Virginia, U.S., Marriage Records, 1936-2014
GRUNDY, Va -- Lemuel Stacy, 93, died Tuesday, March 13, 2001, at a Grundy hospital. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Wallis and Nancy McClanahan Stacy, a retired coal miner and a member of Little Prater Church of Christ. He was the widower of Hazel Stacy. Surviving are a son, Billy Stacy of Grundy; a daughter, Mrs. Troy (Meldena) Compton of Grundy; a brother, Kennith R. Stacy of Mt. Gileod, Ohio; a sister, Annie Hess, War, W.Va.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Little Prater Church of Christ with Evangelist Michael Trent officiating. Burial will be in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Pallbearers will be Chuck Stacy, Tony and J.R. Stiltner, and Earl and Buddy Compton. Honorary pallbearers will be elders and deacons of Little Prater Church of Christ. Friends may call after 6 p.m. Thursday at the church where a song service will be held at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Little Prater Church of Christ. Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of arrangements.
HURLEY, Va. -- Funeral services for Johnny Adkins will be held Sunday, March 18, 2001, at 2 p.m. at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, Grundy, Va., with the Reverends Rickie Ferrell and Ezra Estep officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, Va. Active pallbearers will be Paul Lowe, Elliott Viers, Willard Hurley, Andy Rife, Terry Vandyke, Richard Nowlin, Chris Viers, Shane Branham, Albert Cook, Richard Urbanowski, Chris Keen, Paul Witt, Keith Lane and Tim Tweed. The body will be left at the funeral home where friends may call after 6 p.m. Friday evening with services Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. Mr. Adkins, 53, of the Popcorn section, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2001, from injuries sustained in a mining accident. Born in Buchanan County, Dec. 17, 1947, he was the son of Stella Johnson Adkins of Richlands, Va., and the late Andrew Jack Adkins. He was the superintendent for Basic Mining Company, an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed coon hunting and fishing and a lifelong resident of Buchanan County. He was also a loving husband and father. He was preceded in death by one sister, Joan Sullivan; and one brother, Billie Sullivan. In addition to his mother, Stella Johnson Adkins of Richlands, he is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, May Estep Adkins of Hurley; two daughters, Tammy Jo Adkins and Wendy Michelle Adkins, both of Arlington, Va.; and two sisters, Maggie Fletcher and Mable Ruble, both of Grundy, Va. The family of Johnny Adkins is being served by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy.
MAXIE, Va. -- Michael T. Belcher, 49, of the Belcher Fork section of Maxie, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at Heritage Hall in Grundy, Va., following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Bart B. and Dollie Owens Belcher. He was a member of the Bull Creek Regular Baptist Church, a 1970 graduate of Grundy Senior High School and a disabled coal miner, having worked for the Island Creek Coal Corporation. He is survived by his former wife, Marzella Clevinger Belcher of Grundy; one daughter, Tina Michelle Wilson and her husband, Rodney Lee, of Lexington, N.C.; one son, Timothy Michael Belcher of Lexington; six sisters, Mrs. Velcie Elswick of Abingdon, Mrs. Ira (Mickey) Stiltner of Tampa, Fla., Mrs. Hayes (Elsie) Oquinn of Vansant, Va., Mrs. Ray (Patsy) Shortridge of Abingdon, Mrs. Ralph (Lois) Strunk of Atwater, Ohio, and Mrs. John (Sue) McKinney of Johnson City, Tenn.; three brothers, Johnny and wife Linda Belcher of Harman, Va., Ricky and wife Ruby Belcher of Harman and Donald and wife Nancy Belcher of Harman; and two granddaughters, Kara Nicole Belcher and Lauren Elizabeth Wilson of Lexington. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Moscoe Belcher and Otto Belcher. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, March 18, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Bull Creek Regular Baptist Church with Elders David O'Quinn, Freddie Ramey, Frank O'Quinn, Eddie Newsome, Toy Looney, Roscoe Crouse and Curtis Crouse officiating with burial to follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel after 5 p.m. Friday evening and there will be an evening service Friday evening at 7 p.m. with Elders Frank O'Quinn, David O'Quinn, David Blankenship, Roscoe Crouse and Curtis Crouse officiating. There will be an evening service Saturday evening at 7 p.m. with Elders Frank Newsome, William McClanahan, Billy Campbell, Jim Blankenship and James McClanahan officiating. Mr. Belcher will be moved to the Bull Creek Regular Baptist Church one hour prior to the funeral service. Active pallbearers Stevie Belcher, Joey O'Quinn, Bobby O'Quinn, Butch Stiltner, Jarrett Belcher, John Boy Belcher, Billy Belcher and Daniel Belcher. Honorary pallbearers will be Reid Scott, Matt Hankins, Keevin Hurley, Aaron Lester, Brad Hurley, Chad Hurley, Anthony McClanahan, Chris Scammell, Shawn McNutt, Wesley Stiltner, Aaron Looney, Ricky Honaker, Ivan Dales, Ricky Lee, Johnny McClanahan, Don Scammell, Terry Looney, Henry McNutt, Randy Stepp and Jimmy Stiltner. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.
HONAKER, Va. -- Rev. Hurshel Helton, 66, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2001, in a Richlands, Virginia hospital. Born March 28, 1934, in Buchanan County, Va., he was a son of the late Ira and Bertha Blankenship Helton. He had lived in Honaker for the past 36 years and was a disabled coal miner and a member of the UMWA. He had served in the United States Army and was presently the pastor of Swamp Creek Church on Hurricane Creek. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Donald Dale Helton; one daughter, Sharon K. Helton; one brother, E.K. Helton; one sister, Peggy Helton; and two half-brothers, Lawson Ball and Benny Ball. Survivors include his wife, Edith Helton of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Rita and Roger Harris and Betty and Darrell Rasnake, all of Council; one son and daughter-in-law, Rickie and Patty Helton of Council; three granddaughters, Tiffany Helton, Dedra Harris and Melody West; one grandson, Joshua Tiller and his wife, Shelly; one great-granddaughter, Hailey Tiller; one sister, Betty Helton of Honaker, Va.; two brothers, Virgil Helton of Rowe, Va., and Hulas Helton of Council, Va.; his stepfather, Arnold Ball of Council; two half-sisters, Juanita Hale of Petterson, Va., and Hester Owens of Cumberland, Va.; two half-brothers, Chester Ball of Honaker, Va., and Leeroy Ball of Council; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Sunday in Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Va., with Rev. Luther Bowman, Rev. Otis Musick and Rev. James Hale officiating. Interment will follow in the Helton Cemetery on Stinson Ridge, Va. Pallbearers will be Doyle Lester, Elmer Presley, Elden Presley, Randall Stiltner, Steve Owens, Julius Steele, Larry Hess and Dwayne Hess. Honorary pallbearers will be George Helton, Arnold Helton, Charles Harris, Nolan Harris and Ralph Dye. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Saturday where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m. with Rev. Jess Whited, Rev. Billy Hess and Rev. Daniel Richardson officiating.
BUCHANAN COUNTY -- Mr. Bascom Coolridge Clifton, 76, of the Clifton Fork section passed away Friday, March 16, 2001, at his home following a long illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Thomas S. and Lucy Lawson Clifton. He was a member of the U.M.W.A., Harvest Time Tabernacle and was a born again Christian for 40 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Bobby S. Clifton; one daughter, Jackie Fay Clifton; five brothers, Dewey, Stanley, Estil, Boone and Howell Clifton; two sisters, Sally Ross and Katie Keen; and one granddaughter, Christy Michelle Cantrell. Mr. Clifton is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mrs. Sylvia Hurt Clifton; three daughters, Mrs. George (Brenda) Cantrell of Route 1, Raven, Va., Mrs. Roy (Sherry) Kiser of Salem, Va., and Mrs. Allen (Donna) Blankenship of Route 4, Grundy, Va.; one sister, Mrs. Doskey Keyser of Newport News, Va.; and four grandchildren, Heather Lynn Kiser, David Kiser, Nickolas Blankenship and Micah Blankenship. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2001, in the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain, Va., with Rev. Frank Blankenship and Rev. Kevin Blankenship officiating. Burial will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. sons-in-law and men of the Harvest Time Tabernacle Church will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain from 6-9 p.m. Sunday with services at 7 p.m. Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
VANSANT, Va. -- Eric Randall Colley, 45, of the Russell Prater Section passed away at his residence, Friday, March 16, 2001. He was born in Tazewell County, Va., the son of Curtis Colley Sr. and Rose Nell Boyd Colley of Vansant. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, a loving husband and father, disabled coal miner and an avid outsdoorsman who enjoyed camping and hunting. He was a 1974 graduate of Grundy High School and had attended Southwest Community College. In addition to his parents, Curtis Colley Sr. and Rose Nell Boyd Colley, he is survived by his wife of 26 years, JoAnn Proffitt Colley, of Vansant; two sons, Eric Randall Colley Jr. and fiancee, Clarissa Pruitt, of Bluff City, Tenn., and Christopher Shawn Colley and fiancee, Loretta Lynn Staubus, of Bluff City; three sisters, Mrs. Ken (Kathy) Wright, Mrs. Darrell (Judy) Boyd and Mrs. Scotty (Dixie Joan) Jackson, all of Vansant; and three brothers, Joseph Leonard Gerber and wife, Peggy, of Vansant, Terry Colley and wife, Vicky Gale, of Vansant, and Curtis Colley Jr. and wife, Geraldine, of Grundy. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Elfreida Colley. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 19, 2001, at 1 p.m. in the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Terry Colley officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 6 p.m. Sunday where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m. The body will be cremated and a private burial will be held at a later date. The family of Eric Randall Colley is being served by the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy.
