Deaths

• David Eugene Bridgett, 51, of 412 Tazewell Ave., Bluefield, Va., died Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Rodriguez Bluefield Funeral Home, 210 S. College Ave., Bluefield, Va.

• Clyde Looney, 89, of Route 5, Grundy, Va., died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007 at Buchanan General Hospital. Virginia Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of arrangements.

• Melissa Kay Pennington, 36, of Cheesy Creek Road, Elgood, died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007 at Princeton Community Hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Fredeking Funeral Service in Oakvale.

• Frances Wall Tate Ramsey, 81, of Pulaski, Va., formerly of the Clendennin Community near Narrows, Va., died Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 at Pulaski Health and Rehabilitation Center. Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke, Va. is in charge of arrangements.



Obituaries

Kenneth Hugh Barret

PRINCETON — Kenneth Hugh Barret, 52, of 700 Princeton Avenue in Princeton, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007 at his residence.

Born Oct. 29, 1954 in Bluefield, he was the son of Stella Ferguson Martin of Rocky Gap. Va. and the late John Morgan Barret. He was the owner-operator of Ken's House of Hair in Princeton was a graduate of Bluefield High School and Little French Beauty Academy in Bluefield. He was of the Baptist faith.

In addition to his father, his stepfather, grandparents, three uncles and one niece preceded him in death.

Additional survivors include two sisters, Mary Emily Mullins and husband Darrell of Radford, Va. and Virginia Ruth Dale and husband Larry of Clarkston, Wash.; one brother, Rawley Dale Martin of Blacksburg, Va.; two nephews, Larry Dale and Rawley Martin; and two nieces, Melissa Dale and Whitney Mullins.

Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2007 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with Pastor Rita Neal and Pastor Joyce Tedder officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour on Thursday. In keeping with Mr. Barret’s wishes, the body will be cremated following the service.

Mr. Billy Buford Boothe

RICHLANDS, Va. — Mr. Billy Buford Boothe, 74, of Richlands, passed away Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 at Clinch Valley Medical Center following a lengthy illness.

He was born in Caretta, and was a son of the late Mary Gilbert Boothe. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by three brothers: Kenneth, Jack and Bobby Boothe.

Bill loved sports and was an avid Atlanta Braves fan. He graduated from Southwest Virginia Community College with a degree in Police Science, and before his illness was employed by Powhatan Correctional Facility in Powhatan, Va. He grew up in Richlands and served in the United States Army. He had many friends and was liked by everyone. He attended the First Christian Church in Richlands.

Survivors are: His wife of 54 years: Betty Ann Boothe; son: Brian Edward Boothe of Ireton, Iowa; sister: Dorothy Boothe Bishop of Flint, Mich.; brother: Charles Boothe of Hopewell, Va.; two grandsons: Joshua and Justin Boothe; special friends: Tamma Wright and all the nurses at Clinch Valley Medical Center and Dr. T. Patel.

Funeral services for Mr. Billy Buford Boothe will be conducted Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Va. with the Rev. Stafford Compton officiating. Interment will follow in the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands. Pallbearers will be: Robert Allen Boothe, Samuel Kenneth Boothe, Paul Cook, Mark Homes, Phillip Joyce, Lance Taylor and Mason Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be: Tim Taylor, Don Dye, Bob Holmes, Ken Joyce and Tim Holmes.

Friends may call at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands Wednesday (today) from 6-9 p.m.

Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of the arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy may do so online at: www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Milford Samuel Brown

GLADE HILL, Va. — Milford Samuel Brown, 80, of Glade Hill, went to be with the Lord on Monday, Feb. 26, 2007.

A United States Navy veteran of World War II and Korea. Mr. Brown was a watch maker and was employed by Finks Jewelers at Towers Mall for 35 plus years.

Preceding Mr. Brown in death were his parents and a number of siblings.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Frances Aulena Beavers Brown; daughter and son-in-law; four sons and daughters-in-law; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services will be conducted at the Mausoleum Chapel of Devotion at Mountain View Memorial Park at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2007 with the Rev. Rick Poland officiating. Entombment to follow.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 1, 2007 and Friday, March 2, 2007 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Arrangements by Lynch Funeral Home, Rocky Mount, Va.

William White “Bill” Deskins

TAZEWELL, Va. — William White “Bill” Deskins, 69, of Tazewell, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007 at Charlotte, N.C. Born Dec. 8, 1937 at Yukon, he was a son of the late John Albert Deskins and Hazel Virginia White Deskins.

He was a graduate of Big Creek High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University. Mr. Deskins was a member of the Main Street United Methodist Church where he served the church in many capacities and was a member of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church Foundation. He was a U.S. Army veteran and member of the American Legion Post No. 133 in Tazewell, Va.

He was vice president of the former Deskins Supermarkets, was past president of the WV Grocery Association, and had been recognized with the Spirit of America award from the National Association of Grocers. Mr. Deskins was past president of the Tazewell Rotary Club and was a Paul Harris Fellow and Skelton Fellow. He was a former member of the Tazewell County School Board, served on the founding committees of the Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tazewell Recreation Board.

Survivors include his wife, Joy Sue Pruett Deskins; one daughter, Amee Beth Deskins of Laurel, Md.; one son, William Gregory Deskins and wife, Cynthia T.B. Deskins of Tazewell, Va.; two grandchildren, Adam Deskins and Katie Deskins; one sister, Patti Hardy of Mudfork, Va.; one brother, James A. Deskins Sr. of Tazewell, Va.; mother in law, Josephine Pruett of Tazewell, Va.; two special friends, Henry Nickels and Tom Brown both of Tazewell, Va.

The family will receive friends at the Main Street United Church in Tazewell, Va. from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday (today), Feb. 28, 2007 where funeral services will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. with the Rev. Kathie R. Wilson-Parker officiating. Committal services will follow on Thursday, March 1, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, Va. Pallbearers will be Fred Harman, Jack (Roger) Brown, Tom Brown, Doyle Rasnick, John Blankenship, and David Havens. Honorary pallbearers will be Henry Nickels, Jerry Galliher, Dr. Charlie Thomason, Dr. Evan Sweetser, and Dr. Eric Shrader.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Main Street United Church, 315 E. Main St., Tazewell, VA 24651.

Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell, Va. is serving the Deskins family.

James Luther Gibson

ROCKY GAP, Va. — James Luther Gibson, 91, of Rocky Gap, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007 from the Bland County Nursing & Rehab Center. He was born on April 18, 1915 at Bland County, Va., the son of the late Molly Richardson and William Henry Gibson.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Gibson; two brothers, Edward and Bernard Gibson; and a grandson, James Tibbs.

He was a retired brick mason of 50 years.

He is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Bub Radford, Bland, Va.; three sons and daughters-in-law, John and Brenda Gibson, Bastian, Va., Tommy and Sue Gibson, and Jerry Gibson of Rocky Gap; three sisters, June Hoosier, Rocky Gap, Virgie Neal, Tampa, Fla., Audrey Shrader and husband, Watha of Narrows, Va.; nine grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Wednesday (today) at 11:00 a.m. at the Bastian Union Church with the Rev. Lee Mclntosh and the Rev. Paul Looney officiating. Burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery. Visitation was at the Bastian Union Church on Tuesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to the Rose Hill Cemetery.

Arrangements by A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home, White Gate, Va.

Marcail Kyle Hager

BLUEFIELD — Marcail Kyle Hager, 63, of Route 4, Box 519A, Bluefield, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007 at his residence. Born Dec. 26, 1943 in Bluefield, he was the son of the late Rev. Wallace K. Hager and Jimmice Perdue Hager.

He was a 1962 graduate of Bluefield High School and attended Concord College and Marshall University. He was employed at Four Seasons Answering Service and was an avid Bluefield Beavers fan.

Survivors include his wife, Peggy J. Waddell Hager of Bluefield; one daughter, Jeanna Machelle Hernandez of Florida; one stepdaughter, Leslie D. Dalton and husband Lance of Bluefield; one stepson, Michael L. Waddell of Princeton; one granddaughter, Katelyn Nicole Dalton of Bluefield who was the light in his eyes and the love of his life; mother-in-law, Maxine Umberger of Bluefield; father-in-law, Raymond H. Waddell of Tazewell, Va.; brother-in-law, Joe Waddell and companion, Linda Burdette of Beckley; sisters-in-law, Sharon A. Tilley and husband Jeff of Princeton and Kathy L. Umberger of Bluefield; several nieces and nephews, Ryan Tilley of Bluefield, Brandle Tilley of Bluefield, Va., Dustin Tilley of Princeton, Kari Bailey of Florida and Kelli Umberger of Bluefield; two great nieces, Hannah Tilley of Bluefield and Aaylah Tilley of Bluefield, Va.; one great nephew, Reece J. Bailey of Florida; and his beloved dog, Bandit.

