Charles W. Ferguson
Charles W. Ferguson, 60, of Honaker, died June 4, 2003 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born in Richlands, he was a son of the late Ralph Burns and Hazel Marie Thompson Ferguson.
He was a lifelong resident of the Honaker area and was a 1962 graduate of Honaker High School. He had served in the United States Army for two years having been stationed in Germany. He was the maintenance superintendent with the Virginia Department of Transportation at Blackford since 1998 and has been employed with VDOT since 1965. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Honaker, the Honaker Lions Club, Honaker Christmas Parade Committee and the Honaker Redbud Committee.
Survivors: wife, Judy Carol Ferguson; daughter, Andrea Ferguson of the home; and brother, Jimmy Ferguson and wife, Shirley of Scott Depot, WV.
The funeral was conducted June 7 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel at Honaker with Rev. Mike Ward and Bro. Les Ritchie officiating.
Interment
followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
James “Buke” Hale
James Buford “Buke” Hale, 75, of Honaker, died June 7, 2003 in a Richlands hospital.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Jacob and Ada Arwood Hale.
He was a lifelong resident of the Buchanan and Russell County areas and was a member of the Outreach Temple in Honaker. He was a disabled coal miner, having been employed by Meadows Coal Company at Swords Creek.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, J. C. Hale, one brother, Cecil B. Hale, and one sister, Pauline Hale Owens.
Survivors: wife, Margaret Corns Hale; sons, Douglas Hale and Jerry Hale and wife, Pamela, all of Honaker; daughter, Nellie Ruth Hale of Honaker; granddaughters, Aletha Hale, Kimberly Hale, Tiffany Hale, Amber Hale, Patricia Hale and Courtney Hale; great-grandson, Logan Shane Hale; brothers, Paul Hale and wife, Ivanell, Lee Hale and wife, Barbara, and Ronnie Hale, all of Honaker, Arnold Hale and wife, Delorise and Larry Hale and his late wife, Arbutus, all of Page, Frank Hale and wife, Goldie, of Swords Creek; sisters, Ruth McGlothlin and husband, Herman, of Swords Creek, Peggy Hale Whited of Honaker; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted June 10 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Arvil Arwood and Rev. David Perkins officiating.
Interment
followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Ricky D. Hess
Ricky Daniel Hess, 45, of Honaker, died June 3, 2003 at his home.
Born in Richlands, he was a son of the late Earl Curtis and Irene McGlothlin Hess.
He was a lifelong resident of the Honaker area and was a disabled coal miner.
Survivors: daughters, Melissa Musick and husband, Rodney, of Honaker, Christal Isaac of Statesville, NC; sisters, Carmie Peck, Gracie Baldwin and husband, Corbett, and Kay Ball and husband, Dave, all of Honaker; brother, Gerald Hess and wife, Trula, of Honaker; grandchildren, Rodney Alexander Musick, Trevor Ryan Musick, Tiffany Isaace, Tyler Hess, Amber Gobble and Damian Gobble; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted June 6 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel at Honaker with Rev. Kenneth Taylor and Rev. Claude Rose officiating.
Interment
followed in the Austin Cemetery at Council.
Vernal P. Hess
Vernal P. Hess, 83, of Tazewell, died June 7, 2003 at a Tazewell hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Red Ash, he was a son of William and Myrtle Hess, both Tazewell County natives.
He had made his home in the Tazewell area the past 31 years, was a retired coal miner and was of the Holiness faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Vada Hess; his second wife, Pricey Hess; one sister; and three brothers, Frank Hess, Ernie Hess and Doug Hess.
Survivors: daughter, Alice Dougherty of DeGraff, OH; son, Don L. Hess of Tazewell; companion, friend and caretaker for the past 15 years, Lilly Bell Elswick; sisters, Jean Pritts of Ocala, FL, Beatrice Osborne, address unknown; brother, Winifred S. Hess of St. Petersburg, FL; and four grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted June 10 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Jerry Casey officiating.
Interment
followed in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands.
Hunter T. Howard
Hunter Timothy Howard, infant son of Timothy Douglas and Christy Dawn O’Quinn Howard of Abingdon, died June 1, 2003 in a Bristol, TN, hospital.
Additional survivors: paternal grandparents, Franklin D. and Dianna Howard of Rowe; maternal grandparents, Buster and Jean O’Quinn of Bee; paternal great-grandmothers, Goldie Ball of Honaker, Mae Hess of Abingdon; and maternal great-grandparents, Clarsie Tiller and Vernie O’Quinn, both of Bee.
The funeral was conducted June 6 at 1 p.m. at the Solid Rock Baptist Church Cemetery in Abingdon with Rev. James Tiller and Rev. Bob Briggs officiating.
Honaker Funeral Home in Honaker was in charge of arrangements.
John “Dub” Hubbard
John Walter “Dub” Hubbard, 72, of Baptist Valley section of Pounding Mill, died June 8, 2003 in a Richlands hospital.
Born in Russell County, he was a son of the late Ronnie I. and Elizabeth Cox Hubbard.
He had spent most of his life in the area and was of the Free Will Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Johnny Hubbard; one grandson, Kyle Hubbard Jr.; three brothers; and four sisters.
Survivors: daughters, Reba Hale and husband, Larry, of Baptist Valley, Helen Ellis and husband, Darrell, of Aberdeen, MD, Carolyn Jackson and husband, Bill, of Thompson Valley; sons, Roger Hubbard and wife, Linda, of Lebanon, Kyle Hubbard and wife, Revonda, of Honaker, Archie Hubbard and wife, Donna, of Swords Creek; sister, Ruth Robinson of Duffield; brothers, Ralph Hubbard and Charles Hubbard, both of Lebanon, James Hubbard of Kingsport, TN, Bill Hubbard of Conover, NC; 15 grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted June 11 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Charlie McGlothlin, Rev. Miles Honaker and Rev. Clyde Lambert officiating.
Interment
followed in the Thompson Cemetery on Chestnut Ridge.
Dorothy N. Keen
Dorothy Nadine Breeding Keen, 62, of Davenport, died June 5, 2003 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Beulah May Elswick Breeding.
A lifelong resident of the Buchanan County area, she was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Roosevelt Breeding and Donald Breeding, and one sister, Jeanette Kosker.
Survivors: daughters, Deborah Compton of Abingdon, Emily Ball of Council; sons, Willie Keen of Abingdon, SPC David Keen with the United States Army stationed in Korea; grandchildren, Bridget Ball and Shannon Keen; sisters, Arbutis Knight and Beatrice Sanchez, both of Baltimore, MD, Romanda Glommen of Davenport; brothers, Ronald Breeding of Baltimore, MD, Charles Breeding of Birchleaf; and many loving nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted June 8 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Jim Huffman officiating.
Interment
followed in the Breeding Cemetery at Flat Hollow in Davenport.
Florence M. Laney
Florence Marie Laney, 82, of Cedar Bluff, died June 8, 2003 in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Ervin and Mary Hess.
She loved arts, crafts and sewing and worked at Crab Orchard Museum. She was a member of the Church of God Church at Baptist Valley.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Ervin Laney, and several brothers and sisters. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family in her generation.
Survivors: daughters, Malissa Steffey and husband, Burley, of Pounding Mill, Margaret Beavers of Supply, NC; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
The funeral was conducted June 11 at 2 p.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Mary Frances Beagley officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Pauline B. McGlothlin
Pauline B. McGlothlin, 64, of Tazewell, died June 7, 2003 at her home.
Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late William Henry (Bill) and Annie Dawson Keen.
She was a dispatcher for the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, former owner of Paul’s Restaurant and Jill’s Jiffy Mart of Grundy.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jarrell Lee (Dee) Cox and Jim Herndon; three brothers, Elder V. Keen, Airwood Keen and Perrie Keene; and one sister, Georgia Keen Farmer. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: sons, Jerry Lee Cox and Joyce and Matthew Timmy Herndon, all of Tazewell, Henry Mack Cox and Deborah of Grundy, Andrew Jimmy Herndon and Angela of Roanoke; daughter, Cantrena Jill McGlothlin and Teddy of Tazewell; special nephews, Ronald Keen of Breaks, Timothy Farmer of Abingdon; grandchildren, Alisha Stiltner, Jarrell Cox, Tyler Herndon, Joshua Cox, Lauren Cox, Taylor Herndon, Savanna Nelson and Tori Herndon; great-grandchild, Corey Alex Stiltner; several nieces and nephews; and Clayton McGlothlin of Prattville, AL.
