Richlands News Press obituaries for week of July 9

Rev. Clyde Henry Ball
Rev. Clyde Henry Ball, 64, of the Daw Road section of Richlands, died July 6 at his church in Paintlick.
He was preaching a sermon on how his home was no longer on Daw Road but in a far better place than this one he had on earth. Minutes later he was called home for his heavenly reward. He passed away doing what he loved and inside the place he was most comfortable, his church. 
Born in Richlands, he was the son of the late Rush and Kathleen White Ball Lowe. 
He was a life long resident of the Richlands area and was the current pastor at the Green Chapel in Paintlick. He was a volunteer at the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Richlands and always helped and visited those in need.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harley Jay Ball, William Roger Ball, and Gary Lynn Ball.
Survivors: wife, Margaret Vance Ball; son, Robbie Allen Ball of Newport, N.C.; sister, Frances Vandyke of Richlands; grandchildren, Kaliegh Ball and Kimeale Ball; several nieces and nephews, and two special nieces, Rosetta and Rhonda Vandyke.
The funeral will be conducted July 9 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Squire Horn, Brother Randy Keen, and Sister Diedra Rowe officiating.
Interment will follow at the Davis Family Cemetery on Kents Ridge Road near Richlands.

Helen Belcher Boothe
Helen Belcher Boothe passed from this life to a much better place June 25 at Bluefield Regional.
She was born April 14, 1914 to Lewis and Paralee Belcher.
She was a lifelong resident of Newhall, W.Va., except for the last two years, when she made her home with her daughter in Athens, W.Va. She married the love of her life in August of 1933. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. She influenced many, many lives through her years of teaching in McDowell County and also through her church life. She believed in leading and teaching by example so she was always kind and helpful and loving to all those around her. She will be greatly missed.
She obtained her teaching degree later in life but ended up devoting almost 30 years to her career at various schools including, Endwell Elementary, Squire Elementary, Newhall Elementary, and ending at Berwind Elementary in the McDowell County School System. To this day, she still had former students coming to see her and thank her for the influence she had on their lives. She helped foster and teach children that have went on to excel in their fields and become physicians, professors, and teachers themselves. She always enjoyed seeing her former students and could remember and reminisce with them clearly about the past.
Another big part of her life was her Christian life. She was involved with the Pocahontas Advent Christian Conference as secretary for 14 years. She was a lifelong member of the Newhall Advent Christian Church where she served many, many years as Sunday School Teacher and Bible Study Director. She also played the piano for the church until physical ailments prevented. She was also quite musically inclined, besides being a wonderful pianist she also sang with, during her early married life, the Boothe Quartet and later and accapella singing group that formed from a quilting club she belonged to called the Peace Makers. Later in her life, due to blindness, this remarkable woman would listen to the songs during rehearsals at her house and memorize them to sing them later, as she could not see to read. She made not only quilts but even after becoming blind and more debilitated by arthritis that she had suffered from for years she crocheted, by feeling stitches, full sized afghans for a large number of people who cherish them and remember the love and effort that went into each one.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Brooks William Boothe; one sister, Vivian French; and three brothers, Joe Belcher, Ira Lee Belcher and Turner Belcher.
Survivors: a wonderful daughter, Patricia Harvey of Athens; a loving son, Franklin Boothe and precious daughter-in-law, Betty, of Brandywine, Md.; grandchildren, Darlene Thorp and husband, Martin, of White Plains, Md., Jeff Harvey and Deborah Harvey, both of Athens, Kevin Harvey and wife, Sue, of Princeton, W.Va.; wonderful great grandchildren that she enjoyed seeing so much, Jimmy Thorp, Jessie Goins, and Chris Adkins; was blessed with three little great great grandchildren that made her eyes light up whenever they would visit, Jacob Adkins, Faith Adkins, and Tyler Adkins; loving sisters, Ruth Goad of Newhall, Ruby Poff of Princeton, Reva Coop of Ft. Pierce, Fla., Ermadeen Boatwright of St. Petersburg, Fla.; special sister-in-law, Marlene Turner Belcher of Ft. Pierce; and brother-in-law, Buford Boothe and wife, Dorothy, of Newhall; she also developed a special friendship with Florence Jarrett of Athens, who helped the family to take care and watch over her; and will be missed by several nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. June 28 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Tazewell with Orville Harvey, John Webb and Henry Spence officiating.
Interment followed in Maplewood Cemetery in Tazewell.
If desired, in lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made in Helen’s name to the Newhall Advent Christian Church, c/o Ruth Goad, Box 171, Newhall, WV 24866.

