Leona May Blethen
Leona May Blethen, 73, of Tazewell, died Sept. 4 at her home.
Born Nov. 24, 1932 in Kanawha County, WV, she was the daughter of the late Evert and Nellie Bonds Perdue. She was of the Christian faith.
Survivors: special friends, Jimmy Akers and wife, Stephanie, of Bluefield, VA; JoAnn Massey of North Tazewell; and caregiver, Shirley Gibson of North Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 6 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Jimmy Meadows officiating.
Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
Stella C. McNeil Carlson
Stella C. McNeil Carlson, 88, of Tazewell, died Sept. 9 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born at Whitewood, she was the daughter of the late John G. and Mary R. Cole McNeil, both Buchanan County natives.
She made her home in the Whitewood area for most of her life until the 1970’s when she and her husband moved to Tazewell. She was a homemaker and attended First Assembly of God in Tazewell.She is the widow of Francis G. Carlson. In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by two sisters, Virgie Clifton and Macie Salyers. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: special niece, Betty Bishop of Kingsport, TN; special caregiver; Linda Skeens of Princeton, WV; and several other nieces, nephew, great nieces and great nephews.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 11 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Tazewell at 7 p.m. with Rev. Stanley Sims officiating.
Interment
followed Sept. 12 at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA.
Earl E. Childress
Earl E. Childress, 86, of Vansant, died Sept. 11 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Elijah and Burgie Harris Childress.
He was the Owner/Operator of Childress Furniture for the past 47 years. He was a life long resident of Buchanan County and was of the protestant faith.
He was a member of the United States Army during World War II having served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. He received the American Theater Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Philippine Liberation Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He served overseas for 18 months with the 124th Infantry Regiment, 31st Division, 6th Army and participated in two major battles against the enemy. He was a lifetime member of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion. He is the last surviving member of his immediate family.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Ratliff Childress Jan. 17, 1999; three sisters, Orie Yates, Frances Smith and Alice Elswick; four brothers, Ralph, Ruey, George and Curtis Childress; and one infant brother.
Survivors: daughter, Debbie and husband, Jonathan Woods, of Vansant; son, Tony and wife, Elizabeth Childress, of Abingdon; grandchildren, Anthony and wife, Pat Childress, and Tarina Cox, all of Abingdon, Stephen and wife, Christy Childress, of Lebanon, Ryan and wife, Wendy Woods, of Rosedale, Brandon Woods of Vansant; and seven great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Michael Trent officiating.
Burial will follow in Paris H. Ratliff Cemetery, at the Mouth of Young Branch on Garden Creek, near Mt. Heron.
Friends may call at the funeral home chapel Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. with a song service at 7:30 p.m.
Full military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
Patricia “Pat” Crouse
Patricia “Pat” Lee Davis Crouse, 52, wife of James Crouse, of Fountain Inn, SC, died Sept. 11 at Oakmont East Nursing Center.
She was born Aug. 18, 1954, in Richlands to the late Harry Lee Davis and Genevia Looney Davis.
She was an alumnus of Southwest Virginia Community College, and worked with IHS of the Upstate.
Additional survivors: son, Eugene Smith; daughters, Angela Stewart and husband, Glen, and Crystal Ball and husband, Greg; brother, Troy “Buster” Davis; sister, Sissy Garman; granddaughter, Brittany Stewart; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Chapel of Fletcher Funeral Service in Fountain Inn with Rev. John Woods officiating.
Burial will be in Cannon Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615.
John Alexander Elswick
John Alexander Elswick, 54, of Tazewell, died Sept. 5 at his residence.
Born July 2, 1952, at Tazewell, he was the son of the late James Tipton (Slim) Elswick, Sr. and the late Ethel Boothe Elswick.
He was a loving caregiver of his parents until their death, and also a devoted brother, uncle, and friend to many in the community. He loved serving the Lord and helping anyone who needed help. He loved to make Afghans to give away and his greatest pleasure was to cook and bake so friends could enjoy their time together over a meal.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, PFC James Tipton (J.T.) Elswick, Jr.; his grandparents, Austin Alexander and Relida Debord Boothe, John Henry and Nannie Patrick Elswick; and a dear friend, Irene Kestner (Madame K).
Survivors: sister, Kitty Murray and husband, Mike, of Baptist Valley; nieces, Amanda Murray of Florida, Krista Murray Salyers and husband, Adam, of Bandy; great nieces, Brooke Ashley Salyers and Emma Grace Salyers of Bandy, Hailey Nicole Murray of Florida; very special cousin, Nan Dunford of Richlands; very, very special friends, Lisa and Jim Giacoma, Sarah Paige Galviano and daughter, Hannah, of South Carolina, Amanda Eaves and husband, Danny, and their sons Tyler, and Brady Eaves, Charles Erwin Earnest, Jr. of Bluefield, VA, Max Kestner and family of Castlewood, Violet Cassett and family of Richmond, Brother Walter Armstrong and wife, Martha, of Tazewell, Mon and Dad Rector of Tazewell,Pearline Murray of Baptist Valley, Charles E. Ernest, Sr. and J. D. of North Tazewell, Marlene Tatum and family of Tazewell; and beloved Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends.
Per his request, he was cremated and no flowers.
There was a gathering of friends and family to celebrate his life at Tazewell Baptist Church, where he attended faithfully, at 7 p.m. Sept. 7 with Rev. Robert Belcher and Rev. Kenneth Gillespie officiating the memorial service.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Emma Jean Farmer
Emma Jean Farmer, 66, of Richlands, died Sept. 8 in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Walter Thomas and Carrie Lena Hagy Cordle, both Tazewell County natives.
She had made her home in the Richlands area all of her life and was a former babysitter and housekeeper. She was of the Holiness faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey C. “Shorty” Farmer; one brother, Archie William Cordle; two half brothers; and step father, Clarence Helbert.
Survivors: sisters, Lois Farmer and husband, Claude, of Elon, NC, Katherine Vencill of Bandy; half sisters, Martha Stiltner of Rosedale, Linda Lowe of Pounding Mill, Faye Gilbert of Jewell Ridge, Brenda Lester, Mary Puckett, Sharon Blankenship and Ruth Dowdy, all of Richlands; half brothers, Wayne Cordle, David Cordle, Tommy Cordle and Dean Cordle, all of Richlands, Larry Helbert of Wardell, Bobby Joe Helbert, Randy Lee Helbert, David Wayne Helbert, Melvin Helbert, Michael Helbert, and Jerry Glen Helbert, all of North Carolina, and step mother, Emma Frances Cordle of Richlands.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Tim Lester officiating.
Interment
followed at Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands.
Mae Wilda Hankins
Mae Wilda Hankins, 88, of Berwind, WV, died Sept. 6 at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, TN.
Born Feb. 3, 1918 at Raysal, WV, she was a daughter of the late Benny and Oma Waldron Sparks.
She was of the Christian faith and was an avid gardener. She enjoyed spending time with her loving family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Lee Hankins, and nine brothers and sisters. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: son, Leonard Hankins and wife, Sherry, of Romulus, MI; daughter, Janet Hankins of Berwind; grandchildren, Richard Hankins of Westland, MI, Julie Coleman and husband, Russ, of Romulus; great-grandchildren, Jared and Tori Coleman of Romulus; a very special niece, Irene Wyndham and husband, John, of Berwind; a very special nephew, Johnny Farmer and wife, Littia, of Newhall, WV; and special great nieces and nephews, Kathy Boyd and husband Tim, Beth Wyndham, and David Wyndham, all of Berwind, and Lori Adams and husband, Billy, of Georgia.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church in Berwind with the Rev. Darrell Long officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Jeanene Lynne Harris
Jeanene Lynne Harris, 67, of the Thompson Valley section of Tazewell, died Sept. 5 at Heritage Hall Nursing Center in Tazewell following a very lengthy illness.
Born at Bluefield, WV, she was the daughter of the late James and Helen Anderson Barker.
