Joan Kathryn Hagerman
Joan Kathryn Hagerman, 62, of Roanoke, died Mar. 8 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born in Glendale, CA. She was a kind and gentle woman with great compassion and generosity toward others. She was active in community affairs, volunteering her time over the years to PTA, the Alzheimer’s Association and various charitable walks. She passed with her family by her side.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Cummings, and her stepfather, Calvin Drake.
Survivors: her beloved husband of 39 years, Bill W. Hagerman; daughter, Megan Ann Hagerman; mother, Ann Drake; sister, Diane Cummings of Fountain Hills, AZ; nephew, Scott Trammel of Atlanta, GA; sister-in-law, Madeline Lafferty of Melbourne, FL; brother-in-law, Jack Hagerman of Bluefield, VA; and numerous nieces and other nephews.
A celebration of her life was conducted Mar. 10 at 10 a.m. at Simpson Funeral Home.
Interment
followed in Sherwood Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to: the Alzheimer’s Association of western Virginia, the American Cancer Society or Gentle Shepherd Hospice.
James Harman, Jr.
James William Harman, Jr., 83, of Tazewell, died Mar. 10 at a Bluefield, WV, hospital.
He was a well known attorney from a family of attorneys dating from 1883 in Tazewell.
Born Sept. 29, 1922, he was a son of the late James William Harman and Coralie Laird Harman of Tazewell.
He graduated from Washington and Lee University and School of Law in 1949, practiced law with his father until his father’s death in 1970. He served in World War II in Africa and Europe with the United States Army, and was a Life Member of the American Legion.
Formerly married to Evelyn Herring Harman in 1949, their two sons are James W. Harman, III of Burke’s Garden, and Johnathan Herring Harman of Bluefield, WV. He was Commonwealth’s Attorney for Tazewell County from 1952 to 1955, and was Mayor of Tazewell from 1961 to 1966.
He was instrumental in uniting North Tazewell and Tazewell, obtaining new water and sewerage facilities for the town, and was the first chairman of the Board of the Tazewell Community Hospital and instrumental in securing the hospital’s financing and construction.
A member of the Tazewell County Rotary Club, he served as its President in 1962. He received the Paul Harris Award in recognition of his many community accomplishments. He belonged to the Stras Memorial Episcopal Church of Tazewell.
Survivors: life companion, Evelyn Herring Harman; sons, James W. Harman, III of Burkes Garden, Johnathan Herring Harman and wife, Patricia, of Bluefield, WV; granddaughters, Anne Elizabeth Harman and Mary Margaret Harman of Bluefield, WV; brother, S. Laird Harman of Riner; niece, Nancy Christiana Harman; and nephew, Allen Jefferson Harman.
At the request of the family, services will be private.
Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Historic Crab Orchard Museum, Rt. 1 Box 194, Tazewell, VA 24651.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell is serving the Harman family.
Ethel Mae Herndon
Ethel Mae Hubbard Herndon, 87, of the Lewis Creek section of Honaker, died Mar. 6 at her home.
Born May 9, 1918 in Honaker, she was a daughter of the late Benton and Odessa Dotson Hubbard.
She was a lifelong resident of the area and was of the Methodist faith. She had worked for over 20 years in several area sewing factories.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Jeanette Herndon; one granddaughter, Karla Herndon; three sisters, Gaynell Knaus, Nannie Maxey, and Elizabeth Cook; one brother, Bill Hubbard; and many nieces and nephews. In her generation, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: husband of 70 years, Russell T. Herndon; sons and daughters-in-law, Russell Lee and Judy Herndon of Honaker, Jim and Martha Herndon of Cleveland; daughter and son-in-law, Betsy and Don Owens of Honaker; grandchildren, Kim Dunham and husband, Stan, of Saltville, Rusty Herndon and wife, Robin, of Rosedale, Terry Herndon and wife, Jessie, of High Point, NC, Monty Herndon and wife, Kim, of Whitsett, NC, Serena Lane and husband, Matthew, of Richlands; great-grandchildren, Marcus Dunham, Karlee Dunham, Tori Herndon, Lexie Herndon, Alisha Herndon, Emmalee Herndon, and Brittney Herndon; and step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Gary Sizemore, Telina Sizemore, Emily Sizemore, Larry Sizemore, Vicki Sizemore, Logan Sizemore, Dalton Sizemore, Randy Sizemore, Sarah Sizemore, Jeremy Sizemore, and Brianna Sizemore, Tracy Owens, Tony Owens, Neil Owens, and Carol Owens.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Mar. 9 in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum Chapel at Claypool Hill with Rev. Vonley Pruitt and Rev. Chris Musick officiating.
