Lizzie Melinda Dye
(Oakwood)

  Lizzie Melinda Dye, 87, of Oakwood, died Saturday, May 6, 2006 in a Richlands hospital.
  Born in Swords Creek, she was a daughter of the late Ira and Tiny Perkins Miller. She grew up in the Swords Creek area and had resided in Buchanan County since 1940. She was a member of Guiding Light Freewill Baptist Church at Mavisdale.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Quinton Edward Dye; one daughter, Rose Marie Dye; five brothers, Claude Miller, Bazzie Miller, Carlos (Pete) Miller, Harley (Penny) Miller and Glenn (Doc) Miller; and three sisters, Minnie Hubbard, Elsie Miller and Hazel Taylor.
  She is survived by her husband, the Rev. James Edward Dye; four sons, Millard Dye and wife, Peggy, Harold Dye and wife, Rita, Wade Dye and fiance’, Pam, all of Oakwood and Bruce Dye and wife, Rose, of Patterson; one daughter-in-law, Norma Dye, of Oakwood; one brother, Junior Miller of Honaker; one sister, Gladys Ray of Swords Creek; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Wednesday in Honaker with the Revs. Troy Harris and Sonny Perkins officiating. Interment followed in the Wilson Cemetery at Drill.
  Pallbearers were Jeffrey Dye, Doug Dye, Matthew Dye, Jared Deskins, Roy Smith, Brad Mullins, Kermit Stanley, Steve Miller and Burley Miller.
  Honorary pallbearers were James Miller, Duane Miller, Lynn Hess, Dr. Ravi Titha, Rev. I.Y. Park, Bobby Street, Ron Lasley, Bobby Rich-ardson, Phillip Imel, Rev. Ancil Childress, Rev. David Perkins, Steve Crumpton, Mark Cantrell, Kalen Watkins, Ray Watkins and friends.
 

  Charles Curtis Elswick, 76, of the Conaway section of Buchanan County, died Friday, May 5, 2006 at his home.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Floyd and Kelsa Virginia Elswick. He was a charter member of the Grundy Church of God where he had served as clerk and Sunday School Superintendent. He was a retired coal miner, a member of the UMWA Local #7025 and was a member of the Grundy Hardee’s Breakfast Club. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Otto Darrell Elswick and Floyd Elswick, Jr.; and one grandson, Curtis Scott Bevrage.
  He is survived by his wife, Helen Louise Elswick Elswick; two daughters, Patricia Sue Bevrage of Hillsboro, WV and Melissa Elswick of Abingdon; two sons, Harold David Elswick of Keen Mountain and Charles Daniel Elswick and wife, Gloria, of Abingdon; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Monday, May 8 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home with the Rev. Doug Elkins officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were family and friends.
  Honorary pallbearers were Edd Addington, Jerry Matney, Jeff Coleman, Dr. Clint Sutherland and Dr. J. Patel.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Effie Keene Stump
(Patterson)

  Effie Keene Stump, 67, of Patterson, died Saturday, May 6, 2006 at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, TN.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Chap Walker Keene and Rosie Evelyn Byrd Keene. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County, a retired employee of Anchor Inn Motel and attended Dismal Holiness Church.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.
  She is survived by her husband, William Edward Stump; two daughters, Melissa Keen and husband, Dewey, of Grundy and Nancy Newson and husband, Stan, of Mt. Gilead, OH; two sisters, Margie Horne and husband, Harvey, of Patterson and Delsie Mullins and husband, Dillard, of Grundy; two brothers, Donald Ray Keene and wife, Virgie, of Patterson and J.D. Keene and wife, Nancy, of Raven; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
  Services were held Tuesday, May 9 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy with the Revs. Daniel Houchins and J.D. Keene officiating. Burial followed in the Hinkles Cemetery at Upper Big Branch, Dismal.
  Active pallbearers were Paul Mullins, Jonathan Keene, Stan Newson, Dewey Keen, Donald Keene, Jr. and Nelson Horne.
  Honorary pallbearers were grandsons, Dillard Mullins, Patricia Street, Betty Horne and Paul E. Lester.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

  Minnie May Hurley, 92, of Hurley, died Thursday, May 4, 2006 at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy following a brief illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Basil and Daisy Dotson May. She was a member of Sulphur Springs Primitive Baptist Church and a member of the Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Hurley, September 23, 1980; one son, Harold Hurley, January 16, 1991; two brothers, Howard May and Older May; five sisters, Bertha May, Lucy Justus, Lydia Spencer, Margie May and Sarah May; and four grandchildren.
  She is survived by five daughters, Ida Jean Hurley and Ruby Collins, both of Hurley, Mrs. Estil (Betty) Chaney of Home Creek, Louanna Payne of Oakwood and Nell Fuller of Feds Creek, KY; six sons, Edgar Bill Hurley and wife, Clara, Robert Hurley and wife, Brenda, and Randall Hurley and wife, Nancy, all of Hurley, Jimmy Hurley and wife, BJ, Gary Wayne Hurley and wife, Ruby Ann and Lonnie Hurley, all of Big Rock; one sister, Virgie Young of Hurley; two brothers, Arthur May and Herbert May, both of Hurley; 37 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, four step-great-great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Monday, May 8 at Sulphur Springs Primitive Baptist Church at Hurley with Elders Jimmy Lee Smith, Randy Thornsbury, Brian Moore, Elmer Brown and Brother Jimmy Kerr officiating.
  Grandsons were pallbearers.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. H. Patel and Dr. D. Patel.
  Virginia Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

  Cecil Rice, 49, of Maxie, died Monday, May 8, 2006 in Wellmont Regional Hospital following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Charlie Rice of Maxie and the late Carma Mae Willis Rice. He was a life-long resident of Buchanan County, was of the Baptist faith and a disabled coal miner, having been an employee of Harman Mining Company as a shuttle car operator. He was a volunteer at Buchanan Community Food Pantry..
  In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by one brother, Gary Rice, January 1, 1988; maternal grandparents, Nelson and Lucinda Yates Willis; and paternal grandparents, W.I. and Dicey Deel Rice.
  In addition to his father, he is survived by five sisters, Clara Beller of Maxie and Brenda Justus, Wilma Stewart, Marie Stiltner and Dicey and husband, Danny Stewart, all of Elkhorn City, KY; three brothers, William (Doc) Rice and Garman and wife, Wilma Rice, all of Maxie and Roy and wife, Celia Rice of Vansant; six nieces, nine nephews, one step-niece, one step-nephew, seven great-nephews, one great-niece, one step-great-niece and two step-great-nephews.
  Services were held Wednesday, May 10 at Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church at Maxie with Elders Toy Looney, Roger Coleman, Mark Justice and Howard Daniels officiating. Burial followed in the J.S. Willis Cemetery at Bartlick.
  Active pallbearers were nephews and friends.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. R. Kabaria, staff of Buchanan General Home Health Nursing and fellow volunteers of the Buchanan Community Food Pantry.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Bertha Mae Cutlip
(Oakwood)

  Bertha Mae Adkins Fisher Cutlip, 79, of Oakwood, died Monday, May 8, 2006 at the home of her daughter.
  Born in Clay County, WV, she was the daughter of the late William Oscar Adkins and Vanie Elswick Adkins. She was a retired cook and was of the Pentecostal faith.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Clarence Boyd Fisher; her second husband, Chester Allen Cutlip; four brothers, James Cecil Adkins, Benny Edward Adkins, Eddie Samuel Adkins and William Darrell Adkins; and one granddaughter, Valerie Anne Ray.
  She is survived by one daughter, Rosalie Fisher Ray and husband, James of Oakwood; one step-daughter, Mereline Hooser and husband, Roger, of Ohio; one sister, Pebble Gay Adkins of Ivydale, WV; one brother, Harley Darius Adkins of Harrison, WV; several step-grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
  Services will be held Friday, May 12 at 12 noon at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy with Pastors James Ray and Gerald Lester officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Active pallbearers will be Charles Hubbard, Steve Keen, Joe Ward, Ricky Horn, Arthur Horn and Brian Keen.
  Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin Ray, James Samuel Ray, Harley Adkins and David Hagerman.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
 

Ronald Lee Matney
(Grundy)

  Ronald Lee Matney, 35, of Grundy, died Sunday, May 7, 2006 at his home.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of Ida Justus Matney Marshall of Oakwood and the late Harold Eugene Matney. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was of the Christian faith.
  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Bill Marshall.
  He is survived by his mother, Ida Justus Matney Marshall of Oakwood; his wife, Donna Jean Adkins Matney; three daughters, Chasity Leann Matney and Kristina Lynn Matney, both of Grundy and Angel Lynn Whited of Raven; one son, Ronald Lee Matney, Jr. of Grundy; two brothers, Harold Eugene Matney, Jr. of Raven and James Allen Matney of Oakwood.
  Services will be held today (Thursday) at 1 p.m. at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy with Evg. Roger Blankenship, Sister Spring Robertson and the Rev. Ancil Childress officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers will be Jimmy Matney, Jamie Matney, Donnie Adkins, Ron Adkins, Kerby Justus and Buford Lester.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Joan Hale Street
(Lebanon, VA)

