James P. "Jim" Lewis
James P. "Jim" Lewis, 79, of Lebanon, died May 10 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born Sept. 30, 1926 in Pennington Gap, he was a son of the late Cam J. and Clara B. Nolan Lewis.
He was a United States Navy Veteran, having served in World War II in the Asiatic/Pacific areas and was the recipient of several medals. He was a charter and lifetime member of VFW Post 9864 of Lebanon, a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America-Association of Bell Telephone Retirees and the Masonic AF & AM 251 of Lebanon. He had lived in Lebanon for the past 53 years and was a member of Lebanon Baptist Church. He was a central office technician with C & P Telephone, retiring after 38 years of service.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Cora Creech, June Smith, Virginia Sullivan and Henrietta Logan, and two brothers M.M. Lewis and Bencam Lewis. In his generation, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Survivors: wife of 53 years, Geanette Gent Lewis; son, James Nolan Lewis of Lebanon; grandsons, James Joseph Lewis and Benjamin Kelly Lewis, both of Lebanon; and nieces, Sharon Sarver, Ginger Sullivan, Robin Lewis and Betty Everson.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. May 13 at Lebanon Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Edwards and Rev. Lester Ferguson officiating.
Interment
followed in Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon.
Military graveside honors were conducted by VFW Post 9864 of Lebanon.
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Ralph W. McReynolds
Ralph W. McReynolds, 89, of Bluefield, VA, died Apr. 28 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born in Raven, he was a son of the late William Luther McReynolds and Mousie Smith McReynolds.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bluefield, VA, and was a retired conductor for Norfolk and Southern Railroad.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Meade McReynolds; one son, Larry McReynolds; and one brother, Claude McReynolds.
Survivors: daughter, Wilma McReynolds Shay of Matamoras, PA; son, William M. McReynolds, and wife, Patty, of Bland; brother, Billy McReynolds of Cedar Bluff; sisters, Betty Adams of Crystal River, FL; Mildred Wilson of Raven; grandchildren, Christopher McReynolds, Wendy McReynolds, Matthew McReynolds and Andrew McReynolds; and great-grandchildren, Zebulon, Cameron, Jett, Stephen and Bailey McReynolds.
The funeral was conducted May 1 at 11 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Rev. Raymond Amos officiating.
Entombment followed in the Grandview Mausoleum on the Bluefield-Tazewell Road.
Donald "Birdman" Moody
Donald M. "Birdman" Moody, 65, of Springville, died May 9 in Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born in Sears Port, ME, he was a son of the late Ambrose Moody and Bessie Evans Moody.
He was self employed, operator of Pet and Things in Bluefield and worked for four Seasons Transit. He also served in the National Guard Reserves. He attended church at the Tazewell Family Worship Center in Tazewell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Dennis Durham; one sister, Clara Hunter; and one brother, Lester Moody.
Survivors: wife, Mille Louise Hall Moody; daughters, Susan Gullion and husband, Jack, of Bluefield, VA, Karen Marcus and husband, Ernie, of Indiana; sons, Kenny Durham and wife, Kathy, Timmy Durham and wife, Sally, and Mark Durham, all of Bluefield, VA, Aubrey Moody and wife, Rena, of Indiana, Donnie Moody of Las Vegas, NV; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted May 13 at 2 p.m. at Dudley Memorial Chapel with Pastor Lawrence Hayes, Pastor Don Waddell and Pastor Barry Absher and Brother Alex Day.
Burial followed in the Grandview Memory Gardens.
Harold Robert Peery
Harold Robert Peery, 87, of Tazewell, formerly of War, WV, died May 11 at his home.
Born Sept. 1, 1918 in Tazewell, he was a son of the late James William Peery and Georgia Ethel Hinkle Peery.
He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in War, WV, where he served in many capacities. He was a United States Navy Veteran of World War II and served aboard the USS 443 Swanson. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Kiwanis Club, all of War, WV, and the Masonic Lodge of Berwind, WV. He served one term on the Town Council in War.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Howard A. Peery.
