Bessie Louise Fawbush
Bessie Louise Fawbush, 81, of Richlands, died Feb. 16 in a Richlands area hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Richlands, she was the daughter of the late George Beverly and Dora Alice Blankenship Stinson, both Russell County natives.
She held a variety of jobs, working in department stores, restaurants and schools. She enjoyed her work with the RSVP Program and the Seniors Companions Program. She liked to keep busy with other various community and volunteer work. She had lived her entire life in the Richlands area.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Fawbush; two brothers, William Earl Stinson and James Stinson; and three sisters, Blanch Mills, Mae Parks and Ruth Helbert.
Survivors: son, Edward Lee Fawbush and wife, Martha, of Raleigh, NC; brother, Paul J. Stinson and wife, Betty, of Port Clinton, OH; nieces, Edith Twynham, Phyllis Ladd, Karen Goldwood, Linda Coy Kendale, Sandra McDonald, Deborah Stinson, Patti Shelton, Evelyn Sue Martinez, Terri Leigh Stewart, Clara Black, Fay Mounts, Dana Short and Sheila Simms; nephews, Andrew E. Stinson, Bobby Stinson, Larry Stinson, Paul Stinson, Jr., Mark Stinson, Brian Stinson and Paul Helbert; many great nephews, nieces and cousins; and a host of friends.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Claudie Throgmartin officiating.
Internment followed at Greenhills Memorial Gardens located at Claypool Hill.
Boyd "Cowboy" Grose
Boyd Manuel "Cowboy" Grose, 78, of Tazewell, died Feb. 18 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bluefield, WV.
Born Feb. 2, 1928 in Mingo Co., he was a son of the late Imanuel H. and Evelyn Belcher Grose.
He was a coal miner and of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Larry Grose; three brothers, Luther, Everett and Edward "Curley" Grose; and five sisters, Icie Blankenship, Mary, Sylvia, Holdey and Versie Grose.
Survivors: sons, Doug Grose and wife, Dreama, of Bluefield, VA, Boyd Manuel Grose Jr. and wife, Carlene of Galax; daughters, Vicki Lynn Denton of Galax, Verna Jeanette Bond and husband, Dennis, of Galax, Bridget Grose and Barbara Grose, both of Baltimore, MD; and grandchildren, Joshua, Jamie and Ashley Grose, Parcila, Hope and Justin Hill, Christina, Leslie and Tara Grose.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Lester officiating.
Burial followed in the Grandview Memory Gardens.
Lori McLean Hicks
Lori McLean Hicks, 71, of the Swords Creek area, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while surrounded by her friends Feb. 14.
Born in Cambridge, MA, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Elsie Bowser McLean.
She was a member of the Ivy Spring Baptist Church, where she loved and cherished many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Junior Hicks.
She was survived by many friends she called family that brought much joy to her life while passing through this walk of life. Also surviving is a special sister-in-law, Judy Reynolds of Cleveland, and special care givers Burb and Thelma Vance of Swords Creek.
In celebrating her life, a service of fellowship was held Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Ivy Spring Baptist Church in Swords Creek.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. at the church with Pastor Phillip Cook officiating.
Burial followed in the Dry Fork Cemetery on Rt. 627, Vansant.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.
Agnes Rangeo Kensinger
Agnes Rangeo Kensinger, 79, of Bluefield, VA, died Feb. 13 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke.
Born Jan. 11, 1927, in Pocahontas, she was the daughter of the late Felix T. and Helen Scymonski Rangeo.
She was retired as a vice president from Dominion Bank. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women’s Circle No. 6, and served as church treasurer and in many capacities and on many committees at the church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Allen Kensinger; two sisters, Sophie Kovacs and Teresa Johnson; and four brothers, Stanley, Jesse, Edward and Zygmont Rangeo.
Survivors: two sons, Jeffery Allen Kensinger, Jeanette and Alex Crowley of Tampa, FL, James Mark Kensinger and wife, Wanda, of Richmond; brothers, Wally Rangeo of Bluefield, VA, Bennie Rangeo of Orange Park, FL; sister, Helen Rangeo Danko of Kingsport, TN; and grandchildren, Ryan Alden of Tampa, Bradley Payne of Richmond, and Mary Elizabeth Kensinger of Richmond.
