Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, April 11, 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, April 11, 2004 Today's Deaths Linda Sue Booher, 54, Bristol Tennessee June Marie Canter, 57 Bernard William Cressell, 75, Marion Bobbie C. Lake, 65 Henry Lewis McKemy Jr., 61, Abingdon Marie S. Messick, 85, Raven, Va. Mable Louise Morrell, Bristol Tennessee Stanley Eugene Rush, 65, Mendota, Va. Carrie Elizabeth Bland Sanders, 94, Bristol Virginia Lee McKinley Short, 66, Honaker Idell Juanita Jackson Sowers, 82, Atkins, Va. Thomas Hensel Stokes, 88, Chilhowie Nancy Pyle Venable, 83, Abingdon Mark E. Wagner, 72, Bristol Virginia Ernest W. Arnold Jr. BRISTOL, Va. – A graveside funeral service for Mr. Ernest William Arnold Jr. will be held Monday, April 12, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Reverend William Martin and Reverend Orlando Salazar will officiate. Pallbearers will be Darrin McReynolds, Mark Cathell, Jack Cocklin, Richard Keesling, Larry Snead, Kevin Corbett, Bill Halstead, Bill Clark, Anthony Golden and Vince Coscia. Honorary pallbearers will be Bristol Dragway employees, All Midwest Sales staff, 1972-1976 VHS baseball team and coaches and friends and family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association or National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Arnold Jr., 46, died Thursday April 8, 2004, in Mechanicsville, Va.. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Arnold family. Linda Sue Booher BRISTOL, Tenn. – Linda Sue Booher, age 54, passed away on Friday April 9, 2004. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. June Marie Canter June Marie Canter, age 57, passed away on April 9, 2004, at her home. She was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and was the daughter of the late Sarah Ellen Venson Oliver and Jordan Norman Oliver. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, one brother, Jordan Oliver, and one sister, Viola Eads. Survivors include husband, Bobby Gene Canter; sons, Bobby W. Canter, Harrison M. Canter and Ben Canter; daughter, Loretta L. Canter; two grandsons; four granddaughters; several nieces and nephews and sisters, Lucille Stallard, Anna Ison, Rosie Murray, Betty Stallard, Jean Miller, Barbara Canter and Mary Oliver. Private graveside services were held on Saturday, April 10, 2004, at Shipley Cemetery. Rev. Jackie Goldsmith officiated. Pallbearers included Bobby Canter, Jason Andrews, Robert Canter, Gene Miller, James Stallard, Jackie Canter and Terry Stallard. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Bernard W. Cressell MARION – Bernard William Cressell, age 75, died Saturday, April 10, 2004, in Smyth County Community Hospital. He was a member of Fox Creek Baptist Church for nearly 40 years and was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Lillie Stowers Cressel, three sisters, Mary Hall, Lynn Taylor and Lucille Matthias, and two brothers, Arthur Cressel and Jim Cressel. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margaret Lovelace Cressell of Marion; one daughter, Mary Maynard of Crestview, Fla.; one son, Edward Cressel of Bristol Tennessee; four sisters, Hazel Archambault of Front Royal, Va., Ruby Thomas of Alabama, Roxie Hubble of Florida and Donna Lanham of Rural Retreat, Va.; one brother, Hobert Cressell of Dillwyn, Va.; three grandchildren; one step-grandchild; two great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild and special friends, Gordon and Fannie Poe, Dean Sanders, Dave Thomas and Dottie Hicks also survive. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 12, 2004, at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Bluford Eldreth and Rev. Dean Sheperd officiating. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Resurrection Gardens, Atkins, Va. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Cressell family. Archie F. Harper Jr. SALTVILLE – Mr. Archie Floyd Harper Jr., age 77, went to be with the Lord Friday, April 9, 2004. He was at his home. Mr. Harper was born Sept. 20, 1926, in Saltville, moved to Rockville, Md., in 1956 and returned to Saltville in 1971. He was retired from American Furniture in 1988, but continued to work for Smyth County McCready Convenience Station as a attendant. Everyone who knew him knew that he was caring and lovable and a blessing to his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Eva V. Johnson Harper; daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Clayborne Olinger, Saltville; stepson and wife, Marshall and Kay Harper, Chilhowie; five grandchildren, Stacey Olinger Crusenberry and Sheena L. Olinger of Saltville and Travis Harper, Chris Harper and Tonya Harper of Chilhowie; two great-grandchildren, Lexie Jayden Crusenberry of Saltville and Logan Harper of Chilhowie, and special sister-in-law, Lucille Hayden, and brother-in-law, Marvin Johnson, both of Saltville. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. David Mumpower and Rev. Tom Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in the Mahanaim Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 till 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers: Steven Crusenberry, Travis Harper, Chris Harper, Mark Holmes, Alvin Olinger and Howard Chapman. Honorary pallbearers: Leo Hayden, Pat Hayden, Gearld Johnson, Mike Neal and John Hill. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is serving the Harper family. Bobbie C. Lake Bobbie C. Lake, 65, passed on Saturday, April 10, 2004, at Bristol Nursing Home She was born in Bristol Virginia, a daughter of the late Floyd and Geraldine Pullon Crider, and had lived most of her life in Arlington, Va. She was a court reporter and a real estate agent and was a member of the Sixth Church of Christ Scientist in Washington, D.C. Survivors include a sister, Shirley Sutherland and her husband Tom of Bluff City; a brother, Floyd Crider Jr. of New York City; a niece, Lisa Fox; a nephew, Joel Craig Herndon, and special friends, Richard and Carole Fite of Naples, Fla., Susan DeConcini of McLean, Va., and Lydia Bell of Arlington. Entombment in the Heritage Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Mountain View Cemetery will be private. A memorial service will be held in Washington at a later date. The family wishes to express special thanks to the staff and caregivers of Bristol Nursing Home. At her request, beneficent contributions have been made by Mrs. Lake’s estate to the American Cancer Society, the Washington, D.C., Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, and the Manhattan Psychiatric Institute of New York, in honor and loving appreciation of her family, friends and associates. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Bobbie Lake is in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Kathy Ault Leonard BRISTOL, Va. – The committal service and interment for Katherine "Kathy" Ault Leonard will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, April 12, at the graveside in Mountain View Cemetery. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Mrs. Leonard, age 54, passed away, Thursday, April 8, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center following a long illness. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Kathy Leonard. Henry L. McKemy Jr. ABINGDON – Mr. Henry Lewis (H.L.) McKemy Jr., 61, died Friday, April 9, 2004, at UVa Hospital in Charlottesville. Mr. McKemy was a native of Roanoke and had lived in Abingdon for the past 30 years. He was the son of the late Henry Lewis McKemy Sr. and Frances Vickers McKemy. He was of the Presbyterian faith, but attended Greendale United Methodist Church. He was retired from Jewel Coal and Coke. He enjoyed fishing. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and neighbor. Survivors include his wife, Beulah McKemy; two sons, Henry Lewis (Hank) McKemy III and wife Debbie of Abingdon and James William (Willie) McKemy and wife Shannon of Bristol Tennessee; three granddaughters that were special to him, Christiane McKemy, Samantha McKemy and Charlie McKemy; one brother, James Edward McKemy of Fisherville; one sister, Rebecca Crawford of Roanoke; three aunts, Bessie Oyler, Salley Turner and Anna Gibson, all of Roanoke; a very special cousin, Priscilla, and his faithful dog, Cody. Funeral services will be held Monday, April 12, 2004, at 3 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service. Reverend Larry Linkous and Reverend Joseph Baker will officiate. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Donnie Counts, Ronnie Counts, W.C. Counts, Roger Davis, Gus Croft and Jeff Saunders. Honorary pallbearers will be high school class of 1963 from Haysi High School. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Greendale United Methodist Church, Brinkley Road, Abingdon, VA 24210, or to the volunteer fire and rescue squad of the donor’s choosing. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Marie S. Messick RAVEN, Va. – Mrs. Marie S. Messick, age 85, passed away Friday, April 9, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a brief illness. She was born in Buchanan County and was the daughter of the late Sylvester and Mandy Osborne Stilwell, both Buchanan County natives. She had made her home in the Raven area all of her life and was member of the Fork Ridge House of Prayer in Raven. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hunter, Dr. Hoebelheinrich, Dr. Park and especially Dr. McVey for their professional care and compassion. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Townsel (T.H.) Messick, one son, Jim Messick, stepfather, Ed Osborne, six sisters, Macie Horton, Brassie Webb, Maggie Breedlove, Maltilda Osborne, Sally Osborne and Cellie Stilwell, and three brothers, Square, Charlie and Artemus Stilwell. Survivors are one son, Bill Messick and wife, Jean of Richlands; two sisters, Miss Oma Osborne of Raven and Mrs. Rosie Davis of Raven,; three grandchildren, Palma Messick, Stephanie Breeding and Kristin Crowder, and one great- granddaughter, Sara Breeding, also survive. Funeral services for Mrs. Marie S. Messick will be conducted Monday, April 12, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with the Rev. Eddie Hess officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Danny Smith, Otis Johnson, Joey Johnson, Al Horton, Jerry Breeding and Allen Crowder. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Sunday evening at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Mable L. Morrell BRISTOL, Tenn. – Mable Louise Morrell died Friday, April 9, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. Arrangements are incomplete and Weaver Funeral Home is in charge. Mike Redman NORTON – Mass of the Resurrection for Mike Redman will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, April 12, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, with Father Timothy Drake, celebrant. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hagyfawbush.com. Mr. Redman, 51, went to be with the Lord April 7, 2004, following an extended illness. Gene Rush MENDOTA, Va. – Stanley Eugene "Gene" Rush, 65, died Saturday, April 10, 2004, at the home of a daughter and son-in-law in Mount Carmel, Tenn. He was born in Abingdon, a son of the late Ollie Graybeal Rush and Andy Thomas Rush, and was also preceded in death by his wife, Clara Osborne Rush, and three brothers, Jerry Lee Rush, Clayton Rush and Burley Rush. He had worked for Paty/Builders First Source for over 30 years and was a member of Soul’s Harbor Apostolic Church. Survivors include three daughters, Lora Cookenour and her husband Larry of Bristol Virginia, Lisa Sturgill and her husband Phillip of Jonesborough and Eugenia Rumer and her husband Glen of Mount Carmel; a son, Randy Rush and his wife Wilma of Bristol Virginia; granddaughters, Brandy Rush and Maria Sturgill; grandsons, Johnny McCracken, Andy Rush, Lance Cookenour, Hunter Sturgill and Austin Hatcher; a great-grandson, McKinley McCracken; sisters, Maggie Gentry, Carolyn Fletcher, Mary Ann Torbett, Sharon Sexton and Phyllis Carr; a brother, Elmer Rush, and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o’clock Monday evening at Oakley- Cook Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Dean Livingston and Rev. Paul Gentry officiating. Burial will follow in Peters Cemetery in Hiltons, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Wellmont Hospice, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Rush and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Carrie Sanders BRISTOL, Va. – Carrie Elizabeth Bland Sanders, age 94, passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was the daughter of the late William and Fannie Cattle Bland and had been a resident of Bristol most of her life. She had retired from Helms Candy Company after 39 years of service. Ms. Sanders was a member of Green Springs Presbyterian Church and was the widow of Eldridge Sanders. Survivors include daughter, Ruth Maness of Bristol Virginia; grandsons, Steve Maness and wife Sharon of Kingsport and Jimmy Sanders of Salem, Va.; granddaughters, Ellen Reno and husband Mike of Waynesboro, Va., and Diana Hodge of Salem, Va.; three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted on Sunday, April 18, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel at 3 p.m. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lee McKinley Short HONAKER – Mr. Lee "Bootie" McKinley Short, age 66, passed away Friday, April 9, 2004, in a Richlands hospital. Born July 7, 1937, in Drill, Va., he was a son of the late Eran and Pearl Street Short. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of the Church of the Living God in Honaker and was a coal miner for over 40 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Alvin Lee Short. Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Brenda Joyce Short of the home; one daughter, Rita Kiser of Bristol Virginia; two sons and daughters-in-law, Earnest McKinley and Wilma Short of Honaker and Markie Lynn and Helen Short of Cleveland, Va.; six grandchildren, Amanda Kiser, Michael Kiser, Joshua Short, Marketta Short, Brad Short and Chad Short; four sisters, Maedean Ray and Martha Horton, both of Honaker, Virgie Clark of Battle Creek, Mich., and Patsy McKinney of West Virginia; three brothers, Troy Short of Kentucky, Joe Short of Honaker and Pete Short of Tennessee, and four great-grandchildren, Santanna Dye, McKenzie Kiser, Madison Kiser and Megan Kiser also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Arnold Street officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Sunday. Idell Sowers ATKINS, Va. – Idell Juanita Jackson Sowers, age 82, our precious mother, grandmother and friend, left her earthly body to be with the Lord on April 9, 2004, at Francis Marion Manor. Her greatest joy on earth was giving to others. She loved her Lord and longed to be in his presence. She will be greatly missed among her survivors and welcomed by her family in Heaven. Idell was born Aug. 18, 1921, and was preceded in death by her father and mother, Frank and Hattie Holmes Jackson. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Ernest L. (Buddy) Sowers Jr., two brothers, Fred M. (Jake) Jackson and John F. (Cotton) Jackson, and a sister, Carrie B. (Cricket) Sink. Her survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Faye Jackson McIntyre and husband Clarence McIntyre, Atkins; grandson, Michael McIntyre, Atkins; granddaughters, Faye Marie McIntyre, Atkins, and Patricia Kaye McIntyre, Glade Spring; special nephew and wife, Jerry and Laura Jackson, Salem, Va.; special niece and husband, Juanita (Nita) and Kenny McIntyre, Atkins; special friends, Sharon Richardson, Atkins, Cindy Davidson, Glade Spring, and June Jones, Marion; one brother-in-law, Elmer Sink, Salem; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Jackson, Saltville, and Shirley Jackson, Marion, and several nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly, also survive. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday afternoon from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Shirley Carter, Rev. Neville Mozingo and Sister Peggy Russell officiating. Interment will follow in Roselawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the family of Mrs. Sowers. Thomas H. Stokes CHILHOWIE – Thomas Hensel Stokes, 88, died Saturday, April 10, 2004, in Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Williams Funeral Home. Nancy Pyle Venable ABINGDON – Nancy Pyle Venable, age 83, a resident of 268 Stonemill Road, died Saturday, April 10, 2004, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital. Funeral arrangements for Nancy Pyle Venable are incomplete at this time. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of the arrangements. Mark E. Wagner BRISTOL, Va. – Mark E. Wagner, 72, passed away Friday, April 9, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Graysville, Tenn., and a son of the late Rev. Enos and Lillian Tucker Wagner. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and received a Purple Heart during his service in the Korean War. He attended Tusculum College and retired as an investigator from the Virginia Employment Commission. He was a member of Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a special brother-in- law, Edward Lamb. Survivors include his wife, Lillian Childress Wagner; a son, Steve Wagner and his wife Maria of Bluff City; a sister, Freda Lamb of Narrows, Va.; a brother- in-law and sister-in-law, Max and Beulah Keys of Blountville; two grandchildren, Derek Wagner and Alison Wagner, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, April 12, at the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Malcolm Wansley officiating. The committal service and entombment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Glenwood Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel. Honorary pallbearers will be friends and church members. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Veteran Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 p.m. Monday at Akard Funeral Home prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Reynolds Memorial UMC, 327 Mary St., Bristol, VA 24201, or American Cancer Society, c/o Jack Mallin, 57 Fairway 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. Wagner.