Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, August 9, 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 Monday, August 9, 2004 Today's Deaths Mae Newman Farmer, 95, Abingdon James Frank Fields, 59, Bristol Tennessee K. Gene Frazier, 77, Bristol Tennessee Jeanette Harrison Hankins, 80, formerly of Baptist Valley, Va. Maynard Howard Ketron, 78, Bristol Virginia Mary Jereline Whittaker Montona, 61, Bristol Virginia Jerald Wayne Plaster, 53, Russell County, Va. Philip Dean Stauber, 71, Bristol Virginia Helen Leona Tate, 90, Norton Mabel Blanch White, Princeton, W.Va. Howell B. Barnes BRISTOL, Va. – Howell Blaine Barnes, age 46, of 325 Edmond St., Apartment 215, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Bristol Tennessee to the late Howell Ivan and Beatrice Mae Hartsock Barnes, and was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. He was a retired librarian at the Bristol Public Library and was of the Baptist faith. He was a graduate of Virginia Intermont College. He is survived by his special companion, Janice M. Shuttle; great-aunt, Bessie Sproles; several cousins; several special friends; special friend, Marty Shuttle, and aunt, Artense Barnes. Funeral services will be held 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel. The burial will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday in Forest Hills Memory Gardens in Abingdon. Pallbearers will be Nathan Chappell, Marty Shuttle, Robert VanDyke, Bruce Styles and Rufus Cooper. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m., prior to the service at Weaver Funeral Home. O.T. Bays RICHLANDS – Funeral services for Mr. O.T. Bays will be conducted Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Richlands. Interment will follow at the Temple Hill Cemetery in Castlewood. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the building fund for Richlands Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 446, Richlands. Mr. O.T. Bays, age 82, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at a Richlands Hospital, following a brief illness. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Shawn Bledsoe GATE CITY – Shawn Bledsoe, age 30, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in Holston Valley Medical Center, following a brief illness. He was a member of the Gate City Church of Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Bledsoe, grandparents, Piert and Bessie Peters and Claude and Ella Bledsoe, a nephew, Ethan Barnett, and a niece, Bridgett Taylor. Survivors include his wife, Michelle Taylor Bledsoe of Gate City; one son, Taylor Bledsoe of Gate City; two daughters, Brianna Bledsoe and Diamond Bledsoe of Gate City; his parents, Donnie and Elois Wampler of Gate City; one brother, Justus Wampler of Gate City; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Maria and Kevin Barnett of Gate City and Karen and Nick Szabo of Circle Pine, Minn.; grandmother, Annie Wampler of Weber City, Va.; brother-in-law, Mike and wife Joyce Sloan of Kingsport, and special friends, Allen White and Ricky Harrison. Funeral services for Shawn Bledsoe will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday evening, Aug. 9, 2004, in Gate City Church of Jesus Christ, with Pastor Danny Grizzle officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Peters Family Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Justus Wampler, Kevin Barnett, Kevin Taylor, Cary Taylor, Phillip Taylor, Michael Falin, Jeff Vaughn and Ed Apgar. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Evans and Paul Evans. The family will receive friends at Gate City Church of Jesus Christ Monday evening from 5 p.m. until the time of the service at 7 p.m. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorial contributions to the Gate City Church of Jesus Christ Memorial Fund in memory of Shawn, 152 Old Nickelsville Highway, Gate City, VA 24251. Those wishing to express sympathy online to the family of Shawn Bledsoe may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of the arrangements. Sam Edward Dettor Funeral services for Sam Edward Dettor will be conducted at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Don McGregor officiating. Pallbearers will be Clyde Arnold, Roger Combs, Carl Edwards, Ben Lemon, Kenny Smith and Peter Gaugl. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff Arnold, Dan Axley, Matt Axley, Bill Pierce, Ronnie Arnold, Don Newell, Steve Willis and Jerry Eberhart. The committal service will be Wednesday 11 a.m. at Eastern Heights Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at Weaver Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Sam Edward Dettor, age 53, went to be with the Lord on Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, in the Select Specialty Hospital. Charles W. Eads BRISTOL, Va. – The committal service and burial for Charles W. "Jack" Eads 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. Honorary pallbearers will be Revs. Keith McGrew, Stan Anderson, and Richie Hayes, many friends, neighbors, doctors, members of Anderson Street United Methodist Church and all those who gave blood. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Anderson Street United Methodist Church, 954 Anderson St., Bristol, TN 37620, and Greenville Shrine Hospital, 950 West Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Charles W. "Jack" Eads, 80, died Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Eads and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Va. Thomas J. Evans SALTVILLE – Mr. Thomas J. "Jr." Evans, age 74, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. Mr. Evans was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Dye Evans. Survivors: one daughter and son-in- law, Diana and Eddie Clapp, Norton; one granddaughter, Autumn Clapp, Blacksburg, Va.; one brother, Will Evans, Saltville; three sisters, Lois Kestner, Saltville, Maxine Smith, Chilhowie, and Alice Ford, Barberton, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service for Mr. Thomas J. Evans Jr. will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, in the D.R. Henderson Funeral Home, with the Rev. Jerry Williams officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 till 8 p.m. Monday prior to the service. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Mount Rose Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dick Kestner, Andy Kestner, Carl Rickman, Eddie Evans and Clarence Collins. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of Allison Gap. D.R. Henderson Funeral is serving the Evans family. Mae Newman Farmer ABINGDON – Mrs. Mae Newman Farmer, age 95, died Sunday at her residence. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va. She attended Palestine Baptist Church. She was the widow of John H. Farmer. Survivors include three daughters, Carole F. Redford, Mrs. Ray (Lee Ann) Jones and Mrs. R.C. (Judy) Stiltner, all of Abingdon; two sons, John D. Farmer and wife Elizabeth of Abingdon and Donald L. Farmer of Warrenton, Va.; one sister, Mary K. Newman of Valley Nursing Home, Chilhowie; one half-sister, Alice Williams of Mendota, Va.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mrs. Mae Newman Farmer will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, in the Campbell Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Cecil Clifton and Rev. Stephen Richardson officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Junior Roark and Jerry Fritz. The family will receive friends at the Campbell Funeral Home from 7-9 Monday evening. Those wishing to express sympathy to the family of Mrs. Mae Newman Farmer may do so at www.campbell- funeralhome.com. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of the arrangements. James Frank Fields BRISTOL, Tenn. – James (Jim) Frank Fields, age 59, passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Aug. 7, 2004, at his home, after a courageous battle of cancer. Mr. Fields was the son of the late Frank Fields and was preceded in death by his best friend, Cecil Blair. Jim was a loving and devoted son, husband, father and grandfather. After a career of 27 years of over-the-road truck driving, Jim enjoyed traveling and fishing on his "little boat." Throughout his struggle, he always kept his sense of humor. He was a member of Fellowship Chapel. He is survived by his wife, lifelong companion and best friend of 41 years, Marie Fields; one daughter, Lori Sherrill of Gray, Tenn.; two sons, Jamie Fields and his wife Beth of Butler, Tenn., and Eric Fields and his wife Tina of Bluff City; his loving mother, Edna Fields of Bristol Virginia; two sisters, Brenda Harris and her husband Lyle of Bristol Virginia and Delola Larkin and her husband Merril of Bristol Tennessee; one granddaughter, Jessica Newton; six grandsons, Joshua Fields, P.J. Newton, Jared Fields, Josey Newton and Tyler and Jacob Fields. Also surviving are one nephew, two nieces and a good friend, Tom Gillespie. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, in Mountain View Cemetery, with Rev. Lester MacKinnon and Rev. Ed Crook officiating. Pallbearers will be Eric Fields, Josh Fields, Jamie Fields, Robert Oylear, Sam Vincell and Patrick Price. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at Akard Funeral Home. Akard Funeral Home 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Fields. Otis G. Fields HONAKER – Elder Otis G. Fields, age 89, of the Drill community, passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in a Richlands hospital. Born July 30, 1915, in Skeggs, Va., he was a son of the late John A. and Lottie C. Childress Fields. He had resided in the Drill area most of his life and was a retired coal miner and member of the UMWA. He was a member of the Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church, having joined in December 1936, and had been an elder in the church since 1937. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Leslie Steele Fields, one son, Ronald James Fields, one grandson, Jeffery Lee Fields, three sisters, Geneva Baldwin, Hazel Keen and Virginia Wampler, and one brother, George Fields. In his generation, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Survivors include six daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Clarence Hurt Jr. of Honaker, Lottie and Ford Randolph of Abingdon, Barbara Sue and Henry Adams of Hillsville, Va., Evelyn Marie and Wayne Nygaard of Wytheville, Hazel Goad of Roanoke and Virginia Austin of St. Paul, Va.; two sons and daughters-in-law, John and Ginger Fields of Drill and Robert and Trisha Fields of Drill; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Elder George Ben Combs, Elder Darrell Davis and Elder Danny Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the White Rose Cemetery at Drill. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Monday, where evening services will be conducted at 7 p.m. K. Gene Frazier BRISTOL, Tenn. – K. Gene Frazier, age 77, of 294 Emmett Road, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House. He was born Oct. 4, 1926, in Mendota, Va., a son of the late George and JoAnn Ringley Frazier, and had made his home in Bristol most of his life. Mr. Frazier was a retired employee of the City of Bristol, Virginia Public Works Department, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was preceded in death by a son, two sisters and two brothers. Survivors include his wife of 13 years, Margaret Morris Jones Frazier; two daughters, Debbie Swetech and husband John and Anita Sullivan and husband Tim; one son, Ricky Frazer and wife Brenda; grandson, Tommy Hudler; one great- granddaughter, Melissa Page; three stepdaughters, Shirley Ross, Barbara Bonovitch and Brenda Frazier; nine step-grandchildren; eight step-great- grandchildren; brother, Russell Frazier, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Clarence Phillips officiating. Committal services will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Shipley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charles Blair, Marvin Royston, Chas Royston, Joye Royston, Jeffrey O’Neal, Conley Thompson, Robert Hillard and Johnny Marion. Honorary pallbearers are employees of the City of Bristol, Virginia Public Works Department, Dr. Tom Townsend, Dr. Sue Cressel and Robert Blevins Sr. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends following the funeral services at Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jeanette H. Hankins FALLS MILL, Va. – Jeanette Harrison Hankins, age 80, formerly of Baptist Valley, Va., died Sunday , Aug. 8, 2004, in Princeton, W.Va. Jeanette was born in Cliffield, Va., and was the daughter of the late Larry and Kate Beavers Harrison, both Tazewell County natives. She had lived most of her life in the Baptist Valley area and was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of the Falls Mills Church of Christ. In addition to her parents, her loving husband, Claude Hankins, one sister, Madaline Perry, and one brother, Larry Pete Harrison, preceded her in death. Survivors are one daughter, Katy Haines and husband Jim of Falls Mill; one son, Charlie Hankins and wife Gussie of Baptist Valley; four sisters, Roxie Johnson of Baptist Valley, Sallie Lewis of Lansing, Mich., June Whitt of Cedar Bluff and Faye Earls and husband Joe of Roanoke; one brother, Mr. Harry Harrison and wife Shirley of Baptist Valley; four grandchildren, Timothy Hankins, Amanda Hankins, Steven Haines and wife Chris and Ann Vance and husband Jamie, and three great- grandchildren, Austin, Dallas and Albany. Funeral services for Jeanette Harrison Hankins will be conducted Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, with the Evangelist Tom Reid officiating. Interment will follow at the Harrison Family Cemetery in Cliffield. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call after 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 9, at the funeral home. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Junior C. Harris MARION – Junior Charles Harris, age 81, passed away Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in the Smyth County Community Hospital. Mr. Harris was born in Smyth County to the late Charles and Nettie Thomas Harris, and was preceded in death by his wife, Aline Harris. He went to barber school in Richmond and was a barber in Marion for over 45 years. Mr. Harris was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II and was a member of the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Margaret Harris, Marion; one step-grandson, Stan Doyle; two step-great-grandchildren, Madison and Bailey Doyle, and a special friend, Shirley Blevins. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at the Bradley’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, with full military honors being rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. The family will receive friends Monday from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Harris family. Maynard H. Ketron BRISTOL, Va. – Mr. Maynard Howard Ketron, age 78, passed away, Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at the Bristol Nursing Home. He was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va., and a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II. He was a member of the Holston Valley Baptist Church. Maynard was preceded in death by his parents, Everette W. and Lola Shaffer Ketron; his wife, Della Bruce Ketron; brothers and sisters, Mable Shaffer Sproles, Junior Ketron, Lucille Ketron Shankel, Mary Ketron Gross, Jeanette Ketron and Maxie Ketron Wright, and a great-grandchild, Jessee Dalton Sowards. He is survived by his children, Pastor Les Ketron and wife Lois of Bristol Virginia, Della Mae Ketron Noonkester and husband Ronnie of Charlotte, N.C., and Pastor Howard L. Ketron and wife Sylvia of Bristol Tennessee; brothers, Harvey Ketron, Dewey Ketron, Bill Ketron and Conley Ketron, all of Bristol Virginia, Clifford Ketron of Abingdon and Freddie Ketron of Bristol Tennessee; sisters, Mildred Ketron Shaffer of Kingsport, Necy Ketron Millard of Bristol Virginia and Judy Ketron Smith of Bristol Tennessee; grandchildren, Amy Noonkester Sowards, Amanda Ketron Dillard, Jonathan Ketron, Anna Ketron and Abbie Ketron, and great- grandchildren, Shianne Sowards and Isaac Dillard. Also, several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. A funeral service will be conducted Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at 8 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., with Pastor Les Ketron and Rev. Harry Lee Moore officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home or any time at the home of Howard Ketron, 101 Corpus Christi Drive, Bristol, Tenn. A committal service will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Family and friends are to meet at the cemetery before the service. Pallbearers will be Darrell Ketron, David Ketron, Mike Shankel, Rocky Smith, Greg Ketron and Hunter Brown. The family would like to express their appreciation to the doctors, caretakers and especially the staff and nurses of Bristol Nursing Home. 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. Ketron. Irene C. Kiser CLEVELAND, Va. – A graveside service for Irene C. Kiser will be held on Monday, Aug. 9, at 2 p.m. at Ketron Memorial Garden Mausoleum, Lebanon, with Brother Billy Trail officiating. Nephews will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the mausoleum. Irene C. Kiser, 82, passed away at her home on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004. Owens Funeral Service, Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements. Belvia V. Leonard BRISTOL, Va. – Belvia V. "Bell" Leonard, age 65, of 7607 Wolf Run Road, went to be with the Lord Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in her home. She was born Aug. 15, 1938, in Jonesborough, Tenn., to Jack H. and Ruth Hopson Peters, and made her home for the past 42 years in the Benhams community. She was a homemaker and was a member of the Gospel Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack H. Peters, and sister, Kadie Castle. She is survived by her mother, Ruth C. Hopson Peters. She was the loving wife of her husband of 42 years, Gerald T. "G.T." Leonard. She was the loving mother to her children, Don Leonard, Amy Shaffer and husband Barry, Aaron Leonard, Billy Leonard and Barry Leonard. She was the loving grandmother to her granddaughters, Rachel, Annabelle, Abigail and Chloe. She is also survived by sisters, Christine Hensley and husband Clint, Pat Hughes and husband Richard and Betty Self and husband Steve; brother-in-law, Jack Castle; brothers, William Peters and wife Betty, Roger Peters and wife Wanda and Ronnie Peters and wife Mary, and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, in the East Lawn Cemetery, with Brother Tommy Tester officiating. The family would like to wish a special thank you to Dr. Jeffrey P. Allerton and the Wellmont Hospice staff. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tri-State Baptist Children’s Home, 1528 Vance Tank Road, Bristol, Tenn., or Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. There will be no formal visitation. Expressions of sympathy may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Doris Compton Love BRISTOL, Va. – Doris Compton Love, age 50, died Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, in Johnson City Medical Center, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born Sept. 21, 1953, in Harlan, Ky., and lived most of her life in Washington County, Va. Mrs. Love was a graduate of Abingdon High School, attended Virginia Intermont College and was employed by Dominion Carton Inc. She grew up in the Abingdon Baptist Church and attended Hunt Memorial United Methodist Church in recent years. Mrs. Love was preceded in death by her mother, Jean Mullins Compton; her maternal grandparents, Francis and Cecile Clay Mullins; her paternal grandparents, W.C. and Rose Sutherland Compton, and several aunts and uncles. She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Bo and Shannon Love and Jason Love, all of Bristol Virginia; one daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Kevin McConnell of Kingsport; her father, Lee Compton of Abingdon; grandchildren, Delaney and Callee, and a grandpuppy, Smokey. Also, special friends at Dominion Carton Inc. and a special friend, Jim Broce. Funeral services for Doris Compton Love were conducted on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at 6 p.m. at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., in Abingdon, with Rev. Jack Stevens and Rev. Eddie Leonard officiating. Visitation was held following the service. Interment services will be held Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. Flowers will be accepted or the family suggests memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 230 Charwood Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210. The family would also like to express special thanks to those individuals and groups who have so thoughtfully touched Doris’ life during her illness and who continue to support her family. Also, a special thanks to the professional staff at Johnson City Medical Center, especially Dr. Drake, Dr. Lovie Bey and John. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Doris Compton Love. Leslie R. Love GRUNDY – Graveside service for Leslie Roy Love 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. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Leslie Roy Love, age 58, of Vansant, Va., passed away Thursday, Aug. 5, 2004, in the Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Montona BRISTOL, Va. – Mary "Jerri" Jereline Whittaker Montona, 61, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, after suffering a brain aneurysm. She was born April 20, 1943, in Benhams, Washington County, Va., and a daughter of the late Rev. Harley Millard Whittaker and Margaret Feathers-Whittaker. She retired from A&P Food Stores in Fairfax County, Va., after over 20 years of service, and returned to Bristol. She owned and operated, with her daughters, the Pet Stop in Bristol Virginia. Jerri enjoyed raising and training hand-fed birds and also enjoyed photography and being surrounded by family and friends. She formerly worked at the Dollar General Store and Photo Express and was of the Baptist faith. She is survived by her two daughters, Linda Tolbert and her husband Ronnie, and Angela Cosgrove, all of Bristol Virginia; a son, William Millard Whittaker, of Vancouver, Wash.; grandchildren, Jesse A. Mooney, Victoria N. Mooney, Morgan B. Tolbert and Jacob E. Cosgrove; a sister, Frances N. Hayter of Abingdon; brothers, Lewis Whittaker of Bristol Virginia, Franklin Whittaker of Vancouver and Gene Whittaker of Hillsboro, Ore.; special friends, Bobbie and Wilma McGraw, Sandy Hill, Cal Perry and Kelsie Fletcher; several nieces and nephews and numerous extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by brothers Fred, Jack, William and Millard Whittaker, and three half-sisters, Ruth Leonard, Katherine Booher and Mamie Whittaker. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o’clock Wednesday evening at Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted at 1 o’clock Thursday in the chapel of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, with Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. The committal service and burial will follow in Pine Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Tolbert, Calvin Woodward, Joe Hill, Freddie Jackson, Ronnie Booher and Jimmy Leonard. Honorary pallbearers will be George Jackson, James Harrison, Ray Bowman, Charles Winter and Henry Rose. The family extends special thanks to the S.I.C.U. nursing staff, Mountain Region Donor Services, Bristol Life Saving Crew and her many faithful customers. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mrs. Montona and her family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee St., Bristol, Va. Jerald Wayne Plaster RUSSELL COUNTY, Va. – Mr. Jerald Wayne Plaster, age 53, of the Maple Gap community, passed away Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, following an apparent heart attack. Born in Russell County, he was the son of the late Harvey P. and Martha E. Shelton Plaster. He was a disabled coal miner. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mrs. Barbara Jean Sargent Plaster; one daughter, Amanda Joy Plaster of the home; one son, Kelly Plaster of Abingdon; a granddaughter, Alyssa Hope Plaster; two sisters, Mrs. Darryl (Phyllis) Messer of Maple Gap and Mrs. Danny (Carol) Cruey of Maple Gap, and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews also survive. The family will receive friends from 6 until 9 p.m. Monday at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. A private burial will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Plaster family. Philip Dean Stauber BRISTOL, Va. – Philip Dean Stauber, age 71, died Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Stauber was the son of the late E.E. and Ina Cox Stauber. Immediate survivors include two children: a daughter, Ann Dowdy, and a son, John Stauber, both of South Carolina; his stepmother, Bea Stauber, and a stepsister, Carol Everhart, both of Bristol Virginia. A memorial service will be conducted Tuesday night, Aug. 10, 2004, in Akard Funeral Home Chapel. Complete obituary information, survivors and time of service will be listed Tuesday. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Stauber. Helen Leona Tate NORTON – Helen Leona Tate, 90, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Aug. 7, 2004, from her home. She was a loving mother with love for everyone. She was a member of the Ramsey Church of God. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne H. Tate, and two sons, Jack and Alferd Lee Tate. Surviving are six sons, Frank Tate, Gerald Tate and Gary Tate, all of Norton, Jimmy Tate and his wife Stella of Blountville, Mike Tate and his wife Rhonda of Richmond and Bob Tate and his wife Robin of Weirton, W.Va.; three daughters, Nancy Darnell and her husband Howard of Hickory, N.C., Sandra Rose and her husband Dallas of Knoxville and Deanna Tate of Norton; two sisters, Geneva Skorupa and Ruble Hamlin, both of Norton; 14 grandchildren; 18 great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Jerry Alley officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday at Laurel Grove Cemetery. Friends and family may meet at the funeral home 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, P.O. Box 349, Norton, VA 24273. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Mabel Blanch White PRINCETON, W.Va. – Mabel Blanch White passed into eternal rest early Saturday morning, Aug. 7, 2004, at the Princeton Community Hospital. She was born in Elgood and would have celebrated her 90th birthday on Aug. 25. Those left to cherish her memory are son, Billy Martin and wife Ruth of Princeton; daughters, Brenda Martin Sword and husband Roger of Lebanon and Sandy Martin Lambert and husband Allen of Roanoke; a very special grandson, Kevin Keith Martin and wife Melanie of Springfield, Va.; sister-in-law, Mary White of Elgood, and brother-in-law, Everette Baker of Princeton. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Monday at the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Princeton. Those wishing to attend services are requested to meet at the funeral home on Monday by 12:45 p.m. The family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton. Online expression of sympathy can be sent at www.memorialfd.com. Linda Lane Widener DAMASCUS – A graveside memorial service for Linda Lane Widener will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, in the Mountain View United Methodist Church Cemetery, with Rev. J.R. Edwards officiating. Interment will follow the service. In place of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620, or to the American Cancer Society 230 Charwood Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Linda Lane Widener, age 62, died Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Linda Lane Widener.