She had made her home in Thompson Valley for most of her life. She was a graduate of Bluefield High School and attended Johnson Bible College. She retired from Tazewell County Sheriffs Department where she served as dietician for 26 years. She was a member of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Thompson Valley.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
Survivors: Henry E. Harris, he was her loving companion, husband and friend for 51 very special years, the last 49 of that as husband and wife. Not only was she referred to as “Mother” by Gene and Jody, she was affectionately called that by her closest friends. Her love of life was accompanied by not only her humor, but her tremendous ability to prepare food with more love than one could ever imagine. She was also survived by son:Jody G. Harris and wife, Detra, of Thompson Valley; grandchildren that she loved more than anything, Heather J. Harris and J. Heath Harris of the home; and special friends, Gaye Kulchar, Betty Jo Stroud, Nedra Lawson, Sherry Doss, Lisa Mustard, Florence Cornwell, Ramona Bennett, Bertie Elswick, Erma Sword, Debbie Stilwell, Nicole Ball, Judy Tony, Lisa Dunford, Beverly Shelton, Joyce Hill, Teresa Hylton, Angie Robinette, Debbie Necessary, and Gwinn Webb.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 7 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell at 8 p.m. with Rev. Rodney Lawson, Rev. Jim Denton and Rev. Kathie Wilson-Parker officiating.
Interment
was private.
Lillie Mae Harrison
The sun rose on May 10, 1912 in Clintwood for Lillie Mae Harrison, age 94 of Richlands, and the sun set on Sept. 3, 2006 at a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
She had made her home in Richlands with her daughter and son-in-law, Juanita and Raymond Johnson for 41 years, before becoming a resident of Maple Grove Healthcare Center in Lebanon for the past 15 months.She was as 34 year member of Trinity Assembly of God Church in Cedar Bluff.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Creed Bryant and Virgie Bryant Beavers; her husband, Billy Harrison; two daughters, Maxine (Daisy) Christian and Ruth Leffel; two grandsons, Mike Rasnake and Randy Casey; and one granddaughter, Sharon Wolverton.
Survivors: daughters, Juanita Johnson and husband, Raymond, of Richlands, Linda Rasnake of Wilmington, NC, Jean Ball of Baltimore, MD, Joann Beavers and husband, Riley, of Max Meadows, Oma Harmon of Wooster, OH; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Max Linkous, Rev. Ethel Watson and Rev. Rick Herald officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Willis Harrison
Willis Harrison, 65, a resident of Mooresville, NC, and formerly of Thomasville, NC, died Sept. 3 at his residence.
Born in Dix Creek Oct. 25, 1940, he was a son of Thomas Harrison and Sallie Altizer Harrison.
He served in the U.S. Air Force and had retired from High Point Furniture Company.He was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Lawrence Harrison, Allen Harrison and Glen Harrison; and two sisters, Ethel Beavers and Lucille Gillespie.
On Jan. 15, 1966 he was married to Shirley Ann McKinney who survives of the home. Additional survivors: daughter, Rhonda Lynn Hiser and husband, Bill, of Navarre, FL; son, Mike Orman and wife, Sabrina, of Thomasville; sisters, Ruby Collier, Willetta Simpson, and Sarah Cochran, all of Cedar Bluff, Mozelle Van Dyke and husband, Floyd, of Orlando, FL; grandchildren, Michael Orman, Chris Orman, Casa Lloyd, and Cameron Roberts; five great-grandchildren; and special nephew, Donnie Harrison and wife, Ann, of Oak Island, NC.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. at J.C. Green & Sons Chapel in Thomasville by the Rev. Michael Orman and the Rev. Kevin Morris.
Burial was in Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Thomasville.
Lois Ann Hess
Lois Ann Hess, 71, of Pounding Mill, died Sept. 7 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born Feb. 17, 1935 in Brown Ridge, she was the daughter of the late Jay and Irma Brown Horn.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Chester Horn; one son-in-law, Mark Lankford; one step-son, Winston Brian Hess; and one step-granddaughter, Regina Ann Hess.
Survivors: husband of 32 years, Winfred (Wint) Hess; daughters, Teresa Nelson and husband, Homer, of Richlands, Belinda Lankford of Gastonia, NC, Anita VanDyke of Abingdon; son, Wesley Hess of Lebanon; sisters, Marie Jackson of Richlands, Evelyn Horn of Cedar Bluff, Gladys Horn of Jewell Ridge, Maxie DeBord of Tazewell, Lillie McGraw of Deland, FL; brother, Roger Horn of Pennsylvania; step-son, Jerome Hess of Loveland, CO; step-daughter, Teresa Ann Hess of Emerald Isle, NC; grandchildren, Sarah DeRoberts, Chris DeRoberts, Amanda Roland, Donnie Roland, Jeremy Nelson, Jessica Nelson, Carly Nelson, Winston Hess, Keith Hess, Paul Hess, Jeremy Hess and Mandolin Graham; and six great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Adam Frye and Rev. Paul Griffith officiating.
Burial followed in the Brown Ridge Cemetery at Brown Ridge.
Mamie Brooks Hill
Mamie Brooks Hill, 93, of Tazewell, died Sept. 7 at Heritage Hall Health Care in Tazewell.
Born Jan. 21, 1913 in Tazewell County, she was a daughter of the late Troy and Margaret Kinder Wright.
She was a member of Brown’s Chapel United Methodist Church. She loved raising her children, gardening and was a hard worker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Oscar Brooks; her second husband, Paul Hill; one son, Bruce Brooks; two step-sons, James Hill and Harold Hill; two step-daughters, Shirley Hill Osborne and Patsy Hill Maggard; and several brothers and sisters.
Survivors: daughter, Nancy Nowlin of Bishop; sons, Harvey Brooks and wife, Willie, of Pensacola, FL, Clayton Brooks and wife, Ethel, of Statesville, NC, Luster Brooks and wife, Brenda, of Springville; step-daughters, Elizabeth Salyers of Baptist Valley, Jo Salyers and husband, Henry, of Claypool Hill, Edith Hill and husband, George, of Swords Creek, Dottie Hatfield and husband, Ronald, and Shelby Steele and husband, Larry, all of Bastian; step-sons, Billy R. Hill and wife, Betty, of Fincastle, Roy Hill and wife, Sheila, of Weyers Cave, Allen Hill and wife, Ella, of Tazewell, Claude Hill of Kingsport, TN; sisters, Ann Bennett of Maryland, Margaret Wilson and husband, Frank, of Manassas; brother, Otis Wright and wife, JoAnn, of Maryland; several grandchildren; several great grandchildren; numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; and one great-great granddaughter.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 10 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Gordon McBride officiating.
Burial followed at Browns Chapel Cemetery at Mudfork.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Brown’s Chapel Cemetery Fund, C/O Brenda Altizer, 1687 Mudfork Road, North Tazewell, VA24630.
Benjamin A. Johnson
Benjamin Andrew Johnson, 77, of the Johnson Hollow section of Maple Gap, died Sept. 8 in a Richlands hospital.
Born May 26, 1929 in Russell County, he was a son of the late Benjamin Chapman and Martha Jane Stevenson Johnson.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of Trinity Freewill Baptist Church and was a retired coal miner.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Emma Gay Shelton Johnson; seven brothers, Raymond Johnson, Floyd Johnson, Albert Johnson, Robert Johnson, Stewart Johnson, Easley Johnson and Gordon Johnson; and three sisters, Virginia Tuggle, Ellenor Shelton and Ruby Keene.
Survivors: sons, Benjamin F. Johnson and wife, Leanna, of Johnson Hollow and Wilburn Scott Johnson and wife, Lisa, of Lebanon; daughter, Reba Seth and husband, Ramesh (Roger); grandchildren, Bobby Johnson, Catina Deroost, Kandy Korona, Christina Grim, Richard Seth, Savannah Johnson and Zane Johnson; six great-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 11 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Roy Lee Wilson officiating.
Interment
followed in the Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
John Wallace Kennedy
John Wallace Kennedy, 78, of the Compton Mountain section of Buchanan County, died Sept. 6 at his home following an extended illness.
Born Aug. 4, 1928 in Bradshaw, WV, he was the oldest son of the late Richard and Ida Wimmer Kennedy.