The funeral was conducted June 10 at 1 p.m. at the Little Prater Church of Christ with Evangelist Michael Trent officiating.
Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
A service was conducted June 9 at the Virginia Funeral Home Chapel of Grundy at 7 p.m.
Betty Blevins Morefield
Betty Blevins Morefield, 73, of Tazewell, died June 6, 2003 at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, NC.
Born at Amonate, WV, she was a daughter of the late Allen and Betty Hogston Blevins.
She was a member of the Fincastle Baptist Church in Tazewell.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Hessie Farmer, Lessie Marrs, Viola Sims, and Ruth Starling; and three brothers, Bruce Blevins, Pat Blevins, and Bill Blevins.
Survivors: husband, James “Jack” Morefield; sons, James Robert Morefield and Michael Ray Morefield, both of Tazewell, Allen Jackson Morefield of Bluefield, WV; daughters, Brenda Morefield Turner of Bluefield, WV, Betsy Morefield Cash of Roanoke; sister, Elizabeth Blevins Roncaglione of Long Beach, CA; grandchildren, James William Joseph Morefield, Michael Ray Morefield, II, Wendy Dawn Morefield, James Corbin Ramey, Allan Jackson Morefield, II, Turner Jackson Cash, Cynthia Lynn Sheets, Patricia Dee Ann Lazakis and Allison Virginia Whittaker; and great-grandchildren, Benjamin Dustin Tripp and Haley Elizabeth Sheets.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. June 9 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Bill Wyrick and Danny Starling officiating.
Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
The family request in lieu of floral acknowledgments, memorial contributions be made to Fincastle Baptist Church, P.O. Box 202, Tazewell, VA 24651.
James “Blackie” Puckett, Sr.
James Melvin “Blackie” Puckett, Sr., 80, of Tazewell, died June 3, 2003 at his home.
Born in Tazewell County, he was a son of the late Ed and Kate Puckett.
He retired in 1985 from the Virginia Department of Transportation after 47 years of service. He attended the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Tazewell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ed Puckett and Charles Puckett; and four sisters, Gladys McGuire, Evelyn Davis, Ruth Puckett and Vicie Crigger.
Survivors: loving wife, Edna Ruth Puckett; son, James Melvin Puckett, Jr. and wife, Martha, of Lorton; daughters, Brenda Briggs and husband, Stu, of Port Orange, FL, Teresa Kim Smith and husband, David, of Tazewell; brother, Walker Puckett and wife, Belle, of Tazewell; sisters, Virginia Tatum and husband, Gaines, and Mary Hanner Tatum and husband, Sam, all of Richlands, Pauline Meade and husband, Johnny, of Wardell, Rose Tatum and husband, Joe, of Cedar Bluff, Nancy Ray of Tazewell; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted June 6 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell with the Rev. Jeff Black and the Rev. David Tennefoss officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Gary (Sach) Rowe
Gary (Sach) Rowe, 63, of Rowe, died June 3, 2003 at Clinch Valley Medical Center following a brief illness.
He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and the owner and operator of Gary Rowe Trucking.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Aldon and Gladys Rowe of Rowe, and two brothers, Ronnie Rowe of Rowe and Jim Rowe of Honaker.
Survivors: wife of 44 years, Jean Harp Rowe; son, Gary Wayne Rowe Jr. of Rowe; daughters Mrs. Terry (Penny) Baldwin of Oakwood, Mrs. Rex (Tammy) Miller of Bristol, VA; grandchildren, Amanda Baldwin, Matthew Baldwin, Amber Rowe and Dylan Miller; sisters, Geraldine Hale and Judy Nisich, both of Lanexa; and sister-in-law, Evelyn Rowe of Honaker.
The funeral was conducted June 5 at 1 p.m. in the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. Troy Lester officiating.
Burial followed at the Whitt Family Cemetery at Drill.
Services were conducted June 4 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Julia M. Sparks
Julia Michelle Sparks, 21, of Dungannon, formerly of Jewell Ridge, died June 3, 2003 at a Lebanon hospital from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident near Dungannon.
