Jarvis Geraldine Henderson
Jarvis Geraldine Henderson, 80, of the Poor Valley community, departed this life on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon.
Born in Ringwood, North Carolina on January 8, 1927, Geraldine was the daughter of the late Jim and Tina Brannon Henderson of Saltville, Virginia. She will be lovingly remembered by many for her boundless energy in helping others, her unlimited generosity, kindness and compassion.
Geraldine was a member of the Valley View Assembly of God Church where she had once served as secretary and treasurer of the Sunday School for 35 years. She was a member and past Worthy Matron of the Saltville Chapter No. 151 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Active in the Washington County Democratic Party, she had served as an election official at the Hayter’s Gap precinct for 35 years. Geraldine was also active in the Hayter’s Gap Senior Citizens.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. James Sanders Henderson, Jr. and her beloved sister, June Henderson Zebley.
She is survived by her son whom she so deeply cherished, James Sanders Henderson III and wife, Jill, Saltville; brother-in-law, Elwood Zebley, Saltville; special niece, Amy Zebley and husband Tony Benavidez, Bullhead City, Arizona; and special nephew, Buddy Zebley, Largo, Florida; grandchildren, Jay and Marisa Henderson, Rocky Gap, Virginia; many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends and church family.
Visitation will take place at Valley View Assembly of God on Friday, March 16, 2007, beginning at 1:00 p.m. with Eastern Star memorial services and celebration of life at 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Jonathan Jonas and Pastor Dennis Banks officiating. Burial will follow at the Henderson Family Cemetery. Family and friends may call or visit at Geraldine’s home at any time during this time of bereavement.
Pallbearers will be Joe P. Johnson, III, Chad Boardwine, Jim Edmondson, Sage Johnson, Andy Shrader, Frank Blair, Buddy Zebley and Brian Johnson. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Parker, Melvin Ritchie, Dan Smith, Hugh Caldwell, Ben Henderson, Roy Caldwell, Richard Eldreth, Lee Roy Holmes, Mark Sweat, John Henderson, Fred Newman, and Dennis Godfrey.
In lieu of flowers, Geraldine had requested that contributions be made to Valley View Assembly of God Church, 27435 Poor Valley Road, Saltville, Virginia 24370; Valley Rescue Squad, 7712 Hayter’s Gap Road, Saltville, Virginia 24370; or the Clinch Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, 7350 Fire Department Road, Abingdon, Virginia 24210 . The family has also established the Geraldine Henderson Memorial Fund at Chilhowie Elementary School for the benefit of a child in need. Contributions may be sent to the school c/o Geraldine Henderson Memorial Fund, CES, P.O. Box 348, Chilhowie, VA 24319.
Mae Robinson
Mae Robinson, age 93, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007 in hospice care at Southern Plantation in Loganville, GA.
She was the daughter of Harmon Arrington and Phoebe Fuller Arrington. Besides her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, L. G. “Granville” Robinson and her sister, Lake “Flo” Arrington Traylor.
Mae was born in Viers, VA and raised in Dickenson County. She and her husband lived in the Breaks and Haysi areas. They later moved to Lebanon, VA where they resided twenty years before retiring to Abingdon, VA. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who loved to cook and care for her family. She enjoyed gardening, quilting and was a champion golfer. Mae was a member of the Abingdon Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are her daughter, Betty Robinson Rakes and husband Rod of Grayson, GA; her son, Chad Robinson and wife Pat of Marion, VA; her brother, Glenn Arrington and wife Beth of Blountville, TN; her grandchildren, Jeff Rakes and wife Celeste of Dover, DE, Janene Rakes Meents and husband Peter of Lilburn, GA, Ginger Rakes of Lilburn, GA and Josh Robinson of Atlanta, GA, also surviving are seven great grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, VA. A funeral service will follow in the chapel with Pastor Bill Leuzinger and Pastor Jeff Rakes officiating.
Interment
will be Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Douglas Kirk Gentry
Douglas Kirk Gentry, 45, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007. A native of Abingdon, he was a 1980 graduate of Abingdon High School. Doug graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1987 and was a member of Washington Springs United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Reeves Carlton Gentry; his maternal grandmother, Vea Worth Dollar; and his paternal grandparents, Troy and Cora Gentry.
Survivors include his mother, Cara Sue Gentry of Jefferson, NC; his wife, Donna Kestner Gentry of Abingdon; one daughter, Dora Alyce Gentry of Abingdon; two brothers: Dan Gentry and Dwayne Gentry, both of Lexington, KY; several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and special friend, Patty Canonico.
Funeral services for Doug Gentry will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 17, 2007, at the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens) with Rev. Jeff Wallace officiating and special speaker, Joe Clark. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Mark Landreth, Tom Holland, Preston Swiney, Eddie Copenhaver, Bill Silkworth, Allen Gentry, Greg Ramey, and Gerald Blankenship. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Gentry, Carl Gentry, Bobby Gentry, Jack Gentry, Bill Gentry, Gilbert Gentry, Jim Gentry, Ron Horton, and Don Horton.
The family will receive friends on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at the Forest Hills Chapel.
Jack C. Smith
Jack C. Smith, beloved Food City Founder and Chairman of the Board passed away earlier today at his home in Abingdon, Virginia, following a brief illness. Smith, 81, was born August 21, 1925 in Grundy, Virginia. He was the only child of Buchanan County natives Curtis and Elizabeth Belcher Smith.
Mr. Smith graduated Grundy High School in 1942 and the United States Naval Academy in June 1947, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After marrying the love of his life, Jewell Garland Smith in September, 1947, Smith served seven years active duty in the US Navy, stationed in Panama and San Diego, CA. He returned to his hometown of Grundy, Virginia in 1954, where he opened his first Piggly Wiggly store in 1955, with the help of three special stockholders: his father, Curtis Smith, uncle, Earl Smith and cousin, Ernest Smith.
Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. operates 95 Food City and Super Dollar supermarkets throughout the tri-state regions of Southeast Kentucky, Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. The company also operates its own distribution center and water bottling facility, Misty Mountain Spring Water, L.L.C. Smith served as Food City’s Chief Executive Officer until passing the torch to his son, Steven C. Smith in 2001.
His strong sense of community involvement was evident in the countless organizations supported by Smith and Food City. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including Tennessee Grocer’s prestigious 1996 Grocer of the Year Award and, the Junior Achievement Tri-Cities TN/VA Business Hall of Fame Laureate in 1999. Smith served on various boards, such as the Federal Reserve Board of Richmond, VA, Virginia Food Dealers Association Board of Directors, holding the office of President in 1981, President of National Piggly Wiggly Operators Association in 1969 and President and member of the Grundy Rotary Club. He was also a long-time member of National Grocers Association, where he received The 2002 Clarence G. Adamy “Great American” Award, declaring Smith “A man of many accomplishments and a true gentleman. A pioneer and entrepreneur, providing the foundation and vision to grow Food City from a small neighborhood grocery store to a modern community supermarket leader ”. His hobby was his work.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his lovely wife of 56 years, Jewell “Judy” Garland Smith in 2003. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Steven C. Smith, Food City President and CEO and Debbie Smith of Abingdon, VA; two daughters and sons-in-law, Stephanie and Frank David of Richlands, VA and Sharon and Thomas Hembree of Abingdon, VA; one sister-in-law, Ione Saylor of Westminster, MD, two brothers-in-law, Bob Watts of Annapolis, MD and Claude Garland and wife Angela Garland of Westminster, MD, six grandchildren, Alison David, Joshua David, Drew Hembree, Melanie Hembree, Katie Smith and Chloe Smith and one special cousin, Lee Smith of Hillsborough, NC.
The family will visit with friends and guests Sunday, March 18, 2007 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Highlands Fellowship Church, 22417 Watauga Road, Abingdon, VA. The funeral service will be Monday, March 19, 2007 at 1:00 PM with Mr. Bill Neeley and Mr. Mike Rife officiating. Entombment will follow in the Colonial Chapel Mausoleum at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, Abingdon, VA, with military rites conducted by the Highlands Fellowship Honor Color Guard.
Pallbearers will be Phyllis Scott, Jesse Lewis, Bob Neeley, Johnny Cecil, Emerson Breeden, Pam Murray, Drew Hembree and Josh David. Honorary pallbearers will include all Food City associates.
The family would like to express special appreciation to Dr. Emory Robinette, Dr. Sue J. Prill, Dr. Timothy McGarry, Dr. James Denton, Dr. Chad T. Couch, Dr. T.L. Whitman, the staff of Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center and Johnston Memorial Hospital, area physicians and special caregivers Teresa Phipps, Sandy Patrick, Stella Blackwell, Rose Taylor, Tammy Hardee, Jessica Scott, Ann Morris, Brenda Malone and Brenda Marshall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jack C. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O The Tennessee Grocers Education Foundation, 1838 Elm Hill Pike, Suite 136, Nashville, TN 37210.
Robert "Bob" Casey
Robert “Bob” Casey, 91 passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at his home.