Graveside services were conducted Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. at the Grandview Mausoleum Chapel on the Bluefield-Tazewell Road with Dr. Charles Miller officiating.
Donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 401 College Ave., Bluefield, WV 24701.
Dudley Memorial Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Johnny William Lawson
Johnny William Lawson, 47, of Bluefield, VA, died Feb. 10 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of Jean Erlene Quesenberry Lawson and the late William Samuel Lawson.
He attended the Bluefield Pentecostal Holiness Church and was a former employee of the Tazewell County School System as a mechanic and bus driver.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by two brothers, David Allen Lawson and Carl Edward Lawson; one sister, Loretta Mae Lawson; and grandparents, Will G. and Flossie Hayton Lawson and Johnny and Etta Mae Harris Quesenberry.
Additional survivors: wife, Regina Bailey Lawson, and three beloved schnauzers at home; brother, Mark Timothy Lawson and wife, Connie, of Springville; sisters, Melissa Buchanan and husband, Danny, of Springville, Carol Powers and husband, Elmer, of Richlands, NC; mother-in-law, Martha Bailey of Springville; aunt, Phyllis Howington of Tazewell; four nephews; and two nieces.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA with the Rev. Larry Roberts officiating.
Burial followed in the Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Carlyle P. Mahaffey
Carlyle P. Mahaffey, 87, of Rosewood Rest Home in Harmony, NC, died Feb. 19 at Rosewood Rest Home.
He was born Dec. 4, 1918 in Freeman, WV, and was the son of the late Walter N. and Carrie Bauguess Mahaffey.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was retired Town Manager and former Mayor of Richlands.
Survivors: wife, Margaret Ireson Mahaffey; daughters, Polly Mahaffey Goodner of Statesville, NC, Melinda Mahaffey Mullins (Jim) of Harmony; grandchildren, Tara Goodner of Statesville, Joshua Mullins (Gwyn) of Boone, NC, Ellie Mullins of Harmony; and sister, Alma Anello of Bramwell, WV.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Feb. 25 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Stafford Compton officiating.
Burial will be private.
The family will receive friends after 10 a.m. Feb. 25.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at Clarksbury United Methodist Church in Harmony.
For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, 6400 Schroeder Road, PO Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home and Singleton Funeral Service are serving the family.
Della Lou Marrs
Della Lou Marrs, 86, of Tazewell, died Feb. 16 at Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell.
Born Mar. 1, 1919 in McDowell County, WV, she was a daughter of the late John Thomas Dye and Lydia Ellen Hess Dye.
She was a wonderful mother. She was of the Pentecostal Holiness faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Braxton Duncan Marrs, Sr., seven sisters and two brothers.
Survivors: daughters, Bertha Bowman of Brewsterdale, WV, Helen McBride of Ceres, Betty Rose of Horsepen, Clara Baker of North Tazewell, Freda Eldreth of Tazewell; son, Braxton Marrs, Jr. of Boissevain; brothers, Charles Dye of Abbs Valley, John Lee Dye of Bishop; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Arnold Marrs officiating.
Burial followed at Brewsterdale Church Cemetery in Brewsterdale.
Mattie Beatrice Mulkey
Mattie Beatrice Cooley Mulkey, 93, of Pounding Mill, went to be with her Lord Feb. 13 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.
She was born in Maxwell Nov. 18, 1912 to the late George Tucker and Myrtle Maxwell Cooley.
She had lived in the Maxwell and the Pounding Mill area all of her life. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a friend to her family. She was a member of the Pounding Mill Christian Church.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family and also her extended family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Henry Garland Mulkey; one grandson, Mark Douglas White; four sisters, Hazel Cooley, Annie Cooley, Mary Ellen Cooley and Betty White; and three brothers, Victor Cooley, Blair Cooley and George Cooley.
