Bland County Messenger obituaries

Mary N. Clemons
Mary N. Clemons, 85, of Rocky Gap died on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, at the Bland County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services were held Nov. 25 at the Highland Bland Funeral Chapel with Evangelist Jim Hill, Evangelist Charles Ray Bowling and special friend Paul Looney officiating.
A graveside service will be held today (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. in Tuggle Cemetery in Rocky Gap.
Born in Rocky Gap, she was the daughter of the late James and Martha Burton Nunn. She was a faithful member of the Rocky Gap Church of Christ and a lifelong resident of Bland County.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy D. Clemons, and three sisters, Elsie Mae Smith, Frances Weddle and Cora E. Bowling.
Survivors include several nieces, nephews, friends and family.
Highland Bland Funeral Chapel in Bland is in charge of the arrangements.

George V. Groseclose
George Victor Groseclose, 46, of Ceres died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, at his home after a courageous 20-year battle with brain cancer.
Funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. at Sharon Lutheran Church with Pastor Jim Bangle officiating. A private inurnment will be held later.
He was born Nov. 23, 1960, in Bluefield, W.Va. He was a member of Sharon Lutheran Church, Bland Lodge 206 AF & AM and the Ceres Alumni Association. He was a retired corrections officer.
He was preceded in death by his father, John Henry Groseclose Jr.; and a daughter, Kelsey Ann Groseclose.
Survivors include his wife, Carla Morehead Groseclose of Ceres; a daughter, Amber Victoria Groseclose of Ceres; mother, Evelyn Holmes Groseclose of Ceres; a brother and sister-in-law, Vincent and Joanne Groseclose of Marion; two sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Joyce Hayes of Clinton, S.C., Flora and Tim Harner of Rocky Gap; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Betty Morehead of Rocky Gap; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial donations may be made to the Sharon Cemetery Association, 860 West Bluegrass Trail, Ceres, VA 24318.
Highland Bland Funeral Chapel in Bland was in charge of the arrangements.

Cecil Nelson III
Cecil Willard Nelson III, 44, of Bland died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007.
Funeral services will be held today (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. at the Bland Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends today from noon until service time at the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Muncy Cemetery.
He was born April 1, 1963 in Wythe County.
He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Willard Nelson Jr.; paternal grandfather, Cecil Willard Nelson Sr.; and maternal grandparents, Kemper and Ruby Brewster Edwards.
He is survived by his mother, Velma Virginia Heiss of Ceres; his grandmother, Violet Amanda Nelson of Bland; a half-sister, April Nelson of Bland; a special friend, Scott Mustard of Ceres; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, close relatives and friends.
Highland Bland Funeral Chapel in Bland is in charge of the arrangements.

William D. Simmerman
William David “Bill” Simmerman, 69, of Barren Springs died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007, at New River Valley Medical Center in Radford.
Funeral service was held Saturday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. at Bower Funeral Chapel in Pulaski with the Rev. Johnny Howlett officiating. Interment was in the Bethany Cemetery, Carroll County.
He was born Oct. 30, 1939, in Wythe County, a son of the late Phillip and Mamie Stoots Simmerman. He was retired from Lynchburg Foundry with 24 years of service. He was a member of Memorial Christian Church in Draper.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Betsy Simmerman Selfe; and a sister, Kathleen Simmerman Richardson.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Lou Pennington Simmerman of Barren Springs; three daughters and sons-in-law, Penny and Tim Dunford of Barren Springs, Rita and Ricky Boyd of Willis, Billie and Jody Neel of Bland; three chosen children, Robin Hughes Stacy of Surgoinsville, Tenn., David Hughes of Los Angeles, Calif., and Ronnie Hughes of Weber City; nine grandchildren, John and Sara Dunford, Summer and Tommy Corvin, Amy Boyd, Tyler Boyd, Brandon Arnold, Laura Adkins and Mattie Selfe; a great-granddaughter, Riley Dunford; and many special aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bower Funeral Chapel in Pulaski was in charge of the arrangements.