Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, December 3, 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, December 3, 2004 Today's Deaths Ronald Clay Arrington, 55, Haysi Dana Carl Baird, 77, Piney Flats Ernest Barr, Chilhowie Carson Edgar Couch, 54, Coeburn Beatrice H. Counts, 72, Dante, Va. Ruby Johnson Galek, 74, Bristol Virginia Evelyn Mae Leonard, 70, Gray, Tenn. Hazel Ratcliff Lester, 84, Glade Spring Robert Lee Lyall Maudie Ann Richardson, 88, Green Cove, Va. Virginia Elizabeth Tritt Stout, Bristol Tennessee Nathan E. Adkins BRISTOL, Va. – Nathan Eric "Nate" Adkins, age 39, 185 Kilgore Drive, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at his home. Survivors include his wife, Fredia Elaine Adkins; daughter, Paige Adkins; parents, Johnny Robert Adkins and Claire Janette Adkins, Limestone, Tenn.; maternal grandmother, Vera Simmons, Limestone; mother-in-law, Bernice Rynes, Castlewood; and aunts and uncles, Alice and Julian Ragsdale, Richmond, and Nickey and Jody Rynes, Richardson, Texas. Graveside services will be conducted 2 p.m. Saturday in Mountain View Cemetery, with Rev. Frank Epperson officiating. Pallbearers: Buddy Burke, Mike Saulsbury, Wayne Ragsdale, Mitch Agulera, Jason Miller and Adam Miller. Honorary pallbearers: Allen Gross, Issac Gross, Jimmy Miller, Gary Patrick and Bert Maddox. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ronald C. Arrington HAYSI – Ronald Clay Arrington, age 55, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol Tennessee. A lifelong resident of Dickenson County, he was a son of Alice Owens Arrington and the late Carl Arrington. He was a U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran, a devoted member of Coleman’s United Methodist Church and was last employed as a house tech at Baxter House. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Zenaida. Survivors include his wife, Betty Arrington; his mother, Alice Arrington; two daughters, Marina Sanchez of Tucson, Ariz., and Elisa (Joe) Alvarez of Tucson; four granddaughters, Monique and Kristina Sanchez, Brittany Escamilla and Celeste Molina; two grandsons, Christopher Molina and Joey Alverez; a sister, Diana Rose of Haysi; and two brothers, Rick and Tony Arrington of Haysi. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at Coleman’s United Methodist Church, with Rev. Darrell Thacker officiating. Burial will follow in the Carl Arrington Family Cemetery, Route 2, Haysi. Pallbearers will be Mike Rose, Jamie Arrington, Brandon Arrington, Jerry Owens, Eddie Owens, Harold O’quinn, Ray O’quinn and Jared O’quinn. Honorary pallbearers will be Joey Alvarez, Dr. Clint Sutherland, Charles, Steve and Dave Boyd, Fred Deel and Larry Childress. The family will receive friends at the church after 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m., with the Rev. Mike Boyd. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Dana C. Baird PINEY FLATS – Dana Carl Baird, age 77, went to be with the Lord Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Weaver Funeral Home. Ernest Barr CHILHOWIE – Ernest Barr passed away Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, in the Holston Valley Medical Center. Survivors and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie. Herbert H. Carrier BRISTOL, Va. – Herbert H. Carrier, age 79, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a lifelong resident of Bristol and was a son of the late Sam and Mattie Boyd Carrier. He was a former employee of Burlington Mills, with 28 years of service, and also C&S Auto Parts, with 20 years of service. He was a member of Fellowship Chapel. In addition to his parents, Mr. Carrier was preceded in death by his son, Gary Carrier. He is survived by his wife, Emogene "Jean" Carrier; a granddaughter, Jennifer Wise and husband, Jeff, of Blountville; a grandson, Jeffrey Carrier and wife, Sheila, of Kingsport; four great-grandchildren, Nathan and Taylor Wise and Whitney and Sydney Carrier; a brother, Haskell Carrier and wife, Marie, of Bristol Virginia; a brother-in-law, Charles Cox and his wife, Ellen, of Indiana; and one nephew, Dennis "Dee" Carrier and companion, Martha Lester, of Bristol Virginia. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at Fellowship Chapel, with Rev. Lester MacKinnon and Rev. Scott Price officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Paul Sams, Bobby Gill, Ron Bellamy, Ernest Blackwell, Fred Sams Jr., Jeff Wise, Harold Crabtree and Harold Dingus. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at Akard Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting our Web site at www.akardfuneralhome.com Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Carrier. Carson Edgar Couch COEBURN – Carson Edgar Couch, 54, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at his residence in Coeburn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon Harding and Gaynell Armstrong Couch, brother, Howard Couch, and brother-in-law, Clifford Hale. Survivors include his wife, Sandra "Sandi" Mullins Couch; sons, Carson Wayne Couch and Scott Abraham Couch, both of Coeburn; daughter, Robbin Couch, Ohio; brother and sister-in-law, Bobby and Maxie Couch, Coeburn; sister and brother- in-law, Alice and Roby Meade, Coeburn; sister, Leta Jean Hale, Okeechobee, Fla.; future daughter-in-law, Janeen Blair, Coeburn; special friend, Lois Couch, Coeburn; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation and funeral services for Carson Edgar Couch will be held Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at Estes Funeral Home Chapel after 6 p.m. and services at 8 p.m., with Rev. R.L. Crawford officiating. Burial will be Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Little Tom Cemetery in Banner. Estes Funeral Home Inc., (276) 395-2441. Beatrice H. Counts DANTE, Va. – Beatrice H. Counts, 72, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. She was born in Dickenson County, Va., daughter of the late Ellott and Delphia Kiser Hensley. She was a member of Phillips Chapel Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tolby Counts. She is survived by one sister, Georgia Shortridge and husband, Harold, of Castlewood; two brothers, Clinas Hensley and wife, Gretchen, of Richmond and Denver Lee Hensley and wife, Bobbie, of Richmond; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Beatrice H. Counts will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, with Rev. Darrell Milgrim and Rev. Danny Meade officiating. Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood. Pallbearers will be Robbie Hill, Bill Stewart, Rick Shortridge, Jeff Hensley, Ronnie Counts and Wayne Counts. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood. A song service will be held at 7 p.m. Friday in the chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the Counts family through our Web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ruby Johnson Galek BRISTOL, Va. – Ruby Johnson Galek, age 74, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004. She was the daughter of the late Fred Sr. and Margaret Rutter Lowe, and was a lifelong resident of the Bristol area. She was a former employee of Carolyn Manufacturing and a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Survivors include daughters, Brenda Sandos and husband Mickey and Ella Willis and husband Mike; sons, Jeff Johnson and wife Pat, Steve Johnson and his wife Lorretta and David Johnson; stepson, Gene Galek and wife Cathy; brothers, Jimmy Lowe and his wife Shirley and Fred Lowe and his wife Shirley; sister, Barbara Ford and husband Ralph; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Glenwood Mausoleum, with Buddy Chapman officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 350 Euclid Ave., Bristol, Va. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Elizabeth H. King BRISTOL, Tenn. – Elizabeth Hudson King, 89, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at her residence. She was born on Oct. 25, 1915, in Montgomery, Ala., a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John H. Hudson, and was a home economics graduate of Furman University in Greenville, S.C. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Bristol and a former member of the Blue Stocking Club and the Junior League. Survivors include her husband, Louis Arthur King; a son, Tom King and his wife, Leigh, of Bristol Tennessee; two daughters, Marla Black and her husband, William Black III, of Shelbyville, Ind., and Gwen King of Bristol Tennessee; six grandchildren, William "Scotty" Black, Lamont "Monty" Black, Ben King, Katherine King, Geneva King and Joshua King; one great-grandson, Aezani Black; and a sister, Evelyn Weichel and her husband John of Bradenton, Fla. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:45 Saturday morning, Dec. 4, 2004, at First Presbyterian Church, with the funeral service following at 11 o’clock, with Dr. Gordon Turnbull, Rev. Christine Bruce and Dr. Conrad Crow officiating. The committal service and interment will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Charlie Moore, Frank DeFriece, Lou Mattison, Bob Wright, Dan Cross, Roy Williams, Frazier King, George King, Craig McDonald, Bill King and George Parks. Memorial contributions may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Ave., Bristol, TN 37620; and to Healing Hands Health Care, 210 Memorial Drive, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com Mrs. King and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Evelyn Mae Leonard GRAY, Tenn. – Evelyn Mae Leonard, 70, 105 Old Gray Station Road, Meadowood Villa, Apt. 11, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, in Ridgecrest Manor in Duffield, Va. She was the daughter of the late Robert Lee and Ora Brown Ford. Mrs. Leonard was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Survivors are a sister, Mary Lou Roe of Gray; two brothers, Roy Ford and Jesse Ford of Bristol; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday in Memorial Funeral Chapel. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Graveside and interment will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in the Shipley Cemetery, where family and friends will assemble for the service. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at mfc@chartertn.net Memorial Funeral Chapel is in charge. Hazel R. Lester GLADE SPRING – Hazel Ratcliff Lester, age 84, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at her home. A lifelong resident of Glade Spring, Hazel was a daughter of the late Robert Ratcliff and Mattie Dillard Ratcliff. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Mary Ratcliff, Annie Ratcliff, Mrs. French Rosenbaum, Mrs. Rosa Neikirk and Grace Ratcliff. Hazel was a member of the Church of God. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Roland Lester; one son, Robert E. (Butch) Lester and his wife, Brenda, of Chilhowie; one sister, Sue Powers and her husband, Leo, of Glade Spring; one granddaughter, Meagan Lester; three stepgrandchildren, Dustin Bowman, Chad Bowman and Beth Cato; one stepgreat- grandchild, Lilly Bowman; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in the Old Glade Presbyterian Church Cemetery, with Rev. J.L. DeBord and Rev. Timothy Bird officiating. Interment will follow the service. Those attending the funeral service are asked to assemble at the cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to the Old Glade Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 33234 Lee Highway, Glade Spring, VA 24340. The family would like to give special thanks to the Hospice of Southwest Virginia, her caretakers and Dr. Baker and staff. The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Friday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 E. Main St., Abingdon, is serving the family of Hazel Ratcliff Lester. Robert Lee Lyall The Lyall family welcomed the birth of Robert Lee "Bob" Lyall on March 14, 1935. He was the seventh of eight children and the youngest son of Monroe and Jennie Bell (Cordill) Lyall. He grew up with his four brothers and three sisters in the Road Branch community of Clinchco, Va. Already in declining health, the year 2004 brought Bob a hard fought battle with lung cancer. He was a Christian, so our gracious Lord gave him the victory of eternal rest in Heaven early in the morning of Dec. 2, 2004. Bob was preceded in death by both parents and brothers, Marvin and Junior. He leaves to honor his life and memory, his loving wife of 47 years, Billie Rose Mullins-Lyall; one son and daughter-in-law, Robert Lee "Bobby" Lyall Jr. and wife Cathy of Atlanta; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lynn Moore and husband Reece and Connie Hull and husband Rick, all of Clintwood; six grandchildren, Brittany and Abby Lyall, Adam Moore, Josh Moore and wife Catherine, Meagan Rose and Rikki Lynn Hull; two brothers, Brady Lyall and wife Ann of Clintwood and Grady Lyall of Birchleaf; three sisters, Jean Harrison of Clinchco, Fay Wood of Bristol Virginia and Betty Wright of Clintwood; 12 nieces and nephews; his Clintwood Baptist Church family and his many, many friends and co-workers will also miss his love and laughter. The family will receive friends at Clintwood Baptist Church Friday evening, Dec. 3, from 6-7 p.m. A short service will follow at 7 p.m. The funeral will be at the church at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, with Pastor Allen Bonnell officiating. Burial will be in the Lyall Family Cemetery, Baker Ridge Section, Clintwood. Active pallbearers: Reece, Adam and Josh Moore, Danny. Ronnie, Gary and Keith Lyall and Benny Yates. Honorary pallbearers: Andy and John Allen Lyall, Bob Yates and Marshall Hughes. Mullins Funeral Home and staff are serving the Lyall family. Michael Porter HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Interment for Michael Porter will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, with the Reverend Fran McCoy officiating. A memorial gathering will take place immediately after at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Va., where family and friends are invited to attend. Michael Porter, 49, passed away Oct. 7, 2004. Maudie A. Richardson GREEN COVE, Va. – Maudie Ann Richardson, age 88, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. Garrett Funeral Home, Damascus, is serving the family of Mrs. Richardson. Virginia Stout BRISTOL, Tenn. – Virginia Elizabeth Tritt Stout passed away Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at the Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was a wonderful mother, wife, sister and a strong woman. She was a homemaker and a retired CNA from National Health Care. She was a wonderful caregiver not only to her patients but also to their families and her co-workers. She was born in Lee County, Va., Aug. 18, 1928, to Kemp and Ruby Delph Phillips. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Everette Tritt, second husband, Raymond B. Stout, and a sister, Connie S. Morelock. Survivors include a son, Charles E. Tritt of Bristol Tennessee; seven daughters, Glenda Venable and husband Ron of Kingsport, Joyce Camper and husband Ron, Sandra Hunt and husband Robert, Rita Teaster and husband Norman, Rhonda Woodby and her fiancé, Steve Mullins, all of Bristol, Thelma Delaney and husband Timothy of Panama City, Fla., and Teresa Sherman and husband Leonard of West Palm Beach, Fla.; three sisters, Jean Asbury of Blackwater, Va., Marie Meadows of Virginia Beach, Va., and Betty Gilley of Gainsboro, Tenn.; also surviving are 21 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; six stepdaughters and three stepsons. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel, with her granddaughter and her husband, Captains Joe and Melissa Irvin of the Salvation Army, and the Rev. Dennis Burnette officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Weaver Funeral Home. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ruth Wells Woods CLINCHBURG, Va. – Mrs. Ruth Wells Woods, age 95, died Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2004, at Smyth County Community Hospital. Born April 29, 1909, in Volney, Va., she was the daughter of the late Wiley and Leota Wells, and granddaughter of Leonard and Rebecca (Mek) Hash. She was preceded in death by her husband, Millard Woods, brother, Ray Wells, and sister, Rose Colley. Survivors: one daughter and son-in-law, Betty Lee and Gale Anderson of Sugar Grove, Va.; three grandsons and wives, Mark and Carol Norris of Rural Retreat, Va., Mike and Kim Norris of Clinchburg, Va., and Mickey and Alice Norris of Glade Spring; very special sister-in-law, Mae Wells of Bristol Virginia; two great-grandsons; five great-granddaughters; and three great-great-grandsons. Graveside services for Mrs. Woods will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in Mount Rose Cemetery in Glade Spring, with Rev. Perry Hall officiating. The family will receive friends Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The family would like to express special thanks to the staff of first floor Francis Marion Manor and third floor at Smyth County Community Hospital and also to Dr. Christopher Bettacchi. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Woods family.