Ruth E. Messer
Ruth Evelyn Steele Messer, 79, of Raven, died Jan. 7 in a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late George W. and Pearl Keen Horn, both Buchanan County natives.
She had made her home in Buchanan and Tazewell County all of her life and was well known for making molasses stack cakes. She loved to quilt and work in the garden.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Kermit Quinton Steele; one son, Roger Steele; one sister, Martha Ellen Horn; and three brothers, Edward, Andrew, and Hayes Horn.
Survivors: husband, Carter G. Messer; daughters, Judy Steele Horne (Roy) of Claypool Hill, Tamara Steele Altizer and husband, Bill, of Midlothian; sons, Bob Steele of Steelesburg, Donald Steele of Wytheville; sisters, Beatrice Keene and Beulah Vandyke, both of Contrary, Betty Horne of Wytheville; brothers, Charles Horn of Grand Prairie, TX, Clyde Horn and Leonard Horn, both of Claypool Hill; grandchildren, Lee Steele, Dustin Steele, Ashley Steele, Daphne Gilbert, Evans Horne and Liam Altizer; and four great grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Jack Ward and Rev. Rick Whitt officiating.
Interment
will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill.
Rosalie Wallace Miller
Rosalie Wallace Miller, 85, of the Lake Park section of Richlands, died Jan. 6 in an Abingdon hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Finney, she was a daughter of the late Johnnie and Bessie Artrip Wallace, both Russell County natives.
She made her home in the Richlands area most of her life and was a member of the Clearview United Methodist Church. She was a former member of the Richlands Garden Club and was a very active member of the Richlands Band Boosters, and was also a member of the Richlands Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #104.
She was a loving mother and grandmother who cherished her family and had a great love for flowers and birds.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph E. Miller, and one daughter, Christine Robinson.
Survivors: son-in-law, Joseph A. "Sandy" Robinson of Abingdon; brother, Wayne Wallace of Honaker; grandchildren, Barry Keith Robinson and wife, Gina, and Angela Robinson Yates and husband, Dean; great grandchildren, Heather Robinson, Dylan Robinson, Hunter Yates, Harley Yates, and Kendel Yates; and her loving caregivers and neighbors.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Paul Griffith officiating.
Interment
was Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to Clearview United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 55 Doran, VA 24612 or Cancer Outreach Foundation, Inc. 206 Abingdon Place, Abingdon, VA 24211.
Samuel Dudley Myers
Samuel Dudley Myers, 53, of Creedmoor, NC and Centreville, formerly of Tazewell, died Dec. 30, 2005 at Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax.
Born Jan. 14, 1952 in Tazewell, he was a son of the late Homer and Myrtle Dickens Myers.
He was a member of the Creedmoor United Methodist Church in Creedmoor. He was employed by Verizon Telephone Company.
Survivors: his wife, Georgia Thomas Myers; brothers, Dennis Myers and wife, Glenna, of Tazewell, David Myers and wife, Betty, of Warrenton; nieces, Karrie Kinder, Kayla Myers, and Beth Myers; nephew, Cody Myers; and great nephew, Nicolas Kinder.
A memorial service was conducted at 11 a.m. Jan. 7 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Johnny Elmore officiating.
Jerry Randall Ratliff
Jerry Randall Ratliff, 50, of Council, died Jan. 5 in a Grundy hospital.
Born June 19, 1955 in Council, he was a son of the late Luther Eulis and Ruth Johnson Ratliff.
He had spent most of his life in Ohio and was a carpenter, coal miner, landscaper and talented musician. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and he loved life.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Eulis Ratliff, and one infant sister, Joyce Ratliff.
Survivors: sons, Dwayne Lykins, Cody Ratliff, and Jared Ratliff, all of West Liberty, KY; brothers, Guy Ratliff of Springfield, OH, Pete Ratliff of Fairborn, OH, and Benny Ratliff and Tim Ratliff, both of Council; sisters, Lois Bourne of Fairborn, Wanda Hornback of Beaver Creek, OH, Linda Tiller of Honaker, Mildred Boyd of Bee; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Jan. 7 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Rev. Jerry Counts officiating.
Interment
followed in the Johnson Cemetery on Combs Ridge.
Danny "D.J." Shortridge
Danny Lee "D.J." Shortridge, 26, of the Dismal section of Buchanan County, died Jan. 4 in a Grundy hospital.