He was preceded in death by a grandchild, three great grandchildren, two sisters, Myrtle C. Duncan and Pauline Venable, one brother, Earnest Casey.
He is survived his wife of 73 years, Edna Casey, along with 12 children, 7 daughters and 5 sons; Freda Casey Myers and husband Richard, Pearl Casey Carrier and husband J. W. “Bill”, All of Piney Flats, TN, L. C. Casey and wife Linn, Dudley Casey and wife Hazel all of Meadowview, Va, Geneva Casey, Abingdon, VA, Dorothy Casey Ray and husband Mack, Jewel Casey Ray and husband Richard, Jr., Shirley Casey Ray and husband Clyde, Alvin Casey and wife Linda, James Robert Casey, Jr., and wife Audrey, Tony Casey and wife Betty, Daphne Casey Lewis and husband Wayne Jessie all of Saltville, VA, his brothers and sisters, Mable Casey, Abingdon, VA, Bill Casey and Stewart Casey both of Meadowview, VA, Cleo Pierce, Abingdon, VA, Harrison Casey, Glade Spring, VA, Juanita Blevins, Bristol, VA, Jennings Casey, Baltimore, MD, Marvin Casey, Abingdon, VA, Dean Casey, Glade Spring, VA and Helen C. VanHose, Abingdon, VA, 24 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren.
The graveside service will be conducted Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Fall Hill Cemetery. Interment
will follow. Those attending are asked to assemble at the cemetery on Saturday.
Pallbearers will be his sons, Alvin, Tony, Dudley, Bob, Jr., L. C. and a nephew Eddie Casey. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Campbell, Glen Taylor, Robert Anderson, Paul “Bossie” Collins, John Eastridge and Richard Eastridge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fall Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Jewel Ray, 27285 North Fork River Road, Saltville, VA 24370.
The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Sue Lynn Hardin Carroll
Sue Lynn Hardin Carroll, age 62, died Friday, March 16, 2007 at her home in the Alvarado Community.
Born on August 10, 1944 in Welch, West Virginia, Sue was a daughter of the late Fred Hardin and Myrtle Brown Hardin. She was a graduate of Big Creek High School in West Virginia. She had also graduated from the Roanoke Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and the University of Cincinnati School of Anesthesia. She was a retired certified nurse anesthetist with Virginia Highlands Anesthesiology and had worked at Johnston Memorial Hospital for 26 years.
She is survived by her loving husband Bob Carroll; her step-son, Chris Carroll; her step-daughter Beth Neinke and husband Ken; her brother William F. Hardin and wife Debbie of Sterling, VA; her sister Carol Hardin of Meadowview, VA; her grandchildren Hannah Carroll, Alex Arthur, Rebecca Neinke, Christopher Neinke, Garrett Carroll and Cayden Carroll and her faithful companion – her dog Morgan.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P. M. Monday, March 19, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 P. M., Tuesday March 20, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel with Mr. Bill Reece and Rev. John Stapleton officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus, VA. Pallbearers will be Doug Neely, Jim Forrester, Kevin Forrester, Jim Carroll, Jerry Carroll and Billy Jo White. In place of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association, 208 sunset Drive, Suite 13, Johnson City, TN 37604.
Beverly Evangeline Widener
Beverly Evangeline Widener, age 77, died Saturday, March 17, 2007 at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA.
She was a former resident of Meadowview Virginia and Damascus, VA.
Survivors include her son, Michael Widener of Abingdon; her daughter Deborah Walker and husband Ray of Annapolis, MD; her step-children Billy Widener and Pete Widener both of Abingdon and Teresa Wingo of the Hickory Tree Community of Bluff City, TN; her grandchildren, Matthew Walker, David Walker and Montana Widener.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P. M. Tuesday, March 20, and from 6:00 – 8:00 P. M. Wednesday, March 21, 2007 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A. M. Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the graveside in Knollkreg Memorial Park with Rev. John E. Massey, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow the service. Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Reba R. Rowe
Reba R. Rowe, age 85 passed away Monday, March 19, 2007 in the Wexford House, Kingsport, TN.
She was born in Dickenson County, VA and was of the Presbyterian faith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert H. Robinson and Fannie Owens Robinson, her husband, John Rowe, her step-father, Trigg Anderson, three sisters, Myrtle Charles, Marie Sutherland, Nell Owens and a brother, Johnny Anderson.
Survivors include two sisters, Helen P. Sutherland, Bristol, TN and Ponzell Salyers, Clinchco, VA, several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel with Pastor Dion Marshall officiating.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Interment
will follow in Forest Hills Memory Gardens.