Entombment followed.
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Monette Hess
Monette Hess, 64, of Honaker, died Mar. 10 in the Veterans Hospital at Mountain Home, TN.
Born Sept. 11, 1941 in Virginia, he was a son of Dollie Hubbard Hess of Honaker and the late Charlie Albert Hess.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was a disabled coal miner, having been employed by R & R Coal Company. He was a United States Army veteran, having served in both the Vietnam War and the Korean War and being honored with several medals. He was a member of the VFW Post 9343 of Honaker and the American Legion. He attended Swords Creek Block Church.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one infant brother.
Additional survivors: wife, Barbara Street Hess; daughters, Tammy Ritchie and husband, Darrell, of Honaker, Jane Hess of Castlewood, Diana Musick and husband, Tommy, of Hansonville; son, Michael Hess and wife, Stacy, of Jacksonville, FL; sisters, Eveleen McFarlane and husband, Bob, of Bristol, TN, Ruby Fogleman and husband, Ted, of Lebanon; brother, Sheldon Hess of Eustus, FL; ten grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; 24 nieces and nephews; 23 great-nieces and nephews; three great-great-nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Phyllis and Gene McConnell and Tammie Bailey.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Mar. 12 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Rick Lester officiating.
Interment
followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Military graveside honors were conducted by the American Veteran’s Honor Guard Association of Richlands and DAV Chapter 31 of Tazewell County.
Helen Virginia Higgins
Helen Virginia Higgins, 82, of Hymera, died Mar. 10 at Glenburn Home in Linton, IN.
Born Aug. 29, 1923, in Richlands, she was the daughter of C.A. and Sadie (Boyd) Compton.
She formerly worked at United Airlines in the payroll department and as a Secretary at Peabody Coal Company. She was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church and Eastern Star #289, both of Hymera. She was Secretary-Treasurer of Neptune food.
She was preceded in death by one brother, James Compton and her parents.
Survivors: husband, Thomas W. Higgins, whom she married June 8, 1946; son, Thomas W. Higgins, Jr., of Bloomfield; brothers, Stuart Compton of Danville, CA, Stafford Compton of Richlands, Robert Compton of Bloomington; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Mar. 13 at Welch and Cornett Funeral Home Linton Chapel with Rev. Stafford Compton officiating.
Burial followed at Knights of Pythias Cemetery in Hymera.
Memorial contributions may be made to Greene County Developmental Services, P.O. Box 141, Lyons, IN 47443.
John R. McCall
John R. McCall, of Claypool Hill, died Mar. 10 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Rosman, NC to the late Sylvanus and Idella McCall.
He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and was a member of the Marine Corps League. He was Executive Vice President of the Richlands Chamber of Commerce for seven years, Chairman of the Tazewell County Republican Party for seven years, a member of VFW Post 9640, Past Master Cedar Bluff Masonic Lodge #260 A.F. & A.M., member Roanoke Kazim Shrine Center, Past Patron of the Richlands Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #104, Founder Clinch Valley Insurance Agency, Past member Cumberland Plateau Planning Commission, Past member Richlands Lions Club and a member of The Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only son, John "R" McCall, four sisters, and two brothers.