Born April 5, 1979 in Grundy, he was a son of Danny and Kathy Lynn Deel Shortridge of Fletchers Ridge.
A lifelong resident of Buchanan County, he was employed as an equipment operator for Western Construction. He was a member of the Rowe Pentecostal Holiness Church.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clarence and Betty Shortridge; paternal great-grandparents, Will and Cora Shortridge; and uncle, Chuckie Shortridge.
Additional survivors: wife of two years, Misty Shortridge; son, Cameron Lee Shortridge of the home; one expected child; one sister, Faith Lynn Shortridge of Fletchers Ridge; maternal grandparents, Lee and Alice Deel of Vansant; paternal step-grandmother, Patty Shortridge of Rogersville, TN; paternal step-great-grandmother, Bertha Shortridge of Rowe; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and a host of friends.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Rowe Pentecostal Holiness Church at Rowe with Rev. Ancil Childress, Rev. Tommie Deel, and Rev. James Tiller officiating.
Interment
followed in the Shortridge Cemetery at Rowe.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Danny Shortridge Memorial Fund at any Tru-Point Bank.
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Sherry Denise Slate
Sherry Denise Slate, 43, of Raven, died Dec. 10, 2005 at her home.
Born June 29, 1962 in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of Madge Broadhead Slate of Raven and the late James Harvey Slate.
Additional survivors: daughter, Samantha Lynn Whitaker of the home; son, James Curtis Whitaker of Richlands; brother, Danny Slate and wife, Martha Ann, of Cedar Bluff; and grandchildren, Amy Brewster, Tyler Brown and Isaac Brown.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 13, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Johnny Hatfield of Toler, KY officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Laura (Ethel) Smith
Laura (Ethel) Lowe Smith, 88, died at her home on Ravens Nest Branch Dec. 7, 2005 after a lengthy illness.
She was the daughter of the late Riley and Mintie Lowe. She was known for her hospitality and was of the Pentecostal faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Caleb Smith; one sister, Ruby Blankenship; and two brothers, Lundy and John Lowe.
Survivors: daughter, Carolyn Miller of Roanoke; sons and spouses, Clayton and Debbie Smith and Larry and Doris Smith, all of Cedar Bluff; grandchildren, Thomas Dickens, Ralph Miller, Jr., Dennis Miller and wife, Gail, all of Roanoke, Clay Smith and Mark Smith, both of Cedar Bluff, Lindsay Pellatt and husband, Bryan, of Virginia Beach; great granddaughter, Carrie Pellatt of Virginia Beach; sister, Ruth Lowe of Havre De Grace, MD; brother and wife, Mason and Annie Lowe of Cedar Bluff; many friends, nieces, nephews and cousins; four sisters-in-law; a close friend and caregiver, Linda Johnson; and a true friend and companion, Elsa.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 10, 2005 at 1 p.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Max Linkous and Rev. Rick Herald officiating.
Burial followed in the Lowe/Beavers Family Cemetery at Ravens Nest Branch.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1808 Jefferson St., Bluefield, WV 24701 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216 Glen Allen, VA 23058.
Betty Cooley White
Betty Cooley White, 90, of Richmond, formerly of Maxwell, died Jan. 1 in Richmond.
She was born at Maxwell and was a daughter of the late George Tucker "Tuck" and Myrtle Maxwell Cooley.
She was a homemaker and of the Methodist faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert White, three children and three brothers.
Survivors: daughters, Betty Jean Casteel of Richmond, Delorse Jessee of Sandston; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; sister, Mattie Mulkey of Pounding Mill; and lifetime friend, Babe Asbury of Maxwell.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. William Fletcher officiating.
Interment
followed at Maxwell Cemetery in Maxwell.
Sharon Diane Wicks
Sharon Diane Wicks, 56, of Doran, died Dec. 30, 2005 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Dye, she was a daughter of the late Stanley "Bud" and Cora Ellen Plaster Saunders.
She made her home in the Russell County area several years before moving to Doran ten years ago. She was a member of the Ivy Springs Baptist Church and Calvary Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and served in the Honaker High School Cafeteria.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Wayne Saunders and one sister, Alice Faye Shelton.
