Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 15, 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, Oct. 15, 2004 Today's Deaths Monica Dawn Bowling, 35, Lusby Robert Steven Crabtree, 34, Kingsport Kenneth Marvin Cross, Bristol Tennessee Alice Damron, 61, Tazewell Priscilla Anderson Dennison, 59, Wise Ross Fletcher, 81, Nickelsville, Va. John Harvey Keen, 87, formerly of Honaker Clifford C. Kiser, 77, Bristol Virginia Edna Ethel Looney, 78, Grundy Louise V. Ratcliffe, 88 Neoma Rector Spurgeon, 90, Chilhowie J.D. Wright, 70, Bristol Monica D. Bowling LUSBY – Monica Dawn Bowling, 35, died Oct. 10, 2004, at her home. She was a medical receptionist at Calvert Internal Medicine in Dunkirk, Md. She enjoyed arts and crafts and loved animals, especially West Highland terriers. She volunteered with the Girl Scouts when her daughters were active. Born May 29, 1969, in Arlington, Va., she was the daughter of William Clay Chambers and Sandra G. Chambers. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Frederick D. Bowling; daughters, Nikki Chambers and Kala Bowling; father-in-law, Robert Bowling; mother-in-law, Patricia Bowling; grandfather, J.W. Compton; and grandmother, Dollie Compton. Visitation will be held Saturday, Oct. 16, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., with a service at 7 p.m. at the Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, 211 St. Mary’s Ave., La Plata, MD 20646. The Rev. William Miller will officiate. A service will be held Monday, Oct. 18, at Suburban Christian Church, Bristol Virginia, at 1 p.m. Burial will take place at Frank Smith Cemetery, Honaker. Memorial contributions may be made to Monica Bowling Trust Fund. Arrangements are being handled by Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, La Plata. Robert S. Crabtree KINGSPORT – Robert Steven Crabtree, age 34, went to be with his Lord Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, of injuries sustained from a work-related accident. Steve was born in Kingsport Dec. 4, 1969. He was the only son of Robert Michael and Darla Kay (DeFriece) Crabtree, who live in Kingsport. Steve was given the nickname of "Henry Puff ’n Snuff" by his dad at a very early age that remained with him. Steve loved camping, fishing and gardening, and his dream was to build a log home. Steve was a plant manager with Mesa Industries in Abingdon. He received his associate’s degree from Northeast State and ETSU. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Sylvester Crabtree, and his maternal grandfather, Scott DeFriece. In addition to his mother and father, he is survived by his loving wife, Melissa (Bisanz) Crabtree of the home; his sons, Bryson Crabtree and Carson Crabtree, also of the home; his sister, brother-in-law and family, Lisa (Crabtree) Young and her husband Derry and their children, Madeleine and Grant; his maternal grandmother, Edith DeFriece of Blountville; his paternal grandmother, Fayetta Crabtree Snodgrass of Meadowview; his uncle and aunt, Fred and Peggy Crabtree of Kingsport; his mother and father-in-law, Lyle and Sonja Irene Bisanz of Michigan; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Tammy and Garrett Sobeck and Pam and Axel Tinnefeld, all of Michigan; and his grandmother-in-law, Theresa Bisanz. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours will be 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the East Lawn Funeral Home, and any time at his home. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at the East Lawn Funeral Home Chapel, with the Reverend Steve Hooper and eulogies given by Dan Beverly and Jimmy Yeatts. Graveside service and burial will follow in the East Lawn Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Memories. Pallbearers will be Dan Beverly, Jimmy Yeatts, David Nothnagel, Michael Whipple, Greg Hickman, James Worley, Lyle Bisanz, Michael Fuller and Jeff Fair. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund has been established for Bryson and Carson Crabtree with the Bank of Tennessee (any branch). Please visit the family online at www.mem.com to place a tribute to the family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Crabtree family. Kenneth M. Cross BRISTOL, Tenn. – Kenneth Marvin Cross passed away on Oct. 13, 2004, at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was the son of the late Scott and Tina Candler Cross and was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. He had most recently worked as a car salesman and was of the Methodist faith. Mr. Cross was a U.S. Army veteran serving in World War II. Survivors include wife, Phyllis Wood Cross; daughter, Joann Williams of Miramar, Fla.; son, Kenneth M. Cross Jr. of Miramar; sisters, Lucille Slaughter and Rachel Ellis of Bristol; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery, with Dr. Errol Rohr officiating. Honorary pallbearers include Martin Cross, Greg Cross, Michael Jennings, Logan Jennings, Richard Ellis, Ernie Ford and Terry McCroskey. Military honors will be presented by the VFW Patton- Crosswhite Post 6975. There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Alice Damron TAZEWELL – Mrs. Alice Damron, age 61, passed away Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, in a Tazewell hospital, following a lengthy illness. Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Theodore R. and Georgie Dye Arms. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Damron; one son, Keith Parsell; one sister, Helen Arms; and seven brothers, Harvey Plaster, J.B. Arms, Glen Arms, Jerry Arms, Roger Arms, Donald Arms and Kenneth Arms. She is survived by one stepson, Jackie Damron of Tazewell; two sisters, Mrs. Claude (Thelma) Newberry of Raven and Mrs. Elmer (Gaynell) Casey of Richlands; three brothers, Hassel Arms of Red Ash, Peery Arms of Akron, Ohio, and Ronnie Arms of Richlands; and a special friend, Maynard Parsell of Tazewell. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004, at the Bible Way Church at Raven, Va., with Rev. Dannie D. Short officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. The body will be taken to the Bible Way Church at Raven, where friends may call after 6 p.m. Friday. Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Damron family. Priscilla Dennison WISE – Priscilla "Cilla" Anderson Dennison, 59, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, at Heritage Hall in Big Stone Gap. She was the daughter of the late Joseph C. Anderson and was also preceded in death by three children, Deborah Lynn Anderson, Tyler Anderson and D.J. Wells, and a sister, Ann Roberts. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Wise. Surviving are four sons, Jerry Wayne Anderson, Norton, Timothy Fields, Castlewood, and Mark Fields and Bradley Fields, both of Norton; a daughter, Jennifer W. Pangle of Wise; her mother, Grace Johnson Anderson, Norton; three sisters, Betty Jean Darnell, Bluefield, Va., Loretta Wiles, Norton, and Brenda Faye Akers, Appalachia; four brothers, Harold Anderson, Columbus, Ohio, Charles Anderson, Norton, Bobby D. Anderson, Wise, and Anthony Richard Anderson of North Carolina; and 10 grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Friday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home chapel, with Brother E.R. Hall officiating. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton. The Dennison family is served by Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Roy Bill Fleming COEBURN – Funeral services for Roy Bill Fleming will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, from the Clintwood Funeral Home Chapel, with Minister Terry W. Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Fleming Cemetery, Route 3, Clintwood. Pallbearers are grandsons. Roy Bill Fleming, age 76, died at Johnson City Medical Center on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Ross Fletcher NICKELSVILLE, Va. – Ross "Buddy" Fletcher, 81, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004, after a period of declining health. He was born in Russell County, Va. After graduating from high school, he served his country in the European Theater, with the l64th Engineer Combat Battalion, through the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. He was a lifetime member of Kingsport VFW 3382 and a member of the Kingsport Masonic Lodge 688 Chapter l95, Commandry 33, Council 117, Jericho Temple of the Shrine Temple of Kingsport and the Scottish Rite of Knoxville. He retired from Kingsport Press in 1989, Hawkins County Plant, as a lab supervisor. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Nickelsville. Mr. Fletcher was preceded in death by his first wife, Janice McCoy Fletcher, parents, Frank and Pearl Owens Fletcher, one sister, Hazel Edwards, and a brother, Frank Fletcher. Survivors include his wife, Betty Jo (Quillen) Fletcher of the home; one stepdaughter and husband, Teresa and Bill Vicars, and a stepson and wife, Tim and Jean Quillen, all of Nickelsville; stepgrandchildren, Mark and wife Wendy Vicars, Le Anne and husband Tony Shelton and Lisa and husband Barry Calhoun, all of Nickelsville, and Tracy and husband Anthony Hart of Honaker; stepgreat- grandchildren, Savannah Vicars, Ivey Jo Hart, Cole Shelton and Michael and Conner Calhoun; two sisters, Ruby Breeden of Alcoa, Tenn., and JoAnne Eversole of Whitesburg, Ky.; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be conducted Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at Oak Hill Funeral Home Chapel, with a Masonic service at 7:45 p.m. by the Kingsport Masonic Lodge 688. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m., with the Rev. Steve Collins officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oak Hill Cemetery. Those going to the grave site are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Kingsport VFW Post 3381. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Building Fund of the First Baptist Church of Nickelsville, Nickelsville, VA 24271. Oak Hill Funeral Home is serving the Fletcher family. John Harvey Keen MARKHAM, Va. – Mr. John Harvey Keen, age 87, formerly of Honaker, passed away Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker. Clifford C. Kiser BRISTOL, Va. – Clifford C. Kiser, age 77, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home are incomplete. Edna Ethel Looney GRUNDY – Edna Ethel Looney, 78 years of age, of Route 1, passed away at the Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville, Ky., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004, following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Ishmael and Nettie Ramey Looney Kidd. She was a member of the Big Rock Church of Christ and a retired cook, having worked for the Grundy Drive Inn and the Rainbow Drive Inn. She lived in Buchanan County all her life, until she moved to the Parkview Nursing Home 21 months ago. She is survived by one sister, Inez and her husband Ralph McClanahan of Route 1, Grundy, and James and his wife Charlene Kidd of Route 1, Grundy. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Glema Looney and Ruth Farmer, and two brothers, Hassell Looney and Ralph Kidd. Funeral services for Edna Ethel Looney will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004, at 1 p.m. at the Big Rock Church of Christ, with Evangelists Sam Casebolt, Michael Trent and Bob Miller officiating, with burial to follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel after 5 p.m. Friday and there will be an evening service Friday evening at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be men of the Big Rock Church of Christ and Dr. Clint Sutherland. The body will be moved to the Big Rock Church of Christ at noon Saturday to await the funeral hour at 1 p.m. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Jeane S. Oakley A memorial service for Jeane Sutherland Oakley will be conducted at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, Oct. 16, 2004, in the Heritage Chapel of Memories at Glenwood Cemetery, with Rev. Reed Shell officiating. The family will greet friends after the service. Memorial contributions may be sent to State Street United Methodist Church, 300 West Valley Drive, Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Jeane Sutherland Oakley, 87, formerly of Bristol, passed away Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The Oakley family is in the care of Oakley- Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Gladys V. Poole ABINGDON – The funeral service for Gladys Widener Poole will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, in the Mausoleum Chapel at Knollkreg Memorial Park, with Rev. Danny Thompson and Rev. John Wesley Price officiating. The family will receive friends from noon until the time of the service. Honorary casket bearers will be Ralph Fern, Bob Cumbow, Roy Wilson, Ronnie Johnson, Roger Linkous, Floyd McVey, Doug Wheeler, Bobby Bolling, Cecil Gobble, Dr. Matthew Wood, Dr. Jim Moore, James Denton and Judge Charles H. Smith. The family will receive friends at any time at their home, 397 Baugh Lane, Abingdon. Family and friends are welcome to sign the register book at the funeral home at any time. In place of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, in support of breast-cancer awareness, 230 Charwood Drive, Abingdon, VA 24210. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Mrs. Gladys Widener Poole, age 66, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, at the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Gladys Virginia Poole. Ina A. Powers CLINTWOOD – Funeral services for Ina A. Powers will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Joe Edwards and Darrell Davis officiating. Burial will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Ina A. Powers, age 98, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, at Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Clintwood. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Louise V. Ratcliffe Louise V. Ratcliffe, 88, formerly of Columbia, Pa., died Tuesday at Heart of Lancaster Medical Center. She was the wife of the late Clifton P. Ratcliffe, who died in 1975. She was born in Ashe County, N.C., daughter of the late Freeland L. and Hattie V. Thomas Testerman. She was a homemaker and member of Columbia Bible Church. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and cooking. She is survived by three sons, Clifton Jr., married to Theresa Ratcliffe, Lancaster, Charles E., married to Elsie Smith Ratcliffe, Wilmington, N.C., and Michael Ratcliffe, Lancaster; three daughters, Ann Kramer, Mount Joy, Martha, married to William Arndt, Manheim and Sue Young, Neffsville; 14 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Earl J., married to Kathleen Testerman, and Gayther, married to Karen Testerman, Glade Spring; three sisters, Elizabeth, married to Herman Widener, Glade Spring, Agnes married to William Cox, Damascus, and June, married to Linton Goforth, Marion, N.C. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jane Ratcliffe. Funeral service will be held at the John E. Kraft Funeral Home, 114 West Main St., Mountville, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2004, at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may call at the John E. Kraft Funeral Home on Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. Neoma R. Spurgeon CHILHOWIE – Neoma Rector Spurgeon, 90, died Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004, in Williamsburg, Va. She was the widow of Joseph L. Spurgeon and a retired employee of Bonham Brothers. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sharon Davis. Survivors include two daughters, Betty S. Holloman and her husband, Earl, Williamsburg, and Jo Ann Davis and her husband, Norman, Holiday, Fla.; one brother, L.J. Rector, Seven Mile Ford, Va.; one sister, Elsie Walker, Holiday; and four grandchildren, Larry Holloman, Eric Holloman and wife, Ann, Robert Davis and John Davis. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery, with Revs. David T. StClair and Mary K. Briggs officiating. Interment will follow. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Williams Funeral Home. Family and friends are requested to meet at the cemetery. Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie, is serving the family of Neoma Rector Spurgeon. J.D. Wright BRISTOL – J.D. Wright, 70, passed away Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004, at Wellmont Hospice. He was born in Washington County, Va., a son of the late Joseph Richard J.R. "Red" Wright and Lilly Bell Hailey Wright Brown. He lived most of his life in Bristol, retired from Larry Jarrett’s Sawmill and was of the Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold Wright and Jack Wright. Survivors include his sisters, Wanda Ball and her husband Carl of Bluff City and Vivian Carter and her husband Wilson of Bristol; several half-brothers; a half- sister; two aunts; one uncle and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon, Oct. 16, 2004, at the graveside in Shipley Cemetery, with Rev. Howard Campbell officiating. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial contributions to Bristol Cancer Association, 1255 State St., Suite A, Bristol, VA 24201. The family would like to express their special thanks to Donna and Shorty. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley- cook.com. Mr. Wright and his family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn.