveside rites. Members of the Cedar Bluff Lodge 260 AF&AM will conduct Masonic services at 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice and Pallative Care of Virginia, P.O. Box 349, Norton, VA 24273. Mr. Whitt , age 85, passed away Monday, Oct. 27, 2003, at his home following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.