Obituaries from Richlands News Press for week of April 9

Pansy Nell Short Ball
Pansy Nell Short Ball, 77, of Raven, died April 6 in a Kingsport, Tenn. hospital after a short illness.
Born January 19, 1931 in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Myrtle Ball Short.
She was a member of Premier Full Gospel Temple Church where she taught Sunday school and served faithfully as the Pastor’s wife. She was currently attending Raven Assembly of God. 
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Rev. Carl N. Ball, and one infant premature son, Jonathan Ball.
Survivors: daughters, Lorraine Salyers and husband, Sammy, and Carlene Welch, all of Raven, Rebecca Campbell and husband, Reggie, of Coeburn; son, David and Lisa Hogston Ball of Raven; sisters, Virginia Deskins of Richlands, Carolyn Greene and husband, Tom, of Doran, Shirley Ferrell and husband, Roger, of Claypool Hill, Wilma Sayers of Cedar Bluff; brothers, Rev. Hurley Shortt and wife, Bonnie, of Warrenton, Jim Short and wife, Ann, of Richlands; grandchildren, Rhonda Jewell and husband, Brian, Wayne Salyers and wife, Jennifer, Andy Welch and wife, Amber, Kim Welch, Michelle Zedd and husband, David, and Kayla Ball Culbertson; step grandchildren, Krystin Landers, Katrina Campbell and Billy Smith; great grandchildren, Bryana Mitchell, Alexa Mitchell, Travis Jewell, Alex Salyers, Isabella Salyers, Abbigail Zedd, Devin Zedd, Alayna Gerry, Lucas Welch and Haydun Culbertson; step great grandchildren, Daniel Yates, Maddux Landers, Alyssa Dennis and Cassidy Campbell; and a host of family and friends.
The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. April 9 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Hurley Shortt, Rev. Barry Absher and Rev. Jack Ward officiating.
Entombment will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.

Houston H. Burke
Houston H. Burke, 77, of Cucumber, W.Va. died April 3 at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn.
Born January 7, 1931 in Wise County, he was a son of Joby and Lina Mae Porter Burke.
He attended the Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church, was a retired coal miner, a member of the UMWA Local #6025 at Bishop and a US Army veteran.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Helen Jordan, and two brothers, J.B. Burke and Donald Ray Burke.
Survivors: wife of 47 years, Tootsie Burke; daughter, Rhonda Richardson and husband, Robin, of Cedar Bluff; sons, Donald Houston Burke and wife, June, of Cucumber, James Burke of the home; sister, Kay Sizemore and husband, Charles, of Sandy Ridge; brother, John Burke and wife, Mary, of Coeburn; step grandchildren, Angel Rasnake, Robbie Mitchell, Monica Mitchell, Michelle Cook, and Timothy Richardson; and step great grandchildren, Frankie Rasnake, Dave Mitchell, Skylar Mitchell, Austin Dillon, Joseph Cook, and Cheyenne Cook.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. April 7 at the Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church in Canebrake with the Rev. Darrell Long and the Rev. Roger Hicks officiating.
Burial followed at 4 p.m. at the Temple Hill Memorial Park Cemetery at Castlewood.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.

Opal Ernestine Cornwell
Opal Ernestine Cornwell, 70, of the Baptist Valley community of North Tazewell, went to meet her Lord and Savior March 30.
Born January 23, 1938 in Raven, she was a daughter of the late William Virgil Hoback and Oma Byrd Hoback.
She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Chapel at Wittens Mill. She retired from Acme Supermarkets.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step father, Richard Peck, and one brother, Rodney Hoback.
Survivors: husband of 53 years, John C. Cornwell; daughters, Evelyn Hager of Tazewell, Joanne Little and husband, Larry, of Hurley; grandchildren, Michelle Infante of Tazewell, Martha Barry and husband, Frankie, and J.R. Hager and wife, Sabrina, all of Springville; great grandchildren, Carlos Barry, Renee Infante, Hunter Infante, and Zachary Taylor; brothers, Bill Hoback, Larry Hoback, and Mack Hoback; sisters, Donna Peltier, Vicki Claus, Bea Hellas, and Carol Karnes; special friends, Debbie Spencer, Ernestine Dickens, Jean Nelson and Barbara Scott; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. April 2 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Dr. Chuck Trent officiating.
Burial followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill.

