Orberdella (Della) Lester
Big Rock

     Orberdella (Della) Lester, 65, of Big Rock, died Friday, June 6, 2008 at a Richlands hospital.
     Born July 24, 1942 in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Lee and Lois Logan Skeens. She was a homemaker, was employed several years by Harman Mining and was last employed for Slate Creek Zip In. She was a member of Tookland Pentecostal Church.
     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother; and three sisters, Connie Marie Dawson, Barbara Newell and Shelby Hays. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
      She is survived by her husband, Billy Lester; three sons, Charles Lester and wife, Shaena, of Big Rock, Ricky Allen Lester and fiance', Patricia Ann Ball, of Richlands and Randall Lee Lester and wife, Beate, of Claypool Hill; three grandchildren, Rachel Jean Lester, Kimberley Sarrubbo and Jonathan Lester; and one great-granddaughter, Cassidy Dawn Lester.
       Services were held Tuesday, June 10 at Tookland Pentecostal Church with the Revs. Ronnie Parks and Troy Street officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
      Pallbearers were family and friends.
       Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.

Nancy Sparkman
(Grundy)

     Nancy (Justus) Sparkman, 57, of HC 61, Grundy, died Thursday, June 5, 2008 at her home following an extended illness.
     A lifelong resident of Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late John Kenny and Rosie Ellen Justus. A 1969 graduate of Grundy Senior High School, she was a homemaker and licensed beautician.
     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Julia Caroline Sparkman; paternal grandparents, Will and Jane Justus; and maternal grandparents, Ballard and Nancy Jones.
     She is survived by her husband, Edgar Junior Sparkman; one son, Joseph K. Sparkman of the home; two sisters, Lottie Hurley of Pilgrims Knob and Alice Royston of Conover, NC; one brother, Eddie Dean Justus of Grundy; several nieces and nephews.
      Services were held Sunday, June 8 at Virginia Funeral Home with Preacher Jimmie Cole officiating. Burial followed in the Lester Cemetery at Paynesville, WV.
       Pallbearers were nephews and friends.
     Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.

Garcie Thurston Rose
(Grundy)

     Garcie Thurston Rose, 85, of Grundy, died Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at Mountain View Health Care Center in Elkhorn City, KY.
      Born July 11, 1922 in Dickenson County, he was the son of the late Columbus Roberts Rose and Cora Adkins Rose. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran, a retired coal miner and an avid woodworker and builder.
       In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant daughter; two sons, Gary Lynn Rose and Benny Allen Rose; five sisters and one brother.
      He is survived by six daughters, Mary Elizabeth Potter and husband, Roy, of Grundy, Peggy Silcox and husband, Oscar, of Clinchco, Ella Sue Hill and husband, Bill and Tammy Rose and Kitty Rose, all of Clintwood and Janice Rose of Roanoke; seven sons, Billy Dale Rose of Michigan, Raymond Junior Rose and wife, Sharon, of Abingdon, Thurston Lee Rose of Wytheville, Micky Rose and wife, Rita, of Nashville, TN, David Monroe Rose and Lester Rose and wife, Tammy, all of Oklahoma and David Dutton of Clinchco; one sister, Joyce Balducci, of Richmond; and one brother, Raymond Rose of Michigan; 22 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
      Services were held Saturday, June 7 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy with the Rev. Kyle Rose officiating. Burial followed in the Phipps Cemetery on Brushy Ridge in Clintwood.
      Active pallbearers were family and friends.
      Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Bill Elswick
(Maxie)

