Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, May 19, 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, May 19, 2004 Cecil Boyd VANSANT, Va. – Mr. Cecil Boyd, age 72, passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, in a Lebanon hospital. Born April 23, 1932, in Davenport, Va., he was a son of the late Mose and Myrtle Gilbert Boyd. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a U.S. Army veteran and a disabled coal miner. He was of the Free Will Baptist faith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Mose Boyd Jr., one sister, Irene Turner, and four infant siblings. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Kay and Clinton Barton of Vansant and Ginger and Kenneth Robinette of Swords Creek, Va.; two granddaughters, Myra Jackson and her husband, Jason of Vansant and Amanda Robinette of Swords Creek; very special friend, Joyce Tiller and her family of Bee, Va.; two sisters, Mrs. Imogene Compton of Lebanon and Mrs. Kathleen Caskey of Dayton, Ohio; one brother, Arthur F. Boyd of Vansant; and a host of friends and neighbors. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Ancil Childress, Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Rev. Clayton Hayes officiating. Entombment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Pallbearers will be Keith Breeding, Clayton Hayes, Lester Ray, Brady Church, Roby Bowman, Howell Lockhart, Arnold Peck, Billy White and Kenneth Lambert. Military graveside honors will be conducted by American Legion 164 of Grundy. Friends may call at any time prior to the funeral hour. Lucille D. Browning LEBANON – Funeral services for Lucille Dorton Browning will be held on Wednesday, May 19, at 2 p.m. at Owens Funeral Service Chapel, with Rev. Larry Smith officiating. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Interment will follow at Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Lucille Dorton Browning, 91, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2004. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, is in charge of 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. 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. Junior C. Gobble ABINGDON – A funeral service for Mr. Junior Clarence Gobble 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 Mr. Junior Clarence Gobble, age 72, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2004, at his home in the Brumley Gap Community. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Gobble family. Thomas Halbert BRISTOL, Tenn. – Thomas "Bubba" Halbert, 51, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2004. He was born Feb. 19, 1953, in Mobile, Ala. Survivors include his wife, Linda Halbert; son, Steven Johnson; grandson, Jack Johnson; sister, Beth Holmann; brother, Jim Payne; and many, many friends. Services will be held at the Halbert home, 403 Leslie Court, Bristol, Tenn., on Thursday, May 20, at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Mountain Regional Organ Donors Services, 100 KLM Drive, Suite 2, Gray, TN. 37615. Mattie E. Helbert CASTLEWOOD – Committal services for Mattie E. Helbert 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. Online condolences may be sent to the Helbert family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com Mattie E. Helbert, 90, died Sunday, May 16, 2004, at Russell County Medical Center in Lebanon. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Orville B. Jessee LEBANON – Orville Buford Jessee, 70, passed away Tuesday, May 18, 2004, in Russell County Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Jessee Family Cecil B. Moore GLADE SPRING – Mr. Cecil B. Moore, age 73, died Monday, May 17, 2004, at his home in Glade Spring. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean conflict. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Moore and Mary and Robert Surber. Survivors: five daughters, Connie Sherwood of Elkhart, Ind., Shirley Spaulding of White Pigeon, Mich., Susan Sobraski of Elkhart, Kathy Davies of Elkhart and Debbie Davis of Goshen, Ind.; one half-brother, Tommy Moore of Oakridge, Tenn.; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Moore will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 20, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Chuck Blevins officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Rose Cemetery, with military rites by Saltville VFW "Hardy Roberts" Post. Pallbearers will be Scotty Davies, John Heath, Mike Barbrow, Daniel Bise, Dave Coleman and Rick Caudill. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Wednesday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Saltville or Glade Spring Rescue Squad. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Moore family. George W. Mowrey MOUNT CARMEL – Rev. George W. Mowrey, 65, of Rose Lane, died early Sunday morning, May 16, 2004, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. He was born in Hazelton, Pa., and had lived in this area for many years, while residing in Mount Carmel for the past two months. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea. He was a June 1973 graduate of East Tennessee State University, having earned a bachelor of science degree. He attended and graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., in May 1979, earning a master of divinity degree. He was an elder in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving many local Methodist congregations during his over 30 years of service. He recently attended Crossroads United Methodist Church. He served on the Board of the Teen Challenge Appalachian Training Center in Athens, W.Va., for over 10 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Mowrey and Elizabeth Grier Mowrey; two sisters, Elizabeth Smith and Eleanor Henritzy. Surviving are his wife, Jean Hines Mowrey of the home; two sons and daughters- in-law, Michael Mowrey and wife Cathy of Lebanon and Mark Mowrey and wife Sandie of St. Louis, Mo.; two grandchildren, Miciah Mowrey and Matthew Mowrey; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Carter-Trent Funeral Home of Church Hill. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. James Adcox, Rev. Gregory Godwin, Rev. David Henritzy, Rev. Kenneth Connor and Rev. Gordon McBride officiating. Military graveside rites will follow in the Church Hill Memory Gardens, conducted by the Hawkins County Color Guard. Pallbearers will be John Huff, Howard Nichols, Barry Henritzy, Roger Hines, Rev. Kenneth Connor and Rev. Gordon McBride. Memorial contributions may be made to Teen Challenge Appalachian Training Center, P.O. Box 980, Athens, WV 24712-0980. Condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail at cartertrentfh@earthlink.net Franklin S. Mullins BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for Franklin Shane Mullins 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. Military graveside services will be conducted by Clintwood DAV Chapter 35, VFW Post 8979 and American Legion Post 227. Franklin Shane Mullins, age 25, formerly of Haysi, passed away May 14, 2004, due to a job-related accident. Mullins Funeral Home and staff are serving the family. Edith "Peggy" Nelson WISE – Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Mount Olive Freewill Baptist Church, Wise, with the Revs. Tommy Joe McAmis and T.J. McAmis Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Coeburn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wise County Republican Party or church or charity of one’s choice. Edith "Peggy" Nelson, 73, passed away Saturday, May 15, 2004, at the Norton Community Hospital, Norton. Sturgill Funeral Homes Wise, Virginia in charge of arrangements. Chance Pruitt MARION – Chance Pruitt, age 20, passed away Sunday, May 16, 2004, from injuries received in an automobile accident in North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, James Junior Harris and Jackson Pruitt. He was born in Smyth County and attended high school in Ashe County. Survivors include: father and stepmother, Larry Jackson Pruitt and Wanda Pruitt, Wytheville; mother and stepfather, Linda Harris Trent and John Trent, Lansing, N.C.; two brothers, Kevin Pruitt and wife Melissa, Vilas, N.C., and Tony Pruitt and wife Kristi, Ft. Campbell, Ky.; two sisters, Kimberly Chapman and husband, Carter (C.W.), Troutdale, Va., and Beth Trent, Lansing, N.C.; grandmothers, Thelma Pruitt, Marion and Nancy Harris, Marion; stepbrother, Russell and wife Iva Catron, Chattanooga, Tenn.; stepsister, Lisa Catron, Wytheville; and nieces and nephews, Ethan Pruitt, Logan Catron, Autumn Pruitt and Devin Pruitt; several aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends also survive. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 20, 2004, at the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Jim Francis and Rev. Kelly Marshall officiating. Interment will follow in the West Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the family of Chance Pruitt. Vivian B. Shepard BLUFF CITY – Vivian Berniece Humphrey Shepard, age 63, 1369 Elizabethton Hwy., died Tuesday, May 18, 2004, in Johnson City Medical Center, following an extended illness. A native of Sullivan County, she was the daughter of the late Thurman Edward Sr. and Berniece McClurd Humphrey. She was a member of the Elizabethton Church of Christ and attended Blountville Church of Christ. She was a former employee of Pharmaseal. She was a member of the Take Time Cancer Support Group of Kingsport. Mrs. Shepard was preceded in death by one brother, Thurman E. Humphrey Jr.; and four uncles, G. S. Humphrey, Paul Humphrey, Earnest McClurd and Earl McClurd. Survivors are her husband, Carroll Lyons Shepard of the home; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Tim Shepard of Johnson City and Anthony C. and Sherry Shepard of Elizabethton; one special grandson, Matthew Daniel Shepard of Elizabethton; eight aunts, Marge Morgan, Vada Blevins and Leatha Dial, all of Elizabethton, Cleo Hess, Bess Scott and Grace Morrison, all of Watauga, Christine Carter of Bristol Tennessee, and Minnie Stone of Philadelphia; two uncles, Leo Humphrey of Elizabethton and Ralph McClurd of Penns Grove, N.J.; three cousins, William Caraway, Roan Mountain and Richard Caraway and Wayne Caraway Jr., both of California. The funeral service for Vivian Berniece Humphrey Shepard will be conducted Thursday, May 20, at 8 p.m. in the Riverside Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Mr. Steve Payne and Mr. Eddy Craft officiating. Music will be under the direction of Mr. Tom Lilley, song leader. The family will receive friends Thursday, May 20, from 6-8 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home, and at other times at the residence. The graveside service and interment will be Friday, May 21, at 10 a.m. at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Ward Irvin, George Ellis, Lewis Kiser, Henry Large, Orlin Humphrey, Harold Mains, Steve Roberts and Robbie Ellis. Honorary pallbearer is L. D. Fair. Everyone will meet at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Friday, May 21, to go in procession to the cemetery. Online condolences may be set to the family through our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is in charge of the arrangements. 