Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, May 4, 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 Tuesday, May 4, 2004 Claude Arnold, Bristol Tennessee Charles Bernice Bouton, 69, Bristol Virginia James H. Cross, 84, Bristol Virginia Louella M. Jessee, 94, Castlewood Donald Evertt Lambert, 56, Pulaski L.R. Littleton Jr., 82, Chapel Hill, N.C. Joseph Sparell Meade, 67, Pound Ray Moore, 72, Wise Gary Owens, 46, Wise Mary Agnes Phillips, 69, Cedar Bluff Billy Ralph Rasnake, 72, Palatka, Fla. Randy Lavon Stamper, 42, Marion Earl Wayne Steffey, 50, Castlewood Andrew J. Arnold WYTHEVILLE – Reverend Andrew Jackson Arnold, age 76, went to be with the Lord Sunday, May 2, 2004, at his home. He was born in Roanoke to the late Andrew Rumberg and Rhoda Jane Arnold, and was preceded in death by two sons, Leonard Lee Arnold and Gregory Dwayne Arnold; two brothers, Franklin Duane Arnold and Claude Franklin Arnold; and one sister, Iva Katherine Story. Andy was called to the ministry at the age of 16 and retired after 43 years of faithful service to the Church of Nazarene. He pastored in Tennessee and in Virginia, including eight years at the Pulaski Church of Nazarene, 3 ½ years at the Crewe Church of the Nazarene, 10 years at Marion Church of Nazarene and 18 months in Floyd, retiring at that time after being diagnosed with cancer. He was attending the Seven Mile Ford Church of Nazarene at the time of his death. Andy was the source of a documentary about his journey with cancer from the hospice side and the spiritual side to be published in the Wytheville Enterprise newspaper. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean War, where he was a sergeant and tank commander of the 38th Infantry and was the recipient of several medals of valor. Survivors include: wife, Christa "Chris" Lee Arnold, Wytheville; four sons, David Wayne Arnold and wife Susie, Tennessee, Gary Lynn Arnold and wife Missy, Tennessee, Timothy Mark Arnold and wife Nancy, Tennessee, and Jeffrey Todd Arnold and wife Nannette, Virginia; three brothers, Marvin Alexander Arnold and wife Jetta, Wythe County, Martin Edwin Arnold and wife Kelly, Wythe County and Aaron Lester Arnold and wife Sylvia, Wythe County; one sister, Betty Jean Fisher and husband Walter, Wythe County; 13 grandchildren, Amanda, Felecia, Lane, Amy, Demetri, Heather, Natasha, Chad, Maria, Tylor, Timmy, Matthew and Dustin; four great-grandchildren; and many special nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Wythe County, with Rev. Charles Thompson, Rev. Michael Halsey, Rev. Earl Robertson and Rev. George Stevenson officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Friends and food will be received at the residence of Rev. Arnold, Marvin Arnold or the Mt. Zion UMC Fellowship Hall. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Memorial contributions can be made to the Hospice of South West Virginia, 600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Arnold Family. Claude Arnold BRISTOL, Tenn. – Claude "Puge" Arnold, of 1892 Denton Valley Rd., passed away Monday, May 3, 2004, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Charles B. Bouton BRISTOL, Va. – Charles Bernice Bouton, age 69, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 1, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. He retired from Kerns Bakery after 40 years of service. He was a member and a deacon of Woodlawn Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Barbara Jean Bouton; his father, Charlie Bouton; and a sister-in-law, Diane Bouton. He is survived by: mother, Earlene Bouton Seay of Bristol Tennessee; sister, Jean Kearney and husband Jack of Buchanan, Va.; brother, Bill Bouton of Bristol Tennessee; nieces, Sandy Wilson and daughter Kealy of Roanoke and Sherry Quigley and husband Rick of Elizabethton; nephew, Randy Moneymaker and daughter Lacey of Charlotte, N.C.; and loving fiancee, Betty Campbell of Bristol Tennessee. He also leaves behind many friends of Friendship Ford and Honda. Funeral services will be held 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Steven Playl officiating. The burial will be private. Honorary pallbearers will be Ron Mullins, Randy Moneymaker, R.C. Jones, Ryan Jones, Michael Kaylor and Harry Massie. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. prior to the service. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Betty Logan Brooks The committal service and interment for Betty Logan Brooks will be held at 11 Tuesday morning in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dustin Pendergrass, Richard Hodge, Bob Booher, Walter Newland, Jimmy Lail and Tracy Bratton. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Betty Logan Brooks, 71, went to be with her Lord on Friday, April 30, 2004, from NHC of Bristol. Mrs. Brooks and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. Ruth D. Creger ABINGDON – The funeral service for Mrs. Ruth Davenport Creger will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at Temple Baptist Church, with Rev. John Wesley Price officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Casket bearers will be selected from her friends at Temple Baptist Church. Honorary casket bearers will be her many friends at the Washington County Library and Temple Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 15157 Inspiration Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210, or the Washington County Library, 205 Oak Hill St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Ruth Davenport Creger, age 80, died Saturday, May 1, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Ruth Davenport Creger. James H. Cross BRISTOL, Va. – James H. Cross, age 84, of 783 Island Rd., passed away Sunday, May 2, 2004, at his home. He was born Dec. 14, 1919, in Bristol Virginia, to the late David and Liliie Leonard Cross, and lived all his life in the Bristol area. He was retired from Valleydale Packers and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Linda Mae Cross; and son, Herbert Cecil Cross. He is survived by his wife, Bertha M. Cross. Also surviving: sons, Buddy Cross and wife Linda and Gary Cross and wife Barbara; daughters, Frances Taylor and husband Allen, Dorothy Cotter and husband Bobby, Becky Heath and husband Greg, and Susan Pruitt and husband John; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; sister, Evelyn Watson; brothers, Lawrence Cross, Howard Cross, Elmer Cross and Bruce Cross; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, in Susong Cemetery, with Rev. James Gentry and Rev. Lewis Smith officiating, with military honors provided by Troop F Second/278ACR. Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Dowell, Justin Cross, Gregory Heath, Joey Cross, Carnell Cross, Terry Cotter and Brandon Cross. The family would like to express a special thanks to Wellmont Home Health and Pat Rowe, Joyce Peak from Wellmont Hospice House, Bristol Ambulance Service, Dr. David Thompson and Dr. Greg Griffith. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Louella M. Jessee CASTLEWOOD – Louella M. Jessee, 94, died Monday, May 3, 2004, in Russell County Medical Center. Born Sept. 7, 1909, in Washington County, Va., a daughter of the late William Lee Sproles and the late Eva Fleenor Sproles, she was the wife of the late Carlos H. Jessee. She was a member of the Lakeview Union Church. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Sproles; and a sister, Loraine Sawyer. Survivors include one son and daughter in-law, William (Billy) Jessee and Goldie Jessee, Windsor, Va.; two grandsons, Larry and wife Cathy Jessee, Windsor and Terry and wife Betsy Jessee, Richmond; five great-grandchildren, Lori and Lindsey Jessee, Windsor, and Sarah, Emily and Ben Jessee, Richmond; one sister, Vivian Dean, Mendota, Va.: also, several nieces and a nephew. The funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, in Combs Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Darryl Baker and the Rev. Charles Killen officiating. Burial will follow in the Jessee Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Services in Lebanon is serving the family of Mrs. Jessee. Donald E. Lambert PULASKI, Va. – Mr. Donald Evertt Lambert, age 56, formerly of Seaboard, Va., went to be with the Lord Monday, May 3, 2004, in a Dublin, Virginia health care facility following a lengthy illness. Born in Tazewell County, Va., he was the son of the late Walter and Delphine Mathews Lambert. He was a carpenter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Lambert. He is survived by his former wife and close friend, Freda Lambert Hoback of Dublin; two sons, Michael Lambert and Kevin Lambert and wife Rhonda, all of Dublin; five sisters, Nancy Brag, Edith Roush, Teresa Smith and Ruby Wagner, all of Greensboro, N.C., and Patricia Kinder of Honaker; five brothers, Daniel Lambert of McCoy, Va., Richard Lambert, Carl Lambert, Ed Lambert and Jess Lambert, all of Greensboro, N.C.; and four grandchildren, Micah, Brittany, Josh and Jessica also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Pastor Raymond Buddy Herald officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Lambert family. L.R. Littleton Jr. CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Dr. L. R. Littleton Jr., 82, died Tuesday, April 20. He was born and raised in Emory, Va. His family had a graveside service in his family’s cemetery that overlooks Dr. Littleton’s childhood home. Dr. Littleton graduated from Emory & Henry College in 1941 and attended the University of Virginia, where he received his medical degree. He then went on to complete a radiology residency. Dr. Littleton was recently honored by the American Medical Association for 50 years service as a physician. He was a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict, where he received the Bronze Star, Army of Occupation Medal, United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Medal. When Dr. Littleton left active duty, he continued to serve his country in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired as a colonel. His family will remember him for his kindness and keen interest in many subjects. Survivors are his two sisters, Rachel Jones and Louisa Littleton; three daughters, Sandra Littleton, Janet McLean and Kathryn Avery; and three grandchildren, Ben Siskind, Maggie Siskind and Joseph Lalli. Frances Lee Littleton, his wife, died in 2000. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to: National Geographic Society, Development Office, 1145 17th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-4688. Joseph Sparell Meade POUND – Joseph Sparell Meade entered into eternal life on Sunday, May 2, 2004, at Norton Community Hospital being 67 years, one month and 27 days old at the time of his passing. Sparell was a retired welder and served in the U.S. Navy for nine years. He was of the Baptist faith, a member of the American Legion and the Pound VFW Post 9600. He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtiss and Eunice Meade; and three infant brothers. Survivors: sisters, Juanita Banks, Whitesburg, Ky., Wilma Shortt, Scottsboro, Ala., and Joyce Short, Pound; and a host of friends and loved ones to mourn his passing. Calling hours are 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at Baker Funeral Home, Pound. Services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, 2004, in Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel of Baker Funeral Home, with Rev. Randy Carter officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, in Meade Cemetery, Pound, with military rites conducted by Pound VFW Post 9600. Family and friends will meet at the Meade Cemetery. Baker Funeral Home, Pound, is entrusted with the care of Joseph Sparell Meade. Ray Moore WISE – Ray Moore, 72, passed away Sunday, May 2, 2004, at his home with family and friends by his side. He retired from C.S.X. Railroad in Walbridge, Ohio, in 1989, loved music, singing, playing his guitar and other musical instruments, enjoyed working on cars and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Jane Moore. Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Louise Moore of Toledo, Ohio; one daughter, Donna Hupp of Toledo; one grandson, Dennis Waxler of Toledo; two great- grandchildren, Christopher Waxler and Autumn Waxler of Toledo; one brother, Bruce Moore of Wise; two sisters, Maxie Taylor and Emogene Johnson, both of Wise; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends; and a loving companion of five years, Beulah Alliegro of Wise. Funeral services for Ray Moore will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with the Rev. Robin Sturgill officiating. Burial will follow in the Wise Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise and any time at the residence, 5518 Freeman Road in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise in charge of arrangements. Gary A. Owens WISE – Gary A. Owens, 46, passed away Monday, May 3, 2004, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Norton. He was a Foreman for the Wise County P.S.A. and was of the Freewill Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Gaynell McFadden Owens. Surviving are his wife, Janet Hale Owens; one daughter, Audrey Owens of Wise and future son-in-law, Nicholas Pinkard; granddaughter, Taylor Pinkard; four brothers, Danny Owens of Morristown, Tenn., Dennis Owens of Norton, Randy Owens of Bristol Tennessee, and Jody Owens of Wise. Funeral services for Gary Owens will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with Rev. Mike Jordan and Rev. Robin Sturgill officiating. Burial and graveside committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 6, 2004, at the McFadden Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. till time of services at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise in charge of arrangements. Mary Agnes Phillips CEDAR BLUFF – Mrs. Mary Agnes Phillips, age 69, passed away Sunday, May 2, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Born in Dante, Va., she was the daughter of the late Melvin Leonard and Cassie Jenkins Lambert. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Phillips; one son, Eddie Darrell Phillips; one brother, Earnest Lambert; and one sister, Shirley Lambert. She is survived by one daughter, Carolyn Shrader and husband Curtis of Baptist Valley, Va.; two sons, Larry Phillips of Baptist Valley, Va., and Wayne Phillips and wife Deana of County Line Road, Va.; two brothers, J.C. Lambert of North Tazewell, Va., and Howard Lambert of Sun Valley, Va.; one sister, Lorraine Lambert of Richlands; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Grady McGlothlin and Rev. Barry Absher officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Phillips family. Billy Ralph Rasnake PALATKA, Fla. – Billy R. Rasnake, age 72, of Hollister, Fla., formerly of Bee, Va., passed away Saturday, May 1, 2004. Born in Dickenson County, he was a son of the late Floyd and Lura Arrington Rasnake. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict, a member of VFW Post 10164 of Interlachen, Fla., and was of the Primitive Baptist faith. Mr. Rasnake started his career as a trucker hauling logs and later worked for the Virginia Department of Transporation, where he retired after 17 years of service. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing and camping. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald and Freddie Rasnake; and a granddaughter, Ashley Rasnake. Survivors include the mother of his children, Jean Rasnake of Hollister; three sons, Franklin Rasnake and Johnny (Angela) Rasnake, all of Hollister, and Ralph (Debbie) Rasnake of Interlachen; one stepdaughter, Rita Powers of Bee; two sisters, Patsy Oquinn of Birchleaf, Va., and Nellie Jessee of Lebanon; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Bobby Arrington and Garnell Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow in the O’quinn Cemetery, Bee. VFW Post 8979 of Clintwood will conduct military graveside rites. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. at the funeral home Tuesday, where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Ava Rosenbalm BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Ava Marie Shaver Rosenbalm will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Roger Carter, Rev. Mike Able and Rev. Billy Rosenbalm officiating. Burial will follow in Beidleman Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ivan Rosenbalm, John Rosenbalm, Todd Akers, Jerry Griffith, Ernest Rosenbalm and Bob Barr. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Ava Marie Shaver Rosenbalm, age 78, of 427 Sinking Springs Road Ext., went to be with the Lord Saturday, May 1, 2004, at the Cambridge House. Randy Lavon Stamper MARION – Randy Lavon Stamper, age 42, died Sunday, May 2, 2004, in Smyth County Community Hospital. He was an avid NASCAR fan, fun to be around and loved life. He was preceded in death by one brother, Timmy Stamper; and his grandparents, Paul and Lillian Blevins, and Clinton and Lula Stamper. He is survived by one son, William Jason Stamper of Friendship, Va.; his parents, Roy and JoAnne Stamper of Seven Mile Ford, Va.; one sister and brother- in-law, Sonya and Preston Boone of Port Richey, Fla.; four nephews, Brandon and Trevor Cassell and Ryan and Cody Boone; and one niece, Summer Boone. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Donald Mutter officiating. Burial will follow in South Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Marion. The family will receive friends Tuesday 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 Stamper Family. Earl Wayne Steffey CASTLEWOOD – Earl Wayne Steffey, 50, died at Typo, Ky., on his way home. He was born in Russell County, Va., on Nov. 15, 1953, son of the late Fred Steffey. He was preceded in death by one brother, W. A. Steffey. He is survived by his mother, Gladys Steffey of Castlewood; two daughters, Cynthia Steffey of Castlewood and Rebecca "Becky" Steffey of Castlewood; the mother of his children, Reba Steffey of Castlewood; three brothers, James Steffey and wife, Diane of Marissa, Ill., Climet Steffey and wife, Wilma of High Point, N.C., and Mack Steffey and wife, Rita of High Point; one grandson, Damien Steffey of Castlewood; and special friends, Chad Patrick, Lee Patrick, Jim Couch, Sarge Couch and many, many more. Information provided by Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Lester Taylor BRISTOL, Va. – Lester Taylor, age 78, of 1609 Overhill Rd., passed away Sunday, May 2, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born Feb. 18, 1926, in Esserville, Va., a son of the late William Fred and Ollie Carter Taylor, and has made his home in Bristol most of his life. Mr. Taylor was a retired accountant for Pet Dairy, had just completed his 35th year with H&R Block and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Mr. Taylor was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Elks and the DESA. Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Ruth Bowers Taylor; daughters, Donna Logsdon and Susan Taylor and husband David Tollie; grandchildren, Laura Logsdon, Leslie Logsdon and William Taylor Tollie; brothers, Bernard Taylor and Bruce Taylor; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Fred Dearing officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the VFW Patton-Crosswhite Post 6975 and Troop F Second/278ACR. Pallbearers will be Larry Cunningham, Floyd Jones, Hal Ward, Jerry Whitaker, Bill Forrest, Ronald Avery and Jack Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Clarence Braswell and family, employees of Pet Dairy and employees of H & R Block. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Weaver Funeral Home. Bessie Yarber GLADE SPRING – A funeral service for Mrs. Bessie (Lessie) L. Cornett Yarber will be conducted Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Landmark Baptist Church, with Rev. Dean King and Rev. Tommy Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Glade Presbyterian Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Glade Spring Volunteer Lifesaving Crew, P.O. Box 59, Glade Spring, VA 24340. Mrs. Bessie (Lessie) L. Cornett Yarber of 31402 Old Stage Road went to be with the Lord Saturday, May 1, 2004. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Yarber.