Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, September 10, 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, September 10, 2004 Pearl Gay Barnette RICHLANDS – Mrs. Pearl Gay Barnette, age 69, of Kents Ridge Road, passed away Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, in a Bristol Tennessee health care facility, following a brief illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, Va. Harold L. Couch Sr. CASTLEWOOD – Harold Lotis Couch Sr., Papaw, 72, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at home. He was born in St. Paul, Va., son of the late Jim and Mollie Reedy Couch. He was retired from Clinchfield Coal Company and was a member of the UMWA. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Jean Wright. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Couch; one daughter, Carol Wildman and husband Mark of Lebanon; one son, Harold Couch Jr. of Castlewood; one sister, Mavis White of Burlington, N.C.; special little buddy, Ethan; four grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services and entombment for Harold Lotis Couch Sr., Papaw, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, with Rev. John A. Kiser Jr. officiating. The funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 1:30 p.m. for the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Stacy Wright, Todd Young, Paul Capaldi, Jeff Bush, Chris Patrick and Bill Strong. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Couch family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Connie Gilliam COEBURN – Constance "Connie" Gilliam, 62, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at her residence. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Gilliam; her parents, Dave Monroe and Dorothy Mae Hensley Nixon; a son, Ricky Gilliam; and two brothers, Clifton and Charlie Nixon. Survivors include two sons, Jimmy Gilliam, Jacksonville, Fla., and Wayne Gilliam of the home; a sister, Dana "Jody" and husband Billy Joe Hughes, Melbourne, Fla.; two brothers, Elmer Nixon and David Crockett Nixon, both of Coeburn; five grandchildren, Wayne, Everett, Nikki, Mathew and Curtis; special cousin, Sis Ball; and many adopted children and grandchildren. Funeral services for Constance "Connie" Gilliam will be held Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Estes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Bill Crawford officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Coeburn. Visitation will be held after 6 p.m. Friday at Estes Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Estes Funeral Home, Inc. (276) 395-2441 Della Mae Honaker MAVISDALE, Va. – Mrs. Della Mae Honaker, age 70, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, in a Grundy nursing facility. Born May 30, 1934, in Buchanan County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Delathia and Lavania Honaker Price. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a member of Garden Baptist Church. She was a retired cook, having worked at the Oakwood Tastee Freeze. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Dean Honaker, one sister, Thelma Younker, and three brothers, James Oliver Price, Warner Price and McKinley Price. Survivors include three sons, Allen Honaker and wife Judy of Raven, Va., Dale Honaker and wife Denise of Grundy and Larry Honaker of Richlands; three grandchildren, Robbie Honaker and wife Shannon of Dublin, Va., Bethany Honaker and Daniel Honaker, both of Grundy; one brother, Dallas Price of Swords Creek, Va.; two sisters, Gracie Price Luster of Honaker and Monnie Keen of Richlands. A special friend, Ruby Sweeten of Garden, Va., also survives. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Scott Whitt, Tyler Whitt, Randy Price, Jeff Price, Terry Price and Gary Keen. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Friday. Charles M. Hyer Charles Michael Hyer, 30, passed away on Friday, Sept. 3, 2004, at the Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, Colo., after a short illness. Michael was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Elva Hyer of Flatwoods, W.Va., and his maternal grandparents, Dick and Mae Prouse of Charleston, W.Va. Michael was born in Charleston, on Dec. 30, 1973, and moved to Tennessee in 1982, where he attended schools in Farragut and Bristol. He graduated from Bristol Tennessee High School in 1992 and attended college at Oxford and Emory University in Atlanta. He graduated with an English/film studies degree in 1996. Michael worked for ADT in Atlanta and was transferred to Denver, Colo. While in Denver, he held various positions with ADT, TYCO and STARZ/ENCORE. Michael is survived by his parents, Charles and Karen Hyer of Farragut, Tenn.; and his sister, Dr. Jennifer Hyer of Denver. Funeral services will be Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, 11 a.m. at Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, Malden, W.Va., with the Rev. Dan Hogan officiating. Burial will follow at the Stout Cemetery in Flatwoods, W.Va. Family and friends may call one hour prior to the services on Saturday