Survivors: daughters, Maxie Hamm and husband, Dennis, and Brenda Altizer and husband, Buddy, all of Pounding Mill, Sue White and husband, Doug, of Bluefield, VA; grandchildren, Tim White and wife, Anda, of Richlands, David White of Bluefield, VA, Amy Hagy and husband, Kenny, of Ivanhoe, Kim Landers and Tracy Altizer, both of Springville; great-grandchildren, Austin White, Tonia White, Amber Boyd, Regina White, Matt White, Jeremy White, Ashley White, Paul Wright, Blake Wright and Tyler Cole; great great-granddaughter, Abigale Kegley; very special long-time friend, Hazel (Babe) Asbury of Maxwell; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Bill Fletcher officiating.
Interment
followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hill Creek Baptist Church, c/o Peggy Altizer, 214 Philpot Ave., Richlands, VA 24641; Graham Christian Church, 1101 Virginia Ave., Bluefield, VA 24605 or another charity of your choice.
Della Gross Mullins
Della Gross Mullins, 77, of Richlands, died Feb. 14 at her home following a brief illness.
Born in Atwell, WV, she was a daughter of the late Joe and Mandy Brewster Gross, both West Virginia natives.
She was a homemaker and of the Pentecostal Holiness Faith. She had made her home in the Richlands area for the last 30 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Mullins; one daughter, Sandy Deel; five sons, Joe, Bobby, Clarence, Harvey, and Herman Mullins; one great grandson, Austin Ryan Mullins; one sister, Nellie Thompson; and four brothers, Richard, Jackie, Herman, and Basil Gross.
Survivors: daughters, Peggy Newberry and husband, Alvin, of Richlands, Goldie Harman of Phoenix City, AL; sons, Thurman Mullins and Jack Mullins and wife, Judy, all of Richlands, Richard Mullins of Raven, Nathan Mullins of Lawrenceville, Jerry Mullins and wife, Cynthia, of Indianapolis, IN; sisters, Patty Stanford and Jean Griffith, both of War, WV; 24 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Jack Keene and Rev. Jack Ward officiating.
Interment
followed at the Esau-Rife Cemetery near Keen Mountain.
Jamie Rouse Overbay
Jamie Rouse Overbay, 85, of Cedar Bluff, died Feb. 16 at her home.
Born Jan. 3, 1921 in Washington County, she was the daughter of the late Isaac Blackwell and Allie Mae Bishop Rouse.
She was a homemaker and for many years worked at Cedar Bluff Beauty Shop. She was a charter member of Gethsemane Baptist Church and active in all ministries of the church. She was a member of Steelsburg Homemakers Club.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter J. Overbay; six sisters, Carrie Wheeler, Grace Dolinger, Hettie Rambo, Mabel Campbell, Lib Smith and Frances Marshbanks; and one brother, I.B. (Bud) Rouse, Jr.
Survivors: daughters, Sylvia Boyd and husband, Jim, of Doran, Christine Whitt and husband, Bobby, and Angela Overbay, all of Cedar Bluff; sons, J.W. Overbay and wife, Esther, of Columbia, SC, Howard Overbay and wife, Flo, of Richlands; brother, Charles Rouse and wife, Betty, of Glade Springs; ten grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and special caregivers, Joann Hamm, Liz Jackson and Evelyn Grimsley.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Richlands with Rev. J.W. Overbay and Rev. James Denton officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill with Rev. Stafford Compton officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gethsemane Baptist Church Benevolent Fund, 2902 Clinch Street, Richlands, VA 24641 or RCMC Hospice, PO Box 3600, Lebanon, VA 24266.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Lee "Bob Peery
Robert Lee "Bob" Peery, 98, of Tazewell, died Feb. 20 at Heritage Hall Health Center, Tazewell, following a long illness.
Born in Tazewell Dec. 14, 1907, he was the son of Samuel Cecil and Eleanor "Nellie" Gildersleeve Peery.
Until his move to Heritage Hall in 1997, he owned and lived at "Ben Bolt", now the residence of Scott C. Cole, and one of his greatest pleasures was restoring the historic home.
He was a Veteran of World War II, having served with the U.S. Army's 29th Infantry Division. His battalion was one of the first units engaged in the invasion of Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and was actively involved in the European Campaign until the end of World War II. He was an active attendant of the 29th Infantry Division Annual Reunions in the U.S. and Europe. His interest in travel took him to many places in the U.S. and the world.
He was predeceased by three sisters, Virginia Peery Thompson, Louise Peery George and Katherine Peery Cole; three brothers, Samuel Cecil Peery, Jr., Edwin "Ned" George Peery, and Woodrow Wilson Peery; and one nephew, Samuel C. Cole.
Survivors: nieces, Eleanor Peery Duncan of Waynesboro, Judith Lee Peery of Spartanburg, SC; and nephews, The Reverend Ralph E. Thompson, Jr. of Bluefield, WV, John M. Cole, Jr. of Houston, TX, and T. Ritchie Peery, DDS of Richmond.
Funeral and burial services will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to: Hdqrs. 116th Infantry Regiment "Stonewall Brigade", U.S. Army 29th Division, 500 Thornrose Ave., Staunton, VA 24401-0500 or to a charity or house of worship of your choice.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell is in charge of the arrangements.
Richard A. Perkins
Richard Andrew Perkins, 56, of the Big A Mountain section of Honaker, died Feb. 14 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born Sept. 9, 1949 in Russell County, he was a son of the late Curtis and Patty Ruth Reedy Perkins.
He was a United States Air Force veteran having served in Vietnam.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Jeremiah Perkins.
Survivors: daughters, Clara Perkins Conway of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Angie Perkins of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Pauletta Tremblett of Goose Bay, New Foundland, Adara Perkins of the home; sons, Israel Perkins of Goose Bay, New Foundland, David Perkins of Calgary, Alberta; sister, Pauletta Barnes of Rock Hill, SC; five granddaughters; and three grandsons.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Jackson Cemetery in Honaker with Rev. Leonard Meadows officiating.
Interment
followed.
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Guy Eugene "Gene" Robinson
Guy Eugene "Gene" Robinson of Lincoln, NE, died Feb. 4.
He was born Aug. 14, 1946 in Raven to the late Cecil and Edna Elkins Robinson.
He attended Honaker High School in Honaker. He attended Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN, from 1964-67, and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1969. He worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an Air Quality Engineer in Lincoln from 1970-73. He worked as Air Quality Chief in the Nebraska Dept. of Environmental Control from 1973-92. He was owner of G.aiR Engineering, Inc. from 1993 to present. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, photography and watching sports, especially Tennessee sports. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Nebraska.
Survivors: sisters, Alice Ware of Spring City, TN, Glenna Broderick and husband, Jim, of Waldorf, MD, Linda Mitchell of Danville; special friend, Elizabeth Newton of Lincoln; special cousin, Harry Taylor of Greensboro, NC; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff.
Interment
followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
James P. Russell
James P. Russell, 76, of Tazewell, went to be with his Lord Feb. 12 in a Tazewell hospital.
Born July 29, 1929, in Cedar Bluff, he was the son of the late Marvin and Nannie Puckett Russell and grew up in Wardell.
He served his country in the United States Army and was formerly employed as a miner, working at the Whitewood Mine. At an early age, a mining accident left him disable. In his later life, it was his Christian faith and constant reading of the Bible that gave him strength to face many long sleepless nights.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph A. Russell, and one sister, Evelyn Russell Price.
Survivors: nieces, Judy Forbes of Bluefield, VA, Carol Asbury of Bradshaw, WV, Nancy Ferguson of Boomer, NC, Donna Maxwell of Honaker, Shelia Broyhill of Traphill, NC, Shelby Price of Martinsville, Ruth Mitchem of Thomasville, NC; nephews, Joe Russell of Bluefield, VA, Danny Russell of Bluefield, WV, Jimmy, Ray and Jeffery Price of Paynesville, WV, Joe Price of Pounding Mill, Tracy Price of Sevierville, TN; sister-in-law, Pansy Russell Wright of Springville; special cousin, Alfred Russell of Bandy; and numerous other cousins, great nieces and great nephews.
In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated.
The family will have a private memorial service at a later date.
Condolences to his family may be sent to the home of Gary and Judy Forbes, 1950 Virginia Ave., Bluefield, VA 24605, 276-326-2072.
Dudley Memorial Mortuary served the family.
Massie Short
Massie Short, 69, of Bassett, died Feb. 18 at Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County.
He was born June 6, 1936, in Buchanan to the late Walter Short and the late Edith Osborne.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant son.
Survivors: wife, Trula Short; son, Raymond Short of Bassett; daughters, Rhonda Garland of Callands, Robin Goard of Bassett; three grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; and brothers, Estil Hurt and James Davis, both of Richlands, and Jessie Osborne and Danie Osborne, both of Patrick Co.
The funeral will be conducted Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at Bassett Funeral Service Chapel, in Bassett, with Rev. Bobby Lawson and Rev. Tommy Rutherford officiating.
Interment
will be in the Boyd/Keen Family Cemetery.
Maude Gladys Snead
Maude Gladys Snead, 92, of Bristol, VA, died Feb. 18 in Bristol Hospice House.
Born Dec. 13, 1913 in Russell County, she was a daughter of the late John H. and Mary Stump Hess.
She had lived in Bristol for the past 15 years, moving there from Honaker. She was a retired inspector at Honaker Mills. She attended Valley View Free Will Baptist Church in Honaker and Beulah Land Church in Bristol, VA.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, William T. Russ; her husband, Henry Snead; one son, Lee Snead; two sisters, Gracie Maxfield and Freda Owens; one great-grandchild, Krista Snead; and one special friend, Odessa Musick. In her generation, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Mike Addison of Bristol, VA; daughter-in-law, Shelby Snead of Honaker; grandchildren, Michael Honaker of the home, Terry Snead and Alicia McGlothlin and husband, Scott, all of Honaker; three great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and special friends, Doris Rasnake, Barbara Presley, and Martha Smith.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Walter Statzer, Rev. Jerry Russell, and Rev. Harless Hess officiating.
Interment
followed in Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon.
Harold Stacy
Harold Stacy, 74, of Pounding Mill, formerly of Pilgrims Knob, died Feb. 18 in a Bristol, TN, hospital following a brief illness.
Born July 31, 1931 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late William Edward and Maggie Keen Stacy.
He was a United States Army Veteran. He was a retired coal miner and a member of UMWA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Matt Stacy, Sr. and Bob Stacy.
Survivors: wife of 51 years, Hazel Byrd Stacy; daughter, Rita Fay Ramey and husband, Randall, of Pounding Mill; son, Glenn Stacy of Huntsville, AL; brother, Nelson Stacy of Ypsilanti, MI; sisters, Ada Dunford of Claypool Hill, Evelyn Rife and husband, Elmer, of Pilgrims Knob; brother-in-law, Edward Byrd of Pounding Mill; granddaughter, Julie Meadows; step-granddaughters, Rebecca Watson and Jessica Ramey; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and neighbors.
The funeral will be conducted Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel in Keen Mountain with Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. Jack Ward officiating.
Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by John Ratliff Post 164.
A service was held Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Charles Curtis Stiltner
Charles Curtis Stiltner, 66, of Rt. 1, Grundy, died Feb. 14 at the Buchanan General Hospital following an extended illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late William Kendrick and Minnie Foster Stiltner.
He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County. He was of the Baptist faith and was a disabled coal miner.
He was preceded in death by one stepdaughter, Kimberly Blankenship.
Survivors: wife, Nancy Nickels Stiltner of Grundy; daughters, Tina Herndon, Karen Orfield and Laura Robinette, all of Abingdon, Tracy George of Fresno, CA, Selena Peck of Grundy, Sabrina Raab of Sevierville, TN; sons, Rodney Daugherty of the U.S. Army, Charles Curtis Stiltner, Jr. of Sevierville; stepdaughter, Debra Vanover of Richlands; stepsons, Michael Hurley of Richlands, Bobby Lee Justus of Grundy; brothers, Bill Stiltner of Myrtle Beach, SC, Bobby Stiltner of Byron, OH; sister, Shirley Viers of Bristol, VA; stepsister, Lisa Stiltner of Hurley; stepbrothers, Tony Stiltner, Robbie Stiltner and Bryan Stiltner, all of Grundy; stepmother, Jean Varney of Grundy; stepfather, Roland Rife of Abingdon; 16 grandchildren; two step-grandsons; and two step-granddaughters.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. at the Bethlehem Old Regular Baptist Church #2 on Poplar Creek, Rt. 2, Grundy, with Elders Toy Looney and Roger Coleman officiating.
Burial followed in the Stiltner Cemetery near the church on Poplar Creek, Rt. 2, Grundy.
Services were held at the church Feb. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.
Alma Gay Taylor
Alma Gay Taylor, of Farragut, TN, died Feb. 13 in Park West Hospital in Knoxville, TN.
Born Mar. 29 in Lynn Springs, she was a daughter of the late Harvey and Etta Perkins Miller.
She had spent her early life in the Swords Creek area before moving to Bristol in 1975 and then to Farragut in May 2005. She was a member of the Victory Baptist Church in Bristol, VA.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Edward Miller and Lester Miller. In her generation, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: husband, Garland Taylor; daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Mike Pyle of Farragut; son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Wanda Taylor of Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Brianna Taylor Smith and husband, Kevin, Michael Goodson, Rob Taylor, and Chad Pyle; step granddaughters, Amy McCracken and husband, Chad, and Tiffany Taylor and husband, Robert; and step-great-grandchildren, Riley McCracken, Bronte Taylor and Cash Taylor.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Austin Cook and Rev. Ken Hilliard officiating.
Graveside services were conducted Feb. 17 at 11 a.m. at Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, where entombment followed.
Garland Billips
Garland Billips, 65, of the Mudfork area of Bluefield, VA, died Feb. 26 at the home of his sister, Beulah Bryant, in Bluefield, WV.
Born Mar. 20, 1940 in Tazewell County, he was a son of the late Augustus Billips and Mary Belle Bostic Billips.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Sarah Jane McBride, and two brothers, Marvin "Red" Billips and Douglas M. "Mac" Billips.
Survivors: daughter, Brenda Earp of Springville; sons, James Billips and David Billips, both of Asheboro, NC; sister, Beulah B. Bryant of Bluefield, WV; brothers, Samuel A. Billips of Springville, Walter J. Billips of North Tazewell; and grandchildren, Ian Billips, Mary Billips, Courtney Billips, and Jannie Billips.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Mar. 1 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Johnny Elmore officiating.
Burial will follow at the Billips Family Cemetery at Mudfork.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service Mar. 1.
Sadie Rose Hankins
Sadie Rose Hankins, 87, of the Baptist Valley community of North Tazewell, died Feb. 21 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born Nov. 6, 1918 in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of the late John and Ruth Patrick Williams.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Garnett "Shag" Hankins; one son, John Hankins; two grandchildren, Deanna Hankins and Susie Hankins; seven sisters; and one brother. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: daughters, Janice Baldwin and husband, John, of Dry Fork, Rose Griffitts and husband, George, and Mary Whitt and husband, Steve, all of Baptist Valley, Lucille Griffitts and husband, Joe, of Georgia, Margaret Bowman and husband, Larry, of Squire, WV, Sue Young and husband, Rufus, of North Tazewell; sons, Leon Hankins and wife, Gaye, and Harold Hankins and wife, Geraldine, all of Baptist Valley, Raymond Hankins and wife, Linda, of Richmond; 20 grandchildren; and 27 great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Ryan David Helbert
Ryan David Helbert, 3, of Richlands, died Feb. 23 in a Richlands hospital.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of Stefanie Nicole Helbert and Jarred Rutrough of Richlands.
He loved being around family and friends and loved to play ball and watch cartoons.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, David Helbert, and maternal great grandparents, Alden and Audria Cook.
Additional survivors: sister, Alexis Paige Helbert of the home; special aunt, Kayla Renae Helbert of Richlands; maternal grandmother, Alfreda Louise Helbert of Richlands; paternal grandmother, Delores Honaker and husband, Scott, of Raven; maternal great grandfather, Lawrence Raymond Helbert of Richlands; maternal great grandmother, Anna Ruth Helbert of Richlands; and maternal great great grandmother, Pinkie Killen of Richlands.
The funeral was conducted Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Mickey Hale officiating.
Interment
followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