Born in Richlands, she was a daughter of Jeffery and Patricia Gibson Sparks of Bandy.
She had made her home in the Jewell Ridge area most of her life before moving to Dungannon three years ago. She was a 1999 Richlands High School Graduate and attended Southwest Virginia Community College.
Additional survivors: fiancé, David Jessee of Dungannon; brothers, Joshua Sparks and Jefferey Sparks II, both of the home; maternal grandmother, Georgia Gibson of Jewell Ridge; and paternal grandfather, Earmel Hassell Sparks of Thompson Valley.
The funeral was conducted June 6 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Bruce Mitchell officiating.
Interment
followed in the Stevenson Family Cemetery on Smith Ridge near Jewell Ridge.
Maggie V. Sparks
Maggie Virginia Sparks, 76, of Cedar Bluff, died June 8, 2003 in a Salem hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Marion Columbus and Laura Bell Gross Beavers, both Tazewell County natives.
She had made her home in the Baptist Valley area all of her life and was of the Holiness Faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clinton Thomas Sparks; two sons, Dennis Woodrow Sparks and wife, Betty, and Gary Wayne Sparks and wife, Shirley; three sisters, Pearl Beavers, Pauline Altizer and Mary Clemmons; two brothers, Lars Beavers and Paul Beavers; and one sister-in-law, Virginia Johnson Beavers.
Survivors: daughter, Judi Hale and husband, Rick, of Roanoke; sons, Clyde Eugene Sparks and wife, Mary, of Richlands, William Donald Sparks and wife, Norma, of Roanoke, Thomas Dean Sparks and wife, Nesta, of Winston-Salem, NC; sister, Bertha Beavers of Lebanon; brother, James Columbus Beavers of Salem; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted June 11 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands.
Entombment followed at the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Raymond H. Stinson
Raymond H. Stinson, 61, of Lebanon, died June 6, 2003 in a Lebanon hospital after an extended illness.
Born in Honaker, he was a son of the late Walker and Mamie Ray Stinson.
He was a lifelong resident of the Russell County area and of the Baptist faith. He was a lifelong coal miner and former employee of Clinchfield Coal Company. He was retired from Jewel Coal and Coke Company and a member of the UMWA Local 1256.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded by one son, Raymond H. Stinson Jr., and one sister, Edith Lell.
Survivors: wife, Mary Lou Stinson; daughter, Shanta L. Stinson of Bristol, VA; brothers, Billy M. Stinson of Bristol, Jerry L. Stinson Sr. of Lebanon; sister, Carol S. Ball of Honaker; several in-laws, Jessie Childress of Lebanon, Jim and Nancy Childress of Honaker, Willis and Evelyn Childress of Michigan, Jessie and Joan Slaughter; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
The funeral was conducted June 9 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel at Honaker with Rev. Chris Musick officiating.
Interment
followed in the Lockhart Chapel Cemetery at Honaker.
Beulah W. Whited
Beulah Wyatt Whited, 81, of Roanoke, formerly of Richlands, died June 8, 2003 in a Salem hospital following a brief illness.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands.
Hazel Lee Wright
Hazel Lee Wright, 84, of Bishop, died June 7, 2003 at Tazewell Community Hospital following a short illness.
Born in Wise County, she was a daughter of the late Presley and Cynthia Roberson Mitchell.
She was a lifelong resident of Bishop. She and her first husband, Willie Wright, were always willing to open their home to help others through this life.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Willie Wright; one daughter, Phyllis Ray; and six sons, Bud Wright, Cecil Wright, Roger Wright, David Wright, Jimmy Wright and Vernon Wright. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: daughters, Juanita Baldwin of Bluefield, VA, Linda Sawyers of Horsepen; sons, Willie (Bob) Wright, Jr. of Bishop, Ronnie Wright of Dublin, Doug Wright of Staunton; 24 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted June 10 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Chuck Patterson officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Ruth H. Yost
Ruth Harris Yost, 81, of Lumberton, NC, died June 8, 2003 at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton.
Survivors: son, Ed Yost of Lumberton; sisters, Faye Reed of Springfield, Beulah Hagy of Portsmouth; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were conducted June 11 at 3 p.m. at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem.
Floyd Mortuary and Crematory, Inc. of Lumberton was in charge of arrangements.
Charles E. Anderson
Charles Edward Anderson, 65, of Bishop, died at his home Sept. 24, 2005 following a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of Wanda Lee Stevenson Anderson of Bishop and the late Claude Earl Anderson.
He had made his home in the Bishop area most of his life. He was a retired disabled coal miner and a retired employee of Tazewell County Fire Department.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Violet Geneva Reedy Anderson; one sister, Ruby Jean Mitchell; two brothers, George Sherman Stevenson and Richard Wayne Anderson.
Survivors: daughters, Tina Gail Allison and husband, William C. Allison II, of North Tazewell, Angela Jeanette Gills of Bishop; sister, Claudette Scammell of Baptist Valley; brother, Paul Leon Anderson of Lebanon; grandchildren, Ethan Corey Allison, Austin Scott Allison, Adam Chandler Allison, Timothy Shane Gills, and Destiny Leann Smith; and god children, Saleana Roberts and Jimmy Roberts.
Graveside services were conducted Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill with the Rev. Jody Bishop officiating.
Interment
followed.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.
Bane F. Asbury Jr.
Bane Forest Asbury Jr., 71, of Milford, formerly of Baltimore, MD, died Sept. 17, 2005 at his home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bane Sr. and Rebecca Asbury, and two sisters.
Survivors: wife, Dorothy Asbury; daughters, Deborah Ervin and husband, Earl, of Milford, Teresa Asbury and Mary Holtzner and husband, James, all of Maryland; sons, Bane Asbury III and wife, Lyn, Michael Asbury and wife, Sandra, and Christopher Asbury, all of Maryland; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; numerous friends, nieces and nephews; brothers, Walter Messer and Newton Asbury, both of Tazewell; and sisters, Violet Baxter of Ohio, Maria Talbert of Martinsville, Estelle Tinsley, Mary Dove Cornwell, Ernestine Dickens and Cosby Totten, all of Tazewell.
A memorial service is planned at Calvary Baptist Church in Bowling Green, Va. Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.
The Free Lance Star, Fredericksburg.
Albert J. Bostic
Albert J. Bostic, 74, of Loudonville, OH, died unexpectedly Sept. 23, 2005, at his home.
Born Aug. 26, 1931 in Russell County, he was the son of the late Stallard and Alafair (Dye) Bostic.
He was a US Army veteran of the Korean War, and was a resident of Loudonville the past 40 years, coming from Chicago, growing up in Virginia. He was a 29-year employee of The Flxible Company, retiring in 1994, also working 18 years at Downtown Shell, Loudonville. He was the retired owner of Bostic Auto Sales for 10 years. He was a member of Hanover Lodge #115 F&AM, King Cyrus Chapter #207 RAM, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus, and was a Life member of Loudon Post 257 American Legion. He loved watching the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians, and being “retired” and sitting on his front porch watching life go by.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Albert Jr. and Duanne Bostic; one sister, Bea Jackson; and two brothers, Herman and Hurl Bostic.
Survivors: wife, Lillie Phillips Bostic, whom he married Dec. 6, 1954 in Lebanon; daughters Debra (David) Thomas and Rhonda (Luster “Mac”) McDonald, all of Loudonville, Sandra (Rick) Morrison of New Philadelphia, Darlene Haun of Marshallville; grandchildren, Jackson Haun, Waylon Ream, Cassiana Wigton, and Noah Thomas; six step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild; 10 step-great-grandchildren; three brothers, Thurmond (Jeanette) Bostic, Earl Bostic, and Arnold (Judy) Bostic, all of Virginia; sisters, Thelma (Clide) Vance, Mabel Reedy, Myrtle Hess, Alma Gaye Byrd, and Betty (Bob) Salyers, all of Virginia; and brother and sisters-in-law, Frank and Shirley Phillips of Virginia, and Shelbie Phillips of Newark, OH.
The funeral will be held Sept. 28 at 11 a.m. in Byerly-Lindsey Funeral Home, Loudonville, with Glenn Hurdle officiating.
Burial, with military services conducted by the American Legion and the VFW, will be in Workman Cemetery, Danville.
Friends called Sept. 27 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. where Hanover Lodge conducted Masonic services at 7:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Fund, c/o Hanover Lodge, 218 West Main Street, Loudonville, OH 44842.
