John Thomas Hamilton
John Thomas Hamilton died Sunday, October 16, 2005. A native of Newport News, VA, he had been a resident of Glade Spring since 1979. He was born on April 1, 1922. John was preceded in death by his parents Norman P. Hamilton and Miriam Sims Hamilton; a sister, Barbara H. Hart and a brother, David R. Hamilton.
John was a graduate of Virginia Tech and was employed as a cost engineer in the ship building industry for over thirty years. He was a member of Byars-Cobb United Mehtodist Church and had served on various committees at the church over the years. John was a U. S. Army Veteran of WW II. He served in the Eastern Theatre of Operations where he was a tail gunner on the Flying Fortress B-17 aircraft. He flew in the 360th Bomb Group of the 367th Bombardment Squadron with a total of 32 missions over Germany. John was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Medal.
Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Thomas Hamilton; a sister, Sarah C. Hamilton of Bainbridge Island, WA; his extended family, Lloyd O. Thomas of Hastings, NE; June and Jack Ryburn of Abingdon; Kenneth (Bob) and Barbara Thomas of Salem and Carolyn King of Abingdon.
The funeral service for John Thomas Hamilton will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 19, 2005 in the Byars-Cobb United Methodist Church, corner of Glade & Grace Streets, in Glade Spring with Rev. Todd Adams officiating.. The family will receive friends from 12 Noon – 1:45 P. M. before the funeral service Wednesday. Committal and interment
service will follow in Mount Rose Cemetery in Glade Spring.
In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Byars-Cobb United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 667, Glade Spring, VA 24340.
Pallbearers will be his nephews, Andrew Thomas, Timothy Thomas, Nathan Thomas, Rick Beck, brother-in-law, Jack Ryburn and his friend Tony Surber. Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas Hale, William Broyles, Emory Mitchell, Wade Phipps, Lonnie Wallace and the men of Byars-Cobb United Methodist Church congregation.
Johnny F. Compton
Mr. Johnny F. Compton, age 61, passed away Tuesday, October 18,2005, at his home after a brief struggle with cancer. John was born August 28, 1944 in Murphy, Virginia to Nora Fletcher. He was a graduate of Council High School in Council and attended the University of Virginia at Wise. He retired from Potomac Electric Power in Washington DC in 2000 after 35 years of employment. John loved the outdoors, especially fishing and just walking trails with family and friends. One thing he greatly enjoyed was to teach children to love and appreciate nature as he did. John was baptized at the Grundy United Methodist Church in 1964 and had been a member of the Abingdon United Methodist Church for the last four years.
He is survived by: his wife of 41 years, Joe Ann Perkins Compton; a son, J. Scott Compton of Lorton, Va.; a daughter, Victoria (Vicky) A. Tilley and husband, Shawn of Springfield, Va.; his mother, Nora Fletcher of Kings port, Tenn.; a brother, Lon Arndt and wife Dawn of Hopkins, Mich.; two nieces, Kristy and Becky Arndt
A funeral service will be held Friday, October 21,2005, at 2:00 PM in the Abingdon United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Charles Burnett and Rev. Nicole Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6 - 9 PM Thursday at the Main Street Chapel.
Pallbearers will be Roger Perkins, Gregory Perkins, Todd Perkins, Steven Harris, David Jones, Leslie Mitchell, Phillip Keen and Tony Perkins. Honorary pallbearers will be John's fishing buddies and co-workers.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Abingdon United Methodist Church, 101 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.
Anna Geneva Kaylor Dixon
Mrs. Anna Geneva Kaylor Dixon, age 76, died Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was the widow of Homer L. Dixon and was the daughter of the late Charlie and May Pippin Kaylor.