He was a member of the Maple Grove Church of Christ where he served as an elder. He served as minister of the Rock Ridge Church of Christ, Pine Grove Church of Christ and Flatwoods Church of Christ. He was a retired coal miner from Jewell Ridge Coal Corporation #11 and a member of UMWA Local Union #7327 where he served as a field representative and as president of the UMWA District #28. He was also a member of the Grundy Lodge #17, I00F, the Masonic Lodge #318 AF & AM, Richlands, and a member of the Shriners.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Sarah Jane Stacy, Mary Melvina McCoy, and Virginia Irene Cantrell; one brother, James (Jr.) Richard Kennedy; and one grandson, Aaron Nathaniel Kennedy.
Survivors: loving wife of 58 years, Draxie Deel Kennedy of Compton Mountain; daughters, Greta Charlene Lester and husband, Joe, and Ruth Ann Rife and husband, Donnie, all of Whitewood; Ida Christine Mullins and husband, Rickey, of Wise; sons, Eulis Richard (Ricky) Kennedy and wife, Olva, and John David (Johnny) Kennedy, all of Whitewood, Michael Keith Kennedy and wife, Rita, of Grundy; grandchildren, Angie Campechano, Tommy Joe Lester, Kevin Kennedy, Amy Compton, Lisa Keen, David Kennedy, Laura Mullins, Emily Mullins, Rachel Rife and Nathan Rife; great grandchildren, Michael Deel, Christopher Campechano, Adam Campechano, Alison Lester, Kathryn Keen, Caroline Kennedy, Caitlyn Kennedy and Kennedi Mullins; sister, Alice Ruth Rife of Pilgrim Knob; and brothers, Harold Kennedy and wife, Vivian, of Paintlick, Ernest Kennedy and wife, Hilda, and Hobert Kennedy and wife, Kathy, all of Grundy.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Sept. 10 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with Evangelist Mike Trent, Evangelist Burb Riffe, Evangelist Bob Smith and Evangelist Dennis Wimmer officiating.
Burial followed in the Goodman Cemetery on Stateline Ridge Road, Jolo, WV.
A Masonic service was held at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 and an Odd Fellow service was held at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain.
Rhoda C. Osborne
Rhoda Crouse Osborne, 92, of Cedar Bluff, formerly of Richlands, died Sept. 4 in a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born at Slate Creek, she was the daughter of the late Glen and Cora Breeding Crouse, both Russell County natives.
She had made her home in the Richlands area most of her life and was a member of the Richlands Tabernacle.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Greeley Osborne, two sons, Buster Osborne and Wayne Osborne; two sisters, Leona Miller and Stella Gunter; two brothers, Albert Crouse and Urshel Helton; one son-in-law, Lawrence Boyd; and one daughter-in-law, Thelma Osborne.
Survivors: daughters, Jean Lester and husband, Joe, of College Estates section of Cedar Bluff, Linda Boyd of Knoxville, TN; son, Rev. Robert Osborne and wife, Kathy, of Kents Ridge section of Richlands; daughters-in-law, Frances Osborne of Doran, Dottie Osborne of Richlands; sisters, Gladys Gay Stacy of Richlands, Mary Honaker of Honaker; brothers, Virgil Crouse of Clermont, FL, Junior Crouse of Pasadena, CA; special friend, Debbie Grimsley; 10 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Richlands Tabernacle in Richlands with the Rev. Ralph Horton officiating.
Interment
followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.
Claude “June” Sargent, Jr.
Claude “June” Sargent, Jr., 84, of Tazewell, died Sept. 7 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Born Sept. 9, 1921 at Welch, WV, he was a son of the late Claude Sargent, Sr. and Stella Davis Sargent.
He was a US Army Veteran of World War, II. He retired from the Town of Tazewell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Christine Sargent Paxton, and two brothers, Robert Sargent and Huston Davis.
Survivors: wife, Edna Ramona Dennis Sargent, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 11 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Dr. Nelson McCall 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.
Larry Stiltner
Larry Stiltner, 59, of Silsbee, TX, died Sept. 6 at his home in Texas, following a lengthy illness.
