Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, March 22, 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, March 22, 2004 Today's Deaths Mattie Ruth Lamie Caudill, 84, Tazewell Margerie Easterling, Coeburn Frances Gwendolyn Etter, 71, Richlands Carl J. Greer Jr., 80, Bristol Virginia Kermit Lee Jessee, 62, North Tazewell, Va. Ashby Browning Lynch, 85, Kingsport Melvin Lindsay McBride, 72, Bristol Tennessee Robert Patrick McKay, 27, Bristol Tennessee David Eugene Ray, 60, Bristol Tennessee Ethel M. Riggs, 91, Lebanon Aaron Amos Roberts, 80, Kingsport Helen Romans Tilson, 71, Marion Mattie Caudill TAZEWELL – Mattie Ruth Lamie Caudill, age 84, departed this life Saturday, March 20, 2004, at Tazewell Community Hospital. Born Sept. 27, 1919, in Smyth County, Va., she was a daughter of the late W.H. (Tobe) Lamie and Mattie Buchanan Lamie. She was a member of the Tazewell Presbyterian Church and attended Dailey’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Mrs. Caudill was previously employed at the former A-Mart Department Store in Tazewell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar (Cotton) Caudill. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Left to cherish her memories are one son, Darryl Caudill and wife Nancy of Springville, Va.; three daughters, Phyllis Lewis and husband Jack of Wilmington, Del., Virginia (Midge) Heller and husband Mike of Christiansburg, Va., and Almeta Rose and husband Don of Tazewell; 11 grandchildren; 18 great- grandchildren and the many children she cared for known to them as, "Momma Bill," "MaBill" or "MawMaw." The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, where funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m., with the Rev. Kenneth Gillespie and Dr. James H. Grant Jr. officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell. Pallbearers will be Kevin McCall, Jason McCall, Robert McGraw, Joe McGraw, Paul Bohon and John Fisher. Honorary pallbearers will be William Hall, Grady Howell, H.S. Caudill and great-grandsons. Those attending the graveside services are asked to meet at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home by 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Flowers are welcome, or memorial contributions may be made to a favorite children’s charity or church. The family may be reached at 410 Dogwood Road, Tazewell. Margerie Easterling COEBURN – Margerie Easterling passed away Sunday, March 21, 2004, in the Bon Secours St. Mary’s Health Care, Norton. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn. Frances Etter RICHLANDS – Mrs. Frances Gwendolyn Etter, age 71, passed away Saturday, March 20, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a long illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Ulys and Emma Sparks Cole. She was a retired nurse and was a member of the Trinity Tabernacle at Raven, Va. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Ann Williams. She is survived by her husband, Garland Etter; one son, Alan Etter of Washington, D.C.; two daughters, Kathy Anderson and husband Danny Anderson II of Pounding Mill, Va., and Kim Meadows and husband Jeff of Claypool Hill, Va.; two brothers, Ed Cole of Hillsville, Va., and Hubert Cole of Richlands, and six grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. James Horton officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery at Richlands. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Friends may call at the Singleton Funeral Service from 6 until 9 p.m. Monday. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Etter family. Cathren H. Fortner BRISTOL, Tenn. –Services for Cathren H. "Kat" Fortner will be held 2 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor John Rayburn. The burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jack Bennett, Don Harrison, Carl Durham, Ed Moody, Gary Eaton, Darrell Neece, Fred Hale and Joe Artrip. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews, William Fortner, Eugene Glover, Gary Glover, Randy Glover, Hal Stitt, Joe Stitt, Todd Fortner, Tony Fortner, Frankie Fortner, Jimmy Fortner, Warren Vicars Jr. and Tim Barham. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Fortner, age 82, of 284 Dairy Circle, passed away Friday, March 19, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Carl J. Greer Jr. BRISTOL, Va. – Carl J. "Jack" Greer Jr., age 80, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. Mr. Greer was born Dec. 11, 1923, in Dante, Va.. a son of the late Carl J. Sr. and Myrtle Hicks Greer, and has made his home in Bristol for 35 years. He was a retired parts inspector at Raytheon, U.S. Army veteran of World War II, member of the Slater Senior Citizens Center and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Gladys L. Hall Greer; three daughters, Treva Keller, Monica Miller and Rita Overbay; six grandchildren; several great- grandchildren; one sister, Virginia Greer Buskell, and one nephew, Carl Sidney Buskell. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Tom Elam officiating. Burial with military honors will be conducted by Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard Tuesday at 11 a.m. in Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Monday at Weaver Funeral Home. Kermit Lee Jessee NORTH TAZEWELL, Va. – Kermit Lee Jessee, age 62, died Saturday, March 20, 2004, at a Tazewell hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born in Amonota, Va., and was a son of the late James Robert and Ellen Pearl Minton Jessee. He was lifelong resident of the Tazewell area. Kermit was disabled and was a former employee of Tazewell Industries. He attended Calvary Baptist Church of Wittens Mill, Va. In addition to his parents, a brother, Darrell Jessee, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Janice Louise (Tate) Jessee; daughter, Donna (Jessee) Christian and husband Michael of Charlotte, N.C.; son, Bobby Jessee of North Tazewell; stepdaughters, Teresa Hamilton and husband Mike of Abingdon and Ms. Pam Couch of Lebanon; stepson, Rev. D.J. Couch and wife Joann of Dungannon, Va.; special granddaughter, Izzabella Christian; special caretaker, Teresa Brewster; six step-grandchildren and many friends and family also survive him. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, March 22, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Hurst- Scott Funeral Home Chapel of Tazewell, with Rev. Max Linkous, Dr. Chuck Trent and Johnny Elmore officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens, at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Curley Robinson, Buford Jessee, Bernard Jessee, Terry Long, Sherman Cain, Shea Cook and Donnie Nelson. Men of Calvary Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday evening after 6 p.m. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell will be serving the Jessee family. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Bobby W. Jones BRISTOL, Tenn. – Graveside service for Bobby W. "Carson" Jones will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Shipley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wayne Smithson, Larry Pierce, Terry "Snake" Rutherford, Thomas Blaylock, Roger Hinkle and Gary Rogers. In lieu of flowers, Bobby’s request was that contributions be sent to his wife, Betty. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Jones, age 54, of 230 Booher Drive, went to be with the Lord Friday, March 19, 2004, at his residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ashby Lynch KINGSPORT – Ashby Browning Lynch, 85, died Saturday, March 20, 2004, in the Wellmont Medical Center in Kingsport. He was a native of Russell County, Va., born June 16, 1918, in Lebanon. A son of the late Grace Gilmer Lynch and Thomas Bernard Lynch, he graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1940, with a B.S. in civil engineering. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War as an officer in the U.S. Army Artillery and later as captain in the Army Corps of Engineers. After World War II, he was an engineer and contractor in Lebanon, where he also served at various times as county surveyor, fire chief and mayor. Following service in the Korean War, he was as an engineer and manager in the construction and pre- stressed concrete industry in Winchester, Va., Staunton, Va., and Baltimore. He later worked as an engineer for the Tennessee Valley Authority at Phipps Bend, near Kingsport, and Watts Bar, retiring from the Tennessee Valley Authority in Kingsport. He is survived by his wife, Rosaline Phillips Lynch; three sons, Thomas B. Lynch, Ashby B. Lynch Jr. and wife Anne and Daniel P. Lynch and wife Joan; one daughter, Jean Lynch Leonard and husband Mark; seven grandchildren, Laura Lynch, Caroline Lynch, Grace Leonard, Matthew Leonard, Sarah Lynch, Benjamin Lynch and Polly Lynch; one nephew, Reynolds G. Lynch Jr., and one niece, Margaret Lynch Burwick. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist church and worshipped at First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport. He belonged to the Russell County Historical Society, the American Society of Engineers and the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. The family will receive friends at Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon, on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at 9:30 a.m., prior to the graveside service at West Hill Cemetery in Lebanon, to be held at 10:30 a.m., with the Rev. Jack Edwards officiating. A memorial service will be held at the First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2004, with the Rev. Jack Edwards officiating, and where family will receive friends in the church parlor following the service. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mr. Lynch. Melvin McBride BRISTOL, Tenn. – Melvin Lindsay McBride, age 72, went to be with the Lord Saturday, March 20, 2004, in the Holston Valley Medical Center. Mr. McBride was born in Tazewell County, Va., a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edison and Harriett Mundy McBride. He had lived most of his life in the Bristol area, where he was a member of the Anderson Street United Methodist Church, and was retired from Sprint with over 30 years of service. Mr. McBride was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War. While serving in the Army, Mr. McBride received the following decorations: Occupational Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Mr. McBride was a loving father, papaw and brother. He also loved farming. Mr. McBride was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Ann Erps McBride, three brothers, Raymond McBride, Harry McBride and his twin brother, Marvin McBride. Mr. McBride is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Retha Greene and husband Jerry C. of Kingsport,; two granddaughters, Haverley and Brenna Greene; one sister, Mary Ellen McBride White of Kingsport; one sister-in-law, Lola McBride of North Tazewell, Va., and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held Monday, March 22, 2004, at 7 p.m. in the Anderson Street United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Jerry Fleenor officiating. Following the funeral service, a reception will be held to honor the life of Mr. McBride. Graveside service will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be George Erps, William "Bill" Erps, Claude Erps, Jerry D. Greene, Timothy S. Greene and Mark Angle. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Anderson Street United Methodist Church or any other time at the home of the daughter, Retha Greene, 265 Park Ridge Court, Kingsport, TN 37664. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Anderson Street United Methodist Church, 954 Anderson St., Bristol, TN 37620, or to WHCB 91.5, 340 Edgemont Ave., Bristol, TN 37620. The family would like to say a special thanks to all the members of Anderson Street United Methodist Church and to the members of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Robert McKay BRISTOL, Tenn. – Robert Patrick McKay, 27, died Thursday, March 18, 2004. He was born in Bethesda, Md., and moved to Bristol from Birmingham in 1990. He was a 1995 graduate of Bristol Tennessee High School and graduated from Johnson and Wales University, with a degree in culinary arts. He was an employee of Magic Carousel Farm, was an avid outdoorsman and loved photography and traveling. Survivors include his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Douglas (Patricia Briley) McKay of Bristol Tennessee; three sisters, Rebecca Jean Price and her husband Timothy of Tampa, Fla., Laura Elizabeth Davidson and her husband Jason of Rogersville, Tenn., and Mary Kathleen McKay of Tulsa, Okla.; two nephews, Dylan Austin Price and Hunter Wyatt Price, and two aunts, Dorothy Briley of Phoenixville, Pa., and Nancy Bootes of Worthington, Ohio. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Monday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with a celebration of Robert’s life to follow at 8 o’clock. Rev. Timothy Keeney will officiate and Rev. Clarence Lewis will assist. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005, and to the Imus Children’s Ranch c/o The Don Imus-WFAN Pediatric Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, 300 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Robert P. McKay and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Milbrey Munsey NORTON – The family of Milbrey Tess Munsey will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. Monday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Chuck Jack and Mr. John Black officiating. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Ms. Munsey, 90, died Thursday, March 18, 2004, in Heritage Hall Healthcare, Big Stone Gap. David Eugene Ray BRISTOL, Tenn. – David Eugene Ray, age 60, of 181 West Central, went to be with the Lord Saturday, March 20, 2004, in the Bristol Nursing Home. Mr. Ray was a native and lifelong resident of the Bristol area and was of the Baptist faith. The family would like to give a special thanks to the nursing staff of Bristol Nursing Home. Survivors include his daughter Gretchen Ray of Stafford, Va.; mother, Lottie Childress of Bristol Tennessee; grandson, Wesley Reid of Stafford, and a special friend, Edna Greene of Bristol Tennessee. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, in the Faith Baptist Church, Blountville, with Pastor Eddie Zimmerman officiating. There will be no formal visitation held at the funeral home. Anyone wishing may visit the family at the home of Mr. Ray’s mother, 291 Walnut Hill Road, Bristol Tennessee. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Faith Baptist Church, 3819 Island Road, Blountville, TN 37617. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Ray. Ethel M. Riggs LEBANON – Ethel M. (Essie) Riggs, 91, passed away March 20, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, St. Charles, Va., and was preceded in death by her husband, Richard H. Riggs Sr. in 1986, two daughters, Venus Riggs and Mattie Sue Riggs Majors, one grandchild, one great-grandchild, her parents, Greenberry and Hettie Bullion Adkins, a sister, Mattie Payne, and several half sisters and half brothers. Surviving are five sons and daughters-in law, Pat and Norma Riggs of Marysville, Ohio, Wayne and Zoe Riggs of Evansville, Ind., Roy and Becky Riggs of Coeburn, Richard H. and Sherry Riggs of Coeburn and Mike and Tootie Riggs of Castlewood; five daughters and sons-in-law, Emogene and Dale Ladd of Wharton, Ohio, Mary Peters of Miamisburg, Ohio, Edna and Ed Crumley of Jonesville, Va., Ollie and Mike Alguire of Chicago and Norma and Bobby Love of Coeburn; 24 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Edna Fritts of Pennington Gap, Va.; two special granddaughters, Vicky Hamilton and Joanne Stanley; special niece, Donna Hensley; a special nephew, Don Payne; several nieces and nephews and very special friends, Jerry Bell and Joe & Lucy Foster. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with Pastor Jona Shupe officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Coeburn. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, is in charge of arrangements. Carol Roark BRISTOL, Va. – Services for Carol Sue Rutherford Roark will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the Mountain View Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. Luke Martin and Dr. Clifford Newell, minister, officiating. The family requests that memorials be sent to the family to help defray expenses. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mrs. Roark, age 55, died Saturday, March 20, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, after a long illness Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Roark. Aaron Amos Roberts KINGSPORT – Aaron Amos Roberts, age 80, passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2004. Mr. Roberts was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served with the 4th Marine Division during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He received the Purple Heart and many other citations during his time with the Marine Corps. He was a long-standing member of the VFW. He retired from the Ratheon Manufacturing Company Mr. Roberts is survived by his wife, Georgia Roberts; three sons, Alex Roberts of Columbia, S.C., a 20-year military veteran, Randy Roberts and wife Kelly of Broadway, Va., and Jack Tate and wife Lee of Kingsport; a daughter, Sue Armstrong of Kingsport; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ted and Fred Roberts of Bristol, and a special niece, Phyllis Fultz of Bristol. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, at Oak Hill Funeral Home. Graveside services will follow immediately in the Oak Hill Memorial Park, with Pastor Jerry Hickman officiating. Military honors will be performed by the VFW Post 3382 Color Guard. The staff of Oak Hill Funeral Home is serving the Roberts family. James Arnold Sloan CLINCHCO, Va. – Funeral services for James Arnold Sloan will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Harvey Creech, Columbus Fleming, William McClanahan and David Oquinn. Burial will follow in the Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Pat Viers, Lonnie Viers, Patrick Viers, Timothy Rose, Mark Baker and Amos Mullins. Mr. Sloan, age 79, passed away at his residence Friday, March 19, 2004. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Lois J. Stoots BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service for Lois J. Stoots will be conducted at 11 o’clock Monday morning in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Dr. David Wadsworth officiating. The committal and entombment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Stoots, 76, died Friday, March 19, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Stoots and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Stafford Sutherland LEBANON – The funeral service for Stafford Clinton Sutherland will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Leonard Ferguson and the Rev. Duane Musick officiating. Entombment will follow in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Randy Buckles, Anthony Buckles, Noalen Strouth, Larry Buckles, Jim Hill, Mike Thomas, Donald Clark and John Arrington. Honorary pallbearers will be Garnett Buckles, Giles Carter, Jack Lilly, J.C. Arrington, Fred Arrington and Dr. Ernest Henry. Military honors will be conducted by the Lebanon VFW Post 9864 at the mausoleum. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, at the funeral home. Mr. Sutherland, 86, died Saturday, March 20, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Sutherland. Earl J. Thomas KINGSPORT – Calling hours for Earl J. Thomas will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, at East Lawn Funeral Home and at other hours at the residence of a son, Graham Thomas. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2004, in the chapel, with Pastor Glenn Hicks officiating. Entombment will follow committal services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2004, in East Lawn Mausoleum II. Full military honors will be accorded by the American Legion Hammond Post 3 and Gate City Post 265. The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Living Waters Free Will Baptist Church, 910 Union Hill St., Kingsport, TN 37660. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the Thomas family. Mr. Thomas, age 85, passed away at 6:55 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2004, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Thomas family. Helen Romans Tilson MARION – Helen Romans Tilson, age 71, died Saturday, March 20, 2004, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. Born on April 20, 1932, in Smyth County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Lemuel A. and Elizabeth Shelton Romans and was a member of the Stone Memorial Presbyterian Church.. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Ross Tilson in 1993, three brothers, Ernie Romans, Robert Romans and Richard Romans, and three sisters, Eva Vaught, Lucille Adams and Pauline "Polly" Patton. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Johnny David and Sherry Lynn Tilson of Sugar Grove; one grandson, Jason David Tilson and wife Christine of Sugar Grove; one granddaughter, April Lynn Tilson Dyson and husband Chris of Marion; two great-grandsons, Justin David Tilson and Jason Nathaniel Tilson; one sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Gordon Patton of Marion; one brother and two sisters- in-law, the Rev. Bennett and Freida Romans and Thelma Romans, all of Marion, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with the Rev. William T. Wing III and the Rev. Mike Sage officiating . Committal services will held Tuesday, March 22, at 10:30 a.m. at the Rose Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 till 7:15 p.m., prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorials to the Marion Life Saving Crew, P.O. Box 784, Marion, VA 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Tilson family. Darlene Wells NORTON – Family and friends of Darlene Brummitte Wells will gather at the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton for graveside committal services at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Online condolences may be sent to the Wells family at www.hagyfawbush.com. Mrs. Wells, 54, died Friday, March 19, 2004, at Norton Community Hospital. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is serving the Wells family.