John Clayton Bell
Mr. John Clayton Bell, Sr., age 77, passed away Friday, September 1, 2006 at his home. He was born and had lived in Wise County, Virginia until moving to Abingdon in 1963. He was a member of the Greendale Chapel. John was preceded in death by his parents, Jasper Roosevelt and Thelma Fields Bell; his wife, Lillian Irene Odle Bell and a great grandson, Cameron McClain.
He is survived by One son, John C. Bell, Jr. and wife, Avis of Abingdon, Va.; Two daughters, Rita Anderson and husband, William of Abingdon, Va.; Sue Wyatt and husband, Gerald of Chester, South Carolina; Five grandchildren and four great grandchildren
A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, September 3, 2006, at 3:00 PM in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon) with Rev. Jerry Eggers and Pastor Chad Johnson officiating. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 2 3 PM Sunday at the Forest Hills Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
W. Howard Wright
Mr. W. Howard Wright, age 90, died Sunday, September 3, 2006 at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Glade Spring, Virginia where he was a member of the Grace Presbyterian Church. He was the son of the late Robert L. & Margaret Skinner Wright and preceded in death by his wife, Edith Worley Wright.
He is survived by one sister, Rhoda Eller of Johnson City, Tennessee. Also he leaves behind his special friends that were like family, Fred and Darlene Duncan and their children, Brooke Monahan and Ashley Duncan who called him Papaw; King, Jr. and Janie Terry and their children, Michael Terry and Kelly Hurd; Several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be conducted Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 2:00 PM in the Mount Rose Cemetery with Rev. Timothy Bird officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Honorary pallbearers will be his neighbors on Forest Hills Drive, Fred Duncan, King Terry, Jr., Robert Smith, Jim Litton, Robert Lincoln, Ralph Lincoln and Ralph Lincoln, Jr. Family and friends are to meet at the cemetery on Tuesday before the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 565, Glade Spring, VA 24340.
A special thank you to Howards special caregivers, Mary Reynolds and Rita Gravely; his nurse, Angie; the rest of the staff at Valley Health Care Center and the 5th floor staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital.
William D. Mitchell
William D. Mitchell, age 80, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at the Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie, VA.
Born on October 5, 1925 in Russell County, VA, William was a son of the late Walter Mitchell and Nannie Alexander Mitchell. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Edna June Marsh Mitchell and his daughter Sandy Mitchell Jones.
William was retired as a correctional officer from the Virginia Department of Corrections and had served in the U. S. Navy during WW II where he was involved in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre campaign.
Survivors include his son-in-law, Charles Jones of Abingdon; his sister, Virginia Bryant of Oak Ridge, TN and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside funeral service for William D. Mitchell will be conducted at 11:00 A. M., Saturday, September 9, 2006 in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Rev. Don Thayer officiating. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Church Honor Color Guard. Interment
will follow the service. The family will receive friends from 7:00 9:00 P. M. Friday, September 8, 2006 at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service.
Larry Orr
Larry Orr, age 66, died Thursday, September 7, 2006 at his home.
Larry was born on July 29, 1940 in Washington County, Virginia and was a son of the late Morris Eugene Orr, Sr. and Frances Arlene Dunn Orr. Larry was also preceded in death by his sister, Mary Sue Gilley. Larry had lived in Martinsville, VA for over twenty years and had retired from the Tultex Corporation.
Survivors include three sisters, Lillian Orr and Bonnie Catherine Bates both of Marion, VA and Libby Owens of Glade Spring, VA.; three brothers, Jack David Orr of Wythe County, VA, Morris Eugene Orr, Jr. of Glade Spring, VA and Richard Lee Orr of Meadowview, VA. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Abigail for friendship and all her help shown to Larry.