Survivors include 1 daughter: Ann Newman and her husband Mickey of Abingdon; 2 sons: Billy Ray Dixon and his wife Carol of Damascus; Lee Dixon and his wife Edna of Bristol, TN; 1 brother: Fred Kaylor, Bristol, TN and 1 sister: Mildred Potter, Bluff City, TN; 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Anna Geneva Kaylor Dixon will be held 11 AM Friday, October 21, 2005 at Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, 427 East Main Street with the Rev. Paul Price officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers: Jim Jackson, Mike Waddell, David Arnold, Ake Atkins, Jim Fogleman, Derek Arnold, Travis Dixon and Gary Dillard. Honorary bearers will be: Junior Roark, Rick Leonard, Gary Roark, Johnny Mowery, Mike Bumgarner and Larry Johnson.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852.
The family will receive friends Thursday, October 20, 2005 from 6 to 9 PM at Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, VA
Jasmine Jeanette Taylor
Jasmine Jeanette Taylor, infant daughter of Jay C. and Jessica Taylor went to Heaven, Thursday, October 20, 2005 in the Johnston Memorial Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her paternal great grandfather, Earnest Taylor and her maternal great grandfather, Charles Cardile.
Other survivors include her paternal grandparents, Jay and Ruby Taylor, Sr. Abingdon, VA, maternal grandmother, Sandy Morrell, Bristol, TN, maternal grandfather, Paul G. Humphrey, Elizabethton, TN, paternal great grandmother, Nettie Taylor, Abingdon, VA, maternal great grandmother, Evelyn Cardile, Lakeworth, Florida, aunt and uncle, Shirley and John Hawkins, Abingdon, VA, special God mother and aunt, Brittany Humphrey, Lakeworth, Florida, special God mother and cousin, Kristen Hawkins, Abingdon, VA, several great aunts, great uncles and many friends. Little Jasmine, Mommy and Daddy will be with you someday in Heaven.
A graveside service will be conducted Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Elaine Murphy and Rev. Don Smith officiating. Interment
will follow in Babyland.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 1:00-2:40 p.m. in the funeral home.
Lydia Virginia Cox
Lydia Virginia Cox - April 9, 1921 – October 21, 2005
On October 21, 2005, our beloved Lydia Virginia Cox went to be with our Lord and Saviour. Lydia was in declining health for six years in Lenior Healthcare Center, Lenior, NC.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Franklin Mays and Mattie E. Watson Mays, (Abingdon), a son, Robert Spencer Cox, a great grandson, Zachery Johnson, brothers, Charlie Mays, (Maryland), Homer Mays, (Abingdon), Dan Mays, (Abingdon), a sister, Martha Alexandria, (Reno, Nevada).
Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Lawrence Alton Cox, her children, Joyce Ann Cox, Judy P. Johnson (husband Billy Rae), Rondy James Cox, Lola Gay Farthing (husband John S. Farthing) all of North Carolina, grandchildren, Marty Doil Hart (wife Donna Jo), Karen Hart Warren (husband Scott), Tracy Hart Burchette (husband Jeff), Stacy Aaron Cox (wife Carrie), Teri Lynn Cox Pope (husband Jeff), Betsy Rae Johnson, Shawn Gregory Cox, Jeffrey Paige Johnson (wife Carrie), great grandchildren, Dustin Scott Warren, Matthew Cox, Sidney Johnson, Brandon Paul Burchette, Peyton Johnson, Mark Cox, Rachael Elizabeth Hart, Cheyanne Johnson and one on the way, her sisters, Hattie Mays, Abingdon, VA, Mary McCracken, Abingdon, VA, Faye Gray, Bristol, VA, her brother, Arthur Franklin Mays, Jr., Staunton, VA, many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews whom she dearly loved. Honorary family member, Bill Hart.
A graveside service will be conducted Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 3:30 p.m. in the Rosedale Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Mark Mays officiating. Mike Mays will provide the music. Interment
will follow.
Instead of flowers, please make donations, Lenior Healthcare Center, 322 Nuway Circle, Lenior, NC 28645 or to Hospice of Caldwell County.
Pallbearers will be Scott Gobble, Marty Hart, Scott Warren, Dusty Warren, Jeffrey Johnson, Jerry Mays, Randall Gobble.
The family will receive friends Sunday, October 23, 2005 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Rosedale Baptist Church.