Survivors: loving wife of 69 years, Helen Hale Peery; daughter, Connie Peery Moore and husband, Lewis Moore, of Abingdon; son, Jerry Harold Peery and wife, Leesa Wolfe Peery, of Tazewell; sisters, Aileen L. Terry of Berkley, CA, June E. Williams and husband, John W. Williams, of Fort Wayne, IN; brother, James William Peery, Jr. of San Leandro, CA; grandchildren, Steffani Queen and husband, Mark, of Tazewell, Harold Robert Peery, II of New Baltimore, MI, Mark Peery Smith of Beckley, WV, Jennifer Alderson and husband, Curtis, of Fincastle; four great grandchildren; and special friends at Preferred Home Health and Preferred Hospice.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. May 15 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Walter M. Goad officiating.
Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell, where military graveside rites were conducted by members of the Barns Beavers VFW Post #7136 of Tazewell.
The funeral service took place on the couple’s 69 wedding anniversary.
Junior C.A. Ramey
Junior C.A. Ramey, 67, of Hurley, died May 12 in Holston Valley Medical Center Hospital, Kingsport, TN, following an extended illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Ellis and Nora Dales Ramey.
He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, a member of Bethany Bible Church and a graduate of Garden High School. He was a former baseball coach for the Grundy Elementary School. He served in the United States Navy and was a former employee of McCrae Trucking Company.
He was former owner and operator of Delbarton Mining Company, Dark Hollow Mining Company, Bounty Mining Company and Ramey Trucking Company.
He was preceded in death by one son, Channig Colley Ramey, and one brother, Leon Ramey.
Survivors: wife, Rebecca Lynn Cooper Ramey of Hurley; daughters, Dianna and husband, Pollard Shortt of Vansant, Tonya and husband, Ronnie Ward of Summersville, SC, Chelsea Nicholle Ramey, Melanie Dawn Cooper, Rebecca Jill Cooper and Kristy Payne Cooper, all of Hurley; sons, Dwayne and wife, Jill Ramey, and Cameron Ramey, all of Grundy, Chandler Andrew Ramey, Cheyenne Colley Cooper Ramey and Corey Shannon Colley Cooper, all of Hurley, Byron Derek Cooper of Richlands; brother, Bobby Gene and wife, Phyllis Ramey, of Pulaski; 13 grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted May 16 at 1 p.m. at Bethany Bible Church near Hurley with Rev. Paul Rife, Evg. Michael Trent and Evg. Same Casebolt officiating.
Burial followed in the Dotson Cemetery on Abner’s Fork near Hurley.
Services were held at the church May 14 and 15 at 7 p.m.
Full military rites were conducted at the church by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.
Ernest Rasnake
Ernest Rasnake, 79, of Conway, SC, formerly of Baptist Valley, died May 12 in Conway Medical Center following a long illness.
Born at Bee, he was the son of the late James William and Fannie Davis Rasnake.
He was a retired Bridge Construction Superintendent and was a member of the Little Freedom Church at Deskins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters and one daughter, Judy Lynn Moxley.
Survivors: wife of 59 years, Bonnie Vandyke Rasnake; sons, Michael Ernest Rasnake and wife, Sandra Lynn, of Socastee, SC, James Lorin Rasnake and wife, Cindy, of Myrtle Beach, SC; brothers, Acie Rasnake of Richlands, Dewey Rasnake of Great Falls; sister, Gladys Baldwin of Triangle; five grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m. May 15 at the Gibson Family Cemetery at Bee with Rev. Bob Fields, Rev. Jerry Matney and Rev. Jackie Church officiating.
Singleton Funeral Home in Cedar Bluff was in charge of arrangements.
Bueford Paul Ratliff
Bueford Paul Ratliff, 69, of the Maxwell section of Cedar Bluff, died May 14 at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born at Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Carl and Edger Mae Horn Ratliff.
