Hulin Arlen (Huey) Harmon, Jr., "King of The Creek", 52, of Gray, TN, died Jan. 24, 2006 as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident.
He was a native of Bradshaw, WV, and moved to Tennessee in 1970.
He lived for some time in Tazewell and worked in the coal mines for several years. He owned and operated Harmon’s Fencing Company.
He was preceded in death by his father, Hulin A. Harmon, Sr., and grandparents, Margaret and William Deel and Fanny and Mathias Harmon.
Survivors: mother, Versa Harmon; sons, Hulin Harmon III, of Boones Creek, Josh Harmon of Maryland; daughters, Kandy Patterson of Gray, Charity Harmon of Elizabethton, TN; sisters, Janice Duncan, Sharron Whaley and husband, Kenneth, and Sandra Kelly and husband, Jim, all of Boones Creek, Shelia Johnson and husband, Kenneth, of Gray; grandchildren, Cassie Patterson, Christopher Harmon, Shyne Harmon, Heaven Harmon, Elijah Harmon, Alyssa Harmon, Haley Farson and Serinty Harmon; and several nieces and nephews.
Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Johnson City, TN, was in charge of arrangements.
Walter Lee (Kat) Stapleton, Sr.
Walter Lee (Kat) Stapleton, Sr., 84, of Richlands, VA, died Jan. 28, 2006 in Kingsport, TN, following a brief illness.
Born Jan. 30, 1921 at Holden, WV, he was the son of the late William Amel Stapleton, I and Lena Bell Sexton Stapleton.
He was a 1941 graduate of Logan High School, where he lettered in track and football. He worked in the coal mining industry for over 40 years and was a retired coal mining operator. He was a member of the Richlands First Christian Church, the Richlands Masonic Lodge #318 AF & AM, the Kazim Shrine Temple of Roanoke and was a Kentucky Colonel.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lillie Mae Wellman Stapleton; one son, Walter Lee (Bubba-Kat) Stapleton, Jr.; four sisters, Barbara, Dorothy, Donna Sue and Shirley; and four brothers Dexter, Franklin, William and Russell.
Survivors: daughters, Wanda Albright and husband, David, of Kingsport, TN, Sue Jordan and husband, Richard, of Nashville, TN; brother, Claude Edward Stapleton and wife, Sandy, of Mineral Wells, WV; sisters, Emma Jean DeBord and husband, Charles, of Holden, WV, Brenda Erickson and husband, Paul, of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Matthew Peace, Mrs. David (Valerie) Hunter, Stephen Jordan, Chris Jordan and Scott Jordan; great grandchildren, Samuel, Savannah and Chandler (Bubba); special brother-in-law, Lawrence Ousley of Dingess, WV; special friends, Ellis and Jeanette Cole of Pounding Mill; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Jan. 31 in the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Gerald Stacy and Brother Lawrence Ousley officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens cemetery at Claypool Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to Richlands First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1307, Richlands, VA 24641.
Masonic services were held Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Fred Woolum, Jr.
Fred Woolum, Jr., 77, of Mundytown Road, North Tazewell, VA, formerly of Bradshaw, WV, died Jan. 25, 2006 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center in Bluefield, WV.
Born April 19, 1928 at Verdunville in Logan County, WV, he was a son of the late Fred and Lula Ferrell Woolum.
He graduated from Iaeger High School, Class of 1948, and was a US Army Veteran of World War II. His working career included coal mining in Bradshaw, WV, work in the steel foundries in Ohio, and as supervisor in time keeping with Stewart and Warner of Chicago, IL. He retired in 1992 with 39 years of service. He attended Pisgah United Methodist Church at Tazewell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Lora Marie and Audrey Ruth Woolum; step mother, Rose Messineo; step brother, Joe Messineo; and step sister, Virginia Messineo Jones.
Survivors: wife of 55 years, Lucille McBryde Woolum; son, Fred Woolum, III of Lexington; brother, Davis Woolum and wife, Billie Mabe Horne Woolum, of Bluefield, VA; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Graveside services were conducted Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, VA with the Rev. John Denton officiating.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorial contributions be made to the Tazewell County Animal Shelter. He loved his dogs, Ashley and Ralph, who were always by his side.
Virginia Mary Wright
Virginia Mary Barnett Wright, 79, of Cedar Bluff, VA, died Jan. 27, 2006 at her home.
Born in McDowell Co., WV, she was a daughter of the late William Franklin and Myrtle Johnson Barnett, both Bandy natives.
She was a homemaker and had been a resident of the area all of her life. She was of the Pentecostal Faith and was a member of the Laurel Creek Free Pentecostal Church of God.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Wright; one daughter, Patsy Jean Hilbert; two brothers, Webb Barnett and Junior Vincent Barnett; and one great-granddaughter, Destiny Nicole Jones.
Survivors: step-mother, Elma Ruth Barnett of Pounding Mill; daughters, Odetta Altizer and husband, Glenn, of Bristol, TN, Teresa Mullins and husband, Jimmy, of Cedar Bluff; sons, William Bradley Wright of the home, Terry Lee Wright and wife, Kim, of Franklin, NC, Sgt. Major Samuel Chester Wright of Ft. Bragg, NC, Daniel Lester Wright of the home; sister, Ruby Altizer of Tazewell; half-sister, Ruby Clifton Marshall and husband, Glen, of Paintlick; grandchildren, Amber Wright, Jessica Coleman, Clarissa Rose, Chyrl Johnson, Danielle Hilbert, Michelle Ward, Cassandra Jones, Allen Grant Hilbert, William Drayton Hilbert, Timothy Gene Hilbert, David Glenn Altizer and Christopher Dewayne Rose; and great-grandchildren, Alexis Nicole Johnson, Jasmine Paige Johnson, Dezeray Hilbert, Jada Lee Slate, Cora Lynn Slate, Allen Grant Hilbert II, Joshua Hilbert, Nicholas Ward, William Drayton Hilbert II, Nathan Wayne Hilbert, Joshua Johnson, Rae’Quan Jones, Cody Johnson, Tanner Johnson and Christopher Johnson.
The funeral was conducted Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Lawrence Cantrell and Rev. Bobby Laney officiating.
Interment followed in the Bandy Family cemetery on Whittaker Ridge near Bandy.
David Lee Akers
David Lee Akers, 45, of North Tazewell, VA, died Jan. 15, 2006 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bluefield, WV.
Born April 27, 1960 in Iaeger, WV, he was a son of Jo Ann Massey of North Tazewell.
He was a member of the Mt. View Church of Christ at Springville. He was a graduate of Hurley High School in Hurley, and was a graduate of Nashville Auto Diesel College.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Samuel L. Massey; one brother, Timothy Carl Akers; and maternal grandparents, William Akers and Janie Akers.
Additional survivors: son, Travis Akers; daughter, Caitlin Akers and former wife, Teri Akers, all of Rocky Gap; brothers, Jimmy L. Akers of North Tazewell, Gary Paul Akers of Grundy; and sisters, Karen Carter of Grundy, Tammy Tupper of Athens, WV, and Brenda Kane of Gretchen, OR.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Jan. 19 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Pastor Bill Boyd officiating.
Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
A service was held at the funeral home Jan. 18 at 8 p.m.
Ada Lane Lee
Ada Lane Lee, 65, a resident of Meadowview, VA, died Jan. 1, 2006 at the Johnston Memorial Hospital.
She was born in McDowell County, WV, July 20, 1940.
She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Edward Lee, and one brother, Eddie Lee.
Survivors: mother, Hallie Sayers Lee of Waynesboro; daughter, Katie Cofflin; two grandsons; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Robert Williby of Mesa, AZ, Melinda and Gordon Rose of Clayton, DE, Eula Mae Lloyd of Bear, DE; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank Lee of Newark, DE, Dr. Paul Lee of Waynesboro, and Jack and Beverly Lee of Winston-Salem, NC.
A private memorial service was conducted at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 4 in the Frost Funeral Home Chapel in Abingdon with Rev. Jerry A. Eggers officiating.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.
Ethel Willie Reed
Ethel Willie Reed, 86, of North Tazewell, VA, died Jan. 12, 2006 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
She was born April 25, 1919 in Excelsior, WV to the late Andrew and Lettie Holley Peery.
She was one of seven children, and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her four sisters and two brothers. In 1936, she married
Finis Sinkford; to this union was born two daughters, Letitia Ann and Jacqueline Olivia. Finis preceded her in death in October, 1938. In 1941, she married
Omar Reed; to this union was born three children, Bonita Louise, James William and Omar, Jr. Bonita preceded her mother in death in April, 1972. Her husband, Omar preceded her in death in April, 1977.
She attended Tazewell County public schools and was baptized into the Church of Christ in 1949, where she remained faithful until her demise. In her younger years, she was an avid skater. In her later years, she loved sewing, cooking, and long conversations with family and friends. She will be sadly missed by her loving family.
Survivors: daughters, Letitia McClendon of Bakersfield, CA, Jacquelyn Moore of Cleveland, OH; sons, James William Reed of Cleveland, OH, Omar Reed, Jr. of Tazewell; step-daughter, Lovie Hall of Cleveland, OH; 14 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.
Homegoing services were conducted at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Dr. Edgar Wallace and Evangelist Conway Hutton officiating.
Marie Marelday Cassady, 82, of Lebanon, VA, went to be with the Lord Jan. 8, 2006 at the home of her daughter in Swords Creek.
Born Oct. 1, 1923 in Iaeger, WV, she was a daughter of the late Lewis Roberts and Susie Bailey Dales.
Formerly of Iaeger, she had resided in Lebanon for the past 13 years. She was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Cassady, and two brothers, Dale Bailey and Homer Bailey.
Survivors: daughters, Mrs. Jack (Darlene) Osborne of Athens, WV, Mrs. Jackie (Norma) Dillon of Swords Creek, Mrs. Larry (Phyllis) Brooks of Honaker, Mrs. Darrell (Judith) Hale of Lebanon, Mrs. Chris (Iva Gay) Rarick of Princeton, WV; brother, Herman Bailey of Gilbert, WV; a special friend and caregiver, Mildred Smith; 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Jan. 11 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Pastor Larry Brooks officiating.
Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Roy Coker
Roy Coker, 86, of Tazewell, died Jan. 8, 2006 at a Tazewell, VA, hospital.
Born April 26, 1919 in Logan, WV, he was the son of the late James Coker, Sr. and Gracie Watts Coker.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Howard Coker, Hassel Coker and James Edward Coker, Jr., and six sisters, Shirley Chambers, Pauline Barker, Neare Coker, Ruby Coker, Minnie Coker and Alma Jean Coker.
Survivors: wife of 35 years, Monnie Coker; son, James (Jim) Coker of Tazewell; daughter, Annette (Ann) Coker and fiancé, Jodie Little, of Lenoir, NC; grandchildren, April Little and Dillion Little; his favorite companion, Bubba; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Jan. 12 at Osborne Mountain Free Pentecostal Holiness Church at Osborne Mountain with Rev. Bobbie Sparks officiating.
Burial will follow in the Osborne cemetery at Osborne Mountain.
The family will receive friends after 12 noon Jan. 10 and 11 at the church.
Goldie Clariss Belcher, 92, of Bluefield, VA, died Dec. 9, 2005 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born in Kentuck, WV, she was a daughter of the late Luther M. Hatcher and Amanda Taylor Hatcher.
She was of the Protestant faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Masil E. Belcher; a son at birth; two brothers, Roy Hatcher, Russell Hatcher; and three sisters, Almedia Hatcher, Carrie H. Smith and Irene Domer.
Survivors: daughters, Iris B. Pendleton and husband, Clay, of Bluefield, VA, Dorothy Cammer and husband, Lewis, of Richmond; grandchildren, Barry Cammer and wife, Carolyn, Penny Scott and husband, Jon, Sheree Kearns and husband, Charles, Charles Pendleton III, Mark Cammer and wife, Jill, Keith Cammer and Susan Heath and husband, Jimmy; and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Dec. 12, 2005 at 12 noon at the Evergreen Burial Park in Roanoke with the Rev. Danny Wright officiating.
Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, VA, was in charge of arrangements.
Brian C. Bowman
Brian C. Bowman, 35, of North Tazewell, VA, died Dec. 25, 2005 at his home.
Born July 12, 1970 in Bluefield, WV, he was a son of Macie Jane Bowman of North Tazewell and the late Alfred Bowman.
He was a 1988 graduate of Big Creek High School in War, WV and a 1992 graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, WV. He served with the US Army Reserve 304th Military Police Unit in the Persian Gulf War during 1991. He worked in bank collections from 1997 to 2003 and later was employed by Aetna Insurance Company.
Additional survivors: sister, Dianne Nunley and husband, Larry, of Bland; his paternal grandfather, Everett Bowman of Bluefield, WV; nieces, Donna Payne of Floyd, Pamela Kidd of Ceres; and very good friends who were like brothers, Brad Woodyard and Steve Curry.
The funeral was conducted Dec. 29, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Rayburn Woodyard officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA where military graveside rites were conducted by members of the Barns-Beavers VFW Post #7136 of Tazewell.