James Larry (Buffy) Duty
James Larry (Buffy) Duty, 45, of Hurley, died April 5 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Blanche Rakes Duty of Grundy and the late Clell Duty.
He was a life-long resident of Buchanan County and was a disabled Truck Driver.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Audrey Faye Hale; one brother-in-law, Ricky Hale; and one nephew, Nathaniel Lee Marrs.
Survivors: wife, Jacqueline Sisk Duty; daughters, Samantha Duty and Audrey Grace Duty, both of Hurley; sisters, Vonda Kay and husband, Tony Duty, and Sylvetta and husband, Danny Jackson, all of Hurley, Edith and husband, Larry Estep of Fenton, Mich., Stella Dimple and husband, David Robenson, of Richlands; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted April 9 at 1 p.m. at the Kelsa Freewill Baptist Church, Kelsa, with Rev. Ronnie Hurley and Rev. Ervin Hurley officiating.
Burial will follow in the Hurley-Charles Cemetery at Paw Paw near Hurley.
Services were held at the church April 7 and 8 at 7 p.m.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

Sallie Harlan Friedl
Sallie Harlan Friedl, 96, of Athens, W.Va., died March 31 at Princeton Community Hospital.
Born February 5, 1912, on a farm near Tompkinsville, Ky., she was the daughter of the late John Wesley and Arla (Thompson) Harlan.
She earned her B.S. degree in Home Economics at Western Kentucky University and completed graduate work at the University of Kentucky. As a coed, she met Joe Friedl at Western Kentucky. They were married in 1935 before relocating to Gary, W.Va. Later they moved to Athens. She was a retired teacher who began her career as an educator in a one-room school in Rush Point, Ky. She taught for a total of 32 years at Kimball and Anawalt Elementary Schools in McDowell County, W.Va.; Bramwell, McComas, Oakvale and Montcalm High Schools in Mercer County, W.Va.; and Graham High School in Tazewell County.
She supported numerous civic and community organizations. She was a member of Concord United Methodist Church in Athens, and Athens Chapter No. 33 of the Order of the Eastern Star where she was a former Grand Worthy Matron.  She was also a member of Athens Women’s Club, Athens PTA, Athens Band Parents, and the Association of College and University Women.
She was active in the WV Retired Teachers Association. She also wrote a column for the Princeton Times as a correspondent for Athens news events. During World War II, she operated a community cannery in Tompkinsville, Ky. She taught subjects ranging from science to mathematics to physical education while raising a family of five children. She was honored in 2006 with the “Athens-Concord Elder Citizen Award” at the Athens-Concord Town Social.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by eight brothers, Ted, Stamper, Ezekiel, Aaron, Thompson, Robert, Abe and Maxey; and three sisters, Myrta, Corrina and Della.
Survivors: sister, Alice Hale of Tompkinsville, Ky.; sons, Joe Friedl, Jr., and wife, Betty, of Vienna, Chester Friedl and wife, June, of Tazewell, William Henry Friedl of Wauwatosa, Wis., and John Dexter Friedl and wife, Jean, of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter, Sally Mann and husband, Otis Mann, Jr., of Charleston, W.Va.; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral was held at 11 a.m. April 5 at the Concord United Methodist Church in Athens with Rev. Greg Godwin officiating.
Interment followed in Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton, W.Va.
Athens Chapter No. 33 of the Order of the Eastern Star conducted a memorial service April 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Seaver Funeral Home in Princeton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Sallie’s honor to the Concord United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 746, Athens, WV 24712.

Elizabeth Russ Harman
Elizabeth Russ Harman, 96, of Williamsburg, formerly of Tazewell, died April 6 at Williamsburg.
Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. April 9 at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell with the Rev. Robert Belcher officiating.
The family will receive friends after 10 a.m. April 9 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell.

Larry Eugene Johnson
Larry Eugene Johnson, 52, of Honaker, died April 1 in a Richlands hospital.
Born October 30, 1955 in Richlands, he was a son of the late Hulet and Gracie Ball Johnson.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was of the Christian faith and was a disabled coal miner. 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Ona Mae Helen Reed and Barbara Sue Hale, and three brothers, Delano Johnson, Clayton Henry Johnson, and Harold Dean Johnson.
Survivors: special friend of 18 years, Karen Yates, of Honaker; brothers, Harmon Johnson and wife, Linda, of Honaker, Ray Johnson and wife, Dianne, of Lebanon, Carl Johnson and wife, Sandy, of Bristol, Ricky Johnson of Bristow; sisters, Mary Orr and husband, Danny, of Moyock, N.C., Dean Morgan and husband, Robert, of Elk Garden, Clara Davidson and husband, Roger, of Honaker, Brenda Kestner and husband, Ronnie, of Belfast; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. April 4 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Chris Musick officiating.
Interment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.

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Bradley Karl Kiser
Bradley Karl Kiser, 45, of the Baptist Valley community of North Tazewell, died April 5 at Richlands.
Born July 31, 1962 at Richlands, he was a son of the late Elmer Lee Kiser and Mildred Street Kiser.
He was a former member of the Virginia Army National Guard 276th Engineer Battalion in Richlands.
Survivors: daughters, Kristi Lynn Kiser and fiancé, Chris White, of Dublin, Ga., Vanessa Mitchele McClain and husband, Tommy, of Tazewell; grandchildren, Christian Kiser-McClain, Chloe Kiser-McClain, and Chelsea Kiser-McClain; former wife but lifelong companion and faithful friend, Linda VanDyke of Tazewell; brothers, Bryon Keith Kiser and Darryl Lee Kiser and wife, Regina, all of Tazewell; nieces, Kaylin Kiser, Allie Kiser and Whitney Kiser, all of Tazewell; nephew, Christopher Kiser and wife, Mindy, and great nephew, Landon Kiser, all of Warner Robins, Ga.; and special friends, Walter and Sally Cooper and children all of Cedar Bluff,  Danny and Sheila Cooper of Belfast, Buddy and Regina Woodberry of Pilgrims Knob, and Willard Peery of Tazewell.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. April 8 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with Pastor Dennis McClemore, Shea Cook and the Rev. Billy Ward officiating.
Burial followed at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Thompson Valley, where military graveside rites were conducted by members of the Casey Short VFW Post.

Nathaniel Lee Marrs
Nathaniel Lee Marrs, 25, of Hurley, died April 5 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of Tony and Vonda Duty Marrs of Hurley.
He was a life-long resident of Buchanan County and was an employee of Wellmore Coal Corporation.
He was preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Clell Duty, and paternal grandfather, James Marrs.
Additional survivors: brother, Anthony and wife, Tiffany Duty, of Gloucester; maternal grandmother, Blanche Marrs of Grundy; nephews, Dylan Duty and Jaydah Duty, both of Gloucester; and several aunts and uncles.
The funeral will be conducted April 9 at 1 p.m. at the Kelsa Freewill Baptist Church, Kelsa, with Rev. Ronnie Hurley and Rev. Ervin Hurley officiating.
Burial will follow in the Hurley-Charles Cemetery at Paw Paw near Hurley.
Services were held at the church April 7 and 8 at 7 p.m.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

Helen Mae Murdock
Helen Mae Murdock, 65, of the Gratton community of Tazewell, died March 31 at Welmont Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
Born August 13, 1942 in Tazewell, she was a daughter of Margaret Witt of Tazewell and the late Archie William Helmandollar.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one sister, Martha Ziats, and step father, Carl Witt.
Additional survivors: husband, James R. (Bob) Murdock; son, James R. (Bobby) Murdock, Jr. of La Cross, Wis.; daughters, Margie Cruey and husband, James, and Lora White and husband, Chris, all of North Tazewell; brothers, James Helmandollar and wife, Tina, of North Tazewell, Archie Helmandollar and wife, Vickie, of Bland; and grandchildren, Amber Danielle Cruey and Alexandria Kathleen White.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. April 3 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Troy Bartley officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va.