Rev. Elmer A. Church
Rev. Elmer A. Church, 87, of Abingdon, went to be with the Lord in his heavenly home Sept. 24, 2005.
He was born Jan. 24, 1918 in Buchanan County, where he was raised and had resided in Abingdon since 1980.
He retired from N&W Railroad in 1980, after 36 years of service. He was of the Old Regular Baptist faith and was a faithful and devoted servant of God for 70 years of his life. He was a member of the Little Freedom Church at Deskins. During his walk of life with God, he served as moderator to many churches and at the time of his death was moderator of the Mountain Liberty Association of Churches.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Campbell and Polly Church; his loving wife, Tonnie Church; one infant daughter, Tonnie Marie Church; two sons, Elmer “June” Church, Jr. and William L. Church; two sisters, Ola Blackburn and Pearl Church; and one brother, Robert Church.
He is survived by his second wife, Opal. Left to mourn his loss are daughters, Mary Colley and husband, Roy, of Marion, Margie Buchanan and husband, Harold, of Roanoke, Polly Church of Abingdon, Lillian “Jackie” Colley and husband, Lee, of Cedar Bluff, Becky Robinson and husband, Terry, of Castlewood; daughter-in-law, Clara Church of Jonesboro, TN. Also survived by six stepchildren, several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Also left to mourn are grandchildren, Nina Lackey, Charlie Church, Tim Gearhart, Greg Gearhart, Melissa Buchanan, Christopher Church, Caitlin Robinson, Ethan Robinson; and eight great grandchildren. As well as one brother, Kimer J. Church of Abingdon and sisters, Ethel Stuart of NE Maryland, Louise Goodman of Roseville, MI, Helen Holbrook of Abingdon, Violet Stacey of Grundy and a host of nieces, nephews and friends, too numerous to count.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens) with Wayne Hall, Annion Cole, Benny Dales, Mitchell Arnett, Hershell Wright, Thomas Thacker, Bob Fields, Jackie Church and Jerry Matney officiating.
Interment
followed in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
A brief service was held Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
Ellen Compton
Ellen Compton, 91, of Rosedale, died Sept. 24, 2005 at her home.
Born June 15, 1914 in Saltville, she was a daughter of the late William and Mary Anderson Johnson.
She had spent most of her life in the area and was a member of the Little Prater Church of Christ.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Compton; three daughters, Marie Compton, Wilma Street, and Doris Lester; one son, Walter Compton; one son-in-law, Roger Lester; five brothers; and four sisters.
Survivors: daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Bob Cline of Rosedale; sons and daughters-in-law, Raymond and Theadosia of Conway, SC, Tony and Susie Compton of Lebanon; son-in-law, Chester Street and wife, Patty, of Lebanon; daughter-in-law, Ruth McClanahan and husband, Holiday, of Abingdon; brother, Clayton Johnson of Rowe; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Troy Lester, Evangelist Mike Trent, and Evangelist Dennis Wimmer officiating.
Interment
followed in the Compton Cemetery at Flat Rock.
Lorene Crabtree
Lorene Crabtree, 62, of Honaker, died Sept. 24, 2005 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born July 4, 1943 in Cleveland, she was a daughter of the late Roy E. and Ida Smith.
A lifelong resident of the area, she was a member of Bethany Baptist Church in Honaker. She formerly owned and operated Crabtree Real Estate.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Scott Smith and Willis Smith.
Survivors: husband of 46 years, Bob Crabtree; daughters, Diane McDevitt and husband, Pat, of Charlotte, NC, Penny Cornell and husband, Joe, of Myrtle Beach, SC; sons, Lloyd Crabtree and wife, Renee, of Honaker, Matthew Crabtree and wife, Jamie, of Simpsonville, SC; sisters, Nina Martin of Abingdon, Shirley Goddard of Pikeville, KY, Anna Greer of Banner Elk, NC, Wilma Noviello of Hayes; brother, Gerald Smith of Pikeville, KY; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Memorial services were conducted Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Bethany Baptist Church in Honaker with Rev. Vonley Pruitt officiating.
Entombment was private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Bethany Baptist Church, P.O. Box 532, Honaker, VA 24260.
