Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, March 18, 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 18, 2004 Today's Deaths Geneva Cosby Hagerman Cuthbertson, 78, Oakwood, Va. James William Eversole Jr., 83 Donald L. Jones, 83 Wilma Katherine Powell Kegley, 59, Marion Karen Faye McCulley, 47, Castlewood Esther Virginia Smith, 65, Appalachia Sidney Allen Stiltner, 77, Grundy Virgel Booher PINEY FLATS – Reverend Virgel Franklin Booher, age 77, died March 15, 2004, at the Johnson City Medical Center. He was a Sullivan County native and the son of the late Baxter and Edith Kautz Booher. Reverend Booher was a World War II Army veteran. He received degrees from Duke Divinity School and Emory University. He was a member of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, having served in the ministry 45 years, before retiring in 1990. He served churches in the Abingdon, Kingsport, Morristown and Johnson City districts. He continued to serve as visitation minister and pastor emeritus at Edgefield United Methodist Church until his death. Reverend Booher was an avid camper and member of the local WIT camping club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Reverend Richard Booher. Reverend Booher is survived by his wife, Ruth Fenner Booher; one son, Charles "Chuck" Booher, Bristol Tennessee; one daughter, Kim Booher Kelley and her husband Chad, Piney Flats; one grandson; three granddaughters; three great- grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Reverend Booher will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2004, at Edgefield United Methodist Church, Piney Flats. Reverend Homer Roller, Reverend Estel Williams and Reverend James Henry will officiate. Burial will follow in Edgefield Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jim Berry, Robert Kelley, Cecil McGlamery, Jim Oliver, Herman Payne, Lowell Simmons, Bill Smith and John Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Mountain Empire Travelers Camping Club and the ministers and spouses of the Holston Conference of United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Edgefield United Methodist Church, Building Fund, c/o Carrie Mellows, 249 Warren Road, Piney Flats, TN 37686. Online condolences may be sent through www.morrisbaker.com. Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, (423)282-1521, is serving the family. John E. Botkin Sr. DANTE – Funeral services for John E. Botkin Sr. will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with the Rev. Ted Phillips officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Mickey Phillips, Jackie Phillips, Terry Sperow, Richard Phillips, Sam Phillips and John Phillips. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Candace Bellamy, Tonya Sutherland, employees of Total Home Care of Hospice, Teddy Phillips of Med Home Care, Whetzle "Shotgun" Phillips and John Henry Knott. Online condolences may be sent to the Botkin family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Mr. Botkin Sr., 81, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at his home. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Cylden Cordell MEADOWVIEW – Family and friends of Cylden Lawrence Cordell are asked to meet for an entombment service at the Woodlawn Memorial Park Chapel Thursday at 1:30 p.m., in Bluefield (Bluewell), W.Va. Honorary pallbearers will be Dustin Gene Wood, Brent Lawson Clifton, Bane Mundy, Frank Snapp, Ronnie Perry, Jack McCracken and Randy Tabor. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, to make donations to the American Lung Association in memory of Mr. Cordell. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a tribute to the family. East Lawn Funeral Home in Kingsport is serving the Cylden Lawrence Cordell family. Geneva Cuthbertson OAKWOOD, Va. – Geneva Cosby Hagerman Cuthbertson, 78 years of age, went home to be with the Lord Monday, March 15, 2004, at her home following an extended illness. Born in McDowell County, W.Va., Nov. 18, 1925, she was a daughter of the late John and Ella Vandyke Hagerman. The Hagerman family moved to Buchanan County in 1936, where Geneva attended TMI and Grundy High School. She went to work for the Red Jacket Coal Company in 1942 as a clerk in the company store. She worked for 38 years in the company store, retiring from Island Creek Stores Company in 1985. She was a member of Garden Creek Church of Christ, which had its beginning in Bob and Geneva’s home in 1959. Mrs. Cuthbertson is survived by her husband, Robert (Bob) Cuthbertson, Oakwood; one son, David and wife Linda Cuthbertson, Ridgeway, Va.; one daughter, Brenda (Dottie) Cantrell, Oakwood; five grandchildren, Steven Roberts, Oakwood, Patricia Roberts and husband James Keen, Route 1, Oakwood, Ron Cantrell, Oakwood, Bryan and wife Amy Cuthbertson, Leesburg, Fla., and Christopher and wife Kendall Cuthbertson, Hampton, Va., and four great-grandchildren, James (Hank), Heather and Amanda Keen, Route 1, Oakwood, and Samuel Cuthbertson, Hampton. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Ella Lucinda Owens and Ella Abigail Hagerman, and two brothers, Charles Hagerman and an infant brother. Funeral services for Geneva Cosby Hagerman Cuthbertson will be conducted Friday, March 19, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Garden Creek Church of Christ, with Evangelists David Cuthbertson, Rusty Owens, Bill Boyd and Roger Hart officiating, with entombment to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Claypool Hill, Va. Services will be held Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the church. Active pallbearers will be Christopher Cuthbertson, Bryan Cuthbertson, John Owens, Randy Howard Hagerman, James (Hank) Keen, R.D. Cantrell, Clifford Helton and Jeff Ramey. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews and men of Garden Creek Church of Christ. The family suggests that expression of sympathy be made in the form of donations to Garden Creek Church of Christ Building Fund, P.O. Box 100, Oakwood, VA 24631, or Roanoke Bible College Scholarship Fund, 715 E. Poindexter St., Elizabeth City, NC 27909. The Cuthbertson family would like to express their appreciation to the Hospice of Virginia care givers who were so faithful and caring during Geneva’s illness. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Fred Harmon Emmert BRISTOL, Tenn. – Fred Harmon Emmert, age 75, passed away at his home, Tuesday, March 16, 2004. He was born Oct. 14, 1928, to James Warren and Gertrude Proffitt Emmert, and he was a lifelong resident of Bristol Tennessee. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service, with 35 years of service. Mr. Emmert was a member of Anderson Street United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Men’s Club, the administrative board and the Sunday School secretary for 33 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Lucille Emmert, and two brothers, Carl H. Emmert and James W. Emmert Jr. Survivors include his wife, Sandra Emmert; two sons, David Emmert and wife Linda of Columbus, Ind., and Alan Emmert and wife Chris of Bristol Tennessee; two sisters, Ruth Ratliff of Chula Vista, Calif., and Helen Hodgson of Salem, Va.; a brother, Eddie Emmert of Bristol; four grandchildren, Chelsea Guthrie of Miami, Courtney Emmert of Indianapolis and Jody Emmert and Michelle Emmert, both of Bristol Tennessee; one great-granddaughter, Breanna Guthrie of Miami, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2004, at Anderson Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jerry Fleenor officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the graveside in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Edwards, Muncey Spraker, Dick Hensley, Maynard Hall, Louis Gurley and Frank Rhoton. Honorary pallbearers will be H. Denton, members of the Hugh Pyle Sunday School Class and the Men’s Club of Anderson Street United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday prior to the service at Anderson Street United Methodist Church. 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 Mr. Emmert. James Eversole Jr. James William Eversole Jr., lieutenant colonel, USAF (Retired), 83, died March 15, 2004, at home. Surviving are his wife, Marie; daughter, Pamela; son, James III; brother, Jack Eversole; sister, Brownie Kricknaum; two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Jim graduated high school in Bristol Virginia and later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Joining the Army at Camp Lee, Va., January 1942, he received his pilot wings in 1943, completing B-17 combat crew training at Pyote AFB, Texas. In World War II, Jim flew 30 combat missions over Germany and France, while based at Kimbolton, England, with the 379th Bombardment Group (heavy), aka, "The Grand Slam Group," and was a proud member of the Eighth Air Force. Serving as an instructor pilot at Hobbs, N.M., he joined the Korean conflict flying combat air evacuation missions. Working as procurement officer in the early sixties, he was tasked with closing all Air Force operations in Morocco, including three air bases. Jim was awarded, among many other decorations, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Service Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award and the European African Mid-Eastern Campaign Medal. In retirement, he had been active in many organizations, including the Military Officers Association, Egypt Temple Shrine, the Kyushu Gypsy Association (Korea), Scottish Rite (Port Tampa Lodge 153), the 25th Flight Order of Daedalians and Bristol War Memorial. Services will be held March 19 in Tampa, Fla. Brewer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Services is in charge. Donald L. Jones Donald L. Jones, 83, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at his residence at The Grand Court. He was born on March 10, 1921, in Rialto, Ohio, to the late Raymond and Imo Lowe Jones. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army in Africa and Italy. He was an alumnus of Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. Mr. Jones held personnel directorships with General Electric, Magnavox and Fifth Third Bank Corporation. He and his wife shared their retirement years in both West Chester, Ohio, and Fort Meyers, Fla. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bristol Tennessee. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Helen M. Jones of NHC of Bristol Virginia; a daughter, Constance L. Creamer and her husband Thomas of Bristol Tennessee; three sons, Darrell L. Jones and his wife Jill of West Carrollton, Ohio, Richard G. Jones and his wife Marlene of Van Wert, Ohio, and Kenneth B. Jones and his wife Devhra of Cincinnati; one brother, Robert R. Jones of Spring Hill, Fla.; one sister, Mary Louise Hance of Mason, Ohio, and two grandchildren, Allison Creamer McCown and her husband Shane of Johnson City and Adam B. Creamer and his wife Hyunah of Oak Grove, Ky. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:30 Friday evening, March 19, 2004, at First United Methodist Church, with service to follow. Rev. Kathie Wilson-Parker will officiate. The committal service and burial will be held on March 27, 2004, at Union Township Cemetery in West Chester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 322 Vance Drive, Bristol, TN 37620, and Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories can be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Jones and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Wilma Kegley MARION – Wilma Katherine "Kay" Powell Kegley, age 59, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2004, in the Lewis Gale Medical Center in Salem, Va. Mrs Kegley was born in Smyth County and was preceded in death by her mother, Bessie Medley Powell, a brother, Jack Powell, and a half brother, Curtis Medley. She was a member of the South Fork Baptist Church. She was employed as a legal secretary with Burke Graybeal & Hammer Law Firm and also at the Blue Ridge Job Corps Center in Marion. Survivors include husband of 41 years, Donald Kegley; three daughters, Marcy Kegley, Roanoke, Rebecca (Becky) and husband Steve Long, Sugar Grove, and Judy and husband Rev. Ron Leonard, Mississippi; one brother, Robert (Bob) Powell, Marion; four half brothers, James Powell, Cincinnati, Randy Powell, Tucson, Ariz., Roy Powell, Abilene, Texas, and Fred Powell, Richmond; two half sisters, Rose Gillespie, Marion, and Phyllis Lowman, Bel Air, Md.; special grandchildren, Emily and Ellen, and loving dog, Maggie. A celebration of Kay’s life and her journey of faith will be held on Friday, March 19, 2004, at 7 p.m. at the South Fork Baptist Church, with Rev. Mark Totten officiating. Graveside services will be held Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at the Slemp Cemetery, Sugar Grove. Family and friends are asked to meet at the church at 10:30 a.m. for the procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 1326, Marion, VA 24354. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the Bradley’s Funeral Home and Friday from 6-7 p.m. at the South Fork Baptist Church. E-mail condolences can be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Kegley family. Fay McClain BLOUNTVILLE – Calling hours for Eula Fay Weaver McClain will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2004, at East Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2004, in the chapel, with Pastor Bob Ferguson officiating. Burial will follow graveside services at 1 p.m. Friday, March 19, 2004, in the Garden of Faith in East Lawn Memorial Park. The Rev. David Taylor will officiate. Family will serve as pallbearers. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the McClain family. Mrs. McClain, age 77, passed away at 6:45 a.m. Monday, March 15, 2004, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the McClain family. Karen Faye McCulley CASTLEWOOD – Karen Faye McCulley, 47, died Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at her home. She was born in Knoxville, was an employee of Lear Corporation, Lebanon, and attended Grassy Creek Church. She is survived by two daughters, Charity White and husband Shane of Castlewood and Jessica Russell and husband Jerry of Castlewood; one son, Justin McCulley of Castlewood; one granddaughter, Courtney White; father and mother, Fred and Gladys Hunter of Knoxville; two sisters, Gail Farmer of Rossville, Ga., and Debbie Lovette of Knoxville; fiancé, Andy Anderson of Castlewood, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Karen Faye McCulley will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Minister Cuba Porter officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 19, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Memorials may be made to the Cancer Outreach Foundation Inc., 206 Abingdon Place, Abingdon, VA 24211. Online condolences may be sent to the McCulley family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Edna Scyphers Price ABINGDON – Mrs. Edna Scyphers Price, age 60, died Monday, March 15, 2004. Born on Sept. 30, 1943, she was a daughter of the late Ernest Jessee Scyphers and Ethel Kennedy Scyphers. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Wayne Price. She is survived by three sons, Gary Price and wife Donna of Abingdon, Larry Price and wife Ruth of Sugar Grove, Va., and Zane Price of Abingdon; two brothers, Ernest Scyphers Jr. of Georgia, and Joe Scyphers of Abingdon; two sisters, Irene Henegar of Abingdon and Mary McCracken of Blountville; five grandchildren, Travis Price, Kirby Price, Tye Price, Avery Price and Mariah Rhyne, and a special friend, Patty Taylor. A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 18, 2004, at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. Clifton Duncan officiating. Casket bearers will be Gerald McCracken, Donald Henegar Jr., Michael Henegar, Samuel Scyphers, Andy Taylor and Robbie Gobble. Honorary casket bearers will be members of the Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to Abingdon Volunteer Fire Department, 316 Park St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Those attending the funeral service are asked to assemble at the funeral home by 10:40 a.m. Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. 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 Mrs. Edna Scyphers Price. Ruth B. Roller BLOUNTVILLE – Ruth Bolton Roller, 72, formerly of Columbus, Ind., went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Born in Jackson County, Ind., she had made her home in Blountville for the last 51 years. Ruth retired after 25 years as co-owner of Airport Gift Shop. She attended Wheeler United Methodist Church in Blountville. She was a beloved wife and mother and loved her job, spending time with her family, travelling, quilting and collecting dolls, Roseville Pottery and Hummels. Her parents, Ralph H. and Grace Marling Bolton, and brother, Forrest M. Bolton (2001), preceded her in death. Surviving are her husband of 52 years, Frank Roller of the home; a daughter and special son-in-law, Debbie Roller Carver and Don Carver, Church Hill; a son, Marvin Roller of the home; a sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Virgil Hedrick, Columbus; three sisters-in-law, Joyce Bolton, Columbus, Mary Etta Bowlin, Gray, Tenn., and Zetta Barnes, Blountville; a brother-in-law, Jim Roller and wife Aileen, Kingsport; special friend, Dana Moore, Nashville, and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel, with Dr. Roy Lester and Rev. Stuart Albee officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Ralph Bolton, Rex Bolton, Andy Whipker, Wendell McClellan, Wallace McClellan and Sam Berry. Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Rankins, Jim Roller and Virgil Hedrick. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Esther Virginia Smith APPALACHIA – Esther Virginia Smith, 65, passed away Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at the Heritage Hall Health Care in Big Stone Gap. She was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are her brother, Robert N. Kennedy of Ringgold, Ga.; her sister, Betty K. Cloninger of Chester, Va., and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Esther Virginia Smith will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, March 19, 2004, at the Jessee Cemetery in Wise, with Pastor Cliff Bowman officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise is in charge of arrangements. Gertrude Smith CLINTWOOD – Funeral services for Gertrude Marie Smith will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday from the Clintwood Funeral Home Chapel, with Ministers Manie Strouth, Joe Glenn Sluss and Leon Meade officiating. Burial will follow at Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Willie Brooks, David Brooks, Danny Brooks, Vincent Marshall, Bobby Brooks and Greg Lyall. Honorary pallbearers are Darrell Dotson, Leon Meade, Charles Reed and Mitchel Dotson. Mrs. Smith died Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at Dickenson Community Hospital after a lingering illness. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Sidney Stiltner GRUNDY – Sidney Allen Stiltner, 77 years of age, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at Buchanan General Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Roy and Lydia Stacy Stiltner. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was a retired coal miner. Mr. Stiltner is survived by three brothers, Lundy Harold Stiltner, Abingdon, Fletcher Stiltner, Meadowview, and Eugene Berton Stiltner, Grundy; one aunt, Bertie Stiltner, Big Rock, Va., also, several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Maxine Farmer, and four brothers, Kermit, Clayton, Troy and Clarence Stiltner. Funeral services for Sidney Allen Stiltner will be conducted Friday, March 19, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Minister Jerry Matney officiating, with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock. Services will be held Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Full military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Jackie Randall Sword BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Jackie Randall Sword will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 18, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel in Lebanon, with the Rev. Perry Hall officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery. Friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Mr. Sword, 47, of 221 Johnson St., died Sunday, March 14, 2004, at his home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the Sword family.