at Stevens & Grass Funeral Home, 4203 Salines Drive, Malden, WV 25306. Phyllis Manning APPALACHIA, Va. – Phyllis Manning, 50, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, as result of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident. Born in Mississippi, she moved to the Osaka community of Wise County in the early 1990’s. She was a member of the Norton Christian Church, where she was an interpreter for the deaf. She was program director for deaf services with the Junction Center For Independent Living in Norton. She had served as pianist with other local churches during her residence in the area. She is survived by a two daughters, Katherine Manning, Greeley, Colo., and Kelly Manning of the home; a son, Travis Manning of the home; mother, Ruby McIntire of Palestine, Texas; brothers, Kenneth McIntire and William McIntire; a sister, Carolyn Jones; a granddaughter, Gabrielle Manning; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home, with a prayer service to follow. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel, with Jim Wells officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Phyllis Manning Fund, Attention: Shonna Del Forge, Wachovia Bank, 701 Park Ave., SW, Norton, VA 24273. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com Kenneth W. Miller ABINGDON – Kenneth Wayne Miller, age 25, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. He was born in Russell County, Va., and had lived most of his life in Washington County, Va. He was employed at the Coomes Recreation Center, having worked three years. He is survived by his father, Charles Miller of Abingdon; his mother, Sarah Miller of Abingdon; two sisters, LeeAnn Watts of Conover, N.C., and Sarah Jane Laughner of Stoughton, Wis.; three brothers, JR. Mays of Bristol Virginia, Willie Mays of Bristol Virginia, and Scott Mays of Maryville, Tenn.; best friend, Jessica Stophel; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at 2 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Chapel, 427 East Main St., with Rev. Paul Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home on East Main Street. Pallbearers will be David Miller, Darren Miller, Travis Miller, Scott Watts, Ronnie Norris, Adam Mays, Daniel Tate and Kevin Worley. Honorary pallbearers will be JR. Mays, Willie Mays, Scott Mays, Bennie Robinette, Steve Miller, Matt Miller and all of his friends at the Coomes Recreation Center. Those wishing to express a memory of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com Farris Funeral Service is serving the family of Kenny. C.J. Moss Jr. SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Clarence Jackson "C. J." Moss Jr., 78, of 652 Overhill Drive, died Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004, at the home of his daughter in Emory, Va. Born Aug. 10, 1926, in Spartanburg, he was the son of the late Clarence Jackson Moss Sr. and Cora Pearl Rhinehart Moss. A graduate of Central Wesleyan College, he attended Cecil’s Business College and retired from Hoechst Fibers. He was a member of Mitchell Memorial Wesleyan Church and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict. Survivors include his wife, Ina Louise Childs Moss of the home; a son, C. J. "Jay" Moss III and his wife Lori of Hartwell, Ga.; a daughter, Susan Moss Stanley and her husband Dr. Talmage Stanley of Emory; five grandchildren, David Jackson Stanley, Sarah Apperson Stanley, Jayden Timothy Moss, Cassie Michelle Moss and Callie Maria Moss; a sister, Huldah Ann Moss Jackson and her husband Mack of Laurens, S.C.; three brothers-in-law, Bill Crenshaw and Clyde A. Rich, both of Spartanburg, and Clyde E. Bagwell of Taylors, S.C.; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Janet Melody Moss; three brothers, James Moss, Robert Moss and Rufus Moss; and four sisters, Corrine Moss Bagwell, Ida Moss Crenshaw, Florence Moss and Edna Moss Rich. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southern Wesleyan University, 907 Wesleyan Drive, Central, SC 29630; to Hephzibah Children’s Home, 6601 Zebulon Road, Macon, GA 31220-7606; or to Interim Hospice, 775 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 101, Spartanburg, SC 29301. The family is at the home. Please visit and participate in the American Memorial at www.floydmortuary.com Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel. Earl Musick HONAKER – Funeral services for Mr. Earl Musick will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Fred Altizer and Rev. Clyde Rose officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon. Pallbearers will be Kenny Hubbard, Bill Hubbard, Tom Hubbard, Kyle Hubbard, Johnny Crabtree and Frank Ball. Mr. Earl Musick, age 60, of the Thompson Creek section, passed away Tuesday morning, Sept. 7, 2004, in an Abingdon hospital. A. Kent Odum Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – The funeral service for A. Kent Odum Sr. will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at the graveside in Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Jimmie Davidson officiating. Military rites