Robert Lawson, Jr.
Robert Eugene Lawson, Jr., 51, of Richlands, went to be with the Lord Sept. 22, 2005 in a Bristol, TN, hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Robert Eugene and Evelyn Gaynelle Jamison Lawson, Sr., both Richlands natives.
He had made his home in the Richlands area all of his life and was a disabled coal miner. He was a Richlands High School Class of 1973 graduate and a member of UMWA Local #6843 and Moose Lodge #907. He was a member of the Bibleway Church of God in Raven.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three daughters, Devivian Patty Bernice Lawson, Darrenisha Rayne Lawson, and Tammy Jane Lawson; one brother, Matthew Lawson; father-in-law, Donald McCowan; and sister-in-law, Tammy McCowan Dowdy.
Survivors: wife, Janet McCowan Lawson; sons, Robert E. Lawson, III and fiancée, Cassie, of Richlands, Patrick Lawson of the home; brothers, Michael Lawson and wife, Wanda, of Florida, Leonard Lawson and wife, Sue, of Richlands, Dennis Lawson and wife, Jarikka, of Mt. Vernon, OH; mother-in-law, Mildred Joanne McCowan of Doran; one arriving granddaughter, Brianna Jade Lawson; step granddaughter, Karrah Brooke Lawson; and two god children, Timberly and Timothy McCowan.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Dannie Short officiating.
Interment
followed at Hankins Cemetery in Richlands.
Bonnie Lou Peck
Bonnie Lou Peck, 52, of King William, and her husband, Rev. Carlos Peck died Sept. 17, 2005 from injuries obtained in an automobile accident.
Born in Richlands, she was a daughter of Betsy Jane Musick and the late Marvin Musick, formerly of Swords Creek.
A resident of King William County, she worked as a secretary for the family’s landscaping business and her husband’s ministry.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one brother, James Musick.
Additional survivors: sons, Shawn Peck and wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Sarah, of Goochland, Tony Peck and wife, Elizabeth, and their children, Savannah and Austin of Aylett, Keith Peck and Craig Peck, both of Glen Allen; five sisters and eight brothers, Harold Reynolds of Swords Creek, Opal Marie Patrick and husband, Bobby, of Hansonville, Shirley Ann Peck and husband, Clarence, of Tazewell, Nora Gay Jones and Randy Glovier of Kansas, Eula Mae Peck and husband, Estil, of Honaker, George Marvin Musick and wife, Linda, of Drill, Sherman Lee Musick and wife, Lisa, Lacey Jay Musick and wife, Linda, Danny Joe Musick and wife, Deana, and Jesse Ray Musick and wife, Angela, Stanley Clifford Musick and wife, Patricia and Dennis Wayne Musick, all of Honaker, Thelma Jane Ball and husband, Wayne, of Belfast; and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 24 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Robert Faulke of North Kingsville, OH officiating.
Interment
followed in the Reynolds Family Cemetery on Kent’s Ridge.
Margaret St. Clair Moore Ripley
Margaret St.Clair Moore Ripley, 71, of Morristown, NJ, formerly of Bluefield, WV, died Sept. 21, 2005 in Madison, NJ.
A memorial service will be conducted Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bluefield.
A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at the Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
The family will receive friends from 6 - 9 p.m. Sept. 30 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell.
Edna (Indian) Peery Smith
Edna (Indian) Peery Smith, 96, of Raleigh, NC, died Aug. 4, 2005 in Wellington Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Knightdale, NC.
Born March 23, 1909 in the Mud Fork area of Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Rufus Brittain Peery (1855-1937) and Laura Tiffany Peery (1877-1926).
She began her education at the Mud Fork one-room school near Harmon’s Chapel, where the family attended church. When the family moved to Tip Top, she continued her education and attended Alexander Methodist Church in Tip Top where her cousin Houston Tiffany was pastor. By 1920, the family lived in Thompson Valley and Edna continued her education in Tazewell while attending Pleasant Hill Methodist Church. After moving to Bluefield, VA, she lived with her sister, Mrs. Wade (Virginia) Bane and attended Tazewell County High School.
