Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 13, 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 Tuesday, July 13, 2004 Wanda Jean Blankenship Baker, 41, Grundy Eloise Bracken Kite, 70, Pearisburg, Va. Dorothy Irene Grizzle, 72, Lebanon Georgia A. Haulsee, 89, Marion Angel Oliver Hiles, Infant Homer E. Hill, 77, St. Paul Bruce E. Konopasek, 47, West Chester, Ohio Mary Ellen Huntsman Pence, 75 Sharon Diane Lovelace Rose, 57, Bristol Tennessee Margaret Frances Steele, 67, Honaker Wanda Jean Baker GRUNDY – Wanda Jean Blankenship Baker, 41 years of age, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2004, in the Buchanan General Hospital. Born in Buchanan County, Jan. 11, 1963, she was the daughter of Betty Jane (Edna) Blankenship and the late Leonard Blankenship. She was of the Christian faith, 1981 graduate of Hurley High School, a certified pharmacy technician, former employee of J.C. Penny’s and currently employed by Buchanan County Rural Family Practice. In additional to her father, she was preceded in death by one sister, Tammy Denise Blankenship; and one uncle, Cecil Blankenship. She is survived by her mother, Betty Jane (Edna) Blankenship of Hurley, Va.; her husband of 16 years, Donald (Dude) Blankenship of Grundy; three sisters, Patsy Scott of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Linda Powers of Wytheville and Judy Newberry of Vansant, Va.; and three brothers, Auldia Blankenship of Hurley, Austin Blankenship of Wolford, Va., and Terry Blankenship of Hurley. She was also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Wanda Jean Blankenship Baker will be conducted Thursday, July 15, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Mary Lou Old Regular Baptist Church, State Line Ridge 1, Paynesville, W.Va., with Elder Roscoe Crouse and Elder Junior Lester officiating. Burial will follow in the Mary Lou Cemetery on State Line Ridge, Paynesville. Family and friends will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be: Dr. Jackie Briggs and employees of Buchanan County Rural Family Practice. Friends may call at the Mary Lou Old Regular Baptist Church after 6 p.m. Tuesday. Evening services will be held at the church Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com. The family of Wanda Jean Blankenship Baker is being served by the Shortridge- Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy. Minnie Harper Brown MARION – Minnie Harper Brown, age 74, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol Tennessee. She was born to the late George and Roberta Sawyer Harper, and was preceded in death by her husband, Solomon Brown; three sons, Emanuel Brown, Solomon Brown Jr. and William Ernie Brown; two sisters, Amanda McCallister and Hattie Sigems; four brothers, William Oliver Harper, Emanuel Harper, George Washington Harper and Joe David Harper. She was the mother of Franklin Street Baptist Church and also the Sunday School superintendent. Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Michael Mitchell, Marion; one son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Nancy Ness Brown, Marion; one grandson, Anthony Sean Yacovielle; and sisters, Dora Harper Parker and husband Lawrence, Buffalo, N.Y., Mary Jane Harper, Independence, Va., Bernice Harper Matthews, Anaheim, Calif., and Jenelle Harper Patton and husband James, Richmond, Va. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion, with Rev. Andrew Arnold officiating. Interment will be Thursday, July 15, 2004, at 9 a.m. at the Brown Family Cemetery in Cripple Creek. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Brown family. Carolyn Ann Davis ABINGDON – The funeral service for Carolyn Ann Davis will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. John Wesley Price and Rev. Roger Hearl officiating. Interment will follow in the cemetery. Casket bearers will be the following members of Abingdon Ambulance Service: Mike Baughman, Kenny Long, Joe Arnold, Bruce Hendricks, Allen Parris and Kevin Austin. Honorary casket bearers will be Johnny Roark, Louie Armstrong, Rick Neece, Nelson Hayter and Mac Clifton. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Carolyn Ann Davis, age 56, died Saturday, July 10, 2004, at her home. The Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, is serving the family of Carolyn Ann Davis. Douglas D. Faris FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –The service for Douglas Dwight Faris will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. at Emory United Methodist Church, Emory & Henry College, Emory, Va. Burial will follow at the Old Glade Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made in his honor to the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust, P.O. Box 687, Springdale, AR 72765; the C&O Canal Association, P.O. Box 366, Glen Echo, MD 20812-0366; or a charity of your choice. Douglas Dwight Faris, age 58, passed away July 9, 2004, at his home in Fayetteville, surrounded by his loving family. Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, (276) 623-2700, is serving the Faris family. Dorothy I. Grizzle LEBANON – Dorothy Irene Grizzle, age 72, died Sunday, July 11, 2004, at her home. Born Oct. 17, 1931, in Russell County, a daughter of the late Hobert Blevins and Martha Clifton Blevins, she was a former employee of Rockwell Manufacturing, Campus Manufacturing and Lebanon Apparel Corporation. She was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Stevie Lynn Grizzle; four brothers, Lee Blevins, Tavis Blevins, Earnest Blevins and Everett Couch; and two sisters, Mary Wright and Ollie Salyers. Survivors include husband of 46 years, Curtis Grizzle; two sisters, Edith Rhoton, Gray, Tenn., and Betty and husband Henry Marcle, Cape Carroll, Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Belethia Grizzle, Cleveland, Va., and Marie Blevins, Castlewood; one brother-in-law, Denny (Bill) Grizzle, Cleveland, Va.; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Larry Fields and the Rev. Bobby Turner officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2004, in the Temple Hill Memorial Park. Those attending are requested to meet at the funeral home by 10:15 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mickey Hughes, John Deason, Guy Skeen, Earl Carter Jr., Danny White and Elmer Saddler. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Blevins, Wayne Blevins, Jim Hall, Eugene Browder, Charlie Cantrell, Randy Cantrell, Ronnie Mullins, Scottie Smith, Michael Smith, Eddie Smith and Bob Harding. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2004, prior to the service at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Grizzle. Victor Keith Gross II HONAKER – Funeral services for Mr. Victor Keith Gross II will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Stephen Musick and Rev. Stafford Compton officiating. Interment will follow in the Hankins Cemetery in Richlands. Dwayne Ross, Jerry Jackson and relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Employees of Bostic Ford will serve as honorary pallbearers. Mr. Victor Keith Gross II, age 32, died Saturday, July 10, 2004, at a Lebanon hospital following a brief 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. Georgia A. Haulsee MARION – Georgia A. Haulsee, age 89, passed away Monday, July 12, 2004, in Michigan. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion. Angel Oliver Hiles Angel Oliver Hiles, infant daughter of Martha Renee Oliver and Brandon Dane Hiles, died Saturday, July 10, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister, Maddie Keesee; her maternal grandmother, Marilyn Henson Oliver; her maternal grandfather, Howard Oliver; and her paternal grandparents, Randy and Brenda Hiles. The funeral service will be conducted at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning at the graveside in Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Jimmy Henson officiating. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Angel and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Homer E. Hill ST. PAUL – Homer E. Hill, 77, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2004, at his home. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine F. Hill, and of the Pentecostal faith. Surviving are three sons, Roy E. Hill of Coeburn, Ronald G. Hill of Wise and Homer R. Hill of Newport News, Va.; five daughters, Elizabeth N. Adkins of St. Paul, Wanda Pickett, Kathy Broyles, Delana Guerard, all of Coeburn, and Betty Jo Powers of Winchester, Ky.; two brothers, Jay Hill of Coeburn and Bobby Hill of Ashthabula, Ohio; five sisters, Bertha Thompson of Circleville, Ohio; Shirley Sanders of Columbus, Ohio; Ruth Smith of London, Ohio; and Gerlean Holbrook and Theda Cleuseman, both of Wise; 23 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, 2004, with the Rev. William Buchanan officiating. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at the Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will receive friends Tuesday 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, in charge of arrangements. Eloise Bracken Kite PEARISBURG, Va. – Eloise Bracken Kite, 70, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2004, at her home. Mrs. Kite was born on Feb. 13, 1934, in Renick, W.Va., and was a daughter of the late Rev. Robert and Augusta Hemmings Bracken. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Charles Bracken, and five sisters, Naomi Bracken, Betty Dunn, Anne Maxwell, Marietta Francis and Faye Hutsenpillar. Mrs. Kite was also a member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Pearisburg. She is survived by her husband, James Woodfin Kite of Pearisburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Lisa Kite of Abingdon; one daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Mike Mason of Scott Depot, W.Va.; one brother, Robert T. (Bob) Bracken of Pembroke; one sister, Viola Shomo of Pulaski; four grandsons, Tyler and Ryan Mason and Dustin and Zane Kite. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Christ Episcopal Church in Pearisburg. Burial will follow in the Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg. Donations may be made to the Christ Episcopal Church in Pearisburg. Bruce E. Konopasek WEST CHESTER, Ohio – Bruce E. Konopasek, age 47, died Satuday, July 10, 2004. He was the loving son of Matilda and the late Charles Konopasek. He was the beloved husband of Dena (nee Hash), cherished father of Lacey Alexandra, Katie Rose and Brian Michael Konopasek; dear brother of Paula, Chuck, Kenneth, Ron and Larry Konopasek and Dawn Smith; dear son-in-law of Claude and Aleana Hash; brother-in-law of Cindy (Rusty) Blanton; and uncle of Jamie and Amanda Blanton. Bruce lived in Marion from 1985-93, where he worked at Brunswick Corp. and Marion Mold & Tool. Visitation and funeral services were held in West Chester. Memorial donations may be made to the Konopasek Children’s Education Fund, c/o U.S. Bank, 9135 Cox Road, West Chester, OH 45069. Mary Ellen Pence Mary Ellen Huntsman Pence, 75, died Thursday, July 8, 2004. Services were Saturday, July 10, 2004, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Dalton, Ga., with Rev. Dean Taylor officiating. Interment will be in Whitfield Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Dalton. Mrs. Pence was born in Bristol Virginia, where she lived most of her life. She was a graduate of Marjorie Webster College, Washington, D.C. She married her husband, Philip David Pence II, they lived in Bristol Virginia, then moved to Lafayette, Ga., for five years, then Dalton, where she taught at Friendship House as a kindergarten teacher. She has been living in Kennesaw for the past four years. Survivors include one daughter, Mary Cathryn Pence Martin of Hendersonville, Tenn.; two sons, Philip David Pence III of Memphis, Tenn., and J. Lee Pence of Kennesaw; one sister, Betty McElrith Huntsman Miller of Bristol Tennessee; four grandchildren, Philip David Pence IV, Charles Henderson Pence, Mary Beth Martin and Catie Martin. Contributions can be made to Wellstar Community Hospice, 4040 Hospital West Drive, Austell, GA 30106 or St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 852, Dalton, GA 30722. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. James Curtis Powers BRISTOL, Va. – The committal service and interment for James Curtis Powers will be held at 11 o’clock Tuesday morning at the graveside Mountain View Cemetery, with military rites presented by VFW Post 6975 Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be special family friends. Condolences and memories can be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. James Curtis Powers, 69, passed away Friday, July 9, 2004, at his residence. Mr. Powers and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Mabel Rasnake ABINGDON – Mrs. Mabel Rasnake, age 88, was carried away by angels to touch the hand of Jesus on Sunday, July 11, 2004. She was born in Buchanan County, Va., and had lived there until moving to Washington County, Va., in 1963, where she lived in the Greendale Community until moving to Campbell Street. She was a member of the Trigg Street Church of God. Mabel was preceded in death by her husband, Tandy Lacey Sr.; her parents, Benjamin and Tiny Barton Rasnake; two sons, Ronnie Rasnake and Ray Ford Rasnake; two grandchildren, Sheila Rasnake Tautz and Jarrod Rasnake; one great- grandchild, Ashley Brooke Sutherland; eight brothers, Pierce, Walter, Elbert, Oakley, Hubert, Ervin, Graham Benjamin Jr.; and two sisters, Sarah and Lucille. Mabel is survived by: sons, Cliff Rasnake and wife Louise of Hazel Park, Mich., Ira Rasnake and wife, Catherine of Abingdon, Mack Rasnake and wife, Carroll of Abingdon, Kemper Rasnake and wife, Linda of Abingdon, Bencie Rasnake of Hopkinsville, Ky., Tandy Rasnake Jr. and wife, Lee of Abingdon; daughters, Janie Gilbert and husband, Danny of Bee, Va., Lanie Sutherland and husband, Norman of Bristol Virginia, Pat Gobble and husband, George of Abingdon; four brothers, Lawrence (Shorty) Rasnake and wife, Mary of Bristol Virginia, Curvin Rasnake and wife, Molly of Big Rock, Va., Arnold Rasnake and wife, Barbara of Baltimore and Robert Rasnake and wife Lorraine of Bee; a sister-in- law, Gertrude Rasnake of Prater, Va.; 25 grandchildren; 36 great- grandchildren; one great-great- grandson; a host of family and many friends. A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, July 13, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the branch facility of Farris Funeral Service, located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, Va. at 11 a.m., with Rev. Wayne Chant, Rev. James Beaver, Rev. Roger Williams, Rev. Bencie Rasnake and Rev. Dale Frazier officiating. Burial will follow in the Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at any time at her home. In memory of Mabel, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Trigg Street Church of God Building Fund, 335 Trigg St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online, may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Rasnake. Sharon L. Rose BRISTOL, Tenn. – Sharon Diane Lovelace Rose, age 57, of 322 New Camp Ridge Road, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born July 5, 1947, in Bristol Tennessee, to the late Edward C. and Beulah Arnold Lovelace, and has lived all of her life in the Bristol area. She was a homemaker and a member of South Chapel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a son, Eugene Elliott, and a brother, Buddy Lovelace. She is survived by: husband, Conley P. Rose; daughters, Karen Estep and Sherry Martin and husband Patrick; son, Conley P. Rose Jr.; daughter-in-law, Sandy Reavis and husband Jamie; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sisters, Jean Watkins and husband Bobby, Joyce Maines and husband Roy, Martha Young and husband Virgil, Frankie Plemmons and husband Mickey, Donna Wilson and husband Ricky, Peggy Jones and husband John and Sabrina Spraker and husband Michael; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Dennis Burnette and Rev. Mark Baumgardner. The burial will be held 10 a.m. Thursday in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Anna Bell Spangler BLUFF CITY – Anna Bell Wilson Spangler, age 85, of 551 Buffalo Road, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2004, at her residence. She was born in Middlesboro, Ky., to the late Albert and Sally Kate Nicely Wilson, and she lived in the Bristol area all of her life. She was an employee of Big Jack Manufacturing, and was a member of Marthina Memorial Chapel, where she taught Sunday School and was a member of Marthina Chapel Ladies Circle. She is preceded in death by a son, Carl Spangler, and her husband, Joe Spangler. She is survived by: daughter, Evelyn Morrell and husband Auburn; son, Albert Spangler and wife Joyce; daughter-in-law, Frances Spangler; six grandchildren; nine great- grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Jim and Shirley Pecktol; and sisters, Florence Jones, Patsy Bolling, Betty Stratton, Bobbie Dishner, Peggy Henley, Martha Cunningham, Hazel Countiss and Jean Nave. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at the Marthina Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Paul Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be A.J. Kirkman, Mike Smith, Trent Cross, Lillard Vanover Jr., Dave Evans, Robert Dishner Jr., Paul Dillow and Gary Dishner. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Marthina and Bethany Bible Church. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in her name to Marthina Memorial Chapel, 951 Glen St., Bristol, TN 37620, and/or Bethany Bible Church, 669 Seneker Lane, Blountville, TN. 37617. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Marthina Memorial Chapel. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Margaret F. Steele HONAKER – Mrs. Margaret Frances Steele, age 67, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2004, at her home. Born Jan. 15, 1937, in Richlands, she was a daughter of the late John Dailey and Mary Catherine Hess Plaster. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a 1955 graduate of Richlands High School. Survivors include her husband, Ralph Steele of the home; two daughters, Sharon Taylor and her husband, Wayne of Abingdon and Carol Justice and her husband, Tim of Newnan, Ga.; one son, Curtis Steele and his wife, Allison of Lebanon; and one brother, Cecil Plaster of Raven, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va., with Rev. Carl Robinson officiating. Interment will follow. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to assemble at the cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny McGlothlin, Charles Gent, Robert "Eube" Gent, Jimmy Richardson and Dwight Jackson. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Moraes, Dr. Handy and Dr. Delaplane. Honaker Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Fletcher Stiltner GLADE SPRING – The funeral service for Mr. Fletcher Stiltner will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Brother Tommy Wilson and Brother Darrell Martin officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Casket bearers will be Douglas Baldwin, Artemus Ratliff, Clyde Gamble, Curtis Hopson, Greg Stiltner and Michael Yarber. Honorary casket bearers will be Tony Hopson, Ricky Hopson, Dewey Hopson, David Hopson, Mickey Yarber, Douglas Baldwin Jr., Gary Stiltner and Jimmy Stiltner. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to his family. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Mr. Fletcher Stiltner, age 79, formerly of Buchanan County, Va., passed away Saturday, July 10, 2004, at his home following an extended illness. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mr. Fletcher Stiltner. Elaine C. VanHuss BLUFF CITY – The family of Elaine Carrier VanHuss will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Tuesday evening at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with the funeral service to follow at 8 o’clock. Rev. Joe Blankenship will officiate. The committal service and burial will be at 11 o’clock Wednesday morning in Morning View Cemetery. Those who wish may send memorial contributions to Bluff City Baptist Church Youth Group, 244 Main St., Bluff City, TN 37618. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Elaine Carrier VanHuss, 69, of Pioneer subdivision, went to be with the Lord Saturday, July 10, 2004, from her home after a courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. VanHuss and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Irene D. Viers ABINGDON – Mrs. Irene D. Viers, age 80, died Saturday, July 10, 2004, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was born in Kentucky and had lived most her life in Grundy, until moving to Abingdon in 1974. Irene was the daughter of the late Amos and Lucy Smith of Grundy. She was a former member of the Vansant Baptist Church. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis Viers; a son, Ellis S. "Bud" Viers; and brothers and sisters, Hassell Smith, Wilda Smith and Ruth Baldwin. She was the last surviving member of her family. She is survived by: three daughters, Betty O’Brien and husband, John of Grundy, Connie Stiltner and husband, Bill of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Pat Shanklin and husband, Ted of Abingdon; eight grandsons; two granddaughters; 18 great- grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be conducted Thursday, July 15, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Allen Moor, Rev. Paul Bufford and Rev. Bill Stiltner officiating. Entombment will follow in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum of Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Greg Viers, John O’Brien II, Jeff Stiltner, Robert Stiltner, Tim O’Brien, David Stiltner, Patrick O’Brien, Eric Ratliff, Tonya Counts and Heather Mueller. Due to sensitive allergies, the family requests that those attending the service refrain from the use of perfumes, colognes or after shave. The family would like to extend special appreciation to Dr. Emory Robinette and staff for their many years of special care given to Mrs. Viers. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Viers. James T. Williams DECATUR, Ga. – J.T. Williams, age 83, of 2434 Windsor Ave., passed away Thursday, July 8, 2004, in the DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur. Mr. Williams was born on May 31, 1921, in Bristol Tennessee, to the late Walter L. and Sarah L. Trivette Williams. He was retired from Cowan Brothers Wholesale and a member of the First United Methodist Church. Mr. Williams was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Army during World War II. Mr. Williams was a member of the VFW, a 50-year member of King Masonic Lodge 461, Anderson Chapter, St. Omer Commandry, Scottish and York Rite, KYCH, Bristol Shrine Club, Royal Order of Scotland and a member of the Eastern Star. He served as past high priest, past master, past illustrious master, past president of the Bristol Shrine Club, past president of the Scottish Rite Club, past commander, a past member of the Masonic Veterans Association of Tennessee and a past member of the North East Tennessee York Rite College. Mr. Williams was a trustee emeritus of the First United Methodist Church and a charter member of the Jericho Shrine Temple. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Williams. Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, La Una Mae Williams; one son, Richard Taylor Williams of Johnson City; one daughter, Barbara Jean Boyd of Bristol Tennessee; two stepdaughters, Heather Louise Anderson of Alpharetta, Ga., and Leah Ellen Chapman of Conway, Ark.; one stepson, Joseph Gratton Crockett III of Gainesville, Ga.; five grandchildren, Carrie, April, Chistina, Lee and Sarah; and step-grandchildren, Alicia, Chase, Sean, Tony and Christina. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday in First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Kathy Wilson-Parker officiating. A Masonic memorial service will be conducted by King Masonic Lodge. Pallbearers will be Dean Chafin, Luther Hale, Al Jackson, Louis Hyde, Charles Overstreet and Bill Gregory. Graveside service will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, with military honors conducted by VFW Patton-Crosswhite Post 6975. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in Weaver Funeral Home.