Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, January 28, 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 Wednesday, January 28, 2004 Norman Lester "N.L." Baker Jr., 79, Bristol Virginia Freda Viers Clifton, 55, Haysi Marvin "Dokas" Earl Fletcher, 71, Mountain Home, Tenn. Lois Hillman Henderson, 82, Charlotte, N.C. Guy Carson Ivester, 68, Abingdon Katherine Virginia Kiser, 9, Wildwood, Fla. Gusta Rowe Smith, 80, Grundy Randall (Randy) Gene Tenney, 45, Elkins, W.Va. Bobby Gene Vinson, 27, Dante, Va. N.L. Baker Jr. BRISTOL, Va. – Norman Lester "N.L." Baker Jr., 79, went home to be with our Savior, Christ the Lord, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, from the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn. N.L. was born in Scott County, Va., a son of the late Norman Lester Baker Sr. and Barsha Booher Baker. He was a farmer and livestock dealer and resided in the home where he was born. He was a member of Lime Hill Baptist Church. He belonged to Shelby Masonic Lodge 162, Johnson Commandery 14, Kazem Temple of Roanoke and the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Virginia. While serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for injuries he received in action in Europe. Other than his parents, N.L. was preceded in death by five sisters, Luna Hickman, Mary Larkey, Ruby Leonard, Guilmetta Roam and Bertie Anderson; and four brothers, Charlie Baker, Jacob Baker, A.D. Baker and Amos Baker. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather to his family and a friend to many. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Maxie Louise Johnson Baker; four daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Alex Turner, Barbara and Johnny Barker, Kay and Lowell Morrell and Arlene and Randy Crusenberry; six grandchildren, Heather Barker, Rachel Barker, Laura Turner, Matthew Morrell, Sarah Crusenberry and Hannah Crusenberry; many nieces and nephews; and sisters-in-law, Roena Baker, Pauline Hartsock, June Mumpower and her husband Everette Mumpower. The family will receive friends from 5 until 6:45 Thursday evening, Jan. 29, 2004, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with a Masonic memorial service and the funeral service to follow at 7 o’clock. Rev. Stan Anderson and Rev. Dewey Williams will officiate. The burial will be at 11 o’clock Friday morning, Jan. 30, 2004, in Booher’s Cemetery, with military rites presented by the Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be Gilbert Baker, Bradford Baker, Lloyd Baker, Ralph Baker, Tommy Baker, Wayne Anderson, Roger Hartsock and Howell Mumpower. Honorary pallbearers will be Norman Baker, Tom Baker, Vincent Baker, Claude Smith, Robert Booher and all the members of Lime Hill Baptist Church. Special thanks are extended to Dr. Fred Greear, the devoted staff of NHC of Bristol and NHC of Johnson City. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com Mr. Baker and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Mary Combs Blevins KONNAROCK, Va. – The funeral service for Mary Combs Blevins 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. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com Mrs. Blevins, age 86, passed away Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, at Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Blevins. Alice D. Carty DAMASCUS – Alice D. Carty, age 86, passed away Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at her residence. She was a native of Scott County, Va., and had lived in Damascus since 1945. She was a daughter of the late Robert O. Osborne and Martha E. Jenkins Osborne. She was a member of the Lakeview Methodist Church, Castlewood. Mrs. Carty was a widow of William M. "Bill" Carty, and was preceded in death by a son, Bob Carty. She is survived by three daughters, Uneva Johnson, of Damascus, Lenora Carty and Wilma Caldwell and her husband, Tom, both of Abingdon; three sons, Lyle Carty and his wife, Loretta, of Meadowview, Larry Carty and his wife, Barbara, of Abingdon, and Daryl Carty and his wife, Connie, of Damascus; one sister, Gladys Osborne, and her husband, Bill, of Damascus; two brothers, Nathan Osborne, of Kingsport and Kenneth Osborne, and his wife, Shirley, of Damascus; special friends, Helen and June; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several special nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Alan McCullough officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Sunset Memorial Park, Damascus. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Kevin Johnson, Raymond French Carty, Chris Hackler, Jon Caldwell, Greg Caldwell and Will Carty. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, Bracken Caldwell, John Carty and Emory Carty. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to the Damascus Volunteer Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 458, Damascus, VA 24236. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home. The family wishes to express a special thanks to all of Mrs. Carty’s care givers and nurses. 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. Carty. Freda Viers Clifton HAYSI – Freda Viers Clifton, 55 years of age, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, at Grace Health Care, Abingdon, following an extended illness. Born in McDowell County, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Walter and Mae Hackney Viers. She was a member of the Holiness church and was a former employee of the Buchanan County School System for 22 years as a cook and custodian. She is survived by three daughters, Melissa Anderson, Haysi, Keppei Meadows, Winchester, Va., and Dana Grey, Winchester; four sisters, Juanita White, Owosso, Mich., Anna Lou Browning, Pineville, W.Va., Ella Mae Proffitt, Welch, W.Va., and Loretta Hurley, Grundy; two brothers, Walter Junior Viers, Grundy and Billy Ray Viers, Bradshaw, W.Va.; and four grandchildren, Tiffany Anderson, Kenneth Ray Anderson Jr., Emily Meadows and Hannah Meadows. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Darrell and Thomas Viers. Funeral services for Freda Viers Clifton will be conducted Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Dismal Holiness Church, with Evangelist Mike Rife and Rev. J.D. Keen officiating, with burial to follow in the Family Cemetery at the Mouth of Upper Big Branch on Dismal Route, Oakwood, Va. Friends may call at the Dismal Holiness Church Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m., with services Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Kathy Freeman, Nancy Keen, Linda Horn, Garnie Keen, Debby Osborne, Gracie Anderson and Bevelene Clifton. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Nell P. Ferguson CHILHOWIE – Nell P. Ferguson, 82, formerly of Martinsville, Va., died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, in Smyth County Community Hospital. She was the daughter of the late James Edd and Carrie Mays Ferguson. She was a member of the Calvary Christian Church, Martinsville. Survivors include two sisters, Lula Wheeler and husband Jack, Chilhowie, and Frances Craven, Marion; two nephews, Dennis Wheeler and wife Janet, Monticello, Ky., and John Sanders, Virginia; two nieces, Teresa Whitt, Dublin, Va., and Sherrie Craven, Marion; grand-niece, Amy Maas and husband Scott, Lexington, Ky.; grand-nephews, Jason Sage, Dublin, and Adam Sage, wife Nicole and daughter, Courtney, Gerradstown, W.Va. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Williams Funeral Home Chapel, with Ministers Dennis Wheeler and David St. Clair officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in St. James Cemetery. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made to the Chilhowie United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 367, Chilhowie, VA 24319. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. prior to the service. Williams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Marvin E. Fletcher MOUNTAIN HOME, Tenn. – Mr. Marvin "Dokas" Earl Fletcher, 71, went home to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, where his family also greeted him on Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, in the VA Nursing Home after a lengthy illness with Parkinson’s disease. A native of Washington County, Tenn., he was the son of the late Hazel Birchfield Fletcher Treadway and Herman Fletcher. Mr. Fletcher was a graduate of Lamar High School. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict. Mr. Fletcher worked for Holston Defense in Kingsport for 10 years before going to work in the automotive industry. He was a salesman with Sherwood Chevrolet for nine years. In 1984, he moved to Savannah, Ga., and worked with Fairway Nissan. During his nine years of employment with Fairway Nissan, Mr. Fletcher was Salesman of the Year for two years. He returned to Johnson City in 1993. An excellent athlete, Mr. Fletcher was known for his lethal slider in baseball. His competitive nature carried over into his playing for the WJCW softball team. Because of his love of sports, Mr. Fletcher found a way to become a mentor and to give something back by working as a TSSAA basketball and baseball official for 21 years. He was also a Southern Conference basketball and baseball official. While working as an official, Mr. Fletcher umpired both the Johnson City Yankees and the Johnson City Cardinals baseball games. He was a former coach of the Johnson City Greenies semi-pro baseball team and was a lifetime member of the Big-10 Conference. Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Forrest Boreing, Sheila Fletcher and Sandra and Don Reimer, all of Jonesborough; a son, Marvin "Dokey" Earl Fletcher Jr., Jonesborough; Mary Juanita Guinn Fletcher, to whom he was previously married, Jonesborough; five grandchildren, Heather Boreing Hillman, Johnson City, Richard Arwood, Jonesborough, Ben Arwood, Johnson City and Cody Street and Austin Street, both of Jonesborough; a special niece, Betty Hope Palmer, Atlanta, and niece, Jill Fletcher, Knoxville. In addition to his parents, Mr. Fletcher was preceded in death by his grandparents, Pap and Betty Birchfield; by his second wife, Linda Hull Swartz Fletcher; a daughter, Susan Fletcher; a sister, Betty Jean Fletcher; a brother, Bob "Daylight" Fletcher; and a niece, Kim Fletcher. The Celebration of Life graveside service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, in the National Cemetery, Mountain Home, with Rev. Ira Cunningham officiating. Music will be provided by Mrs. Hannah Clark. Everyone is asked to meet at the funeral home to go in procession to Mountain Home by 10:20 a.m. Thursday. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the Sunset Chapel of Tetrick Funeral & Cremation Services, Johnson City, and at the family’s home, 634 Charlie Hicks Road, Jonesborough, at any time. Pallbearers will be Ben Arwood, Richard Arwood, Aaron Hillman, Forrest Boreing, Matt Reimer, Don Reimer, Anthony Watson, Wayne Birchfield, Ray Birchfield and Gary Birchfield. Honorary pallbearers will be Lefty Bowers, Dr. Ivan Merkel, Karen Gunn and the nursing staff at the VA Nursing Home. The Fletcher family would like to extend a very special thank you to the nursing home staff for their loving care and to our Former state representative, Ralph Cole. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com Arrangements for the Fletchers are through Tetrick Funeral & Cremation Services, 3001 Peoples St., Johnson City, 610-7171. Lois H. Henderson CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mrs. Lois Hillman Henderson, age 82, formerly of Richlands, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at the Laurels at Highland Creek in Charlotte. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com Claude Holland TROUTDALE, Va. – Claude Holland, age 71, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at his home in Troutdale. He was born in McDowell County, W.Va., to the late James Alfred Holland and Virgie Mary Keaton Holland, and was preceded in death by his wife, Raynell Weaver Holland, and a brother, Bruce Holland. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean conflict, a retired steel worker and a member of the Teamsters Union. Survivors include: four sons, Claude Holland Jr., Rutherfordton, N.C., James Holland, Macomb Township, Mich., Rodney Holland, Allenton, Mich., and Troy A. Holland, Troutdale; three daughters, Pamela E. Holland, Troutdale, Annette Ragan, Hazel Park, Mich., and Sherri L. Holland, Jefferson, N.C.; living mother, Carolyn Wells Holland; six sisters, Lena Jones, Oak Hill, W.Va., Betty Deluca, Tennessee, Pat Farnella, Toronto, Ohio, Nancy Taylor, Lanham, Md., Brenda Stacy, Bluff City, and Theresa Stacy, Troutman, N.C.; six brothers, Clyde Holland, Tazewell, Va., Luther Holland, James Holland, Bean Station, Tenn., Richard Holland, Duffield, Va., Michael Holland, Warrior Mine, W.Va., and Bobby Holland, Lebanon; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; special friend, Scarlet McGrady; and many nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Troutdale Baptist Church, with Rev. Ron Riggens officiating. Interment will follow in Haw Orchid Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Troutdale Baptist Church. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Holland family. Guy Carson Ivester ABINGDON – Mr. Guy Carson Ivester, age 68, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, in the Abingdon Manor. Arrangements are incomplete. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Ivester family. Frances Ann Ketron LEBANON – The funeral service for Frances Ann Ketron 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. Miss Ketron, 84, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Miss Ketron. Katherine V. Kiser WILDWOOD, Fla. – Katherine Virginia Kiser, 9, died Jan. 26, 2004. She was born in Orlando, Fla. She was a student of the Exceptional Student Education Program, member of Keto Kids and attended Wildwood Assembly of God. Surviving are her parents, Millard and Patricia; sisters, Penny Lowery of Copperas Cove, Texas, and Jessica Green and Krystal Dale, both of Wildwood; paternal grandmother, Gertrude Kiser of Lebanon, Va., maternal grandparents, William and Sylvia Goad, Wildwood; two nieces; and two nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 29, in Wildwood. Banks/Page-Theus Funeral Home of Wildwood is in charge of arrangements. Newlin E. Robinson RUSSELL COUNTY, Va. – The funeral service for Newlin Earl Robinson 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. Mr. Robinson, 90, of the Belfast community, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Robinson. Gusta Rowe Smith GRUNDY – Gusta Rowe Smith, 80 years of age, of the Smith Branch Area of Route 3, passed away Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at Maple Grove Rehabilitation Center, Lebanon, following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Charlie and Bessie Lee Stacy Rowe. She was a life-long resident of Buchanan County and a member of Slate Creek Primitive Baptist Church for 56 years. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and homemaker and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Mrs. Smith was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Robert A. Smith, June 14, 1997. She is survived by five sons, Ronnie and wife Karen Smith, Melbourne, Fla., Mack and wife, Elizabeth Smith, Rogersville, Tenn., Charles and wife Shirley Smith, Grundy, Danny and wife Terrie Smith, Mt. Carmel, Tenn., and Donnie Harold and wife, Jackie Smith, Grundy. Also, she is survived by 11 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Bobby Ray Smith; one sister; and one brother. Funeral services for Gusta Rowe Smith will be conducted Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Elders Larry Blevins, Ked Stacy, Don Stacy and Darrell Davis officiating, with burial to follow in the Smith Branch Cemetery on Slate Creek, Grundy. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m., with services at 7 p.m. conducted by Elders George B. Combs, Joe Edwards and Delford Ward. Active pallbearers will be Richie Smith, Bradley Smith, John Smith, Kennith Smith, Timothy Smith, Jeff Dotson and Jim McClanahan. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Washington Primitive Baptist Association. The family suggests that expression of sympathy be made in the form of memorial contributions to the Slate Creek Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Danny Smith, 141 Valley Crest Drive, Mt. Carmel, TN 37645. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Paul Snider BRISTOL, Tenn. – The committal for Paul Snider 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 Mr. Snider, age 90, of 23211 Simcox Drive, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2004, at his residence. Randall Gene Tenney ELKINS, W.Va. – Randall (Randy) Gene Tenney, age 45, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at Elkins. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel in Buckhannon, W.Va. Bobby Gene Vinson DANTE, Va. – Bobby Gene Vinson, 27, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004, at home. Born Oct. 6, 1976, a son of Judith Boyd Vinson and the late Larry Vinson, he was a former employee of Bristol Compressors. Survivors include his wife, Lisa Wampler Vinson, Lebanon; son, Zachary Paul Gene Vinson, Dante; his mother, Judith (Judy) Boyd Vinson, Dante; a sister, Kayla Vinson, Dante; a brother, Eric Vinson, Dante; his maternal grandmother, Marie Boyd, Dante; his paternal grandmother, Rosa Vinson, Wise; and special friends, Karrye and Ginna Dean, Castlewood. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Darrell Milgram officiating. Burial will follow in the Keith Family Cemetery in Castlewood. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the Vinson 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. 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. – Funeral services for EmmaLee Nicole Wilson 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. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net EmmaLee, the 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. Akard Funeral Home 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN (423) 989-4800 is serving the family of EmmaLee.