Obituaries of Buchanan County Virginia Natives for March, 2001

TAZEWELL COUNTY -- Mrs. Goldie (Ethel) Mitchell, 71, of the Bearwallow section passed away Friday, March 2, 2001, following a long illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Jack and Dora Mitchell White, both Buchanan County natives. She was a 1947 graduate of Whitewood High School and taught school for several years. She was a member of Lake Park Freewill Baptist Church in Richlands. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Elmer Horn, second husband, Mitchell Lyons, third husband, Paul Mitchell, five brothers, three sisters, and two infant children. Mrs. Mitchell is survived by one son, Donald Horn and wife, June, of Raven, Va.; four daughters, Kay Horn of Bristol, Va., Pamela Lester of Bearwallow, Lisa Horn of the home and Becki Lyons of Council, Va.; one sister, Bertha Clifton of Pekin, Ind.; two grandsons; two granddaughters; three great-grandsons; and one step-great-grandson also survive. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2001, at Lake Park Freewill Baptist Church in Richlands with Rev. Lawrence Hayes officiating. Burial will follow in the Jewell-White Cemetery at White Mountain, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at Lake Park Freewill Baptist Church after 5 p.m. Sunday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216 Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of arrangements.

RICHLANDS -- Mr. William (Kilroy) Reedy, 52, passed away Friday, March 2, 2001, in an Abingdon hospital following a short illness. Born in Buchanan County, Va., he was the son of the late Margaret Josephine Allen Reedy and Mr. Robert Hurley Reedy of Richlands. He was a graduate of Richlands High School Class of 1967 and a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal and two Purple Hearts. He was a member of Casey-Short VFW Post 9640 and Tazewell County Chapter 31 DAV In addition to his mother, Mr. Reedy was preceded in death by one son, William Robert Reedy II, and one sister, Barbara Ann Reedy. In addition to his father, Mr. Reedy is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Yolonda Lynn Matthews of Christiansburg, Va.; one son, Robert Shawn Reedy of Roanoke; two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Stanley Jones and Mrs. Margaret Damron, both of Richlands; one grandson, Zakkary Rife of Christiansburg, Va.; one granddaughter, Dakota Reedy of Roanoke; three nieces, Pam Justus, Kimberly Stanley and Tammie McGlothlin; two nephews, Robert Damron and Donald Damron; five great-nephews; one great-niece; and several aunts, uncles and cousins also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2001, in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, Va., with Pastors Buddy Herald and Bill Keene officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Friends and neighbors will serve as pallbearers. Casey-Short VFW Post 9640 and Tazewell County Chapter 31 DAV will conduct military graveside rites. The family will receive friends at Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff from 6-9 p.m. Sunday. Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of arrangements.

RICHLANDS -- Mr. Roosevelt Franklin Vandyke, 59, formerly of Buchanan County, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2001, in a Richlands hospital. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Dewey and Rosa Vandyke. Mr. Vandyke is survived by his wife, Mrs. Diana Vandyke Anderson of Belcher, Ky.; two sons, Daniel Vandyke and wife, Kay, of Grundy, Va., and David Vandyke and wife, Jamie, of Elkhorn City, Ky.; three daughters, Mrs. Debra Ratliff of Belcher, Mrs. Michael (Karen) Street of Rowe, Va., and Ms. Kathy Vandyke of Richlands; two brothers, Otis Vandyke of Pilgrim Knob, Va., and Ira Vandyke of Pilgrim Knob; two sisters, Mrs. Worley (Elletha) Sanford of Dismal, Va., and Mrs. Hurdle (Delza) Cantrell of Pilgrim Knob; three granddaughters, Brittany Vandyke and Ashley Vandyke, both of Grundy, and Emaleigh Vandyke of Elkhorn City; and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2001, in the Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain, Va., with Revs. Bill Honaker, Troy Lester and Jack Ward officiating. Burial will follow in Vandyke Family Cemetery at Big Branch, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain from 6-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Buchanan Funeral Service at Keen Mountain is in charge of arrangements.

MAXIE, Va. -- Robert (Bob) Carr McCoy, 64, of Buchanan County, passed away Monday, March 5, 2001, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn., following a brief illness. Born in Buchanan County, Oct. 4, 1936, he was the son of the late James G. McCoy and Iona Powers McCoy. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church, a lifelong resident of Convict Hollow, and an avid gardener who enjoyed watching baseball. He was the retired manager of Williamson Oil Company and a loving father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Della Blackburn McCoy, on Sept. 20, 1995; and one brother, Bill George McCoy. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Kevin (Sandra Gail) Griffith of Lexington, Ky., Mrs. Benny (Brenda Sue) McGhee of Doran, Va., and Ms. Angela Denise Ramey of Maxie; two sons, Jeffery Allen McCoy and wife Debbie McCoy of Petersburg, Va., and Brian Keith McCoy and wife Elsa McCoy of Maxie; five brothers, James (Chick) McCoy of Bristol, Va., Bert H. McCoy of Lebanon, Va., Max (Hezzie) McCoy and Hubert McCoy, both of Maxie, Va., and Harold (Lawyer) Powers of Bluefield, W.Va. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Leigh Anna McCoy, Meagan McGhee, Brandon Ramey, Taylor McGhee, Conor McCoy, Jacob McCoy and Alex Griffith. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 7, 2001, at 1 p.m. at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, Grundy, Va., with Reverend Dean Powers and Reverend Tim Charlton officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, Va. Active pallbearers will be Brandon Ramey, T.J. Hurley, Scottie Hurley, Landon Hurley, Brad McCoy, Bobby Gene Blackburn, Allen Blackburn and Chuck Potter. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Clint Sutherland, Dr. James Denton, Dr. Zaven Jabourian and the management and staff of Williamson Oil Company. The body will remain at the funeral home, where friends may call after 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening, with services at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Baptist Church Building Fund or the Buchanan County Cancer Society. The family of Robert (Bob) Carr McCoy is being served by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy, Va.

TAZEWELL, Va. -- Mrs. Lou Looney Vandyke, 92, a resident of Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Tazewell and a former resident of Raven, Va., died Monday, March 5, 2001, in a Tazewell, Virginia hospital following a lengthy illness. She was born in Buchanan County, Va, and was a daughter of the late William and Betty Hagy Looney, both Buchanan County natives. She had made her home in Raven for 33 years and was a member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church and Church Circle 2. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. George Luther Vandyke; three daughters, Juanita Pasture, Helen Jackson and Ola Gay Matney; one infant son, George Washington Vandyke; one granddaughter, Gloria Annette Vandyke; two sisters, Grace Dales and Alice French; and three brothers, Auldie Looney, Walt Looney and Hank Looney. Survivors are: six sons and daughters-in-law, Noah and Donna Vandyke of Grundy, Marshall Vandyke of Raven, Va., Lowell and Magdalene Vandyke of Raven, Paul and Cleo Vandyke of Raven, Joe and Corrine Vandyke of Raven and Johnny and Darla Vandyke of Bristol, Va.; two sisters, Mrs. Merl Looney of Anthony, Fla., and Mrs. Tan Looney of Anthony, Fla.; one brother, Mr. Harve Looney of Bristol, Tenn.; 26 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Dr. James B. Hollenhead officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 7 p.m. Tuesday. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements.

CHESTER, Va. -- Miles "Bob" Charles Jr., 84, formerly of Grundy and Abingdon, Va., passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2001, at the Bon Secours Retirement Community, Chester, Va., following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Miles Sr. and Hester Waldron Charles. He had been a resident of the Grundy area several years prior to moving to Abingdon and was a member of Buchanan First Presbyterian Church. He was a former employee of Appalachian Electric Power Company. He and his wife, Mabel Wyatt Charles, were the owners and operators of Royal Restaurant in Grundy. He was a member of Sandy Valley Masonic Lodge \17 AF&AM of Grundy and the Kazim Temple of Roanoke, Va. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion. Mr. Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Mable Wyatt Charles, July 20, 1974. He is survived by one daughter, Vivian Price, Richmond, Va.; one son, Raymond Charles and wife Myrtle, Richmond; one sister, Doris Zang, Manchester, New Hampshire; two grandchildren, Douglas Price, Richmond and Lynn Heath, Chester, Va.; and two great-grandchildren, Mitchell Heath and Alexandra Heath, Chester. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 9, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Frank C. Preston officiating Burial will follow in Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery, Richlands. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Masonic rites will be conducted at the funeral home chapel by members of Sandy Valley Lodge No. 17 AF&AM Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

MAXIE, Va. -- Didama Deel Hackney, 88, passed away Monday, March 5, 2001, in Buchanan General Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Dickenson County, she was a daughter of the late Ben and Margaret Owens Deel. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and a member of Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. Mrs. Hackney was preceded in death by her husband, Landon Hackney, Feb. 3, 1985. She is survived by three daughters, Shelby Jean Carter and husband Jack, Bud, W.Va., Pnozella Stiltner and husband J.C., Grundy, and Wanda Gail Daniels and husband Howard, Maxie; one son, Leon Hackney and wife Sue, Maxie; two sisters, Lula Church, Birchleaf, Va., and Lucy Hackney Coleman, Birchleaf. Also, she is survived by six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Roby Hackney; five sisters, Sylvia Deel, Okel Boyd, Lona Hackney, Laura Owens and Estelle Boyd; and three brothers, Frank, Jimmy and Lonnie Deel. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 8, 2001, at 1 p.m. at Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church, Harman, Va., with Elders Freddy Ramey, Ralph Mullins, Roger Coleman, Eddie Newsome, Jerry Newsome, Jackie Yates and Toy Looney officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Active pallbearers will be grandsons, great-grandsons and grandsons-in-law. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

MAXIE, Va. -- Kevin Allen Stiltner, 34, passed away Monday, March 5, 2001, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn. Born in Tazewell County, he was a son of Geraldine St. Clair Stiltner of Maxie and the late Jerry Allen Stiltner. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a graduate of Grundy High School, class of 1985. He was a graduate of Nashville Auto Diesel College, Nashville, served in the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion. He was an employee of Grundy National Bank. Mr. Stiltner is survived by his mother, Geraldine St. Clair Stiltner, Maxie; one brother, Kelly Jason Stiltner, Maxie; and paternal grandparents, Coy and Estus Stiltner, Maxie. He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Allen Stiltner, Sept. 12, 1988 and maternal grandparents, Clyde and Lillie St. Clair. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 9, 2001, at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church with Ministers Dean Powers, Jeff Keene and Tim Charlton officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at Grace Baptist Church Thursday evening at 5 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Edgel St.Clair, Leon St. Clair, Jason Stiltner, Joe St. Clair, Tony St. Clair, Chris Jones, Michael Sanders, Dwayne Chambers, Eddie Hutchinson, Jeff Lester, Brooks Garrett and Kelvin Jackson. Honorary pallbearers will be Coy Stiltner Jr., Blake Compton, Ken Stiltner, Robert Stiltner, James R. McClanahan, Steve McClanahan, Darrell Lane, Randy Lane, Jimmy Williamson, Mike Hagy and Tom Jones. Full military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion. There will be services at the church Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

SWORDS CREEK, Va. -- Mr. Ernest L. Lambert, 57, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2001, in a Richlands, Va., hospital. Born Feb. 1, 1944, in Buchanan County, Va., he was a son of the late Leonard and Cassie Jenkins Lambert. A lifelong resident of the area, he had served in the United States Army for three years and was a disabled coal miner. He was a member of the Swords Creek Block Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Shirley Lambert. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Lambert of the home; two daughters, Jamie Helbert of Richlands and Rachel Lambert of the home; one granddaughter, Kaitlyn Helbert of Richlands; two sisters, Mary Agnes Phillips of North Tazewell, Va., and Lorraine Lambert of Richlands; two brothers, J.C. Lambert of North Tazewell, Va., and Howard Lambert of Paintlick, Va. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Carl Robinson and Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating. Interment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon. Nephews and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Friday.

GRUNDY, Va. -- Pinkie McCoy Cochran, 93, of the Looney's Creek section passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2001, in Buchanan General Hospital following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Lenza and Vicy Hess McCoy. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, a member of Little Prater Church of Christ and a homemaker. Mrs. Cochran was preceded in death by her husband, George M. Cochran, March 5, 1969. She is survived by one daughter, Opal Lester and husband, Ernest, of Grundy; and two sons, Bobby Cochran and wife, Juanita, of Grundy, and Tony Glenn Cochran of Tazewell. Also, she is survived by 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Okie Cochran; two stepsons, George Cochran Jr. and Victor Cochran; two sisters; and three brothers. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 10, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelist Michael Trent and Evangelist Mike Rife officiating, with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. Active pallbearers will be friends. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

HURLEY, Va. -- Christopher Boyd Prater, 47, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2001, at Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn., from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Hassell Prater and Betty Blankenship Prater Berry. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a graduate of Hurley High School Class of 1971. He was owner and operator of Chris Prater Trucking Co. Mr. Prater is survived by his wife of 18 years, Jennifer Fuller Prater of Hurley; three daughters, Donna Michell Prater of Hurley, Tara Prater of Grundy and Carrie Renee Vawter of New York; one son, Christopher Boyd Prater Jr. of Hurley; one sister, Carol Prater of Matthews, N.C.; maternal grandfather, Garfield Blankenship of Hurley; paternal grandmother, Lucy Prater of Paw Paw, Ky.; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, James R. and Rusha Deel Fuller of Vansant. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, March 11, 2001, at 1 p.m. at Kelsa Church of Christ, Kelsa, Va., with Evangelists Larry Hurley and Daniel Stiltner officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va. Friends may call at Kelsa Church of Christ Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Jerry Justus, Patrick Justus, Jeff Fuller, Greg Fuller, Kenny Ray McClanahan, Joe Hurley, Gary "Hoot" Gibson and Jimmy Akers. There will be services at the church Saturday afternoon at 7 p.m. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

SWORDS CREEK, Va.-- Mr. Claude S. Richardson, 72, passed away Friday, March 9, 2001, in an Abingdon hospital. Born March 20, 1928, in Buchanan County, Va., he was a son of Albert Ernest Richardson of Swords Creek and the late Ruth Virginia (Jennie) Davis Richardson. A lifelong resident of the Swords Creek area, he was a self-employed carpenter. He was a member, Sunday school superintendent and deacon at Swords Creek Block Church. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Olbert Richardson and Elmer Richardson; one granddaughter, Sarah Stilwell; and one son-in-law, Mike Stilwell. In addition to his father, survivors include his wife of 51 years, Bessie Richardson of the home; one son, Steve Richardson and his girlfriend, Dollie Caperton of Claypool Hill, Va.; five daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Harold Horton, Brenda and Jack Shortt, Janet Stilwell and Claudette and Jim Mabe, all of Swords Creek, and Judy and Tom Childress of Lyman, S.C.; one daughter-in-law, Carol Richardson of Cedar Bluff; four sisters, Agnes Dickerson of Indiana, Clara Johnson of Kentucky, and Katherine Messic and Pauline Miller, both of Swords Creek; three brothers, Arnold Richardson of Utah, and Rev. Daniel Richardson and David Richardson, both of Swords Creek; 14 grandchildren, David Horton, Mike Horton, Jenny Horton, Doug Shortt, Christy Honaker, Eric Childress, Leann Childress, Hannah Childress, Laurie Tuggle, Stephanie Richardson, Joe Stilwell, Misty Stilwell, Tessa Mabe and Josh Mabe; seven great-grandchildren, Desi Horton, Levi Horton ,Austin Honaker, Anna Honaker, Kaylee Shortt, Brianna Childress and Madison Childress. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Carl Robinson, Rev. Jim Richardson and Rev. Dwight Miller officiating. Interment will follow in the Richardson Cemetery at Swords Creek. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of the Swords Creek Block Church. Friends may call at the Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Saturday.

BEE, Va. -- Ervin Breeding, 77, of the Sullivan Branch Community, died March 11, 2001, in Russell County Medical Center. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Stanford Breeding and Alta Davis Breeding Vandyke. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Cecil, Eugene and Eldon. Mr. Breeding was a retired miner and of the Pentecostal and Free Will Baptist faiths. Survivors include wife, Laura Sullivan Breeding; daughter, Diana Wolford of Council; sisters, Ora White of Davenport, Ivanell Deel of Ohio; brother, Brady Breeding of Davenport; and two grandchildren, Brian Breeding and Marcus Wolford. The funeral service will be Tuesday, March 13, 2001, at 2 p.m. at Sullivan Branch Pentecostal Church with Rev. Jeffrey Tiller and Rev. Don Sullivan. The Owens Family, Tiller Family and Don Sullivan Singers will participate in both the evening service and the funeral service. Burial will follow in the Family Cemetery at Bee. Randall Lester, Brady Church, Kevin Lester, Willis Taylor, Donald Owens and Gerald Fletcher will serve as pallbearers. Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

GRUNDY, Va. -- Shirley Jean Farmer Duty, 62, of the Poplar Creek Section of Route 2, passed away Sunday, March 11, 2001, at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Va., following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of Nona Clevinger Farmer Ratliff, Route 2, Grundy, and the late Lonzo Guy Farmer. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a member of Poplar Creek Church of Christ. She was a cosmetology school graduate and a retired cook supervisor for Buchanan General Hospital. Mrs. Duty is survived by her former husband, Bill Duty, Route 2, Grundy; three daughters, Sherry Jean Palmieri, Grundy, Mary Helen Ling and husband Danny, Grundy, and Cecilia Ann Lovelace, Keensawee, Ga.; two sons, Billy Newberry and wife, Debbie, Jonesborough, Tenn., and John Duty and wife, Lesa, Grundy; and three sisters, Ruby Epling, Mouth Card, Ky., Lorraine Stiltner, Grundy, and Aileen Blackburn, Grundy. Also, she is survived by eight stepsisters; three stepbrothers; seven granddaughters; seven grandsons; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Hattie Mae Jones; one brother, Roger Lee Farmer; and stepfather, Jim Ratliff. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, March 14, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Poplar Creek Church of Christ, on Poplar Creek, Route 2, Grundy. Evangelists Jerry Edwards and Michael Trent will officiate with burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

HANSONVILLE, Va. -- Mrs. Mary Lou "Tiney" Presley, 94, formerly of Davenport, Va., passed away Monday, March 12, 2001, at her home. Born January 2, 1907, in Marvin, Va., she was a daughter of the late George E. and Watie Horn Steele. A lifelong resident of the Buchanan and Russell County areas, she was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Hiter Presley on Aug. 2, 1974; one son, Earnest Lloyd Presley on April 16, 1997; four sisters, Rosa Keen, Lydia Horn, Mandy Steele and Ollie Steele; and four brothers, Elbert Steele, Charlie Steele, Oliver Steele and Ballard Steele. Survivors include five daughters and two sons-in-law, Ruth Compton and Gaylene Presley, both of Vansant, Va., Genell and Roy Hess of Davenport, Va., Millie and David Harris of Honaker; and a special daughter, Lola Mae Presley of the home; four sons and daughters-in-law, Elmer and Shirley Presley and Elden and Francis Presley, all of Vansant, Va., Hiter Presley Jr. and Violet of Lebanon and Delmer and Judy Presley of Honaker; one sister, Sarah Horn of Tazewell, Va.; 18 grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, Va., with Rev. Carson Powers, Rev. Peerman Lester and Rev. Carl Robinson officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon, Va. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Dexter Presley, Joey Presley, Ronnie Compton, Ricky Presley, Timothy Presley, Brian Presley, Michael Hess, Clifford Presley, David Harris Jr. and David Presley. Friends may call at Honaker Funeral Home after 6 p.m. Wednesday, where an evening service will be conducted at 7 p.m. with Rev. Ancil Childress officiating.

