Curtis Dean Green Sr.
(Big Rock)

  Curtis Dean Green Sr., 49, of Big Rock, died Wednesday, November 8, 2006, following a motor vehicle accident on Rt. 460 west of Grundy.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of Rose Jean Lester Green and the late Curtis Ballard Green. He was an employee of Welmore Coal Corporation as chief of security. He was of the Pentecostal faith and an avid outdoorsmen.
  In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Lisa Carol Shortridge Green; one daughter, Angelia Elouise Heredia and husband, Michael, of Honaker; one son, Curtis Dean Green Jr. and wife, Melissa, of Richlands; two sisters, Patsy Salmons and husband, Tommy, of Hurley and Jeanette Bailey and husband, Marvin of Roanoke; one step-daughter, Alissa Carol Owens, of Big Rock; one step-son, Jeffery Daniel Owens, of Big Rock; six grandchildren, Ryan Heredia, Aaron Heredia, Tionna Heredia, Shauna Heredia, Ethan Green, and Canaan Green.
  Services were held Saturday, November 11 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, Grundy, with Evg. Bill Neeley, and the Rev. James Chapman officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were Tim McClanahan, Tommy Shortridge, Keith Lester, Greg Lester, Calvin Short, Scotty Deel, Tommy Stiltner, Henry Cox, and Timmy Griffey.
  Honorary pallbearers were employees of Welmore Coal Corporation.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Arthur Lee Blankenship
(Rowe)

  Arthur Lee "Mousie" Blankenship, 86, of Rowe, died Wednesday, November 8, 2006.
  He had resided in the Rowe area and in recent years, he and his wife had lived in Mountain View Adult Care Assisted Living Facility in Lebanon.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Rev. David and Nora Bailey Blankenship. He was a member of UMWA and a retired coal tipple operator. He was of the Pentecostal faith.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Orvil and Patton Blankenship, and two sisters, Faye Street and Lucy Belcher.
  He is survived by his wife, Fannie Ellen Blankenship; one son, Larry David Blankenship and wife, Claudine, of Tazewell; three brothers, David Junior Blankenship and wife, Barbara, of Oakwood, James Harlan Blankenship and wife, Doris of Cedar Bluff and Billy L. Blankenship and wife, Jean, of Norton; three sisters, Pastor Trula Harman and husband, Clyde, of Oakwood, Mrs. Ruby Cox and husband, Emory, of Oakwood and Mrs. Dorothy Harman and husband, Kendris, of Tazewell; two grandchildren, Dia Blankenship of Bluefield, VA and David Blankenship and wife, Natalie of Tazewell; two great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Saturday, November 11 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel, Keen Mountain, with Pastor Jerry Harman officiating. Burial followed in Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands.
  Pallbearers were Michael Cox, Ronnie Belcher, Donnie Belcher, Greg Blankenship, Jeff Blankenship, Ricky Blankenship, Hodge Chambers, Steven Blankenship and James Harman.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. James McVey, Bill VanDyke and Lawrence Horne.
  Buchanan Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Darlene Blankenship
(Rowe)

  Darlene Blankenship, 42, of Rowe, died Tuesday, November 7, 2006 in Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy.
  Born in Manassas, she was a daughter of Thelma Lockhart Blankenship of Rowe and the late Willard Blankenship. She had spent her early life in Manassas prior to moving to Buchanan County. She was an employee of Data Services of America at Vansant.
  In addition to her mother, she is survived by two brothers, James Blankenship of Rowe and David Blankenship of Manassas; several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Saturday in Honaker with the Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Burial followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon.
  Pallbearers were Dale Blankenship, Jeff Blankenship, Mark Blankenship, Michael Wayne Blankenship, Steve Jessee, Andy Keen, Jeremy Keen and Jason Vance.
  Honorary pallbearers were employees of Data Services of America.

Shirley Ann Potter
(Vansant)

  Shirley Ann Potter, 59, of Vansant, died Friday, November 10, 2006 at Bristol Wellmont Hospital following a brief illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Don and Lockie Stiltner Young. She was a member of the Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church and a former employee of the Buchanan County School System, working as a cook for the past 25 years, most recently at Twin Valley Elementary/Middle School. She was an assistant leader for Boy Scout Troop 740, a member of the Heavenly Helpers Relay for Life team and a proud member of the Boy Scout Discovery Tour where she served as a leader for the trip.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Ferrell Young.
  She is survived by her husband, Douglas Potter; one daughter, Sandy and husband, Garry Viars, of Pilgrim's Knob; one son, Clay, and wife, Paula Potter of Oakwood; one sister, Deloris and husband, Earl K. Stacy of Wolford; three grandsons, Garry Christopher Viars and Tyler Reid Viars, both of Pilgrim's Knob and Clayton Tanner Potter of Oakwood.
  Services were held Monday, November 13 at Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church with Elders Howard Daniels, Larry Puckett, Harold Ramey, James Rife, Jerry Overstreet, Charles Wright, Toy Looney, Roger Coleman and Mark Justice officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were Delmo Potter, Johnny Potter, Randall Potter, Ervin Potter, Danny Potter, Ronnie Potter, Tom Dingus, Carl Dorton, Mickey McGlothlin, Clayton Perkins, Ryan Mullins, Curtis Elswick, Phillip Keene and Curtis Mullins, Sr.
  Honorary pallbearers were members of Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church, Dr. J.P. Sutherland, Jr., George Crigger, Troy Yates, Sue Yates, T.C. Mullins, Jr. and Agnes Mullins.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

    Leroy Mitchum
                   (Lynn Camp)

  Leroy Mitchum age 80 of the Lynn Camp Section of Grundy, VA, passed away on November 9, 2006 at Buchanan General Hospital. Born October 9, 1926 in War Eagle, WV., he was the son of the late John Mitchum and Rose Toller Mitchum. He was retired from N.W. Railroad where he had worked for 28 years. He was a member of the Grace Baptist Church, and was a devoted Christian. He was a U.S. WWII Navy veteran, a member of the American Legion 7360 and VFW 164, an avid outdoors man, enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working in his garden. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
  He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Janice Smith Mitchum of Grundy, VA. Two daughters, Patricia McClanahan, and Tammy Childress, husband Jeff of Grundy, VA. One son, Terry Mitchum, wife Annette of Atkins, VA. One brother William Bud Atkins, of Topeka, KS.
  Three Grandchildren also survive, Daniel Childress, Josh McClanahan, and Michael McClanahan.
  Funeral Services for Leroy Mitchum will be conducted Sunday November 12, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dean Powers officiating. With burial to follow in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock, VA.
  Active pallbearers will be Elster Ramey, J.C. Ward, Chuck Stiltner, Erney Blankenship, Scott Ramey, and Greg Ramey.
  Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. D Patel, Jack Taylor, Jim Patterson, James Ralph Stiltner, and Men of N.W. Railroad.
  Friends may call the funeral home after 6:00 p.m. on Saturday where services will be at 7:00 p.m.
  Online Condolences may be made to the family at www.shortridgeramey.com
  The Family of Leroy Mitchum is being served by Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Grundy, VA

Laken MeKenzie Vance
(Paynesville, WV)

  Laken MeKenzie Vance, four-month-old daughter of Jackie Benjamin and Pamela Payne Vance, of Paynesville, died Tuesday, October 31, 2006 in Johnson City Medical Center, following an automobile accident on Monday, October 30. She was born in Tazewell County.
  She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Eldridge Payne.
  In addition to her parents, she is survived by four brothers, Johnathan, Tyler, Austin and Dalton Vance of the home; paternal great-grandmother, Daisy Payne of Jolo, WV; maternal great-grandparents, William and Francis Lester of Paynesville; paternal grandparents, Jackie Vance of Paynesville and Karen Vance of Tazewell; maternal grandfather, Dean Payne and wife, Rebecca, of Jolo; and maternal grandmother, Debbie Lester and husband, Ricky, of Paynesville; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
  Services were held Friday, November 3 at Flatwoods Church of Christ on Compton Mountain near Whitewood with the Rev. James Chapman officiating. Burial followed in the Kelly Mullins Cemetery on Estep Ridge near Paynesville.
  Fanning Funeral Home, Iaeger, WV, was in charge of arrangements.

Garsel Hale
(Honaker, VA)

  Garsel Hale, 85, of Honaker, died Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at his home.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Frazier and Addie Breeding Hale. He had spent his early life in the area prior to moving to Hershey, PA  where he was employed by Goodyear Aerospace, Lockheed Aircraft and Massie Ferguson until his retirement, moving back to Russell County in 2004. He was a Master Mason of Wayfayer and a United States Army Veteran, having served during World War II.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Meade Hale; one sister, Gladys Cole; and two brothers Carless Yates and Don Yates.
  He is survived by one daughter, Jill Hale McNulty of Columbus, OH; three sons, Danny Hale of Boonsburg, PA, Ray Hale of Harrisburg, PA and Jeff Hale of Canton, OH; two brothers, Virgil Hale of Columbus, OH and Bill Ed Sample of Honaker; two sisters, Eula Hess of Beckley, WV and Barbara Hale Shortt of Tazewell; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Sunday in Honaker with the Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Graveside services were held Wednesday at the Indian Town Gap National Cemetery in Annville, PA. Interment followed.
  Honorary pallbearers were Barry Belcher, Larry Belcher, Harold Compton, Keith Foleno, Henry Hamm, Randall Hillman, Dwight Jackson, Don Lambert, David Owens, Kenny Owens, Smiley Ratcliffe, Larry Ray, Pete Smith, Don Tucker, Linkous Woodyard, Richard Bostic, Frank Brown, David Farmer and Mark Boyd.

Roy Lee Wampler
(Haysi, VA)

  Roy Lee Wampler, 64, of Haysi, died Saturday, November 11, 2006.
  The son of the late Rufus (Ed) and Georgia Wampler, he was a lifetime resident of Dickenson County. He attended Pound River Church of the Breathren and was last employed as a dozer operator.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Arthur Wampler.
  He is survived by his wife, Vivian Wampler; five children, Melinda (Dale) Wampler of Haysi, Regina (Blaine) Deel and Joy (Robert) Steele, both of Vansant, Danita (Tim) Hess of Grundy and Roy Jr. (Janice) Wampler of Clinchco; three brothers, Ervin (Janice) Wampler of Haysi, Verlin (Glenda) Wampler of Lebanon and Adam (Tammy) Wampler of Haysi; two sisters, Elsie (David) Ellison of Clintwood and Julia (Roger) Vance of Clintwood; five grandchildren, 22 nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Tuesday, November 14 at Haysi Funeral Home with Darrell Milgrim, James Moore, Jack Taylor and Cline Sluss officiating. Burial followed in the Wampler Cemetery at Rt. 1, Haysi.
  Pallbearers were sons-in-law.
  Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

William Michael McCoy
(Woodbridge)

  William Michael McCoy, 53, of Woodbridge, died Saturday, November 4, 2006 following a boating accident on the Potomac River.
  Born in Buchanan County, he had resided in Woodbridge for some 30 years. He had participated in and was a member of the Bass Masters Fishing Club for 20 years. He was an Army veteran and a construction and concrete finisher. 
  He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Martha Blankenship McCoy; one sister, Twinkle Jean; and one grandson, Michael Riley McCoy.
  He is survived by his wife, Judith "Judy" McCoy; two sons, Michael Duane McCoy and Daniel Clark McCoy; one grandson, Clark McCoy, Jr.; two sisters, Brenda Roach, and husband, Ronnie, of Eden, NC and Henrietta Lynn Hardin and husband, Ira, of Hurley; three brothers, Freddie Lee McCoy and wife, Brenda, of Cedar Bluff, Tarzan McCoy and wife, Della, of Wolford and Billy Carson McCoy and wife, Helen Newberry of Florida; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
  Services were held Thursday, November 9 at Mountcastle Funeral Home, Dale City. Interment followed in the Mount Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria.
  Pallbearers were members of the Bass Masters Fishing Club.

Lester Lee Clark
(Honaker, VA)

  Lester Lee Clark,  77, of Honaker, died Sunday, November 12, 2006, in a Bristol, TN hospital.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Rev. Jay Clark and Louisia Johnson Clark. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of  Swords Creek Block Church. A disabled coal miner, he was formerly employed by Jewell Valley Coal Company and was a member of the UMWA.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Ruby Clark; two sisters, Trula Mae Thomas and Arbutice Clark; and two brothers, Jackie Clark and Mason Owens.
  He is survived by two sons, the Rev. Jerry Clark of Bristol, VA and Larry Clark of Honaker; three daughters, Katie Fields of Honaker, Lynn Robertson and husband, Robbie of Richmond, and Lisa Dunford and husband, Jerry, of Cedar Bluff; one sister, Gaye Childress and husband, Ed, of Honaker; three sisters-in-law, Irene Looney of Vansant, Ann Hall and husband, Sidney, of Honaker and Shirley Shortridge of Abingdon; fifteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Wednesday in Honaker with the Revs. Jerry Clark and Carl Robinson officiating. Interment followed in Clark Cemetery on Big A Mountain.
  Pallbearers were Jerry Dunford, Matt Reynolds, Rick Shrout, Mike Meade, Jeffery Branton, Jacob Robertson, Arthur Fields, Randy Fields and Chris Blackburn.
  Honorary pallbearers were Ron and Betty Compton, Rusty Shortridge, Mike Hall, Mark Hall, Wayne Hall, Kenny Hall, Doug Hall, Carl Wayne Looney, Harold Thomas, Ricky Thomas, Dallas Thomas, and Donovan Meadows.

Ethel A. Hicks
(Jewell Valley, VA)

  Ethel A. Hicks, 76, of Jewell Valley, died Wednesday, November 8, 2006 in a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
  Born in Raysal, WV, she was the daughter of the late Roe and Julie Baker Adams. She had made her home with her husband, William Howard Hicks, in Jewell Valley and was a Home Health caregiver. She was a gardener, cook and member of the Whitewood House of Worship Church.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Amanda Carol Sutherland and Angela Dawn Hicks.
  In addition to her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Carol Sutherland, of Jewell Valley; one son, Danny Joe Hicks of Jewell Valley; sisters, Hazel Keen, Beulah Lamie, Shirley Mitchell, and Norma Jackson, all of Jewell Valley, Virgie VanDyke of Baptist Valley and Dora Rife of Hillsville; brothers, Roy Adams and Troy Adams, both of Jewell Valley, Minnus Adams of Strasburg, OH and Earnest Adams, of Warsaw, OH; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Sunday, November 12 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Richlands with the Revs. Jimmie Cole and Aldie Allen officiating. Interment followed in the Gilbert-Day Cemetery in the Bearwallow section of Jewell Ridge.
  Pallbearers were Chris Cumbee, Joseph Mullins, Jeffrey Lamie, Steven Kindoll, Brad Ward, Jay Cole, and Wesley Keen.
  Hurst-Scott Funeral Home, Richlands, was in charge of arrangements.

Ronnie S. Thomas
(Castlewood, VA)

  Ronnie S. Thomas, 55, of Castlewood, died Saturday, November 11, 2006 in a Lebanon hospital.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Charlie and Hazel Lee Taylor Thomas. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of Duty Pentecostal Church, was a disabled coal miner and was formerly employed by Barton Mining.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Bobby Joe Thomas and R.C. Thomas, and one sister, Nadine Barton.
  Survivors include his wife, Denise Thomas; two sons, Brad Thomas of the home and Aaron Thomas and wife, Amy, of Cleveland, VA; one granddaughter, Nicole Thomas of Cleveland; two brothers, Dennis Thomas and wife, Darlene, of Rosedale, and Timmy Fuller of Kingsport, TN; five sisters, Sue Barton of Morristown, TN, Charlotte Ball and Fronie Lynn of Kingsport, Paulette Altice and husband, Bobby, of Roanoke and Patricia Crabtree of Honaker; several nieces and nephews..
  Services were held Wednesday in Honaker with the Rev. James Tiller officiating. Interment followed in the Duty Cemetery at Indian Creek.
  Pallbearers were Brad Thomas, Aaron Thomas, Craig Tiller, Greg Ball, Larry Deel and Herman Harris.
  Honorary Pallbearers were Kermit Musick, Casey Harris, Ray Bostic, Rick Bostic and Ronnie Tiller.