She completed her high school education at Genoa High School in Mercer County, WV. She attended Morristown College in Tennessee where she was a member of the debate team and basketball team. In 1941, she married Oliver Lucian Smith and from that union was born Sevealyn Smith. She was a resident of Bluefield, WV, for approximately 60 years during which time she was employed in various professions including home childcare, practical nurse, housekeeper and cook extraordinaire. She retired from cooking at the YM & YWCA in 1973. She was a member of John Stewart United Methodist Church and also served on local boards including Bluefield City Library, Mercer County Head Start Program and APPALRED Legal Services of West Virginia.
She enjoyed taking care of children and for nearly 70 years helped approximately 200 children both privately as well as through the West Virginia Social Services spanning three generations. Beginning in 1969, a special son, James Cole, helped her with the children.
In 1988, she moved to Raleigh, NC to join her daughter, Sevealyn, and brought with her Jim as well as Lolita Steptoe, Glenda Smith and Linda Henderson whom she raised until they were adults. She continued to assist local families by babysitting children. She retired from taking care of children and cooking at age 94. She enjoyed spending time with the students, faculty and staff at Saint Augustine’s College. She supported many of the college activities through her attendance to visual and performing arts programs and commencements over the past 23 years. When the Falcon football returned, she went to every home game until her health declined.
Besides her parents, her husband and 20 siblings preceded her in death; the most recent of whom were Roosevelt, Bob, and Rosalind Peery of Tazewell, and Ella Taylor of Bluefield, VA.
In addition to the surviving children mentioned above, is a son, Matt Young of Newport News. Also surviving are nieces, Faye Peery Stout of Tazewell, and Ruth “Tiny” Bane Allen of Cleveland, OH; nephews, Lucian Peery of Tazewell, Reece Peery of Hudson, OH, and Luther Peery of Cleveland, OH; a host of foster children, grandchildren as well as many wonderful friends.
A memorial service was held at John Stewart United Methodist Church in Bluefield, WV, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.
Capital Funeral Home and Cremation Society of the Carolinas in Raleigh was in charge of arrangements.
Pauline Nash Taylor
Pauline Nash Taylor, 81, of the Nash’s Ford section of Honaker, died Sept. 21, 2005 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born April 30, 1924 in Russell County, she was a daughter of the late William and Minnie Pearl Litton Nash.
A lifelong resident of the Nash’s Ford area, she attended Finney Baptist Church and was formerly employed as a seamstress at Russell Manufacturing. Prior to her own illness, she spent several years as a caregiver to others.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hobert Taylor, and one brother, Otis Nash.
Survivors: daughter, Wanda Hilton of Lebanon; grandsons, Michael Lynn Hilton and his wife, Ava, of Rosedale, Matthew Donald Hilton of Honaker; great-grandson, Hartley Cole Hilton; great-granddaughter, Halle Jade Hilton; special friends, Mary Ann Ray and Judy Honaker; and a special cousin, Pam Richardson.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Aaron Feeser, Rev. Stephen Musick and Rev. Chris Musick officiating.
Interment
followed in the Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Mary (Susie) Adkins
Mary Elizabeth (Susie) Adkins, 54, of Raven, died Oct. 9, 2005 in a Richlands hospital.
Born in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of the late Gaines and Sarah Simmons Osborne.
She was of the Pentecostal Holiness Faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Debbie Osborne and Doris Osborne, and two brothers, Curtis Osborne and Pete Osborne.
Survivors: husband of 39 years, Jim Adkins; son, John Adkins and wife, Kathy, of Cedar Bluff; daughters, Linda (Baby) Adkins of Dry Fork, Angela Brown and husband, Denver, of the home; sisters, Linda Adkins and husband, Bobby, of Cedar Bluff, Betty Davis and husband, Buster, of Swords Creek, Madiline Davis and husband, Lewis, and Patty Sue Osborne, all of Richmond; brothers, James Osborne, Tommy Osborne and Johnny Osborne, all of Richmond; and grandchildren, Kim Smith, Kayla Smith, Leigha Adkins, James Montainge, Deligha Montainge, Joseph William Woods, Lana Davis and Dee Brown.
The funeral will be conducted Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Pastor Barry Absher officiating.
Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Paul Elden Baldwin
Paul Elden Baldwin, 59, of Cedar Bluff, died Oct. 7, 2005 in a Richlands hospital following a long illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Cecil and Agnes Goins Baldwin.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Ellis Baldwin, and one sister, Ruth Shrader. He was of the Holiness faith and was retired from Jewell Smokeless Coal Corp.
Survivors: wife, Glenda Thacker Baldwin; daughters, Paula Adams and husband, Stanley, of Swords Creek, Judy Coleman and husband, David, of Haysi, Jeanette Boyd and husband, Matt, of Vansant; sons, Pete Church and wife, Peggy, of Raven, Roy Church and wife, Phyllis, of Brumley Gap, Rodney Stumbo of Vansant; sisters, Frances Smith of Richlands, Carolyn Tibbs of Oakwood; and grandchildren, Amanda Adams, Coty Adams, Tyler Adams, Zachery Adams, Michael Church, Keisha Church, Tamara Hubbard, Matthew Coleman and Travis Boyd.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. from the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with the Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. James Hale officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
The family received friends at the funeral home Oct. 9 and 10 from 6-9 p.m. with a service at 7 p.m. Oct. 10.
Eura E. Boyd
Eura E. Boyd, 90, of Davenport, died Oct. 7, 2005 in a Grundy hospital.
Born Oct. 2, 1915, she was a daughter of the late Ezekiel and Mahalia Lester Boyd.
A lifelong resident of the area, she was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, three sisters and several nieces and nephews. In her generation she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include four generations of nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. Denver Barton officiating.
Interment
followed in the Boyd Cemetery at Davenport.
Hillard E. Clevinger, Sr.
Hillard Everett Clevinger, Sr., 83, of Maxie, died Oct. 3, 2005 in Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN, following a brief illness.
He was proud of his service in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater of Operations. He served in the 86th Blackhawk Division where he earned the American Theater Service Medal; EAME Service Medal with Bronze Service Star; Asiatic Pacific Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
He was an employee of Harman Mining Company for 41 years. He was a member of the 86th Blackhawk Association, Life member of the American Legion Post 164 of Grundy and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7360, DAV Chapter 59.
He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends
He was preceded in death by one young son, Johnny Allen Clevinger in 1953, and his eldest son, Hillard Everett Clevinger, Jr., on July 29, 2005; one grandson, Terry Dean Clevinger in 1995; his parents, Lewis A. and Gracey Stiltner Clevinger; his father and mother in-law, Allen Fletcher and Ethel Smith Hale; sisters, Ruth Marie, LK, Sarah and Pauline; and brothers, James, Louie, Blake and Emil.
Survivors: his devoted wife of 62-years, Hazel Hale Clevinger; daughter, Theresa Wells and husband, Dennis, of Sugar Hill GA; sons, Leslie J. Clevinger and wife, Betty, of Pounding Mill, Roger A. Clevinger and wife, Sharon, of Lebanon, Terry G. Clevinger and wife, Anita, of Maxie; grandchildren, James E. Clevinger, Jimmy A. Clevinger, Andrea Capps May, Angela Nicole Watkins, Kathy Jo Clevinger and Victoria Gray Clevinger; great-granddaughters, Chris Rhodes, Savannah and Laurel May; sister, Madge Bennett; brothers, Sidney and Grady Clevinger, all of Maxie; several nieces and nephews; three brothers-in-laws; and two sisters-in-law.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Danny Smith officiating.
Burial followed in the Clevinger Family Cemetery, Harman.
Services were conducted by Evg. Michael Trent Oct. 5 at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Full military rites were conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
Christina Marie Griffith
Christina Marie Griffith, 18, of North Tazewell, died Oct. 6, 2005 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born June 11, 1987 in Prince George County, MD, she was a daughter of Tommy Kelly Griffith of Tazewell and Linda Kohne of Bethesda, MD.
She was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Ralph Kohne.
