Jimmy Ray Rhudy
Jimmy Ray Rhudy, age 61, passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2005 at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Hazel & Frank Phillips after a lengthy illness.
Jimmy was born on August 6, 1943 in Damascus and had lived his entire life there. Jimmy was a son of the late Raymond Rhudy and Edith Heath Rhudy and was also preceded in death by a sister Shirley Rhudy.
Jimmy is survived by his sisters, Hazel Phillips and husband Frank of Damascus; Frances Haga and special friend Maurice Preston of Damascus, Grace Rambo and husband Bob of Meadowview; a brother, Burley (Bud) Rhudy and wife Sally of Meadowview as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Lisa, Karen and Naomi of Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their support and kindness to Jimmy and his family; to all of Jimmy’s friends for all their love and support and an extra special thank you to Pastor Bob Neace for his love and support of Jimmy and concern for his family.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P. M. Wednesday, May 25, 2005 in the First Baptist Church of Damascus with Pastor Bob Neace officiating. Interment
will follow in Mock Cemetery in Damascus.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M., on Tuesday at the funeral home or any time at the home of his sister, Hazel Phillips.
Casket bearers will be Bobby Rambo, Larry Hicks, Lee Hicks, Randy Rhudy, Ted Ryder and Joe Richardson. Honorary casket bearers will be T. J. Ryder, Jason Rambo, Derek Richardson, Richard Owens and Bobby Moore.
James Clifford Bowers
James Clifford Bowers, age 70, better known as “Crow”, passed away Sunday, May 22, 2005 in the Bristol Regional Medical Center. Crow had lived most of his life in Washington County, VA and was a former bus driver with the Washington County Schools.
Survivors include a son, James Clifford “Jamie” Bowers, Jr., Bristol, VA a daughter and her husband, Wanda G. and Freddie Rouse, Bristol, VA, a brother and his wife, W. T. and Wilma Bowers, Byron, GA, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Jimmy Sproles officiating. Interment
will follow. Those attending the service on Wednesday are requested to assemble at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, 230 Charwood Drive, NE, Abingdon, VA 24210.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. in the funeral home.
John Robert Mahala, Jr.
John Robert "J.R." Mahala Jr., age 28, died Monday, May 23, 2005, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. J.R. was born on March 5, 1977 in Washington County, Virginia.
Survivors include his daughter, Keara Nicole Mahala of Belfast, Va.; his parents, John Robert Mahala Sr. and Juanita Doss Mahala of Abingdon; his sisters, Melissa Mahala Carr and husband Keith of Elizabethton, Tenn., Rachel Mahala McCracken and husband Eric of Piney Flats and Sharon Christine Mahala Kestner and husband Troy of Abingdon; a special friend, Rachel Call of Damascus; his former wife, Jessica Carpenter of Belfast; and his nieces and nephews, Santana Mahala Warren, Owen Keith Carr, Mahala Nicole Carr, Alexander Eric McCracken and Conner Eric McCracken.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 26, 2005, in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, with Rev. John Wesley Price and Rev. Dave Scott officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Casket bearers will be Jason Roark, Eric Thompson, Tommy Waugh, David Waugh, Chris Warren and Brian Cullop.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Edna Clementine Venable
Edna Clementine "Clem" Venable, 75, passed away Monday, May 23, 2005, at Johnston Memorial Hospital.
Survivors include her husband, Albert Luther Venable; one son, Albert Gene Venable and his wife Cheryl, of Florence, S.C.; one grandson, Michael Venable; one sister, Patricia Martin of Marion, N.C.; two sisters-in-law, Kathleen McHugh of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Mae Roberts of Abingdon; and one brother-in-law, Don Venable of Abingdon.
Cryptside services will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of Memories, located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, with Pastor John E. Massey Jr. officiating.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Flowers are not necessary, but memorial donations made in her name to the charity of one's choice would be appreciated.
Mary Alice Litton
MARY ALICE LITTON, 75, of Glade Spring passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at her home. A lifelong resident of Washington County, she was a member of Mt. Carmel Christian Church. She was a veteran of the United States Navy, and had been stationed in Pensacola, Florida.
Survivors include her daughter, Ava Litton of Glade Spring; one son, Joseph Litton of Meadowview; 2 grandchildren, Hailey and Brady; one brother, Joe Wagner of Nevada; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2005 at 11am at Greenfield Baptist Cemetery with Mr. Jim Pence officiating.
Brenda Lowe Potter
Mrs. Brenda Lowe Potter, age 53, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at her home. She was born in Abingdon, Virginia having lived there until moving to Bristol thirty six years ago. She had worked at the Johnston Memorial Hospital for 18 years and was of the Christian faith. She was preceded in death by her father, David Lowe, her step-father, Alonzo Stitt, a sister, Elizabeth Walls and a grandson, Daniel Woods.