      Bill (Me) (Paw) Elswick, 81, of Maxie, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008 at his home following an extended illness.
      Born in Lookout, KY in 1927, he later relocated to Harman where he spent his childhood. He was a member of Harman Memorial Baptist Church where he served as Sunday School Director for 33 years, Assistant Sunday School Director, choir director, choir member and soloist and lifetime deacon. He was a coal miner for 42 years, working for Harman Mining Corporation for 41 years and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America Local No. 7025.
      In addition to his parents, Oliver and Roma Looney Elswick, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Vera Templeman and Guthrie Elswick.
      He is survived by his wife, Helen Hartford Elswick; two daughters, Sandra "Cookie" and husband, Bob Dankert, of Whitmore Lake, MI and Vickie and husband, Jim Dent, of Pauley's Island, SC; three sons, Danny, and wife, Chris Elswick and James Hal Elswick, all of Harman and Steve Elswick of Chesterfield; one sister, Louise and husband, Dallas Coleman, of Hazel Park, MI; one granddaughter, Angela Dankert; five grandsons, Stephen Elswick II, Tony Mullins, Jamie Mullins, Robert Dankert and Michael Elswick; six great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
      Services were held Saturday, June 7 at Harman Memorial Baptist Church with Pastor Shea Shrader officiating. Burial followed in the family cemetery on Doubling Fields Road at Harman.
      Active pallbearers were grandsons.
      Honorary pallbearers were deacons of Harman Memorial Baptist Church.
      Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Bessie Pearl Sanson
(Grundy)

      Bessie Pearl Matney Sanson, 89, of Grundy, died Thursday, June 5, 2008 at Mountain View Nursing Home, Elkhorn City, KY, following an extended illness.
      Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Dave and Cora Perkins Matney. 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 first husband, Andrew Smith; second husband, Eligah Dotson; and third husband, Floyd Sanson; one son, Allen Ray Smith; one sister, Evia Akers; and four brothers, Roy Matney, Ritter Matney, Ellis Matney and Galley Matney.
      She is survived by three daughters, Nancy J. and husband, Bobby Ratliff, of Grundy and Mary Ann and husband, Clearnie Stacy and Gloria Jean and husband, Douglas Owens, all of Gaston, NC; five brothers, Glenn Matney and Luther Shade Matney, both of Grundy, Herman Jack Matney of Whitewood, Emory Matney of Patterson and Elwood Matney of Beckley, WV; one half-sister, Nell Keen, of Whitewood; one half-brother, David Matney, of Hillsville; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
      Services were held Saturday, June 7 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Ministers Ronnie Sliger, Eddie Wilson, Bobby Ratliff and Josh Bowman officiating. Entombment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Claypool Hill.
      Active pallbearers were family and friends.
      Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Billy G. Thompson Sr.
(Conaway)

      Billy G. Thompson, Sr., 71, of the Conaway section of Big Rock, died Monday, May 26, 2008.
      Born in Pike County, KY, he was a son of the late Eston and Tishie Jane Belcher Thompson.
      He was a trucker until 1980 before becoming co-owner of Thompson Enterprises. He was a member of Mountain View Church of Christ.
      In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one brother, Bobby G. Thompson; father-in-law, Thompson Kinder; and nephew, Thomas E. Kinder.
      He is survived by his wife, Peggy K. Thompson; two daughters, Cheryl Thompson and Donna Darnell (Mike), all of Conaway; one son, Billy G. Thompson (Belinda Doss) of Nolan, WV; one grandson, Michael Ethan Darnell; one granddaughter, Anna Michelle Darnell; three step-grandchildren, Jason, Kim and Tori Darnell; one brother, Benny R. Thompson, of Shelbiana, KY; one sister, Betty Phillips (Franklin), of Phyllis, KY; one sister-in-law, Agnes Thompson, of Phelps; one brother-in-law, Jackie Kinder (Judy) of Conaway; and mother-in-law, Florence Kinder, of Conaway; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
      Services were held Thursday, May 29 at Mountain View Church of Christ with Frank Crum officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock.
      Pallbearers were Robin, Randy and Paul Belcher, John Sanders, James Sullivan, Scott Darnell, Robert Miller and Joe Sloan.
       Bailey Funeral Home, Elkhorn City, KY, was in charge of arrangements.