He had made his home in Tazewell County for most of his life. He was retired from Island Creek Coal Co. as plant manager and was a member of the UMWA. He was of the Pentecostal faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers-in-law, Rages Matney and Scotty Lambert, and two stepsons, Robert Donithan and Richard Donithan.
Survivors: wife, Peggy Donithan Ratliff; son, Tim Ratliff of Winchester; daughters, Debbie Hill and husband, J. R., of Myrtle Beach, SC, Lea Anne Mulligan and husband, Kevin, of Chattanooga, TN; stepsons, Jim Donithan of Claypool Hill, Joe Michael Donithan, and wife, Cindy, of Tazewell; stepdaughters, Teresa Donithan Bowman, husband, Charles, of Pounding Mill, Margaret Donithan Lee, and husband, David, of Winston-Salem, NC; sisters, Marie Matney and husband, Basil, of Richlands, Doris Parks and husband, Rondal, of Grundy, Jan White and husband, Jerry, of Richlands, Martha Lambert of Cedar Bluff, Sue Howington of Cedar Bluff, Phyllis Matney of Oakwood; brothers, Arnold Ratliff and wife, Gail, of Patterson, Arvil Ratliff and wife, Zella, of Oakwood; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; and nine step-great grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted May 17 at 2 p.m. at New Hope Assembly Church at Claypool Hill with Rev. Rondal Parks and Rev. Charles Casey officiating.
Interment
will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
Friends called at the funeral home May 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. Friends may also call at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell is in charge of arrangements.
Mildred Frances Shelton
Mildred Frances Lawson Shelton, 79, of Cucumber, WV, died May 12 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Born May 10, 1927 at Richlands, she was a daughter of the late Andrew "Andy" and Virgie Cruey Lawson.
She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in War, WV. She was a retired Post Master having served the Cucumber and Newhall communities for 38 years. She was a past president, treasurer, and secretary of the McDowell County Postmasters Association and the National Postmaster Organization, NAPUS. She was a past Noble Grand, Vice Grand and treasurer of the Ellison Rebekah Lodge #90 of Squire, WV.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Perry Shelton, and two sisters, Juanita Pennington and Phyllis Burkett.
Survivors: daughters, Virginia "Sue" Shelton of Cucumber, Brenda Brewster of Tazewell, and Hillsborough, NC; sister, Winifred Tiller of Columbus, OH; grandchildren, Steven Brewster and wife, Angie, of Tazewell, Alana Parrish and husband, Mark, of Cornelius, NC; and great-grandchildren, Bailey and Gabrey Brewster, both of Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. May 15 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. J.C. Steele and Preacher Travis Hyde officiating.
Burial followed at the Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Marie Alicie, PO Box 909, Tazewell, VA 24651 or the American Cancer Society, 1808 Jefferson Street, Bluefield, WV 24701.
Ethel Marie Stevenson
Ethel Marie Stevenson, 91, of Westwood Medical Park and formerly from Wrights Valley, Bluefield, VA, died May 3 at Westwood.
Born in Nebraska, she was a daughter of the late Francis Jerome Buchanan and Deemie Wallace Buchanan.
She was a member of the Wright’s Valley United Methodist Church and was a former interior decorator for Marie Lester in Bluefield.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Luther Stevenson; one sister, Julia E. Sexton; and six brothers, Samuel Defaw Buchanan, Marion Harrison Buchanan, James Allie Buchanan, Lawrence Neal Buchanan, Guy Wilson Buchanan and John Edward Buchanan.
Survivors: son, Carl W. Stevenson of Wrights Valley, Bluefield, VA, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted May 6 at 2 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Rev. Leon Yost officiating.
Burial followed in the Maple Hill Cemetery.
Ethel "Tootsie" Thurston
Ethel M. "Tootsie" Hylton Thurston, 68, of Bluefield, VA, died May 4 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born in Pocahontas, she was a daughter of the late Harry Garfield Hylton and Cora Belle Sheppard Hylton.
