Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, August 5, 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, Aug. 5, 2004 Today's Deaths James H. Bradley, 68, Wise Ronald E. Jones, 67, Lebanon W.M. Jones, 89, Chilhowie Keith Ivan Lowery, 35, Bristol Tennessee Cullen George McCormick Sr., Bristol Virginia Harry Lee Meade, 60, Coeburn Vernon L. Widener, 81, Kingsport Lola Jackson Wise, 82, Elizabethton, Tenn. James H. Bradley WISE – Rev. James H. Bradley, 68, passed away Saturday, July 31, 2004, at the Lake Wales Medical Center, Lake Wales, Fla. He was an ordained minister for the Church of God, Anderson, Ind., and retired following 18 years of ministry as pastor of the Saddlebag Lake Resort Community Church. A veteran of the Korean conflict serving in the U.S. Air Force and, following his discharge, he was an accountant for John Knox Press and then became a carpenter and built homes until 1983, when he and his family came to Lake Wales and began ministry at the Saddlebag Lake Resort Community Church. Surviving are his wife, Anita Wheatley Bradley of Lake Wales; two daughters and husbands, Rene and Jack Milton of Castlewood and Dawn and Dean Meadows of Lake Wales, two brothers; a sister and four grandchildren, Travis and Eric Milton and Bradley and Bryson Meadows. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens, Abingdon, with the Rev. Shawn Easterling officiating. The family and friends will meet at the Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. The family will receive friends Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God Wise, P.O. Box 980, Wise, VA 24293. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Wise, is in charge of arrangements. Carrie Jane Crabtree ABINGDON – A funeral service for Mrs. Carrie Jane "Nola" Crabtree will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at 1 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, 427 East Main St., with Rev. Mammie Strouth, Rev. Danny Mullins and Rev. Frank Hall officiating. Interment will follow in the Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. Pallbearers will be grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those wishing to express a memory or sympathy online, may do so by visiting, www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Carrie Jane "Nola" Crabtree, age 84, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at her home in Abingdon. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Crabtree. Edith Davis BRISTOL, Tenn. – Edith Davis, age 91, died on Saturday, July 31, 2004, at the NHC Healthcare facility in Bristol Virginia. Edith was born on July 26, 1913, in Bristol Tennessee, to the late George E. and Amelia Galloway Davis. She lived on Spruce Street in Bristol Tennessee for most of her adult life and, more recently, The Grand Court in Bristol Virginia. Ms. Davis served with the U.S. Air Force as a civilian librarian in Havana, Cuba. She also served with the American Red Cross in Puerto Rico, Norfolk, Va., and Washington, D.C. She then went on to work in the Bristol Public School System, where she taught Spanish and developed the Spanish curriculum. Ms. Davis was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Bristol Humane Society and the Bristol Historical Society, where she was instrumental in the 1985 publication of "A Pictorial History of Bristol." She was a graduate of both Virginia Intermont and King College. A memorial service for Ms. Davis will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 700 Cumberland St., Bristol, Va., on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. P. Hamilton Fuller IV officiating. A reception will follow in the church parish hall. Ms. Davis is survived by her sister, Amelia Miles of Virginia Beach, Va., sister-in-law, Priscilla Davis of West End, N.C., and nieces, Angela Nickols and her husband Thomas, of Hot Springs, Ark., and Betty Wade Ward of Virginia Beach. She is also survived by three great-nieces, four great-nephews, three great- great-nieces and five great-great-nephews. In addition to her parents, Ms. Davis was preceded in death by her brother, George E. Davis Jr. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bristol Humane Society, P.O. Box 1586, Bristol, VA 24201. Burial will be private. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Alfred Dickenson Jr. LEBANON – A graveside service for Alfred Browning (Oppy) Dickenson Jr. will be held on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at 4 p.m. at the Tate family plot in West Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, with Rev. Michael Carter and former Pastor Donald Nation of Tazewell officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry McReynolds, Almerine Jackson, Billy Dean Fields, Billy Honaker, Ron Barrett, George Thomas and Steven Shortt. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery. Alfred Browning (Oppy) Dickenson Jr., 67, passed away on Saturday, July 31, 2004, at the Russell County Medical Center after an extended illness. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements, (276) 889-1212. Richard L. Emmert DAMASCUS – Crypt side services for Richard Lewis Emmert will be held Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens Chapel of Memories, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, with Rev. John Stapleton officiating. Family and friends are requested to meet at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Memorial Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Richard Lewis Emmert, 78, passed away Monday, Aug. 2, 2004. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Emmert family. Charles Wade Gowan BRISTOL, Tenn. – The family of Charles Wade Gowan will be receiving friends from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday at 328 Cedar Valley Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Weaver Funeral Home. Charles Wade Gowan, age 51, of 328 Cedar Valley Road, passed away Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004. Ruth Hensley NORTON – Ruth Fields Hensley, 87, died Saturday, July 31, 2004, in Daytona Beach, Fla. A former resident of Norton, she had made her home in the Daytona Beach area for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bates Hensley; daughter Patricia Phillips; granddaughter, Vanessa Phillips; her parents, Rev. Leonard and Janie Fields; three sisters, Helen, Pauline and Alma; two bothers, Paul and Ray. Surviving are a granddaughter, Denise Burton; two grandsons, Ralph "Bo" Phillips and Tim Phillips; son-in-law, Ralph Phillips; sister, Louise Pauley; two brothers, John Fields and Elmer Fields; several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Friday in the Mausoleum Chapel of Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday in the Mausoleum Chapel, with Rev. Noah G. Stout officiating. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton in charge of arrangements. Albert B. Holbrook COEBURN – Albert B. Holbrook, 79, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at the Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital Norton. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Patton and Pearley Holbrook; two sons, infant Gregory Holbrook and Kenneth Holbrook; six brothers, Gothard, Gilbert, Clifford, Wayne, Paul and Sam Sr. Holbrook; a sister, Gladys Kirk; and a step-grandson, Jason Petro. Mr. Holbrook was a retired mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service; a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army and receiving a Silver Star and Purple Heart. He attended the Midway Church, in Coeburn. Surviving are his wife, Marie E. Holbrook of Coeburn; three sons, Darrell and Joy Holbrook of Castlewood and Roger Holbrook and Eddie Holbrook, both of Coeburn; two daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Buddy Hamilton of St. Paul, Va., and Donna and Kevin Johnson of Coeburn; one daughter-in-law, Eula Holbrook of Coeburn; a brother, Howard "Bud’ Holbrook of Knoxville; two sisters, Beulah Dean of Roanoke and Helen Thomas of Castlewood; eight grandchildren; one great- grandchild and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Kermit Evans officiating. Burial will follow in the Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Norton VFW Post 4301. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, is in charge of arrangements. Ronald E. Jones LEBANON – Ronald E. Jones, 67, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, in the Hummingbird Retirement Villa. Arrangements are incomplete. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Jones family. W.M. Jones CHILHOWIE – W.M. "Bill" Jones, 89, died Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon. He was a well-known farmer and merchant of the area. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Hughes Jones; two sons, Max Jones and his wife Judy, and Eddie Hughes and his wife Debbie, all of Chilhowie; four grandchildren, Brittney Hughes, Robin R. Hanks, Penny Joe Jones and Jonathan Jones, and three great-grandchildren, James Young, Jessica Young and Nick Jones. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in Williams Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery. Flowers will be appreciated or contributions may be made to Chilhowie Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 5012, Chilhowie, VA 24319, or Riverside Baptist Church Improvement Fund, c/o Linda C. Sturgill, 1429 Riverside Road, Chilhowie, VA 24319. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Williams Funeral Home. Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie, is serving the family of W.M. "Bill" Jones. Mary Kopelson LEBANON – The funeral service for Mary Ruth Sutton Kopelson will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Darrell Fletcher officiating. Burial will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Heart Association, the Arthritis Foundation or the American Diabetes Association. Mary Ruth Sutton Kopelson, 79, died Sunday, Aug. 1, 2004, at her home in Greenville, S.C., where she moved in January 2002. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Kopelson. Dorothy Webb Long RADFORD, Va. – Funeral services for Mrs. Dorothy Webb Long will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with the Rev. Robert Buckles and Rev. Max Nichols officiating. Interment will follow at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Pallbearers will be Charles Renfroe, Randy Renfroe, Michael Cox, Freddie Cox, Brian Webb and Victor Lawson. Honorary pallbearer will be Morris Meadows. Mrs. Dorothy Webb Long, age 86, formerly of Richlands, went to be with the Lord Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, in a Christiansburg, Va., 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. Keith Ivan Lowery BRISTOL, Tenn. – Keith Ivan Lowery, age 35, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at his residence. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. Cullen McCormick Sr. BRISTOL, Va. – Cullen George "Mac" McCormick Sr. passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2004, at his home. He was born in Pensacola, Fla., a son of the late Allen L. McCormick and America McGill McCormick, and was a veteran of U.S. Air Force. He was a musician and had his own band. He was well-liked and well-loved and will be missed by dear friends and loving family. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Canter McCormick; a daughter, Laura Cardwell; two sons, Cullen George McCormick Jr. and Byron Keith McCormick; a sister, Wanda Knowles; a brother, Allen L. McCormick; 10 grandchildren, including Jerry Cardwell Jr., Wesley Steelman and Sheena Campbell. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o’clock Thursday evening at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 o’clock Friday morning in the Blevins Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, with Rev. Kenny Widner officiating. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Mountain Home, Tenn. Pallbearers will be Paul Deems, Gary Trinkle, Jim Privette, Kenny Humphry, David Robertstad and Jeff Reynolds. David Busick will be an honorary pallbearer. Military honors will be presented by Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mr. McCormick and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Harry Lee Meade COEBURN – Harry Lee Meade, 60, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn. He was a self-employed diesel mechanic and a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, serving in the U.S. Navy. Surviving are his son, Randall Meade of Coeburn; two daughters, Sherrie Meade and Dina Meade Mullins, both of Coeburn; eight grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, in the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel, Coeburn, with the Rev. Hassie Meade officiating. Burial will follow in the Temple Hill Memorial Park Castlewood, with military graveside rites conducted by the Norton VFW Post 4301. The family will receive friends Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, after 6 p.m. at the Sturgill Funeral Home, Coeburn. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, is in charge of arrangements. Pauline J. Opengari BRISTOL, Tenn. – Pauline J. Opengari, 81, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., a daughter of the late Arlie S. and Pearl Kate Doss Johnson. She retired after 27 years with Sears. She was a member of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and the 40 & 8 La Femmes. Survivors include her husband, Pete Opengari; two brothers, Arlie S. Johnson Jr. of Johnson City and Randall Gene Johnson of Bristol. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon in the Heritage Chapel of Memories at Glenwood Cemetery, with Dr. Bill S. Goforth officiating. Burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Bristol Cancer Association, 1255 West State St., Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories can be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mrs. Opengari and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Vernon L. Widener KINGSPORT – Vernon L. Widener, age 81, of 316 Rockwood St., passed away Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, at the Indian Path Hospital, following a brief illness. Vernon was born in Clinchburg, Va., Feb. 2, 1923, to the late Hobert and Viola Widener. He retired from Tennessee Eastman in 1985, following 44 years of service. He was a member of the VFW Patton-Crosswhite of Bristol Post 6975 and the American Legion Post 3 of Kingsport. He was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Army. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul Roberts and E. Ray Widener, his sisters, Irma Collins and Carolyn Carico, and a step-grandson, Jeremy Evans. Vernon is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Virginia Hicks Widener of the home; his daughter, Sandra Pendleton and husband Rollins of Blountville; his sons, Michael Widener and wife Christine of Kingsport, L. Ray Widener and wife Gay of Kingsport and Phillip J. Widener and wife Melanie of Kingsport; two grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; sisters, Eileen Collins of Kingsport and Wanda McCormick of Van Cleave, Miss.; special friends, Mike and Michelle Easterling, and two great-godchildren. Calling hours will be Thursday 6-8 p.m. at the East Lawn Funeral Home and any time at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Christine Widener, 6017 Orebank Road, Kingsport. Graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the East Lawn Memorial Park, where family and friends will meet for full military honors conducted by the VFW Patton Crosswhite Post 6975 of Bristol and Troop F 2/278. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the VFW Patton-Crosswhite of Bristol, 14 16th St., Bristol, Tenn., or the American Legion Post 3 of Kingsport. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a tribute to the Widener family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Widener family. Lola Jackson Wise ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Lola Jackson Wise, age 82, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at Pine Ridge Nursing Home in Elizabethton. She was born and raised in Abingdon. She was preceded in death by one son, Bobby Wise, and one daughter, Ann Hutchins. Survivors include her daughter, Betty Barnes of Johnson City; two sons, Don Wise of Yuma, Va., and Curtis Wise of Johnson City; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Tommy Jackson and wife Sue; one sister-in-law, Sarah Jackson of Florida, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service for Lola Jackson Wise will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, in the Mausoleum Chapel at Knollkreg Cemetery in Abingdon, with the Rev. Bob Carbary officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Saturday night at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Fund. Those wishing to share memories or messages of sympathy may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Lola Jackson Wise.