Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, September 17, 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, Sept. 17, 2004 Today's Deaths Helen Elizabeth Anderson, 88, Princeton, W.Va. Landon Jay Collins, 83, Pulaski, Va. Harry Robert Crawford Sr., 78, Bristol Tennessee Estil Daniels, 68, Grundy Townsville Carter Hall, 88, Bristol Virginia Robert J. Heltzel, Akron, Ohio Junior Mullins, 64, Wise Tracy Wayne Nichols, 38, Cedar Bluff Marlena Jan Pruitt, Abingdon Shirley Davis Quillen, 68, Marion Millard Ellis Rhea, 76, Saltville Harmon Sproles, 70, Abingdon Billy J. Sullivan, 63, Castlewood Esther Thornbury, 84, Lebanon Elliot Milton Viers Jr., 59, Vansant, Va. Helen E. Anderson PRINCETON, W.Va. – Mrs. Helen Elizabeth Anderson, 88, of Murdock Street, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004 in Princeton. Survivors: three sons and wives, Myron D. and Patty Anderson of Princeton, Larry D. and Pamela Anderson of Chesapeake, Va., and Gary W. and Cara Anderson of Bluff City; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton, with burial to follow in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Princeton. Friends may visit today from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial gifts of love can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1111 Lee Street, E., Charleston, WV 25301. The family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory and Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton. Leonard Church HAYSI – Funeral services for Tivis Leonard Church will be conducted 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Frank Oquinn, Jackie Yates, Dennie Deel, Terry Oquinn and Scotty Boyd officiating. Burial will follow in the George Church Cemetery, Route 2, Haysi. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Tivis Leonard Church, age 72, of Route 2, passed away at his residence on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Landon Jay Collins PULASKI, Va. – Landon Jay Collins, age 83, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at Pulaski Community Hospital. Born April 19, 1921, in Bristol Tennessee, he was the son of the late Leana Mahady Collins and Jessie Wiley Collins. Jay was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army in the 512 Engineer Light Pontoon Company, which assisted in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland Central Europe invasions, where he received four Bronze Stars. He was scheduled to attend the 43rd reunion with the 512 this weekend in Frankfort, Ky. He was an active member of the Memorial Baptist Church and retired as an employee of Radford Army Ammunition Plant, where he served in the Quality Control Department. He was a proud member of the Pythagoras Masonic Lodge 239 A.F.&A.M., a member of the Pulaski Royal Arch Chapter, a member of the Scottish Rite Shriners as a 32nd degree Mason, a founding member of the Kazim Shrine Characters as the first kangaroo, a member of the Pulaski Elks Lodge, a life member of the Hillsville Grover King VFW Post 1115, a member of the American Legion, a member of the Eastern Star, where he proudly served in most all areas including Past Patron and Delegate to many states representing the Eastern Star of Virginia. Jay moved to Pulaski in 1949 from Richmond and was employed with RAAP. Early retirement allowed him to began a business venture by organizing and operating the Downtown Exxon, which he managed with utmost care, serving the citizens of Pulaski. He later built Jay’s Mobil Station on Bob White Boulevard, which he again operated for many years. Unable to let himself be idle, he remained active in life by working part-time for the former Pulaski Motor Company, Hudson Automotive Group and then for the Duncan Automotive Group. He and his wife Fannie owned the Willow Apartments in Pulaski, where they both found pleasure in keeping up a beautiful appearance. His was extremely proud to be an active part-time employee of Seagle Funeral Home, where he found pleasure in assisting and comforting his many friends of Pulaski County. Jay’s mother died at an early age and he was raised by his grandparents, Sam and Sue Ellen Mahady. In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by four foster sisters, one foster brother, four half-sisters and two half- brothers. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Fannie Cline Collins of Pulaski; a sister-in-law, Willa Mae Cline of Pulaski; a special niece, Judy McNutt Thompson of Knoxville; a special nephew, Sam McNutt and his wife Alice of Lexington, S.C.; a nephew, Denver Cline of Anderson, S.C.; a niece Connie Tate and her husband David of Clearwater, Fla.; and a nephew, Alvin Collins of Richmond. He is also survived by many great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Memorial Baptist Church, with the Rev. David Lones officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens, where the Pythagoras Masonic Lodge will conduct graveside rites. The Masons will serve as active pallbearers and the Shriners, Elks and American Legion members will serve as honorary pallbearers. Visiting will be any time Friday after 3 p.m. at Thomas M. Seagle & Sons Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 5 until 8 p.m. The Order of the Eastern Star will conduct an evening memorial service at the funeral home at 8 p.m. and the public is invited. Flowers will be accepted, but for those who wish, memorials may be made in the memory of Jay, to any Shriners Children’s Hospital, or to the Memorial Baptist Church New Building Fund. Friends are welcome to a celebration of Jay’s life in the fellowship hall of the Memorial Baptist Church immediately following the graveside committal. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.seaglefuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Thomas M. Seagle & Sons Funeral Home, Pulaski. Harry Crawford Sr. BRISTOL, Tenn. – Harry Robert Crawford Sr., age 78, passed away on Sept. 15, 2004, at his residence. Mr. Crawford had been a resident of Bristol for around 15 years and was a former machinist. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving in World War II and Korea. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Ruth Crawford. Survivors include sons, Harry Crawford Jr. of Destin, Fla., and Jeff Crawford of Bristol Tennessee; daughter, Margaret Callan of Richmond; special best friend, Joey; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. According to his request, Mr. Crawford will be cremated and the family will have a memorial service at a later date. They will be receiving friends any time at their home on 208 Whitney Lane, Bristol, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, Tenn., or to the charity of choice. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Estil Daniels GRUNDY – Estil Daniels, 68 years of age, of the Slate Creek section, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of Lucy Stewart Daniels of Grundy and the late Roy Daniels. He was of the Pentecostal faith and a disabled miner. Mr. Daniels is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Gracie Matney Daniels of Grundy; three daughters, Carol and her husband Teddy Keen of Grundy, Connie and her husband Lee Hibbitts of Vansant and Cathy and her husband Larry D. Ratliff II of Grundy; five sisters, Ellen Ward of Flint, Mich., Alice Rife of Grundy, Elsie Burke of Raven, Va., Florence Ward of Grundy and Janet Taylor of Nebo, N.C.; five brothers, Lonnie Daniels of Grundy, Clell Daniels of Amherst, Va., Reece Daniels of Sevierville, Tenn., Junior Daniels of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Bobby Daniels of Grundy; and one half-brother, William Lester of Paynesville, W.Va. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Traci Keen, Matthew Keen, Larry David Ratliff III, Amy Grace Ratliff and Emily Hibbitts. He was preceded in death by one brother, Monroe Daniels. Funeral services for Estil Daniels will be conducted Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jeff Mullins, Rev. Jeff Slone, Rev. Larry D. Ratliff Sr., and E.C. Honaker officiating, with burial to follow in the Mullins Cemetery on Compton Mountain, near Whitewood, Va. Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel after 5 p.m. Thursday and there will be an evening service at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Lee Hibbitts, Teddy Keen, Larry D. Ratliff II, Keith Ward, Andy Rife, Richard Ward, Ronald Matney, Donald Ray Matney and Ted Matney. Honorary pallbearers will be Perry Matney, Ed Osborne and Hospice of Virginia. The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of contributions to the Church of God of Slate, P.O. Box 673, Grundy, VA 24614. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Townsville C. Hall BRISTOL, Va. – Townsville Carter Hall, age 88, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mr. Hall was born on Oct. 26, 1915, in Mendota, Va., to the late Henry P. and Elizabeth Robinson Hall. He had lived most of his life in the Bristol area and was a retired electrician from Black Diamond Enterprise, with 35 years of service. His hobbies included repairs on TVs, radios, watches and small appliances. Mr. Hall was a member of the Bradley Street Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Paul Hall, Nathaniel "Jack" Hall, Luther Hall, Kenneth Hall and Ruben Hall. Mr. Hall is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruby "Cricket" Hall; two daughters, Dorothy "Dot" Hardesty of Bristol Tennessee and Judi Vicars of Knoxville; one son, Tim Hall and wife Mary of Victoria, Texas; one sister, Ruby Jane Lambert of Bristol Virginia; one grandson, Mark Wagner of Bristol Virginia; one granddaughter, Michelle Munoz of Georgetown, Texas; one special niece, Barbara Smith of Bristol Virginia; several other nieces and nephews; and three special great-grandchildren, Marcus, Mercedes and Madison of Victoria, Texas. Funeral service will be held Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at 6 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Bill Pealer officiating. Graveside service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Glenwood Mausoleum Chapel. Pallbearers will be Bobby Hall, Benjamin Snodgrass, David Rose, Jay McKenny, Bruce Rush and R.J. Winters Jr. The family would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Steve Hanor and the staff of 4 East at Bristol Regional Medical Center. The family will receive friends following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may made in Mr. Hall’s name to Bradley Street Baptist Church, 2218 Bradley St., Bristol, VA 24201. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Robert J. Heltzel AKRON, Ohio – Robert J. Heltzel died Sept. 16, 2004. He was born June 9, 1953, the son of Harry J. Heltzel of Bristol Virginia and the late Annette Cline Middleton of Akron. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Newcomer-Farley Funeral Home in Akron. Willie Lark GATE CITY – Military graveside services for Willie L. "Bill" Lark will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Va., conducted by the American Legion, Hammond Post 3 and Gate City Post 265. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. The family will meet at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery. Online condolences may be made to gfch@earthlink.net. Willie L. "Bill" Lark, 79, entered into rest Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, at his residence. Gate City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Barry J. McCurry ABINGDON – A memorial service for Mr. Barry Joseph McCurry will be conducted Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at 8 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, with Rev. John E. Massey Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058; or to the Appalachian Ronald McDonald House; or to the Hospitality House, 418 N. State of Franklin Road, Johnson City, TN 37604. Those wishing to send condolences online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. A memorial gathering will be held Friday from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Mr. Barry Joseph McCurry, age 58, died Friday, Sept. 10, 2004, at his home. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the McCurry family. Samuel Luther McVey BRISTOL, Va. – Samuel Luther McVey, age 88, of 90 McArthur Circle, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 15, 2004, at his residence. Mr. McVey was born on July 18, 1916, in Washington County, Va., to the late Samuel and Mima Jane Barlow McVey. He lived in the greater Bristol area all his life and drove a truck for Morrison Molded Fiberglass for 42 years. Mr. McVey was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was a recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Service Star, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal. Mr. McVey was a member of the First Freewill Baptist Church of Euclid Avenue, Bristol Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Poole McVey, a son, Fred McVey, and a son-in-law, Mack Cassell Survivors include three sons, Charles McVey and wife Janet of Jacksonville, Fla., Floyd McVey and wife Brenda of Abingdon and Sam McVey and wife Julie of Bristol Virginia; four daughters, Joyce Cassell of Newark, Del., Myrtle Thompson and husband Clayton of Bristol Virginia, Margaret Booher and husband Bob of Bristol Virginia and Jennifer Collins and husband Paul of Bristol Virginia; daughter-in-law, Betty McVey of Bristol Virginia; one sister, Clare Widener and husband Ernest of Abingdon; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service for Mr. Samuel Luther McVey will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Darrell Pickle and Rev. Danny Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 p.m. on Friday, prior to the service. The graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Mountain View Cemetery, with military honors conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Church Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Tim Booher, Clayton Thompson Jr., Trent McVey, Jeff McVey, David McVey, Phil McVey and Sam Cassell. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Fred Greer and John Tickle. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Bristol Cancer Association, 126 Johnson St., Bristol, VA 24201; Wellmont Hospice of 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620; and First Freewill Baptist Church of Euclid Avenue, Bristol Virginia. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Junior Mullins WISE – Junior Mullins, 64, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at Norton Community Hospital. He was born in Pound to the late James and Sylvania (Sergent) Mullins. He was a former coal miner. He was a resident of Heritage Hall Health Care in Wise. In addition to his parents, two brothers, Larry Sergent and Oakley Sargent, and a sister, Malissa Wells, preceded him in death. Surviving are three sisters, Irene Salyers, Coeburn, Nadine Clark, Norton, and Esther Finley, Monticello, Ind.; brother, Harry Mullins, Coeburn; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Friday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in the Hensley-Addington Cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Martha A. Mumpower BLUFF CITY – Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Alice Mumpower will be conducted from Robinson Mortuary Chapel, Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, with Rev. Gregory Mumpower officiating. Viewing will be from 11 a.m. to noon. Service to start at noon at the chapel. Pallbearers: Andy Reece, Chris Reece, Randy Mumpower, Shaun Cagle, Tracy Reece and Kesley Mumpower. Flower bearers: Friends of the family. Burial to follow in the National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn. Mrs. Martha Alice Mumpower departed this life Tuesday morning at the home of her daughter, Ms. Teressa Cagle, 1089 Riverside Road, Bluff City. Robinson Mortuary Inc., 333 Spencer St., Bristol, VA 24201, phone, (276) 669-5155, e-mail, robinsonmortuary@earthlink.net, is serving the family of Mrs. Martha Alice Mumpower. Tracy Wayne Nichols CEDAR BLUFF – Mr. Tracy Wayne Nichols, age 38, passed away Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, in a Johnson City hospital, after a lengthy illness from injuries received in an accident during Hurricane Hugo in Winston-Salem, N.C., 15 years ago. Born in Haver de Grace, Md., he was the son of Dolly Nichols Austin of Cedar Bluff and Dwrey Nichols and wife Lettie of Richlands. He was preceded in death by one sister, Penny Yvonne Nichols, and grandparents, Lloyd Nichols and Floyd and Gracie Hurt. In addition to his parents, he is survived by three brothers, Dwrey Lynn Nichols and Rodney Lee Nichols and wife Julie, both of Nashville, Curtis Nichols and wife Marsha of Amisville, Va.; grandmother, Vernie Nichols of Richlands; and several aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Rev. Carl Ball and Rev. Charlie McGlothlin officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be Lee Keen, Eddie Keen, Shawn Royal, Keith Elkins, Jeff Jamison and Tony Webb. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. William Hunter, Dr. Ramon Motos and Randy Yost. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Nichols family. Marlena Jan Pruitt ABINGDON – Marlena Jan (Marnie) Pruitt passed away Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004, from injuries she received in an automobile accident. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, a 1992 graduate of John Battle High School and had received an associate’s degree in police science. She was a WIBC member at Interstate Bowl. Marnie was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army. Survivors include her husband, Michael Allen Pruitt; one daughter, McKayla Hobbs; one son, Michael Dalton Pruitt; parents, Marlene and John Dickenson; father, J. Randall Hobbs Jr.; brothers, Trey Hobbs and Darrell Dickenson; grandparents, Joseph Sr. and Minnie Hobbs, Virginia, and Charles Evans and J.C. and Katherine Dickenson; great-grandmother, Angeleen Hobbs Trivett; two nieces, Abbie and Sha Dickenson; two nephews, Matthew Taylor and Blake Hobbs; special aunt and uncle, Ada and Gilbert Cox; special cousin, Teresa Carter; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon. Pallbearers will be Roger Goodson, Kevin Carter, Kevin Caudill, Chuck Sexton, Roy Minnick and Josh Dickenson. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Those wishing to express online sympathy may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Shirley D. Quillen MARION – Shirley Davis Quillen, age 68, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at her residence. She was born in Smyth County to the late William Crone Davis and Ocie Stillwell Davis, and was preceded in death by her husband, Robert H. Quillen Sr., and a brother, William Bill Davis. She attended the Main Street Mission in Marion. She was a blessing to all who knew her and she will be deeply missed by all who loved her. Survivors include one son, Robert H. Quillen Jr., Marion; one daughter and son- in-law, Susan and Robert Farmer, Marion; one brother, Raymond J. Davis and wife Patsy, Marion; one sister, Betty Blevins and husband Lowell, Marion; grandchildren, Christina Quillen and Laura Farmer; and many nieces and nephews also survive. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, at Thomas Cemetery, with Rev. Victor Johnsey and Rev. Lowell Blevins officiating. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial contributions can be made to a charity of one’s choice in memory of Shirley Quillen. The family will receive friends Friday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the family of Mrs. Quillen. Millard Ellis Rhea SALTVILLE – Mr. Millard Ellis Rhea, age 76, died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, in Smyth County Community Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Rhea family. Harmon Sproles ABINGDON – Harmon "Lester" Sproles, age 70, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Harmon was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Nannie Sproles, and four sisters, Sally Alexander, Betty Sanford, Elizabeth Sproles and Hattie Sproles. Survivors include four sisters, Lena Van Huss and Gay Nell Sproles, both of Meadowview, Ruby Walsh of Bristol and Colleen Price of Abingdon; three brothers, Oscar Sproles of Bristol, Jessie Sproles of Abingdon and Ernie Sproles of Crouse, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be conducted Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at 2 p.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens, with Rev. Jack Sprinkle and Rev. Rick Cuddy. There will no visitation in the funeral home. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Those attending the service are asked to assemble at the cemetery at 1:50 p.m. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Sproles family. Billy J. Sullivan CASTLEWOOD – Billy J. Sullivan, 63, died Thursday, Sept. 16, 2004, at Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City. He was born in St. Paul, Va., son of the late Frank Sullivan. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was retired from Clinchfield Railroad. He was employed by Raytheon. He is survived by his wife, Wilma Dishman Sullivan; mother, Nola Sullivan of St. Paul; two brothers, Eddie Sullivan of Coeburn and Frankie Sullivan Jr. of Coeburn; a very special great-niece, Augusta Long; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Billy J. Sullivan will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Tim Collins officiating. Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, in Chapel of Love, Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Pallbearers will be Carl Castle, Wayne Dingus, Raymond Harmon, Bill Salyers, R.F. Castle and Todd Long. Honorary pallbearers will be Luther Marshall, Bobby Joe Wright, Wallace Sexton, Joe Steele and Kenny Wright. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Sullivan family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Esther Thornbury LEBANON – Esther Thornbury, age 84, died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, in the Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky. Born Aug. 23, 1920, a daughter of the late Alexander Spurlock Belcher and the late Bertie Williams Belcher, she had lived in Lookout, Ky., and Grundy, moving to Lebanon in 1968. She was the wife of the late Ray R. Thornbury and a member of the Lebanon Church of Christ. She was also preceded in death by one son, Barry Lee Thornbury, a grandson, Donald Dante’ Thornbury, two brothers, Roy Belcher and Palmer Belcher, and a sister, Thelma Johnson. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Garath Dean Thornbury and wife Beverly, Pikeville, Ky., and Donald Eugene Thornbury and wife Nancy, Anderson, Ind.; grandchildren, Barry Lee Thornbury and wife Sonya, Jackson, Mich., Gary Thornbury, Springfield, Ohio, Donna Marie Smith and husband Larry, Pikeville, Lori Rogers and husband Phillip, Kimper, Ky., and Diana Calton and husband James, Palm Bay, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Aaron Thornbury, Michael Smith, Dana Thornbury, Joshua Smith, Justin Hunt, Rochelle Smith, Adam Hunt, Heaven Calton, Kalyn Thornbury, Eric Calton and Samual Thornbury; one great-great- granddaughter, Riley Madison Kelin; three sisters, Olva Thacker, Mount Sterling, Ky., Kizzie