Eleanor Brown McNew
Eleanor Brown McNew, age 78, passed away Friday, August 5, 2005 at her residence after a long illness.. Eleanor was born on August 26, 1926 in Smyth County, Virginia and was a daughter of the late Joseph Brown and Hannah Harold Brown. She was also preceded in death by an infant son, Danny McNew and a loving daughter, Patti Kay McNew.
Survivors include her husband of 60 years Claude McNew; her sons, Jack McNew, Fred McNew and Tom McNew; her daughters, Susie Rhudy, Betty Lou Kistner and Robin Owens; ten grandchildren, Brian McNew, Melissa Blount, Cynthia Vineyard, Jennifer Green, Keith Owens, Andy Owens, Jamie Mullins, Holly McNew, Joey Beavers and granddaughter/caregiver Anna Cross; seven great grandchildren; her brothers, Bill Brown and Bobby Brown; her sisters, Mickey Trainham, Ruth Venable, Joan Brown and Sharon Lynn.
The funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. Sunday, August 7, 2005 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Charlie Powers officiating. Committal and interment
service will be at 11:30 A.M. Monday at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Those attending the committal service are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 11:20 A.M. Monday.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. – 7:45 P.M. Sunday before the funeral service.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Jane Toothman & staff, Bristol Consultants and Wellmont Hospice Care.
Lewis Cosby Berry
Mr. Lewis Cosby Berry, age 84, died August 6, 2005 in the Johnston Memorial Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Va. and an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Berry was a member of the Palestine Baptist Church and was retired from Norfolk and Western Railroad with over 40 years of service.
Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Juanita W. Berry; four daughters, Alicia Joyce Smith and Carmen Blevins both of Abingdon,Va., Victoria Wise of Damascus, Va. and Delcine Fitzgerald of Simpsonville, S.C.; two sisters, Ruth Johnson of Arlington, Va. and Dorothy Cowan of Abingdon, Va.; eight grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at Knollkreg Memorial Park with Pastor John Stapleton officiating.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 P.M. Monday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
The family requests that flowers be omitted and donations be made to a charity of choice.
George Garland Rush
George Garland Rush, age 89, passed away Sunday, August 7, 2005 at the Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, TN.
Born on March 28, 1916 in Bristol, VA, he was a son of the late Margaret and William Rush. He was owner and operator of Rush Shoe Shop for 31 years in Abingdon, VA and a farmer all his life. He was preceded in death by five sisters, Nora Searcy, Ida Musick, Ethel Moore, Minnie Brooks and Pearl Rush,; six brothers, Henry Rush, Hop Rush, Roy Rush, Ben Rush, bob Rush and Ted Rush.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Amanda Ernestine Jackson Rush; a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Murray Michael “Tommy” Murray of Abingdon, VA; one sister, Mattie Giles of Danville, VA; one brother, L. g. “tom” Rush and his wife Ernestine rush; brother-in-law Marvin Jackson and his wife Ruth Jackson and several very special nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 9, 2005 in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Cemetery, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon) with Rev. Kenneth Widner and Rev. William Neeley officiating. Interment
will follow in the cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Don Ayers, Brian Wampler, Burk Murray, Bill Snodgrass, Allen Roark, Walter Murray. Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Smith, Eddie Wolfe, Allen Meade, R. K. Price, Jimmy Ray, Garland Helbert, Jerry Ratcliff, Lester Murray, Joe Fryar, Dr. Greg Griffith.
The family will receive friends from 5:30-8:30 P. M. Monday at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to the Wellmont Hospice house, 280 Steel’s Road, Bristol, TN 37620.
Billy Eugene Rosenbaum
Billy Eugene Rosenbaum, age 55 passed away Sunday, August 7, 2005 at his residence.
He was born Sept. 15, 1949 in Washington County and was a lifelong residence of the Abingdon area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Susie Rosenbaum, brothers, Leonard Rosenbaum and Thomas Jr. Jones, a sister Frances Counts.
Survivors include his brothers, Robert, James, Jerry, John and Donnie all of Abingdon, sisters, Betty, Mary, Janie and Elizabeth, a special sister-in-law, Jimmy Lou Rosenbaum, special nephews, Sam Rosenbaum and Allen Rosenbaum, several other nieces and nephews.
A memorial graveside service will be conducted Tuesday, August 9, 2005 at 4:30 p.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
There will no visitation in the funeral home.
Katherine Virginia Doss Plummer
Katherine Virginia Doss Plummer, age 88 passed away Sunday, August 7, 2005 at home.
She was preceded in death by three husbands, Fitzhugh Doss, Noah Doss and Noah Plummer, four sisters, three brothers, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.
Survivors include her sons, Tom Doss, Bristol, TN, Raymond Doss and John Doss both of Abingdon, Dallas Doss, Meadowview, VA, Buford Doss and Noah Doss both of Stanley, NC, her daughters, Mae Reedy, Seven Mile Ford, VA, Juanita Mahala and Katherine Nunley both of Abingdon, VA, 29 grandchildren and 52 great grandchildren and 13 great, great grandchildren, five daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, August 10, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Service Main Street Chapel with Rev. Brandon Canter officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be grandsons.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. in the funeral home.
Fannie Venable
Fannie Marie Venable, age 79, passed away August 11, 2005 in Abingdon, Virginia.
Fannie was born on December 2, 1925 in Washington County, Virginia and was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Ethel Church Price, her husband Estil Venable, a daughter Linda Cook, one sister Lillian Balding, and two brothers Gordon Price and George Price. Fannie was a lifelong resident of the area, and was of the Methodist faith. She was a former owner of Venable Grocery of Glade Spring for twenty-five years. Fannie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grand-mother.
Fannie is survived by her daughter Robin Preas and her husband Jim of Bristol, Virginia; one granddaughter Pam Yarber of Glade Spring, Virginia; one grandson Jamie Preas of Bristol, Virginia; a brother Tom Price of Bristol, Virginia; two sisters Virginia Price of Abingdon, and Irene Street and husband Bob of Abingdon; two great-grandsons Mason Yarber and Landon Yarber of Glade Spring and several nieces and nephews also survive.
A funeral service will be held at Mount Rose Cemetery Mausoleum at 2:00 P.M. Sunday August 14, 2005 with Dr. Paul J. Bufford officiating.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 P.M. – 7: 00 P.M. Saturday August 13, 2005 at The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
Robert W. Thomas
Mr. Robert W. Thomas, age 52, passed away Friday, August 12, 2005 at his residence.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Dallas Owens Thomas.
Survivors include his wife, Tonda Thomas, Seven Mile Ford, VA, his children, Jennene Compton, Emory, VA, Jackie Stoots, Chilhowie, VA; Amanda Thomas of the home, grandchildren, Tonya Stoots, Micheal Barrett, Elizabeth Barrett, William Barrett, sister and brothers, Judy Russell and Paul Simpson, Blountville, TN, Dean and Reba Thomas, Glade Spring, VA, Roger and Linda Thomas, Damascus, VA, Dale Thomas, Denton’s Valley.
The funeral service will be conducted Monday, August 15, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Mahlon Wyatt officiating. Interment
will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Charlie Doss, Tim Steffey, Roger Thomas, Jr., Larry Thomas, Robbie Thomas, Scotty Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Cecil Owens, Harvey Thomas, Travis Stoots, Eddie Parks, Paul Simpson.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 7-9 p.m. in the funeral home or anytime at the home in Seven Mile Ford.
Sandra Ann Mullins Phillips
Sandra Ann Mullins Phillips age 53 passed away Sunday, August 14, 2005 in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Mullins.
Survivors include her husband, Doyle Phillips, her mother, Dot Mullins, her brothers, Jack Mullins and David Mullins, her sisters, Kathy Mullins and Debbie McKemy, all of Abingdon, VA, Donna Hardesty, of Knoxville, TN, her nieces, Katie and Gracie, Emily, Kelly and Samantha, her nephews, Shannon, Logan, Nicholas and John David, her step-children, Doyle Phillips, Jr. and family, Ocala, Florida, Richard Phillips and family, Denver, Colorado.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
A memorial service will be conducted Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel with Mr. Michael Rife officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Road, Bristol, TN, 37620 or to the American Cancer Society, 230 Charwood Drive, NE, Abingdon, VA, 24210.
William Layne "Bill" Johnson
William Layne “Bill” Johnson, age 50 of Bristol, Virginia passed away on August 16, 2005 in Abingdon.
Bill was born October 12, 1954 in Bluefield, West Virginia and had lived in Washington County most of his life. Bill attended the Native American Church. He was preceded in death by his mother Evelyn Johnson and one brother Bobby Johnson. Bill served in the United States Marine Corps, with a tour of duty in Vietnam.
Bill is survived by his wife, Nina Dotson Johnson of the home; one son Robbie Johnson and wife, Connie of Bristol, Tennessee; Two daughters, Kimberly Moore of Bristol, Virginia, and Clarissa Blevins and husband Jeff of Shady Valley, Tennessee; a step-son Joe Fleenor and wife Keisha of Bristol, Tennessee, and a step-daughter Tracy Dumas and husband Kevin Lawson of Richlands, Virginia; one brother Steve Johnson and wife Terry of Bristol, Tennessee; two sisters Doris Shoemaker and husband Jim of Massachusetts, and Jamie Brightwell and husband Bill of Fredrick, Maryland. Best friend Terry Lark of Blountville, Tennessee, and nine grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.
A memorial service will be held at the T.C. Tiller Farm at7525 Mendota Road; Saturday, August 20, 2005 at 2:00 P.M.
Shirley Ward Merritt
Shirley Ward Merritt, 52, passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2005. She was born on October 26, 1952 in Buchanan County, Virginia to the late William John and Ollie Ward. After graduating from Grundy Senior High School in 1971, she attended Southwest Virginia Community College then received her nursing degree in Sarasota, Florida. She practiced nursing at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and worked several years for Buchanan General Hospital. After moving to Abingdon, Virginia in 1989, she enjoyed being actively involved in various volunteer organizations including the Abingdon Athletic Boosters, Highlands Play Station at the Coomes Center and the
American Lung Association.
Survivors include her husband, David Merritt; son, J. D. Merritt; daughter, Mrs. Lisalyn Merritt Wright and husband, Jacob, all of Abingdon, Virginia.Also surviving are brothers, Leonard Ward, Carlis Ward and wife, Myrtle, Elmer Ward and wife, Florence, Aster Ward and wife, Sharon, Jimmy Ward and wife, Sue; sister, Dorothy Ward Stiltner and husband, Eugene all of Grundy,
Virginia; brother, Perry Donald Ward and wife, Debbie; sister Stella Mae Ward Baker and husband, Wayne all of Gordonsville, Virginia; several half-brothers, half-sisters, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, Virginia on Saturday, August 20, 2005 from 6 - 8 PM where a service will be held at 8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Shirley Merritt may be send to the American Ling Association, 370 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 or to a charitable organization of your choice.
Marvin Douglas Seiple
YN1 Marvin Douglas Seiple, U.S.N (Ret.) age 65, died August 18, 2005 in the Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, TN
Marvin was born on October 21, 1939 in West Point, VA. He was a son of the late Eugene V. Seiple, who preceded him in death and Mary Kate Dvorak Seiple who is a resident of Orlando, FL. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents Anthony and Victoria Dvorak and a brother Vernon E. Seiple.
Marvin retired from the United States Navy with twenty years of service. During his service time, his assignments included training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, serving on board the USS Mitchener and USS Boston. Marvin was aboard the ships that blockaded Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He received a 1st Place award three years in a row from the 6th Naval District for best kept records. Marvin had also retired from the United State Postal Service, Abingdon office, with 24 years of service. He was a member of the Abingdon V.F.W. Post #1994, the American Legion Post #12 and the Civil Air Patrol. Marvin was a member of the Grace Christian Fellowship Church and also volunteered with the Washington County Midget Football league as well as serving as their chaplain.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Kate Seiple; his wife, Frances J. Viers Seiple; daughters, Tammie D. Dea and Glenda R. Seiple both of the home; four grandchildren, Kenneth A. Dea, Christopher A. Dea, Robert A. Dea, II and Nicholas B. Altman all of the home; his sisters, Katherine V. Seiple of Orlando, FL and Karen J. Leonard and her husband Dr. Dennis Joe Leonard of Jasper, TN; a sister-in-law, Nancy J. Sunday Seiple of Orlando, FL; two uncles, Stanley Dvorak and wife Lillian of Orlando, FL and Frank Dvorak and wife Mary of West Point, VA, three nephews, 1 niece, several cousins, great nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. Sunday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, August 22, 2005 in the Rosedale Baptist Church with Rev. Stan Green officiating. Interment
will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers will be selected from friends.