RICHLANDS -- Mildred Ann Shortridge Matney, 54, passed away Friday, March 16, 2001, in a Richlands hospital following a long illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of Ellis and Alma Deel Shortridge of Doran, Va. She was preceded in death by one son, Steven Matney; and a brother, Rodney Shortridge. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Gerald Matney Sr. of Cumberland, Va.; three sons, Tim Matney, Gerald Matney Jr. amd Dennis Matney, all of Cumberland; three brothers, Jerry Shortridge of Atkins, Va., and John Shortridge and Paul Shortridge, both of Richlands; three sisters, Brenda Street of Richlands, Linda Rife of Whitewood, Va., and Maretta Taylor of Short Gap, Va.; and three grandchildren. Friends may call at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6 until 9 p.m. Sunday where services will be conducted at 7 p.m. with Rev. Dewey Ward and Rev. Charlie McGlothlin officiating. The body will be taken to the Doyne-Burger-Davis Funeral Home at Farmville, Va. Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday with burial in the Grove Cemetery at Cumberland. Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of arrangements.
HAYSI, Va. -- Funeral service for Ed Yates will be conducted 11 a.m. Sunday, March 25, 2001, at Russell Prater Old Regular Baptist Church with Elders Denny Deel, Eddie Newsome, Frank O'quinn and Danny Yates officiating. Burial will follow in the Yates Cemetery, Route 2, Haysi. Pallbearers will be Elder Terry O'quinn, Brother Earl Boyd, Brother Clinton Arrington Jr., Jim Yates, Andre Deel, Michael Yates and Lonnie Yates. Friends may call at the Russell Prater Church after 5 p.m. on Saturday, where an evening service will be held at 7 p.m. with Elders Andy Deel, David O'quinn and Earl Dean Yates. Brother Lloyd Deel is requested to sing "Go Rest High On That Mountain." Mr. Yates, 67, of Route 2, died Thursday, March 22, 2001. A native of Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Elder Lewis and Gusta Deel Yates. He was a member of the Paw Paw Old Regular Baptist Church and was preceded in death by a brother, Farley Yates; and three sisters, Ruby Yates, Pinkie Yates and Hazel Yates. Survivors include his wife, Ruth M. Baker Yates; a sister-in-law, Elva Yates; nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and nephews. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
GRUNDY -- Kemper Mullins, 87, passed away Friday, March 23, 2001, in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Born in Dickenson County, he was a son of the late Patton and Nickatie Mullins. He had been a resident of Buchanan County several years, a member of Little Freedom Old Regular Baptist Church and was a retired coal miner. Mr. Mullins is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ollie Mullins of Grundy; one daughter, Imogene Mullins of Richlands; three sons, Carter Mullins of Richlands, Howard and wife, Ann Mullins of Corbin, Ky., and Clyde Mullins and special friend, Mary Sanford of Fowlerville, Mich.; two stepdaughters, Ruth Viers of Prater, Va., and Marie Jennings of Detroit, Mich.; one stepson, James and wife, Rushia Fuller of Vansant, Va.; one sister, Martha and husband, Clemmet Stanley of Haysi; and one brother, Columbus and wife, Lillie Mae Mullins of Tennessee. Also surviving are several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter; one son; one sister; five brothers, one stepson, Franklin Fuller; one daughter-in-law, Nina Faye Mullins; and two stepsons-in-law, Albert Viers and Thomas Jennings. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, March 26, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Elders Jerry Matney, Jackie Church, Elmer Church, Buster Mullins and Ralph Mullins officiating, with burial to follow in Hill and Bartley Cemetery on Big Ridge near Haysi. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be grandsons. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.