Additional survivors: her stepmother, Amanda Griffith; paternal grandparents, Mike and Katherine Griffith of Tazewell; maternal grandmother, Carol Kohne of Maryland; brother, Tommy Kelly Griffith, Jr. and step brother, Brandon Wade Lowe, both of Tazewell; sisters, Holly Griffith, Ella Griffith, Brittany Griffith, Michaela Griffith and step sister, Savannah Lowe, all of Tazewell; aunt, who was also one of her caregivers, Stella Griffith of Tazewell; uncles, David Griffith, Donny Griffith and Ronnie Griffith, all of Tazewell, Larry Griffith of Ft. Myers, FL; special cousins, Cody Griffith and Zach Mullins; and special great uncle, Bobby Griffith of Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Pastor Mark Hinson officiating.
Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Peggy Ann Guy
Peggy Ann Guy, 72, of North Tazewell, died Oct. 4, 2005 at her home.
Born Nov. 20, 1932 in Tazewell, she was a daughter of the late Roy Lee Wynn and Irene Sawyers Wynn.
She was formerly employed as a Telephone Operator with General Telephone and an avid crafter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Elsie Wynn.
Survivors: sons, Jerry Lee Guillemette and Glen Allen Guillemette; sisters, Nancy Brown and husband, Roy K. Brown, of North Tazewell, Maria Louise Gray of Michigan; two grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Corine Angles of North Tazewell.
There was no visitation or services. Burial was private.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
William “Bill” Kitts
William Jones “Bill” Kitts, 72, of the Lynn Springs section of Swords Creek, died Oct. 6, 2005 at his home.
Born Dec. 8, 1932 in Richlands, he was a son of the late Orville Odell and Eskie Mary Mounds Kitts.
He had spent most of his life in the Russell County area and was a member of Ivy Springs Baptist Church. He was a retired drill operator for HC Bostic Coal Company at Swords Creek.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Laura “Sis” Kitts and Betty Rimmer, and one granddaughter, Rhonda Vance.
Survivors: wife of 48 years, Violet Virginia Spencer Kitts; daughters, Patricia Groce, Ellen Vance and husband, Shaun, and Susan Bond and husband, Carles Bond, Jr., all of Swords Creek, Kathy Kitts of Honaker; son, Douglas Kitts and wife, Tammy, of Honaker; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Stancil of King George; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Phillip Cook, Rev. Tommy Dye, Rev. David Perkins and Rev. Ellis Whited officiating.
Interment
followed in the Hess Cemetery at Hess Creek.
James “Tony” Parks
James Anthony “Tony” Parks, 49, of Richlands, died Oct. 5, 2005 at a Roanoke hospital.
He was a son of Stella W. Parks of Paintlick and the late Zelia Columbus Parks.
He was a lifelong resident of the Richlands area and was a former welder at Taylor Hydraulics. He was of the Holiness Faith and attended the Richlands Tabernacle.
Additional survivors: sisters, Ruby Arwood and husband, Ron, of Paintlick, Jean Robinson and husband, Karl, of Lexington, NC, Opal Elswick and husband, Jim, of Raven, Joyce Short and husband, Jason, of Pounding Mill, Patsy (Pat) Coleman and husband, Ron, of Steelesburg; brothers, Raymond M. Parks of Seattle, WA, Dr. Calvin H. Parks and wife, Melba, of Fayetteville, TN, Bobby Lee Parks and wife, Debbie, of Richlands, Danny C. (Donnie) Parks and wife, Rhonda, of Pounding Mill; special nephew, Paul Parks of Richlands; and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Ralph Horton and Rev. Dannie Short officiating.
Interment
followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Beulah “Obbie” Reynolds
Beulah L. “Obbie” Reynolds, 72, of Belfast, died Oct. 8, 2005 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born March 3, 1933, she was a daughter of the late Rob and Carrie Blankenship Lester.
A lifelong resident of the area, she was of the Pentecostal faith and a member of Calvary Temple in Richlands. She was a homemaker, loving mother, grandmother and friend to many.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Shade Reynolds; five sisters, Ruth Marshall, Mattie Marshall, Mae Helbert, Dellie Lester and Eula “Sissy” Whited; two brothers, Ollie Lester and Walker Lester; and two grandchildren, Ronnie Wayne Shelton and Jessie Reynolds.