The funeral service for Larry Orr will be conducted at 11:00 A. M. Monday, September 11, 2006 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor Ernest Love officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Glade Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jeff Goodpasture, Jonathan Goodpasture, Butch Bates, David Bates, Lee Orr and Travis Owens. Honorary pallbearers will be Frankie Norris, Brian Burke, Alan Orr, Barry Crane and Stevie Carter. The family will receive friends from 6:00 8:00 P. M. Sunday, September 10, 2006 in the Farris Funeral Service Main Street Chapel. In place of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Glade Spring Volunteer Lifesaving Crew, P. O. Box 59, Glade Spring, VA 24340 or to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382.
Zelphia Dianna Pope Huff
Mrs. Zelphia Dianna Pope Huff, age 76, passed away Saturday September 9, 2006 in Valdese, North Carolina.
Mrs. Huff was born June 30, 1930 in Washington County, Virginia to the late Kerman and Hallie Largen Pope.
Mrs. Huff was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey Vernon Huff, Jr., one brother, Homer Pope, and two sisters, Lillie Roark and Edith Price.
Mrs. Huff is survived by two sons, Bobby Huff and companion, Debbie Lanier of Rutherford College, North Carolina, and Ricky Huff of Vale, North Carolina. Two daughters, Betty Sue Smith of Salisbury, North Carolina and Mary Bradshaw and husband, Steve of Connelly Springs, North Carolina, three sisters, Janie Norris, Nona Graybeal, and Icie Graybeal all of Abingdon, Virginia. Nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services for Mrs. Huff will be conducted Tuesday September 12, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. in Spoon Gap Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Herbert Bailey officiating. Interment
will follow in Mountain View United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends. The family will receive friends in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service Monday September 11, 2006 from 6:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M. Donations can be made to Hospice of Southwest Virginia 325 Cummings Street Abingdon, Virginia 24210.
Sandi Bailey
Mrs. Sandi Bailey, age 62, died Sunday, September 10, 2006, at her home. She was a native of Iowa and had lived in Abingdon for several years. She was preceded in death by her father, Delbert Bellinger.
She is survived by her husband, Carl M. Bailey; two sons, Eric A. Bailey and wife, Sissy of Bristol, Tenn., Robert Mensching of Jacksonville, Fla.; her mother, Marie Bellinger of Plainfield, Iowa; three brothers, Gary, Rick and Dean all of Iowa; four sisters, Janet and Brenda both of Iowa, Nancy of Washington and Helen of Kansas; two grandchildren, Abigale and Destiny
The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 13, 2006 from 6 9 PM at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. There will be no other service.
Patricia Diane Pierce
Patricia Diane Pierce, age 50, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2006, at her home. She was a native of Abingdon, Virginia and had lived in Kingsport for eight years. She was employed by Citi Group in Gray, Tennessee. She is survived by
Her son, Greg Lewis of Kingsport, Tenn.
Her mother, Pauline Griffith and husband, Lyle of Bristol, Va.
Her father, Everett Lee Pierce of Abingdon, Va.
One brother, Michael Pierce of Columbia, SC
A funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 PM Saturday, September 16, 2006 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Tom Capron officiating. A committal service will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday in the Forest Hills Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 8 PM Saturday at the funeral home. Family and friends are to meet at the cemetery before the service on Sunday. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Greenfield Baptist Church, %Lynn Miller, Treasurer, 30080 Hawthorne Drive, Meadowview, VA 24361.
Margaret M. Craig
Mrs. Margaret M. Craig, age 87, passed away, Thursday September 14, 2006, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Gordon Craig, Sr. and her son, James Gordon Craig, Jr. She is survived by
Two daughters, Bland Craig of Abingdon, Va.
Jane Sebok of New York
A grandson, James Gordon Craig, III
A granddaughter, Margaret Ann Craig
Two great granddaughters, Vanessa Craig and Victoria Craig
The family will have a private service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246, Abingdon, VA 24212.
Norman Jess Montgomery
Norman Jess Montgomery, age 31, died Thursday, March 14, 2006.
