THE VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEER

IN COUNTY

Billy Ray Ward
(Grundy)

    Billy Ray Ward, 66, of Grundy, died Tuesday, October 28, 2009 at his home.
    Born March 30, 1943 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Lummie and Julia Montgomery Ward. He was a disabled coal miner, having worked for Jewell Smokeless Company. He was a member of the Slate Creek Volunteer Fire Department, a member of Grundy Baptist Church and the Buchanan County YMCA. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandsons, Samuel Ward Kiser and Joseph Reid Kiser.
    He is survived by his wife, Mary Elswick Ward; two daughters, Mrs. Michael (Renee) Stiltner of Grundy and Mrs. Mark (Tonya) Kiser, of Bristol, VA; one son, Kevin Ray Ward and wife, Teresa, of Flowery Branch, GA; grandchildren, Alex and Madison Stiltner, Weston and Sophia Kiser, Cassie and Nicola Ward and Kristen Gillis; one sister, Mavis Jean Adkins of Grundy.
     Funeral services were held Friday, October 30 at Grundy Baptist Church in Grundy with Donald Tittle, Dennis Wimmer and Bobby McGraw officiating. Burial followed in Mountain Valley Memorial Park, Big Rock.
     Pallbearers were family and friends.
     Honorary pallbearers were men of Grundy Baptist Church, members of Slate Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Buford Stacy, Sonny Foster, Dennis Wimmer, Rodney and Tim Lee, Earl Compton and brothers-in-law.
     Memorial expressions may be made in the form of contributions to Grundy Baptist Church, P.O. Box 675, Grundy, VA 24614.
     Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.

Earl Lee Keene
(Pilgrim Knob)

     Earl Lee Keene, 72, of Pilgrim Knob, died Wednesday, October 28, 2009 in a Charlottesville hospital.
     Born October 18, 1937 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Edd and Nancy Thornsbury Keene. He was a former employee of B&L Furniture Company and had worked several years in Maryland at Ewing Lumber Company.
      In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Hufford, Jack and Joseph Keene.
     He is survived by one son, Michael Lee Keene of Bain, NC; two daughters, Sherry Lynn Keene and Tammy Sue Keene, both of Bain; four granddaughters, Kirsten, Melissa and Summer Whited and Kimberly Fowler; one great-grandson, Bentley James Whited; three sisters, Mrs. Gallie (Kansas) Cole of Pilgrim Knob, Audrey Matney of Marion and Alice Justus of Jolo, WV; one brother, Willie Keene of Grundy; four sisters-in-law, Vicky Keene and Mary Ellen Davis, both of Grundy, June Keen of Raven and Rosemary Keene of Michigan; former wife, Geraldine Keene of Bain.
     Funeral services were held Sunday, November 1 at Virginia Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy with Jeffrey Keene, Larry Keene and Burb Rife officiating. Burial followed in the Noah Stewart Cemetery on Keen Ridge Road, Paynesville, WV.
      Pallbearers were nephews.
      Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.

Logan Daniel Stiltner
(Oakwood)

     Logan Daniel Stiltner, infant son of Russell Eric Stiltner and Kelly Sue Bishop Stiltner, died Sunday, November 1, 2009 at Clinch Valley Medical Center following a series of rare illnesses.
     He was born December 12, 2008.
     He was preceded in death by his great-grandfather, Kermit Stiltner.
     In addition to his parents, he is survived by one brother, Jacob Michael Stiltner, age six, of Oakwood; maternal grandparents, Deborah Lynne Osborne of Oakwood and James Edward Bishop, of Defiance, OH; paternal grandparents, Michael and Nellie Stiltner of Grundy; maternal great-grandparents, Ivan and Betty Sue Osborne, of Oakwood, Lavon and Alice Bishop, of Defiance, OH; paternal great-grandmother, Lillian Cantrell of Grundy; maternal great-great-grandparents, Ivan and Connie Osborne, of Cedar Bluff; uncle and aunt, Johnny and Lisa Stiltner of Pounding Mill; uncle, Brian Stiltner, of Grundy and uncle, Aaron Joseph Blankenship, of Oakwood.
     Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 4 at the Prayer Warrior House on Garden Creek with Pastor Leonard Meadows and the Rev. Jerry Harmon officiating. Burial followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill.
      Hurst-Scott Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