Survivors: children, Steve Reynolds and wife, Teresa, of Raven, David Reynolds and wife, Ellen, and Raymond Reynolds and wife, Judy, all of Lebanon, Carl Reynolds and wife, Madeline, Claude Reynolds, Gladys Shelton and husband, Melvin, and Clifford Reynolds and wife, Emma, all of Belfast, Charlie Reynolds and wife, Phyllis, of Keen Mountain; brother, Raleigh Bud Lester of Clifton Farms; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dannie Short and Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating.
Interment
will follow in the Reynolds Cemetery on Kent’s Ridge.
Lincous Smith
Lincous Smith, 76, of Rowe, died Oct. 3, 2005 in Russell County Medical Center at Lebanon.
Born Jan. 18, 1929 in Rowe, he was a son of the late Johnson and Catherine Blankenship Smith.
A World War II veteran, he had served in United States Marine Corps as a rifleman in Korea. He was a member of the VFW and of the Pentecostal faith. Due to declining health, he moved from his home in Ohio to Rowe in 2003 to live near his son Benny and wife, Susan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three wives, Uller Bea Arwood Smith, Gladys Vadin Smith, and Muriel Smith; one son, Darrell Smith; four sisters, Eula Mae Hoffman, Betty Wilmouth, Geraldine Lester, and Vadie Okla Bowles; and four brothers, Berton Smith, Emory Smith, Lee Smith, and Earl Smith.
Survivors: sons, Benny Smith and wife, Susan, of Rowe, Lincous Smith, Jr. and wife, Bonnie, of Walkertown, NC; daughters, Vina Swope of Thomasville, NC, Sherry Wells and husband, Kenneth, of Greensboro, NC; sisters, Mrs. I.L. (Gladys) Wilmouth of Greensboro, Mrs. Earnest (Lois) Nuckles of Honaker, Mrs. Bradley (Linda Sue) Musick of Cleveland; brothers, J.C. Smith of Rowe, Carl Smith of Swords Creek; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. Leonard Meadows officiating.
Interment
followed in Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery at Richlands.
Military honors were conducted by American Veteran’s Honor Guard Association of Richlands.
Roger Lee Vandyke
Roger Lee Vandyke, 66, of Canebrake, WV, died Oct. 4, 2005 at a Bluefield, WV, hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Edward L. and Amanda Elizabeth Earls Vandyke, both Canebrake natives.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Susie May Vandyke.
Survivors: sister, Juanita Ruth Adkins of Bandy; nephew, Larry Horton of Richlands; nieces, Peggy Wright of Bland, Karen Elder of Richlands, Sue Pennell of Kentucky; two great-nieces; six great-nephews; special friend and caretaker, Debbie Dishman of Canebrake; and the staff of The Maples Nursing Home in Bluefield, WV.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. at the Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church in Canebrake with the Rev. Darrell Long and the Rev. Bill Keene officiating.
Interment
followed in the Hartwell Cemetery in Hartwell, WV.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of the arrangements.
Steve Voreh
Steve Voreh, 90, of Tazewell, formerly of Fairmont and Logan, WV, died Oct. 3, 2005 in Tazewell Community Hospital, following a long illness.
Born Nov. 28, 1914 at Elkhorn, WV, he was a son of the late Joe and Eliazabeth Voreh.
He was a retired Mine Foreman, a member of the Moose Lodge in Mannington, WV, a member of St. Luke Senior Friends, a very avid Bowler and Gardner and was of the Catholic Faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 42 years, Helen Voreh, and 14 brothers and sisters.
Survivors: his second wife of 22 years, Ruth Francis Voreh; son, Fred Voreh and wife, Charlotte, of Mocksville, NC; daughter, Jackqueline Trump and husband, Bobby, of Tazewell; brother, Walter Voreh and wife, Lori Mae, of Fort Myers, FL; step son, Thomas Francis and wife, Patty, of Pearisburg; step daughters, Betty Porterfield and husband, Oliver, of Bozoo, WV, Virginia Smith and husband, Jerry, of Peterstown, WV, Sandra Keatley of New Port News; four grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and two step great great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown with Father Mike Herbert and Rev. Robert Belcher officiating.
Burial followed in Vinton Memorial Park Cemetery in Vinton, OH.
Talina Rose Abel
Talina Rose Abel, 6, of the Baptist Valley area in Cedar Bluff, died Oct. 15, 2005 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Born April 3, 1999 in Richlands, she was the daughter of Viola Louise Rutherford Montaigne and James Curtis Montaigne.
She was preceded in death by two uncles, King Charles Rutherford and Jim William Rutherford; and one aunt, Misty Montaigne.
Additional survivors: brother, Dustin Lee Montaigne and sister, Tiffany Dawn Montaigne, both of the home; paternal grandmother, Juanita Payne of Cliffield; maternal grandmother, Rita Rutherford of North Tazewell; maternal grandfather, Walter P. Rutherford and maternal step-grandmother, Ellen Rutherford of Pounding Mill; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The funeral will be conducted Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Donna Johnson officiating.
Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 12 noon Oct. 21.
Charlotte G. Blankenship
Charlotte G. Blankenship, 75, of the Kent’s Ridge Road Section of Cedar Bluff, died Oct. 10, 2005 in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Alvin Clinton and Bertha L. Brown Brown, both Buchanan County natives.
She was a homemaker and had lived most of her life in the Cedar Bluff area and was of the Protestant Faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kermit B. Blankenship, and three brothers, Donnie Hugh, Vernon Edward and Billy Gene Brown.
Survivors: daughters, Linda Shierling and husband, Jim, of Columbus, GA, Laura Shrader and husband, Kip, of Bristol, VA; son, Harold Lee Blankenship; beloved sister and caretaker, Ann R. Gilbert of Cedar Bluff; brothers, Junior Lee Brown of Grundy, Stuart D. Brown of High Point, NC, Danny Harold Brown of Rogersville, TN; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. David Brannock officiating.
Entombment followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Margaret Sue Boyd
Margaret Sue Boyd, 56, of Wardell, died Oct. 17, 2005 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of Marvin E. Cline of Red Root Ridge and the late Velma Byrd Cline.
She was a member of the Calvary Temple Church.
Additional survivors: husband of 39 years, Estil Boyd; daughter, Janet Michelle Fike and husband, Robert Alan, of Claypool Hill; son, Richard Dale Boyd and wife, Amber Renee, of Claypool Hill; grandson, Cole Alan Fike of Claypool Hill; brothers, Melvin Cline of Cedar Bluff, David Cline and Ricky Cline, both of Red Root Ridge; and sister, Kathy Faye Cline of Elk Garden.
Graveside services were conducted Oct. 18 at 11 a.m. at Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill with Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Temple Church, PO Box 297, Richlands, VA 24641.
Singleton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Gene Brown
Bobby Gene Brown, 71, of Emporia, died Oct. 4, 2005.
Prior to moving to Emporia, he lived in Richlands, where he attended, lettered in sports, and graduated from Richlands High School. His total life’s employment was performed in the publishing business. While living in Richlands, he worked for the Richlands Press and retired from The Independent-Messenger in Emporia, which is now owned and operated by Womack Publishing Company, Inc.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Ruth Rasnake, and one brother, Arlin Brown.
Survivors: wife, Jamie Merricks Brown; daughter, Debbie Pearce and husband, Randy, of Emporia; son, Jimmy Brown and wife, Christy, of Petersburg; grandchildren, Brittney Nicole Pearce and Zachary Gerhart Brown; mother, Jeanette P. Brown of Elizabeth City, NC; and sisters, Louise Looney of The Colony, TX, and Cotrisha Aycock and Betty Looney, both of Elizabeth City.
The funeral service was conducted Oct. 7 by Rev. Mike Harrell and Rev. Dave Roberts at Echols Funeral Home in Emporia. Special music was provided by Lori Hafey.
Interment
followed in Greensville Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Greensville Volunteer Rescue Squad, Emporia, VA.
Clifford Crisp
Clifford Crisp, 91, of Bandy, died Oct. 11, 2005 at a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Kentucky, he was a son of the late Thomas and Lizzie Nunley Crisp.
