Friday, March 28, 2008

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

March 27, 2008 08:16 pm

— Deaths
• John Wesley Conley, 49, of Parkersburg, formerly of Montcalm, died Thursday, March 27, 2008 in a Parkersburg hospital. Arrangements will be announced by Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell.
• Lora Elswick, 92, of Wharncliffe, died Thursday, March 27, 2008 at her residence. Mounts Funeral Home of Gilbert is in charge of arrangements.
• Arnie McKinley, 71, of Caretta, died Thursday, March 27, 2008 at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch.

Obituaries
Clarence O. Billips
NEWHALL — Clarence O. Billips, age 95, of Newhall, W.Va., died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at his home.
Born October 30, 1912 at Newhall, W.Va., he was a son of the late Charlie and Sally Marrs Billips. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Jane Whitt Billips; one sister, Ola Brewster; four brothers, Aary Billips, Wade Billips, Roy Billips, and Jessie Billips.
Survivors include one daughter, Mildred Davis and husband, Junior of North Tazewell, Va.; two sons, William (Bill) Billips and wife, Brenda of Bishop, Va. and Thurl Billips and wife, Brenda of Falls Church, Va.; three sisters, Ora Farmer of Bluefield, Va., Vernia Shrader and Julia Myers both of Bishop, Va.; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and one great great grandson.
The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, Va. where funeral services will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Jeff Davis and Pastor Arnold Marrs officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va. Pallbearers will be Robert Mitchem, Blaine Lee, Gary Young, Nathan Davis, Hubert Brewster, and Ray Steele.
Those planning to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the funeral home on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com
Johnny Lewis Cook
WELCH — Johnny Lewis Cook, age 63, of HC 64 Box 241 (Premier), Welch, W.Va., passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 in a Bluefield hospital.
Born on September 4, 1944 in West Virginia, he was a son of the late Roy and Lucille Lester Cook. He had been a resident of Premier for 30 years and was a member of the Arc of Safety Church in Roderfield. He was a retired coal miner for 32 years and retired from U.S. Steel at Pinnacle Creek. He was a member of the UMWA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two half brothers, Pete and Timmy Bright.
Survivors include: Wife of 42 years: Sharon Morgan Cook of the home; one son: Johnny L. Cook, Jr. and fiancée Stephanie Gullett of Roderfield; one daughter: Sherry Underwood and husband Virgil of Princeton; five grandsons; two brothers: Roger Glen Cook and wife Carol of Gilbert, Troy Cook and wife Betty of Silver Springs, Md.; two sisters: Frankie Heath and husband Stanley of Princeton, Charlotte Roberts of Falls Mills, Va.; one half brother: Sammy Bright of Kansas; one half sister: Debbie Ball of Silver Springs, Md.
Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with the Rev. Jerry Cook and Pastor Gene Ball officiating. Entombment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Bluewell where family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Cook family.
To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com
Paul Keene
BAPTIST VALLEY, Va. — Paul Keene, age 81, of Baptist Valley, Va., formerly of Buchanan County, Va., passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in a Kingsport, Tenn. hospital.
Born November 20, 1926 in Buchanan County, Va., he was the son of the late Earnest and Lula Sisk Keene. He retired from Island Creek Coal Company VP 1 Mine and was a member of Local 1509 of Oakwood. He was a United States Army Air Corps veteran of World War II.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Dexter Keene; one sister, Ruby Hale and great-nephew, Shane Campbell.
He is survived by two brothers, Ralph Keene and wife, Grace Ann of Lebanon and Arnold Keene and wife, Wilda Ann of Wardell; two sisters, Anna Ruth Lambert and husband, J.C. of Baptist Valley and Ann Justice and husband, Mike of Rosedale; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff, Va. with the Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating. Burial will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery at Richlands, Va. Nephews will serve as pallbearers. Military graveside rites will be conducted by John Ratliff Post 164 of the American Legion.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday (today) at Singleton Funeral Service at Cedar Bluff, Va.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.SingletonFuneralService.com.
Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Keene family.
Dr. Charles E. Lane
ATHENS — Dr. Charles E. Lane, 85, of 212 W. Broadway Street in Athens, died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn.
Dr. Lane was born in Roderfield, McDowell County, son of the late Charles Guy Lane and Viola Thomas Lane. He graduated from Athens High School, and earned his Doctor of Medical Dentistry from the University of Louisville in 1947. He practiced dentistry, primarily in Mercer County, for 65 years. He was former president of the Mercer-McDowell County Dental Association.
Dr. Lane served in the U.S. Army in both World War II and the Korean War. Dr. Lane was also a farmer and took great pride in caring for the land in an environmentally sensitive way decades before the environmental movement started. While raising Hereford cattle his contribution to the improvement of the breed was well known and he was respected throughout the American Hereford Association.
He was involved in his community serving on the Athens Town Council. In the late 1950s when research indicated that fluoride in the water supply contributed to dental health he underwrote the cost for its addition to the Athens water supply, as the town could not afford to do so. He ran for the Board of Education to try to improve the schools. He also served on several state level committees.
Dr. Lane is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gipsie Oxley Lane, and their five children: Pam Garner and her husband Don of Fairfax, Va., Penny Barbakow and her husband Dennis of Naples, Fla., Pandy Stegmann and her husband Tom of McDonough, Ga., Dr. Charles E. Lane, Jr. and his wife Brenda of Athens and Thea Miller and her husband Scott of Knoxville, Tenn. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Jeff Garner of Portsmouth, Va., Erica Barbakow of Atlanta, Ga., Alison and Carly Stegmann of McDonough, Ga., Jessica and Carolyn Lane of Athens and Kendra Danieley of Athens. He also leaves behind three brothers and one sister, Ralph Lane of Gaithersburg, Md., Roy Lane of Princeton, Robert (Sonny) Lane of Orlando, Fla. and Polly Jones of Virginia Beach, Va.
A service to celebrate Dr. Lane's life will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2008, at the Athens Baptist Church. Visitation time with the family will immediately follow the service.
Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Lane family.
To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com
Effie Rachel McGlothlin Shortridge Looney
FLOYD, Va. — Effie Rachel McGlothlin Shortridge Looney, age 93, of Floyd, Va., formerly of Grundy, Va., passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
Born June 27, 1914 in Buchanan County, Va. she was the daughter of the late William “Howard” McGlothlin and Jenny Ellen Looney. She was a member of Big Prater Primitive Baptist Church at Vansant, Va. and was baptized in 1935 by Elder Henry Mullins. She lived in Rosedale, Va. before moving to Floyd, Va.
She had a deep faith in God and in her Savior, Jesus Christ. She found great comfort and hope in the resurrection. She always rejoiced in God's blessings and goodness. She loved the Holy Scriptures and found joy and strength in them. She loved to joke and make others laugh. Her laughter will echo in our hearts forever. Her greatest joy was her family. She was a dreamer. She dreamed of Jesus as a little baby. Although her eyes grew dim, her vision never did.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Earl Shortridge; her second husband, Cecil Looney; one son, Donald Shortridge; one grandson, Jonathan Horne; three sisters, Vernie Baldridge, Juanita McGlothlin and Ora Baldridge; and two brothers, Roy and Mack McGlothlin.
She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Gail Shortridge of Floyd, Va.; one daughter, Lois Shortridge Horne of Floyd, Va.; two sisters, Nell Branham of Richlands, Va. and Etta Ruth Justice of Home Creek, Va.; three brothers, Jesse McGlothlin of Blountville, Tenn., Ed McGlothlin of Vermillion, Ohio and Frank McGlothlin of Vansant, Va.; six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and seven great, great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff, Va. with Elder Ezra Davis Jr. and Elder Aaron Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday (today) at Singleton Funeral Service at Cedar Bluff, Va.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to www.SingletonFuneralService.com.
Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Looney family.
Jesse “Mark” Powell
MELBOURNE, Fla. — Jesse “Mark” Powell, 50, of Melbourne, Fla., passed away March 24, 2008.
Mark was born in Welch, W.Va. January 20, 1958. He moved to Bluefield as a child and graduated from Bluefield High School in 1976. He was an All-State football player. Mark moved to Gainesville in 1980. He met and married Sara Cannon, loving mother of their two daughters, Erin and Amanda.
Mark began his career as a Preneed Funeral counselor with Williams-Thomas Funeral Homes. Mark was with Williams-Thomas Funeral Homes until he moved to Melbourne, Fla. in 2007. He enjoyed fishing, yard work, and the beach. Most of all Mark enjoyed spending time with his daughters, Erin and Amanda.
Mark is survived by his daughters, Erin and Amanda Powell of Gainesville, Fla.; parents, Tom and Louise Powell of Bluefield, W.Va.; brother, Steve and wife Somporn of Bluefield, W.Va.; sister, Vickey and husband Jim Tolbert of Princeton, W.Va.; brother, David and wife Cindy of Knoxville, Tenn.; sister, Leah Powell of Bluefield, W.Va. Mark is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial service will be held today (Friday), March 28, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at Williams-Thomas Westarea Funeral Home, 823 NW 143rd St., Newberry, Fla. (williamsthomasfuneralhome.com
Buddy W. Price
NEWARK, Del. — Buddy W. Price, 69, Newark, Del., passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at his home surrounded by his family. Born in Pocahontas, Va., he was the son of the late Ira and Goldie Greer Price of Pocahontas.
