Published: December 17, 2006 06:01 pm      

Monday, Dec. 18, 2006

Deaths

• George Denton, 57, of Edmore Village, Welch, formerly of Big Four, died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 at his residence after a short illness. Arrangements will be announced by Widener Funeral Home in Kimball.

• Elner Jones, 90, of Raleigh, N.C., formerly of Elkhorn, died Dec. 16, 2006 at Capitol Nursing Home in Raleigh. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at McConnells Funeral Home in Bluefield.

• Angela Moore, 46, of North Wilkesboro, N.C., formerly of Ashland, died Dec. 17, 2006 in a North Wilkesboro hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Richardson Funeral Home in Bluefield.

• Claudia Rainey, 77, of North Tazewell, Va., died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2006 at Tazewell Community Hospital. Arrangements are incomplete at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell.



Obituaries

Robert A. “Bob” Blankenship Sr.

BLUEFIELD — Robert A. “Bob” Blankenship Sr., 63, of Route 5, Box 266, Airport Road, Bluefield, formerly of Welch, went to be with Jesus on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 at his residence.

Born Oct. 30, 1943 at Big Sandy, he was the son of George Blankenship Jr. of Bluefield and the late Helen Lambert Blankenship. When he was able, he attended the Pentecostal Revival Center in Princeton, Pastor Roger Walker, he worked eight years at HC Lewis Oil Company in Welch before going to work at No. 50 US Steel Mining for 28 years, Pineville. He was a main line motor man and load out operator. He was a member of Local Union 1713 Pineville and served his country in the U.S. Army and received an Honorable Discharge in the 1960's.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by one brother, Billy Ray Blankenship.

In addition to his father, George Blankenship Jr., survivors include his loving wife and best friend of 41 and a half years, Rosella Swick Blankenship of the home; one son, Robert “Bobby” Blankenship Jr. and wife Teresa of Elkins; one daughter, Terri Lynn Mullins and husband Robert of Route 20, Bluewell; brothers, Michael Blankenship and wife Sandy of Millington, Tenn., Kenneth Blankenship and wife Nancy of Gastonia, N.C.; sisters, Betty Richards and husband Fred of Hardy, Va., June Martin and husband Roger of Coalwood; grandchildren, Beau, Heather, Amy Lynn, Megan Rose, Amber, Marissa, Ashley, and Greg; great-grandchildren, Jaiden and Adam; special brother-in-law, Steve Toshi of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; special friends like brothers, Tommy Stevens of Welch, Steven Walker of Twin Branch and Ron Foster of Bluewell, plus many more.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006, at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Roger Walker and the Rev. Steve Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell, where the Mercer County Veterans Council will conduct military graveside rites.

Friends may call at the funeral home today, Dec. 18, 2006, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Ron Foster, Beau Bailey, J.P. Surface, Robert Mullins, Ross Burks, Tommy Stevens, and Bruce Fowler will serve as pallbearers.

The family may be reached at (304) 325-5112.

Cravens Shires Funeral Home of Bluewell is serving the Blankenship family.

Marie Burgner Dean

DECATUR, Ala. — Marie Burgner Dean passed away at Carraway Methodist Hospital Friday, Dec. 15, 2006.

She was born in Welch Sept. 24, 1934 to Helen Lambert and Larence William Burgner. She was a resident of Decatur for 20 years and a member of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Decatur. Marie was a 1952 graduate of Welch High School where she earned scholarships to West Virginia and Duke Universities. At WVU, she was a member of Delta Gamma, and in 1953 she was the Sweetheart of Phi Delta Theta, as well as the University’s Men’s Panhellenic Queen.

On Aug. 21, 1954, she married and became a career Air Force wife. For many years she was a Red Cross volunteer, and while living in California she served four years as Director of Volunteers for Merced-Mariposa Counties. She was a lifelong active member of the Episcopal Church. She taught Sunday school and served on the Altar Guild throughout the United States. Marie loved all sports and was a booster of her beloved West Virginia Mountaineers.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, John Ross Dean. Other survivors include her identical twin sister, Anne B. Morgan of St. Petersburg, Fla., her Aunt Freda Lockhart of Indianapolis, Ind., and her brother, T. David Evans of Boise, Idaho. Marie was the most caring and compassionate mother and grandmother. She was a wonderful mother to her son and his wife, Mike and Jeanne Dean of San Diego, Calif., and to her daughter and her husband, Beth and Richard DeFilippo of Farmington, Conn. She is also survived by five grandchildren whom she adored, Sarah, Laura, Peter, Steven and Andrew.

Services for Marie will be Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006 at 11 a.m. at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 3809 Spring Ave. SW, Decatur, AL 35603, Roselawn Funeral Home of Decatur directing. Interment will be in the spring at Middle Run Church Cemetery in Braxton County.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to The Church of Good Shepherd.

Roselawn Funeral Home in Decatur is in charge of arrangements.

Brian Douglas Elswick

BANDY, Va. — Brian Douglas Elswick, 34, of Bandy, passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 in a Richlands, Va. hospital.

He was the son of Charles Elswick and Barbara Elswick Noakes, both of Tazewell County, Va.

The family of Brian Elswick will hold a memorial service in his honor at a later date.

Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements.

Mary B. Hoops

PETERSTOWN — Mary B. Hoops, 80, of Peterstown, passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 at Princeton Community Hospital.

She was born June 22, 1926 at Mud Fork, Va., and was the daughter of the late Shorty and Clarice Fulton. Mrs. Hoops was a homemaker.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George William Hoops Sr. and a brother, Roy Fulton.

She is survived by four sons, George William Hoops Jr. of Bluewell, Garland “Bobby Jack” Hoops of Peterstown, Joe William Hoops and David Wayne Hoops and wife Eloise, all of Bluefield; six daughters, Betty Kirby of Princeton, Sue Pitzer and Sylvia Johnson and husband Calvin, all of Bluefield, Brenda Brookman and husband James of Tazewell, Va., Cathy Fredrick and husband Scott and Phyllis Brookman, all of Peterstown; 22 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006 at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown with the Rev. John Offenberger officiating. Burial will follow at the Peterstown Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. today, Dec. 18, 2006 at the funeral home. Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the Hoops family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com

Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown.

Jannie Elaine Quesinberry

BRAMWELL — Jannie Elaine Quesinberry, 66, of Route 1, Box 84, Bramwell, passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.

Born Jan. 3, 1940 at Goodwill, she was the daughter of the late Edgar and Roma Bell Hazelwood. Mrs. Quesinberry was a resident of Coaldale all of her life where she was a homemaker and a member of the Pine Grove Church of Christ.

Survivors include her husband, Jack “Randy” Quesinberry Sr. of the home; two sons, Jack Quesinberry Jr. and wife Sherry of Bramwell, and Michael Quesinberry of Ashville, N.C.; one daughter, Arleen Miller and husband Junior of Bramwell; two brothers, Johnny Hazelwood and wife Doris of Wind Mill Gap, and Billy Hazelwood of Booneville, N.C.; one sister, Gail Griffith and husband Jerry of Maple Acres; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006 at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell with Minister Gregg Breisch Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton.

Friends may call at the funeral home today, Dec. 18, 2006, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Friends of the family will serve as pallbearers.

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Quesinberry family.

Clarence Spade

PRINCETON — Clarence Spade, 70, of 124 Morrison Drive, Princeton, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 at Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton.

Born Oct. 23, 1936 at Kilsyth, he was the son of the late John Spade and Mae Lewis Spade.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Kyle Spade and John Lesley Spade.

Mr. Spade was retired from GTE after 32 years of dedicated service. He was of the Baptist faith and was an avid gardener.

Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Deanna Evans Spade; two daughters, Kay Dunn and her husband Mark of Columbus, Ga., and Julie Spade of Tazewell, Va.; one son, Charles Spade and his wife Monica of Glenwood; four brothers, George Spade and his wife Joyce of Bradley, Richard Earl Spade and his wife Patty of Houston, Texas, Howard Spade of Houston, and Bill Spade and his wife Barbara of Liberty, Mo.; one sister, Helen Suttle of Bradley; and five grandchildren, Kevin Dunn and Corey Dunn, both of Columbus, Lorey Spade of Tazewell, and Devon Spade and Zachary Spade, both of Glenwood.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mark Dunn, Robert Tyree, Corey Dunn, Kevin Dunn, Lorey Spade and Butch Tyree.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231 or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038.

Honoring Mr. Spade's wishes, the visitation and funeral, officiated by the Rev. Jeffrey Kanode, will be strictly private for family only.

Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bailey-kirk.com

Allan Thorne Sr.

LASHMEET — Allan Thorne Sr., 51, of 588 Pinoak Road, Lashmeet, died Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 at St. Luke's Hospital in Bluefield.

Born Feb. 16, 1955 in Matoaka, he was the son of the late Robert L. Thorne and Vivian Sloan Thorne.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Patricia Ann Powers.

Mr. Thorne attended Lashmeet Church of God where he participated in the church food pantry. He was a disabled coal miner from Eastern Coal Company at Herndon.

Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Bonnie Walker Thorne; one son, Allan Thorne Jr. and his wife Bev of Princeton; two brothers, Robert Steaven Thorne and his wife Deborah and Terry Dean Thorne and his wife Pamela, all of Princeton; one sister, Tammy Deneen Hager and her husband Darrell of Roanoke, Va.; and three precious grandchildren, Bret Thorne, Nikolaus Thorne and Cassandra Thorne.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006 at the Rowland H. Bailey Funeral Chapel of the Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastors Gary Raulerson and Jerry Heaton officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.

Serving as pallbearers will be Lacy Young, Kenny Slone, Harold Burkett, Hector Brim, special nephew Tony Bell and special pal Billy Thornton.

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

Margaret Katherine Waldron

TAZEWELL, Va. — Margaret Katherine Waldron, 78, of Tazewell, formerly of Dumfries, Va., died Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 at her residence in Tazewell.

Mrs. Waldron was born July 24, 1928 at Bartley, a daughter of the late Charles and Katherine “Katie” Toler Koboski. She was a retired bookkeeper from Arlington National Bank in Arlington, Va.

In addition to her parents, her husband, John Lewis Waldron preceded her in death Aug. 6, 1986. Additionally, she is preceded by one brother, Charles Koboski, and one sister, Retha Koboski.

Survivors include three brothers, Charles “Bud” Koboski Jr. and wife Sioda of Tazewell, Brooks Koboski and wife Ethel of Bartley, and John Koboski and wife Carol of Argo, Ky.; three sisters, Laura Jane Bobbitt of Colonial Beach, Va., Mary “Nell” Heslep of English, and Yvonne “Bonnie” Mullins of Bartley; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted today, Dec. 18, 2006 at 8:30 p.m. at the chapel of Fanning Funeral Home in War with the Reverend Charley Kennedy officiating. Burial will follow at a later date in Quantico National Cemetery in Quantico, Va.

Friends may call at the funeral home today from 7 to 9 p.m.

Arrangements by Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger.



Funerals

Funerals scheduled today include:

• Hunter Scott Lambert: 1 p.m., Blue Ridge Funeral Home in Beckley. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley.

• Ellen Lucille Perdue: 9 p.m., Burns Wornal Chapel of Memorial Funeral Directory in Princeton. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, Princeton.

• Judith Gail Collins Riffe: 11 a.m., Falls Mills United Methodist Church in Fall Mills, Va. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell.

• Delva Ile Shrewsbury: 1 p.m., George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton.

• Charles Edward Southern: 2 p.m., private graveside service, Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Bluewell.