Richlands News Press Obits for Oct. 8

Buford O. “Boots” Blackwell
Buford O. “Boots” Blackwell, age 88 of Bluefield, Va., died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center at Bluefield, W.Va.
Born June 8, 1920 at West Graham, Va., he was a son of the late John Harvey Blackwell and Pearl Grey Lampert Blackwell.
He was a US Air Force Veteran of World War II and a member of the VFW Post # 9696 in Bluefield, VA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a half brother, Clyde Tibbs and half sister, Ethel Smith.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Vicki Atkinson Blackwell; one daughter, Rhoda Cantrell and Ron Cantrell of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two sons, John Blackwell and Denise Blake of Tucson, Ariz., and Kes Blackwell and Cindy Engardio of Tazewell, Va.; one brother, Peery Bernard Blackwell and companion, Gene Basham of Bluefield, W.Va.; four grandchildren, Baird Brown, John Brown, Joanna Blackwell, and Kayley Blackwell; eight nieces and three nephews; special friends and neighbors, Tim and Jennifer Booth of Bluefield, Va.
The family will receive friends at their home, 512 Tazewell Ave. Bluefield, VA from 6-9 p.m.  Friday, October 3, 2008 for a celebration of Boot’s life.
The family requests memorial donations be directed to the Second Chance Learning Center, 14 Westwood Medical Park, Bluefield, VA 24605.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell, VA is serving the Blackwell family.

Perry A. Compton
Perry A. Compton, age 85, of Richlands, Va., passed away Sat., Sept. 27, 2008 at his home following a lengthy illness.
He was born in Russell County and was the son of the late Burl and Amanda Newberry Compton, both Russell County natives.
He had made his home in the Tazewell County area all of his life and was a retired miner for Red Jacket and Red Ash Coal Companies. He was a charter member of the Richlands Rescue Squad and was a member of the Tazewell County Sportsmen Club. He was a member of the Mill Creek Primitive Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Navy World War II Veteran and was a member of the Casey Shortt VFW Post #9640. 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Artie Meadows and Lola Keene; and four brothers, Paul, Raleigh, Lawrence, and Harmon Compton.  He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Survivors are: his wife, Estelle Dye Compton; two daughters, Patricia Compton of Venice, Fla., Kathy Compton of Wytheville, Va.; two sons, Larry Compton of Richlands, Va., Randall Compton and wife, Rhonda of Wytheville, Va.; nine grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; special friend, Joyce Sisk; and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services for Perry A. Compton were conducted Wed., Oct. 1, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Va., with the Elders Danny Smith and Ben Combs officiating.  Interment followed at the Newberry Family Cemetery on Horton Ridge near Raven, Va. Members of Casey Shortt VFW Post #9640 conducted military graveside rites. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va., was in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at http://www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Lucy Mae Pressley Frazier
Lucy Mae Pressley Frazier, age 91, of Marion, Va., formerly of South Boston, VA and Tazewell, Va., died Friday, Sept 26, 2008 at Ridgefield Assisted Living in Marion, Va.
Born November 1, 1916 at Boissevain, Va., she was a daughter of the late George and Hannah Pressley.  She made her home with Luther and Grace Franklin.
In addition to her parents and guardians, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Frazier and one sister, Betty Schlachter.
She is survived by one brother, Luther E Franklin and wife, Helen of Tannersville, Va.; nieces and nephews including Clara Corell and husband, Robert of Tazewell, Va.; Sandy Carter and husband, Brad of Tannersville, Va.; Pat Britton and husband, John of Marion, Va.; Edward Franklin and wife, Leigh Ann of Saltville, Va.; Don Franklin and wife, Pam of Charlotte, N.C.; Leonard Schlachter and wife, Diane of Jenkintown, Pa.; William Schlachter and wife, Doris of Cinnaminson, N.J.; Barbara Campbell and husband, Ken of Montgomery, Ala.; Robert James Frazier and wife, Anna Mae of Baton Rogue, La.; also several great nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in South Boston, Va., with Gary Butterworth officiating. Burial will be at Halifax Memorial Gardens, South Boston, Va.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Trinity Episcopal Church, 515 Yancy Street, South Boston, VA 24592.
Peery & St. Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell, Va. is serving the family