Lydia Patricia Martin
Lydia Patricia "Eemmie" Lorean Gray Martin, age 71, of Acre Heights, Lincolnton, passed away Saturday, October 22,2005 at Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.
Born November 24, 1933 in Washington County, VA. She was the daughter of the late James and Nannie Varina Thomas Gray. She attended Gloryland Baptist Church and was affiliated with the Women's Auxiliary of Veterans of Foreign War.
In addition to her of parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Carl "Bubby" Thomas, 2 sisters; Rosa Mae Cullop; Edna "Clem" Venable; Infant Daughter: Lois Yvonne Martin; Infant Grandson: Joshua Steven Snharrett.
She is survived by: her Husband of 51 years: Arthur M. Martin of the home; one daughter: Judy Kaye Gering and husband Mike of Cornelius, NC; Granddaughter: Kayela Lynn Sharrett of Cornelius, NC; Grandson: Steven Adam Sharrett of me US Anny;.Fort Drum, NY; Several Nieces and Nephews
A graveside service will be held at Knollkreg Memorial Park, Abington, VA Wednesday, October 26,2005 at 11 :00 a.m. with the Rev. Macon Ballard officiating.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA. from 7-9:00 p.m.
Nellie Ray Dorsey Wright
Dr. Nellie Ray Dorsey Wright, 73 passed away October 23, 2005 at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Wright was born in Richwood, West Virginia, and is a daughter of the late Raymond E. and Mertie Mae Huffman Dorsey. She was a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology. She attended the West Virginia University studying pre-med and received her Doctorate of Medicine from the Medical College of Virginia. Dr. Wright interned at MCV and did a two year residency in pediatrics. From MCV she came to Southwest Virginia and established herself in Wise County with the Department of Public Health. From there she came to Bristol, Virginia and founded The Child Development Center which served all of Southwest Virginia. She completed her working years in public health. Through their helping foreign exchange students in the United States complete their education, Dr. Wright and her husband traveled throughout much of the world to visit some of the students. She was a member of the ”Thursday Evening Supper Club” which she had enjoyed for over thirty years. Dr. Wright belonged to three historical groups due to her love of history, was a member of the Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church and the Circle One of the Presbyterian Women that she loved very much.
Dr. Wright was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother David Andrew Dorsey and a nephew Henry Steven Russell.
Dr. Wright is survived by her husband Haynes J. J. Wright, two sons David Haynes Wright of Adelaide, Australia and John McEwen Wright of Charleston, South Carolina. Two granddaughters Eleanor (Ellie) Wright and Abigail (Abby) Wright. One sister Helen Russell of Craigsville, West Virginia and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church at 3:00 P.M. with the Rev. Robert Tolar officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. until time for service at the church.
Pallbearers will be John King, Joseph King, Larry Berry, Michael Testerman, Dennis Testerman, Charles Wright, Benny Wright, and Sam Rock.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church, 136 East Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia.
Peggy Diane Durham
Peggy Diane Durham, 52, died Monday, October 24, 2005 at the Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol Tennessee. She was the daughter of the late Ralph Witt and Frances Mock Durham.
She is survived by: A brother and sister-in-law, John and Debbie Durham of Bristol, Virginia; A nephew and wife, J. J. and Angela Durham of Bluff City, Tennessee, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A graveside service will held Wednesday, October 26, 2005, at 2:00 PM in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Todd Freeman officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 PM Tuesday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service or anytime at the home of John and Debbie Durham, 148 West Valley Drive, Bristol, Va.
Honorary pallbearers will be Men of Kingsway Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kingsway Baptist church, 1999 Long Crescent Road, Bristol, VA 24201.
The family extends sincere gratitude to the members of Kingsway Baptist church, Sally Carter and all of Peggy's other friends and neighbors at Carl A. Jones Manor, the Department of Social Services, the ICU and IMU departments of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center and the staff of Wellmont Hospice House and a very special thank you to Ronald Snodgrass.
Gary Thomas 'Butch' Dye
Gary Thomas “Butch” Dye, age 60 passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at h residence. Gary was born April 9, 1945 to Scott and Goldie Johnson Dye. He was employed with Westinghouse for 24 years and served in the U. S. Armed Forces in Germany. He was preceded in death by his father, Scott Dye, a sister, Clara Woodward and a nephew, Ashton Woodward.
Survivors include his wife, Eula Mae Richardson Dye, a son, Gary Wayne Dye, Telluride, Colorado, a daughter, Donna Dye, Wisconsin, his mother, Goldie Dye, Abingdon, VA, sisters, Patricia (Spurgeon) McCroskey and Brenda Reynolds both of Abingdon, VA., brothers, Barry Dye and wife, Toni, Abingdon, VA, Scotty Dye and wife, Mary and Ronnie Dye and wife, Nita all of Bristol, VA,
A graveside service will be conducted Friday, October 28, 2005 at 3:00 p.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The Rev. Larry Linkous will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Church Veterans Honor Color Guard.
Pallbearers will be Junior Roark, Herman Duty, Roy Scott, Ernie Davenport, Gary Thompson, Dave Looney, Curtis Rasnake. Honorary pallbearers will be Billy DeBusk and Buddy Parris.
The family will receive friends Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home.
Phyllis Jean Plummer Walden
Phyllis Jean Plummer Walden (Mamaw Walden) went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 28, 2005 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin Noah Plummer and Nancy Jane Price Plummer; a sister, Annie Jane Plummer Davenport; her aunt, Joyce Hatfield; her nephew, James Belcher and a very special cousin, Lester Plummer. Phyllis was a former employee of the Washington County, Virginia Health Department where she served as a nursing assistant for 11 years and was a member of the Meadowview Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Survivors include two sons, Leslie Banner Kestner and wife Anita Carol of Blountville, TN and Troy Wayne Kestner, Jr. and wife Sharon of Abingdon; two daughters, Nancy Carol Rowe and husband Harvey of Bristol, VA and Candy Fields and husband Lee of Abingdon; a sister, Judy Russ and husband Daniel of Abingdon; eight grandchildren, Michael Rowe, Chris Rowe, Santana Warren, Nikki Lewis, Jacqueline Kestner, Kenny Rowe, Dakota Fields, Alexis Fields and nieces and nephews.
The funeral service for Phyllis Jean Plummer Walden ( Mamaw Walden) will be conducted at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, October 30, 2005 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with pastor Tommy Wilson and Rev. Rick Cuddy officiating. Interment
will follow in Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon.
Pallbearers will be Freddie Nunley, Anthony Russ, George Russ, Mike Rowe, Chris Rowe, Kenny Rowe and Dakota Fields.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Saturday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
The family wishes to give a special thank you to her caregivers, Bristol Compressors and everyone who has visited and prayed with her.
Margaret J. Brick
Mrs. Margaret J. Brick, age 91, died, Friday, October 28, 2005 at her home.She was born in Ohio and had lived in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania before moving to Abingdon in 1962. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Edward W. Brick and her brothers and sisters, Bernice, Genevie, Jessie, Adam and Benny.
She is survived by: Her son, Edward J. Brick of Abingdon, Va.; Her daughter, Bea Lloyd of Ocean Isle, NC; Two grandchildren, Dennis Lloyd and wife Renee of Ocean Isle, N C, Christine Tart and husband, Gery of Bristol Tenn.; Three great grandchildren, Trey and Logan Tart and Dalton Lloyd
A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 1:00 PM in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Father Paul Maier officiating. Burial will follow in the Knollkreg Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 PM Monday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Dennis Lloyd, Gery Tart, Charles Dolpp, Bill Fuller, Marty Swann, Jim Baldwin, Frank Blair and Charles D. Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Trey Tart, Dalton Lloyd and Dr. Robert Walker.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King Catholic Church, 820 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.
Roy Lee Neeves
Roy Lee Neeves, age 77, went home to be with the Lord, 30 October 2005 after a short, valiant battle with lung cancer.