will be presented by the Highlands Fellowship Veteran Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be Kent’s many golfing buddies. Those desiring may make memorials to Highlands Fellowship, P.O. Box 22417, Abingdon, VA 24212; or the American Cancer Society, c/o Jack Mallin, 57 Fairway Drive, Bristol, TN 37620. E-mail condolences for the family may be sent at akardfh@peercom.net A. Kent Odum Sr. passed away Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at the 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. Odum. Thelma D. Peters BLOUNTVILLE – Funeral services for Thelma D. Peters will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Smith Kestner officiating. Burial will follow in the Gunnings Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Robert Davenport, Brandon Blair, Josh Blair, Chris Snapp, Dave Laney and Roger Castle. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Thelma D. Peters, age 87, of 2634 Highway 11W, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, in the Bristol Nursing Home. Dorothy M. Phillips ST. PAUL, Va. – Funeral services for Dorothy Mae Phillips will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Darrell Milgrim and Rev. Silas McCracken officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Michael Woods, Jerry Calhoun, Bobby Woods, Randall Neece, Wesley Meade and Chris Hill. Honorary pallbearers will be Doug Neece, Allen Neece, Jeff Woods, Brian Woods, Jerry Woods Jr., Kenny Calhoun, Randy Bishop and Teddy Hammonds. Online condolences may be sent to the Phillips family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com Dorothy Mae Phillips, 84, died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Virginia H. Plummer SHADY VALLEY, Tenn. – A memorial service for Virginia Henderson Plummer will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at Sutherland Community Church, with Pastor Bill Worley officiating. There will be no viewing or visitation at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family through our Web page at www.garrettfuneralhome.com Virginia Henderson Plummer, age 73, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at her residence. Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus is serving the family of Virginia Henderson Plummer. James Dennison Riley BRISTOL, Tenn. – James Dennison "Jack" Riley, age 73, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Jack had spent most of his life in the Bristol area and was a member of Temple Freewill Baptist Church. He was U.S. Army veteran, serving in the Korean War, where he was decorated for his bravery four different times. Survivors include: cousins, Voyd Taylor and wife Thelma, Dennis Taylor and wife Carol, Dyan Jessee and Norman Taylor and wife Kay and special friend, James Lewis. Graveside services will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004, at Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. W. C. Amos officiating. Military honors will be presented by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. J. Allen Snodgrass SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Mr. J. Allen Snodgrass, age 61, died Thursday, Sept. 9, at Carraway Methodist Medical Center. Surviving are his wife, Jo Snodgrass of Sylacauga; daughter, Dawn Cooper and husband Randy of Orange, Va.; son, Adam Snodgrass of Birmingham; granddaughter, Zoe Cooper; and two sisters, Charlene Goodman of Aiken, S.C., and Cathy Fleenor of Bristol Virginia. Services will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at Curtis and Son Childersburg Chapel, with Reverend Elder Bufrey Dean officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will be in Greenhill Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 10, from 6-8 p.m. at Curtis and Son Childersburg Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to American Heart Association or Leukemia Foundation. Curtis and Son Funeral Home Childersburg Chapel will direct the service. Fannie Stamper ABINGDON – Fannie Stamper, age 91, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004, while surrounded by her family and friends in her home. Originally from Shady Valley, Tenn., she had lived most of her life in Abingdon. She was preceded in death by her late husband Walter Stamper, her parents, Willey Phillips and Susan Isabell Phillips Rambo, beloved stepdad, James Isaac Rambo, one sister, Goldie Bishop, two brothers, Arthur Phillips and Orville Rambo. Survivors include: one daughter, Ann Litton and son-in-law James (Jim) Litton of Abingdon; two granddaughters, Maria Litton and Dawn Litton-Baumgardner, both of Bristol Virginia; three sisters, Marjorie Cordova Byrd and Dora Hurley of Frederick, Md., and Gladys Testerman of Walkersville, Md.; one brother, Staff Sgt. (Ret.) William D. Rambo and wife Helen Parks Rambo of La Luz, N.M.; one sister-in-law, Ida Gay Rambo of Rural Retreat, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to Hospice & Palliative Care of Southwest Virginia, Pam, Mary, Crystal, Molly, Mary Beth and Connie and a very special friend, Patty Akers. Graveside services for Fannie Stamper will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, at the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Knollkreg Memorial Park, Abingdon, with the Rev. Jerry A. Eggers officiating. The family will receive friends at Fannie Stamper’s residence, 100 Wonderland Drive, Abingdon, at any time and at the Campbell Funeral Home from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. on Saturday. Family and friends will go in procession from Campbell Funeral Home to Knollkreg Memorial Park at 1:50 p.m. for the graveside service. Pallbearers will be nephews and friends. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Southwest VA, P.O. Box 349, Norton, VA 24273. Those wishing to express sympathy to the family of Fannie Stamper may do so at www.campbell-funeralhome.com Campbell Funeral Home, Abingdon, is in charge of the arrangements. Jay E. Sykes LEBANON – Jay E. Sykes, age 70, passed away Sept. 8, 2004, in the Russell County Medical Center. Born June 4, 1934, in Russell County, he was a retired employee of Russell County and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rosa P. Sykes; his parents, Leonard and Lona Sykes; six brothers, Harold Sykes, Carlton Sykes, Robert Sykes, Fred Sykes, Jack Sykes and Ollie Sykes; and one sister, Lucille Buckles. Survivors include four daughters, Lona Blevins and husband Mark, Bluff City, Karen Sykes, Blountville, Sharon Sims and husband Dewey, Swords Creek and Debbie Lester and husband Randy, Lebanon; grandchildren, Brandy Lester, Susan Harris and Jayme and Blake Blevins; one great-grandson, Justin Tyler Harris; five sisters, Virginia Matney, Clara Buckles, Jean Keith, Verda Sykes and Katherine Keller; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Jim Huffman and Rev. Guy Harris officiating. Entombment will follow in the Memorial Chapel Mausoleum in Ketron Memorial Gardens. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Larry Sykes, Ronnie Buckles, Mike Buckles, Dwayne Buckles, Sammy Honaker and Greg Fields. Honorary pallbearers will be Trigg Fields, Bill Artrip, John Skeens, Homer Jackson, Scott Dye and Mitchel Mosier. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mr. Sykes. Sarah Kate Taylor BLUFF CITY – Sarah Kate Taylor, infant daughter of Melissa A. and David J. Taylor, was called to Heaven, Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2004. Sarah was preceded in death by her grandfather, Jeff J. Taylor. In addition to her parents, she is survived by a brother, Andrew Felty, and a sister, Miranda Felty, both of the home; grandparents, Inez F. Taylor of Bristol Tennessee, and Bille Ann and David S. Francis Jr. of Bristol Virginia; and uncles and aunts include Tony and Melba Taylor, Randy and Susan Spangler, David and Selena Francis and Ricky Francis. Also surviving are several very special cousins. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, 2004, in Mountain View Cemetery. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Shriner’s Hospital. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Jeffrey McQueary and the nurses and staff of the Birthing Center at Bristol Regional Medical Center Hospital. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@peercom.net Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Sarah Kate Taylor. Emily Jackson White PULASKI, Va. – Emily Hale Jackson White, 92, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2004. Graveside service will be Friday 3:30 p.m. Middle Fork Cemetery, Chilhowie. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com Arrangements by Seagle Funeral Home, Pulaski. C.P. Williams ROSEDALE, Va. – C. P. "Bud" Williams, age 78, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at Maple Grove Health Care Center in Lebanon. He was born Aug. 28, 1926, in Pearisburg, Va., and was the only child of the late C. Patrick "Jack" Williams of Spring Valley, Calif., and Ruby Barrett Cole of Bluefield, Va. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Elsa Penland Williams, on Feb. 16, 2004. C.P. is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Pat and Katie Williams of Girdwood, Alaska; two daughters, Belinda Anders of Santa Fe, N.M., and Pamela Williams of Tucson, Ariz.; six grandsons; one granddaughter; and four great- grandchildren; as well as a large number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Mr. Williams obtained the rank of staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, during World War II, between January 25, 1945, and November 18, 1946. While serving this duty, he received the following decorations and citations: Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award GO#36, World War II Victory Medal and the Occupation Japan Medal. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserves from Nov. 9, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1953. He was on active duty in the Korean conflict from Nov. 9, 1950, to Oct. 10, 1951, where he served as a medic. "Bud" Williams then spent 22 years in the automobile business as a service manager and consultant, designing everything from standard order of procedure guidelines to a state-of-the-art full dealership for O’Rielly Chevrolet in Tucson, during the mid to late 1960s. In 1970, he and his wife, Elsa, returned to their homeland of Southwest Virginia, where he became a residential builder and developer, involving himself in a number of residential projects geared towards providing sound and decent housing for the working man and/or woman. As his final development project, "Bud" immersed himself in a 100-acre luxury development in the north eastern foothills of Tucson. With this as his final contractual project, "Bud" decided to retire. Retirement led him into the depths of genealogy research for approximately 10 years, where he became obsessed with the infectious disease known as "genealogy fever" (his quote) and was finally quarantined by his family and friends. Fortunately, a cousin, Bob Sutherland, rescued him in the nick of time and got him involved in education at Southwest Virginia Community College. "Bud" Williams was a generous supporter of SVCC for many years. He has served on the College Board since July 1, 2001. He was presented the Virginia Community College Local Board Member of the Year Award earlier this year by the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System and is the first SVCC Board Member to earn statewide recognition by the Senate of Virginia. His generosity was well- known and he was responsible for providing funds for several scholarships and a special class created and taught by Bob Sutherland. This class will continue in his memory. He was also on the Russell County and the Honaker Library Advisory Committees. He was a member of the Russell and Tazewell Counties Historical Societies, a member of the Russell County Democratic Party and served on the Russell County Courthouse Restoration Committee. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the caregivers, especially Donna Holmes, who showed extraordinary compassion, and his loyal friends, Mike Osborne and Randy Williams. Also, a special thanks to the staff of Maple Grove Health Care Center. He was a member of the Honaker First United Methodist Church, where the family will welcome friends on Friday, Sept. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m., with memorial services to commence at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 602, Tazewell, VA 24651. Cremation Society of Virginia/Southwest is serving the Williams Family. James F. Wilson ABINGDON – James Franklin "Stiffy" Wilson, age 84, went home to be with the Lord on Sept. 9, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. He was born in Boones Creek, Tenn., on Jan. 18, 1920, and was a son of the late Samuel Clinton Wilson and Pearl McCroskey Wilson. He was also preceded in death by an infant daughter. He had lived most of his life in Washington County, Va. "Stiffy" was a dairy farmer and owner and operator of Wilson Farms in Abingdon and was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member, former deacon and treasurer of the Maple Grove Presbyterian Church in Abingdon. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nina Vaught Wilson; one son, David Wilson and wife Barbara of Abingdon; two daughters, Nancy W. Gwin of Abingdon and Susan W. Jackson and husband Curtis of Bristol Virginia; five grandchildren, Garrett Gwin and wife Crystal of Hopes Mill, N.C., James Wilson and fiancee’ Heather and her children, Katie, Chad and Kendra, all of Jonesborough, Tenn., Diana Parker and husband Garrett of Ashburn, Va., Adam Wilson and fiancee’ Sarah Leonard and Jenna Wilson, all of Abingdon; one great-grandchild, Andrea Gwin; a brother, Harold Wilson and wife Rita of Melbourne, Fla.; two sisters, Kate W. Daniels of Alexandria, Va., and Dorothy W. Roop and husband Willie of Bassett, Va.; special friends, Mark McCracken and wife Vickie and their children, Emma, Lena and Lauren, all of Abingdon, Andy Autry and wife Brittany of Abingdon, Wilburn Necessary and wife Jerelene of Bristol Virginia, and Bill Helton and Norman Ragan of Abingdon. The funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday in the Farris Funeral Chapel, 427 E. Main St., in Abingdon, with Rev. William "Mac" McElroy and Pastor Steve Talbert officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the funeral service. Graveside committal and interment services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in the High Point Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Those attending the graveside and committal service are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 10:50 a.m. Saturday. Casket bearers will be Mark McCracken, Wilburn Necessary, Norman Ragan, David Helton, Andy Autry and Michael Countiss. In place of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Cancer Outreach Foundation, 206 Abingdon Place, Abingdon, VA 24211. Those wishing to send a memory or message of sympathy online may do so by visiting our Website at www.farrisfuneralservice.com The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of James Franklin "Stiffy" Wilson.