Bland County Messenger Obituaries

Grant C. Davis Sr.
Grant Calvin “G.C.” Davis Sr., 68, of Bastian died Wednesday, May 7, 2008.
Funeral service was held Saturday, May 10, at 11 a.m. at the Highland Bland Funeral Chapel with the Revs. John Blessing, Ronald Hager and Rhudy Robinson officiating. Interment was in the Neal Family Cemetery.
He was born Dec. 2, 1939, in Elizabethton, Tenn., a son of the late Calvin Grant and Katherine Alice Davis. He was preceded in death by a sister and a brother.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Ann Davis of the home; two daughters and son-in-law, Roxanne Jeanette and Gregory Allen Deskins of Rural Retreat, Melody Lynn Davis of Newport, Tenn.; three sons and daughters-in-law, Daniel Calvin and Darcus Davis of Bastian, Kenneth Dewayne and Billie Jane Davis of Rural Retreat, Grant Calvin Jr. and Sandra Ellen Davis of Bastian; three brothers, Barry Lynn Davis of Salem, Beverly Gordon Davis of Salem and John Wesley Davis of Roanoke; special friend, Junior Olen Justus of Elizabethton, Tenn.; 14 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Highland Bland Funeral Chapel in Bland was in charge of the arrangements.

Peter O. Ferguson
Peter Oscar “Pete” Ferguson, 77, of Rocky Gap died Tuesday, May 6, 2008.
Funeral service was held Saturday, May 10, at 1 p.m. at Tyne’s Chapel with the Rev. Todd French officiating. Interment was in the Ferguson Family Cemetery.
He was born Aug. 12, 1930, in Bland County, son of the late Ruben Edward and Minnie Price Ferguson. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by three sisters, Burlette Ferguson, Roberta Hawthorne and Rosa Hanley; and five brothers, Ruben Benjamin Ferguson, John Julian Ferguson, William Robert Ferguson, Mack Thomas Ferguson and James Carey Ferguson.
Survivors include three daughters and sons-in-law, Arnetta and David Burke of Columbus, Ohio, Patty and John Dunlap Sr. of Rocky Gap; five sons and daughters-in-law, James Bridges, Ronald Nichols, Peter Jr. and Pamela Ferguson, David Ferguson and Timothy Ferguson, all of Columbus, Ohio; two sisters, Della Mae Dennis of Washington, D.C., Lucy Morgan of Columbus, Ohio; 27 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
Highland Bland Funeral Chapel in Bland was in charge of the arrangements.

Janice E. Ramsey
Janice Edwards Ramsey, 68, of Bland, the Kimberling community, died Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at her home.
Funeral service was held Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home with the Rev. Danny Shortridge officiating. Interment was in the Ramsey Family Cemetery, Bland.
She was born Jan. 9, 1940, in Galax, daughter of the late Charlie Colen and Minta Haga Edwards. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jenell Atway; and a brother, Dennis Edwards.
Survivors include her husband, Phillip Ramsey of Bland; four sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Richard and Teresa Linkous of Bland, Douglas Clinton II and Sherry Linkous of Zebulon, N.C., Phillip Lee Ramsey and special friend Sheila Miller of Bluefield, Stephen and Susan Ramsey of Salem, Mo.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda Faye and Robert Mobray, Anita Ann and Dave Becker, all of Salem, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Terry Ramsey of Bland; brother and sister-in-law, Swanson E. and Mary Lee Edwards of Rossville, Ga.; mother-in-law, Ina Ramsey of Bland; 11 grandchildren, Tony Linkous, Kyle Linkous, Nathan Linkous, Christina Inscore, Eric Inscore, Matthew Ramsey, Amanda Sargent, Wesley Mobray, Whitley Mobray, Brad Ramsey and Ashley Ramsey; three nieces, Bobbie Kilby, Gerri Young and Debbie Benton; and a nephew, Donnie Edwards.
A. Vest & Sons Funeral Home in White Gate was in charge of the arrangements.

Erie L. Wyrick
Erie Lee Wyrick, 78, of Salem died Tuesday, May 6, 2008.
Funeral service was held Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at John M. Oakey and Son with the Rev. Wayne Monroe officiating. Interment was in Cedar Lawn Cemetery with VFW Post 1264 conducting graveside military rites.
He was born May 11, 1929, in Bland, a son of the late John Erie and Dorothy Beamer Wyrick. He was a veteran of the Korean War.
He was retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad. He liked to travel and loved to work on clocks. He loved life and never met a stranger.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janet Wyrick; two sons, Robert Erie Wyrick and Herbert Lynn Wyrick; daughter and son-in-law, Vickie and Steve Guard; three grandchildren, Matthew Guard, Stephanie Guard and David Guard; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Leslie and Mary Ann Wyrick, Alfred and Eleanor Wyrick, Garnet and Audrey Wyrick; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salem Health and Rehabilitation Center, Residence Council Fund, 1945 Roanoke Blvd., Salem, VA 24153; or a charity of choice.
John M. Oakey and Son in Salem was in charge of the arrangements.