Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 2, 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 Friday, July 2, 2004 Today's Deaths Clinton Blankenship, 72, Grundy Thomas Eugene Davis, 60, Meadowview Kenneth Wayne Geiger, 41, Bristol Tennessee Bobby Franklin Harrison, 12, Blountville Georgia Geneva Vance Jones, 79, Bristol Tennessee Grady A. Luna, 81, Bristol Virginia Robert Hurley Reedy, 83, Richlands Flora Gross Robinson, 84, Marion Marvin O. Rolen, 68, Wise Susan Spiker Sesco, 44, Marion Howard Horton Sword, 79, Lebanon Junior Ball Graveside services for Junior "Clyde" Ball will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 2, 2004, at the National Cemetery in Mountain Home, Tenn., with the Rev. Lawrence Stout officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the National Guard Troop F, 2/278 ACR Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Weaver Funeral Home. Junior "Clyde" Ball, age 75, of Greystone Healthcare, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 30, 2004. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Clinton Blankenship GRUNDY – Clinton Blankenship, 72 years of age, of the Little Prater area, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, following an extended illness. Born in Dickenson County, Va., he was a son of the late King Solomon and Sis Coleman Blankenship. He had been a resident of Buchanan County most of his life, a graduate of Grundy High School and was of the Regular Baptist faith. Mr. Blankenship was a veteran of the Korean War, serving with the 3rd Armored Combat Battalion and remained in the Army Reserve until his honorable discharge on June 11, 1960. He was a retired employee of Harman Mining Corporation, with 36 years of service, a member of the United Mine Workers of America District 2028 and a member of the John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion. He will be missed by his family and friends. Mr. Blankenship is survived by his wife of 47 years, Shelby Deel Blankenship of Grundy. Survivors also include two daughters, Annette and husband Arthur "Skip" Boyer, Grundy, and Shelia and husband Allen Long, Manassas, Va.; three sons, Gary and wife Delores Blankenship, Honaker, Ferlin and wife Kathy Blankenship, Abingdon, and Ricky and wife Treva Blankenship, Hoytville, Ohio; four sisters, Opal Jackson, Harman, Va., Pauline Baker, Warren, Mich., Ollie Blankenship, Bristol Virginia, and Imal Eichler, Bristol Virginia, and two brothers, Earnest Blankenship, Vansant, Va., and Buford Mullins, Harman. Also, he is survived by six grandchildren, Scottie Long, Michelle Cappel, Carla Ball, Samantha Nicole Ball, Taylor-Jo Blankenship and Clinton Allen Blankenship, and three great- grandchildren, Anthony Blake Hurley, Alexis Michelle Cappel and Amanda Brooke Cappel. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ethel Deel and Eula Fay Hill, and one brother, Lawrence Blankenship. Funeral services for Clinton Blankenship will be conducted Saturday, July 3, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Elders Frank Newsome, David O’Quinn, Toby Bailey, Billy Campbell, William McClanahan, Roger Coleman, Howard Daniels, Mike Justice and Freddie Ramey officiating, with burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel after 5 p.m. Thursday afternoon, with services Thursday and Friday evenings at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be David Blankenship, Ernie Blankenship, Frankie Deel, Johnny Deel, Tommie Eichler, Norman Hill, Carol Jackson, Ronnie Jackson, Scottie Long, Tony Mullins, Ken O’Quinn, Rodney Phillips, Donny Skeens, Jerry Skeens and Gerald Jackson. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. J.G. Patel and Jerry Counts. Full military rites will be conducted at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m. by members of the John Ratliff Post 164 of The American Legion. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Thomas Eugene Davis MEADOWVIEW – Mr. Thomas Eugene "Tommy" Davis, age 60, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Tommy is survived by his wife, Joe Anne Davis, Meadowview; a daughter, Martha Sue Davis and boyfriend Anthony Harless, both of Abingdon; grandson, Anthony Chase Harless; a brother, Donald Davis, Bristol Tennessee, and a sister, Linda Lasley, Abingdon. The funeral service will be conducted Saturday, July 3, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. John Wesley Price and Pastor Floyd Nelson officiating. Interment will follow in the Fall Hill Cemetery in the Greendale community. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-9 p.m. in the funeral home or at the home of Nancy Rhea, 35519 Washington Springs Road, Glade Spring. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Davis family. Catherine E. Doss BLUFF CITY – Funeral service for Catherine Elenora Doss will be held Friday, July 2, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Eddie Zimmerman officiating. Burial will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Catherine Elenora Doss, age 58, of 656 Mountain View Road, Trailer 3, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Kenneth W. Geiger BRISTOL, Tenn. – Kenneth Wayne "Kenny" Geiger, age 41, passed away, Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at his residence. He was born Sept. 2, 1963, and was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. He is survived by daughter, Heather Wayne, Bristol Tennessee; parents, William Henry "Bill" Geiger I and Shirley Mae Geiger, Bristol Tennessee; sister, Debbie Geiger, Bristol; three brothers, William Henry "Billy" Geiger II, Bristol Tennessee, Johnny Geiger, Bristol Tennessee, and Paul Geiger, Bristol Tennessee, and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Buddy Chapman officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Bobby F. Harrison BLOUNTVILLE – Bobby Franklin Harrison, age 12, of 471 Knobview Road, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, June 30, 2004, at the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville. He was the son of Paul and Sonja Harrison. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete. Thomas B. Johnson Sr. KINGSPORT – A memorial service celebrating the life of Thomas Bruce Johnson Sr. will be held at the Gate City United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2004, with the Rev. Dale Wyrick officiating. Eulogies will be given by Mr. Johnson’s daughter, Terry Osborne, and his bonus son, Peter Moen. Emily Glenn and Tom Wills will provide the music. Online condolences may be made to the family of Mr. Johnson at gcfh@earthlink.net and those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Gate City United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund. Mr. Thomas Bruce Johnson Sr., 68, beloved husband, brother, father and granddad, entered into glory and eternal rest Tuesday, June 29, 2004. Gate City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Georgia G. Jones BRISTOL, Tenn. – Georgia Geneva Vance Jones, age 79, 101 Suda St., died Thursday, July 1, 2004, at her residence. She was a native of Sullivan County, daughter of the late Cleveland and Jimmy Harrison Vance, a retired employee of Sears and a member of Rosemont Presbyterian Church, where she served as elder, president of Presbyterian Women’s Work and enabler in Holston Presbytery. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, William Anson "Bill" Jones; sons, Jerry Jones and wife Chris, Bristol Virginia, and Jeff Jones and wife Ann Taylor, Bristol Tennessee; grandchildren, William Judd Jones, Jessica Jones Weaver and Heather Bailey; great-grandchildren, Chase Weaver, Madison Weaver and Morgan Weaver; sister, Verlie Vance, Bristol Tennessee, and brother, G.C. Vance, Bristol Tennessee. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Sunday in Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Allan Chapman officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers: Samuel Carrier, Pete Booher, Charlie Owens, Darryl Morton and Tom Akers. Honorary pallbearers: Leo Rutherford, R.L. Vance, Lawrence Logan and Jim Robinette. Special word of thanks to Dr. Jim Shrinker, Susie Mays and staff, Blake Bondurant, Beverly Bondurant, Sherry Darnell and Diane Hall. Those desiring may make memorials to Rosemont Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Grady A. Luna BRISTOL, Va. – Grady A. Luna, 81, died Thursday, July 1, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. He was a native of Bonham, Texas, and moved to Bristol in 2002. He was a retired innkeeper and loved to travel. He loved and was loved by his wife and family. Survivors include his devoted wife, Betty Thackeray Luna; his loving children: daughter, Kathleen Gutierrez of Boonton Township, N.J., and son, Patrick E. Luna of Reno, Nev., and brothers, Michael Dee Reeves of Dallas and William E. Luna of Ramona, Calif. A Celebration of Life will be conducted at a later date in Dallas. The family requests that memorials be sent to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, 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 Mr. Luna. Robert Hurley Reedy RICHLANDS – Mr. Robert Hurley Reedy, age 83, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2004, peacefully at his home following a lengthy illness. Born in Buchanan County, Va., he was the son of the late Grant Hutchinson and India Stevenson Reedy. He was a retired coal miner with Island Creek Coal Company. Mr. Reedy was a member of the UMWA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Josephine Allen Reedy, one daughter, Barbara Ann Reedy, one son, William "Kilroy" Reedy, and an infant son. He is survived by two daughters, Margaret Reedy Damron and Dorothy Stanley Jones, both of Richlands; four granddaughters, Tammie Damron McGlothlin, Pamela Stanley Justus, Yolonda Rife and Kimberly Stanley; three grandsons, Robert Damron, Donald Damron and Shawn Reedy; two sisters, Irene White of Westminster, Md., and Bernice Lane of Glen Burnie; four brothers, William (Bill) Reedy of Rural Retreat, Va., Bud Reedy of Baltimore, Wanda Reedy and wife Alice of Jewell Ridge, Va., and Lester Reedy of Jewell Ridge; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Bill Keen officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Friends and neighbors will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer will be Dr. N. Vishakantaiah. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday 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 Reedy family. Gary Lynn Reynolds BLOUNTVILLE – Funeral services for Gary Lynn Reynolds will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Minister Eugene Brockley and Minister Bob Robinson. The burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Glenwood Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Dunn, Justin Grindstaff, Larry Lafave, Gary Parker, Will Vaughn, Bob Holmquist, all co- workers, cousins and nephews. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Friday, July 2, at Weaver Funeral Home. Gary Lynn Reynolds, age 58, of Eagleview Private Drive, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2004, in the Johnson City Medical Center. Flora Gross Robinson MARION – Flora Gross Robinson, age 84, widow of Robert Lee Robinson, died Thursday, July 1, 2004, at her home. She was a member of Walker’s Creek Presbyterian Church. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Victor and Emma Carrico Gross, one sister and three brothers. She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and James Testerman of Marion; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Rick Robinson of Marion and Kenneth and Inga Robinson of Chilhowie; two sisters, Ruby Jones of Marion and Margaret Johnson of Rural Retreat, Va.