Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, November 16, 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 Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003 Today's Deaths Marvin Burchette Barker, 78, Big Stone Gap Warren Clarence Campbell, 92, Marion Dixie Laura Cantrell, 94, Cleveland, Va. Shelby Jean Stiltner Fuller Chaffins, 66, Mavisdale, Va. Mabel Smith Franklin, 89 Barbara Olen Harris, 77, Saltville George Neal Hill, 74, Bristol Tennessee Geneva J. Johnson, 82 Mary N. Hendrix Jones, 76, Imperial, Calif. Grace Mullins, 84, Pound, Va. James Kenneth Pickle, 77, Bristol Tennessee Roy Gordon Simerly, 77 Willie Mae Stuart, 77, Killeen, Texas Robert H. Taylor, 79, Russell County, Va. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marvin B. Barker BIG STONE GAP – Marvin Burchette Barker, 78, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003. Arrangements are incomplete. Holding Funeral Home is in charge. Frances S. Batten ABINGDON – Funeral services for Frances S. Batten will be held Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel. Pastor Billy Owens will officiate. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Debbie Sullins, Dave Cannon, Roger Bowman Jr., Richard Bowman, Keith Bowman, David Reynolds, Eugene Bowman and Michael Puckett. Honorary pallbearers are Kenny Bowman, Roger Bowman Sr., Dallas Bowman Jr. and men of the Little Storehouse Baptist Church. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Frances Steelman Batten, age 79, went to rejoice with her Lord on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Batten family. Craig Robert Beyer BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service for Craig Robert Beyer will be conducted at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Stephen Playl officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, with full police memorial rites presented by the Honor Guards from the Bristol Tennessee Police Department, Bristol Virginia Police Department, Bristol Virginia Sheriff’s Department and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department. Pallbearers will be members of the Bristol Tennessee Police Department. Members of the Johnson City, Kingsport and Elizabethton Police Departments will serve as honorary pallbearers and assist the Bristol Tennessee Police Department in patrolling the city during the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Fraternal Order of Police, Sullivan County Chapter 15, 108 Ball Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.@oakley- cook.com. Craig Robert Beyer, 49, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at his home. Mr. Beyer and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Warren Campbell MARION – Warren Clarence Campbell, age 92, died Friday, Nov.14, 2003, at the Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Ethel Aker Campbell. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Paul Repass, Marion; two sons and daughters-in-law, Leroy and Betty Campbell, Atkins, and Bill and Jeffie Campbell, Marion; nine grandchildren, Warren Leroy Campbell Jr., Marion, Chris Campbell, Marion, and Chad Campbell, Marion, Shawnya Walker, Lynchburg, Va., Tony Fisher, Chatham, Va., Tammy Fisher Noe, Marion, Travis Fisher, Sterling, Va., Tracy Fisher, Los Angeles, Trent Fisher, Radford, Va.; six great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Paul Jones officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Roselawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Campbell family. Dixie Laura Cantrell CLEVELAND, Va. – Dixie Laura Cantrell, 94, of the Mill Creek community, died Saturday, Nov.15, 2003, at her home. Born April 13, 1909, in Wise County, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Elizabeth Ann Jane Robinette Blevins and was the wife of the late George Washington Cantrell. She was a member of the Old Regular Baptist Church for the past 63 years. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Kenneth Mullins, three sons-in-law, Kent Mullins, Clarence Jordan and W.R. Dorton, six sisters, Eva Kiser, Myrtle Cantrell, Maggie Grizzle, Nannie Ball, Emma Blevins and Mary Smith, and four brothers, Willie Blevins, Jake Blevins, Brady Blevins and Tivis Blevins. Survivors include seven daughters, Maggie Jordan, Castlewood, Rosalene Dorton, North Tazewell, Nellie and husband Arthur Purcell and Ruby and husband Bud Mullins, all of Lebanon, Lottie Mullins, Bassett, Va., Eva Cantrell, of the home and Sadie and husband Farrell Meade, Cleveland; three sons, Wiley and wife Jewell Cantrell, Lebanon, John and wife Gaynell Cantrell and Charlie and wife Ruby Cantrell, all of Cleveland; a special niece, Peggy Blevins, Cleveland; 34 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with Elder Danny Yates, Elder Bobby Davis and Elder Ronnie Hensley officiating. Burial will follow in the Cantrell Family Cemetery. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at the funeral home, where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mrs. Cantrell. Shelby Jean Chaffins MAVISDALE, Va. – Shelby Jean Stiltner Fuller Chaffins, 66 years of age, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol Tennessee, following an extended illness. Born in Pike County, Ky., she was a daughter of the late Marvin Stiltner and Maxie Davis Stiltner Thompson. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a member of Freedom Worship Church of God, Keen Mountain, Va., and a loving mother, grandmother and homemaker. Mrs. Chaffins was preceded in death by her first husband, Kermit Fuller, Dec. 2, 1996, and is survived by her second husband, Eldon Kenneth Chaffins, Mavisdale; five daughters, Patsy Fuller, Auburn, Ind., Barbara Fuller, Wardell, Va., Angela Moore, Belfast, Va., Tammy Fuller, Richlands, and Miranda Dotson, Mavisdale; three sons, Thurman Lee Fuller, Grundy, Sherman Fuller, Raven, Va., and Larry Fuller, Auburn; one sister, Lucille Chaffin, Mouth Card, Ky.; one brother, Billy Stiltner, Las Vegas; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Kermit Eugene Fuller, Aug., 1966, and one sister, Joann Stiltner, Jan., 1998. Funeral services for Shelby Jean Stiltner Fuller Chaffins will be conducted Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at 2 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Evangelist Jim Hill and Evangelist Michael Trent officiating, with burial to follow in Rose Hill Cemetery at Big Hackney’s Creek near the Kentucky state line. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Sunday evening at 6 p.m., with a song service at 7 p.m. and regular services Monday evening at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Johnny Stacy, Chris Fuller, Josh Fuller, Roger Phillips, Eric Fuller and Michael Chaffins. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Ruby Arlene Fleenor BRISTOL, Va. – Committal services for Ruby Arlene Fleenor will be at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Susong Cemetery. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Ruby Arlene Fleenor, age 78, passed away, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at her home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mabel S. Franklin Mabel Smith Franklin, age 89, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at College Pines Nursing Center in Rutherford College, N.C., where she had been a resident for almost three years. She was born on June 29, 1914, in Nora, Va., to the late Mary Catherine (Kate) Turner Smith and Joshua Conley Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Lacy Smith, Brady Smith and H.B. Smith, and a sister, Gladys King. She married Thomas Doyal Franklin Sr. in 1940, and they remained constant companions for 63 years. She graduated with her R.N. degree in 1936 from the Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Morganton, N.C. After graduating from nursing school, she went to Michigan to work at a small hospital north of Detroit, but Dr. Edward W. Phifer quickly recruited her back to Grace Hospital to supervise the operating room, which she did for years. She later served as night supervisor for the whole hospital. Many nursing students worked under her supervision during her 20 years at Grace Hospital and she served as the 1956 senior class advisor. In the late 1950s, she went to work for Broughton Hospital as nursing supervisor, where she worked until retiring with disability in 1968. For the next thirty plus years she enjoyed crocheting afghans, baking pound cakes, making wine out of almost anything, walking in the mountains and on the N.C. coast and listening to her favorite bluegrass music on the radio and at music festivals. She and her husband Doyal regularly attended the Bluegrass Jamboree on Smith Ridge in Nora, where Ralph Stanley, her first cousin, still hosts the annual festival. She also enjoyed visiting her family members and friends in Virginia, Indiana, Texas and North Carolina. She treasured the opportunities of having her two grandsons visit the mountains of North Carolina with her and Doyal throughout their childhood and her many trips to the N.C. Outer Banks for family vacations over the years. She was a very determined and hard-working lady using her nursing skills in taking care of family and friends in their time of need. For years, she worked double shifts to help put her children through school and college. Her son Tom and her daughter Nancy Sue were among the first college graduates in her family. She instilled in all her family and friends an intense desire to learn and to persevere as evidenced by two generations of health care professionals. For the last three years, she had been