Richlands News Press obituaries for week of April 23

Crystal L. Jones Ball
Crystal L. Jones Ball, 29, of Greenville, S.C., formerly of Richlands, died April 11.
She was born August 20, 1978 in Richlands.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia Crouse; adopted parents, George and Mary Kate Jones; maternal grandparents, Harry Lee Davis and Genevia Looney Davis; one brother, Michael Jones; and mother-in-law, Teresa Ball.
Survivors: husband, Gregory Ball; father, Blaine Jones and wife, Phyllis, of Richlands; brothers, Eugene Smith of Richlands, Marvin Boothe and wife, Rose, of Baltimore, Md., Douglas Gray of Christiansburg, Dwight A. Jones, Sr. and wife, Maudie, of Deerfield, Curtis E. Jones of Indianapolis, Ind.; sisters, Angelia Stewart and husband, Glen, of South Charleston, Ohio, Patricia Jean Harkey and husband, Jim, of Sheridan, Ind., Barbara Lynn Evans of Vinton, Edna Honeycutt and husband, Joey, of Pounding Mill; father and mother-in-law, Lesley and Deborah Ball of Cedar Bluff; three step sisters; two step brothers; and several uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. April 17 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Grady McGlothlin officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.

Helen Ruth
Hackworth Brown
Helen Ruth Hackworth Brown, 70, of the Baptist Valley section of North Tazewell, died April 18 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Pike County, Ky., she was the daughter of the late Thurmon and Ruby Caudill Hackworth, both formerly of Whitewood and Tazewell.
She was wed at the age of 15 to her husband, Warren Neel Brown, to whom she stayed married until his death in 1991. She was a former employee of Pyott-Boone, where she worked for 19 years until her health no longer permitted. She had made her home on Baptist Valley Road with her daughter, Leeta Brown Dye and her husband, Steve, for the past 14 years of her life. She loved making quilts and crocheting. Her grandchildren were the love of her life. She was of the Freewill Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, James Hackworth, Ronnie Hackworth and Robert (Bob) Hackworth; and one grandson, Stephen Dye, Jr.
Survivors: daughter, Leeta Brown Dye and husband, Steve, of North Tazewell; son, John R. Brown and fiancée, Gail Ledgerwood, of North Tazewell; sisters, Betty Adkins of North Tazewell, Nell Street and husband, Mac, of Summersville, S.C.; brothers, Thurmon Hackworth, Jr. and wife, Linnie, of Whitewood, Buddy Hackworth and wife, Adella, of Tazewell; grandchildren, Carrie Gibson Curry and husband, Danny, Craig Brown and wife, Renee, and Joshua Brown and fiancée, Dena Coleman; granddaughter-in-law, Wendy Hill Dye; great grandchildren, Madison Curry, Dustin Curry, Dallas Dye, Denver Dye, Dakotah Street, Kydalynn Brown and Briona Coleman; her faithful dog, Heimie; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral was conducted at 7 p.m. April 20 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell with Rev. Troy Lester officiating.

Sidney Arthur Clevinger
Sidney Arthur Clevinger, 79, of the Harman area of Grundy, died April 20 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn., following an extended illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Lewis and Gracie Stiltner Clevinger.
He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and was of the Baptist Faith. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and was a retired merchant.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Glenda Jean Ratliff; one grandson, Sidney Andrew Clevinger; three sisters, Ruth Marie, Sarah Agnes and Pauline Grey Clevinger; brothers, Blake, James Homer, L.K., Emil, Louie and Hillard Clevinger Sr.
Survivors: wife of 55-years, Vertie Lee Stiltner Clevinger; daughters, Sherry Lee Clevinger of Maxie, Loretta Gail and husband, Kenny Stiltner, of Grundy; son, Sidney A. Jr. and wife, Kathy Clevinger, of Maxie; sister, Madge Bennett of Maxie; brother, Grady Clevinger of Mavisdale; son-in-law, Burlin Ratliff; granddaughter, Alison Jill Ratliff; and grandsons, Nathaniel Wade Clevinger, Michael Paul Stiltner, James Ray and wife, Beth Stiltner, and Burl Lee Ratliff.
The funeral will be conducted April 23 at 3 p.m. at the Grundy Funeral Home Chapel with Ministers Shea Shrader and Ronnie Sliger officiating.
Burial will follow in the Clevinger Cemetery on Maxie.
Services were held at the funeral home April 22 at 7 p.m.
Full Military Rites will be conducted at the cemetery by members of John Ratliff Post No. 164 of the American Legion.

Glenn Edward Compton
Glenn Edward Compton, 51, of Council, died April 19 at his home.
Born July 24, 1956 in Richlands, he was a son of Ilene Hale Compton Wolfe of Council and the late William Edward Compton.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church and a 1974 graduate of Council High School. He was a retired brakeman, having been employed by Norfolk and Southern Railroad.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one brother, Darrell Compton; his maternal grandparents, Ira and Electa Hale; and paternal grandparents, Elkanah and Cora Compton.
Survivors: wife, Sally Fletcher Compton; son, Preston Wayne Compton; daughter, Ann Marie Compton; mother, Ilene Compton Wolfe and husband, Charles; brother, Paul William Compton and wife, Arlen; nephews, Eddie Compton and Charlie Compton; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. April 22 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Carl Burmeier officiating.
Interment followed in the Hale Cemetery at Council.

Mary Beatrice Crigger
Mary Beatrice Crigger, 90, of Jewell Ridge, died April 18 in a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
Born in North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Rhudy.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was of the Holiness faith and a lifelong resident of the Jewell Ridge area.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Edward Lee Watkins; her second husband, Rufus P. Crigger; one son, Charles Watkins; one daughter, Wanda “Trail” Harless; and two grandchildren, Tommy Poseno and Heather Jackson.
Those who remain to carry on her spirit are: daughter, Wilma “Cookie” Jackson of Jewell Ridge; sons, Paul Watkins of Montcalm, W.Va., Jack Watkins of Philadelphia, Pa., Tony Crigger of Camp Creek, W.Va.; 24 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. April 22 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Elder Benny Dales, Sr. officiating.
Interment followed at the Ratcliffe Family Cemetery in Jewell Ridge.

Bill R.C. Gilbert
Bill R.C. Gilbert, 70, of Raven, died April 17 in a Richlands hospital.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Clarence and Chole Arnold Gilbert.
He was a lifelong resident of the Jewell Ridge and Richlands area and had lived beside his daughter in Raven for the past five years. He was a retired coal miner from Jewell Smokeless having worked there for over 20 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia Ann Lankford Gilbert. 
Survivors: daughters, Tracy Shepherd and husband, Doug, of Raven, Kathy Keen and husband, Rick, of Richlands; son, Bill Gilbert and fiancée, Regina Hicks, of Raven; sister, Judy Vencille and husband, Leon, of Thompson Valley; brothers, Cecil Gilbert and wife, Dorothy, of Jewell Ridge, Rufus Gilbert of the Murray Hollow, Freddie Gilbert of Doran, Wayne Gilbert and wife, Faye, of Jewell Ridge, David Gilbert of Tennessee; grandchildren, Courtney Vance and husband, Stephen, of Richlands, Jason Shepherd and special friend, Kayla, Kesha Reedy and husband, Jeremy, of Honaker, Andy Gilbert of North Carolina, William Gilbert, Terran Gilbert and Sierra Gilbert; great grandchildren, MaKinzee NiCole Shepherd and Alyssa LorAnn Reedy; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted April 20 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Troy Lester officiating.
Interment followed at Hankins Cemetery in Richlands.

Virginia S. Gillespie
Virginia S. Gillespie, 80, of Fairfax, formerly of Richlands, died April 18 in a Fairfax hospital following a brief illness. 
Born in North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late John and Elsie Sneed.
She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. She had lived most of her life in the Fairfax area.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, William L. Gillespie, two sisters and two brothers.
Survivors: loving son, Jim Gillespie of Fairfax; sister, Annie Mae Ratliff of Bristol, Tenn.; grandchildren, Jamie Kaye Pohlmann and Shannon Paige Edwards; and great-grandchildren, Grace and Kate Pohlmann
A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. April 22 at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery in Richlands with the Rev. Jerry Casey officiating.
Interment followed at the Clinch Valley Memorial Cemetery.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.