Rachel Elizabeth Dye Nelson
Rachel Elizabeth Dye Nelson, age 84, died Monday, March 19, 2007, at Johnston Memorial Hospital. Rachel was born in Abingdon, VA, on December 15, 1922, to the late Corbett and Doshia Thomas Dye. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Rev. Lewis A. Dye.
Rachel was a lifelong member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church on White’s Mill Road in Abingdon. She was a 30-year employee of Abingdon Cleaners and Launderers.
Survivors include her son, Stewart C. Nelson of Abingdon; a daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Jim Lessenberry of Littleton, CO; her brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Charlie C. and Eileen Dye of Kingsport, TN; and her very special and loved sister-in-law, Betty Snavely Dye.
Funeral services for Rachel Dye Nelson will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel, with the Rev. Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Knollkreg Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Fred Dye, Tim Pickle, Gary Dye, Wayne Dye, Phil Hanky, and Ronnie Wolfe. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Lessenberry, Fred Arnold, and Mark King.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.
Arthur L. "Al" Mitchell
Mr. Arthur L. “Al” Mitchell, age 80, passed away Monday, March 19, 2007, in the Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center.
A graduate of Richlands High School, Al Mitchell graduated with a BA degree from Emory & Henry in 1946. While a student at E&H, his activities and honors were numerous; he was President of the student body, Editor of the campus newspaper, a member of the Calliopian Literary Society, and a member of Beta Lambda Zeta Fraternity.
In 1950, he received his Master’s degree from Columbia University, and went on to teach in public schools in Charlottesville, Bristol, and Marion. In 1958 he joined the Emory & Henry College staff, and served there until his retirement in 1992. During his tenure he held positions of Director of Admissions, Director of Publicity, Sports Information Director, Financial Aid Officer, English Professor, and Registrar. He was a mentor and sponsor for the brothers of Beta Lambda Zeta Fraternity.
A faithful community servant, Al was a volunteer for United Way and a Trustee for the Washington County Public Library from 1966-1978; he served as their treasurer from 1974-1978. He was active in the Washington County Democratic Party in the 1970s, also serving as their treasurer. In the 1950s, he was president of the Smyth County Young Democrats. He was a former member of the Marion Lions Club and the Marion Rotary Club. He was an active member of Emory United Methodist Church, where he served as a Sunday School teacher for more than 30 years.
He won numerous awards from Emory & Henry College including the Earnest E. and Elizabeth C. Maiden Award in 1990 and The DeFriece Award in 1996, and he was the first person to ever receive the E&H Alumni Association Distinctive Service to Emory & Henry Award, 1993. In 2005, the Alumni Association honored him by naming one of their awards for him, the A.L. Mitchell Young Alumnus of the Year Award.
Known for his avid enthusiasm for E&H athletics, he was inducted into the E&H Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. In 1994, the college celebrated “Al Mitchell Day” during basketball season and gave Al his own referee’s jersey and whistle. In 1987, the football program at E&H named him their “Twelfth Man” for devotion to the team.
He was a prolific writer, with a published book of poetry and several entries in magazines, journals, and The Upper Room devotional.
Survivors include a niece, Kay Mitchell Reedy and husband Dr. Jim Reedy of Little Rock, AR; a nephew, Ralph W. Mitchell, Jr. and wife Jean Mitchell of Bluefield, VA; great-nephews: Ralph W. Mitchell, III of Roanoke, VA; Dr. Bryan Dunlap and wife Kelley Dunlap of Little Rock, AR; William “Bo” Dunlap and wife Jill Dunlap of Little Rock, AR; Scott Warner and wife Andy of Richmond, VA; Kenny Warner, David Warner, and Steve Warner; great-niece, Dreama Mitchell of Bluefield, WV; great-great-niece, Meredith Dunlap of Little Rock, AR; great-great-nephew, Michael Warner of Richmond, VA and cousins Arlene Buchanan and George Ira Brown, both of Belfast, VA.
The funeral service for Mr. Al Mitchell will be conducted Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. in the Emory United Methodist Church with Rev. Beverly Robinette officiating.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from noon-3:00 p.m. in the Emory United Methodist Church, prior to the service. Interment
will follow in the Holston Conference Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dustin Crouse, Taylor Hughes, Brad Fox, John Marcum, Adam Kennedy, Adam Taylor, Brandon Farmer, and the Brothers of Beta Lambda Zeta fraternity.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Arthur L. Mitchell Scholarship at Emory & Henry, P.O. Box 950, Emory, VA 24327
