Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, October 25, 2004 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/Page/TRI_FrontPage ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bristol Herald Courier Monday, Oct. 25, 2004 Today's Deaths Jerry Christian, Norton Nancy Leigh Ball Dersch, 64, Bristol Virginia Patsy Ruth Edens, 70 Mary Virginia Haga Harbert, 71, Chilhowie John P. Heffernan, Bristol Virginia Lawrence Rife, 78, Richlands Thurman M. Rose, 89, Richlands Thomas Lee Surber, 50, Chilhowie Betty Ann Sykes Thompson, 74, formerly of Bristol Tennessee Lonnie Patterson Viers, 47, Clinchco, Va. Edward L. Barger BLOUNTVILLE – Graveside services for Edward L. (Parkie) Barger will be conducted at 1 p.m., Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, in Immanuel Cemetery, with Pastor Donald Fritz officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Rodefer, Buddy Fleenor, Lynn Shankle, Gale Fleenor, Nat Tunnell, Howard Kangas and Paul Jones. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family of Mr. Barger at akardfh@peercom.net. Edward L. (Parkie) Barger, age 66, passed away Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004, at his residence. Akard Funeral Home 1912 West State Street, Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Barger. Cicero W. Bowers TAYLORS VALLEY, Va. – Cicero W. "C.W." Bowers, age 72, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, at his residence. He was born June 24, 1932, in Bristol Tennessee, and was the son of the late Cicero and Ada Brown Bowers. He was preceded in death by a son, Philip, and sisters, Shirley Bott and Violet Bentley. Mr. Bowers was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 9830 and was of the Baptist faith. He is survived by his wife, Gaye Ball Bowers; his sons and their wives, Jimmie Wayne and Linda Bowers of Emory, Va., and Mike and Mary Lou Bowers of Laurel Bloomery, Tenn.; his daughters and their husbands, Patty and Allen DeBusk of Glade Spring, Janet and Sanford Bowling and Angie and Buddy Fritz, all of Taylors Valley; his grandchildren, Crystal Tignor, Carrie Widener, Amanda Phipps, Eric DeBusk, Kelly Maffeo, Michelle Jennings, Trey Bowling, Julie Fritz and Daniel Fritz; his great-grandchildren, Candace, Dylan, Courtney, Kaylee "Chicken Legs," Michelle, Kayla and Sarah; two great-great-grandchildren, Brittany and Jeffrey; his sisters, Naomi Gross, Winnifred Large, Hazel Ford, Carolyn Roberts and Edith Bowers; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, at the Walnut Grove Church of the Brethren in Taylors Valley, with Rev. Alan McCullough and Pastor Terry Johnson officiating. The body will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Jackson-Lewis Cemetery. Pallbearers will be selected from nephews and friends. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, especially Karen and Sandy, for all the care given to Mr. Bowers. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, at the Garrett Funeral Home or at any time at the residence. Online condolences may be sent to the family through our Web page at www.garrettfuneralhome.com. Garrett Funeral Home, Damascus, is serving the family of Mr. Bowers. Jerry Christian NORTON – Funeral services for Jerry Christian, who died Friday, Oct. 22, 2004, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Beulah E. Dean ROANOKE – Funeral services for Beulah E. Dean will be held at 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Kermit Evans officiating. Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, in 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. Tuesday. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Flowers will be accepted, but memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216; Cancer Outreach Foundation Inc., 206 Abingdon Place, Abingdon, VA 24211; and Midway Church, P.O. Box 1723, Coeburn, VA 24230. Online condolences may be sent to the Dean family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Beulah E. Dean, 88, died Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Nancy Dersch BRISTOL, Va. – Nancy Leigh Ball Dersch, age 64, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, at her residence. She was a daughter to the late Tolley and Anna Belle Wingo Ball, and had moved back to Bristol in 1989. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Dersch was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and family member. Survivors include husband of 41 years, Robert Michael Dersch; daughter, Laura DeSorbes and husband William Joseph DeSorbes; stepdaughters, Cindy Houghton and Debra Burkey; stepson, Michael Dersch; granddaughter, Anna Lisa DeSorbes; several stepgrandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Harrison and husband Junior, Frances Harris and husband Tom, Norma Hensley and husband Wade, Bernice Hutchins and husband Paul and Kathy Cross and husband Randy; and brother, Rev. Roger Ball and wife Patty. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Elisa Sue Addison, and sister, Betsy Goins. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. Interment will follow at Campground Cemetery. Pallbearers include Keith Tabor, Kelly Tabor, David Ball, Daniel Ball, William DeSorbes and Randy Cross. The family will receive friends on Monday 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. Patsy Ruth Edens Patsy Ruth Edens, age 70, formerly of Hassan Heights Road, and currently of Grand Court, Bristol Virginia, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, after bravely battling breast cancer for 13 years. She was a native of Pennington Gap, Va., and had lived in Bristol since 1959. She was a daughter of the late Elmer and Arminda Healan Smith, and was the widow of Echel Edens Jr. Patsy was a loving mother and grandmother, as well as an ardent bridge player and an active member of several local bridge clubs. Survivors include two sons, Michael Edens of Charlottesville and Edward Edens and wife, Marion, of Bristol Tennessee; one sister, Fay Clark of Church Hill, Tenn.; three brothers, Elmer Smith of Oak Ridge, Tenn., Victor Smith of California City, Calif., and Sammy Smith of North Carolina; two grandsons, Echel Edens and Jesse Edens, both of Bristol Tennessee; a niece, Ginger Coleman; as well as other nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Ellie Scofield officiating. Interment will be in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Patsy’s sons wish to thank UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center for extending their mother’s life beyond anyone’s expectations. In lieu of flowers, tribute gifts in memory of Patsy can be made at www.giving.ucla.edu/cancer/donate.asp. or telephone UCLA at (310) 206-0675. The family will receive friends at Akard Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. E- mail condolences to the family may be sent at akardfh@peercom.net. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 W. State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mrs. Edens. Mary Harbert CHILHOWIE – Mary Virginia Haga Harbert, age 71, passed away Oct. 22, 2004, at her home in Tarpon Springs, Fla. Mrs. Harbert was the daughter of the late Robert and Chloe Rouse Haga. She was born on Oct. 1, 1933, in Roanoke and lived and worked in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va., and Reno, Nev. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Deborah and Richard S. Cofer, Tarpon Springs, and Donna and Rob Good, Watertown, Conn.; three grandchildren, Lee Cofer, Lake Tahoe, Nev., Mark Cofer, Santa Barbara, Calif., and John Good, Watertown; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Dorothy Haga, Virginia City, Nev., and Donald and Barbara Haga, Roanoke and Holmes Beach, Fla.; three sisters and brother-in-law, Clara Sykes, Norfolk, Va., Nancy Edmunds, Virginia Beach, and Davie Ann and Dr. Don Jackson, Asheville, N.C.; four nieces; 12 nephews and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday morning, Oct. 26, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery in Chilhowie, with Rev. John Graham officiating. The family will receive friends at the Bradley’s Funeral Chapel from 9-10 a.m., prior to the service. E-mail condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie, is serving the family of Mrs. Harbert. John P. Heffernan BRISTOL, Va. – John P. Heffernan died Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, in an accident, while kayaking on the Russell Fork River in the Breaks Interstate Park in Dickenson County, Va. He was born in Denver, a son of Bernardine T. Heffernan and the late Paul Heffernan, and was a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. He had lived in Bristol for 29 years and retired as director of Community Development and Planning for the City of Bristol Virginia. He was president of the Bristol Crisis Center and ElderSpirit Community and Trailview Development Corporation and was co-chair of the Solar Hill Community Watch. John was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Abingdon, was an avid white water enthusiast and a mentor to many people in the paddling community. He was also an instructor for water safety and alternative sports. In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife of 38 years, Nancy T. Heffernan; a son, Paul T. Heffernan of Portland, Ore.; a sister, Judy H. Majors of Denver; three brothers, Jerry Heffernan of Denver, Jim Heffernan of Tillamook, Ore., and Joe Heffernan of Scotland; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Anna Heffernan. Funeral arrangements are incomplete. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The Crisis Center, 100 Oakview, Bristol, VA 24201; or to the ElderSpirit Community, P.O. Box 665, Abingdon, VA 24212. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-blevins.com. Mr. Heffernan and his family are in the care of Oakley-Blevins Funeral Home, 417 Lee Street, Bristol, Va. Thomas E. Morton BRISTOL, Tenn. – A memorial service for Thomas Edward Morton will be held Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Minister Bob Robinson officiating. Honorary pallbearers: Ian Rutherford, Gary Walker, Steve Los, Mark McKinney, Mark Morton, Bruce Morton, Stephen Frazier and Mack Morton. The family will receive friends Monday from 6-7:45 p.m., prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Thomas Edward Morton, age 45, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004 at his residence. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Lawrence Rife RICHLANDS – Mr. Lawrence Rife, age 78, of the Big Creek section, passed away Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, in an Elkhorn City, Ky., nursing home following a brief illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Thurman M. Rose RICHLANDS – Mr. Thurman M. "Pedro" Rose, age 89, died Friday, Oct. 22, at a V.A. Care Center in Roanoke, following a lengthy illness. He was born in Cedar Bluff and was a son of the late George Beverly and Eva Ocie Stephenson Rose, both Tazewell County natives. He made his home in the Richlands area most of his life, living in Michigan for several years, and was a retired employee of McClouth Steel in Detroit. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, a member of the Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands and a member of the Richlands First Assembly of God. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Rosa B. Wess Wilson Rose, two stepsons, Charlie Lee Wilson and Rev. R. Kenneth Wilson; two sisters, Rachel Dickenson and Mildred Rose; and three brothers, Bill, Ed and Andy Rose. Survivors are one son, Mr. Michael T. Rose of New Mexico; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Dorothy W. "Dot" Rose of Richlands; three sisters, Mrs. Ocie R. Angles of Tazewell, Mrs. Nell R. Farmer of Lebanon and Mrs. Alta Novack, address unknown; two brothers, Mr. Beverly J. (B.J.) Rose of Richlands and Mr. Robert (Bob) Rose of Tazewell; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral services for Mr. Thurman M. "Pedro" Rose will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Buddy Herald officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640 of Richlands and Disabled American Veterans Tazewell County Chapter 31 will serve as pallbearers and conduct military graveside rites. Men of Richlands First Assembly of God, Clyde Roberts and Homer Carter will serve as honorary pallbearers. Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6 p.m. Tuesday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com. Curtis Ray Stapleton PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Graveside services for Curtis Ray Stapleton will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Crumley Cemetery, with Rev. Dave McClellan officiating. Honorary pallbearers include Tony Myers and Gary Hardoby. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Curtis Ray Stapleton, age 54, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Thomas Lee Surber CHILHOWIE – Mr. Thomas Lee Surber, age 50, died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, at his home in Chilhowie. Arrangements are incomplete. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is serving the Surber family. Dixie Sutherland CLINTWOOD – Funeral services for Dixie Lee Selfe Sutherland will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday Oct. 25, 2004, from the graveside at the Phipps Memorial Cemetery, Main Street, Clintwood, with Rev. Lynn Vanover officiating. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Dixie Lee Selfe Sutherland, age 95, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, at her home. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Betty S. Thompson FALL BRANCH, Tenn. – Betty Ann Sykes Thompson, age 74, formerly of Bristol Tennessee, passed away at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, at The Wexford House, following a short illness. Born in Bristol Tennessee on Feb. 2, 1930, a daughter of the late William H. "Bill" and Pearl Epperson Sykes, she had resided in Bristol Tennessee most of her life. Mrs. Thompson had been employed at Beecham-Massengill for several years. She was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Thompson will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister, who enjoyed life to the fullest and through her illness showed great courage. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and employees of The Wexford House for all the care and kindness given in the care of Mrs. Thompson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 10 years, Omer Clyde Thompson in 1997. Survivors include two sons, David L. Jones and wife Wanda of Fall Branch; two grandchildren, Travis Jones and Angel Boswell; four great-grandchildren, Ashley Jones, Tristan Jones, Mikey Boswell and Megan Boswell; two sisters, Nellie Brown of Bristol Tennessee and Joyce Hilton of Bristol Virginia; one brother, John Sykes of Bristol Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be from 5 till 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, at East Lawn Funeral Home and at other hours at the residence of a son, David L. Jones. Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, in the chapel, with the Rev. Jack Sprinkle officiating. Burial will follow graveside services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, in the Garden of Everlasting Life II at East Lawn Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be Travis Jones, Travis Hilton, James Townsend, Mike Sykes and Allan "Butch" Brown. Those wishing may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, c/o Wanda Grills, 1217 Radcliffe Ave., Kingsport, TN 37664. Please visit us at www.mem.com to place a condolence to the Thompson family. East Lawn Funeral Home is serving the Thompson family. Draxie O. Viers VANSANT, Va. – Funeral services for Draxie O’Quin Viers will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Roger Coleman, Terry Oquinn and Freddie Ramey officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill. Pallbearers will be Shannon Oquinn, Travis Oquinn, Kendall Oquinn, Lucas Stiltner, Donald Keene and Robert Vandyke. Honorary pallbearers will be Terry Oquinn, Jeff Stiltner, Roger Street, Dr. Clint Sutherland and Jerry Wilson. Draxie O’Quin Viers, age 76, of Route 2, passed away Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004, at her residence. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Lonnie P. Viers CLINCHCO, Va. – Lonnie Patterson "Pat" Viers, age 47, of Route 1, passed away at his home following a lengthy illness Saturday, Oct. 23, 2004. A native of Dickenson County, he was a son of George W. and Loretta Turner Viers. He was a graduate of Haysi High School, was last employed as a coal miner and was a member of Dickenson First Presbyterian Church. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Becky Viers; two sons, Lonnie (Amanda) Viers of Lebanon and Patrick (Marie) Viers of Clinchco; one daughter, Nancy (Timothy) Rose of Clinchco; four grandchildren, Allie, Emily, Abby and Brooklyn; maternal grandmother, Alafair Turner of Haysi; one sister, Nichole V. Willis of Clintwood; three brothers, George Curtis of Sterling Heights, Mich., Terry Viers of Haysi and Keith Viers of Clinchco; and host of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Rev. Dion Marshall officiating. Burial will follow in the Viers Cemetery, Route 1, Clinchco. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call after 6 p.m. at the funeral home, where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.