Melda Victoria Whitt
(Grundy)

  Melda Victoria Whitt, 93, of Grundy, died Thursday, June 1, 2006 at a Grundy hospital.
  Born September 28, 1912 in McDowell County, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Green and Amelia Hunt Lester. She was a homemaker and a member of the Old Regular Baptist Church.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Bill Slone, second husband, Jay Whitt; three daughters, Betty McCoy, Phyllis Lester and Bonnie Lindsey; one son, Buck Slone; and 14 brothers and sisters.
  She is survived by two sons, Bill Slone, Jr. and Wife, Joyce, of Clinchco; and Harold Slone, of Hurley; three step-sons, Andrew Whitt, Fenton, Mich., Lawson Whitt, Grundy, and Tracy Whitt, Hurley; two step-daughters, Geneva Little of Hurley, and Shirley Matney, of Hurley; one brother, Green (Jim) Lester, of Iaeger, West Virginia; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
  Funeral services were Sunday, June 4, 2006 at the Little Dove Old Regular Baptist Church at Hurley with Elders Roscoe Crouse and Curtis Crouse, Danny Hurley, Danny McCoy and Josh Justus, Jr. officiating. Burial followed in the Lester Cemetery at Mohawk, WV.
  Pallbearers were family and friends.
  Virginia Funeral Home, Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

Barbara Boyd
(Vansant)

  Barbara Ann Blankenship Boyd, age 61, of Route 1, Vansant, died Thursday, June 1, 2006, in a Grundy hospital.
  Born February 14, 1945 in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Jay Hugh Blankenship, Sr. and Goldie Marie Compton Blankenship. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a member of the Crane’s Nest Primitive Baptist Church.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Jay Hugh Blankenship, Jr., two half-brothers, and three half-sisters.
  Survivors include her husband, Arthur F. Boyd, of the home; three daughters, Hope Leigh Boyd, of Vansant, Colleen Dunford and her husband, David, of Manassas, and Penny Boyd and her husband, Michael, of Vansant; one son, Gregory Boyd and his wife, Rebecca, of Winchester; six grandchildren; one sister, Janet Ratliff, of Davenport; one brother, Teddy Blankenship, of Honaker; six grandchildren; a special caregiver, Jennifer Rife; and several nieces and nephews.
  Funeral services were conducted Saturday in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Elder Garnell Gilbert, Elder Roger Fuller, Elder Price Viers, and Elder Jimmy Lee Smith officiating. Interment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.
  Pallbearers were Hassell Vandyke, Clinton Barton, Ronnie Compton, Tanner Boyd, Shawn Dunford, Douglas Boyd, Milton Ratliff, Keithel Breeding and Keith Boyd.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Halim Muslu and all employees of Buchanan General Hospital, Total Home Health Care, Virginia Medical and Respiratory, Hearl and Ilene Shortridge, Lonnie Boyd and the staff of Mercy Ambulance Service.
  Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Walter Clyde Woods
(Tazewell, VA)

  Walter Clyde Woods, 71, of Tazewell, died Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at his home.
  Born May 25, 1935 in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Harman and Margie Compton Woods. He was a former employee of Jewell Smokeless Corporation and was the former owner and operator of the Fun Time Arcade. He attended Mountain View Church of Christ at Springville for many years.
  He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Wada Stacy Woods; two sons, Randy Woods and wife, Lois, of Grundy, and Chris Woods and wife, Cyndi, of North Tazewell; one brother, Arthur Woods and wife, Adeline, of Grundy; two sisters, Gertrude Hibbitts of Grundy, and Versel Murphy of Cedar Bluff; two grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
  Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2006 at Peery & St .Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Minister Bill Boyd officiating. Burial will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
   Nephews and friends will serve as pallbearers.   Honorary pallbearers will be Donald Sluss, Robert Ables, Junior Hurley, Robert Kinder, Boyd Keen, Jim Houck, Steve Jeffers, Leonard Melton and Dr. Phillip Peterson.
  The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Thursday, June 8, 2006.

Dana Gray Edwards
(Haysi)

  Dana Gray "Donkey" Edwards, 54, died Monday, May 29, 2006 at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tenn.
  Born in Dickenson County, he was a son of Evelyn and the late Arnold Edwards. He was last employed as a carpenter and was of the Freewill Baptist faith.
  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by twin sons, Kenneth Lee and Steven Gray; a sister, Nancy Holstein; maternal grandparents, Andy and Kate Frazier; and paternal grandparents, Martin and Ellen Edwards.
  In addition to his mother, he is survived by a daughter, Anita Petty, of Ringold, Ga.; three brothers, Lacy (Nan) Edwards and Greg (Brenda) Edwards, both of Haysi and Junior (Charlotte) Edwards of Tunnell Hill, Ga.; two sisters, Vicki (Eugene) Mullins, of Clintwood and Sherry (Leroy) Yates, of Haysi; longtime companion and fiance, Kathy McCoy; two step-daughters, Beth Anderson, of Haysi and Rebecca Justice, of Ky.; three grandchildren; six step-grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.
  Funeral services were Friday, June 2, 2006 at the Haysi Funeral Home with Jerry Robinson and Jerry Vitatoe officiating. Burial followed in the Sykes-Frazier Cemetery at Tarpon.
  Pallbearers were nephews and cousins, Larry, Eric and Shawn Edwards, Brandon Mullins, Joe Yates, Rocky Conoway, Garmon Frazier and Connie Wagner.
  Honorary pallbearers were Eugene Mullins, LeRoy Yates, Oland Artrip, Sonny Barton, James L. (Hippy) Yates, Ronald Stanley, Ronnie Counts, Gayle Colley, Charles Wayne Moore, Bill Yates, Palmer McCowan and John Anderson.
  Haysi Funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Kit Carson Stiltner
(Belfast)

  Kit Carson Stiltner, age 85, died Thursday, June 1, 2006 in Russell County Medical Center, following a brief illness.
  Born March 19, 1921 in Grundy, a son of the late Lewis Stiltner and the late Martha Sweeny Stiltner, he was a former coal miner and truck driver and was the owner of Stiltner’s Trailer Park in Belfast.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant son: Gregory; two step-sons: James and Johnny Foster; two brothers: Arlen and David Stiltner; one infant brother: William Stiltner; and a step-granddaughter: Jodi Ann Foster.
  Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Betty Boyd Stiltner; five daughters: Bernice Marshall and husband, Bobby, Lebanon; Joyce E. Stanley, Grundy; Lexie I. Davis and husband, Larry, Vansant; Sharlene L. Stiltner and husband, Terry, Maxie, and Becky Osborne and husband, James, Jr., Lebanon; two step-daughters: Teresa Powers and husband, David, Honaker and Cathy White and husband, Archie, Whitewood; two step-sons: Danny Foster and Mark Foster, both of Belfast; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; nine step-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; four sisters, Kelsie Clevinger and husband, Bert, and Linda Barnette and husband, Jack, all of Belfast; Reath Robis, Lebanon and Nesbie Childress, Grundy; two brothers, Howard Stiltner and wife, Jean, Canton, Oh., and J.C. Stiltner, Belfast; and several nieces and nephews.
  Funeral services were Saturday, June 3, 2006 in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Guy Harris and the Rev. Troy Harris officiating. Burial followed in Russell Memorial Cemetery.
  Pallbearers were Ronnie Kestner, Joe (Bub) Ratliff, Jack Barnette, Matt Foster, Wayne Boyd, Anthony Boyd and Dallas Owens. Honorary pallbearers were Gorman (Bo) Ratliff, Bert Clevinger, Leon Boyd and Johnny Lester.
  Combs Funeral Service, Lebanon, was in charge of arrangements.

Jason Randall Ward
(Statesville, NC)

  Jason Randall Ward, 19, of Statesville, NC, died Sunday, May 28, 2006 at his home.
  Born in Tazewell County, October 31, 1986, he was the son of Deborah Lynn Hankins Reynolds, of Statesville, NC, and the late Randy Edward Ward.
  He enjoyed working on his computer, riding his motorcycle and fishing.
  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Clyde Ward.
  Survivors, in addition to his mother are his step-father, Billy Reynolds, of Statesville, NC; paternal grandmother, Janie Williamson, of Big Rock; step-paternal grandfather, Dennis Williamson, of Big Rock; maternal grandparents, Kenneth Hankins and Janet Hankins, of Bristol, Tenn.; one brother, Jessie Alan Ward, of Statesville, NC; one step-sister, Elizabeth Reynolds, of Statesville; one niece, and several aunts and uncles.
  Funeral services were Friday, June 2, 2006 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel, Grundy, with Minister Danny Fraley officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were family and friends.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home, of Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

Lillian Duty Ratliff
(Wilkesboro, NC)

  Lillian Duty Ratliff, 85, of Wilkesboro, NC, formerly of Deel, died Wednesday, May 31, 2006, in Britthaven Nursing Home, Wilkesboro, NC following an extended illness.
  Born in Meally, Ky., she was a daughter of the late Russell and Bessie Musick Duty. She was a resident of Buchanan County prior to moving to Wilkesboro, NC and was a member of the Deel Church of Christ for 54 years. She was a homemaker and in her early years, was a bookkeeper.
  She was preceded in death by her husband, Shade Ratliff on August 26, 1984 and by two sons, Roger Lee Ratliff and Bobby Earl Ratliff; seven brothers and one sister.
  She is survived by two daughters, Linda Gale and husband, George Looney, of Patterson, NC; Beulah, and husband, Bob Stewart, of Petersburg; two sisters, Verlie Bowling, of Deel; and Ruth and husband, Earl King, of Fayetteville, Ga.; and five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
  Funeral services were Saturday, June 3, 2006 at 1 p.m. at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Fred Osborne officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were members of the Deel Church of Christ.
  Grundy Funeral Home, of Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

Mary Carolyn Singleton
(Akron, Ohio)

  Mary Carolyn Collins Singleton, 77, of Akron, OH died Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at Hospice Visiting Care Center Nurses Services, Akron, Oh following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late John D. and Cora Mae Stiltner Collins. She had been a resident of Buchanan County before relocating to Akron. She was a member of the Church of God.
  She was preceded in death by two sisters, Geneva Prater and Mildred Hibbitts and three brothers, Marshall, Russell and Frank Collins.
  She is survived by four daughters, Carol and (Bill) Neeley, of Grundy, Kathy and (Charley) Yates, of Grundy, Debbie Singleton, of Akron, and Kris and (Bill) Rice, of Uniontown, Oh; two sons, Ron and (Sue) Blankenship, of Claypool Hill and Steve and (Mary Beth) Singleton, of Akron; two sisters, Ruth Crum, of Roanoke, and Suda Stiltner, of Green Cove Springs, Fla.; three brothers, George "Buster" Collins, of Bristol, John Collins, of Seguin, Tx., and Gene Collins, of O’Fallon, Il.; 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
  Funeral services were Monday, June 5, 2006, at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evg. Michael Trent and Evg. William L. Neeley officiating. Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Active pallbearers were Charlie Yates, Bill Rice, Chad Yates, Ronnie Neeley, Anthony Trent and Roger Yates.
  Grundy Funeral Home, of Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

Ritchie Terrance Coleman
(Rosedale, Va.)

  Ritchie Terrance Coleman, 32, of Rosedale, formerly of Buchanan County, died Thursday, June 1, 2006.
  Born in Tazewell County, he was a son of Richard Lee Coleman, of Vansant, and Lorraine Stacy Coleman, of Abingdon.
  He had been a resident of Buchanan County most of his life and was a member of Little Prater Church of Christ. He was a graduate of Grundy High School Class of 1991 and was a former employee of Noah Horn Drilling Co.
  In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Monica Justus Coleman, of Rosedale; one daughter, Alexis McKenzie Coleman, of Rosedale; one son, Ritchie Tyler Coleman, of Rosedale; one sister, Kim and husband, Eddie Lindsay, of Vansant; and one brother, Eric and wife, Teresa Coleman, of Vansant.
  Funeral Services were Monday, June 5, 2006, at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Ministers, Eddie Lindsay, Larry Ratliff and Evgs. Michael Trent and Mike Rife officiating. Burial followed in the Coleman Cemetery on Leemaster, near Vansant.
  Active pallbearers were Josh Lindsay, Cody Elswick, Grey Clevinger, Kres Vandyke, Walter Casey, Craig Howell, Keith Coleman, Chris Hagy, Billy Justus, Tim Elswick and David Elswick.
  Honorary pallbearers were uncles and friends.
  Grundy Funeral Home, Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

Iris R. Keen
(Fredericksburg, Va.)

  Iris Ramey Keen, 74, of Fredericksburg, died Friday, June 2, 2006 at Woodmont Health Center.
  She was a native of Buchanan County, and lived in Staunton, from 1972 until 2001. She had retired from work with the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  She was preceded in death by her parents, Bart and Roma Ramey; one brother, Gary Ramey; and two sisters, Glee Compton and Inez Nichols.
  Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Tommy Spradlin, of Fredericksburg; one brother, Leo Ramey, of Fredericksburg; one granddaughter; one aunt; and several nieces and nephews.
  Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at Covenant Funeral Service with the Rev. Richard Clore officiating.
  Burial followed in Oak Hill Cemetery.
  Nephews served as pallbearers.
  Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2217 Princess Anne St., Suite 106-1F, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
  Covenant Funeral Service, Fredericksburg, was in charge of arrangements.