Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, March 28, 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 Sunday, March 28, 2004 Today's Deaths Herbert D. Gentry, 70, Damascus Mildred Wilson Hankins, 81, formerly of Richlands Margaret Addington Helbert, 81, Bassett, Va. Katherine H. Jessee, 88, Castlewood James C. Jones, 81, Bristol Tennessee Martha Kathern Landore, 87, Bristol Tennessee Claude C. Large, 78, Wise Lawrence J. Peoples, 85, Bristol Tennessee Hershel Eugene Ramey, 74, Nickelsville, Va. Joseph Hagan Scott, 60, Dungannon, Va. Betty Lou Nidiffer Smith, 74, Bristol Tennessee Bessie O. Branson SALTVILLE – Mrs. Bessie Odelene Branson, age 84, born March 14, 1920, died Friday, March 26, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Mrs. Branson was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Branson, and parents, Samuel and Molly Taylor. Mrs. Branson was a member of the Cardwell Town Freewill Baptist Church. She loved her church, her Lord and her greatest love was her family and cooking her delicious food for family get-togethers. Survivors: one daughter, Linda Cardwell (Allen), Saltville; seven sons, Sylvester Taylor (Peggy), Abingdon, Johnny Branson (Donna), Colonial Heights, Va., James Branson (Barbara), Melbourne, Fla., Bobby Branson, Salem, Va., Douglas Branson (Sara), Troy, Ala., Jackie Branson (Darcy), Cedar Bluff, and Billy Branson (Brenda), Saltville; several nieces and nephews; 21 grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and four step-great- grandchildren. Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Odelene Branson will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2004, in the D.R. Henderson Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bob Surber and Rev. Jack Sprinkle officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Rose Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 till 9 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Johnny Branson Jr., Tim Branson, Jonathan Branson, Doug Branson Jr., Jackie Branson Jr., Ricky Cardwell, Jimmie Cardwell, Robbie Cardwell and Ian Branson. Honorary pallbearers: Jana Taylor Maynard, Lora Taylor Cason, Jennifer Branson, Robin Branson, Heather Branson, Stephanie Branson Hughes, Tonya Branson Hayton, Amanda Branson, Tabatha Branson Austin, Tina Branson Tolbert, Billie Jo Branson Debusk, Melissa Elswick, Rene’ Cardwell Hunt, Nicole Childress, Rhonda Johnson, Ernest Olinger and Arthur Olinger. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Branson family. 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. Herbert D. Gentry DAMASCUS – Herbert D. "Herb" Gentry, age 70, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2004, at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mr. Gentry. 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. 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. Mildred W. Hankins NEW BERN, N.C. – Mrs. Mildred Wilson Hankins, age 81, of Rockledge Rd., formerly of Richlands, died Friday, March 26, 2004, at a New Bern hospital following an illness of several months. She was born in Cliffield, Va., and was a daughter of the late Carl H. and Mary Kate Turner Wilson, both Tazewell County natives. She was a 1940 graduate of Richlands High School and, before leaving the Richlands area, was an active member of the Cedar Bluff Garden Club. She loved her flowers, was an avid gardener and an award-winning flower designer. After moving to New Bern in 1988, she became an active member of the River Bend Garden Club until 2003. She and several close friends founded the River Bend Busy Bees, a quilting club. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. William J. Hankins, whom she wed in 1940. Survivors are two sisters, Mrs. Carlene Lacy and husband Rudy of Roanoke and Mrs. Mary Lou Shortridge of Richlands; one brother, Mr. C.H. Wilson and wife Sylvia of Matoaca, Va., and nieces and nephews, Sarah Willis, Katherine Cleary and husband Kevin, Donna Altizer and husband Leonard, Mike Shortridge and wife Susie, Greg Wilson, Rodney Butler and wife Lisa and Jade Frashure and husband Bob. Funeral services for Mrs. Mildred Wilson Hankins will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Eddie Nash and Dr. Charles R. King officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Mike Shortridge, Matt Shortridge, Kevin Cleary, Patrick Cleary, Rudy Lacy, Leonard Altizer and Andrew Altizer. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richlands Presbyterian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 446, Richlands, VA 24641. The family may be contacted at the home of Mike and Susie Shortridge at Claypool Hill. 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. Margaret Helbert BASSETT, Va. – Margaret Addington Helbert, age 81, of 162 Oakcrest Circle, died Friday, March 26, 2004, at her home. She was born in Russell County, Va., to the late Charles Addington and the late Florence Fields Addington. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert H. Helbert, who died Jan. 19, 1985. She was of the Baptist faith and was retired from Stanley Furniture Company, Plant Number 3, after 19 years of service. Surviving are two sons, James H. Helbert of Stanleytown and Wayne Helbert of Dante, Va.; two sisters, Beatrice Dean of St. Paul, Va., and Pauline Addington of Castlewood; one brother, Emmett Addington of Castlewood; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be Monday, March 29, 2004, in Bassett. Arrangements by Collins Funeral Service, Bassett. Katherine H. Jessee CASTLEWOOD – Katherine H. Jessee, 88, died Friday, March 26, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was born in Castlewood, daughter of the late Edward and Rosa Belle Helbert. She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Jessee, and one son, Norman Edward Jessee Sr. She was of the Baptist faith. She is survived by five daughters, Betty Hartwell of Derry, N.H., Sandra Lunsford of Manassas, Va., Kay Lanz of Ocala, Fla., Charlotte Tarwater of Castlewood and Linda Jessee of Clinton, Md.; two sisters, Mattie Helbert and Mary Ellen Steffey, both of Lebanon; three brothers, Clifton Helbert, Jessie Helbert and Glen Helbert, all of Castlewood; 10 grandchildren; several great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Katherine H. Jessee will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Mr. Steve Banner and Brother Randy Williams officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Jessee family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. James C. Jones BRISTOL, Tenn. – James C. "Jim" Jones, 81, died Saturday, March 27, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. A lifelong resident of Bristol Tennessee, he was a Army Air Corps veteran, having served in World War II, and was of the Presbyterian faith. He worked as an auto mechanic for Bill Gatton and taught auto mechanics at Virginia High School from 1973 until 1987. He loved gardening, woodworking and NASCAR racing and will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace R. Jones, and a daughter, Zeta Jones Haldin. He is survived by two daughters, Peggy Shipley and her husband Chuck of Bristol Tennessee and Penny Beckerman of Asheville, N.C.; a son-in-law, Bill Haldin of Ocala, Fla.; a granddaughter, Megan Beckerman of Asheville; two grandsons, Steven Beckerman of Asheville and Jamie Haldin of Charlotte, N.C.; a great- granddaughter, Kimberly Beckerman of Asheville, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Don McGregor officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 o’clock at the funeral home prior to the service. The committal service and interment will be private in Glenwood Cemetery. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Wellmont Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may 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, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Martha K. Landore BRISTOL, Tenn. – Martha Kathern Landore, 87, died Saturday, March 27, 2004, at her home. A daughter of the late Hamilton Caleb Duncan and Rachel Kathern Booher Duncan, she was born in Sullivan County, Tenn. She was a member of Central Holston Christian Church and was a former employee of Grey’s Hosiery Mill. She was the widow of Robert F. Landore. She is survived by three sons, Jerry Landore and his wife Karen, Mike Landore and his wife Cindy and Maurice Landore and his wife Debbie, and six grandchildren, David, Wendy, Kathern, Leigh Ann, Mark and Rob Landore. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon at Central Holston Christian Church, with Mr. Ken Kerr, Mr. Bob Vanlew and Mr. Gary Barnett, ministers, officiating. The committal service and interment will follow in Rooty Branch Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Buddy Wright, George O’Dell, R.L. Vance, Bill Bullock, Wayne Lewis and David Landore. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o’clock Monday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- cook.com. Mrs. Landore and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Claude C. Large WISE – Claude C. "Poss" Large, 78, went peacefully to be with the Lord on March 26, 2004, at his home. He was a member of Nash’s Chapel Baptist Church, a retired employee of Ison Coal Company and was a grandpa to all. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary and William H. Large, and a grandson, Joshua Large. Surviving are his loving wife of 51 years, Mary Pat Large; daughters, Patricia Hylton and husband Billy, children, Tracy Davis and Travis Hylton, grandchild, Tyler Davis, all of Clintwood, Lisa Dotson and husband Tim, children, Amy Triplett and Miranda Dotson, all of Wise, Rita Lee and husband Dennis, children, Sarah, Heather and Brandon Lee, all of Wise, and Elizabeth Ellen Dooley and husband Jason, children, Camellia and Candace Kelley and Bryar Dooley, all of Bedford, Va.; sons, Gregory Large and wife Nancy, children, Autumn Wells, Haleigh and Vince Large, all of Big Stone Gap, Scott Large and wife Debbie, children, Lindsay and Christopher Large, all of Cookeville, Tenn., and David Large and wife Darlene, children, Laura Odom, Matthew and Carrie Large, all of Charlotte, N.C.; three brothers, Blaine of Hillsville, Va., Willie of Norton, and Roy of Lovelady, Texas, and a sister, Goldie of Detroit. Funeral services for Claude C. "Poss" Large will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with the Rev. David Long and Randy Moore officiating. Graveside committal services and burial will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 29, 2004, at the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens in Big Stone Gap. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. till time of services at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nash’s Chapel Baptist Church, P.O. Box 2167, Wise, VA 24293. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise in charge of arrangements. Phyllis K. McCormick BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Phyllis Kathy McCormick 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. Mrs. McCormick, age 49, went to be with the Lord Thursday, March 25, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lawrence J. Peoples BRISTOL, Tenn. – Lawrence J. Peoples, 85, died Saturday, March 27, 2004, at his home. He was a lifelong resident of Sullivan County and was the son of the late Lester A. and Emma Everett Peoples. He was a former employee of Bristol Steel and Iron Works Inc., the Tennessee Valley Authority and was a farmer. Mr. Peoples was a member of Weaver Union Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beryl Ferguson Peoples, a son, Larry Peoples, and a sister, Sue Peoples. Survivors include five daughters, June Classen and Teresa Quinton, both of Bristol Tennessee, Joyce Woodward and husband Raymond of Abingdon, Vicki Clark and husband Layne of Nashville, N.C., and Sharon Phillippi and husband Charles T. of Bluff City; 11 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, March 29, in the Weaver Union Church, with Rev. Jim Gray and Rev. Lloyd Jones officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the graveside in Weaver Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Blake, Jim Peters, David Witcher, David Harr, Johnnie Singleton, David Fritts and Greg Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Cox, Bill Clever, Ralph Lowe, Roy Webb, Carl C. Cox and Dr. Gerry Boccarossa. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 p.m. at Weaver Union Church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wellmont Hospice, Weaver Union Church or Weavers Cemetery Association, c/o Jim Carlyle, 31 Stone Dr., Bristol, TN 37620. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, 423-989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Peoples. Hershel E. Ramey NICKELSVILLE, Va. – Rev. Hershel Eugene Ramey, 74, went to be with the Lord early Saturday morning, March 27, 2004, at his home. He was a U.S. Army veteran of Korea, a member of American Legion Post 265 of Gate City and a lifetime member of the VFW. He retired from the Norfolk & Western Railroad in 1987. He was a former pastor of First Baptist Church in Olinger, Va., and Hardy’s Creek Baptist Church in Rose Hill, Va. He also served as an interim pastor for First Baptist Church in Big Stone Gap. Most recently, he was the pastor of Grassy Creek Union Church and attended First Baptist Church of Gate City. He attended Tennessee Temple School in Chattanooga. He enjoyed gardening and beekeeping. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter L. Ramey. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty Jo Castle Ramey, Nickelsville; his mother, Nannie Jewel Blevins Ramey of Kingsport, and three sisters, Lottie Smith and her husband Lee of Kingsport, Peggy Rutter and her husband Robert of Bristol Virginia and Nancy Horne and her husband David of Kingsport. Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 28, 2004, at the Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City, or any time at the home. Services will be on Monday, March 29, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Wrightly Salling, Rev. Charles Killen and special friend, Cuba Porter, officiating. Entombment will follow at Temple Hill Cemetery in Castlewood. The Lebanon VFW Post 9864 will provide military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Gate City, 248 East Jackson St., Gate City, VA 24251. Condolences may be sent via e-mail to cartertrentfh@earthlink.net. Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City, is serving the Ramey family. Joseph Hagan Scott DUNGANNON, Va. – Mr. Joseph Hagan Scott, 60, entered into rest Friday, March 26, 2004, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Mr. Scott was born in Scott County, Va., on April 24, 1943, a son of Margaret Elizabeth Hagan Scott and the late Roby Camot Scott. In addition to his mother, Margaret "Betsy" Scott, Dungannon, he is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kelley and Sam McClanahan, Abingdon, and Lyndsey and Zondie Mullins, Trenton, Ga.; grandchildren, Rachel and Trey McClanahan and Claire Mullins; brother and sister-in-law, James and Elaine Scott, Dungannon, and beloved nephew, Christopher Bernard Scott, Dungannon. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m., Sunday, March 28, 2004, at the Gate City Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. in the Juanita S. Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home, with Father Roland Hautz officiating. Per Mr. Scott’s request, his body was cremated and a private memorial service will be conducted at a later date. Online condolences may be made to the family of Mr. Scott at gcfh@earthlink.net. Betty Smith BRISTOL, Tenn. – Betty Lou Nidiffer Smith, age 74, went to be with the Lord, Friday, March 26, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House. She was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and a daughter of the late Ted and Pauline Nidiffer. She was a homemaker and was a member of the VFW Auxiliary of Patton Crosswhite Post 6975 of Bristol. She was the widow of James Lee Smith and preceded in death by two brothers, Joe Nidiffer and Winiford Nidiffer, and two sons-in-law, Michael O’Dell and Bobby Duff. Survivors include three daughters, Brenda Wyatt, Bristol Tennessee, Della O’Dell, Piney Flats, and Kathy Carrier and husband Danny, Bluff City; brother, Ted Nidiffer, Baltimore; five sisters, Belle Knopp, Blairsville, Ga., Joyce Beatty, Glen Burnie, Md., Nancy Groen, Blairsville, Pam Kent, Publo, Colo., and Barbara Chambers, Orlando, Fla.; grandchildren, Angie Walden, Pam Thomas, Mollie O’Dell, Andrew O’Dell and Chris Carrier; great-grandchildren, Jessica Walden, Chelsea Walden, Fallon Thomas and Chase Thomas, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Danny Thompson officiating. The committal will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Mountain View Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be friends and family. A special thanks to the Wellmont Hospice House for their kindness to the family. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Weaver Funeral Home.