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 2, 2004, at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Joe Powers and Rev. Guy Testerman officiating. Graveside services will be held Saturday, July 3, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Walker’s Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Marion. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 p.m. until time of the service. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Robinson family. Dorthea E. Rogers The committal service and burial for Dorthea Elizabeth Rogers 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. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Dorthea Elizabeth Rogers, 84, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 28, 2004. Mrs. Rogers and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Effie Rogers BRISTOL, Va. – The committal for Effie E. Wheeler Rogers will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Glenwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Effie E. Wheeler Rogers, age 90, of 113 Crockett St., went to be with her Lord, Monday, June 28, 2004, at her residence. Marvin O. Rolen WISE – Marvin O. Rolen, 68, formerly of Saltville, passed away Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at his home. He was a former employee of Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, was a retired chemical engineer from Westinghouse Corporation in Abingdon and was a farmer in Meadowview until he retired and moved to Wise. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Josie Rolen, a son, Dwayne Rolen, three brothers, Eugene Rolen, David Rolen and Mike Rolen, and two sisters, Janice Holmes and Virginia Austin. Surviving are his wife, Amarylis (Amy) Rolen of Wise; two sons and daughters-in- law, Timothy and Teresa Rolen of Jacksonville, Fla., and Darrel Wade and Elizabeth Rolen of Abingdon; two daughters, Pam Rolen of Abingdon and Karen Asheh of Meriden, Conn.; three very special grandchildren, Jacob, Kayla and Kelsee Rolen; one brother, Benny Rolen of Pearisburg, Va.; four sisters, Elizabeth Starling of Glen Burnie, Md., Pearl Morrison of Stafford, Va., Ernestine Davis of Connerville, Ind., and Novella Allison of Glade Springs. Memorial services for Marvin O. Rolen will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with Jeff Rolen officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 till time of services at 7 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Camp Bethel, P.O. Box 390, Wise, or to the Southwest Regional Virginia Cancer Center, 610 Trent St., Norton, VA 24273. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise is in charge of arrangements. Susan Spiker Sesco MARION – Susan Spiker Sesco, age 44, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004, in Homestead, Fla. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory. Joyce Smith NORTON – The family of Joyce Smith will receive friends from 6:30-8 p.m. Friday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday in the Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Chris Zorn officiating. Burial will follow in the Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Joyce Smith, 86, died Tuesday, June 29, 2004, at her home in Knoxville. Nicky Allan Surratt CLINTWOOD – Funeral services for Nicky Allan Surratt will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, July 2, in the Mullins Funeral Home Chapel, with Clergymen Joe Glenn Sluss and Allen Bonnell officiating. Burial will be in the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, Clintwood. Pallbearers: Roger Anderson, Dean Deel, Darius Anderson, Gary Surratt, Joe Surratt, Roy Mullins, Ronnie Delaney, Jim Anderson, Gaines Sutherland, Dave Holmes, John Bill Vanover and cousins. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. Ibrahim, Dr. Saado, Dr. Trabulsi, Dr. Ratliff, Dr. Wilson, Dr. Boodram, Dr. Wagstaff and Dr. Christ. Nicky Allan Surratt, age 27, passed away at his home Tuesday, June 29, 2004. Mullins Funeral Home and staff are serving the Surratt family. Howard H. Sword LEBANON – Howard Horton Sword, 79, died July 1, 2004. Arrangements are incomplete. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Sword. Virgil Lee Thomas MARION – Virgil Lee Thomas, age 50, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2004, in the Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion. He was born in Marion and was preceded in death by his father, Claude Virgil Thomas. He was retired from the National Wire Company in Baltimore and was a member of the Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church. Mr. Thomas served in the National Guard. Survivors include wife, Bea Thomas; mother and stepfather, Mary McKinney and Edgar McKinney, Baltimore; two stepchildren, Stanley Study, Marion, and William Study, Baltimore; two brothers, David Thomas, Baltimore, and Harold Evans Jr., Baltimore; two sisters, Brenda Lorbiecki and husband Mike, Baltimore, and Janet Thomas, Baltimore, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday at noon from the Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church, with Pastor Bob Surber officiating. Interment will follow in Walkers Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, with military honors being rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. The family will receive friends Friday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial donations can be made to the Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfuneralhome.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Thomas family.