Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, December 7, 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, December 7, 2004 Margaret Frances Carter, 85, Saltville Jerry Lamar Craft, 57, Wise Lawrence James Cumbo Sr., 82, Saltville Thelma L. Mays Felty, 82, Bristol Virginia Donald Gilliam, 73, Wise William C. Pendergrass, 62, Bristol Tennessee Ava W. Shanahan, 53, Lebanon David Woodrow Willis, 46, Norton Margaret F. Carter SALTVILLE – Mrs. Margaret Francis Carter, age 85, passed away Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, after a long illness. She was a lifelong resident of Saltville and a faithful member of the First Church of God, Allison Gap. She was a retired employee of the Smyth County Schools. She was the last child of the late Bradley and Virginia Allison, and was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles W. Carter. Survivors: four daughters, Judy Gillespie and husband, W.T. of Saltville, Lana Atkins and husband Jim of Clarkrange, Tenn., Janice Carter of Alexandria, Va., and Kathy Hogston and husband Curtis of Saltville; two sons, Tom Carter and wife Brenda of Saltville and Charles Carter and wife Tammy of Glade Spring; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a very special friend, Yevonne Clear. Funeral services for Mrs. Carter will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at the First Church God in Allison Gap, with Rev. David Mumpower officiating. The committal service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. in Elizabeth Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Miller, Ray Allison, Donnie Allison, Mike Allison, Curtis Allison, Brad Collins, Jack Barbrow, Lance McGlocklin, Bill Haynes, Carl Rickman, Allen Cardwell and Jimmy Boardwine. The family will receive friends at the church from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, just prior to the funeral service. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Carter family. Jerry Lamar Craft WISE – Jerry Lamar Craft, 57, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at his home on Kemper Road. Born to the late Lindsey and Lillie Baker Craft, he was formerly an equipment mechanic for the Wise County Public Service Authority. A brother, Lynn Craft, preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Ella Craft; a son, Jerry Lamont "Monty" Craft of Wise; and two grandchildren, Roman Counts and Camellia "Cami" Robinette. Also surviving are two sisters, Amarylis Rolen and Freida Lane, both of Wise; and two brothers, Bryce Delano Craft and Glenn Craft, both of Wise; and a special great- nephew, Derick Chase Roberts. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Kenneth Sturgill officiating. Burial will be in the Wise Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is serving the Craft family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Lawrence J. Cumbo SALTVILLE – On Dec. 6, 2004, Lawrence James Cumbo Sr., 82, went to be with his Lord. He is survived, and will be sadly missed, by two children, Jim (Diana) Cumbo of Bristol Tennessee, and Carol (Bill) Anderson of Westerville Ohio; five cherished grandchildren, Tori (Casey) Bledsoe of Salem, Va., Kolbi Cumbo of Winthrop, Mass., Ben Cumbo of Bristol Tennessee, Jared Anderson of Columbus, Ohio, and Lindsey Anderson of Pittsburgh, Pa.; nieces, Betty (Freddie) Hawthorne, Patsy (Howard) Osborne and Joyce Carter; nephew, Bobby Dinsmore; special great-nieces, Sabrina Wyatt and Susie (Jamey) Davidson; wonderful and kind long-time friends and neighbors, Chub Arnold and David Henderson; and his little Maltese dog, Skipper, who brought him much joy and companionship. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Martin Cumbo, his father and mother, Roy and Roxie Cumbo, and by his sister, Mable Dinsmore. Mr. Cumbo was a U.S. Army veteran and participated in five major World War II battles in the European Theater as a sergeant of an artillery division. A well-known local expert in diesel equipment and automobile repair, he was retired from Olin Corporation and U.S. Gypsum Corporation in Saltville. Following his retirement from U.S. Gypsum, he continued to work in the transportation department of Mount Rogers Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Funeral services for Mr. Cumbo will be conducted 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, at Henderson Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Kenneth Poston and Rev. Randy Blackwell officiating. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in Mount Rose Cemetery, Glade Spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Plasterco Church of God, P.O. Box 1022, Saltville, VA. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6-8 p.m., just prior to the funeral service. The family wishes to express it’s appreciation to his medical providers, including his physicians Drs. Wallace, Cowan and Brockmyre, FNP Wendy Vogel, the BRMC medical and nursing staff, all of his friends and other extended family for their many acts of love and kindness. D. R. Henderson Funeral Home will be serving the Cumbo family. Thelma L. Mays Felty BRISTOL, Va. – Thelma L. Mays Felty, age 82, went to be with the Lord Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in the Wellmont Hospice House. She was born in Bristol Virginia to the late William Houston and Eva Kate Shankel Mays. She was a former employee of Mason’s Department Store and a member of Charity Baptist Church. She was the widow of Ernest J. Felty. She is survived by children, Bill Felty and wife Jerri, Anne Felty, Danny Felty and wife Beverly, and Gail Terry; grandchildren, Todd, Michael, Shane, Taylor, Tonia, Dameron and Kim Felty; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at the graveside in Mountain View Cemetery, with Randall Shaffer and Donnie Shaffer officiating. There will be no formal visitation at the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Arbutus R. Forrester HONAKER – Funeral services for Mrs. Arbutus Richardson Forrester will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. David Perkins and Rev. Carl Robinson officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va. Nephews and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Arbutus Richardson Forrester, age 84, of the Big A Mountain section, passed away Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, in a Lebanon hospital. Donald Gilliam WISE – Donald "Daisy" Gilliam, 73, passed away Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Norton. He was of the Freewill Baptist faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Burley and Inez Greene Gilliam, two brothers, Arthur Gilliam and Bud Wesley Gilliam, and four sisters, Opal Collier, Vernie Bowman, Clella Meade and Virginia Bolling. Surviving are one sister, Evelyn Addington of Wise; one brother, Wallace Gilliam of Bluefield, Va.; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Donald Gilliam will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, with Jim Smith officiating. Burial and graveside committal services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at the Jessee Cemetery in Wise. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. till time of services at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise. Sturgill Funeral Homes in Wise is in charge of arrangements. Billie Frances Hale The family of Billie Frances Faulkner Hale will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, at Oakley-Cook Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 8 o’clock in the Paul Cook Memorial Chapel of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, with Rev. Jack Stevens officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, Dec. 8, 2004, at East Lawn Memorial Park in Kingsport. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Northeast Tennessee Chapter Alzheimer’s Association, 207 North Boone St., Suite 1500, Johnson City, TN 37604. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Billie Frances Faulkner Hale, 80, formerly of Kingsport, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004. Mrs. Hale and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn. Thelma S. Hawthorne SUGAR GROVE, Va. – Thelma Stone Hawthorne, age 82, passed away Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in Bartow, Fla. She was born in Welch, W.Va., to the late Bradford and Beatrice Stone. She was preceded in death by one brother, William Stone. Mrs. Hawthorne was a member of the Sugar Grove Baptist Church. Survivors include: her husband of 62 years, Kyle P. Hawthorne; one daughter and son-in-law, Kyleen Cathie Stanley and husband Holiday Jr., Bartow; one son and daughter-in-law, Gary Hawthorne and wife Anita, Marion; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Ivan Stone and wife Chris, Lincoln, Del., Jackie Donald Stone and wife Irene, Sugar Grove and Roger Stone, Baltimore; one sister, Mae Leaman, Sugar Grove; one sister-in-law, Sue Stone, Baltimore; seven grandchildren, Beth Rector, Danridge, Tenn., J.D. Puckett and Tammy Prater, Sugar Grove, Rondia Widener, Marion, Mark Puckett, Sugar Grove, Tanya Hawkins and husband Shane, Sugar Grove, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Dover, Del., and Jeremy Hawthorne, Rindge, N.H.; one step-granddaughter, Cassandra Turner and husband Eddie, Haysi; five great-grandchildren, Heather Puckett, Marion, Brittney Muncy, Marion, Taylor Muncy, Marion, Ericka Puckett, Marion and Hannah Hawthorne, Dover. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, at the Sugar Grove Baptist Church, with Rev. Kenny Price officiating. Interment will follow in the Slemp Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. The body will be taken to the church one hour prior to the services. Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Hawthorne family. Virginia M. Johnson BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Virginia "Virgie" M. Johnson, passed away Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at Wellmont-Lonesome Pine Hospital. She was born and raised in the Powell Valley Community and lived most of her life in Big Stone Gap. She was of Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James Logan Wampler, second husband, Howard Johnson, one son, James Ray Wampler, and one grandson, Billy Wayne Wampler. Surviving are one son, Kyle Wampler and wife Jackie, of Bristol Tennessee; two daughters, Reba Kindle and husband Bruce, of Morristown, Tenn., and Fredia Rogers and husband Jim, Big Stone Gap; 10 grandchildren; several great- grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Monday at Holding Funeral Home in Big Stone Gap. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Holding Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Hugh Bowers and Rev. Garrett Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Online condolences may be sent to holding@compunet.net. Stanley Lester WOLFORD, Va. – Rev. Stanley Lester, 49 years of age, passed away Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born in Paynesville, W.Va., June 17, 1955, he was the son of Belva Mullins Lester of Grundy and the late Vernor Lester. He was a heavy equipment mechanic for Premium Energy Company, an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting. Reverend Stanley Lester was of the Pentecostal faith, had been in the ministry for over 29 years and was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. In addition to his father, Vernor Lester, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Clifford Payne. He is survived by his mother, Belva Mullins Lester of Grundy; his wife of 29 years: Priscilla Payne Lester of Wolford; mother-in-law, Mary Payne of Wytheville; two daughters, April Lester Justus and husband Thomas, and Sherah Lester Tester and husband Shawn, all of Hurley, Va.; three sisters, Patricia Tincher of Reidsville, N.C., Wanda Nunley of Elkton, Md., and Sharon Taylor of Reidsville; one brother, Steve Lester of Paynesville; three grandchildren, Kade Hackney, Devin Tester and McKennah Tester. Funeral services for Reverend Stanley Lester will be held Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at 12 noon at the Evangelist Outreach Church at Wolford, with Reverends Darrell Davis, Herbert Ratliff, Jamie Coleman and Pastor Danny Hess officiating. Burial will follow in Ambrose-Mullins Cemetery, Stateline Ridge No.1, Paynesville. Active pallbearers will be employees of Premium Energy Company. Honorary pallbearers will be Clifford Payne, Bobby Mullins, Tom Justus, Shawn Tester, Devin Tester, Kade Hackney, Mark Hackney and Randy Taylor. Services will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the church. Memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com. The family of Reverend Stanley Lester is being served by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy. Paul McClellan Sr. BRISTOL, Va. – The funeral service for Paul Sevier McClellan Sr. will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Reed Shell officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Akard Funeral Home, prior to the service. Those who wish may send memorials to King College, Scholarship Fund, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting our Web site at www.akardfuneralhome.com. Paul Sevier McClellan Sr. age 77, passed away Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at his home. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. McClellan. David Nelson Owens BRISTOL, Va. – The committal service and interment for David Nelson Owens will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, in Mountain View Cemetery. Pallbearers will be brothers-in-law, Harry Williams, Dennis Salyer, Sam Blaylock, Brad Blaylock, Darrell Statzer and Sherman Pippin. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Associated Construction Services Inc. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send memorial donations to Abingdon Church of Christ, 19508 Dennison Dr., Abingdon, VA 24210; or to John S. Battle High School Athletic Department, 21264 Battle Hill Dr., Bristol, VA 24202. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting our Web site at www.akardfuneralhome.com. David Nelson Owens, age 42, passed away Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center, from complications of chemotherapy. Akard Funeral Home, 1912 West State St., Bristol, TN 37620, (423) 989-4800, is serving the family of Mr. Owens. William Pendergrass BRISTOL, Tenn. – William C. Pendergrass, age 62, 128 Cedar Brook Circle, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ava W. Shanahan LEBANON – Ava W. Shanahan, 53, formerly of Bluefield, Va., passed away on Dec. 4, 2004, at Russell County Medical Center. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Grandview Cemetery, Bluefield, Va. Owens Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Mary Wright Sweet MEADOWVIEW – Mary Wright Sweet, age 87, passed away Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at her residence. Mary had lived most of her life in Washington County, VA., and was a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walker Sweet, her parents, John and Jane Greer Wright, and her brothers, Lacy, Walt, Jim, Bob, George, Frank and Charlie Wright. Survivors include three daughters, Rhoda Stuart, Meadowview, Georgia Adams, Grandy, N.C., and Nancy Mathews, Richmond; a sister, Martha Eastridge, Damascus; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren. The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, at 8 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, with Dr. Don Paxton officiating. The committal graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at 10 a.m. in the Zion Cemetery. Those attending are asked to assemble at the funeral home by 9:30 a.m. for the procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be George Stuart, Mike Stuart, Brent Stuart, Bradly Stuart, Rick Baumgardner and Brian Mutter. Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Virginia, 450 Orby Cantrell Highway, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219; or to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Memorial Program, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, from 6 until 7:45 p.m. at the funeral home, or any time at Mary’s residence. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Sweet family. Jessie Mae Vanhoozer CHILHOWIE – Jessie Mae Vanhoozer, age 77, passed away Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in the Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. She was born in Tennessee, and was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Wilson Vanhoozer, her mother, Winnie Lovelace, two children, William Thomas Vanhoozer and Mary Ellen Vanhoozer, and a grandson, Thomas Christopher Vannoy. She was retired from Virginia House Furniture and was a member of the Chilhowie Baptist Church. Survivors include: five children, Patricia Ann Heath and husband Ed, Chilhowie, Peggy Jean Vannoy and husband George, Seven Mile Ford, Brenda Vanhoozer Woods, Chilhowie, David Harold Vanhoozer and wife Kayretha, Chilhowie and Sandra Lynn Walls and husband James Jr., Chilhowie; 14 grandchildren, Lindsey Nicole Woods, Joshua Allen Woods, Deborah Kay Ring, Rebecca Ann Woodard, Sharon Diane Russell, Michelle Leigh Henley, Jacob Andrew Williams, Stephen James Walls, Jason David Vanhoozer, Bryan Scott Vanhoozer, George Woodrow Vannoy, Michael Paul Vannoy, William Allen Vanhoozer and Michael Stephen Vanhoozer; 10 great-grandchildren, David Patrick Ring Jr., Kayla Renee Ring, Sylvia Nicole Woodard, Sondra Ann Woodard, Jonathan Charles Russell, Brandi Hope Russell, Brittany Nicole Hess, David Lee Hess Jr., Tommy Vanhoozer and Summer Rain Baker; special friends, Louise Shew and Lettie Young; special sister-in-law, Vicie Vanhoozer; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at the Chilhowie Baptist Church, with Rev. Chuck Herrell officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus. Expressions of sympathy may sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, Chilhowie, is serving the Vanhoozer family. Janie Yarber Widner GLADE SPRING – Janie Yarber Widner, age 59, passed away Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Janie was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va., and was a member of the Rosedale Baptist Church for over 35 years. Janie was a very unselfish person. She touched the lives of many children and was involved with child care at Rosedale Baptist Church for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Beulah Heath Yarber, a sister, Nellie VanHuss, brothers, J. R., Ikey Joseph, Oliver, Ronnie, Bobby, Randy and Dennis Yarber. Survivors include her husband, Earl C. Widner, Glade Spring; children of the home, Nikki, Dalton, Crystal, Randall, Lori and Sheril; her brothers and theirs wives, Allen and Linda R. Yarber and David and Linda P. Yarber, all of Glade Spring; her sisters and their husbands, Margaret and John Good, Timberville, Va., and Debbie and Willie Testerman, Meadowview; and many, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. The funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at 1 p.m. in the Rosedale Baptist Church, with Dr. Don Paxton officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Widner family. David W. Willis NORTON – David Woodrow Willis, 46, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, after a six-month battle with cancer. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend. As an avid Tennessee football fan, his favorite past time was watching the "Vols" play. His father, Woody Willis, brothers, Rod Willis and Donnie Willis, and his grandmother, Evelyn Stewart, preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife of 11 years, Cindy McConnell Willis, Norton; daughter and son-in-law, Melissa Lynn and Michael Pannell, Coeburn; mother, Ann Willis, Norton; brother and sister-in-law, George (Bo) and Anita Willis, Charlottesville, Va.; aunt, Pat (Tracey) Stallard, Norton; uncles, Kelly Willis, Norton, Frank Stallard, Abingdon and Hugh Stallard, Midlothian, Va.; and a host of nieces, nephews and close friends. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel. Graveside committal services will be conducted 11 a.m. Thursday in Laurel Grove Cemetery. Family and friends may meet at the funeral home 10:30 a.m. Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Shirley Wimmer WHITEWOOD, Va. – Funeral services for Mrs. Shirley Faye Cooper Wimmer will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, with Rev. Jimmy Cole officiating. Interment will follow in the Grizzle Family Cemetery at Whitewood. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. Mrs. Shirley Faye Cooper Wimmer, age 56, died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at her home on Compton Mountain, near Whitewood, following a lengthy illness. 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.