Ralph O. Hartong
Ralph O. Hartong, 81, of Tazewell, died April 14 to join his wife, Edna Smith Hartong, daughter of Jeff and Larua Smith of Jewell Ridge.
He leaves behind, son, Earl Hartong, and wife, Christine, of Colorado; grandson, Jason Hartong; granddaughter, Jana Smith; great-grandson, Benjamin; sister, Opal Spitler and family of Arizona; Smith in-laws: Jack and Verla Harrison and family, Myrtle Anders and family, Emily Smith and family, Frank Shrader and family, Jack Smith and family, Radford and Frankie Jessee and family; best friends, Jim and Judy Congrove; a special recognition to nephew, Clint Smith, niece, Lorraine and Don Dean, Radford Jessee, and the people at Tazewell Community Hospital.
The funeral was conducted April 18 at 1 p.m. at Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel of Tazewell with Rev. Michael Stump officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.

Joan Morris
Elswick Holloway
Joan Morris Elswick Holloway, 71, of Richlands, died April 14 at her home.
Born in Seaboard, she was the daughter of the late William B. and Lula Simmons Elswick, former Tazewell County natives.
She was a graduate of Richlands High School Class of 1955.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Danny Elswick.
Survivors: son, Lawrence Holloway and wife, Wanda, of Belfast; brother, Buck Elswick and wife, Madeline, of Richlands; sister-in-law, Nancy Elswick of Cedar Bluff; niece, Ginger Whited and husband, Vince, of Knoxville, Tenn.; nephew, Robbie Elswick and wife, Melinda, of Richlands; two great-nieces, Nicole Elswick and Bailey Whited; two great-nephews, William Ryan Elswick and Gregory Whited; special caring and loving friends, Dolly Ferrell, Kathryn Smith, Joyce White, Neda Jackson and all the residents of Fairfax Apartments in Richlands.
A graveside service was held at 3 p.m. April 16 at Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum with Wayne Pruitt officiating.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.

Douglas McArthur Keen
Douglas McArthur Keen, 65, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Buchanan County, died April 14.
Born June 23, 1942 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late William J. and Flossie Horn Keen.
He was a United States Air Force Veteran and a retired coal miner.
Survivors: wife, Gail; brothers, Hubert Keen and wife, Sue, of Oakwood, Rufus Keen and wife, Nell, of Pilgrims Knob, Lineous Keen and wife, Faye, of Whitewood; sisters, Mary Ellen Matney and husband, Alfred, of Tampa, Fla., Helen Reynolds and husband, Curtis, of Seffner, Fla.; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. April 17 at Buchanan Funeral Service Chapel at Keen Mountain with Rev. Jack Ward and Rev. Ancil Childress officiating.
Burial followed in the Ward Cemetery at Pilgrims Knob.

John Emory Lambert
John Emory Lambert, 49, of Bristol, Tenn., formerly of Cedar Bluff, died at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tenn. April 17.
He was a 1977 graduate of Richlands High School. He was a licensed EMT previously employed in Virginia Beach. He was an avid musician and loved to play the guitar and loved music.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph B. Lambert in 1988.
Survivors: mother, Judy K. Cox Lambert of Cedar Bluff; brothers, Jim Ed Lambert and wife, Sammi, of Belfast, Ralph B. (R.B.) Lambert of Cedar Bluff; nieces, Haley D. Lambert of Belfast, Amy Lambert of St. Louis, Mo.; nephews, Adam J. Lambert of Richlands, David Lambert and Jonathan Lambert, both of Roanoke; his children, Lindsey Lambert and Eric Lambert of Cedar Bluff; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. April 23 at Trinity Assembly of God Church in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Rick Herald officiating. 
Prayers for the family will be greatly appreciated. 
Obituary information submitted by Singleton Funeral Service at Cedar Bluff.

Elizabeth Lester
Elizabeth Lester, 87, of the Clifton Farm Road section of Honaker, died April 18 at her home.
Born February 10, 1921 in Russell County, she was a daughter of the late Silas and Rebecca Peck Hess.
A lifelong resident of the area, she was of the Holiness faith. 
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walker Albert Lester; three children, Margie Pearl Lester, Ronnie Silas Lester and Eugene Lester; one great-grandson, Tommy Laye; one brother, Roy Hess; and one sister, Emma Lester. In her generation, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors: daughters, Linda Cook of North Wilkesboro, N.C., Peggy Ratliff and husband, Boe, of Rosedale, Carol Hart and husband, Buster, of Honaker; sons, James Lester and wife, Eva, Robert Lester and wife, Ann, Michael Lester and Billy Lester and wife, Melissa, all of Honaker; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. April 20 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Clyde Rose and Rev. Larry Dye officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.

Eula “Twitch” Hankins Lowe
Eula “Twitch” Hankins Lowe, 74, was called to Heaven January 28, 2008.
She was born November 23, 1933, in Richlands, to the late W.S. Hankins and the late Georgia Helbert Hankins.
She was a graduate of Richlands High School, class of 1951, taking an active part in sports, cheerleading, basketball and also school choirs. While in Richlands, she was employed by Clinch Valley Hospital and the Richlands News Press. She was a member of Casas Church in Tucson, Ariz., since 1972, serving there in the church choir, Sunshine Committee Ministry and the AZ SBC-WMU.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant twin sister, Beulah Hankins; one brother, R. Guy Hankins; one half-sister, Lucritia H. Gibson; and one brother-in-law, Harlis V. Hunnell.
Survivors: her devoted husband and loving caregiver, James of 51 years; beloved daughter, Dana Jeanne (Lowe) Pauley and husband, Richard Ray Pauley, of Denver, Colo.; sisters, Phyllis H. Blankenship of Tucson, Freda H. Hunnell of Richlands; and several nieces and nephews.
An “In Remembrance Gathering” was held at Casas Church, Ironwood Building, February 1 at 1 p.m.
She will be sorely missed by all who loved her.
Graveside services will be conducted April 26 at Hankins Cemetery in Richlands with the Rev. Stafford Compton officiating.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands is in charge of arrangements.

Leonard Waldon Matney
Leonard Waldon Matney, 72, of Richlands, formerly of Slate Creek, died April 18 at a Richlands hospital.
Born Feb. 16, 1936 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Nelson and Josie McClanahan Matney.
He was a retired coal miner with 42 years of coalmining having last worked for Misty Beck Coal Company.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Margie Endicott Matney; one son, Brian Matney; three sisters, Mary Lockmyer, Olivia “Toots” Christian and Ruth Matney; and five brothers, Lonnie, Herman, Sherman, Lee and Hassell Matney.
Survivors: wife, Brenda Walk Matney; sons, Danny Matney and wife, Shirely, and Jeff Matney, all of Grundy, Randy Matney of Hurley; stepdaughters, Mrs. Isaac (Barbara) Wilson and Carolyn Hess, both of Richlands; stepsons, Earnest Walk Jr. and Teresa Whitt of Paintlick, Randy Walk and wife, Crystal-Atkins; sister, Mrs. Paul (Sadie Marie) Carr of Chesterfield, Ill.; granddaughters, Alexis, Laura Beth and Hannah; grandsons, Marty, Corey, Hunter, Joseph and Jacob; and great granddaughter, Brittney.
The funeral was conducted April 21 at 1 p.m. at the Virginia Funeral Home Chapel in Grundy with the Rev. Mike Ashby officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.