Survivors: wife, Jean Holbrook McCall; daughters, Barbara McMillan and husband, Jim, of Claypool Hill, Kathy Bennett and husband, Karmon; sister, Ruby Counts of Bristol, TN; sister-in-law, Shirley McCall of Bristol, VA; grandchildren, John Marco Warner and wife, Virginia, Drs. Brent Warner and wife, Lori, Drs. Kerri Bennett Jordan and husband, Robert, Natalee Altizer and husband, Jeremy, Dr. Kristi Bennett and fiancé, Brian Beck, Madison McCall and Mahala McCall; great grandchildren, Sarah Bond Warner, Lexie Elizabeth Warner and Anthony Knighten; and step grandchildren, Piper Lazowski and Jaime McMillan.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Mar. 13 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Jackie Strickler officiating.
Burial followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Military graveside rites were conducted by Casey Shortt VFW Post 9640.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 209, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609 or Preferred Hospice, P.O. Box 784, Richlands, VA 24641.
Laura Mae Melvin
Laura Mae Bourne Melvin, 88, a lifelong resident of Gratton, died Mar. 6 in Tazewell.
Born July 26, 1918 at Gratton, she was a daughter of the late Felix E. Bourne and Bertha B. Barnett Bourne.
She was a member of the Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women Society and the Shawver's Mill Homemakers Club. She graduated from Tazewell High School and was a substitute teacher at Gratton Elementary School.
She was married to the late Carl Witten Melvin of Gratton for 46 years. They lived their life as a neighbor and an inspiration for others. This inspiration of love was expressed to Laura Melvin's care-givers of many years which were Donna Jones, the late Mildred Shawver Heldreth, Renee Brown, Ernestine Dickens, Karen Lallande, and Dorothy Meadows.
She was preceded in death by her son, Larry Kenneth Melvin; three sisters, Violet Bourne, Lettie Bourne, and Louise Crouse and husband, Howard; two brothers, Simon Bourne and wife, Virginia Lester Bourne, and Henry Bourne; and one niece, Jean Jones.
Survivors: son, Douglas Wayne Melvin and wife, Betty Monk Melvin, of Burke's Garden; daughter-in-law, Carol Clifton Melvin of Gratton; sister, Helen Bourne of Tazewell; sister-in-law, Carrie Leffel Bourne of Tazewell; grandchildren, Brian Melvin and wife, Karen, of Gratton, Kelly Hoge and husband, Monte, of Burke's Garden, Kermitt Melvin and wife, Nina, of Elkins, WV, Dr. Eric Melvin and wife, Kristin, of Lewisville, NC; great-grandchildren, Jessica Melvin, Hunter Melvin, and Joshua Melvin; nieces and nephews, Wayne Barber and wife, Melanie, of Front Royal, Mike Shotwell and wife, Denise, of Brevard, NC, Carter Bourne of Tazewell; great nieces and nephews, Bobby Bourne and wife, Wendy, of Tazewell, Scott Bourne and wife, Lisa, of Springville, Charles Jones and wife, Carman, of Dublin; and great great nephews, Christopher Shotwell and Tyler Bourne.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. Mar. 8 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery at Gratton with the Rev. Rodney Lawson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, Rt. 3, Box 191, Tazewell, VA 24651.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Gabriel Seth Sutherland
Gabriel Seth Sutherland, 22, of Tazewell, died Mar. 6 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born Dec. 19, 1983 in Bluefield, WV, he was the son of Garnett L. Sutherland and Teena Jackson Sutherland of Tazewell.
He attended Adria Advent Christian Church. He was a graduate of Tazewell High School and was a student at Southwest Virginia Community College.
He was preceded him in death by his maternal grandparents, Joe and Nancy Jackson and his paternal grandparents, Wilson and Caroline Sutherland.
Additional survivors: sister, Blythe Sutherland of the home; his girlfriend, Hope Bise of Tazewell; and several aunts and uncles.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Mar. 9 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Don Elswick officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Dorothy S. Vance
Dorothy S. Vance, 74, of Lexington, SC, died Mar. 6.
Born in Richlands, she was the daughter of the late George E. Sparks and Gracie Elswick Sparks. She was the widow of Lloyd Vance.