She is survived by: Her husband of 36 years, Earnest Potter; One daughter, Joyce Woods and husband, John of Abingdon, Va.; Three sons, Tom Potter, Russell Potter and Billy Potter, all of Bristol, Tenn.; Five sisters, Norma Bowles and husband, Kenneth of Martinsville, Va, Marsha Wilson and husband, Jerry of Bristol, Tenn., Vicky Berisford and husband, Bob of Montana, Beck Mann of Bristol, Tenn. and Janie Coldiron of Ridgeway, Va.; Her mother, Virgie Lowe Stitt of Bristol, Tenn.; Four step-sisters, Linda Davis and husband, Lindley of Roanoke, Va., Nancy Stacy of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Trisha Fleming and husband, Mark of Bristol, Va., Annette Templeton and husband, David of Gate City, Va.; Two step-brothers, Joe Stitt and wife, Debbie of Bluff City, Tenn. Howl Stitt and wife, Kathy of Piney Flats, Tenn.; Eight granddaughters, Angel, Bobby, Lea, Drema, Lucy and Gabby Potter, Brianna Lampkins and Kristen Woods; Three grandsons, Rusty and Davion Potter and John Woods
A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, May 29, 2005, at 2:00 PM in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Brent Fiedler officiating. Burial will follow in the Bunny Lowe Potter Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 – 9 PM Saturday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Rust Potter, John Woods, Jerry Wilson, Earl Rose, Jimmy Potter and David Berry.
Paul Frederick Wagner
Mr. Paul Frederick Wagner, age 85, died Friday, May 27, 2005 at his home.
Paul was born on September 10, 1919 in Bluefield, WV and was a son of the late James E. Wagner and Brook Danner Wagner. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Hilda Wooster, Helen Guynn and Hazel Hutchinson.
Paul was a native of Bluefield, WV and had lived many years in Narrows, VA where he was a member of the Masonic Lodge #269 of A.F. & A. M. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Pearisburg, VA. He had lived in Abingdon since 1995 and had formerly lived in Meadowview, VA. Paul was a retired engineer with Norfolk & Western Railroad with 28 years of service and was a U. S. Army Veteran of WW II.
Survivors include his wife Violet Hayter Wagner; a brother, J. E. Wagner of Riner, VA; three nieces, Mary Frances Tice of Greensboro, NC, Terry Bradley of Ester, FL and Sherry Joe Andreson of Bristol, TN and two nephews, Patrick Hutchinson of Newport, VA and Michael Hutchinson of Jacksonville, FL.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A. M. Monday, May 30, 2005 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Harry Hight and Rev. Katye Fox officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Casket bearers will be John Teague, Boomer Teague, Michael Hayter, Garland Stuart, Steve Forrester, Wayne Campbell and Karl Hayter. Honorary casket bearers will be Ned Hayter, Cecil Gobble, Tom Kent, Dan Stevens, Dr. Thomas W. Green, Jr., Fred Johnston, Bill Creasy and Herman Stuart.
In place of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1 Morton Drive, Suite 106,Charlottesville, VA 22903.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 – 9:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
Clara Marie Yates
Mrs. Clara Marie Yates, age 81, went to be with the Lord Friday, May 27, 2005, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was born in Pike County, Kentucky on June 15, 1923 and was the daughter of the late Will and Leattia Slone Elswick. She was a former resident of Grundy, Va. where she was a member of the Grundy Church of Christ for 30 years. She moved to Abingdon in 1989 and was a member of the Macedonia Church of Christ for 15 years.
Mrs. Yates is survived by her husband, Aubrey Yates; sons and daughters-in-law, James Paul and Beverly Yates of Haysi, Va. and John and Cathy Yates of Bristol, Va.; daughters and sons-in-law, Jackie and Steve Stehney of Abingdon,Va., Judy and Harold Stiltner of Powhatan, VA., and Virginia Matney of Meadowview, Va.; brothers, Crawford Elswick of North Bergen, New Jersey and Oliver Elswick of Cleveland, Oh.; sister, Opal Belcher of Freemont, Oh.; grandchildren, Chris Stiltner, Michael Stiltner, Cindy Pruitt, Jason Dales, Shannon Yates, Preston Yates, Shawn Gray, Wendy Yates, Tracy Farmer and Cody Matney; 10 great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at the Macedonia Church of Christ on Monday, May 30, 2005 at 1:00 pm with Evangelist Michael McCoy and Evangelist Mike Trent officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Chris Stiltner, Mike Stiltner, Shannon Yates, Preston Yates, Shawn Gray, Jason Dales, and Iven Dales. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men of Macedonia Church of Christ.
Visitation will be from 7:00 P.M.- 9:00 P.M. Sunday at Farris Funeral Service Main Street Chapel with a song service beginning at 7:30 P.M.
