Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, January 2, 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 Friday, January 2, 2004 Martin Van Bates ABINGDON – Mr. Martin Van Bates, 63, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Mr. Bates was born Feb. 14, 1940, in Jenkins, Ky., to the late Landis D. Bates and Mary L. Hayes Bates. He was a U.S. Army veteran and was stationed in Germany. He was retired from Columbus McKinnon Company after 30 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sister, Robert Bates, Dewey Bates, John Bates, Franklin Bates and Joyce Bates. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Arline Bates; brothers, Donald Bates and James (Tom) Bates, both of Norton, and Russell Bates of Virginia Beach; and sisters, Mary Holcomb of Norton, Jean Hillman of Kingsport, Jackie Hubbard of Martinsburg, W.Va., Dixie Cox of Coal City, W.Va., Ruth Puckett of Channelview, Texas, and Carrie Kilgore of Wise. A graveside funeral service will be held Saturday, January 3, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Mr. Donald Milligan will officiate. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service. Pallbearers will be nephews, family and friends. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made to the Washington County Animal Shelter, 27252 Porter Lane, Abingdon, VA. A special thank you to Jack Wilson, Virgil Wimmer, Ralph Price, Charlie and Ruth Surber, Jerry and Della Arnold, Larry Ashley, Helen and Jane Bryant, nieces and nephews, especially Megan and Charlie, sister-in-law, Bernie Bates of Lilburn, Ga., and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Barr. "We will miss you Marty." Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Farris Funeral Service is serving the Bates family. Oleta P. Boyle BRISTOL, Tenn. – Oleta P. Boyle, 88, died Wednesday, December 31, 2003, at NHC of Bristol. She was born in Vernon, Texas, and moved to Bristol in 1948. She was a member of State Street United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, William "Ken" Boyle; two sons, William K. "Bill" Boyle Jr. and his wife Molly of Bristol, and David H. Boyle and his wife Judy of Bluff City; five grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon in the Heritage Chapel of Memories in Glenwood Cemetery. Rev. Fred Dearing and Rev. Nelson Woody will officiate. Entombment will follow. Friends may call at the home of Ken Boyle, 239 Maplehurst Lane, Bluff City. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com Mrs. Boyle is in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Robert H. Branson Jr. BRISTOL, Va. – Robert H. ‘Bob’ Branson Jr., age 59, passed away on January 1, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late Robert H. Sr. and Marguerite Cannaday Branson, and had been a resident of the Bristol area since age 15. He was the former owner of Karpet Kare/Kleen Roof and was also a Bristol Virginia fireman for several years. He was a 1962 graduate of Virginia High School and was a member of First Christian Church. Survivors include: wife, Connie K. Branson; daughter, Cassie Branson Miller and husband Jeff; sons, Robby Branson and wife DeeDee, Scotty Branson and wife Christi, and Michael Branson and wife Kim; foster son, Jordan Michael Branson and wife Tara; brother, Donnie Branson and wife Sharon; grandchildren, Hannah Miller, Casey and Chelsea Branson, Austin Gough, Dakota Sexton, Emma Kate Branson, Kayla Branson, Whitney Branson, Ashley Branson, Alley Branson and Liam Branson; and nephew and niece, Justin and Megan Branson. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 3, 2004, at 7 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastors Herb Peake, Steve Playl and Dale Wright officiating. Committal services will be held on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at Eastern Heights Cemetery. Pallbearers include: former Bristol Virginia firemen: Carl Cunningham, Hoy Vaughn, Charlie James, Don Finley, Walter Ford, Dennis Burnette, Bobby Hobbs and Kerry Haga. Honorary pallbearers include: Bristol Virginia Fire Department, Ronnie Jessee and Bristol Virginia Life Saving Crew. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 4:30-6:45 p.m. prior to the service and other times at 293 Bellehaven Drive, Bristol, VA. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. James Brown Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. –The committal for James Edward Brown Sr. 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 Mr. Brown, age 84, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Wilson R. Buchanan Jr. CHILHOWIE – Wilson Rufus "Willis" Buchanan Jr., 87, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Preston House, Charlotte, N.C. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Leighton Preston Buchanan. He was a prominent Smyth County farmer and a member of the Rich Valley Presbyterian Church. Survivors include two daughters, Eve Haller Buchanan-Cates and husband, John Mark Cates, Charlotte, N.C., and Julia Graham Buchanan-Appel and husband, David Joseph Appel, Wake Forest, N.C.; one brother, George W. Buchanan and wife, Frances Ryder Buchanan, Chilhowie; two sisters, Florence Buchanan Clark, Rich Valley and Sue B. Clark, Abingdon; four grandchildren, Leighton K. Buchanan- Cates, Ian M. Buchanan-Cates, Eva H. Buchanan-Cates and Kaitlyn Buchanan Appel; one step-grandson, Michael David Appel; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Rich Valley Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Neville Mozingo and Dr. Frank C. Preston officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memorial Fund of Rich Valley Presbyterian Church Cemetery Association, c/o Hal Campbell, 3834 Valley Road, Saltville, VA 24370. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Williams Funeral Home. Williams Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Buchanan. Mary Hogan Canonico SALTVILLE – 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 Mrs. Canonico, age 80, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Wellmont-Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon is serving the family of Mrs. Canonico. Virgil G. Chaney Virgil G. Chaney, 93, died Thursday, January 1, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. He was born in east Texas, a son of the late Allen G. and Dovie Rogers Chaney, and moved here in 1993. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, was retired from Continental-Emsco and was a Mason. While in Texas, he was active in the music department of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Bristol. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Chaney; two sisters; and three brothers. He is survived by two sons, V. Wayne Chaney and his wife, Helen, of Bristol and L. Dan Chaney and his wife, Pam, of Dallas; granddaughters, Janet Chaney, Sharon Hubbard, Jennifer Morrison, Erin White, Martha Siskron and Mary Chaney; and grandsons, Alan Chaney and Greg Chaney. The family will receive friends from 1 until 1:50 Sunday afternoon at Oakley- Cook Funeral Home, with the funeral service to follow at 2 o’clock. Rev. Steve Playl will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Heritage Chapel of Memories at Glenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Woodlawn Baptist Church, 1400 Southside Ave., Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com Arrangements especially for Mr. Chaney have been through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Frankie Childress GRUNDY – Mrs. Frankie Childress, age 83, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2004, in Buchanan General Hospital at Grundy following a brief illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Elisha and Julia Thornsberry. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Harv Deskins; her second husband, Perry Childress; five sisters, Patty Day, Callie Stacy, Nancy Keen, Okie Mullins and Evie Mullins; three half sisters; and two half brothers. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family in her generation. Mrs. Childress is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Maria Planpz of Charlestown, W.Va., and Mrs. Juanita Keen and husband James of Keen Mountain, Va.; five sons, Harland Deskins and wife Marie of N. Tazewell, Windell Deskins and wife Shelby of Keen Mountain, Remire Deskins and wife Judy of Meadowview, Wayne Deskins and wife Bertina of N. Tazewell and Larry Deskins of Abingdon; 22 grandchildren; 27 great- grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; and two special nieces, Bee Lester of Winchester, Va., and Nardie Reynolds of Claypool Hill, Va., also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain, with Revs. Kenny Byrd, Rick Whitt and Ancil Childress officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park Cemetery at Big Rock, Va. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers. The Family will receive friends at the Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain, from 6-9 p.m. Friday with services at 7 p.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain is in charge of arrangements. Birdie Rose Curry ABINGDON – A funeral service for Mrs. Birdie Rose Curry 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 Mrs. Curry, age 72, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Curry family. Margaret Jane Oliver Davis Range C. Davis BRISTOL, Tenn. – 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. Mrs. Davis, age 75, died Dec. 30, 2003, in Spartanburg, S.C., from injuries received in an automobile accident. Mr. Davis, age 77, died Dec. 23, 2003, in Spartanburg, S.C., from injuries received in an automobile accident. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Cecil Flick BRISTOL, Va. – Cecil Flick, 86, died Wednesday, December 31, 2003, at Hermitage Health Center, Inc. in Elizabethton, Tenn. A son of the late James Walter Flick and Bertha Hicks Flick, he was a native of Bristol Tennessee and lived in Johnson City, Tenn., before moving to South Carolina in 1992. He returned to Bristol in 1997. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he attended Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Bolling Flick. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Marie Jones of Elizabethton; a brother-in- law, Jerry Bolling of Raleigh, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews, including Don Flick of Weber City, Va. The family will receive friends from 10 o’clock until 11:15 Saturday morning at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 11:30 Saturday morning at the graveside in East Hill Cemetery, with Rev. Dale Holcomb officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- blevins.com Mr. Flick and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Betty Grant BLOUNTVILLE – Graveside services for Betty Jo Routh Grant will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2003, in the Gunnings Cemetery, with Rev. Johnny Mink officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Mrs. Grant, age 76, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Howard R. Griffith KINGSPORT – Funeral services for Howard R.Griffith 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. Mr. 