Roger Lee Crabtree
Roger Lee Crabtree, 64, of Cave City, Ky., died June 25 at his home.
The Virginia native was born to the late John Henry and Dorothy Edith Lowe Crabtree on Nov. 7, 1943 in Richlands.
He was retired after 43 years from RR Donnelley & Sons, Glasgow, and was of the Baptist Faith.
He was preceded in death by one brother, John Henry Crabtree, Jr.
Survivors: Karolyn Turner, of Cave City, his companion of 30 years; daughters, Tyra Leigh Crabtree, of Naperville, Ill., Sara Beth Pack, of Braidwood, Ill.; their mother, Loretta Crabtree; sisters, Ann Short and husband, Jim, Patsy Shelton and husband, Jack, and Debbie Lambert, all of Richlands, Alease Justice, of Whitewood; grandchildren, Brooke Haleigh Pack and Thomas Joseph Pack.
The funeral was conducted June 28 at 2 p.m. at the Bob Hunt Funeral Chapel in Cave City with Rev. Wayne Hensley officiating.
Burial was in the Munfordville Municipal Cemetery.

Retired Master Sgt. Jack Robert Dye
Retired Master Sgt. Jack Robert Dye departed this life at his home in Fayetteville, N.C. May 29 due to illness.
He was born in Pikeville, Ky., Jan. 2, 1928 to the late Clyde Shaffner Dye and Cora Lou Noel Dye.
He attended school in Raven until he joined the U.S. Army. While serving his country, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and received the following awards: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army of Occupation (Germany), National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon Expert Badge and Sharpshooter Badge.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, brave serviceman and friend to many.
He married Opal Gertrude Shelton Jan. 25, 1954, who preceded him in death. From this blessed union came four children.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James “Jim” and Clyde Daniel, and two sisters, Virginia “Dissie” Lowe and Elizabeth Jane “Janie” Whited.
Survivors: children, Kenneth Robert (Glenda), Jacqueline Ann Craig (Alvin), Rose Kathleen and Cora Louise; siblings, Clell Dye of Raven, Pearl Ruth Dye of North Tazewell; grandchildren, Jessica Nicole Craig, Amber Elizabeth Dye, Tiffany Renee’ Craig, Wesley Alan Dye, Ashlee Marie Craig, Branden Kyle Packer and Opal Marie Dye; and great-grandchildren, Kaeden, Kayla and Kaitlyn.
He was buried June 1 at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, N.C. with Rev. Kong Namkung officiating.

Mary Hazel George
Mary Hazel George, 85, of Raven, died July 6 in Claypool Hill.
Born July 30, 1922 in Jewell Ridge, she was the daughter of the late Curtis and Ethel Counts McGlothlin, both former Tazewell County natives.
She was a lifelong resident of the Jewell Ridge and Whitewood area before moving to Raven.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Cantrell and Beatrice Lynch.
Survivors: husband, Herbert George; sons, Roger Paul George and wife, Carol, of Clinton, Tenn., James Curtis “J.C.” George and wife, Carolyn, of Gaines, Mich.; sister, Flora Mae Mikedis of Westland, Mich.; brother, Curtis McGlothlin, Jr. of Anniston, Ala.; grandchildren, Paul Eugene George of Salem, Mass., Shawn George of Knoxville, Tenn., Michelle Lynn George and Michael George, both of Michigan; great granddaughter, Kaidance George; special friends, Joyce White and Billie Wilson; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. July 9 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands with the Rev. Jimmie Cole officiating.
Interment will follow in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.

Paul (Elmer) Hylton
Paul (Elmer) Hylton, 75, of Pounding Mill, went to be with the Lord July 4 at his home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Isaac Wesley Hylton, Jr. and Mary Etta Rose Hylton.
He was a pastor for 20 years at Mountain Top Pentecostal Holiness Church and a member of Pine Creek Holiness Church. He was a retired coal miner and a member of the U.M.W.A.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven brothers, Eugene Hylton, John Lewis Hylton, Henry Hylton, Otis Hylton, Charlie Hylton, Frazer Hylton and Ellis Hylton; two sisters, Virgie Davis and Dellie Ferrell; and one son-in-law, Gary Horne.
Survivors: wife of 52 years, Ruby Absher Hylton; daughters, Diana Boyd and husband, Joe, of Raven, Chris Horne of Cedar Bluff; brothers, Leon Hylton and wife, Georgie, of Doran, Billy Hylton and wife, Shirley, of Clifton Fork; sisters, Georgia Powers of Pineville, W.Va., Madeline Deskins of Madisonville, Ohio; grandsons, Bryan Boyd, Ethan Horne and Jordan Horne; granddaughter, Sonyea Boyd; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and family.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. July 8 at the Singleton Funeral Service Chapel in Cedar Bluff with Brother Jimmy Richardson and Brother Mike Altizer officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Cemetery at Claypool Hill.

Betty Jo Lowe
Betty Jo Lowe, 71, of Honaker, died June 26 in a Lebanon hospital.
Born Feb. 3, 1937 in Virginia, she was a daughter of Ellis Whitt and Oma Rose Lowe.
Survivors: son, Hobert Michael Vance of the home; sister, Jeannie Patricia Lowe of Raven; brother, Sammie Estel Lowe of Richlands; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m. July 1 at Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon with Rev. Chris Musick officiating. 
Honaker Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

George Richard (Fuzz) Mays, Sr.
George Richard (Fuzz) Mays, Sr. of Monroe City, Mo., went to be with his heavenly Father June 22, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Tazewell County, Tazewell, Sept. 19, 1944, he was the son of the late Lenior Calmon (Shoat) Mays and Alta Mae Beavers Mays.
As a young man, he served four years in the USAF. He retired from the N&S Railroad in 1992. His lifetime love was raising Charolais cows, calves and farming.
Survivors: his loving and devoted wife, Clair Peery Mays; children, Tammy and husband, Jason Adams, of Ethel, La., George Richard Mays, Jr. of Mt. Zion, Ill., Kevin N. Mays of Monroe City, Mo.; the mother of his children, Elizabeth Ann Mays of Bluefield, Va.; grandsons, Cameron Mays of Mt. Zion, Ill., Landon and Bryson Mays of Richlands; stepdaughters, Capt. Rebekah Peery of the USAF, Susan Dawson of Tazewell, Rachel Peery of Boynton Beach, Fla.; stepsons, John and wife, Brooke Peery, of North Carolina, Ronald and wife, Michelle Peery of Tennessee; sister, Ellen and husband, Jimmy Bailey, of Tazewell; special and loving aunt, Alverta Beavers of Tazewell; 16 step-grandchildren; one step-great-grandson; and many close friends and loving neighbors in Missouri and Virginia that were always there with phone calls and helping hands.
At the request of the deceased, there will be no funeral services, his body to be cremated and his ashes spread on the farm.
Garner Funeral Home and Chapel in Monroe City, Mo., is in charge of arrangements.