He was born in Pikeville, KY, Aug. 27, 1947. He was the son of Shirley Shelton Stiltner and the late Gratho Stiltner.
He willing joined the United States Navy to serve his country. He then became an Equipment specialist for General Electric and was a member of his local Masonic Lodge. He was a loving son, husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by all who loved him.
Survivors: mother, Shirley Shelton Stiltner of Cedar Bluff; his loving wife, Karen Stiltner, of Silsbee; sons, Richard Stiltner of Beaumont, TX, Jeffery Stiltner and wife, Jennifer, of Dallas, TX; sisters, Nancy Costello and Patricia Stiltner, both of Cedar Bluff; brother, Teddy Stiltner and wife, Donna, of Canton, PA; and two grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 9 at 2 p.m. at Mineral Cemetery in Mineral, TX, with the Rev. Joe Burke officiating.
The family request that memorial contributions be made to the South Texas Children’s Home and Mineral Baptist Church.
Obituary information was submitted by Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands.
Judith L. Wnoroski
Judith Litz Wnoroski was born Aug. 5, 1934 in Tazewell. She died Aug. 9 at her home in Arlington, TX, following a long battle with cancer.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen Gillespie Mullen; step-father, Claude T. Mullen; one brother, Claude T. Mullen, Jr.; and her father, Rowie Litz.
Survivors: husband of 30 years, David J. Wnoroski; daughters, Kimberly Robbins and husband, Larry, of Plano, TX, Deanna Halter of Clearwater, FL; son, Christopher Strouth of Amarillo, TX; step daughter, Deborah Snyder of Kent, OH; sister, Priscilla Altizer–Russ and husband, Brittain, of Richlands; nephews, Joey Altizer and wife, Tracy, John Altizer and wife, Oyuna, Jeremy Altizer and wife, Natalee, Christopher Mullen and wife, Alicia; niece, Natalie Mullen Cordova and husband, Paul; grandchildren, Vickie Frieling and husband, Kurt, Sherrie Stovall and husband, Justin, Doug, Danny and Dustin Halter; and great-grandchildren, Alaya Halter, Aaron, Kaitlyn and Shay Frieling.
A memorial service was held Aug. 19 at the Wnoroski home in Arlington with Pastors Patrick Miller and Mark Schaffer officiating.
Obituary information submitted by Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands.
Ralph Yahne, Jr.
Ralph Dean Yahne, Jr., 30, of Virginia Beach, went to be with the Lord, Sept. 3 in a local hospital.
He was an owner of a construction business.
He was preceded in death by great grandparents, Sherman and Hazel Newberry Richardson.
Survivors: wife, Jan Basnight; sons, Kyle Basnight and Jacob Yahne; daughter, Haylee Yahne of the home; mother, Kay Eckley and husband, Tom; father, Ralph Dean Yahne, Sr.; sisters, Cheryl Felton and husband, Brian, Carol Yahne; brother, Ryan Yahne; paternal grandparents, Robert, Jr. and Evangeline Richardson Blake; and uncle, Chip Blake.Also left to cherish his memory are other family members and friends.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. in Altmeyer Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bank of America, the Ralph D. Yahne, Jr. Memorial Fund, 901 Liberty Street, Chesapeake, VA23324.
Obituary information submitted by Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff.
Kevin A. Altizer
Kevin Alton Altizer, 26, of Bluff City, TN, formerly of Richlands, died Sept. 14 in Kingsport, TN.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of John H. Altizer Jr., of Jewell Ridge and Beth Hodges of Bluff City.
He was a loving son, brother, grandson and father. He loved music and discovered a joyful peace when he played his guitar and lost himself in the melody. He worked as a foreman for Tri-Cities Extrusions in Bristol, TN.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, John H. Altizer, Sr.; maternal grandmother, Iris Leona Hodges; and one uncle, Mark Alton Hodges.
Additional survivors: son, Logan Alton Altizer of Gastonia, NC; brothers, Bradley J. Altizer and David S. Altizer, both of Bluff City, TN; step-brother, Derick Hill of Kingsport, TN; grandmother, Helen Young Altizer of Jewell Ridge; and grandfather, John Doyle Hodges of Jewell Ridge.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 17 at 3 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands with the Rev. Bobby Webb and Rev. John Shuck officiating.
