Richlands News Press obituaries for week of Sept. 5

Shelvia Jean Armes
Shelvia Jean Griffith Armes, 62, of Raven, died Aug. 29 in a Richlands hospital.
Born Jan. 26, 1945 in Mill Creek, she was the daughter of the late Rufus Mitchell and Clersie A. Newberry Griffith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Lonie Beatrice Griffith, and one brother, Hershel James Griffith.
Survivors: husband of 29 years, Ralph D. Armes; brothers, Billy Roger Griffith of Mill Creek, Virgle Griffith and wife, Billie, of Smithfield, Jerry Griffith and wife, Doris, of Conurs, OH; special friend, Patty Elswick of Mill Creek; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Sept. 1 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff with Brother Claudie Throgmartin and Brother Danny Altizer officiating.
Burial followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.

WITH PHOTO!!! ! ! !
Felecia Ann Ball
Felecia Ann Ball, 51, of Honaker, died Aug. 29 at her home.
Born March 10, 1956 in Richlands, she was a daughter of Nancy Cox Mounts of Pounding Mill and the late Henry Mounts.
A lifelong resident of the Buchanan and Russell County areas, she was a graduate of Garden High School.
Survivors: husband of 33 years, Billy Lee Ball; daughters, Dena Ann Walters and husband, Mark, of Lebanon, Sarah Leigh Sweeney and husband, Brian, of Honaker; beloved grandson, Chance Alan Walters of Lebanon; sister, Patty Long of Richlands; brother, Brandon Mounts of Pounding Mill; and a host of very special family members that have stuck by the family throughout her illness.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Aug. 31 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Larry Brooks and Rev. Jim Huffman officiating.
Interment followed in the Ketron Memorial Gardens in Lebanon.

Thelma V. Cline
Thelma V. Cline, 87, of Raven, died Aug. 29 in a Richlands hospital.
Born June 19, 1920 in Richlands, she was the daughter of the late George and Maggie Lowe Asbury. 
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton B. (Jack) Cline. Sr.; two sons, Jackie Donald Cline and Freddie Lee Cline; one daughter, Wilma Sue Keen; three sisters, Elizabeth Lowe, Mary Alley and Cassie Ray; three brothers, John Asbury, Bill Asbury and Wesley Asbury; and one great grandchild, Ricky Nichols, Jr.
Survivors: son, Clayton B. Cline, Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Abingdon; daughter, Norma and husband, Earnest, of Raven; sister, Juanita Stevens; brother, Ed Asbury; a special grandson, Randy Lester; seven grandchildren; two step grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; and two step great great grandchildren. 
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 at Singleton Funeral Service Chapel at Cedar Bluff with Rev. James Horton and Rev. Raymond Peery officiating.
Entombment followed in the Greenhills Memory Gardens Mausoleum at Claypool Hill.

Robert Deen
“Deano” Cole
Robert Deen “Deano” Cole, 43, of Jolo, WV, died Aug. 26 from a sudden illness.
Born in Washington D.C., he was the son of Frances June Honaker Cole Wimmer of Three Forks near Jolo, WV and the late Robert Delano Cole, and his dad who raised him, the late Herbert C. Wimmer.
He was a graduate of the 1984 Class of Iaeger High School. He made his living working construction and loved deer hunting.
In addition to Mr. Cole and Mr. Wimmer, he was preceded in death by one brother, Robbie Lee Cole; one nephew, Jonathan Keith Lambert; maternal grandparents, George and Rebecca Honaker; and paternal grandparents, Robert and Madge Cole.
Additional survivors: sisters, Shelia Darlene Farrow of Oakwood, Stephanie Marie Wimmer Blevins and husband, Brad, of Statesville, NC; brother, David Riley Cole and wife, Sally, of Three Forks, WV; nephews, Matthew Cole of Jolo, Ryan Daniels of Keen Mountain, Austin Blevins of Statesville; nieces, Sherry LeAnn Ball and husband, Joseph, of Bartley, WV, Tiffany Dawn Johnson and husband, Jeromy, of Grundy, Amanda Cole of Jolo, Megan Blevins of Statesville; and great-nephews, Joseph Ball, Jr. of Bartley, and Christian Johnson and Hunter Johnson, both of Grundy.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Community Church of the Living God at Three Forks with the Rev. McGinnis Rife, Rev. Charlie Cooper and Rev. Pete Woods officiating.
Interment followed in the Cole Family Cemetery on White Mountain near Jewell Valley.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.

John Henry Dye
John Henry Dye, 73, of the Strouth Creek section of Swords Creek, died Aug. 29 at his home.
Born March 15, 1934 in Swords Creek, he was a son of the late Burk and Sadie Perkins Dye.
A lifelong resident of the Swords Creek area, he was a disabled coal miner having been employed by Meadows Coal Company. He was of the Freewill Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Virgie Spencer Dye; one daughter, Teresa Ann Dye; one grandson, Anthony Eugene Dye; four brothers, Edward Dye, J.C. Dye, Clarence Dye, and Cecil Dye; and two sisters, Peggy Dye and Noreen Helton.
Survivors: daughters, Reata Batton and husband, Lowell, and Dolly Ball and husband, Shade, all of Sword Creek; sons, Gerald Dye, Ronnie Dye and wife, Ilene, Stanley Dye and wife, Peggy, Russell Dye and wife, Wanda, Bernie Dye and wife, Cindy, and Billy Dye, all of Swords Creek; step-son, Rev. Fairley Spencer and wife, Della, of Honaker; sisters, Josie Keen of Roanoke and Dorothy Rose of Swords Creek; brothers, Don Dye and wife, Lucy, Sib Dye and wife, Mattie, and Worley Dye, all of Swords Creek; sisters-in-law, Lucy Dye and Louise Dye, both of Swords Creek; 15 grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Eugene Miller, Rev. Edward Dye, Rev. Tommy Dye, and Rev. David Perkins officiating.
Interment followed in the Dye Cemetery on Miller Creek.

Della M. Hawkins
Della M. Hawkins, 91, of Lebanon, formerly of Belfast, died Aug. 28 in a Tazewell hospital following a lengthy illness. 
Born in Belfast, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Mary Barnett Mutter, former Russell and Dickenson County natives.
She was a member of Dennison United Methodist Church in Rosedale.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Burley Russell Hawkins; four brothers, Fred, Spencer, Walker and Tom Mutter; and one sister, Realy Mutter.
Survivors: daughter, Jane Brower of Havelock, NC; son, Teddy Hawkins of Lebanon; sisters, Carrie Denny of Cedar Bluff, Edith Warner of Belfast; eight grandchildren; and 16 great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands with the Rev. Harry Hite officiating.
Interment followed in Russell Memorial Cemetery at Lebanon.

A. W. “June” Horton, Jr.
A. W. “June” Horton, Jr., 89, of Raven, died Aug. 30 at a Richlands hospital following a brief illness.
Born in Raven, he was the son of the late A.W. Sr. and Dora Crockett Horton, both former Raven natives.
He was a lifelong resident of the area and a Richlands High School graduate class of 1934. He was well known for being the proprietor of the Raven Supermarket since 1935 and in 2001 was the recipient of the Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year award.
In addition to his service to the community, he served in the United States Army during World War II in the 116th Infantry 29th Division making the landing on D-Day at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He was a registrar of voters for 46 years and served on the election board for 44 years.
He served on the first Board of the Tazewell County P.S.A. for several years as well as being Director for First National Bank. He was a member and treasurer, since 1966, of the Richlands Masonic Lodge #318 A.F. & A.M and also the Shriner’s Kazim Temple, Roanoke. He attended Clearview United Methodist Church and was a member of the Barnes-Beavers VFW Post, Tazewell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Thompson Horton; and one sister, Edith Horton. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Survivors: daughter, Jane Ellen Horton of Raven; son, Rocky Horton and wife, Pat, of Raven; step grandchildren, D.J. Stilwell and wife, Terri, and Jonathon Stilwell; step great grandchildren, Bryson Stilwell and Brooklyn Stone; sisters-in-law, Charlotte Burgess of Roanoke, Bettye Justice of, Vacaville, CA, Ruth Thompson of Germantown, MD; nephews, Robin Thompson, Howard Lee Burgess, John Clay Burgess, John Justice and George Justice, Jr.; great nephews, Tyler Burgess, Levi Justice, and Jason Justus; nieces, Karon Thompson and Susan Thompson; and great niece, Julie Moran.
The funeral was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands with the Rev. Paul Goshorn and Rev. Paul Griffith officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Members of the Casey-Short VFW Post #9640 conducted military gravesite rites.
A Masonic service was conducted Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family would like to suggest for memorial contributions to be made to Clearview United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 642, Doran, VA 24612 or Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605-4277.

Elizabeth Sparks Kinder
Elizabeth Sparks Kinder, 87, of the Watkins Branch section of Grundy, died Aug. 28 at the Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY, following a brief illness.
Born in Bandy, she was the daughter of the late William and Hannah Mae Bandy Sparks.
She attended the New Life Fellowship Church at Oakwood and was a loving mother and housewife.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raleigh Kinder on April 21, 1991; one sister, Ruby Brewster; and five brothers, Edward, George, Armster, Lawrence and Lloyd Sparks.
Survivors: daughters, Ruth Bond of Grundy, Carol Parsons of Ashland; brothers, Boyd Sparks of Cedar Bluff, Kinzer Lee Sparks of Lake Isabella, CA; and God son, Jonathan Lind of Birmingham, AL.
The funeral was conducted Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. at the New Life Fellowship Church with Rev. Jerry Wilson, Rev. Ancil Childress and Evangelist Mike Rife officiating.
Burial followed in the Mountain Valley Memorial Park at Big Rock.
Services were held at the church Aug. 30 at 7 p.m.
Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy was in charge of arrangements.

John Paul Looney
John Paul Looney, 55, of the Thompson Valley section of Tazewell, died Aug. 29 at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Virgil and Ella Ramey Looney, both Buchanan County natives.
He made his home in the Tazewell area the past nine years, was a disabled coal miner, and attended Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Eddie Dean Looney and Allen Looney.
Survivors: wife, Pamela Clifton Looney; sons, Ricky Looney of Conaway, Johnathan Looney of the home; daughter, Victoria Looney Keen of Richlands; sisters, Maxine Timms of Phoenix, AZ, Phyllis Raines of Oakwood, Wanda Amburgey of Hindman, KY, Sheryl Hill of Breaks, Patricia Richardson of Wytheville, Christine Orr and Joan Ramey, both of Abingdon; brothers, James Looney of Conaway, Blaine Looney of Phoenix; grandchildren, Abigal Keen and Gracia Keen; special nephew, Tyrone Street of Tazewell; special friend, Darrell Horn; and his loyal dog, Jake.
The funeral was conducted Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Gordon McBride officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.

James R. Ogren
James R. Ogren, 71, of the Thompson Valley section of Tazewell, died Aug. 29 in Salem, following a brief illness.
Born in Willmer, MN, he was the son of Myrtle Sandin Ogren, of Willmer and of the late Victor F. Ogren.
He was a Retired Sgt. Major with the U.S. Army having served 30 years, including two tours in Vietnam earning the Silver Star and two Bronze Stars.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice Sword Ogren.
Additional survivors: daughter, Candace McAlpine and husband, Brett, of San Antonio, TX; step daughter, Cathy Cannon and husband, Dave, of Charlotte, NC; step son, Fred Sword and wife, Tina, of Danville; sister, Marjorie Yeager of Fairport, NY; and six grandchildren.
A graveside service was conducted at 2 p.m. Sept. 1 at Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill with the Rev. Henry Johnson officiating.
Casey-Short VFW Post #9640 conducted military gravesite rites.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Vance Patterson
Ruth Vance Patterson, 75, of Warriormines, WV, died Aug. 29 at a Roanoke hospital following a brief illness.
Born at McDowell Co., WV, she was a daughter of the late Leonard Herman and Kansas Lester Vance, both McDowell County natives.
She was a graduate of Big Creek High School and received her Masters from Bluefield State. She was a teacher with the McDowell school system for many years and was dedicated to education. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She also liked canning and was a hard worker. She attended Emanuel Baptist Church at War, WV.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two daughters, Vickie Elaine Patterson and an infant daughter; one son, Kevin Bowling Patterson; and two sisters, Edith Vance Smith and Nancy Carol Vance.
Survivors: loving husband of 54 years, Harless L. Patterson; sons, Mark Patterson and special friend, Joyce Ray, and Jordan Patterson, all of Warriormines; daughter, Kimberly Bowling Patterson of Hawkinsville, GA; special grandson, Cody Patterson of the home; sisters, Jean Vance Gallimore of Beaufort, SC, June Vance Meador and husband, Sherwood, of Roanoke; brother, Sherrill W. Vance and wife, Jaynne, of Salem; and special friends, Orbie Campbell, John Campbell and Lori Wagner of War, WV.
A memorial service was conducted Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. at the Emanuel Baptist Church at War with Rev. Spencer Oxford officiating.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Tazewell was in charge of arrangements.

