Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, March 11, 2004 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/Page/TRI_FrontPage ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bristol Herald Courier Thursday, March 11, 2004 Today's Deaths Grace A. Watkins Banta, Springfield, Ohio Ruth Ann Crain Clark, 52, Blountville Lawrence Thurman Copley Sr., 94 Marie Whalen Cox, 88, Rural Retreat, Va. Sam W. Goforth Sr., 89, Bristol Tennessee Pauline Wells Griffith, 79, Honaker James Harold Hale, 75, Richlands Ruth Harris, 90, Council, Va. Creda Mae Rutherford, 83, Bristol Tennessee John Trent, 89, Fort Blackmore, Va. Mary A. Warren, 68, Chilhowie Jo Anna Witt, 26, Richlands Wilbur Earl Alsup BRISTOL, Tenn. – The committal service for Wilbur Earl Alsup will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Glenwood Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, with military rites presented by the Highlands Fellowship Veteran Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be William Armstrong, Craig Teague, Jonathan Hutchinson, Allen King, Gene Cross, J.D. Neeley, Marion Watts and Richard Bateman. Honorary pallbearers will be Wilbur’s brothers, the men of State Street Church of Christ, Ed Jirik and Richard Mullan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Wellmont Hospice House, Bristol Cancer Association or a church of choice. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mr. Alsup, 80, went to be with the Lord Monday, March 8, 2004, in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Alsup. Grace Watkins Banta SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Grace A. Watkins Banta, 1721 East Wittenberd St., formerly of Meadowview, died Monday, March 8, 2004, in Springfield. Survivor: one sister, Mae Duff of Bristol Virginia. Funeral will be held Saturday, March 13, in Springfield. Porter & Qualls Funeral Home of Springfield is serving the family. Information courtesy of Robinson Mortuary of Bristol Virginia. Louise O. Bowman BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Louise O. Bowman will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 11, at McIver Memorial Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Alan Chapman officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Barry Bailey, Will Musser, Jason Burleson, Walter Musgrove, Ron Phillips and Bill Canter. E-mail condolences to the family may be sent at akardfh@peercom.net. Mrs. Bowman, 80, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, in Wellmont Hospice House. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Bowman. Michael R. Boyd VANSANT, Va. – Funeral services for Michael Ray Boyd will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, March 11, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Terry Colley and Stanley Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Boyd Family Cemetery, Vansant. Pallbearers will be Eddie Boyd, Stevie Boyd, Larry Boyd, Gene Looney, Ronald Deel and Steve Deel. Honorary pallbearers will be Burlin Deel, Allen Deel, Craig Ball, Tony Boyd, Matt Boyd and Anthony Conner. Mr. Boyd, age 29, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2004, at his residence. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Judy Marie Branham CLINTWOOD – Funeral services for Judy Marie Salyers Branham will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Valley View Freewill Baptist Church, with Ministers Lynn Vanover and Roger Freeman officiating. Burial will follow in the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, Clintwood. Pallbearers will be Bobby Hammons, Shanghai Nichols, Shawn Roberts, James Baker, Bill Large, Freddie Branham, Walter Bryant, Ed Edwards and Clyde Hill. Flowers will be accepted, or a memorial contribution may be made to Valley View Freewill Baptist Church, Route 3, Box 587, Clintwood, VA 24228. Mrs. Branham, age 57, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, March 7, 2004, at Wellmont Hospital, Bristol Tennessee, after a brief illness. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Ruth Clark BLOUNTVILLE – Ruth Ann Crain Clark, 52, went to be with the Lord 11:30 a.m. March 9, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House of Bristol. She was a lifelong resident of Bristol and the daughter of Helen Fillers and the late Joe Fillers. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, Robert L. Clark of the home; one son, Jimmy Crain of Piney Flats; three sisters, Darlene Barnet of Piney Flats, Connie Gleation of South Carolina and Connie Swiney of Elizabethton, Tenn.; one brother, Bobby Fillers of Blountville; friends, James and Mary Baker; one grandchild and several nieces and nephews. It was Ruth’s wishes for cremation. The family requests memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society, 101 Fountain Place, Suite 1-E, Johnson City, TN 37604. Serving the family is Snyder’s Funeral Home, Gray, Tenn.,239-5671. Lawrence Copley Sr. A celebration of life for the Rev. Lawrence Thurman Copley Sr., 94, will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, March 12, 2004, at the Heritage Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Dr. Tim Williams officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the graveside. Rev. Copley, formerly of 100 Bobo St., Roebuck, died Wednesday, March 10, 2004, in the Self-Regional Medical Center in Greenwood. Born in Wayne County, W.Va., on Dec. 30, 1909, to the late Thomas Benton and Palyna Frances Smith Copley, he was the widower of Frances Dough Copley. Rev. Copley pastored churches in West Virginia and later became employed in sales. Surviving are his children, Anita Copley Emily of Roebuck, Wilma S. Ladford of Beckley, W.Va., June S. Ray of Williamson, W.Va., Sylvia S. Currier of San Dimas, Calif., Lawrence T. Copley Jr. of Abingdon and Charles L. Stuart of Canada, Ky., and 34 grandchildren. He was predeceased by four children, Jean Copley Wilson, Mabel Copley Hoskins, Leonard J. Stuart, Howard Hollowell, six brothers, Nebert, Oscar, Bert, Glen, Clarence and Fred Copley, six sisters, Bessie and Mabel Copley, Muriah C. Marcum, Florence C. Hancock, Gertie C. Fluty and Dorothy C. Calfee, and also predeceased by wives, Jessie Jones Copley and Mildred Varney Copley. Lanford-Dunbar Funeral Home. Marie Whalen Cox RURAL RETREAT, Va. – Marie Whalen Cox, 88, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004. Funeral Friday at 11 a.m. at Rural Retreat Baptist Church. Visitation Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the church. Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, is in charge of arrangements. Sam W. Goforth Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – Sam W. Goforth Sr., 89, of 348 Bethel Drive, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 10, 2004, at the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are to be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. Pauline Griffith HONAKER – Mrs. Pauline Wells Griffith, age 79, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2004, in a Bristol Tennessee hospital. Born June 14, 1924, in Russell County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Jane Honaker Wells. She attended the Honaker Church of God and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Griffith, one daughter, Linda McCray, and one son, Timothy Edward Griffith. Survivors include five sons, Jerry Griffith of Linden, Va., Michael Griffith and Darrell Griffith, both of Honaker, James Griffith of Duncan, S.C., and Bobby Griffith of Paducah, Ky.; four daughters, Jo Ann Griffith Stewart of Duncan, Patsy O’Dell of Bluff City and Pamela Griffith and Judy Griffith, both of Honaker; one sister, Odessa Harris of Honaker; special friend, Moe VanDyke, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Kenny Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Clark Cemetery in Honaker. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Friday. James Harold Hale RICHLANDS – Mr. James Harold "Jim" Hale, age 75, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born in Detroit and was a son of the late Drayton and Grace Mays Hale, both Buchanan County, Va., natives. He spent most of his early life in Buchanan County and was a U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran. He had made his home in the Richlands area for 52 years, was a former salesman for Dixie Grocery and M.O. Warner, and, in 1990, retired from the U.S. Postal Service serving as postmaster for 24 years at the Richlands Post Office. He was a charter member of the Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands and was instrumental in starting the Richlands Little League organization. He was a former member of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors, the Cumberland Plateau Planning District and was a member of the Tazewell County Democratic Committee. Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Emma Jane Crawford Hale; two sons, Mr. Thomas Alan Hale and wife Keitha Delora Hale of Richlands and Mr. Robert "Bobby" Michael Hale and wife Cynthia Horton Hale of Richlands; one brother, Mr. William "Bill" Drayton Hale Jr. and wife Ann of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren, Amanda Shea Hale Bevins and husband Gregory Thomas Bevins, Jason Michael Hale and wife Ashley Dunford Hale and Christa L. Keen, and great-grandchildren, Timothy Deaven Puckett and Carey Christina Hale. Funeral services for Mr. James Harold "Jim" Hale will be conducted Friday at 1 p.m. at the Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands, with Rev. Stafford Compton officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Jason Hale, Tommy Hale, Mike Matney, Don Matney, Bill Cooley and Greg Bevins. The Adult Men’s Sunday School Class of Gethsemane Baptist Church and the Hardees Gang will serve as honorary pallbearers. Members of the Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands and the 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. Thursday and at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. 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. Ruth Harris COUNCIL, Va. – Mrs. Ruth Harris, age 90, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2004, in a Lebanon health care facility. Born March 16, 1913, in Dickenson County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Ira and Emily Barton Sullivan. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a member of the Free Will Baptist church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ruben Harris, four brothers, Walter Sullivan, Morgan Sullivan, Charlie Sullivan and Velt Sullivan, and four sisters, Bertha Sullivan, Maggie Harris, Edna Farmer and Hattie Rasnake. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Lizzie and Dallas McGlothlin of Honaker; two grandsons, Roger Baldwin of Route 2, Honaker, and Carter McGlothlin of Hansonville; three sisters, Vicey Mullins of Pound, Lilly Epling of Haysi and Barbara Rasnake of Baltimore; one brother, Ira C. Sullivan of Clintwood; two step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Troy Harris and Rev. Roy Lee Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home at any time Thursday. JoAnn Aven Minnick GREEN SPRING COMMUNITY, Va. – JoAnn Aven Minnick, age 61, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at her home. She was born on March 23, 1942, to the late Howard M. Aven and Nell Litton Aven. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James. E. "Jimmy" Minnick. JoAnn was a member of the Green Spring Presbyterian Church. She is survived by a brother, John W. Aven and wife Sandy of the Green Spring Community; a stepbrother, Howard Dwayne Aven of Cassopolis, Mich.; two sisters, Martha Aven Burnette of Bristol Tennessee and Eva Aven Spear and husband George of Longwood, Fla.; one aunt, Mozelle Colley of Jonesborough, Tenn.; one uncle, Epperson E. Terry of Cedar Springs, Va.; three nieces, Whitney Nicole Aven, Suzanne Roberts Arias and Kerri Aven; three nephews, Norman G. Roberts II, Kenny Aven and Kevin Aven, and several great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2004, in the Green Spring Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Lawrence Chapin officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Casket bearers will be Dwayne Aven, Roger Litton, Eddie McConnell, Tommy McConnell, Wallace E. Smith and David Terry. Honorary casket bearers will be Tom Colley, Tim Terry, Tommy Aven, Epperson E. Terry, Ricardo Arias and Norman G. Roberts II. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations to honor JoAnn can be made to the Green Spring Presbyterian Church, 22007 Green Spring Church Road, Abingdon, VA 24211 or to the Green Spring Volunteer Fire Department, 22632 Green Spring Church Road, Abingdon, VA 24211. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of JoAnn Aven Minnick. Creda Rutherford BRISTOL, Tenn. – Creda Mae Rutherford, age 83, 69 Tremont Place, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004, in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Washington County, Va., daughter of the late Charlie and Lula Jane Smith. She was preceded in death by six brothers and six sisters. She was a retired employee of Gordon Garment Company, a member of Virginia Avenue Baptist Church and attended Cornerstone Free Will Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Ray Rutherford; son and daughter-in-law, Sonny Jack Greeson and Leslie Greeson, Knoxville; daughter and son-in-law, Jo Ann and Tom Cinnamon, Knoxville; grandchildren, Angie and Al Hensley, Tammy and Mike Clonce, Missi Cinnamon, Anna and Barry Hawkins and Kris Greeson, and great- grandchildren, Justin Booth, Joshua Hensley, Shelly Clonce, Katie Clonce, Garrett Mull and Sydney Hawkins. She is also survived by her extended family and many beloved friends. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 6-7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Thursday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Gary Rowlette officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday in Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers: Thurman Potter, Raymond Potter, Jim Potter, Charlie Smith, Jerry Smith, Jackie Seaton, Virgil Phillippi and George Mann. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Those desiring may make memorials to Cornerstone Free Will Baptist Church. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lucy C. Stinson HONAKER – Mrs. Lucy C. Stinson, age 88, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at her home. Born Nov. 11, 1915, in Russell County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Samuel Forrest and Margie Bonnie Combs. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a member of the Mt. Zion Free Will Baptist Church. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved to help other people. She was a seamstress, making beautiful quilts and clothes for other people in need. She loved to cook, with a specialty in biscuits and rolls, and always fed anybody that came to her home. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Houston Stinson, one son, Dewey Stinson, four sisters, Lola Combs, Lelia Robertson, Lacey Musick and Willie Combs, and eight brothers: four infant brothers and Roger Combs, Paul Combs, Samuel Combs Jr. and Joseph Combs. Survivors include one daughter, Juanita Hubbard and husband Thomas Kyle of Shady Valley, Tenn.; two sons, Glen Stinson and wife Pamela, of Honaker and James H. Stinson and wife JoAnn of North Augusta, S.C.; grandchildren, Vicki and Roy Lothery, Mark and Donna Stinson, Glenda and Chris Johnson, Robert and Anita Rose, Ava and Larry White, Tracy Hunsucker, David and Meisha Stinson, Patrick and Amy Stinson and Leisa and Stan Mulliken; one step-grandchild, Tony and Millie Honaker; one brother, Sherman Patrick Combs of Honaker; two sisters, Virginia Wise of Abingdon and Celia Josephine Dickenson of Alexandria, Va.; 18 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren and two great-great- grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Virgil Musick and Rev. Giles Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon. Pallbearers will be David Stinson, Patrick Stinson, Mark Stinson, Chris Johnson, Stan Mulliken, Larry White and Robert Rose. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Stinson, Roy Lothery, Tony Honaker, Gonion Edwards, Roger Helton, Brian Johnson, Jack Combs, Robert Wolford, Thomas Hubbard and Dr. Larry Mitchell. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Thursday, where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m. John Trent FORT BLACKMORE, Va. – John Trent, 89, entered into rest March 10, 2004, at Heritage Hall, Big Stone Gap. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Gate City Funeral Home. Mary A. Warren CHILHOWIE – Mary A. Warren, age 68, passed away Wednesday, March 10, 2004, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. Survivors and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie. Harmon L. Watson BRISTOL, Va. – Graveside services for Harmon Lee Watson will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday in Susong Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Virginia High School TMH Developmental Class. Mr. Watson, age 68, died Monday March 8, 2004, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jo Anna Witt RICHLANDS – Jo Anna Witt, 26, formerly of Castlewood, passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2004. Arrangements are incomplete at Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon.