May 5, 2006 at 7:10 a.m. God silently reached down and touched Virginia A. Craft Calloway at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bluefield, WV. She was born Jan. 22, 1923 at Bluefield, WV to John and Louise Wishman Craft.
She attended public school in Tazewell County. She was a former resident of Tip Top until 1959 when she moved to Bishop where she lived until her death. She was a member of the Little Zion Baptist Church at Bishop, where she loved to hear the choir sing "The Blood".
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles J. Calloway, five sisters, four brothers, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Survivors: sons, Charles Calloway, Jr. and wife, Bonita, of Columbus, OH, William Calloway and wife, Deborah, of Moneta, Wendell Calloway of Detroit, MI, John Calloway of California, and Robert Calloway of Christiansburg; daughters, Charlotte I. Merriman and husband, Ed, of Columbus, OH, Mary Calloway of Yonkers, NY, Elizabeth Calloway of Detroit; 14 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and brother-in-law, Frank Calloway of Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. May 11 at the Little Zion Baptist Church in Bishop with the Rev. Joseph Moore and the Rev. Roy Hargrave officiating.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
Mildred Frances Shelton
Mildred Frances Lawson Shelton, 79, of Cucumber, WV, died May 12, 2006 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Born May 10, 1927 at Richlands, she was a daughter of the late Andrew "Andy" and Virgie Cruey Lawson.
She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in War, WV. She was a retired Post Master having served the Cucumber and Newhall communities for 38 years. She was a past president, treasurer, and secretary of the McDowell County Postmasters Association and the National Postmaster Organization, NAPUS. She was a past Noble Grand, Vice Grand and treasurer of the Ellison Rebekah Lodge #90 of Squire, WV.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Perry Shelton, and two sisters, Juanita Pennington and Phyllis Burkett.
Survivors: daughters, Virginia "Sue" Shelton of Cucumber, Brenda Brewster of Tazewell, and Hillsborough, NC; sister, Winifred Tiller of Columbus, OH; grandchildren, Steven Brewster and wife, Angie, of Tazewell, Alana Parrish and husband, Mark, of Cornelius, NC; and great-grandchildren, Bailey and Gabrey Brewster, both of Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. May 15 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. J.C. Steele and Preacher Travis Hyde officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Marie Alicie, PO Box 909, Tazewell, VA 24651 or the American Cancer Society, 1808 Jefferson Street, Bluefield, WV 24701.
Catherine Addison
Catherine Addison, 86, of Richlands, VA, died Apr. 29, 2006 at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Anawalt, WV, she was a daughter of the late Robert Silas and Agnes Mitchell Miller Puckett, both Tazewell County natives.
She was a homemaker and was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Richlands. She had lived all her life in the Richlands area. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin "Ken" Addison; two brothers, Hoyt and Clint Puckett; and one grandson, Joseph Addison.
Survivors: daughters, Sue Addison Compton and Melissa Yvette Addison, both of Richlands; sons, Jerry Kenneth Addison and wife, Shirley, of Cedar Bluff, Thomas Wayne Addison and wife, Lara, of Pounding Mill, Larry James Addison of Richlands; sisters, Dorothy Coe of Pounding Mill, Louise Fain of Portsmouth, Helen Woody of Colonial Heights; grandchildren, Katrina Caywood, Craig Compton, Keiara Stiltner, Kenneth Addison, Roy Lee Addison and Jerri Kaye Mabe; two great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted May 3 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Father Craig Wyle and Vincent Carroll officiating.
Entombment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum.
Tony Bava
Tony Bava, 84, of Richlands, VA, formerly of Beckley, WV, died Apr. 30, 2006 in Clinchville Medical Center.
The son of Italian immigrants, he was one of nine children born to Joseph and Catherine Costanzo Bava. He was born Jan. 27, 1922 at New Kingston, PA.
He spent his childhood at Glen White coming there from New Kingston at the age of six. A resident of the Mt. Tabor community since 1956, he was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School Class of 1943. A veteran of WWII, he served under General George Patton. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star; Good Conduct Medal; American Defense Service Medal; and the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon.
He was a retired inspector with WV Dept. of Highways with 21 years of service. A member of the Crab Orchard Baptist Church, he was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class. An avid WVU fan, he was a member of the Crab Orchard – MacArthur Lions Club. He had been a resident of Richlands the past five years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five sisters, Clara Dwiggins, Angie Sanders, Francis Caruso, Anna Pannell and Lena Stiner; and three brothers, Sam Pilliteri and John and Charles Bava.
Survivors: beloved wife, Mary Ann Davis Bava; he was the loving father of Karen Hudson and husband, Richard, of Richlands, Joseph Bava and wife, Diane of Lady Lake, FL; and the dear grandfather of Sara and Emily Hudson and Ashley Adams and Jessica Bava. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral will be conducted May 3 at 3 p.m. at the Melton Mortuary Chapel with the Rev. David Brannock officiating.
Burial will follow in the Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens at Prosperity.
Military rites will be conducted at the Oak Hill Post 3110 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Friends may call one hour prior to the services May 3.
Arrangements by Melton Mortuary, Inc. in Beckley.
William Peery, Jr. (Beido)
William W. Peery, Jr. (Beido), 71, of Bluefield, WV, died at his home Apr. 25, 2006 of heart complications.
Born Jan. 17, 1935 in North Tazewell, he was a son of the late William W. Peery and Rose Brown Peery.
He was a life long member of the North Tazewell United Methodist Church.
A 1953 graduate of Tazewell High School, he received a BS in Social Science from Concord College and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education from East Tennessee State University.
One of his memorable accomplishments began as a member of Tazewell High School’s only undefeated football season.
Following his graduation from Concord College in 1960, he accepted the coaching job at Dunbar High School in Dunbar, WV. During the 1960-61 season the team turned in a 7-3 record. For the 1961-62 and 62-63 seasons he was the assistant to Head Coach Merrill Gainer along with John Chmara and George Erps at Beaver High School, where they had records of 9-1 and 11-1 and were crowned West Virginia State Champions.
He accepted the head football coaching position at Giles High School taking the Spartans from the bottom of the New River District to one of the leagues top performing teams in his first year. Following that year, Coach Peery moved to Richlands to lead the Blue Tornados Football team and won the Southwest District Championship title.
The next year, Coach Peery joined Casto Ramsey’s coaching staff at Emory & Henry College as the offensive coordinator. During his four year tenure with the Wasps they set eight offensive National Records. Coach Peery also served as Head Baseball Coach for Emory & Henry.
He resigned his passion for coaching in order to support his growing family and accepted a position with Norfolk and Southern Railroad. During that time, he was promoted up the ranks and retired in 1994.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Martin Luther Peery.
A beloved father and friend, he is survived by daughters, Cathy Evans and son-in-law, Jim, of Bluefield, WV, Beth DeLaney and son-in-law, Mark, of Mansfield, OH; son, Bill Peery, III and daughter-in law, Jill, of Bluefield, VA; brothers, Jesse Peery and wife, Ann, of North Tazewell, John Peery and wife, Delane, of Arlington, TX; sister, Clair Ann Peery Mays and husband, Fuzz, of Missouri; grandchildren, Melissa DeLaney, Emily Peery, Mark DeLaney, II, Andy Peery, Nathan Evans, Casi Nobel and Bethany Evans; and great grandson, Ethan DeLaney.
The family received friends at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell Apr. 28 from 12 noon until 2 p.m. Pastor Bill Brown conducted services at the funeral home at 2 p.m.
His children have established the "Bill Peery Athletic Scholarship Fund" for Tazewell High School Students. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bank of Tazewell County, P.O. Box 687, Tazewell, VA 24651.
He never met a stranger, his compassion for all human kind and enduring generosity has touched many hearts and will never be forgotten. It only seems fitting to continue his genuine kindness with an Athletic scholarship that will help support the future generations of deserving athletes.
Magaline G. Roberts
Magaline G. Roberts, 72, of the Mudfork area of Bluefield, VA, "beloved mother" departed this world Apr. 29, 2006 to enter the arms of Jesus.
She was born Jan. 26, 1934 at Iaeger, WV. She was a devoted member of the Stoney Ridge Assembly of God Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elisha Roberts, Sr.
Survivors: son, Elisha Roberts, Jr. of Mudfork; daughters, Betty Pruett and husband, Joseph Harold Pruett, of Abbs Valley, Linda Carr of King George, Brenda Roberts of Fredericksburg, Tammy Fleming and husband, Steve Fleming, of Chattanooga, TN; precious grandchildren, Crystal Sawyers, Kelly Bandy, Jennifer Pruett, Eddie Carr, Nick Fleming, Sydney Fleming, Kim Nunley, Chris Dillon and Madeline Fleming; and five great grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. May 3 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Whitley Pruett officiating.
Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
Betty C. Waldron
Betty C. Waldron, 71, of the Dry Fork area of North Tazewell, VA, died Apr. 24, 2006 at Heritage Hall Health Care in Tazewell.
Born Aug. 10, 1934 at Excelsior, WV, she was a daughter of the late Earl and Sophia Snow Warf.
She was a member of the Adria Advent Christian Church and was active in the Association for Retarded Citizens.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Nell Powers, Roberta McClanahan, and Vanetta Clark, and four brothers, Delmar Warf, Bernard (Bernie) Warf, Kemper Warf, and W.D. (Desmond) Warf.
Survivors: husband, Ay Waldron; daughters, Rita Chandler of Tazewell, Brenda K. Waldron of the home; sons, Freddie L. Waldron and wife, Patty Waldron, of Gratton, Rick Waldron of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Khris Phillips and wife, Tina, Brian Phillips and wife, Kyla, Matthew Waldron and wife, Karen, Brandon Chandler and Casaundra Chandler; sister, Peggy Ratliff of Maxwell; brothers, Ed (Harless) Warf of Fort Thomas, KY, Ted Warf of New York; several nieces and nephews; and her special caregivers, Shirley McClellan, Bonnie Mitchem, Connie Cundiff, the Staff of Heritage Hall and Preferred Hospice of Richlands.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Apr. 27 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Don Elswick officiating.
Entombment followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to Adria Advent Christian Church, 120 Cecil Drive, North Tazewell, VA 24630, or Preferred Hospice 2629 Front St., Richlands, VA 24641.
Leona Head Wingo
Leona Head Wingo, 81, of Canebrake, WV, died Apr. 29, 2006 at a Bluefield, WV hospital following a lengthy illness.
She was born at Grandfather Mountain, NC, and was a daughter of the late Carlos Head and Janette Hoseclaw Head.
She had made her home in the Canebrake area all her life. She was a housewife and also a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a member of the Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church in Canebrake.
She was the widow of George Wesley Wingo, who preceded her in death in 1991. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by one son, Gary Wingo; one son-in-law, Willie Click; one granddaughter, Joanna Hagy; two brothers; and one sister.
Survivors: daughters, Brenda Sue Shrewsbury and husband, Ace J., of Princeton, WV, Jennifer Denise Click of Canebrake, with whom she made her home; sons, George Wingo, Jr. and wife, Evelyn Jo, of Middletown, DE, Donald Richard Wingo and wife, Patricia, of Squire, WV, James Thomas Wingo and wife, Dollie, of Yadkinville, NC, Edward Lee Wingo and wife, Helen, of Canebrake; sister, Virginia Head and Bill of West Jefferson, NC; sisters-in-law, Hester Head of Glade Spring, Eulane Head of Newark, DE; 12 grandchildren; and four great grandchildren
The funeral will be conducted May 3 at 1 p.m. at Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church in Canebrake with Rev. Darrell Long and Pastor Hazel Click officiating.
Interment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell is in charge of arrangements.
Herbert "Herb" Silvers
Herbert "Herb" Ralston Silvers of Johnson City, TN, completed his life Apr. 18, 2006.
He was born in Welch, WV, to Everett William and Faie Ralston Silvers, a family involved in the coal industry in Fork Ridge, TN.
Attending high school in nearby Middlesboro, KY, he developed a love of learning and a talent for debate that would govern the course of his life. Graduating summa cum laude from Northwestern University at Evanston, IL, Class of ’41, on a four-year scholarship with a B.S. in political science and psychology, this son of the coal camp entered Harvard Law School where he continued his studies and became an editor of The Harvard Law Review.
He was drawn into the conflict of World War II and registered as a conscientious objector. Sent to England in 1942, he served as a clinical psychologist at army hospitals and received a direct commission as a medical administrative officer. His admiration for the people of England and delight in the bookstores of London drew him back there later in his life. Returning to Harvard Law School, he became a note editor on The Harvard Law Review, graduated cum laude and began his legal career in Washington, D.C.
In 1952 he returned to Tennessee and set up a general law practice in Greeneville, TN. He was an ardent supporter of civil rights and was proud of a case he won in the early 1950’s establishing that at least legally, black teachers had the same rights as other teachers. He also contributed a footnote or two to the legal brief for the Supreme Court for what became the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The tragic loss of his beloved wife Sara Buchanan, the mother of his three young children, marked his life and further developed his sympathy for families in distress.
His interests embraced a broad spectrum that included politics, mental health and education. He was the Democratic candidate for Congress in the strongly Republican first congressional district in 1962 and received the highest percentage obtained in the 20th century or since by any Democratic candidate for that office. In this endeavor he was championed by his second wife, Edna Dooley Silvers, the mother of his two younger sons.
In the mental health field he was instrumental in founding the Nolichuckey Holston Area Mental Health Center.
East Tennessee State University has lost one of its most avid friends and advocates. He served as a member of the ETSU Foundation Board of Directors and as a member of the ETSU Legacy Circle, in appreciation of which he was named an Honorary Alumnus in 2001.
Following his third wife, Barbara Jaffe’s death in 1992, he established the Barbara Jaffe Silvers Memorial Fund in the ETSU Foundation for scholarships and fellowships in the ETSU Department of History. In 1998 he created the Barbara Jaffe Silvers Library Endowment in the ETSU Foundation to establish a Memorial Reading Area in the Sherrod Library that may be appreciated by students, faculty, and the community to read and enjoy a diverse collection of contemporary books and periodicals.
His many philanthropic interests at ETSU have included WETS-FM, Athletics, Friends of Music, Friends of the Reece Museum, and The Friends of Theatre.
A member of numerous organizations including the Johnson City Symphony and Millennium Investment Group, he was an active participant at the Wellness Center and the new Johnson City Library.
He was a man with a strong work ethic and simple tastes in the pleasures of life. He loved spending time with his family, playing chess and tennis, and dancing on occasion with his wife Pamela.
He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Elizabethton, TN, where he served the church in several capacities.
Survivors: wife, Pamela Brown Silvers and her family; two daughters, Nancy Olivia Silvers and her daughter Sara Herbert Silvers of Columbia, MO, Sally Ralston Silvers and her life partner Bruce Andrews of New York, NY; three sons, Everett William Silvers and his wife Chrisanne Romeo and their son Dominic Buchanan Silvers of Knoxville, TN, Floyd Dooley Silvers of Steamboat Springs, CO, and James Craig Silvers of Johnson City. Special friends include Elizabeth Brock of Atlanta, GA, William T. Coleman of Washington, D.C., Louise and Don McKinney of Tazewell, Ann Stanley of Philadelphia, PA, Henry and Susan Antkiewicz, Jerry Robinson, Bob Rowan, Murray and Rita Scher, the Tom Stites family, and Jill and Fred Sauceman, all of Johnson City. He was particularly close to his late sister, Ann Silvers Gettman and stayed in close touch with her children, Jon Gettman and his wife Justine of Lovettsville, and Patricia Roldan of Miami, FL.
A private family committal and graveside service was conducted in Tazewell Apr. 24 with the Reverend Rusty Hatfield officiating.
The Celebration of Life Service was conducted at 11 a.m. Apr. 25 in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 500 N. Roan Street, Johnson City, TN with The Reverend Margaret Zeller and The Reverend Harry Bahlow officiating. The family received friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Barbara Jaffe Silvers Reading Area in Charles C. Sherrod Library, c/o ETSU Foundation, PO Box 70732, Johnson City, TN 37614.
Tetrick Funeral and Cremation Services, 3001 Peoples Street, Johnson City, TN 37604 (423) 610-7171 was in charge of arrangements.