He was born in Glade Spring and had resided in Bristol since 1951. Mr. Neeves retired from the United Intermountain (Sprint) Telephone Company in 1983 after 35 years of service. Mr. Neeves served his country in the United States Navy, was a Director of Christian News and Comments, was active in the Masonic Lodge for nearly 50 years in several leadership positions including Worshipful Master of York Lodge. He was a member of the Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church for 50 years serving as a deacon and elder as well as on several presbytery committees. He was a proud grandfather and the number one fan of his three grandsons. As patriarch of his family, he was a man of value and a wise leader in the community.
Mr. Neeves was preceded in death by his parents, William Harrison Neeves and Willie Lydia Frazier Dolinger Neeves, three brothers (Hendricks Trenor Neeves, James Robert Neeves and an infant brother John Gibson Neeves), and sisters (Isabelle Katherine Neeves Kidd, Callie Elizabeth Neeves Osborne, Nannie Farris Neeves Riffey, Annie Francis Neeves Rupard, Sarah Josephine Neeves Sage and Betty Jane Neeves).
Mr. Neeves is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Verna Mae Calhoun Neeves, a son and daughter-in-law, Ted Harrison Neeves and Livia Neeves of Kingsport; a daughter and son-in-law, Myra Lynn Campbell and James Howard “Hal” Campbell, and three grandchildren, William Hal Campbell, Johnathan Roy Campbell and Patrick Neeves Campbell all of Rich Valley, VA; a sister, Dorothy Evelyn Neeves Norris of Abingdon, VA, a brother and sister-in-law, William MacDonald Neeves and Roberta Neeves of Myrtle Beach, SC and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, November 2, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. John Markel officiating. Interment
will follow in the Mountain View Cemetery, Bristol, VA. The York Masonic Lodge will provide masonic rites at the graveside.
Pallbearers will be Hal Campbell, Will Campbell, John Campbell, Patrick Campbell, Phil Miller, Joe Clark. Honorary pallbearers will be Ken Fletcher, Wayne Dixon, the men of Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church and nephews.
The family will accept flowers or memorial donations would be greatly appreciated to the Cancer Outreach Foundation, 104 Abingdon Place, Abingdon, VA 24211; or to the Walnut Grove Presbyterian Church, 3012 Lee Highway, Bristol, VA 24201
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. in the funeral home.
Ruth Neff Wilson
Mrs. Ruth Neff Wilson, age 93, passed away, Sunday, October 30, 2005, at her home. She had lived most of her life in Washington County, Virginia and was the daughter of the late Thomas William and Lula Heldreth Neff. She was a member of the Bethel Presbyterian Church where she had taught Sunday School for over 40 years. She was a former elementary school teacher having taught 32 years with most of them teaching first and second graders at Liberty Hall. Ruth was a volunteer with the Senior Citizens Center where she was a senior aerobics class instructor until March 2005 and had been awarded as volunteer of the year. She was a past member of the B & P W, the Homemakers Club and was the treasurer of the UDC. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Luke Woodrow Wilson (a World War II veteran) and a brother, T. W. Neff, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Karol Wilson Gray and husband, Bobby Charles Gray of Abingdon, Va.; three grandsons, Dr. Jeffrey Alan Gray and wife, Melissa Scott Gray of Lexington, Ky. who are expecting her first great grandchild, Travis Wilson Gray of Abingdon, Va. and Adam Charles Gray of Richmond, Va.; also, nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at 3:00 PM in the Bethel Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ricky Ray officiating. Burial will follow in the Neff Family Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 – 9 PM Monday at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Justin Foundation, P.O. Box 686, Damascus, VA 24236 or the Johnston Memorial Hospital Cancer Foundation, 351 Court Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.
The family would like to thank the caregivers especially Janet Coyne and Brenda Brown for the kindness shown to Mrs. Wilson.
Mack Long
Mack Long, age 68 passed away October 31, 2005 in Bristol Regional Medical Center, following a lengthy illness.
