Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, March 26, 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 Friday, March 26, 2004 Today's Deaths Vertie Mae Basford, 78, Bristol Virginia Ruth Muriel Schwartz Beinhorn, 90, Grundy Wanda Adkins Davis, 84, Coeburn Patsy Sue Owens Hill, 61, Abingdon Monica Lea Mumpower Armstrong Kennedy, Bristol Virginia Betty Jean Mensch, 60, formerly of Piney Flats Monica Ann Jones Richardson, 47, Norton Margaret Terry, 96, Big Stone Gap Cora Roe Tucker, 83, Chilhowie Vertie Mae Basford BRISTOL, Va. – Vertie Mae Basford, 78, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 24, 2004. She died peacefully at home with her loved ones after a brief illness. She was born in Excelsior, W.Va., and grew up in Dry Fork, Va., before moving to Bristol in 1957. She was the widow of local radio personality, Doug "Ford" Basford, and attended Church of the Glad Tidings and First Assembly of God. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Smith, Mary Smith, and stepfather, Daily Smith; three infant children, Connie, Kenneth, and David; two stepsons, Gerald Basford and Jerry Basford; two brothers, Tom Smith and Jimmy Smith; one sister, Helen Dunford; one grandchild and three great-grandchildren. She is survived by two daughters, Darlene Dixon of Bristol Virginia and Estella Bouton and her husband Robert of Bristol Tennessee; two stepdaughters, Jean Endres of Akron, Ohio, and Margaret Allen of Clarksburg, W.Va.; nine grandchildren, Leslie Canipe and her husband Robert, Connie Lee and her husband Erick, Mary Ellis and her husband Michael, Angela Smithson and her husband John, Nick Bouton and his wife Jessica, Katherine Dixon, Tony Dixon, Isabella Bouton and Curtis Brent, and six great-grandchildren, Aliese Puckett, Sarah Canipe, Brittany Lee, Madison Lee, Kensington Ellis and Christian Dixon. Also surviving are her sisters, Ann Halfacre, Dorothy Pruitt, and Violet Mitchell and her husband Carl; two brothers, J.D. Smith and his wife Helen and Ronnie Smith and his wife Loretta; two very special nieces, Gail Halfacre and Carla Grubbs; a special family friend, Edward Jennings, and several nieces, nephews, great- nieces and great-nephews. The family wishes to express their special thanks to Rose and Irma Leonard and Sue Garrett, and a very special thanks to Rosemary Ball of Bristol Home Health, Lee Rasnick of Wellmont Hospice and to Dr. Janet Drake and Associates. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o’clock Friday evening, March 26, 2004, at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon in the Blevins Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, with Rev. Timothy Rice officiating. The committal service and interment will follow in Hendricks Cemetery in Mendota, Va. Pallbearers will be Clayton Grubbs, John Pruitt, Nicholas Bouton, David Mitchell, Joe Smith and Tony Dixon. Honorary pallbearers will be Curtis Brent and Jimmy Mitchell. In addition to flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, c/o Jack O. Mallin, 57 Fairway Drive, Bristol, TN 37620-3009. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mrs. Basford and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. Ruth Beinhorn GRUNDY – Ruth Muriel Schwartz Beinhorn, 90 years of age, passed away Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at her home following an extended illness. Born in Tigerton, Wis., she was a daughter of the late Harris and Fannie Ginsberg Schwartz. Mrs. Beinhorn was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, receiving her bachelor of science degree, attended School for Interior Design, Miami, studied at Florida International University, and was a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. She taught classes in continuing adult education at Southwest Virginia Community College and did extensive work in her field for 31 years. She came to Grundy as a bride in 1936, where the Beinhorn family owned and operated B&L Maytag Furniture Company in Grundy for 66 years, where she served as vice president. She was a recipient of the Paul Harris Award by the International Rotary Foundation. Both her husband, Sam, and son, Jeffrey, were previous recipients. Mrs. Beinhorn was a well-known interior designer. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Mrs. Beinhorn was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Beinhorn, May 6, 2002, and by her son, Jeffery Beinhorn, Nov. 26, 1999. She was also preceded in death by one sister, Mrs. Hermon (Idella) Kroger, and two brothers, Jules Schwartz and John Schwartz. She is survived by two nieces, Hollye Kroger, Chicago, and Mickey Unterberger, Colorado. Services for Ruth Muriel Schwartz Beinhorn will be conducted Friday, March 26, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Mountain Rest Mausoleum Chapel at Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va., with Evangelist Michael Trent, Hon. N.E. Persin and Mickey McGlothlin officiating, with entombment to follow. Active pallbearers: Henry Farmer II, Grant Shrader, Shea Shrader, George Yates, Roger Powers, Joey Yates, Mark Ratliff, Kevin Lyall, Jeff Easterling, Jeff Thomas, Scott Mullins, Tim Ward and Chester Yates. Honorary pallbearers: Jim Headley, Dr. D. Patel, members of Grundy Rotary Club, Dr. Charles King, Carl Puckett, E.M. Cecil, Dr. Gene Bane, ladies of B&L Maytag, Amanda Elkins, Carolyn Stiltner, Lucy Yates, Sandy Riffe, Norma Looney and Carlotte Matney, special caregivers, Linda Osborn, Melissa Stacy, Crystal Sutherland, Lois Griffey, Merley Rowe and Wanda Stiltner. Friends may call at the Mountain Rest Mausoleum Chapel, Big Rock, Friday at 1 p.m. The family suggests that expression of sympathy be made in the form of donations to Southwest Virginia Community College Education Foundation, Jeffery Beinhorn Scholarship, P.O. Box SVCC, Richlands, VA 24641. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Willie Desmon Cook BRISTOL, Tenn. – Military graveside services for Willie Desmon Cook will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2004, at the National Cemetery in Mountain Home, Tenn., with Rev. Jimmy Epperson officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Cook, age 81, of 608 Tennessee Ave., went to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 23, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Cook. Wanda Adkins Davis COEBURN – Wanda Adkins Davis, 84, passed away Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at the home of her daughters in Bristol Virginia. She was the widow of Emitt Davis and was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin and Ellen Laney Adkins, and four sisters, Oma Fifer, Virgie Mullins, Carrie Burns and Effie Underwood. Surviving are a daughter, Paula Jean Cowan of Bristol Virginia; two special friends, Frances Addington and Gerline Kennedy, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Friday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Marty Puckett officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. at the Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will receive friends Friday evening 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Pallbearers will be Brandon Addington, Greg Addington Jr. Harvey, Phillip Laney, Kenneth Hillman and Lincoln Keith. Honorary pallbearers will be Earl Ball, Arthur Adkins and Dr. A.R. Joshi. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, is in charge of arrangements. Patsy Sue Hill ABINGDON – Mrs. Patsy Sue Owens (Pat) Hill, daughter of the late Nola Silcox and the late Tyrus Arnie Owens, was born June 14, 1942, and passed away Thursday March 25, 2004, making her stay on earth 61 years, nine months and 25 days. She was married to James E. Hill on Oct. 26, 1968, and to this union no children were born. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Dennis Ray Owens, making her the last survivor of her immediate family. Pat united with the First Presbyterian Church of Dickenson County, Haysi, on May 11, 1958. She also had roots deep in the Primitive Baptist church. She was a kind, loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. To Pat, each was special. She was Past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star 182 and was the retired office manager for Drs. Glover and Moore, P.C., for 16 years. She is survived by her loving husband, Jim Hill; four cats, which were her children, Mona, Freckles, Rebel and Pester; niece, Trish Michelle Owens Whisenant and her husband Billy of Warrenton; three great-nieces, Olivia, Emma and Grace; great-nephew, Owen, all with beautiful smiles and blue eyes; one aunt, Trulah Taylor of Haysi; two uncles, Francis Owens of Birchleaf, Va., and Buford Owens of Wayne, Mich.; a cousin, more like a brother, Darrell G. Silcox; special family and friends, Roger A. Glover of Abingdon and Clint and Linda Williams; 22 cousins and untold numbers of friends. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 26, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service. Rev. Jerry Eggers and Mr. Glen Douglas will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service. Entombment services will be Saturday, March 27, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Knollkreg Memorial Park Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Bernard Neese, Roger Linkous, Randy Felts, Leonard Vaughn Willis, Don Hinchey, Marty Jessee, Johnny Cole and Joel Blevins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital of Greenville, S.C., c/o Desert Sands Shrine Club, P.O. Box 1632, Abingdon, VA 24212. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Hill family. Monica Kennedy BRISTOL, Va. – Monica Lea Mumpower Armstrong Kennedy went to be with the Lord, Thursday, March 25, 2004, and to see her daddy, Roy B. Mumpower, her loving mamaw, Minnie Mullins, her sister, Cindy Mumpower, and nephew, Roy Michael "Punkin" Mumpower Jr., who preceded her in death. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." She was a member of the Trinity Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Jeff Kennedy; a daughter, Kelly Michelle Armstrong of Abingdon; a son, James Brandon Armstrong of Saltville; her wonderful and precious grandson, Tanner Armstrong; her first husband, James Dennis Armstrong of Saltville; her mother and stepfather, Revonda and Russell Cassell of Bristol Virginia; four sisters, Lisa Barker of Bristol Virginia, Vickie Arnold of Bristol Tennessee, Tammy Stanley of Clintwood and Joy Henderson of Kingsport; two brothers, Mike "Sput" Mumpower of Bristol Virginia and Rickey "Whistle" Mumpower of Meadowview; her stepbrother, Rusty Cassell of Glade Spring; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Peggy and Hulen Thomas of Abingdon, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, March 28, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Ronnie Blevins and Herman Widener. Burial will follow in the Wideners Valley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Rick Edmiston, Wesley Barker, Chris Barker, R.J. Mumpower, Eric Keen and Joshua Mumpower. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Monica Kennedy. James W. Larkins BRISTOL, Tenn. – James William Larkins, age 65, of 261 North St., died on Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Larkins was born on Jan. 11, 1939, to the late Kelly Larkins and Thelma Hammond, in Sullivan County, Tenn. He had lived in the Bristol area for the past five years. Survivors include mother, Thelma Hammond Larkin; four brothers, James Earl Larkins of Sneedville, Tenn.; Edward Larkins of Jacksonville, Fla., George Larkins of Joliet, Ill., and John Larkins of Bristol Tennessee, and two sisters, Lena Mae Landers of Charlotte, N.C., and Anna Weiner of Chandler, Ariz. Graveside services for Mr. James William Larkins will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2004, at the Eastern Heights Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Friday, at Weaver Funeral Home. E-mail condolences may be sent to www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Gladys Leonard BRISTOL, Va. – The committal service and interment for Gladys Leonard will be held at 11:30 Friday morning, March 26, 2004, at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bryant Bowden, John Eller, George Leonard, Richard Esparza, Joseph Esparza and Dustin Steward. Honorary pallbearers will be the Henley- Gleaner Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church, 327 Mary St., Bristol, VA 24201, and Wellmont Hospice, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mrs. Leonard, 92, passed away Monday, March 22, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. Mrs. Leonard and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. Betty Jean Mensch CROSSVILLE, Tenn. – Betty Jean Mensch, 60, 2017 Otomi Drive, died Thursday, March 25, 2004, in Baptist Hospital West, Knoxville. She was born July 5, 1943, in Sullivan County, and had lived most of her life in Piney Flats. Mrs. Mensch was a daughter of G.B. Giesler and Bessie Mae Teague Giesler. She was a member of River of Life Church, Piney Flats, and Pine Eden Church, Crossville. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include her husband, John A. Mensch; one daughter, Sheila Mensch Laughlin, Piney Flats; one son, Robert W. Mensch, Elizabethton; two sisters, Carol Overstreet and Teresa Smith, both of Piney Flats; one brother, Kenneth Giesler, Johnson City; three grandchildren, Shawn Davis, Raleigh, N.C., and Michele Laughlin Shuler and Brandon Mensch, both of Piney Flats, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral service for Mrs. Mensch will be conducted 8 p.m. Sunday, March 28, in the River of Life Church. Pastor Donnie Humphrey, Pastor Tony Wilson and Rev. Eddie Smith will officiate. The family will receive friends at the church from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday. The committal service and burial will be 2 p.m. Monday, March 29, in New Bethel Cemetery, Piney Flats. Friends are invited to meet the family at River of Life Church at 1:30 p.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. Online condolences may be sent to the Mensch family via www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements are by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, 282-1521. Shirley H. Powers CASTLEWOOD – Shirley Helen Powers, 68, died Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, after a brief illness. She was born in Scott County, Va., raised in Bristol Virginia, and spent most of her life in Dickenson County, Va., before moving to Castlewood. She was the daughter of the late Bascom and Mary Alice Davis Bellamy. She graduated from Virginia High School, Bristol Virginia. She worked at Hanging Rock Clinic for 10 years. She was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, a gentle, loving and caring person, and she loved her garden and flowers. She was a proud survivor for 10 years of lymphoma. She was preceded in death by her husband, William C. Powers, one grandson, Rickie Dale Slemp Jr., and one sister, Jerry Blaylock. She is survived by two daughters, Kitty Kiser and husband Buck of St. Paul and Carleen Powers of Castlewood; one son, Tony Powers and wife Trish of Gray, Tenn.; two sisters, June Campbell of Lexington, S.C., and Shelby Chapman of Surfside Beach, S.C.; special friend for 13 years, Stan Banner of Castlewood; a special dog, Belle; three grandchildren, Michelle Powers, Tony Powers Jr. and Hannah Beth-Helen Stewart; one great-granddaughter, Abbagail Faith Elrod, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Shirley Helen Powers will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with the Rev. Harry Layell and Rev. Albert W. Campbell officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Ray Wright, Sammy Banner, Oakley Gibson, Larry Hall, Allen Gregory and Butch Glass. Honorary pallbearers will be S.A. Fraley, Robert Ervin, employees of the Old Hanging Rock Clinic, staff of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Dr. David Miller at Southwest Virginia Cancer Center. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 25, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Powers family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Monica Richardson NORTON – Monica Ann (Jones) Richardson, age 47, died Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at her residence. She was a lifelong resident of the Norton area. She was of the Baptist faith and a graduate of John I. Burton High School. She was preceded in death by parents, Holly and Bertha Jones, and a sister, Sharon Jones Absher. She is survived by daughter, Amber Richardson, Norton; grandson, Kaden Fisher, Norton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Judith and Phil Thompson, Patricia and Jesse Barnett, all of Coos Bay, Ore., Reka Jones of the home and Carl Absher of Norton; brothers and sister-in-law, Gary and Lisa Jones and Michael Jones, all of Norton; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2004, with Rev. Ralph McFarland officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. prior to the funeral service. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Laurel Grove Cemetery. Those wishing to go in procession may meet at the funeral home 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. William Edgar Scott ABINGDON – A graveside funeral service for William Edgar Scott will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2004, in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. Jerry Eggers officiating. Interment will follow. Those attending the service are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 1:50 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Washington County Lifesaving Crew, P.O. Box 65, Abingdon, VA 24212. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Scott, age 68, died Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. William Edgar Scott. Margaret Terry BIG STONE GAP – Mrs. Margaret Terry, 96, died Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap. Born April 14, 1907, she was a lifelong resident of Big Stone Gap. She was the daughter of the late John Henry and Margaret Cosby Catron. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Emerson Salyer; her second husband, Benjamin Terry; a son, Air Force Master Sgt. Edwin R. Salyer, and four sisters. She is survived by one granddaughter, Beverly Carr of Rancho Murieta, Calif.; two grandsons, Edwin R. Salyer Jr. and David Salyer, and several nieces and nephews. She was the Baptist faith and was a member of First Baptist Church in Big Stone Gap. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at Glencoe Cemetery in Big Stone Gap, with the Rev. Robert W. Cornwell officiating. Those wishing to go in procession may meet at the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Holding Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Cora R. Tucker CHILHOWIE – Cora Roe Tucker, 83, of Holt Road, Augusta, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2004, in Augusta. Mrs. Tucker was born in Chilhowie and was a resident of Augusta for 46 years. She was a retired civil service worker. She was a longtime member of the Pierce Memorial Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, James S. Tucker Sr.; mother and father, Mittie Dell Roe and William A. Roe; brothers, Roy I. Roe, Ray G. Roe, Clifford N. Roe, Wilburn Roe and Carl Roe, and sisters, Viva C. Roe and Ida R. Johnson. She is survived by three sons, James S. Tucker Jr. and wife Stefanie of Charleston, S.C., Thomas D. Tucker and friend, Pamela McPeake, of Augusta and Jerry M. Tucker and wife Ina of Augusta; six grandchildren, James S. Tucker III, Pope AFB, N.C., Courtney T. Bath, Sanford, N.C., Morgan Tucker, Lance Tucker, Stacy T. Brown, all of Augusta, and Michael Tucker, Atlanta; three sisters, Dorothy Roe Russell, Chilhowie, Catherine R. Russell, Spartanburg, S.C., and Margaret R. Hoth, Florida, and sister-in-law, Eula C. Roe, Meadowview. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and sister and will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday in Lebanon United Methodist Church, Chilhowie. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Williams Funeral Home. Margaret Williams DAMASCUS – Margaret Jeanette Williams, age 67, passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. She was a lifelong resident of Damascus and was the daughter of the late John F. and Maude Poe Hand. Mrs. Williams was a member of the First Baptist Church in Damascus. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Williams was preceded in death by a son, Chuck Phillips. She is survived by one son, John Robert Phillips of Babson Park, Fla.; two sisters, Rachel Baughman of Damascus and Sarah Watson of Knoxville; two brothers, David F. Hand of Damascus and Samuel W. Hand of Woodbridge, Va.; four grandchildren, Drew Phillips, Amy Phillips, Troy Owens and Daniel Robbins, and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2004, in the Sunset Memorial Park, with Rev. Alan McCullough officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to American Lung Association, 370 E. Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210, or Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 426, Damascus, VA 24236. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Williams.