Survivors: husband, Alfred "Smiley" Wicks; son, Alfred Jr. Wicks and wife, Tanya, of Claypool Hill; daughter, Patricia Diane Harman of Swords Creek; sisters, Gwen Price of Honaker, Debbie Horn of Garden Creek, Sandy Osborne of the Horton Ridge section of Raven; brothers, Frazier Saunders of North Carolina, Steve Saunders of Richlands, David Saunders of Doran, Ricky Saunders of Swords Creek; grandchildren, Shane and Kiera Wicks of Claypool Hill, Cora, Casey, and Evan Harman of Swords Creek; many nieces and nephews; and a special friend of the family, Brian White of Maple Gap.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 1, 2006 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Buddy Herald and Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating.
Interment
followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Earnest Khale Wolfe
Earnest Khale Wolfe, 62, of Gaston, SC, formerly of Bristol, TN, went to be with the Lord Jan. 1.
Born Sept. 23, 1943 in Bristol, VA, he was a son of the late Ranson Ezra and Myrtle Wolfe.
He attended Mary Hughes High School, where he was an all-state basketball player. He attended ETSU until serving his country at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. during the Vietnam War. He was an assistant coach for the Junior Varsity and Varsity basketball teams at Airport High School in West Columbia, SC, for the past several years. He loved working with kids and teenagers. He was employed by PrintSouth Printing Company on Silstar Road in Springdale, SC, where he was much loved by the employees there.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.
Survivors: wife, Pamela Miller Wolfe; daughters, April Lynn Wolfe of Columbia, Heather Ann Ferro of Bel Air, MD; son, Taylor Aulden Wolfe of the home; grandchildren, Jacob Ferro, Chase Ferro, and Julia Ferro, all of Bel Air; sisters, Doris Inscore and Helen Cunningham, both of Bristol, VA, Mary Kate Lilly of Franklin, TN; several nieces and nephews; and a grand host of friends and loved ones.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Dennis Richardson, Rev. Daniel Richardson, Rev. Scottie Perkins, and Rev. Jess Whited.
Entombment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Eleanor Louise Yost
Eleanor Louise Yost, 77, of the Baptist Valley community of North Tazewell, died Jan. 2 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born Sept. 18, 1928 in Tazewell, she was a daughter of the late Jesse Clarence Meredith and Ada Marie Johnson Meredith.
She was a member of the Dailey’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Earlier in life, she was employed by W.W. Mac Company’s Ben Franklin Store on Tazewell’s Main Street. Later she worked at the Tazewell Supply Company and its successor, the A-Mart Store.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Witten Yost; one sister, Kathleen Asbury; and one brother, Raymond Meredith.
Survivors: daughter, Barbara Yost Asbury of Abingdon; son, Wayne Yost, Sr. and wife, Sharon, of Tazewell; sister, Hazel McGlothlin and husband, Guy, of Huntington, WV; grandchildren, Mark Wayne Asbury and wife, Cindy, Anthony Joseph Asbury, Ralph Wayne Yost, Jr. and wife, Tessa, Jessica Asbury Harris and husband, Drew, Bradley Ryan Yost, and Brandon Duane Yost; great grandchildren, Alisha Hope Asbury, Charity Dawn Asbury, Amber Faith Asbury, Andrew Tyler Harris, Joshua Hunter Asbury, and Olivia Maree Paeton Yost; step great grandchild, Marcus Fowler; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Yost and wife, Jean, of Pearisburg.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Jan. 5 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Kenny Fields and the Rev. Danny Whitt officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
W.G. (Bill) Altizer
W.G. (Bill) Altizer, 92, of Richlands, died Jan. 10 in a Richlands hospital.
Born Aug. 29, 1913 in Pounding Mill, he was the son of the late W.S. and Mattie Ringstaff Altizer.
He was a United States Army Veteran of World War II. He was a member and former deacon of Gethsemane Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Rodd Altizer; two granddaughters, Heather Altizer and Tish Langston; one brother, Glen Altizer; and one sister, Ray Altizer.
Survivors: wife of 60 years, Anna Mae Altizer; daughter, Susie Langston and husband, Norman, of Beaverton, OR; and grandson, Paul Langston of Beaverton.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Jan. 13 at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands with Rev. Norman Langston and Rev. James Denton officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff was in charge of arrangements.
Steven Louis Borbas, Jr.
