Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 8, 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 Thursday, July 8, 2004 Mary Blaylock BRISTOL, Va. – Funeral services for Mary Belle Hutton Blaylock will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 8, 2004, in Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Bob Jones and Mr. Kenneth Littleford, minister, officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be William (Ken) Blaylock, David Lewis, Chris McGee, Lee Karsner, Jason Karsner and Erich Karsner. Honorary pallbearers will be past and present deacons of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mrs. Blaylock to Euclid Avenue Baptist Church or East End Christian Church. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mrs. Blaylock at akardfh@peercom.net Mary Belle Hutton Blaylock, age 94, died Monday, July 5, 2004, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Blaylock. Oscar J. Burkett Jr. GROSECLOSE, Va. – Oscar James "Jay" Burkett Jr., age 56, died Tuesday, July 6, 2004, in Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport. He was the son of the late Oscar James and Ella M. Burkett of the Groseclose Community. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served as a jet mechanic on the aircraft carrier Independence during the Vietnam War. He was a former pilot and flight instructor at the Mountain Empire Airport and was employed by Virginia House Furniture Plant, Atkins, Va., for 29 years. Mr. Burkett was a member of Fulton United Methodist Church, VFW, American Legion Post 229 and Mountain Empire Flying Club. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, James L. Lambert. He is survived by his wife, Linda K. Burkett of Rural Retreat, Va.; one daughter and son-in-law, Cherie D. and Dan Sturgill of Sugar Grove, Va.; one son, James Brian Burkett of Rural Retreat; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Neal and Ethel M. Burkett of Rural Retreat and Sam and Helen W. Burkett of Marion; one sister, Katherine B. Lambert of Marion; three grandchildren, Daniel Ray Sturgill and Samuel Jay Sturgill, both of Sugar Grove, Va., and Alexis Caroline Burkett of Rural Retreat. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Rev. Vince Krauss and Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Burial will follow in Kimberlin Lutheran Church Cemetery, Rural Retreat, where military rites will be conducted by Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Groseclose First Church of God, 333 Citizens Road, Rural Retreat, VA 24368 or to Fulton United Methodist Church, 209 Larch St., Marion, VA 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Burkett Family. Leland Dale Hodges III BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Leland Dale Hodges III will be conducted at 11 o’clock Thursday morning at the graveside in East Hill Cemetery, with Rev. Scott Price officiating. Burial will follow. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com Leland Dale Hodges III, 74, died Monday, July 5, 2004, at Mountain Home, Tenn. Mr. Hodges and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Virginia Abel Hunter CINCINNATI – Virginia Abel Hunter, age 90, formerly of Bristol, died Sunday, July 4, 2004, at her home. Mrs. Hunter was the daughter of the late Joseph Lester and Ida Julia Abel. She was a member of West Side Baptist Church of Cincinnati for over 45 years, where she also taught Sunday School. She was the beloved wife of the late Clarence Hunter, and was preceded in death by two brothers, Joseph and Wallace Abel, and a sister Lillian Jones. Survivors include one son, Daniel Hunter of Cincinnati; three daughters, Norma James and husband, Charlie, of Bristol Virginia, Karen Smith and husband, Russell, of Cincinnati and Debra Jenike and husband, Tom, of Cincinnati; six sisters, Martha Ketron of Bristol Tennesseee, Louise Swartz of Johnson City, Grace Odum of Bristol Virginia, Katherine Saul of Bristol Tennessee, Phyllis Abel of Abingdon and Sue Gibson of Knoxville; three brothers, Jack Abel and Wayne Abel, both of Abingdon, and Bill Abel of Bristol Virginia; eight grandchildren, Chuck James and Melissa Musick, both of Bristol Virginia, Kathy Rucker, Kim Hacker, Troy Hunter, Shane Hunter, Rusty Smith and Kevin Smith, all of Cincinnati; 21 great-grandchildren; two great, great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday, July, 9, 2004, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Scott Price officiating. The graveside service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 10, 2004, in Mountain View Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8: p.m. Friday, prior to the service at Akard Funeral Home. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mrs. Hunter at akardfh@peercom.net Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, 423-989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Hunter. Sue Hill Jennings ABINGDON – Sue Hill Jennings, 89, died Wednesday, July 7, at her home. A native of Scott County, Va., she had spent most of her life in Gate City and Kingsport, moving to Abingdon in 1990 to be near her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth E. Jennings; a son, Kenneth E. Jennings Jr.; a brother, Clyde Wilson Hill; and her parents, Carrie and E.L. Hill. Survivors include a son, Ben Jennings and wife, Merry of Abingdon; a grandson, Will and wife, Autumn of Knoxville; a sister-in-law, Vena Bernard of Kingsport; and a nephew, Sam Bernard of Chattanooga. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. She enjoyed gardening and crafts and was the family genealogist. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holston View Cemetery in Weber City, with Dr. Klell Napps officiating. The family wishes to thank her special caregivers, Dorothy Blevins and Marie Buttry, for their years of love and care. Those who wish to make memorial contributions may do so to the Cultural Heritage Project of William King Regional Arts Center, P.O. Box 2256, Abingdon, VA 24212- 2256. Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is in charge of arrangements. David Allen Martin FRIES, Va. – David Allen Martin, 43, died Tuesday, July 6, 2004, in Fries. Born in Galax, Va., March 21, 1961, he was the son of Fred A. and Annette Pearman Martin. Survivors: mother and fiance, Annette Thomas and Ellis Leonard of Fries; father and stepmother, Fred A. and Linda C. Martin, Chilhowie; fiancee, Marcie Williams of Fries; sister, Mary Lynne Sturgill of Chilhowie; stepbrothers and spouses, Rodney Morris of Huntsville, Ala., Danny M. and Tina Morris of Chilhowie, Jodi and Lydia Morris of Oakwood, Va., and Tony Morris of Sugar Grove, Va.; aunt, Frances Ayers of Galax; uncle and spouse, Don and Janet Martin of Fries; great- uncles and spouses, Raymond Hall, Maurice and Dorothy Hall and Max and Senia Hall; six nieces; several cousins; and numerous friends also survive. Funeral service will be held Thursday at 8 p.m. in Vaughan-Guynn Chapel. Interment will be 11 a.m. Friday in Mt. View Methodist Church Cemetery in Chilhowie. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Vaughan- Guynn Funeral Home, before the funeral service. Archie F. McBroom Jr. BRISTOL – Archie F. McBroom Jr., 74, died Saturday, July 3, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Batesville, Ind., a son of the late Archie F. and Minnie Mills McBroom. He was a graduate of Mississippi State University and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He had lived in Bristol since 1965, was the owner of McBroom Insurance Associates for 39 years and attended NorthStar Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Odum McBroom; two daughters, Frances Rose of Asheville and Melanie McBroom of Johnson City; two sons, Andy McBroom of Big Pine Key, Fla., and Brent McBroom of Greenville, S.C.; two sisters, Irma Harris of Tupelo, Miss., and Betty Jean Wilson of Batesville; four grandchildren; three great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Hobdy, and brothers, James, Travis and Bob McBroom. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Thursday, July 8, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. William Houck officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 207 North Boone St., Suite 1500, Johnson City, TN 37604. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com Mr. McBroom and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Pattie McClanahan GRUNDY – Pattie Matney McClanahan, 91 years of age, of the Slate Creek Section of Buchanan County, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2004, in Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, from a short illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late John and Lydia Yates Matney. She was a graduate of Grundy High School and Radford College. She was a member of the National Education Association and Retired Teachers Association. She was a retired school teacher, having taught at many one and two-room schools in her early career and taught for many years at P.V. Dennis Elementary School. She was a life-long resident of Buchanan County, a member of the Grundy Baptist Church and the last surviving member of her family. Mrs. McClanahan was preceded in death by her husband, Carl McClanahan, March 13, 1994. Also, preceded in death by two