Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, January 31, 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 Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004 Today's Deaths James C. Charles, 57, Vansant, Va. Thomas E. Derr, 75, Southern Pines, N.C. Iris Jean Fogarty, 59, Wise Irene Nancy Fultz, 81, Wise Cleda Elaine Mitchell, 55, Coeburn Joyce Ann Rowe O’Neal, Abingdon Margaret K. Robinette, Bristol Tennessee Shirley Ray Warner, 65, Lebanon Viola Plaster Whited, 88, Swords Creek, Va. Sammy L. Blevins MARION – Sammy L. Blevins, age 72, went to be with the Lord Jan. 29, 2004, from the Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. Mr. Blevins was born in Smyth County to the late Elder Hugh Mitchell Blevins and Lela Perry Blevins and was preceded in death by six brothers and five sisters. He was retired from Inter-mountain Telephone Company with 32 years of service and was a member of the Grosses Creek Baptist Church. He was a combat veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War and was the recipient of several medals including a Purple Heart. He was also a member of the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. Survivors include loving wife of 51 years, Peggy Lou Cullip Blevins, Marion; one son and daughter-in-law, Elden and Pam Blevins, Telford, Tenn.; two daughters and a son-in- law, Debbie Jones, Marion, and Kristi and Bobby Widener, Chilhowie; one foster daughter, Dawn Sheets and husband Terry, Marion; two brothers, Elder Ben H. Blevins, Marion, and Elder Hugh M. Blevins, Lakeland, Fla.; four grandsons, Jonathan and Mark Blevins, Justin Jones and Trevor Widener, and one granddaughter, Katie Widener. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Lloyd Sheets and Elder Larry Blevins officiating. Interment will follow in Grosses Creek Cemetery, with full military honors rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Simcox, Harry Anderson and William "Tinker" Bowman. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial contributions can be made to the Salvation Army, 615 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Blevins family. Anna Kate Breeding Earl B. Breeding CLEVELAND, Va. – The funeral service for Anna and Earl Breeding will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Michael Rhea officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Josh Erley, Jason Thomas, Steve Harder, Adam Rhea, Jack Thomas and Michael Saint. Honorary pallbearers will be Radfert Rhea, John Rhea and Dr. Dwight Bailey. Mrs. Breeding, 74, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, and her husband, Earl B. Breeding, 74, died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, from injuries received in an automobile accident on Route 19 in Hansonville. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. and Mrs. Breeding. James C. Charles VANSANT, Va. – James C. Charles, age 57, of Russell Prater, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at his residence. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Woodrow W. and Melba Charles. Mr. Charles was last employed as a dozer operator on a strip mine and was of the Baptist faith. He was a loving father, grandfather and brother. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Owens Charles, a brother, Dan Charles, and a sister, Mary Thomas. Survivors include a son, Ronald (Velva) Charles of Grundy; a daughter, Lisa Gail (Everette) Davis of Ashboro, N.C.; one grandson, Ryan James Charles of Prater, Va.; five brothers, Stanford "Hump" (Reithel) Charles, Bobby (Geraldine) Charles and Leslie (Shawna) Charles, all of Haysi, Dr. John (Lisa) Charles of Henderson, Ky., and Ronnie (Ruby) Stiltner of El Paso, Texas; three sisters, Pat Mullins and Betty (Larry) Yates, all of Haysi, and Mattie (Ronald) Deel of Vansant, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elder Frank Newsome officiating. Burial will follow in the Owens Cemetery, Route 1, Vansant. Pallbearers will be Ronald Deel, Justin Deel, Adam Deel, Larry Yates, Chris Anderson, James Yates and Jimmy O’quinn. Honorary pallbearers will be his brothers, Greg Deel and Phillip Deel. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30, at Haysi Funeral Home, where a song service will be held at 7 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Thomas E. Derr SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – Thomas E. Derr, age 75, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2004, in Southern Pines. He was born Nov. 22, 1928, near Baltimore. He was a superintendent with Local 16 of the Ironworkers in Maryland. He was a veteran of World War II with the U.S. Marine Corps. Prior to locating in North Carolina, he resided in the Abingdon area for 16 years. He was a member of the Jericho Temple and York Masonic Lodge 12. Survivors include his wife, Imogene Hayter Derr; two daughters, Susan and husband Jim Murray and Linda Warenicz; a stepson, Baylor Rowe; four grandchildren, Jon Paul Murray, Heather Benser, Leah Warenicz and Dylan Rowe, and a great-grandchild, Kristen Benser. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel, Abingdon, with the Rev. Rex Mallory officiating. The eulogy will be given by Charlie Ashley. A Masonic service will be conducted by York Masonic Lodge 12. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212- 0246. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Jessie Allen Dillard BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for Jessie Allen Dillard will be held Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at 3 p.m. at the Fellowship Chapel, with Rev. Scott Price and Rev. Lester MacKinnon officiating. Burial will follow in the Susong Cemetery. Pallbearers will be friends of the family. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 1:30-3 p.m. or any time at the home of Mr. Dillard or the daughter’s home, Linda Roe, 356 Raytheon Road, Bristol Tennessee. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Dillard, age 62, of 2100 Catherine St., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Daniel Lee Fern CONOVER, N.C. – A funeral service for Daniel "Dan" Lee Fern will be conducted at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at Weaver Funeral Home Chapel in Bristol Tennessee, with Rev. Dr. Bill Christian and Pastor Randall Miller officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 on Sunday evening at Weaver Funeral Home. The burial will be 11 a.m. Monday at Sunrise Cemetery in Bluff City. Pallbearers will be Jeffery Fern, Mike Cameron, John Massouras, Frank Schmitz, Russell Swanner and Skip Winkler. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Huntington Hills Church of God, 2123 5th St., NE, Hickory, NC 28601; American Diabetes Association, 1820 East 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204; North Carolina State Troopers Association, c/o Trooper R.E. Sales, 3957 Ram St., Claremont, NC 28610. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Fern, age 51, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at his home. Iris Jean Fogarty WISE – Iris Jean "Penny" Fogarty, 59, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at her home. She was of the Pentecostal faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Boyce and Nola Davis, her husband, Carl E. Fogarty, and a brother, Kenneth Davis. Surviving are six daughters, Karla Fogarty of the home, Millie Hillman of Wise, Connie Lawson of Coeburn, Kristi Deal of Clintwood, Tammy Hughes of Coeburn and Patricia Waller of South Carolina; one son, Michael Clark, Coeburn; one brother, Tony Davis of Wise; one sister, Joyce Smith of Coeburn; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Iris Jean "Penny" Fogarty will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with the Rev. Robbie Fultz officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. till time of services at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise in charge of arrangements. Irene Nancy Fultz WISE – Irene Nancy Fultz, 81, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at her home. She was a former inspector at a hosiery mill and a furniture factory in Lenoir, N.C., and was a member of the Lighthouse Family Worship Center in Wise. She was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick and Elsie Darnell, her husband, John Henry Fultz, and a son, Johnny Fultz. Surviving are one daughter, Denise and husband Tom Cantrell of Pound; one brother, Kenneth Darnell of Avondale, Ariz., and one sister, Virginia Sams of Norton. Funeral services for Irene Nancy Fultz will be conducted at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at the Lighthouse Family Worship Center, with the Rev. Roger Barker officiating. Burial and graveside committal services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. till time of services at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at the Lighthouse Family Worship Center. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise in charge of arrangements. Willard N. Gent AVON PARK, Fla. – A memorial service commemorating the life of Willard N. "Dink" Gent will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Tazewell, Va. A reception will be held following the service. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to a favorite charity. Mr. Gent died suddenly Jan. 17, 2004, in a Florida hospital. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell is serving the Gent family. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. William Goodman BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services William "Ned" Goodman will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. at the Glenwood Mausoleum, with Rev. James Norris officiating. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Goodman, age 74, of 127 Oak St., passed away on Jan. 29, 2004, at the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Cleda Mitchell COEBURN – Cleda Elaine Mitchell, 55, also of Richlands, passed away Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands. Cleda was the daughter of Roxie Payne and Ival H. Mitchell of Richlands. Survivors include three brothers, Troy Hollyfield, Coeburn, and David and Hurley Mitchell, both of Knoxville. A brother, Darrell G. Holyfield, preceded her in death. Sissy was known to all was a true "warrior." She struggled through much adversity but yet brought many smiles and happiness as well as much motivation to her parents, brothers and family. Sissy was God’s special child. Thank God she is now free and rejoicing. The family thanks all for their support and prayers. Funeral services for Cleda Elaine Mitchell will be held Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Estes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Curtis Bond and Rev. Monte Elswick officiating. Burial will follow in the Edwards Cemetery in Coeburn. Visitation will be held at Estes Funeral Home on Saturday after 6 p.m. Estes Funeral Home Inc., (276) 395-2441. Joyce O’Neal ABINGDON – Mrs. Joyce Ann Rowe O’Neal passed away Friday, Jan. 30, 2004. Arrangements are incomplete. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. O’Neal. Paul Pair GRAY, Tenn. – A memorial service for Paul Pair, 58, who passed Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at the Johnson City Medical Center, will be conducted 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at Snyder’s Funeral Home of Gray. Officiating will be Rev. Charles "Toonie" Cash. The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m., prior to the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Paul Pair to American Liver Foundation Mid-South Chapter, 5583 Murray Rd., Suite 205, Memphis, TN 38119. Serving the family of Mr. Paul Pair is Snyder’s Funeral Home, Gray, 477-7911/ 239-5671. Virginia Puckett POUNDING MILL, Va. – Funeral services for Miss Virginia Ruth Puckett will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Darrell Sutherland and Rev. Charles Hubbard officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill. Pallbearers will be Don Puckett, Randy Puckett, William Puckett, Cleaburn Newberry, Edward Coleman and Andrew Puckett Jr. Miss Puckett, age 87, died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at a Tazewell hospital following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Margaret Robinette BRISTOL, Tenn. – Margaret K. Robinette died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423)989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Robinette. Jane Barker Rush ABINGDON – The funeral service for Jane Barker Rush will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at Damascus United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jane Ayers and Rev. Helen Phillips officiating. Entombment will follow in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon. Pallbearers will be her sons, Roger "Skip" Musser, David Musser and Jason Rush, her uncle, Joe Martin, her nephew, Chip Barker, and her brother-in-law, William T. Rush III. Honorary pallbearers will be George Edd Barker, Kip Wallace and Joe Bert Rhea. Remembrances can be made in Jane’s memory to the Damascus United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 358, Damascus, VA 24236. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, prior to the funeral service at Damascus United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Mrs. Rush, age 60, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Rush. Margaret Salter BRISTOL, Va. – Committal services for Margaret Louise Sallie Salter will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, in the Mountain View Mausoleum Chapel. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Salter, 69, of 718 Portsmouth Ave., went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, from her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Shoemaker Funeral services for Mary Ellen Shoemaker will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Dale Greenwell and Rev. James Clatterbuck officiating. The interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Jeff Hurt, James Hurt, Brad Hurt, Eddie Kiser, Robert Kiser and Brian Kiser. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Kiser, Jack Kiser, Gary Clatterbuck, Roy Clatterbuck and Mike Clatterbuck. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Shoemaker, age 88, former resident of Pennsylvania Avenue, Bristol Tennessee, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, in NHC Health Care. Helen Marie Sholes GLADE SPRING – Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Marie Sholes will be held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel. Rev. Steve Turner will officiate. Entombment will follow in Mount Rose Mausoleum in Glade Spring. Pallbearers will be Kenny Miller, Wade Larkin, James Marsh, Jeff Stanley, George Stone and Chris Chapman. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Glade Spring Volunteer Life Saving Crew, 412 E. Glade St., Glade Spring, VA 24340. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Sholes passed away Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Sholes family. Shirley Ray Warner LEBANON – Shirley Ray Warner, 65, died Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Born Dec. 10, 1938, in Buchanan County, a daughter of the late Alec Ray and Cosby Blankenship Ray, she was the wife of the late Calvin Warner. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by several brothers and sisters. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Ronnie Coleman, Lebanon; a son, Randall Warner, Gray, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Chelsea Warner, Molly Warner, Amanda Warner, Miles Warner, Eric Coleman and Charlie Warner; a sister, Winnie Bowman, Bristol Tennessee; a brother, Dexter Ray and his wife Mary Ray, Abingdon; also her sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Darrell Harmon and the Rev. Austin Fields officiating. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. The burial and committal service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Russell Memorial Cemetery. Those attending should meet at the funeral home by 1:30 p.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Warner. Viola Plaster Whited SWORDS CREEK, Va. – Mrs. Viola (Gracie) Plaster Whited, age 88, of the Pine Creek community, went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, in a Richlands hospital. Born Nov. 5, 1915, in Swords Creek, she was a daughter of the late Bob and Jennie Robinette Plaster. She was a lifelong resident of the area and attended the Pine Creek Pole Church her entire life. She served as treasurer of the Sunday School for 35 years. She spent her entire life singing songs of praise to her Lord. She was a well-known and well-loved alto singer for the Swords Creek Quartet and the Whited Family Quartet. She was a wonderful wife, mother, mother- in-law, grandmother, neighbor and friend. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 57 years, Herbert Paul Whited, one daughter, Wiletta (Dib) Gregory, one grandson, Larry Bostic, her great-grandson, Matthew Evans, one sister, Vergie Robinette, and four brothers, Bill, Gaines, Charles and Burt Plaster. Survivors include two daughters and three sons-in-law, Tenny and Ralph Bostic, Judy and Jerry Hess and Randy Gregory, all of Swords Creek; two sisters, Dora Pope of Richmond and Macy Hickman of Honaker; seven grandchildren; 16 great- grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; five sisters-in-law, Artie Boyd of Abingdon, Avis Plaster of Richlands, Irene Plaster of Newport News, Mattie Plaster of Manassas and Edith Plaster of Swords Creek; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends also survive. A celebration of her Christian life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jess Whited, Rev. Daniel Richardson and Rev. Dennis White officiating. Interment will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery at Richlands. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Toeya Piriz, Tammie Vencill and the entire staff of the Clinch Valley Medical Center, especially the fourth floor nurses. May God bless you all for your kindness. Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Ministers Scotty Perkins, Howard Reynolds, Dennis Richardson, all area ministers and men of the church. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Saturday.