Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

March 20, 2006 07:58 pm

— Death
• Mildred R. Douglas, 89, of Bluefield, died Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. Arrangements are incomplete at Chapel Funeral Home of Bluefield.

Obituaries
Ralph Gene Atkinson
PRINCETON — Ralph Gene Atkinson, 67, of No. 4 Pineview Park in Princeton, died Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Princeton Community Hospital.
Born May 27, 1938 in Lego, he was the son of the late Joseph Thomas and Beatrice Grey McCoy Atkinson. He was a retired major appliance repairman and a self-employed contractor. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He had been a resident of Princeton since 1998 moving here from Naples, Fla.
In addition to his parents, two brothers preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Daphne Ann Cutler Atkinson of Princeton; two sons, Ralph G. Atkinson Jr. of Reno, Nev. and Michael G. Atkinson and wife Tracy of Clayton, Del.; one daughter, Lynette Soares and husband Allen of Naples, Fla.; five grandchildren, McKenzie Atkinson, Josh McKenna, Sarah McKenna, Teddy Soares, and Wyatt Soares; four brothers, Paul Arnold Atkinson and wife Mary Sue of Princeton, Garland Jack Atkinson and wife Gertrude of Fairless Hills, Pa., Cecil Randolph Atkinson and wife Beryle and Bob Hampton Atkinson and wife Margaret all of Princeton; and one sister, Garnette Marie Hoover of Newportville, Pa.
In keeping with Mr. Atkinson's wishes, the body has been cremated. There will be no services.
Memorial contributions may be made to a favorite charity.
Seaver Funeral Home of Princeton was in charge of arrangements.
Rita Kay Harman Ball
CEDAR BLUFF, Va. — Rita Kay Harman Ball, 45, of Cedar Bluff, succumbed Sunday, March 19, 2006 in a Bristol, Tenn. hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident which occurred on Jan. 22, 2006.
Born April 16, 1960 at Richlands, Va., she was a daughter of the late Finley “Fin” Harman and Elva Pauline “Polly” Harman Graybeal. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, James Roby Graybeal.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Ball and one son, Larry Andrew Ball both of Raven, Va.; one daughter, Tabitha Kay Ball of the home; stepdaughter, Angie Ball Haines of New York; two brothers Donald "Donnie" Harman and Bryan Keith Graybeal both of Sevierville, Tenn.; four sisters, Patsy Harman Mosley of Sevierville, Cathy Harman Bohanan of Princeton, Ky., Phyllis Harman Peterson of Jonesborough, Tenn., and Doris Graybeal Stepp of Grand Junction, Colo.: two step-grandchildren, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va. with the Rev. Dennis White officiating. Burial will follow at the Simmons Family Cemetery in Raven. Relatives and friends will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7-9 p.m. today, March 21, 2006.
Mr. Christopher Columbus Bishop
KEGLEY — Mr. Christopher Columbus Bishop, 88, of the Beckley Road, Kegley, died Saturday, March 18, 2006 at his residence.
Born Oct. 17, 1917 at Bud in Wyoming County, he was the son of the late William Patton and Charlotte O’Neal Bishop.
Mr. Bishop had spent over 40 years of his life in the coal industry, having retired as an operator for a miner with Consol Coal Company at Itmann. He was a member of the UMWA Local 6869 at Amigo.
Mr. Bishop was a member of the Sweet Home Baptist Church on the Willowbrook Road in Princeton.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Verla Marie Green Bishop, along with brothers, Frank and Harrison Bishop; and three sisters, Rosa Stanley, Ethel Parr and Lilly Hylton.
Survivors: His four sons, Daryl Bishop of Kegley, Jack Bishop and wife Mary Alice, Roger Bishop and wife Marcia all of Princeton, Randall Bishop and wife Connie of Chapel Hill, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Patrick Bishop and wife Tammy, Greg Bishop and wife Raina, Gary Bishop and wife Missy, Mark Bishop, Michelle Bishop, Karen Clark and husband Jamie, Lora Becker and husband John, Kristen Bishop, Erin Bishop; 10 great grandchildren, Ryan, Bryce, Drew, Dylan, Aidan and Blaine Bishop, A.J., Jacob, Daniel and Emma Clark; three brothers, Henry Bishop of New Mexico, William “Bill” Bishop and wife Yvonne of Maryland, Milas Bishop of Bud Mountain; two sisters, Louisa Scott of Kentucky and Madeline Hall of Princeton.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006 from the Sweet Home Baptist Church on the Willowbrook Road in Princeton with Thurman Belcher and Kevin Belcher officiating. Burial will follow in the Roselawn Memorial Gardens on the Courthouse Road in Princeton.