incapacitated by her blindness from diabetes and a second broken hip. But she had become a favorite of many of the staff that cared for her at College Pines. The family wishes to acknowledge the loyalty and compassion shown by two special caregivers for Mrs. Franklin over the past two and one-half years, Ms. Karen Aldridge, LPN, and Mrs. Maxine Penland. Mrs. Franklin is survived by her husband, T. Doyal Franklin Sr. of Morganton and Jonas Ridge; her son, Thomas D. Franklin Jr., Ph.D., and his wife Annie Faye of Plano, Texas; her daughter, Nancy Sue Franklin of Greensboro, N.C.; two grandsons, Michael T. Franklin and his wife Amy of Indianapolis and Jonathan D. Franklin, MD, and his wife Amanda of Flower Mound, Texas; four great-grandsons, Ethan Michael and Eli Gregory of Indianapolis and Weston Riley and Holden Thomas of Flower Mound, her sister, Lucille Bolinsky and her husband Gilmer of Castlewood. The family will receive friends on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 1-3 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home, 1011 South Sterling St., Morganton. Graveside services will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Morganton, with the Rev. Donald Gragg and the Rev. Gene Penland officiating. Pallbearers will be Michael T. Franklin, Jonathan D. Franklin, MD, Luther Craig Smith, Edward Joseph Bolinsky, John King, David King, Jimmy Smith and Bob Franklin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association Memorial and Honor Program/NCC, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720, to the Grace Hospital Alumni Association, c/o Mamie Whisenant, 306 Holly Place, Morganton, NC 28655, or to a charity of personal choice. Sossoman Funeral Home, Morganton, is in charge of arrangements. Barbara Olen Harris SALTVILLE – Mrs. Barbara Olen Harris, age 77, passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, at her home. She was a member of Madam Russell United Methodist Church. Mrs. Harris was preceded in death by her husband Carl H. Harris, one son Steve Harris, one sister, Janie Cannon, and her parents, Herman and Maxie Smith Cannon. Survivors include a daughter Sally Harris, Christianburg, Va.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Gregg and Sandy Harris, Saltville, and Brian and Becky Harris, Bristol Tennessee; two granddaughters and their husbands, Tracy and Shannon Chisholm, Collinsville, Va., and Brenta Gerasimova and Andrew Gerasimov, Miami; one great-grandson, Dmitri Gerasimov, Miami; two step-grandchildren, Melissa and Nathan McIntyre, Saltville; three sisters, Joyce Blake Taylor, Princeton, W.Va., Nell Taylor and husband Arthur, Saltville, Darlene Russom, Charlotte, N.C.; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Judy Cannon, Lebanon, Tenn., Delano and Helen Cannon, Bossier City, La., Johnny and Hilda Cannon, Glade Spring, Va., and Pete and Geraldine Cannon, Charleston, W.Va.; sister-in-law and husband, Ludy and Roy Hayton, Meadowview, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services for Mrs. Harris will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at Henderson Funeral Home, with Rev. Scott Robertson-Gouge and Rev. Janet Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in the Elizabeth Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 till 9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Harris family. Odessa Harrison ABINGDON – Mrs. Odessa Brown Harrison, age 80, passed away Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was born June 3, 1923, in Abingdon, had lived in Washington, D.C., but spent most of her life in Abingdon. She was a faithful member of the Charles Wesley United Methodist Church where she was on the Board of Trustees and the Board of Treasury. Odessa was a former employee of the Johnston Memorial Hospital and retired from Abingdon High School. She was a member of the Abingdon Senior Citizens and was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin F. Harrison Sr., and a granddaughter, Stephanie Elizabeth Hayden. She is survived by two sons, Benjamin Franklin Harrison Jr. and wife Vondell Zina of Stafford, Va., and Herbert Peter Harrison and wife Deborah Grace of Charleston, S.C.; grandchildren, Daniel Allen Laws, John Thomas Laws, Marie DeAngela Harrison, Jason Ev’rett Harrison and Tracy Denice Harrison; ten great- grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, including Vanessa Anderson, Lindsey Hubner and Ulysses Cox Jr., and a special longtime friend, Credell Fonte’. A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at 2 p.m. in the Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, with Rev. Don Watkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be James Anderson, Benjamin Harrison, Herbert Harrison, Ulysses Cox Jr., Lawrence (Alex) Cox and Jason Harrison. Honorary pallbearers will be Lemuel Wheeler, David (Blascoe) DeBose, Lawrence Anderson, Charlie Trent, Charles Lucas and John Sheffey. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Harrison. George Neal Hill BRISTOL, Tenn. – Dr. G. Neal Hill, age 74, passed away Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, following an extended illness. Born in Freemont County, Idaho, he was a son of the late James Nelson Hill and Elma Whittle Hill. He was preceded in death by seven brothers and one sister. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, he leaves behind his wife, Shirley Walker Hill of Bristol; daughter, Kay E. Hill of Knoxville; son and daughter-in-law, Ian W. and Sandra Ann Hill; grandsons, Wyatt Ian Hill and Connor Michael Hill, all of Nashville, and one brother, Blaine W. Hill of Newberry Park, Calif. As an officer in the United States Marine Corps, Dr. Hill was a decorated veteran of the Korean Conflict and honorably discharged at the rank of Captain. His medals included the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Educational degrees included University of Idaho, B.S. in Agriculture, and University of California, Davis, M.S. in Nutrition and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, he practiced veterinary medicine in Homedale, Idaho, and later worked as a research veterinarian at Hess and Clark in Ashland, Ohio. During his 40 years in Sullivan County, he held various positions in veterinary research for Beecham Massengill Laboratories and was the proprietor of Parkway Animal Clinic. He was an associate member of American Animal Hospital Association, a member of the TN Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association. The memorial service for Dr. Hill will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 672 Island Road, Bristol Virginia, where he was a member. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, VU Station B 357727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37235- 7727, or your favorite charity. Condolences may be sent to the Hill family through our Web site, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Courtesy of Tetrick Funeral & Cremation Services, Johnson City, Tenn., 423.610.7171. Geneva J. Johnson Geneva J. Johnson, age 82, of Vermilion, Ohio, formerly of Pennington Gap, Va., died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, at Kingston of Vermilion, following a short illness. She was born on Sept. 4, 1921, in Ocoonita, Va., and she moved to Pennington Gap at age 14, where she made her home with the Pearl and Maxie Gilbert family. She had spent her life with the Gilbert family working on their farm, moving to Vermilion in 1990. She was a lifetime member of the Gilberts Memorial Methodist Church in Pennington Gap, loved her family and friends and was an avid animal- lover. Survivors include her foster sister, June Fee of Vermilion, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, William Wess and Loretta (nee Herron) Johnson; a brother, Paul Johnson, and foster parents, Pearl and Maxie Gilbert. Friends may call Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, from 6-8 p.m. at the Province Funeral Home, 425 E. Morgan, Pennington Gap. Funeral services will be held at the Gilberts Memorial Methodist Church Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Willis "Pete" Fee officiating. Interment will follow in Lee Memorial Gardens in Woodway, Va. Mrs. Johnson will be taken to the church one hour before services. Condolences may be sent to the family to cep@mounet.com. Mary N. Jones IMPERIAL, Calif. – Mrs. Mary N. Hendrix Jones, 76, died on Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, in Roanoke. Mrs. Jones was born on Jan. 6, 1927, in Piney Flats. In July, 1948, she married her childhood sweetheart, John W. Jones. She was a constant support to her husband during his ministries to churches in East Tennessee and California. She faced a lifetime of illness and chronic pain with great courage and dignity, and daily exemplified that God’s grace is sufficient to meet our needs. Mrs. Jones was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Though she will be greatly missed, her faith and example will continue to inspire those who have come to know and love her. Survivors include her husband, John W. Jones Sr., Imperial; a daughter and son- in-law, Penny and Steve Fulton, Roanoke; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Bonnie Jones, Imperial, and John and Sue Jones, El Centro, Calif.; three sisters, Patricia Hendrix, Kansas, and Clara Persinger and Gail Hendrix, both of Piney Flats; two brothers, Harry Hendrix, Ohio, and Fred Hendrix, Washington state; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson and several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life service for Mrs. Jones