Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, March 27, 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 Saturday, March 27, 2004 Today's Deaths Stephen Hilary Arnold, 54, Bristol Tennessee Bessie Odalene Branson, 84, Saltville Lonnie Lincoln Childress, 69, Abingdon Marjorie Elizabeth Dean, 81, Yuma, Va. William Frank Grant, 56, Bristol Tennessee Martha Alice Puckett Martin, 88, Dante, Va. Phyllis Kathy McCormick, 49, Bristol Tennessee Godfrey Owens, 70, Maxie, Va. Faye Bernice Fields Price, 76, Lebanon Mary Janice Rose, 68, Spottswood, Va. Harley Eugene Stanley, 84, Glade Spring Stephen H. Arnold BRISTOL, Tenn. – Stephen Hilary Arnold, age 54, passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, at his residence. He was born on Feb. 16, 1950, in Bowling Green, Ky. He is survived by his parents, Hilary Herbert and Dorothy Mae Carlton Arnold; one sister, Susan Arnold Carr; two brothers, Patrick Keith Arnold and Michael Arnold; one son, Matthew Hilary Arnold; one daughter, Kellie Elizabeth Arnold, as well as many close friends. Steve was a graduate of East Tennessee State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1973, and a master’s degree of psychology in 1988. He was an associate professor of psychology at Northeast State Technical Community College for 17 years. Steve found great joy in outdoor activities. His many adventures included hiking the Grand Canyon on several occasions, trekking the Denali Back country in Alaska, rafting the Nolichucky and Gauley Rivers, and more trips to the Great Smoky Mountains that can be counted. He so loved the beauty that he found in all of these things that he was inspired to share them with as many people as he possibly could. He even shared one of his most special and spiritual places with able and willing students on several adventures to Havasupai Falls. Hunting and fishing had also been two of his most important pastimes. One of Steve’s proudest accomplishments was volunteering for the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency as a hunter safety instructor. Oftentimes, when a child wanted to go hunting and no one was able to take the child, Steve gladly did. In fact, he was named Hunter Safety Volunteer Instructor of the Year. Steve had such a positive influence on so many people in his life. His advice was profound and honest. His students and fellow faculty loved and respected him. Steve’s unbounding wisdom, intelligence, insight and, most of all, his love will be greatly missed. We are so very proud of you and grateful to have a father like you. We love you unconditionally with every inch of our hearts and will miss you deeply. Thank you, Steve, for teaching us, your children, to search for the beauty in trees, mountains, wildlife, rocks, rivers, streams and the sky at night. Every time we see these things, we will think of you because you have become them. In accordance with Steve’s wishes, no public memorial service will be held. The family invites you to celebrate Steve’s life in a way that would honor his memory. Services provided by Mountain Empire Cremation, Elizabethton, Tenn. Vertie Mae Basford BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Vertie Mae Basford 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, 78, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 24, 2004. Mrs. Basford and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. Bessie O. Branson SALTVILLE – Mrs. Bessie Odalene Branson, age 84, died Friday, March 26, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Branson family. Lonnie Childress ABINGDON – Mr. Lonnie Lincoln (Lank) Childress, 69, died Friday March 26, 2004, at his home. Mr. Childress was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County. He was retired from Cherokee Construction. Survivors include one half sister, Thelma Baldwin Snodgrass and husband Garnett of Abingdon; three half brothers, Ernest Lee Baldwin of Douglasville, Ga., Homer Baldwin Jr. of Abingdon and Clarence Elmer Baldwin and wife Sue of Meadowview; several nieces and nephews and two special friends, Fred Sutherland and Linda Belisle. The family wishes to thank Dr. Simon Pennings and Dr. Paul Armstrong and their staff for the care rendered to Mr. Childress. A graveside funeral service will be held Sunday March 28, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Rev. Paul Stanley will officiate. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service. 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 family of Mr. Childress. Marjorie E. Dean YUMA, Va. – Marjorie Elizabeth Dean, 81, went to be with the Lord Friday morning, March 26, 2004, at Holston Valley Medical Center after a brief illness. She was a charter member of Temple Baptist Church, Appalachia, and attended Salley’s Chapel Baptist Church in Weber City. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pat Cress and Minnie Potter Cess, and a baby sister. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Dale H. Dean of Yuma; two daughters, Elizabeth Fields and husband Paul of Yuma and Jennifer Mullins and husband Gilmer of Gray, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Lisa Bevins and husband Kevin, Sam Fields, John Mullins and wife Marty and Rachel McCurry and husband Samuel; four great-grandchildren, Whitney Bevins, Shawn Fields, Matthew Mullins and Shane Mullins; two brothers, Arthur Cress and wife Jimmie of Kingsport and Bill Cress of Lawton, Okla.; three sisters, Betty Cousins and husband Skeetie of Loganville, Ga., Patsy Walker and husband Gar of Kansas City, Mo., and Aileen Lowe of Elizabethton, Tenn., and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 28, 2004, at the Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City. Family and friends may also call any time at the home, Route 7, Box 721, Gate City. Services will be on Sunday, March 28, 2004, at 7 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with the Pastor Charles Boone officiating. Music will be provided by the Salley’s Chapel Quartet. Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 29, 2004, at the Holston View Cemetery at noon, with Pastor Charles Boone in charge of the service. Condolences may be sent via e-mail to cartertrentfh@earthlink.net. Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City, is serving Mrs. Dean’s family. William Frank Grant BRISTOL, Tenn. – William Frank "Bill" Grant, 56, 127 Grace St., died Thursday, March 25, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. A native of Washington County, Va., he was a son of the late Marshall and Eleanor Leonard Grant. He was an employee of Bristol Compressors. Mr. Grant was a member of the Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by a brother, John Grant. Survivors include his wife, Nellie Grant; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Melinda Grant, Whitehouse, Ohio, Jim and Mary Grant, Torrance, Calif., and Tim and Gail Grant, Abingdon; four sisters and one brother-in-law, Mary and Neil Schunke, Marion, N.C., Louise Dye, Eula Grant and Shirley Rhoten, all of Abingdon, and several aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday in the Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church, Bristol, with the Rev. Joe Hudson and Rev. Corkey Bates officiating. Graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Bethel Cemetery, Abingdon. The church choir will provide the music. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Lyle Whitman, Gus Johnson, Tim Trivette, Randy Leonard, Connie Fox, Tom Lambert, Bill Jones, Neil Burgner, J.B. Pierce and Rev. Edgar Pierce. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday in the Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church. Friends may also call at the residence. To those who prefer, memorials may be made to the Tennessee Avenue Baptist Church. Family and friends will assemble at the cemetery at 10:50 a.m. Tuesday. Memorial Funeral Chapel, Elizabethton, Tenn., is in charge. Patsy Sue Hill ABINGDON – Entombment services for Mrs. Patsy Sue (Pat) Owens Hill 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. Mrs. Hill passed away Thursday March 25, 2004. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Hill family. Monica Kennedy BRISTOL, Va. – A funeral service for Monica Lea Mumpower Armstrong Kennedy 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. 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. Mrs. Kennedy went to be with the Lord, Thursday, March 25, 2004. 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 children, Don Larkins, Connie Hale, Diane Rose and Janice Slone; 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 received 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. Martha Martin DANTE, Va. – Martha Alice Puckett Martin, 88, died Thursday, March 25, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Russell County and a member of Martins Chapel Freewill Baptist Church in Martintown. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas Duffy Martin, and her parents, James and Martha Melinda Puckett. Surviving are son, Ray Martin of Martintown; sister, Vertie Ford Powers of Clinchco; three granddaughters, Myra Long of Lewisburg, Tenn., Stephanie Ramsey of Johnson City and Lori Morefield of Unicoi; one grandson, Stephen Martin of Martintown; two great-grandsons, Ryan and Colton Long of Lewisburg, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday at the Clintwood Funeral Home 1 p.m., with Rev. Avery Carty officiating. Burial will be at Forrest Hills Memorial Gardens, Abingdon. Pallbearers will be Stephen Martin, Rodney Long, Christopher Ramsey, Brad Morefield and nephews. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Phyllis K. McCormick BRISTOL, Tenn. – Phyllis Kathy McCormick, age 49, went to be with the Lord Thursday, March 25, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and was a daughter of the late James and Margaret Murray. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Sue Murray. Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Russell, Alabama, and Rebecca Jones, Bristol Tennessee; four sisters, Barbara Pruitt, Bristol Virginia, Annalee Wolfe, Bristol Virginia, Doris McCroskey, Bristol Tennessee, and Lora Stafford, Knoxville; three brothers, John Henry Murray, Bristol Virginia, Scotty Allen Murray, Colorado, and George William Murray, Bristol Virginia; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004, at the graveside in the Glenwood Cemetery, with Pastor Barbara Coffman officiating. Pallbearers will be Malcolm Crook, Travis Murray, George Murray, Chef Eldridge, Bobby Miller and Kenny Cross. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to Weaver Funeral Home for funeral expenses. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Godfrey Owens MAXIE, Va. – Godfrey Owens, 70 years of age, passed away Thursday, March 25, 2004, in Richmond. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy. Memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com. Faye Price LEBANON – Faye Bernice Fields Price, 76, died Friday, March 26, 2004, in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Born March 23, 1928, in Russell County, a daughter of the late Willie J. Fields and the late Oneida Price Fields, she was the wife of the late Curtis Burns (June) Price Jr., who died March 7, 2004. She was a member of the Bascom United Methodist Church. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Rebecca (Becky) Gilbert and Jackie Gilbert and Pamela (Pam) Phillips and Jeff Phillips, all of Lebanon; two sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis N. Price and Iva Price, Bristol Virginia, and Chester Price and Rhonda Price, Lebanon; five grandchildren, Angie Chafin, Jessica Price, Sarah Price, Quentin Price and Brandon Phillips; one great- granddaughter, Kesandra Chafin; five step-grandchildren; five step-great- grandchildren; two sisters, Velma Clark, Orange, Va., and Patricia Martin, Unionsville, Va.; a brother, Dave Henry Fields, Bristol Virginia; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Virgil Musick, the Rev. Richie Neese and the Rev. Jason O’Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Price Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Quentin Price, Brandon Phillips, Jack Combs, Randy Fields, Randy Williams and Robbie Kiser. The men of the Bascom United Methodist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 27, 2004, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Price. Monica Richardson NORTON – Graveside committal services for Monica Ann (Jones) Richardson 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. Mrs. Richardson, age 47, died Wednesday, March 24, 2004, at her residence. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Janice Rose SPOTTSWOOD, Va. – Mary Janice Rose, 68, of 665 Carson Mill Road, passed away Friday, March 26, 2004, at her residence. Mrs. Rose was born June 10, 1935, in Dickinson County, Va., the daughter of the late Edford and Edrie Smith Dotson. She was a member of Marlbrook Baptist Church and was very attached to the senior saints of the Church. "Janice" was a talented seamstress and loved her grandchildren. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Shirley Kiehl. Survivors include her husband of 48 years, Worley M. Rose; two daughters, Pamela Rose Barker and her husband Danny of Spottswood and Janet Rose Campbell and her husband Brad of Madison Heights, and five grandchildren, Abby and Jason Barker of Spottswood and Bailey, Benjamin and Bryce Campbell, all of Madison Heights. A service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004, at Marlbrook Baptist Church, by Pastor Rick Ramsey and assisted by Pastor "Gib" Hale. Burial will follow at Old Providence Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jason Barker, Adam Sorrells, Timmy Goah, Joshua Kibler, Jonathan Kibler and Lynwood Humphreys. Honorary pallbearers will be the senior saints at Marlbrook Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. Saturday, March 27, 2004, at Reynolds Funeral Service of Stuarts Draft. Memorial contributions may be made to Fairfield First Aid Squad. Harley E. Stanley GLADE SPRING – Mr. Harley Eugene Stanley, age 84, died Friday, March 26, 2004, in Wellmont Hospice House. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ina Mae Stanley. Survivors: seven sons, Charles Stanley of Chilhowie, Johnny Stanley, Elmer Stanley and Larry Stanley, all of Glade Spring, Billy Stanley, Paul Stanley and Gary Stanley; three daughters, Nellie Price and Carrie Trent of Glade Spring and Betty Cooper of Ferrum, Va.; two sisters, Nellie Casey of Glade Spring and Faye Bond of Arlington, Va.; 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; four great- great-grandchildren and special friend, Walter Cook. Funeral services for Mr. Stanley will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home, with Rev. Clark Powers and Rev. Larry Lusk officiating. Interment will follow at the Baptist Cemetery in Glade Spring. Pallbearers will be Harold Trent, Brian Price, Dewayne Stanley, Lucas Powers, Chadd Stanley, Allen Stanley and Chuck Stanley. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Stanley family.