Mr. Dennis W. “Big G” Gills
Mr. Dennis W. “Big G” Gills, age 67 of Vale, N.C., formerly of Squire, W.Va., went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, October 4, 2008 while a patient at the Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, N.C.
Born September 2, 1941 in Tazewell, Va., he was a son the late Floyd Gills and Frances Katherine Gills Fox.  He was of the Catholic faith and was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Newton, N.C.  Mr. Gills was a long time Scout Master with the Boy Scouts of America in Cleveland, Ohio.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Daniel Paul Gills.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Connie C. Gills; children, Denise Chinault of Albemarle, N.C., Darlene F. Gills of Tazewell, Va., Charles Gills of Radford, Va., Les Kuelbs and wife, Helen of Charlotte, N.C., K.K. Kuelbs and wife, Melissa of Statesville, N.C., and Jodie Hester and husband, Mike of Vale, N.C.; grandsons, Charlie, Aaron, Charles, Nolan, Justin, Michael, and Liam; granddaughter, Morgan, who he “loves around the world and back”; sisters, Phyllis Rytel and Dorothy Manning and husband, Carlos, all of Bluefield, W.Va., and Joyce Billips and husband, Sam of Bluefield, Va.; brother, James Thomas Gills of Bluefield, W.Va.; special brothers and sisters – in – law, Gene and Peggy Crouse of Pawpaw, W.Va., and Hal and Linda Block of Cumberland, Tenn.; faithful companions, Cocoa and Dusty; many other family members and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Dennis W. Gills will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell, Va., with Father Gaudencio Pugat officiating.  Entombment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, Va. Sons and Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Carlos Manning, Gene Crouse, and Hal Block.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2008.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell, Virginia is serving the family of Mr. Gills and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at http://www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Raymond Kimbel, Jr.
Raymond Lewis Kimbel, Jr., age 64, of Richlands, Va. passed away Thurs., Oct. 2, 2008 at the home of his sister, Sandra Culler, in Richlands, Va. surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Richlands, Va. and was the son of the late Raymond L. and Nancy Willis Kimbel, Sr.
He had made his home in the Richlands, Va., area all of his life and was a retired teacher for Tazewell County Public Schools with 25 years of service. He was a member of the Tazewell County Sportsman Club in Burkes Garden, where he served on the Board of Directors.  He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, gardening, nature, wildlife, and photography. Raymond was also a talented wood craftsman.  He was a graduate of Richlands High School Class of 1961 and had attended Emory and Henry College and graduated from Bluefield State in Bluefield, W.Va.
Survivors are: His wife of 43 years:  Jenny Lynn Kennedy Kimbel; Sister:  Sandra Kimbel Culler of Richlands, Va.; Nieces:  Kim Culler of Waynesboro, Va.; Angie Culler Shortt and husband, Eric of Clarks Valley, Va.; Nephews:  James Kennedy and wife, Paula of Abingdon, Md.; Cedric McDaniel of Aberdean, Md.; Jeremy Kennedy of Williamsburg, Va.; Great Nieces:  Rachel Kennedy and Althea Shortt; Great Nephew:  Stuart Kennedy also survives.
Funeral services for Raymond L. Kimbel, Jr. were conducted Sun., Oct. 5, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands, Va., with Dr. Terry Morris and Rev. David Brannock officiating. Entombment followed at Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill, Va.
Friends called after 6:00 p.m. Sat. evening at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Fork Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 305, Cedar Bluff, VA 24609 of Legacy Hospice, 1963 2nd Street, Richlands, Va. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands, Va., is in charge of arrangements and those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at http://www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com.

Herman Peck
Herman Peck, age 69 of Cedar Bluff, Va., passed away Wed., Oct. 1, 2008 in a Lebanon, Va., hospital. Born May 19, 1939 in Russell County, Va., he was the son of the late Garnett Leo and Nomaie Vivian Ball Peck. He was employed as a coal miner with Virginia Energy for 27 years. 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Leola Cooper and Nettie Tuggle.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Edith Anna (Harmon) Peck; two sons, Randy Peck and wife, Lynne of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Bobby Peck and wife Mae of Rosedale; one daughter, Sharlene Johnson of Roanoke; three brothers, Joe Ed Peck of Saltville, Sherman Peck and wife, Elsie of Bassett and Carl Roger Peck of Mountain City, Tenn.; four sisters, Pauline Reynolds of Cedar Bluff, Betty Blankenship of Corn Valley, Linda Dalton and husband, Milton of Corn Valley and Elizabeth Ann Reynolds and husband, Henry of Cedar Bluff; five grandchildren, Brandon, Shane, Tyler, Joshua and Samuel.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 a.m. Sat., Oct. 4, 2008 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff, Va., with Rev. Mike Dye and Rev. Dallas Hubbard officiating. Burial followed in the Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon, Va. Family and friends served as pallbearers.
The family received friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Fri. at Singleton Funeral Service at Cedar Bluff, Va.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by going to http://www.SingletonFuneralService.com.
Singleton Funeral Service is serving the Peck family.