Thelma Pugh
(Grundy)

  Thelma Ling Ward Pugh, 89, of the Slate Creek section of Buchanan County, died Friday, September 14, 2006 at her home following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late George W. and Sindesta Hurley Ling. She was a life-long resident of Buchanan County and a member of New Life Fellowship Church at Oakwood. She was previous owner and operator of the Dixie Drive Inn Restaurant, Grundy Drive-Inn Restaurant and the Sweet Shop in Grundy for several years and was known for her talent in baking pies. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Clarence Burns Ward, in 1946; her second husband, Ed Pugh, September 18, 1974; two sons, Billy Pugh and Lowell Ward; one infant daughter and one infant son; four sisters and three brothers.
  She is survived by six daughters, Linda Childress of Grundy, Kathy, and husband, Joe Ratliff of Vansant, Glenna M. and husband, Hersel Goff, of Newman, GA, Rhonda and husband, Gayle Combs of Roanoke, Judy and husband, Ronnie Coleman of Wytheville and Connie and husband, Larry Meadows of Salem; seven sons, Charles and wife, Mary Pugh of Big Rock, Buren and wife, Lellie Pugh of Phyllis, KY, Eural and wife, Hazel Pugh of Benton, KY, Mickey and wife, Zee Pugh of Biggs, CA, Mancy and wife, Rose Mary Pugh of Port Orange, FL, Palmer and wife, Susan Pugh, of Urbana and Gary and wife, Joyce Pugh of Greenville, TN; 41 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
  Services were held Monday, September 18 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jerry Wilson officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were grandsons and great-grandsons.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Rebecca Ruth Ratliff
(Grundy)

  Rebecca Ruth Sparks Ratliff, 65, of Rt. 2, Grundy, died Friday, September 15, 2006 at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy following an extended illness.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Ida Blankenship Sparks. She was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a member of Harman Freewill Baptist Church. She was a former operator of K.P.M. Market and a volunteer at the Buchanan County Community Center and Food Bank.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Fay Sargent and Minnie Ann Tatum; one brother, Estil Sparks; and one daughter, Delena Gail Dotson.
  She is survived by her husband, James Paul Ratliff; two daughters, Katrina and husband, Charles Price of Pelion, SC and Paula and husband, Dwayne Benge of Paintsville, KY; one son, Michael Paul Ratliff of Grundy; four sisters, Vagil Lester of Hurley, Hydreth Bell Reynold of Leemaster, Belva Jean Vanover of Grundy and Gay Mays of Green Cove Springs, FL; one brother, Hershel Sparks of Shelbiana, KY; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
  Services were held Tuesday, September 19 at Harman Freewill Baptist Church with Ministers Ronnie Sliger, Eddie Wilson, Bobby Ratliff and Josh Bowman officiating. Burial followed in the Mudlick Cemetery at Harman.
  Active pallbeares were Charles Price, Donnie Ratliff, Ronald Millinger, Rodney Stiltner, David Owens, Kenny Bowman, Health McClanahan and Dwayne Benge.
  Honorary pallbearers were Robert Millinger, Sammie Ratliff, Raymond Thornburry and Glenn Vance.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

James Mullins
(Whitewood)

  James (Jimmy) Mullins, 69, of Whitewood, died Tuesday, September 12, 2006 in a Richlands hospital following an extended illness.
  Born in Tazewell County, he was the son of the late Jay and Bessie Mae Johnson Johnson Mullins. He was a retired coal miner and a member of the UMWA. He was of the Holiness faith.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Sherry Elaine Mullins and Para Mullins; one sister, Betty Mullins; and one son-in-law, Robert H. White, II.
  He is survived by his wife, Cora Horn Mullins; one daughter, Tara Mullins White of Whitewood; four brothers, Thomas Mullins and wife, Alberta, Bobby Mullins and wife, Delma, Adlai Mullins and wife, Bonnie, all of Pilgrim's Knob and Jerry Mullins and wife, Joann, of Temple, TX; two sisters, Phyllis Horn of Chicago, IL and Doris Miller and husband, Tommy, of Pounding Mill; and four granddaughters.
  Services were held Friday, September 15 at Buchanan Funeral Home Chapel at Keen Mountain with the Rev. Jimmy Cole officiating. Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers were Mark Collins, Sean Horn, Timothy Mullins, Terry Freedman, Craig Horn, Randy Mullins and Paula Mullins.
  Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Park, Dr. Peralta, staff of Richlands Express Dialysis and staff of Chores and Errands.
  Buchanan Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

 Jerry Lee Brown
(Oakwood)

  Jerry Lee Brown, 43, of Oakwood, died Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
  Born in Tazewell County, he was the son of Aubrey Brown of Oakwood and Helen Wilcox Read of Pilgrim's Knob. He was a 1982 graduate of Garden High School,  was an active volunteer of the Gift Of Love and a member of the Oakwood Volunteer Fire Department.
  He was preceded in death by three brothers Danny, Ronnie and Jimmy Brown, and by his step-mother Hassie Brown.
  In addition to his father and mother,  he is survived by his step-father, George Reed of Pilgrims Knob; his wife, Joyce Gaye Yates Brown ; three sisters, Teresa Hale of Oakwood, Carla Brown of Pilgrim's Knob and Melanie Burton of Castlewood; one brother, Eddie Brown of Oakwood; several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Friday, September 15 at 1 p.m. at New Life Fellowship Church, Oakwood,  with the Rev. Jerry Wilson and Evgs. Roger and Lois Null officiating. Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Active pallbearers were Lewis Addison, Bo Addison, Jerry Yates, Doug Mullins, Jake Yates, Richard Yates and Earnie Burton.
  Honorary pallbearers were Wyatt Ratliff, Grace Ratliff, George (Pop) Read, Scott Justus, Michael Yates, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Cortellesi, Patty Yates, Samuel Brown, Dr. Ballenger, Jeffery Hale, Ben Hale and Gift of Love Volunteers.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home, Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

David Nicholas Rife
(Grundy)

  David Nicholas Rife, 27, of Grundy, died Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy following a brief illness.
  Born in Tazewell County, he was a son of Preston (Red) Rife of Roseann and Brenda Fleenor Ratliff of Grundy. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and attended New Hope Christian Church. He was a graduate of Grundy Senior High School's class of 1997. He attended Southwest Virginia Community College, graduated from Skip Barber Racing School and was a gifted writer.
  He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, John Fleenor, Jr. and paternal grandparents, Glen Rife and Maggie Rife Toney.
  In addition to his mother and father, he is survived by one sister, Megan Rife, of Richmond; maternal grandmother, Lila Fleenor of Grundy; one uncle, Johnny, and wife Barbara Raines Fleenor of Grundy; and one cousin, Jordan Fleenor.
  Services were held Friday, September 15 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Evgs. Bill Neeley and Mike Rife officiating. Entombment followed in Mountain Rest Mausoleum at Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were Gary Lester, Kenneth Rowlett, Dathan Vanover, Nick Hutchinson, Jordan Fleenor, John Hutchinson, David Cecil, Jr., Sid Owens, Jessica Vanover, Jill Stiles, Tabitha Hawley, Jonathan Ratliff, Shane Keen, Brandon Dellinger and Chad Musick.
  Honorary pallbearers were David Cecil, Sr., Dr. J.P. Sutherland, Jr., Steve Hagy, Herb Fields, David Matney, Rickey Horn, David Ratliff, William Keen, Greg Rife, Roger Rife and Bobby Reece.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

   James Preston 
      Curt Hurley
                (Mavisdale)

  Infant James Preston Curt Hurley, four months of age, died Sunday September 17, 2006 at his home.
  Born in Tazewell County,  April 22, 2006, he was the son of Jerry Ray Hurley and Rebecca Lynn Carrico Hurley of Mavisdale.
  In addition to his parents, he is survived by one half-sister, Lenora Angelica Gerber of Oakwood; one half-brother, Leonard Joseph Gerber III of Oakwood; paternal grandparents, Alfred and Linda Hurley of Hurley; maternal grandfather, Boyd Preston Carrico of Marion; maternal grandmother, Phyllis Sue Keen; and step-maternal grandfather, Rickey Darrell Keen Jr. of Oakwood.
  Services were held Wednesday September 20 at Word Evangelist Outreach Center, Wolford, with Revs. Darrell Davis, Mike Cook, and Danny Hess officating. Burial followed at the Blankenship Cemetery on Main Knox, Hurley.
  Active Pallbearers were Jason McGraw, Boyd Currico, Rick Keene, Jerry Ray Hurley, Randy May and Steven Carr.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home, Grundy, was in charge of arrangements.