Internment followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill.
Dana Lynn Asbury
Dana Lynn Asbury, 18, of Thompson Valley, went to be with the Lord Sept. 11 at Tazewell, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Born in Richlands, she was the daughter of Lisa Williams Mustard of Thompson Valley and Dexter Asbury of Cedar Bluff.
She was a graduate of Tazewell High School, Class of 2006 and was attending Southwest Virginia Community College. She was employed part time at Belks. While attending high school, she was secretary of the F.F.A., she was active in FBLA, she ran track, and she loved to play soccer. She was of the Protestant faith.
She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, George and Sadie Asbury; step grandfather, Albert John Kellenbenz; uncle, Billy Morton; great grandmother, Gracie Winningham; and special cousin, Aaron Spence.
Survivors: mother and stepfather, Lisa and Randy Mustard of Thompson Valley; father and stepmother, Dexter and Cheryl Asbury of Cedar Bluff; maternal grandparents, George and Pat Williams of North Tazewell; maternal grandmothers, Carolyn Williams of Lisbon, ME; step-grandmother, Edith Mildred Kellenbenz of Bluefield, VA; brother, Chucky Williams and special friend, Kellie Cline of North Tazewell; sisters, Christy Hodges and husband, Carl, of Thompson Valley, Delilah Asbury of Cedar Bluff, Nikki Gilbert and Reggie of Bluefield, WV; her boyfriend who she loved dearly, Jody Lane of North Tazewell; special nieces, Kelsey "Sweet Cheeks" Hodges, Destiny Taylor "Tator Bug" Hodges, Kelli Blaine Gilbert; and a future niece or nephew Williams in May; special aunt and uncle, Todd and Connie Harris of Thompson Valley; several aunts, uncles, cousins and a world of friends; and her loving cats, Midnight, Tiggs and Spooky.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 15 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Tazewell at 2 p.m. with Rev. Tom Mustard and Rev. Lisa Haywood officiating.
Interment
followed at the Horsepen Church of Christ Cemetery, Horsepen.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Dana to Precious Ones Day Care Center, 4411 Steelesburg Highway, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609.
Ronnie Bond
Ronnie Bond, 53, of Pounding Mill, died Sept. 17.
Born May 29, 1953 in Page, he was the son of Elizabeth Bond Coleman of Grundy and the late Charles Elmer Bond.
He was a member of Road Ridge Trail Rider’s 4-Wheeler Club.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Judy Deloris Meadows.
Additional survivors: wife, Rita Dye Bond; sons, David Keith Bond of Lebanon, Steven Allen Bond of the home; daughter, Bridget Nicole Bond of the home; brothers, Alva Lee Coleman of Grundy, Charles E. Bond of Swords Creek; sister, Angel Mullins and husband, Brad, of Stone Mountain, GA; and father-in-law, Robert Lee Dye of Webb Branch.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Sept. 20 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with Evangelist Mike Trent, Rev. Otis Musick and Rev. Ancil Childress officiating.
Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
A service was held at the funeral home Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
Ricky Lawrence Dye
Ricky Lawrence Dye, 48, of Williamsburg, died Sept. 12 at the Hospice House in Bristol, TN.
Formerly of Swords Creek, he was the only son of Robie C. Dye and Audrey Tuggle Dye.
He was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Mary Sue McKinney.
Survivors: wife of 29 years, Beverley Tarrant Dye; mother, Audrey Dye of Abingdon; son, Jason Dye of Nashville, TN; daughter, Jerrica Webb of Williamsburg; six grandchildren; three step grandchildren; and sisters, Loretta Jean Mears of Abingdon, Betty Dotson of Lansing, MI, Norma Rowe of Johnstown, OH, Donna Walsh of Cincinnati, OH, Cathy Blankenship of Paintlick and Rita Harman of Cliffield.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Sept. 15 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Larry Ratliff officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House, Williamsburg, VA or Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Lane, Bristol, TN 37620.