HONAKER -- Mrs. Magnolia Perkins, 94, of the Wysor Valley section passed away Friday, March 23, 2001, at her home. Born Nov. 23, 1906, in Buchanan County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Elbert and Palmara Lipps Boyd. She had spent most of her life in the area and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Bishop Simpson Perkins, and three brothers. Survivors include three daughters, Lucy Tiller of Columbus, Ind., and Pearlie Honaker and Shirley Honaker, both of Honaker; one son, Aubrey Perkins of Honaker; one half-sister, Ollie Charles of Davenport, Va.; two half-brothers, Orlin Boyd of Bristol and Delmer Boyd of Davenport; her special caregiver, Linda Dye; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conduced at 1 p.m. Monday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Peerman Lester and Rev. Arvil Arwood officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon. Grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Sunday.
CEDAR BLUFF, Va. -- Mrs. Gladys Rebecca Christian Joyce, 92, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at the Golden Age Retirement Home of Claypool Hill, Va., following a lengthy illness. Born in Buchanan County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Alexander Marion (Dock) and Samantha Jane Ward Christian. She was a member of the Cedar Bluff Methodist Church and Steelsburg Homemakers Club. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Hamilton (Bill) Joyce; one son, Jimmy Joyce; four brothers, Ted Christian, George Ryder Christian, Lawrence Christian and W.E. (Ed) Christian; and two sisters, Stella Patrick and Mazie Silcott. She is survived by: two daughters, Mrs. Jean Saylors of Anderson, S.C., and Mrs. Margaret Matney of Cedar Bluff; one daughter-in-law, Geneva Hylton Joyce; one sister, Mary C. Rowlay of South Hill, Va.; three grandsons, Doug Matney, Tim Joyce and Steven Joyce; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 29, 2001, at 2 p.m. at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Eddie Noe and Evangelist Bob Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of arrangements.
OAKWOOD, Va. -- Mrs. Mazie Katherine Keene, 80, of the Dismal section, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2001, at her home. Born in Whitewood, Va., she was the daughter of the late George and Winona Brown Short. She was a member of the Crystal Block Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Raymond Keen, second husband, Melvin Keene; two brothers, Stuart Short and Beve Short; two daughters, Janet Eve Keene and Diane Sue Keene; and one son, George Daniel Keene. Mrs. Keene is survived by two sons, Bobby Glen Keene and Elmer Lee Keene, both of Dismal, Va.; five daughters, Mrs. Abe (Shirley) Hurt of Abingdon, Va., Mrs. Lois Hughes of Conover, N.C., Mrs. Dennis (Gaylene) Vandyke of Patterson, Va., Mrs. Keith (Elizabeth) Shortridge of Roanoke, Va., and Mrs. Douglas (Nancy) Horn of Raven, Va.; four sisters, Mrs. Ann Cole of Statesville, N.C., Mrs. Watie Vandyke of Oakwood, Mrs. Nancy Stilwell of Tazewell, Va., and Mrs. Ruth Carpenter of Norfolk, Va.; two brothers, Charlie Short of Tazewell and Raymond Short of Belfast, Va.; one stepson, Billy Keene of Georgia; two stepdaughters, Betty Spicer of Indiana, and Jean Christofiles of Chicago; 18 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; and 21 step-great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be at noon Friday, March 30th, in the Buchanan Funeral Chapel at Keen Mountain with Revs. Fred Rife Jr., Bill Honaker and Thurman Chatman officiating. Burial will follow in the Antioch Cemetery at Keen Mountain. Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers will be Heather Ross, Drew Boyd, Avon Ward, Betty Horn, Shirley Horn, Arthur Whitt, Bill Lee, Guthrie and Oliver Kennedy, James and Virgie Meadows, Jeanette Brewster, Trulby Presley, Dr. V. Modi and Dr. Kailas Modi. The family will receive friends at the Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain is in charge of arrangements.
