Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, November 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 Monday, Nov. 15, 2004 Today's Deaths Lucas Daniel Blevins, Jonesborough, Tenn. Nellie Lee Bolling, Orlando, Fla. Maude Virginia Wheeler Cross, 90, Bristol Tennessee Nanner Ellison, 83, Glade Spring Clyde M. Frye, 79, Glade Spring Mary Lee Henderson, 79 Thelma Gladys LaForce Kiser, 82, Grundy Juanita Lothery, Brumley Gap, Va. Roy Buford Overbay, 76, Marion Kenneth W. Smith, 65, Norton Lucas Daniel Blevins JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. – Lucas Daniel Blevins, Rockwood Drive, died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, at Johnson City Medical Center Hospital. He was a Washington County native and a son of Elder Daniel C. and Theresa Ann Greer Blevins Jr. of Jonesborough. He was a 2001 graduate of David Crockett High School, where he participated in Naval Junior ROTC. He was currently employed as a night stocker at Ingle’s supermarket and had previously been employed as a front end manager at Food City. He attended St. Clair Bottom Primitive Baptist Church in Chilhowie. In addition to his parents, he is survived by one sister and brother-in-law, Hannah and Roger "Rusty" Davidson, Johnson City; maternal grandmother, Esther Rebecca Greer, Chilhowie; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and many close, dear friends. Arrangements are incomplete. Condolences may be sent to the Blevins family online at www.dillow-taylor.com. Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Jonesborough, (423)-753-3821. Lee Bolling ORLANDO, Fla. – Nellie Lee Bolling was born in Norton on Dec. 28, 1921, and died in Orlando, on Nov. 12, 2004, after a brave and lengthy battle with cancer. Lee lived most of her adult life in Bristol Virginia, where she was a member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church for more than 40 years, and moved to Orlando in 2000. For almost 50 years, she was married to Charles Lester Bolling, a distinguished veteran of World War II, who preceded her in death. She was the daughter of James A. and Polly Ann Noe Hommell of Norton. Lee was a caring and giving woman, a devoted mother and grandmother, a committed Christian and a role model for her family. Survivors include her daughter Linda Bolling Seay; two granddaughters, Samantha Ann Hunter and Katie Seay; and three great-grandchildren, Annie Shea Hunter, Kathryn Douglas Hunter and Karleigh Nell Hunter. A memorial service will be held at Euclid Avenue Baptist Church on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2004, at 11 a.m. Lee’s family would like to invite all of her friends to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to Euclid Avenue Baptist Church in the name of Lee Bolling. Obituary information supplied by Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State Street, Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800. Nannie Bruce Colley NEWTON FALLS, Ohio – Nannie Bruce Colley, age 91, a former resident of Abingdon, passed away Nov. 13, 2004, at Community Skilled Nursing Home in Warren, Ohio. Born Feb. 16, 1913, in Washington County, Va., she was daughter of the late George W. Hill and Nora Martin Hill. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, John L. Colley; four sisters, including her twin sister, Helen Helton, Grace Hodges, Audry Chisom and Trula Weatherly. Nannie was a member of Blackwell Chapel Union Church and was a member of the church choir. Nannie was a housewife and seamstress, enjoyed gardening and working on her farm, making apple butter and had a great love for animals. Survivors include her two daughters, Janice Capp and husband, Joseph, of Newton Falls and Shirley Jenson of Meadowview; one son, John Douglas Colley of Granger, Ind.; 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at 11 a.m. at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, with Rev. Scott Spence officiating. Casket bearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Casket bearers will be Bobby Cuddy, Bill Farris, Ronnie Frazier, Allen McNew, Ricky McNew and Jackie McNew. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blackwell Chapel Union Church, 8329 Blackwell Chapel Road, Meadowview, VA 24361; or to the Alzheimer’s Association. Those wishing to send memories or expressions sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Nannie Bruce Colley. Maude Cross BRISTOL, Tenn. – Maude Virginia Wheeler Cross, age 90, of 114 Lark St., went to be with the Lord Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at NHC of Bristol. Mrs. Cross was born April 28, 1914, in Meadowview, a daughter of the late Isaiah and Lucy Frazier Wheeler, and had made her home in the Bristol area most of her life. She was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church and a retired employee of the Bristol Tennessee School System, having worked in the cafeterias at Vance and Tennessee High. She was also a former employee of the American Thread Co. and Monroe. Mrs. Cross was preceded in death by her husband, Claude Willard "Bill" Cross, and her son, Gerald D. Cross. Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Ann Arnold Cross; three grandchildren, Steve Cross and wife Mallory, Kevin Cross and wife Robin and Amy Woodring and husband David; five great-grandchildren, Andrew, Alexandra, Aaron, Annalise and Abigail; sister, Ruth Jones; also special friends, Freida Callahan, Debbie Wampler, Muriel Butler and Wilma Combs. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caring and loving staff of NHC of Bristol and Ann Rector, Department of Social Services. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Stephen Playl and Rev. Joe Blankenship officiating. Burial will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Bobby Joe Wheeler, Don Wheeler, Doug Wheeler, Howard Cross, Terry Hutson and Ralph Harkleroad. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gerald D. Cross Playground Fund, Woodlawn Baptist Church, 1400 Southside Ave., Bristol, TN 36720. E-mail condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday at Weaver Funeral Home and other times at the home of Elizabeth Ann Cross, 505 Greenfield Place, Bristol, Tenn. Nanner Ellison GLADE SPRING – Mrs. Nanner Ellison, age 83, passed away Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Ellison family. Clyde M. Frye GLADE SPRING – Mr. Clyde M. Frye, age 79, passed away Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Arrangements are incomplete. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Frye family. Mary Lee Henderson Mary Lee Henderson, age 79, a resident of The Cambridge House, passed away Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete. Euna Keith BRISTOL, Va. – Euna Richardson Vernon Keith, age 90, a resident of NHC, passed away Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Mrs Keith was born Nov. 29, 1913, in Elizabethton, Tenn., a daughter of the late Allen C. and Margaret Lunsford Richardson. She grew up on a farm in the Chinquapin community and had made her home in the Bristol area all of her life. Mrs. Keith was a retired housekeeper at State Street United Methodist Church and was of the Baptist faith. Mrs. Keith was the widow of Clarence Keith and was preceded in death by her two children, Margaret Hartley and Ben Allen Vernon. Survivors include two grandchildren, Nina Younes and Bill Hartley and wife Harriet; great-granddaughter, Amber Lemmons and husband Jon; two great-great- grandsons, Nathan and Hartley; daughter-in-law, Judy Vernon Trinkle; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Dennis Burnette officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be David Miller, Kenneth Miller, Stanley Scoggins and Matt Ison. Honorary pallbearers are Billy Shafer, Dave Trinkle, David Lyons, Richard Scoggins, Jon Lemmons, Dr. Tom Green, George Jones, Jerry Feathers and Ronnie Harvey. E-mail may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Weaver Funeral Home. Thelma Kiser GRUNDY – Thelma Gladys LaForce Kiser, 82 years of age, of Route 2, passed away Saturday, Nov. 14, 2004, at the Buchanan General Hospital, following an extended illness. Born in Dickenson County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Aaron Colburn and Mabel Nash Laforce. She was a homemaker and housewife. Mrs. Kiser is survived by two daughters, Ruby Rife of Grundy and Beulah Kyle of Grundy, and one son, Dennis Kiser of Richlands. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Kiser was also survived by one special granddaughter and grandson, Pam and Keith Stiltner, and two special friends, Shirley Silcox and Adonna Mullins. Mrs. Kiser was preceded in death by one son, Herman Kiser, and one sister, Frances LaForce Smith. Funeral services for Thelma Gladys LaForce Kiser will be conducted Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel, with Evangelist Jerry Edwards officiating, with burial to follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Monday at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel and there will be an evening service at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. J.G. Patel and Dr. Thomas Johnson and his nurses and staff. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements. Gary Lyndon Leonard BRISTOL, Va. –Graveside service for Gary Lyndon Leonard will be held Monday at 2 p.m. in the Sugar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Rutherford, Danny Leonard, Ronnie Stout Jr. and brothers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Gary Lyndon Leonard, age 51, went to be with the Lord Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, at his residence, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Juanita Lothery BRUMLEY GAP, Va. – Mrs. Juanita Lothery died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later. Farris Funeral Service of Abingdon is serving the family of Mrs. Lothery. Roy Buford Overbay MARION – Roy Buford "Tooney" Overbay, age 76, entered into eternal life on Nov. 13, 2004, surrounded by his loving family. He was a graduate of the FBI national academy and Wytheville Community College. He was employed by the Town of Marion Police Department for 32 years, ending his career as captain in December 1989. Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Debra Sanders Overbay; two sons, Jason Pafford, Roanoke, and Randy Pafford; one daughter, Dianne Walker, Spring Valley, Calif.; one brother and sister-in-law, James and Hazel Overbay; one sister, Ruth Pugh; one brother-in-law, Fielden O. Sanders Jr. and wife Susan; one grandson, Randy Pafford Jr., Lakeland, Fla.; two granddaughters, Keely and Ceil Walker; one stepgranddaughter, Tiffany Letchworth; his father-in-law, Fielden O. Sanders Sr.; special cousin, Charles H. Overbay; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel, with Fielden O. Sanders Jr. and John Joannou officiating. Interment will follow in the Fairwood Cemetery in Troutdale. Pallbearers will be Jason and Randy Pafford, Ronnie Miller, Roy Burke, Keith Clark, Jim and J.R. Love and Bryan Blevins. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Overbay, Jeff Davis, A.J. Whitlow, Lawrence Richardson, Bradley Gwin, Gayle Snider, Sonny Kirk, Jake Cassell, all present and former employees of the Marion Police Department, Sheriff David Bradley and all present and former members of the Smyth County Sheriffs Department and the Virginia State Police. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.Bradleysfh.com. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions can be made in memory of Mr. Roy Buford Overbay, 1136 Chatham Hill Road, Marion, VA 24354. The family will receive friends on Monday evening, Nov. 15, 2004, from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Overbay family. Earl Owens BEE, Va. – Funeral services for Earl "Poppaw" Owens will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at Haysi Funeral Home, with Elders Bobby Arrington, Garnell Gilbert, Roger Fuller and Buford Deel officiating. Burial will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens, Lebanon. Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Earl "Poppaw" Owens, age 85, passed away Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, at Maple Grove Health Care in Lebanon. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Virginia H. Pratt BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral service for Virginia Haworth Pratt will be held Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at 11 a.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with the Pastor Charles Murphy officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in the Tri- Cities Memory Gardens. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Virginia Haworth Pratt, age 89, passed away Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Dean Rumley BLUFF CITY – The family of Dean Rumley will receive friends from 6 until 8 o’clock Monday evening, Nov. 15, 2004, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and at other times at Ms. Rumley’s home. The funeral service will be conducted at 3 o’clock Tuesday afternoon in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Sunrise Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Dean Rumley, 58, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004, at the Cambridge House in Bristol Tennessee. Dean Rumley and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Nina F. Singleton BRISTOL, Va. – Mrs. Nina Flanary Singleton, age 72, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004, at her home. Born in Scott County, Va., on Sept. 18, 1932, she was a daughter of the late Rex Ward Flanary and Sally Fields Flanary. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Donald Singleton, a daughter, Deborah Yarbrough, and a brother, Dale Flanary. Mrs. Singleton had spent most of her life in Dickenson County and the Clintwood area, where she was a Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star Clintwood Chapter. She was an avid bowler and was a member of the B.W.C.A and W.I.B.C. She was a member of the Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church. Survivors include a son, Larry R. Singleton of Abingdon; three daughters, Linda G. Whitt of Roanoke, Sheila D. Mullins of Bristol Tennessee and Susan L. Henley of Abingdon; two brothers, Don W. Flanary of Church Hill, Tenn., and Jimmy L. Flanary of Gate City, Va.; nine grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; four great-grandchildren and one stepgreat-grandchild. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, with Rev. John Markel officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Casket bearers will be John Henley, Steve Osborne, Joe Mullins, Matt Fouch, Stephen LaPoint and James Whitt. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations in memory of Mrs. Singleton can be made to the American Cancer Society. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, is serving the family of Mrs. Nina Flanary Singleton. Kenneth W. Smith NORTON – Kenneth W. Smith, 65, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004, at his residence. His parents, Lev M. Smith Sr. and Eula Stanley Smith, two brothers, Bobby Smith and Joe Smith, and a sister, Sandra Gail Smith, preceded him in death. He was of the Baptist faith. Surviving are his wife, Louella Smith, Norton; stepson, Danny Lawson, Norton; stepgrandson, D.R. Lawson Jr., Tazewell; two sisters, Linda Bloomer and Norma Jean Armstead, both of Norton; four brothers, Albert Smith, Frank Lee Smith and Lev. M. Smith Jr., all of Norton, James S. Smith, Raleigh, N.C.; several nieces and nephews and a special friend, Tate Hill. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel. Committal services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday in Laurel Grove Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the funeral home 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to go in procession to the cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Elsie Pulliam Walker SEVEN MILE FORD, Va. – Elsie Pulliam Walker, 77, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004, in University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville, of injuries received in an automobile accident. She was preceded in death by a brother, Lewis Gene Pulliam. She was a retired postmaster at Seven Mile Ford. She was a member of the Seven Mile Ford United Methodist Church, past member of the United Methodist Women, a longtime member of the Middle Fork Cemetery Committee and a present member of the Bible Study Group. Survivors include her husband, Harold T. Walker; one son and daughter-in-law, Gene T. and Marilyn Walker, Marion; two grandchildren, Brian Walker, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Beth Farris and husband, Brian, Marion; two great- grandchildren, Taylor and Hayley Farris; also special friends, Mildred McGhee, Dawn Holley and Kitty Walker. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Seven Mile Ford United Methodist Church, with Revs. David T. St.Clair and Charles Walker officiating. Interment will be in the Middle Fork Cemetery. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made to the Middle Fork Cemetery, c/o Thomas W. McGhee, P.O. Box 613, Chilhowie, VA 24319; or Seven Mile Ford United Methodist Church, c/o W.T. Hicks Jr., P.O. Box 292, Chilhowie, VA 24319. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Williams Funeral Home, Chilhowie. Frances G. Webb GLADE SPRING – Ms. Frances G. "Ikey" Webb passed away Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. She was the daughter of the late John Edwin and Gertrude Little Webb. She was a graduate of Saltville High School and a member of the Byars Cobbs United Methodist Church. Survivors: two sisters, Maiden Webb, Glade Spring, and Bess Webb Robinson, Abingdon; sister-in-law, Nila H Webb, Chilhowie; brother-in-law, William Sheffield, Abingdon; nieces and nephews, Betty and Joe Burlas, Mary Jane and Woody Rush, Eddie and Doris Sheffield and David and Beth Sheffield; and several great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great nieces and great-great nephews. Special thanks to caregivers, Zola Nelson, Carol Elmore and Edna Creasy. Ms. Webb was loved and will be missed by all her family and friends. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at the Byars Cobbs Methodist Church, with Rev. Jim Denton officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Glade Presbyterian Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 till 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Byars Cobbs Methodist Church in Glade Spring. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is serving the Webb family.