Burke, Shelby, Ky., and Lenora Thompson, Cannonsburg, Ky.; and one brother, Elster Belcher, State Line, Ky.; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with Adam Horn and Ronald Epling, ministers, officiating. Entombment will follow in the Green Hills Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Ron Epling, Doug Parnell, Carson Rasnake, Leonard Farmer, Jim Vermillion, Robert Stone, Johnny Farmer and Skip Ramsey. The family will receive friends 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, and 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, 2004, with a service at 6 p.m. at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service is serving the family of Mrs. Thornbury. Elliot M. Viers Jr. VANSANT, Va. – Elliot Milton Viers Jr., 59 years of age, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004, at his residence. Born in Buchanan County, Dec. 6, 1944, he was the son of Pauline Edwards Viers of Clintwood and the late Elliott Milton Viers Sr. He was of the Christian faith, a retired construction worker, a devoted NASCAR fan, a nature lover, who enjoyed bird watching, and a loving son, husband, father and poppy. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Ruby Owens, and one grandson, Ryan Andrew Viers. He is survived by his mother, Pauline Edwards Viers of Clintwood; his wife of 33 years, Kathy Lynn Damron Viers of Vansant; three daughters, Lora Owens and husband Dallas of Rock Hill, S.C., Andrea Lynn Viers of Russellville, Ark., and Amanda Lane and husband Teddy of Tarawa Terrace, N.C.; two sons, Kenneth Andrew Viers of Vansant and John Ryan Viers of Blackburn, Va.; five sisters, Janet Edwards of Vansant, Jama Arrington of Haysi, Joyce Looney of Vansant, Pamela McMillan of Clintwood and Mildred Deel of Clinchco, Va.; one brother, Dr. Jimmy Wayne Viers of Blackburn, Va. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Benjamin Elliot Owens, Harrison James Owens, Dustin Tyler Viers, Kayley Amber Lane, Carson Alexander Lane and Zoe Zade Viers. Funeral services for Elliot Milton Viers Jr. will be conducted Friday, Sept. 17, 2004, at 1 p.m. in the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Sylvia Jones, Paul Lowe and Dr. Jimmy Wayne Viers officiating. Burial will follow in the Baldwin Mountain Community Cemetery, Vansant. Nephews will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Lowe, Andy Rife, John Raines and employees of Special Care Hospice. Friends may call at the Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Thursday, where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m. Memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com. The family of Elliot Milton Viers Jr. is being served by the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy. Ruth Nall Whittaker BRISTOL – Ruth Nall Whittaker, formerly of Shirley Drive in Bristol Tennessee, and most recently of Grand Court in Bristol Virginia, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2004. She was born in Kingsport and was the widow of Harrison Burns Whittaker. She attended Ward-Belmont College and Salem College and was a member of State Street United Methodist Church, Border Guild, Blue Ridge Garden Club, the Child Study Club, the Y.W.C.A. and the Virginia Parish Study Club. Survivors include four daughters, Cindy Haskins and husband Tom of Kingsport, Sandra Shumaker and husband Dick of Johnson City, Judy Proctor and husband Wes of Greensboro and Debbie McRackan and husband Bob of Raleigh; eight grandchildren, Hope Haskins Parnell and husband Tom of Kingsport, Amy Haskins Wettack and husband David of Gate City, Renee Shumaker Pettus and husband Sam of Charlotte, Al Shumaker and wife Lara of Cleveland, Tenn., Wes Proctor Jr., and wife Jackie of Denver and John Proctor, Lee McRackan and Katy McRackan, all of Raleigh; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Katty Nall Harrison of Kingsport; several nieces and nephews and her care givers Betty Venable, Nita Emmert, Vivian Cornett, Joyce Curtis and Cathy Montgomery. The life of Ruth Whittaker will be celebrated at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon, Sept. 19, 2004, at State Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. Spurgeon McCartt officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. In keeping with Mrs. Whittaker’s benevolent spirit, her body has been taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for medical research. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to State Street United Methodist Church, 300 West Valley Drive, Bristol, VA 24201; and to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Whittaker and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn.