Bobby L. Shortridge
(Grundy)

   Bobby L. Shortridge, 69, of Grundy, died Thursday, July 12, 2007 at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy following a brief illness.
   Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Giles and Nickety Vandyke Shortridge. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a member of Little Prater Church of Christ. He was a retired employee of Beatrice Pocahontas Coal Corporation.
   In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Claudine Shortridge, and two brothers, Edsul and Kimbul Shortridge.
   He is survived by his wife, Betty K. Shortridge; four daughters, Sherry Shortridge, Debbie, and husband, Joe Magee, Sandy Shortridge and Tammy and husband, James Smith, all of Grundy; two granddaughters, Kayla and Jaimie Smith; and three grandsons, Josh, Ryan and Scott Magee.
   Services were held Sunday, July 15 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evgs. Dennis Wimmer and Bob Miller officiating. Entombment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
   Active pallbearers were Timmy Mullins, James Smith, Joe Magee, Josh Magee, Ryan Magee, Scott Magee, Mack Blankenship, Don Matney, Danny Kennedy and Jerry Hicks.
   Honorary pallbearers were Gradie Ratliff, Dr. M.J. Thakkar, Randy Ratliff, Blake Lee, Lee Keene and Clayton Stacy.
   Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Little Prater Church of Christ Building Fund, Rt. 4, Box 88, Grundy, VA 24614.
   Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Jeannette Akers
(Big Rock)

   Jeannette Stepp Sutherland Akers, 63, of Big Rock, died Thursday, July 12, 2007, following an extended illness.
   Born in McDowell, KY, she was a daughter of the late Vollie and Josephine Moore Stepp. She had been a resident of Buchanan County several years and was a homemaker.
   In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Michael Anthony Sutherland and Shane David Suutherland; four sisters, Florene Fields, Juanita Fields, Imogene Caudill and Thelma Dye; and three brothers, Herman Moore, Jay Mosley and Wayne Stepp.
   She is survived by her husband, William Akers; two daughters, Florene Christina Sutherland and husband, Leon Peck, of Mavisdale and Crystal Dawn Sutherland and husband, John McClanahan, of Raven; four sons, Randall and wife, Pamela Sutherland of Big Rock, Gary and wife, Sherry Sutherland of Grundy, Gregory Sutherland of Johnson City, TN and Matthew and wife, Sandra Sutherland, of Honaker; two sisters, Ilene Belcher of Big Rock and Linda Slone of Pikeville, KY; one brother, Vernon Stepp of Wytheville; five step-children, 12 grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
   Services were held Sunday, Jule 15 at the House of Prayer Church at Big Rock with the Revs. Raymond Lester, Paul O'Quinn and Giles Wilson officiating. Burial followed in the Frazier Creek Cemetery near Harold, KY.
   Active pallbearers were grandsons.
   Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Kathern L. Mills
(Grundy)

  Kathern L. Mills, 69, of Grundy, died at her home Sunday, July 16, 2007.
  Born in West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Frazier and Annie L. Davis Brown.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Mills; one son, John Raymond Mills; sisters, Sue Cooper, Thelma Jo Stevens, Lorraine Singel and Louise Barnes; and brothers, Frank Brown and Roger Brown.
  She is survived by two daughters, Julie A. (Dennis) Deel of Grundy and Barbara S. (Derrick) Alvis of Wise; three granddaughters, Lizzie A. Deel of Grundy and Kristin D. Branham and Madison L. Avis, both of Wise; one sister, Margaret Baisden of Kendallville, IN; one brother, Frazier T. Brown, Jr. of Tampa, FL; several nieces and nephews.
  A graveside service was held Wednesday, July 18 at the Tom Sparks Cemetery on Bradshaw Mountain.
  Haysi Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Alicia Dawn Lee
(Salisbury, MD)

  Alicia Dawn Lee, 21, of Salisbury, MD, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at her home.
  Born in Charleston, WV, November 20, 1985, she was the daughter of Phillip Alan Lee and Rhondalyn Gay Branham. She and her family moved to Salisbury in June 1990, relocating from Chapmanville, WV. She was a member of Liberty Church of Christ in Salisbury. She was a part-time student at Wor Wic Community College, studying Medical Science, was a published author with interests in Cultural Anthroplogy, was a lover of animals, poetry and music where she played a clarinet and was a singer. Additional interests included art and horseback riding. She had been previous employed in Ocean City at Trimpers in 2004 and The Pier in 2005 until her illness confined her to home.
  In addition to her father and mother, she is survived by one sister, Amber Nicole Parks; her nephew, Nicholas Odysseus Butner, II; paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Mamie Lou Lee of Big Rock; maternal grandparents, Charles and Aileene Branham of Ford's Branch, KY; uncles, Michael Lee of Cedar Bluff, Philip Dean and Michael Branham of Pikeville, KY; one aunt, Barbara Compton, of Jacksonville, FL; , several cousins and friends.
  Services were held Monday, July 16 at Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury. Officiating during the funeral were John Butler Book, Oren Perdue and Art Decker. Interment followed at Wicomico Memorial Park.
  Pallbearers were her friends from Salisbury.
  Honorary pallbearers were Michael Lee, Philip Dean Branham, Michael Branham, Virgil Bradford, Jeff Adkins, Nicholas O. Butner, Chris Henry, Gary Chatham, Dan Eure, Bobby Vetra and Bobby Bell.

Joan Nuckles
(Honaker, VA)

  Joan Nuckles, 72, of Honaker, died Friday, July 13, 2007 at her home.
  Born in Drill, she was the daughter of the late Chester Albert and Eunice Whitt Whited. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a 1952 graduate of Honaker High School. She was a retired library clerk for the Russell County School System, having worked at Swords Creek and Givens Elementary School for some 39 years. She attended the Fletcher's Ridge Freewill Baptist Church.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Thurman Cleveland Pete Street, and one brother, C.A. Whited, Jr.
  She is survived by her husband, Harley Nuckles; one son, Joseph C. and wife, Jane Street, of Newport News; one sister, Doris Brown, of Rosedale; two grandchildren, Joseph C. Street, Jr. and wife, Noel, of Columbia, VA and Cora Hite and husband, Charles, of Newport News; one niece and one nephew.
  Services were held Monday in Honaker with the Revs. Ancil Childress and Troy Harris officiating. Interment followed in the Whitt Cemetery at Drill.
  Pallbearers were men of Fletcher's Ridge Freewill Baptist Church.

Reginald Keith Caul
(North Wilkesboro, NC)

  Reginald Keith Caul, 50, of North Wilkesboro, NC, died Thursday, July 12, 2007 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
  Born in Wilkes County to Anthony Samuel and Cynthia Marie Rousseau Caul,  he was a graduate of Wilkes Central High School. He was a Little League coach for 15 years, had been employed by Lowe's companies and was a member of Rickard's Chapel AME Zion Church.
  His parents preceded him in death.
  He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Walker Caul; two daughters, Lori Bailey of Wilkesboro and Jessica M. Caul of Traphill; two sons, ReBonn Caul of North Wilkesboro and Chasey Caul of the home; one son-in-law, Kevin Lincoln of Traphill; five sisters, Brenda Savage and husband, Levon, Jacquelynn Barber and husband, Marvin, Linda Howell and husband, Alvin and Maria Caul, all of North Wilkesboro, Deborah Carlton of Wilkesboro; one brother, Timothy Caul and wife, Georgia, of New Philly, OH; four brothers-in-law, John Walker, Tommy Walker, David Walker and Robbie Walker, all of Virginia; two sisters-in-law, Norma Walker of Hays and Clair Christian of Virginia; father-in-law, Jimmy Walker and wife, Loretta, of Hurley; three grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Funeral services were held Monday, July 16 at Richard's Chapel AME Zion Church with the Rev. Richard Watts officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
  Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, North Wilkesboro,  was in charge of arrangements.
  Information courtesy of Virginia Funeral Home.

John Lee Cantrell
(Cliffield, VA)

  John Lee Cantrell, 61, of Cliffield, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late James W. and Goldie Jane McGlothlin Cantrell. He was a retired coal miner, having worked for 38 years with various coal mining companies. He was a member of the UMWA Local 1760 and attended Cliffield Church of Christ.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bertina L. "Judy" Cantrell, and one brother, James Lewis Cantrell.
  He is survived by one son, Gary Cantrell, and wife, Linda, of Thompson Valley; one daughter, Donna Cantrell, of North Tazewell; three grandchildren, Mason Lee Colley, Leanna Cantrell and Steven Cantrell; fiance', Barbara Whitt, of Pounding Mill; five sisters, Annabelle McDonald and husband, John, of Sunland, CA, Naomi McFrederick of Ashland, OH, Erma Horn and husband, Joe, and Carrie Hammond, all of Grays Branch, Cedar Bluff and Mary Crawford of Cliffield; one brother, Oris Cantrell and wife, Peggy, of Raven; several nieces, nephews..
  Services sere held Friday, July 13 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel, Cedar Bluff, with the Revs. Joe Horn and Carl Robinson officiating. Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers were family and friends.
  Singleton Funeral Services was in charge of arrangements.

Leonard S. Skeens
(Colonial Beach, VA)

  Leonard Swanson "Lenny" Skeens, 72, of Westmoreland County, died Thursday, June 28, 2007 at Mary Washington Hospital following an extended illness.
  Born in Mullins, WV, July 13, 1934, he was the son of the late Leonard and Ada Skeens of Rowe. He was a resident of Buchanan County prior to moving to Alexandria and then to Colonial Beach. He owned and operated "Lenny's Restaurant" for some 30 years. He served in the United States Air Force and was a member of the Moose Lodge 1267, Colonial, Beach, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 4315, Colonial Beach, and was a patron of the River Boat on the Potomoc and was an avid boater and fisherman.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Marie Mabe of Health, OH and Vivian Breeding of Cleveland, VA; two brothers, Donald Skeens of Fredericksburg and Cournelious (Nick) Skeens of Annandale.
  He is survived by his wife, Shelby E. Skeens; daughters, Teresa Duke, of Westmoreland, Patricia Carlin of Spotsylvania County, Regina Stephens of Georgia, Kimberely Davenport of Tennessee, Brandy Robinson of Montross and Crystal Elliott of Quantico; two sisters, Ellen Hall Parkes of Front Royal and Norma Skeens of Sterling; and one brother, Terry Skeens of Richmond.
  A memorial service was held Sunday, July 1 at Nash and Slaw Funeral Home in Colonial Beach with the Rev. Ron Okrasinski officiating.
  Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of contributions to the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Box 212, Colonial Beach, VA 22443.

Bobby James Napier
(Warren, MI)

  Bobby James Napier, 69, of Warren, MI, died Tuesday, July 10, 2007 following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Ted and Ethel Pauline Napier of Michigan, formerly of Harman. He relocated to Michigan to work in the automotive industry which included GM and Chrysler prior to his retirement.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Margaret Dale Jenkins, Mary Cox and Edna Ruth Bowman; and two brothers, Eugene Napier and Bill Napier.
  He is survived by two daughters, Jody and husband, Tim Welch, and Lynn Napier; four granddaughters, Korina, Gena, Natalie and Amy; one great-granddaughter; four sisters, Millie Stamat, Lois Ann and husband, Roger Owens, Betty and husband, Wally Qwisdalla, and Peggy and husband, Richard VanDebossche; two brothers, Teddy Ray Napier and John and wife, Elsie Napier, all of the Michigan area; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews of Michigan and Virginia.
  Services were held Saturday, July 14 at Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home following interment at White Chapel Cemetery in Michigan.

Leenell Burks
(Swords Creek, VA)

  Leenell Coleman Burks, 80, of the Clarks Valley section of Swords Creek, died Monday, July 16, 2007 in a Richlands hospital.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Sylvia Owens Coleman, both Buchanan County natives. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family in her generation. She was a member of the Prater Creek Primitive Baptist Church at Vansant for more than 60 years and was a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elder Spencer H. Burks; two sons, Dennis Burks and Rick Burks; one daughter, Kathy Vance; five brothers and five sisters.
  She is survived by five sons, Danny Burks and wife, Barbara, Dave Burks and wife, Stephanie, Nick Burks and wife, Kim, Scotty Burks and wife, Tracy, all of Abingdon, and Doug Burks and wife, Dawn, of Belfast; one daughter, Donna Keene and husband, Joe, of Chilhowie; 14 grandchildren, Eddie Burks and wife, Tina, Shawn Burks, Vanessa Gilbert, Joe Burks, Ricky Burks and wife, Bridgette, Andy Burks, Kelly Webb and husband, Brandon, Robbie Keene, Kristi Burks, Jenny Pruitt and husband, Jonathan, Chad Burks, Hannah Grace Burks, Clay Burks and Garrett Burks; two step-grandchildren, Dale and Richard Keene; six great-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and one special sister-in-law, Nell Coleman.
  Services were held Wednesday, July 18 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff with Elders Aaron Williams, Jeffrey Arnold, Chad Crawford and Eunice Davis officiating. Entombment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum, Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers were grandsons.
  Honorary pallbearers were deacons of Washington Primitive Baptist Association.
  Singleton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Elmer F. Childress
(Pounding Mill, VA)

  Elmer Franklin Childress, 76, of Pounding Mill, died Sunday, July 15, 2007 at Bristol Regional Medical Center following a brief illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Lawson and Beulah F. Ratliff Childress. He had made his home in the Pounding Mill area for the past 20 years and was a former truck driver and employee of Mike's Super Saver. He was a member and deacon of the Claypool Hill Church of Christ and was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Douglas and Wayne Childress.
  He is survived by his wife, Gert Justus Childress; one daughter, Pamela Childress Osborne and husband, Ed, of Pounding Mill; grandchildren, Michael Ryan Osborne, Joshua Brandon Osborne and Amanda Smith; two sisters, Helen C. Matney and Winnie B. Hess and husband, Willard, all of Grundy; one brother, Eugene Childress and wife, Bev, of Grundy; several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Wednesday, July 18 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Evgs. Bob Smith, Mike Rife and Hobart Kennedy officiating. Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill. Members of Casey-Shortt VFW Post #9640 conducted military graveside rites.
  Pallbearers were Michael Lee, Michael Paul Lee, Cody Lee, Tim Basham, Sam Fox, Louie Lawson and employees of Mike's Super Save: Dean Miller, William Perkins, Jim Stidham and Barry McAllister.
  Honorary pallbearers were Clyde Horn, Junior Long, Randy Long, David Long, Brad Looney, Daniel Murray, Donald Davis, W.J. Cole and the men of the Claypool Hill Church of Christ.
  Hurst-Scott Funeral Home, Richlands, was in charge of arrangements.