"A Beautiful Life"
"Each day I’ll do a golden deed
By helping those who are in need.
My life on earth is but a span,
And so I’ll do the best I can."
Life’s evening sun has set for William Edward (Bill) Meredith, Sr., 77, of Richlands, VA, and he has continued his journey with the Lord on Sept. 13, 2006 following a brief illness.
Born at Parkersburg, WV, he was the son of the late Howard Amos and Cecelia Vogel Meredith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Jack Meredith, and one sister, Betty Jane Ball.
He was a retired supervisor with General Telephone and served in longstanding as a member and deacon at Community Heights Baptist Church. He was a member and past master of the McDowell Masonic Lodge #112 at Welch, WV; a member of the Wyndham Chapter #45 Royal Arch at Welch and a member of the Beni Kedem Shrine Temple at Charleston, WV.
Most importantly, he was known by family and friends as a loving, hard-working man committed to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Survivors: loving wife of 59 years, Norma Meredith; daughters, Cecelia Barber and husband, Dallas, of Richlands, Retta Meredith of Wardell; son, William Edward (Bill) Meredith, Jr. and wife, Dot, of Jacksonville, NC; sister, Mary Jo Stallman and husband, Delbert, of Norton, OH; grandchildren, Craig Barber, Tammy Lawson, Catherine Collins, Brennan Arney, Athena Haynes and Edward Pyles; and great grandchildren, Meredith Collins, James C. Collins, James R. Lawson, Savanna Barber, Olivia Haynes, Lydia Haynes, Matthew Lawson and Andrew Arney.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Community Heights Baptist Church at Wardell with Rev. Allen Jessee, Rev. Bill Keele and Rev. Craig Barber officiating.
Burial followed in the Woodlawn Memorial Park cemetery at Bluewell, WV.
Masonic rites were conducted at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Heights Baptist Church, 160 Steelsburg Highway, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas Arthur Reynolds
Thomas Arthur Reynolds, 91, of Lebanon, TN, and formerly from Bluefield, VA, died Sept. 9, 2006 in Tennessee.
He was born in Eckman, WV, and was a son of the late Raymond Thomas Reynolds and Jennie Lawson Reynolds.
He was retired from Betsy Ross Bakery, where he was a driver for many years and was a member of the Parkview Baptist Church in Bluefield, VA, and former member of Memorial Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Virginia Brewster Reynolds, and was the last surviving member of his immediate family, which included 12 brothers and sisters.
Survivors: son, Jim Reynolds and wife, Dee, of Lebanon, TN; grandchildren, James Thomas Reynolds and wife, Deana, of Houston, TX, Debi Parsons and husband, Scott, of Venus, FL, Brian Reynolds and wife, Karen, of St. Louis, MO; great grandchildren, Gregory, Megan, Kristen, Luke, Halley, Jake and Joshua Reynolds and Joshua and Brian Parsons.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Dudley Memorial Chapel in Bluefield, VA, with Rev. Travis Hilton officiating.
Bonnie Ann Herron Rumley, 56, of the Belfast section of Russell County, VA, died Sept. 13, 2006 at a Kingsport, TN, hospital.
Born Oct. 26, 1949 in Yukon, WV, she was the daughter of Evangelist Clarence and Lola W. Herron of Rosedale.
She was a member of Belfast Church of Christ. She was an active member of the Senior Circle, Russell County Medical Center Chapter and received the Membership Drive Award. She was appointed President, 2005, winner of the Spirit Award, and Volunteer of the Month, Volunteer of the Year. She was also chairperson for the Scrapbook Committee and served on the clean up/set up committee, newsletter, craft, calling and food committees. She participated in numerous events and activities such as the crochet circle, walking club and Senior Health and Fitness Day. In addition, she was an active Triad member, and a member of the Prissy Ladies Red Hat Chapter.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Damon Rumley; and one brother, Douglas Sawers.
Additional survivors: son, John Wesley Rumley and wife, Sue, of Richlands; step grandchildren, John Combs and Kathy Gilbert; step great grandchildren, Brittany Gilbert, Ashley Gilbert and Madison Gilbert; one brother; and two sisters.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Evangelist Dewey Mooney, Evangelist Charlie Cooper and Evangelist Lucky Bunn officiating.
Burial followed in the Ketron Memorial cemetery at Lebanon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Belfast Church of Christ.
Genevieve N. Soos, the Chief
Genevieve N. Soos, died Sept. 13, 2006 in Bluefield Community Hospital after struggling against cancer for the past six months.
Born Genevieve Noechel in Shinnston, WV, she moved with her family to Pocahontas in 1936 where she made her home for the rest of her life.
In 1947, she married
Frank M. Soos, and together with her father Henry Noechel, they bought the Pocahontas Market grocery store which they operated for 35 years.
She lived in a world of men. Chief grew up the youngest and the only girl in a family of five. Her mother died when she was 12.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Fred, Bill and Jack and is survived by her brother, Jim Noechel of Silver Spring, MD. She had two sons, Frank Jr. who lives with his wife, Margo Klass, in Fairbanks, AK and Tom who lives with his wife, Anna Rice, in Cornelius, NC.
During those years, she served her community as Cub Scout den mother, a den mother who pitched for both sides in softball games so things would be fair. She was a Sunday School and Bible School teacher. She sewed, she painted, she arranged flowers and was always busy with her hands. When she died, she left many projects yet to be finished.
In 1980, Chief began a second career with the Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens as a site manager in Pocahontas. Over the remaining years, she served as a site manager in Pocahontas and Tazewell. For many years, she served as an Outreach Worker, driving every road in Tazewell County – usually along with her husband, Frank, after he retied from the store.
After Frank Sr. died in 1997, Chief continued to find meaning and joy in her work. She expressed two desires: to live in her home in Pocahontas to the end of her days and to do her work as long as she was able. She realized these goals.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at the First Methodist Church in Pocahontas.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church of Pocahontas or the Emma Yates Library of Pocahontas.
Information submitted by Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, VA.
Frances Gracie Boothe
Frances Gracie Boothe, 87, of Newhall, WV, died at her home Sept. 1, 2006 following a brief illness.
Born in McDowell County, WV, she was the daughter of the late Grat and Molly Asbury Woolridge.
She had made her home in McDowell County all her life. She was a housewife and a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a member of the Advent Christian Church in Newhall, WV.
She was married
to Hatfield Vesper Boothe for 62 years before his death in 1997. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Brooke Stabler; one sister, Elva Boothe; and three brothers, Hampton, Randolph and Roger Woolridge.
Survivors: daughters, Betty Anderson and husband, Grayson, of Bastian, Glenda Stabler of Middletown, MD, Katie Albright and husband, Ron, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; son and special daughter-in-law, Harold Burleigh Boothe and wife, Wilma, of Princeton, WV; sisters, Virginia Boothe of Stafford, Bonnie Akers of Martinsville, Geneva Davis of Anawalt, WV; brothers, Josh Woolridge and wife, Wasa Jean, of Chester, Henry Paul Woolridge and wife, Juanita, of Anawalt; grandchildren, Rick Boothe, Wendy Mason, Bob Stabler, Mike Stabler, Scott Albright, Todd Albright and Troy Albright; 13 great grandchildren; and special nephew, Bobby Boothe. Dr. R. K. Krishnan, his staff and Community Hospice of America took special care of her.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Orville Harvey officiating.
Interment followed at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA.
Contributions may be made to: Community Hospices of America, PO Box 6364, Bluefield, WV 24701 or Advent Christian Church of Newhall, General Delivery, Newhall, WV 24866.
Edna I. Patton
Edna I. Patton, 82, of North Tazewell, died Sept. 2, 2006 at her home.
Born Jan. 11, 1924 at War, WV, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Joe Hankins and Sarah Elizabeth Brooks Hankins.
She attended the Alexander United Methodist Church at Bishop. She loved her dog, Blackie, working with her flowers, puzzles, and enjoyed collecting piggy banks.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Miller Patton; two sons, Curtis Patton and Doyle Patton; one sister, Shirley Bishop; and four brothers, Joe Hankins, Jr., Charlie Hankins, Jimmy Hankins and Otis Hankins.
Survivors: daughter, Faye Wilcox, and husband, Bruce, of Sterling, OH; sons, Calvin Patton and wife, Pauletta, and Jerry Patton and wife, Jane, all of North Tazewell; sisters, Della Phillips of Akron, OH, Clara Wood and husband, James, of Barberton, OH, Pearl Fox and husband, Vernon, of Kent, OH; brothers, Fred Hankins and wife, Ada, of Lexington, NC, Bill Hankins and wife, Annie, of Bastian, Stanley Hankins and wife, Phyllis, of Doylestown, OH; ten grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and special caregiver, Lillian Yost.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Sept. 6 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Kenny Fields and Steve Cornwell officiating.
Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Mildred Pauline Sparks
Mildred Pauline Sparks, 74, of Squire, WV, died Sept. 4, 2006 at a Tazewell hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born at Beachfork, WV, she was the daughter of the late W. I. "Bill" and Lydia Elizabeth Meade Millsap.
She had made her home in McDowell County for her entire life. She was a housewife and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed quilting and Bluegrass music. She was of the Pentecostal faith.
She was married
to the late William F. "Bill" Sparks for 31 years.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death two brothers, John and Jimmy Millsap, six sisters, Rosalie Gayness, Hazel Harris, Ruth Owens, Jacqueline Beavers, Susie Margaret Millsap and Mary Elizabeth Millsap.
Survivors: daughters, Patricia Casey and husband, Randy, and Linda McGuire and husband, Gary, all of North Tazewell; sons, Willie Sparks, Robert Sparks and wife, Cathy, David Sparks, Timothy Sparks and Ernie Sparks and wife, Susan, all of Squire; sister, Edith J. "Jerri" Beavers and husband, Carl, of Baptist Valley; eight grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Wade Quesenberry and Rev. Arnold Marrs officiating.
Interment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens of Bluefield, VA.
Dolores Burton Barnett
Dolores Burton Barnett, 70, of Grand Island, FL, died Aug. 26, 2006 in a Richmond hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Bradshaw, WV, she was the daughter of the late Bennie V. Burton and Margaret Octavia Simmons.
She enjoyed spending time with family and reading. She lived in Richmond for over 35 years before moving to Tazewell in 1996. In 2001, she relocated to Central Florida.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Thomas Barnett, an infant daughter and two brothers, Adam Douglas Burton and Kenneth Burton.
Survivors: daughters, Crystal Barnett Perugino of Leesburg, FL, Desiree Barnett Tenenbaum of Richmond, and granddaughters, Stacey Johnson and Taylor Perugino.
Family and friends gathered at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell Aug. 28 from 12 noon – 2:30 p.m.
Internment followed at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Bluefield, VA, at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society.
Rita Jean Davis
Rita Jean Davis, 55, of Cedar Bluff, VA, went to be with the Lord Aug. 26, 2006 at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston, WV, following a lengthy illness.
Born July 1, 1951 at Princeton, WV, she was a daughter of Shirley Barker of Princeton and Joseph Wimmer of Cleveland, OH.
She was a former employee of Cumberland Mountain Community Service where she worked in rehabilitation. She was a member of the Baptist Valley Assembly of God Church in Cedar Bluff and will be greatly missed by a host of family and church family.
She was preceded in death by one son, Kevin Wayne Shorter, earlier this year.
Additional survivors: husband of 23 years, James Clarence (Jymbeau) Davis; son, Shawn Lewis Shorter and wife, Jennifer, of Pounding Mill; grandsons, Chris Shorter, Skylar Shorter, and Andy Shorter; granddaughter, Breeze Elizabeth Deann Shorter of Paintlick; sisters, Delores Potter and husband, Jewel, and Penny Wimmer, all of Ravenna, OH, Pattie Butler and Wanda Walker and husband, John, all of Cleveland, OH; brother, Roger Dean Tatum of Tazewell; and stepmother, Eva Wimmer of Cleveland, OH.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Aug. 30 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Mark Hinson officiating.
In fulfilling her desires, cremation will take place following the funeral service.
Juanita P. Newberry
Juanita Pruitt Newberry, 85, of Richlands, VA, died Aug. 21, 2006 at her home.
Born Nov. 25, 1920 in Matewan, WV, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Hattie Hess Pruitt.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Newberry; step mother, Exie Pruitt; three daughters, Jettie Newberry, Pearl Newberry and Virginia Lee Newberry; one granddaughter, Anita Vance; and two sisters, Thelma Elswick and Bonnie Evans.
Survivors: son, Herbert Newberry of Richlands; daughters, Mrs. James (Barbara) Boyd of Richlands, Mrs. Billy (Elaine) Propst of Raven, Mrs. William (Carol) Vance of Richlands, Mrs. Junior (Nellie) Zahradnik of Murfreesboro, TN; sister, Gladys Hedge of Danville; brothers, Eddie Pruitt of Alexandria, Jimmy Pruitt of Danville, Cecil Pruitt of Ashland, KY; 18 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Aug. 25 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Elder Garnell Gilbert, Elder Roger Fuller and Elder Kad Stacy officiating.
Burial followed in the Newberry cemetery at Horton Ridge.
The family received friends Aug. 23 and 24 at the funeral home with a service Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. with Elder Jim Duty, Elder Danny Smith and Elder George Ben Combs officiating.
