Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, June 26, 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 26, 2004 Today's Deaths Opal Gaynell Cruey, 70, Raven, Va. Inez P. Drake, 78, Morristown, Tenn. Ruth Johns Reedy Fletcher, 88 Sylvia Katz Gaylor, 79, Bristol Tennessee Dorothy Horn, 78, Cedar Bluff Tammy Sperow Kiser, Bristol Virginia Billy Ray Lyons, 72, Doran, Va. Justine Netherland, 83 Robert E. Reedy Sr., 57, Mountain City, Tenn. Marvin Eugene Thomas, 69, Bristol Tennessee Mary Frances Ager The funeral service for Mary Frances Ager will be conducted at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon, June 27, 2004, in the Mausoleum Chapel in Mountain View Cemetery, with Rev. Larry Stallard, Rev. Tom Holliday and Dr. Kyle Barr officiating. Burial will follow the service. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mary Frances Ager, 81, passed away Monday, June 21, 2004, at Oak Crest Care Center, Baltimore. Mrs. Ager and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Shirley H. Bishop ALVARADO, Va. – The funeral service for Shirley H. Bishop will be conducted at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 2004, at the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Larry Bales and Rev. Howard Campbell officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery, Alvarado. Pallbearers will be Henry Baumgardner, Glenn Baumgardner, Howard Harless, Dave Sweet, Joe Reagan and Richard White. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Sweet, Wayne Bishop and Emmitt Lloyd. The family would like to express special thanks to the staff of the Cambridge House, Bristol Tennessee. The family will receive friends from 2-3:45 p.m. Saturday prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Shirley H. Bishop, age 74, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol Tennessee. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Bishop. Shirley Lee Chappell BLOUNTVILLE – The funeral service for Shirley Lee Chappell will be conducted at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, June 26, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Scott Watson and Rev. Larry Stallard officiating. The committal service and interment will follow at East Lawn Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ritchie Phillips, Don Whitaker, Jason Denton, Michael Whiteman, Kevin Whiteman and Buddy Bates. Honorary pallbearers will be Jason Bates, Fred Wagner, Howard Fox, Earl Tolliver, Ray Grant and William C. Folkner. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial gifts to Sullivan County Library, P.O. Box 510, Blountville, TN 37617. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Shirley Lee Chappell, 72, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 23, 2004, at Johnson City Medical Center after a brief illness. Mrs. Chappell and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Opal Gaynell Cruey RAVEN, Va. – Miss Opal Gaynell Cruey, age 70, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Born in Raven, she was the daughter of the late Melvin George and Caulbert Palmer Cruey. She attended the Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church. Miss Cruey was an avid gardener. She is survived by two devoted sisters, Mary Frances Cruey and Meldie Juanita Cruey, both of Raven, and several aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Elder Ben Combs and Elder Ked Stacey officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Jason Ball, Keith Ball, Ted McGlothlin, David Short, Buford Short, Morrison Short and Curtis Salyers Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. James Lesnett, Frazier White, Dr. L.Z. Claustro, Chester Smith, Dr. Jose Piriz, Arnold Short, Dr. Naeem A. Qazi, Curtis Salyers, Manuel McGlothlin, Clyde Griffith and Clyde S. Smith. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Cruey family. Inez P. Drake MORRISTOWN, Tenn. – Inez P. Drake, age 78, went to be with the Lord June 24, 2004. She professed her faith in Christ as a young child and was a faithful member of Montvue Baptist Church. After the death of her spouse in 1983, she lived in Mountain City, Tenn., Knoxville and Myrtle Beach, S.C., before moving to Morristown three years ago. She was preceded in death by both parents, her husband, Earney Lee Drake, brothers, Edward Cleveland Parks Jr., Herman Parks and James Parks, sister, Floretta Sandell, and two infant siblings. Survivors: sons, Ronald G. Drake (Nancy) of Mountain City, Dennis A. Drake (Beverly) of Myrtle Beach and Terry Drake (Molly) of Knoxville; daughter, Cyndie Lawson (Vernon) of Morristown; grandchildren, Debra Drake, Vicki Sanford, Ronald Buddy Drake Jr., Leigh Sonneborn, Casey Peer, Brandy Kim, Asa Drake, Brooke Story, Zoyia Drake, Sarah Vaughn Wolfe, Joshua Vaughn and Paul Lawson; 10 great- grandchildren; sisters, Frankie Haynes and Sue Holmes; brother, Allen Parks, and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 4 p.m. Sunday at Montvue Baptist Church, with Rev. Leroy Davis officiating. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Mountain City. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the church prior to the services. Honorary pallbearers will be men of Montvue Baptist Church. The family wishes to express thanks and gratitude to the fourth-floor nursing staff and CCU nurses at Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare, physicians, Dr. Raymond Lowry, Dr. Harsha Shantha, Dr. Chaitanya Shah and her devoted church family at Montvue Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Montvue Baptist Church, 305 Inman St., Morristown, TN 38713. Mayes Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Ruth Fletcher Ruth Johns Reedy Fletcher, 88, passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2004, in the Middlesboro Health Care Facility. She was born March 8, 1916, in Bell County, Ky. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Johns, one sister, two brothers, her first husband, Herman E. Reedy, and her second husband, Edwin Fletcher. She is survived by one son, Kyle (Barbara) Reedy of Bristol Tennessee; two grandchildren, Lisa Reedy, Durham, N.C., and Chris Reedy, Phoenix; one sister, Madge (Albert) Earle, Middlesboro; one sister-in-law, Jackie Johns of Acworth, Ga., and nieces and nephews. She was a longtime member of East Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church and loved and respected by those who knew her. Funeral services will be held June 26, at 2 p.m. at Shumate Funeral Home, with the Rev. Stephen Earle and Rev. Brian Smith. Special music will be by Eddie Shelton. Burial will follow the service in the Green Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the funeral. In lieu of flowers, memorial can be made to the East Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church Brotherhood, East Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church, East Cumberland Avenue, Middlesboro, KY 40965. Shumate Funeral Home is in charge. Guest book at www.shumatefuneralhome.com. Sylvia Katz Gaylor BRISTOL, Tenn. – Dr. Sylvia Katz Gaylor, age 79, died suddenly just two days after her 79th birthday on June 24, 2004. Her husband of 35 years, Dr. Walter Gaylor, passed away seven months earlier. Sylvia was born in New Jersey to Grynia and Shalom HaKohen Katz and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. She received her undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College, a master’s degree from University of Illinois, and then, while teaching science and history in high schools in New York City, she earned her PhD in history at New York University. Her area of expertise was early twentieth century American diplomatic history. In 1968, Sylvia married Dr. Walter Gaylor and moved to Bristol Tennessee. Sylvia was an associate professor of history at East Tennessee State University for 15 years, sharing her love of history with future teachers. For many years, Sylvia had been researching Southern Jewish history. Sylvia was an active member of the B’Nai Sholom Congregation of Bristol Tennessee. Sylvia also enjoyed the comments and company of her women’s book club and the Three Arts Club. Friends and family will remember Sylvia’s devotion to those she loved. Dr. Gaylor is survived by a brother, George Katz of Bristol Virginia, and numerous cousins in both the U.S. and Israel. Graveside services will be held Sunday, June 27, 2004, at noon in the B’Nai Sholom Congregation Cemetery, corner of Bradley and Floyd Streets, in Bristol Virginia, with Rabbi Brian Nevins-Goldman officiating. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Dr. Sylvia Katz Gaylor’s memory be sent to B’Nai Sholom Congregation, 2510 Highway 126, Bristol, TN 37620. 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 Dr. Gaylor. Fredrick R. Greer Mr. Fredrick Roscoe Greer went to rest with the Lord on June 24, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Medical Center. He was born in Smyth County to Fred and Margie Harris Greer on May 10, 1921. He lived most of his life in Smyth County before moving to Mendota to be near his wife and son. Mr. Greer served in World War II. He worked for Olin Mathieson and retired from J.O. Lively Construction Company. Mr. Greer was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, James Early and John William Greer, and brother, Elgin Greer. Survivors: his wife of 63 years, Maryville "Duck" Greer of NHC Health Care of Bristol Virginia; one son and daughter-in-law, Floyd Dickie and Mildred Greer of Mendota; two grandchildren, Terri and husband Scott Brewer of Bristol Virginia and Jerry and wife Angie Greer of Johnson City; two great-grandchildren, Karri Wright and Jarod Brewer of Bristol Virginia; one brother, Leonard "Buck" Greer and wife Elvie of Rock Falls, Ill.; six sisters, Irene and husband Harold Wilson of Saltville, Louise Hicks of Saltville, Mary Blevins and Mayble Prator of Atkins, Va., Lois "Tinker" Cannon of Chilhowie and Erma and husband Wallace Blevins of Chilhowie, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Greer will be conducted at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home, with Rev. Mike Halsey and Rev. Carl Young officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday at Riverside Cemetery in Rich Valley, with military rites by Saltville VFW Post 7328. The family will receive friends after the funeral service Sunday evening or may visit at the home of Irene and Harold Wilson at 462 Valley Road in Saltville at any time. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Marcus Williams, Dr. T.C. Greene, Dr. Kennedy and the nurses in the ICU Unit 3rd floor at Wellmont Hospital in Bristol. D. R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Greer family. Dorothy Horn CEDAR BLUFF – Mrs. Dorothy (Dot) Horn, age 78, passed away Thursday, June 24, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Born in Russell County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Myrah Perkins. She was a member of the Faith in Christ Freewill Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Horn, her son, Danny Perkins, two sisters, Magaleen McGlothlin and Stella Juanita Saul, and two brothers, Lance Perkins and Ruley Mickles. She is survived by one grandson, Wesley Perkins of Cedar Bluff; one granddaughter, Tanya Hess of Bandy, Va.; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Calen Hess, Takeesha and Billy Jean Perkins; two sisters, Mrs. McKinley (Kathleen) Boyd of Swords Creek, Va., and her twin sister, Mrs. Clarence (Thelma) Hess of Swords Creek; special sister-in-law, Thelma Osborne of Raven, Va., and former daughter-in-law, Brenda McReynolds of Cedar Bluff. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, June 28, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Roy Wilson and Rev. Robert Tiller officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Horn family. Tammy Sperow Kiser BRISTOL, Va. – Tammy Sperow Kiser died Thursday, June 24, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. She was born in Wise, daughter of the late Harold Sperow. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Kiser. She is survived by two sons, Mickey Phillips Jr. of Clinchco, Va., and Harold Eugene Phillips of Dante, Va.; mother and stepfather, Patsy and Paul Bloodgood of Clinchco; three brothers, Paul Sperow of Castlewood, Kendall Sperow of Hazel Park, Mich., and Terry Sperow of Trammel, Va.; maternal grandmother, Emma Smith of Clintwood; two grandchildren, Anna Smith and Austin Phillips, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Tammy Sperow Kiser will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, June 27, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Arville Dingus officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. A song service will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday. Online condolences may be sent to the Kiser family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Billy Ray Lyons DORAN, Va. – Mr. Billy Ray Lyons, age 72, passed away Friday, June 25, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. Born May 4, 1932, in Stoneghee, Va, he was the son of the late John Wesley and Ethel Mae Lyons. He was a member of the First Christian Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Patsy Gail Lyons, and one sister, Lois Fay Lyons. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lillie Mae Puckett Lyons; three sons, Steve Lyons and wife Nancy of Richlands, Billy Ray Lyons and wife Donna of Lake May, Fla., and Chuck Lyons of the home; two grandchildren, Stephen Hayden Lyons and Grayson Hunter Lyons; three brothers, John Wesley Lyons of Bluefield, Va., Eugene E. Lyons of Richlands and Bobby Joe Lyons of Baptist Valley, Va., and one sister, Peggy Lowe of Paintlick, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff. Burial will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Pallbearers will be James Ralph Cordle, Gene Lyons, Bobby Lyons, Scottie Proffitt, Dewey Puckett and Gary Drake. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Lyons family. Justine Netherland The "Jubilee Express" pulled into Heaven’s gates Thursday, June 24, 2004, and unloaded its latest passenger, Mary Justine Harr Netherland. She was joyfully welcomed by her husband, Harry Netherland, her mother and father, James E. and Martha Harr, her sister, Hazel Simerly, and three brothers, Henry Harr, Grady Harr and James Robert (J.R.) Harr, who had gone on before her. Three smaller brothers had only done a short stint on earth and had been there since birth. Mrs. Netherland had an 83-year-long journey. She was the matriarch of her family, who totally enjoyed life, never knew a stranger and had deep concern for the needs of others. She worked 40 years at Tennessee Eastman Company here on earth, but now takes up her new position to sing in Heaven’s choir. Her training for her new job came from her membership at Adams Chapel Church, where she had belonged for many years. Still to complete their journey are her sisters, Sara Tomlinson, Atlanta, and Lola Mae Haney, Leonora Woods and her twin, Pauline Templeton, all of Blountville; her brothers, Haskell Harr, Blountville, and Charles Harr and John Harr, both of Kingsport; 22 nieces and nephews and 40 great-nieces, great- nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews. Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport. Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Steve Gott and Rev. Millard Johnson officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at Gunning Cemetery. Nephews and great-nephews will serve as pallbearers. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Adams Chapel Church. Bob Reedy Sr. MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. – Bob Reedy Sr., age 57, of 1168 South Shady St., Apartment 111, passed away at his residence on June 24, 2004, following an extended illness. A native of Damascus, he was born on March 20, 1947, to the late Velma "Peg" Reedy. In addition to his mother, Bob was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Fiera Morrison. Bob was a former carpenter. He enjoyed reading and watching old television Westerns. He was of the Baptist faith. Bob is survived by his wife, Pauline Canter Reedy of the home; five daughters, Brenda Morrison of Abingdon, Teresa Matthews and Tammy Catron, both of Taylorsville, N.C., and Debbie Triplett and Connie Arnold, both of Mountain City; three sons, Bobby Reedy of Taylorsville, Jeff Smith-Reedy of Lebanon and Bo Atwood of Mountain City; sister-in-law, Helen Reedy; one brother, Roger Reedy, both of Damascus; 14 grandchildren; special grandson, Dwayne Reedy; two nieces, Robin Reedy and Cavender Reedy; special friends, Johnny "Cracker" Brown and Oacrie Reedy. Funeral services for Bob will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2004, from the Hux-Lipford Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Roger Boyer to officiate. Graveside services and interment will follow in the Arnold Cemetery, Trade, Tenn. Active pallbearers will be Art Morrison, Mike Matthews, Greg Brown, Wink Arnold, Jerry Shelar and Colt Greer. Honorary pallbearers are Mark Triplett, Bronson Triplett, Bobby Reedy, Bo Atwood, Jeff Reedy and Dwayne Reedy. Family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, June 26, 2004, at the Hux-Lipford Funeral Home. At other times, friends may call at the residence. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.hux-lipford.com. Hux-Lipford Funeral Home is serving the Reedy family. Marvin E. Thomas BRISTOL, Tenn. – Marvin Eugene " Slick" Thomas, age 69, of 1320 Broad St., passed away Thursday, June 24, 2004, in the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home.