Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, May 15, 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 15, 2004 Today's Deaths Mae W. Barnett Sherrie Jean McKay Castle, 39, Piney Flats Jane Dulaney Hilbert, 93, Johnson City Edna Faye Nidiffer, 78, Bristol Tennessee Martha Louella Owens, 108, Norton -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mae W. Barnett Our precious loving mother, grandmother and sister is at rest in the arms of her loving Savior after a long battle with cancer. Born in Mitchell County, N.C., on Sept. 12, 1931, she was the daughter of the late Calvin and Nerva Whitson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Barnett in 1984, a son, Bobby Dean Barnett, one sister, Alma Whitson, and three brothers, Cas, Starlin and Farrell Whitson. Mrs. Barnett was a member of the Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church. She loved her church and her church family dearly. Her church and her family and friends were her life. She was retired from the Washington County Schools Food Service, with 28 years of service. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Billy Gene and Marolyn Barnett of Chucky; one grandson and his wife, Billy Gene Barnett II and Amanda of Bluff City; one granddaughter and her husband, Melinda and Keith Crussell of Piney Flats; two great-granddaughters, Megan Crussell and Brooke Barnett; two great- grandsons, Logan and Austin Barnett; three sisters, Mary Ray of Unicoi, Shirley Hughes of Bakersville, N.C., and Darlena Miller of Johnson City; three brothers, Charles Whitson of Johnson City, her twin, Ray Whitson of Green Mountain, N.C., and Lee Whitson, also of Green Mountain; a very special niece, Arlena Renfro; several other special nieces and great-nephews also survive. The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Whitson-Garland Cemetery, Beans Creek, N.C., with Rev. Roger Laws, minister, officiating. Everyone will meet at the cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Billy Barnett II, Keith Crussell, Joshua Hardin, Benjamin Hardin, Greg Miller and Eric Whitson. Honorary pallbearers will be James Calvin Ray, Mike Brisco, Joel Coggins, David Lee Whitson, Anthony Whitson, Wayne Whitson, Harlan Whitson, J.B.Whitson and Bryan Whitson. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, 508 Princeton Road, Suite 102, Johnson City, TN 37601, or to The Medical Center Hospice, 101 Med Tech Parkway, Johnson City, TN 37604. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements are by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City, (423) 282-1521. Ricky A. Beam BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Ricky A. Beam will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 16, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Austin Cook and Rev. David Shinault officiating. Graveside service will be Monday at 11 a.m. in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Sunday at Weaver Funeral Home. Ricky A. Beam, age 45, of 2931 Broad St., went to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 12, 2004, in the Holston Valley Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mable G. Bradley ABINGDON – Mable Gilley Bradley, 94, died May 13, 2004, at her residence following a recent illness. The daughter of the late Mary Blanche Shoemaker and the late Claud Everett Gilley, Mrs. Bradley was born in Ashe County, N.C., (Clifton), and moved to Davy, W.Va., where she attended elementary school. She was a graduate of Welch High School, Welch, W.Va., and Johnson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Abingdon. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bradley was preceded in death by her husband, Abram McConnell Bradley II, and her eldest son, Abram McConnell Bradley III. She is survived by two children, Betty B. Ringley and Albert C. Bradley, both of Abingdon; four grandchildren, Margaret R. Taylor, Rebecca R. Dennett-Smith, both of Atlanta, Abram McConnell Bradley IV, High Point, N.C., and Elizabeth B. Parcell, Rocky Mount, Va.; nine great-grandchildren, E. Morgan Taylor, Ryan D. Dennett-Smith, Edward A. Dennett-Smith, Emily Bradley, John Bradley, Mathew Bradley, Annie Parcell, Margaret Parcell and Bradley Parcell, and one brother, Mr. Cline S. Gilley, his wife Mary, their two daughters and their families, all of whom live in Willingboro, N.J. The family would like to express appreciation to her special friends, Mrs. Frances Wright, Miss Yolanda Miranda, Mrs. Edna Barrett, Miss Andrea Gaylor, Mrs. Linda Kimmell, Mrs. Dorothy King and Mrs. Donna Robinson. Funeral services will be held Sunday, May 16, 2004, 2:30 p.m. at the Abingdon United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Mrs. Betty Reiff and the Reverend Mr. Bill Rowland officiating. Interment will follow in the Knollkreg Memorial Park, Abingdon. Pallbearers will be Abram McConnell Bradley IV, John McConnell Bradley, David Dennett-Smith, Ryan David Dennett-Smith, Robert G. Taylor, Robert Parcell, Maurice L. Smeltzer Gerald C. Henninger and W. Robert Ringley. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Campbell’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Benevolent Fund, Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Sherrie Jean Castle PINEY FLATS – Sherrie Jean McKay Castle, 39, died Thursday, May 13, 2004, in Johnson City Medical Center. She was a member of Piney Flats Baptist Church and employed with State of Tennessee Children Services, Blountville. She graduated from Sullivan Central High School and ETSU, with a bachelor’s degree in social services. She was preceded in death by parents, Robert Gene and Joan Louise McKay; grandparents, John Robert and Clara Louise McKay. Survivors: three children, Corey Michael Castle, Alison Faith Castle and Matthew Tyler Castle, all of the home;. two brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Tracie McKay of Kingsport and Jason Paul and Yolana McKay of Smyrna, Tenn.; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Karen Michelle and Stacy Barker of Kingsport, Regina