She is of the protestant faith.
One of her greatest joys in life was working in her flower gardens.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline Tabor and Madaline Jennings, and one brother, Donald Hylton.
Survivors: husband, James Robert (Bob) Thurston; daughter, Pamela Gaye Raines and husband, Robert L. Raines, Jr. of Lyman, SC; sisters, Hazel Richards and husband, Frank, of Hurricane, WV, Joyce Cole and husband, Bobby, of Pocahontas; brother, Bill Hylton and wife, Opal, of Pocahontas; and grandchildren, Joseph Robert Kelly of Bluefield, VA, and Jennifer Kelly of Lyman.
The funeral was conducted May 8 at 2 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Jerry Lester officiating.
Burial followed in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.
Willard Russell Whitt
Willard Russell Whitt, 76, of Swords Creek, beloved husband and Dad, died May 9 at an Abingdon hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Swords Creek, he was a son of the late Albert Jessee Whitt and Florence Una Whitt, both Swords Creek natives.
He was a retired miner and a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He was a lifelong resident of the Swords Creek area and a member of the Raven Assembly of God Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph, Donald, and Dean Whitt.
Survivors: wife, Laura Lowe Whitt; son, Curtis Whitt and wife, Kathy, of Sevierville, TN; daughter, Freda Gay Hayes and husband, Paul Calvin, of Abingdon; brother, Thomas Whitt and wife, Carol, of Cadilac, MI; two grandchildren, Heather and Michael Stillwell of Swords Creek, Ashley and Wes Ayers of Sevierville; three great granddaughters; one great grandson; and special caregivers, Preferred Home Health and Diane Hale.
The funeral was conducted May 12 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Barry Absher and Rev. Dennis White officiating.
Interment
followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Norman D. Worley
Norman Douglas Worley, 65, of Raven, died May 14 in a Bristol, TN, hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Leemaster, he was the son of the late Raleigh E. and Bonnie Gay Yates Worley, Sr.
He had made his home in the Raven area for the past 25 years and was a retired meter reader from American Electric Power. He was a graduate of Garden High School and was of the Baptist faith. He was a U.S. Army Veteran and an avid coin collector.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Stephen, Roger, and Joseph Worley.
Survivors: sisters, Margaret Mullins and husband, Joe, of Abingdon, Darla VanDyke and husband, Johnny, of Bristol, VA; brother, Raleigh E. Worley, Jr. and wife, Janet, of Pounding Mill; special friend, Brenda Rose of Bluff City, TN; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted May 16 at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Evangelist Lois Null officiating.
Interment
followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 Richlands conducted military graveside rites.
Robert (Bob) E. Yates
Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) Robert (Bob) E. Yates, U.S. Army, Retired, 66, died May 4 at his home in Columbia, SC.
Born April 16, 1940 in Horsepen, he was the son of the late Robert T. Yates and the late America Shrader Yates.
He was President of his Senior Class at Tazewell High School, attended Concord College, and had a career in the Army as a helicopter pilot. Major assignments included Vietnam, S. Korea, the 1st Gulf War, and Germany. At the time of his retirement, he was the only Maintenance Test Flight Examiner in Europe for the Army’s UH-60A aircraft. As a civilian, he was a helicopter training instructor at Fort Rucker, AL. Individual awards included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Awards, 2 Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Service Ribbon. Unit awards included the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
Survivors: daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Bill O’Neil of Nocona, TX; son and daughter-in-law, US Air Force Lt. Col. Robert Eric and Mia Yates, currently serving in Ramstein, Germany; sisters and brothers-in-law, Bertha and Travis Pritchett of Charleston, SC, Helen and Gregg Eckelbecker of Portland, TX; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Julia Yates of Charleston, SC; sister, JoAnn Woodall of Bluff City, TN; aunt, Pearl Munsey of Bluefield, VA; nine nieces and nephews, including John Pritchett of Charleston, SC and Meri Pritchett of Los Angeles, CA; two great nieces; and many special friends.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. May 12 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell.
Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends contributions to First Christian Church, Columbia, SC, where Bob was a member.
Darlene Proffitt Ball
Darlene Proffitt Ball, 55, of the Kents Ridge Road section of Cedar Bluff, died May 19 in a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
Born at Richlands, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Ocie Belle Davis Proffitt.
She was a member of Freedom Ministries.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Carl Andrew Ball; two brothers, Chester Proffitt and Brady Proffitt.
Survivors: husband, Carl Hassell Ball; daughter, Cheryl Bishop and husband, Robert, of Cedar Bluff; sisters Ruth James and husband, Emory, of Davenport, Beatrice Gilbert and husband, Henry, of Claypool Hill, Georgia Brown of Keen Mountain, Jean Dye of Doran; brothers, Melvin Proffitt and wife, Pauline, and Charlie Proffitt, all of Red Ash, Hubert Proffitt of Whitewood; grandchildren, Dustin Carty, Tristan Carty, Alex Ball and Evan Ball.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. May 22 in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Mickie Hale and Rev. Charlie McGlothlin officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Cemetery at Claypool Hill.
Henry (Dick) Belcher
Henry F. (Dick) Belcher, 87, of Richlands, died May 21 in a Richlands hospital following a long illness.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Dixie Flemming Belcher and Gladys Graham Barrett Belcher.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, William Belcher, Kenneth Belcher and Harry (Bubba) Belcher, and one sister, Lavonia Johnson.
He was a U.S. Army-Air Force Veteran of WW II.
Survivors: sisters, Betty June Osborne of Port Orchard, WA, and Nancy Lee York of Fontana, CA.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. May 25 at the Hankins Cemetery in Richlands with Rev. Stafford Compton officiating. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by the American Veterans Honor Guard Association, Inc.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is serving the family.
Charity A. Blankenship
Charity Abigail Horn Blankenship, 91, of the Paintlick section of Pounding Mill, died May 16 in a Richlands hospital.
Born Nov. 3, 1914 in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late William and Susie Vandyke Horn.She was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Jay Blankenship, Sr.; four brothers, Harrison Horn, Hoover Horn, Coy Horn and Howard Horn; two sisters, Nelly Keen and Polly Horn; one grandson, Jerry Clifton; one great granddaughter, Alexis Blankenship; and one son-in-law, Harold Clifton.
Survivors: sons, Leonard Blankenship and wife, Barbara, of Swords Creek, Otis Blankenship and wife, Lena, of Cedar Bluff, Earnest Blankenship and wife, Melinda, of Pounding Mill, Ellis Blankenship and wife, Kathy, of Raven, William Blankenship, Jr. and wife, Cathy Faye, of Pounding Mill; daughters, Betty Harman and husband, Preston, and Beulah Clifton, all of Raven, Linda Crawford of Friendsville, TN; brothers, Claude Horn of Glade Springs, Jay Horn of Marvin; sisters, Eva (Tennessee) Cantrell of Richlands, Lida Godbey of Abingdon, Donie Ferrell, Kansas Rude and Onie Brown, all of Auburn, IN; 21 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; eight great great grandchildren; special caregivers, Tammy Stiltner and Lisa Barrett; and special friend, Corby McClanahan.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. May 19 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Allen Jessee officiating.
Entombment followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Marvin R. Farmer
Marvin R. Farmer, 88, of Honaker, died May 20 at his home.
Born Oct. 14, 1917 in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Walter and Rebecca Jane Buskill Farmer.
He had spent most of his life in the area and was a member of the Honaker Church of God and a past member of the New Garden Rescue Squad. He was a retired truck driver with Russell Oil and had formerly been employed as an auto body repairman with Modern Chevrolet.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by nine brothers, Earl Farmer, Don Farmer, Clesson Farmer, Wayne Farmer, Arnold Farmer, Waldon Farmer, Paul Farmer, Albert Farmer, and Stan Farmer, and four sisters, Martha Barton, Mary Stevens, Ruth Thomas, and Laura Farmer.
