Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, February 2, 2004 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/Page/TRI_FrontPage ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bristol Herald Courier Monday, February 2, 2004 Thomas Phillip Balthis, 55, Bristol Virginia Jessica Star Blevins, 22, Chilhowie Roscoe Brady "Jack" Breeding, 89, Wise H. Paul Buskell, 94, Cedar Bluff Ruby Pauline Camper, 98, Bristol Virginia Linda Marie Cross, 60, Bristol Tennessee Frances Sprinkle Crumley, 61, Bristol Tennessee Lola J. Dye, 94, Newark, Ohio Joseph Barron Gillenwater, 88, Birmingham, Ala. Eddith Marie Harrington, 86, Sugar Grove, Va. Hershel W. Herron, 79, Norton Bennie D. Keen, 56, Richlands Amelia S. Phipps, 81, Bristol Tennessee Grace Curd Taylor, 90, Abingdon Elmer Vance White, 85, Lebanon Mabel Ann Williams, 79, Duffield, Va. Thomas P. Balthis BRISTOL, Va. – Thomas Phillip Balthis, age 55, of 23199 Dartmore Drive, passed away on Jan. 31, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and attended Union Hope Presbyterian Church. He was retired from Strongwell, formerly known as Morrison Molded Fiberglass. Survivors include: wife, Kathy Ann Brown Balthis; daughters, Diane Blake and fiance’, Jason Soumang of Houston and Tammy Sperow and husband Ken Sperow Jr. of Dardanelle, Ark.; brother, Franklin Balthis of Bristol Virginia; sister, Carolyn Ball of Bristol Virginia; mother, Myrtle Balthis of Bristol Tennessee; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Mountain View Mausoleum Chapel, with Pastor Mark Barr and Rev. Roger Ball officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jessica Star Blevins CHILHOWIE – Jessica Star Blevins, age 22, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at the Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie. She was born in Smyth County and was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Poston Blevins; grandmother, Vernice Blevins; and grandmother and grandfather Poston. Survivors include: father and stepmother, Michael and Doris Blevins, Seven Mile Ford; special foster parents/aunt and uncle, Claudine and Scott McCormick, Chilhowie; grandfather and step-grandmother, Gilbert L. and Dolly Blevins, Adwolfe; sister and brother-in-law, Amanda and James Rose, Groseclose; foster sister and brother-in-law, Vicki and Luther Williams, Chilhowie; stepsister and brother-in-law, Valerie and Daniel Warner, Lebanon; half-brother, Derrick Blevins, Seven Mile Ford; four nephews and a niece, Payton Rose, Ashton Rose, Dalton Rose, Colton Williams and Caleb Warner; and many very loving family members also survive. A special thanks to the wonderful caregivers. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at 8 p.m. at the Chilhowie First Church of God, with Rev. Bobby Dunn and Rev. Mickey Taylor officiating. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the St. James Lutheran Cemetery in Chilhowie. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Chilhowie First Church of God. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, c/o Judy Hicks, 332 North Lauderdale St., Mail Stop 101, Memphis, TN 38105-2794 or the Chilhowie First Church of God Building Fund, P.O. Box 198, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie, is serving the family of Jessica Blevins. Roscoe B. Breeding WISE – Roscoe Brady "Jack" Breeding, 89, went home to be with the Lord on Jan. 31, 2004. Born in Russell County, Va., he was a retired coal miner from the Old Ben Coal Co., a member of the Dixiana UMWA Local Union 8017, a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Buckley Maloy and had attended the Stevens Church of God. He was preceded in death by his parents, Garnett and Ida Ruth Counts Breeding; his wife, Hattie Ruth Rasnake Breeding; a son, James Spencer Breeding; and a sister, Mrs. Willie "Norma" Sturgill. Surviving are one son, Larry Breeding and wife Linda of Wise; one daughter, Gail Watson and husband Lester of Castlewood; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ray (Anna) Wells of Norton; grandchildren, Larry Todd and Valerie Breeding of Lexington, Ky., Leslie and D. J. Hatfield of Afton, Va., and Susan and Shane Coleman of Lebanon; great-grandchildren, Olivia Breeding, Madeline Breeding, Jackson Breeding, Thomas Coleman, Emily Coleman and Melanie Coleman; two brothers, Hubert Breeding and Curtis Breeding, both of Wise; six sisters, Mrs. Harold (June) Price of Ryderwood, Wash., Mrs. Harry (Ollie) Dotson of Wise, Ruby Sturgill of Madina, Ohio, Vivian Moskol of Litchfield, Ohio, Virginia Proffit of Lebanon and Mrs. Joe Mack (Loretta) Hayden of Wise. Funeral services for Roscoe Brady "Jack" Breeding will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with the Pastor Cliff Bowman officiating. Burial and graveside committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at the Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery at 11 a.m. for services. The family will receive friends Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, from 5 till time of services at 7 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. The family request that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Stevens Church of God, 6619 Stephens Road, Wise, VA 24293. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise in charge of arrangements. Nell D. Buchanan BLUFF CITY – Nell D. Buchanan, age 94, of 3247 Hickory Tree Road, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at her home following a brief illness. She was a native of Carter County, Tenn., but spent most of her life in Sullivan County, Tenn. She was the daughter of the late John and Sally Hardin. She was a long-time member of Mt. Holston Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and played the piano. Mrs. Buchanan was a retired teacher from the Sullivan County School System. She attended Washington College, where she graduated from high school. Upon completion, she went to Maryville College and earned a degree. After teaching in Knox County for a year, she came to Sullivan County and taught at Mt. Holston and Holston Point until she retired in 1976. Other than her parents, Mrs. Buchanan was preceded in death by her husband, Harrison D. Buchanan; three sisters, Ethel Kate Hardin, Lydia King and Flona Phillips; and one brother, John Hardin Jr. Survivors include her three sons and daughters-in-law, Harrison David Jr. and Barbara Buchanan, Doug and Doris Buchanan and Frank and Dianna Buchanan, all of Bluff City; four grandchildren, Janet Buchanan, Bluff City; Joel Buchanan, Trenton, Mich., Leslie Buchanan, Bristol Virginia, and Rallie Buchanan, Bluff City; three great-grandchildren, Amanda Buchanan, Bluff City and Harrison Buchanan and Caitlin Buchanan, Trenton; two sisters, Nan Hardin, Kingsport, and JoAnn Moody, Bluff City; special friends, Maggie Buchanan, Shirley Johnson, Dr. Cecil Collins and Dr. David Thompson; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral service for Mrs. Buchanan will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, in the Mt. Holston Baptist Church, with the Rev. Ray Hardin and Rev. Mike Leonard officiating. Music will be under the direction of Mt. Holston Baptist Church. Graveside service and interment will follow the service at the McKinney Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearer will be J. Craft Akard. Special thanks to her granddaughter and caregiver, Janet Buchanan. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, in the Tetrick Funeral Home Bluff City Chapel. Friends may also call at the residence, 3247 Hickory Tree Road, Bluff City, at any time. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhme.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Bluff City (423) 538-7131. H. Paul Buskell CEDAR BLUFF – Mr. H. Paul Buskell, age 94, of 229 Alfalfa Lane, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at his home. He was born in Richlands and was a son of the late Albert Greene and Rose Elizabeth Fields Buskell. He was a life-long resident of the Cedar Bluff area and was a member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. Mr. Buskell began his career in sales at Marco Warner Wholesale as a young boy. His work there sparked an entrepreneurial spirit which led him to establish Buskell Brokerage Company, selling to wholesale grocers throughout the Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee regions. After serving in the Army during World War II, he returned to Richlands, moved a mountain and built Gateway Shopping Center. Buskell established the first subdivisions in Tazewell County at Claypool Hill, Pounding Mill and Tazewell, opening the area for hundreds of homes. The first County Industrial Park property was also sold by Buskell to S & S Corporation. Helping to establish the Richlands Area Industrial Development Corp., he and others obtained a charter resulting in the Eastern Isles Clothing Factory. Buskell later moved another mountain and built the Claypool Hill Mall. He, along with Jim Lindsey, master-minded the Clinch Valley Bank. Among other accomplishments, he was a Kentucky Colonel, a charter member of the Richlands Lions Club and was presented the coveted Citizenship Award in 1982, presented by the Richlands Area Chamber of Commerce. He worked hard to better his community and the lives of his fellow citizens. From his humble beginnings, he forged a world of business that touched thousands of lives and did it in the face of difficulties that would have deterred many. Buskell’s accomplishments were shared with his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth, who worked diligently by his side. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy Lake Buskell and James Kyle Buskell and son-in-law, Barry A. Bandy. Survivors, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Mrs. Carole Lombard Cooke and husband, Hugh of Richlands, and Mrs. Barry (Paula) Bandy of Richlands; one sister, Mrs. Bettye (Mary Elizabeth) McLaskey of Richlands; grandsons, H. Shannon Cooke and wife, Charlene of Richlands and Jason-Paul Trevor Cooke and wife, Heather of Leesburg, Va.; and granddaughter, Barri G. Gregory and husband, Trent of West Jefferson, N.C. Funeral services for Mr. H. Paul Buskell will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Judy C. McKnight, Rev. Barry Absher and Rev. Richard Stone officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be: Randy Yost, Jason Shortt, Dr. Joe Adair, Joe Blair McGlothlin, C.J. Horn, Jim Steele, J.R. Absher, Tim Trent and John Earl Brown Jr. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fountain of Joy Church, Route 1, Box 222, Pounding Mill, VA 24637 or the Jewell Ridge Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 116, Jewell Ridge, VA 24622. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Ruby Pauline Camper BRISTOL, Va. – Ruby Pauline Camper, age 98, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Lora Arnold Saul. She was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and attended Beech Grove Methodist Church. Survivors include: children, Peggy Ruth Bland of Lake City, Fla., Wiley M. Camper and wife Frances of Lake City, Geraldine Booher and husband Robert of Bristol Virginia, Gerald R. Camper and wife Wanda of Bristol, Tennessee, and Pauline Worley of Bristol Virginia; sister, Nanny Stacey of Bristol Virginia; 28 grandchildren; 36 great- grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Emmitt Wilson officiating. Committal services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Linda Marie Cross BRISTOL, Tenn. – Linda Marie Cross, age 60, passed away on Feb. 1, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incom-plete. Frances S. Crumley BRISTOL, Tenn. – Frances Sprinkle Crumley, age 61, passed away on Feb. 1, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. She was born in Washington County, Va., the daughter of the late Leon F. Sprinkle Sr. and Helen Sprinkle Davis. Mrs. Crumley was a former real estate agent and teacher and was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Survivors include: husband of 37 years, Claude Crumley of Bristol Tennessee; son, Steven Crumley of Bristol Tennessee; brothers, Malcolm Sprinkle and wife Claudia of Abingdon and Leon F. Sprinkle Jr. and wife Sue of Mechanicsville, Va. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at Redeemer Lutheran Church at 7 p.m., with Rev. Gary Chenowith officiating. Committal services will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Crumley Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5-6:45 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Not by Bread Alone, 1080 5th Street, Box 4406, Bristol, TN 37625-4406. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lola J. Dye NEWARK, Ohio – Mrs. Lola J. Dye, age 94, of 1463 Molevista Ave., formerly of Raven, Va., died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, in an Ohio hospital. She was born in Russell County, Va., and was a daughter of the late Joe and Dora Mays Brown, both Russell County natives. She had made her home in the Raven area most of her life, living in Ohio the past four years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Cleatis Dye Sr.; three sons, Cleatis Dye Jr., Donald Dye and Douglas Dye; also four sisters; and two brothers. Survivors are: four daughters, Mrs. Sylvia Hicks and husband, Billy of Newark, Ohio, Mrs. Doris Patterson of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, Mrs. Virginia Childress and husband, Arland of Tazewell, Va., and Mrs. Billie Jean Lawson and husband, Don of Swords Creek, Va.; two sons, Mr. Carl Dye and wife, Bertie of Licking County, Ohio, and Mr. Bobby Dye and wife, Delores of Licking County; one sister, Mrs. Martha Wilson of Raven; 41 grandchildren; 20 great- grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Lola J. Dye will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Paul Griffith officiating. Entombment will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum in Richlands. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Hurst- Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Monday. 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. Daniel Lee Fern CONOVER, N.C. – The burial for Daniel "Dan" Lee Fern 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. Joseph Gillenwater BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Joseph Barron Gillenwater, 88, died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, in Birmingham, his home for the past 35 years. Born March 15, 1915, in Esserville, Va., he grew up in Norton and was a life- long outdoorsman. He previously lived in Martinsburg, W.Va., for an extended time. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1940 with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. He was a professional mining and mechanical engineer. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in intelligence in the Aleutian Islands. Mr. Gillenwater was a member of Oakmont Presbyterian Church, a member of the Shriners, the National Engineering Society, the Zomouri Temple of the Masonic Lodge and was a past president of the Izaak Walton League. In 1935, he was credited with saving the lives of two men in a gypsum mine in Saltville. He worked for the Martin Marietta Corp. for 35 years as an executive. Mr. Gillenwater was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Michie Gillenwater, on June 2, 1988; a daughter, Fannie Joe Gillenwater; by his first wife, Mildred Pierce Gillenwater of Bristol; brothers, Chad Gillenwater, who died in World War II, and Jay King Gillenwater of Kingsport; and a sister, Joy Slemp Gillenwater Wolfe of Norton. He is survived by his current wife, Virginia Sandman Eggleston Gillenwater; son, Chad Michie Gillenwater Sr. (Mary Ellen), Columbia, Md; daughter, Gail Elizabeth Gillenwater (Carl), Seattle; daughter, Lynn Baron Gillenwater-Fox (Michael), Newport News, Va.; son, Harold Decker Gillenwater, Kingsport; daughter, Virginia Ruth Oliver, Jackson, Tenn.; stepdaughters, Cindy Daugherty (Steve) and Melanie Chatter (Paul); stepsons, Chuck Eggleston (Lorie) and Edward Eggleston (Sandra); grandsons, Chad Michie Gillenwater Jr.; Thomas Lee Oliver II (Denise), Michael Frank Gillenwater (Marcy) and Mitchell Pierce Gillenwater; granddaughters, Lindsey Eagen Gillenwater, Virginia Elizabeth Oliver, Suzann Lynne Boyd (Jeff) and Jennifer Lynne Gillenwater Marshall (Mark). He is survived by 13 great-grandchildren, Meredith Marshall, Christian Marshall, Allison Marshall, Morgan Gillenwater, Mason Gillenwater, Thomas (Trey) Oliver III, Britney Oliver, Mattie Boyd, J.P. Boyd, Kalyn Boyd, Miller Boyd, Clay Gary and Walt Gary. He is also survived by nephews, John K. Gillenwater, Bristol, Dr. Jay Y. Gillenwater, Charlottesville, Va., and Joe E. Wolfe, Norton; nieces, Joyce Mottern of North Carolina, and Nacy Slemp Wolfe Yapo, Milford, Conn. Memorial services will be held Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Ridout’s Valley Chapel in Homewood, AL (205) 879-3401. Memorial contributions may be made to King’s Ranch or the American Cancer Society. Obitiuary information is provided by Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton. Eddith Marie Harrington SUGAR GROVE, Va. – Eddith Marie Harrington, age 86, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, in Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie. She was a member of Wharf Hill United Methodist Church, Sugar Grove. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert Harrington, three brothers, and six sisters. Mrs. Harrington is survived by one daughter, Phyllis Luquer of Ashland, Ky.; one son and daughter-in-law, Willis and Madeline Harrington of Marion; three grandchildren, Heather Walters and husband, Jeff of Edinburg, Va., Michelle Skaggs and husband, Drew of Ashland, and Kelli Caiafa and husband, Jason of Hartford, Conn.; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Walters, Thomas Skaggs and Luke Skaggs; one sister, Enola Harrington of Bel Air, Md.; one brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Ruth Harrington of Sugar Grove. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Kenny Price officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Sugar Grove. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Harrington Family. Hershel W. Herron NORTON – Hershel W. Herron, 79, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Born to the late James and Bessie Laney Herron, he was a lifelong resident of the Norton and Wise County area. He is survived by his wife, Margie Price Herron; and three sons, Jerry, Carl and Larry Herron, all of Norton. Also surviving are a brother, Ray Herron, Norton; and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton. The family will receive friends Monday from 6 p.m. until time for funeral services in the chapel of Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton. John P. Hughes ABINGDON – John P. Hughes, age 72, died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004. He was born in Abingdon, the son of the late James A. Hughes and Myrtle Musick Hughes. He was a graduate of William King High School and attended Emory & Henry College and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He worked for VDOT in Northern, Eastern, and Southwestern areas of Virginia. He was a resident engineer for VDOT in Lee County and Scott County. He retired from VDOT with 35 years of service. He served with the U.S. Army in the 3rd Infantry Division during the Korean War, with the rank of sergeant first class. He was a member in the VFW Post 6975 of Bristol. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hughes was preceded in death by a brother, James D. Hughes, and a sister, Alice Hughes Thompson. Surviving are two brothers, Edwin Thomas Hughes Sr. of Blountville and Tony Lynn Hughes of Abingdon; one sister, Jean Hughes Bain of Roanoke, and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be Mr. Hughes’ nephews. Flowers will be accepted or those who wish may make a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association, c/o Penny Howard, 126 Valley St., NW, Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of arrangements. Bennie D. Keen RICHLANDS – Mr. Bennie D. Keen, age 56, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at his home following a brief illness. He was born in Buchanan County, Va., and was a son of the late Thomas D. and Ruby Maynard Keen, both Buchanan County natives. He was a life-long resident of the Richlands area, was a 1968 graduate of Richlands High School and attended Southwest Virginia Community College. He was a U. S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of the Open Door Community Church. He was a retired miner with Island Creek Coal Company VP 3 at Vansant, Va., and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America Local Union 1640. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas Glen Keen and Rufus James Keen; also one sister, Myrtle Fields. Survivors are: two sisters, Mrs. Pat Rife of Belfast, Va., and Mrs. Shirley Altizer of Panama City, Fla.; and one half-sister, Mrs. Patty Selenski of New York City. Funeral services for Mr. Bennie D. Keen will be conducted Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Charlie McGlothlin officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Members of Casey- Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands and Disabled American Veterans Tazewell County Chapter 31 will conduct military graveside rites. Friends may call at the Hurst- Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Open Door Community Church, 285 Kirby Road,. Raven, VA 24639. 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. Joyce O’Neal ABINGDON – The family of Mrs. Joyce Ann Rowe O’Neal will receive friends Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, from 5 until 7 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon. Entombment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, 136 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, or to the Animal Defense League, P.O. Box 2099, Abingdon, VA 24212. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. O’Neal, of 408 Brookhill Drive, passed away Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at her home. Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, is serving the O’Neal family. Amelia S. Phipps BRISTOL, Tenn. – Amelia S. Phipps, age 81, passed away on Feb. 1, 2004, at her residence. She was the daughter of the late John and Linnie Godsey Slaughter, and was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. Mrs. Phipps was retired from Sperry and was a member of Windsor Avenue Presbyterian. Survivors include: husband, H.E. "Gene" Phipps; daughter, Cindy Rutherford and husband George of Gastonia, N.C.; granddaughter, Kerry Dillon and husband Ralph of Huntersville, N.C.; grandson, John Rutherford and wife Beth of Charlotte, N.C.; two great- granddaughters, Katie and Maggie Dillon; brothers, Woody Slaughter and wife Lucille of Bristol Tennessee; sisters, Maxie Cox of Kingsport, TN, Leona Hite of Kingsport and Nancy Tester of Bristol Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Glenwood Mausoleum, with Rev. Charles Murphy officiating. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Windsor Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1100 Windsor Ave., Bristol, Tenn. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Margaret Robinette BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service for Margaret Donnell Robinette will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, in the Glenwood Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, with Pastor Gary Montgomery officiating. Entombment will follow. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the mausoleum chapel. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mrs. Robinette died Friday, Jan. 30, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, 423-989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Robinette. Grace Curd Taylor ABINGDON – Grace Curd Taylor, 90, went to meet the Lord Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004. Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. William Taylor; one sister, Doris Curd Smith; one brother, Joe Curd; one stepsister, Roberta Eastridge; and a stepbrother, Charlie Terry. Grace leaves behind one brother and a sister-in-law, Morris and Meryl Curd of Meadowview; four brothers, John, Epperson, King and J. D. Terry; five nieces, Dora Smith of Dry Fork, Va., Diane Smith of Saltville, Vicki Stephenson and Jennifer Chapman and Lisa McArter of Meadowview; two nephews, Greg and Jeff Curd of Hiram, Ga.; and two great-nieces and four great-nephews. Thanks to Grace Health Care for the loving care she received. Funeral services will be held Tuesday Feb. 3, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Farris Funeral Service. Rev. Rick Cuddy will officiate. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be nephews. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the Taylor family. Elmer Vance White LEBANON – Elmer Vance White, 85, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. White. Mabel Williams DUFFIELD, Va. – Mabel Ann Williams, age 79, passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at her residence. She was born in Wise. She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Williams; an infant son; parents, Everette and Oda Burke Willis; sister, Margie Shell; and brothers, Homer Willis and Henry O. Willis. She is survived by her three daughters, Mrs. William B. (Brenda) Logan, Bristol Tennessee, Mrs. Don (Linda) Baker, Wise, and Mrs. Michael (Anita) Wagner, Kingsport; three sons, Charles Larry Williams, El Paso, Texas, Albert A. Williams, Blountville, and David E. Williams, Duffield, Va.; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one half-sister, Mrs. Jay (Lottie) Hood, Dry Creek; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at Colonial Funeral Home in Weber City, Va., and any time at the residence of a son, David Williams. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday at 8 p.m., with Brother T.J. Hood officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Graveside services will be Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Williams Family Cemetery. Family will meet at the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolences may be made to the family online at cfhwc@earthlink.net.