  Elex Wetzel (Mike)  
       Johnson, Jr.
                     (Grundy)

  Elex Wetzel (Mike) Johnson, Jr., 64, of Grundy, died Sunday, September 17, 2006 at his home.
  Born in McDowell County, he was the son of the late Elex Wetzel Johnson, Sr. and Virgie Mary Duford Addair. He was a member of the Cross View Church of Christ where he served as deacon and was a retired employee of Virginia Energy.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Alice Deskins, and one brother, Hurbert Ray Click.
  He is survived by his wife, Martha Adeline (Marti) Puckett Johnson; one daughter, Mary Ellen Stiltner and husband, Barney, of Grundy; two sons, James Elex Johnson of Greensboro, NC and David Allen Johnson and wife, Sandra, of Hickory, NC; four sisters, Charlotte Mullins of Mt. Holly, NC, Wilma Lee Hale and husband, Roger, of Bartley, WV, Annie Ingram of Martinsville, and Judy Kuniba of Chesapeake; six brothers, Darrell Johnson of Mavisdale, Charles Clik and wife, Thelma, of Mt. Holly, Arber Cleve Click and wife, Cookie, and Ernest Addair, all of Tazewell, Gary Johnson of Hickory and Eugene Addair and wife, Pauline, of Cedar Bluff; three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.
  Services were held Tuesday, September 19 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home Chapel with Evgs. Hobert Kennedy and Keith Stiltner officiating. Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Active pallbearers were men of Cross View Church of Christ.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

      Glenda Mae 
 Daugherty Combs
          (Rosedale)

  Glenda Mae Daugherty Combs, 37, of Rosedale, formerly of Grundy, died Monday, September 11, 2006, following an automobile accident in Russell County.
  Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of Roger and Gladys Daugherty of Grundy. She was a 1987 graduate of Grundy Senior High School, attended Southwest Virginia Community College, where she was working on her Criminal Justice degree and was currently employed at  Keen Mountain Correctional Center where she had worked for the past 17 years. She served as a Correction Officer Sr., Hearings Officer and Armory Officer. She was a member of the first graduating class from the VA Department of Corrections for Keen Mountain Correctional Center, and was honored as K.M.C.C employee of the month in 2005. She was of the Pentecostal faith.
  In addition to her parents, she is survived by one daughter, Jessica Leigh Hess of Rosedale; one sister, Angela Lane and husband, Lee, of Abingdon; one brother, Christopher Daugherty and wife, Missy, of Abingdon; several nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles.
  Services were held Saturday, September 16 at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home, with the Rev. Mike Ashby, Pastor Jason Nunley, and Preacher William Daugherty officating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Pallbearers were members of the Color Guard of Keen Mountain Correctional Center.
  Honorary pallbearers were Russell Daugherty, William Daugherty, Roger Potter, J.D. Jackson, Ralph Jackson, Tivis O’Quinn, Curtis Jackson, David Jackson, Anthony Skeens, Carl Jackson, Donald Hess and Darren Akers.
  Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Ronnie Bond
(Pounding Mill)

  Ronnie Bond, 53, of Pounding Mill, formerly of Buchanan County, died Sunday, September 17, 2006.
  Born in Page, he was the son of Elizabeth Bond Coleman of Grundy and the late Charles Elmer Bond. He was a member of Road Ridge Trail Rider's 4-Wheeler Club.
  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Judy Deloris Meadows.
  In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Rita Dye Bond; two sons, David Keith Bond of Lebanon and Steven Allen Bond of the home; one daughter, Bridget Nicole Bond of the home; two brothers, Alva Lee Coleman of Grundy and Charles E. Bond of Swords Creek; one sister, Angel Mullins, and husband, Brad of Stone Mountain, GA; father-in-law, Robert Lee Dye of Webb Branch.
  Services were held Wednesday, September 20 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with Evg. Mike Trent and the Revs. Otis Musick and Ancil Childress officiating. Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
  Pallbearers were family and friends.
  Buchanan Funeral Sevice was in charge of arrangements.

Cora Jane Owens
(Swords Creek, VA)

  Cora Jane Owens, 83, of Swords Creek, died Thursday, September 14, 2006 in a Richlands hospital.
  Born in Russell County, she was a daughter of the late William Silas and Martha Caroline Dye Boyd. A lifelong resident of the area, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
  She is survived by one daughter, Deborah Owens of Richlands; one son, Vaughn S. Owens, Jr. of Swords Creek; three grandchildren, Anthony Vaughn Owens, Jason Alexander Owens and Jaclyn Elizabeth Pruitt; one great-granddaughter, Katlyn Owens.
  Services were held Friday in the New Garden Primitive Baptist Church in Honaker with Elders Garnell Gilbert and Bobby Arrington officiating. Graveside services were held Saturday at the Owens Cemetery in Finney.

