Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 31, 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. 31, 2003 Today's Deaths Walter Ralph Ault, 62, Scranton, S.C. Emmitt Cary Dingus, 69, Coeburn Agnes Price Hash, 92, Glade Spring, Va. William Howard Jackson, Bristol Virginia Judith Mearl Kelly, 64, Coeburn Lois Spivey Molinary, 80, Clintwood, Va. William Ralph Pugh, 83, Marion William Edgar Steele Jr., 93 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walter R. Ault SCRANTON, S.C. – Walter Ralph Ault, age 62, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003. He was a native of Bristol Virginia and the son of the late Paul and Elizabeth Crowe Ault. He graduate of Virginia High School and attended East Tennessee State University. He served six years with the Tennessee National Guard and retired from the Tri-State Corp. of Bristol Tennessee. He lived in South Carolina for several years. Survivors include one son, Paul Ralph Ault of Green Cove, Fla.; one sister, Kathy Leonard of Bristol Virginia; one niece, Beth Francisco of Bristol Virginia, and two aunts, Louise Crowe Lark and husband Bob of Bristol Virginia and Ruth Crow Oliver and husband Richard of Bristol Tennessee. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home 1912 W. State St., Bristol, Tenn., (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Ault. Sanford Cunningham BLUFF CITY – Sanford E. Cunningham, age 90, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a life-long resident of the Bristol area. He was a graduate of Greendale High School and a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Air Force. He was a retired employee of Monroe Calculating Company with over 20 years of service. Mr. Cunningham was a member of Belle Meadows Baptist Church, where he served as former church treasurer and deacon. He was also a member of the Masonic Valley Lodge 93, Benhams, Va., for 57 years. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Ruby Dye Cunningham; a son, David E. Cunningham and his wife Libby of Nashville; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Cunningham and Samuel Cunningham, both of Nashville; a sister, Edith Gill and her husband Charlie of Bristol Virginia, and many nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Dewey Williams and Brother Sam Haynes officiating. Special music will be rendered by Danny Hill. The committal service and entombment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in the Glenwood Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, prior to the service at Akard Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Mountain Empire Baptist School, 1317 Weaver Pike, Bristol, TN 37620. 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. Emmitt Cary Dingus COEBURN – Emmitt Cary “Stud” Dingus Sr., 69, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Norton. Mr. Dingus was a retired welder at Packmore Manufacturing and a U.S. Army veteran. His wife, Neoma, his parents, Wesley W. and Tempie Louise Greear Dingus, brother, Thomas Dingus, and sisters, Nannie Belle Kiser and Viola Edwards, preceded him in death. Survivors include sons, Emmitt Dingus Jr., Coeburn, and Wesley Dingus, Wise; stepdaughters, Shirley Kilgore, Bristol Tennessee, Frances Reeves and Janice Reeves, both of Wise, and Peggy Harvey, Coeburn; stepson, Buford Lundy, Aurora, Ill., Roger Lundy, Coeburn, and Ronnie Dameron, Coeburn; brothers, Robert Dingus, Cocoa, Fla., James Dingus, Virginia Beach, and Barney Dingus, Coeburn; sister, Edna Perry, Coeburn, and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Funeral services for Emmitt Cary Dingus Sr. will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Estes Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be held Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at Estes Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Burial will be in the Dingus Cemetery in Coeburn. Estes Funeral Home Inc., (276) 395-2441. 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. 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. – The funeral service for Claude A. Fine 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. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Fine, age 84, died Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Fine. Frances Ross Godsey BRISTOL, Tenn. – Frances Ross Godsey, 72, of 104 Tanglewood Dr., went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, from the Wellmont Hospice House. She was a homemaker and prayer warrior. Mrs. Godsey was born Dec. 7, 1930, in Concord, N.C. She had resided in Bristol for the past 56 years. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Mangum L. Ross and Zelma Viola Connell Ross. She was also preceded in death by one sister, Edna Polk. Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Clyde E. Godsey of Bristol Tennessee; two sons, Lance Godsey of Bristol Tennessee and Tracy Godsey of Lynchburg, Va.; one daughter, Terry Seats of Kingsport; three brothers, Rev. Jason Ross of Shallotte, N.C., Rev. Paul Ross of Bristol Tennessee and David Ross of Candler, N.C., and three sisters, Mildred Goffigon of Onancock, Va., Ruth Rorschach of Franklinton, N.C., and Grace Byers of Sneads Ferry, N.C. Also surviving are six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. Godsey will be conducted Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Paul Ross and Jim Starkey officiating. Committal services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, at Shelby Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. T.C. Green, Dr. Sue Prill, Dr. Cowan, Dr. Allerton, the staffs of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center Two West and Wellmont Hospice House and Donnie Gilbert, a neighbor and good friend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Godsey. Agnes Price Hash GLADE SPRING, Va. – Agnes Price Hash, age 92, died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. She was a member of Kimberling Christian Union Church, was a first lieutenant of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II. She helped start the first air base for women and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. She was employed for 36 years as an licensed practical nurse at the old Lee Memorial Hospital in Marion. Mrs. Hash was preceded in death by her parents, Roscoe Conklin and Nelia Perry Price, two husbands, William Herbert McNew and John Paul Hash, and three sisters, Audrey Courtney, Sarah Elzina Sadler and Gladys Olivene Bolt. She is survived by several nieces and nephews, including Betty J. Adams and husband Harry of Glade Spring; several great-nieces and great-nephews, including Deborah Lynn Caywood of Emory, Va., and Rev. John Harry Adams and wife Michelle of Glade Spring; several great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, including Virginia Davis and Robert Painter, and several great-great-great-nieces and great-great-great-nephews, including Kaitlyn Marie Davis and Zackary Logan Painter. The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses on the third floor of Johnston Memorial Hospital and Rev. Steve Turner. Funeral services will be held Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Stephen Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Fox Creek Cemetery, Grayson County, Va. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Deer Valley Baptist Church, P.O. Box 3, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Hash family. Jacob C. Hodgson BRISTOL, Va. – Committal services for Jacob C. “J.C.” Hodgson 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. 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 Tennessee, 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. William H. Jackson BRISTOL, Va. – Mr. William Howard Jackson died Thursday, Oct. 30, 2003, at the NHC Healthcare Center in Bristol. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. Jackson. Judith Mearl Kelly COEBURN – Judith Mearl Kelly, 64, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. Funeral services for Judith Mearl Kelly will be held Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Estes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Carol Childress officiating. Burial will follow in the Hills of Home Cemetery on Smith Ridge. Visitation will be held at Estes Funeral Home on Saturday after 5 p.m. Tom H. Matney LEBANON – 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. Mr. Matney, age 73, formerly of Vansant, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, at a Kingsport hospital following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Lois Spivey Molinary CLINTWOOD, Va. – Lois Spivey Molinary, age 80, passed away at her home Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003. She had lived in Dickenson County all of her life and was a member of Clintwood United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Ernest Molinary. She is survived by three daughters, Jo M. Copeland of Abingdon, Jan Zimmer and husband Walt of Abingdon and Jenny Simchock and husband Bob of Durham, N.C.; two sisters, Anne Beeler of Oxford, Ohio, and Betty Bolling of Concord, N.C.; one brother, James R. Spivey of Ocoquan, Va.; two grandchildren, Sarah Copeland and Robert Copeland; special friends, Thelma Graham, Remona Clay, Brenda Smith and Shirley Webb, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Bill Cahill officiating. Burial will be in the Temple Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Castlewood. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Clintwood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 237, Clintwood, VA 24228. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the Molinary family. 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 and 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, 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, Nov. 1, 2003, 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 Price 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. William Ralph Pugh MARION – William Ralph Pugh, age 83, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003, in Smyth County Community Hospital. Born June 24, 1920, in Grayson County, Va., he was the son of the late Arthur and Annie Bonham Pugh. He was a veteran of World War II and received the Purple Heart after being wounded in combat. Mr. Pugh owned and operated “Pugh’s Antiques” on Main Street, Marion, for many years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Lee Pugh, and one brother, Charlie Pugh. He is survived by three sisters, Maxie Louise Alverson of Huntsville, Ala., Helen Troxel of Chilhowie and Catherine Walton of Kingsport; two brothers, Frank Pugh and Joe Pugh, both of Troutdale, Va., and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion, where full military rites will be conducted by Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Pugh family. 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. William Edgar Steele Jr. William Edgar Steele Jr., 93, died on Oct. 28, 2003, at the Masonic Home of Virginia in Richmond. Born in Thompson Valley, Tazewell County, Va., he was the son of the late W.E. Steele and Bennie Smith Steele. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Martha Zitta Steele. He spent his formative years in Loudon County, Va., and attended VPI. During the depression, he worked with his father as a dairyman and for the Jewell Ridge Coal Company as a clerk. In 1944, he moved to Cowen, W.Va., to accept a job as payroll and shipping clerk for Gauley Mountain (and later Pittston Coal Co.), a position he retained until retirement. He was an active Christian and Bible student. He was especially involved in the growth of the Upper Glade (W.Va.) Presbyterian Church under the leadership of Rev. Bob Bonderant. Surviving are his wife, Pauline Bullington Steele, a resident of the Masonic Home; three children, Douglas Steele of Durham, N.C., Geraldine Helton of Bristol Virginia and Virginia Francis of Glen Allen, Va.; three sisters, Louise Watts and Virginia Farmer, both of Harrisonburg, Va., and Margaret Moneymaker of Williamsburg, Va.; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and two great- granddaughters. Memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, in Richmond. Norval A. Taggart MENDOTA, Va. – Norval A. “Tag” Taggart, age 98, died Wednesday Oct. 29, 2003. He was a native of Chattanooga and son of the late William and Tullula Coffey Taggart. He was a retired electrical contractor, a 50-year member of Kingsport Masonic Lodge 688 of Free and Accepted Masons, a Kingsport Commandry No. 33 Knights Templar ( Life Sponsor Eye Foundation ) and Kingsport York Rite Bodies. Survivors include his wife, Mary Faye Doughtery Taggart; daughters, Katie Driskell, Piney Flats, and Anna Ruth Gregory, Charlotte, N.C.; sons-in-law, Wallace Driskell and Russell Gregory, and grandchildren, Ian Blackburn, Knoxville, Alice Gregory, Charlotte, and Susan Gregory, Tucker, Ga. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow in Mendota Cemetery. Pallbearers: Ron Fleenor, Don Fleenor, Johnathan Carrier and Oscar Harris. The family will receive friends from noon until 2 p.m. Saturday prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of the Mendota Medical Center, 2534 Mendota Road, Mendota, VA 24270, or to Mendota Baptist Church or Knights Templar Eye Foundation. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home 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. 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 and Colleen C. 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. 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.