Steven Louis Borbas, Jr., 90, of Bluefield, VA, died Jan. 10 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC.
He was raised in Pocahontas and was the son of the late Steven Louis Borbas, Sr. and Katherine Lazzar Borbas.
He was retired from Nehi Bottling Co. in Bluefield, VA after over 40 years of service and was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Louis Borbas and J. B. Borbas, and by two sisters, Mary Bona and Helen Laudi.
Survivors: wife of 65 years, Lucille Eleanor Mitchell Borbas; daughters, Sandra Fuqua of Fairhope, AL, Ann Graham and husband, Gordy, of Bluefield, VA; grandchildren, Tony Fuqua, Michael Fuqua, Butch Graham and Christi Kastner; and great grandchildren, Ryan Fuqua, Jesse Fuqua, Lacey Fuqua, Ben Kastner and Nick Kastner.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Father Dan Brady, Tim Borbas and Rev. Robert Johnson officiating.
Burial followed in the Grandview Memory Gardens.
Gladys Fern Clark
Gladys Fern Barton Clark, 69, of Lebanon, died Jan. 15 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born Sept. 15, 1936 in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Asa and Alola Ball Barton.
She was a veteran with the United States Air Force, having served in the Korean War. She was a member of the Belfast Holiness Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Clark; one daughter, Tina Marie Tuggle; one son, Michael Clark; and one brother, Bruce Barton.
Survivors: sons, William Raymond Laurie of Lebanon, Robert Joseph Clark of Buena Vista; sister, Phyllis Sullivan of Akron, OH; grandchildren, Nicholas Tuggle, Rebecca Tuggle, Melissa Clark, Travis Clark, Krista Dawn Laurie, and Charlie Clark; special friend, Mavis Fitzgerald; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Roy Lee Wilson and Rev. Danny Altizer officiating.
Interment
will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Military graveside honors will be conducted by VFW Post 9864 of Lebanon.
Peggy C. Farley
Peggy Crabtree Jones Farley, 71, of Bluefield, VA, departed this life Dec. 31, 2005 to go dance with the angels in heaven.
She was born in Bluefield, VA, and was a daughter of the late George G. Crabtree and Lucille Watson Crabtree.
She was a member of the Parkview Baptist Church in Bluefield, VA, was formerly employed at General Telephone Co. and was currently employed at Thistle Foundry and Machine Co. in Bluefield, Va., where she had worked for over 30 years.
She was a member of the Bluefield VA Woman’s Club and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Memorial Post 9696 Bluefield, VA.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Jackie Lee Jones; her second husband, A. Jay Keen; and one grandson, Cregory Lee Christian.
Survivors: husband, Richard A. "Buddy" Farley; son, William Lee Jones of Bluefield, VA; daughter, Bonita Lynne Bentley and husband, Joe, of Wise; grandchildren, Clay Christian, Cara Christian and Jackie Christian; stepsons, Lindsey A. Farley and wife, Maureen, of Fairfax, Richard S. Farley of Richmond; step grandson, Aaron L. Farley; brothers, George Crabtree and wife, Janet, and Charles Crabtree and wife, Trish, all of Laurens, SC; twin brother, Pierce Crabtree and wife, Shirley, of Bluefield, VA; sisters, Sara Vest and husband, Curtis, and Sue Hollyfield and husband, Owen, all of Bluefield, VA; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Services were held Jan. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Parkview Baptist Church with Rev. Travis Hilton, Rev. Lacy Brooks and Dr. Richard Foil officiating.
Burial at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1808 Jefferson St., Bluefield, WV 24701 or to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 12110, Charleston, WV 25302.
Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, VA, was in charge of arrangements.
Ura Alice Fields
Ura Alice Fields, 78, of Jewell Ridge Road, Richlands, formerly of the Poplar Creek section of Grundy, died Jan. 12 at the home of her daughter, Shirley Moore of Richlands, following an extended illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Stewart Chambers and Lizzie McClanahan.
She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a member of Bethlehem Old Regular Baptist Church No. 2. She was a former employee of the Rainbow Drive-In Restaurant as a baker.
She was preceded n death by her husband, William Fields, July 5, 1999; one half-sister, Edith Daugherty; one half-brother, Elzie Stiltner; and one brother, Stanton Stiltner.
