Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, August 7, 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, Aug. 7, 2004 Today's Deaths Verna Cassidy, 66, Saltville Charles W. Eads, 80, Bristol Virginia Wilma Dalton Finley, 90, Rutledge, Tenn. Ivan DeWees Grable Evelyne E. Kressman, 79, Bristol Tennessee Doris Love Elruth Widener Trent, 74, Glade Spring Linda Widener, 61, Damascus Verna Cassidy SALTVILLE – Mrs. Verna Cassidy, age 66, went to Heaven on Aug. 5, 2004. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Susie Haynes, and her sisters, Glenda Neal and Nancy McNew. Mrs. Cassidy was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church. Survivors include her husband of 43 years, Rossie Cassidy, Saltville; her daughter-at-heart, Susan and husband Chad Snodgrass, Saltville; her "Little Man," Lane Snodgrass; sister, Mary Billings and husband Roby, Bristol Virginia; brother, Sam Haynes and wife Sylvia, Bristol Tennessee; many special nieces and nephews and many friends and neighbors. The family will receive friends any time at the Verna and Rossie Cassidy home, 1533 East Main St., Saltville. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery for graveside services that will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, in the New Elizabeth Cemetery in Saltville, with the Rev. Jerry Williams, Rev. Sam Haynes, Rev. Scott Spence and Rev. Shirley Carter officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 429 Allison Gap Road, Saltville, VA 24370. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Cassidy family. Edith Davis BRISTOL, Tenn. – A memorial service for Edith 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. 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. Edith Davis, age 91, died on Saturday, July 31, 2004, at the NHC Healthcare facility in Bristol Virginia. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Andrew C. Dolinger ABINGDON – Mr. Andrew C. Dolinger, age 71, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004. He was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va. He retired from the U.S. Air Force, after serving his country for 20 years. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1994. Before illness forced him to retire, he and his oldest son operated Dolinger Heating and Cooling. Andy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and was loved by all that knew him. He had a keen sense of humor that quickly won friends and influenced many. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty; three sons and two daughters, Andrew C. Dolinger Jr. and wife Lisa, Cathy Swindall and husband Doug, Jack Ray Dolinger and wife Robin, Sam Dolinger and Dianna Hall and husband Junior, all of Abingdon; eight grandchildren, Shawn Hall, Jon, Bradley and Christopher Dolinger, Mandy (Dolinger) Burden and Samantha Dolinger and Amy and Carrie Widener; one great-grandson, Ethan Burden; three sisters, Frieda James, Harriett Fulbright and Ruth Casey, all of Bristol Virginia, and a sister-in-law, Ellen Dolinger of Bristol Virginia. A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Pleasant View United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jim Goddard and Rev. Jerry Eggers officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the Pleasant View United Methodist Church. Military rites will be conducted by the Pope Air Force Base Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. John Green, Dr. Tom Green, Dr. Doug Green, Dr. Michael Bible, Dr. Safraz Zaidi, Dr. George Testerman and all his special physical therapists at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital in Kingsport. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County Life Saving Crew, P.O. Box 65, Abingdon, VA 24212. 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 Mr. Dolinger. Charles W. Eads BRISTOL, Va. – Charles W. "Jack" Eads, 80, died Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Born in Wilcoe, W.Va., he was the son of the late Charles R. Eads and Minnie Arnold Eads. After moving to Bristol in 1941, he served in the Army during World War II. He later retired from N&W Railroad after 34 years of service. He was a member of Patton-Crosswhite VFW Post 6975, of Masonic York Lodge 12 of the Scottish Rite in Knoxville and the York Rite in Greenville, S.C. He was a member of the Jericho Shrine Temple in Kingsport, the Shrine Hospital in Greenville and an Emeritus member. He was also a member of Anderson Street United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret Rankin Eads; three daughters, Mrs. Freddy (Carol) Bowers, Mrs. Wilburn (Sheryl) Leonard and Mrs. Robert "Bobby" (Brenda) Chappel Jr., all of Bristol Virginia; a sister, Cleo Cheeks of Westminster, Md.; five grandchildren, Charles Leonard, Dwanna Harrison, Gary Bowers, Amy Chisom and Robby Chappell; six great-grandchildren, Chantel Leonard, Anna Harrison, Julie Leonard, Jana Harrison, Kelsey Chisom and Madison Chappell; a special niece, Lee McNew of Indiana, and several other nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon, Aug. 8, 2004, at Anderson Street United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 4 o’clock, with Rev. Richie Hayes, pastor, officiating. A Masonic service will follow. The committal service and burial will be conducted at 1 o’clock Monday afternoon in Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by Highlands Fellowship Honor Guard. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley- blevins.com. Mr. Eads and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Wilma Dalton Finley RUTLEDGE, Tenn. – Wilma Dalton Finley, 90, passed away at her home on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004. She was born in Rutledge and had lived there all of her life. She was a member of the Blue Springs Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Finley, three brothers, Tandy, Horace and Millard Dalton, and one granddaughter, Cherie Lester. She is survived by her children, one daughter, Jo Ann and her husband Bill Lester of Bristol Virginia; two sons, Lyle and his wife Michele Finley of Nashville and Damon Finley of Abingdon; five sisters, Alma Biddle, Grace Nance, Maude Clark and Helen Noe of Rutledge and Ivy Owens of Knoxville; one sister-in- law, Mildred Dalton, and special friends, Sara and Arnold Tackett of Chattanooga. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Keith, Mark and Brad Finley, Tina Viers, Jamie White and Debbie Finley, seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Grainger Memorial Garden. Pallbearers will be Don Nance, Jack Dalton, Benny Atkins, Charles "Shorty" Owens, Mark Finley, Brad Finley, Alexander Viers, Matthew Cunningham and Chase Cunningham. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Robert Montgomery, Angie Atkins, Donna Whaley and staff of Barbara’s Sitter Service. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Smith Funeral Home, Rutledge. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Blue Springs Baptist Church, Building Fund, 956 Highway 92, Rutledge, TN 37682, or any charity of your choice. Funeral announcement courtesy of Akard Funeral Home. Ralph V. Fox BLOUNTVILLE – Calling hours for Ralph V. Fox will be 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the East Lawn Funeral Home. Family and friends will meet for a 2 p.m. graveside service Sunday at the East Lawn Memorial Park, with Leland Houser officiating. Please visit us online at www.mem.com to place a tribute to the family. Ralph V. Fox, 69, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, after a lengthy illness. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Fox family. Ivan DeWees Grable On Tuesday evening, Aug. 3, 2004, Ivan DeWees Grable, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, "breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people" (Genesis 25:7). Ivan was 86 years old. He died at Russell County Medical Center following a massive stroke. A devout Christian, Ivan continued in the mercy of the Lord unto his last moments, rich in prayers and expressions of love and tenderness from family, friends and medical staff. He was a resident of Hummingbird Retirement Villa, Lebanon and a member of Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church. Ivan was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Janet Ruth Culbertson Grable. Ivan’s descendants, all surviving, include children, grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His three children are Dillon Ross Grable of Lebanon and wife Harriet Grable, Kenneth Lawrence Grable of Spanish Fort, Ala., and wife Barbara Grable and Tricia Jane Grable of Boulder, Colo., and husband Michael Reid. His grandchildren are children of Ross Grable, Solomon Grable and Jessica Grable; child of Larry Grable, Sarah Dominick; and children of Tricia Grable, Anna Reid and Carson Reid. Kaitlynn Dominick, daughter of Sarah Dominick, is Mr. Grable’s great-granddaughter. Ivan Grable was born on Dec. 21, 1917, in Montgomery, Ala., the third son of Sara Elizabeth DeWees Grable and Roscoe Lewis Grable. He graduated from Sidney Lanier High School, Montgomery, in 1936 and attended Auburn University from 1937 through 1938, studying accounting and playing violin and drums. He played with the Auburn Knights, the University’s touring jazz band, and played at their reunions through the years. In 1969, Ivan attended Auburn University Extension and received a certificate in management. Ivan worked for Dixie Office Supply in Montgomery as a printer and purchasing secretary from 1939 until 1968, except during World War II. At the same time, he was a drummer in various professional dance combos that performed all over Montgomery, until a stroke disabled him in 1956. He worked at Harbins Office Supply until retirement in 1979. In 1941, Ivan married his first and only sweetheart, Janet. He always said that he couldn’t believe he had been so fortunate. During World War II, from 1943 to 1945, Ivan served as a corporal in the Army, in charge of correspondence and