He moved to Newark, Del. in 1966. He retired from General Motors in Wilmington in 1994, then worked for ten years at First Baptist Church of New Castle (New Castle Christian Academy). Buddy loved God and his time at church and devoted his life to his family, especially his two grandbabies. He loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. We will miss his loving smile and generous spirit. He would do anything in the world to help you.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his nephew, Buddy Lee Price of Virginia.
Survivors: Wife, Carol J. Price of the home; son: James Price, daughter in law Karyn Price; two grandchildren: Merissa and Lauren; sister: Brenda Purse, Delaware; four brothers: Jack Price, Virginia, Ira Price Jr., Virginia, Howard (Mac) Price, Delaware and Roy Price, Virginia; nieces and nephews: Irene, Howard, Debbie, Tom, Steven, Shari, Katie, Mike, Paul, David and all of their families.
A memorial viewing will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rodriguez Bluefield Funeral Home, 210 S. College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24505, with Raymond Mahaffey officiating. Burial will follow at the Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Va.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of New Castle, 901 East Basin Road, New Castle, Delaware 19720.
Rodriguez Pocahontas Funeral Home, Pocahontas, Va. is serving the Price family.
For more information, or to have the funeral home pass along your condolences, visit www.RodriguezFuneral.com
Mary Ann Crawford Singleton
RICHLANDS, Va. — Mary Ann Crawford Singleton, 37, of Richlands, Va., passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2008 in Richlands, Va.
She was born in Richlands, Va. and was the daughter of Paul and Linda Cole Crawford, both of Richlands, Va. She was a graduate of Richlands High School Class of 1988 and received her Bachelor’s degree from Bluefield College and Master’s degree from Liberty University. She was a former teacher and was a member of the Reynolds Ridge Community Church. She was a lifelong resident of the area and she will be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Jess and Edith Crawford; her great-grandparents, Rufus and Rachel Whited; her maternal grandfather, Curtis Cole; and uncle, Thomas Cole.
Survivors, in addition to her parents, are: Fiancé, Jeffrey Ball of Richlands, Va.; daughters, Madison Blaire Singleton of Johnson City, Tenn., Laurann Brooke Singleton of Blacksburg, Va.; sister, Teri Brown and husband, Richard of Richlands, Va.; nephews, Hunter Brown, Landon Brown, and Spencer Brown; maternal grandmother, Dorothy Cole of Reynolds Ridge, Va.; canine companion, Lilly. Many cousins, friends, family, and special friends of the Richlands High School Class of 1988 also survive.
Funeral services for Mary Ann Singleton will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 30, 2008 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. with the Rev. Craig Barber and the Rev. Lonnie Perkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Reynolds Ridge Community Church Cemetery on Reynolds Ridge near Jewell Ridge, Va. Pallbearers will be Jess (Bud) Crawford, Donnie Cole, Eddie Ray Sams, Paul Cole, Chad Cole, Thomas Lester, William Scott Effler, Curtis Dunford, Chris Dunford, David Cole, Bradley Cole, Hunter Brown, and Craig Chadwell. Honorary pallbearers will be Lawrence Effler, Sonny Crawford, Fred Christian, and Oscar Dailey.
The family will receive friends at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Saturday evening.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made in the form of donations to Reynolds Ridge Community Church and the Tri-County Health Clinic.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com
John “Johnny” Smith, Jr.
HEMPHILL — John “Johnny” Smith, Jr., of (P.O. Box 76, Welch, 24801) Hemphill; formerly of Lumberton, N.C., peacefully departed this life on Monday, March 24, 2008 in the comforts of his home, following a lingering illness.
He was born October 8, 1929 in Rhodell (Raleigh County) and the son of the late John Smith, Sr., and Lythen Jefferson Smith. Mr. Smith was a resident of Hemphill most of his life and a member of Mt. Grove Baptist Church in Hemphill. He was a self-employed business man, who operated the J.&R. Lounge in Hemphill for over 24 years and had traveled extensively while employed by the Railroad. He was respected as a humanitarian for the kindness shown and support given to others.
In addition to his parents, those preceding him in death include: One son, Michael Dockery and five siblings: Eunice, Iris, Leonard, Maggie and Sarah Smith.
He leaves many cherished memories to his devoted, loving wife of 13 years, Rosa M. Thompson Smith of the home; his children: Montero Irvin and wife, Anita Dockery of Winston-Salem, N.C.; John “Terry” Smith of Lumberton; Winnie Rose and husband, Nathaniel Lesane and Yvonne and husband, Sim Robeson of Tarheel, N.C.; Felicia Andrews of Fayetteville, N.C.; Hayland Dockery of Lumberton, N.C.; Charles D. Joyce of Welch; James P. Joyce, Jr. of Troutman, N.C.; Alicia D. and husband, Howard “Peppy” Weaver, III, of Winston-Salem; three children he helped raise: Mrs. Milton (Debbie) Purcell of Reidsville, N.C.; Michael Ely and Faye Ely of Hemphill; one brother, Willis Leroy and wife, Nancy Smith of Columbus, Ohio; three sisters: Linda Smith and Connie Smith of Bluefield and Margo Hairston of Columbus; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; nephews, nieces, cousins; numerous neighbors and friends in the area and in Lumberton, N.C.
Services honoring the life of Mr. Smith will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 12 noon at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Welch, with the Elder Andrew H. Montgomery Sr., officiating, assisted by the Reverends George Masterson and Weldon F. Holliday Sr. Entombment will follow in Restlawn Mausoleum, Bluewell.
Family and friends will serve as both pallbearers and flower bearers.
Visitation for Mr. Smith will begin at 10:00 a.m., until the hour of Service, Saturday at the Church.
Arrangements and Services entrusted to Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch.
To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com
Russell Burman Wade
PRINCETON — Russell Burman Wade, 61, of 903 Washington Avenue in Princeton, died Thursday, March 27, 2008 at Princeton Community Hospital. Born October 10, 1946 in Giles County, Va., he was the son of Mable Stowers Wade of Princeton and the late Arthur Wade.
He was a retired self-employed contractor and was a former employee of Wallace Van & Storage in Princeton. He was of the Protestant faith.
Additional survivors include his wife of forty years, Wilma Lee Starcher Wade of Princeton; two sons, Russell B. Wade Jr. of Princeton and Roger Wade and wife Elizabeth of Bradshaw, W.Va.; two grandsons, Richard Hale and Jonathan Hale; two brothers, James Wade and wife Patricia and Jack Wade and wife Florence all of Princeton; one sister, Connie McPeak and husband Eddie of Princeton; and a special cousin, John Stowers of Pulaski, Va.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Gene Pennington officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Park Cemetery in Princeton. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. today.
Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Wade family.
To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com
Roy Hamilton Willis
RIDGEWAY, Va. — Roy Hamilton Willis, 86, of 220 Ramona Drive, Ridgeway, Va., and formerly of Bluefield, W.Va., died on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at his residence.
Born November 14, 1921 in Bluefield, W.Va., he was a son of the late Frank and Clara Graham Willis. Mr. Willis worked for 35 years at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Bluefield and for 15 years at Miller Brewing Company in Eden, N.C.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Margie Goforth Willis; one daughter, Sherry Witt Dobbins and her husband Kenneth Witt; two sisters, Lura Brown Sarver and Frances Clark; and three brothers, Henry A. Willis, Paul T. Willis and Guy W. Willis.
Survivors include one daughter, Aleda “Mickey” Gray of King, N.C.; one granddaughter, Amanda Gray Martin and her husband Daniel of Pilot Mountain, N.C.; one grandson, Michael Witt and his wife Pam of Christiansburg, Va.; three great-grandsons, Chase and Casey Witt and Jaxon Martin; one great-granddaughter, Maci Lane Martin; and three sisters-in-law, Sylvia Akers of Charleston, W.Va., Wanda Dickerson and her husband Jim of Martinsville, Va. and Ricki Sproles and her husband Ralph of King, N.C.
Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday March 29, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Jim Dickerson, Minister Ralph Sproles and the Rev. Dan Webb officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Bluefield, Va. Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Witt, Chase Witt, Casey Witt, Bill Willis, Jeff Willis, Paul Sproles and Glen Underwood.
The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home on Saturday, March 29th from 2:00 p.m. until the time of services.
Those wishing to share memories or e-mail condolences may do so by visiting www.mercerfuneralhome.com
Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield, W.Va. is serving the Willis family.

Funerals
Funerals scheduled today include:
• Cecil Combs: 1 p.m., Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton.
• Mable Inez Manns Miller: 1 p.m., G.H. Sinkford Memorial Chapel of Richardson Funeral Home in Bluefield. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Littlesburg Road.