Survivors: daughters, Linda Salyer of Lexington, Sharon Gallegos and husband, Alfredo, of Richmond; son, David Vance of Lexington; sister, Margie Hall of Tazewell; grandson, Stephen Salyer; granddaughters, Jennifer Gallegos, Amy Eades, Amanda Beasley, Ashly and August Tina Vance; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Mar. 9 at 10 a.m. at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Lexington Chapel.
Ruth Vandyke
Ruth Vandyke, 83, of Oakwood, died Mar. 13.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Buchanan Funeral Service in Keen Mountain.
Juanita Pruett Yost
Juanita Pruett Yost, 78, of Bishop, died Mar. 11 at her home following a brief illness.
She was provided loving care by her family members, Ruth Meade, and Preferred Hospice, Inc. before her death.
Born Mar. 22, 1927 in Canebrake, WV, she was a daughter of the late Sherman and Murlie Bandy Pruett.
She was a dedicated Christian and attended both Tip Top United Methodist Church and Wright’s Valley United Methodist Church. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Bishop. She was a 1945 graduate of Tazewell High School. She devoted her life to being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and wonderful homemaker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Anthony Leon Yost; one great grandson, Anthony Aaron Baldwin; four brothers, twins, Joe and Robert Pruett and Lance and Anthony Pruett.
Survivors: loving husband of 59 years, the Reverend E. Leon Yost; daughter, Pamela Gail Yost Alford and husband, Mike, of Bishop; granddaughters, Juanita Sherree Yost Baldwin and husband, Rick, of Macon, GA, Melissa Hope Taylor Crigger and husband, Albert, of Roanoke; grandson, Bruce Leon Yost and wife, Rebecca, of Lake Havasu City, AZ; great grandchildren, Jordan and Makayla Baldwin, Taylor, Gage and Hannah Yost; daughter-in-law, LaVonne Yost of Bishop; sisters, Shirley Null and husband, Clyde, of Bishop, Wanda Yost of Gratton; and a host of other family members and friends.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Mar. 14 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Larry Ramey officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Anthony Leon Yost Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Emory and Henry College, Development Office, PO Box 950, Emory, VA 24327.
George E. Bowling
George E. Bowling, 77, of North Tazewell, died Apr. 18 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born Oct. 26, 1928 in Tazewell, he was a son of the late John E. Bowling and Callie V. Duncan Bowling.
Survivors: sisters, Nancy Boettcher of Virginia Beach, Mary Candler of Charleston, WV, Ollie Warnick of Baltimore, MD, Alberta Ferebee of Greenville, NC; niece, Anita Nuckles of Suffolk; and cousins, T.E. Bowling, Jr. and Ralph Sheets.
Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m. Apr. 21 at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell with the Rev. Buddy Herald officiating.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
John A. Davis
John A. Davis, 33, of North Tazewell, died Apr. 19 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born Dec. 11, 1972 in Tazewell, he was a son of Robert Joseph Davis and Mary Sue Brewster Davis of North Tazewell.
Additional survivors: daughters, Samantha Ann Davis of Tannersville, Makayla Davis of Tazewell; son, Brandon Lee Davis of North Tazewell; sisters, Cathy Lynn Davis Crawford and Patty Ann Davis Vanhoozier, both of North Tazewell; and brothers, Wayne Anthony Davis, Rex Allen Davis, and Robert Floyd "Duke" Davis, all of Tazewell.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. Apr. 24 at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell with the Rev. Kenny Fields officiating.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Johnny D. Honaker
Johnny Drannon Honaker, 58, of Bishop, died Apr. 19 at Tazewell Community Hospital following a long illness.
Born Nov. 3, 1947 in Baptist Valley, he was a son of Gladys Deerha Honaker of Tazewell and the late Grover Sesler Honaker.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Dolly Bernice Lewis and Iva Carol Sargent.
Additional survivors: wife, Tina Sue Honaker; son, John Grover Honaker of Virginia; daughters, Tina Marie Erlo of Florida, Heather Nicole Honaker of Tazewell; stepson, Phillip Thacker, Jr. of the home; step daughter, Tina Dawn Elswick of Kentucky; foster children, Bobby Sargent and R. J. Riley of the home; brother, Lonnie Edward Honaker of Harrisonburg; sisters, Alice Carner Boyd of Swords Creek, Shelia Y. Morris of North Tazewell, Sharon L. Cramer of Tazewell; four grandchildren; and two step grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Apr. 22 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. John Canning officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Janice N. Lowman
Janice N. Lowman, of North Tazewell, died Apr. 21 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born in Amonate, she was a daughter of the late Wiley Louis and Reba Josephine Mateer Lowman.
She retired from Consolidation Coal Company after 45 years of service as a salary payroll clerk. She loved to play the Virginia Lottery and to shop at CVS, Farm Bureau, Double Kwik, Cargo, Food Lion and the Cave.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Frank L. "Bull" Lowman, and two sisters, Evelyn Smallwood and Margaret Ann Boothe. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: nephews, Frankie Lowman and wife, Linda, of Tazewell, Charles Smallwood and wife, Kathy, of Louisville, KY, Clyde "Buzzy" Boothe and wife, Becky, of Charlotte, NC; nieces, Erra Jo Lowman Sutherland and husband, Bill, of Wise, Phyllis Craig and husband, Jerry, of Morgantown, WV, Audrey Aunspaugh and husband, Richard, of Sebring, FL, Betty White and husband, Junior, of Matthews, NC, and Judy Gunter and husband, Ronnie, of Jesse, WV; 15 great nieces and nephews; and several great-great nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. Apr. 25 at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Carmen Denise Matney
Carmen Denise Smith Matney, 38, of Hurley, died Apr. 16 in Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC, following an extended illness.
Born at Radford, she was a daughter of John Franklin "Frankie" Smith, of Hurley, and Donna Sue Dotson, of Hurley.
She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and a member of Word Evangelistic Outreach Church. She was a graduate of Hurley High School Class of 1986 and a graduate of Southwest Virginia Community College and was a former employee of Clinch Valley Medical Center, Richlands, as a Radiologist.
She was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Carson Dotson, Jr.; paternal grandmother, Georgia Lowe Smith; and paternal grandfather, Amos Smith.
Additional survivors: husband, Eddy Dean Matney; a very special friend, Pamela Adkins Endicott, who donated bone marrow twice giving Carmen four extra years of life; maternal grandmother, Frankie Justus Dotson of Hurley; and several cousins.
The funeral was conducted Apr. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Word Evangelistic Outreach Church, Wolford, with Rev. Darrell Davis officiating.
Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
Services were held Apr. 19 at 7 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel.
The body was moved to the church Apr. 20 at 4 p.m. with services at 7 p.m.
Eula Mullins
Eula Mullins, 69, of the Clopton, AL, community, formerly of Richlands, died Apr. 22 in Dale Medical Center following a brief illness.
She was born Mar. 15, 1937 to the late Beatrice and Roy Hooker.
She graduated from Bland High School in Bland and took her nurse training in Richlands.
In 1959, she married Robert Mullins. She was a nurse at Clinch Valley Hospital in Richlands and Dale Medical Center in Ozark, AL until her retirement in 1996.
She attended Clopton United Methodist Church in Alabama, enjoyed gardening and was an avid antiquer.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Glenna Cooper, and one brother, Ralph Hooker.
Survivors: husband of 47 years, Robert Mullins; sons, Robert Mullins and wife, Betty, of Harrison, AR, Terry Mullins of Ozark; sisters, Pauline Vest and husband, Nelson, and Juanita McGuire and husband, Keith, all of Whitegate, Olena Cunningham and husband, Jack, of Richlands; brother, Roy Hooker, Jr. and wife, Betty, of Powhatan; sister-in-law, Faye Hooker of Richlands; and grandchildren, April Smith, Matthew Mullins and Jonathan Mullins.
The funeral will be conducted Apr. 26 at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. David Brannock officiating.
Interment
will follow in Hankins Cemetery in Richlands.