In keeping with Mr. Hager’s wishes, the body has been cremated.

A memorial service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2007 (today) at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Larry Dyer officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until the service hour today.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Marcail Hager Family, C/O Seaver Funeral Home, 1507 N. Walker St., Princeton, WV 24740.

Granville Burns Stiltner

GRUNDY, Va. — Granville Burns Stiltner, 77, of Grundy, passed away Monday, Feb. 26, 2007 at his home following an extended illness. Born in Buchanan County, Va., he was the son of the late William Cecil and Hettie E. Stiltner. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was of the Old Regular Baptist faith.

Mr. Stiltner served in the United States Army where he was stationed in Germany and is a member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, was a retired coal miner and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Mr. Stiltner is survived by his wife of 44-years: Jeanette Stiltner of Grundy; three sons: Billy and wife Linda Stiltner of Grundy, Mike and wife Carolyn Colley of Cedar Bluff, Va., Jerry and wife Sherry Colley of Hurley, Va.

Also, survived by two granddaughters: Anna Stiltner and Rebeckah Dotson; four grandsons: Steven Stiltner, B.J. Smith, Brad Crowder, Matt Crowder; two great-granddaughters: Emellie Stiltner and Alexia Dotson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by five brothers: George, Arvil, Lawson, Kermit and Charlie Stiltner.

Funeral services for Granville Burns Stiltner will be conducted Friday, March 2, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. J.D. Keene officiating with burial to follow in the Stiltner Cemetery on Poplar Creek, near Grundy.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel Wednesday (today) at 5:00 p.m. with services Wednesday (today) and Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Active pallbearers will be: Steven Stiltner, Matt Crowder, B.J. Smith, Jeff Stiltner, Brad Crowder and Josh Dotson.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Members of the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department, Dr. Clint Sutherland, David Rice, Brad Vandyke, Donnie Stiltner and Donnie Blankenship.

Full military rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

Crystal Winifred Smith Wilson

PRINCETON — Crystal Winifred Smith Wilson, 71, of 805 Newkirk St. in Princeton, died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007 at Princeton Community Hospital. Born March 13, 1935 in Moeghan, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Hillard and Lula Irene Catron Smith.

She was a homemaker and a member of the Willowbrook Baptist Church in Princeton.

In addition to her parents, one daughter, Sherry Collins; one grandson, Timothy Collins; and one brother, William Thomas Smith preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Clarence Cecil Wilson of Princeton; two sons, Clarence C. Wilson Jr. and wife Elizabeth of Houston, Texas and Brian Wilson of Cleveland, Ohio; two daughters, Kelly Washumick and husband Frank of Cleveland, Ohio and Susan Smith and husband Arnie of Indianapolis, Ind.; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara Gross of Roanoke, Va. and Nellie Cerankowski of Princeton; one brother, Douglas Smith of Camden, Del.; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday (today), Feb. 28, 2007 at the Willowbrook Baptist Church in Princeton with the Rev. Emory Merchant officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Friends called from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Willowbrook Baptist Church in Princeton.

Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is in charge of arrangements.



Funerals

Funerals scheduled today include:

• Walter T. Anders: 11 a.m., Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, Princeton.

• Arthur M. Goins Jr.: 1 p.m., Cravens-Shires Funeral Home Chapel in Bluewell. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Bluewell.

• Lawrence V. Hearn: 1 p.m., Calfee Funeral Home Chapel in Beckley. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park, Princeton.

• Frances Ann Huffman: 2 p.m., First United Methodist Church in Bluefield, Va. Burial will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens, Bluefield, Va.

• Elbert N. (Junior) Keene: 11 a.m., Layman’s Chapel Church in Richlands, Va. Burial will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va.

• Mr. Hurley Lee Webb: 2 p.m., Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Richlands, Va. Interment will follow at Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va.