U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
William Cecil Wise
William Cecil Wise, age 73, died March 5, 2008 at his home.
Born in Washington County, Virginia on November 27, 1934, he was a son of the late Howard and Rosa Wise. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Ann Davis and one grandson, Jeffery Wise, Jr.
He enjoyed the outdoors, his garden and loved his animals.
Survivors include his sons Ernest Wise and wife Doris of Abingdon; Richard Wise and wife Robin and William Wise all of Mt. Holly, NC and Jeffrey Wise and wife Wanda of Stanley, NC; his daughters, Debra Hart and husband Gregory and Melissa Wise all of Mt. Holly, NC; his grandson Matthew Wise and numerous other grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as several brothers and sisters and many, many friends.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 7, 2008 from 6:00 – 8:00 P. M. at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service. A Graveside funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 A. M. Saturday at the Reynolds cemetery in the Hidden Valley Community with Rev. Matthew Helton officiating. Pallbearers will be Robby Thomas, James Sailor, William Wise Jr., Kenny Crosswhite, Timmy Powers, Michael Roark and Matthew Roark. Those attending the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 A. M. Saturday.
Edna Virginia Eskridge Casey
Edna Virginia Eskridge Casey, age 87, passed away March 7, 2008 at the home of her youngest daughter, Daphne Lewis. She was of the holiness faith. She was the daughter of the late Charlotte Pickle Eskridge.
She was preceded in death by her husband of seventy-three years, Robert “Bob” Casey, brothers, Willis Eskridge, J. D. Eskridge and John Will Eskridge, an infant sister, one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.
She is survived by twelve children: Freda Casey Myers and husband Richard, Pearl Casey Carrier and husband, J. W. “Bill”, all of Piney Flats, TN, L. C. Casey and wife Linn, Dudley Casey and wife Hazel, all of Meadowview, VA, Geneva Casey, Abingdon, VA, Dorothy Casey Ray and husband Mack, Jewel Casey Ray and husband Richard, Jr., Shirley Casey Ray and husband Clyde, Alvin Casey and wife Linda, James Robert Casey, Jr. and wife Audrey, Tony Casey and wife Betty and Daphne Casey Lewis and husband Wayne Jessie all of Saltville, VA, three sisters, Ella Mae Hankins, Marie Thomas and Edith Mann all of Lynchburg, VA, one brother, Herbert Eskridge of Abingdon, VA, twenty-four grandchildren and forty-one great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be conducted Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Farris Funeral Service, Main Street Chapel with Pastor Roger O’Quinn and Pastor Mark Casey officiating.
The committal graveside service will be conducted Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the Fall Hill cemetery. Those attending are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 10:55 a.m.
Pallbearers will be grandsons.
The family will receive friends Saturday from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
John Russell Rutledge, Jr.
Mr. John Russell Rutledge, Jr., age 63, was called home by God on Friday, March 7, 2008 in Johnston Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Rutledge was born in Washington County, Virginia on November 1, 1944. He was a highly regarded brick mason for over forty five years. He attended Freedom Worship Church of Damascus.
Mr. Rutledge was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Mr. Rutledge is preceded in death by his father, John Russell Rutledge, Sr. and one brother, Phillip Malcolm Rutledge.
Mr. Rutledge is survived by his wife, Linda Umbarger Rutledge, his mother, Mary “Tooty” Eggers Rutledge of Abingdon, VA, one son, Randall “Randy” Rutledge and wife, Donna of Abingdon, VA, one daughter, Angela “Angie” Rutledge of Laurel, Maryland, two grandson’s Randall Rutledge, Jr. and Danial Rutledge both of Abingdon, VA, two brothers, Noah “Dickie” Rutledge and wife, Rita of Front Royal, Virginia and Gail Rutledge and wife, Jane of Abingdon, VA, and several nieces and nephews, and family friend, Malcolm Quesenberry of Abingdon, VA.
The funeral service for Mr. Rutledge will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 9, 2008 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Rev. Jerry Eggers, Rev. Noah Stout and Mr. Junior Gobble officiating. The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Sunday from 6:00 P.M. until time for the funeral service. The committal service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday, March 10, 2008 in Forest Hills Memory Gardens. All those wishing to attend the service are asked to assemble at the funeral home by 10:30 A.M. to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Umbarger, Rick Umbarger, Wey McLeod, Wayne Gobble, Gary Cole, John L. Rutledge, Kevin Patterson, and Joe Hicks. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dickie Rutledge, Gail Rutledge, Randall Rutledge, Daniel Rutledge, Johnny White, Ray Umbarger, Malcolm Quesenberry, and Bobby Rutledge
Contributions in memory of Mr. Rutledge may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 246 Abingdon, Virginia 24212.
Rebecca King Ratcliff
Rebecca King Ratcliff of Abingdon, Virginia died at home on Friday, March 7, 2008. A Wythe County native, Mrs. Ratcliff was born on January 13, 1945 to John and Geneva D. King of Crockett, VA. They and a sister, Nancy Roberts, predeceased her.
She is survived by her loving husband of forty years, Cecil G. Ratcliff, and her devoted daughter, Laura S. Ratcliff.
Other survivors include her sisters and their spouses: Ann and Jim Hankla of Union Hall, VA, Eleanor and Curtis Parks of Crockett, VA and Linda and Bill McBride of Marion, VA. Also surviving are several special nieces and nephews and one brother-in-law, Marvin Roberts.
The family thanks special caregivers Susie McConnell of Abingdon and Carol Moore of Williamsburg, VA
A Radford University graduate, Mrs. Ratcliff began and completed her teaching career in Washington County. She served twenty-three years at Meadowview Elementary and previously taught eight years in Bedford County.
A memorial service and visitation will be held at Pleasant View United Methodist Church, 18416 Lee Hwy., Abingdon, VA Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 1:00 P. M. with the Rev. Jim Goddard and Barbara Farmer officiating. Music will be provided by Dr. John Moore, pianist, of Williamsburg, and by the Pleasant View United Methodist Church’s Bells of Aldersgate Choir of which Mrs. Ratcliff was a member. The family will greet friends in the church Family Life Center following the service.
In lieu of floral tributes the family requests your consideration of contributions to a charity of your choice, the Building Fund of Pleasant View United Methodist Church, or to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, TN 37620 whose staff served Mrs. Ratcliff with kindness and concern.
Clyde Emmitt Musick
Mr. Clyde Emmitt Musick, age 78, passed away Saturday, March 8, 2008 after a lengthy illness.
Mr. Musick was born April 27, 1929 in Russell County, Virginia to the late Ed Musick and the late Florence Gibson Musick. He had lived in the Bristol area for the past fifty years and was a member of Souls Harbor. Mr. Musick was a retired truck driver and enjoyed gardening.
Besides his parents he is preceded in death by one brother, Dallas Musick and one sister, Lillian Horton.
Mr. Musick is survived by three sons, Paul Anthony Musick of High Point, North Carolina, Russell Musick and wife, Leah of Richmond, Virginia, and Christopher Musick and, wife Nikki of Richmond, Virginia and one daughter, Arlene Musick Salyer and husband, Troy of Richmond, Virginia.Three grandchildren, Trevan, Ava, and Regan. Two brothers, Carol Musick and wife, Shirley of Bristol, Virginia, Guy Musick of Kingsport, Tennessee. Three sisters, Myrtle Tate of Kingsport, Tennessee, Madge Harrington of Kingsport, Tennessee and Carolyn Saylers of East Carters Valley- Gate City, Virginia. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service will be conducted at 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 in the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with the Rev. Dean Livingston officiating. The committal service will be conducted 1:00 P.M Wednesday, March 12, 2008 in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with the Rev. Austin Cook officiating. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends in the funeral home from 6-8 P.M. on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
Mary E. Sanders
Mary E. Sanders died on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
She is survived by her husband George, as well as her children, Mary Anne Adair and husband Curt, Judy Sanders, Bill Sanders and wife Jeannette, grandchildren, Michael Sanders, Megan Adair, Matthew Sanders and siblings, Emory Mitchell, Frances Johnson and Zayne Spickard.
The graveside service will be conducted Friday, March 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mt. Rose cemetery with Pastor Paul T. Griffith officiating. Interment will follow. Those attending are asked to assemble at the cemetery by 10:55 a.m.
The family requests no flowers and asks that contributions be made to Byars Cobb United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 667, Glade Spring, VA 24340 or to the Glade Spring Volunteer Life Saving Crew, P. O. Box 59, Glade Spring, VA 24340 or to the charity of your choice.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
June Davis Campbell
Mrs. June Davis Campbell, a resident of Valley Health Care, age 83, died Wednesday March 12, 2008 at Smyth County Community Hospital. She was born in Williamson, West Virginia and was preceded in death by her husband Charles Campbell. She was employed as a stenographer throughout her working life. As per Mrs. Campbell’s wishes, she is to be cremated with no service at the funeral home.
Stephanie Renee Church Carico
Stephanie Renee Church Carico, age 29, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2008 in the Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell, VA.
Stephanie was born in Tazewell on November 4, 1978. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Elmer Church Jr. and Arthur Thacker.
She was a graduate of Richlands High School where she was a member of the marching band. She was a 2002 graduate of Bluefield College where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music. Stephanie was employed as Assistant Store Manager at Wal-Mart. She was of the Baptist faith.
Stephanie is survived by her husband Adam Lee Carico; her parents, Charlie and Pam Ratliff Church of Gray, TN; her sister, Tenesia Lyn Church of Gray, TN; her maternal grandmother, Faye Thacker of Vansant, VA; her paternal grandmother, Clara Church of Jonesboro, TN; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ronnie and Janie Carico of Galax, VA; a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins; many friends and her beloved dog, Maggie.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 6:15 P. M. Sunday, March 16, 2008 at the Eastern Star Freewill Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN. The funeral service will be conducted at 6:30 P. M. immediately following the visitation. Rev. Larry Nelson will be the officiating minister. There will also be a funeral service at 12 Noon Monday, March 17, 2007 in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service (located on the grounds of Forest Hills Memory Gardens, 19415 Lee Highway in Abingdon). Burial on the cemetery grounds will follow the service. Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.
In place of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Eastern Star Freewill Baptist Church, 153 Eastern Star Extension, Kingsport, TN 37663. The Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA is serving the family of Stephanie Renee Church Carico.
Erven Ernest Helton
Mr. Erven Ernest Helton, 87, died Saturday March 15, 2008 at Wellmont Hospice House. He lived most of his life in Washington County and attended Trinity Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Infantry in the Philippines during World War II. He was awarded the Philippines Liberation Medal. He worked most his life as a cabinet maker. He was preceded in death by his parents David and Ida Keith Helton and one brother and three sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Hester L. Helton; 2 daughters, Linda Duke and husband Eddie of Knoxville, and Betty Cullop and husband Kitzie of Meadowview; one sister, Leona Flanary of Hamstead, MD; 3 grandchildren, Travis Cullop and wife Misty, Rhonda Able and husband James, and Angie Browning and husband Trey; 3 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday March 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Forest Hills Chapel of Farris Funeral Service (19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon) with Pastor Ronnie Blevins officiating. The family will receive friends immediately prior to the service beginning at 12:30 p.m. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Burial will follow the service in Forest Hills Memory Gardens with military honors provided by the Highlands Fellowship Military Honor Color Guard.
The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Wellmont Hospice for all of their care and support.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, TN 37620.
G. C. (Connie) Culberson
Gilbert C. (Connie) Culberson, died Sunday, March 16, 2008 at his home in Emory, Virginia after a brief illness. He was born on April 23, 1918, to the late Louise and Neal Culberson in Chattanooga, TN. Connie was married
to Dorothy Price of Chattanooga, TN for sixty-six years.
Connie was recruited into the U.S. Army in 1941 and received a combat field commission. He served as Warrant Officer in the Pacific Theater of Operations throughout World War II.
He attended Chattanooga High School and served on the staff of the Chattanooga Times. He entered Emory & Henry College (Class of ’49) after WW II. He earned numerous academic honors including Senior Service Award, Blue Key, and Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges.
After graduation, Connie joined the staff of E&H and was soon appointed Executive Assistant to the President, a position which he held under five different college presidents. He served with a deep and passionate conviction to the administration, faculty, students and community. For over 34 years, he was the chief ambassador for external events and dignitaries at E&H, and during that time he received recognition for his humanitarian contributions to the college and to the community which he loved. He was recognized in Who’s Who in American Education and received the William and Martha DeFriece award by the E&H Alumni Association for his contributions to humanity.
He retired from Emory & Henry in 1983 and was appointed Executive Vice President of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. He was active in the promotion of better schools in the area and served on the advisory boards of the Neff Vocational Center of Nursing and Virginia Highlands Community College.
He was an active member of Emory United Methodist Church, where he held positions of leadership including lay leader, Administrative Board chair, Boy Scout Committee member, Board of Directors for Camp Ahistadi, and member of the Board of Education for Holston Conference.
He was an active member of the Abingdon Rotary Club for over 53 years, and in 1981 he was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. He participated in the historic Rotary Frolics for over 50 consecutive years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Neal Culberson of Chattanooga, TN; his sister Helen Rollins of Chattanooga, TN; and his grandson Allen Culberson of Lynchburg, VA.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Culberson; son David Culberson and wife Edie of Johnson City, TN; daughter Susan Elaine of Johnson City, TN; daughter Jane Bryant and husband Bob of Roseland, VA; son Ronnie Culberson and wife Wendy of Herndon, VA; nine loving grandchildren: Wes Culberson, Kit Culberson, Sara Turner, Dan Turner, Adam Bryant and wife Carrie, Diamanta Bryant, Ramona Bryant, Caitlin Culberson and Ryan Culberson; and three great-grandchildren: Bailey Bryant, Brandon Bryant and Bethany Jane Bryant.
A graveside service for Mr. G. C. “Connie” Culberson will be conducted Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. in Holston Conference cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Emory & Henry College with a visitation with friends following.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dot and Connie Culberson Scholarship Fund at Emory & Henry College; the Allen Culberson Memorial Fund at Peakland United Methodist Church, Lynchburg, VA; Emory United Methodist Church; or to the Culberson-Damer Rotary Scholarship Fund at Emory & Henry College. Flowers will be accepted as well.
Dorothy Clyde Fuller
Dorothy Clyde Fuller died on March 16, 2008 at Johnston Memorial Hospital, following a brief illness. Born in Atkins, Virginia June 14, 1930, she moved to Pulaski, VA at an early age.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest Buford Fuller and Mary Ellen Anderson Fuller, her sister Juanita Fuller, and her brother, Ernest Buford Fuller Jr. She is survived by her niece Barbara Waldron of New Freedom, PA, a great nephew David Waldron and great niece Deanna Waldron, as well as a host of friends and former colleagues.
She attended Emory & Henry College and after graduation worked at the Pulaski County Public Library in children’s services and with the county bookmobile service. She was selected to receive a scholarship from the Library of Virginia in Richmond to attend library school. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a Master’s degree in library science she began her twenty-three year career at the State Library where she was a public library consultant and later Head of the Library Development Division. She played a major role in the development of public library service throughout Virginia, but especially in her native Southwest Virginia.
She moved to Abingdon in 1997 where she continued to be involved with libraries through her work as a volunteer at the Washington County Public Library and assisting the Friends of the Library with their activities. The staff quickly adopted her as part of the library family.
She enjoyed being with people of all ages, reading, working crossword puzzles, and observing the beauty and wonders of nature. In addition to her contribution to Virginia’s public libraries, she will be remembered for her friendly personality, her positive outlook, her generosity, and her laughter which came easy to her. Dorothy’s sense of humor, in life and work, smoothed the edges of the tasks at hand. She was noted for her loyalty to her friends and her unassuming nature.
A memorial service will be held in the chapel at the Abingdon United Methodist Church on April 11, 2008, at 6 pm. to celebrate the life of Dorothy Fuller. Her friends invite notes or letters of remembrance to be available at the service. Please send to Ida Patton, 108 Valley Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 or email ipatton@wcpl.net.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Washington County Public Library, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 or to the Library of Virginia Foundation, 800 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219.