He had made his home in Bandy for over 50 years. He was retired from Consolidated Coal Company, formerly Pocahontas Fuel. He was a member of UMWA Local 6025, Bishop, WV. He was of the Protestant faith.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Alma Lucille Musick Crisp. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Donald E. Crisp; one sister, Elsie; and four brothers, Stanley, Tommy, Ailen and Raymond Crisp.
Survivors: daughter, Doris McReynolds and husband, Jerry, of North Tazewell; son, Clifford “Ellis” Crisp and wife, Donna, of Dix Creek; daughter-in-law, Mavis Crisp of Dix Creek; brothers, Ralph Crisp and wife, Blanch, of Dade City, FL, Leon Crisp and Frankie Crisp, both of Tracy City, TN; nine grandchildren; several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Jerry Allen and Rev. Kenny Fields officiating.
Interment
followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Jason David Elswick
Jason David Elswick, 21, of North Tazewell, died Oct. 14, 2005 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born June 27, 1984 in Myrtle Beach, SC, he was the son of David Joe Elswick and Pamela Cooley Elswick of North Tazewell.
He was a 2002 graduate of Tazewell High School and was a senior at Bluefield College.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Kelly Elswick; uncle, Paul Elswick; and cousin, Jessica Elswick
Additional survivors: maternal grandparents, George and Velvie Cooley of Bluefield, WV; paternal grandmother, Bernice Elswick of Grundy; aunt, Denise Hunt and husband, Ellis, and their children, Nicholas and Austin, of Vansant; uncles, George W. Cooley and wife, Tammi, and their son, Blair, of Bluefield, WV, Ricky Cooley and wife, Diane, and their children, Justus and Anglia, of Greenville, TN, Christopher Cooley of Bluefield, WV, Tim Elswick and wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Whitney of Grundy; Brian Elswick of Grundy; and cousin, Codey Elswick of Texas.
Graveside services were conducted Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA with the Rev. Randy Fielder officiating.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Estel Wesley Fortner
Estel Wesley Fortner, 79, of Richlands, died Oct. 15, 2005.
Born in Raven, he was a son of the late Charles and Vicie Elkins Fortner.
He was an airplane mechanic.
Survivors: brothers, Charles M. Fortner of Richlands, Franklin D. Fortner of Kizer, WV; and sisters, Maude Boera of Ohio and Elizabeth Lewis of Dundee, FL.
Funeral services and burial were private.
Singleton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Herbert E. Griffith
Herbert Eugene Griffith, 92, of Speedwell, TN, died Oct. 15, 2005 at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN.
Born Aug. 23, 1913 in Honaker, he was a son of the late Marion and Georgia Ray Griffith.
He had lived in the Knoxville area since 1975 and was a member and deacon of the East LaFollette Baptist Church. He was a World War II Army veteran, a retired coal miner and a member of the UMWA. He loved watching baseball games, fishing, and his family very much.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Clarence Griffith, Leonard Griffith, John Fay Griffith, and Dale Griffith, and one sister, Sue Miller.
Survivors: wife, Ann R. Griffith; son, Herbert E. Griffith, Jr. of Speedwell; daughter, Kathy Shaw and her fiancé, Chris Phillips, of LaFollette, TN; grandsons, Joshua Shaw and Blake Phillips; brother, Floyd Griffith of Swords Creek; sisters, Mildred Miller of Salisbury, MD, Juanita Bostic of Collawingo, DE, and Loanie Breedlove of Baltimore, MD.
The funeral will be conducted Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Ralph Bostic and Rev. David Perkins officiating.
Interment
will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Military graveside honors will be conducted by American Veterans Honor Guard Association of Richlands.
Cammie K. “Sonny” Harman, Jr.
Cammie K. “Sonny” Harman, Jr., 64, of Jacksonville, FL, formerly of Prince George County, died Oct. 9, 2005 at his home.
Born Nov. 4, 1940 in Pageton, WV, he was a son of the late Cammie K. Harman, Sr. and Rosa Graham Harman.
He retired from the Brenco Corporation in Petersburg.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Daniel Edward Harman.
