Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, April 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 Wednesday, April 28, 2004 Betty T. Beeler BLOUNTVILLE – The burial for Betty Evelyn Turnmire Beeler will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004, in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews, Don Widener, Rick Widener, Gregg Widener, Jeff Turnmire, Terrance and Tim Turnmire, Butch Blevins, Ron Blevins, James Blevins, Ronald Noel and Michael Turnmire. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Mrs. Beeler, age 70, of 242 Johnson Cemetery Rd., passed away Saturday, April 24, 2004, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Mack W. Chapman BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Mack William Chapman will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Roger Boyer and Rev. Rick Light officiating. The burial will follow in Susong Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jim Goodman, Ron Williams, Steve Loving, James Ramey, Joey Smith and Johnny Canter. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of the Bristol Virginia Transmit Mix, Gary Delp, Mike Delp, John White and Sam Rosenbalm. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Mr. Chapman, age 44, of 1834 Broad St., passed away Sunday, April 25, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. William Gangewere BLOUNTVILLE – Entombment for William L. Gangewere will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Snyder Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Thomas, Mark Price, Tim Steffey, Bob Stills and Willie Simcox. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Mr. Gangewere, age 60, of 856 Big Hollow Road, went to be with Lord Monday, April 26, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. J.R. Graybeal BLUFF CITY – J. R. "Joe" Graybeal, age 62, of 326 Weaver Creek Rd., went to be with the Lord Monday, April 26, 2004, at his home. He was born Jan. 16, 1942, in Bluff City, of the late Henderson and Martha Lingerfelt Graybeal. He lived in Pontiac, Michigan, for several years before moving back to the Bluff City area. He was a member of the Mount Holston Baptist Church and was a former employee of General Motors in Pontiac. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy "Dot" Jones Graybeal. He is survived by: son, J.R. Graybeal Jr.; daughters, Nora Smith and husband Glen, Martha Lee and husband Terry and Brenda Smith and husband Al; six grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Hilliard and husband Paul and Alice Jones; brother, Jerry Graybeal; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Gary Rowlette officiating. The burial will be held 10 a.m. Thursday morning in Crumley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday evening prior to the service. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net David Wayne Hale III ABINGDON – A funeral service for David Wayne Hale III will be conducted Thursday, April 29, 2004, at 1 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Pastor John King officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6–9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 506 Alexandria Ave., Durham, NC 27705 in memory of David. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com David Wayne Hale III, age 6, died Sunday, April 25, 2004, from injuries sustained in an accident. Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is serving the family of David. Donna G. Vance Hall BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Donna Gail Vance Hall will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. J. C. Steele officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Hall family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com Mrs. Hall, 50, of 678 VI Ranch Road, died Sunday, April 25, 2004, at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, from injuries received from a motorcycle accident. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Barbara Ann Hatcher BEDFORD, Va. – Barbara Ann "Bobby" Hatcher, 77, died Monday, April 26, 2004, in Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She was born Jan. 12, 1927, at Twin Oaks Farm in Bedford County. She was preceded in death by her parents, Watson Calvin (Buddy) Hatcher and Ola Bush Hatcher, and her brother, Calvin Perkins Hatcher. Barbara attended school in Bedford County and graduated from Montvale High School and Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., where she was an assistant riding instructor. In 1952, she went to Bristol Virginia, to be head of the Horsemanship Program at Sullins College until it closed in 1976. She then owned and operated the Animal Farm Boarding Kennel until 1996, when she retired and moved back to Bedford. She lived with a friend in town, but spent a great deal of time at her Twin Oaks Farm. Barbara was on the Avenel Foundation Board, and was a volunteer at The National D-Day Memorial Foundation, the Bedford Museum and the Ride Program. She was a lifetime member of Bedford Community Health Foundation and was very interested in the Hospice House that was to be built. In lieu of flowers, Barbara requested that memorials be