Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, November 6, 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, Nov. 6, 2003 Today's Deaths Carrie S. Adams, 102, Middletown, Ohio Ada Ann Dotson, 90, Coeburn Doris Keesling Gibson, 83, Bristol Virginia Sharon Hammons, 50, Bristol Virginia William Matney, 80, Spartanburg, S.C. Lula Cantrell Mullins, 92, Pound Phillip Washington Neal, 77, Saltville Juanita Salyers, 68, Coeburn Benjamin F. Wheless Jr., 82, Pine Knoll Shores, N.C. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carrie S. Adams MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – Carrie S. Adams, 102, passed away Nov. 4, 2003, in Middletown. Born July 1, 1901, in Pound, Va., she was a daughter of Johnny and Arminda (Gibson) Sturgill. She lived most of her life in Pound, working side by side with her family on the farm. She was a homemaker, making quilts and other handmade items. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Everett Kiser and Bert Adams. Also preceding her in death were her parents, sisters, Vadna Cole of Middletown, Mary Haynes of Pound, Cassie Ohler of Baltimore and Naomi Shortt of Pound, and brothers, Calvin Sturgill of Norton, Ernest Sturgill of Middletown, Roy Sturgill of Pound, Sidney Sturgill of Pound and Benjamin Watson Sturgill of Middletown. She is survived by two daughters, Mary (Robert) O’Hair of Middletown and Vadna Irene (Dayton) Vanderpool of Carlisle; grandchildren, William (Norma) O’Hair of Middletown, Cara (Bill) Hines of Middletown, Rowena (Kenny) May of Carlisle and Phillip Vanderpool of Carlisle; great-grandchildren, Michael O’Hair of Roy, Patrick O’Hair of Roy, Benjamin Wilcox of Middletown, Sarah Wilcox of Carlisle, Christopher O’Hair of Middletown and Thomas O’Hair of Middletown, and great- great-grandchildren, Cody, Calope, Corey and Canaan. Services will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. in Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel of Baker Funeral Home in Pound, with Aaron Williams and Christopher Shortt officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in the Flat Gap Cemetery in Pound. The family suggests memorials to the Sulphur Springs Church, P.O. Box 1171, c/o Chris Shortt, Pound, VA 24279. Lossie Jane Barr BRISTOL, Tenn. – Lossie Jane Barr, age 85, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born in Washington County, Va., and was the daughter of the late Jasper and Maudie O’Quinn Nunley. She was also preceded in death by her son, James Garfield Wolfe, and brother, William Nunley. She was a housewife and a member of True Faith Tabernacle. Survivors include husband, Fred Barr, Bristol Tennessee; son, Andy Ray Wolfe and wife Beate, Solvang, Calif.; sisters, Ernestine “Tina” Hawkins and Lacy “Fran” Wilson, both of Bristol Tennessee; two grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003 at 1 p.m. at the True Faith Tabernacle, with Rev. Tony Hamby, Rev. Jimmy Phillips and Rev. Thurman Chapman officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Marguerite Belcher ABINGDON – The graveside service for Mrs. Marguerite Lois Belcher will be conducted Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the Elkhorn Baptist Cemetery, Welch, W.Va. The Reverend Don Tate will officiate. Pallbearers will be grandsons and friends. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Belcher, age 85, passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Belcher. Emily Boggs NORTON – The family of Emily Boggs will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home, Norton. Graveside funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday in the Adams Cemetery, Eolia, Ky. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Mrs. Boggs, 62, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, in Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital, Kingsport. Wright Dawson NORTON – Funeral services for Wright H. Dawson will be conducted 10 a.m. Thursday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Mr. Dawson, 89, formerly of Norton, died Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Carrollton, Texas, after a long illness. Ada Ann Dotson COEBURN – Ada Ann Dotson, 90, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. She was preceded in death by her husband, General Lee Dotson, a daughter, Georgia Helen Dotson, and a son, Homer Dotson. She was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are six daughters and four sons-in-law, Ina Mae and Ballard Weddle of Abingdon, Lillian and Max Osborne of Bernville, Pa., Joyce Akers of Fredericksburg, Va., Dorothy Dotson of Kingsport, Laura and Tom Pruitt of Smyrna, Del., and Brenda and Rodney Bennett of Norfolk, Va.; three sons and a daughter-in-law, Carroll and Sadie Dotson of Wise, Cline Dotson of Abingdon and Roger Dotson of Coeburn; four stepbrothers; two stepsisters; 32 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Clifford Bevins officiating. Burial will follow in the Slemp Dotson Mullins Cemetery, Coeburn. The family will receive friends Thursday evening 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, is in charge of arrangements. Doris K. Gibson BRISTOL, Va. – Doris Keesling Gibson, 83, departed this life and was welcomed home by her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003. Among those on hand awaiting her arrival were her parents, George William Keesling and Ethel Boyd Keesling, three sisters, Margaret Keesling Tate, Kathryn Keesling Helton and Mary Keesling Emmert, as well as her only brother, Herman Preston Keesling. A Bristol native, Doris was born at home on July 13, 1920. She graduated from Tennessee High