will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, in the Sunrise Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Services, with Dr. David Eubanks and Dr. Marvin Swiney officiating. The graveside and committal service will follow in Monte Vista Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 6-7:30 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the service hour. The Jones family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Grundy Mountain Mission School, #1 Hurley Street, Grundy, VA 24614, or to Johnson Bible College, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998. Condolences may be sent to the Jones family through our Web site, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tetrick Funeral & Cremation Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, 423.610.7171. Carl Edward Leonard BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Carl Edward Leonard will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, in the Glenwood Cemetery, with Buddy Chapman officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Sunday evening. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Carl Edward Leonard, age 81, of 1780 Hwy. 126, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Henry Lee Miller BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service for Henry Lee Miller will be held 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Ministers Joe Hudson and Phil Whitaker officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. The burial will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, in the Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Gerry Boccarossa, Bill Clever, Sam Wilkerson, Bill Ward, Ralph Harr, Trenton Leonard, Dr. Kermit Lowry, Edison Whitlock, Herman Johnson, Allen Johnson, Raymond Morrell and Randy Bowers. The family would like to wish special thanks to his devoted doctors, Gerry Boccarossa and Bill Clever and the caregivers at the Wellmont Hospice House for their tender loving care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bristol Humane Society, P.O. Box 1586, Bristol, VA 24203. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Henry Lee Miller, age 93, died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Grace Mullins POUND, Va. – Grace Mullins, 84, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 14, 2003, at her home with her family by her side. Mrs. Mullins was preceded in death by two sons, Tommy Mullins and Danny Mullins, and one sister, Margie Fritts. Grace was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and great-grandmother. Surviving are her husband, Melvin Mullins; one son, Randy Mullins, Sevierville, Tenn.; one sister, Hazel Nelson, Pound; one brother, Dale Fritts, Baltimore, and a host of friends and loved ones. She is also survived by grandchildren, Danny Mullins, T.W. Mullins and Courtney Meade Kelly Speed, and great grandchildren, Daniel Mullins, Lakyn Mullins, Brittany Meade and Lauryn Grace Mullins. Friends may call from 6-9 p.m Sunday at Baker Funeral Home, Pound, where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m. Services will be held Monday, Nov. 17, at 1 p.m. in Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel, Pound, with the Rev. John McCarroll officiating. Interment will be in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Baker Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of Grace Mullins. James Kenneth Pickle BRISTOL, Tenn. – James Kenneth Pickle, age 77, of 1341 King College Rd., passed away Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete. Weaver Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements. Roy Gordon Simerly Mr. Roy Gordon Simerly, 77, born Oct. 5 1926, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, at the Johnson City Medical Center. He was a native of Washington County and a son of the late John W. and Ethel Woodby Simerly. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, James Simerly, Earnest Simerly and Donald Simerly. Mr. Simerly was a corporal in the U.S. Army and served during WWII in the Philippines and Japan. He retired from Raytheon after 37 years of employment as a machinist and foreman. He loved playing bluegrass music and woodworking. Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Velma Shipley Simerly of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Larry R. and Barbara Simerly of Johnson City; a stepson, Eddie, and daughter-in-law Eddie Lora Searcey, West Milton, Ohio; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Phyllis Kitzmiller, Johnson City, and Ruth and Billy Jack Smith, Johnson City; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Roy Gordon Simerly will be conducted 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. George P. Higgins and Rev. Billy Jack Smith officiating. Music will be provided by the Gloryway Singers. Interment will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at Fairview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Brian Simerly, Jeff Simerly, Harold Hodges, Eddie Searcey, Marvin Fisher, Mike Todd and Mark Searcey. Honorary pallbearers will be C.T. Shipley, Harold Corby, Allen Cox, Tony Simerly, Christopher Simerly and all of his bluegrass music friends. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, prior to the funeral service. Condolences may be sent to the Simerly family online at http://www.dillow- taylor.com Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home Inc., 753-0514. Willie Mae Stuart KILLEEN, Texas – Mrs. Willie Mae Stuart, 77, died Tuesday, Nov. 11, in a local hospital. She was born and educated in the Bristol area. She moved to Killeen five years ago to live with her daughter. In Texas, she was a member of Marlboro Heights Missionary Baptist Church where she was a member of the Ladies’ Senior Mission. She was a member of Lee Street Baptist Church, where she served as church secretary for many years, YMA’s secretary of BTU and served on the Ladies Usher Board. Predeceased by her husband, John D. Stuart. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Mary R. Fulkerson, Killeen; brother, Dr. Walter S. Wilson, Apoka, Fla.; two grandchildren and a host of nephews and nieces. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home Chapel in Killeen. Family visitation (in Bristol) will be conducted on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 12 noon to 1 p.m., with services to begin at 1 p.m. at Lee Street Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. W.A. Johnson officiating. Ministers assisting will be Rev. James H. McDaniels, Rev. Donald Daniels, Rev. W.J. Reid, Pastor Jacqueline Oxendine and Pastor Ann Johnson. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephew and cousins and honorary pallbearers will be the Deacon and Trustee Board of the church. The flower bearers will be Lee St. Ladies Usher Board and the YMA’s. Harper-Talasek Funeral Home, Killeen, is in charge of arrangements in Texas and Robinson Mortuary Inc. is serving the family of Mrs. Willie Mae Stuart in Bristol. Online condolences may be sent to robinsonmortuary@earthlink.net. Robert H. Taylor RUSSELL COUNTY, Va. – Robert H. Taylor, 79, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at his home. Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he was a son of the late Hugh H. and Evangeline Albert Taylor, both Russell County natives. He attended Russell County schools, was a WWII veteran and retired from Jim Walter Resources after 16 years of service. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Peggy Ketron Taylor, his only son, Howard Taylor, and a brother, William C. Taylor. Survivors include three daughters, Charlotte Taylor, Bluefield, W.Va., Nancy Taylor Agati and husband Martin, Marietta, Ga., and Bobbi J. Taylor, Del Ray Beach, Fla,; three grandchildren, Amanda Taylor, Abigail and Catherine Agati; a grandson, Kyle Taylor; a stepson, Mark Ketron; a step-grandson, Matthew Ketron; one niece and three nephews, all of Lebanon; two very special friends with much appreciation for their love and years of friendship, Melba Mitchell and Rhonya Wiggins, and a special little buddy, Cody Wiggins. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Paul Hite officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylor Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Albert, Glen Taylor, Michael Taylor, William Taylor Jr., John Dye and Frank Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be William T. Peery, Bill Reece Taylor, John Taylor, Dr. Frank Buckles, Dave Cronck and Harry Pratt. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Taylor. Addie Naomi Vance BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Addie Naomi Vance will be held on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Scott Watson officiating. Committal services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Crumley Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Addie Naomi Vance, age 65, passed away on Nov. 12, 2003, at her residence. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Landon F. Wright DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – Graveside services for Landon F. Wright will be held on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at 2 p.m. at High Point Cemetery, with Minister Alan Baldwin officiating. Military honors will be presented by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 792 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, 1687 Tullie Circle, Atlanta, GA 30329. Landon F. Wright, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at Emory University Hospital following an extended illness. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.