Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, May 12, 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's Obituaries Otis Timothy Hicks, 50, Blountville Wilson C. McCoy, Roanoke Judy Gray Roark McCullough, 54, Johnson City George Morgan Rector, 66, Abingdon Betty June Poore Sutherland, 73, Bluefield, W.Va. Sarah Issac Tennis, 99, Appalachia Cecile M. Blair BLOUNTVILLE – Calling hours for Cecile Maude Pullon Blair will be 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the East Lawn Funeral Home and any time at the home of her sons, Scotty, 157 Kingsley Ave, Kingsport, or Stanley, 4880 Hwy. 126, Blountville. Funeral service will be 8 p.m. Wednesday at the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor J.W. Depew and Pastor Bob Ferguson officiating. Music will be under the direction of J.W. Depew and Mary Barker. Family and friends will meet for a graveside service 10 a.m. Thursday at the East Lawn Memorial Park in the garden of the mausoleum. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeffrey Scott Blair, Shannon Blair, Sidney Re’nea Blair, Matthew Blair, Terry Blair and J. Fred Walters. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a tribute to the family. Cecile Maude Pullon Blair, age 80, went home to be with her Lord. She entered into rest surrounded by her family at 10:55 a.m. Monday, May 10, 2004. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Blair family. Nancy Elizabeth Hess JEWELL RIDGE – Funeral services for Nancy Elizabeth Hess will be conducted Thursday, May 13, 2004, at 12 p.m. at the Gloryland Tabernacle at Shortts Gap, with the Rev. Don Smith and Rev. Terry Keen officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Va. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Gloryland Tabernacle one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Mrs. Nancy Elizabeth Hess, age 83, passed away Monday, May 10, 2004, in a Richlands hospital 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. Otis Timothy Hicks BLOUNTVILLE – Otis Timothy Hicks, 50, left this earthy world to be with the Father on Monday, May 10, 2004, at Johnson City Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his father, Otis Hicks. Tim was a great family man with a love for animals. He was very loved and will be missed by all. He is survived by his wife, Karen Crusenberry Hicks; his mother, Agnes Vera Bott Hicks; two daughters, Brandy Carraway and her husband, Brian, and Amy Hicks; a son, Dewayne Crusenberry; and a large extended family. Family and friends will gather at 6:30 Thursday, May 13, 2004, with a memorial service to follow in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Pastor Jeff Harris and Shane Whittemore will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Advocacy Center, P.O. Box 867, Blountville, TN 37617. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Hicks and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Larry Miller Hunt BRISTOL, Tenn. – Larry Miller Hunt, age 58, of 408 Belmont Drive, went to be with the Lord Sunday, May 9, 2004, in the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Hunt was born on Aug. 2, 1945, in Bristol Tennessee, to the late Loy and Mary Ella Hunt. He lived in the Bristol area all of his life, where he had worked in the grocery industry since 1960. He was a long-term employee of Food Lion. Mr. Hunt was also a gifted singer, who for years shared his faith through his music. Mr. Hunt is survived by his wife of 34 years, Teresa Buchanan Hunt; one daughter, Crystal Powers and husband Josh; one son, Ben Hunt; two grandchildren, Addison and Oakley Powers, and one sister, Betty Mason Phillips, all of Bristol Tennessee. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Chapel, with the Rev. Scott Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Scott Price and Rev. Steve Playl officiating. Pallbearers will be James Little, John Wolford, Josh Powers, Ron Shadden, Pete Post, Tom Long, Tommy Franklin and Jim Arnold. Honorary pallbearers will be the Tennessee High School Class of 1963 and Food Lion employees and friends. Memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Hunt to the Bristol Cancer Association of 1255 West State St., Bristol, VA 24201. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Joann Maxfield LEBANON – The funeral for Joann Maxfield will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Stephen Musick and the Rev. Ray Garland officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Gary Farmer, Ricky Maxfield, Darrell Compton, David Compton, Richie Lell, and Mike Maxfield. Kirby Barrett will serve as honorary pallbearer. Joann Maxfield, 56, went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 10, 2004, surrounded by her loving family at home, after a strong battle with cancer. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Maxfield. Wilson C. McCoy ROANOKE – Wilson C. McCoy died Monday, May 10, 2004. Wilson served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was retired from the Army Reserve. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of American Legion Post 3, a member of the 29th Division Association-Post 64 and a member of NARFE. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Sarah McCoy; three brothers; and six sisters. Surviving are his beloved wife of 57 years, Amneris C. McCoy; his beloved nieces, Analisa, Mildred, Valerie, Cathy, Venus, Polly and Joy; his beloved nephews, Giampaolo, Massimo, Roberto, Jack, Sidney, Donald, Roger, Andrew and David; and numerous other beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews. A Mass of Resurrection Service will be held at St. Andrews Catholic Church Thursday, May 13, 2004, 12 noon, with the Rev. Monsignor Thomas G. Miller officiating. Entombment will follow in St. Andrews Diocesan Cemetery, with military honors. A prayer service will be held Wednesday, 7 p.m. at Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel. The family suggests memorials be made to St. Andrews Catholic Church. The family will receive friends Wednesday, 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Oakey’s Roanoke Chapel. Judy R. McCullough JOHNSON CITY – Judy Gray Roark McCullough, 54, died Monday, May 10, 2004, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville. Survivors include one daughter, Angie Jannenga and her husband, Danny, Bluff City; one brother, Gary M. Roark and his wife, Athlyn, Chilhowie; one sister, Linda Brown and husband, Dennis, Greeneville, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Joshua Jannenga and Katelyn Jannenga; one nephew, Gary Wayne Roark and his wife Denise, Chilhowie; and one great-niece, Emily Roark, Chilhowie. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Williams Funeral Home Chapel, Chilhowie, with Rev. Wesley Eller officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Middle Fork Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie, is serving the family of Judy Gray Roark McCullough. Ruby Purcell BRISTOL, Va. – A graveside service for Ruby Jane Sutherland Purcell will be held on Wednesday, May 12, at 11 a.m. at the Russell Memorial Cemetery. Those wishing to go in the funeral procession are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10:45 a.m. Ruby Jane Sutherland Purcell, 82, formerly of Lebanon, Va., went to be with the Lord and His angels on Monday, May 10, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, following a short illness. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, Va., is in charge of arrangements. George M. Rector ABINGDON – George Morgan Rector, age 66, of 17507 Vols Dr., passed away Monday, May 10, 2004, at his residence. Arrangements are incomplete. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Pearl Roller BLOUNTVILLE – Martha Pearl Roller, age 94, passed away Monday, May 10, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, following a lengthy illness. "Miss Pearl" was born on Feb. 11, 1910, to the late Robert M. Roller and Effie Cross Roller. She was a life-long resident of Blountville and an educator in the Sullivan County School System for over 45 years. Miss Roller graduated from Blountville High School in 1928. She was a 1930 graduate of Marion College, Marion, Va., and graduated from East Tennessee State Teachers College. She began her teaching career in 1930 at Indian Springs Elementary School and was transferred to Mill Point Elementary School (Central Heights) in 1934. During World War II, Miss Roller was teacher, principal and girl’s 8th grade basketball coach at Bell Ridge Elementary School in Kingsport. Following the war, Miss Roller transferred to Blountville Elementary School, where she taught fourth grade until retiring in 1975. She was a member of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Bristol and was active in the E.L.C.W., Lydia Circle group. Miss Roller was also a member of the Sullivan County Retired Teachers Association. Two brothers, Hugh D. Roller and Eugene W. Roller, preceded her in death. Miss Roller is survived by her beloved sister and life-long companion, Marjorie Roller Fullen; and nieces, Sandra Pearl Fullen Dutton, LaVerne Fullen Morris, Rebecca Sue Fullen, Jean Riddle and Patricia Hylton; and nephew, Jack Fullen. Although Miss Pearl was never married, she considered her nieces, nephews and the nearly 2,000 students she taught over the years to be her "children". Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 13, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Bristol, with the Rev. Gary Chenoweth officiating. Pallbearers will be George Dutton, Jack Fullen, Ben Morris, Brandon Dinsmore, Aaron Fullen and David Fullen. Honorary pallbearers will be those who provided such loving care to Miss Pearl, Pamela Blindt, Pamela Manuel, Peggy Vires, Joyce Winguard and Peggy Worley. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Akard Funeral Home in Bristol. Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 672 Island Road, Bristol, VA 24201 or Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, TN 37620. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Miss Roller. Betty J. Sutherland BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Betty June Poore Sutherland, 73, of 2819 Grassy Branch Rd., died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at her home. Born March 5, 1933, in Bristol Virginia, she was a daughter of late George and Lola Belle Harless Poore. Mrs. Sutherland was a member of the Cumberland Heights Baptist Church of Bluefield and was a former employee of the Giant Food Market of Bristol Virginia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Allen Poore, and a sister, Mildred Poore. Survivors include her husband, Thomas C. Sutherland of the home; three daughters, Kathy Nelson of Bristol Tennessee, Judy Moore of Bristol Virginia, and Amy Sutherland of Vinton, Va.; two grandchildren, Brad Nelson and Amber Moore; and a "special" grandson, Joseph Romeo; a brother, Bob Poore of Bristol Virginia; also surviving nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, May 14, 2004, at 11 a.m. from the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel in Bristol Tennessee, with the Revs. Jim Jones and Darrell Tickle officiating. There will also be a visitation at the Weaver Funeral Home Thursday, May 13, 2004, from 6-8 p.m. Burial will follow from the Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at the Mercer Funeral Home of Bluefield, W.Va., Wednesday, May 12, 2004, from 6-8 p.m. Mercer Funeral Home and Crematory of Bluefield is in charge of arrangements. E- mail of cards or condolences may be sent at mercer@mercerfuneral.com. Sarah Issac Tennis APPALACHIA, Va. – Sarah Issac Tennis, 99, passed away Monday, May 10, 2004, at Heritage Hall Healthcare in Big Stone Gap, Va. She was a life-long resident of Appalachia. She was a nurse for many years with St. Mary’s Hospital in Norton and also worked for Dave’s Department Store in Appalachia. She was a life-long member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Big Stone Gap, where she was a member of the Altar Society. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Tennis Sr.; and parents, Joseph and Debe Issac. Surviving are two sons, George Tennis Jr. and wife, Betty, of Laurel, Md., and Joseph Tennis of Big Stone Gap; two granddaughters, Petchy Denison, La Plata, Md., and Cathy Tennis, Columbia, Md.; two great-grandchildren, Terry Thomas and Julie Slater, both of Waldorf, Md.; and four great-great grandchildren, Shelby, Kelsey, Lexi and Jason, all of Waldorf. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Holding Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap. Mass of the resurrection will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Big Stone Gap, with Father James Fosnot officiating. Burial will follow in the American Legion Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at holding@compunet.net. Holding Funeral Home is in charge. Joseph N. Worley BRISTOL, Va. – Mr. Joseph N. Worley, age 90, went to be with the Lord on May 10, 2004, at his home following a lengthy illness. He was a member of Maple Grove Presbyterian Church, a retiree of Burlington Mills "Volunteer Textiles" of Bristol Tennessee and also a part-time farmer. He was the son of the late George Worley and Laura Bowman Worley. He was preceded in death by one son, Wayne Vincent Worley; brothers, Rufice T. Worley, General W. Worley and Arnold "Pete" Worley; and one sister, Ada Worley. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Faye Harley Worley; son, Garry L. Worley and wife Sue of Bristol Virginia; sister, Clara Jackson of Bristol Virginia; brother, Robert "Bob" Worley of Bristol Tennessee; seven grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. at Farris Funeral Chapel. Reverend Stephen Talbert and Reverend Scott Price will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. An 11 a.m. interment service will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2004, at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Billy Worley, Greg Worley, Ben Abel, Jason Abel, Jason Fields and Josh Fields. Honorary pallbearers will be: John K. Lester, David Wilson, Wilburn Necessary, Charles Phillips, Jeff Ingle, Bobby Ingle and Andrew Chambers. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Worley family. James Robert Yates TAYLOR VALLEY, Va. – The funeral service for James Robert "Bobby" Yates will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Mike Bowers officiating. Pallbearers will be Brian Tabor, Paul Billips, Greg Yates, Billy Stout, Doug Osborne, Aaron Stout, Tim Gentry and Tim Yates. Honorary pallbearers will be James Yates, Mark Johnson, Mack Stout, John Yates, Ed Ball and Russell Ball. The committal service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 13, 2004, in the Jackson-Lewis Cemetery in Taylor Valley. The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. James Robert "Bobby" Yates, age 36, passed away on Sunday, May 9, 2004, at his residence. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of James Robert "Bobby" Yates