Mary Price Nuckolls
Mary Price Nuckolls, 95, of Richlands, died April 5 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Tazewell County, she was the daughter of the late Wesley and Mary Catherine Lawrence Whitley, both Tazewell County natives.
She had made her home in the Richlands area most of her life and was a member of the Richlands Presbyterian Church and a past Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star #104 of Richlands. She was a graduate of Tazewell High School Class of 1930.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, R. Leslie “Les” Nuckolls; one sister, Polly Hagy; and one brother, William Whitley. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: daughters, Katsy Lawson and husband, Frank, of Richlands, Rev. Ann Blackburn of Cleveland, Tenn., Susie Boothe of Richlands; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and special caregivers, Sharon Stillwell, Wanda Carver, Frances Horn, and Neal Ann Allison. 
At the request of Mrs. Nuckolls, a graveside service was conducted April 7 at 11 a.m. at the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill with the Rev. Ann Blackburn officiating.
Interment followed.
As were her wishes, there was no visitation at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, gifts of remembrance may be made to Preferred Hospice, 2629 Front Street, Richlands, VA 24641.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.

Herbert James Parker
Herbert James Parker, 90, of Cedar Bluff, died April 6 in a Bristol, Tenn. hospital.
Born March 13, 1918 in Damascus, he was the son of the late George and Effie Phillippi Parker. 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Janetta Parker, two brothers and six sisters.
Survivors: son, Paris Parker of the home; brother, Robert Parker of Kingsport, Tenn.; sisters, Mildred Roush of Glade Springs, Violia Adams of Powell, Tenn.; special nephew, Donald Boothe of Cedar Bluff; and several nieces and nephews. 
Burial was private.
Singleton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Amos Shortridge
Amos Shortridge, 81, of Grundy, died April 3 in a Grundy hospital.
Born May 6, 1926 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Tom and Effie Cole Shortridge.
He was of the Pentecostal faith and was an ordained minister.  He started two churches where he preached for several years. 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Shortridge; and five sisters, Carmie Holland, Dorothy Stiltner, Shelby Shortridge, Lucille Shortridge and Ruby Shortridge. 
Survivors: wife of 57 years, Ada Mae (Sis) Shortridge; sons, Jimmy Shortridge and wife, Tammy, Tim Shortridge and fiancée, Noel, and Danny Shortridge and wife, Dawn, all of Grundy, Bill Shortridge and wife, Shirley, of Galax; brother, Leroy Shortridge of Grundy; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; special friends, Paul and Janne Elswick of Big Rock; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. April 6 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with Rev. Troy Lester and Rev. Ancil Childress officiating.
Burial followed in the Esaw Rife Cemetery at Keen Mountain.

Georgia Fay Hart Smith
Georgia Fay Hart Smith, 90, of the Cracker’s Neck section of Cleveland, died April 1 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born May 26, 1917 in Russell County, she was a daughter of the late Della Hart, Sr. and Eunice Wilson Hart.
She was a lifelong resident of Cracker’s Neck area and was a member of Crabtree Chapel at Cleveland.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carl B. Smith, Sr.; one step-son, William “Bill” B. Smith; two step grandsons, Steve Smith and Norman Combs; nine brothers, Gray, Ross “Bud”, Howard, Emmitt, Giles, Elmer, Clayton, Freeman, and Della Hart, Jr.; and one sister, Hazel Musick. In her generation, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: daughter and son-in-law, Dana and Robert Musick of Cleveland; son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Suzanne Smith of Coweta, Okla.; step-daughters, Iva Reynolds and husband, Jack, of Broken Arrow, Okla., Nellie Faye Combs of Cincinnati, Ohio, Sue Shields and husband, Jack, of Lebanon; step-sons, Jack Smith of Vandalia, Ohio, Pete Smith of Honaker; grandsons, Josh Smith and Brannam Smith; great-granddaughter, Lillie Mae Smith; 18 step-grandchildren; several step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. April 4 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Rick Smith, Rev. Ed Young and Bro. Larry Rasnake officiating.
Interment followed in Ketron Memorial Gardens at Lebanon.

Raymond Leroy Smith
Raymond Leroy Smith, 66, of Jewell Ridge, died March 30 in Holston Valley Medical Center.
He is survived by two daughters, Loretta Craven and Tresta Lynn Smith.
The family of Mr. Smith will be in charge of arrangements that will be announced at a later date.

