Dimple C. Ellis
(Vansant)

  Dimple C. Ellis, 88, of Vansant, died Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, following an extended illness.
  Born in McDowell County, she was a daughter of the late Edward and Nancy Cline Collins. She was a resident of Buchanan County for many years and was an employee for the state of West Virginia. She was of the Baptist faith.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Ross Ellis, September 4, 1947; one sister, Stella Willard; one daughter, Patsy Ruth Ellis; one son, Donald Ross Ellis; four brothers, Roy, John L., Edward C. and Doc Collins; and two granddaughters, Karen Michelle and Felecia Kay Ellis.
  She is survived by one son, Rick, and wife, Kathy Ellis of Vansant; three grandchildren, Roy Lee Ellis, Michael Dean Ellis and Gina McClain; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
  Services were held Monday, May 1 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Michael Trent and the Rev. Jody Breeding officiating. Burial followed in Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery, Richlands.
  Active pallbearers were Junior Sexton, Roy Ellis, Mike Ellis, Dave Shortt, Rodney Owens and Harold Vandyke.
  Honorary pallbearers were staff of Heritage Hall and residents, Dr. J. Patel, Dr. H. Patel, Dr. D. Patel and men of Ratliff Chapel Baptist Church.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

  James Dempsey Deel, Sr., 64, of Harman, died Sunday, April 30, 2006 in Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Dempsey and Viva Hamilton Deel. He was a member of Harman Memorial Baptist Church, was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a retired coal miner and a member of John Ratliff Post #164 of the American Legion.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene Tuner Deel.
  He is survived by his wife, Marlene Belcher Deel; two daughters, Kimberly Deel of Harman and Sandy Coleman of Bristol; two sons, James Dempsey Deel, Jr. and wife, Connie, of Lenoir, NC and Paul Anthony Deel of Newark, OH; one sister, Cynthia Anderson of Harman; and four grandchildren.
  Services were held Tuesday, May 3 at Harman Memorial Baptist Church with the Revs. Jim Fuller, Shea Shrader and Kenneth Card officiating. Burial followed in the Deel Cemetery at Harman. Full military rites were held at the cemetery by John Ratliff Post #164 of the American Legion.
  Active pallbearers were Jamie Deel, Shannon Cole-man, Jerry Hodge and Burl Ratliff.
  Honorary pallbearers were Warren Colley and men of Harman Memorial Baptist Church.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Lula Nell Baker
(Wolford)

  Lula Nell Stacy Blankenship Baker, 77, of Wolford, died Thursday, April 27, 2006 in Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Robert Stacy and Ollie Hurley Stacy. She was a member of the Knox Creek Church of God and was a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Eugene Blankenship; second husband, Clarence Baker; one daughter, Donnell Stacy; one son, Douglas Blankenship; and two brothers, Frank and John Stacy.
  She is survived by one daughter, Priscilla Addison and husband, Alan, of Mavisdale; three sons, Robert Blankenship and wife, Brenda, of Hurley, Rufus Blankenship and wife, Pauline, and Ricky Blankenship, all of Wolford; four sisters, Laura May of Hurley, Ruth Stacy and Betty Stacy, both of Lakeland, FL and Faye Scarlon of Detroit, MI; two brothers, Ronnie Stacy and Bill Stacy, both of Wolford; nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Monday, May 1 at the Knox Creek Church of God at Hurley with the Revs. Henry Rowe, Doug Blankenship, Pete Woods and Charlie Kennedy officiating. Burial followed in the Wolford Cemetery at Hurley.
  Active pallbearers were Jason Estep, Tony Christian, Ricky Hardin, Alan (Jabo) Addison, Timothy Blanken-ship, Robbie Blankenship, Joshua Stacy, Chris Rowe, Billy Stacy and Matthew Stacy.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dwayne Stacy, Scott Rowe and Mercy Ambulance Crew.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

  Opal Mae Stacy Helton, 86, of Big Rock, died Thursday, April 20, 2006 following an extended illness.
  Born in McDowell County, she was a daughter of the late Harrison Stacy and Lydia Sullivan Stacy Lester. She was a member of Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church and was a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sonny Helton, January 3, 1993; two daughters, Geraldine Hackney and Christine Helton; two sons-in-law, Pet Rife and Pete Hackney; two brothers, Foy Stacy and Finace Stacy; and two grandsons, James Allen Rife and Randall Helton.
  She is survived by two daughters, Pauline Helton Rife and Florine and husband, Jimmy Billiter, all of Big Rock; two sons, Gene and wife, Retha Helton and Stewart and wife, Barbara Helton, all of Big Rock; one half-sister, Leo Carbough of Morton, WA; two half-brothers, Angelo Lester and Junior Lester, both of Morton; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Monday, April 24, at Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church with Elders Howard Daniels, Roger Coleman, Frank O’Quinn and others officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were Kenneth Rife, Bradley Rife, Gary Lester, Robert Millinger, Teddy Belcher, Chad Billiter, Tim Billiter, Tim Billiter, Jr., Jerry Hackney, Greg Hackney, Craig Blankenship, Steve Helton, Freddie Helton, Roger Fuller, Ray Fuller and James Lambert.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. H. Patel, Dr. D. Patel, fourth floor and ICU staff of Buchanan General Hospital and members of Bull Creek Old Regular Baptist Church.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

  William James (Bill) Watts, 63, of Oakwood, died Friday, April 28, 2006 in Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke following an extended illness.
  Born in Sunburg, PA, he was the son of the late Wilbert J. and Mabel Meiser Watts. He had been a resident of Buchanan County several years, was of the Methodist faith and was retired from the Raysal, WV Volunteer Fire Department. He was a retired auto body mechanic and served in the United States Army National Goard.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, William Schaeffer.
  He is survived by his fiance’, Dorothy M. Owens, of Oak-wood; four daughters, Colena Feaster of Middlesburg, PA, Bonnie and Marlene, both of Pennsylvania and Wendy Morton of North Carolina; five sons, Jason Allen Owens of Oakwood, Billy Watts, Jr. of Pennsylvania, Robert Watts of Middletown, DE, Paul Ryan Watts of North East, MD and Ronnie Gene Owens of New Castle, DE; two step-children, Gina and Melody; one sister, Mary Cherry of Miffinburg, PA; one brother, Robert C. (Bob) Watts of Grundy; and nine grandchildren.
  Services were held Tuesday, May 2 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. William Hart officiating. Burial followed in the Roberts Cemetery on Rock Ridge near Paynesville, WV.
  Active pallbearers were friends.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Peggy Ruth Crouse
(Maxie)

  Peggy Ruth Crouse, 71, of Maxie, died Monday, May 1, 2006 at Buchanan General Hospital, Grundy, following an extended illness.
  Born in Williamson, WV, she was a daughter of the late Kyle and Emily Maye Charles Austin. She had been a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a member of the Little Prater Church of Christ. She was a former employee of Grundy Hospital and a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Erma Dotson; and one brother, Charles Edward Austin.
  She is survived by her husband, Paul Allen Crouse, former sheriff of Buchanan County; one son, Blaine Allen and wife, Dedra Crouse of Maxie; one sister, Phyllis Dotson of Mouthcard, KY; and two grandchildren, Amy Beth Crouse and Blaine Allen Crouse II.
  Services will be held today (Thursday), May 4 at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evgs. Michael Trent and Mike Rife officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers will be men of Little Prater Church of Christ.
  Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
 

Elijah Johnson
(Council)

  Elijah Johnson, 84, of the Combs Ridge section of Council, died Tuesday, May 2, 2006 in a Bristol, TN hospital.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Eshmel and Canzada Stevens John-son. He had spent most of his life in the area and was of the Freewill Baptist faith. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during World War II, was a retired coal miner, having been employed by U.S. Steel and was a member of the UMWA.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Attley Johnson, Lonnie Johnson, Aubrey Johnson, Herman Johnson and Rufus Johnson.
  He is survived by his wife, Eva Johnson; one daughter, Brenda and husband, Paul Howard Lester of Council; three brothers, Ellis Johnson of Bluefield, Kermit Johnson of Tazewell and Daniel Johnson of Honaker; one sister, Lethia Johnson Hale of Tazewell; and one grandson.
  Services will be held Friday in Honaker with the Revs. Kyle Ratliff and Roy Lee Wilson officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers will be Ronnie Johnson, Larry Johnson, Joey Honeycutt, Curtis Whitt, Steve Johnson, Mark Johnson, Lanny Sutherland, Ronald Jones, Randall Johnson, Kerry Johnson and Eric Johnson.
 

