Published: January 07, 2008 01:38 pm      

Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008

Deaths

• Earl Chafin, 87, of HC 31 Box 97, Welch, died Jan. 5, 2007 at McDowell Continuous Care. Arrangements are incomplete at Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory.

• Katherine Virginia Fleino Gibson, 92, of Grundy, Va., died Friday, Jan. 4, 2008 at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, Va., following an extended illness. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Va., is in charge of arrangements.

• Mrs. Virginia Evelyn Kinder, 85, of Smith Ridge, Va., died Saturday Jan. 5, 2008 at her home following an extended illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, Va.

• Eric Stuart Kyle, 35, of Vansant, Va., died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Va., is in charge of arrangements.

• Jessee Willard Laney, 88, of Pounding Mill, Va., died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell, Va.

• Margaret Louise Taylor, 74, of Clover Dew Dairy Road, Princeton, died early Saturday morning, Jan. 5, 2008, at her residence. Arrangements are incomplete at Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on Athens Road in Princeton.

• Hal Yates, 69, of Tazewell, Va., died Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008 at Tazewell Community Hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell, Va.



Obituaries

Mr. Walter Browning

BELFAST, Va. — Mr. Walter Browning, 79, of Belfast, Va., passed away Friday January 4, 2008 in a Lebanon, Va., hospital following an extended illness.

Born at Blair, he was the son of the late Scott & Tisha White Browning. He was a retired coal miner and member of the U.M.W.A. He was a member of the Belfast United Methodist Church and was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Barbara Ann Forbes Browning; one son, Rodney Browning; and several brothers and sisters.

Mr. Browning is survived by three daughters, Uneeda Vandyke, Beth Ann Butcher & Letha Hill, all of Belfast, Va.; one son, Allen Scott Browning & wife Pamela of Oakwood, Va.; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren. one brother, five sisters. several nieces & nephews, and one special nephew, Bruce Forbes also survives.

Funeral services for Mr. Walter Browning will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Monday January 7, 2008 at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, Va., with the Rev. Paul McNalley officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Cemetery at Claypool Hill, Va.

Pallbearers will be Bruce Forbes, Shane Browning, Mark Vandyke, Cody Vandyke, Jonathan Lester, Larry Deskins & Drew Farris. Honorary pallbearer will be Patrick Browning.

The family will receive friends at the Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff, Va., from 6-9 p.m. Sunday.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.SingletonFuneralService.com.

Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Browning family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com.



Linda Chambers

BLUEFIELD — Linda Chambers, 59, of Princeton, died Friday January 4, 2008 at Duke University Medical Center.

Born in Princeton, she was the daughter of the late Joe and Irene Wagner. Linda was a Registered Nurse and Assistant Clinical Director at Bluefield Regional Medical Center, Associate Director of the Emergency Department of Bluefield Regional Medical Center, Charge Nurse, and worked in Emergency Room for eighteen years. She was also a Forensic Nurse with the Mercer County Sexual Assault Task Force. Linda attended Concord College and before graduating nursing school at Bluefield State College, Linda was a life member with Bluefield Rescue Squad and retired as a paramedic after 11 years of service and worked with OH-9 Ambulance Service. She was a member Carr Memorial United Methodist Church.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Dennis Martin; and survived by her sister, Betty Wagner; brother, Joe “JD” Wagner; her three daughters, Kim Martin of Cornelius, N.C., Tracy Enzor of Garden City, S.C., and Amanda Bennett of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and two grandchildren, Natalie and Chris Enzor.

Funeral Services for Ms. Chambers will be conducted Monday, January 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m from the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Nancy Cale officiating.

Friends may call at Mercer Funeral Home Sunday, January 6, 2008 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Serving as pallbearers will be friends of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to; Carr Memorial United Methodist Church 1544 Glenwood Park Rd., Princeton WV 24740 or to Caring House 2625 Pickett Rd., Durham, NC 27705.

Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com.

Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the family of Linda Chambers.



Thomas E. Hatcher

CENTREVILLE, Va. — Thomas E. Hatcher, 88, of Centreville, Va., died Thursday, January 3, 2008 in Fairfax, Va.

Mr. Hatcher was born February 19, 1919 in Princeton to the late Thomas E. and Exie Caldwell Hatcher Sr.

Mr. Hatcher is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Becky Hatcher. He was the devoted father of one daughter, Monte Cole Lewis; and one son & daughter-in-law, the Rev. William G. (and wife Grace) Hatcher. He was also survived by 12 loving grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Hatcher was preceded in death by one son, Thomas Warren Hatcher, and was the last of nine siblings.

The Hatcher family will receive friends Monday, January 7, 2008 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at the Everly Funeral Home, 10565 Main St., Fairfax, VA 22030. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Centreville Baptist Church, 15100 Lee Highway, Centreville, Va.

Friends will be received once again on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. at the Seaver Funeral Service, 1507 N. Walker St., Princeton, with graveside services to follow in Resthaven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Assn., P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058, or The Acacia Masonic Lodge No. 16, 7135 Main Street, Clifton, VA 20124.

Online condolences may be made at www.everlyfuneralhomes.com.



Frances Katherine “Mamaw” Bowling Lewis

TAZEWELL, Va. — Frances Katherine “Mamaw” Bowling Lewis, 91, a lifetime resident of Tazewell, Va., died Friday, January 4, 2008 at Heritage Hall Health Care in Tazewell, Va.

Born February 18, 1916 in Tazewell County, Va., she was a daughter of the late Charlie and Mamie Lawson Bowling. She was a long time member of Mary's Presbyterian Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jeff Orville Lewis; six sisters, Grace White, Mae Jones, Peg Woods, Helen Brown, Marge Brown, and Ann Herald; four brothers, Sid Bowling, Bill Bowling, Roy Bowling, and Bobby Bowling; four grandsons, Keith Lewis, Wayne Lambert, Bobby Taylor and Daryl Taylor. She was the last surviving member of the immediate family.

Survivors include two daughters, Patty Jane Lambert and husband, Frazier of Tazewell, Va., and Regina Ann Hutchins and husband, Greg of Christiansburg, Va.; two sons, Jeff David Lewis and wife, Becky of Kernersville, N.C., and William Lee Lewis of the home; grandchildren, Kenny Lewis and wife, Wendie, LeAnna Lewis, Darlene Sheets and husband, James, Randy Lambert, Robbie Spiegel and husband, Grady, Jeffery Lewis and wife, Patty, Theresa Walton, Cindy Bentley, and Rodney Taylor and wife, B.A. Taylor; 17 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law, Jim Lewis and wife, Jean and George Cordle; sisters-in-law, Barnsey Lewis, Linda Lewis, Evelyn Bowling, Ida Bowling, and Ellen Bowling; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2008 at Mary's Presbyterian Church in Tazewell, Va., with Minister Danny Whitt officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va.

Grandsons and great-grandsons: Randy Lambert, Grady Spiegel, James Sheets, Kenny Lewis, Michael Lewis, and Ray Sheets will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Men of the Mary's Presbyterian Church and Dr. Stephen Rinehart and David Grant Altizer.

The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, January 6, 2008 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, Va.

The family requests memorial contributions be directed to Mary's Presbyterian Church 468 Gratton Rd. Tazewell, VA 24651.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com.



Dr. James E. McGee, Jr.

SOUTHERN PINES — Dr. James E. McGee, Jr., 89, of Southern Pines died Friday, January 4, 2008.

He was born September 11, 1918 in Rosemary, N.C., the son of the late James E. McGee, Sr., and Dell Fortune McGee of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

After completing his undergraduate degree in chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1940, he enrolled in the Medical College of Virginia, graduating in 1944.

He served in the U.S. Navy as a surgeon aboard the U.S.S. Nevada during World War II.

Dr. McGee retired in 1989 after practicing medicine and surgery over 45 years in Bluefield, primarily at St. Luke’s Hospital, where he served as chief of staff.

He was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Southeastern Surgical Congress and the West Virginia Medical Association. He was also a member of the American Legion and attended The Village Chapel, Pinehurst.

Dr. McGee is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Jane L. McGee; one son, James E. McGee III and wife, Mary, of Morehead City, N.C.; two daughters, Dell Leist and husband, Herman, of Richmond Hill, Ga., and Anne Hedges and husband, Steve, of Greensboro, N.C.; his six grandchildren, Katherine Leist Wideman, James E. McGee IV, Sarah Leist Menard, Charles E. McGee, Katherine A. Hedges and Joseph Douglas Hedges; and four great-grandchildren.

Dr. McGee will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, who was known for his gentle nature and love for his family, friends and patients.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Belle Meade Chapel, 100 Waters Drive in Southern Pines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Christ Episcopal Church Endowment Fund, 200 Duhring Street, Bluefield, WV 24701 or The McGee Family Undergraduate Research Fund at the University of North Carolina, Campus Box 6100, Chapel Hill, NC 29599.

Arrangements by Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines, N.C.



Susie Blankenship Payne

NORTH TAZEWELL, Va. — Susie Blankenship Payne, 89, of North Tazewell, Va., formerly of Buchanan County, Va., passed away Friday, January 4, 2008 at Princeton Community Hospital.

Born September 7, 1918 at Blackey, Va., she was a daughter of the late Elder Taylor Blankenship and Nancy Stacy Blankenship.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Payne; one daughter, Nancy Jane Smith; two sons-in-law, Jimmy Smith and Bobby Cochran; one sister, Lula Mullins; five brothers, Virgis Blankenship, Edgar Blankenship, Hobart Blankenship, Homer Blankenship, and Richard Blankenship.

Mrs. Payne was a wonderful mother and grandmother to five generations. She was also the oldest member of the Bee Branch Old Regular Baptist Church in Stacy, Va.

She is survived by five daughters, Juanita Cochran of Grundy, Va., Sue Garcia and husband, Ed of Margate, Fla., Jean Adkins and husband, Bill and Betty Payne, all of North Tazewell, Va., Rita Baldridge and husband, Rick of Tazewell, Va.; seven sons, Harold Payne and wife, Nancy of Bluefield, Thermon Payne and wife, Melissa of North Tazewell, Va., James Payne and wife, Ruth and John Payne and wife, Cathy, all of Bluefield, Va., Ted Payne and wife, Joyce of Eden, N.C., Kenneth Payne and fiancé, Tammy of Bristol, Tenn., Luther Payne and wife, Terri of Hickory, N.C.; two brothers, William Taylor Blankenship and wife, Hilda and Kenneth Blankenship and wife, Ruby, all of Hurley, Va.; one sister, Georgia Mounts of Grundy, Va.; 24 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, January 7, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va., with Elders Phillip Estep, James Stacy, and George Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va.

Pallbearers will be grandsons: Jim Smith, Jr., James Payne, Jr., Harold Payne, Jr., Alex Payne, Alex Lee Payne, Matthew Payne, Chris Martin, Richard Baldridge, Jr., Robert Baldridge; and great-grandsons: Michael Hackney and Tommy Justus. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Bee Branch Old Regular Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Sunday, January 6, 2008.

The family requests memorial contributions be directed to the Bee Branch Old Regular Baptist Church 1118 Dan Branch Rd. Hurley, VA 24620.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com.



Russell Romalee (Lee) Stables

SPRINGTON — Russell Romalee (Lee) Stables, 83, of Springton, went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at Charleston Area Medical Center surrounded by his family.

Born July 7, 1924 in Narrows, Va., he was the son of the late Eugene “Bud” Stables and Annie Wiley Stables.

Mr. Stables was a coal miner for 36 years at Slab Fork Coal Company and was a member of U.M.W.A. Local 6165 for 60 years. He loved life and spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Shelvie Lester Stables in 2001; two brothers, James Stables and Garland Stables; and two sisters, Virginia “Dolly” Smith and Nellie Sigmon.

Left to cherish his memory include three sons, Roger Stables and his wife Paula of Midway, David Stables and his wife Ann of Reese Harmon Ridge, and Jackie Stables and his wife Debbie of Princeton; four daughters, Kay Brim and her husband Hector and Patty Hartwell and her husband Timmy, all of Springton, Nancy Stables of Jupiter, Fla., and Rita Stables O'Dell of the home; three brothers, Thomas Stables of Lashmeet and Eugene Stables and his wife Gertrude and Billy Stables and his wife Hilda, all of Matoaka; three sisters, Shirley Williams and her husband Jess and Judy Barlow, all of Lashmeet and Peggy Davis of Princeton; eight grandchildren, Shannon, Brandon, Candice, Justin, Tammy, Roger Jr., Misty and Pam; four stepgrandchildren, Amanda, Debra, Kandi and Kris; 10 greatgrandchildren, Bradley, Dylan, Allison, Natasha, Shawn, Billie, Tyler, T.J., Sierra and Brandon; seven stepgreat-grandchildren, Nathan, Austin, Briana, Keelie, Kole, Kassie and Kaelyn; and special friend and companion, Ella Milam of Princeton.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2008 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with the Revs. Ralph Calfee and Ernie Francis officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.

Serving as pallbearers will be Shannon Brim, Brandon Stables, Justin O'Dell, Danny Johnson, Jr., Pistol Lester and Ronnie Johnson, Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be Danny Johnson, Sr. and Bradley Brim.

Friends may call today from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton.

To view a video tribute to Mr. Stables, or send the family online condolences, please visit www.bailey-kirk.com.



Naomi R. Turner

BLUEFIELD — Naomi R. Turner, 78, of 116 Mulberry Street, Bluefield, died on Friday, January 4, 2008 in a Roanoke hospital.

Born on April 7, 1929 in Clintwood, Va., she was a daughter of the late Oakley R. and Beulah Mae Mullins Beverly. She had lived in Bluefield for the past 33 years and was a member of the Princeton Apostolic Church. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother. In her lifetime, she touched many lives.

In addition to her parents, her first husband Ray Carter; three sisters and a brother preceded her in death.

Survivors: Husband: Harold L. Turner of the home; sons: Michael Carter and wife Mary of Bluefield, Va., Raymond Carter of Bluefield; stepson: Joe Turner and wife Karen of Bluefield, Va.; stepdaughters: Cathy Whitt and husband Charles of Rocky Gap, Va., Mary Klimaitis of Bluewell, Margaret Smith and husband David of Capon Bridge; brothers: Richard Beverly of New Jersey, Ray Beverly of Iaeger, Johnny Beverly of Wisconsin; sister: Lora Baldwin of Beckley; 12 grandchildren, 11 stepgrandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and nine stepgreat-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with the Rev. Scott Hall and the Rev. George Stamper officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell.

Her grandsons and family will be serving as pallbearers.

Friends and family may call at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell on Monday, January 07, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Turner family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com.



Rebecca Ann Walls

LAKE BOTTOM — Rebecca Ann Ellis Walls, 67, of Blue Dove Street, (Lake Bottom), Rock, died peacefully Friday, January 4, 2008, at her residence.

Born December 21, 1940, at Bud, she was the daughter of the late James Arvil Ellis and Goldie Inez Deel Ellis.

She was a former employee for the Pepsi Cola Bottling, having worked in Havre de Grace, Md., and the Princeton Plants. Mrs. Walls was a person of great faith, due to her illness, she was unable to attend her church, but enjoyed a great spiritual relationship with her Lord and prayed daily for her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Preston Myles Walls; six siblings; Joan, Glenn, Bernard, Pete, Ray & Robert Ellis.

Left to cherish her loving memory, seven children and spouses, Preston James Walls of Medina, Ohio, Michael Ray & Jennifer Walls of Beeson, Goldie Ellen & Jay Whitlow. Joan Marie & Earl Clyburn, all of Kellysville, Pamela Lynn & Steve Burchette of Princeton, Brenda Kaye & Jim Beckner of Athens, Marie Ann & Sam Mooney of Rock; 15 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two siblings, Roger Ellis & wife Priscilla, Linda Duncan & husband John, all of Reese Harmon Ridge Road; a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2008 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor John Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in the Bowling Cemetery, Rich Creek Road, Spanishburg.

Friends may visit with the family today from 5 until 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Family & friends may share online condolence via www.memorialfd.com.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jimmy Jay Whitlow, Justin Clyburn, Steven Burchette II, Eddie Burchette, Ray Walls, Jaime Beckner, Jason Walls and Casey Gibson.

The Walls family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.



Edith Mutter Warner

BELFAST, Va. — Edith Mutter Warner, 86, of the Belfast community in Russell County entered into the arms of the Lord, January 4, 2008 surrounded by her family.

Born March 31, 1921 she was the youngest child of the late Charles and Mary Barnett Mutter. She was a member of the Dennison United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband: June Warner; her son: Ronnie Warner; three sisters: Arelia Mutter, Gussie Mutter, and Della Maude Hawkins; four brothers: Tom, Fred, Walker, and Spencer Mutter; her son-in-law: Jack Snead; a great-grandson: Patrick Graham Snead.

Survivors include a daughter: Joyce Snead, Belfast; three grandsons: Raymond Snead, Bristol, Tenn., Tony and wife Missy Snead, Lebanon, and Paul and wife Sharon Snead, Bluff City, Tenn.; three granddaughters: Patricia and husband Anthony Martin, Katrina and husband Perry Ball, all of Belfast, and Judy and husband Jerry Kennedy, Bristol, Tenn.; 13 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren, a sister: Carrie Denny, Cedar Bluff.

The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2008 in the Dennison United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Hite officiating. Burial will follow in the Mutter Family Cemetery in the Repass community.

.Serving the family as pallbearers will be: Sam Tignor, Richard Tillison, Gregg Norris, Wayne Price, Randy Moore, David Cox, Joshua Snead, and Jacob Shortt. Honorary pallbearers will be: Mac McPherson, Stuart Harmon, Justine Price, Pride Arrington, and William Taylor.

The family will receive friends 6-9 pm Sunday, January 6, 2008 at the church.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Dennison United Methodist Church, c/o Dorothy Jackson, 8143 Mountain Road, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609.

Combs Funeral Service, 291 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266 (276) 889-4444 is serving the family of Mrs. Warner.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com.





Funerals

Funerals scheduled today include:

• Larry Donald McKinney: noon, Garwood Church of God. Burial at the Baileys cemetery at Clarks Gap.

• Theodoris Sharon Patterson: 11 a.m., George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Littlesburg.

• Helen L. Pettrey: 2 p.m., Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Interment will follow at Pettrey Cemetery, Pettrey.

• Shelby Wilson: 1 p.m., Adam Toler Memorial Chapel, Oceana. Burial at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.