Charles Gray Miller, 65, of the Big A Mountain section of Honaker, died Dec. 18, 2005 at his home.
Born May 3, 1940 in Monroe County, WV, he was a son of the late Charles Winfred and Nellie Miller.
He had married
into the Rasnake and Street families 41 years ago, when he met Juanita Rasnake Miller. He had resided in the Honaker area for the past four and a half years, moving there from Gaithersburg, MD.
He was a retired water department worker, having been employed by the D.C. Government. He was a member and knight with the Knights of Pythias, Lodge #123 in Gaithersburg, MD. He was of the Baptist and Holiness faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, infant, Dora Miller, Fay Wells and Betty Christian.
Survivors: wife, Juanita Rasnake Miller of the home; daughter, Donna A. Miller of Honaker; son, Charles Gregory Miller and wife, Regina, of Germantown, MD; grandchildren, Callie Ann Miller, Julia Marie Miller, Benjamin Louis Miller, Trista Liane Miller; sisters, Mary Ford of Christiansburg, Nellie Smith of Weaver, AL; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral will be conducted Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel in Honaker with Rev. Ancil Childress, Rev. Giles Ball and Bro. Denver Sutherland officiating.
Clinton Edward Turley, 24, of North Tazewell, VA, died Dec. 18, 2005 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke.
Born Feb. 28, 1981 at Bluefield, WV, he was a son of Larry J. and Rebecca Hicks Turley of North Tazewell.
He was a member of the Dial Rock Church of God. He previously attended the Tazewell Christian Academy, was a former member of the Graham High School Marching Band and attended Wytheville Community College. He worked as a heavy equipment operator.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Ed and Mozelle Turley; aunt, Penny Turley; and uncle, Ralph Turley.
Additional survivors: brother, Allen "A.J" Turley of Dublin; maternal grandparents, Maynard and Velva Hicks of North Tazewell; fiancée, Breanne Stanton of North Tazewell; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
The funeral will be conducted Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Dial Rock Church of God in Tazewell with the Rev. John Canning, the Rev. Alex Day, the Rev. Randy Fielder, and the Rev. Paul Kopp officiating.
Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, VA.
The family requests memorial contributions be directed to: Celebrate Recovery, C/O Destiny Outreach Ministries, 160 Ireson Rd., North Tazewell, VA 24630. www.celebraterecovery.com
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Ernest Albert Artis
Ernest Albert Artis, 86, of the Baptist Valley area of North Tazewell, VA, died Oct. 11, 2006 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born Sept. 14, 1920 at Premier, WV, he was a son of the late Tom and Carlen Pennington Artis.
He was a retired coal miner and member of the UMWA Local #6025 at Bishop and Local #2322 at Amonate. He also had 15 years service with the Prince George County Schools and worked in the Senior Companion Program in Tazewell for 15 years. He attended the El Bethel Church in Baptist Valley.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Survivors: wife, Stella Hicks Artis; daughters, Pamela Hankins and husband, Keith, of St. Louis, IL, Charlotte Deskins and husband, Tom; grandsons, Nathan Hankins and Daniel Hankins; numerous nieces and nephews; very special neighbor, Curtis Neel and wife, Sue; and special friend, Josh Pennington.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Oct. 14 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Sammy Barnett officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Sarah Marie Jackson
Sarah Marie Jackson, 22, of Oak Hill, WV, formerly of Tazewell, died Oct. 7, 2006, at Mt. Hope, WV.
Born Oct. 28, 1983 at Bluefield, WV, she was the daughter of Ginger Shrewsbury of Oak Hill and the late Charles Michael Jackson.
While residing in Tazewell, she had attended St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Charles Herman Jackson; paternal great grandfather, Bernie Jackson; maternal grandparents, John Bishop Hopson and Violet Hopson; and maternal great grandparents, Bill and Lake Hawkins.
Additional survivors: stepfather, Roger Shrewsbury of Oak Hill; brothers, Kenneth Hale and fiancée, Charity Pruitt, of North Carolina, Charles Jesse Jackson of Chatham; her paternal grandmother, Frances R. Jackson of Tazewell; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and loving family members and friends.
A Christian service was conducted at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Tazewell Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. with Father Gaudencio Pugat officiating.
Committal services and burial was held Oct. 12 at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell, WV.
Those attending the committal services were asked to meet at the church by 9:30 a.m., where a brief prayer and final song service was conducted.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas R. Keen, Jr.
Thomas R. Keen, Jr., 64, of Cedar Bluff, VA, died Oct. 12, 2006 at a Richlands hospital following a sudden illness.
Born in Paynesville, WV, he was the son of Bessie Stacy Keen of Baptist Valley and the late Thomas R. Keen, Sr.
He had made his home in the Baptist Valley area for the past 42 years and was a retired masonry carpenter for Jewell Smokeless and a former custodian and bus driver for the Tazewell County School System. He was an avid hunter and farmer who enjoyed life to the fullest. His world revolved around his grandchildren whom he loved more than life itself. He will be forever missed by his family.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one son, Johnny Edward Keen; grandmother, Rosie Keen; and one special uncle, Cecil Keen, who was like a brother to him.
