Mae McCowan
(Dry Fork)

    Mae Ratliff McCowan, 82, of the Dry Fork section of Vansant, died Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at her home following an extended illness.
    Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late William and Wincey Boyd Ratliff. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, a member of Harman Freewill Baptist Church and was a homemaker.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Wesley McCowan; five sisters, Margie Nickels, Ida Matney, Gay Owens, Onie Bowman and Rosie Ratliff; and one brother, Tommy Ratliff.
    She is survived by two daughters, Brenda, and husband, Kermit Lee McGlothlin and Mary, and husband, Larry Young, all of Vansant; one son, Wayne, and wife, Marsha McCowan, of Vansant; two sisters, Lennie Quinley and Eunice Coleman, both of Grundy; one brother, Tollie "Bud" Ratliff of Grundy; four grandchildren, Christopher Wayne McCowan, Brandon James McCowan, Andrew Lee McGlothlin and Joshua Edward McCowan; and two great-granddaughters, Cadence Brooke McCowan and Caeleigh Dawn McCowan.
    Services were held Saturday, April 5 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Ministers Rick Ellis, Jerry Matney, Shawn Dotson and Jeff Dotson officiating. Burial followed in the Baldwin Mountain Family Cemetery near Vansant.
    Active pallbearers were Buddy Ratliff, Greg Jackson, Dean Keen, Dean Thompson, Eugene Whited and Stevie Blankenship.
     Honorary pallbearers were T.C. Mullins, Jr., Mike Charles, Brian Ratliff, Dr. H. Patel, Dr. D. Patel and Dr. J.N. Patel.
     Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Nathaniel Lee Marrs
(Hurley)

    Nathaniel Lee Marrs, 25, of Hurley, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 following an automobile accident.
    Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Tony and Vonda Duty Marrs of Hurley. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was an employee of Wellmore Coal Corporation.
    He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Clell Duty, and his paternal grandfather, James Marrs.
    In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother, Anthony, and wife, Tiffany Duty of Gloucester; maternal grandmother, Blanche Marrs of Grundy; two nephews, Dylan Duty and Jaydah Duty, both of Gloucester; several aunts and uncles.
    Services were held Wednesday, April 9 at Kelsa Freewill Baptist Church, Kelsa, with the Revs. Ronnie Hurley and Ervin Hurley officiating. Burial followed in the Hurley-Charles Cemetery at Paw Paw near Hurley.
    Active pallbearers were Benny Hurley, Terry Dotson, Farley Duty, Bradley Stacy, Timothy Sisk, Russell Duty, Mathew Dotson, Brandon May, Glenn Jackson, Anthony Duty, Larry Estep, Timothy Sisk, Jr., Robert Looney, Danny Jackson, Ronald Steve Hurley and Jimmy Marrs.
    Honorary pallbearers were employees of Wellmore Coal Corporation.
    Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Amos Shortridge
(Grundy)

    Amos Shortridge, 81, of Grundy, died Thursday, April 3, 2008 in Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy.
    Born May 6, 1926 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Tom and Effie Cole Shortridge. He was of the Pentecostal faith and was an ordained minister, founding two churches where he preached for several years.
    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Shortridge; and five sisters, Carmie Holland, Dorothy Stiltner, Shelby Shortridge, Lucille Shortridge and Ruby Shortridge.
     He is survived by his wife, Ada Mae (Sis) Shortridge; four sons, Jimmy Shortridge and wife, Tammy, Tim Shortridge and fiance', Noel and Danny Shortridge and wife, Dawn, all of Grundy and Bill Shortridge and wife, Shirley, of Galax; one brother, Leroy Shortridge of Grundy; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.
     Services were held Sunday, April 6 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel, Keen Mountain, with the Revs. Troy Lester and Ancil Childress officiating. Burial followed in the Esaw Rife Cemetery at Keen Mountain.
     Pallbearers were Mike Gross, Joe Whitt, Johnny Whitt, Jerry Vandyke, Gerald Vandyke, Roger Grizzle, Ted Charles, Lloyd Cook and Harold Vandyke.
     Buchanan Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Patricia Ann Stiltner
(Big Rock)

     Patricia Ann Johnson Stiltner, 58, of Big Rock, died Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at her home.
     Born May 4, 1949 in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Garland Johnson and Annie Blair Johnson. She was a homemaker and was an avid music and old movie lover.
     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Terry Johnson and Tincy Johnson, and two sisters, Marsha Akers and Robin Riley.
     She is survived by her long-time companion of 30 years, Tracy Mullins, of Big Rock; one daughter, Angela Renee Lester and husband, Clinton "Sonny" of Big Rock; three sons, Randy Carl Stiltner and wife, Barbara Ann, of Hurley, William Scott Stiltner and wife, Alisha, of Big Rock and Stanley Allen Stiltner and wife, Shannon, of Lexington, VA; sisters, Dorothy Wolford and Helen Lane, both of Murfreesboro, TN, Brenda Lloyd of Ohio and Betty Blankenship of Galax; four brothers, Ray Johnson, James Johnson, Eulius Johnson and Terry Johnson; eight grandchildren.
      Services were held Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 1 p.m. at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home in Grundy with Evg. Mike Rife officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock.
     Active pallbearers were family and friends.
     Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

James Larry Duty
(Hurley)

     James Larry (Buffy) Duty, 45, of Hurley, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 following an automobile accident.
     Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Blanche Rakes Duty of Grundy and the late Clell Duty. He was a life-long resident of Buchanan County and was a disabled truck driver.
    In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Audrey Faye Hale; one brother-in-law, Ricky Hale; and one nephew, Nathaniel Lee Marrs.
     He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Sisk Duty; two daughters, Samantha Duty and Audrey Grace Duty, both of Hurley; sisters, Vonda Kay and husband, Tony Duty and Sylvetta and husband, Danny Jackson, both of Hurley, Edith and husband, Larry Estep of Fenton, MI and Stella Dimple and husband, David Robenson of Richlands; several nieces and nephews.
     Services were held Wednesday, April 9 at Kelsa Freewill Baptist Church at Kelsa with the Revs. Ronnie Hurley and Ervin Hurley officiating. Burial followed in the Hurley-Charles Cemetery at Paw Paw near Hurley.
     Active pallbearers were Benny Hurley, Terry Dotson, Farley Duty, Bradley Stacy, Timothy Sisk, Russell Duty, Mathew Dotson, Brandon May, Glenn Jackson, Anthony Duty, Larry Estep, Timothy Sisk, Jr., Robert Looney, Danny Jackson, Ronald Steve Hurley and Jimmy Marrs.
     Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Donald Ferrel Ashby
(Grundy)

     Donald Ferrel Ashby, 60, of Grundy, died Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at a Bristol, TN hospital following an extended illness.
     Born December 24, 1947 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late John C. Ashby, Sr. and Stella Mae Parsons Ashby. He was an employee of Virginia Drilling Company, was a heavy equipment operator and a member of New Hope Christian Church.
      He is survived by his wife, Darlene Ashby; one sister, Mrs. Dennis (Linda) Kosak of Dandridge, TN; seven brothers, Harold Ashby and wife, Margaret of Harman, Larry Ashby and wife, Rosetta of Council, Randy Ashby and wife, Sandy and Roger Ashby, all of Grundy, John C. Ashby Jr. of Pikeville, KY, Bob Ashby and wife, Sandee of Doran and Mike Ashby and wife, Jill, of Dandridge, TN; several nieces and nephews.
      Services were held Saturday, April 5 at Virginia Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Bill Neeley officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
     Pallbearers were James A. Estep, Bruce Dotson, Nick Braatz, Chad Ashby, Chris Ashby, Phillip Ashby, Mark, Joe, David and Mike Foster.
       Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Clint Sutherland, Carl Estep, Ulvert Dotson, Richard Braatz, David Justus, Trevor Atchley, Robert Brooks, Foney Mullins, Eddie Hurley, Carson Lester and men of New Hope Christian Church.
       Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.

Col. (ret.) William
James Buchanan Jr.

    Col. (ret.) William James Buchanan Jr., 72, of Puyallup, WA, died Thursday, April 3, 2008 at Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft. Lewis, WA, following a brief illness.
    Born December 10, 1935, he was the son of James Buchanan Sr. and Helen McKay Buchanan Cothran, formerly of Charleston, SC.
    He was a 1959 graduate of The Citadel in Charleston and earned a masters degree from the University of Alabama in 1968.
     He entered the U.S. Army in June 1959 and retired in 1988 at the rank of colonel. He was a Vietnam veteran and also served his country on numerous assignments throughout the eastern United States, Germany, Korea, Thailand, Texas, Hawaii and Washington.
    Col. Buchanan was a highly decorated officer during his 29 years of service to his country. Among the medals he earned were the Defense Superior Service, the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service and Army Commendation medals and the Bronze Star.
    He was preceded in death by his parents and by one nephew, Fr. Scott A. Buchanan.
     He is survived by his wife, Kaethe L. Buchanan, of Puyallup; one daughter, Cathy St. Clair, of Keen Mountain; two sons, William James Buchanan III, of California, MD, and Robert C. Buchanan, of Indianapolis, IN; one sister, Carol A. Buchanan, of Charleston; one brother, Byron R. Buchanan, of Loganville, GA; one step-daughter, Karen Gray, of Puyallup; four grandsons; one granddaughter; two nephews; one niece; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
     Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 8 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA., where full military honors were held.
     The family suggests additional expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or The Citadel Foundation, The Citadel, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409.
     Powers Funeral Home, Puyallup, was in charge of arrangements.

Dollie Opal Mullins
(Clintwood, VA)

     Dollie Opal Mullins, 89, of Clintwood, died April 3, 2008 in Manassas.
     Born in Dickenson County, she was a daughter of the late Jacob and Ellen Fields Bowman. She was a homemaker.
     She is survived by her husband, Alfred Mullins; one daughter, Rosemary Mullins of Manassas; three sons, Ellis (Judy) Mullins of Culpepper, Glenn (Louise) Mullins of Bealeton and Danny (Jennifer) Mullins of Tarpon; nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
      Services were held Sunday, April 6 at Tarpon Freewill Baptist Church with Jerry Robinson and Jerry Vitatoe officiating. Burial followed in the Gilbert Cemetery, Newberry Ridge.
     Pallbearers were Thomas Mullins, Timothy Mullins, Wayne Miller, Brian Greene, Adam Thibodaux and Marty Sullivan.
     Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ruby Sawyers
(Lick Creek, KY)

     Ruby Sawyers, 78, of Lick Creek, KY, died Sunday, April 6, 2008 at Mt. View Health Care Center.
     Born April 13, 1929 in Pike County, KY, she was the daughter of the late Goble and Zona Matney. She was a homemaker.
     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Grover Cantrell, and her second husband, Prentice Sawyers.
     She is survived by four sons, Benny Cantrell of West Virginia, Steve Cantrell of Lick Creek and Jerry Cantrell and Guy Sawyers, both of Pikeville; three daughters, Vana Coleman of Elkhorn City and Patricia Gaylor and Anna Hurley; one sister, Nell Tosten of Elkhorn City; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
     Services were held Thursday, April 10 at Bailey Funeral Home with Frank Crum officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
     Bailey Funeral Home, Elkhorn City, KY, was in charge of arrangements.

Helen Sybil Hale
(Abingdon, VA)

     Helen Sybil Prater Hale, 69, of Abingdon, formerly of Grundy, died Thursday, April 3, 2008 at her home.
     Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Ross and Opal Prater. She was a graduate of Grundy Senior High School and Pikeville College. She was formerly employed as a teacher by the Buchanan County School System, was an educator, an interior designer, a former retail store owner, an avid reader and animal lover. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her only son, David Ross Hale; her brother, John Ross Prater; and her sister, Brenda Sue Saba.
     She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Margaret Skeens Hale of Grundy; two grandchildren, Reece Hale Robertson of Grundy and Charles Hale of Bristol, TN; two great-grandchildren, Elijah and Elizabeth Hale; two nieces, Erica Prater Miller of Abingdon and Jessica Lynn Davis of Indiana; three nephews, John Ross Prater of Grundy and Christopher Saba and Matthew Saba, both of Abingdon; four great-nieces and great-nephews.
     Services were held Friday night at Farris Funeral Chapel. A committal graveside service was conducted Saturday, April 5 at Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
      Honorary pallbearers were Charles Hale, B.D. Robertson, John Ross Prater, Danny Miller, Christopher Saba and Matthew Saba.
     Farris Funeral Service, Abingdon, was in charge of arrangements.

Bradley Karl Kiser
(North Tazewell, VA)

     Bradley Karl Kiser, 45, of the Baptist Valley section of North Tazewell, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 in Richlands.
     Born July 31, 1962 in Richlands, he was a son of the late Elmer Lee Kiser and Mildred Street Kiser. He was a former member of the Virginia Army National Guard 276th Engineer Battalion in Richlands.
     He is survived by two daughters, Kristi Lynn Kiser and fiance', Chris White of Dublin, GA and Vanessa Mitchele McClain and husband, Tommy, of Tazewell; three grandchildren, Christian Kiser-McClain, Chloe Kiser-McClain and Chelsea Kiser-McClain; former wife and lifelong companion, Linda VanDyke of Tazewell; two brothers, Bryon Keith Kiser and Darryl Lee Kiser and wife, Regina, all of Tazewell; three nieces, Kaylin Kiser, Allie Kiser and Whitney Kiser, all of Tazewell; one nephew, Christopher Kiser and wife, Mindy; and one great-nephew, Landon Kiser, all of Warner Robins, GA;
     Services were held Tuesday, April 8 at Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Pastor Dennis McClemore, Shea Cook and the Rev. Billy Ward officiating. Burial followed in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Thompson Valley where military graveside rites were conducted by members of Casey Short VFW Post.
     Pallbearers were Gary Lawrence, Randy Kiser, Barry White, Buddy Woodberry, Jamie Kinser and Christopher Kiser.
     Honorary pallbearers were Walter Cooper, Christopher White, Tommy McClain and other family members and friends.

Burtis Moore Mullins
(Georgetown, KY)

     Burtis Moore Mullins, 90, of Georgetown, KY, formerly of Pike County, KY, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 at her home.
      Born January 3, 1918 in Pike County, she was the daughter of the late Melvin and Leaty Fleming Moore. She was a homemaker and member of Elkhorn City Church of Christ.
      In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Mullins; and one son-in-law, Ronald Hicks.
     She is survived by two sons, Teddy Mullins, of Lexington, KY and Roy Mullins of Lick Creek, KY; three daughters, Violet Johnson and Betty Arthur, both of Georgetown, KY and Staci Hicks of Cedar Bluff; one brother, Eugene Moore, of Columbia, SC; one sister, Hazel Jones, of Michigan; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
      Services were held Tuesday, April 8 at Bailey Funeral Home Chapel with Jim Ed Belcher officiating. Burial followed in the Moore Family Cemetery at Marion's Branch, Ashcamp, KY.
     Bailey Funeral Home Chapel, Elkhorn City, KY,  was in charge of arrangements.

Jeffery Kevin Mullins
(Bradshaw, WV)

     Jeffery Kevin Mullins, 52, of Bradshaw, WV, died Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at his home.
      Born August 11, 1956, he was the son of Pearl Roberts Mullins of Bradshaw, WV and the late Al Mullins. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
     In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one son, Kevin Dewayne Mullins; and two brothers, Verner Mullins and Shirl Gene Mullins.
     In addition to his mother, he is survived by his former wife, Helen Jean Mullins of Richlands; one daughter, Jessica Bowles and husband, Jacob, of Lex, WV; one sister, Elda Allen of Cleveland, OH; two brothers, Joe Mullins of Bradshaw, WV and Earnest Mullins of Bristol, VA; one grandson, Kevin Dewayne Bowles of Lex.
     Services were held Friday, April 5 at the Jesus Name Church in Bartley, WV, with the Revs. Pete Woods, John Willard and Jay Lamie officiating. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery, Jewell Ridge.
     Active pallbearers were Jacob Bowles, Dean Pruitt, Lighe Roberts, Billy Johnson, Estel Blankenship, Anthony Lester, Robbie Haywood, Josh Mullins and Marcus Marshall.
    Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home, Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

Josie Mullins
(Gibsonton, FL)

    Josie Mullins, 90, of Gibsonton, FL, died Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
    Born in Dwight, she was a resident of Gibsonton since 1962 and was an avid Bingo player.
    She was preceded in death by her husbands, Stuart Hardin and Boyd Mullins, Sr., and one daughter, Dollie Justus.
    She is survived by her children, Eldin Hardin of West Virginia, Clifford Hardin of Tennessee, Parker Hardin of Mississippi, Jay Hardin, Okie Youngman, Boyd Mullins, Jr., Charlie Leon Mullins and Josephine Bassham, all of Florida, Alberta Stacey of Virginia and Betty Sue Ortiz of Texas; 39 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
    Services were held Thursday, March 27 at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, Riverview. Interment followed in the Hackney Cemetery at Riverview.
    Additional expressions of sympathy may be made to LifePath Hospice, (813) 871-8111 or to Development Department, 12973 N. Telecom Parkway, Suite 100, Temple Terrace, FL 33637.

Ida Mae Jones
(Oceanside, CA)

    Ida Mae Jones, 100, of Oceanside, CA, formerly of Pikeville, KY, died April 1, 2008 at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside.
    Born in Buchanan County, February 14, 1908, she was the daughter of the late Charlie and Lydia Childress Freeman.
    In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lee F. Jones in 1975.
    She is survived by two sons, Freeman L. Jones of Oceanside and Charles Jones and wife, Lavon, of Surprise, AZ; two daughters, Carolyn Malek and husband, Mac, of Riverside, CA and Sharon Garza of Oceanside; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
    Additional expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to Family Fellowship Church, 420 N. El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA 92054.