Published: August 01, 2006 07:14 pm      

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006

Deaths

• Douglas (Ruben) Dotson, 64, of Wharncliffe, died Monday, July 31, 2006 at his residence. Mounts Funeral Home of Gilbert is in charge of arrangements.

• Betty P. Looney, 67, of Bastian, Va., died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006 at her home. Arrangements by A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, Va.



Obituaries

Elsie Akers

PRINCETON — Elsie Akers, 77, of Princeton, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006 at her home.

Born March 9, 1929 at Dott, she was the daughter of the late Johnny Wilson Combs and Haley Gracie Bailey Combs.

Mrs. Akers was a homemaker.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Otis D. Akers Sr.; one brother, Lloyd Corbin Combs; grandson, Charles Booher; and great-granddaughter, Eva Dovie Booher.

Survivors include two sons, Basil Akers and his wife Selma of Matoaka and Otis Akers Jr. and his wife Belinda of Alabama; two daughters, Nancy Akers of Princeton and Haley Marie Booher of Kentucky; one sister, Raney Juanita Poe of Arista Mountain, Matoaka; 28 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and four great, great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Nathaniel Billings officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.

Friends may call today from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

Gregory Ray Bryant

ROANOKE, Va. — Gregory Ray Bryant, 52 of Roanoke, formerly of Tazewell, Va., passed away Monday, July 31, 2006 at Avante Nursing Home in Roanoke.

He was born in Bluefield and was a son of the late William “Bill” Vernon Bryant Sr. and Wilma Jean Price Bryant.

Gregory had made his home in Roanoke for the past nine years and before that in Tazewell. He was disabled all his life. He had attended Dunford Town Church of God.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William Vernon Bryant Jr.

Survivors include: His aunt: Margie Gibson of Tazewell; his uncles: Bobby Price of North Tazewell, Va. and Frank Price of Bishop, Va. Several cousins also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted today, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006 at 12:30 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Brother Wayne Poston officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Va. Pallbearers will be Bobby Price, Frank Price, Ronald Gibson, Shawn Gibson, Mike Price, and Timmy Woods.

Friends may call at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday (today), prior to the funeral service.

Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell is serving the Bryant family. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Bernard Raymond Clay

PINOAK — Bernard Raymond Clay, 82, of Pinoak, died Monday, July 31, 2006 at Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton.

Born Feb. 7, 1924 in Matoaka, he was the son of the late Wayne Clay and Freda McComas Clay.

Mr. Clay was retired from Consolidated Coal Company at Itmann. He attended Rich Creek Baptist Church in Spanishburg and was a veteran of the United States Navy serving on the U.S.S. Enterprise. He loved his garden.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle Boyd Clay; two sisters, Inez Clay Anderson and Irene Clay.

Survivors include one daughter, Patty Hylton and her husband Willie of Lewisburg; best buddy and friend, Lurena Taylor of Lashmeet; a stepdaughter, Peggy Owens and husband Dow of Pulaski, Va.; two grandsons, Donnie Wise of Gainesville, Fla. and Stephen Wise of Lewisburg; a step grandson, Andy Owens and his wife Sharon of Pulaski; two step granddaughters, Kellie Reams and her husband Scottie of Lynchburg, Va. and Sara Lewis and her husband Ben of Cross Lanes; seven step great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and extended family, Connie Taylor Krupp and her husband Dan and their twin boys Maxwell and Christopher of Haymarket, Va.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Ralph Calfee officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.

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

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com.

Clarence Crawford

PETERSTOWN — Clarence Crawford, 85, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006 at Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital, Pearisburg, Va.

Born Sept. 20, 1920 at Lindside, he was the son of the late John and Julia Crotty Crawford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Ardaliah S. Kanode Crawford; two brothers, Opie and Samuel Crawford; three sisters, Nancy Humphries, Fannie Raines, and Elizabeth Bowden.

Mr. Crawford was a retired employee of the Celanese Corporation, having worked there for 38 years, he had enjoyed farming for most of his life and was a member of the Riverview Baptist Church, Ripplemead, Va.

He is survived by his wife, Waneta Hutchens Crawford; one brother, John Crawford and wife Dorothy of Peterstown; one sister, Lula Dillion of Peterstown; he was loved dearly by his six children, four daughters, Linda Wickline, Peggy Morse, Shirley Reeves, and Julia Bolin; two sons, Richard Wimmer and John Wimmer; a mother-in-law, Snowflake Hutchens of Princeton; and two special caregivers, Loretta Tickle and Elbert Wickline.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel, Peterstown, with the Rev. Shahn Wilburn and the Rev. Ronald Reeves officiating. Burial will follow at the Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg.

Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006 at the funeral home.

Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the Crawford family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com.

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

Jeremy Andrew Evans

GRUNDY, Va. — Jeremy Andrew Evans, 17, of Grundy, passed away Monday, July 31, 2006 at the Buchanan General Hospital.

Born in Tazewell County, Va., June 1, 1989, he was the son of Clinton Lewis Evans and Debra Duty Evans of Grundy. He was a member of the Poplar Creek Church of Christ and was baptized, June 17, 2004.

He was a rising senior of Grundy Senior High School Class of 2007. Was a member of the Grundy Robotics Team, Oral Communications, prom committee and FBLA club. Former player of the Grundy Golden Wave Football team, eligible candidate Virginia Governors Seal and Who’s Who Among America High School Seniors students. Enjoyed sport cars and was an avid muscle car enthusiast, had placed many times and won car show awards.

Jeremy was a young man that endured and achieved numerous accomplishments in his life. He enjoyed life to the fullest, kept his faith in Christ. Loving son, brother, grandson and friend to all who knew him with a unique heart of gold.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Eugene and Nora Evans.

Jeremy is survived by his Dad and Mom, Clinton Lewis Evans and Debbie Duty Evans of Grundy; his brother, Brandon Matthew (Bro) Evans of Grundy; Maternal Papaw and Nanny, James R. Duty and Fern E. Duty of Grundy. He was also survived by his special canine friend, Oreo and a host of friends.

Funeral services for Jeremy Andrew Evans will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at the Poplar Creek Church of Christ with Ministers: J.C. Anderson, Mike Rife, Michael Trent and Mark Gaminde officiating. Burial will follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock, Va.

Active pallbearers will be: Kevin Vandyke, Matt Baldwin, Brandon Woods, Ryan Stiltner, Billy Joe Yates, Kyler Yates, Donald Evans, Josh Owens and Charlie Osborne.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Wayne McClanahan, Jimmy Ashby, Evan Lawson, Bucky Blankenship, Greg Clevinger, Preston Hibbitts, Justin Hipps, Chad Gibson, Men of the Poplar Creek Church of Christ and Grundy Senior High School Class of 2007.

Friends called at the Poplar Creek Church of Christ after 6:00 p.m. Tuesday. Evening services will be held Wednesday (today) at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Church of Christ Youth Camp, Box 493, Grundy, VA and Buchanan County American Cancer Society Relay for Life, P.O. Box 492, Grundy, VA.

Memorial condolences may be sent to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com.

The family of Jeremy Andrew Evans is being served by the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy.

Matthew Scott Fletcher

NARROWS, Va. — Matthew Scott Fletcher, 21, of Narrows, passed away Saturday, July 29, 2006.

A lifelong resident of Giles County, Va., he was born on Dec. 19, 1984 and was the son of Lenora Fletcher of Narrows and Kenneth Ray Thomas Jr. of Hardy, Va. He was preceded in death by three great-grandparents, Arvil Harris, Irene Fletcher and Theodore Fletcher.

In addition to his mother and father, he is survived by his grandparents, Jeanette Fletcher of Narrows, and Franklin Fletcher Sr. of Riner; a great-grandmother, Irene Harris of Narrows, extended families and many friends. Also left to cherish his memory is his girlfriend, Nikki Douthat of Pearisburg, Va.

We will miss Matthew’s precious smile.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 at noon in the Chapel of Riffe's Funeral Service in Narrows with the Rev. Ward Harris officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Narrows.

The family will receive friends at Riffe's Funeral Service Wednesday (today) from 6-8 p.m.

Online condolence messages can be sent to the family at www.riffes.com

Maxine W. Hatmaker

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Maxine W. Hatmaker, 87, of Sun Coast Manor in St. Petersburg, formerly of Welch and Clarksburg, died Friday, July 21, 2006 at Palms of Pasadina Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Born April 28, 1919 in Clarksburg, she was the daughter of the late Carl Robert and Margie E. Queen Waters. Maxine was a retired owner and operator of Belcher & Mooney Men's Store in Welch for many years and was a member of the Baptist Church in Welch.

In addition to her parents, her husband, Kenneth Mooney; her husband, Perry Hatmaker; and two brothers, James L. Waters and C. William Waters preceded her in death.

Survivors include one brother, Stuart R. Waters and his wife Carrie of Clarksburg; six sisters-in-law, Valeria Simmons of Princeton, Mary Meadows of Pineville, Betty Willis of Elkton, Md., Betsy Waters of Florida, Loretta Mooney and Eileen Mooney both of Princeton; one brother-in-law, Glenn Hatmaker of Princeton; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, Aug. 4, 2006 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Dan Jividen officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour on Friday.

Hattie Mae Price

WELCH — Hattie Mae Price, 67, of Welch, formerly of Grundy, Va. and Bristol, Tenn., passed away Monday, July 31, 2006 at Welch Community Hospital following an extended illness.

Born in Buchanan County, Va., she was a daughter of Pearl Carton Graybeal of Richlands, Va. and the late George McCoy. She was a resident of Buchanan County several years and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. She had been employed as a hostess, cashier and was a homemaker.

In addition to her father, Mrs. Price was preceded in death by her husband: Robert Lee (Yogi) Price on July 31, 2000; and one infant brother.

She is survived by her mother; one daughter: Belinda Carr of Welch; one sister: Margaret C. (Judy) McCoy of South Park, Pa.; two grandchildren: Tanisha Carr of Welch and George Carr Jr. of Charlotte, N.C.; three great-grandchildren: Tia, Tariq, Timothy Carr of Welch; special friend and caregiver: Cathy Noe of Welch; special C.N.A.: Jackie Sluss of Mercer County.

Mausoleum services for Hattie Mae Price will be conducted today, Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006 at noon at Forest Hill Mausoleum, Forest Hill Cemetery, Abingdon, Va. conducted by Evangelist Mike Rife with entombment to follow in Forest Hill Mausoleum.

Friends may call at the Forest Hill Mausoleum today, Wednesday Aug. 2, 2006, from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at noon.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

Mr. Raymond Miller Proffitt

RICHLANDS, Va. — Mr. Raymond Miller Proffitt, 94, of Richlands, passed away Monday, July 31, 2006 at his home following a lengthy illness.

He was born in Red Ash, Va. and was the son of the late Charlie and Lettie Shelton Proffitt, both Tazewell County, Va. natives.

He had spent his entire life in the area and was of the Holiness faith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rachel Proffitt; three brothers and five sisters.

He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Survivors are: Two daughters, Alma Whited and husband, Mack of Rosedale, Va., Debbie Proffitt of Richlands; four sons, Johnny Proffitt and wife, Annie of Pilgrim Knob, Va., James Proffitt and wife Diana of Thompson Valley, Va., Reece Proffitt and wife, Vicki of Rowe, Va., Mike Proffitt and wife, Bernice of Feds Creek, Ky.; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; special friends and caregivers, Russell County Hospice.

Funeral services for Raymond Proffitt will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Tim Lester and the Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill, Va. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands after 6:00 p.m. Wednesday (today).

Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy may do so online at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com



Funerals

Funerals scheduled today include:

• Margaret Cordelia Hunter: 11 a.m., Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, Va. Burial will follow in Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery, Richlands, Va.

• Hazel Leigh Lane: 2 p.m., Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, Va. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va.

• Mary Louise Zando White: 11 a.m., Christ the King Catholic Church in War. Burial will follow in Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Va.