  Joan Hale Street, 69, of Lebanon, died Thursday, May 4, 2006 at Hospice House at Wellmont in Bristol, TN.
  Born in Council, she was a daughter of the late Earl and Hazel Ball Hale. She had lived most of her life in the Southwest Virginia area but had also spent a number of years in Nashville, TN.
  She is survived by her husband, Donald Street; one son, Donald Street Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Nashville; one brother, Jerald Hale of Council; one sister, Donna Hale and husband, J.C. of Council; three sisters-in-law, Draper Street, Darlis Street and Georgia Street; two granddaughters, several nephews, nieces and cousins, one grand-niece and one great-grand-niece.
  Services were held Saturday in Honaker with the Revs. J.C. Steele, Larry Burton and Ancil Childress officiating. Entombment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers were Doug Compton, David Bostic, Lanny Hamm, Jerry Hale, David Honaker, Jim Lockhart, Jack Davis and Todd Henley.
  Honorary pallbearers were men of Rosedale Baptist Church.
 

Keisha Dawn Vest
(Princeton, WV)

  Keisha Dawn (Powell) Vest, 26, of Princeton, WV, formerly of Jolo, WV, died Tuesday, May 2, 2006 following an automobile accident in Mt. Airy, NC.
  Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of David Manuel and Diana Bales Powell of Jolo. She was a 1997 graduate of Iaeger High School, received her associates degree in science and radiology technology from Bluefield State College and attended Concord College. She was an MRI Technologist at Northern Hospital in Mt. Airy and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Princeton. She was accompanied in death by her four and one-half month unborn infant.
  She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Peggy Powell; and maternal grandparents, John and Vernia Bales.
  She is survived by her husband, Jason Vest of Princeton; one son, Logan David-Lee Vest of the home; one sister, Ashlei Rife and husband, Derek, of Bluefield; paternal grandfather, Burl Powell and wife, Pam, of Princeton; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
  Services were held Friday, May 5 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with the Revs. Dan Jividen, Jonathan Johnson and Jay Cole officiating. Burial followed in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton.
  Pallbearers were Shannon Vest, Alan Vest, Jerry McKnight, Rodney Vest, James Collins, Bobby Joe Peery and Ronnie Wagner.
  Seaver Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Dewey Johnson
(Honaker, VA)

  Dewey Johnson, 66, of Honaker, died Wednesday, May 3, 2006 in a Lebanon hospital.
  Born in Council, he was a son of the late Ezra and Mary Ball Johnson. A lifelong resident of the Buchanan and Russell County areas, he attended the Freewill Baptist Church and was formerly employed as a fitter welder for Simmons-Rand for 23 years.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Bill Johnson and Gilmer Johnson and three sisters, Lovis Whitt, Trula Lowe and Willmer Johnson.
  He is survived by his wife, Glenna Johnson; one daughter, Teresa Whitt of Cedar Bluff; one son, Butch and wife, Brenda Fitzgerald of Newark, DE; two brothers, Daniel Johnson of Jewell Ridge and Ashby Johnson of Ohio; three sisters, Fonnie Baldwin and Wanda Johnson, both of Council and Beulah Whitt of Jewell Ridge; two grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Saturday in Honaker with the Rev. Roy Lee Wilson officiating. Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers were relatives and friends.
 

  Elder Luther Edison Vance, 75, of Paynesville, WV died Saturday, May 6, 2006 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands following an extended illness.
  Born in Paynesville, he was a son of the late David R. and Patsy Victoria Horn Vance. He was a former welder/mechanic pipe fitter for Newport News Shipyard and was retired from United Coal Company. He was an elder of Bee Branch Primitive Baptist Church.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Linkous Vance, and one grandson, Isaac Jackson.
  He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Stewart Vance; two daughters, Kathy Bemisdarfer and husband, Bob, of St. Charles, IA and Betty Herrera and husband, David of Gloucester; two sons, Paul Edison Vance and wife, Delores, of Trinity, NC and David Ferrell Vance and wife, Paula Denise of Troy, NC; one brother, Alonzo Vance of Oakwood; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Tuesday, May 9 at Bee Branch Primitive Baptist Church in Paynes ville with Elders Harold Thornsbury and Darrell Mullins officiating. Burial followed in the Davis Cemetery on Davis Ridge near Paynes-ville.
  Pallbearers were grandsons.
  Fanning Funeral Home in Iaeger, WV was in charge of arrangements.
 

  Curby McClanahan, 81, of Delaware, OH, died Thursday, May 4, 2006 at his home.
  Born in Grundy, he was the son of the late Glenn McClanahan and Sarah Jane (nee Elswick). He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, who retired from the Defense Construction Supply Center in Columbus. He was a member of the Ostrander United Methodist Church.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Alvie, Robert and Roy; and two sisters, Ruby Davis and Beulah McClanahan.
  He is survived by his wife, Maxine (nee Looney); two daughters, Diana (Ron) Stevens and Brenda (David) Cox of Delaware; one son, Wesley (Valerie) McClanahan of Ostrander; four brothers, Arville (Ellen) of Columbus, Hassell (Mary) of Chicago, IL, Harold of Utica, OH and George (Evelyn) McClanahan of Carroll, OH; three sisters, Ruth Owens of Grundy, Eula Fields of Chicago, IL and Mary (Les) Baker of Cincinnati; one sister-in-law, Ruby McClanahan of Sterling; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Wednesday, May 10 at Rodman Neeper Funeral Home, Bennett Brown Chapel, Delaware, with the Rev. Scott Campbell officiating. Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery, Ostrander, with the Delaware County Veterans Association providing military honors at graveside.
  Rodman Neeper Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
 

Thelma Mullins
(Wise, VA)

  Thelma Mullins, 79, of Wise, died Friday, May 5, 2006 at Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap.
  Born in Tazewell, she was a daughter of the late McKinley and Ella Edwards. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd "Tom" Mullins and sisters, Frankie Fuller and Gladys Hinchey, and brother, Maloy G. Edwards.
  Survivors include three brothers, Joe (Jan) Edwards of Lebanon, Benny (Ricki) Edwards of Warren, MI and Larry (Frances) Edwards of Clintwood; three sisters, Mary Vance of Yakima, WA, Shirley (Harold) Edwards and Sarah Hall, both of Clintwood; several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Sunday, May 7 at Haysi Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Edwards Cemetery at Birch-leaf.
  Pallbearers were nephews.
  Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Donrita Matney Looney
(Bristol, VA)

  Donrita Matney Looney, 79, of Bristol, VA, died Saturday, May 6, 2006 at her home.
  Born in Pikeville, KY, she was a daughter of the late Ersel and Flora Wiley Webb. She was of the Baptist faith, was a homemaker and had taught in the Headstart program at Poplar Creek School.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her twin brother, Don Webb; brothers, Eugene Webb, Bobby Webb and Jimmy Webb; one sister, Beulah Warf; and one grandson, Chris Shortridge.
  She is survived by her children, Martha Hatcher of Bristol, TN, Patricia Large and husband, Bobby, of Abingdon, John Matney and wife, Becky, of Bristol, VA, Billy Matney, Kathy Daniels and husband, Darrell, all of Grundy; one sister, Louise Conley of Grundy; one brother, Ronnie Webb and wife, Katheryn, of Mooresville, NC; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Tuesday at Weaver Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Betty Reiff officiating. Entombment followed Wednesday in Forest Hills Memory Gardens Mausoleum.
  Weaver Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Gerald Crawford Trent
(Hillsborough, NC)

  Gerald Crawford Trent, 59, of Hillsborough, NC, formerly of Buchanan County, died Saturday, May 6, 2006 at his home following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Virginia Pauline Keene and the grandson of the late Oakley and Dorothy Trent. He had been a resident of Buchanan County for 55 years until moving to Hillsborough some four years ago. He was a member of Little Prater Church of Christ.
  He is survived by his wife, Rebecca (Becky) Ratliff Trent; four daughters, Teresa Trent Justus and Jessica Renae Trent, both of Hillsborough, Alisa Trent Underwood of Graham, NC and Rebecca V. Trent of Princeton, NC; one son, Gerald Crawford Trent II of Hillsborough; one brother, Evg. Michael Trent of Grundy; step-father, Elster Keene of Seattle, WA; one half-sister, Sharon Keene Bogath of Seattle; and three grandchildren.
  Services were held Wednesday, May 10 at Little Prater Church of Christ with Evg. Mike Rife officiating. Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Active pallbearers were Bucky Wright, Ralph Ratliff, Don Ray Matney, Buck Ratliff, Rusty Ratliff, Ardale Hibbitts, Roger Underwood and Arthur Stiltner.
  Honorary pallbearers were Christopher Horn and Max R. Stanley.
  Virginia Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.