OUT OF COUNTY

Lottie Cox
(Ocala, FL)

     Lottie Looney Cox, 97, of Ocala, FL, formerly of Buchanan County, died Friday, October 30, 2009 in Chattanooga, TN.
     Born in Grundy, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Minda Looney. She was a longtime resident of Ocala. She attended Central Church of Christ in Chattanooga and previously worked as a beautician.
     In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil Cox; and two sons, Charles and Patrick Cox.
     She is survived by her children, Ruby (Harold) Speer of Knoxville, TN, Kenneth Cox of Bristol, TN and Jerry Cox of Chattanooga; 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
      In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Central Church of Christ, UTC Christian Student Center, 609 Houston Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403.
      Funeral services were held in Florida.
      Online concolences may be sent to the family at www.MeM.com
      Arrangements by East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist.

Jack B. Hale, Sr.
(Hansford, WV)

      Jack B. Hale, Sr., 91, of Hansford, WV, died October 29, 2009 at his home.
      Born in Tazewell County, he was the son of the late William and Virginia Brown Hale.
      In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Ramey Hale, and four brothers, Charles William, Clarence, Pat and Bob Hale.
      He was a member of Montgomery Presbyterian Church and was a sergeant in the United States Army 29th Division during World War II. He received the Purple Heart on Omaha Beach.
      He is survived by his children, Virginia Hale Harmer and husband, Bill, Jack B. Hale, Jr. and wife, Dianna, and Annette Hale Adkins and husband, Kirk; one sister, Laura Lee Roebuck; sisters-in-law, Ethel Hale and Hilma Hale, both of Grundy; grandchildren, Christopher Harmer, Ryan Harmer, Allison Harmer Kell, Brad L. Madison II, Sara Jade Morton, Amanda Hale Hughes and Tucker Chase Morton; six great-grandchildren.
      Services will be held today (Thursday), November 5 at 1 p.m. at O'Dell Funeral Home in Montgomery with Fr. Stan Holmes officiating and Lucretia "Lula" Scalise as eulogist. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery, Bluefield, VA. Friends may call two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
      Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.odellfuneralhome.com
       O'Dell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Donna Kay Thacker
(Clinchco, VA)

      Donna Kay Thacker, 57, of Clinchco, died Monday, November 2, 2009 at her home.
      Born in Dickenson County, she was a daughter of the late Ernest and Tresia Dingus Perrigan. She was a homemaker and member of Little David Old Regular Baptist Church.
      In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edsel Thacker.
      She is survived by four sons, Dave (Debbie) Thacker and Ulan (Joann) Thacker, both of Houston, TX, Ernie (Dorothy) Thacker of Haysi and Matt (Jen) Thacker, of Bowling Green, OH; two daughters, Diane Dillingham (Joe Gatens) of Ohio and DD (Brian) Turner of Clintwood; her mother-in-law, Ethel Thacker Ray of Clinchco; two sisters, Theda (Allen) Viers of Clinchco and Tammy Kiser of Haysi; three brothers, Kurby (Donna) Perrigan, Rodney (Mary) Perrigan and Roger (Michelle) Perrigan, all of Ohio; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
      Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 5 at Little David Old Regular Baptist Church with Elders Frank Newsome, David O'quinn and Jim Blankenship officiating. Burial will follow in the James Owens Cemetery, Birchleaf.
      The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 4 at Little David Church where an evening service is set for 7 p.m.
      Pallbearers will be family and friends.
      Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Hassell Stacy
(Welch, WV)

      Hassell Stacy, 79, of Welch, WV, formerly of Paynesville, WV, died Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
      Born March 5, 1930 in McDowell County, WV, he was the son of the late Harvey (Buddy) and Virgie Baker Stacy. He worked in the logging industry and was of the Baptist faith. He was an avid hunter.
      In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Tilda Hess, Bertha Stacy, Ada Blankenship and one infant sister, Dorothy Stacy; one infant brother, Orville Stacy; four daughters, Ruby Rife, Thelma Stacy, Cynthia Vance and Linda Stacy; one son, Jerry Stacy; and one granddaughter.
      He is survived by four sons, Raymond Stacy and wife, Patricia and John Stacy, all of Jolo, WV, Earl Stacy of Paynesville, WV and Hassell Stacy, Jr. and wife, Sabrina, of Zebulon, NC; five daughters, Janice Estep and husband, Greg and Kathy Kennedy and husband, Jimmy, all of Jolo, Joyce Hagerman and husband, Ellis and Patricia Gail Mitchell and husband, Ron, all of Cedar Bluff and Bonnie Mitchell and husband, Troy, of Tazewell; 18 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Francie Stacy of Raysal, WV; several nieces and nephews.
      Services were held Saturday, October 31 at Virginia Funeral Home Chapel with Herman Day officiating. Burial followed in the Baker Cemetery on Estep Ridge, Paynesville.
      Pallbearers were family and friends.
      Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.

Beatrice Faye Lester
(Elkton, MD)

       Beatrice Faye Lester, 73, of Elkton, MD, died Monday, October 28, 2009.
      Born November 1, 1935 in Blackey, she was the daughter of the late James A. and Ola Charles.
       She retired from RMR Corporation in Elkton and was an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Elkton, where she had served as treasurer.
       In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Jimmy Lester, Jr.; grandsons, Matt and Jon; and siblings, Myrtle Charles, Rhoda Stacy, Helen Boegner, Willie Yates, Ted Charles and Woodrow Charles.
       She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jimmy L. Lester, Sr.; children, Darrell Lester and Patricia Dickens, both of Elkton; grandchildren, Jim, Karen, Sarah, Kristi, Steph, Ira and Chuckie; great-grandchildren, Destiny, Aaliyah, Katie, Ira Jr. and Jenna; and siblings, James Charles, Mike Charles, Brenda Bonsall and Tom Charles, all of Elkton.
       Funeral services were held Friday, October 30 at Fellowship Baptist Church in Elkton. Interment followed in Gilpin Manor Memorial Park, Elkton.
       Memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship Baptist Church, 725 W. Pulaski Hwy., Elkton, MD 21921.

Randy Lee Ray
(Swords Creek, VA)

      Randy Lee Ray, 39, of Swords Creek, died Saturday, October 31, 2009 in a Lebanon hospital.
      Born August 31, 1970 in Richlands, he was a son of Stella Marie Hess Ray of Swords Creek and the late Luke Ralph Ray. He was a lifelong resident of the area.
      In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Dingus and Dorothy Hess and paternal grandparents, Corbett and Gussie Ray.
      In addition to his mother, he is survived by one daughter, Kierra Ray; one step-son, Dakota Perkins; two sisters, Sandy Miller and husband, Dean and Teresa Johnson and husband, Kenny; three nieces, Denna Deskins, LeAnn Justus and Kayla Taylor; two great-nieces, Santana Miller and Keona Deskins; and one great-nephew, Keaton Deskins.
      Funeral services were held Monday in Honaker with the Revs. Tommy Dye and Toby Hubbard officiating. Interment followed in the Hess Cemetery at Hess Creek.
      Pallbearers were Raymond Rasnake, Claude Ray, III, Timothy Ray, Brian Whited, Terry Perkins, Jim Taylor and Brandon Taylor.
      Honorary pallbearers were Doug Honaker, David Justus, Kenny Johnson, Tony Compton and Dean Miller.