Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, June 30, 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, June 30, 2004 Nina Currin Barker, 86, Sugar Grove James C. Branson, 66, Bristol Tennessee Catherine E. Doss, 58, Bluff City Rodney A. Hord, 73, East Stone Gap Dewayne Laughlin, 37 Mildred Ours, 77, Green Cove, Va. Dorthea Elizabeth Rogers, 84 Bunnie R. Stallard, 89, Big Stone Gap John Burgess Tizen, 85, Claypool Hill, Va. Rubie Florence Short Yeary, 87, Coeburn Nina Currin Barker SUGAR GROVE, Va. – Nina Currin Barker, age 86, widow of Robert D. Barker, died Tuesday, June 29, 2004, in Smyth County Community Hospital. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Dwight and Mary Etta Barker of Chilhowie; one sister, Sue Skinner of Lynn, Mass.; two grandchildren, Christopher B. Barker of Sumter, S.C., and Scott A. Barker and wife, Marti of Navarre, Fla.; and one great-granddaughter, Neve Barker. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 1, 2004, at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Kenny Price officiating. Graveside services will be held Friday, July 2, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Ridgelawn Cemetery, Sugar Grove. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Wharf Hill United Methodist Church, 5522 Sugar Grove Highway, Sugar Grove, VA 24375. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Barker Family. James C. Branson BRISTOL, Tenn. – James C. "Jay" Branson, age 66, of 1063 Bethel Drive, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Born Jan. 8, 1938, he was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. He was a retired employee with the Virginia State Highway Department with 30 years of service and was a member of the Rock Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include: two children, Linda Bowers and husband, Michael and Stacy Branson and wife, Susie; three granddaughters, Amanda, Brittany and Emily; five brothers; three sisters; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Eddie Crusenberry and Rev. Tommy Tester officiating. Pallbearers will be friends. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bristol Dialysis, 1 Medical Park Blvd., Bristol, TN 37620. Special thanks to Theda Calhoun for her loving care. There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home. Virginia K. Cannon KINGSPORT – Mrs. Virginia Kestner "Gin" Cannon, age 80, went home to be with the Lord at 2:51 p.m. Sunday, June 27, 2004, at her residence following a brief illness. Born in Abingdon on Aug. 30, 1923, a daughter of the late Walter J. and Lottie Annis Gilmer Kestner, she had resided in this area since 1960, when they moved from Chicago. Gin was a member of the First Broad Street United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir. She volunteered at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center for 32 years. Gin was an avid golfer who achieved two hole-in-ones at Ridgefield Country Club. She will be remembered as a loving, caring and giving person with many friends left to miss her. Gin is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Robert Henry Cannon Jr. in 1996, and by three sisters. Survivors include one son, Robert H. "Bob" Cannon III of Denver, Colo.; one daughter, Patricia C. Bond of Kingsport; one sister, Cleo Donald of Abingdon; one grandson, James W. Bond III; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2004, at First Broad Street United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jack Edwards will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service and, at other hours, at her residence. It is suggested that those wishing may make memorial contributions to the First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660. Please visit us at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the Cannon Family. East Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Catherine E. Doss BLUFF CITY – Catherine E. Doss, age 58, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete. Weaver Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements. Polly Sue Gregory ABINGDON – A funeral service for Mrs. Polly Sue Gregory will be conducted Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Jerry Eggers officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Graham Gregory Jr., Elmer Greer Jr., Aaron Heath, Jamie Rust, Derek Stevenson and Tommy Large. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Ms. Polly Sue Gregory, age 73, died Saturday, June 26, 2004, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Gregory. Rodney A. Hord EAST STONE GAP, Va. – Rodney A. Hord, age 73, died suddenly as results from a lengthy illness at Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap, June 27, 2004. He was of the Methodist faith. He had lived in East Stone Gap the majority of his life. He graduated from East Stone Gap High School and served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a insurance adjuster for M.I.C. for many years and retired as manager of the Big Stone Gap Branch of the Department of Veterans Services. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ellen Hord and brothers, Dale and Danny Hord. Survivors: wife, Anne Rogers Hord, East Stone Gap; daughter, Vicky Jo Hord of the home; David Shuler of the home; niece and nephew, Pamela and Norman Hord, Houston; and special friend of the family, Joyce Rich. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, at Riverview Cemetery, East Stone Gap, with Rev. Jim Johnson officiating. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home at 1 p.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Stone Gap Cemetery Fund, c/o Randall Hicks, P.O. Box 162, East Stone Gap, VA 24246. Roy A. Green Funeral Home, Appalachia, is in charge of arrangements. Mary H. Kilgore DEARBORN, Mich. – Funeral services for Mary H. Kilgore will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 1, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Brother Russell 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. Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Kilgore family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Mary H. Kilgore, 76, died Saturday, June 26, 2004, at her home. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Dewayne Laughlin Dewayne Laughlin, 37, died unexpectedly Sunday afternoon, June 27, 2004, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Hal Haynes Laughlin and Neva June Laughlin, and his maternal grandfather, Frank Henry Amyx. Surviving are his mother, Glenda Amyx Travis, Kingsport; son, Delyan Dakota Laughlin; sister, Kawana Pierson and husband Steve, Kingsport; brothers, Anthony Laughlin and wife Sabrina and Clifton Laughlin and wife Sandra, all of Kingsport; grandmother, Elsie Christian Amyx, Kingsport; fiancee, Mary Carla Clark; nephews, Frankie Kiser Jr. and Dustin Trent; nieces, Ashley Kiser, Jessica Laughlin, Chyanne Laughlin and Kristin Trent, all of Kingsport; also several aunts, uncles and cousins. Calling hours are Wednesday, June 30, 2004, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport. Friends may also call any time at the residence of his sister, Kawana Pierson. Funeral services will be conducted in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at 8 p.m., with Evangelist Larry McAmis and Pastor Jackie Begley officiating. Music will be provided by the New Beginning Church of Jesus Christ Singers. Graveside services will be Thursday, July 1, 2004, at 1 p.m. at Ford Town Baptist Church Cemetery. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the funeral home by 11:30 a.m. Pallbearers will be Donnie Bingham, Dustin Trent, Dale Amyx, Johnny Hilton, Steve Pierson and Mike Baker. 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. Mildred Ours GREEN COVE, Va. – Mildred Ours, age 77, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at her residence. She was a native of Buckingham, Pa., and had lived in Bristol, Pa., before moving to Green Cove in May of 2003. She was the daughter of the late Thornton and Mary Wilson Carver. She was preceded in death by two sons, Lenny Ours and Gene Ours Jr. Mrs. Ours was retired from Hill Refrigeration in Trinton, N.J., and was member of the United Steel Workers of America. She is survived by her husband, Earl Gene Ours; four daughters, Elsie Schultz and Sharon Jobst, both of Fort Valley, Ga., Linda Schultz of Detroit and Kathy Ours, of Damascus; two sons, Raymond Powell, of Philadelphia and Benny Powell, of Detroit; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Fort Valley. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Mrs. Ours. Chastin Parker-Dotson MENDOTA, Va. – A graveside funeral service for Chastin James Parker-Dotson will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2004, in Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. William T. Arnold officiating. Those attending the funeral service are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 1:50 p.m. Wednesday. Those wishing to send messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Chastin (Chase) James Parker-Dotson, infant son of Jessica LeAnn Parker and Ricky Charles Dotson Jr., went to be with the Lord on June 26, 2004. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Chastin (Chase) James Parker Dotson. Gregory Pennington KONNAROCK, Va. – The funeral service for Staff Sgt. Gregory V. Pennington will be conducted at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at Holston High School, 21308 Monroe Road, Damascus, with Brother Tommy Tester, Rev. Greg Arnold and Rev. Jim Lundy officiating. Capt. Todd Cavalier will deliver a personal eulogy at the service. The family will receive friends immediately following the funeral service until 9 p.m. Wednesday at Holston High School. The Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard from Abingdon will stand guard during the funeral and visitation. The committal service and interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 1, 2004, at Azen Cemetery in Konnarock. The U.S. Army Honor Guard from Ft. Lee, Va., will present military rites and serve as pallbearers. The family, clergy, military honor guard and friends will all meet at Holston High School at 10 a.m. Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web page at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Staff Sgt. Gregory V. Pennington, age 36, of the 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st U.S. Cavalry Division, heroically entered into Heaven’s Kingdom on Monday, June 21, 2004, after a mortar attack on his camp, inside one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces in Baghdad, Iraq. Three additional soldiers in his unit also perished in the attack. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Staff Sgt. Gregory V. Pennington. Elizabeth Ramsey The committal service for Elizabeth "Betty" Josephine Fugate Howell Ramsey, will be conducted at 1 o’clock Wednesday afternoon in the Heritage Chapel of Memories Mausoleum in Mountain View Cemetery, Bristol Virginia, with Rev. Malcolm Wansley officiating. Pallbearers will be Richard Wolfer, Travis Rosenbaum, Jimmy Rosenbaum, Chris Rosenbaum, Maynard Hall and Norman Fugate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Reynolds Memorial United Methodist Church, History/Archives Committee, 327 Mary St., Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Elizabeth "Betty" Josephine Fugate Howell Ramsey, 77, formerly of 225 E. Valley Drive, Bristol, Va., died Saturday, June 26, 2004, at the Center for Aging and Health in Erwin, Tenn. Mrs. Ramsey and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Dorthea E. Rogers Dorthea Elizabeth Rogers, 84, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 28, 2004. She was born in Drill, Russell County, Va., a daughter of the late Nathan and Louise Harris Hale, and was the widow of her first husband, Forrest Venard Waldron, and her second husband, William Claude Rogers. She was also preceded in death by a son, Venard Waldron, a sister, Lola Ashworth, a brother, Jack Hale, and a grandson, Lance Anderson. She lived in Bartley, W.Va., for many years prior to moving to Bristol in 1976, and was of the Pentecostal faith. Survivors include three daughters, Rosetta Haga and Brenda Satnarine, both of Bristol, and Teresa Barrett of Bluff City; four sons, Robert Waldron and David Waldron, both of Cedar Bluff, and Darrell Waldron and Michael Rogers, both of Bristol; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Hazel Jordan of Bristol and Lassie Hale of Bluff City; three brothers, William Hale of English, W.Va., Don Hale of Bristol and Atlas Hale of Bluff City; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Thursday evening at Oakley- Cook Funeral Home, with the funeral service to follow at 8 o’clock. Pastors Chester Hurst, Johnny Kibby and Richard Bawgus will officiate. The committal service and burial will be at 1 o’clock Friday afternoon in Grandview Memorial Park in Bluefield, Va. Pallbearers will be grandsons John Waldron, Richie Waldron, Bobby Waldron, Les Barrett and Jeremy Waldron, great-grandson, Mark Muncey Jr. and grandson-in-law, Mickey Beal. The family gratefully acknowledges the support and ministry of the members of Tri-Cities Church of God in Piney Flats and the services of Earlene Haynes, Hospice nurse. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Rogers and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Effie W. Rogers BRISTOL, Va. – Effie E. Wheeler Rogers, age 90, of 113 Crockett St., went to be with her Lord, Monday, June 28, 2004, at her residence. She was born March 16, 1914, in Boone, N.C., a daughter of the late Noah and Melzonia Tripplett Wheeler. She had lived in the Bristol most of her life. She was a former employee of Pippin Florist, a member of the Higher Ground Fellowship, the widow of Chester W. Rogers and was the last surviving member of her family of 12 children. Survivors include: her children, Jay C. Rogers, Joyce Reynolds and husband, Russell and Wanda Lawson and husband, Woody; five grandchildren; two great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Phil Kestner officiating. The committal will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Glenwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the Weaver Funeral Home or other times at the home on Crockett Street. Bunnie R. Stallard BIG STONE GAP – Bunnie R. Stallard, 89, died here Monday, June 28, 2004, following a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Harley T. Stallard; and two infant children. Mrs. Stallard was a retired elementary school teacher and a talented seamstress. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Big Stone Gap and of the Northside Baptist Church, Dade City, Fla. Surviving are sons, Harley T. Stallard Jr. of Hartsville, Tenn., Robert Stallard of Christiansburg, Va., Michael Stallard of Sacramento, Calif., and Larry Stallard of Mt. Sterling, Ky.; daughters, Anita Dorton of Jonesborough, Tenn., Nancy Wampler of Big Stone Gap and Addie Crawley of Catawba, Va.; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Mrs. Stallard is also survived by sisters, Butis Bledsoe of Brooksville, Fla., and Kasel Westbrook of Dade City, Fla.; and a brother, Vermland Robinette of Brooksville. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Friday at Holding Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in the Holding Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Robert Cornwell officiating. Burial will follow in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Activities Department, Grace Healthcare and Rehab Center, 600 Wallen Road, Abingdon, VA 24210, Attn: Violet Moore. Holding Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap, is in charge. John Burgess Tizen CLAYPOOL HILL, Va. – John Burgess Tizen, age 85, passed away Friday, June 25, 2004, at Clinch Valley Medical Center from a long illness. Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Pete and Gussie Tizen. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Virgil and Fred Tizen. Mr. Tizen was a graduate of Richlands High School and a member of the First United Methodist Church in Richlands. He served in the U.S. Army and was a retired coal operator. He was a former manager of the Richlands Airport and the owner of the Merry T Stables in Tazewell, Va., where he owned and showed American Saddlebreds and Walking Horses. Mr. Tizen was also a licensed pilot and a commissioned Kentucky Colonel. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Madeline; son, John G. Tizen of Wardell, Va.; and daughter, Mary Lawson and husband Doug of Claypool Hill. He is also survived by his granddaughters, Natalie DeVries and husband Garth of Annapolis, Md.; Lesley Lawson of Chicago and Lauren Lawson of Knoxville, Tenn. At his request, Mr. Tizen was cremated. Family and friends will gather for a memorial service to celebrate his life on Thursday, July 1, 2004, at 2 p.m. The service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Suffolk Avenue, Richlands, with Reverend David Brannock officiating. Those who wish may send memorial gifts to the American Cancer Society Ride for Life Horse Show, 670 Cresswood Drive, Richlands, VA 24641. Owens Funeral Service & Cremation Services, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements. Rubie Yeary COEBURN – Rubie Florence Short Yeary, 87, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2004, in the Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Big Stone Gap, Va. She was a member of the Flatwoods Freewill Baptist Church, a retired merchant, and was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Swanson Yeary Sr.; a son, Claude Swanson Yeary Jr.; a grandson, Claude Swanson Yeary II; a great-grandson, Trey Caldwell III; and a daughter-in-law, Greata Yeary. Surviving are four sons, William and his wife, Betty Yeary, Johnny Yeary Sr. and his companion, Linda Miller, Dennis and his wife, Emma Yeary Sr., all of Coeburn, and David and his wife, Sherry of Wise; a daughter, Patricia Y. Stallard of Knoxville, Tenn.; a daughter-in-law, Gwen Martin Yeary of Norton; a brother, William Vernon and his wife, Stella Short of Coeburn; two sisters, Mrs. Robert L. (Lena) Lawson and Mrs. Frank (Vina) Sands, both of Coeburn; 23 grandchildren; 32 great- grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, July 1, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with Pastor Jerry Hayes officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, in charge of arrangements.