Deaths

• Betty Louise Bond Arrington, 47, of Elkton, Md., died Monday, Feb. 18, 2008 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., following a brief illness. Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Va. is in charge of arrangements.

• Joseph “Joe” Blackburn, 67, of Tazewell, Va., died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell.

• Carl T. Chaffins Sr., 61, of Hensley, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 at his residence. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Douglas Mortuary of Welch.

• Wanda Morehead Fink, 82, of Louisville, Ky., formerly of Bland County, Va., died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. Arrangements by Highland Bland Funeral Chapel in Bland.

• Marion Gallemore, 70, of 134 First St., Bluefield, Va., died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 at her home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Dudley Memorial Mortuary in Bluefield, Va.

• Ray Hutchinson, 79, of Maxie, Va., died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at Buchanan General Hospital. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Shortridge-Ramey Funeral Home of Grundy, Va.

• Jon-Michael Joseph Muskera, 8-month-old infant son of Michael J. and Elizabeth T. Muskera of 823 North Walker St., Princeton, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at his residence. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton.

• Hettie Hice Wessell, 86, of Eads Mill Road, Princeton, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 at Princeton Health Care Facility. Arrangements are incomplete at Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.



Obituaries

Amber Marie Adkins

BLUEFIELD — Amber Marie Adkins, 29, of 166 Larchwood Road in Bluefield, died Saturday, February 16, 2008 at her residence.

Born July 17, 1978 in Fairfield, Calif., she was the daughter of Larry and Donna Adkins of Temple Terrace, Fla. She was a graduate of Hillsboro High School, a graduate of the Design School of Tampa Bay, Fla. and attended Hillsboro Community College.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Ernestine Adkins.

She leaves behind a four-year-old daughter, Angelina Marie and a loving fiancé, Andrew Trujillo. She is also survived by two brothers, Adam Adkins and Aaron Adkins of Temple Terrace, Fla.; maternal grandmother, Betty Rickman of Northfork; paternal grandfather, Frank Adkins of Bluefield; loving aunts and uncles, Liz Rickman, Sherry Rickman and Curtis Rickman of Crumpler, Pam and David Brown of Princeton, and Brian Rickman of Creedmore, N.C.

In keeping with Amber's wishes the body has been cremated.

A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 22, 2008 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with Charles and Sharon Miller officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour on Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1816 Jefferson St., Bluefield, WV 24701.

Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Adkins family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Jerry “Cotton” Gillespie

WARDELL, Va. — Jerry “Cotton” Gillespie, age 70, of Wardell, Va., passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at Tazewell Community Hospital in Tazewell, Va.

Born April 8, 1937 in Tazewell County, Va., he was a son of the late Buford and Tina Louise Alley Gillespie. Jerry was a United States Army Veteran having served from 1963 thru 1966. He was a member of the U.M.W.A. Local No. 6025 of Bishop, Va. and also a member of the Tazewell Moose Lodge No. 198 of Tazewell, Va.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant sister, Evelyn Gillespie; six brothers, Jim, Jay, Bill, Henry and Raymond Harman and John Gillespie.

Survivors include two daughters, Crystal Surface and Marlene Surface; two sons, Billy Gillespie of Cleveland, Ohio and Jerry Gillespie Jr. of Minot, N.D.; two sisters, Louise Pickett and husband, Oliver and Mary Houston and husband, Carl all of Ohio; several nieces and nephews.

In honoring the wishes of Mr. Gillespie he has been cremated. There will be no services.

Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell, Va. is serving the Gillespie family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Dorothy Helen Monk

CEDAR BLUFF, Va. — Dorothy Helen Monk, 70, of the Kents Ridge Road section of Cedar Bluff, Va., passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2008 in a Richlands, Va. hospital following a brief illness.

She was born August 31, 1937 in Russell County, Va. and was the daughter of the late Charlie E. and Dora Leigh Addison Reynolds, both former Russell County, Va. natives. She was a retired coal miner having been employed by Island Creek Coal Company at V.P. 6. She had spent most of her life in the Cedar Bluff, Va. area and had attended Layman’s Chapel Church in Richlands, Va.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband, Wiley Junior Monk; sisters, Lula Griffith and Bessie Reynolds; and brothers, George (Squibb), William, Jeff, Earl, and Pearl Reynolds.

Survivors are: Son, Barry Keith “Mike” Monk and wife, Wanda of Cedar Bluff, Va.; sisters, Mrs. Mary Monk of Richlands, Va., Mrs. Pauline Ball of Belfast, Va., Mrs. Anna Hess of Belfast, Va.; brothers, Rev. Claude Reynolds of Richlands, Va., Clyde Reynolds of Florida, Henry Reynolds of Richlands, Va.; granddaughter, Tasha Nicole Monk.

Funeral services for Dorothy Monk will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. with the Rev. Thomas Stranger and the Rev. Clyde Ball officiating. Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va. Pallbearers will be family and friends.

The family will receive friends at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. Thursday (today) and Friday.

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

Melinda Christine Neely

PRINCETON — Melinda Christine Neely, 57, of Princeton, died Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at the Women and Children’s Hospital in Charleston.

Born on May 27, 1950 in McComas, she was the daughter of Evelyn Cassell Helmandollar and the late Aught Barie.

She was employed as a Pharmacy Technician with Neighborhood Care Pharmacy with 16 years of service. She previously was employed by the Dean Company in Princeton. Melinda was a member of the First Assembly of God of Princeton.

Survivors include her husband: Rex Luther Neely Sr.; mother and stepfather: Evelyn Cassell Helmandollar and husband Buford of Green Valley; son: David Scott Anderson of Princeton; three stepchildren: Dana Lynn Neely of Princeton, Rex Neely Jr. and wife Kathy of Bluefield, Kelley Neely of Princeton; grandchildren: Rex Neely III and Tiffani Neely; brothers: Donald Barie and wife Billie of Princeton, Stephen Barie and wife Verna of Princeton; sister: Susan Carver and husband Guy of North Carolina; stepbrother: Kerry Helmandollar of Green Valley; stepsister: Sandy Collins of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; three nephews, four nieces, two grand-nieces and three grand-nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 8:00 p.m. Thursday (today), February 21, 2008 from the Burns Wornal Chapel of the Memorial Funeral Directory on the Athens Road in Princeton with Pastor Brad Puckett officiating.

The family will honor Melinda’s request that she be cremated.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday (today) from 6 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1816 Jefferson Street, Bluefield, WV 24701 or to Hospice Care.

Family and friends may send online condolences by visiting www.memorialfd.com

The Neely family is being served by the Memorial Funeral Directory & Cremation Center on the Athens Road in Princeton.

Bettie Sutton Parker

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Bettie Sutton Parker, 84, of 23315 Bluewater Circle in Boca Raton, Fla., died Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Boca Raton Community Hospital.

Born March 1, 1923 in Princeton, she was the daughter of the late Alexander M. and Lelia George Sutton. She was a retired draftsman and of the Methodist faith. Bettie was a world traveler and an adventure seeker.

In addition to her parents, her husband, Carl Parker; one son, Bruce Parker; and one brother, Alexander M. Sutton preceded her in death.

Survivors include one daughter, Cindy Dilworth of Clarkston, Mich.; two sons, Richard Parker and wife Charlotte of Boca Raton, Fla. and Mark Parker of Flagstaff, Ariz.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one niece, Dona Miller of Melbourne, Fla.; and one nephew, Alexander Sutton III and wife Barbara of Winston-Salem, N.C.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 22, 2008 at the George W. Seaver Chapel of Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton with the Rev. Larry Dyer officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Park Cemetery in Princeton. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour on Friday.

Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton is serving the Parker family.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Mrs. Mary E. Sawyers-Parker

WELCH — Mrs. Mary E. Sawyers-Parker, age 58, of 22 Bland Street, Welch, formerly of Thorpe, peacefully departed this life on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at CAMC in Charleston, following a brief illness.

She was born May 17, 1949 in Welch and the daughter of the late Harold L. Sawyers Sr. and Martha M. Brogdon Sawyers. She was a graduate of Welch High School and Center College in Charleston, with a degree in Business Administration. She was employed for a number of years at Welch Community Hospital, where she retired as an Accounts Payable Supervisor. She had attended Miracle Mt. Carmel Holiness Church in Kimball and Mt. Harman Branch Church in Thorpe.

In addition to her parents, those preceding her in death include an infant brother and sister (twins), Claude and Claudette Sawyers.