Additional survivors: loving wife of 47 years, Elenore Christine Stilwell Keen; daughters, Patricia Cline of North Tazewell, Carrie Donithan and husband, Scott, of Tazewell; son, David Allen Keen; sisters, Patty Brown and husband, Jimmy, and Joyce Price and husband, Bob, all of Tazewell, Janice Keen of Pounding Mill, Peggy Osborne and husband, Harold, and Carol Keen, all of Baptist Valley; brothers, Lonnie "Pete" Keen and wife, Joyce, of Bland, Eddie "Popeye" Keen and wife, Moresa, of North Carolina, Earl Keen and wife, Mildred (Millie), of Baptist Valley; grandchildren, Andrew Cline, Christy Cline, Kimmy Cline, Gabriel Donithan, Chase Donithan, Carrie Davis and husband, Buzz, Kellie Rash and husband, Rob; great granddaughter, Melanie Ann Davis and a future great grandchild due in May; and many special nephews, relatives and friends.
The funeral was held Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Troy Lester, Rev. Doug Johnson, and Rev. James Green officiating.
Interment followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill.
Robert Alan Blankenship
Robert Alan Blankenship, 62, of Tazewell, VA, died Sept. 28, 2006 at Duke Medical Hospital in Durham, NC, while undergoing chemotherapy.
Born Jan. 26, 1944 at English, WV, he was a son of Althea Wright Blankenship of Tazewell and the late W. C. "Dub" Blankenship, Sr.
He attended St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Tazewell. He worked 26 years in the Civil Engineering department of Norfolk & Southern Railway and owned and operated A & D Welding ten years before retiring.
Additional survivors: wife of 41 years, Mary Durham Blankenship; daughter, Janie Blankenship Ruble and husband, Kyle, of Tazewell; son, Christopher Alan Blankenship and wife, Tina, of Tazewell; grandchildren, Natasha Blankenship, Nicholas Blankenship, Thomas Kyle "T.K." Ruble, IV, and Jewel Lee Ruble; brothers, Walter C. "W.C." Blankenship, Jr. and wife, Chiquita, of Tazewell, Jack Calvin Blankenship and wife, Donna, of Bland; brother in-law, Don Durham of Tazewell; and many loving nieces, nephews, and many, many wonderful friends.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Oct. 1 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Father Gaudencio Pugat and the Rev. Rodney Lawson officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church Building Fund, 304 Tazewell Ave., Tazewell, VA 24651 or to the Four Seasons Wellness Center, 141 Ben Bolt Ave. Tazewell, VA 24651.
Robert (Bob) Calhoun
Robert Joe (Bob) Calhoun, 57, of Arthurdale, WV, died Sept. 27, 2006 at a Morgantown, WV hospital.
Born May 1, 1949 in West Virginia, he was the son of Edith Calhoun of Churchill, TN and the late Walter Calhoun. He was a coal miner for Peabody Coal Mining.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Robin Cooper.
Additional survivors: wife, Delores Hill Calhoun; sons, Robert Calhoun and wife, Shannon, of Troutman, NC, Kevin Calhoun and wife, Sherry, of Bradshaw, WV; daughter, Miracle Keene and husband, Buskel, of Jewell Ridge; step sons, Rodney Ray of Doran, Robbie Ray of Swords Creek; grandchildren, Aleisha, Kristen and Sheridan Calhoun, Zachary, Logan and MacKenzie Calhoun, Perry and Cecil Keene and Caitlyn Cooper; step grandchildren, Robert Allen Ray III, Kaleb Allen Ray, LaWhitley Whited and Ty Justin Ray; brothers, David Calhoun and wife, Shirley, of Castlewood, James Calhoun and wife, Lois, of Lebanon, Millard Calhoun and wife, Cheri, of Pigeon Forge, TN, George Calhoun of Churchill, TN; sisters, Jene Eidson and husband, Bill, and Freda Colgate, all of Churchill; and father and mother-in-law, Hubert and Frances Hill and family of Swords Creek.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Sept. 30 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Dannie Short and Rev. Dennis White officiating.
Burial followed in the Newberry cemetery at Horton Ridge.
Arnold Lee Dickens, Sr.
Arnold Lee Dickens, Sr., 71, of Thompson Valley, VA, was called home to be with the Lord Sept. 19, 2006 at his home after a battle with cancer.
Born March 3, 1935 in Montcalm, WV, he was a son of the late Hillary Nathan Dickens and Sarah Simpkins Dickens.
He was a member of Calvary Baptist Chapel. He loved his church and his pastors, Chuck Trent and Jeff Stacy. He was a member of the Tazewell County Back Porch Pickers for several years and loved his music.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Velvie Woolwine, Beulah Roberts, Sarah Angelides, and Dovie Bailey, and four brothers, Guy Dickens, John Dickens, Thurman Dickens and Dan Dickens.
Survivors: wife of 47 years, Earnestine Asbury Dickens; sons, Arnold Lee Dickens, Jr. of Baltimore, MD, Carl Newton Dickens of Thompson Valley; daughter, Sara J. Frye and husband, John, of Bluefield, WV; granddaughters, Ashley Ward and husband, Doug, of Orlando, FL, Deeanna Dickens of Mt. Airy, NC; grandsons, Paul Dickens and Joshua Dickens, both of Thompson Valley; brother, Robert Dickens of Baltimore; and sister, Hazel Dickens of Washington, DC.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Sept. 21 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Dr. Chuck Trent and Pastor Jeff Stacy officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Ann Wilson Garrett
Ann Wilson Garrett, 73, of Clarksburg, WV and Maisons-sur-Mer of Myrtle Beach, SC, died at 11:20 p.m. Sept. 17, 2006 at the Conway Medical Center, Conway, SC (Myrtle Beach) following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
Born in Clarksburg, she was a daughter of the late Louis Heazelton Wilson and Elinor Elizabeth (Jackie) Hornor Wilson, both Harrison County, WV natives.
She was a graduate of Washington Irving High School in Clarksburg. She was a devoted wife and mother, a very artistic lady with style and flair for entertaining and decorating. She loved her family, her Scotch-Irish heritage and her Lord. She was a lifelong active member of First Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg, where she was an active participant in Bible study, fellowship, community service and many other worthy projects. She served as an Elder and Deacon of the church and was a member of the Adult Chancel Choir. She was actively involved as an officer and member of the Presbyterian Women, Circle # 1, Lenten Luncheons, Cookbook Committee and Presbyfriends. She was a supporter and participant in the Presbyterian Church Youth Club at Clarksburg and at the time of her death, attended First Presbyterian Church of Myrtle Beach, SC.
She was a member of the Goff Plaza Garden Club and the Clarksburg League for Service, where she volunteered many hours to the Mothers and Babies Clinic and the club’s annual fundraiser, the Holly Ball. She enjoyed membership in several bridge clubs in Clarksburg and Myrtle Beach, and was a lifelong member of the Clarksburg Country Club.
She was an avid West Virginia University Mountaineer fan and supporter. She was a former vice-president and board member of the Clarksburg Casket Company in Clarksburg, which her grandfather, Frank Lusk Wilson, founded in 1906. She was previously on the board of directors of the Lumberport-Shinnston Gas Company which her grandfather, Vance L. Hornor and great uncle Hood Hornor founded in the early 1900's.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Ross Wilson Babcock, and one brother-in-law, William Charles Garrett.
Survivors: husband, of 41 years, Marquis Earl "Mark" Garrett, Sr., whom she married
Dec. 27, 1964; nine children and spouses, Katherine Ann Garrett Kiger and husband, Mike, Huntington, WV, Jeffrey Wilson Garrett, Sr., and wife, Sue, Elinor Elizabeth Garrett, and Karen Lynn Garrett Mazza and husband, Albert, all of Mooresville, NC, Janet Elise Garrett Babcock and husband, Tim, Huntersville, NC, Marquis Earl "Mark" Garrett, Jr., Clarksburg, Douglas Heazelton Garrett and wife, Jaime, Fairmont, WV, Amy Starling Garrett, Mooresville, NC, Amanda Wilson Garrett, Myrtle Beach, SC and Clarksburg; grandchildren, Jeffrey Wilson "Jay" Garrett, II, Lindsey McConnell Garrett, Sara Elise Babcock, Jordan Douglas Garrett, Carmen Leeann Babcock, and Trey Herschel Mazza; sister, Sara Wilson Bennett and husband, H. B. "Buck", Scottsdale, AZ; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Thomas Wayne Garrett and wife, Lois, Fairmont, WV; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends called at the Davis-Weaver Funeral Home in Clarksburg Sept. 22.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 23 at 12 noon at the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksburg with the Rev. Dr. Eric M. Faust presiding.
A memorial service will be held at Maisons-sur-Mer, 9650 Shore Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC at a later date.
Memorials may be made in her memory to: Memorial Fund, First Presbyterian Church of Clarksburg, 175 West Main Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301 or to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 1400, New York, NY 10122.
Obituary information submitted by the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands.
Paul Wayne Hagan
Paul Wayne Hagan, 68, of Abingdon, VA, formerly from Bastian, died Sept. 11, 2006 in Abingdon.
Born in Princeton, WV, he was a son of the late Oscar C. Hagan and Opal Rowland Hagan.
He received his education in Bland Co. Schools.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Pat Hagan, William C. Hagan, Charles R. Hagan, Lawrence E. Hagan, and three sisters, Lillian Hagan, Polly Daniely and Beulah Pritchett.
Survivors: sisters, Jean V. Gore of Toledo, OH, Dora C. Pritohand of Portsmouth, Barbara Wilson of Toledo, Ruby L. Estep of Bluefield, WV, Carol Pauley of Bland; brother, Bernard Hagan of Christiansburg; special sister-in-law, Betty Hagan; special nephew, Keith Gore; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Rose Hill cemetery in Bastian with Paul Looney officiating.
Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, VA was in charge of arrangements.