Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, December 11, 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, December 11, 2003 Today's Deaths Beatrice Honaker Barnett, 85, formerly of Honaker Connie Sue Hubbard Bentley, 47, Pound Charles Buford Booher, 63, Wytheville Ruby L. Carrier, 94, Bristol Tennessee Ruth Mary Irvin Conner, 74, Johnson City Elizabeth Ricie Davis, 96 Paul Anthony Elswick, 39, Grundy Dulcie Vicars Hill, 83 David Gilmer Nunley III, 8 months, Bristol Tennessee Juanita K. Smith, 97,Meadowview Don G. Younes, 70, Blountville -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Margaret J. Barker BIG STONE GAP – Visitation for Margaret Ann Jones Barker will be anytime at the home throughout the week. Funeral service will be on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11:00 a.m. at the Norton United Methodist Church in Norton. The church is located downtown at 8th Street and Virginia Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Norton United Methodist Church Choir Fund, P.O. Box 76, Norton, VA 24273; or to Lou Gehrig ALS Research, Department of Neurology, Medical Center Blvd., Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1078; or to Mountain Empire Older Citizens Fuel Fund, P.O. 888, Big Stone Gap, VA. 24219. Entombment will follow in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Margaret Ann Jones Barker, 67, passed away Friday, Dec. 5, 2003, at Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease.) Holding Funeral Home, Inc. of Big Stone Gap is in charge. Beatrice H. Barnett BRACEY, Va. – Mrs. Beatrice Honaker Barnett, age 85, formerly of Honaker, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at the home of her daughter in Bracey. Born Sept. 18, 1918, in Russell County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Robert and Betty Dye Honaker. She had spent most of her life in the Honaker area and attended Tunnel Hill Free Will Baptist Church. She was a member of Finney Senior Citizens. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Barnett; and several brothers and sisters. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Bobby Coleman and Marie and Henry Morrissette, all of Bracey; one brother, Albert Honaker of Richmond; two sisters: Mazie Howard of Locust Hill, Va.; and Ula Gay Hammons of Spring Hill, Fla.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6:00 p.m. Thursday. Connie Bentley POUND – Connie Sue Hubbard Bentley, 47, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at her home. She was a 1974 graduate of Pound High School, a former employee-manager of Druther’s and Dairy Queen in Norton, a former employee of the Wise County School System as a bus driver and was a member of the Independent Baptist Church in Pound. She was preceded in death by a brother, Keggley Hubbard. Surviving are her husband, J.C. Bentley; one daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Jackie Brabston of Blaine, Tenn.; one granddaughter, Erin Brabston of Blaine; her father and mother, Roddie and Shelby Cantrell Hubbard of Pound; three brothers, Scott Hubbard, Tony Hubbard and Stephen Hubbard, all of Pound; three sisters: Dea South of Pound; Heather Brooks of Portsmouth, Va.; and Trista Ragsdale of Kingsport. Funeral services for Connie Sue Hubbard Bentley will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at the Independent Baptist Church in Pound, with the Rev. Carmon Gentry officiating. Burial and graveside committal services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at the Dewey Cemetery, Pound. The family will receive friends Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, from 5:00 p.m. till time of services at 7:00 p.m. at the Independent Baptist Church in Pound. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise in charge of arrangements. Charles B. Booher WYTHEVILLE – Charles Buford Booher, age 63, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at his home. He was born April 20, 1940, in Mendota, Va., son of the late Robert Craig and Bonnie Ethel Worley Booher, and was preceded in death by two brothers, Darold and Bobby Booher; and a nephew, Gregory Booher. Mr. Booher was a member of the Wytheville Baptist Church and was retired from Longwood Elastomers Inc. He is survived by his wife, Barbara F. Booher; one daughter and son-in-law, Holley and Boyd Vaught of Dallas, Ga.; one son and daughter-in-law, Brett and Cindy Booher of Fort Chiswell; four grandchildren, Garrett, Bryson, Lacey and Caroline; four sisters and spouses: Dorothy Couch; Betty and J.R. "Bob" Smith; Shirley Leonard; and Janet and Marvin Farmer, all of Bristol Virginia; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at 11 a.m. at the Wytheville Baptist Church, with Pastor Wade D. Tucker Sr. officiating. Interment will follow in the West End Cemetery. Mr. Booher will be taken to the Wytheville Baptist Church, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Memorial donations may be made to the Wytheville Baptist Church Window Fund or the American Cancer Society. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is in charge of arrangements. Virginia Long Burns ABINGDON – The family of Virginia Long Burns will receive friends on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10-11 a.m. at Mrs. Burns’ home in Abingdon. Graveside services will be held at the Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Robert Tolar Jr. of the Sinking Springs Presbyterian Church officiating. Those attending should meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 349, Norton, VA 24273 or to the Washington County Public Library, 205 Oak St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Mrs. Burns, formerly of Williamsburg and Lebanon, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at her home after a lengthy illness. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mrs. Burns. Ruby L. Carrier BRISTOL, Tenn. – Ruby L. Carrier, 94, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, at her home. She was a lifelong resident of Bristol and the daughter of the late Jarvis and Kate Bray Ladd. She was the widow of Glen B. Carrier and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Helen Freeman; a son, Alvin Carrier; a grandson, David L. Carrier; brothers, Homer Ladd and wife, Etta, Emmett Ladd and wife, Irene, Vincent Ladd and wife, Gladys, and Clay Ladd. Mrs. Carrier was a member of Volunteer Baptist Church, where she was very active and dedicated to all church activities including the WMU. Survivors include one daughter, June Bays and husband, Richard, of Bristol, Tennessee; one son, Howard L. Carrier and wife, Brenda, of Bluff City; three granddaughters: Linda Jenkins, and husband, Jake; and Brenda Bays, and husband, Phil, all of Bluff City; and Cathy Allison and husband, Dewey, of Bristol Virginia; two grandsons: Danny Carrier and wife, Kathy, of Bluff City; and Roger Freeman, of Bristol Tennessee; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and special friends and caregivers, Helen Widener and Shelby Osborne. The funeral service will be conducted at 8:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Kenneth Jordan officiating. The committal service will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chad Bays, Wesley Bays, Chris Carrier, Cody Carrier, Danny Carrier, Justin Carrier, Roger Freeman and Chris Massey. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Casteel, Cliff Keesee, Clyde Poore, Earl Rogers, Bob Street, Bob Wilson and Sammie Galliher. Memorial contributions may be sent to Volunteer Baptist Church, 2695 Volunteer Parkway; Bristol, TN 37620. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Akard Funeral Home. E-mail condolences to the family may be sent to akardfh@peercom.net Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, phone (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Carrier. Ruth Conner JOHNSON CITY – Ruth Mary Irvin Conner, age 74, 154 Poplar Hill Rd., died as a result of an automobile accident, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003. Mrs. Conner retired from the Veterans Administration in 1967. She was a daughter of the late Clara Creed and Charles Crumley Irvin. She was a member of Skyline Heights Baptist Church. Mrs. Conner had lived most of her life in Washington County, Tenn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bob L. Conner, in 1974. She is survived by one daughter, Cathy (Bob) Dively, Williamsburg, Va.; four sons: Stan "Bo" (Dawn) Conner of Johnson City; Larry S. (Linda) Conner of Blountville; Charles Allen "Buck" (Sherri) of Mosheim; and Kenneth Lee (Runae) Conner of Johnson City; and a special first cousin, Marian Spencer of Oberlin, Ohio. She was a loving grandmother of 11 grandchildren; and five great- grandchildren. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, 5-7 p.m. in the Gray Funeral Home Chapel, with funeral services to be held at 7 p.m., with Rev. Allen Davis and Rev. Kenneth Kyker officiating. Graveside services will be held Friday at 1 p.m. In the Monte Vista Burial Park, with Rev. Donald Paige officiating. Those who wish are requested to meet at the funeral home at 12:15 p.m. to go in procession. Pallbearers are David Vest, Bob Wolfe, Johnny Yates, Pernell "Buddy" Jones, Denver King, Arthur Buck, Allen Crowder and Bob Dively. Honorary pallbearers: Richard Dugger and John Faulkner. Gray Funeral Home is serving the Conner family. 477-3171 or 239-6622. Elizabeth Ricie Davis Elizabeth Ricie Davis, age 96, died on Dec. 9, 2003. A native of Greene County, Tenn., Mrs. Davis grew up in Johnson City, and moved to Grundy in 1935. She presently had residences in Grundy, Abingdon and Johnson City. She, with her husband, Edward Davis, owned and operated Black and White Cab Co., Black and White Transit Company and Virginia Funeral Home in Grundy. Born March 27, 1907, she was the daughter of the late Joel N. and Carrie F. Long, and was preceded in death by three brothers, Connie Harmon, Ottie Long and Cecil Long. She is survived by cousins, nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Frank Davis; a special sister-in-law, Alice Collins of Johnson City; and a host of friends. The funeral will be conducted at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Morris-Baker Funeral Home, Johnson City, with Evangelists Michael Trent and William Neeley officiating. Graveside services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday in the Monte Vista Memorial Park. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 9:30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Friends may call between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Morris-Baker. Active pallbearers will be Danny Ratliff, Charles Wallace, Denver Wallace, Terry Trivett Jr., Rodney Trivett and Robert Neeley. Honorary pallbearers will be Elmer Neal, Larry Letourneau, William Neeley, Samuel Neeley, Jack Smith, H. A. Street, Robert Moulton, James Collins and Larry Graham. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morrisbaker.com Arrangements by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601 Phone: 423-282-1521. Paul A. Elswick GRUNDY – Paul Anthony Elswick, 39 years of age, passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, while working with Noah Horn Well Drilling Company at Summersville, W.Va., from an apparent heart attack. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Kelly Harold and Bernice Coleman Elswick, Vansant, Va. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a member of Little Prater Church of Christ. He was a graduate of Grundy High School Class of 1982 and was a drill rig operator for Noah Horn Well Drilling Company. Mr. Elswick is survived by his parents, Kelly Harold and Bernice Coleman Elswick, Vansant; one son, Cody R. Elswick, at home; one sister, Denise and husband, Ellis Hunt, Vansant; and three brothers: David and wife, Pamela Elswick, Tazewell, Va.; Brian Elswick, Vansant; and Timothy and wife Jennifer Elswick, Grundy. Also, he is survived by three nephews, Nicholas and Austin Hunt and Jason Elswick; and one niece, Whitney Elswick. He was preceded in death by one niece, Jessica Elswick. Funeral services for Paul Anthony Elswick will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Evangelist Michael Trent and Evangelist Mike Rife officiating, with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Active pallbearers will be Noah Horn, Leon Boyd, Joe Stevens Jr., Bill Neeley, Charlie Woods, Darrell Grizzle, Robert Hibbitts and Matt Stacy. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Noah Horn Well Drilling Company. Special thanks to Rescue 33 Ambulance Service. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Mona S. Gurley BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Mona Stewart Gurley will be conducted on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at 11 a.m. at Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Rick Light officiating. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers include: Roger Booher, Rick James and grandsons, Matt Thomas, Todd Thomas, David Hurst and Jeremy James. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Memorials may be made to the Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church, 104 Cannon Ave., Bristol, Tenn. Mrs. Gurley, age 91, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Dulcie Vicars Hill Dulcie Vicars Hill, age 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, after a lengthy illness. She was the daughter of the late Reverend W.H. and Alice Stewart Vicars. She was of the Baptist faith and was a member of the Volunteer Baptist Church in Bristol Tennessee. She graduated high School at Mendota, Va., and received her masters degree in education at East Tennessee State University. She was retired from teaching after 30 years of service in Sullivan County, Tenn., and Palm Beach County, Fla. Dulcie was preceded in death by her husband, Earl W. Hill; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Oda and Lydia Sprouse, John and Jeanette Sprouse, Wyndom and Mary Melvin, Hallie and Ethel McCracken and Randolph and Lakie Osborne; and brothers, Kermit Vicars, Jacoby Vicars and W. H. Vicars Jr. She is survived by: sister, Charmie V. Leonard, Bristol Tennessee; sister-in- law, Dorothy Vicars, Waynesboro, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Weaver Funeral Home and the memorial service will follow at 7 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Kenneth Jordan will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Keith Williams. A graveside service will be held at Glenwood Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, at 11 a.m. Pallbearers will be Lyndon Leonard, Wayne Leonard, Tony Leonard, Eddie Leonard, Nathaniel Leonard, Albert Melvin, Beechard McCracken and Larry Tasker. Concerned and helpful friends and neighbors will serve as honorary pallbearers. Procession of family and friends will leave the Weaver Funeral Home at 10:45 a.m. Saturday. Estelle Burke Jenkins NORTON ­– The family of Estelle Burke Jenkins will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Al South officiating. Burial will follow in the Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Va. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyafawbush.com Estelle Burke Jenkins, 82, died Monday, Dec. 8, 2003, in Wexford House, Kingsport. Margaret McConnell ABINGDON –The funeral service for Sarah Margaret McConnell will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. in the Green Spring Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Lawrence Chapin and Dr. Charles McChesney officiating. Interment will follow in the Green Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church one hour before and after the service. Honorary pallbearers will Lawrence Campany, James C. Thomas, Aubrey Brown Sr., Guy Warner, Jimmy Price, Irma Lester, the Green Spring Presbyterian Church’s Care Committee and other loving members. It was Miss McConnell’s wishes that, in lieu of flowers, memorial be given to the Green Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 22007 Green Spring Church Road, Abingdon, VA 24211, or to the Senior Citizens of Abingdon, 300 Senior Drive, Abingdon, VA. 24210 or to Meals on Wheels. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Miss McConnell, 84, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 9, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the McConnell family. Beauford Lee Musick Sr. GAINESVILLE, Va. – Funeral services for Mr. Beauford Lee Musick Sr. will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Cecil Musick officiating. Interment will follow in the Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Pallbearers will be Wayne Musick, Stan Musick, Mack Castle III, Robbie Meadows and Mack Castle Jr. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home one hour prior to the funeral hour on Thursday. Mr. Musick Sr. age 67, passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, in a Manassas, Va., hospital. David Gilmer Nunley III BRISTOL, Tenn. – David Gilmer Nunley III, age 8 months, of 166 Honaker Drive, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 at his home. Arrangements will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. Danny Everett Osborne ABINGDON – Mr. Danny Everett Osborne Sr., age 56, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, in the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. Arrangements are incomplete. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Osborne family. Flora Ozella Smith BRISTOL, Tenn. – Flora Ozella Smith, age 88, a resident of the Cambridge House and former resident of 282 Walnut Hill Rd., went to be with the Lord Monday Dec. 8, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Smith was born March 24, 1915, in Coeburn, a daughter of the late Edward and Cora Mae Finney Shouse, and had made her home in the Bristol area most of her life. She was a member of the former Christ Lutheran Church, a homemaker and the widow of Carl Smith. Survivors include two daughters, Nancye Smith and Elizabeth Smith; two grandchildren, Melissa Smith and Eric Smith; two great-grandchildren, Alexandria "Ali" Blake Montgomery and Alan-Michael Montgomery; her twin sister, Lora Grindstaff, and Marzella Range and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Fred Jackson officiating. Burial will be private in Rooty Branch Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. John Fred Williams and doctors and staff of the Cambridge House. Online condolences may be sent to www.weaverfuneralhome.net The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Weaver Funeral Home and other times at the home, 281 Walnut Hill Road. Juanita K. Smith MEADOWVIEW – Mrs. Juanita K. Smith, 97, died Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Smith was born May 29, 1906, in Washington County to the late Walter J. and Minnie Hope Keller. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va., a homemaker and a member of Meadowview United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Russell T. Smith Sr.; two brothers, Frank Keller and Blair Keller Sr.; and one sister, Naomi Grant. Survivors include one son, Russell "Tommy" Smith Jr. and wife Helen of Meadowview; two granddaughters, Karen Leah Smith and Debra Lynn Smith, both of Meadowview; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express a special thank you to Robin Smith and to all the staff of Grace Healthcare and also to the third floor staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care extended to Mrs. Smith. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 12, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel. Rev. Harry Hight will officiate. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be: Sam Ryburn, Eddie Gray, Sam Vaughan, Ned Hayter, Renalda Carter and Harold Farris. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to the memorial fund of Meadowview United Methodist Church, 29043 Walker Lane, Meadowview, VA 24361. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Smith. Don G. Younes BLOUNTVILLE – Don G. Younes, age 70, passed away on Wednesday Dec. 10, 2003, at his residence. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete.