Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, May 13, 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 Thursday, May 13, 2004 Today's Deaths Barbara Nash Ayers, 67, Bristol Tennessee William E. Blackwell Jr., 66, Abingdon Grover Winter Harris, 76, Norton Frances C. Mellon, 80, Bristol Tennessee Mabel Morefield, 100, Lebanon Willie P. Mullins, 67, Haysi Kenny L. Proffitt, 78, Bluff City Ann Lynn Tipton Sproles, 57, Elizabethton, Tenn. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barbara Nash Ayers BRISTOL, Tenn. – Barbara Nash Ayers, age 67, of 508 11th St., after a long illness, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 12, 2004. Mrs. Ayers was born on June 19, 1936, in Gaffney, S.C., a daughter of the late Luther J. and Nettie Juanita Potts Nash. She had lived most of her life in the Bristol area, was a travel agent and was a member of the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church. Mrs. Ayers is survived by two daughters, Cassie Stipes and Melissa Lee Greene; one son, Jeff Lokey and wife Joyce; two grandsons, Brandon Stipes and Colin Lokey; one sister, Julia McCall, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held Friday, May 14, 2004, at 3 p.m. from the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church, with the Rev. Bob Jones officiating. At Mrs. Ayers request, her body will be cremated. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard King, Jack Payne, Jimmy Viers, Brooks Wagner, Jim McDevitt and Randy Lantz. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Bristol Cancer Association, 1255 State St., Suite A, Bristol, VA 24201. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. William Blackwell Jr. ABINGDON – Mr. William E. Blackwell Jr., age 66, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. He was born and lived in Saltville, moved to Cedar Bluff, where he lived four years before moving to Abingdon in 1975. He was a graduate of Saltville High School and attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute. William was a member of the Pleasant View United Methodist Church and the Glenrochie Country Club, where he enjoyed golfing. He had been employed with General Engineering Company since 1998 and supported the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Joye Frye Blackwell; a son, Edward T. Blackwell of Abingdon; a grandson, Seth Blackwell of Abingdon; a brother, Douglas Blackwell of Cleveland, Tenn., and a sister, Susan Carter of Chilhowie. A graveside service will be conducted Friday, May 14, 2004, at 12:30 p.m. in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. Jim Goddard officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon. Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Carter, J.B. Kinder, Gerry Wohlford, Barry Marshall, Don Smith, Harold Johnson, Emory Wright, Dr. James Bowden, Delmar Vencill and Fred Adkins. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of William to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Friends are to meet at the cemetery before the service. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service branch facility is serving the family of Mr. Blackwell. Cecile M. Blair BLOUNTVILLE – Family and friends of Cecile Maude Pullon Blair 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. Jack O. DeBord ABINGDON – A committal service for Mr. Jack O. DeBord was held Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at 1 p.m. in the Mount Rose Cemetery Mausoleum, with Rev. Darrell Ray. Nephews served as pallbearers. Our heartfelt thanks goes to Naomi Barrett, Pam Coleman, Dorothy Colley, Doris Davenport, Gaye Chafin, JoAnn Hart, George Holmes, Mary Wimmer, Dr. Shawn Nelson, Dr. Tom Green Jr., Hospice and many neighbors and friends to numerous to name for all the kindness, care and concern shown them during Jack’s illness. Farris Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements. Grover W. Harris NORTON – Grover Winter Harris, 76, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Mr. Harris was born in Coretta, W.Va., Aug. 28, 1927, to the late Ben and Pearle Frye Harris. He was formerly employed by Island Creek Coal Company in Bartley, W.Va., and then with the Mine Safety and Health Administration in Norton, where he worked until his retirement. He was a member of the Norton United Methodist Church, the Berwind Masonic Lodge 141 and the Berwind Chapter 141 Order of the Eastern Star. Grover was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother. He is survived by his wife, Jean Mabe Harris, and his children, Dr. Bill Harris, Lexington, Ky., Pearle Jane Ellis, Winter Springs, Fla., and Donald Edward Harris, Yorktown, Va. He leaves eight grandchildren. Services for Mr. Harris will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. John Ellington officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, prior to the service. Entombment in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum will be held Friday at 11 a.m. in the mausoleum chapel. For those who prefer, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Norton United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 76, Norton, VA 24273, or the Norton Rescue Squad Inc., P.O. Box 28, Norton, VA 24273. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home is in charge of services. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. 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 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2004, with a memorial service at 7 o’clock in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Pastor Jeff Harless 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 Tennessee. Frances C. Mellon BRISTOL, Tenn. – Frances C. Mellon, 80, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born in Kingsport, a daughter of the late Glen Mellon and Relia Moore Mellon Brookshire, and a stepdaughter of the late Joseph F. Brookshire. In 1982, Frances retired to Bristol after a 30-year career with the Social Security Administration. She was a dedicated member of Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church, and faithfully served as the church’s treasurer for many years. Survivors include two sisters, Sylvia Henderson of Raleigh, N.C., and Mary Brookshire of Fairfax, Va.; two brothers, Roy Brookshire of Chattanooga and Troy Brookshire of Ormond Beach, Fla., and several nieces and nephews. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, May 15, 2004, at Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Connie Huffine officiating. Family and friends are invited to the graveside service. Nephews and nieces will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be sent to Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church, 1127 Virginia Ave. Bristol, TN 37620. Flowers are also acceptable. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Miss Mellon and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Mabel Morefield LEBANON – Mabel Morefield, 100, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2004, in Johnson Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. Born Oct. 3, 1903, in Russell County, a daughter of the late Robert Lee Reedy and Winnie Ann Alexander Reedy, she was the oldest member of Willis Chapel United Methodist Church. She also belonged to Russell Rebekah Lodge 99 and the Moccassin Valley Home Demonstration. She was preceded in death by her husband, F.B. Morefield, a daughter, Frances Morefield, and a great-grandson, Robert Kyle (Bobby) Settle. Survivors include one daughter, Austine Morefield Fields and husband James A. Fields Sr.; grandchildren, Jackie A. Combs and wife Brenda, Frank (Shorty) Combs and wife Linda, Ronnie (Buck) Combs and wife Diane and Charles Berton Combs and wife Barbara, all of Lebanon, and Eva Kate Melhorn and husband Charles of Lebanon, Pa.; step-grandchildren, James (Jimmy) Fields Jr., Bristol Virginia, Giles (Smokey) Fields and wife Wanda, Lebanon, and Dean Fields and wife Stella, Abingdon; 12 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren and several special nieces and nephews. The funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Darrell Fletcher and Mr. Jerry Hawkins officiating. The committal service and burial will be 2 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2004, in the Russell Memorial Cemetery. Those attending should meet at the funeral home by 1:30 p.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jackie Combs, Frank (Shorty) Combs, Ronnie (Buck) Combs, Charles Berton Combs, Giles Fields and Jerry Hawkins. Honorary pallbearers will be Allen Combs, Bryan Combs, Brandon Combs, James Sizemore, Jamie Settle and Tom Williams. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Thursday prior to service. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mrs. Morefield. Willie P. Mullins HAYSI – Willie P. Mullins, age 67, of Bartlick, passed away Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Born in Dickenson County, he was a son of the late Palestine Mullins and Mahala Turner Mullins Hamon. He had been a merchant in Haysi for many years, including the Sears store, small engine repair and a meat cutter. Mr. Mullins was a past member of the Haysi Kiwanis Club and the Haysi Fire Department, where he served as chief. He was a member and deacon of Splashdam Freewill Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Charlene Yates, Lillian Perrigan, Nan Sluss and Norma Reagan, and a nephew, Greg Urso. Survivors include his wife, Joyce "Joy" Mullins; a daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Tony Bailey of Winchester, Ky.; a granddaughter, Ashley Bailey; two sisters, Agnes Urso of Clarksburg, W.Va., and Nora Fletcher of Grundy, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2004, at Splashdam Freewill Baptist Church, with Rev. Danny Sluss, Rev. Allen Viers, Rev. Jack Mullins and Rev. Jim Viers officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchell- Senter Cemetery, Bartlick, Va. Brothers-in-law and nephews will serve as pallbearers. Deacons of Splashdam Freewill Baptist Church will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, at