ABINGDON. Va. -- Lawrence T. McClanahan, 88, formerly of the Home Creek area of Route 1, Grundy, Va., passed away Tuesday, March 13, 2001, in Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, Va., following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late William Alex and Victoria Justus McClanahan. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County prior to moving to Abingdon and was a member of Primitive Baptist Church. He was a former employee of Norfolk Shipyard and was a retired farmer and coal miner. Mr. McClanahan was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Hagy Williams Dotson McClanahan, Aug. 14, 2000, and by his first wife, Linda Matney McClanahan, Aug. 6, 1987. He is survived by one sister, Thelsie McClanahan Wolford, Route 1, Grundy; three stepsons, Richard Williams, Abingdon, Jesse Ray Williams, Grundy, and Gene Williams, Abingdon; one nephew, Junior Wolford; and one great-niece, Kristy Wolford. He was preceded in death by three half-sisters, Eva Wolford, Tora Dotson and Pearlie Ramey; and three half-brothers, Glenn, Roy and Willie McClanahan. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, March 26, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelists Michael Trent and Mike Rife officiating with burial to follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be Richard Williams, Jesse Ray Williams, T.C. Mullins Jr., Curtis R. Mullins, Marshall Mitchell, Greg Williams and Chris Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be ministers of Primitive Baptist Church. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

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.

POUNDING MILL, Va. -- Mrs. Beatrice Cantrell, 83, passed away Thursday, March 29th, in a Richlands, Virginia hospital following a long illness. Born in Russell County, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Celia Griffith Newberry. She was a resident of the Poplar Creek section of Buchanan County for more than 60 years before moving to Tazewell County nine years ago. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ireland Cantrell, in 1990; three sisters, Marie Hubbard, Bernice Mason and Alice Newberry; three brothers, Arthur Junior Newberry, Donald Newberry and Sherman Newberry; one son, Bobby Joe Cantrell; one granddaughter; and two great-grandsons. Survivors include: four daughters, Mrs. Bill (Pauline) Boyd, Raccoon, Ky., Mrs. Booher (Ruby) Beavers, Clintwood, Va., Ms. Lorene Cantrell, Pounding Mill, and Mrs. Delford (Mattie) Ward of Pounding Mill; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Joyce Cantrell, Pounding Mill; two brothers, Claude Newberry, Raven, Va., and Ivan Newberry of Bluefield, W.Va.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, April 1, 2001, at 11 a.m. at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Elders George Ben Combs, Danny Smith and Ked Stacy officiating. Burial will follow in the Newberry Family Cemetery on Horton Ridge near Raven. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff after 3 p.m. Saturday. Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff is in charge of arrangements.

GRUNDY, Va. -- Clarence Kenny Vandyke, 44, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2001, at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, from a brief illness. Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of Hazel Owens Vandyke and the late Robert Edward Vandyke. He was a resident of Buchanan County and a disabled coal miner. Mr. Vandyke is survived by his mother, Hazel Owens Vandyke, Grundy; two daughters, Patricia Lynn Vandyke McCoy, Big Rock, Va., and Vanessa Bureda Vandyke Sick, Church Hill, Tenn.; one son, Robert David Vandyke, Harman, Va.; five sisters, Dorothy Rife, Pilgrim Knob, Va., Linda Sue Sage, Grundy, Sherry Sawyers, Lick Creek, Ky., Sandra Kay Bowman, Grundy, and Lois Ann Lester, Grundy; four brothers, Noah Lee Vandyke, Abingdon, James Earl Vandyke, Vansant, Va., David Darrell Vandyke, Tazewell, Va., and Ricky Vandyke, Grundy. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Edward Vandyke; one sister, Ruby Keen; and his stepfather, Bill Ratliff. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, April 2, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Mary Lou Old Regular Baptist Church, State Line Ridge \1, near Paynesville, W.Va., with Elders George Baker, Gary Estep and others officiating with burial to follow in the Hibbitts Cemetery, Grundy. Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Saturday evening at 5 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Mr. Vandyke's body will be moved to the Mary Lou Old Regular Baptist Church, Stateline Ridge \1, near Paynesville, W.Va., Sunday at 5 p.m. with services at 7 p.m. Active pallbearers will be family and friends. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.