Military graveside rites will be provided by the Highlands Fellowship Church Honor Color Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Highlands Fellowship Church Honor Color Guard, Abingdon V. F. W. Post #1994 and the American Legion Post. #12.
Thomas James Hurley
Mr. Thomas (Tom) James Hurley, age 75, passed on to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 20, 2005 at his home after a long illness.
A lifelong resident of Washington County, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Sorah Hurley; his parents, Lester and Nellie Hurley; his brothers, Paul Hurley, Howard Hurley, L. C. Hurley and Robert Hurley and his sisters, Edith Campbell and Lilly Jessee.Mr. Hurley was a retired employee of Columbus McKinnon Corporation, a U. S. Army Veteran and served in the Korean War. He was an avid photographer with a wonderful love for the great outdoors and the Blue Ridge Mountains, which he was proud to call home.
Survivors include a son Allan Hurley and his wife Kathy, two grandchildren, Travis and Becca Hurley all of Abingdon; three sisters, June Veatch of Americus, GA, Grace Hurley of Damascus, VA and Margaret Taylor of Charlotte, NC.
The funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. Monday, August 22, 2005 in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Cemetery),19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon with Rev. Jerry Eggers officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:45 P.M. Monday before the funeral service.
The committal and entombment service will be conducted on Tuesday, August 23 at 11:00 A. M. in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum at Forest Hills Cemetery.
Honorary pallbearers will be John Hurley, John Hurley, Jr., Carl Veatch, Cecil Gobble, Jeff Stiltner, Monty Lester, Larry Crane, Dale Smeltzer, Sam Rhudy, Tommy Hagy, Bryan Miller and Landon Jenkins.
The family wishes to give a special thank you to Hospice of Southwest Virginia and their special friends Bonnie Chapman, Nancy Caldwell, Cecil Gobble and Maybelle Smith. Your care and kindness during this time will never be forgotten.
Vernie Ted Joines
Mr. Vernie Ted Joines, passed away, Sunday, August 21, 2005, at his home. He was born in Smyth County, Virginia and had lived most of his life in the Riverside community of Chilhowie. He was a U. S. Army veteran serving in World War II and had attended the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church for many years. Vernie had been a hard working farmer most of his life and loved to fish and hunt. He had always enjoyed traveling and liked to "get off the beaten path" and travel the back roads to find a different adventure every time. He was a very simple man who never met a stranger but most of all loved to be with his family and have a laugh or two.
He is survived by His wife, Judy Compton Joines; His children, James H. Joines and wife, Peggy of Chilhowie, Helen Joines Sage and husband, Stanley of Longwood, Florida, Vernie Lee Joines and wife, Virgie of Chilhowie, Larry W. Joines of Abingdon, Reba Sue Baker and husband, Glenn of Chilhowie, Mary Stuart Joines of Chilhowie, Eric Ted Joines and wife Sandra of Chilhowie; 17 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, 3 step great grandchildren and one step great great grandchild.
He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Cleveland (Bob) Joines; two brothers, Ervin Joines and Clarence Joines and a grandson, Junior Joines.
The family will receive friends after 6:00 PM on Tuesday, August 23, 2005, at the Freedom Tabernacle Baptist Church followed by song and praise at 8:00 PM.
A service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday at the church with Rev. Mike Sage officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Cemetery in Abingdon.
Pallbearers will be grandsons; Jimmy Joines, Roy Lee Joines, Raymond Joines, Gregory Joines, Danny Joines, Ben Sexton, and Brett Joines.
Directions to the church - Take exit 50 off Interstate 81 (north bound turn right and south bound turn left at end of ramp). Turn right about 1 ˝ miles at sign and then another right about 1 mile.