Marvin H. Vance
Marvin H. Vance, 86, died March 23 at his home in Baltimore, Md., following a lengthy illness.
Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Charlie C. and Nancy Burke Vance, both former Richlands residents.
He was a Richlands High School Class of 1941 graduate and had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.  He retired from the Glen L. Martin Airplane Factory. He was a loving husband, father, and a most loved brother. He was a member of the Open Bible Church in Kingsville, Md.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Lee W. Vance; maternal grandparents, Samuel and Jane Baldwin Burke; and paternal grandparents, William H. and Maggie Helton Vance.
Survivors: wife of 63 years, Mildred Brown Vance; daughter, Nancy B. Vance, who passed away April 1, 2008; sisters, Opal V. Crawford of Baltimore, Clara V. Hess and husband, Bill, of Richlands; and a host of friends and relatives.
The funeral was held March 27 at the Bruzdinski Funeral Home in Essex, Md.
Interment followed at Holly Hill Memorial Gardens in Baltimore.
Obituary information supplied by the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands.

Nancy B. Vance
Nancy B. Vance, 58, died April 1 in a Baltimore, Md., hospital following a brief illness.
She was the daughter of Mildred R. Vance of Baltimore and the late Marvin H. Vance, who passed away March 23, 2008.
She was educated in the Baltimore area and was employed as a secretary by the state of Maryland Court System until retiring five years ago.  She was a member of the Open Bible Church in Kingsville, Md.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Charlie C. and Nancy B. Vance of Richlands, and maternal grandparents, Earl and Mary Brown of Six Mile Run, Pa.
Additional survivors: uncle, Jay Brown and wife, Shirley, of Baltimore; aunts, Opal V. Crawford of Baltimore, Clara V. Hess and husband, Bill, of Richlands; and many cousins and friends.
The funeral was held April 5 at the Bruzdinski Funeral Home in Essex, Md.
Interment followed at Holly Hill Memorial Gardens in Baltimore.
Obituary information supplied by the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands.

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Virginia Irene
Jones Wince
Virginia Irene Jones Wince, 89, of Bluefield, Va., died April 2 at Tazewell Community Hospital following a long illness.
Born December 26, 1918 in North Tazewell, she was a daughter of the late M.C. and Nancy Proffitt Jones.
She was a member of the Virginia Avenue United Methodist Church in Bluefield, Va., a graduate of the Johnston – Willis Hospital School of Nursing in Richmond, a member of the American Red Cross, and a Veteran of World War II, having served as a 2nd and 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Nurses Corps.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George J. Wince, five brothers and three sisters.
Survivors: sons, William “Bill” Wince and wife, Helen, and Douglas Wince, all of Tazewell; granddaughter, Rebecca Mitchem and husband, Brandon, of Tazewell; sisters, Mrs. Joseph E. (Doug) Shinault and Mrs. Randolph (Louise) Blizzard, both of Bluefield, Va.
To honor her wishes, there were no visitation or service.
Interment was private at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill with the Rev. Terry Goodman officiating.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.

Sandy Lee Yeakey
Sandy Lee Yeakey, 47, of Jewell Ridge, died March 12 in a Bristol, Tenn. hospital following a lengthy illness.
She was born May 12, 1960 in South Bend, Ind. and was the daughter of Phyllis Yeakey of Mishawaka, Ind. and the late Earl Yeakey Jr.
She was a loved daughter, sister, mother and grandmother. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Additional survivors: daughter, Crystal R. Yeakey of Mishawaka; son, Scott J. Yeakey of Jewell Ridge; special companion, Steve Goodin of Jewell Ridge; sisters, Janet Yeakey and fiancé, K.B.R., of Mishawaka, Donna Cleveland and husband, Ron, of South Bend, Ind.; brother, Donald Yeakey and wife, Lori, of Mishawaka; grandchildren, Tyler and Makayla Nickles; and aunt and uncle, Alberta and David Lee of Swords Creek.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. March 17 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands with the Rev. Johnny Smith officiating.
Interment followed in the Gilbert Family Cemetery on Stinson Ridge near Jewell Ridge.