Virgil Winston “Tony” Mullins
Virgil Winston “Tony” Mullins, 51, of Abingdon, died June 19 at his residence.
He was a native of Tazewell County and had lived in Russell County most of his adult life, before moving to Washington County. He was the son of the late Virgil Mullins and Anna Jean Buckles Mullins.
He was a former employee of Norfolk and Western Railway and Permac Coal Company. He was employed with the Virginia Department of Corrections in 1996 and had worked at Appalachian Unit 29 and currently with the Marion Correctional Treatment Center in Marion. He was an active member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association.
Survivors: wife, Sally Ann Johnson; brothers, Tim Mullins of Bedford, Todd Mullins of Murrells Inlet, S.C., Terry Mullins of Abingdon; a very special mother-in-law, Betty Johnson of Abingdon; and several nieces and nephews.
A private family memorial service was held. 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the Humane Society or the Juvenile Diabetes Association.
Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus was in charge of arrangements.

Cecil Null
Cecil Null, 83, of Lebanon, died July 4 at his home.
Born Dec. 14, 1924 in Drill, he was a son of the late Everett Lee and Lona Jackson Null.
He spent most of his life in Buchanan and Russell Counties and was a member of Rowe Pentecostal Holiness Church. A United States Army veteran, he served his country in the Engineer Corp. during World War II. He was a retired coal miner, having been employed by Island Creek Coal Company. He was a lifetime member of Masonic Lodge AF & AM #17 of Grundy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Johnnie Michael Null; one granddaughter, Virginia Marie Null; and one brother, James Null.
Survivors: wife of 66 years, Thelma Null; son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Lois Null of Oakwood; daughters, Theresa Lester and husband, Tom, of Lebanon, Nancy Null of Bristol, Tenn.; grandchildren, Melissa Null, Eric Null and wife, Lisa, Jennifer Lester, Jeremiah Honaker and wife, Katheryn, and Johnnie Mae Roarke and husband, Randy; great-grandchildren, Canon, Madison, Rylan, R.J., McKayla, Christopher, Katie, Chasity and Mike; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don and Rosalee Null and Clyde and Shirley Jean Null, all of Richlands, Charles and Dorothy Null of Tazewell; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Jim Shinaberry of Stuart’s Draft; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. July 7 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ancil Childress and Roger Null officiating.
Interment followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill with Rev. Earl Hess officiating.
Military graveside honors were conducted by American Veterans Honor Guard of Richlands.
Masonic services were conducted by Masonic Lodge #25 of Lebanon.

Elizabeth “Granny” Perry
Elizabeth “Granny” Perry, 83, of Richlands, died July 5 at a Lebanon nursing home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Buchanan County, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Sarah Matney Keen, both former Buchanan County natives.
She was a lifelong resident of the area and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. She will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Garland “Shad” Perry; one infant daughter, Rosetta Perry; one sister, Emma Perry; and one brother, Henry Keen.
Survivors: daughters, Frances Romanek and husband, James, of Elkton, Md., Sylvia Gee of Cedar Bluff; sons, Bill Keen of Elkton, Roby Perry and wife, Connie, and Ira Perry and wife, Rita, all of Richlands; stepson, Larry Perry of North Port, Fla.; sister, Ida Viers of Rogersville, Tenn.; brother, Jim Keen and wife, Flora, of Oakwood; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. July 8 at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands with the Rev. Ricky Herald officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.

Cathy D. Powell
Cathy D. Powell, 55, of Sweetwater, Tenn., formerly of Richlands, died June 23 at her home following a lengthy illness.
Born in Richlands, she was the daughter of the late Finley P. and Shirley F. Rhea Keen, former residents of Red Root Ridge.
She was a graduate of Southwest Virginia Community College and had worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant. 
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Philip Don Powell.
Those who remain to carry on her spirit are: sons, Michael Wayne Absher of Tellico, Tenn., Matthew Travis Powell of the home; step-son, Eric Powell of Tazewell; step-daughters, Donna Brock and husband, Russell, of Madisonville, Tenn., Dana Powell of Tazewell; sister, Sandra Rader and husband, Paul, of Marlinton, W.Va.; brothers, Larry Keen and wife, June, of Athens, Tenn., Gerald Keen and wife, Mary, of Madisonville, Tenn.; six grandchildren; one step-grandchild; one great grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
A memorial service to celebrate her life was held at 2 p.m. June 28 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel in Richlands with the Rev. Rick Whitt officiating.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.

