Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, August 13, 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 Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 Today's Deaths Jesse Alfred Allen Sr., 83, Johnson City Nona Jessee Belcher, 95, Wise Janet Sutherland Buckles, 49, Lebanon Alma Mae Cregger, 61, Ceres, Va. William Hal Fields, 82, Wise Grace Tilson Goodpasture, 82, Bristol Virginia Mary Fannie Hughes, 86, Abingdon Gusta Helen Yates Rife, 78, Grundy Brenda Mae Robins, 51, Abingdon Jesse A. Allen Sr. JOHNSON CITY – Jesse Alfred Allen Sr., 83, 1703 Southwest Ave., died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, in Johnson City Medical Center. He was a Washington County native and son of the late Frank I. and Nancy Crosswhite Allen. Mr. Allen was retired from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and was owner of Allen Refrigeration. He also served the Town of Jonesborough as a police officer and was employed a number of years as constable of Washington County. Mr. Allen was a member of Lone Oak Christian Church. He was a devoted husband and father. Mr. Allen was preceded in death by two brothers, William F. Allen and Charles Allen, and one sister, Mary Allen Campbell. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Iliff B. Huffine Allen; one son, Jesse Allen Jr. of Johnson City; one daughter, Mary Allen Klutz of Johnson City; three grandsons, Robert "Bob" Allen of Jonesborough, John A. Dillow of Charlotte, N.C., and Troy R. Dillow of Jonesborough; one great-grandson, Ryan Dillow; two sisters, Muriel Beckett and Dorothy Peterson, both of Johnson City, and several nieces and nephews, including two special nephews, Franklin Campbell and Joe Allen. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Mausoleum Chapel of Monte-Vista Memorial Park, Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, with Ministers Ray Giles and Dave Roberts officiating. Friends may visit with the family 30 minutes prior to the service at Monte-Vista Memorial Park Chapel. Arrangements by Woodall-Anderson Funeral Home, Johnson City, 928-2245. Nona Jessee Belcher WISE – Nona Jessee Belcher, 95, passed away Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, in Asbury Place at Bays Mount, Kingsport. She was a graduate of Wise High School, now J.J. Kelly High School, a graduate of Radford College, with a B.S. degree, and was a teacher for the Wise County School Board for 36 years. She loved children and was a member of the Wise Trinity United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Hettie Skeen Jessee; husbands, Orbin Beverly and James W. Belcher; brother, Earl Jessee, and a sister, Catherine Jessee Yeiser. Surviving are two sisters, Dora Jessee of Kingsport and Ethel J. Hubbard of Owensboro, Ky; a sister-in-law, Thelma Jessee of Kingsport; two nephews; two nieces; several great-nieces; several great-nephews; several great-great-nieces and several great-great-nephews. Funeral services for Nona Jessee Belcher will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at the Wise Trinity United Methodist Church, with Pastor Chris Stanfield and Pastor William J. Carter officiating. Mrs. Belcher will be taken to the church at 10 a.m., one hour before services. Burial will follow in the Beverly Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise, is in charge of arrangements. Janet Buckles LEBANON – Janet Sutherland Buckles, 49, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, from injuries received in an automobile accident. Born June 14, 1955, in West Virginia, the daughter of Virgie Bailey Sutherland and the late Stafford Clinton Sutherland, she had lived in Russell County most of her life. A graduate of Lebanon High School, she was an employee of Maple Grove Health Care Center in Lebanon. She was member of Copper Ridge Baptist Church. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Sutherland, a nephew, Anthony Eric Sutherland, and maternal grandmother, Bessie Bailey. In addition to her mother, survivors include her husband Randy Buckles, Lebanon; a daughter Amanda Strouth and husband Noalen, Rosedale; a son, Anthony Randall Buckles and wife Sheena, Richlands; two expected grandchildren and two special friends, Mary Moore and Shauna Musick. She was the special mamaw of McKenna Musick. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Duane Musick and the Rev. Leonard Ferguson officiating. Burial will follow in West Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Musick, Jim Hill, Kenneth Hart, David Strouth, Duane Buckles, Noalen Strouth and Larry Buckles. Honorary pallbearers will be Garnett Buckles, Gary Thomas, Mike Thomas, Kenny Fuller, Joseph Sauls, Gary Moore and Michael Moore. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Buckles. Marie Kiser Cassell CHESTERFIELD – Marie Kiser Cassell, 83, a native of Dickenson County, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004. She was the daughter of the late Garland and Sarah Kiser. She is survived by her beloved husband, Hershell L. Cassell, sister, Dixie Anderson, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Her memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday at the Clintwood Funeral Home in Clintwood. Interment will follow at Phipps Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest that contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Cox Road, Suite 130, Glen Allen, VA 23060, or the Crater Community Hospice, 840 W. Roslyn Road, Suite E, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. Dillard H. Clark KINGSPORT – Dillard "Dilly" Harrison Clark passed away on Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Dillard was born on Nov. 19, 1941, in Osaka, Va. He had resided in Kingsport for over 35 years with his wife and constant companion Sally. They were hairdressers and co-owners of Dilly’s Curiosity Shop. He was preceded in death by his son, David Simon Clark, and his parents, Denver Herman Clark and Ruby Nell Clark. Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Sally Anne Clark; daughter, Dagney Krishna Gray and her husband Todd Victor of Knoxville; one granddaughter, Violet Avni Gray; his sister, Carolyn Clark Galloway and husband Jimmy of Missouri City, Texas; nephews, Jeffrey and Benjamin Galloway and Joel Taylor, and several cousins. The family will receive friends 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at Snyder’s Funeral Home. The memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. Online condolences may be sent at snydersfuneralhome@hotmail.com. Serving the family of Dillard "Dilly" Harrison Clark is Snyder’s Funeral Home, 5913 Kingsport Highway, Gray, Tenn., (423) 239-5671, 477-7911. Gerald L. Cole BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service for Gerald L. Cole will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Mr. Jeff Noah, minister, officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Veteran Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be John Crawford, Roger Free, Roy Lane, John Pennington, Harold Carson, Jeff Hillman and Roger Hartsock. Honorary pallbearers will be Crew 3 of Eastman Chemicals. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105- 1905. Gerald L. Cole, age 51, passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Cole. Alma Mae Cregger CERES, Va. – Alma Mae Cregger, age 61, widow of Sidney Landon Cregger, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, in Wythe County Community Hospital, Wytheville. She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Billy Cregger of Ceres and James "Peanut" and Sue Cregger of Bland, Va.; five brothers, Bill Cregger of Wytheville, Truman Cregger of Groseclose, Va., Curtis Cregger of Rich Valley, Va.; Herbert Cregger of Atkins, Va., and Joel Cregger of Ceres; three grandchildren, Amie Sue Cregger, Chrissy Cregger and Annette Christian Cregger, and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, with Brother Greg Griffey officiating. Graveside services will be held Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at 9 a.m. at Sunset Community Cemetery, Ceres. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Cregger family. William Fields WISE – William Hal Fields, 82, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, in Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap. He was born in Whitesburg, Ky., son of the late Isaac and Mattie Horton Fields. He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served in the 10th Armored Division in Europe. Mr. Fields was an agency manager with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company until his retirement in 1982. Upon retirement, he operated Fields Sign Company for over 20 years. He was a member of Wise First Church of God, an active member of Norton Lions Club for over 50 years, having served as president 1971-72 and receiving Lion of The Year in the 1980s. He was also a member of Wise County Chamber of Commerce and Lonesome Pine Country Club. He was a Kentucky Colonel, an avid fisherman, accomplished artist and sign painter, skilled carpenter and loved chatting with his friends daily during breakfast at Hardee’s in Wise. Survivors include his wife, Imogene Owens Fields; daughter and son-in-law, Rhonda Fields Pangle and husband Bill of Wise; son, William Owen Fields of Asheville, N.C.; granddaughters, Ashley (Pangle) Chandler and her husband Jerred of Wise and Lori Fields of Kingsport; grandsons, Charles William Pangle Jr. of Wise and David A. Fields and his wife Jennifer Dingus Fields of the U.S. Army, Friedburg, Germany; three great-grandchildren, Madison and Emma Chandler and Charles William Pangle III, all of Wise. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the Wise First Church of God. Funeral services will be conducted 7 p.m. at the church, with Revs. Ben Murphy and Charles Estep officiating. Entombment will be 2 p.m. Sunday in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Norton VFW Post 4301 will conduct military rites. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wise First Church of God, P.O. Box 980, Wise, VA 24293 or to the Norton Lions Club, P.O. Box 974, Norton, VA 24273. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is serving the Fields family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Brenda G. Gillespie CHILHOWIE – Brenda Gail Gillespie, age 40, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, at her home in Chilhowie. Ms. Gillespie was born and spent her childhood in McDowell County, W.Va. She then moved to Southwest Virginia, where she raised her two sons. She was preceded in death by her mother, Louise Wood Jones. Survivors include husband, David Preston Gillespie, Chilhowie; two sons, David Brandon Gillespie of the home and Silas Andrew Gillespie of the home; father, Silas Jones and wife Cora, Marion; two brothers, James Silas Jones and wife Clara, Kingsport, and Leland Jones, Rural Retreat, Va.; three sisters, Thelma Baker and husband Bernard, Tannersville, Va., Cheryl Prince and husband Dacil, Sugar Grove, Va., Anita Hayden and husband Daniel, Groseclose, Va., and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held on Friday evening, Aug. 13, 2004, at 8 p.m. from the Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie, with the Rev. Bob Surber officiating. Graveside services will be held on Saturday morning, Aug. 14, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Roselawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie, is serving the family of Brenda Gillespie. Grace T. Goodpasture BRISTOL, Va. – Grace Tilson Goodpasture, age 82, went to be with the Lord at her son’s home in Bristol Virginia on Aug. 11, 2004. A native of Marion, she was born on Jan. 28, 1922, the seventh of 13 children to John Ross Tilson and Winnie Debord Tilson. She was married for 33 years to the late W.C. (Bill) Goodpasture and moved in 1948 to Norton, where they raised their family. After her husband’s passing in 1969, she moved to Abingdon to be near her family. She was an accomplished seamstress and upholsterer. She worked for many years with many dear friends at several garment factories in the Bristol area before their closings. She was an employee for over 15 years with Tri-City Security Company, working as an ATM specialist and seamstress. She was a member of Spring Creek Presbyterian Church in Abingdon. She was also a member of the Friendship Club and enjoyed very much her monthly meetings with her friends. She obtained her GED at the age of 65, with honors and many accolades for her work ethic and determination in reaching this goal she had set for herself. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and friend. Survivors include her two sons, W.C. (Bill) Goodpasture and wife Mary Sue of Meadowview and Richard (Dick) Goodpasture and wife Sharon of Bristol Virginia; one sister, Elizabeth Hall of Washington, Ga.; two brothers, Harry Tilson of Falls Church, Va., and Ted Tilson of Mesa, Ariz. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Mike, Mark, Tom and Scott Goodpasture and Michelle Johnson; three great-grandchildren, Kristy Johnson, April Leonard and Gracie Goodpasture (who was named after Mrs. Goodpasture); two step-grandchildren, Becky Darnell and Amy Brunty, and one step- great-grandchild, Dylan Brunty. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and a host of friends, especially her closest neighbors, Bob and Brenda Reynolds and their children and Doug and Phyllis Meade and daughter Shannon. Funeral services for Grace Tilson Goodpasture will be conducted at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, in the Farris Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Stephen Talbert officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 16, 2004, at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens in Big Stone Gap. Active pallbearers will be her four grandsons, Mike, Mark, Tom and Scott Goodpasture, along with Doug Meade and Chris Darnell. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Reynolds, Doug Murray, Philip Smith, Don Johnston and David Nelson. Those wishing to share memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Grace Tilson Goodpasture. Johanna Ida Heintz MENTOR, Ohio – Johanna Ida Heintz, age 74, also of Bristol Tennessee, died Aug. 9, 2004. Born April 1, 1930, in Kirchzell, Germany, Mrs. Heintz worked at Bristol Products in Tennessee and volunteered at Tennessee Job Corp. and National Healthcare in Bristol Tennessee. She enjoyed gardening, crafting and volunteering. Survivors include her sons, Calvin J. (Sheri) Heintz and Chris C. (Mary) Heintz; grandchildren, Heather (fiancé Ryan Dlugosz) Heintz, Eric, Christopher M. and Valerie Heintz; sisters, Rosa (Walter) Herkert, Resi (Karl) Speth and Armella (Tobias) Martinez; and brother, Josef (Rita) Speth. She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin H. Heintz, and parents, August and Angelina Speth. Services are being held in Mentor. Arrangements entrusted to Brunner Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Mentor. Family suggests contributions be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 5786 Heisley Road, Mentor, OH 44060. Online obituary at www.brunners.com. Joseph T. Hodgson BRISTOL, Va. – Joseph Truett Hodgson, age 77, of 100 Moore St., Apartment 913, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, in the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Mr. Hodgson was born on Sept. 23, 1926, in Damascus, to the late Wiley E. and Myrtle Jones Hodgson. Mr. Hodgson had lived in the Bristol area for the past three years and was a member of the Euclid Avenue Baptist Church. Mr. Hodgson was a veteran, having served with the U.S. Navy, where he received the Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class award. Mr. Hodgson is survived by three sisters, India Smallwood and husband George of Bristol Tennessee, Pauline Kestner and husband Maynard and Virginia Necessary, all of Bristol Virginia; one brother, George J. Hodgson and wife Helen of Salem, Va., and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at 3 p.m. in the Mountain View Mausoleum Chapel, with the Rev. Michael McCloud officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery. The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff of the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the staff of the James H. Quillen Nursing Home. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 2 until 3 p.m. in the Mountain View Mausoleum Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary Fannie Hughes ABINGDON – Mary Fannie Hughes, age 86, formerly of Lebanon, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was born in Washington County, Va., on March 24, 1918, to the late James "Willie" Keith and Bertha Mitchell Keith. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Hughes, son, Ralph Hughes, grandson, Richard, and great- grandson, Chris. She is survived by her son, Kenneth Hughes and his wife Shelby of Abingdon; daughter-in-law, Lois Hughes; daughter, Clair Mabe and her husband Robert of Abingdon; son, James D. Hughes and his wife Rhodora of Alhambra, Calif.; son, Larry Hughes and his wife Wanda of Lebanon; 13 grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; three sisters, Ruby Eastridge, Olivene Hunt and Kathleen Wolfe, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at 3 p.m. at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main, with Rev. Tim Norris and Rev. Darrell Henley officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service is serving the Hughes family. Nancy Bellamy Jones ABINGDON – Nancy Bellamy Jones, age 70, died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was born on Dec. 11, 1933, in Washington County, to the late Lilburn Bellamy and Lula Wolfe Bellamy. Nancy was also preceded in death by her husband, David Jones, two brothers, Odell Bellamy and Dennis Bellamy, and a sister Elizabeth Lewis. Nancy was a former employee of Virginia Glove Company in Glade Spring and Harwood Manufacturing Co. of Abingdon. She was a member of the Outreach for Christ Church. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Ann Jones of Abingdon; a brother, Scott Bellamy of Abingdon; two sisters, Bertha Henderson of Martinsville, Va., and Dorothy White of Collinsville, Va., and several nieces and nephews. A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. Leonard Bellamy and Rev. Paul Price officiating. Interment will follow the service. Those attending the service are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 1:50 p.m. Friday. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online 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 Nancy Bellamy Jones. Claude O. Kenny Jr. JOHNSON CITY – Claude O. Kenny Jr., 72, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was born in Roanoke, a son of the late Claude Oliver and Thelma Orender Kenny. He grew up in Kingsport, lived in Buffalo, N.Y., and Cherry Hill, N.J., and returned to the Tri-Cities area in 1988. He was of the Presbyterian faith. Survivors include his ex-wife and dear friend, Jerrie East Kenny, one daughter, four sons and seven grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, July 14, 2004, in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Dr. Charles Hutchins officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial contributions to American Cancer Society, Attn: Memorials, 508 Princeton St., Suite 100, Johnson City, TN 37601, and American Heart Association, Attn: Pam Burleson, 208 Sunset Drive, Suite 113, Johnson City, TN 37604. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mr. Kenny and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Juan Merino BRISTOL – A memorial service for Juan "Elioel" Merino will be held during the 8:30 morning mass Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, with Rev. Timothy Keeney officiating. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Juan "Elioel" Merino, 26, returned to God Sunday, Aug. 8, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice House, after a very brief illness. Mr. Merino is in the care of Oakley- Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Norman Henry Pippin BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Norman Henry Pippin will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, at the graveside in the Glenwood Cemetery, with Chaplain Paul Thomas officiating. Military graveside rites will be presented by the DAV Chapter 40 Honor Guard. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Norman Henry Pippin, age 74, died on Aug. 10, 2004, at James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Pippin. Roy McKinley Prater ABINGDON – Roy McKinley Prater, age 77, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, at his home. Roy was born on March 29, 1927, in Washington County, Va., and was a son of the late Victory Prater and Clada Dinsmore Prater. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, Wayne Jenkins; a granddaughter, Amy Little; four brothers, Rush Prater, Claude Prater, Jim Prater and Toney Prater; four sisters, Ellen O’Quinn, Frances Perry, Ethel Bethard and Margaret O’Quinn. Roy was a retired dairy farmer and a U.S. Army veteran, serving in the 5th Bomber Group, Tokyo, Japan during World War II. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Virginia Humphrey Prater; one son, Mike Prater of Abingdon; five daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Lionel Osborne, Mary and Everett Louthian and Pam and Mark Puckett, all of Meadowview, Ann and Chester Jenkins and Nancy and Ronald Little, all of Glade Spring; his mother-in- law, Ila Humphrey of the home; two brothers, Harry Prater of Glade Spring and Elmer Prater of Meadowview; three sisters, Ollie Morrison of Sidney, Ohio, Virginia Trent of Glade Spring and Elizabeth Sheppard of Saltville. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, with Brother Tommy Wilson and Rev. Roger Yuhaz officiating. Interment will follow in Old Glade Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Casket bearers will be McKinley Osborne, Nathan Osborne, DeWayne Prater, Danny Puckett, Chad Ray, Charles Prater, Darrell Louthian and Eric Louthian. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home or any time at the home. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, Dr. James W. Denton, Dr. Emory Robinette, Dr. David Delaplane, Dr. Kevin McCoy and the third floor nursing staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Roy McKinley Prater. Gusta Yates Rife GRUNDY – Gusta Helen Yates Rife, 78 years of age, of the Slate Creek area, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, in Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, following a short illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Lawrence T. and Bertha M. Smith Yates. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a graduate of Grundy High School Class of 1944. She was a former school teacher for the Buchanan County School System, and a former bookkeeper and store manager. Mrs. Rife is survived by her husband, Cornelius Rife, Grundy; three sisters, Edith Faye Yates Compton, Route 5, Grundy, Lourena Yates, Route 5, Grundy, and Alta Yates and husband Ralph H. Cox, Route 5, Grundy; one brother, Buford and wife Sue Yates, Route 5, Grundy, and one sister-in-law, Linda Yates, Route 5, Grundy. Also, she is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by one brother, Otis R. Yates. Funeral services for Gusta Helen Yates Rife will be conducted Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Howell Scott officiating, with entombment to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers: Ralph Cox, Ronald Compton, Terry Wilson, Lonzo Rife, J.B. Rife, Lyle Mutter and Mark Mutter. Honorary pallbearers: Roger Yates, Paris Lester, Steve Hylton, Dennis White, Jeff Hess, Dale Vance, Travis Taylor and Junior Ashby. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Brenda Mae Robins ABINGDON – Mrs. Brenda Mae Robins, age 51, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Farris Funeral Service. Freeda Simcox BLOUNTVILLE – Freeda Yvonne McCroskey Simcox, age 66, went to join the Lord in Heaven Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area and the daughter of the late Elgin and Helen Martin McCroskey. She was a homemaker, a retired registration supervisor of the Bristol Auto Auction and a member of Fellowship Chapel. She was preceded in death by a brother, Carl McCroskey, and a sister, Sandra McCroskey. Survivors include her husband, William Mack Simcox; two sons, Dr. Mark W. Simcox and wife Connie of Abingdon and David Kent Simcox of Bristol Tennessee; two sisters, Dulcie Mumpower and husband Allen of Abingdon and Martha Ann Groves of Bluff City; five brothers, Bill McCroskey and wife Glenna of Manchester, Tenn., Clayton McCroskey and wife Jo of Montgomery, Ala., Larry McCroskey and wife Joann, Randall McCroskey and wife Terri and Phil McCroskey and wife Millie, all of Bristol Virginia; two grandchildren, Skyler Simcox and Emily Simcox; numerous nieces and nephews and special friend, Barbara Mumpower. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Forrest Swan and his staff and the 5th floor nursing staff of Johnston Memorial Hospital. The funeral service will be conducted at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004, in Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Scott Price officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, at Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be son, Dr. Mark W. Simcox, nephews, Phillip McCroskey, Jason McCroskey, Josh McCroskey, Steve Lewis, Elmer Groves Jr., Wayne Riggs and Dr. Wayne Hutchens. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Forrest Swan, Dr. Paul Armstrong and Dr. Richard Mullins. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug.14, 2004, prior to the service at Akard Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to The Cancer Outreach Foundation, 104 Abingdon Place, Abingdon, VA 24211, or Fellowship Chapel, 201 Crockett St., Bristol, VA 24201. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Simcox. Mary Webb ABINGDON – Graveside services for Mrs. Mary Grey Wood Webb will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, in Knollkreg Memorial Park, with Rev. Bill Rowland officiating. Flowers will be accepted or those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main St., Abingdon, VA 24210.Those wishing to express sympathy to the family of Mrs. Mary Grey Wood Webb online may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com. Mrs. Mary Grey Wood Webb, age 91, a resident of 949 Timberland Court, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004, in the Johnston Memorial Hospital. Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of the arrangements.