The family wishes to give a special thanks to the Staff of VA Home Health and Hospice of Rural Retreat and to Special Caregiver, Jennifer Cruise.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Macedonia Church of Christ, P.O. Box 1385, Abingdon, VA 24212 or the American Cancer Society, 205 West Main Street, Suite 23, Abingdon, Va. 24210.
Lalah Forbes "Ann" Hefner
Mrs. Lalah (Ann) Claudine Forbes Hefner, age 77, died Saturday, May 28, 2005 at Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie, VA. Born on July 21, 1927 in Mercer County, WV, Ann was a daughter of the late Claud Franklin Forbes and Sarah Louise Fetter Forbes. Ann was also preceded in death by a brother, B. A. Forbes and his wife Kathleen Forbes and a nephew. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Ann is survived by her husband of 59 years, Charley Roy Hefner; a daughter, Kay Ellis and husband Chris of Abingdon; three sons, John Hefner of Abingdon, Bobby Hefner of Hubert, NC and Ray Hefner of Milllington, TN; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 1, 2005 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Tom Williams and Rev. Rick Cuddy officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Casket bearers will be Don Lambert, Donal Roe, Rick Widener, Jasper Miller, Brian Hefner and Chris Hefner.
The family wishes to express their gratitude and thanks to the staff of Valley Health Care Center for their many caring and thoughtful acts of kindness shown to Ann and her family.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to the Activity Fund of Valley Health Care Center, 940 E. Lee Highway, Chilhowie, VA 24319 or to Gideon’s International, P. O. Box 1992, Abingdon, VA 24212.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home or any time at the home of her daughter, Kay Ellis, 19174, Mercedes Drive, Abingdon.
Nayomie S. McKinney
Nayomie Branham Shortt McKinney, age 79, died Sunday, May 29, 2005 at Johnston Memorial Hospital.
Nayomie was a daughter of the late Gorman Branham and Sidney Stilten Branham and was born on July 2, 1925 in Buchanan County, Virginia. She was also preceded in death by her son Scotty Shortt, and her brother and sister-in-law Julius Branham and Clarcy Branham. Nayomie was an active member of the Macedonia Church of Christ where she was a member of the Sunshine Ladies Quilting Club.
Survivors include her granddaughter, Angela Shortt Lester and husband Jason of Abingdon; a daughter-in-law, Gaynell Shortt Johnson and husband Troy of Abingdon; her great-grandchildren Jessica Harosky and Abigail Lester as well as several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A. M. Wednesday, June 1, 2005 in the Macedonia Church of Christ with Evangelist Michael McCoy officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Casket bearers will be selected from family and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
Harold Dane Powers
HAROLD DANE POWERS, 80, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2005 at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Originally from Russell County, he was retired from the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Mr. Powers was a proud veteran, having served in the United States Army in Normandy during WWII, and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He attended the House of Prayer. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Amy Beth Powers; 4 brothers; and 1 sister.
Survivors include his daughter, Tonyia Carroll of Abingdon; 2 granddaughters, Beth Carroll Grose and Brittany Carroll, both of Richmond, VA; 4 sisters, Etta Mae Blevins of Jonesville, VA, Samantha Smith of Charleston, WV, Faye Breeding of Richlands, VA, and Ruth Neal of Meadowview; friend Lottie Robinson; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 at 7pm at First Christian Church, 185 Jonesboro Rd., Abingdon, VA with Rev. Tom Crise and Rev. Teddy Phillips officiating.
The family will receive friends from 5-7pm at the church.
A committal service will be held on Wednesday, June 1 at 11am at Russell Memorial Cemetery in Lebanon, VA.
Pallbearers will be Dick Barnett, Chris Arrington, Jon Arrington, Teddy Phillips, II, Larry Hughes, and Rob Hughes.
Edward Marlow
Edward Alvin Marlow, Jr., age 61, passed away Monday, May 30, 2005 in the Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, TN. Ed served in the U. S. Air Force and had been employed with the Glenrochie Country Club and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.
Survivors include his wife, Jane Marlow, Abingdon, VA, a daughter, Maria Louise Marlow, Abingdon, VA, a cherished granddaughter, Madison Jane Marlow, Abingdon, VA and her father, Jonathan Fisher, two brothers, Guy Marlow, Valdese, NC and Johnny French, Georgia, six sisters, Faye Roark, Violet Campbell, Cookie Watson and Jackie Cullop all of Abingdon, VA, Peggy Ann Harkleroad, Kingsport, TN, Ginny Harden, Bristol, TN, several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be conducted Thursday, June 2, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Webster, Norman McPeak, Larry Owens and Dr. James Bowden.
Special thanks to Terry and his wife and Angie of Select Care and the staff of Holston Valley Step Down and ICU Units.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 11:00-1:00 p.m. in the mausoleum chapel at Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
