Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, July 28, 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, July 28, 2004 Today's Deaths Mary Lynne Croom, 81, Norton Louise DeBusk Gunter, 92, Abingdon Emily Surber Haga. Saltville Michael Lee Hall, 51, Atkins, Va. Maude Bailiff Horney, 88, formerly of Cripple Creek, Va. Bertie Ellen Maness, 62, Bristol Virginia Marcie Crowder Morrell, 76, Bluff City Richard Lee Neil, 35, Max Meadows, Va. Ernest Sawyers, 88, Pounding Mill, Va. Laura Grace Stuart, 81, Chilhowie Sam T. Tatum, 79, Richlands Larry E. Bradley BRISTOL – The committal and interment service for Larry Edward Bradley will be held at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, July 28, 2004, at Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jason Hawk, Rick Hodges, R.D. Dickenson, Rex Evans, Kyle Carter, Sherrill Flick, Ronnie Buchanan and Roger Brixey. Honorary pallbearers will be Daris King, Stuart Bradley Jr. and Tyler Bradley. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Larry Edward Bradley, 62, died Sunday, July 25, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Bradley and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Gladys Brickey NORTON – Funeral services for Gladys O. Shupe Brickey will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wilson Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, with Rev. Randy Sturgill officiating. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Gladys O. Shupe Brickey, 86, died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at Embracing Arms Hospice in Snellville, Ga. Valerie C. Church RICHLANDS – Funeral services for Miss Valerie Charlene Church will be conducted Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Pastor Randy Shields officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Richard Church, Ronald Church, Roger White, Jordan White, Barry Gross, Lucian McGuinn, Junior Jones and Daniel Rose. Honorary pallbearers: Dr. William Hunter and Dr. Mario Stefanini. Miss Valerie Charlene Church, age 44, died Sunday, July 25, 2004, at a Bristol Tennessee medical center, 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. Norman J. Compton COUNCIL, Va. – Mr. Norman Johnson Compton, age 88, departed this life Monday, July 26, 2004, at the home of his daughter, following an extended illness. Born May 7, 1916, in Council, he was the son of the late Robert and Maggie Taylor Compton. A lifelong resident of Buchanan County, he was a member of Corinth Baptist Church at Council. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. He was a retired Buchanan County Schools maintenance department employee. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ada Hale Compton in 1985; one son, Jack Benny Compton in 2003; one grandson, Gregory Johnson Compton in 1981, and one sister, Cora Electa Compton Terry in 1994. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Peggy and Al Lewis of Lincoln, Neb., and Glenda Kay and James D. Fletcher of Council; one daughter-in-law, Jama Compton of Lincoln; three grandchildren, Robert Wade Compton, Kimberly Robertus and Kelly Jeffries, all of Lincoln; eight great-grandchildren also survive. Special thanks is extended to his devoted caregivers, Edith Helton, Betsy Ball, Betty A. Helton, Pauline Gillispie, Betty Austin, Patty Auville, R.N. and the entire staff of Total Home Care Hospice staff. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Troy Harris and Rev. Clyde Lambert officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon. Pallbearers will be James Harold Austin, Donald Austin, Mark Austin, Harold Mitchell, Robert Wade Compton, Clyde Ball and Gary Fletcher. Honorary pallbearers will be Herman Compton, Curtis Compton, Junior Cook, Larry Hale, Frank Barton, Dr. Larry Mitchell and employees and retirees of Buchanan County School maintenance department. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Wednesday. Military graveside honors will be conducted by John Ratliff Post 164 of American Legion of Grundy. Mary Lynne Croom NORTON – Mary Lynne Croom, 81, died Sunday, July 25, 2004, at her home. A native of the Dot community in Lee County, Va., she made her home in Hampton, Va., before moving to Norton in 1996 to be close to family here. Born to the late John Earl and Ferol Stamper Anderson, she was the eldest of three sisters and was the widow of Linwood Croom Sr. She was a member of the Norton Christian Church. Mrs. Croom was a graduate of Lincoln Memorial University, was a librarian with the Hampton City Schools and retired from the Benjamin Simms Junior High School. In Hampton, she attended Orcutt Avenue Baptist Church and was a charter member of the American Business Women’s Association and the Elizabeth Lakes Garden Club. She was very proud of her patriotic heritage and her memberships in the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was chaplain in both the Newport News/Free State of Franklin Chapter, NSDAR, and in Norton, the Boone Trail Chapter, NSDAR. She was also an associate member of the Lovelady Chapter, NSDAR in Lee County and the American Association of University Women. Survivors include her children and spouses, R.L. and Parthena Croom of Newport News, Billy and Bonnie Croom, Yorktown, Va., and Faye Timberlake, Newport News; sisters, Pauline A. Hagy and Margaret "Peggy" Blair, both of Norton; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Other family include nieces and nephews, Joe and Margaret Lynne Cress, Marty and Martha Hagy, Amy Hagy, Shane Boles, Karen Hollick, Candice Calloway and Sharon Nixon. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel, with Jim Wells and John Ellington officiating. Burial will be Saturday in Park Lawn Memorial Park, Hampton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Norton Christian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 216, Norton, VA 24273, or to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is in charge of services for Mrs. Croom. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Louise D. Gunter ABINGDON – Louise DeBusk Gunter, age 92, passed away on Monday, July 26, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. Born Sept. 17, 1911, she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth Bishop DeBusk and the late John Gross DeBusk Sr., builder and owner of DeBusk Mill in Washington County, Va. She grew up as a member of Old Glade Presbyterian Church, attended Queens College and the College of William and Mary, and was a nurse in Glade Spring during the late 1930s and 1940s. More recently, she had been a member of Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph George Gunter, and their two-year-old son, William Ralph Gunter, as well as her sister, Laura DeBusk Arington, and brother, John Gross DeBusk Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Gunter Haviland; son-in-law, David Pairman Haviland of Abingdon, and two grandchildren, Simon Windson Haviland of Bend, Ore., and Hannah Louise Haviland of London. Surviving also are one sister, Agnes DeBusk Ingram of Mt. Gilead, N.C.; brother-in-law, Charles Reid Gunter of Ridgeway, Va., and sister-in-law, Flora Copenhaver DeBusk Scott of Chilhowie, as well as a number of nieces and nephews. Memorial donations may be made to Ecumenical Faith in Action (EFIA), a multi- denominational food service pantry for the needy, at P.O. Box 2419, Abingdon, VA 24212, or to the Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 136 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210. Flowers are also welcome. Pallbearers are David Cline, Dan Smith, Fred Parker, Walter I. "Jim" White Jr., David White and Richard White. Honorary pallbearers are Walter I. White Sr., Mrs. Betty Ferrier and Dr. Catherine Smith. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2004, at the Farris Cremation and Funeral Center at Forest Hills, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon. The funeral service will be held on Friday, July 30, 2004, at 3 p.m. at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon, followed by interment at Knollkreg Memorial Park. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to all of the staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital for their very kind professional care of Mrs. Gunter. Farris Cremation and Funeral Center at Forest Hills, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Gunter. Emily Surber Haga SALTVILLE – Mrs. Emily Surber Haga passed away Monday, July 26, 2004, at Smyth County Community Hospital. She was born April 27, 1924, to the late William and Sarah Tolbert Surber. She was a homemaker and had resided in the Saltville area. Mrs. Haga had been a resident of Valley Health Care Center for the past 16 months. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luchen G. Haga, three brothers, Elkanah Surber, Raymond Surber and Berkley Surber, six sisters, Susie Surber, Matilhda Roberts, Mildred Burkett, Beulah Yarvis, Gladys Bales and Margaret Cisco. Survivors: four daughters and sons-in-law, Sandi and Herb Olshin of Burtonsville, Md., Kathy and Gary Ratcliffe of Saltville, Lisa and Steve Levy of Winters, Calif., and Cheri and Alex Kale of Charlotte, N.C.; two grandsons, Isaac Ratcliffe of Harrisburg, N.C., and Paul Ratcliffe of Chilhowie; two granddaughters, Staff Sgt. Kimberly Ratcliffe, U.S. Army, Fort Bragg, N.C., and Sarah Pendry of Charlotte; three great-granddaughters; one great-grandson; two special friends, Susie Neal Call and Shelby Hagy; one brother, Oliver Surber of Falmouth, Maine; two sisters, Lemmie DeBusk of Saltville and Mary Yarvis of Portage, Ind.; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services for Mrs. Haga will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home, with Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Rose Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Haga family. Michael Lee Hall ATKINS, Va. – Michael Lee Hall, age 51, died Monday, July 26, 2004, in Smyth County Community Hospital. Born Jan. 18, 1953, in Princeton, W.Va., to the late Randolph and Lula McGrady Hall. Michael had accepted Christ as his personal Savior nine years ago, was baptized two years ago and became an active member of Joy Baptist Church, Chilhowie. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife, Susanne Hall of Atkins; three daughters, April Hall of Sugar Grove and Tiana Hall and Laura Hall, both of Atkins; one son, Josh Hall of Atkins; one sister, Yvonne "Sis" Hall of Rutledge, Tenn.; two brothers, Randy Hall of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Cody Hall of Gordonville, Pa.; three grandchildren, Corey Shupe, Kyrah Shupe and Branson Shupe; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Rosemarie and William Somervell of Chilhowie; a special uncle, Donald Hall and wife Bert of Danville, Va., and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 29, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Joy Baptist Church, Chilhowie, with Pastor Jerry Atkins officiating. The body will be taken to the church one hour before the service. Burial will follow in Resurrection Gardens, Atkins, where military rites will be conducted by Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Seaver- Brown Funeral Service, P.O. Box 427, Marion, VA 24354, to help the family with the funeral expenses. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Hall family. Maude B. Horney Maude Bailiff Horney, age 88, formerly of Cripple Creek, Va., passed away Monday, July 26, 2004, at Grayson Nursing and Rehab Center, Independence, Va., after an extended illness. She was a member of Mt. Ephriam United Methodist Church, Crockett, Va. Born in Banner Elk, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Dave and Mary Bailiff. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Ralph Horney, five brothers and two sisters. She was a homemaker and involved in the family dairy farm in Cripple Creek for many years. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, William R. "Bill" Jr. and Sandi Horney of Chattanooga, George and Patsy Horney of Bristol Virginia and Dr. Wayne and Belinda Horney of Wytheville; two daughters and sons-in-law, Glenda and Elmer Stuart of Wytheville and Mary and Roger Garrett of Abingdon; seven granddaughters, Susan Whalen and James of Rural Retreat, Billie Jean Horney of Rossville, Va., Brandy Horney of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Amanda Garrett of Winston- Salem, N.C., Stephanie Crockett and John of Charlottesville, Sarah Garrett of Winston-Salem and Lauren Horney of Wytheville; one grandson, Lee Garrett of Arlington, Va., and three great-grandsons, Cory and Will Whalen of Rural Retreat and Jackson Cantillon of Murfreesboro. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at 4 p.m. at the Barnett Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Richard Horney and Rev. Bob Carbary officiating. Interment will be in Rosewood Memorial Gardens, Rural Retreat. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home or at the residence of Glenda Stuart at any time. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to Twin County Hospice, P.O. Box 106, Galax, VA 24333 or Alzheimer’s Association or Mt. Ephriam UMC Building Fund, Crockett. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, is in charge of arrangements. Thelma Huff LEBANON – The funeral service for Thelma Faye Sturgill Huff will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, in the Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mike Carter officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church, 120 Tate St., Lebanon. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Tony Dotson and Benson Redman. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Brian Easton, Dr. Hughes Melton, Dr. Baron, Dr. Byers, Dr. McSherry, Dr. Rowell, the nursing staff at Russell County Medical Center, Select Speciality, Bristol Wellmont and Maple Grove. A special thanks to Rev. Mike Carter and a very special nurse, Loretta, at Maple Grove. Thelma Faye Sturgill Huff, age 69, went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 25, 2004, at the Bristol Wellmont. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Huff. Jerome H. Jackson Sr. LEBANON – The funeral service for Jerome H. Jackson Sr. will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with Elder Ben Combs and Elder Garnell Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Grandsons and nephews will serve as pallbearers. Military rites will be conducted by the Lebanon VFW Post 9864. Jerome H. Jackson Sr., age 69, died Sunday, July 25, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Jackson. Bertie Ellen Maness BRISTOL, Va. – Bertie Ellen Maness, age 62, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at Bristol Nursing Home. She was the daughter of the late Bill and Hazel Hinkle Reed and was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. She was a housewife and a member of Charity Pentecostal Church. Survivors include husband, John Maness; sons, Tony Maness, Charles E. Maness and Robert Maness; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Maggie Moore and Linda Wilson; brothers, Hubert Reed, Michael Reed, Roger Reed and Rylan Reed; special friend of 30 years, Clint D. "Delo" McMurray, and special pet, Susie Q. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Jean Maness, and a sister, Sandra Carr. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jimmy Epperson officiating. Interment will follow in the Paperville Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be friends of the family. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home and other times at the home of her sister, Maggie Moore, at 6369 Gate City Highway, Bristol, VA 24202. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Marcie C. Morrell BLUFF CITY – Marcie Crowder Morrell, 76, 685 Riverside Road, died Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at NHC Healthcare, Johnson City, following an extended illness. A native of Washington County, she was the daughter of the late Henry G. and Fannie E. Crowder. Mrs. Morrell was a member of Bluff City Baptist Church and a former member of Thomas Memorial Presbyterian Church of Bluff City. She was a member of the Bluff City Chapter 414 Order of the Eastern Star and a Red Cross volunteer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Morrell Sr., in 1995. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Chuck and Teresa Morrell of Bristol Tennessee, David Lee and Renee Morrell of University Heights, Ohio, and Frank H. and Karen Morrell of Bluff City; four grandchildren, Albrey, Brook and Casey Morrell, all of Bluff City, and Morgan Morrell of Bristol Tennessee; two great-grandchildren, David and Jessee Scott, both of Bluff City; two brothers, Jack and Samuel Crowder, both of Elizabethton, Tenn.; seven sisters, Florence Ritchie of Elizabethton, Ella Malone of Watauga, Tenn., Edith Shipley and Geneva Curd, both of Blountville, Mary Lyons of Bluff City, Ida Tkatah of Mission Viego, Calif., and Isabell Bowers of Gray, Tenn., and several nieces and nephews also survive. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, in the Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Bluff City, with Dr. Joe Blankenship officiating. Interment will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 29, 2004, in Monte Vista Memorial Gardens, Johnson City. Everyone will meet at the cemetery at 10:55 a.m. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Red Cross, 901 Commonwealth Ave., Bristol, VA 24201. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the Tetrick Funeral Home Chapel, prior to the service. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web site at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home, Bluff City Chapel (423)538-7131. Donald Gene Mullins HAYSI – A graveside service for Donald "Donnie" Mullins will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at the Monroe Stanley Cemetery, Caney Ridge. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Donald "Donnie" Mullins, age 46, passed away Sunday, July 25, 2004, at Dickenson Community Hospital, Clintwood, after a lengthy illness. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Richard Lee Neil MAX MEADOWS, Va. – Richard Lee Neil, 35, passed away Sunday, July 25, 2004, following a short illness. He was born in Baltimore Dec. 28, 1968, a son of Luther Lee and Nan Nott Neil of Sykesville, Md. Mr. Neil was an instructor at Emory & Henry College at Emory, Va., a doctorate student at Virginia Tech, a member of the Republican National Convention and a member of the Fort Chiswell United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by one brother, Michael Scott Neil. Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his wife, Michelle "Shelley" Groves Neil of Max Meadows; one daughter, Caliegh Christina Neil of Max Meadows; two sons, Ryan Michael Neil and Christopher MacKenzie Neil, both of Max Meadows; one sister, Misty Leigh Neil of Randallstown, Md., and maternal grandmother, Wilma Rogers Nott of Randallstown. Funeral services will be held 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2004, at the Fort Chiswell United Methodist Church, with Rev. Rich Lindamood and Rev. Laura Wyke officiating. Entombment will follow at the Wallace Memorial Mausoleum at Clintonville, W.Va., at 2 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2004. Friends may call at the Fort Chiswell United Methodist Church from 5-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 29, 2004. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association or to the Fort Chiswell United Methodist Church. Groves Funeral Home in Union, W.Va., is in charge of arrangements. Preston A. Nichols BLUFF CITY – Funeral services for Preston A. Nichols will be held Wednesday, July 28, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Pete Booher and Niles Kitzmiller officiating. Burial will follow in the Crumley Cemetery, with military honors to be rendered by the Highlands Fellowship Church Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Charlie Powers, Doug Lewis, Jeff Hashbarger, Greg Ferguson, Steve Houck, Kenneth Lawrence, Todd Roberts and Wade Lockner. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Kaplan, Dr. John Green, Dr. Keith Kramer, Dr. Lane, Wayne Morrell, Paul Carlyle, Dallas Blevins, Bob Wise, Gary Ingle, Danny Gross, Johnny Campbell and Meredith Stike. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Sunrise Baptist Church, 217 Morrell Creek Road, Bluff City, TN 37618. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Preston A. Nichols, age 79, of 2555 Hickory Tree Road, went to be with the Lord Sunday, July 25, 2004, at his home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lucille Kiser Nunley LEBANON – The funeral services for Lucille Kiser Nunley will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with Ms. Katie Miller officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m. Thursday, July 29, 2004, in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Those attending should meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. to go to the cemetery in procession. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, prior to the service at the funeral home. Lucille Kiser Nunley, age 93, died Monday, July 26, 2004, in Maple Grove Health Care Center. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Nunley. Ernest Sawyers POUNDING MILL, Va. – Mr. Ernest Sawyers, age 88, died Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at his home, following a brief illness. He was born in Pike County, Ky., and was a son of the late Jim and Vernie Thacker Sawyers, both Pike County natives. He was a retired miner and a member of the United Mine Workers of America, an avid farmer and a former employee of S&S Corporation. He made his home in the Pounding Mill area the past 50 years and was a member of the Cornerstone Church in Richlands. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Bonnie Marie Williams Sawyers, Jan. 4, 2004, two sisters, Cordie Matney and Hazel Sawyers, two brothers, Clayton Sawyers and James Sawyers, and one half-sister, Anita Rose. Survivors are one daughter, Mrs. Jim (Betty) Rasnick of Steelesburg, Va.; three sons, Mr. Billy Sawyers and wife Iva of Richlands, Rev. Tex Sawyers and wife Juanita of Richlands and Mr. Rick Sawyers and wife Susan of Tazewell; two half- brothers, Mr. Bobby Sawyers of Lick Creek, Ky., and Mr. Paul Sawyers of Grapevine, Ky.; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Ernest Sawyers will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Ray Sawyers officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Shawn Sawyers, Shawn Williams, Nathaniel Sawyers, Pete Rasnick, Ernie Rasnick, Ken Arnold, Geoff Shepard and Andrew Rasnick. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Wednesday. 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. Laura Grace Stuart CHILHOWIE – Laura Grace Stuart, age 81, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2004, at her home. Survivors and funeral arrangements will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie. William S. Tankersley BRISTOL, Tenn. – William S. "Dub" Tankersley, 90, died Sunday, July 25, 2004, at his residence. "Dub" was a lifelong resident of Bristol Tennessee and was one of six children of the late William and Mae Tankersley. He attended Tennessee High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. After 30 years of service, "Dub" retired as a supervisor from the U.S. Postal Service. A loving father, grandfather and friend, he was preceded in death by his wife, Myra Tankersley of Bristol Tennessee, a daughter, Gale Giles, his parents, four brothers and a sister. "Dub" is survived by one son, Dick Tankersley of Bristol Tennessee; a sister-in- law, Jean Massengill of Burlington, Wash.; a son-in-law, Eric Giles of Florence, Ala.; granddaughters, Carol Roberts of Seymour, Tenn., Stacey Williamson of Chattanooga, Paige Tankersley of Bristol Tennessee and Bradley Tankersley of Bristol Tennessee; grandsons, John Tankersley of Asheville, N.C., Clay Giles of Bristol Tennessee and Brian Tankersley of Bristol Tennessee; granddaughter-in- law, Teresa Giles of Bristol Tennessee; grandson-in-law, Ben Williams of Chattanooga; great-granddaughters, Victoria Roberts of Seymour and Sarah Williamson of Chattanooga; nieces, Beverly Wetherington of Lagrange, Ga., and Hope Howell of Harrison, Tenn., and nephews, Billy Brownlow of Abingdon and Jimmy Lynn Tankersley of Detroit. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 o’clock Wednesday evening, July 28, 2004, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 o’clock Thursday afternoon, July 29, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Tom Hicks officiating. The committal service and interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery, Bristol Tennessee. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Tankersley and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Sam T. Tatum RICHLANDS – Mr. Sam T. Tatum, age 79, died Monday, July 26, 2004, at James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tenn., following a brief illness. He was born in Steelesburg, Va., and was a son of the late Robert and Sarah Lowe Tatum, both Tazewell County natives. He was a retired mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Richlands for 27 years and was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran with the 41st Infantry Division and was a lifetime member of the Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands. He was a lifelong resident of the Richlands area and was a member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Mrs. Dolly Davis, one brother, Mr. James "Bud" Tatum, three half-sisters, Sally Harris, Dora Davis and Hulda Davis; also, three half-brothers, Robert Davis, E.G. Tatum and Fred Tatum. Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Mary H. Puckett Tatum; two sons, Mr. Bob Tatum and wife Maxine of Richlands and Mr. Jerry Tatum and wife Gail of Wardell, Va.; one brother, Mr. Joe H. Tatum of Wardell, and grandchildren, Travis Tatum, Brett Tatum, Lorrie Tatum, Rowe Tatum and Gary Lee Tatum. Funeral services for Mr. Sam T. Tatum will be conducted Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Mr. Larry Ratliff officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands and the Disabled American Veterans Tazewell County Chapter 31 will conduct military graveside rites. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Wednesday. 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. Edith S. Rouse Wills BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Edith S. Rouse Wills will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 28, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home, with Rev. Grady Winegar and Rev. Elmer Lester officiating. Pallbearers will be Matthew Winegar, Wayne Wills, Bob Murphy, Jeff Morrissey and David Long. Honorary pallbearers will be Earl Wills and Carl Murphy.The burial will follow in Rooty Branch Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Edith S. Rouse Wills, age 86, of 204 Willow St., passed away Sunday, July 25, 2004, at her residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.