Douglas MacArthur Whitt, 63, of Wytheville, VA, formerly of Cucumber, WV, died Oct. 13, 2005 at Wythe Community Hospital.
Born Feb. 23, 1942 in Welch, WV, he was a son of the late Thomas and Hattie Boothe Whitt.
He was of the Holiness faith and attended the Stony Fork Community Church in Wytheville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Whitt.
Survivors: wife, Gaynell Bolen Whitt; sons, Stephen Whitt and wife, Rhonda, of Thomasville, NC, Steven Bolen and wife, Suzie, of Newhall, WV; daughters, Mary Day and husband, Eddie, and Karen Hill and husband, Glen, all of Lashmeet, WV, Ethel Elkins of Wytheville, Shirley Bowman and husband, William, of Gratton, Teresa Bowman and husband, Randall, of Squire, WV; brothers, Thomas Whitt of Levenstein, Germany, Johnny Whitt of Litchfield, KY; sisters, Gaynell Beavers of Martinsville, Gloria Prater and husband, Chris, of Lacoma, NC, Selma Oxford of Goose Creek, SC; 15 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Berwind Revival Center in Berwind, WV, with the Rev. Kathleen Stanley, the Rev. Carl Pauley, and the Rev. Walter Muncy officiating.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Bernard F. Akers
Bernard F. Akers, 85, of Springville, died Oct. 7, 2003 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born in Milton, WV, he was a son of the late Charles Crede Akers and Anna Wroten Akers.
He was a retired miner after over 30 years of service, having worked for Bishop Coal Co. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was of the Church of God faith.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ivory Goldine Akers in 1985, and one brother, Giggs Wroten.
Survivors: sons, Harold Jack Akers and wife, Judy, of Springville, Charles B. Akers and wife, Robin, of Siler City, NC; daughters, Margaret A. Snell and husband, Gerald, of Tucson, AZ, Debbie A. Cole and Virginia A. Angles and husband, Ronald, all of Blythwood, SC, Ethel M. Ward and husband, Kenneth, of Bluefield, VA; sister-in-law, Elsie Wroten of St. Albans, WV; daughter, Sherry Taylor of Hurricane, WV; 13 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 9 at 3:30 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with the Rev. Don Elswick and Chaplain Phil Parker officiating.
Graveside services were conducted by the Bluefield, VA, VFW Memorial Post 9696 and the Pocahontas American Legion #14.
Eugene "Boots" Cordle
Eugene Franklin "Boots" Cordle, 76, of Charleston, WV, formerly of the Raven area, died at a Charleston hospital Oct. 8, 2003.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Dave and Myrtle Cordle, both of the Raven area.
He had made his home in Crosslanes, WV, for the last 12 years. He was a U.S. Army and Korean War Veteran and a disabled coal miner.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three grandchildren, one stepson, one sister and one half-brother.
Survivors: wife, Barbara Cordle; daughters, Rose Smith of Minominee, MI, Lillie Meadows of Sugar Grove, Sharon Blanton of Tailors, SC, Mary Lawson of Abingdon, April Lowe of Greer, SC; sons, Thomas Cordle and Donald Cordle, both of Greer; stepsons, Donald Allen Stephens of Cleveland, OH, John Stephens and Adam Stephens, both of Charleston; stepdaughter, Brenda Kessinger of Charleston; 14 grandchildren; 12 step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one half-sister; and one half-brother.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Jerry Welch officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Mary Belle (Maw) Fowler
Mary Belle (Maw) Fowler, 97, of Squire, WV, died Oct. 8, 2003 at Gary, WV.
Born at Thorpe, WV, she was a daughter of the late Matthew Albert and Emma Blowfield Allison.
She had made her home at Squire her entire life. She was a loving housewife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She was a member of the Advent Christian Church.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was the widow of Thomas Gordon Fowler Sr. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by six sisters and three brothers.
Survivors: sons, Harvey K. Fowler of Butler, TN, Thomas G. Fowler Jr. of Rocky Gap, Albert E. Fowler and wife, Dortha, and Bennie D. Fowler and wife, Betty, all of Squire, Donald R. Fowler and wife, Judy, of La Grange, IL; grandchildren, Debi Surber and husband, Richard, Rodney (Rock) Fowler and wife, Becky, Ellen Chamopoulos and husband, Gus, Chris Parliament, Mike Fowler and wife, Diane, Lisa Fowler-Johnson and husband, Jason, Cathy Fowler Bailey, Michelle Fowler, Melanie Fowler; great-grandchildren, Bridgette, Courtney, Ashley, Brent, Kailey, Kyle, Sarah, Zack, Thomas, Amanda, Emily and Evan; great-great-grandchild, Madeline; special nephew, Albert Bennett and wife, Ruth, of Beckley, WV; and several other nieces and nephew.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Max Linkous and Rev. Martin West officiating.
Interment followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Maynard J. Little
Maynard John Little, 75, of the Baptist Valley section of North Tazewell, VA, died Oct. 10, 2003 at a Tazewell hospital.
Born at Fargo, WV, he was the son of the late Ambrose and Dora Roop Little.
He had made his home in Baptist Valley for 11 years. He was retired from General Motors and was a member of the United Auto Workers Local Union 1776. He was a member of the Church of Christ.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Earl Little.
Survivors: wife, Irene Virginia Little; daughters, Linda Loretta Robinson of Munith, MI, Lillian Kathalane Robinson and husband, Michael Bruce, of Wytheville; son, Raymond John Little of Fenton, MI; sisters, Reba Hurley of Richmond, Maylene Puckett of Indiana, Nora Lee Horne of Tazewell, Barbara Thompson and Pauline Pruette, both of Belleville, MI; brothers, Vernie Little of Beckley, WV, Author Little of Baptist Valley, Bill Little and Harold Little, both of Belleville, Darryle Little of Richmond; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 13 at 11 a.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Minister Walter Schwitzerlett officiating.
Interment followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Victor Buckland
Victor Buckland, 74, of North Tazewell, VA, died Oct. 16, 2003 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born at Havaco, WV, he was a son of the late William H. and Rebecca Belcher Buckland.
He was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church at Wittens Mill. He was a US Army Veteran of the Korean War and was a member of the Barns-Beavers V.F.W. Post #7136 and the American Legion Post #133 of Tazewell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert Buckland, Buster I. Buckland, and Jack R. Buckland; six half sisters, Thelma Holley, Beulah Painter, Ethel Rostin, Katie Day, Aileen Bowles, and Alberta Berta; and one half brother, William "Buddy" Buckland.
Survivors: son, Victor O. Buckland, and wife, Kim M., of Wilmington, DE; daughter, Ruth Ann Young and husband, Brian, of Jefferson City, TN; sister with whom he made his home, Gladys M. Martz of North Tazewell; grandchildren, Jacqueline S. Wells, Patsy Ann Buckland, Victor N. Buckland, Joseph Young, Keith Young, and Shawn Young; and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Oct. 20 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Dr. Chuck Trent officiating.
Military rites were conducted by members of Barns-Beavers V.F.W. Post #7136 following the funeral service.
Graveside services and entombment followed at 3 p.m. at Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke.
Gordon V. Caudill
Gordon V. Caudill, 69, of Tazewell, died Oct. 18, 2003 at Wellmont Hospital in Bristol, TN.
Born in New Hall, WV, he was the son of the late Reed and Elva Woolridge Caudill.
He was a life time mechanic and of the Protestant faith.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Howard Thomas.
Survivors: daughter, Pamela Caudill Mann and husband, Paul, of Lyons, OH; son, Michael Caudill of Lyons, Ricky Caudill of Alexandria; grandchildren, Regina and husband, Eric Mitchey, Jason Mann, Jennifer Mann, Joshua Caudill and Melissa Caudill; great-grandchildren, Cody and Dalton Mitchey and Taylor Caudill, all of Lyons; brothers, Harrison and wife, Maxine Caudill, of Roanoke, Jessie and wife, Emma Caudill, of Manassas, Lonnie Caudill of New Castle; and sisters, Betty and husband, Johnny Lester, of Louisa, Gail Shawver of Bluefield, VA, Cora Viars of Princeton, WV, Helen and husband, Ray Martin, of Cleveland, OH, Phyllis and husband, Randy Cady, of Dunlop, TN, and Marie Evans of Sterling.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel with Tom Reed officiating.
Wilma Day Hollett, 51, of Alexandria, died Oct. 18, 2003 at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC.
Born in McDowell County, WV, she was a daughter of Irene Hicks Day of Tazewell and the late James Day.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Jennifer Day; and two brothers, Arnold Day and Thurman Day.
Survivors: husband, Arthur "Zeke" Hollett of Alexandria; brothers, Ernest Day and wife, Darlene, of Jewell Ridge, James Ray Day and wife, Debbie, of North Tazewell, Melvin Day and wife, Linda, of Horsepen, Ralph Day and wife, Cloia, of Bluefield, WV; sisters, Gertrude Smith and husband, Ken, of Alexandria, Thelma Lambert of Jewell Ridge, Phyllis Russell and husband, Bud, Wanda Warner and husband, Everal Ray, all of Caretta, WV, Geri Dameron and husband, Rick, of North Tazewell; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ at Dial Rock in Tazewell with the Rev. Jody Bishop and the Rev. James Tunnell officiating.
Burial will follow in the Day-Lambert cemetery at Jewell Ridge.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell is in charge of the arrangements.
Shirley F. Kitts
Shirley Fay England Kitts, 67, of North Tazewell, VA, went to be with her Lord and Savior Oct. 17, 2003 after a long and courageous battle.
Her life was a testimony to all she knew and came in contact with. She now rests in the arms of our loving Lord.
Born in Big Sandy, WV, she was raised in Hensley, WV. She was the beloved daughter of Beulah Duncan England of Princeton, WV, and the late Randolph England.
She was retired from the Tazewell County 911 Dispatch Center, a life member of the Bluefield, VA Rescue Squad, a member of the Mountain Top Baptist Church in Welch, WV, and a faithful supporter of the Appalachian Teen Challenge.
Survivors: husband, Charles H. Kitts, Sr. of Falls Mills; her only daughter, Roma Gail Kitts Ledgerwood and her fiancé, John R. Brown, of Bluefield, VA; sons, Charles H. (Hossy) Kitts, Jr. and Randolph J. (Buddy) Kitts, both of North Tazewell, James Edward (Jimmy) Kitts of Christiansburg; loving daughter-in-law, Beverly Gayle Repass Kitts of Christiansburg; grandchildren, Charles (Chuck) Hamilton Kitts, III and fiancée, Janet Moore, of Athens, GA, Alexander (Alex) Hamilton Ledgerwood of Bluefield, VA, Joshua Andrew Kitts of Washington, PA, Kelli Nicole Kitts of Christiansburg, Lyndsey Brooke Ledgerwood of Bluefield, VA, James Curtis Kitts of Christiansburg, Randi Jo and Michael Elijah Kitts, both of Winston-Salem, NC; sisters, Joyce England Fly and husband, Eddie, of Hampton, June England McKinney of Princeton, WV; special brother-in-law, James O. Kitts of Cliffield; special friends, Sondra Fogleman of Bluefield, VA, James (Bubba) Richardson of Pounding Mill; many nieces and nephews; a multitude of friends of the Bluefield, VA Rescue Squad and the Tazewell County 911 Dispatch Center; and the many whose lives she touched with the unconditional love and joy she gave so freely.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel with The Rev. Dennis Burks officiating.
Entombment followed in the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell, WV.
Donations may be made to Appalachian Teen Challenge, P.O. Box 980, Athens, WV 24712, Bluefield VA Rescue Squad. P.O. Box 170, Bluefield, VA 24605 or to the American Cancer Society, 1808 Jefferson St., Bluefield, WV 24701.
Branden S. Levitt
Branden Seth Levitt, 18, of Falls Mills, VA, died Oct. 18, 2003 in Bluefield, WV.
Born in Bluefield, WV, he was the son of Victor Lee Levitt and Candie Peery Levitt Brock.
He was a student at Southwest Virginia Community College and a 2003 graduate of Graham High School. He had a scholarship to Southwest Community College. He was a member of the Sweet Home Baptist Church in Princeton, WV. He also attended Midway Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by one uncle, Tracy Peery, and one cousin, Marcie Rasi.
Survivors: father, Victor Lee Levitt of Bluefield, WV; stepmother, Marie Levitt of Bluefield, WV; mother, Candie Peery Levitt Brock of Princeton, WV; stepfather, Dwight Brock of Princeton, WV; brothers, Benjamin Reed of Falls Mills, Logan Brock of Princeton, WV; stepbrother, Christopher-Micheal Owens of Tazewell; sister, Bethany Leigh Levitt of Falls Mills; paternal grandmother, Shirley Levitt of Bluefield, WV; paternal grandfather, William Levitt of Bluefield, WV; maternal grandmother, Frances Peery of Glenwood Park, WV; paternal great-grandmother, Alvernia McNew of Bluefield, VA; aunts, Pamela Sarver and husband, Danny, of Bluewell, WV, Sandy Rasi and husband, Tony, of Falls Mills, Georgann White of Lynchburg; and cousins, Adam Sarver, Kellie Sarver and Aaron Rasi.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 20 at 11:30 a.m. at Dudley Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Thurman Belcher and Micheal Blevins officiating.
Burial followed at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, WV.