made to the National D- Day Memorial Foundation, PO Box 77, Bedford, VA 24523, the Bedford Hospice Home, c/o Bedford Community Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1104, Bedford, VA 24523 or the Avenel Foundation, P.O. Box 686, Bedford, VA 24523. A graveside service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2004, in Oakwood Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. Carl H. Douglass Jr. officiating. Friends may call any time at 1709 Wycliffe St., Bedford. To send condolences, please visit www.carder-tharp.com. Arrangements by Carder-Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, 586-3443. Hazel Ellen Kennedy RAVEN, Va. – Mrs. Hazel Ellen Kennedy, age 86, of 355 Reedy Rd., died Monday, April 26, 2004, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. She was born in Tazewell County, Va., and was a daughter of the late George and Laura Cordle White, both Tazewell County natives. She was a life-long resident of the Raven area and was a retired cook for the former Mattie Williams Hospital in Richlands. Mrs. Kennedy attended Raven Assembly of God in Raven and New Hope Assembly of God at Claypool Hill, Va. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Abner Kennedy, two sisters and three brothers. Survivors are: one daughter, Mrs. Linda Lou Brown of Charlottesville, Va.; two sons, Mr. Donald William Kennedy and wife, Carol of Raven and Mr. Kenneth Harold Kennedy of Raven; one sister, Mrs. Sylvia Bowman of College Estates Section of Cedar Bluff; three brothers, Mr. Jerry White of Princeton, W.Va., Mr. Max White of Bristol Virginia, and Mr. Ralph White of Germany; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services for Mrs. Hazel Ellen Kennedy will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Claudie Throgmartin and Rev. Barry Absher officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be: Tim Kennedy, David Kennedy, Brian White, Jerry Short, Rick Vanover and Morrison Short. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Wednesday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com Jerry D. Meade POUND – Jerry D. Meade, 54, of Bold Camp Rd., passed away Sunday, April 25, 2004, at his residence. Born in Wise County, Va., on April 17, 1950, he was the son of the late Delmar and Leona Mullins Meade. He was retired from Meade & Sheppard Coal Company as a dozer operator. Mr. Meade was of the Baptist faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Carzella Osborne; brothers, Jess W. Meade, Newman Meade and Tommy Meade. Surviving are daughters, Pascha Brown, Indiana, Amanda Robinson, Pound and Mistie England, West Virginia; son, David Pigman, Haysi; granddaughter, Hannah Brown, Indiana; sisters, Myrtle Hollyfield, Xenia, Ohio, Zelma South, Hopewell, Va., Rachel Fleming, Sanford, N.C., and Sherry Branham, Pound; sister-in-law, Roberta (Bertie) Meade, Pound; brother, General Meade, Wise; and several nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones. Calling hours are 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at Carty Funeral Home, Norton-Wise, and any time at the residence of the sister-in-law, Roberta (Bertie) Adkins Meade. Funeral services will be conducted at Fairview Old Regular Baptist Church, Pound, on Thursday at 2 p.m., with Elder Trinkle Mullins and Elder Willie Cantrell officiating. The body will be at the church one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Mullins Cemetery, Meade Fork Rd., Pound. Serving as pallbearers are Robert Eldridge, Ricky Mullins, Randy Taylor, Tommy Taylor, Jeff "Mooney" Mullins and Speedy Mullins. The family requests in memory of Mr. Meade, donations be made to Colonial Funeral Home, P.O. Box 68, Gate City, VA 24251. Colonial Funeral Home, Weber City, Va., is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at cfhwc@earthlink.net Eula Martin Moore MEADOWVIEW – The funeral service for Mrs. Eula Mahona Martin Moore will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 28, 2004, in the Farris Funeral Chapel. Pastor Scott Spence will officiate. Pallbearers will be Billy Cook, Mike Moore, Mike Hoback, Randy Moore, Chris Moore, John Moore and Jason Moore. Honorary pallbearers will be Ralph Scott, David Hill, Ken Davenport, Jack Snavely, George Hockett, Allen Duncan and Shorty Caudill. Interment will be in Blackwell Chapel Cemetery. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2788 Hydraulic Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901. Mrs. Moore, 93, passed away Monday, April 26, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, Va. is serving the Moore family. David W. Ratcliff MARION – David Winston Ratcliff, age 46, passed away Monday, April 26, 2004, at his home. He was the son of the late Charles W. Ratcliff. Survivors: his mother, Dorothy J. Ratcliff of Saltville; his twin brother, Curtis and Nancy Ratcliff of Boardford, Va.; one daughter, Jessica Ratcliff of Abingdon; three stepsons, Troy and Sheri Thomas, Chad and Stephanie Thomas and family, all of Saltville, and Marion and Amanda Thomas; and three sisters, Peggy and Dean Kimberlin of Boardford, Va., Patsy Ratcliff of Saltville and Kathy and Arthur O’Quinn of Glade Spring. Funeral services for Mr. Ratcliff will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2004, at Calvary Bible Church, with Rev. Junior Warner, Rev. Kenny Gilbert and Rev. Gene Holly officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. at the church just prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made at Henderson Funeral Home toward the funeral expenses. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Ratcliff family. James R. Robbins SALTVILLE – "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighted in his way." Psalms 37:23. Rev. James R. "Jimmy" Robbins, 69, went home to be with the Lord Monday, April 26, 2004, at his home. He was born Oct. 28, 1934, in Lee County, to the late Charles B. and Lena Hedrick Robbins. He had resided in Saltville for the past 16 years, where he pastored the Calvary Bible Church until he resigned last year due to his illness. He had served churches in West Virginia and Virginia for 38 years. He was Presbytery of the Appalachian District Council Assemblies of God for over 25 years. Jim served in the Army National Guard as a cannoneer receiving an honorable discharge June 17, 1957, at Dayton, Ohio. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence D. and Charles Eugene Robbins. Survivors: his loving wife, Shelby Ferrell Robbins of Saltville; one daughter, Deborah Lynn Lemon and husband Andrew of Lakeland, Fla.; two sons, Peter Russell Robbins of Lakeland and Timothy Eugene Robbins and wife Kelly of Hurdlermills, N.C.; two sisters, Mary Helen Cox and husband Ralph of Pennington Gap and Lorraina Pennington and husband Hershell of Gate City; one brother, William G. "Bill" Robbins of Kingston, Tenn.; two sisters-in-law, Janet Howard and husband Charles of Dorothy, W.Va., and Joann Karantonis and husband Billy of Dorothy; two brothers-in-law, Gorden Ferrell and wife Della of Random Lake, Wis., and Jim Ferrell and wife Mary of Circleville, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Jamie Lemon, Amber Lemon, Aaron Lemon, Steven Robbins, Johnathan Robbins, Alexander Robbins and Joshua Robbins; several nieces and nephews; and his church family and friends at Calvary Bible Church. Funeral services for Rev. Robbins will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jim Nickels, Rev. Dennis Banks and Rev. Junior Warner officiating. Pallbearers will be Rev. Kenny Gilbert, Howard Roe, Charles Boardwine, Willis Allison, Tom Holly, Gene Surber and Donnie Eastridge. Calling hours will be from 6-8 p.m. just prior to the funeral service. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m.Thursday at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Jonesville, Va., with Rev. Jim Nickels officiating. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Doug Greene, the staff and friends at Bristol Dialysis Center and Saltville Rescue Squad. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Robbins family. Leatha E. Robinette SWORDS CREEK, Va. – Funeral services for Mrs. Leatha Ellen Robinette will be conducted Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Max Linkous and Rev. Barry Absher officiating. Interment will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Robinette, age 85, died Monday, April 26, 2004, at the Golden Age Retirement Home at Claypool Hill, Va., following a lengthy illness. 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 Thelma Robinette NORTON – Thelma Robinette, 78, died Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at her residence on Powell River Road. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Rosa Robinette. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willie (Buddy) Robinette; brothers, Thomas Robinette Jr. and Worley Robinette; and a sister, Margaret Smith. Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Marie and George Keel, Norton; son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Melinda Robinette, Wise; daughter, Lisa Craiger of the home; granddaughter, Rachael Robinette; grandson and his wife, Ricky and April Keel; a great-grandson, Dalton Keel; sisters, Loretta Gardner. Nancy Vaughn, Jeanette Craiger and Renda Salyers, all of Norton, and Juanita Hash and Janice Pannell, both of Wise; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends form 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted 7 p.m. Wednesday evening in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Roger Cooke officiating. Entombment will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Those wishing to go in procession to the cemetery may meet at the funeral home 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com Eugene R. Rogers PENNINGTON GAP, Va. – Eugene R. "Gene" Rogers, age 80, passed away Monday, April 26, 2004, at his residence. He was a lifelong resident of Lee County, the son of the late A.D. "Dave" and Maude Woliver Rogers. Mr. Rogers was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a cryptologist. He began his interior decorator profession with his father in Lee County and expanded his business to include Wise and Scott Counties. He previously owned Rogers Home Decorators and Rogers 5 & 10 in Pennington Gap and Jonesville. He was associated with a number of Lee County businesses, including Virginia Manufacturing (VAMCO), Ridgeview Development and Dominion Cabinet Company. He was a board member of Powell Valley National Bank. He was preceded in death by six sisters, Helen Howard, Eloie "Weggie" Collier, Beatrice "Bee" McNiel, Burnette Shanks, Bernice Rogers and Inez Dunnigan; three brothers, Jack Rogers and two infants. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Elizabeth Pennington Rogers of Pennington Gap; one daughter, Deborah Rogers of Anderson, S.C.; one sister, Bonnie Parsons of Nashville; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Pennington Gap. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Randy Aldridge officiating. Committal graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the Cecil-Fry Cemetery in Pennington Gap. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First Christian Church, West Morgan Avenue, Pennington Gap, VA 24277 or the charity of one’s choice. Sturgill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Ardene "Dick" Taylor BLUFF CITY – Ardene "Dick" Taylor, 63, 910 Old Elizabethton Highway, died unexpectedly Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at his residence. A native of Bluff City, he was the son of he late Cecil Wayne and Sally Grace Cross Taylor. Mr. Taylor attended Good News Gospel Fellowship Church and served in the Army National Guard. He was preceded in death by a son, Scott Wayne Taylor, and two sisters, Norma Vaini and Nancy Turner. Survivors include his wife, Sherry Taylor of the home; three daughters, Carla Selfe, Gracey Bunn and Charlena Taylor, Bluff City; two special sons-in-law, Travis Selfe, Watauga and Danny Bunn, Bluff City; one brother and sister-in-law, Roy and Jane Taylor, Piney Flats; four grandchildren, Elijah, Alyssa, Kelsea and Joceline Selfe, Watauga; one nephew, Roger Utsman, Piney Flats; one great-nephew, Duncan McKinlay: one great-niece, Tonya Utsman; one aunt, Lennie Cross, Piney Flats; his mother-in-law, Louise Scott, Watauga; and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. The funeral service for Ardene "Dick" Taylor will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2004, in the Tetrick Funeral Home-Bluff City Chapel, with Bishop Jeff Millsaps and Minister Michael Reece officiating. Interment will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 30, at Sunrise Cemetery, Bluff City. Everyone will meet at the cemetery at 1:15 p.m. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Frazier, Bill Eastridge, David McKinlay, Roy Brewer, Joe Trivette and Alf "Cotton" Taylor. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 29, at Tetrick Funeral Home-Bluff City Chapel or other times at the residence. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com Tetrick Funeral Home-Bluff City Chapel (423-538-7131). Della Rosella Trent DAMASCUS – Della Rosella Trent, age 94, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was a lifelong resident of Damascus. She was the daughter of the late Roy and Hettie Proffitt Maxwell. Mrs. Trent was preceded in death by her husband, Emmett L. Trent, and a son, Earl Trent. She was a member of the Wright’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Damascus. She is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Carswell and her husband, Joe, of Hickory, N.C., and Helen Carroll, of Ferguson, N.C.; two sons, Jack Lee Trent and Billy Joe Trent, and his wife, Jane, all of Glade Spring; two stepdaughters, Mary Milhorne, of Johnson City and Martha Owens and her husband, Larkin, of Meadowview; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 29, 2004, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Brother Donnie Stanley and Rev. Harry Layell officiating. Burial will follow in Wright’s Chapel Cemetery, Damascus. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Price, Donnie Price, Wayne Carroll, Frank Carroll, Kenny Carroll and Joe Carswell. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.garrettfuneralhome.com Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Della Rosella Trent. James S. Wilkinson EDEN, N.C. – James Samuel Wilkinson, 93, of 1060 Freindly Road, died Tuesday at Morehead Memorial Hospital. Funeral service will be held on Friday, April 30, at 2 p.m. at Draper Pentecostal Holiness Church in Eden, with burial to follow on Saturday, May 1, at 1 p.m. at Rosedale Baptist Church in Abingdon. Mr. Wilkinson was born in Washington County, Va. He was a graduate of William King High School in Abingdon, attended Emory & Henry College in Emory, Va., and graduated from Danville Technical College. He was a World War II Marine veteran, retired from Fieldcrest Mills and later worked as a security guard for 19 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Carter Wilkinson; and an infant son, James Hunter Wilkinson. He is survived by son, James Stuart Wilkinson and wife Sara of Reidsville; daughter, Angelina Wilkinson of Winston-Salem; four grandchildren, Beverly Wright, John Wilkinson, Michael Wilkinson and Heather May: four great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at Fair Funeral Home and other times at the home of son, 717 Lawsonville Ave., Reidsville, N.C.