Helen Jane Patrick
Helen Jane Patrick, 93, of the Raven Nest Branch section of Cedar Bluff, died Apr. 22 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born May 25, 1912 in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late James Arthur and Bertha Belton Patrick.
She was a life long resident of the Cedar Bluff area. She was retired from the Cedar Bluff Elementary School where she worked in the cafeteria.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Lois Patrick and Audra O’Byrne, and three brothers, Paul B., James, and Lyle Patrick.
Survivors: sister, Grace Lowe of Cedar Bluff; devoted niece, Brenda O’Byrne of Richmond, whom she helped raise; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Apr. 24 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Doug Johnson officiating.
Interment
followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Luther C. Peery
Luther C. Peery, 89, resident of Palm City, FL for 28 years, died at home in an accident Apr. 18.
He was born in Jackson, OH Feb. 10, 1917 to Roy and Clara Peery.
He grew up in Tazewell with his brother, Robert, and sisters Lois Lowry and Carol Courtney. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, M.S. in Chemical Engineering in 1939. He began his 38-year career with E.I. DuPont de Nemours working in the new field of fluorine engineering where he was co-designer of the plutonium pilot plant at Hanford in the Manhattan Project during WWII, and continued to advance the field in subsequent years at DuPont.
He was an outdoorsman who hiked and fished most of the national parks, and an avid seaman who owned his first boat in the 50s, which influenced his choice of residence in Palm City.
His sister-in-law, Frances Peery, four nephews, and three nieces survive him.
Burial and services will be held in Tazewell at 10 a.m. Apr. 27.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to a charity of your choice.
Aycock Funeral Home, 505 S. Federal Highway, Stuart, FL; ph. 772-287-1717, is in charge of arrangements.
Herbert "Herb" Silvers
Herbert "Herb" Ralston Silvers of Johnson City, TN, completed his life Apr. 18.
He was born in Welch, WV to Everett William and Faie Ralston Silvers, a family involved in the coal industry in Fork Ridge, TN.
Attending high school in nearby Middlesboro, KY, he developed a love of learning and a talent for debate that would govern the course of his life. Graduating summa cum laude from Northwestern University at Evanston, IL, Class of ’41, on a four-year scholarship with a B.S. in political science and psychology, this son of the coal camp entered Harvard Law School where he continued his studies and became an editor of The Harvard Law Review.
He was drawn into the conflict of World War II and registered as a conscientious objector. Sent to England in 1942, he served as a clinical psychologist at army hospitals and received a direct commission as a medical administrative officer. His admiration for the people of England and delight in the bookstores of London drew him back there later in his life. Returning to Harvard Law School, he became a note editor on The Harvard Law Review, graduated cum laude and began his legal career in Washington, D.C.
In 1952 he returned to Tennessee and set up a general law practice in Greeneville, TN. He was an ardent supporter of civil rights and was proud of a case he won in the early 1950’s establishing that at least legally, black teachers had the same rights as other teachers. He also contributed a footnote or two to the legal brief for the Supreme Court for what became the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The tragic loss of his beloved wife Sara Buchanan, the mother of his three young children, marked his life and further developed his sympathy for families in distress.
His interests embraced a broad spectrum that included politics, mental health and education. He was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the strongly Republican first congressional district in 1962 and received the highest percentage obtained in the 20th century or since by any Democratic candidate for that office. In this endeavor he was championed by his second wife, Edna Dooley Silvers, the mother of his two younger sons.
In the mental health field he was instrumental in founding the Nolichuckey Holston Area Mental Health Center.
East Tennessee State University has lost one of its most avid friends and advocates. He served as a member of the ETSU Foundation Board of Directors and as a member of the ETSU Legacy Circle, in appreciation of which he was named an Honorary Alumnus in 2001.
Following his third wife, Barbara Jaffe’s death in 1992, he established the Barbara Jaffe Silvers Memorial Fund in the ETSU Foundation for scholarships and fellowships in the ETSU Department of History. In 1998 he created the Barbara Jaffe Silvers Library Endowment in the ETSU Foundation to establish a Memorial Reading Area in the Sherrod Library that may be appreciated by students, faculty, and the community to read and enjoy a diverse collection of contemporary books and periodicals.