Survivors: daughter, Shirley and husband, Jerry Moore, of Richlands; sons, Ted Lane and Jim Lane, both of Grundy; sisters, Ava McClanahan and Irmal Lane, both of Grundy, Lorraine and husband, Bob Tate, of Rosedale; brothers, Clinton and wife, Floraine Stiltner, and Bobby and wife, Georgia Stiltner, all of Grundy; 11 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Elders Roscoe Crouse, Jackie Yates, Howard Daniels, Toy Looney and William McClanahan officiating.
Burial followed in the Stiltner Cemetery near Bethlehem Old Regular Baptist Church on Poplar Creek, Rt. #2, Grundy.
Archie E. French
Archie E. French, 87, of Rocky Gap, died Jan. 3 in a Bastian nursing home.
Born in Bluefield, VA, he was a son of the late William French and Mattie Mae Neff French.
He was retired from Bluefield Supply Co. after over 36 years of service and was a member of the Graham Christian Church in Bluefield, VA. He served in the Army-Air Force during WWII.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ellen Louise French; two brothers, Pat French and Roy French; and two sisters, Irene Ruble and Evelyn French.
Survivors: wife, Emma Lea Runyon French; sons, Thomas French and wife, Linda Kay, of Emporia, Archie K. French and wife, Barbara, of North Tazewell; daughters, Mattie Lou Ball of South Hill, Donna Brooks and husband, Donnie, of Winston Salem, NC, Jill Noren and husband, Steve, of Wytheville; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and special friend, Glen Harless of Rocky Gap.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA with Rev. Jeff Callahan officiating.
Burial followed in the Valley-Vista Cemetery on the Bluefield-Tazewell Road.
Jean Louise Smith Grim
Jean Louise Smith Grim, 83, a lifelong resident of Bluefield, VA, departed this life Dec. 21, 2005, at Northern Westchester Hospital Center, Mt. Kisco, NY following a brief illness.
Born Feb. 19, 1922 to Samuel Lucien and Hattie Stallard Smith, she was married in 1946 to Jack Neff Grim, who predeceased her in 1996 on their 50th wedding anniversary. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Bernard Lucien Smith, and three sisters, Mildred Clyde Parris, Florine Faye Smith and Majora Pauline Buchanan.
She graduated from Graham High School and McClains Business College and was employed for 25 years by Flat Top Insurance Agency, Bluefield, WV. She was an active and devoted member of First United Methodist Church, where she held several offices in the United Methodist Women and The Martha Circle. She was a former member of the Wesleyanna Class and until her death served as Vice President of the Wayfarer’s Class. In addition, she was a longtime member of the Order of the Eastern Star #102, Bluefield, VA.
Survivors: son, Michael Bruce Grim, and daughter-in-law, Dianne Reed Grim, of Goldens Bridge, NY; step granddaughter, Rebecca Cole Reed of Deephaven, MN; and sisters-in-law, Mrs. B. L. Smith (Judy) of Bluefield, VA and Mrs. C.F. Grim Jr. (Virginia) of Salem; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held at 11 a.m. Dec. 30, 2005, at First United Methodist Church in Bluefield, VA followed by commitment and entombment at Woodlawn Mausoleum, Bluewell, WV, with the Rev. Raymond Amos officiating.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Maintenance Fund of First United Methodist Church, 200 South College Ave., Bluefield, VA 24605.
Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, VA, was in charge of arrangements.
John Cameron "Jake" Hash, Sr.
John Cameron "Jake" Hash, Sr., 60, of Bluefield, VA died Jan. 12 at a Bluefield, WV hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born at Grundy, he was a son of Katherine Lambert Hash of Norton and the late Cameron Hash.
He had made his home in Bluefield, VA for the past 26 years, prior to that in the Pikeville, KY and Grundy area. He was a graduate of Grundy Senior High School, Class of 1964 and attended East Tennessee State University. He was a former member of the Lions Club and Masonic Lodge in Kentucky. He was a member of Fincastle Presbyterian Church and attended Graham Christian Church.
Additional survivors: wife, Linda Osborne Hash; daughter, Anna Rainey and husband, Tom, of Fredericksburg; son, John C. Hash, II and wife, Angela, of Roanoke; sisters, Linda Ball of Clifton Forge, Dana Maynard of West Memphis, AR; brothers, Russell Hash of St. Albans, WV, James Hash of Georgetown, KY; grandchildren, John Cameron Hash, III, John Richmond "Jack" Rainey, Sarah Ann Hash and Mary Katherine Louise Rainey; and special caregiver, Virginia Burress.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. at Graham Christian Church, Bluefield, VA, with Rev. Robert Johnson officiating.