Survivors: wife of 68 years, Hettie M. Farmer; daughters, Connie Perkins and husband, Charles, of Swords Creek, Evonne Perkins and husband, Lincous, Christine Boyd and husband, Sherman, and Hettie M. Farmer, all of Honaker; sons, Dixie D. Farmer and wife, Ruby, of Bucyrus, OH, Clinton Farmer and wife, Joyce, and Jimmy Farmer and wife, Beverly, all of Rosedale; brother, Bayard Farmer of Honaker; 15 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 7 p.m. May 22 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Pastor Larry Brooks and Rev. Steve Perkins officiating.
Committal services were conducted at 2 p.m. May 23 in the Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel at Lebanon.
Clara V. Harris
Clara V. Harris, 94, of Pounding Mill, died May 19 in Tazewell.
Born in Pounding Mill, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Myrtle Ringstaff.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Marion Harris; one son, Glenn Skip Harris; one granddaughter, Glenna Cox; and several brothers and sisters.
Survivors: son, Jerry Harris and wife, Shirley, of Cedar Bluff; daughter, Mary E. (Darb) Brown of Richlands; brothers, Hoyt Ringstaff and wife, Thelma, of Claypool Hill; Jack Ringstaff and wife, Isabell, of Richlands, Tommy Ringstaff and wife, Effie, of Bluefield, VA; sisters, Nancy Simmons and June Smith, both of Richlands; special niece and nephew, Kurt and Alma Stevenson of Gray, TN; six grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. May 22 in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill with Pastor Buddy Herald officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Cemetery.
Singleton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Joann Fogleman Honaker
Joann Fogleman Honaker, 63, of Bristol, VA, died May 20 at her home.
Born Aug. 14, 1942 in Russell County, she was a daughter of the late Willie and Hettie Hubbard Fogleman.
She was a former resident of Honaker, had lived most of her life in Northern Virginia, and had moved to Bristol over a year ago.She was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Meadowview.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Ruth Darnell.
Survivors: husband of 45 years, Clifford Honaker; son, Jeffery Honaker and wife, Charity, of Woodbridge; grandchildren, Samantha Honaker and Christopher Honaker, both of Woodbridge; sisters, Mildred Honaker of Honaker, Bea Price and husband, Henry, of Rosedale; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. May 23 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Chad Johnson officiating.
Interment
followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
Eliza Boyd Ireson
Eliza Boyd Ireson, 95, of Roanoke and formerly of Bristol, VA, died May 22.
She retired as Personnel Director of Universal Molded Products and then retired as Supervisor of student Information at Duke University in Durham, NC.
Survivors: son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Ruby Ireson of Independence; grandsons, Robert Ireson and wife, Peggy, of Roanoke, David Ireson and wife, Kelly, of Fairfax; step grandson, Randall Harrington of Independence; great grandchildren, Michael and Laura Ireson, Marisa Ireson; sister, Nancy Taylor of Chapel Hill, NC; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at Oakey’s South Chapel, Roanoke.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice Inc., 3825 Electric Rd., Roanoke, VA 24018.
Hallie Mae Sayers Lee
Hallie Mae Sayers Lee, 95, of Waynesboro, died May 22 at Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville.
She was a resident of Tazewell County for over 45 years.
She was a homemaker and mother to her eight children.She was born in the Cripple Creek Community in Wythe County Oct. 25, 1910, a daughter of the late Dow and Margaret Nichols Sayers.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Edward Lee; one son, Eddie G. Lee; one daughter, Ada L. Lee; one sister, Ada Nicholson; and one brother, Cecil Nichols.
Survivors: daughters, Mae Lloyd of Bear, DE, Malinda Rose and husband, Gordon, of Clayton, DE, Margaret Williby and husband, Robert, of Mesa, AZ; sons, Dr. Paul Lee of Waynesboro, Jack Lee and wife, Beverly, of Winston Salem, NC, Frank Lee of Newark, DE; 18 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; and one great, great grandchild.
