Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, January 8, 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. 8, 2004 Today's Deaths Charles C. Anderson, 92, Clintwood Rose Ann Boggs, 62, Wise Emerson Grover Bossard, 91, Big Stone Gap James M. Buhls, 81, Bristol Tennessee Susan Campbell, 55, Bristol Virginia Iris Irene Bowman Cox, 79, Bristol Virginia Henry G. Evans, 77, Marion Virgil Lee Hess, 75, Oakwood, Va. Mary Virginia Hamner Horne, 70, Norton Tina Gail Reed Huff, 39, Roanoke Cuba Wampler Lester, 78, Council, Va. Clyde Lockhart, 88, Grundy Billie S. Matney, 68, Bristol Virginia Mary Agnes Ault Miller, Abingdon Buford Eugene Mullins, 69, Abingdon Bobby G. Simpson, 66, Blountville Charlie Alex Vestal, 76, Bristol Virginia Elaine Gray White, 53, Bristol Tennessee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles C. Anderson CLINTWOOD – Charles C. "Curt" Anderson, age 92, died at Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004. Born in Dickenson County, Va., he was the son of Charles Bruce and Daisy Younce Anderson. His parents, a son, Larry Dean Anderson, brothers, Verlin, Sam, Arcemus, Steve and Tom, and sister, Cathelene Shaffer, preceded him in death. Mr. Anderson served as the postmaster of the Clintwood post office until his retirement in 1979. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, World War II and member of the Clintwood United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife of 71 years, Edith R. Anderson; a son, Dale Anderson, Louisville, Ky.; daughter, Barbara Hurst, Clintwood; six grandchildren, Kevin Anderson, Leanne Miller, Laura West, Paula Bernard, Mark Hurst and Blake Hurst, and seven great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services for Charles C. Anderson will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday from the Clintwood United Methodist Church, with Rev. Bill Kahill officiating. Interment will follow in the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, Clintwood. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening after 6 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Mark Hurst, Kevin Anderson, Shaun Anderson, Dick Anderson, Sammy Anderson, Doug Anderson and Donnie Miller. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Skeen, Ben Sutherland, A.C. "Bud" Steffey, Calvin Brooks, Kurtz Alderman and Russell McFall. The body will be taken to the church one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to the Clintwood United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 237, Clintwood, VA 24228. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Rose Ann Boggs WISE – Rose Ann Boggs, 62, dearly beloved, went to rest in the hands of God on Jan. 6, 2004, at the Norton Community Hospital in Norton. She was a member of the Indian Creek Freewill Baptist Church and served the Lord as a Sunday School teacher, pianist and a faithful witness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Brian and Buna Ratliff, two brothers, Donal Ratliff and Eugene Ratliff, and one granddaughter, Grace Ann Still. Surviving are her husband, Larry Nile Boggs; four children, Roland Keith and wife Rebecca Lynn Boggs, Amanda Nilene Boggs, Leona Carol and husband Cameron Scott Marshall and Tondalea Grace and husband David Adam Still; two grandsons, Landon Keith Boggs and Nicholas Scott Marshall; one great-grandson, Ethan Nathaniel Boggs; three brothers, Charles and wife Charlene Ratliff, Bill and wife Sylvia Ratliff and Gary and wife Tina Ratliff; two sisters, Linda and husband Butch Harmon and Deanie and husband Duane Evans; one sister-in-law, Angie Ratliff; several nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends. Funeral services for Rose Ann Boggs will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with Rev. Eddie Sturgill and Elder Stacy Potter officiating. Burial will follow in the Ora Brummitt Cemetery. The family will receive friends after 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise is in charge of arrangements. Emerson G. Bossard BIG STONE GAP – Rev. Emerson Grover Bossard, 91, passed away Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at the home of his son, Rev. George E. Bossard, in Warren, Ohio. He was a former resident of Stonega, Va., and also Big Stone Gap. He was a minister of the gospel. He has been a pastor for 58 years at various churches on the east coast from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. He was a former pastor of the First Baptist Church on Wyandott Ave., Big Stone Gap. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alberta Bossard, and a son, James E. Bossard. He was a unique man in serving the Lord in his everyday living, loving and helping those who were considered an outcast, comforting and helping those in need and preaching the gospel of the cross of Jesus Christ until death. Survivors: two sons and daughters-in-law, George E. and Jean Bossard, Warren, and Thomas E. and Jackie Bossard, Windsor, Conn.; daughter, Queen Esther Bossard, Big Stone Gap; six grandchildren, Edward M. Bossard, Christina M. Bossard, Townya C. Bossard, Jonathan M. Bossard, Daniel M. Bossard and Marcus E. Bossard; seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at the First Baptist Church, Wyandott, Ave., Big Stone Gap, with the Rev. Leroy Cain of Columbia, S.C., officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak View Cemetery, Big Stone Gap. The family will receive friends at the Roy A. Green Funeral Home, Appalachia, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, Big Stone Gap. Roy A. Green Funeral Home, Appalachia, is in charge of arrangements. James M. Buhls BRISTOL, Tenn. – James M. "Pete" Buhls, 81, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Suffolk, Va., and worked as a journeyman pattern maker in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard prior to joining the U.S. Naval Air Corps. He graduated from Georgia Tech University with a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering. He started his career at Reynolds Metals and then worked as a consultant for Serge Birn as part of the Marshall plan, where he consulted in Europe and lectured at the Zurich Technical Institute. For 12 years, he worked with Sangamo Electric Company, where he held many positions in four locations. Mr. Buhls came to Bristol as plant manager of Monroe Calculator in 1968 and was later promoted to vice-president for Royal Typewriter/Litton Industries in Hartford, Conn., and Great Britain. He returned to Bristol as president and chief operating officer of Electro-Mechanical/Line Power Corporation, where he served until his retirement. Mr. Buhls served on the Bristol Regional Medical Center Board of Directors for 14 years and was board chairman from 1982-84. He was a member of the Signet Bank Board, Bristol Kiwanis Club, YMCA Board of Directors and served as a SCORE volunteer. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen Buhls; two sons, Peter B. Buhls of Bristol Virginia and Eric Buhls of Bristol Tennessee; daughter, Elaine Christoph and husband Neal Christoph of New Orleans, La.; a sister, Vallie Trent of Virginia Beach, Va., and four grandchildren, Peter Buhls Jr., Sarah Buhls, Karen Christoph and Rachel Christoph. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2:45 Saturday afternoon at Central Presbyterian Church, with the funeral service to follow at 3, with Dr. David Wadsworth officiating. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to Central Presbyterian Church, 301 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201, or the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 1250 Hylan Boulevard, Suite 4B, Staten Island, NY 10305. Condolences and memories may be sent by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Dr. Anderson is in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Susan Campbell BRISTOL, Va. – Susan "Susie" Campbell, 55, of 135 Jolly St., went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, from the Wellmont Hospice House after a long courageous battle with cancer. Ms. Campbell was an active member of Fellowship Chapel, where she at one time served as a youth director, Bible camp counselor, active member of the Gleaners Circle, Awanas and many youth oriented activities within the church. She also worked for the telephone company for more than 25 years. Survivors include parents, Jacob Andrew "Jake" and Helen Campbell; brother, John and wife Connie Campbell; sister, Annette and husband Ron Johnson; nephews, John Jr. and wife Lisa Campbell and Hunter Johnson; niece, Traci and husband Paul Wolfe; great-nephews, Andy Campbell and Nathan Campbell, and special friends, Jan and Copey Hicks, Linda, Cathy and Danny, Vickie, John and Judy and all her buddies in dialysis. Also surviving are several cousins, aunts and uncles. Funeral services for Susan "Susie" Campbell will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at Fellowship Chapel, with Rev. Scott Price and Rev. Lester MacKinnon officiating. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 6 until 7:45 p.m. An entombment for Ms. Campbell will be held at 11 a.m. in the Mt. View Mausoleum Chapel on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004. The family would like to thank their neighbors, church family, many friends, Dr. Bennett Cowan and Dr. Robert Blanton for their prayers and helpful support during Susie’s illness. In lieu of flowers, Susie requested that donations be made to your favorite youth organization. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Genelle Collins NORTON – Burial for Genelle Collins will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton. Family and friends will gather at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home to travel to the cemetery for burial rites. Mrs. Collins, 87, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, at Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is serving the Collins family. Iris B. Cox BRISTOL, Va. – Iris Irene Bowman Cox, age 79, went to be with her Lord Jan. 6, 2004, at the Wellmont Hospice House. She was a native of Russell County, Va., and the daughter of the late Mack and Annie Booher Bowman. She lived most of her life in Bristol, except her time in New Mexico, then moving back to Bristol 19 years ago. She was a former employee of the Tri-State Corporation, was a member of the Temple Freewill Baptist Church and was preceded in death by her husband, Rex Cox. Survivors include two sons, Howard Ray "Butch" Bowman, Claremont, N.C., and William Arthur Bowman, Boston; brother, Harry Bowman; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Wallace Amos officiating. The committal will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Hughes Cemetery in Elizabethton, Tenn. 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. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ola Wayne Dean NORTON – Funeral services for Ola Wayne Dean will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Darrel Bolling officiating. Burial will follow in the Wells Cemetery at Esserville, Va. Mr. Dean, 53, of East Park Avenue, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, at Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap. The Dean family is served by Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton. Buford F. Elmore KINGSPORT – Calling hours for Buford F. Elmore will be 11-12 a.m. Thursday at the East Lawn Funeral Home. Graveside service will follow in the National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn., with full military honors conducted by the Shaw Air Force Base. The family request those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, c/o Laura Yance, P.O. Box 985, Kingsport, TN 37662. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a tribute to the family. Mr. Elmore, age 76, passed away peacefully at his residence Jan. 5, 2004, after a brief illness. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Elmore family. Henry G. Evans MARION – Henry G. Evans, age 77, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. He attended Calvary Baptist Church faithfully and was retired from Brunswick Corporation after 35 years of service. Henry was a loving, caring man, especially devoted to his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, Flossie M. Evans, one stepson, Roger L. McBride, five brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife, Glenna Sexton Evans of Marion; five stepsons, Alvin Wyatt of Burke, Va., Billy E. McBride of Marion, Mickey Garrett of Bristol Virginia and Johnny Sexton and Tommy Sexton, both of Marion; one stepdaughter, Donna Cassell of Bristol Virginia; two sisters, Sue Call of Alexandria, Va., and Sadie Nichols of Salem, Va.; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and a host of friends. Funeral services will be held Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Gary Trout and Rev. Jonathan King officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Evans family. Roy Fuller HAYSI – Funeral services for Roy Fuller will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Freddie Ramey and Buster Mullins officiating. Burial will follow in the Thomas Family Cemetery, Haysi. VFW Post 8979 of Clintwood will conduct military graveside rites. Nephews: Jerry Thomas, Bobby Thomas, Kemper Fuller, Freddie Fuller, Joey Fuller, Billy Fuller, Ricky Fuller and Claude Fuller will serve as pallbearers. Mr. Fuller, age 67, of Route 1, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Virgil Lee Hess OAKWOOD, Va. – Virgil Lee Hess, age 75, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at a Lebanon Hospital. Born July 19, 1918, at Peach Creek, W.Va., he was the son of the late Clarence Randolph Hess and Augusta Mae Ratliff Hess Davis. He lived most of his life at Garden Creek at Oakwood. He was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. He became a Christian Aug. 3, 1952, joining the Guiding Light Freewill Baptist Church May 20, 1967, where he was ordained as a deacon Jan. 17, 1987. He worked 30 years for Virginia Department of Transportation at Oakwood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Hazel Hess Hagy. Left to cherish his memory are his devoted and loving wife, Virgie Gaylene Rasnake Hess of Oakwood, who he married Dec. 20, 1950; one loving daughter, Connie Sue Hess Street and husband Carl; one granddaughter, Carla Renee Street Sisk and husband Bernard; one grandson, Mark Anthony Street and wife Crystal; one great-granddaughter, Hannah Jordan Street; one great-grandson, Caleb William Sisk, all of Abingdon; two brothers, Willard Hess and wife Winnie, Grundy and Arthur (Bill) Davis, Doran, Va.; five sisters, Mrs. Larry (Loretta Kay Davis) Thornsburg, Abingdon, Mrs. Donald (Rosalie Davis) Null, Richlands, Mrs. Frank (Edith Davis) Thompson, Abingdon, Mrs. Edd (Beulah Davis) Shortridge, Grundy, and Louise Davis Shortridge, Doran, and one special person, Byron Emanuel Smith, Oakwood. The funeral will be Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, 1 p.m. at the Virginia Funeral Home Chapel, with Revs. Ancil Childress, Phillip Imel, Eulas (Sonny) Perkins, Shawn Street, Jerry Wilson and Thurman Chapman officiating, with burial to follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home, where a service will be held at 7 p.m. Pallbearers will be Mark Street, Bernard Sisk, Byron Smith, Tim Hess, Jimmy Thornsbury and David Shortridge. Honorary pallbearers will be Arthur Whitt, Doy Stanley, Earl Ratliff, Willard Hess, Carlos Ratliff, Delmar Smith, Bobby Street, Abe Hunt, staff of Virginia Department of Transportation, staff of Southwest Virginia Dialysis Facility and members of Guiding Light Freewill Baptist Church. Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of arrangements. M. Virginia Horne NORTON – Mary Virginia "Jenny" Hamner Horne, 70, died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2004, in Lonesome Pine Hospital I.C.U., Big Stone Gap. In 1982, she was diagnosed with breast and colon cancer, which she fought and survived. In Sept., 2001, the breast cancer returned and had spread to her bones and liver. She fought the advanced breast cancer and survived for another 27 happy months. Born on April 23, 1933, in San Antonio, Texas, she was the youngest of six children of the late John Taylor and Gladys Murrell Hamner. Brother, John Taylor Hamner Jr., and sister, Lylie Jean Hamner, both of San Antonio, died before her. Survivors include husband of 40 years, Hoke I. Horne II, Norton; daughter, Beverly Ann H. O’Connell, husband, Daniel, and their three daughters, Alanna, Kimberly, and Erin of San Antonio; daughter, Mary Elizabeth H. Bashara, husband, Gary, and their two daughters, Meagan and Lauren, Waco, Texas; sons, Stephen Taylor Horne, Knoxville, Hoke I. Horne III, Redmond, Wash., and David Hamner Horne, wife, Tanya Isler, and their child on the way, New York City; sister, Irene Elizabeth Hamner; sister-in-law, Betty C. Hamner, San Antonio; brother, Rev. Robert M. Hamner and wife Donna M. Hamner, Roanoke, brother, Phillip E. Hamner and wife Diana S. Hamner, San Antonio; sister-in-law, Mary Alice H. Abbitt, Franklin, Va., and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Baylor University, Class of 1953, and a master of arts degree from Trinity University, San Antonio, Class of 1958, with a thesis on John Alexander Taylor’s diary, May 1, 1824, through March 1, 1880, about the Taylors of Tabernacle, Brownsville and West Tennessee. She taught first grades in San Antonio, Greenbriar Elementary School, Ft. Worth, Texas, West Norton Elementary and Norton Elementary School, from which she retired in July, 1993. She continued until shortly before her death to tutor students and volunteer with Ms. Pam Hamilton’s first-graders in Norton Elementary School. She was a Christian and a member of the First Baptist Church and the Philathea Sunday School Class of Coeburn. She was a trustee from the City of Norton on the Lonesome Pine Regional Library Board. Jenny loved "her babies," her children, granddaughters and students. She loved to needlepoint and cross-stitch, read mystery novels, work crossword puzzles and to pet her and her husband’s dog, Blue. Her favorite saying was "everything is fine." Visitation will be at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home, Norton, on Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, from 6-9 p.m. Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church of Coeburn, Corner of Front & Brooks Streets, Coeburn, on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at 11 a.m. Reverends Robert Hamner, R.J. Rose, pastor of Coeburn First Baptist, and life-long friend, Kenneth Brown, Bandera, Texas, will co-officiate this service. Graveside services will follow in the Horne Family Cemetery, U.S. 58A Hwy., West Coeburn. Pallbearers will be the deacons of Coeburn First Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will include friends, faculty and staff of Norton City School System and members of the Lonesome Pine Regional Library System. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 1-800-227-2345, or by mail, American Cancer Society, 230 Charwood Drive, NE, Abingdon, VA 24210, or to the charity of one’s choice in memory of Mary Virginia Hamner Horne. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home, 956 Park Ave., Norton, is in charge of arrangements. Tina Huff ROANOKE – Tina Gail Reed Huff, age 39, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2004. Surviving are husband, Michael Huff; sons, Michael and Josh Huff, Roanoke; mother, Rebecca Taylor, Damascus; father, Maurice Reed, Abingdon; stepfather, Claude Taylor, Marion; sisters, Teresa Parish, Texas, Lisa Reed, Abingdon, and Dawn Taylor, Marion; brothers, Eddie Taylor, Damascus, and Michael Reed, Abingdon, and grandmother, Muriell Trivett, Damascus. A special memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004. Horne Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Christiansburg, Va., is in charge of arrangements. Billy Wayne Leonard BRISTOL, Va. – A funeral service for Billy Wayne Leonard will be held Thursday, January 8, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum in Knollkreg Memorial Park, with Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. Pallbearers will be Robert Greer, Robert Pickle, Tom Hopkins, Lewis Weeks, Eddie Weeks and Dennis Cunningham. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Thursday from 9:45 until 10:45 a.m. in the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Leonard family. Cuba Wampler Lester COUNCIL, Va. – Mrs. Cuba Wampler Lester, age 78, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2004, in a Lebanon hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker. Clyde Lockhart GRUNDY – Clyde Lockhart, 88 years of age, of Stiltner’s Creek section, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, in a Grundy hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral of Grundy. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com. Billie S. Matney BRISTOL, Va. – Billie S. Matney, age 68, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol Tennessee. Born Nov. 24, 1935, in Tazewell County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Robert Mose Stevenson and Flora Lawson Stevenson. She attended Kings Way Baptist Church in Bristol Virginia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded by three sisters, Virginia Lester, Louise Harrison and Nancy Combs, and one brother, James Henry Stevenson. Survivors include her husband, Ralph Wayne Matney; one son, Mark W. Matney and wife Terri of Bristol Virginia; one daughter, Melinda Matney Martin and husband Tim of Bristol Virginia; four grandchildren, Baker Martin, Baxter Martin, Brooke Martin and Ashley Jenkins; one great-grandchild, Alex Jenkins; two brothers, Roy Lee Stevenson of Cedar Bluff and William E. "Pokey" Stevenson of Abbs Valley, Va., and three sisters, Edith Turner of North Tazewell, Va., and Hazel Combs and Ruby Christian, both of Pounding Mill, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, with the Rev. Donald Page officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004. Mary Miller ABINGDON – Mary Agnes Ault Miller died at Grace Healthcare of Abingdon Jan. 6, 2004, having fought a courageous battle with stroke and heart disease. Mrs. Miller was born Sept. 11, 1911, in Pike County, Ohio, to the late Charles M. and Harriett M. Ault. She was married for 62 years to Dr. Samuel E. Miller, who survives her. She was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan, B.A., and Ohio University, M.A., and devoted much of her life to education. Her career included dorm counselor and teacher at Tusculum College, teaching positions in Lucasville, Ohio, New York City, Lexington, Va., Charlottesville and Abingdon, where she was a pioneer in guidance counseling. Mrs. Miller was an ordained deacon in the Presbyterian church, sang in the choir and was active in women of the church organizations, both at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville and Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon. Her other activities included a term as president of the University of Virginia Faculty Women’s Organization, president of Johnston Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and state president of Hospital Auxiliary. She worked with recording for the blind in Charlottesville. Locally, Mrs. Miller was active on Virginia Highland Festival committees and was the festival director two terms. She was an avid gardener who studied gardens in this country and abroad and was very active in garden clubs at the local and state level. Mrs. Miller is survived by two sons, Raymond Ault Miller and Donald M. Ault, who were adopted on being orphaned by the death of her brother, Raymond M. Ault, and by Barbara Miller, daughter-in-law. She had five grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and by two special care-givers, Stella Montgomery and Diane Wise. The funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the chapel of Campbell Funeral Home, 250 E. Main St., Abingdon, with the Rev. Robert Tolar officiating. The family will greet friends at the funeral home at the end of the service. Flowers are welcome as are contributions to worthy causes, such as the Organ Fund of Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, 136 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Graveside services will be conducted by the Rev. Donald Alexander at 1 p.m. Saturday in the cemetery of Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, one mile south of Tusculum College. Those who wish to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Buford Mullins ABINGDON – Buford Eugene Mullins, 69, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. He was born in Dante, Va., son of the late Roy Arnold Mullins. He is survived by his mother, Cora L. Wise of Abingdon; one sister, Beatrice Murawski and husband Lawrence of Avon, Ind.; two brothers, Sterling Odell Mullins and wife Elaine of Stuart, Va., and Macel Boyd Mullins and wife Georgia of Sugar Grove, Ill., and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Buford Eugene Mullins will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with the Rev. John A. Kiser officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The Mullins family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Mullins family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Leon Leonard Norton BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Leon Leonard Norton will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan, 8, 2004, in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. Bob Steele officiating. Entombment will follow in the Glenwood Mausoleum. There will be no formal visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, TN 37620. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Norton, age 68, of 373 Glenwood Rd., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. George W. Osborne DAMASCUS – George W. Osborne, age 69, passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon after an extended illness with multiple sclerosis. He was a native of Taylors Valley, Va., born April 6, 1934, to the late Henry Albert Osborne and Dessie Forrester Osborne. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Kaye Farmer Osborne. He was a co-founder of the Highlands Multiple Sclerosis Support Group in Abingdon and served as a peer counselor to fellow M.S. patients around the state. Mr. Osborne was a member of the Taylors Valley Church of Christ, where he served as an elder and teacher for many years. He is survived by one daughter, Lesa Kaye Di Pietro and her husband Bart of the home; one son, Allen George Osborne of Damascus; one brother, Henry Albert Osborne Jr. and his wife Patsy of Norfolk, Va., and five sisters, Mary Ellen Brewer of Silver Spring, Md., Willie Crowe of Mountain City, Tenn., Madeline Jaskiewicz and her husband Joe of Parksville, Md., Dorothy Blankenbeckler and her husband Lloyd of Mountain City and Joann Shoun and her husband Earl of Aurora, Ill. He was blessed with four grandchildren, Bart Di Pietro of Kingsport, Phillip Di Pietro of Abingdon and Adrienne Osborne and Nathaniel Osborne, both of Mountain City, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Mr. Maurice Widener and Mr. James C. Hutchinson officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Taylors Valley Church of Christ Building Fund, c/o Lawrence Lewis, P.O. Box 143, Damascus, VA 24236. The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 p.m. Friday prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home or at any time at the residence. The family really appreciates all the love and support from his M.S. peers and the M.S. Agency in Roanoke. A special thank you goes out to the staff and physicians at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center for the great care he received over the past few months, also the caring staff and Dr. Andrew S. Rhinehart of Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. The family would also like to express a heartfelt thank you to Pamela Coleman for many years of service as dad’s home health care nurse. "Pamela was a great friend and caring person to our dad." Virginia Home Health Care and Hospice provided Mr. Osborne care over the past few months and the family greatly appreciates all involved. Also to his special friends, Calvin Hash and Jewel Gillenwater, your friendship and love will never be forgotten. "Thanks to every one, who cared enough to visit and care for dad while he was living." Condolences may be sent to the family through our e-mail at email@garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mr. Osborne. Bobby G. Simpson BLOUNTVILLE – Bobby G. Simpson, age 66, departed this life Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, at his residence. He was born in Bristol and had resided in the Blountville area for the past 50 years. Bobby was a auto body repairman and custom car enthusiast, winning many awards for his custom work. He was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma and Earl Simpson. Bobby leaves to mourn his family, wife, Mary Fred Simpson; daughter and son-in- law, Kim and Chester Stallard, Blountville; son and daughter-in-law, Robby and Melanie Simpson, Blountville; granddaughter, Melody Lamb; brothers and their wives, Billy and Jane Simpson and Jimmy and Norma Simpson of Bristol; one sister and her husband, Joyce and O.W. Rouse, Blountville; several nieces and nephews and many good friends. Calling hours were Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, from 6-8 p.m. at East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services were conducted in the funeral home chapel at 8 p.m. with Pastor Kevin Holmes officiating. Graveside services will be Thursday Jan. 8, 2004, in East Lawn Memorial Park at 12 p.m. Pallbearers will be family, friends and fellow auto enthusiast. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit our Web site at www.mem.com to place a tribute or condolence to the Simpson family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Simpson family. James Surber Jr. SALTVILLE – Mr. James Stevenson "J.S." Surber Jr., age 77, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. He was a native of Smyth County, and son of the late Steve and Ora Frye Surber. He was a member of the First Church of God, Saltville VFW Post 7328 and the DAV. Mr. Surber served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Rochester. He was preceded in death by two sisters and three brothers, Evelyn S. Blackwell, Bernice S. Poore and Sanders, Gale, and Jack Surber. Survivors: wife, Tazoni Taylor Surber; daughter, Sally "Karo" Surber Thomas and husband John David Thomas of Stanley, N.C.; granddaughter, Johnida Marilyn Thomas, and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Surber will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at the First Church of God in Allisons Gap, with Rev. David Mumpower officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylor Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Thursday evening at the church. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Surber family. Charlie Alex Vestal BRISTOL, Va. – Charlie Alex Vestal, age 76, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete. Elizabeth Welliver BRISTOL, Va. – The family of Elizabeth T. "Betty" Welliver will receive friends from 10:30 until 11:45 Thursday morning at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, with the funeral mass to follow at 12 o’clock noon. Rev. Timothy E. Keeney will officiate. Entombment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620, or to St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 300 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Welliver, 82, of Grand Court, Bristol Virginia, died Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Welliver is in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Elaine Gray White BRISTOL, Tenn. – Elaine Gray White, age 53, of 350 Beechwood Circle, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004, in the Johnson City Medical Center. She was born March 21, 1950, in Bristol Tennessee, a daughter of the late Joseph and Grace Gray. She was a life-long resident of the Bristol area. She was a homemaker, former employee of Hutton Electric as office manager and was a member of the Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a brother, Jim Gray. Survivors include husband, Billy Joe White; two children, Dana Slagle and Graceanne White; sister, Charlotte Williamson; brothers, Charles Gray and Wayne Gray, and special friends, Pam Lawson, Barbara O’Dell and Shirley Simcox. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Phil Whitaker officiating. Burial will follow in the Weaver Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dave White, Charles White, Wayne Lawson, Roddney Nidiffer, Billy Dotson and Jack O’Dell. E-mail 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.