Splashdam Freewill Baptist Church, where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Kenny L. Proffitt BLUFF CITY – Kenny L. Proffitt, 78, 153 Fox Hollow Lane, died Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in the Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Sullivan County, he was a son of the late Willard and Lula Walker Proffitt. He was a retired foreman with Summer-Taylor, having worked there for 50 years. He attended the Cripple Creek Freewill Baptist Church. Mr. Proffitt was an Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Proffitt, in June of 1997. Survivors include three daughters, Fredia J. Snow, Decatur, Tenn., Judy Fagan of the home and Nancy Dalton, Rockwood, Tenn.; a son, Tommy Proffitt, Watauga; three sisters, Lucille Wallace, Clara Steel and Jewel Rader, all of Bristol; two brothers, Palmer Proffitt, Platsburg, Mo., and Gene Proffitt, Greeneville; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the Scott Cemetery, with the Rev. Bob Campbell officiating. Burial will follow the service. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Friends may also call at the residence. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. Friday to go to the cemetery. Condolences may be e- mailed to mfc@chartertn.net. Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge. George M. Rector ABINGDON – George Morgan Rector, age 66, of 17507 Vols Dr., passed away Monday, May 10, 2004, at his residence. He was born March 12, 1938, in Huntsville, Tenn., to the late Carl and Chloe Woodward Rector, and he has lived the past 15 years in the Bristol area. He was owner and operator with Huntsville Furniture and Hardware Company, Paint Rock Coal Company, R.S.&W. Coal, Rector Coffey Coal Company, employee of Pittston Coal Company and Apollo Fuels Coal Company. He was an Air Force veteran, serving during the Korean War, and was a member of the White Rock Baptist Church. Survivors include wife of 47 years, Edith Phillips Rector; daughters, Gwynn Morgan, Kathy King and husband Henry, Pamela Georgett Rector and Regina Edith Marsee and husband Bobby; sisters, Joan Sexton and husband Curtis, Henrietta Sexton and Nancy Murley and husband Jerry; 17 grandchildren, Terrance, Tamra, Trentus, Trevor, Tyler, Taneesha, Dylan, Dyanna, Rejeanne, Phillip, Brittany, Darain, Jennifer, Tairra, Elizabeth, Christiana and Noah, and two great- grandchildren, Danielle and Caleb. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 13, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. James West officiating. Committal services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, May 14, 2004, in Forest Hills Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Troop F 2nd 278 Honor Color Guard. Pallbearers will be grandsons. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Pearl Roller BLOUNTVILLE – Funeral services for Martha Pearl Roller 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. 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. Martha Pearl Roller, age 94, passed away Monday, May 10, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, following a lengthy illness. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Miss Roller. Ann Sproles ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Ann Lynn Tipton Sproles, 57, 1023 Walker St., died Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at her residence following a courageous battle with cancer. A native of Carter County, she was a daughter of the late Rex and Elizabeth Matney Tipton. She was a member of the Oak Street Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband, Tommy Sproles; a daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Jason Miller, Elizabethton; a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Terrina Ensor, Elizabethton; five grandchildren; stepmother, June Tipton, Greensboro, N.C.; a sister, Becky Lawless of Texas, and a brother, Chip Tipton and his wife Mitzi of Charlotte. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in Happy Valley Memorial Park, with the Rev. Bruce Hendrich and Rev. Bob Polk officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Condolences may be e-mailed to mfc@chartertn.net. Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge. Betty Sutherland BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Betty June Poore Sutherland, 71, 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; a "special" grandson, Joseph Romeo, and a brother, Bob Poore of Bristol Virginia. Graveside services will be conducted Friday, May 14, 2004, at 11 a.m. from the Mountain View Cemetery in Bristol Virginia, with the Rev. Jim Jones and Rev. Darrell Pickle officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Joseph N. Worley BRISTOL, Va. – An 11 a.m. interment service for Mr. Joseph N. Worley 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. Mr. Joseph N. Worley, age 90, went to be with the Lord on May 10, 2004, at his home following a lengthy illness. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Worley family.