Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, May 18, 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 18, 2004 Raymond A. Bowman, 90, Gate City Cecil Boyd, 72, Vansant Lucille Dorton Browning, 91, Lebanon Goldie Myree Gilbert, 78, Rensselaer, Ind. Mattie E. Helbert, 90, Castlewood William M. Locke Sr., 73, Kingsport Cecil B. Moore, 73, Glade Spring Franklin Shane Mullins, 25, Bristol Virginia Chance Pruitt, 20, Marion James Queen, 72, Kingsport Hallie Lamie Smith, 94, Wytheville James Paul Smith, 65, Big Rock Norman Sproles, 89, Bluff City Mildred W. Van Kirk, 80, Konnarock Harry James Wright Jr., Kingsport -------- Lucille R. Asbury SALTVILLE – Mrs. Lucille Rector Asbury, age 75, died Sunday, May 16, 2004, at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband, E.T. Asbury. She was a retired school teacher of the Smyth County School System, after 35 years. Mrs. Asbury was a member of the Madam Russell United Methodist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher and piano player for many years. Mrs. Asbury was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the United Daughters of the Confederacy Survivors: two sons, Eddie Asbury and wife Joyce, Saltville, and Mark Asbury, Charlottesville, Va.; two daughters, Debbie Ogle and husband, E.P., Marion and Lori Gillespie and husband Dennis, Rich Valley, Va.; two brothers, Elmer Rector, Edgewater, Fla., and Troy Rector, Edgewater; one sister, Anne Antrobus, Charlottesville; six grandchildren, Annie Ogle, Megan Ogle, Trey Asbury, Tina Blevins, Caitlyn Asbury and Maddi Gillespie; three great-grandchildren, Eli Asbury, Luke Asbury and Sonya Blevins; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Lucille Rector Asbury will be conducted at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Madam Russell United Methodist Church, with Rev. Janet Richardson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 till 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the church prior to the service. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday morning in the Mount Rose Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charlie Bill Totton, Jerry Catron, Jay Miller, Jay Griffin, Scott Hammonds, and Gary Woodward. Honorary pallbearers are E.P. Ogle, Dennis Gillespie and Doug Blevins. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Asbury family. George Babb The committal service for George "Junior" Babb will be Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at 2 o’clock in the Webb-Lady Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bill Weaver, Jerry Weaver, Jimmy Fillers, Gary Conley, Frank Neal and Rusty Cury. Honorary pallbearers will be the nurses, CNAs, and housekeeping staff of Station 2 at NHC and the Adventa Hospice care givers. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. George "Junior" Babb, 72, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, May 15, 2004, from NHC in Johnson City, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Mr. Babb and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol Tennessee. Freeman A. Barton HONAKER – Funeral services for Mr. Freeman Arnold Barton will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Elder Howard Denton Murphy, Elder Phil Hines, Elder Bill Conley and all of the Sulpher Springs Old Regular Baptist Church members officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Military graveside honors will be conducted by VFW Post 9864 of Lebanon. Mr. Freeman Arnold Barton, age 54, passed away Saturday, May 15, 2004, in James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Mountain Home, Tenn. Raymond A. Bowman GATE CITY – Raymond A. Bowman, 90, went to be with the Lord Monday, May 17, 2004, at his residence, after an extended illness. He was born in Dickenson County (Stratton, Va.) and lived most of his life in Dickenson County, Va., having moved to this area in 1995. Mr. Bowman was a retired coal miner, having worked for Clinchfield Coal Company, where he was a member of UMWA for 53 years. He was an avid outdoorsman, which included fishing and hunting. Mr. Bowman loved to garden, as long as his health permitted. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Betty Lou Bowman; parents, Shade and Nellie Sutherland Bowman; two sisters, Gertha Burke and Beulah Fletcher; and three brothers, Ernest Bowman, Oliver Bowman and Noah Bowman. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Alma Edwards Bowman of the home; daughters, Gay Brown and husband Harold and Virginia Rader and husband Wayne, all of Gate City; sons, Norman Bowman and wife Mae, Church Hill and Gene Bowman and wife Brenda, Kingsport; granddaughters, Lesa Brown, Michelle Depew and husband Kenneth, Pam Brown, Angie Bowman, Debby Dunn and husband Gary, Melissa Bowman and Marsha Bowman; grandson, Shane Bowman and wife Sherri; three great- grandchildren; sisters, Bea Kiser, Clinchco, Va., Grace Buchanan, Niceville, Fla., Joyce Burke, St. Paul, Va., and Madeline Amburgey and husband James, Madisonville, Tenn.; brother, Noel Dean Fletcher, Dante, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be Tuesday, May 18, 2004, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City, Va. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at 7 p.m., with Elder Joel Turner officiating. Graveside services will be conducted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Forrest Hills Memorial Gardens, Abingdon. Pallbearers will be the grandchildren and Fayne Smith and Darris Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughters. Condolences may be sent to the family via email at cartertrentfh@earthlink.net. Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Bowman. Cecil Boyd VANSANT, Va. – Mr. Cecil Boyd, age 72, passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, in a Lebanon hospital. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker, Va. Additional arrangements are incomplete. Lucille D. Browning LEBANON – Lucille Dorton Browning, 91, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2004. Born in Castlewood, on Dec. 5, 1912, she was the daughter of the late Homer and Mattie Bausell Dorton. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband, John Cummings Browning, and several siblings. Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Fleenor Garcia and husband, Angelo of Debary, Fla.; grandson, Mark A. Garcia and wife Heather of Deland, Fla.; great- grandson, Garrett M Garcia, and great-granddaughter, Paige E. Garcia, both of Deland; brother, Harold Dorton of Newport News, Va.; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 19, at 2 p.m. at Owens Funeral Service Chapel, with Rev. Larry Smith officiating. Interment will follow at Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Friends may call at any time at the home of Dan and Kay Wampler. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 18, after 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements. Charles Cooper BLUFF CITY – Charles Cooper, age 49, of 601 Sky-Wa-Mo Road, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, May 15, 2004, at his residence. A native of Johnson City, he has lived in Bluff City for the past 22 years. He was a son of Lucille Cooper of Johnson City and the late Jack Cooper. Mr. Cooper was a member of Bluff City Baptist Church for many years. He was employed as a security officer for more than 25 years. He was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Cooper of Pompano Beach, Fla., in January of 2004. Survivors include his loving wife of 22 years, Mary Lee Chappell Cooper of the home; and several aunts, nieces and cousins. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 19, 2004, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Tetrick Funeral Home-Bluff City Chapel. Mrs. Jackie Crum will play piano selections during the visitation time. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 3 p.m., following visitation at Sunrise Cemetery, Bluff City, with Dr. Joe Blankenship officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Cooper Family, c/o Lula Long, 200 Lakeview Drive, Bluff City, TN 37618. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home-Bluff City Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. General P. Deel VANSANT, Va. – Funeral services for General P. Deel will be conducted 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Mike Rife officiating. Burial will follow in the Deel Cemetery, Grundy. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. General P. Deel, age 83, of Route 2, passed away Saturday, May 15, 2004, at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Donald Dobbins Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Donald David Dobbins Sr. will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jimmy Epperson officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Carl Dobbins Jr., Mark Dobbins, Gary Fultz, Roy Kirkman, Harding Murray, Brandon Brown, Brandon Zachory Hall, Mike Dobbins and Rick Dobbins. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home or any other time at the home of his former wife, Betty J. Dobbins, 112 Melody Lane, Unit B1, Bristol Tennessee. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Donald David Dobbins Sr., age 57, of 233 Blackburn Circle, went to be with the Lord Saturday, May 15, 2004, at his residence. Weaver Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Dobbins. Goldie M. Gilbert RENSSELAER, Ind. – Goldie Myree Gilbert, age 78, passed away May 15, 2004, at her residence. She was born on June 16, 1925, in Castlewood to Celia Hicks and Arnold Austin. On May 28, 1943, in Lebanon, Goldie married Emory Ralph Gilbert, who passed away on April 30, 2000. She graduated from Temple Hill School Class of 1942. She was a homemaker and worked for Superior Laundry for seven years and Peerless Laundry for five years, respectfully. She was an active member of the Rebekah Lodge in Castlewood. Goldie Gilbery is survived by F. Louella Fellmy, daughter, Valparaiso, Ind., and Dorothy (James A.) Lefler, daughter, Castlewood; Arnold J. Gilbert, son, Remington, Ind.; John F. Austin, brother, Kingsport; Kimberly Gilbert, granddaughter, Lafayette, Ind., Lisa Althoff, granddaughter, Danvers, Ill., Alicia DeHaven, granddaughter, Valparaiso and Laura Baker, granddaughter, Camby, Ind.; Scott Gilbert, grandson, Rensselaer; and eight great-grandchildren. Goldie Gilbert was preceded in death by Emory Ralph Gilbert, husband; Arnold Austin, father; Celia Austin, nee Hicks, mother; one sister; and one brother. The family will receive friends at Jackson Funeral Chapel of Rensselaer on Tuesday, May 18, 2004, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a service beginning at 8 p.m., with Rev. Marcia Smith-Wood officiating. Memorials may be made to the Jasper County Cancer Society or the charity of your choice. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 20, 2004, with a visitation starting at 11 a.m. until time of service, which begins at 1 p.m., at the Combs Funeral Home in Lebanon, with Rev. Harry Layell officiating. Interment will follow at Russell Memorial Cemetery. Junior C. Gobble ABINGDON – Mr. Junior Clarence Gobble, age 72, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2004, at his home in the Brumley Gap Community. Mr. Gobble was a native of Russell County and had been a resident of the Brumley Gap Community most of his life. He was a member of Fletcher’s Chapel and retired from Bristol Compressors, with 17 years of service. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Joey Gobble. Survivors include his wife, Anna Gobble, Abingdon; four sons and their spouses, Troy and Shirley Gobble, Eddie and Denise Gobble and Bernie and Susie Gobble, all of Abingdon, and Clarence Gobble, Bristol Virginia; three daughters and their spouses, Martha and Charles Darnell, Meadowview, Mary Blevins and Debbie and Lucius Earls, all of Abingdon; a brother, Leroy Gobble, Abingdon; half- brother, R. E. Miller, Marion, N.C.; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Brother Tony Nunley and Brother Ronnie Matney officiating. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Military honors to be presented at the graveside by Highlands Veterans Honor Color Guard. Pallbearers will be Don Gobble, Joe Gobble, Ricky Darnell, Bobby Sullins Mark Dobbins and David Gobble. Honorary pallbearers will be Ruddy Duty, Freddie Helton, Charles Sullins Jr., Bobby Darnell and Clyde White. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. in the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Gobble family. Mattie E. Helbert CASTLEWOOD – Mattie E. Helbert, 90, died Sunday, May 16, 2004, at Russell County Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born in Castlewood, daughter of the late William Edward and Rosa Belle Jessee Helbert. She is survived by one sister, Mary Ellen Steffey of Castlewood; three brothers, Glenn Helbert of Castlewood, Jessie Helbert of Castlewood and Clifton Helbert of Castlewood; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mattie E. Helbert will be held at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Buddy Burke and Rev. Bert Palmer officiating. Committal services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2004, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Pallbearers will be Danny Elam, Giles Helbert, Johnny Helbert, Justin Helbert, Denver Meade and Farrell Meade. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. The family sends a special thanks to Nickelsville Manor and Elizabeth Stanley. Online condolences may be sent to the Helbert family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. William M. Locke Sr. KINGSPORT – William M. Locke Sr., 73, died Sunday morning, May 16, 2004, at Netherland Health Care. Born in Bellfonte, Pa., he was a graduate of Tusculum College and taught at both John S. Battle High School and Abingdon High School. Bill was an avid ham radio operator and a master swimmer. He was a member of State Street United Methodist Church in Bristol Virginia. Surviving are two daughters, Barbara McCary and husband, Charles "Pepper" of Kingsport and Sarah Koehler of Atlanta; one son, Mel Locke and wife, Isariya, of Hansen, Ky.; four grandchildren, Preston McCary, Sarah McCary, Heather Koehler and Jessica Koehler; one sister, Blanche Locke Thomas of Oakland, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. J. Davis Whitesides officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of Barbara McCary from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 21, and following the service at the church on Saturday. A private family burial will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Asbury Place of Kingsport, 100 Netherland Lane, Kingsport, TN 37660 or First Presbyterian Church, 100 West Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660. Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Locke family. Dorothy Messerole BRISTOL – The funeral and committal service for Dorothy "Dot" S. Messerole will be held at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning, May 18, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Dr. Gordon Turnbull officiating. Burial will be in Shelby Hills Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jerry Landore, David Landore and Eric Eads. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Ave., Bristol, TN 37620, and the Bristol Humane Society, P.O. Box 1586, Bristol, VA 24203. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Dorothy "Dot" Sayles Messerole, 83, died Friday, May 14, 2004, at her residence. Mrs. Messerole and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Cecil B. Moore GLADE SPRING – Mr. Cecil B. Moore, age 73, passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Moore family. Franklin S. Mullins BRISTOL, Va. – Franklin Shane Mullins, age 25, formerly of Haysi, passed away May 14, 2004, due to a job-related accident. Born March 14, 1979, he was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Leonard "Chief" Mullins and Pauline Mullins; maternal grandmother, Ema Jean Barton; uncle, Curtis Barton; and cousin, Anissa Hoffer. A 1997 graduate of Haysi High School, he entered the Navy October 1997 and was stationed in San Diego. While in the Navy, he served two tours of duty in the Persian Gulf. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was the 1995 Eagle Scout of the Year in Virginia. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially spending time with his special friends deer hunting in Bath County. He was employed with Buchanan Pump in Pound, before moving to Bristol Virginia. He was currently employed with Underground Utilities Specialists, a job he enjoyed doing everyday. He told his mother just a week before that he loved to get up in the mornings and go to work. He enjoyed working for Fred Perry and crew. Shane is survived by parents, Franklin and Charlotte Mullins of Haysi; maternal grandfather, Wilburn Barton of Haysi; uncles, Sunny Barton and wife Pat of Haysi, Keith and wife Charlene of Clintwood and Kenneth "Smiley" and wife Brenda of Bristol Virginia. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 20, at the Peuther Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, Caney Ridge Section of Clintwood, with Pastor Joe Glenn Sluss officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. Pallbearers will be: Jackie and Shawn Sullivan, DJ Mullins, Jonathan and David Bryan O’quin, Fred Perry and crew of Underground Utilities Specialists and Daniel "Perkins" Mullins. Honorary Pallbearers: uncles, cousins and deacons of Peuther Chapel Freewill Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, at Peuther Chapel Church, on Caney Ridge, where a song service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Mullins Funeral Home and staff are serving the family. Chance Pruitt MARION – Chance Pruitt, age 20, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2004, in the Ashe County Community Hospital, West Jefferson, N.C., from injuries received in an automobile accident. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion. James "Jim" Queen KINGSPORT – James "Jim" Queen, 72, of the Bloomingdale Community, went to be with the Lord Sunday, May 16, 2004, at his home. He was born in Jasper, Va., and had resided in Kingsport since 1971. Jim played college football at Hiwassee College and East Tennessee State University, was an avid fan of Dickenson County, Va., sporting programs, and was an avid golfer. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and was a member of Masonic Lodge 688. He retired from John Sevier TVA in 1997. Jim was a faithful member of Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church and for many years was instrumental in the bus ministry, which he loved and enjoyed, and also sang in the choir. Preceding him in death were his parents, Allen Queen and Roxie Buell Queen (April 1, 2004); a sister, Elizabeth Sutherland; infant twin sister and brother, Linda Carol and Roger Carl Queen; and a step-grandson Alec Bidneck. Surviving are his wife, Zeable Queen, Kingsport; three sons, Jim Queen, Tony Queen and wife, Renee, and Randall Mallett, all of Kingsport; two daughters, Renee Linkous and husband, Rick, Surgoinsville and Rhonda Michele Smith and husband, Tony, Dacula, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Lyons and husband, Jim, Kingsport and Norma Griesdorn and husband, Bernie, Lima, Ohio; his mother-in-law, Bonnie Miller Pepper, Morristown; a sister-in-law, Jean Richardson and husband, Bill, Kingsport; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Calling hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 p.m. at the church, with Pastor Jeff Davis and Rev. Murphy Buell officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Holston View Cemetery in Weber City, Va. Those attending graveside services should meet at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport, by 10:15 a.m. Wednesday to go in procession to cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wayne Salyer, Harold Young, Howard Bowlin, Elmer Pendergraft, Joe Beverly and Jimmy Lyons. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Lyons and Bernie Griesdorn. Memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church, 2313 Portland Ave., Kingsport, TN 37660. Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport, is serving the Queen family. Reable Boggs Salyer COEBURN – Funeral services for Reable Boggs Salyer will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Rugsby Chapel, with Pastor Jim Meade and Rev. Gary Stanley officiating. Burial will follow in the Salyer Cemetery, Route 2, Coeburn. Grandsons and friends will serve as pallbearers. Reable Boggs Salyer, age 80, of Caney Ridge, went to be with the Lord Sunday morning, May 16, 2004, at Norton Community Hospital, after a lingering illness. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Ann Caruso Short NORTON – Mass of the Resurrection for Ann Caruso Short will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Virginia Avenue in Norton, with Father Tim Drake officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery. Friends, cousins and nephews will serve as pallbearers. For those who prefer, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1009 Virginia Ave., Norton, VA 24273. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Ann Caruso Short, 79, passed away Friday, May 14, 2004, at Chippenham Medical Center, Richmond. Hallie Lamie Smith WYTHEVILLE – Hallie Lamie Smith, age 94, died Monday, May 17, 2004, in Asbury Place at Wytheville in Wytheville, Va. She is survived by one daughter, Peggy Smith Call of Rich Valley, Va.; one grandchild, Sharon McCallister; two great-grandchildren, Adelaide Carter and Billy Taylor; and one great-great-grandchild, Erin Rogers, all of Leland, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at 4 p.m. in Ridgedale Cemetery, Rich Valley, with Rev. Ernest Yeatts officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. The funeral procession will leave following the visitation for the cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Smith Family. James Paul Smith BIG ROCK, Va. – James Paul Smith, 65 years of age, passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, at Buchanan General Hospital, following an extended illness. Born in Pike County, Ky., he was a son of the late Sidney and Hazel Justice Smith. He had been a resident of Buchanan County several years, a member of Sulphur Springs Primitive Baptist Church for 20 years, where he served as an elder. He was a disabled coal miner and owner and operator of S & S Trucking Company. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Florence Lester Smith, Big Rock; three daughters, Paula Smith, Big Rock, Helen Smith, Kingsport and Florine Blankenship, Steele, Ky.; one son, Bobby Allen Smith, Big Rock; one sister, Lydia Ramey, Mouth Card, Ky.; three brothers, Doffus Smith, Mouth Card, Linton Smith, Mouth Card and Estil Smith, Lancaster, S.C.; five grandchildren, James Grizzle, Amanda Grizzle, Rebecca Blankenship Fuller, Jimmy Smith Jr. and Tabithia Smith; and two great-grandchildren, Haley and Brianna Fuller. He was preceded in death by one son, Jimmy Dean Smith, May 26, 2003; two sisters, Nellie Jean Chaffins Smith and Erma Lee Ramey; and three brothers, Cletus (Bo) Smith, Dale Smith and Jessie Ray Smith. Funeral services for James Paul Smith will be conducted Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Elders Brian Moore, Elmer Brown, Noah Slone, Estil Hackney and Jimmy Lee Smith, with burial to follow in the Smith Family Cemetery, Big Rock. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m, with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Brian Hale, Chris Lester, Jeff Lester, Herman Lester Jr., Kenneth Riley and Robbie Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Herman Lester, Estil Vandyke, Ron Moore, Wayne Hale, Chester Wolford, Noah Slone and Dr. Piriz. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Norman Sproles BLUFF CITY – Norman Sproles, age 89, of 409 Exide Drive, passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. Myers Franklin Sykes POUND – Myers Franklin Sykes, age 71, passed away Saturday, May 15, 2004, at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital, Norton, after an extended illness, with his devoted family by his side. Mr. Sykes was a retired welder from Shelle-Globe, Inc., of Norfolk, Va, after 33 years, and he was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, with four years of service. He was a member of the Hamilton Chapel Church. Myers was preceded in death by his parents, Lem and Flossie (Fleming) Sykes; and a sister, Brenda Sykes Sieberlick, on May 13, 2003. Survivors include: his loving wife of 47 years, Thelma Christine Browning Sykes; sons, Gregory F. Sykes and wife Beverly, Portsmouth, Va., Jeffery W. Sykes and Debi, Gates, N.C., and Kelvin Scott Sykes of the home; two loving brothers that made a difference in Myers’ life, Jack Sykes and wife Rose, Chesapeake, Va., and Cecil D. Sykes, Chesapeake; a host of friends and loved ones to mourn his passing; and grandchildren, Kaysi Sykes, Scarlet Sykes and Jesse Sykes. Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2004, in Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel, Baker Funeral Home, with Reverend Greg Cyphers officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers: Bert Keeton, Doug Strouth, Jerry Vanover, Harry Lee Strouth, Woody Hollon and Ronnie Painter. Calling hours are 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 18, 2004, in Baker Funeral Home, Pound, with a 7 p.m. song service. Baker Funeral Home, Pound, is entrusted with the care of Myers Franklin Sykes. Mildred W. Van Kirk KONNAROCK, Va. – Mildred W. "Millie" Van Kirk, age 80, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Garrett Funeral Home, Damascus, Va. Edward Woodward Jr. MEADOWVIEW – Mr. Edward C. Woodward Jr., age 65, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, May 15, 2004, at his home. He was born in Welch, W.Va., to the late Edward C. and Hettie Stallard Woodward Sr. He was an electrician supervisor at E. Dillon and Company, having worked 26 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Edward was a member and Sunday School teacher at the Wesley Chapel Church on the North Fork River, near Abingdon. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Vivian Mae. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ada Terry Woodward; one daughter, Dana Smythe and husband Mike of Meadowview; two sons, John Woodward and wife Pam of Meadowview and Randy Woodward and wife Michelle of Saltville; four grandsons, Jacob, Benjamin, Alex and Curtis Woodward; three granddaughters, Megan, Polly and Grace Woodward; three brothers, Darell Woodward and wife Sue of Abingdon, Mack Woodward and wife Eva of Stafford, Va., and Rusty Woodward and wife Betty of Houston, Ohio, and five sisters, Patricia Cox of Dayton Ohio, Barbara Pierce and husband Bill of Roanoke, Meryl Curd and husband Morris of Meadowview, Betty Nichols and husband Kenneth of Charlotte, N.C., and Sandy Swier and husband Buck of Piqua, Ohio. A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. James Woods, Rev. Roger O’Quinn and Rev. Ronnie Matney officiating. Burial will follow in the Fall Hill Cemetery, with military rites by the Patton-Crosswhite VFW Post 6975. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be nephews and son- in-law, Mike Smythe. Honorary pallbearers will be all employees of E. Dillon and Company and the members of Wesley Chapel Church. Flowers will be accepted or contributions may be made to the Wesley Chapel Church, c/o Margaret Holmes, 27274 Old Saltworks Road, Meadowview, VA 24361. The family extends a special thanks to Dr. Martin Monahan and his nurse, Betty Gayle McCall. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Woodward. Harry J. Wright Jr. KINGSPORT – Mr. Harry James "Jimmy" Wright Jr., passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, at the Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. He was born in Washington County, Va., and had lived in Abingdon until he moved to Kingsport seven years ago. He and his wife owned and operated Green Spring Marine in Kingsport. Jimmy was a career marine retailer, winning numerous achievement awards for his outstanding sales, including eight consecutive years as a National Top Ten Dealer. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Beverly Gentry Wright; one son, Harry James Wright III of Bristol Tennessee; his parents, Harry James Wright Sr. and Marie Roark Wright of Abingdon; three sisters, Patty Cullop Pack and Brenda Wright Coons of Johnson City and Teresa Wright Hewitt of Abingdon; his father and mother-in-law, Bobby and Barbara Gentry of Abingdon; sister-in-law, Lisa Gentry Greenway of Bristol Virginia; and nieces and nephews are Glen Cullop, Rick Coons, Josh Coons, Trey Hewitt, Alex Coons, Fritz Coons Jr. and Christa Hewitt. A funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, May 19, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Jane Taylor and Rev. Jonathan Peters officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Glen Cullop, Steve Wright, Bryan Greenway, Paul Pack, Trey Hewitt and Fritz Coons. Honorary pallbearers will be Dwight Brandon, Mike Gardner and Mark Hughes. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy on- line may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneral.service.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Wright.