Survivors: wife, Patricia Davidson Harman; daughter, Terri Wolfe and fiancé, Dan Morrissey, both of Charlotte, NC; son, Jeffrey David Harman and wife, Terry, of Jacksonville, FL; granddaughters, Heather Wolfe and Brenna Wolfe, both of Chesterfield; grandsons, Pryce Harman, Gunar Harman, and Jacob Harman, all of Jacksonville; and sisters, Janice Allgood and Shelby Hagy and husband, Gordon, all of Saltville.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 13 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Charles Allen officiating.
Burial followed at Shady Grove Cemetery in Skygusty, WV.
The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Okalahoma, OK 73123-1718 or the Community Hospice Northeast FL, 4266 Sunbeam Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257.
Dennis Lee Osborne
Dennis Lee Osborne, 43, of North Tazewell, died Oct. 13, 2005 at North Tazewell.
Born April 2, 1962, he was a son of Jessie Lee Osborne of North Tazewell and the late Nancy Ann Bourne Osborne.
He attended the Tazewell First Assembly of God Church at Four Way.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by one brother, Ted Osborne; maternal grandparents, Arthur and Tiny Bourne; and paternal grandparents, Neely Tom Osborne and Rosie Osborne.
Additional survivors: sister, Patricia Rose and husband, Terry, of Thomasville, NC; brother, Terry Osborne of Thomasville; and several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell with the Rev. Doug Johnson officiating.
Graveside services and interment
was conducted Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. at Holly Hills Memorial Park in Thomasville with the Rev. Dan Absher officiating.
Albert D. “Dave” Plaster
Albert D. “Dave” Plaster, 70, of Raven, died Oct. 13, 2005 in a Tazewell hospital.
Born in Raven, he was the son of the late Charles Wesley and Martha Alice Horton Plaster.
He had made his home in the Raven area all of his life and was a retired supply clerk for the Simmons Rand Corporation. He was a member of the Richlands Masonic Lodge #318 AF & AM, the Tazewell Russell Shrine, and Oneska Tribe #61 of Improved Order of Redmen. He was a member of the New Hope Assembly in Claypool Hill.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Ruby Rasnake, Edith Whited, Frances Winfrey and Gertrude Woodrum; two brothers, Billy Plaster and Edward Plaster; four brothers-in-law, Kemper Rasnake, Clarence Whited, Jack Winfrey, and Howard Woodrum; and two grandchildren, Benjamin and Sydney Plaster.
Survivors: wife, Peggy E. Plaster; sons, Chad W. Plaster and wife, Sherri Lee, of Richlands, Charles “Chuck” Plaster and wife, Anita, of Raven; sisters, Ruth Mallory of Radcliff, KY, Marie Short and husband, Emory, of Richlands, Jean White and husband, Tolbert, of Abingdon, Judy Patton and husband, Jim, of Cedar Bluff; brothers, Russell Plaster of Galion, OH, Clinton Plaster and wife, Gail, of Mansfield, OH; grandchildren, Logan Plaster and Madison Plaster; step-granddaughter, Sarah Lee Proffitt and husband, Daniel, of Shortt’s Gap; several nieces and nephews; and a host of special family and friends.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Claudie Throgmartin and Rev. Jerry Welch officiating.
Entombment followed at the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Members of the Highlands Fellowship Veterans Honor Guard of Abingdon conducted military graveside rites.
Members of the Richlands Masonic Lodge #318 AF & AM conducted Masonic services Oct. 15 at 7 p.m.
Mary Elizabeth Ratliff
Mary Elizabeth Smith Ratliff 76, of Vermilion, OH, died Oct. 14, 2005 in Community Health Partners in Lorain, OH, following a lengthy illness.
Born Mar. 12, 1929 in Raven, she was the daughter of the late Lucian and Gertrude Dickenson Smith.
She attended the Harbourtown Foursquare Community Church in Vermilion and enjoyed crocheting and playing Bingo. She also loved pets. She had been a resident of Vermilion for the past 40 years having moved from Michigan and Virginia.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest E. Ratliff, and one daughter, Pricilla Ratliff.
Survivors: daughter, Karen Jones of Lorain; son, Ernie Ratliff of Vermilion; sisters, Trula Franks of Marion, Jean Stratton of Raven; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Paul Griffith officiating.
Interment
will follow in the Smith Family Cemetery at Raven.