Wayne Edmond Ratliff
Wayne Edmond Ratliff, 52, of the Hurricane Creek section of Route 1, Vansant, died Aug. 28 at his home.
Born April 13, 1955 in Buchanan County, he was a son of Blanche Lambert Ratliff of Davenport and the late Dallas Ratliff.
A lifelong resident of the area, he was a 1972 graduate of Council High School and a veteran of the United States Army. He was a retired coal miner formerly employed by Consol Energy at the VP #8 mine and was a member of the UMWA. He was a member of the Hurricane Baptist Church.
Additional survivors: wife of 28 years, Jean Ratliff; daughter, Melanie Marie of the home; son, Jeremy Ratliff of the home; grandson, Calab Michael of the home; sisters, Nancy Lester and husband, William, and Marla Boyd and husband, Randy, all of Davenport; brothers, Rev. Kyle Ratliff and wife, Kathy, of Council, Ron Ratliff and wife, Terri, of Prater; special friends, Tim Ratliff and Monte and Betsy Squier; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The funeral was conducted at 11 a.m. Aug. 31 in the Honaker Funeral Home Chapel, Honaker, with Rev. Carl Burmeier officiating.
Interment followed in the Breeding-Ratliff Cemetery at Davenport.
Military graveside honors were conducted by American Legion Post #164 of Grundy.

Harold Winford Smith
Harold Winford Smith, 67, of Richlands, died Aug. 27 at a Richlands hospital following a lengthy illness.
Born in Buchanan County, he was the son of the late Paul Smith and Kansas Coxton Smith Keen.
He had made his living as a Coal Miner for Jewell Smokeless Coal Company until his retirement. He was a lifelong resident of the Shortts Gap area and was a member of The Cathedral of Praise and Worship Center in Jesus Name in Richlands.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, John Keen; one son, Ronnie Winford Smith; one granddaughter, Diana Nicole Smith; one sister, Ollie Mae Brown; and one brother, Dennis Keen.
Survivors: wife, Mable Smith of Richlands; daughters, Diane Hicks and husband, Brian, and Kathy Nipper and husband, Jody, all of Richlands, Shelia Hibbitts and special friend, Rick Huffman, of Cleveland; son, Micheal W. Smith of Grundy; special grandsons, Anthony and Chris Hurt, of the home; special granddaughter, Ashley Hurt, of the home; sisters, Charlene Brown and husband, Andy, Nancy Lester and husband, Steven, and Anna Ruth Lester, all of Richlands, Brenda Dotson and husband, Kenneth, of Castlewood; brothers, Wayne Keen and wife, Ann, of Richlands, Carlos Keen and wife, Judy, and Bobby Keen and wife, Kristi, all of Raven; Special K-9 Companion, Gizmo; sons-in-law, Eugene Keen of Grundy and Tommy Hibbitts; 13 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and one expected great grandchild.
The funeral was conducted at 1 p.m. Aug. 31 at the Cathedral of Praise and Worship Center in Jesus Name with the Rev. Mike Justus, Rev. Bobby Stanley and Sister Shelia Stanley officiating.
Interment followed in Greenhills Memory Gardens at Claypool Hill.
Hurst-Scott Funeral Home in Richlands was in charge of arrangements.

Lonia Marie Smith
Lonia Marie Addington Smith, 83, of Milton, FL, formerly of the Richlands area, died Aug. 26 at a Milton nursing facility following a lengthy illness.
Born in Coldan, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Ethel Perkins Addington, both Tazewell County natives.
She made her home in the Richlands area most of her life before moving to Florida 12 years ago.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene “Jack” Smith; one sister, Jean Eure; one grandson, Michael Smith; one granddaughter, Anita Smith; and one great grandson, Jay Dorr.
Survivors: daughters, Loretta Baker of Dewitt, Sue Bagwell and husband, Derek, of Laurens, SC, Robin Morgan of Milton; sons, Douglas Smith and wife, Sandra, of Pensacola, FL, Bobby Smith and wife, Judy, of Jewell Ridge, Ricky Smith and wife, Margaret, of Milton, Donnie Smith of Spring Grove; sisters, Juanita Smith and Shirley Joyce and husband, Maze, all of Oak Ridge, TN; brothers, Ed Addington and wife, Jean, of Grundy, Dempsey Addington and wife, Pauline, of Richlands, Dallas Addington and wife, Janet, of Jewell Ridge; 23 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; and eight great great grandchildren.
The funeral was conducted Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Chapel in Richlands with Rev. Paul David Crawford officiating.
Interment followed in the Smith Family Cemetery on Smith Ridge near Jewell Ridge.