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Larry Alan Crigger
Larry Alan Crigger, 51, of Tazewell, died Sept. 23, 2005 at a Tazewell hospital following a brief illness.
Born at Bluefield, WV, he was a son of Virginia Owens Crigger of Tazewell and the late Clarence Leslie Crigger.
He had made his home in Tazewell County all his life. He was a self employed welder. He was a 1973 graduate of Marion High School and attended CUC College of Tacoma, Washington. He was a member of the Seven Day Advent Church.
Additional survivors: sister, Sheilah Dotson and husband, David, of Bluefield, WV; brothers, Don R. Crigger and wife, Jo Ann, of Princeton, WV, Gary D. Crigger of Richlands, Tobi Crigger and wife, Janet, of Tazewell; good friend, Teresa Mabe of Richlands; and a host of nephews, nieces, uncles and aunts.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell with Pastor David Byrkit officiating.
Interment
followed at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA.
James Clarence Gross
James Clarence Gross, 81, of Richlands, died Sept. 24, 2005 in a Tazewell hospital following a long illness.
Born in McDowell, WV, he was the son of the late Brooks and Mary Hammons Gross.
He retired from Virginia Department of Highways in 1984.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ernest Gross, Henry Gross and Luther Gross; and one sister, Bertha Gross.
Survivors: wife of 50 years, Annie Smith Gross; daughter, Naomi Puckett and husband, Randy, of Richlands; step-daughters, Delores Jordan and husband, Tom, of Gaithersburg, MD, Effie Hicks and husband, Ken, of Richlands; granddaughter, Miranda Lee Puckett; 12 step-grandchildren; several step-great grandchildren; nieces, Nancy Addison and Barbara Addison; nephew, Allen Gross; and a special care giver Tonya Mitchell.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. from the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel with Elder Ronnie Beavers officiating.
Interment
followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens.
Ernie Marie Jarrells
Ernie Marie Presley Sluss Jarrells, 80, of the Mudfork area of Bluefield, VA, died Sept. 21, 2005 at her home.
Born May 11, 1925 in Gary, WV, she was a daughter of the late Crockett and Jennie Rose Presley.
She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was courageous and hardworking. Through her strength she taught us love.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank (Bud) Sluss; second husband, Mack Jarrells; one son, Frank Allen Sluss; two sisters, Cordie Akers, and Dorothy Jarrells; two brothers, Dan Presley and Vince Day; and three sons-in-law, Fred Hamby, Jessie Fuller and David Burkett.
Survivors: daughters, Judy Sluss Fuller of Cedar Bluff, Beulah Sluss Hamby and Murv Wickham of Evansdale, IA, Ronda Sluss Sheppard and husband, Tommy, of Abbs Valley, Wanda Sluss Burkett of Bluefield-Tazewell Road, Diane Duncan Helmandollar and husband, Danny, of Tazewell; son-in-law, Tim Duncan of North Tazewell; brother, Benton Presley of South Carolina; grandchildren, Tangela Hamby Jensen and husband, Jim, Steve Hamby, Terry Fuller and wife, Rhonda, Donna Fuller, Susan Johnson and husband, Craig, Jimmy Fuller and wife, Andrea, Scott Burkett and wife, Heather, Todd Burkett, Tara Burkett and husband, Justin, Jennifer Rose Sheppard, and Mason Duncan; great grandchildren, Christopher Hamby, Brad Fuller, Benjamin Fuller, Rachel Fuller, Levi Johnson, Ethan Burkett, Paige, Erin, and Scotty Burkett Brinkley; special friends, Jeff Glass of Bluefield-Tazewell Road, Georgia Householder of Tazewell; special caregiver, Louise Harrison; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Johnny Elmore officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Bobby Lee Jennings
Bobby Lee Jennings, 67, of North Tazewell, went to be with our Father in heaven Sept. 21, 2005 at the Beckley Veterans Administration Medical Center surrounded by his family.
Born Nov. 19, 1937 in Tazewell County, he was the son of Pearl Lester Jennings Simons of North Tazewell and the late Franklin Leonard Jennings.
He was a graduate of Tazewell High School, Chaffee Junior College, Upland, CA; ETOPS Course Delta Air Lines, US Army School Fort Gordon; License: First Class Radio Telephone # P.C. 66276. He was a supervisor of Mechanics for Capitol International Airlines Europe and African Warehouse and retired from Lockheed in Marietta, GA.
