Congh Hoover Horn, 68, died Tuesday, June 3, 1997, in Johnston Memorial Hospital. He was a native of Buchanan County before moving to Meadowview 17 years ago. He was a retired coal miner for Pittston Coal Company and a member of Local 1852. He was also of the Holiness faith. Survivors include his wife, Helen Horn; one son, Freddie Horn, Glade Spring, Va.; two daughters, Mrs. Fonzo (Virginia) Randolph, Athens, Ga., and Diana Horn, Bland, Va.; four brothers, Harrison Horn, Meadowview, Coy Horn and Jay Horn, both of Oakwood, Va., and Claude Horn, Glade Spring, Va.; six sisters, Charity Blankenship, Wardell, Va., Kansas Rudd, Auburn, Ind., Ona Brown and Donie Ferrell, both of Fort Wayne, Ind., Tennessee Cantrell, Richlands, Va., and Lydia Godbey, Raven, Va.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Carolyn Murray Rife, 80, of the Slate
Creek area died Tuesday, June 3, 197, at her home. She was a
native of Durham, N.C., and had lived in Buchanan County several
years. She was a member of Grundy Baptist Church where she had
served as Sunday school teacher and W.M.U. leader. She was a
graduate of Durham High School, Lees McRae College, Banner Elk,
N.C., and was a retired librarian for the Buchanan County School
System. Survivors include her husband, John Astor Rife; three
daughters, Mrs. Mary Martha Salyer, Oakwood, Va., Ms. Martha
Sites, Charlottesville, Va., and Ms. Brenda R. Ankney, Durham,
N.C.; one sister, Catherine Armstrong, Greensboro, N.C.; six
grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Bonnie Inez McClanahan Witt, 77, died Friday, June 6, 1997, in
Buchanan General Hospital. She was a lifetime resident of
Buchanan County, a graduate of Grundy High School and Johnson
City Business School. He was a lifetime member of Buchanan First
Presbyterian Church where she served as Sunday School teacher and
director of Vacation Bible School for several years. She was a
member of Presbyterian Women's Circle and a member of the Order
of Eastern Star. She was employed by Harman Mining Corporation,
retired from Buchanan County Selective Service Board and was
employed in the office of Dr. J.P. Sutherland Sr. Survivors
include her husband, Frank A. Witt; two daughters, Kay Witt
Christian and Lynn W. Bunn, both of Grundy; two sisters, Jessee
Hunt, Grundy, and Evelyn Bunn, Abingdon; three brothers, Kyle
McClanahan and Gerald McClanahan, both of Grundy, and Virgil
McClanahan, Abingdon; and four grandchildren.
Joy B. Larochelle Deel, 42, of Route 1, died Tuesday, June 10,
1997, at her home. She was a native and lifelong resident of
Buchanan County and attended Looney Chapel United Methodist
Church. She was a graduate of Grundy High School Class of 1974
and was a self-employed bookkeeper and a homemaker. Survivors
include her husband, James V. Deel; her parents, Dan and Golda
Looney Larochelle, Vansant; one son, Christopher Deel, Vansant;
one brother, Danny Larochelle, Glade Spring; and two uncles.
Gertrude Stacy, 83, formerly of Buchanan County, died Tuesday,
June 10, 1997. She was a native of Buchanan County and a
homemaker. She was the widow of Giles Bud Stacy. Survivors
include four daughters, Eula Mae Thomas and Retha Ratliff, both
of Cambridge, Shirley Hensley, Hurley, Va., and Phyllis Stanford,
Lebanon; six sons, Bill Stacy, Cambridge, Clarence Stacy, Bristol
Virginia, James Stacy, Hurley, Larry Stacy and Gary Stacy, both
of Oakwood, Va., and Henry Stacy, Cedar Bluff; three sisters,
Florence McClanahan and Loma Pittman, both of Bristol Virginia
and Oma Hart, Spartanburg, S.C.; one brother, Junior Sparks,
Jewell Ridge, Va.; and 28 grandchildren.
Mrs. Maude Catherine Thomas Colley, 95, died Friday, June 13,
1997, in Russell County Medical Center, Lebanon. She was a native
of Buchanan County and was a homemaker. She was a charter member
of Bastian Church of God and the widow of Richard Colley.
Survivors include one son, Richard Colley, Honaker; three
daughters, Sue Woodward, Atlanta, Earnie Adams, Kingsport, and
Pat Barton, Council; one brother, Brady Thomas Sr., Grundy; two
sisters, Mary Baldwin, St. Augustine, Fla., and Nancy Hackney,
Safety Harbor, Fla.; 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and
16 great-great-grandchildren.
Marcella Whitt Owens, 56, of Route 1, died Saturday, June 14,
1997, at her home. Although she was a native of Tazewell County.
she was employed as secretary for Owens Sales and Service and was
a member of Prater Creek Primitive Baptist Church. Survivors
include her husband, Elder Curtis H. Owens; four daughters, Anita
Helton and Carla B. Owens, both of Vansant, Melanie O. Cook,
Rowe, and Michelle O. Yancy, Middlesburg, Fla.;. one son, Anthony
Owens, Vansant; her mother, Bessie Whitt Barton, Swords Creek;
one sister, Sally W. Owens, Vansant; two brothers, Elder Robert
H. Whitt, Rosedale, and Glen H. Whitt, Dallas; three
half-brothers, Herb Hess, Youngstown, Ohio, Dan Hess, Honaker,
and Dewey Whitt, Davidson, Mich.; and six grandchildren.
Robert A. "Bob" Smith, 80, of the Smith Branch Section
of Slate Creek, died Saturday, June 14, 1997, in Buchanan General
Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County. He was a
member of Slate Creek Primitive Baptist Church for 52 years where
he served as deacon. He was a retired coal miner and a member of
United Mine Workers of America Local Union 1594. Survivors
include his wife, Mrs. Gusta Rowe Smith; five sons; Ronnie Smith,
Milford, Mass., Mack Smith, Rogersville, Tenn., and Charles
Smith, Danny Smith and Donnie Smith, all of Grundy; three
sisters, Thelma Doughten and Christine Stacy, both of Grundy, and
Matilda Stacy, Pounding Mill; 11 grandchildren; and five
great-grandchildren.
Virgil Lark, 75, of Hobbs Branch section of Slate Creek, Route 5,
died Sunday, June 15, 1997. He was a lifelong resident of
Buchanan County and a member of Grundy Church of Christ. He was a
former employee of Buchanan Williamson Supply Company, Tri-County
Plumbing and Heating and an employee of H-20 Filter Company. He
was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, having achieved the rank
of staff sergeant. He was an active member of John Ratliff Post
164 of American Legion and served as treasurer for Disabled
American Veterans Chapter 59, Grundy. He was former Little League
coach and umpire for Buchanan County Little League Association,
was involved in Boy Scouts of America for 42 years, serving as
scoutmaster for Troop 40, assistant scoutmaster for Troop 740 and
Webelos and Cub Leader for Cub Pack 740. He was recipient of
District Award of Merit, the Pioneer Award, was awarded the
Silver Beaver by Sequoyah Council, was a member of Order of the
Arrow in Tomahaken Lodge of Lonesome Pine Council and was awarded
Brotherhood Membership. He was a member of Sequoyah Lodge 184,
Order of the Arrow, previously served as Roundtable Commissioner
for Breaks District and was founder of Breaks District Webelos
Camp. Survivors include his wife, Connie Robertson Lark; two
daughters, Lisa Jo Lark, Rural Retreat, and Sharon Renee Lark,
Hurley; two sons, Chester Evans Lark, Bristol Virginia, and John
Michael Lark, Grundy; six foster sons, Robert Early Coleman,
Pilgrims Knob, William Robert Coleman, Roanoke, Danny Taylor,
Virginia, Danny Ray Stiltner, Grundy, Lanny Stacy, Marion, and
Garland May, Coral Gables, Fla.; three foster daughters, Belva
Jean Stiltner, Grundy, Lena Marie Charles, Maxie, and Lillie
Fletcher, Chicago, Ill.; two sisters, Shirley Ann Hackney,
Springfield, Va., and Ruth Anderson, Littleton, Colo.; one
brother, John Richard Lark, Apopka, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and
one great-grandchild.
JEWELL RIDGE, Va. -- Mrs. Dolly Mae Owens, 54, of the Smith Ridge
section, died Thursday, June 19, 1997, at her home.
Miss Linda Sue Shortridge, 47, of the Deskins area, died
Thursday, June 19, 1997. She was a native and lifelong resident
of Buchanan County and was a member of Little Prater Church of
Christ. Survivors include her mother, Mary J. Childress
Shortridge, Vansant; five sisters, Mrs. Clarence (Marie) Boyd,
Mrs. Lloyd (Viola) Anderson and Miss Wanda C. Shortridge, all of
Vansant, Mrs. Ponzella Fields, Grundy, and Mrs. Charles (Phyllis)
Sensenig, Reinholds, Pa.; and one brother, Hassell Shortridge,
Vansant.
George William Smith, 62, died Friday, June 20, 1997, in a
Kingsport, Tenn., hospital. Although he was a native of Bland
County, he was a lifelong resident of Oakwood, Virginia. He was
retired from Jewell Coal and Coke and was a member of Keen
Mountain Pentecostal Church. He was an Army veteran and a member
of American Legion Post 164. Survivors include his wife, Mrs.
Ethel Mae White Smith; one daughter, Mrs. Jeff (Guyetta)
McCracken, Jewell Ridge; three sisters, Mrs. Phyllis Bartram,
Essex, Md., Mrs. Sue Rowe, Bristol Virginia, and Mrs. Betty
Barrett, Honaker; two brothers, Roy "Snook" Smith,
Oakwood, and Joe Smith, Bristol Virginia.
Kermit R. Cooper, 64, formerly of Buchanan County died Saturday,
June 21, 1997, in Mineral, from injuries received in an
automobile accident. He was a native of Buchanan County and had
lived in the Mineral, Virginia, area for the past 33 years. He
was a retired carpenter. Survivors include his former wife,
Eloise Rife Cooper; one daughter, Mrs. Fonda Rife, Galax, Va.;
one son, Jeff Cooper, Galax; his father, Wallace Cooper, Pilgrim
Knob, Va.; five sisters, Mrs. Kizzie Wimmer, Bluefield, Va., Mrs.
Ola Gay Nelson, Quaker City, Ohio, Mrs. Gertrude Adair and Mrs.
Lovatta Lester, both of Pilgrim Knob, and Mrs. June Matney,
Fredericksburg; three brothers, Sammy Cooper, Brunswick, Ohio,
Charlie Cooper and Gilbert Cooper, both of Jewell Ridge; three
grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Beulah W. White, 77, died Saturday, June 21, 1997, in a
Richlands, Va., hospital. She was a native of Buchanan County and
had lived in Jewell Valley and Whitewood areas all her life. He
was a former employee of The Grill, Jewell Valley Company Store,
Jewell Valley, and was a member of the Baptist Bible Church,
Pilgrim Knob. She was the widow of Quinton White. Survivors
include one daughter, Mrs. Jacalyn Brewster, Pounding Mill; one
son, Archie Q. White, Whitewood; two sisters, Mrs. Thelma Wimmer,
Whitewood, and Mrs. Orpha Dawson, Jackson, Ohio; one brother,
Hassel Ward, Collinsville, Va.; and three grandchildren.
Fred Barrett, 54, died Monday, June 23, 1997, in Salem Veterans
Administration Hospital, Salem, Va. He was a native of Buchanan
County, a lifelong resident of the Richlands area and a 1959
graduate of Richlands High School. He was a retired miner, an
over-the-road truck driver and a member of Richlands First
Assembly of God Church. He was an Air Force veteran of the
Vietnam War, a member of Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640, Richlands,
and a charter member of Chapter 628 Vietnam Veterans of America,
Princeton, W.Va. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Charlotte
Gilbert Barrett; one daughter, Mrs. Mark (Kim) Keen, Richlands;
one son, Charles W. Barrett, Richlands; his mother, Mrs. Ottie
Nelson Barrett, Steelesburg, Va.; three sisters, Mrs. James
(Betty) Moran, Christiansburg, Mrs. Dennis (Marie) Keene, Jewell
Ridge, and Mrs. James (Elsie) Griffith, Richlands; one brother,
Louie Barrett, Steelesburg; and six grandchildren.
Franklin D.R. Crabtree, 63, died Monday, June 23, 1997, in a
Grundy, Va., hospital.
Although he was a native of Harlan County, Ky., he had lived in
Buchanan County most of his life. He was a former timberman and a
member of Duty Free Will Baptist Church. Survivors include his
wife, Mrs. Margie Johnson Crabtree; one daughter, Patty A.
Crabtree, Davenport; three sons, Joey L. Johnson and Eddie F.
Crabtree, both of Bristol Tennessee, and Billy W. Crabtree,
Davenport; one half-sister, Margie Owens, Honaker; five
grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; one niece and one nephew.
Mrs. Eliza Lester, 84, died Tuesday, June 24, 1997, from injuries
received in an automobile accident. She was a native of Buchanan
County and a lifelong resident of Big Rock, Va., moving to
Richlands in 1974, and was a resident of Claypool Hill. She was a
member of Central Church of Christ, Baptist Valley, Va. Survivors
include her husband, Freelin Lester; three sons, Eugene Lester
and Jimmie Lester, Claypool Hill, Everett Lester, Shorts Gap; one
daughter, Mrs. Norman (Ruth) Riggs, Defiance, Ohio; four
grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Judy Carol Lester, 48, died Tuesday, June 24, 1997, from
injuries received in an automobile accident. She was a native of
Buchanan County and was owner and vice-president of RagPickers,
Inc. in the Wardell Industrial Park, Richlands. She was a 1966
graduate of Hurley High School and a graduate of Bluefield State
College. She was a resident of Hurley until moving to Richlands
in 1970 and had lived in the Claypool Hill area. She was a
teacher at Raven Elementary School until starting her own
business in 1973. She was currently serving the Richlands Area
Chamber of Commerce as director and was a member of Central
Church of Christ, Baptist Valley, Va. Survivors include her
husband, James "Jimmy" Lester; her mother, Mrs. Betty
L. Lester, Grundy; two sisters, Mrs. Eddie (Mary Lester) Thompson
and Ms. Sally Lester Justus, both of Grundy; one brother,
Theodore "Ted" Lester, Hurley, Va.; one half-brother,
Billy Paul Justus, Hurley, and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Lola Marie Tiller O'Quinn, 55, died Tuesday, June 24, 1997,
in a Richlands, Va. hospital. She was a native of Council and had
lived in the Council and Bee area her entire life. She was of the
Freewill Baptist faith. Survivors include her husband, Emory Lee
O'Quinn; one daughter, Mrs. Michael (Greta) Breeding, Davenport;
one son, Greg O'Quinn, of the home; two sisters, Etta Mae Miller,
Northeast, Md., and Barbara Owens, Bee; and one brother, Carter
Tiller, Council.
Samuel H. Ward, 77, died Tuesday, June 24, 1997, in a Kingsport
hospital. He was a native of Whitewood, and a retired miner of
Jewell Ridge Coal Corporation, Jewell Smokeless and Island Creek
Coal Companies. He was a member of United Mine Workers of America
Local Union No. 7327 of Jewell Valley. He was a lifelong resident
of the Pilgrim Knob area, a World War II Navy veteran and was of
the Holiness faith. Survivors include his wife, Lola Horn Ward;
one daughter, Mrs. Anna Ruth Hale, Cedar Bluff; two sons, Allen
Ward, Pilgrim Knob, and David L. Ward, Bristol Virginia; one
sister, Mrs. Helen Horn, Meadowview; two brothers, Earl K. Ward,
Lawton, Okla., and George Ward, Pilgrim Knob; three
grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
William Alfred Brown, 66, of the College View Addition, died
Thursday, June 26, 1997, at his home. He was a native of Buchanan
County and was a retired mine inspector with MSHA and a former
employee of the Jewell Ridge Coal Corporation. He was a lifelong
resident of Richlands, Jewell Ridge and Cedar Bluff areas and was
a member of the Richlands Tabernacle. He had served in the Air
Force and was a veteran of the Korean War. Survivors include his
wife, Mrs. Sue Harman Brown; three daughters, Mrs. Randy (Mona)
Miller, Kansas City, Kan., Mrs. Kevin (Josie) Ratliff and Mrs.
Joe (Roni) Endicott, both of Paintlick, Va.; one sister, Mrs.
Bernice Patrick, Greensboro, N.C.; one brother, Russell Brown,
Interlochen, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
Mrs. Patsy Mae Mullins, 81, died Saturday, June 28, 1997, in a
Richlands, Va., hospital. She was a native of Buchanan County and
the widow of Wiley Mullins. She was employed as assessor for
Buchanan County and was a former employee of Lotz Funeral Home,
Salem, Va. She was secretary-treasurer of Flatwoods Church of
Christ for 33 years, a member of Richlands Order of Eastern Star,
associate member of UMWA and past president and treasurer of
Whitewood Senior Citizens. Survivors include one daughter, Mrs.
Ralph (Eleanor) Maggard, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; one son, Arthur
Wiley, Compton Mountain; one sister, Sarah Wimmer, Jewell Ridge;
two grandsons, Shaun Mullins, Marvin, Va., and Terry Maggard,
Sevierville, Tenn.; and three great-grandsons.
Joyce Ann Owens, 54, of Route 1, Prater, Virginia, died Saturday,
June 28, 1997, in Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy. She was a
native of Buchanan County and was of the Baptist faith. Survivors
include one sister, Nellie Pruner, Vansant; five brothers,
Trinkle Deel, Rosedale, Willard Owens, Council, Otto Owens,
Harmon, Gordon Owens, Ten Mile, Tenn., and Donnie Owens, Oakwood;
and several nieces and nephews.
Ruby Jean Skeens, 60, of Mavisdale, Virginia, died Friday, June
27, 1997, in Buchanan General Hospital. She was a native and
lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a graduate of Grundy
High School. She was a member of New Life Fellowship Church,
Oakwood, and a former employee of Piggly Wiggly. Survivors
include one daughter, Mrs. Ronald (Eva) Davis, Grundy; two sons,
Randy Skeens, Vansant, and Steven Todd Skeens, St. Paul; her
mother, Mrs. Edith Lee Skeens Mullins, Grundy; five sisters,
Geneva Elliott and Melissa Ann Gohl, both of Huron, Ohio, June
Peri, San Diego, Calif., Verna Young, Clyde, Ohio, and Melba Joan
Ratliff, Grundy; one brother, James Skeens, Maine; and ten
grandchildren.
Lethia Marie Effler, 69, died Saturday, June 28, 1997, in
Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy. Although she was a native of
McDowell County, W.Va., she was a resident of Vansant, Virginia,
and a member of Vansant Church of Christ. She was disabled and a
former employee of Town and Country Beauty Shop, Grundy.
Survivors include three sisters, Mrs. Arville (Eva) Ratliff,
Vansant, Mrs. Irene Carter, Herndon, W.Va., and Mrs. Jim
(Margaret) Shelton, Lakeland, Fla.; several nieces and nephews;
several great-nieces and great-nephews; and several
great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.
Mrs. Mary Amandalean "Manda" Sisk, 74, formerly of
Buchanan County, Va., died Monday, June 30, 1997, in a Richlands
hospital. Although she was a native of Russell County and had
lived in Buchanan County for 54 years prior to moving to
Richlands two years ago. She was of the Holiness faith. Survivors
include her husband, Oliver Sisk; five daughters, Mrs. Troy
(Thelma) Arbogast, Elkins, W.Va., Mrs. Vilven Nelson, Cedar
Bluff, Mrs. Bobby (Ilean) Shinall and Joyce Sisk, both of
Richlands, and Mrs. Bobby (Mae) Endicott, Maxie, Va.; seven sons,
Fred Sisk, Richlands, Bill Sisk, Winston-Salem, N.C., Brady Sisk,
Bernard Sisk, Carl Sisk, Ray Sisk and Ira Sisk, all of Raven; 19
grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Rick Lee Hill, 40, of Elmhurst, Ill., died Saturday, June 28,
1997, at his home. He was a native of Buchanan County. Survivors
include his parents, Calvin and Mary Barton Hill; one brother,
Calvin Hill Jr.; two sisters, Sharon Hill and Lisa Stemple; one
nephew; one niece; and several aunts and uncles.
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