Norman was born on March 6, 1975 in Washington County, Virginia and was a son of Edna Montgomery Olinger and the late Jess Montgomery. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Shelia Rouse; paternal grandparents, Danville and Gay Montgomery, maternal grandfather, Robert Lacy Sweet; his aunt Wanda Montgomery; and his uncles Delmas Sweet, Jerry Montgomery, David Montgomery and Paul Montgomery.
Norman was a 1993 graduate of Abingdon High School and was of the Baptist Faith.
Survivors include his mother and step-father, Edna Montgomery Olinger and Tony Olinger; his sisters, Sharon Manis and husband Ron and Patty Montgomery; his maternal grandmother, Mary Warren and husband Paul; nephews, Kristopher Stiltner, Anthony Stiltner and Justin Rouse. Several aunts, uncles cousins and friends also survive him.
The funeral service for Norman Jess Montgomery will be conducted at 2:00 P. M. Monday, September 18, 2006 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Herbert Bailey officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Freewilll Baptist Church Cemetery in Alvarado, VA.
Pallbearers will be Willis Sweet, Bobby Sweet, Tony Olinger, Paul Warner, Freddy Hall, Greg Rowe, Nicky Sweet. The family will receive friends from 12:30 P. M. Monday until the time of the funeral service.
Bertha Ann Thomas Sipes
Mrs. Bertha Ann Thomas Sipes, age 57, passed away, Friday, September 15, 2006, at the Johnston Memorial Hospital. She was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Virginia and attended the Gospel Tabernacle.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Kirby Sipes; four daughters, Carolyn Sanchez, Joyce Beitler, Rhonda Fuller and Kitty Sipes all of Meadowview, Va; a special granddaughter she raised, Cheyenne Sipes of Meadowview, Va.; one brother, Stuart Thomas of Abingdon, Va.; one sister, Gladys McNew of Blountville, Tenn.; six grandchildren.
A funeral service will be conducted Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at 2:00 PM in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Joseph Fuller, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 8 PM Monday at the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Jack Ed Thomas, Adam Byington, Jody Thomas, Mike Thomas, Jack Thomas, Jr., Charlie Thomas, Danny McNew, and Johnny McNew. Honorary pallbearers will be Carlos Sanchez, Jonathan Fuller, Travis Thomas, Joe Thomas and Troy Thomas
Emma Lucille Dickenson
Emma Lucille Dickenson, age 83, died Saturday, September 16, 2006 at Grace Healthcare Center in Abingdon.
She was born in Russell County, but had spent most of her life in the Bristol and Abingdon area. She was a daughter of the late Samuel Paris Johnson and Goldie Johnson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Dickenson; her daughter, Tanyua; four brothers, H. (Hobart), Guy, Bascom and Fred Johnson and two sisters, Edna Johnson and Beatrice Meade.
She was a member of the Abingdon Baptist Church and a member of the Bristol Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. She was employed for many years at Big Jack Manufacturing Company, Glade Spring Products and Abingdon Cleaners and Launderers.
Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Peggy Johnson of Abingdon and Mildred G. Johnson of Piney Flats, TN; four nieces, Sonja Salyer and Nancy Meade of Castlewood, VA, Myra Osborne of Lebanon, VA and Sandra Johnson of Brunswick, GA; four nephews, Darrell Meade of Kingsport, TN, Paul Meade and Gerald Meade of Castlewood, VA and Fred (Rusty) Johnson of Knoxville, TN. Several great nieces and nephews also survive.
The family wishes to express special thanks to all at Grace Healthcare Center for their loving care, compassion and friendship shown over the past several years.
Graveside funeral services for Emma Lucille Dickenson will be conducted at 10:00 A. M. Monday, September 18, 2006 at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Dr. Steven Pollard officiating. Interment
will follow the service. Those attending the funeral service are asked to meet at the cemetery. There will be no visitation at the funeral home, however anyone may come by the funeral home to sign the guest register. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Activities Department of Grace Healthcare Center, 600 Walden Road, Abingdon, VA 24210 or to the Abingdon Baptist Church, 361 W. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.
