Richlands News-Press Obituaries for the week of Oct. 10

Stella Parsons Ashby
Stella Parsons Ashby, 87, of Grundy, died Oct. 7 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, TN, following an extended illness.
Born in Lee County, she was the daughter of the late Alonzo and Mary Elizabeth Wilder Parsons.
She was a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a member of the New Hope Christian Church. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and was a wonderful homemaker. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John C. Ashby, July 7, 1994; two grandchildren; and four brothers, Albert, Brian, Denver and John V. Parsons.
Survivors: daughter, Linda and husband, Dennis Kosak, of Dandridge, TN; sons, John C. Ashby Jr. of Pikeville, KY, Billy Harold and wife, Margaret Ashby, of Harman, Bobby Gene and wife, Sandee Ashby, of Doran, Larry Keith and wife, Rosetta Ashby, of Council, Roger Lee Ashby, Donald Ferrell and wife, Darlene Ashby, and Randy Edward and wife, Sandy Ashby, all of Grundy, Michael Dean and wife, Jill Ashby, of Dandridge; sisters-in-law, Vernette Parsons of Grundy, Edith Parsons of Oregon; 21 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at the New Hope Christian Church, Grundy, with Evg. William L. Neeley and Rev. Carl Tegler officiating.
Graveside services will be Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Ashby Cemetery near the home on New House Branch, Grundy.
Friends may call at the church Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. with funeral services at 7 p.m.
The family requests that those attending the graveside services meet at the New Hope Christian Church Oct. 11 at 10:30 a.m.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy is in charge of all arrangements.

Rev. Carl N. Ball
Rev. Carl N. Ball, 81, of Raven, went to be with the Lord Oct. 3 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, following a long illness.
Born Jan. 20, 1926 in Tazewell County, he was the son of the late Arch and Virgie Davis Ball.
He was a life long resident of Raven. He was a retired coal miner from Island Creek Coal Co. and was a UMWA member. He was of the Pentecostal Faith and attended the Road Ridge Assembly of God Church for many years where he taught the teenage class. He was the Pastor of the Levisa Assembly for five years. He was founder and Pastor of the Premier Full Gospel Temple Church for 26 years and was licensed with the Free Pentecostal Church of God. He also served on the Board for the Virginia Black Lung Association.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy Madeline Newberry; one brother, Billy Ball; five infant brothers; and two infant sisters.
Survivors: wife of 60 years, Pansy Short Ball of Raven; 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; brothers, Bob Ball of Raven, Otis Ball and wife, Belle, of Deerborne Heights, MI, Jack Ball and wife, Valarie, of Taylor, MI; sisters, Berdie Dye and husband, Carl, of Fazeyburg, OH, Louise Steelwell of Oceala, OH, Betty Shelton and husband, Don, of Doran, Pansy Baldwin and husband, Ted, of Cedar Bluff; special niece, Patsy Elkins of Pounding Mill; grandchildren, Rhonda Salyers, Wayne Salyers, Andy Welch, Kim Welch, Michelle Zedd and Kayla Ball Culbertson; step grandchildren, Krystin Hale, Katrina Campbell and Billy Smith; great grandchildren, Bryana Mitchell, Alexa Mitchell, Alex Salyers, Isabella Salyers, Abbigail Zedd, Alayna Gerry, Lucas Welch and Haydun Culbertson; step great grandchildren, Alyssa Dennis, Cassidy Campbell and Daniel Yates; and a host of family and friends. 
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Oct. 6 at Raven Assembly of God Church at Raven with Dr. Hurley R. Shortt, Rev. Charlie McGlothlin, Rev. Clyde Ball and Rev. Barry Absher officiating.
Entombment followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.
Singleton Funeral Service in Cedar Bluff was in charge of arrangements.

Lucy Ann Stewart Daniels
Lucy Ann Stewart Daniels, 89, of the Compton Mountain section of Grundy, died Oct. 2 at her home following an extended illness.
Born in Jolo, WV, she was the daughter of the late Monroe and Louise Rife Stewart.
She was a resident of Buchanan County most of her life and was a member of the Harman Freewill Baptist Church for 42-years. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and was a wonderful homemaker. She was the oldest citizen on Compton Mountain.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Bolden Daniels, Feb. 19, 1991; two sons, Monroe Calvin Daniels and Estil Daniels; two sisters, Lina Muncy and Cora Kelly; and one brother, Firl Stewart.
Survivors: daughters, Ellen and husband, Earnest Gene Davis, of Flint, MI, Alice Rife of Richlands, Elsie and husband, Elmer Lee Burke, of Shorts Gap, Florence and husband, David Elmer Ward, of Grundy, Janet and husband, Elbert (Sonnie) Taylor of Nebo, NC; sons, William and wife, Frances Lester, of Paynesville, WV, Lonnie Daniels and Bobby and wife, Sharon Daniels, all of Grundy, Reece and wife, Karen Sue Daniels, of Pigeon Forge, TN, Roy Jr. and wife, Diane Daniels, of Shelbyville, TN, Clell and wife, Patsy Mae Daniels, of Lynchburg; sisters, Bessie Compton of Paynesville, WV, Jenny Fife of Jolo, WV, Ruby Davis of Princeton, WV; 33 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and 29 step-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Elmer Lee Burke and Brother Eddie Wilson officiating.
Burial followed in the Mullins Cemetery on Compton Mountain, near Grundy.
Services were held at the funeral home Oct. 3 and 4 at 7 p.m.

Eloise L. Hamm
Eloise L. Hamm, 69, of Galax, formerly of Tazewell, died Oct. 4 at her home.
Born Feb. 8, 1938 in Bluefield, WV, she was a daughter of the late Robert Paul Tibbs and Ruby Lee Harman Tibbs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Hamm; one sister, Nora Miller; and step mother, Rebecca Tibbs.
Survivors: daughters, Gwen Kitts and husband, Billy, of North Tazewell, Donna Alley and husband, Wayne, of Galax; son, Mike Hamm and wife, Cathy, of North Tazewell; sisters, Lorraine Landers and Geneva Kessinger, both of Ormond Beach, FL; grandchildren, Allen Alley, Angie Parsons, Heather Hamm, Keith Alley, John Wimmer, Mikey Hamm, Wendy Alley, Sabrina Alley, and Tara Alley; 19 great grandchildren; special cousin, Rosie McGlothlin; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Ted Bartlett officiating.
Burial followed at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA.

Brenda Carol
Johnson Heflin
Brenda Carol Johnson Heflin, 62, of Bishop, WV, formerly of St. Albans, WV, went home to be with the Lord Oct. 4 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
Born April 2, 1945 in Putnam County, WV, she was a daughter of the late Brady and Hazel Roberts Johnson.
She was a member of the Canebrake Freewill Baptist Church and was a 1963 Honor Graduate of Winfield High School. She was a resident of St. Albans, WV, for 50 years before moving to Bishop in McDowell County.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Pat Hall, and one brother, Buddy Johnson.
Survivors: husband, Robert “Bob” Heflin; daughter, Kim Atkinson of St. Albans; brothers, Arnold Byrd of South Charleston, WV, Eddie Johnson and Allen Johnson, both of Putnam County; grandchildren, Leigha Lacy and Brenton Pauley; and three great grandchildren.
Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m. Oct. 8 at the family cemetery at Scary Creek, WV, with the Rev. Leo Morris officiating.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of the arrangements.

Della Virginia
Hall Herald
Della Virginia Hall Herald, 74, of Tazewell, died Oct. 4 at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands.
Born April 10, 1933 in Tazewell, she was a daughter of the late Harvey P. Hall and Rettie Hunnell Hall.
She was of the Holiness faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Herald; three sisters, Mary Shaw, Grace Smith, and Carrie Gillespie; and three brothers, Lawrence Hall, Peery Hall and Sam Hall.
Survivors: daughters, Beth Harman and husband, Greg, Katie Hicks and husband, Matt; son, Rex Herald, all of Tazewell; sisters, Georgia Pickett of Tazewell, Josephine Wright of Maryland; and grandchildren, Eric Herald, Christopher Herald, Elizabeth Hicks and Tyler Harman.
The funeral was conducted at 3 p.m. Oct. 6 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Ricky Herald officiating.
Burial followed at Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.

Alice Rife Burnett Hoback
Alice Rife Burnett Hoback, 92, of Galax, formerly of North Tazewell, died Oct. 3 at the Waddell Nursing Home in Galax.
Born Feb. 2, 1915 in Grundy, she was a daughter of the late Charly and Lucy Peaks Rife.
She was a member of the Adria Advent Christian Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Henry Burnett, her second husband, Vernon Hoback, and several sisters and brothers.
Survivors: daughter, Helen Diaco and husband, Victor, of Johnson Valley, CA; son, Bill B. Burnett and wife, Sandy, of Galax; four grandchildren; one step grandson; eleven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, VA with the Rev. Don Elswick officiating.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.

