Smyth County obituaries for Dec. 29, 2007

Carico

Levonia Esteline Pickle Carico, 76, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, in the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.
She loved gardening, and giving vegetables to others brought her great joy. She also took pride in her flower garden, and giving flowers away to the church or to anyone passing by. She was an avid reader.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Delmar Carico, in 1989.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Bonnie Taylor of Grottoes and Thomas and Marsha Poole of Stuarts Draft; daughter and son-in-law, Cathie and Dan Atwell of Grottoes; and five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were conducted Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2007, in Rose Lawn Cemetery in Marion. Pastor Robert Maier officiated the services. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Memorial and Honor Program, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, Va. 22312.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Christmas

Sarah Louise Pierce Shupe Christmas, 82, died Saturday, Dec. 22, 2007, in Chilhowie.
She was born Nov. 15, 1925 in Valdosta, Ga. She was retired from U.S. Air Force, Civil Service, at Robins Air Force Base, Warner Robins, Ga., after 32 years of service. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all who knew her and she will be greatly missed by those who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, John Ed and Lillian Pierce; one daughter, Sandra Gayle Shupe; and C.R. Shupe Sr.
Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Rev. C. R. “Bob” Jr. and Delaine Shupe of Lynchburg and William E. Shupe of Rapidan; a special granddaughter and loving caregiver, Patricia Caudle, husband, Chris, and son, Brian Severt; granddaughter, Sandra Penalosa and husband, Elion, and great-grandchildren, Olivia and Christian of Chilhowie; and grandsons, Leonard Shupe and Elijah Shupe, both Marion, and a special grandson, Matthew Blevins and wife, Becky, of Bristol.
Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, Dec. 26, 2007, at Seaver-Brown Chapel. The Rev. Bobby Dunn and the Rev. C. R. “Bob” Shupe Jr. officiated the services. Burial followed in Ridgedale Cemetery in Rich Valley.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
The family received friends Wednesday morning, Dec. 26, 2007, until time of service at Seaver-Brown Chapel. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Frazier

Larry Elmer Frazier, 74, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at his home in Madison, Ala.
He was born in Marion on Oct. 2, 1933, to Roy W. and Mary Wymer Frazier.
He attended local schools and graduated from Marion High School in 1951. A graduate of Montevallo University, he was a retired general manager of Eastern Test Operations for Wyle Laboratories in Huntsville, Ala. Throughout his life, he was active in many youth-oriented civic organizations and received the Man of the Year award from the Wayne County Boys’ Club in Goldsboro, N.C., in 1966. He was charter president of the Optimist Club of Madison and served in several capacities in the Alabama-Mississippi Optimist District at the district level. He also served on the board of directors of the AARP Chapter #5083 in Madison and was a Mason belonging to Lunar Lodge #918. In 2002, he was inducted into the Alabama Senior Citizens’ Hall of Fame. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren.
Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Wilma Frazier; two sons, Larry Elmer Frazier Jr. of Vale, Ore., and Randall Frazier of Redlands, Calif.; one daughter, Pamela Roberts of Madison, Ala.; seven wonderful grandchildren; one sister, Joyce “Jo” Keyes of Marion; two half-sisters, Janet Dianne Bower of Vinton and Rita Hall of Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday morning, Dec. 27, 2007, at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Dr. Mark Ross officiated the services. Masonic graveside services followed at Rose Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, Va. 23058 and/or Madison Optimist Club, P.O. Box 150, Madison, Ala. 35758. Condolences may be sent to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Asbury Methodist Church in Madison, Ala.
The family received friends Thursday morning, Dec. 27, 2007, at the funeral home. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Lineberry

Phil Lineberry, 61, of Glade Spring died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon.
He was a native of Carroll County and had lived in Washington County for the past 39 years. He was a son of the late Coy and Allura Coltrane Lineberry.
He attended Brevard College in Brevard, N.C., and received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. He had taught in the agricultural education department for the past 39 years at Holston High School in Damascus. He had been the assistant and later the head coach of the wrestling program for over 25 years. He was a FFA advisor and served on various state committees. He assisted in the development of a new agricultural-science program Aqua Culture at Holston High School. He was an adjunct instructor at Virginia Highlands Community College and was a member of Friendship Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by two brothers, Earl Lineberry and Rex Lineberry.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma Hendren Lineberry; one daughter, Debbie Lineberry of Blacksburg; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Doug and Angela Lineberry of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Dale Lineberry of Glade Spring; four brothers, Kelly Lineberry and Jimmy Lineberry, both of Pierce, Idaho, Linden Lineberry of Galax and Dallas Lineberry of Fort Myers, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday evening, Dec. 26, 2007, in the Holston High School Auditorium. The Rev. Gary Ritchie officiated the services. The committal service and interment was held Thursday morning, Dec. 27, 2007, at Sunset Memorial Park in Damascus.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the FFA Chapter at Holston High School, 21308 Monroe Rd., Damascus, Va. 24236. Condolences may be sent to the family and a video memorial tribute may be viewed by visiting the website at http://www.garrettfuneralhome.com.
The family received friends Wednesday evening, Dec. 27, 2007, at Holston High School following the funeral service.
Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus was in charge of arrangements.