423-542-2232. Norman J. Sproles Sr. BLUFF CITY – Norman Jessie Sproles Sr., age 89, of 409 Exide Drive, went to be with the Lord Monday, May 17, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Mr. Sproles was born on March 14, 1915, in Dante, Va., to the late Jessie Harrison and Lenna Kate Brewer Sproles. Mr. Sproles had lived all his life in the Bristol area, was a salesman and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served in World War II and in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and attended the Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church. Mr. Sproles was preceded in death by his wife, Harriett Louise Sproles. Mr. Sproles is survived by: two daughters, Norma Jean Lowe and husband James, of Bristol Tennessee, and Mary Carolyn Thorpe, of Bluff City; one son, Norman Jessie Sproles Jr. and wife Patsy Louise, of Bluff City; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; several nieces; and special friends, Clara Collier and Margaret and Nathan Cross. Graveside service will be held Thursday, May 20, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel, with the Pastor Walt Simmerman officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the Highlands Fellowship Church Honor Color Guard. Burial will follow in the Shelby Hills Cemetery. Anyone who wishes to pay their respects, may come by the funeral home any time on Wednesday, prior to the graveside service on Thursday. The family would like to say a special thanks to all the staff at the Wellmont Hospice House. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Wellmont Hospice House 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620, or to the Elizabeth Chapel’s Louise Sproles Women’s Circle, 1041 Elizabeth Chapel Road, Bluff City, TN 37618. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Shirley Taylor Sword CHILHOWIE – Shirley Taylor Sword, age 86, passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, in Chilhowie. She was born in Tazewell to the late John L. and Eudora C. Taylor, and was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Ernest G. Sword, and two sisters, Frances Griffitts and Doris Morris. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Marion. Survivors include: one daughter and son-in-law, Lucille and Richard Shortt, Seven Mile Ford, Va.; one son and daughter-in-law, Eugene and Janie Sword, Kingsport; one sister, Violet Dugan, Port St. Lucie, Fla.; brother-in-law, Curtis M. Sword, Abingdon; sister-in-law and husband, Doris and Charlie Riley, Chilhowie; Lucille’s stepchildren, Rick, Patty, Mike and Laura; nieces, nephews and family and friends also survive. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Chilhowie, with Pastor P.J. Hicks officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Rose Cemetery, Glade Spring. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hospice of S.W. Virginia, 600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382 or to the Chilhowie Fire Department P.O. Box 5012, Chilhowie, VA 24319. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie, is serving the Sword family. 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. Mildred B. Wallace EMORY – Mrs. Mildred Ballou Wallace, age 80, died Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at the Grace Healthcare Center. She was born on March 9, 1924, in Saltville and a daughter of the late Roy Ballou and Madeline Broyles Ballou. Also, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert Wallace; an infant daughter, Diana Lynn Clark; and two brothers, Allen Ballou and Gene Ballou. Mrs. Wallace was a member of the Byar’s Cobb United Methodist Church. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy Wallace and Ann Wallace of Emory and Samuel Dixon Clark and Nancy Clark of Barboursville, Va.; four grandchildren, Michael Paul Clark of Mansfield, Texas, Andrew Dixon Clark of Charlottesville, Va., and Erin Wallace and Robby Wallace, both of Emory; and a great-grandson, Michael Paul Clark Jr. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Beverly Robinette officiating. The interment and committal service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Baptist Cemetery in Glade Spring. Casket bearers will be the following nephews: Danny Broyles, Joe Taylor, Andy Wallace, Jeff Wallace, Herbie Wallace and Rick Cuddy. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the American Alzheimer’s Association, 207 N. Boone St., Suite 1050, Johnson City, TN 37604. The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the funeral home. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Mildred Ballou Wallace. Harry J. Wright Jr. KINGSPORT – A funeral service for Mr. Harry James "Jimmy" Wright Jr. 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. 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 online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneral.service.com Mr. Harry James "Jimmy" Wright Jr., passed away Monday, May 17, 2004, at the Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Wright.