Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, June 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 Saturday, June 19, 2004 Today's Deaths Nola Ann Countiss Austin, 94, Pound Robert Henry Berger, 70, Lebanon Linda June Brewer, 50, Bristol Virginia Terry Bart Estep, 47, Marion Stella Elizabeth Leonard, 88, Bristol Tennessee General Lafayette Riddle, 79, Bristol Virginia Ruth Phelps Slaughter, 91 Jessie James Stanley, 24, Haysi Ollie W. Sykes, 63, Abingdon Nola Austin POUND – Nola Ann Countiss Austin, 94, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at Norton Community Hospital, with her family by her side. She was a merchant and operated Bargain City Furniture from 1957 until her retirement. Nola was a former member of the Pound Eastern Star and of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Austin was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Cindy (Mullins) Countiss, her husband, George Fields Austin Jr., an infant son, Arthur E. Austin, and a brother, M.L. Countiss. Survivors include son, G.F. Austin and wife Jeanne, Pound; sister, Audrey Branham, Richmond; one nephew; four nieces; a host of friends and loved ones to mourn her passing; grandchildren, Mitch Austin and wife Eula, Norton, and Medina Stanley and husband, Jimmy, Pound; great-grandchildren, Sarah Austin, Nickolas Austin, Rachel Austin, Carissa Collier, Jessica Stanley and Kimberly Stanley, and great-great-grandchild, Alex Collier. Services will be 1 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2004, in Sadie Baker Memorial Chapel, Baker Funeral Home, with Reverend Bruce Pilkenton officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Interment will be in Bolling Cemetery, Pound. Calling hours 6-8 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004, in Baker Funeral Home, Pound. Baker Funeral Home, Pound, is entrusted with the care of Nola Austin. Juanita F. Basham GRAY, Tenn. – The funeral service for Juanita Freeman Basham will be conducted at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, June 19, 2004, Mausoleum 4, at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Va., with Elders Unice Davis, Aaron Williams, Chad Crawford and Carl Campbell officiating. The committal service at the graveside will follow, with Elder James Moore officiating. Pallbearers will be Gregory Kilgore, Greg "Chip" Bledsoe, Elder Keith Bowers, Phil Flanary, Dentis Sturgill and Lundy Campbell. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Hope Regular Primitive Baptist Church, c/o Linda Brooks, 109 Edgewood Drive, Gray, TN 37615. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- cook.com. Juanita Freeman Basham, 66, passed away Thursday, June 17, 2004, at her residence. Mrs. Basham and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Edward G. Beattie BRISTOL, Va. – Memorial mass for Mr. Edward G. Beattie will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004, at the St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Bristol Virginia. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Edward G. Beattie, age 86, died May 5, 2004, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Robert Henry Berger LEBANON – Robert Henry (Bob) Berger, 70, died Thursday, June 17, 2004, at his home. Born Dec. 29, 1933, in Passaic, N.J., a son of the late Joseph Berger and the late Maria Magdaline Bertram Berger, he had lived in Princeton, N.J., and Lynchburg, Va., moving to Lebanon one year ago. He was a veteran, with 22 years service in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army in Korea, U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam and Air Force in Vietnam, retiring as a staff sergeant. He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in- law, Fronia Ramsey. Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Marie Ramsey Berger, Lebanon; one son, Bobby LeValley Berger, Lebanon; two stepdaughters, Tina Marie LeValley and Bonnie Denise Spencer, both of Lynchburg; three daughters, Kathleen Lewis, Mechanicville, Md., Kristine Stephens, Westport, N.Y., and Karla Forcier, Elizabethton, N.J.; five granddaughters and one brother, Richard Berger, Kisslinnelon, N.J. The funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 20, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with Rev. Donny Ray officiating. Pallbearers will be J.D. Ramsey, Gene Ramsey, Ray Bradley, Gary Trent, John L. Long and Dennis Ramsey. Military rites will be conducted by Lebanon VFW Post 9864. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2004, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Berger. Linda June Brewer BRISTOL, Va. – Linda June Brewer, 50, passed away on Friday, June 18, 2004. She was born in Russell County, Va., on June 23, 1953, to the late Wallace and Donne Alice Grizzle Breeding. She was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, her sister, Mary Alice Boothe, also preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Daniel Brewer, and one son, James Brewer, both of Bristol Virginia; brother and sister-in-law, Stanley W. and Mary Breeding of Castlewood; sister, Gladys Swartfigure of Chandler, Ariz.; brothers-in-law, Ronnie (Hippie) Brewer and Stanley Brewer, and sister-in-law, Diane Brewer, all of Bristol Virginia, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, June 20, at 2:00 p.m. at the Grizzle Family Cemetery in the Eagle’s Nest Branch section of Russell County, with Rev. Harold Shortridge officiating. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday after 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements. Terry Bart Estep MARION – Terry Bart Estep, age 47, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2004 in Knoxville. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion. Stella E. Leonard BRISTOL, Tenn. – Stella Elizabeth Leonard, age 88, passed away Friday, June 18, 2004, in the Bristol Nursing Home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. James Sylvester Mabe RICHLANDS – Funeral services for Mr. James Sylvester Mabe will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Ethel Watson and Rev. Danny Bostic officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. M.J. Thakkar and Dr. M.V. Pillai. Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands and Disabled American Veterans Tazewell County Chapter 31 will conduct military graveside rites. Mr. James Sylvester Mabe, age 75, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, June 17, 2004, at a Richlands hospital, following a lengthy illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Vera Lee Moore Vera Lee Moore, 89, died Thursday, June 17, 2004, at Cambridge House. She was born in St. Paul, Va., a daughter of the late John W. and Della Castle Moore, and moved to Bristol in 1930. She was formerly employed by Big Jack Manufacturing Company and was co-owner and operator of Parkway Restaurant until 1973. She was a member of the First Assembly of God, where she held various offices of leadership. She was preceded in death by a sister, Eula Moore Keesee, and three brothers, Carson Moore, Ralph Moore, and Buford Moore. Survivors include a sister, Rebecca M. Shaw, wife of the late Ned Shaw, of Bristol Tennessee; two brothers, Fred Moore and his wife Bootsie of Salem, Va., and Don Moore and his wife Lois of Bristol Tennessee, and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Monday evening, June 21, 2004, in the sanctuary of the First Assembly of God, with the funeral service to follow at 8 o’clock. Pastor Jeff Carrico will officiate. The family and friends will meet at the church at 10:30 Tuesday morning to go in procession to Mountain View Cemetery for an 11 o’clock committal service. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Miss Moore and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Earl Edward Price BRISTOL, Tenn. – Earl Edward Price, age 70, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2004, at his home. He was born on July 6, 1933, a son of the late Samuel and Verlie Price. He was a resident of the Bristol area most of his life and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include wife, Sally Price; son, David Edward Price, Bristol Tennessee; four daughters, Tammy Poche, Darlene Holland and Tracey Lacher, all of Bristol Tennessee, and Charlene Price, Bristol Virginia; four sisters; two brothers; several nieces and nephews; 19 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2004, at the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Paul Mays officiating. The committal will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Richard Poche, David Price, Nelson Price, Robert Price, Eric Lacher and Ricky Poche. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. General L. Riddle BRISTOL, Va. – General Lafayette Riddle, age 79, of 512 Floyd St., passed away Friday, June 18, 2004, in his residence. Mr. Riddle was born on July 19, 1924, in Gary, W.Va., to the late Charlie and Phebe Yates Riddle. He had lived in the Bristol area for the past 35 years. Mr. Riddle is survived by his wife, Myrtle Riddle; one son, Tommy Riddle of Fredricksburg, Va.; one daughter, Margaret Ann Tollman of Texas; two brothers, Lawrence Riddle of West Jefferson, N.C., and Paul Riddle of Furm, Va., and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Riddle’s body will be cremated, and a private graveside service will be held at a later date in the Sulpher Springs Cemetery in Chilhowie, with Evangelist Mike Rife officiating. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ella Sue Shortridge ROWE, Va. – Funeral services for Mrs. Ella Sue Shortridge will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Jeff Justice and Sister Kathy Cantrell officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Pallbearers will be Rusty Deel, Keith Bevins, Rusty Shortridge, Seth Shortridge, Ralph Shortridge Jr. and Bobby L. Terry Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Terry, Timmy Shortridge, Chris Campbell, Chester Rowe, Johnny Rowe, Brian Shortridge, Herb Jamison, Buddy Campbell, Mikie Shortridge, Steven Davis and Brad Davis. Mrs. Ella Sue Shortridge, age 65, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2004, in a Lebanon hospital. Ruth Slaughter Ruth Phelps Slaughter, 91, formerly of the Rock Springs community of Kingsport, passed into eternal rest Friday morning, June 18, 2004, at Appalachian Christian Village in Johnson City. A native of Bristol Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late W.H. and Alice Smith Phelps. Mrs. Slaughter was a member of the Rock Springs Methodist Church. She had worked as a bookkeeper at Sobel’s Men’s Store, where she met her husband. She was preceded in death by her husband, L.V. (Buck) Slaughter (1991), two brothers, W.H. Phelps Jr. and James Phelps of Bristol, and two sisters, Eula Phillips and Minnie Lee Payton of Bristol. A devoted and giving mother and grandmother, she is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Steve Neas, Johnson City; a son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Kathy Slaughter, Johnson City; a daughter-in-law, Terri Slaughter, Kingsport; grandchildren, Amanda, Sara and Nicholas Buck Slaughter of Kingsport, Rob Boone of Johnson City and Steven Neas of Knoxville; great-grandchildren, Nevaeh Slaughter and Cody Porter of Kingsport;. one sister, Jayne Seaver of Bristol Virginia; two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Phelps of Bluff City and Geneva Phelps of Bristol Virginia; also several nieces and nephews and her devoted friends, Ruth Sturgill and Jackie Staten. A special thank you is sent to the staff of Appalachian Christian Village for carrying out their mission of kind and compassionate care. Calling hours are Sunday, June 20, 2004, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport. Funeral service will be conducted Sunday, June 20, 2004, at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel, with Dr. Ed Dillowe officiating. Burial will be immediately following the funeral service at Tri-City Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Lifeline Program, c/o Mountain States Foundation, 1021 W. Oakland Ave., Suite 100, Johnson City, TN 37604, or the Cemetery Fund of Rock Springs Methodist Church, 227 Churchview Dr., Kingsport, TN 37664. Condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail at cartertrentfh@earthlink.net. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is in charge of arrangements. Jessie James Stanley HAYSI – Jessie James "J.J." Stanley, age 24, died at Dickenson Community Hospital on Thursday, June 17, 2004. He is survived by his parents, Bobby Gene and Wanda Lee Stanley, Clintwood; his biological mother, Debra Lynn Goldsmith, Charleston, S.C.; his girlfriend, Shannon Stevens, Haysi; daughter, Ariel Grace Stanley of the home; two brothers, Robert Gene Stanley, Clintwood, and Jody Bill Hammons of Charleston; one sister, Sharon Kay Stanley, Clintwood; a special uncle, Curt Fleming, and Jeremey Stanley, his best friend and cousin. Funeral services for Jessie James "J.J." Stanley will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday from the Clintwood Funeral Home Chapel, with Minister Lynn Vanover officiating. Additional graveside services will be Monday at 11 a.m. from the Hill Ridge Cemetery, Route 1, Clintwood. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. on Sunday. Pallbearers are Glenn Stanley, David Lee Stanley, Bobby Ray Stanley, Curt Fleming, Carter Fleming, Printess Stanley and Jeff Keith. The funeral procession will leave from the Clintwood Funeral Home Monday at 10:30 a.m. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Ollie W. Sykes ABINGDON – Ollie W. Sykes, 63, passed away Thursday, June 17, 2004. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Farris Funeral Services.