Mildred F. (Leiffer) Shamblin
Mildred F. (Leiffer) Shamblin, 92, of Dayton, died June 29 at Crestview Manor.
Survivors: children, Linda Marsh of Kettering, David (Peggy) Leiffer of Kettering, Sue Gibson of Dayton, Terri McIntosh of Dayton; sisters, Edna (Thurman) Harris of Claypool Hill, Etta Norrod of Mich., Ruth Christian of Richlands; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and several good friends.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. July 2 at Tobias Funeral Home, Belmont Chapel, in Dayton, Ohio.
Interment was in Evergreen Cemetery.

James Gilbert Smith
James Gilbert Smith, 67, of Bristol, Va., died May 31 in Bristol Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
Born Sept. 15, 1940, in Richlands, he was the son of the late James M. and Helen Steele Smith. He was a graduate of Richlands High School and East Tennessee State University. He served his country for six years in the United States Army.
In 1970, he started his career with Norfolk Southern Railway as a management trainee and advanced through the ranks to Division Superintendent and retired in 1995. He attended Pleasant View United Methodist Church in Abingdon.
Survivors: wife of 46 years, Joanne Hicks Smith; sons, Dave Smith of Bristol, Va., Dan Smith and wife, Susan, of Lebanon; sister, Mary Lynn Boyle of Richmond; grandsons, Dylan and Drake Smith of Lebanon; granddaughters, Morgan and Madison Smith and their mother, Lisa Valley Smith, of Bristol, Va.; and niece, Cathy Groves of Richmond.
The funeral was conducted at 8 p.m. June 1 in the Combs Funeral Service Chapel in Lebanon with the Rev. Jim Goddard officiating, assisted by Joy Munsey.
Entombment was held at 11 a.m. June 2 in the Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Lebanon.
Military rites were conducted by the Lebanon V.F.W. Post #9864.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pleasant View United Methodist Church, Step of Faith Building Fund, 18416 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210.

WITH PHOTO !! ! ! !! !
Gladys Audrey Boardwine Wyatt
Gladys Audrey Boardwine Wyatt, 86, of Richlands, died June 29, at Heritage Hall in Tazewell, following an extended illness.
Born in Russell County, she was the daughter of the late Estil and Maggie Boardwine, former Russell County natives.
She was a life long resident of the Tazewell County area and was of the Pentecostal faith. She was a former employee of Bundy’s Jewelers, formerly of Richlands, and she enjoyed working in her yard and flower gardens. She was willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Cecil Wyatt; one daughter, Patsy Lee Elswick Journell; one son-in-law, Robert Elswick, III; two infant grandchildren, Jackie Edward Hill, Jr. and Audra Denise Wyatt; five brothers, Lawrence, Lloyd, Winfred, Arthur and Ernest Boardwine; and two brothers-in-law, Glen Barnette and Bill Marshall.
Survivors: daughters, Betty Arlene and husband, Harold Vandyke, of Vansant, Carolyn Rebecca Hill of Tazewell; sons, Stanley W. Wyatt and wife, Patricia, of Warren, Mich., Jimmy D. Wyatt and wife, Jean, of Lebanon; sisters, Lelia M. Barnette of Pulaski, Merlene Marshall of Richlands, Mary L. McClain and husband, James, of Nanticoke, Md.; son-in-law, Robert D. Journell of Adgen, Ala.; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special aunt, Merlene Marshall; special cousin, Donnie Boardwine; and special friends and helpers, Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Park, Total Home Care Hospice, Heritage Hall of Tazewell, and the ambulance and rescue squads.
The funeral was held at 1 p.m. July 2 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands with the Rev. Mike Rife officiating.
Interment followed at the Greenhills Memory Gardens in Claypool Hill.