Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 17, 2004 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/Page/TRI_FrontPage ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bristol Herald Courier Saturday, July 17, 2004 Myrtle R. Copley ABINGDON – Mrs. Myrtle Romans Copley, age 89, died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was born on June 12, 1915, in Mango County, WV, and was a daughter of the late William and Ida Romans. She was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Averal Bias Jr. Mrs. Copley was a member of the Walnut Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Chauncey, N.C., and attended the Church of the Nazarene in Abingdon. She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Elmer Copley; four sons, Carl Copley and wife Patsie of West Chester, Ohio, Bob Copley and wife Phyllis of Johnson City, Alfred Copley and wife Angie of Abingdon and Danny Copley and wife Marty of Ft. Myers, Fla.; four daughters, Beulah Bias of Cleveland, Ohio, Helen Riffe and husband Jim of Rockville, Ind., Lois Kroll and husband John of Greenwood, Ind., and Elfreda Leckie and husband Norman of Dandridge, Tenn.; a sister, Lois Lucas of Huntington, W.Va.; 31 grandchildren; 41 great- grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2004, in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens), 19451 Lee Highway, Abingdon, with Rev. Mark Copley and Rev. Paul Bufford. Casket bearers will be the following grandsons: Mike Copley, Jeff Riffe, John Kroll III, Brandon LaCrone, David Riffe, Scott Copley, John Riffe, Greg Copley and Mitchell Spalding. Honorary casket bearers will be all other grandsons and great-grandsons. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in honor of Mrs. Copley be made to the Nazarene Church of Abingdon, 396 Old Eleven Court, Abingdon, VA 24211. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com The Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, is serving the family of Mrs. Myrtle Romans Copley. Robert E. Lee Hall BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Robert E. Lee Hall will be conducted at 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon in the Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Johnny Burton officiating. The committal service and burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be David Rose, Junior Hall, Donna Mooney and Dr. David Guldseth. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be sent to the Robert L. Hall Memorial Fund, c/o Louisa Belding, 417 Lee St., Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com Robert E. Lee Hall, 73, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 14, 2004. Mr. Hall and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Nellie Mae Hogston SALTVILLE – Mrs. Nellie Mae Blevins Hogston, age 95, passed at her home Friday, July 16, 2004. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vandy Hogston. Survivors: one son, Ray P. Hogston of Saltville; three daughters, Betty Barrett of Saltville, Kate Surber of Fredrick, Md., and Brenda Offield and husband, Ronnie of Glade Spring; seven grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and special friends, Lois Smith and Karen Tolbert. Funeral services for Mrs. Hogston will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home, with Rev. Kyle French officiating. Interment will follow at Elizabeth Cemetery. The grandsons will be the pallbearers. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Hogston family. Jared Michael Joyce SWORDS CREEK, Va. – Funeral services for Jared Michael Joyce will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Terry Eversole officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Mack Smith, Joey Dye, Doug Whited, Ted Whited, Kim Ray and Mason Whited. Honorary pallbearers will be Palmer "Pete" Martin, Jackie Ray, Big Ed Sisk, Curtis Reedy, Mike Ray, Branson Whited and Brett Whited. Jared Michael Joyce, age 8, of the Clark’s Valley section, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2004, in Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Clifford Leonard BRISTOL, Tenn. – Clifford Leonard, age 86, died on July 16, 2004, at the Bristol Nursing Home. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. Paul Clifton Loyd ABINGDON – A funeral service for Mr. Paul Clifton Loyd will be conducted Saturday, July 17, 2004, at 10 a.m. in the Greenwood Freewill Baptist Church, with Rev. Ernie Powers and Rev. Bob Jones officiating. Interment in the Greenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be friends and nephews. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Mr. Paul Clifton Loyd, age 67, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2004, at his home. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Loyd family. Geneva L. McCroskey BRISTOL, Va. – Geneva Lee McCroskey, age 75, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2004, at her residence. She was born in Washington County, Va., a daughter to the late Olaf and Blanche Nunley McCroskey. She was a homemaker and a member of Rooty Branch Baptist Church. Survivors include: sons, Tony Stophel and wife Judy of Lynchburg, Va., Wayne Stophel and wife Debbie of Bristol Virginia, and Michael Stophel and wife Patsy of Bluff City; sister, Erma Stewart of Bristol Tennessee; grandchildren, Becky Milan, Brad Stophel, Adam Stophel, Alex Stophel, Chase Mathis and Jennifer Mathis; great-grandchildren, Baxley Clark and Ryan Cross; nieces, Clara Williams and Genevie Dillow; and sister-in-law, Marie McCroskey. She was preceded in death by a brother, Mack McCroskey, and nieces, Tronie Fleenor and Lisa Stewart. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 18, 2004, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Howard Campbell and Rev. Paul Peer officiating. Committal services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers include: Brad Stophel, Adam Stophel, Alex Stophel, Chase Mathis, Ryan Cross and Baxley Clark. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., prior to the service. The family would like to say a special thanks to Wilma and Eddie Dollar, her friends at the 421 Deli and also to Home Hospice Care. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Virginia L. Moore BRISTOL, Va. – Virginia L. Moore, age 73, passed away on Friday, July 16, 2004, at the Cambridge House. The family will receive friends at the home of her daughter at 1119 New Hampshire Ave., Bristol, Va. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Arcie P. Noonkester MARION – Arcie Parks Noonkester, age 101, died Thursday, July 15, 2004, in Francis Marion Manor Nursing Home, Marion. She was preceded in death by her husband, Reggie L. Noonkester, a son, Clarence R. Noonkester, and a daughter, Judith Elaine Noonkester. Surviving are two daughters, Loretta N. Crismond of Marion and Kate N. Legard of Bassett, Va.; one son, Dr. J. Ralph Noonkester of Hattisburg, Miss.; one sister, Lucy Guiberson of North East, Md.; one brother, Harry Parks of North East; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and five great-great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunday, July 18, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Marion Baptist Church, with Dr. Mark Ross officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com Seaver-Brown Funeral Service is serving the Noonkester Family. Eli Ralph O’Quinn CLINCHCO, Va. – Funeral services for Eli Ralph O’Quinn will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Robbie Hay officiating. Interment will follow in O’Quinn Family Cemetery, Dickenson County, Va., with graveside military rites by VFW Post 8979 of Clintwood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the O’Quinn family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com Eli Ralph O’Quinn, 77, died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at his home. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Tommy N. Poolsadlo ST. PAUL, Va. – Tommy N. Poolsadlo, 76, died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. He was born in Wise County, Va., son of the late Thomas and Susie Wright Poolsadlo. He was a retired miner and a member of the UMWA. He was former owner of the Hot Houses in Morefield. He is survived by two sisters, Shirley Alderson of Hobart, Ind., and Juanita Wright of Baltimore; a special niece, Mary Ann Fugate of Baltimore; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Tommy N. Poolsadlo will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Ted Phillips and Rev. John A. Kiser officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Poolsadlo family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Tunis R. Ragan Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – Tunis Russell Ragan Sr., 73, died Thursday, July 15, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Bristol, a son of the late John J. and Amanda Pickle Ragan. He was a graduate of Holston Valley High School, where he played on the basketball team, and was a U.S. Army Medical Corps veteran of the Korean War. He was associated with J.C. Penny Company in Bristol and was transferred to Chattanooga in 1958. He owned and managed Ragan’s Chevron Service Station on Signal Mountain, moved to Albuquerque, N.M., in 1991 and returned to live in Bristol in 2002. He was a member of Paperville United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Reba Ruth Rather Ragan; a son, Tunis Russell Ragan Jr. and his wife Diedra of Albuquerque; two grandsons, Justin Ragan of Los Angeles and Matthew Ragan of Albuquerque; two sisters, Ann Peters of Parksley, Va., and Rosa Lee Bowers of Bloxon, Va; a brother, Victor Ragan of Bristol; his aunt, Bea Fleenor of Bristol; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Monday evening, July 19, 2004, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with the service to follow at 8 o’clock. Rev. James Oxendine will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Paperville United Methodist Church Building Fund, c/o Mrs. Shelby Buskell, Treasurer, 1208 Old Jonesboro Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- cook.com Mr. Ragan and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Marilyn Richardson RICHLANDS – Funeral services for Mrs. Marilyn Webb Richardson will be conducted Saturday, July 17, 2004 at 1 p.m. at the Richlands Tabernacle Church in Richlands, with Rev. John Gabbard and Rev. Mike Roberts officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be: Nathan Webb, Isaac Webb, Greg Webb, Eric Richardson, Josh Richardson and Kendrick Horn. Honorary pallbearers will be the Senior Girls Sunday School Class of the Keen Mountain Free Pentecostal Church. Mrs. Marilyn Webb Richardson, age 49, passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2004, in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy 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 Noah A. Short Sr. POUNDING MILL, Va. – Mr. Noah Andrew Short Sr., age 78, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2004, in a Tazewell hospital following a long illness. Born in Buchanan County, Va., he was the son of the late Terry William and Martha Jane Davis Short. He was a retired coal miner and a member of the Raven Pentecostal Holiness Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two wives, Frances Asbury Short and Hattie Irene Keen Short; one son, Noah Andrew Short Jr.; five brothers, Luther Short, Jim Short, Walter Short, Roy Short and John Short; five sisters, Rosa Short, Ethel Short, Edgar Smith, Nancy Hess and Bertha Smith; and one son-in-law, Ronnie Lee Sneed. Mr. Short is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Shelton Short; seven sons, Eugene Short and wife Patsy of Shortt Gap, Va., Perry Johnson and wife Shelia of Pounding Mill, Benny Short of Rosedale, Va., David Short of Murfreesboro, Tenn., William Short and wife Bonnie of Richlands, Ervin Short and wife Susie of Richlands and Calvin Short and wife Linda of Cedar Bluff; four daughters, Martha Sneed and companion, Bob Compton of Richlands, Jane Wright and husband Ernie of Bandy, Va., Ann Hardy of Richlands and Pamela Davis and husband Steve of Red Ash, Va.; two brothers, Herbert Short and wife Joy of Powhatan, Va., and Paul Short and wife Nancy of Raven, Va.; one sister, Edna Short Rasnake of Lebanon; 22 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren also survive. Special thanks to the staff of Heritage Hall at Tazewell, Tazewell Community Hospital and Dr. Mary Smith and Dr. Larry Mitchell. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2004, in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel, with Rev. Clarence Brown and Rev. Rufus Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery at Richlands. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6-9 p.m. Saturday. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Short Family. Keith Dempsey Speers DAMASCUS – Dr. Keith Dempsey Speers, 77 years of age, formerly of Grundy, died Thursday, July 15, 2004. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Va. Earl Jack Steffey LEBANON – The funeral services for Earl Jack Steffey will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Bill Delp officiating. Burial will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Earl Jack Steffey, age 72, died Thursday, July 15, 2004, in Maple Grove Health Care Center. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Steffey. Gladys M. Winters DAMASCUS – Gladys M. Winters, age 84, passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va., and a daughter of the late John and Olie Spriggs Morgan. She was a widow of Tom Winters and was preceded in death by one son, Jack Morgan, one daughter, Martha Winters, and lifelong friend, Elmer Morefield. She is survived by three daughters, Sarah Combs and her husband, Fred, of Troutdale, Va., Margaret Winters, of Damascus and Susie Smith and her husband, Tom, of Damascus; five sons, Eddie Winters and his wife, Thelma, of Shady Valley, Tenn., Charles Winters and his wife, Louise, Tommy Winters, Billy Winters and his wife, Rachel and Michael Winters, all of Damascus; one sister, Annie V. Rogers of Damascus; 21 grandchildren; 27 great- grandchildren; one great- great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 18, 2004, at the graveside at Mock Cemetery in Damascus, with Rev. David Critcher officiating. The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Saturday, July 17, 2004, at Garrett Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web page at www.garrettfuneralhome.com Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Gladys M. Winters. Hattie G. L. Yates Hattie Geneva Leonard Yates went to be with the Lord on July 15, 2004, after a lengthy illness. Geneva was 82-years-old and a member of Island Road Freewill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter and a loving husband, Benjamin H. Yates. Survivors include: daughters, JoAnn Cox, Eva Phillips and Sue Humphrey, all of Bristol, Janas Long of Maryville, Tenn., Norma Whitaker of Milford, Ohio, and Joyce Johnson and Rebecca Carter of Bristol; sons, Benjamin Yates, Wayne Yates and Rick Yates; 25 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great- grandchild; sister, Mary Yates of Crystal River, Fla.; brother, Joe Leonard of Bristol Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, July 18, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Island Road Freewill Baptist Church, with Pastor Johnny Burton and Brother Jimmy Gross officiating. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers include: Rick Yates, Ben Cox, Billy Phillips, Rowdy Yates, Brad Yates, Mike Yates, Jason Jordan and Marcus Glover. Honorary pallbearers include: Jeremiah Yates, Josh Carter, Eric Stine, Austin Whitaker and Nathan Whitaker. The family would like to say special thanks to Wellmont Hospice House. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.