inventory for the 723rd Railroad Battalion, serving primarily in France. He was subsequently a lifelong member of the VFW and The American Legion. From the time of their marriage until 1970, Janet and Ivan lived in Montgomery. They subsequently lived in Red Hill outside Eclectic, Ala. In 1984, they moved to Hot Rock, Tenn., outside Fayetteville, next to their son, Ross. In 1993, they moved to Huntsville, Ala., and in 1996, following Janet’s death, Ivan lived with his sister in Elba, Ala. In 2000, Ivan moved to Lebanon, next to Ross. In 1956, Ivan had suffered a massive stroke that had left him partially paralyzed on the left side. A man of remarkable strength of character and determination, he persisted in rehab for many months in the Memphis Regional V.A. Hospital and for the rest of his life, until the ill health of recent years, he walked with a cane but lived like a man with no disabilities whatsoever! He was an inspiration of courage to all who knew him, and he always had a humorous comment and a laugh, especially at his own difficulties and foibles. In a final act of generosity, Ivan donated his body to medicine. His final resting place will be at a family plot in Montgomery Memorial Cemetery in Montgomery, with his late wife. A memorial service will be held at Lebanon Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 3:30, officiated by Michael Carter, pastor and friend. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Ivan and Janet Grable Memorial at Huntsville Public Library, P.O. Box 443, Huntsville, AL 35804. Ronald E. Jones LEBANON – The funeral service for Ronald E. Jones will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in the Lebanon Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Mike Carter and the Rev. James Belcher officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens, where rites will be conducted by the Lebanon VFW Post 9864. Pallbearers will be James Holliday, Brian Dillion, Richard Jones, Barry Jones, Tim Price, Tommy Raub, Grant Griffith, Nathan Jessee and Jessee Owens. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill McFarlane, Bob Hillman, Fred Pruner, Harry Smith, Richard White, Kelly Nipper, Kenneth Ferguson, Glen Breeding, Bill Akers, Mike Mowrey, Darrell Beavers and Robbie Curey. Mr. Jones will be taken to the church one hour before the service. Ronald E. Jones, 67, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, in the Hummingbird Retirement Villa. Combs Funeral Service is serving the Jones family. Evelyne E. Kressman BRISTOL, Tenn. – Evelyne E. Kressman, age 79, of Edgemont Towers, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, in the Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Goldsboro, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Emory and Katie Edwards. She had lived in the Bristol area for 40 years. She was an LPN with over 50 years of experience, was of the Methodist faith and was a member of the Nursing Association in Banner Elk, N.C. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles A. Kressman. Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Donald Charles and Bonnie Kressman, Ocala, Fla.; granddaughter, Jessakah Kressman; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Russell and Mildred K. Edwards, Daytona Beach, Fla., and Donald and Kenna Edwards, Martinsville, Ohio; two sisters, Gloria Wilson, Holly Hill, Fla., and Sue Caroll Marr, Mims, Fla., and special friend, Caroline Buchanan, Bristol Tennessee. Funeral services will be in Daytona Beach. Information courtesy of Weaver Funeral Home. Doris Love Doris Love died Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, in the Johnson City Medical Center. The family will be gathering at the home of Bo and Shannon Love on Winding Way Road in Bristol, Va. Arrangements are incomplete. Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, is serving the Love family. Leslie R. Love GRUNDY – Leslie Roy Love, age 58, of Vansant, Va., passed away Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, in the Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy. He was born on March 1, 1946, in Bristol Virginia to the late Lacy and Bessie Stacy Love. Mr. Love had lived part of his life in the Bristol area and was an electrician. Mr. Love was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. During his time in service, he served as staff sergeant. Mr. Love was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas Love and Arvil Love, two sisters, Edith Love Gorman and Mabel Love Rowe. Mr. Love is survived by three children, David Love, Debbie Love and Leslie Love Jr.; four brothers, John R. Love, Lawrence Love, Lonnie Love and Lacy Love Jr.; two sisters, Lorraine Love Hershey and Carol Love Key; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Funeral service will be held Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at 7 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Vernor Blankenship officiating. Graveside service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in the National Cemetery in Mountain Home, Tenn. Military honors will be rendered by the Patton-Crosswhite VFW Post 6975. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Keith Ivan Lowery BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Keith Ivan "Weefie" Lowery will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at the graveside in Forrest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon, with Buddy Chapman officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Reick Ledbetter, Charlie Callahan and Rudy Gilliam. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family. Keith Ivan "Weefie" Lowery, age 35, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2004, at his residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Althey M. McNeil GLADE SPRING – The funeral service for Mrs. Althey Melita McNeil will be conducted Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Tim Bird officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Rose Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wayne McNeil, Chuck McNeil, Mike Dye, Greg Lynch, Mike Seymore and Keith Owens. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6:30-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Althey Melita McNeil, age 91, went to be the Lord peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the McNeil family. Ernest Nash BRISTOL, Va. – Ernest "Parrot" Nash, age 77, 12390 Reedy Creek Road, passed away Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born July 12, 1927, to the late Henry and Linette Goodson Nash. He was a lifelong resident of the Washington County area and was of the Baptist faith. He is survived by his lifelong companion, Phyllis Canter. Also surviving are one niece and several nephews. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Sunday in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. The burial will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Jackson, Ike Mohler, J.C. Roark, Glen Long, Mark Brooks and Charles Canter. Honorary pallbearer will be John Jackson. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday evening. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Nathan Todd Stanley BRISTOL, Va. – Mr. Todd Stanley, 33, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of Washington County. A son of the late Laquita J. and Norman A. Stanley, he was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Jeff Stanley. Todd loved his Harley and his horses. He also enjoyed a variety of other outdoor activities, such as camping and fishing. When he wasn’t playing, he was co-owner of Stanley Brothers Septic and Grading and did some farming. Survivors include his daughter, Kaitlyn Bryans, Daytona Beach, Fla.; a brother, Mark Stanley, Bristol Virginia; a sister, Kandi Berry; two nephews, Jeffrey Berry and Cody Stanley; one niece, Sonya Abel, and one great-niece, Zailey Rainbow Abel. He also leaves behind his fiancée, Joy Morrison, and two wonderful boys he raised as his own, Jordan and Tyler Morrison. The funeral service will be conducted Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at 4:30 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway. Pallbearers will be Judge Reynolds, Timmy Dickenson, Brady Blevins, Terry Ketchum, Jack Pennington and Mike Abel. Honorary pallbearers will be Butch Lunsford, Jack Stark, Stanley Millard, Darrell Millard and Mark Brooks. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Joy Morrison. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6-9 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, is serving the Stanley family. Elruth W. Trent GLADE SPRING – Elruth Widener Trent, age 74, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, at her son’s residence in Shade, Ohio. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va., and was the daughter of the late Thomas and Jenny Widener. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Earl Trent, and a sister, Blanche Wilson. She was of the Baptist faith. She is survived by four sons, Eddie Trent and his wife Shirley of Meadowview, Harold Trent and his wife Virginia of Glade Spring, Thomas Trent and his wife Connie of Chilhowie and Ricky Trent of Shade; two sisters, Louise Roark of Abingdon and Katherine Mae Martin of Chilhowie; three brothers, Junior Widener of Abingdon and Bobby Widener and William Widener, both of Glade Spring; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in the Garrett Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. David Critcher and Rev. Dean Smith officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 p.m. Saturday prior to the funeral service at Garrett Funeral Home. The committal service and interment will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. 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 Mrs. Trent. Linda Widener DAMASCUS – Linda Widener, age 61, died Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Arrangements are incomplete. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Linda Widener.