Interment
followed at Maple Hill Cemetery in Bluefield, VA.
Memorial contributions may be made to Graham Christian Church, 1101 Virginia Ave., Bluefield, VA 24605 or John W. Barnard Endowed Scholarship, PO Box 400833, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4833.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Fannie "Cookie" Johnson
Fannie Jane "Cookie" Johnson, 67, of Bluefield, VA, went home to be with her Heavenly Father Dec. 31, 2005.
Born Sept. 12, 1938 in Bluefield, she was a daughter of the late Leonard Amos Mathena and Carrie Riggins Mathena.
She was a member of the Bluefield Highland Ave. Church of God in Bluefield, VA and was retired from the Bluefield VA Dairy Queen.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Ross Lester, and one brother-in-law, William Alley.
Survivors: husband, Curtis Lee Johnson; daughter, Deborah Wimmer of Springville, Cynthia Lester of Greensboro, NC; sons, Donald Johnson and wife, Tammy, of Pulaski, Daniel Johnson of Tampa, FL, Jack (Prescious) Gullion and wife, Susan, of Bluefield, VA; sister, Sallie Alley of Bluefield, VA; and brothers, Robert Mathena and wife, Sue, and Leonard Mathena and wife, Faye, both of Pulaski, James Mathena and wife, Patty, of Bluefield, VA; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Rev. Michael Gibson officiating.
Burial followed in the Grandview Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Total Home Care Hospice, 106 Westwood Commons, Bluefield, VA.
Audrey Lois Matney
Audrey Lois White Matney, 86, of Richlands, died Jan. 13 at a Richlands hospital following a brief illness. God came and took a loving Angel home, who was a precious Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great-Great Grandmother.
Born in Elk Garden, she was a daughter of the late James Andrew and Martha Melissa Mutter White, both Russell County natives.
She was a member of the Levisa Assembly Church on Rt. 618, Marvin. She had lived in the Richlands area for the last eight years, but had spent most of her life in Buchanan County.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ritter Matney; and one sister, Edith Marie Furches.
Survivors: daughters, Mrs. Wayne (Lois) Davis of Belfast, Mrs. Eddie (Freda) Bowman of Wardell; sons, Nelson Matney and wife, Threcia, of Dublin, Ronald Matney and wife, Carol, of Abingdon, Carless Matney and wife, Jerlene, of Marvin; sister, Wanda Ann Furches of Elkton, MD; 14 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and special caregivers, Betsy Ball and Total Home Care.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Carl Robinson and the Rev. James Hale officiating.
Interment
followed in Hankins Cemetery at Richlands.
Ethel Willie Reed
Ethel Willie Reed, 86, of North Tazewell, died Jan. 12 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
She was born April 25, 1919 in Excelsior, WV to the late Andrew and Lettie Holley Peery.
She was one of seven children, and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her four sisters and two brothers. In 1936, she married Finis Sinkford; to this union was born two daughters, Letitia Ann and Jacqueline Olivia. Finis preceded her in death in October, 1938. In 1941, she married Omar Reed; to this union was born three children, Bonita Louise, James William and Omar, Jr. Bonita preceded her mother in death in April, 1972. Her husband, Omar preceded her in death in April, 1977.
She attended Tazewell County public schools and was baptized into the Church of Christ in 1949, where she remained faithful until her demise. In her younger years, she was an avid skater. In her later years, she loved sewing, cooking, and long conversations with family and friends. She will be sadly missed by her loving family.
Survivors: daughters, Letitia McClendon of Bakersfield, CA, Jacquelyn Moore of Cleveland, OH; sons, James William Reed of Cleveland, OH, Omar Reed, Jr. of Tazewell; step-daughter, Lovie Hall of Cleveland, OH; 14 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.
Homegoing services were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Dr. Edgar Wallace and Evangelist Conway Hutton officiating.
Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
Peggy Sayers
Peggy Sayers, 74, of the Baptist Valley section of Cedar Bluff, died Jan. 16 at her home following an illness of several months.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands.