Venella Fletcher Combs
(Council)

      Venella Fletcher Combs, 73, of Council, died Thursday, June 5, 2008 in a Bristol, TN hospital.
       Born April 20, 1935 in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Rufus and Victoria Tiller Penley. A lifelong resident of the Buchanan County area, she was a graduate of Council High School and attended various area colleges. She was a teacher with the Buchanan County School System, having retired with over 30 years of service and was a member of Tiller Town Freewill Baptist Church.
      In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Otto William Fletcher; her second husband, Tolbert Combs, Jr.; granddaughter, April Danane Mathena; and one sister, Imogene Lester.
      She is survived by one daughter, Sandra Mathena, and husband, Jerald, of Honaker; one son, Ricky Fletcher and wife, Jeanette, of Council; three grandchildren, Jeremy Scott Mathena, Otto William Fletcher, II and Tabitha Marie Fletcher; two sisters, Trula Presley and husband, Billy, of Woodbine, GA and Fontelle Shortridge and husband, Hartford, of Garden Creek; and two brothers, Chester Presley and James Penley and wife, Patricia, all of Council; several nieces and nephews.
       Services were held Sunday in Honaker with the Revs. Kyle Ratliff, Edward Tiller and Ancil Childress officiating. Entombment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Lebanon.
       Pallbearers were Jeremy Mathena, Otto Fletcher, II, Tracy Tiller, Billy Harris, Jr., David Rasnick, Bill Shepard, Cody Jackson, Jonas Bostic and Gary Jackson.
       Honorary pallbearers were the Rev. Kyle Ratliff, the Rev. Edward Tiller, Paul Combs and Guy Boyd.

Veldil Kate Lester
(Grundy)

       Veldil Kate McGraw Lester, 50, of Grundy, died Thursday, June 5, 2008 at the home of her sister.
       Born December 28, 1957 in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Ance and Stella Blankenship. She was of the Christian faith and was a graduate of SwVCC where she received her associates degree in Mental Health.
       In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gregory Lester; one sister, June Margaret McGraw; and two brothers, Nathan McGraw and Billy McGraw.
       She is survived by two daughters, Trenia Lynn Looney and husband, Bryan, of Grundy and Kristie Rene' Lester and husband, Shannon, of Hurley; six sisters, Bessie Jolley and Revdon Miller, both of Hurley, Mary Leonard of Chesapeake, Laura McGowan of Huntington, MD, Dolly Smith of Upper Marlboro, MD, and Tennessee Critzer of Washington, D.C.; one brother, Jeff McGraw of Ohio; five grandchildren, Kathryn Lester, Delayna Lester, Logan Looney, Madison Looney and Talen Looney; several nieces and nephews.
        Services were held Tuesday, June 10 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy with the Rev. Darrell Davis officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
       Active pallbearers were family and friends.
       Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Edna Mae Breeding
(Abingdon, VA)

       Edna Mae Childress Breeding, 79, of Abingdon, formerly of Buchanan County, died Thursday, June 5, 2008 at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, following an extended illness.
      Born in Pike County, KY, she was the daughter of the late Jim Harve and Evangeline Stiltner Childress. She was a resident of Buchanan County for many years, prior to moving to Abingdon and was a member of West End Freewill Baptist Church in Abingdon. She was a homemaker and a retired nurse.
       In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Kermit Breeding; and her foster parent, Lonnie Clevinger.
       She is survived by her foster parent, June Clevinger, of Maxie; three sisters, Sue and husband, Everett Delaney and Pat and husband, David Ratliff, all of Maxie and Vickie Corby of Sunrise, FL; one brother, David "Sonny" and wife, Rita Clevinger of Maxie; and one half-sister, Verna Hunter of Mouthcard, KY.
       Services were held Sunday, June 8 at Forest Hills Memory Gardens Chapel with Minister Ronnie Sliger officiating. Burial followed in Forest Hills Memory Gardens, Abingdon.
       Active pallbearers were family and friends.
       Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Earl Thomas Mullins
(Paynesville, WV)

       Earl Thomas Mullins, 62, of Paynesville, WV, died Saturday, June 7, 2008 at his home following an extended illness.
       Born in McDowell County, WV, he was the son of the late Dave Columbus and Mae McGuire Mullins. He was a lifelong resident of McDowell County and a member of the Church of Christ. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict where he received the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, two Overseas Bars, National Defense Service Medal, Expert Badge with Pistol Bar and Good Conduct Medal. While in the military, he served with the military police and trained police dogs. He worked with the Charleston Police Department for 13 years and the Richlands Town Police Department for eight years. He was a disabled coal miner, having worked for Island Creek Coal Company.
       In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, William (Billy) McArthur Mullins; one sister, Agnes Tilton; two brothers, Arnold and Harold Mullins; three half-sisters, four step-brothers and two grandchildren.
       He is survived by his wife, Harriett Anita Hurd Mullins; one daughter, Ann, and husband, James Price, of Mooresville, NC; two sons, Thomas, and wife, Brenda Mullins and Jim Wade and wife, Karen Mullins, all of Paynesville; one step-daughter, Anna Kirlin, of Milford, DE; five sisters, Jacqueline Wess of Hurley, Melda Addair of Abingdon, Rebecca Sue Payne of Paynesville, Patricia Toler of Hanover, WV and Valorie Justice of Hillsville; four brothers, Elza L. Mullins of Grundy, Warner McArthur Mullins of Paynesville, James Matthew Mullins of Logan, WV and John E. Mullins of Denton, NC; 13 grandchildren, one step-grandchild and six great-grandchildren.
       Services were held Tuesday, June 10 at Crossview Church of Christ, Paynesville, with Evg. Hobert Kennedy officiating. Burial followed in the John R. Stacy Cemetery on State Line #1, Paynesville.
       Active pallbearers were family and friends.
       Grundy Funeral Home, of Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

James H. Deel
(Stewartstown, PA)

       James H. Deel, 76, of Stewartstown, PA, died Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at York Hospital, York, PA, following an extended illness.
       Born February 22, 1932 in Prater, he was the son of the late James W. and Pricey J. (Mullins) Deel. He was employed as an auditor with the Bank of Baltimore for five years, retiring in 1989 and prior to that was an auditor with Wells Fargo and with Commercial Credit Co. in Baltimore for over 24 years. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict.
        In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and five sisters.
        In addition to his wife, Shirley (Bailey) Deel, he is survived by one daughter, Sandra Deel, of Stewartstown; one son, Jeffrey Deel, of Center Valley, PA; two grandchildren, Sonia and Sanjay Deel; one brother, Tarzan Deel, of Haysi; four sisters, Euna Boyd and Vernie Layne, both of Grundy, Minnie Deel of Birchleaf and Norma Thomas, of Vansant.
        Following cremation, a memorial service was held Saturday, June 7 at Gunpowder Baptist Church in Freeland, MD with the Rev. Jack E. Newton officiating. Burial was planned in Narrows.
       Geiple Funeral Home, Inc., Glen Rock, PA, was in charge of arrangements.

John C. Robinson, Jr.
(Bluefield, WV)

       John Cleveland Robinson, Jr., 83, of Bluefield, WV, died Sunday, June 1, 2008 at Westwood Center in Bluefield, VA.
       Born December 24, 1924 in Hurley, he was a son of the late John Robinson, Sr. and Lydia Smith Robinson. He lived with his family in Bluefield, WV since 1964. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad after 43 years of service where he worked as a Derrick car operator for the wreck car crew. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bluefield.
       He enlisted shortly after the beginning of World War II and served in General Patton's third Army in the European Theatre until 1945 when he was wounded.
       In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Norma Robinson; one daughter, Charlotte Ann Robinson, who died at birth; three brothers, Charles Robinson, George Robinson and Jimmy Robinson; and two sisters, Ida Blankenship and Lilly Ratliff.
       He is survived by one son, J.C. Robinson III and wife, Teresa, of Bluefield, WV, with whom he made his home; grandchildren, Jeremiah Robinson and Keli Ann Robinson, both of Bluefield, WV; brothers, Bill Robinson of Westland, MI and Marion Robinson of Brownsville, TX; sisters, Georgia Davis of Bristol, VA, Mary Ruth Hall of Florida, Pauline Miller of North Bend, OH, Lois Hill of Citrus Springs, FL; several nieces and nephews.
       Services were held Thursday, June 5 at Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield with the Rev. Bill Davis officiating. Interment followed in Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, VA.
       Pallbearers were J.R. Melvin, Bob Hensley, Johnny Lazenby, Jimmy Bailey, Todd Lazenby and Travis Houchins.
      Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory, Bluefield, WV, was in charge of arrangements.

Linda Sue Fuller
(Coalwood, WV)

       Linda Sue Fuller, 58, of Coalwood, WV, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Welch Community Hospital.
       Born October 11, 1949 in Coalwood, she was the daughter of the late Bus and Helen Muncy Stanley.
       A resident of Coalwood all her life, she was a member of the Havaco Community Church. She was an avid Nascar race fan, a former secretary at Welch High School, the West Virginia Police Detachment in Welch and the West Virginia State Capital. She was a 1967 graduate of Big Creek High School.
        In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Kenny Stanley.
       She is survived by her husband, Thomas Fuller; one brother, Alvin "Cigar Stanley; one sister, Barbara Ann Yourk of Forest City, NC; two step-sons, Mikey Fuller and Douglas Fuller, both of Grundy; two step-daughters, Lisa Burkes of Grundy and Crystal Blankenship of North Carolina; several nieces and nephews.
       Memorial services were held Monday, June 2 at Fanning Funeral Home Chapel in Welch with the Revs. Dean Hatfield and Lucille Soto officiating. Burial followed in Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Princeton.
        Fanning Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

James Henry Foster
(Bean Station, TN)

       James Henry Foster, 83, of Bean Station, TN, formerly of Grundy, died Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
       He was the son of the late Hugh and Rachel Elizabeth Foster and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
       He was preceded in death by three brothers, Jack, W.T. and Herbert Foster; and four sisters, May McDaniel, Trula Kincaid, Emily Conley and Grace Foster.
       He is survived by his wife, Gertrude Foster; and five children, Henry Logan (Sonny) Foster of Grundy, Jeffery David Foster of Collierville, TN, James Douglas Foster of Byhalia, MS, Nancy Elizabeth Gill of Russellville, TN and Melinda Gernelle Prater of Grundy; 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
       Services were held Thursday, May 29 in the chapel of Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Cordell Lee officiating. Graveside services followed on Friday, May 30 at Helton Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
         Pallbearers were grandsons.
        Smith Funeral Home in Rutledge, TN, was in charge of arrangements.

Stoney Gene Fuller
(Elkhorn City, KY)

         Stoney Gene Fuller, 69, of Elkhorn City, KY, died Monday, June 9, 2008 at Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville, KY.
        Born in Dickenson County, he was a son of Maxine Mullins Fuller and the late James C. Fuller. He was last employed as a coal miner and was of the Freewill Baptist faith.
        In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his daughters, Thelma Jean and Rachel Lynn; one sister, Ruth Koszo; and three brothers, Richard, Paul and Floyd Fuller.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Lucille Fuller; three daughters, Maxine "Sissy" Fuller of the home, Connie (Tony) Blankenship and Marcella (Douglas) Miller, both of Tazewell; two sons, Stoney "Rocky" Fuller Burwell and James Fuller Burwell, both of Ohio; four brothers, Frank Fuller and Johnny Fuller, both of Haysi, Kenny Fuller of Elkhorn City, and Sidney Fuller of Daytona Beach, FL ; two sisters, Linda Paduda of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Nancy Potter of Elkhorn City; three half-sisters, Lexie Looney, Nell Sutherland and Rosabelle Fuller; six grandchildren and two special grandchildren, Cheyenne "Butterbean" Miller and Teddy "Slick" Fleming; several nieces and nephews.
        The family will receive friends after 6 p.m. today (Thursday), June 12 prior to funeral services at 7 p.m. at Haysi Funeral Home with Allen Thacker and Bill Conley officiating. Graveside services will be held Friday, June 13 at the Fuller Cemetery at Haysi.
        Pallbearers will be sons-in-law and nephews.
       Honorary pallbearers will be grandchildren.
       Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.