GRUNDY, Va. -- Bennie Jay Doughten, 50, of the Slate Creek area, passed away Tuesday, March 27, 2001, following a brief Illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Mrs. Thelma Smith Doughten, Route 3, Grundy, Va., and the late Ira Doughten. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a member of Bethel Baptist Church. He was a graduate of Grundy High School, Class of 1969, and served in the United States Army. He was an employee of Virginia Energy Company as a heavy equipment operator. Mr. Doughten is survived by his mother, Mrs. Thelma Smith Doughten, Route 3, Grundy; his wife, Mrs. Christine (Judy) Lester Doughten, Route 3, Grundy; one son, Benjamin R.E. Doughten, Route 3, Grundy; three sisters, Linda Owens, Vansant, Va., Ann Doughten, Route 3, Grundy, and Pat and husband, John Edd Deel, Harman, Va.; two brothers, Jim and wife Debbie Doughten, Cleveland, Tenn., and Bobby Doughten, Route 3, Grundy; sisters-in-law, Sandra Kay Lester, Geraldine and husband, Don Watson, and Joyce L. and husband, Maxwell Presley; and brother-in-law, William B. and wife, Amanda Lester. He was preceded in death by his father, Ira Doughten, March 3, 1986; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Earnest and Loria Lester. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 31, 2001, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Revs. Jeffery Alan Stacy, Herbert Ratliff and Danny Hess officiating, with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. with services Thursday and Friday evenings at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Charles Smith, Donnie Smith, Steve Stiltner, Glen Mullins, Tony Bandy, Mike Stiltner, Timothy B. Looney, Roger Potter, Ernie Johnson, Stewart Stiltner and Steve Lane. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Francis H. Webster, Dr. Preston L. Durrill, Dr. Rhett B. Herman, Dr. Thomas T.S. Huang, night shift employees of Virginia Energy Company, and faculty of Radford University and East Tennessee State University. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.
GRUNDY, Va. -- Lydia Rowe Rife, 88, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 27, 2001, following an extended illness. Born Nov. 23, 1912, she was the daughter of the late Lorenza Dowl Rowe and Nancy Lester Rowe. She was a devoted loving Christian, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was a member of the Buchanan County Senior Citizens, where she traveled to different states, participating in several bowling tournaments and receiving many first-place awards, and she was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Leaving behind her children to mourn her loss and miss her sweet words of wisdom from a Godly mother's favorite sayings: "God Bless You" and "Watch and Pray," her beautiful smile and her little hands to reach to touch you before you go. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Rife; two daughters, Hester Yvonne Lester and Louise Rife; two sons, Buddy Rife and Willard Rife; four brothers, McKinley Rowe, Everett Rowe, Robert (Bob) Rowe and L. Dowl Rowe; five sisters, Bertha Rowe, Bessie Lester, Sarah Ray, Florence Adkins and Garnet Davis; and two grandchildren, Debbie and Thomas. She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Ed (Ann) Osborne of Grundy, Mrs. Lacy (Shirley) Justus of Russell Prater, Va., and Mrs. Wilburn (Wilma) Stacy of Hurley, Va.; six sons, William C. (Bill) Rife and Paul Rife, both of Pilgrim Knob, Va., Ralph Rife of Grundy, Charles Rife Sr. of New Castle, Del., Lowell Rife Sr. of Newark, Del., and Frank Rife of Wilmington, Del. She is also survived by 33 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 31, 2001, at 1 p.m. at the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, Grundy, with Elders Curtis Crouse and Roscoe Crouse, Brothers Roger Street and Ronnie Rife, Reverends Ancil Childress and Reece Daniels and Pastor Andy Maynard. Burial will follow in the Lester Cemetery on Stateline Ridge, Paynesville, W.Va. Active pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Reverend Orvin Thacker, Dr. V. Modi, Dr. J. Patel, nursing staff of Heritage Hall Nursing Home of Grundy and the Hospice Choice. The body will remain at the funeral home where friends may call after 6 p.m. Thursday evening with services Thursday and Friday evenings at 7 p.m. The family of Lydia Rowe Rife is being served by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy.