A private memorial service will be conducted in the McDow Funeral Home Chapel, Waynesboro.
The family recommends, that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of her be made to the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 80, Weyers Cave, VA 24486. A memorial scholarship will be established in her honor for the purpose of providing scholarships to nursing students.
Ilene Wright McGrady
Ilene Wright McGrady, 61, of the Gratton area of Tazewell, died May 18 at Bristol, TN.
She was born at McDowell County, WV, and was a daughter of the late Hamilton and Ruth Catron Compton.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a faithful member of Alexander United Methodist Church of Bishop.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Arthur Wright; mother-in-law, Edna Wright; and two grandchildren, Jimmy Wright and Aaron Wright.
Survivors: husband, Gary McGrady; daughters, Shelia Lambert and husband, Jeff, of Bishop, Pamela Wilburn and Harvey Nunley of Abbs Valley; son, Martin Wright and wife, Sherri, of Bland; step-daughters, Alicia Rogers and husband, Terry, and Amanda McGrady, all of Tennessee; sisters, Bonnie Blankenship and husband, Danny, of Bland, Janice Laney and husband, Larry, of Thompson Valley, Loretta Miller and husband, J. D., of Sugar Grove, Vonda Anderson of Marion; brother, Robbie Boone and wife, Sherrie, of North Carolina; step-mother, Helen Compton of Honaker; mother-in-law, Mary McGrady of Bland; and nine grandchildren. She was loved by her 12 nieces and nephews and nine great nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted May 21 at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Kenny Fields officiating.
Interment
followed at Shilo United Methodist Church Cemetery, Bland.
Charles H. Phillips
Charles H. Phillips, 96, of Frostproof, FL, formerly of Tazewell, died May 21 at Salem, after a long and full life.
Born May 8, 1910 in Appalachia, he was a son of the late Zebedee Phillips and Alice Phillips Crane.
He was married to Roxie Blankenship Phillips who preceded him in death Dec. 8, 1983. He was educated in Virginia schools living most of his adult life in Tazewell County, (Bishop and Tazewell).
He worked for Pocahontas Fuel Company at Bishop and was a member of United Mine Workers Local Union 6025; where he served as financial secretary. He was employed by United Mine Workers of America, District 29 as auditor and field representative from 1948 until his retirement in 1973. During those years, he worked diligently to acquire better health care and medical benefits for the coal miners and their families.
He was of the Methodist faith always being active in church. He worked hard, along with many others, to see that the Alexander United Methodist Church in Bishop became a reality. He served as Sunday school superintendent for many years. While living in Tazewell, he was a member of North Tazewell United Methodist Church. There he enjoyed singing in the choir and serving as a Trustee and serving on the Administrative Board.
Frostproof, FL became his permanent home in 1999. He was a loyal member of Frostproof United Methodist Church until his health prevented him from attending.
Along with his parents and his wife Roxie, he was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth Mainous, and three brothers, Grady Phillips, Lucian Phillips and Silas Phillips.
Survivors: two daughters, one son and their spouses, Joan Grindstaff Neel and Joe Kelly Neel of North Tazewell and Frostproof, Shirley Phillips Minter and A. K. Minter, Jr. of Beckley, WV, Charles B. Phillips and Judy Phillips of Salem; grandchildren, Phil Dingus, Susie Dingus Whitt, Kim Minter Kowalkowski, C. Gregory Phillips, A. King Minter and Dr. Stephen G. Phillips; seven great grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Ruby Perkins of Beckley.
A service in celebration of his long and productive life will be held at the North Tazewell United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. May 24 with the Rev. Howard Edwards officiating.
Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
The family will receive friends in the church sanctuary after 10 a.m. May 24.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the North Tazewell United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 125, North Tazewell, VA 24630 or the Alexander United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 39, Bishop, VA 24604.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell is serving the Phillips family.