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. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Hattie Hinkle Hampton CEDAR BLUFF – Mrs. Hattie Hinkle Hampton, of the Baptist Valley section, went to be with the Lord December 31, 2003, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. When she appeared at the gates of Heaven and applied for the job of an angel, her resume showed she had 86 years of experience. She was born in Tazewell County, Va., and was a daughter of the late Robert Allen and Mallie Burke Hinkle, both Tazewell County natives. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Levi James Hampton, whom she married April 16, 1941; stepmother, Arrie Barrett Hinkle; four sisters; and two brothers. Hattie was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She loved her entire family and was a devoted loving and caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was also a devoted friend, always willing to give and to help others. She was kind and very generous and will be greatly missed by all who loved her. Hattie received the Lord Jesus as her Savior as a young woman, was baptized and was a member of the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church. Hattie was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was a charter member of the former Cedar Bluff OES Chapter 158. She was a member of Tazewell OES Chapter 187 and dual member of Richlands OES Chapter 104. She was a Past Matron of Cedar Bluff and Tazewell OES. Hattie was appointed Grand Representative of Kentucky in 1968, and held many other Grand Chapter committee positions. Hattie was appointed Grand Warder of the Grand Chapter of Virginia OES 1978-1979. She served many years as an officer in Macedonia Shrine 7 Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalum of Bluefield, Va. She was cared for and loved by all her children. Her daughter, Carolyn Monk, lived with her for the last two and half years. Hattie’s passion in life was being involved in her different clubs and activities. She was like a rose in full bloom when she was working with others. Her life was based on being an asset to her family and friends and she will be truly missed. Mrs. Hampton is survived by: four daughters, Ms. Roberta (Bobbie) Smith of Afton, Va., Ms. Carolyn Monk of Tazewell, Va., Mrs. Donna Lawson and husband, Dave of North Tazewell, Va., and Miss Lois Hampton of Bristol Virginia; one son, Mr. John Wayne Hampton and wife, Barbara of Cliffield, Va.; grandchildren, Christopher Smith, Cynthia Shell, Jennifer Gibson, Rhonda Fuller, William Monk II, Sharon Beth Kinser, David Lawson Jr., Brian Lawson, John Wayne Hampton Jr., James Curtis Hampton and Natashia Rhodes; 16 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and many Eastern Star brothers and sisters also survive her. Funeral services for Mrs. Hattie Hinkle Hampton will be conducted Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Jack Jenkins and Minister Lee Blackburn officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers: Danny Bowman, Paul E. Cook, Paul Brewster, Marcus Lowrance, Dr. Ramulo Fajardo, Dr. H. C. Scott, Dr. Joe Adair and men of the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6:00 p.m. Friday. Richlands OES Chapter104 and Tazewell OES Chapter 187 will conduct an Eastern Star memorial service Friday at 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the OES Home of Virginia, 3000 Chamberlayne Ave., Richmond, VA 23277. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com Jeffery D. Hartsock BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for Jeffery D. Hartsock 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. Mr. Hartsock, age 44, 422 Oakview St., died Wednesday, December 30, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Fitzhugh Hill CLINTWOOD – 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. Family members will serve as pallbearers. Mr. Hill, age 90, died at Norton Community Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, after a lengthy illness. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Gary L. Holbrook CLEVELAND, Va. – A memorial service for Gary L. Holbrook 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. Mr. Holbrook, 58, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at his home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the Holbrook family. Gordon Holbrook CASTLEWOOD – Gordon Holbrook, 67, went to be with the Lord after a long illness Wednesday, December 31, 2003, at his home. He was born in Banner, Va.; the son of the late Ted and Marie Maples Holbrook. He was a member of First Baptist Church in St. Paul, Va., where he served as a deacon for several years. He retired from Clinchfield Coal Company and was a member of the U.M.W.A. He was a member of Castlewood Masonic Lodge 231 A.F. & A.M. He was preceded in death by one sister, Cecelia Dishman. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Holbrook; three daughters, Cathy Holbrook Hobbs and husband, Jim of Castlewood, Anglea Stinson and husband, Tommy of Richmond and Lisa McGlothlin and husband, Michael of Rosedale, Va.; one son, Joseph Eric Holbrook of Castlewood; one sister, Margaret Holbrook Steffey and husband, Scott of Castlewood; four grandchildren, Alexis Stinson and J.T. Stinson, both of Richmond, and Marshall McGlothlin and Josh McGlothlin, both of Rosedale; special friend, Winston Meade; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Mike Moore officiating. A Masonic memorial service will be held at 7:45 p.m. Friday by Castlewood Masonic Lodge 231 A.F. & A.M. in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel. Committal service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery leaving at 10:30 a.m. Pallbearers will be Fred Yorke, Fred Meade, Jim Hall, Charlie Willis, Chub Flannary and Eddie Horne. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Hobbs, Dr. Duke Holliday, men of the First Baptist Church, Ralph Maples, Wes Ingle, Joe Tomlinson, Jerry Hall and Garland Cox. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. On- line condolences may be sent to the Holbrook family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 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 will be 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. Louis Johnson Louis Johnson, age 73, passed from this earth to be with his Lord on Wednesday December 31, 2003, at the Wellmont Hospice House after a brief illness. He was born in Holston Valley to the late Seaborne and Grace Bowers Johnson. He was a member at Gardner’s Primitive Baptist Church but attended Belle Meadows Baptist Church. He was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and was a former employee of Monroe Calculating and Bristol Compressors. He loved the farm and bluegrass music. He never met a stranger and all who knew him loved him. Survivors include: wife of 49 years, Vilas Booher Johnson; daughter, Pam Vukondinovich and husband Bruce; son, Gary Laughlin and wife Beverly; grandson, William Bledsoe; sister, Hazel Donahue; brother, Wayne Johnson; half brothers, Clifford and Junior Chapman; half sisters, Miranda, Mildred and Oivetta; and several nieces and nephews. He leaves behind a special friend and buddy, Jack Booher; and many friends. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Sam Haynes, Rev. Dewey Williams and Rev. Darryl Fritts officiating. The burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bobby Booher, Daryl Booher, Anthony Bays, Bruce Vukodinavich, Garve Taylor, Kenneth Johnson, Cotton Rogers and Claude Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Linford Herndon, Gary McCracken, Gene Baker, Nathan Bledsoe, Danny Whitaker, Glen Eads, all the neighbors in Woodsdale Subdivision and all his bluegrass friends. The family would like to wish a special thanks to Dr. Charles Bolick and the staff of the Wellmont Hospice House. Memorials may be made to the Belle Meadows Baptist Church, 619 Wagner Rd., Bristol, VA 24201. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday 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. Kenneth P. Jones BLOUNTVILLE – Kenneth Paul "Dub" Jones, age 62, 468 Ethel Beard Road, died Thursday, January 1, 2004, in Bristol Regional Hospital. Arrangements will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. George Peery Lester LEBANON – Entombment for George Peery Lester 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. Mr. Lester, 81, died Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Lester. Joann Thomas Lloyd EMORY, Va. –Mrs. Joann Thomas Lloyd, age 68, died, Monday, December 30, 2003, at the Grace Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Abingdon. Born on August 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, Gary Lloyd and wife Wanda of Glade Spring, David Lloyd and wife Betty Joe and Steven Lloyd and wife Connie, 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 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 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 Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Joann Thomas Lloyd. Rena Louise Maxfield BRISTOL, Tenn. – Committal services for Rena Louise DeBoard Maxfield will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers include grandsons and Rex Leonard. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Mrs. Maxfield passed away on Dec. 30, 2003, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Benny Frank McElyea BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Benny Frank McElyea 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. 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, 64, died Wednesday, December 31, 2003 at his home. Mr. McElyea and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Virginia. Bernice Poole Bernice Edwards Poole died at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2003, at Netherland Healthcare. Born in Hill, Va., she was the daughter of the late Charlie F. and Monnie Hammonds Edwards. She was a resident of Kingsport for 70 years. She was a member of Mountain View United Methodist Church, the Dixie Study Club, the Virginia Club and the Cancer Advisory Council. She was employed by Baylor- Nelms Furniture for 28 years as an interior decorator. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Eloise Quillen, Mary Ruth Dettor, Madge Evans and Beatrice Boone; and her brother, Charles Edwards. Survivors include her husband, Carl Poole of Kingsport; her daughter and son-in- law, Sandra and Ron Winn of Austin, Texas; her three grandsons, Scott Winn and wife Amy of Puyallup, Wash., Brian Winn and wife Janine of Charleston, S.C., and Roger Winn and wife Leah of Austin; six grandchildren, Lydia, Bradley, Rebekah, Claire, Thomas and Patrick; her sister, Betty Denny of Johnson City; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Friday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes in downtown Kingsport and from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Mountain View United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, at the church, with the Dr. Luke Conway officiating. Entombment will follow in Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Ron Winn, Scott Winn, Brian Winn, Roger Winn, Dean Denny and Johnny Yates. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Evans, Don Dykes, Gary Cox, Dr. Mack Hicks, Pete Myers, George Arnold and J.B. Ellis. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain View United Methodist Church, 4405 Orebank Road, Kingsport, TN 37664 or to the Christine LaGuardia Phillips Cancer Center, c/o Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center, P.O. Box 1069, Kingsport, TN 37662-9968. E-mailed condolences may be sent at hamlettdobson@charter.net Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, downtown Kingsport, is serving the family of Mrs. Poole. Dorothy Clark Ratliff LEBANON – Dorothy Clark Ratliff, 75, died Thursday, January 1, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Born January 8, 1928, in Garrett, Ky., a daughter of the late Ernest Clark and Betty Tussey Clark. She was the wife of the late Thomas Franklin "Tuffy" Ratliff. She was a member of the Lebanon Senior Circle and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Donna Renae Mollett; and two brothers, Charlie Clark and Henry Clark. Survivors include one daughter, Virginia Mollett and her husband Alvin Mollett, Lebanon; two granddaughters, Wendy Mollett, Johnson City and Karen Mollett McComas and her husband John McComas, Fayetteville, N.C.; two great-grandsons, Zachary Thomas Mollett, Johnson City and Christopher Tyler McComas, Fayetteville; one sister, Patty Lou Mollette, David, Ky.; and one brother, Billy Ray Clark, Lexington, Ky. The funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Michael Rhea officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens, Lebanon. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2004, at the funeral home. Nephews and friends will serve as pallbearers. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mrs. Ratliff. James Douglas Sharrett BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for James Douglas Sharrett 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 Mr. Sharrett, age 88, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. 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. Neta M. Spradlyn BRISTOL, Va. – Neta M. Spradlyn, age 93, of 400 Randolph St., passed away Thursday, January 1, 2003, in Grace Health Care. She was born in Watauga, Va., to the late Ace and Laura Ward Nickels. She was a homemaker and a member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Spradlyn; three granddaughters; one daughter; three sisters; and five brothers. She is survived by: daughters, Doris James of Bristol and Robin Price and husband David of Bristol; son, Johnny D. Spradlyn and wife Brenda of Bristol; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Conley. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in the Mountain View Mausoleum Chapel, with Dr. Austin Cook officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening at Weaver Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mary H. Sproles BRISTOL, Tenn. – Mary Pearl Hamlet Sproles, age 83, of 422 High Circle, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born in Bristol Tennessee, to the late George W. and Pearl White Hall Hamlet. She was a member of Central Christian Church and she was a homemaker. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, James D. Sproles Sr.; daughters, Barbara and husband Charles Malone and Sherry and husband Richard Hagy; sons, David Sproles Jr. and wife Betsy, Eddie Sproles and wife Kennetha, and John Sproles and wife, Sharon; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and special friend, Jewel Johnson. Gravesides services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in the Mountain View Mausoleum Chapel, with Minister Ross Dampier and Rev. Stephen Playl officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bristol Public Library, 701 Goode St., Bristol, VA 24201. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 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. Mandline Thelma Turner BRISTOL, Va. – Mandline Thelma Turner, age 80, of 1208 Fairmount Ave., died Wednesday, December 31, 2003, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born, May 9, 1923, in Canebrake, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Marshall and Sally Cameron, she was a homemaker and had lived most of her life in the Bristol area. She was the widow of Claude Emory Turner. Survivors include: children, Claudia Kay Turner, Mark Emory Turner and wife, Sandra Kay and Lynn Turner and wife, Robin; grandchildren, Shawn, Amanda, Amber, Corey and Logan; three sisters, Ollie Holbrook, Carol Patterson and Doris Wolfe; brother, Walter Cameron; special nephew, Roscoe Dial; and several other nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 2004, at the graveside in the Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Bryan Hall officiating. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Charles S. Wilcox RICHLANDS – Charles S. Wilcox, 85, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2003, in a Richlands hospital following a brief illness. Born in Todd, N.C., he was a son of Arthur and Lillie Reece Wilcox. He attended Calvary Temple, was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict and was retired from General Motors. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by several brothers, sisters and half brothers and half sisters. Mr. Wilcox is survived by his wife, Anna Johnson Wilcox of the home; one son, Richard Wilcox of Richlands; one daughter, Linda Tarrence of Richlands; one brother, Lee Wilcox and wife Etta of Meadowview; one half sister, Bli Goldberg of Meadowview; one grandson, Steve and wife Monica Tarrence of Phoenix, Ariz.; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va., with the Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by Casey Shortt VFW Post 9640 and Tazewell County Chapter 31 DAV. Family and friends are requested to meet at the cemetery no later than 1:45 p.m. Saturday. Online condolences may be sent by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is serving the Wilcox family. Edna Winters BRISTOL, Va. – Edna Faye Moretz Winters, age 77, died Wednesday, December 31, 2003, in the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Shouns, Tenn., a daughter of the late Raleigh and Mae Moody Moretz, she had lived most of her life in the Bristol area. She was a homemaker and was a member of the State Street Church of Christ. Survivors include: husband of 58 years, Jay Dee Winters; children, Janet Burke and husband, Jim, Joyce Lunsford and husband, Jerry, Geneva Fleenor and husband, Ronnie, Michael Winters and wife, Kathy and Alvin Winters and wife, Cindy; sister, Gladys Stringer; brothers, Wade Moretz and Ronder Moretz; grandchildren, Amy Margheret, Ava Johnson, Jimmy Burke, Pamela Jackson, Kim Woodby, Timmy Burke, Michael Fleenor, Katie Winters and Scotty Winters; and seven great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2004, in the State Street Church of Christ with Dan Bailey and Clayton Winters officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the State Street Church of Christ, 1713 West State St., Bristol, VA 24201. A special thanks to Dr. Andrew Brockmyre and the 4 East staff of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center for their care and service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, with a memorial service to follow at the State Street Church of Christ and other times at the home of Jerry and Joyce Lunsford, 4415 Island Road, Bristol, TN. At Mrs. Winter’s request, her body was cremated. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Anna Lee Wright JOHNSON CITY – Mrs. Anna Lee Call Wright, 2012 Sherwood Drive, passed from this life on Wednesday, December 31, 2003. She was born on August 3, 1929, in the Beaver Creek section of Smyth County, Va., the second of nine children of Rev. James Henry Call and Anna Blanche Call. In 1947, she married Roy Samuel Wright. They lived most of their 52 years together in Washington County, Va. Mr. Wright preceded his wife in death in September, 1999. She was also preceded in death by her father; and a brother, Curtis Hufford Call. Mrs. Wright was deeply spiritual and lived her life fearing the Lord and possessing the wisdom and understanding that comes delighting in His commandments. She was a righteous and gracious woman, full of love and compassion. She was a licensed cosmetologist and worked at Buster Brown, children’s clothing. She taught Sunday School for many years, primarily at Mahanaim United Methodist Church. She was a member of Galilean Baptist Church. It was her expressed wish to be remembered as a good mother. Mrs. Wright is survived by a daughter, Linda Wright Jernigan and husband, Dr. T. Watson Jernigan of Johnson City; her mother, Anna B. Call of Chesapeake, Va.; three sisters, Dorothy (Mrs. Ralph) Haynes of Cleveland, Tenn., Acquilla "Kit" Eldreth of Chesapeake and Millie (Mrs. Joseph) Mansfield of Chesapeake; four brothers, James H. Call Jr. of Tabb, Va., Albert Roy Call of Newport News, Va., Arthur Boyd "Whitie" Call of Tabb and Robert Paul Call of Abingdon; three grandchildren, Dr. April Reed and husband Charles of Johnson City, Rachel Acton and husband Ben of Decatur, Ga., and Jessica Grace Ann Jernigan of Emory, Va.; and two great-grandchildren, Gabriel Edward Reed and McKinley Sue Anna Reed of Johnson City. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2004, in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Marvin Howard officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Rose Cemetery in Glade Spring. Casket bearers will be selected from family and friends. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. Saturday until the time of the service. The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Guy Robins, who never gives up on his patients, and the staff at Appalachian Christian Village, who exemplify Christian service, particularly to Sam G., physical therapist and sometime dance partner. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association, 207 N. Boone St., Suite 1050, Johnson City, TN 37604. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy on- line may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Anna Lee Call Wright.