Mary will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 28 years, Tommy Parker; her son, Anterious L. “Quan” Parker and her sisters: Gladys V. Sawyers-Simpson and husband, Anthony Sr. of Charleston; Carolyn F. Sawyers-Cook of Hickory, N.C.; Ida Louise Sawyers of Hemphill and Deborah A. Sawyers-Morris and husband, Wayne of Charleston; her brothers: Harold L. Sawyers Jr. of Welch; Warren A. Sawyers Sr. and wife, Verlene of Charlotte, N.C.; Robert E. Sawyers and wife, Vera of Birmingham, Ala.; George E. Sawyers and wife, Betsy of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Samuel L. Sawyers and wife, Yvonne of Charlotte; Richard A. Sawyers and wife, Anita of Bluefield and Darrell L. Cheatham-Sawyers of Columbus, Ohio; three aunts, Frances Woods of Charleston; Gladys Sawyers of the Bronx, N.Y. and Deloris Muller of Albany, N.Y.; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, great-nephews, great-nieces and many friends.

Services for Mrs. Sawyers-Parker will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, February 22, 2008 at Miracle Mt. Carmel Holiness Church of God in Kimball, with Overseer Benjamin Brogdon, Bishop Arnie Joyce and Elder Andrew Montgomery officiating. Interment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Bluewell.

Active pallbearers will be her family and honorary pallbearer is James Joyce Sr.

Friends may call at 11:00 a.m., Friday until the hour of Service at the Church.

Arrangements and Services entrusted to Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com

Mr. Paul Robert Vencill Jr.

BELFAST, Va. — Mr. Paul Robert Vencill Jr., age 66, of Belfast, Va., went to be with the Lord, Tuesday (February 19, 2008) in Belfast, Va.

Born November 15, 1941 in Russell County, Va., he was a son of Stella Marie Cox Vencill of Belfast and the late Paul Robert Vencill Sr. He was a lifelong resident of Russell County, Va. and was a 1960 graduate of Lebanon High School. He was a member of the Trinity Assembly of God in Cedar Bluff, Va. He had owned and operated Lebanon Equipment Company since 1971 and had loved being outside farming and tending to his cattle. He was a member of the New Peoples Bank Board of Directors. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and son, he truly loved God and meditated daily with his Bible readings and prayer. In his life, he never met a stranger and he never forgot a name. In the running of his business, he never made a difference in individuals and tried to give everyone a chance.

In addition to his mother, survivors include his wife of 46 years, Nancy Vencill of the home; one daughter, Tammy Smith and her husband, Craig of Belfast; one son, Paul Robert Vencill III and his wife, Laura of Belfast; three grandchildren, Victoria Lucinda Smith, Abigail Gracen Smith, and Paul Robert Vencill IIII; one sister, Barbara Gillespie and her husband, Joe of Lebanon, Va.; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday at Community Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. Kris Ramsahai, Pastor Rick Herald, and the Rev. Joe Copolo officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon, Va.

Pallbearers will be G.I. Brown, Kenneth Hart, H.C. “Footsie” Pratt, Jimmy Robinette, George “Porgie” Bundy, Bill Vencill, Jackie Poston, Ronnie Stevens, Harold Compton and Ken Pope.

Honorary pallbearers will be the New Peoples Bank Board of Directors.

Friends may call at Community Heights Baptist Church after 6:00 p.m. Thursday (today).

Honaker Funeral Home in Honaker, Va. is in charge of the arrangements.

To leave personal condolences online, visit www.legacy.com



Funerals

Funerals scheduled today include:

• Cinda Hicks Cameron: 1 p.m., graveside services at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, Va.

• Rufus Alfred “Bud” Harman: 11 a.m., Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va.

• Lewis (Junior) Peak: 11 a.m., Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff, Va. Entombment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va.

• Mrs. Lois Lenore Taylor: 1 p.m., graveside services in Monte Vista Park Cemetery in Bluefield.

• Louise White: 11 a.m., Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home Chapel in Peterstown. Burial will follow at Sunrise Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Rich Creek, Va.

• Bonnie (Aunt Bonnie) Deel Woods: 1 p.m., Big Prater Primitive Baptist Church in Vansant, Va. Burial will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens, Claypool Hill, Va.