Beverly P. Johnson
Beverly P. Johnson, 75, of Bristol, TN, died Oct. 1 at Claiborne County Nursing Home in Tazewell, TN.
Born May 2, 1932 in Council, he was a son of the late Walter and Bessie Sutherland Johnson.
He spent his early life in Buchanan County prior to moving to Tennessee. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.
Survivors: sisters, Mary Stanley of Talbott, TN, and Beulah VanBuren of Morristown, TN, and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Johnson Cemetery on Combs Ridge in Council.
Military graveside honors were conducted by American Legion Post #164 of Grundy.
Honaker Funeral Home, Honaker, was in charge of the arrangements.

Sean Patrick “Opie” O’Connor
Sean Patrick “Opie” O’Connor, 30, of Grundy, formerly of Honaker, died Oct. 2 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born Dec. 20, 1976 in Rochester, MI, he was a son of James Michael and Christine Jane Counts O’Connor of Honaker.
He had spent most of his life in the Honaker area and was a 1995 graduate of Honaker High School. He was currently employed by UPS in Claypool Hill.
Additional survivors: wife, Stephanie Childress O’Connor; son, Aidan Patrick O’Connor of the home; brother, Lee O’Connor and wife, Marlo, of Oahu, HI; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Terry and Marsha Childress; and sister-in-law, Tara Sparks; and many friends.
A memorial service of remembrance was conducted at 7 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel. 

Roy Darrell Rimmer
Roy Darrell Rimmer, 83, of Raven, died Oct. 3 in a Richlands hospital.
Born Jan. 31, 1924 in Richlands, he was the son of the late David C. and Sally Rosie Wallace Rimmer.
He was a retired supervisor with 7 Up Bottling Company at Corpus Christi, TX.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hattie Mae Maxie Rimmer; three sisters, Maggie Isom, Rachael Sykes and Liza Adeena Rimmer; eight brothers, Frank Rimmer, Alexander (Alek) Rimmer, Isaac Rimmer, Marvin Rimmer, Ben Rimmer, Elmore Rimmer, Bev Rimmer and Ellis Rimmer. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family in his generation.
Survivors: sons, Terry Rimmer and wife, Naydean, and James Rimmer, all of Corpus Christi; six grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were private. 
Singleton Funeral Service served the Rimmer family. 

Dora Ellen Sparks
Dora Ellen Sparks, 93, of Warriormine, WV, died Oct. 5 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Born June 8, 1914 in Toms Creek, WV, she was a daughter of the late Mance and Lila Bias Price.
She was a member of the Independent Church of the Living God at Shop Hollow, WV.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Everett Carter Sparks; six children, Rene, Callie Mae, Charlene, Shirlene and Shirley; five sisters, Caroline, Rosie, Magdalene, Violet and Meda; and one brother, James Price.
Survivors: sons, William Sparks, and wife, Marjorie, of Tazewell, Herbert Sparks and Andy Sparks, both of War, WV, James Sparks and Vernon Sparks, both of the home; daughter, Frances Thomas of War; brother, Arthur Price of Radford, PA; 26 grandchildren; 60 great grandchildren; 34 great-great grandchildren; special grandson, Gene Harmon of Hartwell, WV; and sister-in-law and her family Beatrice Price of War.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Independent Church of the Living God at Shop Hollow, WV, with Wilmer Muncy officiating.
Burial followed at the Perkins Cemetery at Whittaker Ridge.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of the arrangements.

