Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, April 9, 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, April 9, 2004 Today's Deaths Ernest W. Arnold Jr., 46, Bristol Virginia Virginia G. Chapman, 81, Saltville Nellie V. Hall Herron, 72, Castlewood Maude B. Klaiber, 68, Coeburn Kathy Ault Leonard, 54, Bristol Virginia Panzy Marion, Bristol Virginia Robert Edward Nichols, Wytheville Ruth Marie Ratcliffe, 76, Richlands Blanche Elizabeth Lane Shepherd, formerly of Abingdon Ruth Ann Firestone Simmerman, 70, Windsor, Va. Jenell M. Smith, formerly of Smyth County, Va. Billy Gene Street, 49, Baptist Valley, Va. Dorothy Vance, 75, Swords Creek, Va. Carita Fleenor Whitlock, 96, Bristol Tennessee Fredrick C. Whittaker, 65, formerly of Bristol Virginia Ernest W. Arnold Jr. BRISTOL, Va. – Mr. Ernest W. "Ernie" Arnold Jr., age 46, died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at the Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, Va. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Ernest W. "Ernie" Arnold Jr. Virginia G. Chapman SALTVILLE – Mrs. Virginia G. "Gin" Chapman, age 81, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2004, at her home. She was a lifelong resident of the Saltville area. Gin retired from Olin Corporation and Piggly Wiggly of Saltville. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Chapman, parents, Bert and Rhoda Grant, sisters, Edith Smith and Wanda Eastridge, brothers, Garnett and Bobby Grant, and two grandsons, Johnny and Steven Chapman. She loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed sitting on her porch and going fishing. She will be missed by her little dog, "Asia." Survivors: two daughters, Carol McCray and husband Donald of Abingdon and Betty S. Hayden of Waynesboro, Va.; two sons, Billy M. Chapman and wife Joyce of Glade Spring and Johnny W. Chapman and wife Shelva of Saltville; five grandchildren, Beverly McCray Bordwine, Donald McCray Jr., Norma Grindstaff, Patty Fox and Gene Hayden; two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Bordwine and Celsea McCray; several other great-grandchildren and her lifetime friend, Burnis Poston. A graveside service for Mrs. Chapman will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2004, at Mount Rose Cemetery, with Rev. John Roe officiating. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Chapman family. Pearl J. Crusenberry BRISTOL, Va. – A graveside service for Pearl Juanita Crusenberry will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2004, at 1 p.m. in Mountain View Cemetery in Bristol Virginia. Ms. Crusenberry, age 81, passed away on March 14, 2004, at Massillon Community Hospital in Massillon, Ohio, following an extended illness. Margaret A. Gardner BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Margaret Ann Gardner will be conducted at 11 o’clock Friday morning, April 9, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Elder Wayne Morgan and Elder I.W. McNamara officiating. Burial will follow at Sullivan Gardens Cemetery in Kingsport. Pallbearers will be Charles Taylor, Dennis Franklin, Gary Baker, J.D. Baker and Jerry Blair. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Ms. Gardner, 63, died Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Ms. Gardner and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Daniel J. Griffith Aaron N. Griffith GLADE SPRING – A memorial service for Daniel James Griffith and Aaron Nelson Griffith will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Johnny Dillard and Rev. Louis Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Daniel James "D.J." Griffith, age 12, and Aaron Nelson "Peanut" Griffith, age 5, and their dog, Lucky, joined their grandparents in heaven Saturday, April 3, 2004, from injuries sustained in a house fire. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Griffith family. Mary C. Hatcher BLUFF CITY – The funeral service for Mary Collene Hatcher will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, April 9, at the graveside in Weaver Cemetery, with Rev. Eugene Deaton officiating. Pallbearers will be Jason Cumbow, Justin Cumbow, Todd Cumbow, Gordie Peterson, Chris Peterson, David Peterson, Austin Peterson, Steve Vance and Mark Vance. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Miss Hatcher, 96, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at The Cambridge House. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, 423-989-4800, is serving the family of Miss Hatcher. Nellie Herron CASTLEWOOD – Nellie V. Hall Herron, 72, died Wednesday, April 7, 2004 at Mountainview Retirement Home, Lebanon. She was born in Dante, Va., the daughter of the late Bill and Evie Poston Surrett. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Victor Hall, her second husband, Loyd Herron, and one brother, Jerry Surrett. She is survived by one daughter, Sheila Hall of Castlewood; one son, Victor Hall of Biloxi, Miss.; two brothers, Billy Surrett of Cincinnati and James C. Surrett of Covington, Ky., and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Nellie V. Hall Herron will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. John A. Kiser officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Victor Hall, Shannon Surrett, Rick Surrett, Glenn Castle and Jack Grizzle. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 9, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Herron family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jessie F. Hilliard BLUFF CITY – Funeral services for Jessie Franklin Hilliard will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Richie Sanders, Rev. Joe Trent and Rev. James Salyers officiating. Burial will follow in the Rooty Branch Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mr. Hilliard passed away, Tuesday, April 6, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Maude B. Klaiber COEBURN – Maude B. Klaiber, 68, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2004, in the Centennial Medical Center, Nashville. She was the widow of the late Virgil L. Klaiber and a member of the Community Freewill Baptist Church, Coeburn, and Pleasant Valley Freewill Baptist Church, Ashland City, Tenn. Surviving are a son and his wife, Michael and Rita Klaiber of Ashland City; a daughter, Shauna Klaiber of Nashville; three sisters, Edith Rasnick and Gladys Robertson, both of Marion, Ohio, and Faye Clay of Clintwood; one grandchild; two step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with Pastor Wayne Perry officiating. Burial will follow in the Bond Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery, Coeburn. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Friday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, is in charge of arrangements. Kathy Ault Leonard BRISTOL, Va. – Kathy Ault Leonard, 54, died Thursday, April 8, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. 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 Kathy Leonard. Panzy Marion BRISTOL, Va. – Panzy Marion passed away Thursday, April 8, 2004, in the Cambridge House. She was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. She was born March 5, 1919, and was a daughter of the late Henry and Elizabeth Lewis. She was a member of the North Baptist Church, was the widow of James I. Marion and preceded in death by a son, James Randall Marion. Survivors include daughter, Carole Meade and husband Larry J.; granddaughter, Bethany Martin and husband John; grandsons, Kevin Meade, Dennis Marion and James Marion; great-granddaughter, Kaitlin Meade, and sister, Kathryn Bumgardner. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 10, 2004, in the mausoleum in the Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Bill Martin. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. There will be no visitation to the public but friends may call at the home of the daughter, Carole Meade. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Robert E. Nichols WYTHEVILLE – Robert Edward "Slick" Nichols, formerly of Bristol Tennessee, went to join the Lord on Wednesday, April 7, 2004. Born in Bluff City on Aug. 12, 1916, he was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Amanda Nichols, several siblings, Martha Dowell, Ida Blair and Fred Cagle, wife, Antionette Agee Nichols, two sons, Richard Mack Nichols and Charles Alfred "Chilly" Nichols, and two grandsons, Richard Mack Nichols Jr. and William Edward "Billy" Nichols. Left to cherish his memory are brother, Charles Nickles, Newark, Ohio, and eight children, Robert Nichols and wife Clarice, Bristol Tennessee, Thomas Nichols and former wife Sandy Gregory, Plymouth, Ind., David Nichols and former wife Betty, Bristol Tennessee, Jerry Nichols and wife Jae, Chicago, Linda Semones and husband Carson, Roanoke, Frank Nichols and wife Mary, Wytheville, Marilyn Nichols, Winter Park, Fla., and James Nichols and wife Susan, Wytheville. He is also survived by Linda Thornton, a beloved niece, and Grace Canter, a special cousin, 26 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and three great-great- grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Roger Boyer officiating. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Burial will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and the Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Malonda B. Potter BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Malonda Bertha Potter will be held on Friday, April 9, 2004, at South Chapel Baptist Church at 11 a.m., with Rev. Mark Baumgardner and Rev. Benny Bowman officiating. Interment will follow at Cox Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mrs. Potter, age 83, of 2460 Denton Valley Road, went to be with the Lord on April 7, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Troy H. Pounders Sr. ABINGDON – A service for Mr. Troy Hester Pounders Sr. will be Friday, April 9, 2004, at 9 a.m. in Troy. Interment will follow in White Chapel Cemetery in Troy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to High Point Baptist Church, 18255 Limestone Dr., Meadowview, VA 24361. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Pounders Sr., age 77, died Monday, April 5, 2004, in Grace Healthcare of Abingdon. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Pounders family. Ruth Ratcliffe RICHLANDS – Mrs. Ruth Marie Ratcliffe, age 76, of 301 Lee St., died Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. She was born in Swords Creek, Va., and was a daughter of the late John H. and Melissa Jane Robinson Boyd, both Russell County natives. She had made her home in the Richlands area most of her life and was former owner and operator of the Vanity Beauty Shop for 39 years. She was a very active supporter and worker for the Richlands Food Pantry, the Tri-County Health Clinic and her Rook Club. She was a member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church and an active member of Circle 3 and Vacation Bible School. Ruth was a kind and caring person and, when in her presence, she could always make you laugh. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. D.C. "Ikey" Ratcliffe, two sisters, Joella Kerley and Agnes Hess, also, one brother, Winfred Boyd. Survivors are one son, Mr. Otis Johnson of Orlando, Fla.; two stepdaughters, Mrs. Nadine Rockey of Abingdon and Mrs. June Strachen of Clearwater, Fla.; two granddaughters, Mrs. Britt Ravenberg and Mrs. Ingrid McNulty; four step- grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a special niece and care giver, Mrs. Faye Richardson; six sisters, Mrs. Zelma Fackovetz of Coram, N.Y., Mrs. Janie Peterson of Suffolk, Va., Mrs. Alice Plaster of Uniontown, Ohio, Mrs. Pauline Tuminilla of Owings Mills, Md., Mrs. Ruby Dye of Cedar Bluff and Mrs. Nancy Wilson of Raven, Va., and five brothers, Mr. Clarence Boyd of Swords Creek, Mr. Glen Boyd of Mansfield, Ohio, Mr. George Boyd of Mansfield, Mr. James Boyd of Lanexa, Va., and Mr. Danny Ball of Abingdon. Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth Marie Ratcliffe will be conducted Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Eddie Nash, Rev. Bill McDaniel and Rev. Barry Absher officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Olbert Richardson, Edwin Pruett, Jerry Hess, Benton Hess, Daryel Hess and Scott Dye. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. James H. McVey, Dr. Brian Cordelasi, Dr. William H. Hunter, Glen Hagy and men of the Richlands Presbyterian Church. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6:30 p.m. Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richlands Presbyterian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 446, Richlands, VA 24641. 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. Blanche Shepherd ORLANDO, Fla. – Blanche Elizabeth Lane Shepherd, born Aug. 1, 1916, in Abingdon, daughter of Lillie and John Lane, went home to her Lord on April 6, 2004, in Apopka, Fla. She was preceded in death by husband, Frank Wiley Shepherd, three children, Frances Ann, Patsy June and Vicky Lane Shepherd, one grandchild, Christina Elizabeth Shepherd, and six brothers and one sister. Survivors include six children, Jim Shepherd (Wanda) of Satsuma, Fla., Carol Mitchell (Dennis) of Salem, Va., Ferry Shepherd (Joani) of Alpharetta, Ga., Becky Taylor (Bobbie) of Charleston, S.C., Ricky Wayne Shepherd of Roanoke and Frankie Jane Pounder of Apopka; four sisters, Lena Musser Holt of Dade City, Fla., Mary Grever of Parisburg, Va., Mildred Johnson of Bristol Tennessee and Nonie Mullen of Bristol Tennessee; 10 grandchildren, Jeff Shepherd (Cindy) of Marietta, Ga., Greg Shepherd (Dawn) of Marietta, Tracy Hopkins (Paul) of Columbus, N.C., Tim Mitchell (Susan) of Pal Harbor, Fla., Penny Mitchell of Roanoke, Jennifer Hoover (John) of Charlottesville, Jason Taylor (Michelle) of Avon, N.Y., Brian Taylor (Kim) of Summerville, S.C., Melody Piotrowski (Chris) of Roanoke and Rodney Shepherd (Connie) of Roanoke; six great-grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, especially Geneva Kincer of Roanoke and Mary and Bob Kimbrell of Apopka. Funeral services for Blanche Elizabeth Lane Shepherd will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum of Knollkreg Memorial Park, Abingdon, with the Rev. Bob Jones officiating. Mrs. Shepherd will be laid to rest in Knollkreg Memorial Park with her beloved family. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until the time of the service. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of the arrangements. Ruth Simmerman WINDSOR, Va. – Ruth Ann Firestone Simmerman, age 70, died Wednesday, April 7, 2004, in Norfolk General Hospital. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory. Jenell M. Smith COCKEYSVILLE, Md. – Jenell M. Smith, passed away on April 2, 2004, in Cockeysville. She was a former resident of Smyth County. Survivors include husband, Sanders J. Smith, Cockeysville; children, Dennis Smith and wife Thelma, Nancy Franco and husband Joe and Timothy W. Smith; sister, Kathleen Counts; brother, Ralph Peak; grandchildren, Denise DeValt and Dawn and Logan Smith, and great-grandchild, Luke Devalt. Funeral services and burial were held in Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. This is a courtesy announcement by Bradley’s Funeral Home. Billy Gene Street BAPTIST VALLEY, Va. – Mr. Billy Gene Street, age 49, passed away Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at his home following a lengthy illness. Born in Tazewell County, Va., he was the son of Rev. Virginia Cox Street of Doran, Va., and the late John Lee Street. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Bonnie Sue Mullins Street; two daughters, Melissa Sue Street of Raven, Va., and Jennie Lynn Street of Cedar Bluff; one son, Billy Lee Street of Dublin, Va.; three brothers, Jack Street of Bandy, Va., Bob Street of Pounding Mill, Va., and Jerry Lee Street of Phoenix, Ariz.; one sister, Linda Jackson of Pounding Mill; one stepsister, Darlene Case of Wardell, Va.; two special granddaughters, Savannah Street and Cheyanne Harrison; two special nephews, Jamie Martin and Bubby Street; special aunt, Shirley Pyles, and two special friends, Mikie Harrison and Russell Hunt. Special thanks to Hospice Palliative at Grundy and Dr. Briggs. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Grady McGlothlin, Rev. Ervin Justus and Rev. Rick Cole officiating. Entombment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill. Pallbearers will be Russell Hunt, Mikie Harrison, Curtis Wallace, Jamie Martin, Joe Jackson, Steven Justus and Bubby Street. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Street family. Earnest R. Thompson ABINGDON – An 11 a.m. committal service for Mr. Earnest Ray Thompson will be held on Friday, April 9, 2004, at West Cemetery in Marion. Military rites will be given by the Highlands Honor Color Guard. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Friday for the procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jamie Thompson, Chad Thompson, Chris Manuel, Kyle Easterling, Jimmy Clark and R.L. Young. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Thompson, 78, died Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at his home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Thompson family. Dorothy Vance SWORDS CREEK, Va. – Mrs. Dorothy Vance, age 75, passed away Thursday, April 8, 2004, in a Richlands hospital. Born Feb. 26, 1929, in Russell County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Bert and Laura Dye Vance. A lifelong resident of the area, she was of the Protestant faith. She was a graduate of Honaker High School and a member of Finney Senior Citizens. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William "Bill" Robert Vance, one sister, Ruth Belcher Harbin, and one brother, Jim Vance. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Sandy Vance of Richlands; one brother, Dallas Vance of Ohio; two grandsons, William Darrell Vance of California and Jeremy Robert Vance of Richlands; two great- granddaughters, Lauren Ashley Vance and Victoria Elysse Vance, and several nieces, nephews and friends also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Carl Robinson officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Mick Bostic, Danny Hess, Danny Brown, Sonny Belcher, Wayne Daniels, Ed Horton and John Breedlove. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Friday. Herman Lee Wheeler BRISTOL, Va. – Herman Lee Wheeler, 81, died Wednesday, April 7, 2004, at his residence. He was born April 7, 1923, in Bristol Virginia, the son of the late J.R. and Lillian Lawson Wheeler. He was a lifelong resident of Bristol. He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps, serving in the Pacific Theater in World War II. Herman was a 50-year member of Masonic King Lodge 461 and a Shriner. Herman, KF4AQJ, was an active ham operator and a member of the Bristol Amateur Radio Club. He was a member of Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church. Herman was preceded in death by a special cousin, Capt. Phyllis Warren. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Sink Wheeler; two daughters, Toni Ward and her husband Lonnie of Bristol Tennessee and Vickie Warden and her husband John of Bristol Virginia; two sons, Kevin Wheeler and his wife Diane of Bristol Virginia and Jan Wheeler and his wife Lisa of Chattanooga; his sister, Eunice M. Wheeler of Bristol Virginia; 11 grandchildren, Melanie, Josh, Jason, Angela, Marcie, Micki, Steve, Matthew, Jason R., Trevor and Todd, and eight great- grandchildren. The memorial service for Mr. Wheeler will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, April 9, 2004, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Noah B. Holbrook officiating. A Masonic service will be conducted by King Lodge 461. The family will receive friends from 6 till 7:45 p.m. prior to the service In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital- Greenville, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605-4277. 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. Wheeler. Carita F. Whitlock BRISTOL, Tenn. – Carita Fleenor Whitlock, 96, died Wednesday evening, April 7, 2004, at NHC Healthcare of Bristol. A daughter of the late Dr. Charles Warren Fleenor and Josephine St. John Fleenor, she was a native of the Holston Valley Community and lived in Bristol. After graduating from Virginia Intermont College, she worked for the Sullivan County School System as a teacher. She was the oldest living member of Cold Spring Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Whitlock was a former member of the Sycamore Shoals Daughters of the American Revolution. At one time, her home was the community library for 50 years and was a branch of the Watauga Regional Library of Johnson City. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, W.U. Whitlock, and her brother, C. Warren "Doc" Fleenor. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Mary Louise Fleenor of Bristol Tennessee; two nieces, Reba Bell of Charlotte, N.C., and Faye Martin of Tega Cay, S.C.; a stepson, Kent Whitlock and his wife Margaret Jo of Roanoke; three great-nieces, Susan and Lindsay Bell of Charlotte and Courtney Martin of Tega Cay; one great- nephew, Chad Martin of Tega Cay; a step-grandson, Gary Whitlock and his wife Margie of Longwood, Fla.; two step-great-grandsons, Matthew and Chris Whitlock of Longwood; a brother-in-law, Edison Whitlock and his wife Vira of Piney Flats, and a loving friend and caretaker of many years, Clifton Woods. The funeral service will be conducted at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon at the graveside in Cold Spring Cemetery, with Dr. Errol Rohr officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of Cold Spring Presbyterian Church immediately following the service at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Grandfather Home for Children, P.O. Box 98, Banner Elk, NC 28604-0098. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mrs. Whitlock and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. Fredrick Whittaker VANCOUVER, Wash. – Fredrick C. "Fred" Whittaker died April 6, 2004, at his home. He was 65. He was born Sept. 10, 1938, in Bristol Virginia. He owned and operated Anytime Gutter Service in Vancouver for the past 17 years. Fred enjoyed snowmobiling, going to the rodeo and he loved to travel. He always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include daughter, Margret A. Whittaker Rehr of Vancouver; sons, Stephen C. Whittaker and Michael L. Whittaker, both of Vancouver; sisters, Francis N. Hayler of Abingdon and Mary J. Montona of Bristol Virginia; brothers, Gene A. Whittaker of Hillsboro, Ore., Franklin D. Whittaker of Vancouver and Lewis M. Whittaker of Bristol Virginia; 14 grandchildren and companion, Judith E. Clark of Vancouver. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen J. Whittaker, in 1997, and his parents, Rev. Harley M. Whittaker and Margret S. Feathers-Whittaker. There will be a viewing on Friday, April 9, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and a funeral service at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Staples Funeral Chapel, 4700 NE St. Johns Rd., Vancouver, WA 98661. Interment will take place at Memory Memorial Park following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Evergreen Staples Funeral Chapel is in charge of final arrangements.