McKay of Gray, Tenn., and Tonda McKay of Nashville; half sister, Julie Moliter of Chicago; guardians, John and Judy McKay of Smyrna and Billy and Elizabeth Smith of Jonesborough, Tenn.; papaw, Maynard Hale of Gray; fiancé, Alvis McCollum of Piney Flats; two nieces, McKayla Ann Barker and Lillian Meadow McKay; two nephews, Kobe Braydan Barker and Mason James McKay, and uncles and aunts, Tim Ray and Connie McKay and William Aubrey and Jerry McKay. Funeral will be Saturday, May 15, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. in Jeffers Mortuary Chapel, with Pastor Allen D. Davis and Pastor Boyd Holder officiating. Music will be by Mark Smith. Graveside service will be Sunday, May 16, at 2 p.m. in Liberty Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Scott McCollum, B.J. McKay, Ricky McKay, Blake McKay, Michael McCollum and Terry Hale. Family will receive friends Saturday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Jeffers Mortuary before the service, and other times at the home of Bill and Elizabeth Smith in Jonesborough. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.jeffersmortuary.com. James J. Cunningham BRISTOL, Tenn. – The family of James J. "Joe" Cunningham will receive friends from 7 until 8:45 Saturday evening, May 15, 2004, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. The King Masonic Lodge 461 will conduct Masonic Rites at 9 o’clock Saturday evening following the visitation. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon, May 16, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Steve Playl and Dr. Charles Ledger officiating. The committal service and interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Disabled American Veterans Color Guard, Chapter 40, who will also serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Herman Foster, Jim Daniels, Dennis O’Neal, Jerry O’Neal, Ronnie Oliver, Jimmie Miller, Roger Hearl and Jerry Whorley. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. James J. "Joe" Cunningham, 89, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn. Mr. Cunningham and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Jane D. Hilbert JOHNSON CITY – Jane Dulaney Hilbert, 93, formerly of 809 S. Mountain View Circle, died Thursday, May 13, 2004, at NHC Healthcare after an extended illness. A Bristol Tennessee native, Mrs. Hilbert had made her home in Johnson City since 1936. She was the daughter of the late Fred and Grace (Hayes) Dulaney, and was also preceded in death by her husband, J. Louis Hilbert, in 1975, and a brother, Fred Dulaney Jr. She had attended Arlington Hall College, Clarendon, Va., and was a member of Jonesborough Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Hilbert and her husband owned and operated Appalachian Flying Service, until shortly before his death in 1975. She was a member of Ninety-Nines Inc., an international organization of women pilots, and had been a hostess for Eastern Airlines. Mrs. Hilbert is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Lewis and Pat Dulaney, Bristol Tennessee. The graveside service for Mrs. Hilbert will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, May 15, at Monte Vista Memorial Park. The Rev. Beth Yarborough will officiate. Friends are invited to meet the family at the cemetery for the service. For those who prefer, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Jonesborough Presbyterian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 383, Jonesborough, TN 37659. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.morrisbaker.com. Arrangements are by Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 Oakland Ave., Johnson City. Donald Ray Latimer KINGSPORT – Donald Ray Latimer is at peace. He was born Aug. 25, 1930, and died May 12, 2004. He was a man of superlatively high standards, complete integrity and boundless enthusiasm for whatever task he took in hand. No one whose privilege it was to know him is likely to forget the candor of his speech, the courage of his faith and the warm and glowing brightness of his friendship. Preceding him in death were his wife of 39 years, Janet Katherine Latimer, brother, Dick Latimer, and his parents, Iva and Floyd Latimer of Kenton, Ohio. Surviving are his daughters, Leesa Latimer Dawn, Lori Thompson, Leslie Bilbrey and Linda Latimer; two sons-in-law, Blaine Thompson and Mike Bilbrey; two sisters, Donna Neal and Betty Arena; four grandchildren and many others who loved him. Calling hours are Saturday, May 15, 2004, from 7-8 p.m. at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church on John B. Dennis Highway. Services will be conducted at 8 p.m., with Father Bill Gahagan. Entombment service will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16, 2004, at East Lawn Memorial Park, with the VFW Charles Dewitt Byrd Post 3382. Memorial contributions may be made to Johnson City Medical Center Home Care Hospice, 101 Med Tech Parkway, Suite 100, Johnson City, TN 37604. Please visit our Web site at www.mem.com to place a condolence or a tribute to Donald Latimer. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Latimer family. Frances C. Mellon BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service and interment for Frances Caldwell Mellon will be conducted at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, May 15, 2004, in the Heritage Chapel of Memories at Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Connie Huffine and Rev. Harry Moore Jr. officiating. 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. Frances Caldwell Mellon, 80, died Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Miss Mellon and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Edna Faye Nidiffer BRISTOL, Tenn. – Edna Faye Nidiffer, age 78, went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, May 13, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born in Sandusky, Ohio, a daughter to the late Robert and Ada Harr Netherland, and had lived most of her life in the Bristol area. She had retired from the Sullivan County School System, after working at Akard Elementary School for 21 years in the cafeteria. Ms. Nidiffer was a member of Meadowview Presbyterian Church. She was a loving wife of 47 years to Howard Edwin Nidiffer, who passed away in 1994, and was also a loving mother, grandmother and sister. Survivors include daughter, Shelby Jean Nidiffer; son, Howard E. Nidiffer Jr. and wife Barbara; grandchildren, Brian Edwin Nidiffer, Jason Howard Nidiffer, Jonathan King Nidiffer, Miles Justin Nidiffer and Karen Renee Nidiffer; great- grandchildren, Austin Cody Nidiffer, Chance Edwin Nidiffer, Hailey Elizabeth Danielle Nidiffer, Kaitlyn Grace Nidiffer and Samantha Renee Nidiffer; sisters, Emily Childress and husband Hubert and Nancy Edwards and husband Maloy Grant; brothers, John Netherland and wife Betty, Robert Glen "R.G." Netherland Jr. and wife Shirley and Jim Netherland and wife Linda; several nieces and nephews and very special friend, Mary Hyder. Graveside services will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Tony Trunnell and Rev. Jimmy Epperson officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be the grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. The family would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Whiles and the nursing staff on the 4th floor at Bristol Regional Medical Center and especially the staff in the Skilled Nursing unit, who became special friends to Ms. Nidiffer and her family. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Martha Owens NORTON – Martha Louella Owens, 108, died Friday, May 14, 2004, in Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. She was the oldest living member of Wilson Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Owens, two sons, Percy Owens and Hagamon Owens, and a daughter, Beatrice Hubbard. She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Eva Owens, Norton; two daughters, Agnes Cooke, Norton, and Mildred Sturgill, Big Stone Gap, and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, including a special granddaughter to the end, Janie Williams. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Saturday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Darrell Bolling and Rev. J.W. Wells officiating. Burial will be in the Robinette Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Orville M. Pippin ABINGDON – A committal service for Mr. Orville Madison Pippin will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Susong Cemetery in Bristol Virginia. Family and friends are asked to assemble at the cemetery. Pallbearers will be John James, Garrett Jackson, Jonathan Pippin, David Pippin, Kevin Price, Randy Felty, David Scott and Spike Nichols. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Temple Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southwest Virginia or Temple Baptist Church. Those wishing to express their condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Orville Madison Pippin, 76, went to be with his Lord Wednesday, May 12, 2004. Farris Funeral Service 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Pippin family. L. Clark Rouse ABINGDON – L. Clark Rouse, age 88, died Thursday, May 13, 2004, in Grace Healthcare of Abingdon. He was a native of Washington County, Va., and a lifelong resident of Abingdon. He was a retired carpenter and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Keller Rouse. He was a son of the late William Henry Rouse and the late Pearl Pope Rouse. Survivors include one sister, Frances R. East of Abingdon; one brother, W.L. "Jack" Rouse of Abingdon; one niece, Gayle Jamison of Richmond, and two nephews, Lowry Rouse of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Duffy Carmack of Abingdon. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jerry A. Eggers and Dr. Steven W. Pollard officiating. The family will receive friends at the Campbell Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m., the time of the service on Saturday evening. Graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. J.S. Shaffer, Rhudy Edwards, Ralph Galliher, Earl Alexander, Harold Puckett, Herbert Clifton and Luther Johnson. Flowers will be accepted and those who wish may make memorial contributions to the American Lung Association of Virginia, 370 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home of Abingdon is in charge of arrangements. Louise Trinkle KINGSPORT – Louise Trinkle, 88, passed away Thursday, May 13, 2004, at Netherland HealthCare (Baysmont). Mrs. Trinkle was born in Wise County, Va., and had resided in Norton and Kingsport. She was a member of Anderson Church of God in Bristol Virginia and Heritage First Church of God in Kingsport. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Preceding her in death were her husband, Stanley "Red" Trinkle, her parents, five brothers and eight sisters. Surviving are her daughter, Connie Bucca and husband Frank, Kingsport; four grandchildren, Gabe Bucca and wife Tonja, Lisa Padgett and husband Alan, Steve Bucca and wife Katherine and Lara Cosgrove and husband John; five great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, downtown Kingsport. Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel, with Pastor Steve Tilley officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap. Pallbearers will be Ron Ball, Ed Cornett, John Cosgrove, Bob Davis, Alan Padgett, John Trinkle, Stanley Trinkle and Walter Ware. Memorials may be given to Heritage First Church of God Building Fund, 2244 Hall St., Kingsport, TN 37660. Dan Franklin Vannoy ABINGDON – The funeral service for Mr. Dan Franklin Vannoy will be conducted Saturday, May 15, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Floyd Nelson officiating. Interment to follow in the Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will family and friends. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mr. Dan Franklin Vannoy, age 77, of the Alvarado community, passed away Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at his residence. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Vannoy family.