Jerome Rico Taylor
Jerome Rico Taylor, 28, of White Sulphur Springs, WV, formerly of Bluefield, WV, died Sept. 29 at Dallas Medical Center in Dallas, TX, after a 14-month battle with Leukemia.
He was born April 21, 1979 in Mercer Co. He was a 1997 graduate of Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham. He attended WVU on a football scholarship in 1998 and played under Don Nehlen for two years. He then attended Midwestern State University in Texas where he received a full football scholarship. He was pursuing a degree in community health and social work lacking one semester before graduation. He continued his course work as long as possible during his illness while still maintaining a 4.0 average.
He was preceded in death by his birth mother, Sharon Wolfe Taylor; grandfather, Herbert Wolfe; and an uncle, Keith Berry.
Left to cherish his memory are very special cousins, Heather Pruett White, husband Lennie and children Kendra and Kerry of Tazewell; Danielle and Lauren Pruett and their mother “Aunt” Charlene Pruett of Bluefield. VA; the mother of his heart Karen Winkfield of White Sulphur Springs; brothers, Michael Taylor of Bluefield, WV, Marcus Berry of Tampa, FL, Matthew and Michael Winkfield, both of Huntington, WV, Douglas Wolfe of Green Valley, WV; sister, Monica Winkfield of White Sulphur Springs; grandparents, Kenny and Jackie Carter of White Sulphur Springs, Lorraine Wolfe of Rocky Gap; niece, Alexus Taylor; nephews, Ethan Berry and his namesake, Taylor Noel; his cousin, Reggie Fitzgerald of Bluefield, VA; a host of other family; and many special friends in Texas.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at St. James United Methodist Church, White Sulphur Springs, WV, with Rev. Nelson Staples and Rev. Greg Scott officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhill Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs.
Friends called from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at Shanklin Funeral Home, White Sulphur Springs.
Expressions of sympathy donations may be made to the Jerome Taylor Memorial Fund at First Citizens Bank, 1 E. Main St, White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986.
Information submitted by Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home of Tazewell.

Jenny Alford Walk
Jenny Alford Walk, 48, of Tazewell, died Oct. 1 at Tazewell Community Hospital.
Born Feb. 2, 1959 in Tazewell, she was a daughter of the late Calvin F. Alford, Sr. and Nancy Jane Wash Alford.
She was a member of the Main St. United Methodist in Tazewell. She was a graduate of Tazewell High School and Clinch Valley College at Wise. She was an administrative assistant for Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation. She was a volunteer with Commonwealth Challenge, served as chairman of the board of Clinch Independent Living Services, Inc., assisted with the Bluefield Orioles Baseball team, and was a board member of the Sparrow Pond Cottage Owners Association at Kiawah Island, SC.
Survivors: husband, Thomas P. Walk; sisters, Susan Alford of Tazewell, Mary A. Adkins and husband, Dean, of Newport, TN; brothers, Calvin F. Alford, Jr. and wife, Diane, of Athens, GA, G. Michael Alford and wife, Pam, of Bishop, Robert B. Alford and wife, Vicki, of Tazewell, Willie S. Alford and wife, Sonia, of North Tazewell; numerous nieces and nephews; three great nephews; one great niece; special friend, Teresa Alley of Cedar Bluff; and her beloved Maggie “The Wonder Dog”.
The funeral was conducted at 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home Chapel in Tazewell with the Rev. Dr. Thomas A. Conley and the Rev. Kathy R. Wilson-Parker officiating.
Interment and committal services followed at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery near Glasgow in Rockbridge County.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to Main Street United Methodist Church, 315 E. Main St., Tazewell, VA 24651, or Southwest Virginia Community College Educational Foundation, P.O. Box SVCC, Richlands, VA 24641.

Elmer Franklin Yates
Elmer Franklin Yates, 51, of Oakwood, died Oct. 7 at the Clinch Valley Medical Center, Richlands, following a brief illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of Lottie J. White Yates, of Oakwood, and the late Clayton J. Yates.
He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was a retired coal miner.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Tammy J. Cox Yates; one sister, Jacqueline Vandyke; and one brother, Johnnie Wayne Yates.
Additional survivors: daughter, Tara Elswick of Shorts Gap; sons, Dustin F. and wife, Melanie Yates, of Richlands, Zachary (Rusty) Yates of Oakwood; sisters, Star and husband, Tom Bishop, of Rocky Gap, Rebecca and husband, Mike Street, of Richlands; brothers, Ronnie Clayton and wife, Tammy Yates, Donnie R. and wife, Elizabeth Yates, and Robert Yates, all of Oakwood; grandson, Tyler Yates; nieces, Hollie Yates and Miranda Vandyke; nephews, Michael John Street, Joshua Street and Clay Yates; special cousin, Patsy Grey; and special friend, Kim Cox.
The funeral will be conducted Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Jim Clark and Brother Shannon Justice officiating.
Burial will follow in the Vandyke Family Cemetery on Baldwin Mountain, near Vansant.
Services were held at the funeral home Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.