Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, January 1, 2004 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, Jan. 1, 2004 Today's Deaths Marvin V. Bates, Abingdon James Edward Brown Sr., 84, Bristol Tennessee Wilson R. Buchanan Jr., Chilhowie Mary Hogan Canonico, 80, Saltville Birdie Rose Curry, 72, Abingdon Margaret Jane Oliver Davis, 75, Bristol Tennessee Range C. Davis, 77, Bristol Tennessee Hattie Hinkle Hampton, 86, Cedar Bluff Jeffery D. Hartsock, 44, Bristol Virginia Fitzhugh Hill, 90, Clintwood Gary L. Holbrook, 58, Cleveland, Va. Ralph Louis Johnson, 73, Bristol Virginia George Peery Lester, 81, Lebanon Rena Louise DeBoard Maxfield, Bristol Tennessee Benny Frank McElyea, 64, Bristol Virginia James Douglas Sharrett, 88, Bristol Virginia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marvin V. Bates ABINGDON – Mr. Martin V. Bates passed away Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Bates family. James Brown Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – James Edward Brown Sr., age 84, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Born on July 2, 1919, he was the son of the late Harvey and Nora Brown. He was a gunners first mate in the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II. He was a 20- year volunteer veteran with the Bristol Lifesaving Crew in the 50s and 60s and a dedicated Boy Scout leader of the Bristol community. He was employed with Monroe Company with 23 years of service, was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Brown and Ralph Brown. Survivors include best friend and ex-wife, Pansy Brittenham; four daughters, Sheilah Rideout and husband John, Boca Raton, Fla., Sheba Barr and husband Jerry, Kingsport, Pam Utsman, Bristol Virginia, and Sonja Ingram and husband Bobby, Johnson City; four sons, Tony Brown, Blountville, Rocky Brown, Bristol Tennessee, Randy Brown and wife Elizabeth, Bristol Tennessee, and Rudy Brown and wife Claudine, Bluff City; brother, Jack Brown; sister, Mary Sue Neeley; 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Carlton J. Fuller, chaplain, officiating. The committal will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Mountain View Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Wilson Buchanan Jr. CHILHOWIE – Wilson R. "Willis" Buchanan Jr., died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Preston House, Charlotte, N.C. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. Williams Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Buchanan. Mary H. Canonico SALTVILLE – Mrs. Mary Hogan Canonico, age 80, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Wellmont-Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. She was a native of Rockbridge County, Va., and was a longtime resident of Abingdon. Mrs. Canonico earned a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Georgetown University. During her career, she served as a surgical trauma nurse and nursing administrator. She was a founding member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Abingdon and was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen Canonico. Survivors include two sons, John Canonico and wife Julie of Stafford, Va., and Steve Canonico and wife Anna of Abingdon; two daughters, Susie Canonico and husband Kevin McKinney of Marion, N.C., and Patty Canonico and husband Bill Sybers, Saltville; one brother, Earl F. Hogan, Timonium, Md.; five grandchildren, Lindsey Lewis, Stephanie Canonico, Lena Ryan, Mary Katherine Canonico and Shelby Canonico, and two great-grandchildren, Stephen Lewis and Carmen Canonico. Additionally, she is survived by her best friend, Virginia Isbell. Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Hogan Canonico will be held 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at Christ the King Catholic Church in Abingdon, with Father Paul Maier officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Those who wish to send messages of sympathy online may do so at www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon is serving the family of Mrs. Canonico. Birdie Rose Curry ABINGDON – Mrs. Birdie Rose Curry, age 72, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was a native of Kentucky and was of the Holiness faith. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lawrence Braxton Sizemore, her second husband, Elvie J. Curry, an infant son, Lawrence Braxton Sizemore Jr., and a sister, Dollie Hall, also preceded her in death. Survivors include a son, Edward Preston Sizemore, Princeton, W.Va.; two daughters, Peggy Simmons and husband Dwight, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Barbara McCracken and husband David, Abingdon; brothers, Jesse Lewallen, Aiken, S.C., Charles Branan, Kistler, W.Va., Elbert Lee Lewallen, Tennessee, Calvin Lewallen, Tennessee, Silas Lewallen, Ohio, Arvel Lee Lewallen, Tennessee, and Henry Lee Lewallen, Tennessee; sisters, Charlotte Cooper, Bristol Virginia, and Ella Mae Burgess; grandson, Scott Edward Sizemore, and two great-grandchildren, Kristin Rose and Preston Sizemore. A funeral service will be conducted Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Jimmie Davidson and Pastor Thurman Chapman officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Randy Camper, Johnny Pace, Charlie McCracken, Richard Robins, John Frye and John Stapleton. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Edward Sizemore, Roy Cooper Jr., Roy Cooper, Jason Cooper, Jimmy Hall and Julian Hall. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Curry family. Margaret Davis Range C. Davis BRISTOL, Tenn. – Margaret Jane Oliver Davis, age 75, died Dec. 30, 2003, in Spartanburg, S.C., from injuries received in an automobile accident. She was a native of Bristol Virginia, daughter of the late Rudy and Texas Tillison Oliver. Survivors include daughters, Teresa Lambert, Abingdon, and Elaine " Tinker" Currin, Jonesville, S.C.; sons, Jerry Davis, Salisbury N.C., Jackie Davis, Bristol Tennessee, and Range Randy "Pero " Calvin Davis, Salisbury; sister, Elsie Irene Lambert, Raleigh, N.C., and nephew, Clarence (Junior) Leonard, Bristol Virginia. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Range C. "Jack" Davis, age 77, died Dec. 23, 2003, in Spartanburg, S.C., from injuries received in an automobile accident. He was a native of Bristol Tennessee, son of the late Robert Taylor Davis and Bessie Strouth Davis. He was a retired Mason Dixon truck driver, a U.S. Army World War II veteran, where he served with the Black Panthers. Survivors include daughters, Teresa Lambert, Abingdon, and Elaine " Tinker" Currin, Jonesville, S.C.; sons, Jerry Davis, Salisbury N.C., Jackie Davis, Bristol Tennessee, and Range Randy "Pero" Calvin Davis, Salisbury, and sister, Carrie Morrell, Bristol Tennessee. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Joint funeral services for Range and Margaret Davis will be conducted 8 p.m. Friday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Bryan Hall officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 1 p.m. Saturday in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday prior to time of service. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. James A. Dingess HONAKER – A service for James A. (Jim) Dingess will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in the Stone Branch Church of God in Stone Branch, W.Va., with the Rev. Harry Dingess officiating. The family will receive friends from noon until 1 p.m. Thursday at the church. Burial will follow. Mr. Dingess, 66, of the Thompson Creek community, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, in the Russell County Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Dingess. Betty Grant BLOUNTVILLE – Betty Jo Routh Grant, age 76, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born July 3, 1927, in Bristol Tennessee, to Frank and Grace Smith Routh, and lived her life in the Bristol-Blountville area. She was a homemaker and a former employee of Raytheon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Grant, son, Darrell Grant, three sisters, Thelma Gunning, Oneta Pittman and Rosa Lee Balthis, and brothers, Charles and Walter Routh. She is survived by son, Jeff Grant and wife Dianne; granddaughter, Leslie Grant; sisters, Nell White, Janette Noonkester and Margaret Cantrell, and several special nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2003, in the Gunnings Cemetery, with Rev. Johnny Mink officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Howard R. Griffith KINGSPORT – Howard R. Griffith, age 82, of 1022 Lamont St., and a former resident of Bristol Virginia, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at his residence. He was born in Swords Creek, Va., to the late William James "Will" and Emily Mae Vance Griffith, but lived most of his life in the Bristol area. He was a retired owner/operator of Griffith Roofing Co., a member of Fellowship Freewill Baptist Church in Kingsport and was former member of East End Christian Church. He was an U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving with the 84th Infantry Division Rail Splitters, a member of the VFW Patton-Crosswhite Post 6975, a member of the American Legion Post 145 and the CCC in Clintwood. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Lea Lawson. He is survived by daughter, Carolyn Cooper and husband Bill; son, James Howard "Buzz" Griffith and wife Debbie; grandchildren, David Cooper, Tamatha Stroup, Kimberly Henley and Farrah Cooper; great-grandchildren, Erica McVey, Tyler Henley and Kayelyn Henley; sisters, Bertie Dailey, Ester Pagelee and Judy A. Rose; brothers, Chester E. Griffith and James E. Griffith, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2003, in the Mountain View Mausoleum Chapel, with military honors by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Color Guard. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service in the Mt. View Mausoleum Chapel, and any other time at the home of his daughter, Carolyn, 12035 Teakwood Circle, Bristol Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard, c/o Larry Hileman, 10452 Goose Creek Rd. Bristol, VA 24202. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Hattie H. Hampton CEDAR BLUFF – Mrs. Hattie Hinkle Hampton, age 86, of the Baptist Valley section, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Jeffery D. Hartsock BRISTOL, Va. – Jeffery D. Hartsock, age 44, 422 Oakview St., died Wednesday, December 30, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a member of Central Baptist Church. Survivors include a daughter, Cherylitta Watson, Norfolk, Va.; son, Willie Hartsock, Norfolk; mother, Ruby Hartsock, Bristol Virginia; sister, Veta "Sis" Brent, Bristol Tennessee; brothers, Robert "Hoss" Hartsock, Bluff City, and Randy "Rambo" Hartsock, Bristol Tennessee, and special friend, Mary Miller. Also surviving are four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 4 p.m. Friday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel. Burial in Hartsock Family Cemetery will be private. The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Eileen Hicks HILDEBRAN, N.C. –A graveside funeral service for Mrs. Eileen Virginia Mitchell Hicks will be held Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, at 2 p.m.. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Rev. Floyd Nelson will officiate. Pallbearers will be Derl Stevens, Ryan Headquist, Kenneth Hicks, Jimmy Hicks, Tommy Hicks and Allen Goins. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Hicks, 68, died Monday Dec. 29, 2003, at her home. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Hicks family. Fitzhugh Hill CLINTWOOD – Fitzhugh Hill, age 90, died at Norton Community Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, after a lengthy illness. He lived in Dickenson County most of his life, a retired coal miner and carpenter. He attended Valley View Freewill Baptist Church and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, World War II. His parents, Charlie and Cara Stanley Hill, and a daughter, Wilma Porter, preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Bessie C. Hill, Clintwood; three sons, Gillis K. Hill, Clintwood, Charles Avis Hill, Front Royal, Va., and Edgal Farris Hill, Murrels Inlet, S.C.; one brother, Clarence Hill, of Richlands; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Fitzhugh Hill will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday from the Valley View Freewill Baptist Church, with Ministers Lynn Vanover and Joe Glenn Sluss officiating. Burial will follow in the Hill Family Cemetery, on Powers Branch. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Thursday at the church, with a service to follow at 7 p.m., with Minister Terry Price. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Gary L. Holbrook CLEVELAND, Va. – Gary L. Holbrook, 58, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at his home. Born March 25, 1945, in Pikeville, Ky., a son of the late Christopher C. Holbrook and Myrtle Tackett Holbrook, he had been a resident of Russell County the past 2˝ years. A U.S. Army veteran, he was an auctioneer and was of the Pentecostal faith. He was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, papaw and brother. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Amanda Erin Holbrook, and two brothers, Roger Holbrook and Gene Holbrook. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Charlotte (Tot) Reed Holbrook; three daughters, Tina Lundy and her husband David Lundy, Shannon Holbrook Poore and Kathryn Holbrook Wilson and her husband Danny Wilson, all of Dandridge, Tenn.; a son, Gary Robert Holbrook, Dandridge; grandchildren, Jesse and Dustin Lundy, Morgan Holbrook, Stephen and Beth Eddington and Cheyenne and Dakota Wilson; two sisters, Betty Johnson and Troy Lee Chafin, Lebanon, and Thelma Hurd, Gate City; a brother, James Willard Holbrook, McClure; also several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in the Riverview Pentecostal Church in Coeburn. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the Holbrook family. Iva Hopper BRISTOL, Va. – Iva Elizabeth Babcock Hopper, age 93, formerly of Maryville, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003, at NHC nursing facility in Bristol Virginia. She was the mother of Dr. Barry L. Hopper of Bristol Tennessee. Iva was cared for by NHC following her husband’s death in Maryville in April of 1999. Iva was born in Sunbright, Tenn., and received her B.A. degree from Maryville College. She taught elementary school in Anderson County and lived in Clinton, Tenn. She moved with her husband to Maryville in 1962, where he was associated with Miller Funeral Home. She taught at Fort Craig Elementary School. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Maryville. Mrs. Hopper was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Wilbur L. Hopper, parents, Clarence and Mae Bullard Babcock, sister, Helen Criddle, and two brothers, Cecil Babcock and Ray Babcock. Survivors include one child, Dr. Barry L. and wife Amy Hopper of Bristol; three grandchildren, Laura Fleenor of Spartanburg, S.C., Brian Hopper of Parkersburg, W.Va., and Scott Hopper of New York City; four great-grandchildren, Bradley Fleenor, Anna Grayce Fleenor, Katie Hopper and Joey Hopper; sister-in-law, Mrs. Martha Bird of Maryville; nephew, C.M. Babcock of Bartlett, Tenn., and niece, Charlotte Ellis of Blountville. Entombment service 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2004, at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at Sherwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Arrangements by Miller Funeral Home, Maryville. Ralph Louis Johnson BRISTOL, Va. – Ralph Louis Johnson, age 73, of 6108 Bexley Drive, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete. George Peery Lester LEBANON – George Peery Lester, 81, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Born Nov. 8, 1922, at Clifton, in Tazewell County, a son of the late Joseph Albert Lester and Mary Elizabeth Sargent Lester, he was a retired employee of S & S Machinery. He was a former employee of F.H. Hill and Boyertown Burial Casket Co. in Richlands. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a recipient of the Purple Heart, and was a member of the Lebanon VFW Post 9864. He was a member of the East Lebanon Freewill Baptist Church and attended Bascom United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Carl Lester, Roscoe Lester and Charles Henry Lester, and a sister, Hattie Boardwine. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Alma Fields Lester; a son, Rodney M. Lester, Lebanon; two beloved granddaughters, Sonya Michelle Lester, Mooresville, N.C., and Tracy Nichol Bailey and her husband Timothy Bailey, Luray, Va.; a sister, Leola Fogleman and her husband Haskel Fogleman, Abingdon; a brother, Dolphus Lester, Lebanon; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Jerry Eggers and the Rev. Austin Fields officiating. Entombment will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Those attending should meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to the mausoleum. Members of the Lebanon VFW Post 9864 will serve as pallbearers and conduct military rites at the mausoleum. Honorary pallbearers will be Trigg Fields, George P. Thomas, Bill Marshall, N.F. Castle Jr. and David Castle. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the church or charity of your choice. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Lester. Joann Thomas Lloyd EMORY, Va. – Mrs. Joann Thomas Lloyd, age 68, died Monday, Dec. 30, 2003, at the Grace Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Abingdon. Born on Aug. 23, 1935, in Washington County, she was a daughter of the late James Ted Thomas and Bessie Maxwell Thomas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Garnett Preston Lloyd, two brothers, Ted Thomas and Ballard Thomas, and two sisters, Ruth McCray and Helen Griffitts. She was a member of the Mt. Carmel Christian Church in Meadowview. Mrs. Lloyd is survived by seven sons, Michael Lloyd and Tommy Lloyd, both of the home, Bobby Lloyd and wife Robin of Saltville, Larry Lloyd and wife Wanda of Glade Spring, David Lloyd and wife Betty Joe and Steve Lloyd and wife Sue, all of Abingdon, and Donny Lloyd and wife Sue of Chilhowie; two sisters, Eunice Bott and Wanda Wilson, both of Glade Spring; three brothers, Edd Thomas of Glade Spring, Fred Thomas of Groseclose, Va., and Johnny Thomas of Saltville; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in the Friendship Baptist Church, with Rev. Mahlon Wyatt, Rev. Paul Jones and Rev. David Sizemore officiating. Interment will follow in the Rush Creek Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Harvey Widner, Kirby Lloyd, Kenny Carter, Benny Repass, Tracy Bott, Johnny Thomas, Eddie Widener and Robbie Thomas. Honorary casket bearers will be Eddie Thomas, Kirby Lee Lloyd, Don Bott, Dale Wilson, Billy Wilson and Ronnie Wilson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Michael or Tommy Lloyd, P.O. Box 18, Emory, VA 24327. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive from friends from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Joann Thomas Lloyd. Rena Louise Maxfield BRISTOL, Tenn. – Rena Louise DeBoard Maxfield passed away on Dec. 30, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born in Big Stone Gap, the daughter of the late Samuel and Ollie Coomer DeBoard. She had lived in the Bristol area since 1953 and was retired from Bristol Memorial Hospital. She was of the Baptist faith and was preceded in death by her husband, William McKinley Ball. Survivors include sons, Dave Maxfield and wife Ginger of Gilbertsville, Ky., and Tim Maxfield and wife Julie of Bristol Tennessee; daughter, Carolyn Maxfield Tittle and husband Greg of Erwin, Tenn.; grandsons, Carl "Dink" Maxfield, Jeremy Maxfield, David Maxfield, Michael Maxfield, Mark Willson, II and Adam Grayson Maxfield; granddaughters, Amanda Therrell and Jaime Lynn Lane; daughter-in-law, Toni Maxfield of Summerville, S.C.; six great-grandchildren; special babies, Carlye Ann Maxfield, Chloe Elizabeth Maxfield, Jaylyn McKenna Lane, John Allen Maxfield, Shayla Ann Marie Maxfield and Adam Grayson Maxfield; sisters, Bessie Maxfield of Ponca, Okla., and Charlene Caldwell of Salem, Ind.; brothers, James DeBoard of Salem, Ind., and Frank DeBoard of Big Stone Gap; special nieces, Mary Macys, Barbara Brown and Judy Fields; special sister-in-law, Mina Maxfield and Ralph, and special friends, Pearl Noonkester, Frank and Ann Jones, Rex and Linda Leonard and Kathleen Shipley. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2003, at 6 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. David Shinault officiating. Committal services will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers include grandsons and Rex Leonard. The family will receive friends on Thursday following the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Benny Frank McElyea BRISTOL, Va. – Benny Frank McElyea, 64, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at his home. A son of the late Clyde and Ruth Littrell McElyea, he was born in Roda, Va. Mr. McElyea was a truck driver for 35 years and attended Cornerstone Freewill Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Patsy (Pat) Austin McElyea of the home; a daughter, Pamela Perry and her husband Jeff of Bristol Tennessee; five sons, Jeff McElyea of Bristol Virginia, Benny C. McElyea and his wife Windy of Piney Flats, Frankie C. McElyea and his wife Elaine of Bluff City and Mike Mann and Donald L. Mann and his wife Kathy, all of Charlotte, N.C.; two sisters, Shirley Dobbs of Indianapolis and Lucille Dean of Appalachia; seven grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and his closest friends, Rusty and Chico. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon in the Blevins Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, with Rev. Gary Rowlette and Pastor Cass Farrior officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 until 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. The committal service and burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Bruce Baumgardner and Ricky Slagle. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mr. McElyea and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. Glenn Ray Puckett DUNGANNON, Va. – Funeral services for Glenn Ray Puckett will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with the Rev. Howard Edwards and Rev. Lawrence Hollyfield officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Military rites will be held by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard of Abingdon. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Online condolences may be sent to the Puckett family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Mr. Puckett, 79, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. James Sharrett BRISTOL, Va. – James Douglas Sharrett, age 88, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Sharrett was born in Roebuck, Va., and had been a life-long resident of Bristol Virginia. He was the son of the late James Alfred and Mamie Harlow Sharrett. He was a retired employee of Bristol Memorial Hospital. Mr. Sharrett was a member of Key Street Pentecostal Church, where he served as a permanent board member. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Iva Sharrett and Mina Schneider, and three brothers, Jamie Sharrett, Bert Sharrett and Raymond Sharrett. Survivors include two daughters, Barbara A. Keller and husband Jack of Bristol Virginia and Sharon Spearry and husband Jim of Omaha, Neb.; one son, Randall Sharrett of Charlotte, N.C.; two sisters, Ruth Lucas of Hopewell, Va., and Vernell O’Neal of Bristol Virginia, and two brothers, Vernon Sharrett of Bristol Virginia and Elbert Sharrett of Redding, Calif. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Lori Thompson of Bristol Tennessee, Sonya Jones of Bristol Virginia and Jason Spearry and Jessica Spearry, both of Omaha; four great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Thurman Chapman officiating. Interment will follow in Susong Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday prior to the service. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Sharrett at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, 423-989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Sharrett. Richard Allen Snapp The family of Richard Allen Snapp will receive friends from 6 until 8 o’clock Friday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Fred Dearing and Rev. Mary Ann Jones officiating. The committal service and burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Harold Rutherford, Les Hilbert, Ted Onks, John Snodgrass, Bob Icenhour, Harry Michaels, Frank Tilden and Lester Wright. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Arrangements especially for Mr. Snapp have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Claude D. Swiney ABINGDON – Graveside services for Claude D. Swiney will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2004, in the Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. James C. Henry officiating. Pallbearers will be Mike Carrico, Jerry McHenry, David McCray, Wayne Dixon, Bill Carrico and Collin McHenry.The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. A funeral procession will be leaving the funeral home following the visitation at 1:45 p.m. Those desiring may make memorials to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Swiney, age 80, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital.