Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, January 27, 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 Tuesday, January 27, 2004 Mary Combs Blevins, 86, Konnarock, Va. Alice D. Carty, 86, Damascus James E. Cross, 71, Bristol Tennessee Nell P. Ferguson, 82, Chilhowie Rena James Mullins Ferguson, 72, formerly of Clintwood Claude Holland, Troutdale, Va. Beatrice Kilgore Jackson, 77, Wise Frances Ann Ketron, 84, Lebanon Newlin Earl Robinson, 90, Russell County, Va. Clarence Stiltner Jr., 80, Cedar Bluff Thelma J. Varney, 83, Richlands Mary Combs Blevins KONNAROCK, Va.– Mary Combs Blevins, age 86, passed away Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, at Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie. She was a life-long resident of Konnarock and a daughter of the late John Wesley Haga and Nancy Jane Pennington Haga. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lillard Combs; her second husband, Enoch Blevins; and a son, David Combs. Mrs. Blevins was of the Baptist faith. She is survived by one daughter, Eva Stanley and her husband, Carl, of Mountain City, Tenn.; two sons, William Jackson Combs, and his wife, Christina, and Fred L. Combs, and his wife, Sarah, all of Troutdale, Va.; two sisters, Winnie Thompson, of Corrine, W.Va., and Martha Hoosier, of Bastian, Va.; one brother, Clarence Haga, of Bastian; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at Konnarock Seventh-day Adventist Church, with Mr. Herman Trivett, minister, officiating. Interment will follow in the Laurel Valley Cemetery, Troutdale. The body will be taken to the church one hour prior to the service. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Blevins. Blanche Campbell LEBANON – The funeral service for Miss Blanche Campbell will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Mike Carter officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be H.C. Pratt, David Leonard, Bruce Warner, Frank Horton, Jamie Farley, Myrl Allen, Ron Barrett and Bill Lawson. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Massie, Paul Helvey, Charles Dickenson, Phillip Puckett, Trigg Fields, George Thomas and employees and former employees of the Russell County School Board. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church, 120 Tate St., Lebanon, VA 24266. Miss Campbell, 94, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at her home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Miss Campbell. Alice D. Carty DAMASCUS– Alice D. Carty, age 86, passed away Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at her residence. Arrangements are incom-plete at this time. Garrett Funeral Home, Damascus, in charge of the arrangements. James E. Cross BRISTOL, Tenn.– James E. Cross, age 71, of 1529 Vance Drive, passed away Monday morning, Jan. 26, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Bristol Tennessee to the late Ralph and Myra Taylor Cross. He was a member of Bethel View Baptist Church and he had a passion for deep sea fishing. He was the owner for 30 years of his wholesale automobile business, Jim’s Auto Mart, and retired from that in 2000. He was formerly employed by Monroe Calculating. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Korean War from 1955-1957. He is survived by his wife Betty Cross. Also surviving: daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Rick Meadows of Bluff City; sons, James Harold Cross of Baltimore and Tony Ray Cross of Bristol Tennessee; grandchildren, Lacey Meadows, Alisa Cross, J.R. Cross and Josh Cross; two great-grandchildren; sisters, JoAnne Cooper and husband Ralph of Bristol Tennessee, Judy Tolbert and husband Johnny of Bristol Tennessee, Carolyn Harr of Kingsport and Barbara Hurt of Gainesville, Fla. Funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. David Shinault officiating. The burial will follow in Shelby Hills Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Clyde Meadows, Jim Jarvis, Brad Hutton, Ralph Cooper, Johnny Tolbert, Sam Childress, Frank Johnson and Howard Cross. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, TN 37620, or to the Bristol Cancer Association, 1255 West State St., Suite A, Bristol, VA 24201. The family would like to wish a special thank you to Dr. Bennett Y. Cowan Jr., Dr. Sue Prill, Joyce Peake and nurses and staff of Blue Ridge Medical Specialists PC and the Wellmont Hospice House. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Nell P. Ferguson CHILHOWIE– Nell P. Ferguson, 82, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. She was formerly of Martinsville, Va., and a sister of Lula Wheeler. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Williams Funeral Home. Rena M. Ferguson Rena James Mullins Ferguson, 72, formerly of Clintwood and currently of Roanoke, stepped from this world into the next on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004. Rena expressed her deepest appreciation to those who helped her during her courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband of 51 years, William E. Ferguson; two daughters, Carrie and Elizabeth; and a son-in-law, Philip Rowe. She will be also be missed by her cats, Paddy and Lucky, and dog, Molly Bear. Seven grand-cats, two grand- dogs and many friends and relatives will also carry her memory in their hearts. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, from Woodlawn United Methodist Church in Roanoke. The family will visit with relatives and friends immediately following the service. Donations to the Woodlawn United Methodist Church Community Outreach Program, 2922 Corbieshaw Road, SW, Roanoke, VA 24015, will be requested in lieu of flowers. Arrangements by Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel. Bertha Ford KINGSPORT – Family and friends of Anna Bertha Ford will meet at the Tri-Cities Memory Gardens for a graveside service 2 p.m. Tuesday. Pallbearers will be friends and family members. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Wheeler United Methodist Church, 211 North Sanders St., Blountville, TN 37617. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the family. Anna Bertha Ford, 90, died and left this world to join our Lord and Savior at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at the home of Brigitte and Bobby Godsey. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Ford family. Claude Holland TROUTDALE, Va.– Claude Holland died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at his residence. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion. Beatrice K. Jackson WISE– Beatrice Kilgore Jackson, 77, passed away Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, in the Norton Community Hospital, Norton. She was a former employee of Bargain City and Montgomery Ward as a sales clerk and former employee of the Wise County School System in the cafeteria. Mrs. Jackson was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Jackson; her parents, Isaac P. and Cora Hash Kilgore; and a sister, Pearlie Mullins. Surviving are her son, Thomas and wife, Judy Jackson of Kingsport; two brothers, Coy Kilgore of Wise and Ira Kilgore of Kingsport; three grandchildren, Jessica Jackson and a special friend, David Thompson, Whitney Paige and Thomas James Jackson; and a great- grandchild, Kyra Paige. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Wise, with Elder Gerald Hopkins and Elder Bobby Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Pound. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Wise, in charge of arrangements. Frances Ann Ketron LEBANON– Frances Ann Ketron, 84, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Miss Ketron was born in Lebanon on March 8, 1919, and had lived her entire life in Lebanon. She was a member of the Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church and was an active member of the Methodist Women’s Circle. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel G. Ketron and Coralie Wilson Ketron; and two sisters, Lillian Ketron and Nell Chryssikos. Survivors include two sisters, Elna Jennings of Elmira, N.Y., and Sara Startt of Richmond; one brother, Dr. Samuel Ketron of Lebanon; five nieces; three nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at the Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Michael Carter officiating. Burial will follow in the Russell Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Poole, Scot Cole, Kerry McBroom, Kerry McBroom Jr., Connor McBroom and A.G. Griffith. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church, 120 Tate St., Lebanon, VA 24266. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Miss Ketron. Walter Jack Pratt BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Mr. Walter "Jack" Pratt will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. Charles Murphy is officiating. Pallbearers will be Nathan Stover, Charles McCary, Wayne Ausmus, Al Minton, Joe Stophel and Ronnie Buchanan. Interment will follow in Shelby Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. prior to the service. Those desiring may send e-mail condolences to akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Pratt, age 87, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at his home. Arrangements for Mr. Pratt are being handled by Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol Tennessee, 423-989-4800. Newlin E. Robinson RUSSELL COUNTY, Va.– Newlin Earl Robinson, 90, of the Belfast community, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Born Sept. 23, 1913, in Russell County, a son of the late William Patton Robinson and Cora Jackson Robinson, he was a lifelong resident of Russell County. He was a retired farmer and sawmill operator. He was the widower of his first wife, Rushia Fogleman Robinson, and his second wife, Bertha Cox Robinson. In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Robinson; three sisters, Audrey Williams, Virgie McCloud and Merlie Wallace; and two stepsons, Frank Fogleman and Wayne Herndon. Survivors include two sisters, Beulah Hubble, Bristol Virginia, and Mabel Thomas and husband George Thomas, Lebanon; two stepdaughters, Anna Ruth Williams, Lebanon, and Jean H. Ratliff and husband Kenneth Ratliff, Chilhowie; a stepson, Graham W. Herndon and wife Darlene, Abingdon; a stepdaughter-in-law, Wanda H. Reid, Chilhowie; 13 step-grandchildren, Johnny Fogleman, Frank Folgleman, Bobby Fogleman, Kathy Hawkins, Rushia Fogleman, Paul Williams, Mary Lynne Branson, Eugenia R. Davenport, Rita Hammond, Jon Marc Herndon, Dwayne Herndon, Richard Herndon and Jennifer H. Barnes; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with Frank Branson, minister, officiating. The burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, in the Baylor Cemetery in Belfast. Those attending should meet at the funeral home by 10:15 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Jon Marc Herndon, Dwayne Herndon, Richard Herndon, Frank Fogleman, Johnny Fogleman and Bobby Fogleman. Honorary pallbearers will be: Fred Adkins, Bill Vencill, Kenneth Mutter, Charlie Jackson, Gailen Cox and Arthur Jackson. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Robinson. Paul Snider BRISTOL, Tenn.