GRUNDY, Va. -- Bobby Cochran, 60, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, Va., following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Victor and Virginia Keisman Cochran. He was a resident of Buchanan County and Abingdon and was a member of Little Prater Church of Christ. He was owner and operator of Lake View Campground in Bristol, Tenn., and was a disabled coal miner. Mr. Cochran was raised by his paternal grandparents, the late George and Pinkie Cochran. He is survived by his wife, Juanita Payne Cochran, Grundy; three daughters, Susan and husband, Anthony Skeens, Grundy, Robin Justus and fiance, Dr. Todd Elliott, Bristol, Tenn., and Ethel Leigh Justus and fiance, Chris Littleford, Bristol, Tenn.,; two grandsons, Michael Shawn Hackney, Grundy and Tommy Justus, Grundy; two granddaughters, Tabitha Hackney, Grundy, and Alyssa Justus, Bristol, Tenn.; and two aunts, Ethel Cochran, Grundy, and Opal Lester, Grundy. He was preceded in death by two uncles, George Cochran Jr., and Okie Cochran; and one aunt, Ora Stiltner. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 31, 2001, at 2 p.m. at Little Prater Church of Christ on Little Prater near Grundy with Evangelists Michael Trent, Mike Rife and Richard Gamenda officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. The body was taken to the Little Prater Church of Christ Thursday evening at 7 p.m. where friends may call. Active pallbearers will be: brothers-in-law, Virgus Blankenship and Lawrence Shortridge. Honorary pallbearers will be: Dr. J. P. Sutherland Jr., Dr. Bill Moody, Dr. Emory Robinette and Dr. Forrest Swan. There will be services at the church Friday evening at 7 p.m. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.
CEDAR BLUFF, Va. -- Funeral services for Mrs. Shelva Lester will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, March 30, 2001, in Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Revs. Mike Altizer, Phillip Dean and Joe Gross officiating. Burial will follow in the Lester Family Cemetery at Cedar Bluff. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family received friends at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff Thursday night and will receive friends until the funeral hour Friday. Mrs. Lester, 60, of the Raven Nest Branch section, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2001, at her home following a long illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Helen Fletcher McGlothlin Sr. She was a member of Pisgah Holiness Church. She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her husband, John Earl Lester; one sister, Leda McGlothlin; and one grandson, Steven Cox. Survivors include three sons, Willie Lester and wife Janet of Cedar Bluff, Thomas Lester and wife Carol of Thomasville, N.C., and Douglas Lester and wife Ruth of Cedar Bluff; three daughters, Mrs. Greg (Debra) Keene of Cedar Bluff, Mrs. Larry (Peggy) Peery, of North Tazewell, Va., and Mrs. Donnie (Cynthia) Puckett of North Tazewell, Va.; two sisters, Mrs. Roger (Mozelle) Perkins of Cedar Bluff and Mrs. Roy (Velmie) Lawson of Jewell Ridge, Va.; three brothers, Fred McGlothlin Jr. and wife Dorothy, Winfred McGlothlin and wife Sandra and Frazer McGlothlin and wife Sandra, all of Jewell Ridge, Va.; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and special friend, Jeanette Farmer also survives. Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of arrangements.
CONAWAY, Va. -- Beatrice Willis Belcher, 77, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2001, following an extended illness. Born in Dickenson County, she was a daughter of the late Landon and Winnie Hay Willis. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a member of Little Freedom Old Regular Baptist Church. She was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. Mrs. Belcher is survived by her husband of 58 years, Johnie (Buster) Belcher of Conaway; three daughters, Mary and husband, Jerry Matney of Conaway, Janice Hileman of Conaway, and Cynthia and husband, Michael Harrison, of Conaway; three sons, Gary and wife, Linda Belcher, of Shelby, N.C., James and wife, Helen Belcher, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Johnny and wife, Pat Belcher, of Nevada, Texas; and one sister, Leneda and husband, Gaines Farmer, of Jonesville, Va. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters, June Atkins and Melster Owens. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, April 1, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Little Freedom Old Regular Baptist Church on Deskins near Vansant, with Elders Jackie Church, Anion Cole, Hershell Wright, Charlie Church and Jerry Matney officiating with burial to follow in the Ramey Cemetery, Conaway. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Friday evening at 6 p.m. with services Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. Mrs. Belcher's body will be moved to the Little Freedom Old Regular Baptist Church on Deskins Sunday at 10 a.m. to await the funeral hour at 11 a.m. Active pallbearers will be grandsons and granddaughters. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.