Mack was born November 10, 1937 in Washington County, Virginia. He was a son of the late Clifford and Mary Sue Hoss Long. Mack was a lifelong and well known resident, and farmer of the Black Hollow community, and was well loved by all that knew him. He was a child of God, and put the Lord first in his life.
Mack is preceded in death by his parents, one infant daughter and two brothers Jimmy Long and Ralph Long.
Mack is survived by his wife of 45 years Saundra Combs Long, three sisters; Katherine Goodson and husband Herman, Garrnett Bott and husband Dub all of Bristol, Virginia, Violet Cunningham and husband Roger of Abingdon. Four brothers; Gene and wife Rosemarie Long, Marvin Long and Shirley, Kenneth Long and wife Eileen all of Abingdon. Lonnie Long and wife Dianna of Piney Flats, Tennessee. Four sister-in-laws Effie Long, Edith Long, Dolores Combs, and Janie Saturnino. One uncle Hughes Hoss. Twenty nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 3, 2005 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Jerry Eggers, Rev. Bob Spears, and Rev. Walter Statzer officiating. Interment
will follow at Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Nephews. Honorary Pallbearers will be Herman Goodson, Roger Cunningham, Dub Bott, Dennis Rhea, Allen Rhea, Mickey Rhea, Mark Spears, Kevin Ketchum, Bob Fletcher, Roger Phipps, Jack Attwell, Rob Rhea, and Glenn Anderson.
Helen Rider Ashworth
Mrs. Helen Rider Ashworth, age 96, died on October 30, 2005 at her home in Easton, MD. Mrs. Ashworth was born on March 3, 1909 in Roanoke, VA and was a daughter of the late Gratton C. Rider and Mary Soyer Rider. She graduated from Jefferson Senior High School in Roanoke and then attended business school.
Her son, John W. Ashworth, III resides in St. Michaels, MD and her daughter, Judy Ashworth Derringer resides in Kennedyville, MD. Mrs. Ashworth is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
In 1933, Helen married John William (Bill) Ashworth Jr. in Coeburn, VA where they met when she was 17 (1926) and they were together for 75 years until his death on October 31, 2001. Their only long term separation was during WW II when Bill served in the Pacific Theatre for 2 years. While Bill Attended the University of Virginia Medical School between 1931 - 1935, she remained in Roanoke working in an accounting firm In 1933, they moved to Baltimore, MD where he completed his surgical residency at Church Home Hospital. As Dr. Ashworth developed his surgical practice in Baltimore, Helen volunteered extensively with St. Joseph Hospital and the Maryland Medical Society, committing her time and energy to advancing the health care services and initiatives associated with those organizations while raising her family and supporting Dr. Ashworth in the development of his practice.
In 1972, they returned to their roots, moving to Emory, Virginia where Dr. Ashworth had attended Emory and Henry College as an undergraduate, moving into the home that his sister Edith and her husband “Little Doc” Hillman built. Both of them had a desire to return to the community that had given them the foundation for their success and to give back to that community. They spent 28 wonderful years in Emory, where Dr. Ashworth continued his medical practice until 1995. Helen became a “fixture” in the Emory community, once again volunteering her time in several life venues including Johnston Memorial Hospital and the Washington County Library in Abingdon, the Washington County Historical Society, Emory & Henry College in Emory and the community club. She became an expert “needle worker and spent long hours pursuing the genealogy of both the Ashworth and Rider families – all of this while, again, supporting Dr. Ashworth with his medical practice and maintaining a home that was continually occupied with their friends from Emory and across the country.
They moved to Easton, Maryland in December of 2000 to be near their son and daughter.
Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Rider Ashworth will be held at 4 PM Friday, November 4, 2005 at the Emory United Methodist Church, on the campus of Emory and Henry College, with the Rev. Beverly Robinette officiating. Burial will follow in the Holston Conference Emory and Henry Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jack Cox, Charlie Quillan, Gary Crookshank, George Roberts and Dirk Moore.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Ashworth-Hillman Scholarship Fund at E & H College, P. O. Box 950, Emory, VA 24327.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home; however, the family will gather in the parlor of Emory United Methodist Church prior to the service.