Lige Counts
(Clintwood, VA)

  Lige Counts, 82, of Clintwood, died Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Dickenson Community Hospital.
  Born in Dickenson County, he was a son of the late George and Rachel Wallace Counts. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, a retired welder, member of the VFW and DAV, and a member of Splashdam Freewill Baptist Church.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Counts; one granddaughter, Amanda Counts; three brothers, Rex, Jack and Lawrence "Cat" Counts; and two sisters, Gypsy Vanover and Billy Fuller.
  He is survived by his wife, Mary Counts; one son, Patrick (Carol) Counts of Morocco, IN; one daughter, Rhonda Jo (John) Simek of Bryant, WI; three brothers, Joe (Betty) Counts of Utah, Topsy (Martha) Counts of Haysi and Bob (Bernice) Counts of Pennsylvania; one sister, Georgia Nowlin of Haysi; five grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Tuesday, May 2 at Splashdam Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Danny Sluss officiating. Burial followed in the Mullins Cemetery, Haysi. VFW Post 8979, DAV Chapter 35 and American Legion Post 227 of Dickenson County conducted military graveside rites.
  Pallbearers were family and friends.
  Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

Eunice Street
(Independence, VA)

  Eunice Blankenship Street, 81, of Independence, formerly of Buchanan County, died Thursday, April 27, 2006 in an Independence nursing facility.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late William McKinley and Rhoda Lily Belle Blankenship. She had spent most of her life in the Buchanan County area, moving to Independence eight years ago. She was formerly employed as a cook at the Derby Cafe’ and the Rainbow Restaurant. She was of the Holiness faith.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Street; one son, Harlis Edward Street; six brothers and sisters, Pearlie Blankenship, Grace Street, Virgie Street, Ora Street, Velva Duty and Pershing Blankenship and two grandchildren.
  She is survived by one daughter, Betty, and husband, Marvin Ratliff of Ivanhoe; one son, James Elbert Street of Spring Hill; one brother, Roosevelt Blankenship of Saltville; four sisters, Leathia Street of Tazewell, Vida Street of Cedar Bluff, Pauline Chaffins of Mouthcard, KY and Ola Gay Morris of Glen Allen; five grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Sunday at Rowe Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Revs. Ancil Childress and Arvil Arwood officiating. Interment followed in the Street Cemetery at Rowe.
  Pallbearers were grandsons and nephews.
 

Victoria Justus Jessie
(Paw Paw, KY)

  Victoria Justus Jessie, 90, of Paw Paw, KY, died Thursday, April 27, 2006 in Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, TN, following a brief illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Short and Sally Smith Justus and was a member of Union Light Freewill Baptist Church. She was a store operator for many years, a homemaker, and a caregiver for 15 years.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William McKinley Jessie in 1971; four sisters, Virginia Carpenter, Lucille MacMiller, Ada Justus and Dorothy Baker; and two brothers, Robert Justus and Clarence Justus.
  She is survived by one daughter, Pamela Kay and husband, Tommy Conn, of Paw Paw; one sister, Fredia Hurley of Hurley; two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Monday, May 1, at Stopover Freewill Baptist Church with the Revs. Tommy Conn, Larry Rife and Bobby Conn officiating. Burial followed in the Jessie Cemetery on the right fork of Paw Paw on Lick Branch Hollow near Paw Paw.
  Active pallbearers were Jackie Dotson, Joe Conn, Junior Vanover, Farley Sargent, Monroe Dotson, Tommy Conn and Arlie Dotson.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
 

  Vera Lucille Lumley Bagwell, 90, of Falls Church, died Friday, April 28, 2006 at Goodwin House West.
  Born in Pierre, SD, she was a daughter of the late Robert W. and Ida Nordvold Lumley. She was a homemaker and member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Arlington where she was active in the Rebecca Guild and in the gardening program at Goodwin House West.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Callaham Bagwell.
  She is survived by one son, John L. Bagwell, of Abingdon; one daughter, Nancy E. Bagwell of Arlington; two granddaughters and one great-grandson.
  Memorial services were held Monday, May 1 at Goodwin House West Chapel in Falls Church with the Rev. John Thomas officiating.
  Services will be held today (Thursday), May 4 at Pruitt Funeral Home in Honea Path, SC. Burial will follow in Eastview Cemetery, Honea Path.
  Pruitt Funeral Home, Honea Path, is in charge of arrangements.