Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, November 23, 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 Tuesday, November 23, 2004 Bettie Sue Barrett, 66, Saltville Nicholas Skyler Burgess, 5 months, Cleveland, Va. William Fields, 74, St. Paul Harvey Lee Griffey, 61, Mocksville, N.C. Bertha Bellamy Henderson, 84, Martinsville Steven Hensley, 52, Castlewood Ermel L. Hunt Sr., 91, Vansant Roy Sam Lester, 71, Cedar Bluff Flora Elizabeth Holbrook Maine, 88, Coeburn Judy Greer Stansberry, 57, Smith Station, Ala. Kimberly Martin Watrud, Charlotte Mary Arena Ball ABINGDON – Committal services for Mary Arena Ball will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Gunnings Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to help offset funeral expenses. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Mary Arena Ball, age 64, passed away on Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, at Grace Health Care in Abingdon. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Bettie Sue Barrett SALTVILLE – Ms. Bettie Sue Barrett, age 66, died Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, in Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Mae and Edgar Herman Barrett, and two brothers, Roscoe David Barrett and Charlie James Barrett. Survivors: three brothers, Herman Edgar Barrett of Saltville, Gene Raymond Barrett of Saltville and Roy Wayne Barrett of Meadowview; two sisters, Phyllis Ann Barrett of Saltville and Teresa Barrett of Saltville; and several nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Funeral services for Ms. Barrett will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Bob Surber and Rev. Jack Sprinkle officiating. Interment will follow in Mount Rose Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Barrett family. Nicholas S. Burgess CLEVELAND, Va. – Nicholas Skyler Burgess, 5 months, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, in the Johnson City Medical Center. Born June 5, 2004, he was son of Crystal Dawn Burgess. He was preceded in death by his great-grandfather, Jack (Doc) Burgess. Survivors, in addition to his mother, are his grandmother, Jackie Wells and husband Ronald Wells, Cleveland; his grandfather, Ricky Burgess and his wife Lorrie Burgess, Shaples, W.Va.; great-grandparents, Shirley Lester Bird and Frank Bird, Lebanon and Maxine Burgess, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; step-great- grandparents, Shelby and Maurice Lowe and Bob and Ann Lawson; four uncles, Ronson Thomas, Joshua Burgess, Matthew Lowe and Robbie Burgess; two aunts, Chasity Thomas and Sissy Karen Lewis; also two special cousins, Alexus Thomas and Raven Bird. The funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Rick Meade and the Rev. David Wilmoth officiating. The committal service and burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, in Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon. Those attending are requested to meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the Burgess family. Gonion Lee Edwards HONAKER – Funeral services for Mr. Gonion Lee Edwards will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Giles Wilson, Rev. Virgil Musick and Rev. Fairley Spencer officiating. Interment will follow in the Lockhart Cemetery in Honaker. Pallbearers will be Gary Stinson, Glen Stinson, Jackie Taylor, Keith Barrett, Phillip Harris and K.J. Harris. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Mount Zion Free Will Baptist Church, Bill Crabtree, Buford Harris, Jason Rose, Brian Rose, Terry Dillard, Jimmy Barrett, Bruce Barrett, Bob O’Quinn, Carlos Gilbert, Elder Garnell Gilbert and Earl Thompson. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Tuesday. Mr. Gonion Lee Edwards, age 69, passed away Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, in a Lebanon hospital. Robin M. Edwards HONAKER – Funeral services for Mrs. Robin Michelle Edwards will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Giles Wilson, Rev. Virgil Musick and Rev. Fairley Spencer officiating. Interment will follow in the Lockhart Cemetery in Honaker. Pallbearers will be Rev. Larry Stinson, Jerry Stinson, Rodney Howard, Eric Hubbard, William Counts and Randy Stinson. Honorary pallbearers will be all employees of First Bank and Trust Company, members of Mount Zion Free Will Baptist Church, Bill Crabtree, Buford Harris, Jason Rose, Brian Rose, Terry Dillard, Jimmy Barrett, Bruce Barrett, Bob O’Quinn, Carlos Gilbert, Elder Garnell Gilbert and Earl Thompson. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Tuesday. Mrs. Robin Michelle Edwards, age 30, passed away Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, in a Lebanon hospital. William Fields ST. PAUL, Va. – William "Bill" Fields, 74, died Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. He was born in Russell County, Va., son of the late Ezra and Ada Ramsey Fields. He attended Baker Ridge Church in Castlewood. He was a retired miner and a member of U.M.W.A. Local 1050. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kayla Renee Fields, two brothers, Frank Fields and Albert Fields, and four sisters, Vina Duckett, Juanita Morgan, Mildred Patrick and Beatrice McCoy. He is survived by his wife, Mary Edith Lyttle Fields; four daughters, Brenda Neil and husband Roger of Newport News, Va., Louise Conley and husband Avery of St. Paul, Va., Wanda Hale and husband Bill of St. Paul and Wilma Hall and husband Claude of St. Paul; two sons, Ernest Fields and wife Sherry of St. Paul and David Fields and wife Renee of Castlewood; two sisters, Alma Gose of Castlewood and Peggy Fouch of Bristol Virginia; stepmother, Janie Fields of Castlewood; one stepbrother, Jay Powers of Castlewood; two stepsisters, Ruth Young of Castlewood and Mozelle Meade of Castlewood; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for William "Bill" Fields will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Orbie Porter and Rev. Elwood Hall officiating. Shelby Greer and Harriett Grable will be in charge of the singing for the service. Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, in Temple Hill Memorial Park in Castlewood. The family will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Pallbearers will be Larry Herndon, Stacy Herndon, Billy Joe Hale II, Jason Fields, Eathan Fields and Glen Porter. Honorary pallbearers will be Miles Moore, Emmitt Salyers, Bill Beckley, Eddie Horne, Sam Gose, Harvey Carter, Robbie Scarberry, Adam Fields, William Fields and special friends. Special thanks to Russell County Medical Center, 3rd floor, United Medical Company, Russell County Medical Center Home Health and Dr. Holliday. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. Online condolences may be sent to the Fields family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Pansy L. Gillenwater BRISTOL, Tenn. – Graveside services for Pansy Lenora Gillenwater will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, at the Holston View Cemetery, Weber City. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will be meeting at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. to go in procession to the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Weber City, P.O. Box 2155, Weber City, VA 24290; or to the First Baptist Church of Blountville, P.O. Box 587, Blountville, TN 37617. Online condolences may be made to the family of Pansy L. Gillenwater at gcfh@earthlink.net. Mrs. Pansy Lenora Gillenwater, 94, formerly of Weber City, Va., entered into rest Friday, Nov. 19, 2004, at her residence. Harvey Lee Griffey MOCKSVILLE, N.C. – Harvey Lee Griffey, 61, of Griffey Trail, died on Saturday, Nov. 20, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home of Winston-Salem. Born in Smyth County, Va., on Jan. 30, 1943, he was the son of the late Robert E. and Minnie Hayden Griffey, who survives. He was retired in 1986 from Belk of Hanes Mall as a maintenance engineer to go on his own, and operated H.L. Griffey Mulch. Mr. Griffey was of the Pentecostal Holiness faith. Mr. Griffey is survived by his wife, Sharon Utt Griffey of the home; two sons, Bobby (Kelly) Griffey and James (Angela) Griffey of Advance; a daughter, Ramona (Robert) Dalton of Advance; two brothers, Thomas E. Griffey of Chilhowie and Patrick R. Griffey of Tannersville, Va.; one sister, Polly G. McKinnon of Mocksville; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Nov. 23, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at Davie Funeral Service in Mocksville. A funeral service will be on Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 1:30 p.m., with a visitation from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Buckeye Hollow Church, Saltville, with the Rev. Roby G. Hayden officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Saltville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. The family would like to give a special thanks for the care given to Mr. Griffey by the staff and nurses at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Davie Funeral Service, Inc. is serving the family of Mr. Griffey. Bertha B. Henderson MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Bertha Bellamy Henderson, 84, of 705 Pace St., died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County. She was born on June 17, 1920, in Washington County, Va., a daughter of the late Liburn H. Bellamy and the late Lula Mae Wolfe Bellamy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Jackson (Jack) Henderson, who died April of 1964, her sisters, Nancy Jones and Elizabeth Lewis, and her brothers, Scott (Smokey) Bellamy, Dennis (Buckshot) Bellamy and Odell (Pee Wee) Bellamy. She was retired from Tultex, with 10 years service and of the Holiness faith. She is survived by three daughters, Cletis Marie Henderson Siddle of Ridgeway, Va., Glenna Mae Henderson Hollandsworth of Martinsville and Barbara Lynn Henderson Hite of Ridgeway; her son, Darrell Eugene Henderson of Martinsville; her sister, Dorothy White of Collinsville, Va.; six grandchildren; five great- grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. The graveside service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at 2 p.m. at Knollkreg Cemetery in Abingdon, with the Rev. Leonard Bellamy officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday night from 6-8:30 p.m. at Community Funeral Chapel, Ridgeway, and other times at the home of her daughter, Glenna Hollandsworth, 49 Venna Ave., Martinsville. Arrangements are by Community Funeral Service, Ridgeway. Steven Hensley CASTLEWOOD – Steven Hensley, 52, died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, at home. He was born in West Virginia, son of the late Robert Elbert Hensley. He was of the Baptist faith and a former employee of Abingdon Steel. He is survived by his wife, Maria Hensley; two sons, Ricky Allen Hensley of Meadowview and Thomas Brian Hensley of Castlewood; mother, Bobby Hensley of Bluefield, W.Va.; two brothers, Jerry Hensley of Ohio, and Thomas Hensley of Castlewood; four sisters, all of West Virginia; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In keeping with Mr. Hensley’s wishes there will be no visitation or memorial service. Online condolences may be sent to the Hensley family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ermel L. Hunt Sr. VANSANT, Va. – Ermel L. Hunt Sr., 91 years of age, passed away Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy. Memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com. Roy Sam Lester CEDAR BLUFF – Mr. Roy Sam Lester, age 71, passed away Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, at his home, following a brief illness. Born in Tazewell County, Va., he was the son of the late William T. and Mary Susan West Lester. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, and three sisters. Mr. Lester is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Frances Williamson Lester; one son, Danny Lester and wife Debbie of Cedar Bluff; two daughters, Norma Cochran and husband Roger of Cedar Bluff and Barbara Meadows and husband Jeffery of Oakwood, Va.; one brother, Parmer E. Lester of Wytheville; one sister, Ruby Rose of Idaho; four grandchildren, Chelsey and Cody Lester and Jarrett and Megan Meadows; also special friends, Christine (Tinkie) Alicie and Rhoda O’Byrne; special caregivers and staff of Preferred Hospice and Dr. Mario Stefanini. Funeral services for Mr. Roy Sam Lester will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, with Revs. Otis Musick, Carl Blankenship and Roger Ball officiating. Burial will follow in the William T. Lester Cemetery at Raven Nest Branch, Va. Friends and neighbors will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday. Online condolences can be sent to the family by going to www.singletonfuneralservice.com. Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Lester Family. Flora E. Maine COEBURN – Flora Elizabeth Holbrook Maine, 88, passed away Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at the Wellmont-Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Earl Maine Sr.; father, Melvin T. Holbrook; mother, Golda Salyer Holbrook; a brother, Verl Holbrook; two grandchildren, Suzanne Elizabeth Maine and Donald Wayne Large Jr.; and two great-grandchildren, LiAnne Therese Davis and Will Franklin Lehe. Mrs. Maine was a charter member of the Coeburn Presbyterian Church and taught Sunday School there for many years, a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Coeburn, where she held several offices, and was a retired teacher in the Wise County School System. Surviving are a daughter, Margaret and husband Don Large of Gate City; sons, Edward Earl Jr. and wife Glenda Sands Maine of Bristol Virginia, Jerry Lynn and wife Nancy Jordan Maine of Kingsport and Michael Wayne and wife Pamela Meade Maine of Bristol Virginia; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; sisters, Euna Lee Robertson of Arcadia, Fla., and Faye Sanders of Coeburn; and a special friend and helper, Tina Brooks of Gate City. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, in the Coeburn Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Don Large, Kirby Holbrook and Ronnie Jenkins officiating. Special music will be provided by the choir of The Midway Memorial United Methodist Church of Gate City, which she attended as long as she was able. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Coeburn Presbyterian Church. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 25, 2004, at the Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family and friends will meet at the cemetery for services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Coeburn Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1691, Coeburn, VA 24230. Sturgill Funeral Homes, Coeburn, in charge of arrangements. William Opalach LEBANON – A memorial service for William (Bill) Opalach will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel, with the Rev. Duane Musick officiating. The family will receive friends 1:30-2 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home. William (Bill) Opalach, 44, died Friday, Nov. 19, 2004. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Bill Opalach. Judy G. Stansberry SMITH STATION, Ala. – Judy Greer Stansberry, 57, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at Columbus Hospice House, Columbus, Ga. She was born in Clintwood, daughter of the late Ed Lee Greer. She was preceded in death by one brother, Jim Greer. She is survived by her husband, Charles "Chip" Kankel of Smith Station; one daughter, Mundee Strickland and husband, Chris of Fortson, Ga.; two sons, Michael Stansberry of Fortson and Chris Stansberry and wife Lisbea of Lake Elizabeth, Calif.; mother, Ora Reedy Greer of Clintwood; four sisters, Betty Kelley of Lebanon, Vada McCarty of Wise, Connie Lambert of Abingdon and Mickie Brooks of Hansonville, Va.; two brothers, Charles Greer of McClure, Va., and Ronnie Greer of Abingdon; one grandson, Christopher Stansberry; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services for Judy Greer Stansberry will be conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. The family will receive friends from 12 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, GA 31904. Special thanks to Tammie Johns, Dr. Curtis Sorensen, Dr. Robert Murdock and staff at Columbus Hospice House. Online condolences may be sent to the Stansberry family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Kimberly M. Watrud CHARLOTTE – Mrs. Watrud went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, November 20, 2004, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on May 29, 1963, in Marion, Va., to Carel Martin and the late Barbara Blevins "Bobbie" Martin. Kim was educated in the Smyth County schools and attended Radford University. She was a flight attendant with US Airways for 17 years, in addition to being a licensed real estate agent. A faithful member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, Kim was actively involved in all facets of the Children’s Ministry, which included teaching Sunday School to pre-kindergarden, kindergarden, and third- and fourth-grade students, as well as a tireless worker with Vacation Bible School. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a sister, Susan Martin, and a grandfather, Sanders Shular. Kim is survived by her husband of 11 years, Jeff; her children, Logan and Ethan; her father, Carel Martin and his wife, Shari, of Chilhowie, Va.; brother, Keith Martin and his wife, Lori, and their children, Ricky and Lyndsy, of Chilhowie, Va.; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Judy Watrud of Blanchardville, Wis.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sara and Paul Deuman, and their son, Alex, of Madison, Wis., and Tina and Jeff Steiner, and their children, Amanda and Laura, of Blanchardville, Wis.; grandparents, Dallas and Burlie Blevins of Chilhowie, Va., and Luella Shular of Chilhowie, Va. A service of thanksgiving, celebrating the life of Kim Watrud will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 26, 2004, at Grosses Creek Baptist Church in Chilhowie, Va., with the Rev. Lloyd Sheets officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the church. A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Logan and Ethan Watrud Education Fund, c/o Piedmont Aviation Employees Credit Union, 4700 Yorkmont Road, Charlotte, NC 28208; or St. Andrews United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1900 Emerywood Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210. The Watrud family is in the care of McEwen Funeral Service, Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 704-544-1412.