Bristol, Virginia, Obituaries: Bristol Herald Courier, January 16, 2005 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bristol Herald Courier http://www.bristolnews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=TRI/Page/TRI_FrontPage ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ==================================================================== Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adams, Ruby NORTON – Ruby Ellen Spears Adams, 88, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, in Lewis-Gale Hospital, Salem, Va. A former resident of Wise County, she had made her home with her daughter in Roanoke. She will be especially remembered for her love of cats and for her flower gardens that brightened the curve above Josephine. She was born July 8, 1916, to the late George Washington and Bessie Johnson Spears. Also preceding her in death were her husband, Loy Villard Adams, a sister, Trula Winkles, and brother, Winfred Spears. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and G.W. Thompson, Roanoke; one granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Beth and Erik Hernquist, Centreville, Va.; brother-in-law, Willie Winkles, Norton; nephew, Mark Winkles, Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m., Sunday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 3 p.m., Sunday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Mike Davis officiating. Interment will be at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made a charity that benefits animals. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/15/2005 - 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bernard, Gary BRISTOL, Tenn. – Gary L. Bernard, age 45, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005, at his residence. He was born in Bristol Virginia and had spent most of his life in the Bristol area. Mr. Bernard was the owner and operator of City Wide Window Cleaning and Pressure Washing and attended Avoca Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Tommy Bernard, and a brother, Tony Bernard. Survivors include: mother, Clara S. Anderson; stepfather, Andy H. Anderson; daughter, Whitney M. Eades; sisters, Connie E. Huffman and husband Rusty and Kathy Clawson and husband Jesse; nieces and nephews, Michael A. Ollis and wife Heather and their children, Megan and Amy, Angela Musser and husband Matthew and their son Deven, Dr. Laura Phelps and husband Brian, Lisa Morrell and husband Barry and Leslie Huffman and friend, Peter Rucinski; and several aunts and uncles. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005, at 8 p.m. in the Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Bob Robinson officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6-7:45 p.m., prior to the service. Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/15/2005 - 1/18/2005. Funeral home info • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bird, Ellen LAKE RIDGE, Va. – Ellen L. Bird, age 86, died on Jan. 14, 2005, in Lake Ridge. Ellen was the daughter of Judge James Russell Leech and Amanda Taylor. Mrs. Bird graduated from Hollins College, majoring in voice. Ellen was a long help mate and wife to Pastor Dr. Andrew R. Bird Jr. Ellen spent her most recent years caring for her beloved family and ministering to her community at Westminster at Lake Ridge, until joining her Heavenly Father. Mrs. Bird is survived by her daughter, Pamelia B. Sanderlin; sons, Andrew R. Bird III, James R. Bird, Timothy E. Bird and John F. Bird. Mrs. Bird is also survived by her grandchildren, Chelsea, Amanda, Taylor, Timothy and Sarah Bird: and a sister, Nancy L. Prigg. Friends will be received on Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Mountcastle Funeral Home, 13318 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge, Va. A graveside service will be conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005, at 1 p.m. in Rock Church Cemetery, Washington, D.C. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at Westminster at Lake Ridge, 12191 Clipper Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Glade Spring Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 336, Glade Springs VA 24340. Condolences can be sent at condolences@mountcastle.net. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boyd, Lacy MEADOWVIEW – Lacy D. Boyd, age 100, passed away Friday, Jan. 14, 2005. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, and a member of Meadowview Pentecostal Holiness Church and the Ladies Auxiliary. Mrs. Boyd recently celebrated her 100th birthday and was the oldest remaining member of the Woodward and Boyd families. She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Clark Boyd Sr., sons, Homer C. Boyd Jr. and Ernest Yokely Boyd, one daughter, Mamie Lee Buck, and one brother, Dewey Woodward. Survivors include four sons, Fred G. Boyd and wife Teresa of DeValle, Texas, John R. Boyd and wife Peggy of Meadowview, Jack N. Boyd of Wytheville and Harold L. Boyd of Atkins, Va.; four daughters, Lillian A. Artrip of Norton, Alta B. Price and husband Douglas of Chilhowie, Shirley F. Stallard and husband Frank of Abingdon and Linda B. Leonard and husband Allen of Bristol Virginia; 24 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 21 great-great- grandchildren; and two great-great-great-grandchildren; loving and devoted daughter-in-law, Peggy Boyd; and sons-in-law, Douglas Price and Isaac Allen Leonard; four nieces; and very special neighbors, Peggy and Eddie Bailey and Bly Gobble. Funeral services will be held Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at 11 a.m., at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Tommy Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 7-9 p.m., at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Gardens. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearer will be Doug Price. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Meadowview Pentecostal Holiness Church Ladies Auxiliary. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, caregiver Louise Stone, and to the staff and residents of Abingdon Manor. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Boyd family. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carty, Taulbee CLINTWOOD, Va. – Taulbee E. Carty, age 78, died at Hillside Nursing Home, Kingsport, on Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, after a lingering illness. He was a lifelong resident of Dickenson County, a member of Peuther Chapel Freewill Baptist Church and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a retired merchant. Taulbee was preceded in death by his parents, seven sisters, four brothers and two first cousins, that were raised like brothers. He was the last remaining child of the Robert Lee and Zephia Bise Carty. The other members of the "Carty Family" that preceded him in death were Henry and Ocie Carty, DeSoto and Della Rose, Walter and Gertrude Carty, Claude and Zula Carty, Grayson and Grace Yates, Henry and Net Sutherland, Arnold and Eda Clay, Mary and Harold Yates, Ray and Ruby Puckett, Annie Carty (died in infancy), Clarence Carty and special cousins, Enoch Rose and his wife Mattie Rose and Odell Carty. Survivors include one son, Gary E. Carty and wife Katherine of Kingsport; one daughter, Mona Carty Shelton and husband Robert of Granbury, Texas; two grandchildren, Afton and Geordan Strain of Granbury; the mother of Gary and Mona, Janice Carty of Clintwood; one sister-in-law, Nell Bubbles Carty of Clintwood; Margaret Carty, the wife of the late Odell Carty, of Clintwood; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at 11 a.m., Monday at Peuther Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, with funeral service to follow at 1 p.m., with ministers Joe Glenn Sluss and Lynn Vanover officiating. Burial will follow at the Carty Cemetery, Caney Ridge. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Judes Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Gifts, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or www.StJude.org. Clintwood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Collier, Martha BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Martha Ruth Collier, 80, died January 15, 2005, in Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Big Stone Gap. She was of the Baptist faith and a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Big Stone Gap. She was a lifelong resident of the area and a housewife. Martha had many special friends and care givers, Venna Thacker, Sylvia Zirkle and Lois Kinsler. She was preceded in death by parents, Mack and Polly Fields, husband, Omer Collier, three brothers and two sisters. Surviving are sons, Louis Collier and wife Marlene, Kingsport, and Lowell Collier and wife Marsha, Bristol Tennessee; grandchildren, Louis Collier Jr., Salem, Va., Anna Borders, Kingsport, Steve Collier, Kingsport, and Dr. Shawn Collier, Knoxville; nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; brother, Paul Fields, Kingsport; and sister, Hazel Fritz, Kingsport. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, at Gilliam Funeral Home, Big Stone Gap. Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Jan. 16, 2005, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Alan Collier officiating. Family and friends are asked to assemble at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17, 2005, at Gilliam Funeral Home to go in procession to the cemetery. Entombment will be in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Big Stone Gap. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 230 Sharwood Drive, NE, Abingdon, VA 24210; or Oak Grove Baptist Church, 14 East 11th St., North, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crowe, Della Della Crowe, age 80, formerly of Mountain City, passed away Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005, at the Cambridge House in Bristol Tennessee. She was a native of Johnson County and was born Oct. 4, 1924, to the late James and Lura Mains Reece. She was preceded in death by her husband, L. Ray Crowe. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Kermit Reece, Carl Reece and Walt Reece. Della was a state federal worker with the Department of Unemployment Security in the State of Tennessee and worked in Washington, D.C., during World War II in the Rations Department. She was a member of the Mountain City Church of Christ. Survivors include two sons, Dr. L. Ray Crowe and wife Inez of Cookville, Tenn., and James Crowe and wife Rebecca of Bristol Tennessee; two sisters, Arna Mae Hodges of Mountain City and Beulah Oliver of Creston, N.C.; two brothers, Robert Reece and Bill Reece of Mountain City; three grandchildren; two great- grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, from Henson Funeral Home with Mr. Jim Hutchinson officiating. Burial will follow in the Phillippi Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ronda Reece, Roddie Reece, Tommy Reece, Mike Reece, James Reece, Rick Reece, John Reece, Larry Reece, Gary Reece, Shane Reece and Lane Reece. Honorary pallbearers will be Gordan Hodges and Jimmy Oliver. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home, prior to the services. Henson Funeral Home is serving the Crowe family. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through our Web site at www.hensonfuneralhome.com. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darnell, Bobby MEADOWVIEW – Bobby Ray Darnell, age 63, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, at his home. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Christian Church and had worked for Sterling Casket Hardware Co. for 35 years. He is survived by two daughters, Tina Thomas and her husband Brian of Bristol Tennessee and Jennifer Taylor and her husband Chris of Meadowview; his mother, Mrs. Ruby Darnell of Chilhowie; one brother, Charles Darnell and his wife Martha of Meadowview; two grandchildren, Trey Lopez and Landen Taylor, both of Meadowview; one niece, Monica Darnell; and one nephew, Ricky Darnell. Funeral services for Bobby Ray Darnell will be held at 2 p.m., Monday at Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, with the Rev. Paul Price and Brother Jim Pence officiating. Burial will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon. Pallbearers: William Taylor, Ricky Darnell, Clarence Gobble, Troy Gobble, Ronnie Musick and Marty Thomas. Honorary pallbearers: Shorty Caudell, Roy Fugate, Darrell McCowan, Harold Rotenberry, Eddie Gobble, Bernie Gobble and members of Mt. Carmel Christian Church. Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, is serving the family of Bobby Darnell. Messages of sympathy may be sent online at www.farrisfuneralservice.com. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/15/2005 - 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dean, Gertrude NORTON – Gertrude Kilgore Dean, age 75, died Friday in St. Mary's Hospital after a brief illness. She was an avid gardener and thoroughly enjoyed her canning hobby. She was a member of Rocky Fork Pentecostal Church and was active in Mountain Empire Older Citizens Program. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Isabella (Gardner) Kilgore, and a sister, Cuba Kilgore. She is survived by husband, Walter Dean; daughters and sons-in-law, Janice Dean Bolling of Norton, Lynda (Dean) and Steve Stallard, Coeburn, and Brenda (Dean) and Keith Blackburn, Norton; grandchildren, Bridgette Bates, Brandon Stallard, Ryan Bolling and Orbin Stallard; great-granddaughter, Kaitland Bates; brothers, Paul Kilgore, Lester Kilgore, Glenn Lively Kilgore and Leon Kilgore, all of Norton; and sisters, Opal Kilgore and Berthel Barnette, both of Norton. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Sunday in Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the funeral home chapel with the Reverends Raymond Bentley Jr., Larry Addington and Darrell Bolling officiating. Burial will follow in Kilgore Family Cemetery. Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is serving the Dean family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.hagyfawbush.com. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Duncan, Woodrow MEADOWVIEW – Mr. Woodrow Wilson Duncan, age 91, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, in Grace Healthcare of Abingdon. He had lived all of his life in Washington County and attended the Yellow Springs United Methodist Church. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army. He was also a member of McCabe Lodge 56 I.O.O.F., the Parke P. Deans Rebekah Lodge 68 and was a carpenter. He was preceded in death by 13 brothers and sisters. Survivors include his wife, Frances Tedder Duncan; two sons, Stan Duncan, Glade Spring and Rick Duncan, Meadowview; and grandchildren, April, Melissa, Eric, Nicholas and J.T. The funeral service will be conducted Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Katye Fox and Mrs. Barbara Farmer officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with military honors to be rendered by the Highlands Veterans Honor Color Guard. Pallbearers will be Eric Duncan, Nicholas Duncan, J.T. Duncan, Cannie Caudill, Birdie Carter and Bill Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Yellow Springs United Methodist Church and members of the McCabe Lodge 56 I.O.O.F and the Parke P. Deans Rebekah Lodge 68. A special thanks to Home Health Care Worker, Bonnie Owens, and the staff of Grace Healthcare of Abingdon. Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be made to the Yellow Springs United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends Saturday from 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home. Those wishing to express 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 Duncan family. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/14/2005 - 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gray, Mildred COEBURN – Mildred Virginia Harrison Gray, 82, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, at Bon Secour St. Mary's Hospital in Norton. Mrs. Gray was a retired seamstress. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon, her father, Elbert Harrison, and her mother, Sadie Ray Harrison. Survivors include daughters, Linda Holyfield of Coeburn and Rebecca Biddle of Richmond, Va.; brother, Wayne Harrison of Coeburn; two sisters, Beulah Culbertson of Portsmouth, Va., and Betty Harris of Charleston, S.C.; grandsons, Richard Holyfield of Coeburn, Steven Holyfield of Coeburn, David Holyfield of Coeburn, William Biddle of Richmond and Michael Biddle of Raleigh, N.C.; sister- in-law, Jackie Harrison of Coeburn; and several nephews and nieces. Funeral services for Mildred Virginia Gray will be held Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at 8 p.m., at Estes Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John McCarrol and Rev. Samuel Hall officiating. Burial will be 11 a.m., Tuesday in the Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Coeburn. Visitation will be held at Estes Funeral Home on Monday from after 6 p.m. Estes Funeral Home Inc., (276) 395-2441. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grubb, Anna MARION – Anna Mozelle Grubb, age 91, died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, in Asbury Place, Wytheville, Va. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Marion. She is survived by one sister, Rosa Lee Orfield of Marion; two nieces, Betty Cox and husband Dan of Brentwood, Tenn., and Judith Ann Grubb of Richmond, Va.; two nephews, Ronald Grubb and wife Cindy of Collierville, Tenn., and Don Orfield and wife Imogene of Wytheville; and a host of great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Rev. Jeff Lambert officiating. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 12 p.m. until the time of the service at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery, Marion. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Grubb family. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Harris, Lula BRISTOL, Tenn. – Funeral services for Lula Bell Harris will be held Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at 1 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Full Gospel Tabernacle, 100 East State St., Bristol, Va., with Pastor Ann Johnson, Rev. William J. Reid, Pastor Kelly Pete, Rev. Russell Johnson, Rev. Evelyn Mabry, Rev. James McDaniels, Pastor Jacqueline Oxendine and Rev. W.A. Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Pallbearers include Jean Mulumba, Alex Pryor, Ronriquez Ramey, Deacon Walter Brown, Duane Knight and Roy Anthony Pete. Interment will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Lula Bell Harris, 69, passed away Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005. Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, is serving the Harris family. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/16/2005 - 1/17/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jones, Sue BRISTOL, Tenn. – Sue K. Jones, 78, entered into the presence of the Lord Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, after a lengthy illness. Born in McDowell County, W.Va., she had lived most of her life in Bristol Tennessee and was a retired King College cafeteria worker, a loving caregiver and long-time member of First Christian Church of Bristol Virginia. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, A.D. "Pat" Jones Sr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Kerry Haga of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; her son and daughter-in-law, A.D. and Betsy Kilgore Jones Bluff City; three granddaughters, Traci Haga of Bristol Tennessee, Nichole Haga Norman of Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Katie Jones of Bluff City; a grandson, Patrick Jones of Bluff City; three brothers, M.A. Lunsford of Weber City, Va., Carol Lunsford of Abingdon and Harold Davis of New Philadelphia, Ohio; five sisters, Ruby Partin of Madison Heights, Mich., Doris Kinser of Hampton, Va., Norma Wright of Kingsport, Charlotte Faris of Aurora, Colo., and Ruth Greene of Knoxville; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Hugh and Mary Kilgore, Jack and Sandy Woolley and her beloved First Christian Church family. Funeral services will be conducted at 8 p.m., on Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at First Christian Church, 311 Spencer St., Bristol, VA with Pastor Herb Peak and Rev. John Thrasher officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:45 p.m., Monday at the church, prior to the funeral. A graveside committal service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m., at Glenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church Building Fund, 311 Spencer St., Bristol, VA 24201. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Mrs. Jones and her family are in the care of Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, Tenn., Telephone (423) 764-7123. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keene, Bernice DUMFRIES – Bernice K. Keene, 79, died Jan. 13, at Potomac Hospital. She is survived by her husband, Ezra Arvil Keen; a daughter, Linda Kathleen Morse of Norfolk; two sons, Nicholas Stephen Keene of Lanexa, Va., and Bayard Duane Keene of Stafford; a sister, Pearl Margie White of Lady Lakes, Fla.