School, Carson-Newman College and received a master’s in religious education from Southern Seminary. She taught Bible classes in Bristol Virginia and High Point, N.C., where she met her future husband, Thomas H. Gibson. They were married at Euclid Avenue Baptist Church on Oct. 6, 1951. Early in their marriage, the Gibsons resided in Rockingham, N.C., where their only daughter, Gail, was born. In 1964, the family returned to Bristol and Doris soon became a social worker for the Department of Social Services in Bristol Virginia, where she remained until her retirement in 1985. Earlier denied the opportunity to serve as a foreign missionary because of health reasons, Doris turned her attention to local ministries. She was an active member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church for many years, serving as a Sunday School teacher for young adults, WMU Missions director and department director for the senior adults. Ever a missionary at heart, she served her Master faithfully in her professional career by caring for the elderly, adoptive children and single parent families. In their senior years, T.H. and Doris were active in the establishment of a new church, NorthStar Baptist, Bristol Virginia. Mrs. Gibson is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas H. Gibson of Bristol Virginia; one daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Bill Heron of Charlotte, N.C.; two cherished granddaughters, Kaila and Karalee Heron of Charlotte, and 10 beloved nieces and nephews and their families. The funeral service celebrating Mrs. Gibson’s life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. William E. Houck and Rev. E.W. Ely officiating. Entombment will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at Akard Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to NorthStar Baptist Church Building Fund, 2455 King Mill Pike, Bristol, VA 24201. 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. Gibson. W.R. Gorsage Jr. NORTON – Funeral services for Walter R. “Doc” Gorsage will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Jim Wells officiating. VFW Post 4301 of Norton will conduct military graveside honors at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens following the funeral. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to the Gorsage family by visiting hagyfawbush.com. Mr. Gorsage Jr., 70, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at his home on Dorchester Road. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home, 956 Park Ave., Norton, is serving the Gorsage family. Sharon Hammons BRISTOL, Va. – Sharon Hammons, 50, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, in Bristol. Born Jan. 28, 1953, in Bluefield, she was the daughter of Gladys Moore Browning Hylton of Princeton and the late Garland Browning. Mrs. Hammons was a homemaker. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, Richard Hammons of the home; one son, Brian Hammons and his wife Mary Ann; one daughter, Jodi Morrison and her husband Tony; two brothers, Randall Browning and his wife Mary of Kegley and Danny Browning and his wife Katherine of Princeton; two sisters, Gloria Jean Parson and her husband Jack of Lashmeet and Pamela Hager of Lenoir, N.C., and her fiancé Bob Barlow; three grandchildren, Joshua Hammons, Autumn Hammons and Wynter Hammons; mother-in-law, Iona Spears; several nieces and nephews and devoted best friend and caregiver, Vickie Gibson. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton, with the Rev. Larry Dyer officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Serving as pallbearers will be Barry Thornton Jr., Justin Thornton, Craig Smith, Jason Browning, Kevin Hager, Gary Gibson, Coy Clark and Kevin Conner. Friends may call today from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Bonnie E. Lyons BRISTOL, Tenn. – Committal services for Bonnie E. Lyons will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Lyons, age 73, of 1105 Virginia Ave., went to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. William Matney SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mr. William “Elmer” Matney, age 80, formerly of the Hale Creek Section of Buchanan County, Va., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at his home. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Alexander (Alec) and Nearvie Compton Matney. He was a retired security guard for Island Creek Coal Company. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Campbell Matney, three brothers, Theodore (Speck) Matney, Lindburg Matney and Jimmy Matney, and one infant sister. He is survived by one son, Elmer B. (Dickie) Matney and wife Tracey of Florence, S.C.; two daughters, Virginia Woofter and husband Richard of Spartanburg and Darlene Stacy and husband F.E. of Houston; one sister, Marie Keen of Dismal, Va.; three brothers, Dennis Matney of Claypool Hill, Va., Basil Matney of Cedar Bluff and Otis Matney of Fredericksburg, Va.; special nephew, Michael Matney of Hale Creek, Va., and seven grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel in Keen Mountain, Va., with Rev. Boyd Coleman and Rev. Roger Null officiating. Burial will follow in the Matney Family Cemetery at Hale Creek. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Buchanan Funeral Service in Keen Mountain. E-mail condolences may be sent by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hale Creek Pentecostal Holiness Church, HC 67 Box 93, Oakwood, VA 24631. Buchanan Funeral Service is serving the Matney family. Opal Fay McCowan CLINCHCO, Va. – Funeral services for Opal Fay McCowan will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, with Clergymen John Johnson, Joel Turner and Price Vyers officiating. Burial will follow in the McCowan Family Cemetery, Rock Lick Section. Pallbearers will be Richard Stevens, Chris McCowan, Brian McCowan, Steavie Mullins, Eugene McCowan, J.R. McCowan, Justin McCowan, Mike Dillion and Travis Fuller. Mrs. McCowan, age 70, passed away Nov. 2, 2003, in Ohio. Mullins Funeral Home is serving the McCowan family. Lula C. Mullins POUND – Lula Cantrell Mullins, 92, went to be with her Lord on Nov. 4, 2003, at Norton Community Hospital, Norton. She attended the Old Regular Baptist Church and was a member of the Pound VFW Post 9600 Ladies Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her parents, J.M. and Dulcena Stanley Cantrell, husband, Friend Mullins, son, Giles Roy Mullins, two brothers, Fitzhugh Cantrell and Luther Cantrell, and one sister, Ruthie Dotson. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Chester and Jeanette Mullins and Curtis Ray and Shirley Mullins, all of Pound; two brothers, Carson Cantrell and Fred Cantrell, both of Pound; six sisters, Oma Mullins and Eva Vanover, both of Pound, Goldie Dotson, Edith Belcher and Ella Jane Mullins, all of Wise, and Martha Fleming of Florida; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Lula Mullins will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with the Elder Willie Cantrell, Elder Trinkle Mullins and Elder Conard Stallard officiating. Burial will follow in the Jimmy Cantrell Cemetery, Pound. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise is in charge of arrangements. Phillip W. Neal SALTVILLE – Mr. Phillip Washington “Tuck” Neal, age 77, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003. He was in Smyth County Community Hospital. Mr. Neal was a life-long farmer. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Glenda Haynes Neal. Survivors: his wife, Lou Nunley Neal of Saltville; two sons, Greg Neal and wife Pauline of Saltville and Mike Neal and wife Drema of Saltville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Winky and Jimmy Holman of Marion, Vanesa and Allen Tolbert of Marion and Susie and Billy Hamm of Sugar Grove, Va.; one stepdaughter, Sarah Dever; two brothers, Bise Neal of Martinsville, Va., and Jack Neal of Fredrick, Md.; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and mother-in-law and father- in-law, Robert E. and Ann Nunley. Funeral services for Mr. Neal will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at Henderson Funeral Home, with Rev. Kyle French and Rev. Bobby Collins officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Rich Valley Presbyterian Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. just prior to the funeral service. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Neal family. Edward Lee Peltier BRISTOL, Va. – Committal services for Edward Lee Peltier will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Peltier, age 84, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Foy L. Phibbs CHILHOWIE – Foy L. Phibbs, age 83, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, in the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Gilley Phibbs, his son, Gary Wayne Phibbs, his father and mother, three brothers and two sisters. Mr. Phibbs is survived by one daughter-in-law, Sharon Phibbs of Chilhowie; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Clifton and Louise Phibbs and John and Faye Phibbs, all of Fries, Va., Anna Phibbs of Chesapeake, Va., Grace Phibbs of Galax, Va., Catherine Phibbs-Nicol of Mt. Airy, N.C., and Belle Davenport of Chilhowie, and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Elder Eddie Lyle 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 afternoon from noon until time of the service at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Phibbs family. Roby Davis Potter Jr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Roby Davis “R.D.” Potter Jr. will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at South Chapel Baptist Church, with Rev. Paul Maye officiating. Interment will follow at Potter Cemetery. Pallbearers will be friends of the family. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Potter, 73, of 238 Wallace Lane, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Nov. 3, 2003. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Potter. Betty Lou Purifoy EMORY, Va. – A memorial service for Mrs. Betty Lou Purifoy will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003, at the Emory United Methodist Church, with Rev. Beverly Robinette and Rev. David St. Clair officiating. A graveside service will follow in the Holston Conference Cemetery in Emory. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Dr. Lewis M. “Mack” Purifoy Jr. and Betty Lou Purifoy Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Emory and Henry College, P.O. Box 947, Emory, VA 24237. At Mrs. Purifoy’s request, there will be no viewing or visitation at the funeral home. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Purifoy, age 79, died Monday, Nov. 3, 2003, at her home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Betty Lou Purifoy. Robert Earle Ryburn GLADE SPRING – Mr. Robert Earle Ryburn, age 77, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at his residence. Mr. Ryburn was a member of the Old Glade Presbyterian Church and was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Lester Ryburn. He was a member of the Washington County Life Saving Crew for many years. Survivors include two daughters, Jean Elmore and husband Jerry, Meadowview, and Ann Crawford and husband Jeff, Bristol Tennessee; one son, David E. Ryburn and wife Jeano, Glade Spring; a brother, Franklin Ryburn, Abingdon; three grandsons, Charlie Elmore, Jimmy Elmore and Toby Ryburn; granddaughter, Sami Jo Ryburn; step-granddaughter, Jamie Rouse, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon. The Reverend Charles DeBord and Reverend Wayne Kestner will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. Rose Cemetery, Glade Spring. Pallbearers will be Fred W. Lester, Ted E. Lester Jr., Don Wright, Mike Harris, Billy Lester, John D. Lester and Joe Lester. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Washington County Life Saving Crew, P.O. Box 65, Abingdon, VA 24212. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so be visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. Ryburn. Juanita Salyers COEBURN – Juanita Salyers, 68, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2003, at Norton Community Hospital in Norton. Mrs. Salyers was a member of the Grand Avenue Church of God of Prophecy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton C. Salyers Sr., her parents, George Washington and Bertha Carico Meade, granddaughter, Sarah Salyers, and brother, Darrell Meade. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Clinton C. and Shelby Salyers Jr., Castlewood; granddaughter, Amber Nicole Salyers, Castlewood; sisters, Margie Richardson, Crestline, Ohio, and Shirlean Smith and Frances McReynolds, both of Coeburn; brother, Harlan G. Meade, Coeburn; special friends, Samuel and Carolyn Hall, Coeburn, and several nephews and nieces. Funeral services for Juanita Salyers will be held Friday, Nov. 7, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Church of God of Prophecy, 222 Grand Ave., with Rev. Samuel Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Coeburn. Visitation will be held at Grand Avenue Church of Prophecy on Thursday after 6 p.m., where an evening worship service will be held at 7 p.m. Contributions may be made to American Cancer Society. Estes Funeral Home Inc. (276) 395-2441. Benjamin F. Wheless Jr. PINE KNOLL SHORES, N.C. – The Reverend Benjamin F. Wheless Jr., 82, died Sunday at Craven Regional Center, New Bern, N.C. The Rev. Wheless was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Marrell Wheless, his parents, Benjamin F. and Lora Truckner Wheless, and his brothers, Charles Marion Wheless and Theodore Rochelle Wheless. A native of Justice, Franklin County, N.C., he was a graduate of Edward Best High School, Campbell College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, the Rev. Wheless was employed by R. L. Steele and Co., CPA’s, Raleigh. He served at the Personnel Center, Fort Bragg, during his enlistment. Shortly after his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, the Rev. Wheless continued his education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, earning the master’s degree in 1948. Upon graduation, he was employed by Sullins College, Bristol Virginia, as an instructor in economics and accounting. In 1952, he was appointed director of guidance, and, in 1962, he became dean of faculty. During this time, he did further graduate work at UNC-CH in industrial relations with an emphasis on guidance and counseling. In 1972, he joined the faculty of Mountain Empire Community College, Big Stone Gap, as division chairman, arts and sciences, where he remained until retirement in 1990. While at both Sullins and Mountain Empire, he served on numerous occasions as chairman of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Atlanta, visiting committee for evaluation for accreditation of two- year colleges. While in Bristol, he was a member of the Rotary Club, the boards of Tri-Cities Arts Council, Bristol Memorial Hospital and Bristol Mental Health Clinic, president and board member of Bristol Community Concert Association and Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Upon moving to Big Stone Gap, he was a member of Lonesome Pine Concert Association, president and executive committee member, Lonesome Pine Hospital, board member and secretary to the board of Lonesome Pine Country Club and Christ Episcopal Church. Soon after moving to Big Stone Gap, the Rev. Wheless began to read for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church under the direction of the Rt. Rev. William H. Marmion and the Rev. John J. Krulis. Upon completion, he was ordained priest in 1976 and from that time until retirement in 1991 he was Priest-In-Charge, Christ Episcopal Church, Big Stone Gap. In 1995, the Whelesses moved to Pine Knoll Shores, where he continued to be active in Episcopal church work at St. Paul’s Episcopal, Beaufort, N.C. and supplying, when needed, at several area churches. From 1998 until his death, he served the Julian of Norwich Chapel, Trinity Center, Salter Path, N.C. A memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Christ Episcopal Church, Big Stone Gap, with the Rev. R. Raymond Moore officiating. Internment will follow in Emmanuel Episcopal Church Columbarium, Bristol Virginia. Survivors: sister-in-law, Harriett B. Wheless of Justice, N.C.; nieces, Ann Painchaud and her husband Hank of Vernon Hills, Ill., and Fran W. Dunne and her husband Paul of Smyrna, Tenn.; two great-nieces; one great-nephew and many cousins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, Perpetual Endowment Fund, 110 Clinton Ave. East, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219, or to the charity of one’s choice. Internet condolences may be sent to the family at brooksralhome@earthlink.net. Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., Morehead City, NC 28557.