– Paul Snider, age 90, of 23211 Simcox Drive, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, at his residence. He was born Dec. 30, 1913, in Shady Valley, Tenn., was a son of the late Marion and Louise "Lou" Snider. He was a former resident of Chicago before moving to Bristol in 1964. He was a retired employee of Lawndale Small Engine Repair in Skokie, Ill., and was preceded in death by wife, Lillian Sexton Snider. Survivors include: daughter, Charlotte Sandberg; two stepsons, Alonzo P. Sexton and William H. Sexton and wife, Peggy; four grandchildren; eight great- grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; brother, Albert Snyder and wife, Pearl; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Floyd Nelson officiating. The committal will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, William Sexton and David Sexton. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends following the service Tuesday night at the Weaver Funeral Home. Clarence Stiltner Jr. CEDAR BLUFF– Mr. Clarence Stiltner Jr., age 80, passed away Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. He was the son of the late Clarence and Linda Robinson Stiltner. He was a member of Belfast Church of Christ. He was an evangelist preaching at a number of churches over the years. He was a member of the VFW Post 9640. He was a retired employee for S&S Machinery and Ingersoll Rand for 28 years, where he worked in quality control and mining machinery. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one sister, Loraine Compton; one brother, Bordas Mason Stiltner; and one son, Richard Stiltner. He is survived by his wife, Edna Lois Ratliff Stiltner; two sons, Steve Stiltner and wife Lettie of Pounding Mill, Va., and Joe Stiltner and wife Tammy of Paint Lick, Va.; three daughters, Shelia Stiltner of Lebanon, Dorothy Stiltner of Cedar Bluff and Janie Rush and husband Mike of Waynesburg, Pa.; three sisters, Catherine Compton of Dublin, Va., Virginia Shelton of Columbus, Ohio, and Irene Justus of Detroit; one grandson, Trevor Rush; and four granddaughters, Lisa, Becky, Denise and Cindy also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Dewey Mooney and Mr. Claude Bunn officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be nephews, men of Cliffield Church of Christ and men of Belfast Church of Christ. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Stiltner family. Thelma J. Varney RICHLANDS– Mrs. Thelma J. Varney, age 83, passed away Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Born in Russell County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Mary Corns Miller. She was a member of the Richlands Tabernacle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clive Varney; five sisters, Ruthie Miller, Mollie Miller, Gertie Miller, Cora Johnson and Carmie Miller; and four brothers, Leslie Miller, Rufus Miller, Clarence Miller and Guy Miller. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family in her generation. She is survived by one son, Keith Varney and wife Wanda of Pounding Mill, Va.; two daughters, Karen Horton and husband Danny, and Joetta Ray and husband Jack, both of Raven, Va.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at the Richlands Tabernacle in Richlands, with Rev. Ralph Horton and Rev. Carl Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Richlands Tabernacle. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Varney family. Annie White BRISTOL, Tenn. – Graveside services for Annie Elizabeth Otey White will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, in the Glenwood Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, with Evangelist Paul Tester and Rev. Noah Stout officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, at the Weaver Funeral Home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. White, age 69, of 1075 Bristol Caverns Highway, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 23, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. White. Emmalee Nicole Wilson BRISTOL, Tenn.– Emmalee Nicole Wilson, six-week-old infant daughter of Travis and Tiffany Wilson, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Other survivors included two sisters, Gracie and Kasie Wilson; grandparents, Tommy and Patricia Reed of Bristol Tennessee, and Jack and Dorothy Wilson of Bluff City; great-grandparents, Helen Mays and Bill Cook, both of Bristol Tennessee, and Pat Wilson of Bristol Virginia; a special uncle, John Mullins; and many other special uncles, aunts and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. Jimmy Epperson and Rev. Michael Thacker officiating. The family will receive friends from 10–11 a.m. prior to the service at Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel. Travis and Tiffany would like to thank Dr. James Schrenker for his kindness and loving care during this time in their lives. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800 is serving the family of Emmalee. Jeffrey R. Wilson ABINGDON– A committal and entombment service for Jeffrey R. Wilson will be conducted at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Cemetery. Honorary casket bearers will be Bobby Odum, James White, William Mitchell, David Holmes Sr., David Holmes Jr., Ralph Thornsbury, Chris Viers and Dave Matheson. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association, 208 Sunset Drive, Johnson City, TN 37604. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy on line may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The Lord called for Jeffrey R. Wilson, age 26, on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, is serving the family of Jeffrey R. Wilson.