Additional survivors: sisters and brothers-in-law, Phyllis Hurd and husband, Everett, of North Tazewell, Agnes Dotson and husband, Bennie, of Knoxville, TN, Freda Thompson and husband, Fred, of Tazewell; several nieces, grandnieces, grandnephews; and two great grandnephews.
Graveside services were conducted Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. at Browns Chapel Cemetery, Mudfork Road, North Tazewell, with the Rev. Jay C. Johnson officiating.
Military graveside rites were conducted by members of the American Honor Guard Association.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Larry Scott Keen
Larry Scott Keen, 33, of Speedwell, died Sept. 11, 2005 at the Claiborne County Medical Center.
He was a member of the Powell Valley Church of Christ. He was employed by the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist, a licensed real estate agent and cross country truck driver. He was a member of the 278th National Guard in Tazewell.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Clarence E. Keen Sr. and Paul David Taylor; aunt, Tammy Givens; uncle, Bobby and Darryl Taylor and Clarence E. Keen, Jr.
Survivors: father and stepmother, Larry Blaine and Shirley Keen of Speedwell; mother and stepfather, Teresa and John Walton of Tallassee, FL; sisters, Melody Huddleston of Sevierville, Stephanie Thompson of Clinton, Shelby Kirby of LaFollette; brothers, Gabriel Whitt of Carrollton, GA, Eric Hubble of Knoxville; grandmothers, Beatrice Keen of Speedwell, Barbara Lewis of Jewell Ridge; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Martin Wilson Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Roberts officiating.
Interment
followed in Powell Valley Memorial Gardens.
Brenda Killen
Brenda Killen, 56, of Church Road, VA, formerly of Richlands, went home to Heaven early Saturday morning, Sept. 25, 2005, with her loving family by her side at her home following a brief illness.
Born in Jewell Ridge, she was the daughter of Edna M. Gilliam Smith of Cedar Bluff and the late Walter M. Short.
She had made her home in Church Road for the past 23 years and was a Richlands High School Class of 1967 graduate.
Additional survivors: husband, Franklin C. Killen; daughter, Angela Killen Downing and husband, Andy, of Chester; son, Nicholas Ivan Killen and wife, Brittney, of Church Road; sisters, Sheree Davis and husband, Mike, of Swords Creek, Tina Robinson and husband, Jeff, of Bluefield, VA; brothers, Tom Short and wife, Carolyn, and Rick Short and wife, Tanja, all of Jewell Ridge; favorite nephew, Keith Helbert and wife, Pam; special friends and caregivers, Crater Community Hospice; and grandchildren, Danielle Downing and Drew Downing.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Mickey Hale officiating.
Interment
followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
William “Spider” Kinder
William Pierce “Spider” Kinder, 80, of Tazewell, died Sept. 22, 2005 at his home.
Born Jan. 5, 1925 in Thompson Valley, he was a son of the late James Melvin Kinder and Georgia Pearl Puckett Kinder.
He was a life member of the Falls Mills Fishing Club. He enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest each day. He loved nature and was an avid outdoorsman, spending most days either hunting or fishing. He also kept a garden when his health allowed him and he enjoyed picking blackberries and collecting Ginseng. He was known in many fishing communities from North to South, and East to West. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and many wonderful friends.
Survivors: brothers, Herbert Kinder and wife, Virginia, and Ralph Kinder and wife, Dorothy, all of Tazewell, James “J.N.” Kinder and wife, Mary Ann, of Waynesboro; nieces, Nancy Carol White and husband, Sam, of North Tazewell, with whom he had made his home, Patricia Beavers and husband, Brent, of Tazewell, Tiffany Davis and husband, Seth, of Waynesboro, Cindy Hall and husband, David, of Ellington, CT; nephews, Michael Kinder and wife, Sue, of Baptist Valley, David Kinder and wife, Anita, of North Tazewell, Marc Kinder and wife, Joanne, of Staunton; several great nieces and nephews; two great-great nephews; many special friends and hunting and fishing buddies.
Graveside services were conducted Sept. 25 at 3 p.m. at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, VA with the Rev. Chris White officiating.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