His many philanthropic interests at ETSU have included WETS-FM, Athletics, Friends of Music, Friends of the Reece Museum, and The Friends of Theatre.
A member of numerous organizations including the Johnson City Symphony and Millennium Investment Group, he was an active participant at the Wellness Center and the new Johnson City Library.
He was a man with a strong work ethic and simple tastes in the pleasures of life. He loved spending time with his family, playing chess and tennis, and dancing on occasion with his wife Pamela.
He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Elizabethton, TN, where he served the church in several capacities.
Survivors: wife, Pamela Brown Silvers and her family; two daughters, Nancy Olivia Silvers and her daughter Sara Herbert Silvers of Columbia, MO, Sally Ralston Silvers and her life partner Bruce Andrews of New York, NY; three sons, Everett William Silvers and his wife Chrisanne Romeo and their son Dominic Buchanan Silvers of Knoxville, TN, Floyd Dooley Silvers of Steamboat Springs, CO, and James Craig Silvers of Johnson City. Special friends include Elizabeth Brock of Atlanta, GA, William T. Coleman of Washington, D.C., Louise and Don McKinney of Tazewell, Ann Stanley of Philadelphia, PA, Henry and Susan Antkiewicz, Jerry Robinson, Bob Rowan, Murray and Rita Scher, the Tom Stites family, and Jill and Fred Sauceman, all of Johnson City. He was particularly close to his late sister, Ann Silvers Gettman and stayed in close touch with her children, Jon Gettman and his wife Justine of Lovettsville, and Patricia Roldan of Miami, FL.
A private family committal and graveside service was conducted in Tazewell Apr. 24 with the Reverend Rusty Hatfield officiating.
The Celebration of Life Service was conducted at 11 a.m. Apr. 25 in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 500 N. Roan Street, Johnson City, TN with The Reverend Margaret Zeller and The Reverend Harry Bahlow officiating. The family received friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Barbara Jaffe Silvers Reading Area in Charles C. Sherrod Library, c/o ETSU Foundation, PO Box 70732, Johnson City, TN 37614.
Tetrick Funeral and Cremation Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, TN 37604 (423) 610-7171 was in charge of arrangements.
Betty Ann Sparks
Betty Ann Rasnick Sparks, 55, of the Wolford area of Rt. 3, Grundy, died Apr. 17 in the University of Virginia Hospital at Charlottesville, following an extended illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of Silas Rasnick, Rt. 3, Grundy and the late Oma Stacy Rasnick.
She had been a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, member of Knox Creek Church of God, a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and homemaker.
Additional survivors: sons, David and wife, Angela Sparks, of Pilgrim Knob, Eric Wesley Sparks and Ryan Sparks, both of Rt. 3, Grundy; sister, Margie and husband, Robert Wood, of Huntington, WV; brother, Johnny and wife, Jennifer Rasnick of Alameda, NM; and two grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Apr. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Knox Creek Church of God near Hurley with Revs. Henry Rowe, Doug Blankenship and Charlie Kennedy officiating.
Burial followed in the Willis Blankenship Cemetery on Main Knox near Hurley.
Services were held at the church Apr. 18 and 19 at 7 p.m.
Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Betty Jo Billips Runyon Stark
Betty Jo Billips Runyon Stark, 82, of North Tazewell, died Apr. 19 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born April 6, 1924 in Anawalt, WV, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Martha Bowman Billips.
She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Chapel at North Tazewell. She retired from the Bank of Tazewell County in Tazewell and was a member of the Eastern Star.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Basil Runyon, and one brother, Harry Elwood Billips.
Survivors: husband, Alvin Stark; nephew, Harry Dean Billips; niece, Brenda Neumann; great nephew, Stephen Lane; great great nephews, Joshua and Colin Lane; sister-in-law, Virginia Moore and husband, J.C. Moore; and many friends.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Apr. 22 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Dr. Chuck Trent officiating.
Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