Roland Payne
Roland Payne, 70, of the Lick Branch Road section of Cedar Bluff, died April 16 at his home.
He was born in Buchanan County, and was the son of the late Clarence Edward and Virgie Ellen Wagner-Payne.
He had made his home in the Cedar Bluff area for the past 15 years and was a retired self employed block and brick mason. 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two grandsons, Jonathan Michael Payne and Jarrod Dechristian “JD” Payne; one brother, Clifford Edward Payne; two sisters, Etta “Marie” Moore and Wilma Lea Finley; and a special friend, Trish Mullins.
Survivors: daughters, Reba Darlene Hussain of Libertyville, Ill., Shelia Tyo of Blacksburg, Kathy Lynn Altizer of Honaker, Angela Darlene Hess of Tazewell; sons, Mark Edward Payne of the Lick Branch Section of Cedar Bluff, Keith Payne of Chillicothe, Ohio; sisters, Freda Smith of Tazewell, Wanda Muncy of Princeton, W.Va., Fern Akers and Theodocia Hoover, both of Wytheville; brothers, Philip Payne of Georgetown, Ind., Hubert Payne and Chester Payne, both of Ivanhoe, Burrell Payne of Justice, W.Va.; special in-laws, Marvin Willard “Bud” Finley, Mary Elizabeth “Maizie” Kennedy-Payne, Bobby Muncy, and Anna Ivalee Hackney-Payne; 18 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.
The funeral was held April 20 at 7 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Pastor Patricia “Alene” Schirtzinger officiating.

Audrey Victoria Reynolds
Audrey Victoria Reynolds, 81, of Tazewell, died April 18 at Heritage Hall Health Care Center in Tazewell.
Born in Canebrake, W.Va., she was a daughter of the late Cecil and Nellie Sparks Mineer.
She was of the Pentecostal faith and had served in various church offices in the past.
Survivors: husband of 33 years, Jack E. Reynolds, and several other family members.
Graveside services and interment were conducted at 2 p.m. April 20 at Woodall Cemetery in Bishop with Minister Don Baldwin officiating.
Peery & St.Clair Funeral Home in Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.

Thurman Wade
Thurman Wade, 82, of Cedar Bluff, formerly of Buchanan County, died April 21 at his home.
Born January 14, 1926 in Jewell Ridge, he was the son of the late Marvin and Ada Samantha Whitt Wade.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II serving in the D-Day Invasion. He was a member of the American Legion in Grundy and was a member of the Garden Baptist Church. He loved spending time in his wood shop, gardening and helping people.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, James Houston Wade.
Survivors: loving wife of 58 years, Kathleen Hale Wade; son, Ronald E. Wade and wife, Donna, of Abingdon; brothers, Winfred Lee Wade and wife, Edith, of Rt. 1 Raven, Emory Wade of Short Gap, Bob Wade and wife, Pat, of Paintlick; sister, Peggy Ann Wade Farmer and husband, Hassel, of Norfolk; granddaughter, Jessica B. Wade of Abingdon; grandson, Ryan S. Wade of Abingdon; special friend, Russell Presley; and many nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.
The funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. April 23 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff with Rev. Ancil Childress and Rev. Jodie Breeding officiating.
Burial will follow in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Military graveside rites will be conducted by Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640. 

Cleon Ward
Cleon Ward, 72, of Cedar Bluff, died April 14 in a Roanoke hospital from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. 
Born June 17, 1935 in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Irvin and Adnia Stacy Ward, both Buchanan County natives. 
He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He was a retired electrician for various mines including Island Creek’s Beatrice Mine at Keen Mountain. He attended Jones Chapel Church and was a member of UMWA. 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Merida Ilene Ward and Ellen Ward Keen; and one brother, Victor Ward.
Survivors: wife, Frances Matney Ward; daughter, Cleressa Carol Ward of the home; sisters, Kathleen Keen and husband, Eulis, of Grundy, Jantine Hill and husband, Mike, of Milan, Tenn.; brothers, Alden Ward and wife, Elsie, Waldo Ward and wife, Helen, and Earl James Ward and wife, Beverly, all of Grundy, Avon Ward and wife, Deloris, of North Tazewell, Danny Ward and wife, Carol, of New Braunfels, Texas; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joehene “Edison” and Virginia Matney of Lebanon; brothers-in-law, Edison “Sonny” Matney and wife, Mary, of Bristol, Tenn., Mark Matney of Cleveland; and sister-in-law, Peggy Matney of Abingdon. 
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. April 18 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Rev. Leon O’Quinn and Rev. Denny May officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Military graveside rites were conducted by Casey-Shortt VFW Post 9640.