       Norman E. 
        Osborne

               (Lebanon, VA)

  Norman Elmo Osborne,  79, of Lebanon, died Thursday, September 14, 2006 in Russell County Medical Center.
  Born in Floyd County, KY, he was a son of the late William Thomas Osborne and Nannie Riffit Osborne.  He was a retired miner and member of the UMWA.
  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters,  Alice Osborne, Delorse Osborne and Helen Blankenship.
  He is survived by his wife, Betty Sue Osborne; one daughter: Shelia Stacy and husband, Larry, of Lebanon; three sons, Rickey Osborne and wife, Donna, of Lebanon,  Kennith Osborne and fiancée, Anne Reever, of Johnson City, TN and Rusty Osborne and wife, Rebecca, of Lebanon;  two sisters: Jenny Stiltner and husband Stuart, of Grundy and Pauline Deel, of Lebanon; two brothers: Bill Osborne of Big Rock and Jimmy Osborne of Richlands; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
  Services were held Sunday, September 17 in Combs Funeral Service Chapel with the Revs. Frank Hurd and Darrell Ray officiating.  Burial followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens. 
  Pallbearers were Brad White, Chris White, Andy Stiltner, Roy Church, Scott Honaker and Paul Ball. 
  Honorary pallbearers were Billy Joe and Betty Huffman, Tom and Cathy Hubbard, Dan and Janell Johnson, Paul and Sharon Fleming, Keenan and Jeannie Warner and family, James and Shirley Hall, and Danny and Laura McGlothlin.    
  Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon was in charge of arrangements.

Georgia Irene Osborne
(Phelps, KY)

  Georgia Irene Osborne, 82, of Phelps, KY, formerly of Buchanan County, died Friday, September 15, 2006 at Appalachian Regional Hospital in South Williamson, KY following an extended illness.
  Born in Russell County, she was a daughter of the late William Walker and Margaret (Mag) Arms Osborne. She was a resident of Buchanan County for many years prior to moving to Phelps and was a member of Harman Freewill Baptist Church. She was a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Goldie Arms, and one brother, Franklin Osborne.
  She is survived by two sisters, Juanita Murphy and Betty and husband, Ray Smith, all of Vansant; two brothers, Donald and wife, Julie Osborne of Roanoke and James and wife, Della Osborne of Kingsport, TN; one sister-in-law, Evelyn Osborne of Richlands; two aunts.
  Services were held Wednesday, September 20 at Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Ministers Eddie Wilson and Ronnie Sliger and Evg. Mike Rife officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
  Active pallbearers were friends and family.
  Grundy Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Zora Powers
(Cedar Bluff, VA)

  Zora Powers, 96, of Cedar Bluff, formerly of Bee, died Tuesday, September 19, 2006 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Zay and Johnny Viers of Cedar Bluff, with whom she had made her home for the past seven years.
  Born in Dickenson County, she was the daughter of the late Basil and Lillie Yates Edwards. She was a homemaker.
  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred C. Powers; one son, Dannie Powers; four brothers, Leslie, Ceaphus, Clinton and Lassie Edwards; one sister, Brownie Compton; and two sons-in-law, James L. Sells and Earl E. Hess.
  She is survived by three daughters, Fairy Sells of Elizabethton, KY, Carol (Yancey) Clark of Danville, KY and Zay (Johnny) Viers of Cedar Bluff; five sisters, Cornie Sutherland of Mt. Gilead, OH, Wilma Thomas of Santa Clara, CA, Flossie Owens of Hazel Park, MI, Ollie Colley of Troy, MI and Sybil Mullins of Green Cove Springs, FL; two sisters-in-law, Mapel Edwards of Haysi and Inez Edwards of Mt. Gilead; seven grandsons, one granddaughter, 12 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
  Services will be held today (Thursday), September 21, 2006 at Haysi Funeral Home at 1 p.m. with Elders Bobby Arrington, Darrell Davis and Garnell Gilbert officiating. Burial will follow in the Hamilton Edwards Cemetery, Birchleaf.
  Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons.
  Honorary pallbearers will be Johnny Viers and Yancey Clark.
  Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.