Register Herald Obituaries for May 3, 1999 Anne M. W. Blackburn ORLANDO, Fla. - Anne Mae Williams Blackburn, 58, formerly of East Gulf, died Saturday, May 1, 1999, in an Orlando hospital following a short illness. Born May 6, 1940, at Corinne, she was the daughter of the late John Franklin and Goldie Hensley Williams. Mrs. Blackburn was an inspector for Lucent Technologies for 29 years, graduated from Stoco High School, and was a member of the Ocean Street Baptist Church, Kissimmee, Fla. She was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Franklin Williams, and a sister, Connie Beth Williams. Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Bernard Lee Blackburn; one son, Bernie Blackburn of Orlando, Fla.; one daughter, Daphney Huffman of Chicago; two brothers, Robert Coleman Williams of East Gulf and Harry D. Williams of Helen; two sisters, Lucy Marlene Williams Wajda of Chicago and Dinah Sue Williams McGann of Pennsylvania; and five grandchildren. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Beckley, with the Rev. Robert Butler and the Rev. Edward Spivey officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia. Carolyn Sue Brewster Carolyn Sue Brewster, 54, of Indian Creek, died Thursday, April 29, 1999, at her residence following a long illness. Born Dec. 24, 1944, at Wolf Pen, she was the daughter of the late Jasper James "Jack" and Thelma Irene Miller Brewster. Survivors include four brothers, James Roy Brewster of Summerville, S.C., Marvin Larry Brewster of Summerville, S.C., Richard Clinton Brewster of Lynchburg, Va., and Jackie Ray Brewster of Indian Creek; one sister, Nancy Darlene Allen of Indian Creek; one nephew, James Ray Brewster Jr. of Georgia; and one niece, Victoria Marie Brewster of Lynchburg, Va. Graveside funeral services and burial will be 11 a.m. today at the Brewster Cemetery at Indian Creek with the Rev. Lucille Chambers officiating. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Services, Pineville. Charles W. Edmonds Charles W. Edmonds, 85, of Airport Road, Bluefield, died Sunday, May 2, 1999, in a Princeton area hospital. Born Aug. 18, 1913, at Princeton, he was the son of the late William Henry and Katie Bell Kidd Edmonds. He was educated in Princeton and was a lifelong resident. He was also a retired linesman/high line tower specialist with more than 32 years of service with Appalachian Power/American Electric Power Bluefield Division, retiring in 1978. He was an active member of the Johnston Chapel Baptist Church on the Halls Ridge Road in Princeton, where he was a member of the adult Sunday school class and was a former deacon of the church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Belle Tucker Edmonds, along with a sister, Ophia Miller, and four brothers, Roy, Cecil, Jim and Sam Edmonds. Survivors include one daughter, Jean Abshire and her husband, Eddie, of Airport Road; one son, Wayne Edmonds and his wife, Jeanie, of Charleston, S.C.; four grandchildren, Kevin Wayne Edmonds, Karen Mullins and her husband, Benny, Kerri Diane Edmonds, and Stephen E. Abshire; one great-grandchild, Corey Edmonds. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with the Rev. John King officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Courthouse Road in Princeton. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Men of the church will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Memorial Funeral Directory, Princeton. Dr. Francis L. Edwards Dr. Francis L. Edwards died Sunday, May 2, 1999. Born in 1922 in Palmetto, Fla., he was the son of the late James Leon and Dorothy Combs Edwards. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Theresa Amato Edwards; his children, Francis Leon II and his wife, Carol, Samuel Charles and his wife, Charlotte, and D.R. and husband, Warren Browne; his grandchildren, Jennifer and Elaina Edwards and Chandler Edwards Browne; his brother, Richard and his wife, Joyce; his sisters-in-law, Gerlanda "Jennie" and Catherine Amato; and many nieces and nephews. Dr. Edwards and his wife practiced dentistry in Beckley for more than 48 years. He attended WVU and Loyola University of South in New Orleans and graduated from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland Dental School, with his DDS in 1950. He was elected into Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Fraternity. He was in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945, serving in both the United States and Europe during World War II. He was past commander of American Legion Post 32. Dr. Edwards was a life member of Psi Omega Dental Fraternity and was past master of the W.Va. Alumni Chapter. He was president of the New River Dental Society and served as alternate delegate for delegate to American Dental Association. He also served as editor of the W.Va. Dental Journal and was a member of the WVU Dental School Committee. He was the author of "Dentistry of the American Indian." He served as chairman of the Publicity Committee, W.Va. Dental Society; co-chairman, Exhibits Committee, W.Va. Dental Association Annual Session; chairman, Arrangements Committee 72 ND. Annual Session W.Va. Dental Association; and chairman Program Committee 73rd Annual Session W.Va. Dental Association and Semiannual Session. He was past president and secretary of the W.Va. section of the B.C.D.S. University of Maryland Alumni Association; a past member of American Association of Dental Editors and Federation Dentaire International; past chairman of the Dental Health Committee, W.Va. Dental Association; and a member of Raleigh County Dental Health Council. He was a staff member of Raleigh General Hospital, attending dentist at Veterans Hospital in Beckley and dental consultant at Pine Lodge Extended Care Center. Dr. Edwards attended St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, where he was instrumental in the construction of the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church School. He served as editor of the School Year Book; past president of the PTA; 3rd degree Knights of Columbus; and 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He was past secretary and president of the Second Professional Building Corp.; a charter member of the Flat Top Lake Association for 47 years. He was past lieutenant governor, Civitan International; past president, Beckley Civitan International; past institutional representative, Boy Scouts of America; and was a member of Black Knight Country and Moose clubs. Dr. Edwards is listed in "Who's Who in the East" and "Outstanding West Virginians." He was acknowledged in "The Legacy of the B.C.D.S.; a Century and a Quarter of Distinguished Contribution by its Graduates; PROCEEDINGS 125TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION of the B.C.D.S." He also served as chairman of the J. Ben Robinson Recognition Bust Presentation, WVU Medical Center. An avid golfer and fisherman, Dr. Edwards also enjoyed being a member of CB Channel 31 and loving lawncare. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church with the Revs. Samuel S. Sacus and Maria Asir officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Calfee Funeral Home, with the scripture service conducted at 8 p.m. by Deacon W. Donald Wise. Pallbearers will be Samuel Chase Amato, Samuel Thomas Amato, Dr. James T. Farris, Dr. Francis Hajash, Toney Marino, Robert McClure, Richard Sepkowski, and Raymond Stuart. Honorary pallbearers will be Amerigo Cappellari, Robert Biddington, Dr. Kyle Jarrell, Dr. Charles Merritt, Dr. Charles Saul, Dr. Richard Starr, the 3rd and 4th degree Knights of Columbus, the New River Dental Society and friends from CB Channel 31. Contributions may be made in Dr. Edwards' memory to the American Red Cross Blood Bank, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, or the church of your choice. Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley. Jamie Aaron Massey Jamie Aaron Massey, 26, of Ronceverte, died Saturday, May 1, 1999, at a Greenbrier medical center following a long illness. Born Oct. 10, 1972, at Okinawa, Japan, he was the son of Wanda S. Mitchem and Donald R. Massey both of Ronceverte. Mr. Massey was a member of the Ronceverte Presbyterian Church and a trainer with the Greenbrier Health Club in Lewisburg. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Nelson Dowdy, and his paternal grandfather, Richard Massey. Other survivors include his wife, Sandy Fleshman Massey of Ronceverte; three stepsisters, Sophia Simms and Reagan Simms of Ronceverte and Cristin Mitchem of Princeton; one stepbrother, Josh Mitchem of Ronceverte; and his grandmothers, Lottie Dowdy and Nellie Massey of Ronceverte. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Ronceverte Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Philip Graber and the Rev. Gary Baker officiating. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg. Olen Jones, Denny Maloney, Jeff Cobb, Robert Bittenger, Mark Hayes, and Dick Marshall will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Roanoke, Va. Arrangements by Wallace and Wallace Funeral Home, Lewisburg. Dorothy M. J. Mitchell Dorothy Marie Johnston Mitchell, 64, of Crab Orchard, died Saturday, May 1, 1999, in a Virginia hospital following a long illness. Born Dec. 22, 1934, in Detroit, Mich., she was the daughter of the late Wesley P. and Elaise Marie MecKeeby Johnston. Mrs. Mitchell was a homemaker and attended the Church of God in Lester. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra Lee Mitchell, and several brothers and sisters. Survivors include her husband, Robert Lee Mitchell of Lester; a son, Dennis Clark and his wife, Vickie, of Montgomery, Ala.; a daughter, Teresa Basham of Crab Orchard; a son-in-law, Roger Basham of Hotchkiss; two sisters, Joyce Janczuk and Shirley Carter both of Michigan; nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Donathan Cochran officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Williams-Blue Ridge Funeral Home, Sophia. Nancy Taylor Patrick Nancy Taylor Patrick, 62, of Hinton, died Saturday, May 1, 1999, in an area hospital following a short illness. Born June 29, 1936, in Hinton, she was the daughter of the late Charles A. and Gladys Foster Taylor. Mrs. Patrick worked for the judicial system, having retired from the Supreme Court of Appeals on Oct. 1, 1998. She worked part time in the Summers County Circuit Clerk's office until the time of her death. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hinton, and was a member of the Hinton Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. She had lived most of her life in Hinton. She was preceded in death by one son, David Hutchinson Patrick; one grandson, Brandon Thomas Patrick; and one sister, Betty Barnette. Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Charles B. Patrick; one son, Charles E. Patrick and wife, Rose, of Columbia, S.C.; three daughters, Jane Ellen Spangler and husband, Frankie, of Pipestem, Sarah Jo Patrick of Fan Rock, and Lori Ann Jones and husband, Ron, of Grandview; two sisters, Mary Hubble of Cisine, Ill., and Kyra Young of West Lafayette, Ind.; seven grandchildren, Damon and Stacie Mills, David, Clint and Tammy Patrick, Chase and Kari Jones. Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church, Hinton, with the Rev. D.D. Elwell and Pastor Roy Lee Honaker Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Restwood Memorial Gardens, Hinton. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton, and one hour before services Tuesday at the church. Ralph Bailey, Damon Mills, Chase Cobb, Jerry Breckenridge, Ron Thomure, Butch Woodrum and Paul Crook will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton. Avis Ethel Stuart Avis Ethel Stuart, 83, of Matheny, died Saturday, May 1, 1999, in a Charleston hospital following a short illness. Born Feb. 13, 1916, at Crany, she was the daughter of the late Will and Clara Lamb Kennedy. Mrs. Stuart was a homemaker, a lifelong resident of Wyo-ming County and a member of the Crany Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by a sister, Norma Rose. Survivors include her husband, Gilbert "Gib" Stuart; one daughter, Kay Shiflett and her husband, Barry, of Pineville; one sister, Doris Rose of Matheny; one brother, Dennis Kennedy and his wife, Rhada, of Oceana; one grandson, Scott Shiflett and his wife, Becky, of Pineville; two great-grandchildren, Allyson and Nicholas Shiflett of Pineville; and two stepgrandchildren, Christopher and Amanda Stafford of Pineville. Services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Evans and Evans Funeral Directors Chapel with the Rev. James Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the Kennedy Family Cemetery at Crany. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Friends will serve as pallbearers. Arrangements by Evans and Evans Funeral Directors, Oceana. Submitted by Karen Monk **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************