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Her nephews will be serving as pallbearers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Jackson and Ada Hess Jackson, three sisters, Ruby Iline Breeding, Virginia Adaline Jackson and Phyllis Marie Dotson, and five brothers, Ruie Omer Jackson, Ulysses Smith Jackson, Marvin Elmerine Jackson, Herbert Eugene Jackson and Alva Lee (Jack) Jackson. Mrs. Keene received her master's degree from George Mason University. She was a member of the Prince William County Retired Teachers Association and the United Methodist Women. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donation be made to the Potomac Hospital Building Fund. Friends may call on Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, from 2-7 p.m. at Mountcastle Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Blvd, Dale City, where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Dumfries Cemetery. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leonard, Rufus BIG STONE GAP, Va. – Rufus "R.L." Leonard, age 83, passed away at his home Jan. 13, 2005. He was a member of Gum Hill Baptist Church and retired with Southern Railroad with 41 years of service. Mr. Leonard was preceded in death by his wife, Theta Jewel Sproles Leonard, a daughter, Margaret Jo Leonard, a grandson, and a great- grandson. He was the son of the late Lee and Mamie Leonard. Survivors include daughters, Sue Baldridge and Phyllis Hughes, both of Bristol Virginia; sons, Chris Leonard, Bobby Leonard, Marvin Leonard and Ronnie Leonard, all of Big Stone Gap, and "DD" Dennis Leonard of Keokee, Va.; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Agnes Hughes and Lois Tate, both of Bristol Virginia. Graveside services will be conducted 2 p.m., Sunday at Gum Hill Cemetery with Rev. Roger Ball and Rev. Dennis Burnette officiating. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, at Weaver Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be grandsons. Condolences may be expressed to www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Weaver Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/15/2005 - 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mash, Tazona CHILHOWIE – Mrs. Tazona C. "Tay" Mash, age 67, passed away at her home Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005. Tazona devoted her life to her family. She gave selflessly of her time and energy and always put others before herself. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles (Dobie) Cahill. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Marvin Mash; mother, Helen C. Cahill; also by her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Kathy Mash; as well as her beloved grandchildren, Martin and Misty Mash, all of Chilhowie. The void in our hearts can only be filled by the precious memories she left behind. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2005, at the Elizabeth Cemetery with Rev. Don Wyatt and Rev. Gene Little officiating. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 till 9 p.m. at Henderson's Funeral Home. D.R. Henderson Funeral Home of Saltville is serving the Mash family. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/16/2005 - 1/17/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Morgan, Luther BRISTOL, Va. – Luther Dempster Morgan, 87, passed away Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, in the Wellmont Hospice House. He was born June 1, 1917, the son of the late William H. and Louisa Fleenor Morgan. He was also preceded in death by a precious son, David L. Morgan. Being a lover of gospel music, at the age of 17, he became the lead singer for the Harmony Four Quartet and continued to sing with them for 32 years. Mr. Morgan was a retired diesel mechanic for Goodpasture Motors. He served as a volunteer at the Bristol Regional Medical Center and the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. He was a member of North Bristol Baptist Church, where he helped with Meals on Wheels, a member of the Caring About People (CAP) Sunday School Class and sang in the church choir. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Helen Hill Morgan; daughter-in-law, Vicki L. Morgan; granddaughters, Leslie Morgan, Amy Morgan Foster and husband Chuck; great-grandson, Connor David Foster; several nieces and nephews; and a special long-time friend, Jean Thomas. The funeral service for Mr. Morgan will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, in Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Michael McCloud and Rev. Eric Godfrey officiating, with the eulogy by Sam Brown. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, send memorial contributions to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele's Road, Bristol, TN 37620; or North Bristol Baptist Church, Memorial Fund, 46 Church St., Bristol, VA 24201. The family wishes to express special thanks to all of their many friends, including Mary Crenshaw and Mary Pope. The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m, Sunday, Jan. 16, 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. Morgan. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/15/2005 - 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reimer, Grace ATLANTA – Grace Snead Reimer, 70, formerly of Bristol Tennessee, died Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, in Haven House Hospice in Atlanta. Mrs. Reimer was a former resident for over 20 years in Bristol Tennessee. She is survived by her spouse, Alexander Reimer; son, Keith A. Reimer, Norfolk, Va.; daughter, Gayle Aguirre, Woodstock, Ga.; and four grandchildren. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, in St. Clement's Episcopal Church with the Reverend James B. Stutler officiating. Huey Funeral Home, Canton, Ga., is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Funeral home info • Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stinson, Irene HONAKER – Irene Mays Breeding Stinson, 86, of the Finney community, died Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, in the Altamont Manor in Lebanon, following a long illness. Born July 8, 1918, in Wise County, Va., a daughter of the late Emory Mays and the late Nannie Hileman Mays, she had lived in Russell County most of her life. She was a former employee of the Green Thumb Program and was a member of the Finney Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Hobert Breeding, a son, James Hobert Breeding Jr., a brother, Arnold Mays, and a stepdaughter, Connie Stinson Combs. Survivors include her husband, Roland (Jack) Stinson, Honaker; her grandson, Mike Breeding and his wife Rachel, Lebanon; three great-grandchildren, Jessee Breeding, Adam Breeding and Maegan Breeding; two stepsons, Paul Henry Stinson and his wife Carline, Cleveland, and Clifford Stinson and his wife Brenda, Lebanon; a stepson-in-law, Dwaine Combs, Cleveland; six stepgrandchildren, Eddie Combs, Michael Combs, Tonya Stinson, Heather Stinson, Josh Stinson and Cody Lane Stinson; two sisters, Trula Hughes, Coeburn, and Viola Massie, Cleveland; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joann and Jack Walker, Clendenin, W.Va.; also several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. H.G. Musick Jr. and the Rev. Stephen Musick officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rick Hart, Roland Cook, Floyd Cook, Tommy Testerman, Josh Stinson, Michael Combs and Eddie Combs. The family will receive friends after 6 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, at the funeral home. Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon is serving the family of Mrs. Stinson. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vicars, Clarence BRISTOL, Va. – Clarence F. Vicars, age 74, went to be with the Lord Friday, Jan. 14, 2005, in the Johnson City Medical Center, from serious injuries sustained in an automobile accident which occurred on Dec. 31, 2004. He was born Nov. 10, 1930, a son of the late George and Emma Salyers Vicars, and he lived his life in the Bristol area. He was retired from Raytheon, where he worked in maintenance for 35 years. He was a member of Fellowship Chapel in Bristol Virginia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen I. Foster Vicars, on Jan. 8, 2005, of injuries sustained in the same automobile accident. Survivors include one son, David Vicars and wife Diane Withers Vicars; granddaughter, Lynsey Vicars; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005, at Fellowship Chapel with Rev. Scott Price officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fellowship Chapel, 201 Crockett St., Bristol, VA 24201. Special thanks and appreciation to the ICU Medical staff at Johnson City Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday at Weaver Funeral Home. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/15/2005 - 1/16/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weeden, Betty WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Betty Jane Weeden, 73, of Wall Township, N.J., and Gate City, Va., passed away Jan. 10, 2005, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, N.J. She was born July 10, 1931, in Jersey City, N.J., and was an annual visitor of her ancestral home in Gate City, which was built by her grandfather, Henry E. Whited, and her great-grandfather, Felix G. Whited. She took an active role in investigating and documenting historical Scott and Russell County cemeteries and in establishing the genealogy of the Whited family. She was also an active member of historical societies in her hometown of Wall, N.J., and was a member of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Eastern Shore, Md., Genealogical Society. She was preceded in death by her parents, J. Allen and Velma Whited Sangston, her uncles, Tyler and John Sangston, her beloved aunts, Betty Sangston Aldrich of Black Mountain, N.C., and Ova Whited, Cora Mae Whited, Allie Kate Whited and Janie Whited Munsey, all of Gate City. Surviving are her husband, Harold; a son, Master Sgt. Hal Weeden, USAF, and wife Robin, of Maryville, Tenn.; two daughters, Maj. Jill L. Stephens, USAF (retired) and husband Master Sgt. Jerry, USAF (retired), of Bluff City and Gail W. Bailey and husband Stephen of Metuchen, N.J.; a brother, James A. Sangston and wife Ann, of Richmond, Va.; five grandchildren, Katie and Elissa Shulas, Sara Bailey, Cloi Craig and Emily Weeden; and a niece, Ann-Tyler Sangston. Calling hours are 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21, 2005, at Colonial Funeral Home, Weber City, Va. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. at Holston View Cemetery. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gate City United Methodist Church, 103 E. Walnut St., Gate City, VA 24251. Published in the Bristol Herald Courier from 1/16/2005 - 1/20/2005. Flowers • Gift Shop • Charities