brothers, five sisters, and a granddaughter Carla Elaine Rife. She is survived by two daughters, Judy Ann and husband, Douglas Ison, Pikeville, Ky., and Rita M. and husband, B. Jonothan Rife of Grundy; one son, Roger Carl and wife, Nina Lee McClanahan, Grundy; and two grandsons, Russell McClanahan, Charlotte, N.C., and Brian Rife, Bristol Tennessee. Funeral services for Pattie Matney McClanahan will be conducted Friday, July 9, 2004, at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel at 11 a.m., with Evangelist Michael Trent and Rev. Howell Scott officiating, with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. Active pallbearers will be: Russell McClanahan, Randall Matney, Brian Rife, Doug Matney, Curtis Mullins, David Matney and Anthony Matney. Honorary pallbearers will be: Keith McClanahan, Kenneth McClanahan, James McClanahan, Dr. Clint Sutherland, William Bell and Mike McMahon. The family would like to say a special thanks to the nursing staff of Buchanan General Hospital, to Dr. Clint Sutherland and to her special caretakers, who showed such love and care, Gladys Hunt, Dorothy Estep and Darniece Adkins. Those who wish to make memorial contributions may do so to Grundy Baptist Church, P.O. Box 675, Grundy, VA 24614 or to the Buchanan County YMCA, P.O. Box 1450, Grundy, VA 24614. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Daniel McCrackin KINGSPORT – Daniel (Danny) Wade McCrackin, age 42, went to be with his Lord Tuesday, July 6, 2004, after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident in Centerville, Tenn. Danny was born in Kansas City, Mo., March 22, 1962. Danny was an environmentalist civil engineer employed by the CH2M Hill, Inc., and he received his master’s degree from UT in Knoxville in 1988, and his undergraduate work in 1986. Danny graduated from Central High School in 1980. He was a member of the Indian Springs Baptist Church, where he was active in the pre-school with his wife. Music was one of his passions and picking his guitar was another. He was an outdoor lover and was an avid hunter. He enjoyed bicycle riding but most of all his loved spending time with his daughter and son. He was one of a kind dad and he was a loving father, husband, son, brother and friend. Danny had a smile and gentle word for everyone. His wife survives Danny; Leslie Johnston McCrackin, his daughter; Emily Ashton McCrackin and his son, Nicholas Robert McCrackin; his parents, Robert (Bob) and Sharon (Canterbury) McCrackin of Blountville; sisters and brothers-in-law, Debbie and Vince McCartt of Jonesborough and Lisa and Kevin Bryan of Gray; his maternal grandmother, Olga Canterbury of Rocks Springs, Wyo.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Keith and Gloria Johnston of Kingsport; his sister-in-law, Anne Marie Pierce and husband Jonathan of Bluff City; brother-in-law, John David Johnston and wife Stephanie of Texas; a special uncle, Rick Canterbury of Wyoming; and other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours will be 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Indian Springs Baptist Church and any time at his residence and the home of his parents. Funeral service will follow at 8 p.m. at the church, with the Reverend Aaron Rayburn and Reverend Perry Cleek officiating. Music will be provided by the church. Danny will be taken to the church one hour before service. Family and friends will meet at the East Lawn Memorial Park 11 a.m. Saturday for a graveside service. Honorary pallbearers will be Vince McCartt, Kevin Bryan, John David Johnston, Keith Herron, Reverend Ed Adkins and Jonathan Pierce. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the Indian Springs Baptist Church, marked a special fund for the McCrackin children or to the Indian Springs Building Fund, 214 Hill Road, Kingsport, TN 37664, or to the American Diabetes Association, P. O. Box 3952, Kingsport, TN 37664. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place your condolence to the McCrackin family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the McCrackin family. Goldie Marie Miller RAVEN, Va. – Minister Goldie Marie Miller, age 79, died Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness. She was born in Big Creek, Va., and was a daughter of the late James F. and Maude Keen Mabe, both Tazewell County natives. She was a lifelong resident of the Raven area and was a former employee of the Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands. She was a member of the Red Ash Pentecostal Church at Red Ash, Va. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Mr. Walter Thomas Smith; second husband, Mr. Andy Edward Smith; third husband, Minister Julius Miller; one infant son; two daughters, Catherine Smith and Geneva Cox; two sisters, Opal Cook and Pauline Mabe; and two brothers, Roy Mabe and James Sylvester Mabe. Survivors are: four daughters, Mrs. Bernice Pruett of Raven, Mrs. Louvonne Davis and husband, Garland of Raven, Mrs. Betty Osborne and husband, Joe of Cliffield, Va., and Mrs. Charlotte Osborne and husband, Jay of Cliffield; three sons, Mr. Morris Don Smith and wife, Velma of Raven, Mr. David Smith and wife, Linda of Raven and Mr. Walter Smith and wife, Brenda of Cedar Bluff; two sisters, Mrs. Emily Armstrong of Richlands and Mrs. Edna Byrd and husband, Arch of Richlands; one brother, Mr. Doug Keen of Raven; 29 grandchildren; and 33 great- grandchildren also survive. Funeral services for Minister Goldie Marie Miller will be conducted Friday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Dannie Short and Rev. Darrell Sutherland officiating. Entombment will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Pallbearers will be: Donald Cox, Tommy Vandyke, Don Smith Jr., Adam Smith, Keith Smith, Andy Kitts, Bobby Smith, Darrell Brown, Joshua Shelton, Billy Shelton II and Tony Davis. Honorary pallbearers: Phil Mabe, Leslie Davis, Jack Smith, B. J. Vandyke, Timmy Cook and Darrell Cordill. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Thursday. 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 Virginia Widner Ratcliffe GLADE SPRING – Mrs. Virginia Widner Ratcliffe, 87, died Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at Valley Healthcare in Chilhowie. She was born in Chilhowie and lived most of her life in Washington County, Va. Mrs. Ratcliffe was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Hutton Ratcliffe; her father, Roby Monroe Widner; her mother, Minnie Tilson Widner; her stepmother, Louise Widner; three brothers; three sisters; and two stepbrothers. She is survived by her son, Phillip Rodney Ratcliffe of Falls Church, Va.; her son, Nicklos Dale Ratcliffe and wife, Regina of Glouchester Point, Va.; her daughter, Kathy Evans and husband Jim of Glade Spring; two grandsons, Jason Andrew Harris of Bristol Tennessee, and Jeremy Adam Harris of Glade Spring; two sisters, Evelyn Sturgill of Chilhowie and Joyce Boyd of Johnson City; and one brother, Hayward Widner of Richmond. Funeral services for Mrs. Virginia Widner Ratcliffe will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 10, 2004, at Farris Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Old Glade Presbyterian Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Friday night at the funeral home. Those wishing to share memories or express sympathy to the family may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Ratcliffe family. Charles Robinson ELIZABETHTON – Charles Robinson, age 48, of 2315 Eagle Drive, passed away at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday in the Johnson City Medical Center. He died as a result of an apparent heart attack while jogging with his co- workers shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Charles was born in Bristol Tennessee and had lived most of his life in Elizabethton. He became publisher of the Elizabethton Star in 1980 at the age of 25. He was a 1973 graduate of Elizabethton High School and had attended East Tennessee State University. Charles was a member of the Grace Fellowship Church in Johnson City. Charles was an very active member of the Elizabethton community. He was a member of the Carter County Chamber of Commerce, the Executive Board of the United Way, the Elizabethton Rotary Club, had coached numerous T-ball, soccer, baseball and basketball teams in the community, and was a former member of the Carter County Rescue Squad. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother and uncle to his family. He is survived by his wife Angie Odom Robinson of the home; a daughter, Jessica Robinson of the home; two sons, Josh and Jeremy Robinson, both of the home; his parents, Frank and Ann Childress Robinson of 700 Fairway Drive, Elizabethton; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Fred Goodwin of 654 Woodland Drive, Elizabethton; two nieces, Angela Willocks of Quail Ridge Road, Johnson City and Amy Laney of 422 Bonnie Kate Drive, Elizabethton; one nephew, Nathan Goodwin of 654 Woodland Drive, Elizabethton; one great-niece, Savannah Laney of Elizabethton; two great-nephews, Christian Laney of Elizabethton and William Willocks of Johnson City; and a very special family member, Harvey Pritchard. The funeral service for Charles Robinson will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the First Baptist Church of Elizabethton, with Pastor David McAuley and the Rev. Brent Seals officiating. Music will be under the direction of Charles and Fred Goodwin. Interment will follow in Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Tom Whitehead, Sid Davidson, Dan Cogan, Mike Hubbard, Robbie Edgar, Allen Frost and Don Treadway. Honorary pallbearers will be past and present employees of the Elizabethton Star and Coleman’s Studio, the members of the Elizabethton Rotary Club, the members of the 1973 Class of Elizabethton High School, Wesley Holly Sr., Wesley Holly Jr., Lynn Lewis, Jack Reynolds and Ralph Davis. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 till 4:30 p.m. and 7 till 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The family will be at the residence of Frank and Ann Robinson, 700 Fairway Drive, Elizabethton, where friends may also call. Charles will be at the church at 1 p.m. Friday until the service hour. The family requests that those who wish to contribute memorials in memory of Mr. Robinson, donating to the Doe River Gorge Christian Camp, 220 Doe River Gorge Road, Hampton, TN 37658. Words of sympathy may be e-mailed to the family thru our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton, 211 North Riverside Drive, is in charge of the arrangements. (423) 542-2232. Frankie B. Shook BUCHANAN COUNTY – Frankie B. Shook, 64 years of age, of the Oakwood and Harman areas, passed away Monday, July 5, 2004, following a extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Baker and Dentis Burke Baker Mitchell. She was a graduate of Garden High School Class of 1958 and the Columbia School of Broadcasting. She served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1966 to 1970. She was a member of John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion, charter member of Women’s Veteran Memorial, member of Marine Corps League 980 and a member of the Disabled American Veterans. While in service, she received the Navy Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life, the former owner and operator of Givannai’s Pizza, Harman, Va., and a former employee of Radio Stations WNRG and WMJD of Grundy. She is survived by one daughter, Rene Matthews, Powhatan, Va.; one son, Paul Shook, California; one brother, Cero Baker, Oakwood, Va.; and special friend, Marsha Viers, Harman. She is also survived by five grandchildren. Funeral services for Frankie B. Shook were conducted Wednesday evening, July 7, 2004, at 7 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel. Minister Willard Owens officiated. with burial to follow Thursday, July 8, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Webb Cemetery on Webb Branch, near Oakwood. Friends called at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. Services followed at 7 p.m. Graveside rites will be conducted at Webb Cemetery on Webb Branch, Oakwood, Thursday, at 11 a.m., with full military rites being conducted by members of John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion. Active pallbearers: members of John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion. The family suggests that expression of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to: Frankie B. Shook Trust Fund, c/o Cero Baker, Box 324, Oakwood, VA 24631. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Kathleen Miller Strunk ABINGDON – Kathleen Miller Strunk, age 86, passed away on July 7, 2004, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Strunk was a native of Kentucky and a long-time resident of Southwest Virginia. She was married to Thurston H. Strunk, who predeceased her in 1981. They had no children. She is survived by her brother, William (Bill) Miller, Tonawanda, N.Y.; 14 nieces and nephews; and many beloved "special adopted" children and friends. Mrs. Strunk touched the lives of every person she met and was a generous supporter of many philanthropies, including her and her husband’s alma mater, the University of Kentucky; Emory & Henry College, and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. A memorial service will be held at the Farris Funeral Chapel at 7 p.m. Friday, July 9, 2004. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that contributions be made to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, the University of Kentucky or Emory & Henry College or a charity of your choice. Those wishing to share memories or express sympathy to the family may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Strunk family. Joseph James Widner BRISTOL, Tenn. – Mr. Joseph James "Joe Bill" Widner, age 77, passed away, Wednesday, July 7, 2004, at his home. Arrangements will be announced by Farris Funeral Service.