Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, May 23, 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 Sunday, May 23, 2004 Today's Deaths Velma June Capelli, 76, Lebanon Ivan Rodger Clark Sr., 61, Abingdon Ovie Lorene Sanders Huffman, 89, Wise Earl S. James, 72, Bristol Tennessee Frank J. Phillips, Bristol Virginia Edward Lee Rasnake, 92, Cleveland, Va. Nina Mae Wilkinson Stiltner, 75, Grundy Charlie G. Street, 55, Raven, Va. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Velma June Capelli LEBANON – Velma June Capelli, 76, died Saturday, May 22, 2004. Born on June 25, 1927, in Tram, Ky., June was the daughter of the late Joseph Stanley and the late Effie Jones Stanley. She graduated from Prestonsburg High School and was married to Peter J. Capelli on June 3, 1950. Having lived in Lebanon since 1960, June was preceded in death by her husband. Surviving are her two sons and daughters-in-law, Steve Capelli and Carolyn Beauchamp Capelli, Huntington, W.Va., and Robby Capelli and Becky Richardson Capelli, Lebanon; four grandchildren, Greg, Amy, Joey and Stephanie Capelli; a granddaughter-in-law, Sara Capelli, and a great-grandson, Stephen Capelli III. The funeral service will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday, May 24, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Robert Beauchamp officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon. The family will receive friends 1-3 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mrs. Capelli. Ivan Rodger Clark Sr. ABINGDON – Mr. Ivan Rodger Clark Sr., age 61, entered into eternal peace Saturday, May 22, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital, with his loving family by his side. Before becoming disabled, Rodger was employed with Valleydale Packers and Bristol Metals, Bristol Tennessee. He was a member of the Kingsway Baptist Church, Bristol Virginia, attended Hamilton High School, Mendota, Va., and was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Octavia Clark, brothers, Gordon, Fred and Henry Monroe. After becoming disabled, Rodger still loved to hunt and fish. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Jayne Clark; daughter and son-in-law, Denice and Earl Emerson, Ridgeway, Va.; two sons, Ivan Rodger Clark Jr. and wife Tammy, Gate City, and Denny Clark and girlfriend Judy Darnell, Abingdon; sister, Leona Kinnick, Rockmart, Ga.; special sister-in-law, Linda Clark, Cincinnati; grandsons, Matthew and Logan Emerson; special grandson, Zack "George" Clark; granddaughter, Lorie Gibson; special neighbors, Janice Davenport and Connie Crusenberry; three aunts, Elizabeth "Lib" Caudill, Ila Humphreys and Mae Parris, all of Meadowview; special nephew and his wife, Fred and Vicky Clark, Spartanburg, S.C., and several other nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted Sunday, May 23, 2004, at 8 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel. A committal graveside service will be conducted Monday, May 24, 2004, at 11 a.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so be visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Clark family. John W. Dunn BLOUNTVILLE – Calling hours for John W. Dunn will be Sunday, May 23, 2004, at East Lawn Funeral Home from 7-8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted in the chapel at 8:30 p.m., with Pastor Gene Lasley officiating. Graveside services will be conducted Monday May 24, 2004, at 10 a.m. in Tri-Cities Memory Gardens, Blountville. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons, Robert Dunn, Ronnie Dunn, Eric Dunn, Mike Dunn, Johnathan Dunn and Chris Lunsford. Family will receive friends any time at 257 Morelock St., Blountville. Please visit our Web site at www.mem.com to place a tribute or a condolence to the Dunn family. John W. Dunn passed away Friday, May 21, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House, Bristol Tennessee. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Dunn family. Virginia K. Gray ABINGDON – Mrs. Virginia Kathryn Gray, a resident of the Bethel Community, died Friday, May 21, 2004, at her residence. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va., and was a daughter of the late William Matthew McCall and Irene Watson McCall. She was a graduate of Bethel High School and the Mary Dalton Frye Secretarial School. Mrs. Gray was former employee of the Pet Milk Company, the Washington County Treasurer’s Office, Johnston Memorial Hospital and the Cumbo China Shop. Mrs. Gray was a longtime active member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church. She is survived by her husband, Curtis E. Gray; a daughter, Kitty Lynn Gray; three brothers, Bill McCall of Abingdon, Earl Ray McCall of Dover, Del., and Jimmy McCall of Mobile, Ala.; five sisters, Mary Mitchell of Abingdon, Ruth Tillison of Bristol Tennessee, Edith Brown of Sun Lakes, Ariz., Esther Rhodes of Brooksville, Fla., and Ann Snapp of Blountville, and 21 nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, May 24, 2004, at the Bethel Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Cathy Carpenter officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Casket bearers will be selected from friends of the family. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. The family would like to give special thanks to Mrs. Gray’s care givers, Eula Grant, her friends and neighbors. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Virginia Kathryn Gray. Robert E. Hamilton WISE – Funeral services for Robert Everette "Monk" Hamilton will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jim Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Wells Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Robert Everette "Monk" Hamilton, age 73, died Thursday, May 20, 2004, in Johnson City Medical Center. Juanita M. Hogston SALTVILLE – Mrs. Juanita Maiden Hogston, age 85, died Friday, May 21, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Hogston. Mrs. Hogston was the daughter of the late Rev. Frank and Callie Maiden. Mrs. Hogston was a member of the Cardwelltown Freewill Baptist Church and was well-known for her love of music, which she gladly shared with her many friends. Survivors: one sister, Nelda Maiden, Willow Spring, N.C. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and other close family and friends Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Juanita Maiden Hogston will be conducted at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2004, in the Elizabeth Cemetery, with the Rev. Bob Surber officiating. The family will receive friends from 3 till 5 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Garland Hogston, James Widener, Brian Lowery, Mike Lowery, Craig Maiden, Steve Dow, Terry Dow and Terry Warren. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Hogston family. Ovie Huffman WISE – Ovie Lorene Sanders Huffman, 89, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, May 22, 2004, at her home, with her family by her bedside. She was a loving mother and grandmother and loved by all who knew her. She will be sadly missed by all. She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie Aaron Huffman, her parents, Alfred and Josie Gilliam Sanders, and six brothers, Marvin Sanders, Delmar Sanders, Benson Sanders, Winfred Sanders, Lester Sanders and Earlin Sanders. Surviving are three daughters, Geraldine Wyatt and husband Tim of Konnarock, Va., Maxine Roberts and husband Larry of Petersburg, Va., and Charlotte Wyatt and husband Roger of Wise; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Goldie Rogers of Wise; one brother, Verlin Sanders of Wise; several nieces and nephews and a special care giver, Freida Lane of Wise. Funeral services for Ovie Lorene Sanders Huffman will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise. Burial and graveside committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 24, 2004, at the Sanders Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 till time of services at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise is in charge of arrangements. Earl S. James BRISTOL, Tenn. – Earl S. "Jack" James, age 72, of 13 Willow Circle, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2004, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. Mr. James was a native of Danville, Va. He had resided in Jacksonville, Fla., for 20 years, prior to moving back to Bristol one year ago. "Jack" was a son of the late Norman and Lucile Swain James. He was preceded in death by a brother, Art James. He was a member of the Fairmount Presbyterian Church, Bristol Tennessee. Mr. James served his tour of duty for his country from October 1952 to October 1954, as a general in the U.S. Army, during the Korean War, and he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a graduate of Tri-City Technical College and Dale Carnegie College. Mr. James was retired from his sales career in the insurance industry. "Jack" James is survived by two daughters, Belinda James of Bristol Virginia and Tabatha Bailey of Knoxville; four sons, Bruce James of Orlando, Fla., Alan James of Columbia, S.C., Earl A. James of Manchester, Ky., and Mark S. James of Bristol Tennessee; one sister, Mary Brandon of South Boston, Va.; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. There will be a private family memorial service for "Jack" James, with Dr. Bill Goforth and Pastor Jeff Seeger of Fairmount Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests, in "Jack’s" memory, donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, Tennessee Affiliate, 4205 Hillsboro Road, Suite 200, Nashville, TN 37215. Serving the Earl S. "Jack" James family is Snyder’s Funeral Home, Gray, Tenn., (423) 477-7911. Rozella P. Kendrick BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Rozella Page Kendrick will be conducted on Sunday, May 23, 2004, at 5 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Brent Ragan and Rev. Jerry Russell officiating. Committal services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include Cecil Watson, Dr. Brian Watson, Ralph Ragan Sr., Doug Moore, Rusty Moore, Joe W. Page, Adam Page, Jeremy Page, Dustin Page, Jim Urquhart, Jim Warren, Aaron Ragan, John Ragan, Ralph Ragan Jr., Charles Doug Moore, Todd Easterling, Eugene Coleman, Fred Wampler, Fred Tomlinson and Dr. Allen Tomlinson. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3-4:45 p.m., prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Rozella Page Kendrick, age 81, passed away on Friday, May 21, 2004, at NHC in Bristol Virginia. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Fredrick Meade HONAKER – Funeral services for Mr. Fredrick "Elmer Lee" Meade will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Evangelist Donna Johnson and Rev. Peerman Lester officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Sunday. Mr. Fredrick "Elmer Lee" Meade, age 74, of the Drill section, went to be home with the Lord on Friday, May 21, 2004, in a Lebanon hospital. Gaynell Miller SWORDS CREEK, Va. – Funeral services for Mrs. Gaynell "Nellie" Miller will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. David Perkins and Rev. Edward Dye officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Ricky Strouth, Nelson Hess, Lynn Hess, Mitchell Hess, Lee Saunders, Dean Miller, Anthony Miller, Vincent Miller, Dr. Scott Miller, David Van Buren and Rocky Ball. Mrs. Gaynell "Nellie" Miller, age 84, passed away Thursday, May 20, 2004, in a Lebanon nursing facility. Frank J. Phillips BRISTOL, Va. – Frank J. Phillips went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 22, 2004, after a brief illness. He was a lifelong resident of Bristol and a son of the late Albert Fred and Della Holt Phillips. He was an active member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church. Mr. Phillips was also preceded in death by his sister, Jane Bullock. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Violetta Farmer Phillips; a daughter and son-in-law, Renee and Emmett Dougherty of Kingsport; two grandchildren, Phillip and Rebekah Dougherty, also of Kingsport; a sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Paul Crowe of Blountville; a brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Eula Phillips of Richmond; a brother-in-law, Bill Bullock of Bristol Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, May 24, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Bob Jones officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Mountain View Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be nieces, nephews and men of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 p.m. Monday at Akard Funeral Home prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Euclid Avenue Baptist Church, 900 Euclid Ave., Bristol, VA 24201. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Phillips. Edward Lee Rasnake CLEVELAND, Va. – Edward Lee Rasnake, 92, died Friday, May 21, 2004, in the Maple Grove Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Lebanon. A lifelong resident of Russell County, he was born April 20, 1912, a son of the late Arnold Rasnake and the late Martha Murdach Rasnake. He was a coal miner, carpenter, avid outdoorsman and enjoyed gardening. He was the husband of the late Myrtle Puckett Rasnake, and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth E. Rasnake, a brother, John W. Rasnake, and a sister, Rausie Janosko. Survivors include two sons, Larry W. Rasnake and wife Pattie, Lebanon, and Roy E. Rasnake, Cleveland; two daughters, Shirley R. Owens and husband Tom and Janice L. Musick and husband Duane, also of Cleveland; two brothers, Eugene L. Rasnake, Lebanon, and Arnold Rasnake Jr., Kingsport; one sister, Ruby Richardson, Cleveland; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and a very special friend and care giver, Doris Helton. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the Maple Grove Health Care and Rehabilitation Center nursing staff. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 23, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. C.B. Helton officiating. The committal service and burial will be Monday, May 24, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon. Those attending should meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dave Smith, L.D. Blankenship, Jimmy Whited, Gary Fife, Rusty Ferguson, Johnnie Skeen and Kenneth Stevens. Odell Kiser will serve as honorary pallbearer. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Cleveland Life Saving Crew or the American Cancer Society, Relay-for-Life Team, (sponsored by) Cleveland Elementary School, Route 2, Box 221, Cleveland, VA 24225. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the Rasnake family. Nina Mae Stiltner GRUNDY – Nina Mae Wilkinson Stiltner, 75 years of age, of the Dave Branch section, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2004, at Clinch Valley Medical Center, Richlands, following an extended illness. Born in Pike County, Ky., she was a daughter of the late Harry and Virgie Blackburn Wilkinson. She had been a resident of the Grundy area most of her life and was a member of the Church of Christ. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and a homemaker. Mrs. Stiltner is survived by her husband, Algie K. Stiltner, Grundy. She is also survived by four daughters, Linda Ann Mayhorn, Grundy, Virgie Mae Stiltner, Grundy, Bernice Faye Stiltner, Grundy, and Mildred Charliece Stiltner, Grundy; four sons, David Luke Stiltner, Grundy, John Marlin Stiltner, Grundy, Anthony Charles Stiltner, Grundy, and Algie Paul Stiltner, Grundy; two brothers, Clem Wilkinson, Huntington, W.Va., and Jessie Wilkinson, Pikeville, Ky.; 11 grandchildren, Anthony Mayhorn, Linda Gail Justus, Eric Mayhorn, Sammy Mayhorn, Derek Mayhorn, Joshua Stiltner, Belinda Stiltner, Tonya Stiltner, Shana Blankenship, Mary Beth Owens and Debbie Keene; seven great-grandchildren, Billy Dewayne Justus, Savannah Mayhorn, Caroline Keene, Rhiana Blankenship, Alex Blankenship, Deezada and Nathaniel Chase Mayhorn; special cousin, James Earl Holloway, Adams County, Ohio and special friends, Robin Jackson, Grundy, and Lou Hill, Vansant, Va. She was preceded in death by one son, Mark Stiltner; one stepson, Mathew Stiltner; five sisters, Cleo Mullins Buckley, Margie N. Wilkinson, Fannie Banta, Mary A. Wilkinson and Abbie Wilkinson, and two brothers, Warren Wilkinson and one infant brother. Funeral services for Nina Mae Wilkinson Stiltner will be conducted Tuesday, May 25, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home, with Rev. Roscoe Rife, Evg. Rusty Owens and Cloyd Lester officiating, with burial to follow in the Stiltner Family Cemetery on Dave Branch, Grundy. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Sunday evening at 6 p.m., with services Sunday and Monday evenings at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Anthony Mayhorn, Eric Mayhorn, Sammy Mayhorn, Derek Mayhorn, Billy Justus, Chris Riddle, Darrell Stiltner, Mark Stiltner and Donnie Stiltner. Honorary pallbearers will be Pleas Stiltner, Buster Stiltner, Steve Riddle, Tommy Riddle, Hoot Dellinger, Jimmy Smith, Henry Farmer, Willie Mayhorn, Dr. J.N. Patel, Roger Coleman and Robert Smith. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Charlie G. Street RAVEN, Va. – Mr. Charlie G. Street, age 55, of Route 1, passed away Friday, May 21, 2004, at a Richlands hospital following an apparent heart attack. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Arthur Lee (Porchy) and Gracie Blankenship Street. He was of the Pentecostal faith. He is survived by three brothers, Chester Street and wife Patty of Lebanon, Alvie Street and wife Cathern of Stafford, Va., and Jerry Street and wife Betty of Richlands; two sisters, Mrs. Lilly Jane Cooper and husband Sherman of Stafford and Mrs. Brenda Mitchell and husband Laymon of Jewell Ridge, Va.; also several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, May 24, 2004, at 1 p.m. at the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain, Va., with Rev. Don Smith and Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Burial will follow in the Street Family Cemetery at Rowe, Va. Nephews and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Buchanan Funeral Service from 6 until 9 p.m. Sunday. Online condolences may be sent by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Buchanan Funeral Service is serving the Street family. M. Ann Widener ABINGDON – The funeral service for M. Ann Burke Widener will be conducted Sunday, May 23, 2004, at 4 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Joey Willis, Rick Fleenor, Bill Fleenor, Eric Widener, David Reynolds, J-Jay Murray, DeLana Jones, Ellis Belcher and Paul Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Curt Fleenor, George Kite, Dusty Kite, Jimmy Murray, Giles Burke, T.C. Tiller, B. J. Jenkins, Mark Reynolds and Corky Gobble. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Debbie Warwick, Route 1, Box 258 A1, Honaker, VA 24260. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. M. Ann Burke Widener, age 70, went to be with her Heavenly family, Thursday, May 20, 2004. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Widener family.