Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, May 8, 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 Saturday, May 8, 2004 Today's Deaths William McKinley Baker, 82, Wise Dorothy Puckett Barker, 68, Bristol Tennessee Loretta B. Belcher, 72, Pound Bonnie Birchfield, 84, Elizabethton, Tenn. Lucille H. Cook Blevins, 79, Roanoke Margaret Routh Cantrell, 88, Rutherfordton, N.C. Pauline Blevins Coe, 83, Chilhowie Paul Curtis, 66, Bristol Virginia Robert Lewis Lawson, 64, Chilhowie William Henry Lewis, 74, Coeburn Frances Grant Semones, 80, Bristol Virginia Cloyde O. Walters, 73, Salem, Va. Delmar Whitaker, 81, Damascus William Landon Wright Sr., 82, Bristol Virginia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William M. Baker WISE – William McKinley (Bill) Baker, 82, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2004. Bill was well known for his love and knowledge of the woods and gardening. He always enjoyed hunting, especially ginseng hunting. Bill started his teenage years working in the coal mines with his father. He later worked for the Town of Wise for many years and then back to the coal mines, where he retired. He was a retired coal miner from Old Ben Coal Co., a former employee of the Town of Wise, a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army, and was a member of Indian Creek Freewill Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ballard and Mary Arizona Masters Baker, two brothers, Eugene Baker and David Baker, three grandchildren, Robin Lawson, Brett Cantrell and Julian Adams, three great-grandchildren, Jacob Bentley, Isaiah Marshall and Kaylee Lawson. Surviving are his wife, Dolly Ruth Kilgore Baker; one son, Edward (Eddie) Baker of Wise; four daughters, Ruth (Sis) Bates, Lois Lawson and Doris Adams, all of Wise, and Loretta Cantrell of Lewisburg, Ohio; three brothers, James Baker Jr. of Wise, Gordon Baker of St. Paul and Jim Baker of Big Stone Gap; four sisters, Gladys Hall, Leora Hubbard and Alice Livesay, all of Wise, and Sarah Steffey of Pennington Gap, Va.; several grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Funeral services for William (Bill) Baker will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 9, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with the Rev. Eddie Sturgill and Rev. Jack Blanton officiating. Burial will follow in the Addington- Hensley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise is in charge of arrangements. Dorothy P. Barker BRISTOL, Tenn. – Dorothy Puckett Barker, age 68, passed away on Friday, May 7, 2004, at NHC of Johnson City. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Loretta B. Belcher POUND – Mrs. Loretta B. Belcher, 72, joined her family in heaven on Thursday, May 6, 2004, after an extended illness. Loretta was a homemaker, a member of the Pound Baptist Church, a charter member of the Pound Historical Society and a member of the Heritage Days committee for the town of Pound. Mrs. Belcher was preceded in death by her husband, James O. (Teddy) Belcher, a son, Michael Belcher, her parents, Charles and Nervesta (Hollyfield) Mullins, sisters, Fay Hall, Juanita Mullins and Mildred Sturgill, brother, Harlis Mullins, and sister-in-law, Ruth Sears. Survivors include her daughter, Deborah Dotson and husband Freddy Dotson, Pound; adopted daughter, Lorrie Mullins, Buford, Ga.; sisters, Eloise Pugh, Crossville, Tenn., and Estelle Vanover, California; brother, Edward Wayne (Buddy) Mullins, Pound; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild and a host of friends and loved ones to mourn her passing. Calling hours are from 6-9 p.m. Friday, May 7, 2004, at Baker Funeral Home, Pound. Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2004, in the Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel of Baker Funeral Home, with the Reverend Roger Roberts officiating. Entombment will follow at the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Members of the Belcher family will serve as pallbearers. Baker Funeral Home, Pound, is entrusted with the care of Loretta B. Belcher. Bonnie Birchfield ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Bonnie Birchfield, age 84, 110 A Hobart Hyder Lane Dr., died Thursday, May 6, 2004, at Johnson City Medical Center Hospital following an extended illness. A native of Carter County, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Emma Hill Townsend. She was a member of Southside Free Will Baptist Church and a homemaker. She was a very loving and caring mother, who loved her children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ellick Birchfield, one son, Cecil Birchfield, three brothers and two sisters. Survivors include seven daughters and six sons-in-law, Mrs. L.D. (Ruby) Guinn, Elizabethton, Mrs. Billy Jack (Shirley) Smith, Johnson City, Mrs. Dave (Jean) Lund, Elizabethton, Ms. Jo Whaley, Johnson City, Mrs. Donnie (Judy) Davenport, Elizabethton, Mrs. George (Joyce) Richmond, Elizabethton, and Mrs. Wayne (Kathy) Humphrey, Bristol; five sons and four daughters-in-law, Mr. L.J. (Linda) Birchfield, Elizabethton, Mr. Worley (Linda) Birchfield, Elizabethton, Mr. Jim Birchfield, Elizabethton, Mr. Charlie (Patti) Birchfield, Johnson City and Mr. Steve (Denessa) Birchfield, Elizabethton; a very special niece, Mary Burleson, Elizabethton; 22 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at Tetrick Funeral Home Riverside Chapel, with Rev. Steve Burleson, Rev. Mark Street and Rev. Curtis Hurt officiating. Music will be under the direction of Joel Keith Street Sr. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 6-8 p.m. prior to the funeral service, or friends may call at the residence of a son, Jim Birchfield, 177 Lexington Ave., Elizabethton, any time. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Randy Guinn, Jack Smith, David Lund, Mike Whaley, Wesley Whaley, Mark Davenport, Brian Chambers, Travis Birchfield and Ryan Birchfield. Those who plan to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the funeral home at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday to go in procession to the cemetery. Those who prefer, in lieu of flowers, may make donations to Alzheimer’s Association, Northeast Tennessee Chapter, 207 North Boone St., Suite 1050, Johnson City, TN 37604. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, 423-542-2232. Lucille Blevins ROANOKE – Lucille "Nannie" H. Cook Blevins, age 79, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 6, 2004, in Salem, Va. Nannie was born Nov. 14, 1924, in McDowell County, W.Va., a daughter of the late Fred G. and Essie Cook. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Jane Blevins Powell; a brother, William Hilland Cook; and a sister, Niva Cook. Nannie was a member of Brambleton Baptist Church and retired from K-Mart as a sales associate. She was a beloved wife of 57 years to William E. Blevins of Roanoke; a loving and devoted mother to her daughter, Kay (Roger) Janney of Roanoke; a grandmother to Kimberly and Dale Janney; a sister of Betty Jo Hawks of Marion and James Wiley Cook of Chilhowie, and an aunt to many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, with the Rev. Billy Riner officiating. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home (540-366-0707). Interment will be on Monday, May 10, 2004, at Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery in Chilhowie and her body will be placed in the church from noon until time of service. Memorial contributions may be made in Nannie’s name to the Brambleton Baptist Church, 4122 Cresthill Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018. Tony T. Booher BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for Tony T. Booher will be conducted 3 p.m. Saturday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Niles Kitzmiller officiating, assisted by Rev. Herb Peak Jr. Burial will follow in Edgefield Cemetery, Piney Flats. Pallbearers: Earl Pearce, Bill Jones, Butch Walker, Henry Fritz, Gordon Littleford, Danny Arnold and Max Snyder. Honorary pallbearers: Bob Slaughter, Jim Keys, staff of Weaver Funeral Home, employees of Wilbert Vault, Johnson City, Simerly Concrete Products, Bristol, and his many area funeral director friends. Those desiring may make memorials to Wellmont Hospice House. Tony T. Booher, age 67, 120 Second St., died Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at his home. Margaret Cantrell RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. – Mrs. Margaret Routh Cantrell, age 88, died Friday, May 7, 2004. Graveside service 11 a.m. Monday, May 10, 2004, at the Poplar Ridge Christian Church Cemetery, Bluff City. Dora Childress ROWE, Va. – Mrs. Dora Childress, age 94, passed away Thursday morning, May 6, 2004, in a Lebanon nursing facility. Born March 15, 1910, in Buchanan County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Noah and Rosa Hess Shortt. She had spent most of her life in the Buchanan County area and was a member of the Rowe Free Pentecostal Holiness Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Farley B. Childress, and one daughter, Helen Childress. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Linda and George Stern of Winchester, Va.; four sons and daughters-in-law, Buford and Marie Childress of Seattle, Edward and Gay Childress of Honaker, Firl and Emily Childress of Raven, Va., and Ralph and Nancy Childress of Rowe; two sisters, Effie Houchins of Marion and Shirley Meadows of Rowe; three brothers, Terry Shortt of Alexandria, Va., Cecil Shortt of Honaker and Ellis Shortt of Charlottesville; 16 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Ancil Childress, Rev. Clyde Rose and Rev. Dannie Short officiating. Interment will follow in the Street Cemetery at Rowe. Grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home at any time Saturday, where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Pauline Blevins Coe CHILHOWIE – Pauline Blevins Coe, age 83, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2004, at the Valley Nursing Home in Chilhowie. She was born May 25, 1920, to the late Issac and Nora Berry Blevins, and was employed by Burlington Hosiery Mills and Natalie Knitting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Coe, one son, Bobby Coe, a daughter, Barbara Jean Coe, five brothers, Glen, Robert, James, Warren and Don Blevins, and a sister, Katie Whillock. Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Sonny and Barbara Anderson Coe, Chilhowie, Roger and Elaine Coe, Seven Mile Ford, Va., Skip and Barbara Ann Coe, Seven Mile Ford, and Donnie and Yolanda Coe, Abingdon; one sister, Lola Frye, Pulaski, Va.; one brother, Allen Blevins, Bristol; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several special nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Mt. View Cemetery in Chilhowie, with Rev. Kevin Elswick officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home, or at the home of Barbara and Sonny, 327 Venus Drive, Chilhowie, or Roger and Elaine, 116 Carver Lane, Seven Mile Ford. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie, is serving the Coe family. Paul Curtis BRISTOL, Va. – Paul "Goose" Curtis, 66, died Thursday, May 6, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Bristol Virginia, a son of the late Roy and Cora Baines Curtis, and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He was a graduate of Bristol Virginia High School and had been employed by Fingerhut and Strong Robinette Bag Company and was a foreman with the Bristol Tennessee Electric System. He was an avid sports fan and loved football, baseball and basketball. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Sue Bratton Curtis; a daughter, Tammy Lyons and her husband Chuck of Palmyra, Va.; grandchildren, Trey and Kate Lyons; a sister, Dottie Esser and her husband Ed of Johnson City; Earl Curtis and his wife Chris of Bristol Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Paul Victor Curtis. The family will receive friends from 4 until 5:45 o’clock Sunday afternoon at Trinity United Methodist Church, with the funeral service to follow at 6 o’clock. Rev. Amy Y. Holmes will officiate. The committal service and burial will be at 11 o’clock Monday morning at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be nephews. Memorial contributions may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church, 320 Carter St., Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mr. Curtis and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. James Holmes ROSEDALE, Va. – The funeral service for James (Huff) Holmes will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Grady McGlothlin and the Rev. James Holmes officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon. Pallbearers will be Stacy Boardwine, Jamey Boardwine, Mark Boardwine, David Holmes II, Robert Wampler, Mike Lowe and Tim Loy. Zan Stuart will serve as honorary pallbearer. James (Huff) Holmes, 40, died Wednesday, May 5, 2004. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the Holmes family. Helen J. Kyle BRISTOL, Va. – Graveside services for Helen Jewell Kyle will be conducted 2:15 p.m. Saturday in Mountain View Cemetery, with Dr. Austin Cook officiating. Those desiring may make memorials to Victory Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Saturday in Weaver Funeral Home, where a procession will leave at 2 p.m. going to the cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Helen Jewell Kyle, age 72, 141 Wallace Pike, died Wednesday, May 5, 2004, at her home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Robert Lewis Lawson CHILHOWIE – Robert Lewis Lawson, age 64, a resident of 228 Green Acres Road, died Thursday, May 6, 2004, in the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. He was the son of the late George Arnold and Mary Branch Wright Lawson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janie Marie Kirby Lawson. Survivors include four stepchildren, Patrick Kirby of Virginia, William Kirby of Florida, James Jackson of Virginia and Jeffery Jackson of Virginia; one sister, Mary Ann Hinkle of Kentucky; two brothers, George E. Lawson and William A. Lawson, both of Abingdon; one step-grandchild, Kiana Jackson, and a special niece, Gail and husband Mike Warren. Graveside services for Robert Lewis Lawson will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, May 10, 2004, in the Wassum Cemetery, Atkins, Va., with Brother Tom Hinkle officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be George E. Lawson, William A. Lawson, Patrick Kirby, William Kirby, James Jackson and Jeffery Jackson. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. The family suggest that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to the Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard, c/o Larry Hileman, 10452 Goose Creek Road, Bristol, VA 24202. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell-funerahome.com. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of the arrangements. William Henry Lewis COEBURN – William (Wid) Henry Lewis, 74, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2004, at the Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap. He enjoyed farming and was of the Old Regular Baptist faith. Surviving are one brother, Johnny Lewis of Richmond, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for William (Wid) Henry Lewis will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 9, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with the Rev. Ricky Mullins officiating. Burial and graveside committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 10, 2004, at the Jessee Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 till time of services at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise is in charge of arrangements. Jordan D. Morton MEMPHIS – Jordan D. "J.D." Morton, age 76, of 2044 Jefferson, Apt. 2, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, May 6, 2004, at the St. Peters Villa Nursing Home in Memphis. He was born in Washington County, Va., to the late George and Florence Norman Morton. He was a retired employee of Massengil and McKeeson and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include brother, Allen M.R. Morton, Bristol Tennessee; special niece, Betty Fowler, Bluff City; nieces and nephews and special friend, James Mac Perry, Memphis. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the graveside in the High Point Cemetery, with Rev. Dennis Burnette officiating. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. There will be no visitation to the public. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Dorothy H. Mullins BRISTOL, Tenn. – Dorothy Hawkins Mullins, 75, passed away Thursday, May 6, 2004, at her residence. Mrs. Mullins was born in Hansonville, Va., a daughter of the late Thomas Wesley and Edith Victoria Fleenor Hawkins. She moved to Wise at an early age and was a 1947 graduate of Wise High School. She moved to Bristol in 1970 and was the manager of King College Bookstore. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Sunshine Circle. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star and AARP. She was the widow of Newton Carroll Mullins Sr. and was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Hawkins. Survivors include her two sons, Dr. Newton Carroll Mullins Jr. of Chadds Ford, Pa., and Thomas Wesley Mullins of Beaufort, S.C.; three brothers, Robert Hawkins of Davenport, Iowa, Charles Hawkins of Bristol Virginia and Dan Hawkins of Kingsport; one sister, Kay Hawkins of Bristol Tennessee; five grandchildren, Bryan, Brent, Dylan, Dustin and Jennifer Mullins, and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 o’clock Monday evening, May 10, 2004, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning, May 11, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. William H. Martin and Rev. Orlando Salazar officiating. The committal service and burial will follow at the National Cemetery in Mountain Home, Tenn. Pallbearers will be Ralph Bond, Vernon Gross, Lynn Roberts, Bob Sharp, Alex Smith and Ernest Arnold. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of Trinity United Methodist Church Men’s Club. Memorial contributions may be sent to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620, and the University of Virginia-Wise Athletic Department, Athletic Scholarship Fund, Attn.: Shirley Wolfe, One College Ave., Wise, VA 24293. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- cook.com. Mrs. Mullins and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Lucille Patrick LEBANON – The funeral service for Lucille Patrick will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 9, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Darrell Harmon officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Travis Patrick, Michael Patrick, David Harrison, Scottie Puckett, Robert Duty and Shawn Byrd. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2004, at the funeral home. Lucille Patrick, 78, died Thursday, May 6, 2004, at her home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Patrick. Frances G. Semones BRISTOL, Va. – Frances Grant Semones, 80, died Friday, May 7, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice. She was born in Wise, a daughter of the late Hugh and Mary Grant. She was a loving mother and wife, was retired from Big Jack Manufacturing Company and was a member of Fellowship Chapel. She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. "Jim" Semones, and two brothers, Roy Grant and Lynard Grant. She is survived by a daughter, Ramona Wallace of Bristol Virginia; a granddaughter, Chelsea Wallace of Bristol Virginia; a great-granddaughter, Faith Blackburn of Sparta, N.C.; a special friend, Charles Robinson, and care giver and friend, Kim Roe. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon in Mountain View Cemetery, with Rev. Scott Price officiating. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mrs. Semones and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. Cloyde O. Walters SALEM, Va. – Cloyde O. "CO" Walters, age 73, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2004. He served in the U.S. Army for 10 years and was retired from U.S. Air following 25 years of service. Surviving family include his wife, Rosa Collins Walters; son and daughter-in-law, Terry L. and Rebecca Walters; grandchildren, Heather and Jacob Walters, all of Max Meadows; brothers, Harold Walters and Glenn Walters, both of Christiansburg, and sisters, Nancy Cotton of Montana and Eva Walters of North Carolina. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 10, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, with his son, Rev. Terry Walters, and Rev. James Beavers officiating. Interment will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Sunday, May 9, 2004, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the Hospice and Pallative Care of Virginia for their many wonderful nurses. Arrangements by John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem. 389-5441. Delmar Whitaker DAMASCUS – Delmar Whitaker, age 81, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. He was a native of Alvarado, Va., moved to Maryland after serving in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and moved back to Washington County, Va., in 1992. He was the son of the late Isaac and Agnes Neal Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker was preceded in death by one daughter, Sylvia J. Ward. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ella Mae Stanley Whitaker; two daughters, Carole Marshall and her husband Frank of Pasadena, Md., and Sherry Heward and her husband Billy Jr. of Damascus; a special granddaughter, Sherry Lynn Ward of the home; one brother, Luther Whitaker of Bristol Virginia; three sisters, Erma Tucker and Mildred Dean, both of Millersville, Md., and Shirley Knapp of Sumney Town, Pa.; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2004, at Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Barbara Gravely officiating. The committal service and interment will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 9, 2004, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. The family, pastor, pallbearers and friends will meet at the funeral home at 2 p.m. Sunday to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Billy Heward III, Jackie Taylor, Franklin Marshall, Tommy Marshall, J.J. Camper, Mark Whitaker, Randy Whitaker and Dale Surber. The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 p.m. Saturday prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mr. Whitaker. Ella Jo Whittaker BRISTOL, Va. – The family of Ella Jo Whittaker will receive friends prior to the service from 6 until 7:45 Saturday evening at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, with the funeral service following at 8 o’clock. Pastor Mary Minnick and Rev. Walter Statzer will officiate. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon at the graveside in Moore Cemetery, located behind Oak Grove United Methodist Church. Pallbearers will be David Dillard, Don McCarter, Lorne Eldreth, Darrell Brewer, Ben Eldreth and Ronnie Bellamy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Ella Jo Whittaker, 70, died Thursday, May 6, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. Mrs. Whittaker is in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol Virginia. William L. Wright Sr. BRISTOL, Va. – William Landon Wright Sr., 82, died Friday, May 7, 2004, at the Cambridge House. Mr. Wright born in Bristol Tennessee, a son of the late Charles Wright and Maxie Hicks Wright. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a state chaplain of the American Legion, and a life member of the Shelby Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Masons. He worked at H.P. King Company and Remine Gobble Men’s Store and was a member of Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Feathers Wright, and his brother, Charles Wright Jr. Survivors include his daughter, Carolyn Smith of Banner Elk, N.C.; a son, William Landon Wright Jr. of Bristol Virginia; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, May 9, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. H. Malcolm Wansley officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Wright and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee.