Harold Lee Mitchell
(Council)

  Harold Lee Mitchell, 64, of Council, died Thursday, October 12, 2006 in a Bristol, TN  hospital following a brief illness.
  Born in Drill, he was a son of Ruby Mitchell of Council and the late Thomas Mitchell. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a 1959 graduate of Council High School. He began working in factories after his high school graduation, but soon discovered the coal industry. During his employment, he became a mine foreman, federal mine inspector and operated his own mines for many years. After ill health forced his retirement from the mines, he founded Jacket City, an internet business selling NASCAR jackets and hats. He was a member and deacon of Drill Chapel Church and a member of the board of directors of Council Fire Department. He was an honorary Boy Scout Leader for Troop 711 and played and sung gospel music.
  In addition to his father he was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Krista Leigh Snead; two sisters, Barbara June Israel and Donna Sue Mitchell; and by his mother-in-law: Iline Breeding.
  He is survived by his wife, Joyce Breeding Mitchell; two daughters, Tracy Mitchell of Council and Tenita Mitchell of Garner, NC; three granddaughters, Emma Clevinger of Council, Casey Snead of Garner and Sarah Outen of Benson, NC; one grandson, Dustin Clevinger of Council; two great-grandchildren; special sons, Terry Snead and Dennis Clevinger, both of Honaker; one brother, Dawyer Mitchell and wife, Pam, of Honaker; three sisters, Philis Wilson and husband, Dan of Lebanon and Mildred Baldwin and husband, Larry, and Debbie Barton and husband, Avery, all of Council; father-in-law, Charlie Breeding of Davenport; brothers-in-law, Larry Israel of Honaker, Harold Dean Breeding and Charlie Breeding, Jr., both of Davenport and Eddie and wife, Edna Sue Breeding of Lebanon; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Statzer of Lebanon; several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Saturday in Honaker with the Revs. Don Sullivan and Denver Barton officiating. Honorary clergy were the Revs. Ancil Childress and Clyde Lambert. Interment followed in the Baldwin Cemetery at Drill.
  Pallbearers were Russell Bostic, Larry Cox, Kenneth Lambert, Preston Breeding, DeShannon Barton, James Fletcher, Mark Austin and Wesley Baldwin.
  Honorary pallbearers were Rick Lester, Roy Lee Wilson, Fairley Spencer, Harold Austin and men of the Drill Chapel Church.

Ivanell Ratliff
(Vansant)

  Ivanell Ratliff, 56, of Vansant, died Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at Select Specialty Hospital in Bristol, TN.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Walker and Carie Tiller and was a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Ratliff.
  She is survived by a daughter, Vonda Keene of Vansant; one son, Marcus Clyde Ratliff of Vansant; one brother, E.B. (Elaine) Tiller of Council; three sisters, Thelma Viers of Prater,  Ida Fern Tiller of Honaker and Vergie Picke of Texas; four grandchildren, Amanda, Billy, Christy and Kimberly; one great-grandchild, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Friday, October 13 at Haysi Funeral Home with Pastor John Owens officiating. Burial followed in the Ratliff Cemetery at Little Fox.
  Pallbearers were family and friends.
  Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Patty Blankenship
(Lester's Fork)

  Patty Blankenship, 59, of the Lester's Fork section of Rt. 1, Grundy, died Thursday, October 5, 2006 at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy, following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Dorothy Lester Blankenship. She was a life-long resident of Buchanan County and a member of North Springs Old Regular Baptist Church. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, James Blankenship, Jr.
  She is survived by her husband, James Blankenship; three daughters, Vivian Georgia Blankenship and Patty Mae and husband, Mark Dotson, all of Rt. 1, Grundy and Ana Vanzant of Clarksville, TN; one step-daughter, Ruby Ann Wolford of Rt. 1, Grundy; two step-sisters, Misty Dawn Blankenship and Michelle Blankenship, both of Clarksville; six grandchildren, Tonya Blankenship, Louann Dotson, Cheryl Dotson, Phillip Wallace, Dakota Gibbs and Mark Dotson II; three step-grandchildren, Georgia Ann Steele, James Mullins and Justine Justice; and four great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Monday, October 9 at North Springs Old Regular Baptist Church with Elders Josh Jr. Justus, Danny Ray Justus, George Baker and Danny McCoy officiating. Burial followed in the Conley and Pearl Blankenship Cemetery on Straight Fork near Hurley.
  Active pallbearers were Johnny Justus, Ray Stacy, Hershel Stacy, Jr., William Lester, Chris Ed Catron, Charlie Estep, Keith Salmons, Jeffery Blankenship and Timmy Blankenship.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Vish and staff at Keen Mountain Medical Association and employees of Mercy Ambulance Service.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Saundra M. Greene
(Grundy)

  Saundra M. Bevins Greene, 58, of Rt. 3, Grundy, died Thursday, October 12, 2006 in Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, following an extended illness.
  Born in Williamson, WV, she was a daughter of the late P.F. (Frank) and Esta Dotson Bevins. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a member of the Grundy Church of Christ. She was a graduate of the Grundy High School Class of 1966 and recently celebrated her 40-year class reunion. She was a former bookkeeper for Prince William County and a former bookkeeper for P.F. Bevins Coal Company for several years.
  She is survived by her husband, Fred A. Greene; one daughter, Rhoda, and husband, Eric Lewis, of Knoxville, TN; two step-sons, Mike Greene of Lakewood CO and Jeff Greene of Kill Devil Hills, NC; one sister, Drema Bevins of Hurley; one brother, Franklin Bevins of Rt. 3, Grundy; one grandson, Eric Lewis, II of Knoxville; one aunt, one uncle and several cousins.
  Services were held Sunday, October 15 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evgs. Bill Neeley and Michael Trent officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were family and friends.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Clifford Ray Estep
(Wolford)

  Clifford Ray Estep, 64, of Wolford, died Monday, October 16, 2006 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Drewey and Sara Ashby Estep. He was a resident of Buchanan County most of his life and was of the Protestant faith. He served in the United States Army nine years and was a member of the American Legion Post 49 of Warsaw, IN and Post 25 of Cottonwood, AZ. He was a disabled employee of Bristol Myers Squibb.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Brenda Estep; one sister, Amy Harmon; and two brothers, Harold and Richard Estep.
  He is survived by his wife, Vickie Lynn Shelton Estep; two daughters, Marsha Slate and Kathy Estep, both of Bay City, MI; one step-daughter, Angela, and husband, Patrick Daniels, of Pilgrim's Knob; three sons, Joel Estep and Scott Estep, both of Bay City and Walter and wife, Michelle Estep, of Memphis, TN; three step-sons, Perless Baker, Jr. of Hurley, Denver Lee and wife, Lisa Baker, of Honaker and Michael Baker of Dallas, TX; four sisters, Pearl Tester of Hurley, Bonita and husband, Robert Nichols and Jean and husband, Zeke Pruitt, all of Abingdon and Cathy and husband, Harold Charles, of Claypool Hill; 10 grandchildren and six step-grandchildren.
  Services will be held Friday, October 20, at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evgs. Dennis Wimmer, Bob Smith and Ricky Stiltner officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock. Full military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.
  Active pallbearers will be Heath Hardin, Craig Blankenship, Lawrence Slone, Rufus Lee Baker, Mark Cooper, Chad Cooper, Brandon Little, Shane Shelton, Dorse Tester, David Shelton, Greg Stacy and Jimmy Matney.
  Honorary pallbearers will be Patrick Daniels, Kermit Estep, Teddy Cooper, Junior Harmon, Bob Nichols, Terry Charles, Charles Pruitt and Sam Slate.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

George Edward Payne
(Mavisdale)

  George Edward Payne, 52, of Mavisdale, died Sunday October 15, 2006 following an automobile accident.
  Born in McDowell County, he was the son of the late Julius Payne and Gladys Lester Payne. He was a retired coal miner, a member of the UMWA #1640 and was a woodworker. He was of  the Pentecostal faith.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Janice Payne.
  Survivors include his wife, Cathy Payne; two daughters, Heather Lee and husband, Jay, and Christy Smith and  husband, Brad, all of Bristol, VA; five sisters,  Rose Dye and husband, Bruce, of Patterson, Phyllis Elswick and  husband, Jerry, of Marion, Hettie Mae McGuire and husband, Jimmy, of Raysal WV, Peggy Smith and husband, Dewey, of Rural Retreat, and Ruby Musser and husband, Roger, of Chilhowie; one brother, Randall Payne and wife, Lisa, of Bandy; two granddaughters, Rachael Madyson Smith and Makinzi Jordan Smith, both of Bristol, VA; and several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Wednesday October 18 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy with Pastor Dave Gibson officiating. Burial followed in the Wiley Mullins Cemetery on Estep Ridge, Paynesville, WV.
  Pallbearers were family and friends.
  Honorary pallbearers were sons-in-law, Jay Lee and Brad Smith.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Nancy Carolyn Baxter
(Bristol, VA)

  Nancy Carolyn McFall Baxter, 75, of Bristol, VA, formerly of Vansant, died Saturday, October 14, 2006 at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, following an extended illness.
  Born in Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Parker and Maude Looney McFall. She was a graduate of Grundy High School, attended Roanoke College and Bluefield Business College. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a past member of the Grundy Women's Club. She was a homemaker and the last surviving member of her immediate family. She worked alongside her husband, Dr. Robert F. Baxter for many years in his medical practice in Buchanan County. She was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Abingdon and St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grundy.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert F. Baxter, June 11, 1996; one son, Robert F. Baxter, Jr., November 24, 1973; two sisters, Billie Jo Lark and Bobbie Jean Smith; and one step-sister, Mildred Pierce.
  She is survived by four daughters, Frances Lee and husband, Rayburn Minton II, of Grundy, Mary Patricia and husband, Don Lynch and Nancy Jo and husband, William Testerman, all of Kingsport, TN and Elizabeth Ann and husband, Rick Wright, of Abingdon; four granddaughters, Aimee Baxter Cole of Cedar Bluff, JoBeth Baxter Wright of Abingdon and Emily Carolyn Testerman and Sarah Elizabeth Testerman, both of Kingsport; two grandsons, Robert Rayburn Minton of Johnson City, TN and Aaron Robert Wright of Abingdon.
  Monday services were by the Daughters of the American Revolution followed by The Rosary.
  A Celebration of Life was held Tuesday, October 17 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Grundy with Father Dan Bain and Father Paul Maier officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were Dr. Jim Smith, David Smith, Gary Lark, Jim Coffey, Billy Ray Perry, David Cecil, Bill Wade Pierce, Richard Baxter, Ralph McClanahan and Bill Perry Jr.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Charles King, family and friends.
  The family suggests expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to the Robert F. Baxter Health Care Scholarship, Southwest Virginia Community College, P.O. Box SVCC, Richlands, VA 24641.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas R. Keen, Jr.
(Cedar Bluff, VA)

  Thomas R. Keen, Jr.,  64, of Cedar Bluff, died Thursday, October 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.
  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one son, Johnny Edward Keen; his grandfather, Rosie Keen; and one special uncle, Cecil Keen, who was like a brother.
  In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife,  Elenore Christine Stilwell Keen; two daughters, Patricia Cline of North Tazewell  and Carrie Donithan and husband, Scott, of Tazewell; one son, David Allen Keen;  five sisters,  Patty Brown and husband Jimmy of Tazewell , Janice Keen of Pounding Mill, Peggy Osborne and husband Harold, of Baptist Valley, Joyce Price and husband Bob of Tazewell  and Carol Keen of Cedar Bluff;  three brothers,  Lonnie Pete Keen and wife, Joyce, of Bland,  Eddie Keen and wife, Moresa, of North Carolina and Earl Keen and wife, Mildred, of Baptist Valley; grandchildren, Andrew Cline, Christy Cline, Kimmy Cline, Gabriel Donithan, Chase Donithan, Carrie Davis and husband, Buzz, Kellie Rash and husband Rob; one great-granddaughter and several nephews.
  Services were held Sunday, October 15 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Evg. Michael Trent, and the Revs. Clarence Herron and Troy Lester officiating. Interment  followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers were Andy Cline, Gabriel Donithan, Chase Donithan, Marshall Keen, Nick Keen, Patrick “P.J.” Keen, and Chucky Williams.
  Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.

Nell B. Owens
(Birchleaf, VA)

  Nell B. Owens, 76, of Birchleaf, died Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon.
  Born in Dickenson County, she was a daughter of Trigg and Fannie Owens Anderson. She was a member of the Dickenson County Democratic Party for 40 years and was of the Baptist faith.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard Owens.
  She is survived by one daughter, Robin Leigh Owens of Frying Pan; one sister, Ponzelle Salyers of Clinchco; a nephew who was like a son, Dr. Greg Owens of Abingdon; two brothers-in-law, Francis Owens of Birchleaf and Buford (Lois) Owens of Wayne, MI; one great-niece.
  Graveside services were held Friday, October 13 in the Anderson Cemetery at Sandlick with Elder Joe Owens officiating.
  Pallbearers were Ronnie Compton, Dr. Greg Owens, Gary Oquinn, Kimble Turner, Shane Coleman and Darren Jessee.
  Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Effie Owens
(Haysi, VA)

  Effie Owens, 82, of Rt. 2, Haysi, died Saturday, October 14, 2006 at Pikeville Medical Center in Kentucky.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Billy and Caroline Deel Owens. She was last employed as a cook and was of the Baptist faith.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Owens; four brothers, Ed, Ted, Taw and Brady Owens; and two sisters, Lona Childress and Florence Owens.
  She is survived by three sons, Roger (Belinda) Owens and Jackie (Sandy) Owens, both of Haysi and Danny (Stevie) Owens of Florida; one brother, Roby (Annarae) Owens of Birchleaf; a sister-in-law, Carrie Owens; five grandchildren, Tommy, Timmy, Stacy, Sandy and Patty and 11 great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Tuesday, October 17 at Haysi Funeral Home with the Rev. Ronnie Mutter officiating. Burial followed in the Jackson-Owens Cemetery, Birchleaf.
  Pallbearers were family and friends.
  Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ruth B. Woods
(Clinchco, VA)

  Ruth B. Woods, 66, of Clinchco, died Saturday, October 14, 2006 at Dickenson Community Hospital in Clintwood.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Elbert and Eunice Lester Boyd. She was a homemaker and was of the Old Regular Baptist faith.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jennings Lee Woods; four sisters, Fannie Boyd, Fern LaPlante, Gay Owens and Imogene Amos; two brothers, Virgil Boyd and Brady Boyd; and one great-granddaughter, Stella Grace "Gracie" Bush.
  She is survived by three daughters, Connie (Eddie Dean) Turner, Charlotte (Todd) Edwards and Michelle (Mark) Turner, all of Clinchco; one son, Timothy (Teresa) Woods of Clinchco; three brothers, Eddie Boyd and Jennings Boyd, both  of Davenport and Farrell Boyd of Bee; four sisters, Bonnie Barton and Frances Gilbert, both of Bee, Arbutus Rasnick of Summersville, FL and Patty Lockhart of Honaker; 10 grandchildren, Eddie Jr., Johnny Lee, Candy, Mickey, Adam, J.D., Telena, Dakota, Zachary and Tyler; and three great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Tuesday, October 17 at Haysi Funeral Home with Elders Toy Looney, Earl Hill, Roger Coleman and Brother Gordon Deel. Burial followed in the Boyd Cemetery at Davenport.
  Pallbearers were grandsons.
  Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.