Friends may visit with the family today from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton and one hour prior to services at the church.
Family and friends may share online condolences by going to www.memorialfd.com
Serving as pallbearers are Patrick, Greg, Gary and Mark Bishop, Jamie Clark and Kevin Belcher.
The honor of serving the Bishop family has been given to the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.
Herman E. Blevins
WELCH — Herman E. Blevins, 85, of Welch, died Sunday, March 19, 2006, at his residence.
Born Sept. 6, 1920 in McDowell, he was the son of the late Eddie and Hattie Wayman Blevins.
He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. A resident of Welch the greater part of his life, he was a member of Anderson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Welch, and a graduate of Welch High School in 1939. He was a veteran of the Army Air Corps during World War II. He was an Elder in the church and was active in the men’s club, and a member of McDowell Lodge 112 A.F.& A.M. He was a former contract hauler and mail carrier for the post office.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an aunt, Stella Owens.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby Branch Blevins of Stewart Street in Welch; two daughters, Mrs. Rebecca Lynn Lassak and husband “Skip” of Sunbury, Ohio, and Vicki Leigh Sherrill and husband Bryan of Cornelius, N.C.; one son, John Edward “Ed” Blevins and wife Susan of Nashville, Ga.; grandchildren, David Blevins and wife Stephanie, Jennifer Dosey and husband Glen, Will, Matthew, Ben and Patrick Sherrill, Chris, Mike, Erin and Dan Lassak.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006 from the Anderson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Welch with the Rev. Chuck Hammond officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.
Friends may call today at the Fanning Funeral Home in Welch from 5 to 7 p.m.
Pallbearers will be the grandsons, David Blevins, Chris Lassak, Mike Lassak, Will Sherrill, Matthew Sherrill, Dan Lassak, Ben Sherrill, and Patrick Sherrill.
Fanning Funeral Home of Welch is serving the Blevins family.
Mrs. Hazel Basham Clark
PRINCETON — Mrs. Hazel Basham Clark, 101, of 105 North Caperton Avenue, Princeton, died late Saturday evening, March 18, 2006 at her residence.
Born July 12, 1904, at Lashmeet, she was the daughter of the late Arthur Dean Basham and Mattie Lee White Basham Shrewsbury.
Mrs. Clark was a long time employee for the Santon’s Department Store on Mercer Street in Princeton, having retired in 1978. She was a member of the Kee Street United Methodist Church in Princeton.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leslie Clark; a great grandson, Lance Cpl. Justin Thacker; four brothers, Cecil Basham, Lee, Arnold and Paul Shrewsbury and many stepbrothers and sisters.
Survivors: Two daughters, Betty McMurdo of the McDowell Nursing and Rehab Center, Iris Bowling of Princeton; two grandsons, Greg Bowling and wife Sharon of Bluefield, Michael Bowling and wife Pam of Princeton; great grandchildren, Michael Wayne Bowling, Charles Scott Bowling, Eve Bowling; one great great grandchild, Braden Bowling; three nephews, Russell Eugene Basham and wife Beverly of Bristol, Tenn., Cecil Basham and wife Wanda of New Bern N.C., Arnold Shrewsbury and wife Louise of Salisbury, N.C.; two nieces, Elizabeth Lawson of Salisbury, N.C. and Juanita Kennedy of Columbia, S.C.
A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006 in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Princeton with Pastor Greg Godwin officiating.
Family and friends may visit on Wednesday from 1 until 2:45 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton. Those wishing to attend services are requested to meet at the funeral home by 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
Family and friends may share online condolences via www.memorialfd.com
The Clark family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.
Tommy Dwight Dawson
BLUEFIELD, Va. — Tommy Dwight Dawson, 53, of 164 Marshall St., Bluefield, Va. (Abbs Valley), died Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Tazewell Community Hospital, Tazewell, Va.
Born in Bluefield, Va., he was the son of Alta Dawson Agee of Big Vein, Va. and the late Dewey Dawson. He was a member of UMWA and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Survivors: Wife, Tresa Diane Nichols Dawson of the home; one son: William Shannon Dawson of Abbs Valley, Va.; one daughter: Amanda Lee Ann Dawson of Abbs Valley; one sister: Betty Taylor and husband Bud Brown of Bluefield, Va.; six brothers: George (Dusty) Dawson and wife Bonnie of Bramwell, Daniel (Rick) Dawson and wife Jane of Pocahontas, Va., Wayne Dawson of Pocahontas, Donny “Sneeze” Dawson and wife Peggy of Abbs Valley, Larry Dawson and wife Linda of Abbs Valley, and Tony Dillon and wife Kathleen of Abbs Valley; one grandchild, Chance Nicklas Dawson of Abbs Valley; several nieces and nephews; and many devoted friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at the Rodriguez Pocahontas Funeral Home Chapel, Pocahontas, with the Rev. Roy Lester and the Rev. Carlos Hess officiating. Burial will follow at the Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Va.
Friends may call from 6-9 p.m. today, March 21, 2006 at the funeral home chapel.
Pallbearers: Brian Stevenson, Scott Stevenson, Joe Smith, Jess Groseclose, Chris Hinkle, and Joey Rash.
Rodriguez Pocahontas Funeral Home, Pocahontas is serving the Dawson family.
E-mail of condolences may be sent to info @rodriguezfuneral.com.
Roy Marvin Mitchem
BLUEFIELD — Roy Marvin Mitchem, 91, of Route 4, Box 529, Bluefield, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center, Bluefield.
He was born Feb. 19, 1915 in MudFork, Va. to the late John Mitchem and Barbara Nipper Mitchem. Mr. Mitchem was a member of the Jesus Only Church and was a resident of Bluewell for the past 21 years. He worked for 45 years as a miner and was a member of the U.M.W.A.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Nell Asbury Mitchem; one son, Eugene Mitchem and one daughter, Janice Hunter.
Survivors: Sons: Wayne Mitchem and wife Lucille of Millsboro, Del., Bobby Mitchem and wife Betty of Anderson, S.C.; one grandson whom he reared, Marvin Mitchem of Bluefield; daughters: Phyllis Mabe of Montcalm, Edith V. Kimberlin and husband Harry of Bluefield, Shirley Spencer and husband Bob of Baltimore, Md.; brothers: J.P. Mitchem of Ohio and G.W. Mitchem of Elkton, Md.; sisters: Helen Odham of Pocahontas, Va., Sadie Sluss of Yards, Va., Gladys McCormick of Allentown, Pa., Mabe Angles of Manassas, Va.; 25 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, 14 great great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, Bluewell with the Rev. Paul Hall and the Rev. Steve Kosinar officiating the service. Burial will follow at the Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton.
Friends and family may call at the funeral home today, March 21, 2006 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Gary Mabe, Johnny Mabe, Cannon Mitchem, Kevin Catron, Richard Kimberlin, and Patrick Tabor.
Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Mitchem family.
Nancy Catherine Garrett Myers
BLUEFIELD — Nancy Catherine Garrett Myers, 69, of Route 3, Bluefield (Duhring), died Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton, following a short illness.
Born Dec. 12, 1936 in Goodwill, she was the daughter of the late Elliott Pierce "E.P." and Dorothy Fay Garrett. A beloved mother, grandmother and community member, she was known for her devotion to her family and selfless nature. She was a former member of the Montcalm-Bluewell Junior Woman’s Club and was, at one time, an avid bowler on the Thursday Morning Ladies League. Prior to the death of her husband, she enjoyed boating, and the couple often took excursions off the Gulf Coast, East Coast and on the Mississippi River. During her children’s youth, she was involved in many of their school activities at Montcalm Elementary and High School, including PTO and Homeroom Mothers, as well as volunteering with Girl Scouts, cheerleading and other clubs and organizations. During her own childhood, she was an accomplished dancer and acrobat, performing at numerous functions throughout the area with her sister. She attended school at Montcalm and Bramwell. She was a member of the Duhring Church of Christ.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Anderson Myers; sister, Phyllis Ann Savas; and grandparents, Edward and Edith Garrett and Earl and Annie Criner.
She is survived by her children, including sons, William Elliott Myers and wife, Sherry, of Birmingham, Ala., and Ed Myers and wife, Anita, of Princeton and Greensboro, N.C.; daughters, Pamela Fay Krondon and husband, Alan, of River Road, Bramwell, Ann Gills and fiancé, David White, of Duhring and Princeton, and Samantha Perry and husband, Joe, of Duhring; grandchildren, Rusty Krondon and Shawn Krondon, of River Road, Bramwell, Jennifer Gills, of Beckley, Jason Myers, of the home, and April Myers, of Duhring; great-granddaughter, Lexus "Lexi" Pennington, of Beckley; step-grandchildren, Thomas "T.W." Perdue, Brittny Webb and Heather Webb, of Princeton; aunts, Vilda Gundish, of Bluefield, Va., and Virginia Gwynn, of Bluefield, Va.; and special niece and great-niece, Valerie Savas and Kristin Savas.
Funeral services will be held today, March 21 at 1 p.m. at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, with Brother in Christ Ronnie Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel in Bluewell.
Friends called at the funeral home Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Carolyn Juanita Osborne
FREEMAN — Carolyn Juanita Osborne, 58, of Box 1305, Freeman, passed away Monday, March 20, 2006 at Wythe County Community Hospital, Wytheville, Va.
She was born on March 28, 1947 in Marietta, S.C. to the late Henry Surrett and Mary Medlin Surrett. Mrs. Osborne was a 25-year resident of Freeman and a member of Grace Independent Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, one brother: Jacob Surrett and one sister: Mary Pace preceded her in death.
Survivors: Husband: Clay Osborne of Freeman; brothers: Jack Surrett of Greenville, S.C., George Surrett of Marietta, Charles Surrett of Greenville; half-brother: Joe Surrett of Chicago, Ill.; sisters: Betty Darnell of Marietta, Louise Youngblood of Travel Rest, S.C., Mae Murry of Marietta; half-sisters: Dorothy Moffett of Greenville, Dolly Page of Greenville.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with the Rev. George Stamper officiating. Burial will follow at the Belcher Cemetery, Coaldale, where friends will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call at the funeral home today, March 21, 2006 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Osborne family.
Floyd Edgar Viers Sr.
ROCKY GAP, Va. — Floyd Edgar Viers Sr., 87, of Rocky Gap, formerly of Buchanan County, Va., passed away Sunday, March 19, 2006 at his home following an extended illness.
Born in Russell County, Va., he was a son of the late Brice Madison and Ocie Fanny Jane Osborne Viers and was a member of the Rocky Gap Church of Christ. He had lived most o f his life around the Vansant, Va. area, worked as a coal truck driver and spent most of his life driving for a Cab Driving Service. He was employed as a security guard at Buchanan General Hospital where he retired in 1984.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters: Isabella Vandyke and Rosie Viers; two brothers: Fred Viers and Thomas Viers.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Mr. Viers is survived by his wife: Lillian Carol McCoy Viers of Rocky Gap; two daughters: Gayle and husband Warren Burke of Aberdeen, Md., Darlene and Joe Shaffer of Rockville, Md.; one son: Floyd Edgar Jr. and wife Betty Viers of Rocky Gap; five grandchildren: Stacy Lynn and husband Ivan Mooler, Floyd Edgar III and wife Jacqueline Viers, Joseph and wife Tara Burke, William and wife Sarah Burke, Lisa and husband Daryl Thornton. Also, survived by seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Floyd Edgar Viers Sr. will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2006 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evangelist Jim Hill officiating with burial to follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va.
Friends may call at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel today at 5 p.m.
Active pallbearers will be friends and family.
Honorary pallbearers will be T.C. Mullins Jr., Curtis R. Mullins Sr., Clarence Vandyke, Estil Vandyke, Roger Potter, Harry Scott, Warren Childress, Junior Vandyke, Garland Tolbert and Harold Andrews.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Va. is in charge of all arrangements.

Funerals
Funerals scheduled today include:
• Mr. James Edward “Ed” Champ: 1 p.m., Church of Christ in Princeton. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Courthouse Road, Princeton.
• Kineth Clevinger: 1 p.m., Grundy Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy, Va. Burial will follow in Stiltner Cemetery at Bethlehem Old Regular Baptist Church No. 1 on Poplar Creek near Grundy.
• Melanie Jane Pack Dillon: 2 p.m., Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown. Burial will follow in the Peterstown Cemetery.
• Lynda B. Ellison: 1 p.m., Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton. Burial will follow in the Dayton-Lilly Cemetery, Camp Creek.
• Edith Mildred Collins Hibbitts: 1 p.m., Little Prater Church of Christ in Grundy, Va. Burial will follow in the Hibbitts Cemetery, Grundy.
• Ila Noble Kanode: 3 p.m., memorial service at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Md.
• Lewis Hale Kaylor: 11 a.m., graveside services and interment at Maple Hill Cemetery, Bluefield, Va.
• Tyrus Raymond Ramos: 2 p.m., Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke, Va. Burial will follow in Angels Rest Memory Gardens, Narrows, Va.
• Jack E. Sanders: 11 a.m., Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown. Burial will follow in Swope Cemetery, Lindside.
• Hazel Triplett Shultz: 1 p.m., Mountain View Church of God in Lynchburg, Va. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park, Lynchburg.
• Joyce Ferrell Wall: 1 p.m., East Chapel Community Church in Narrows, Va. Burial will follow in the Boyd Cemetery in the Wolf Creek Community.