Martin

Nannie Belle Martin, 86, died Friday, Dec. 21, 2007, at her home in Marion.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Randall E. Arnold and Ernest Richard “Jack” Martin; five brothers, Robert Hawkins, Daniel Hawkins, Melvin Hawkins, Burton Hawkins, and Sandy Hawkins; and one sister, Margaret Konstant.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda Martin Griffin of Marion; two stepdaughters, Patricia A. Snider of Chilhowie and Mary L. Brown of Marion; three sons, Hansford Eugene Arnold of Hillsville, Richard C. Martin of Reunion, Colo., and Terry Zane Martin of Chilhowie; two sisters, Janet Stokes of Marion and Virginia Hurley of Red Line, Pa.; and 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Graveside services were held Thursday afternoon, Dec. 27, 2007, at Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Rural Retreat. Pastor Neil Eidson officiated the services.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
The family received friends Thursday afternoon, Dec. 27, 2007, at Seaver-Brown Chapel. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

McElraft

Opal Johnson McElraft, 85, died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in the Smyth County Community Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gus and Minnie Whitley Montgomery; nine brothers and sisters; her husband and father of her children, Paul Johnson; and second husband, Bascom McElraft.
She was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church of Allison Gap.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Carol J. and T.W. Burkett of Marion; son and daughter-in-law, Neil and Rita Johnson of Saltville; one stepdaughter, Janie and Jack Taylor of Salem; one stepson, Mike and Bonnie McElraft of Lake Charles, La.; four grandchildren, Deirdre Evans and husband, Chris, of Glade Spring, Tom and wife, Lynn, Burkett of Marion, Steve Johnson of Saltville and Tim Johnson of Glade Spring; five great-grandchildren, Chrysten Evans of Knoxville, Tenn., Christopher Evans of Norfolk, her pride and joy, Caroline Opal Burkett, Tommy Burkett and Will Burkett, all of Marion; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Curtis and Cathy Hogston and Zola Adams.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday evening, Dec. 25, 2007, in the D.R. Henderson Funeral Home. The Rev. Jerry Williams, the Rev. Joe Collins, Charles Tuggle and Tom Burkett officiated the services. Graveside services were conducted Wednesday morning, Dec. 26, 2007, in the Elizabeth Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church building fund, 429 Allison Gap Rd., Saltville, Va. 24370.
The family received friends Tuesday evening, Dec. 25, 2007, prior to the service. 
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville was in charge of arrangements.

Nichols

Edgar Theodore Nichols Sr., 80, of Rural Retreat, died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007.
He was born in Wythe County on Aug. 16, 1927, the son of the late Ira Clinton Nichols and Artie Amelia Wright Nichols. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Jane Martin Nichols; a brother, Lloyd Nichols, and a sister, Helen Earles.
Survivors include five sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Lewis Nichols of Rural Retreat, Edgar T. Jr. and Carol Nichols of Mt. Airy, N.C., Ronald L. Nichols of Rural Retreat, Kenneth J. Nichols of Atkins and Roger and Carolyn Nichols of Mt. Airy, N.C.; a sister, Evelyn Stevenson of Rural Retreat; eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday evening, Dec. 25, 2007, at Lindsey Funeral Home. The Rev. Clayton Hounshell officiated the services. A graveside service was held Wednesday morning, Dec. 26, 2007, at the Mountain View Cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Post #229.
The family received friends Tuesday evening, Dec. 25, 2007, at Lindsey Funeral Home, prior to the services.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat was in charge of arrangements.

Routh

William J. Routh, 76, died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007.
He was born in Saltville on Aug. 14, 1931, to the late Malcolm Taylor and Lucille Keesee Routh. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie Routh, and a brother, Robert Samuel Routh.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served during the Korean Conflict. He had been employed with Brunswick Corporation with 38 years of service.
Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Steve and Darrelene Routh and Kevin Routh and Debbie Hoover, all of Marion; one daughter, Deborah J. Armstrong and Woody McGuire of Marion; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Dewey and Pinko Routh of Jacksonville, Fla., and James Routh of Marion; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Marie and Howard Crispin of Atlanta, Ga., Eleanor and Earl Thomas of Marion and Linda Finley of Jacksonville, Fla.; four grandchildren, D.J. Armstrong, Derrek Orr, Joey Routh and Stevie Rae Routh; three great-grandchildren, Adam Routh, Gavin Untiedt and Kameron Grace Reeves; special friend, Kayo Lawson; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2007, at Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion. Pastor Mike Sage officiated the services. Interment followed in Roselawn Cemetery with full military honors rendered by Francis Marion V.F.W. Post #4667.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
The family received friends Thursday evening, Dec. 27, 2007, at the funeral home.
Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Sova

Mary Jane Sova, 54, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2007, in Columbus County Hospital in Whitesville, N.C.
She was born in Smyth County to the late W.R. and Lucy Juanita Patrick.
Survivors include her husband, Frank Sova; two sons, James Patrick and Frankie Sova, both of Whitesville, N.C.; two daughters, Lucinda Sova and Melissa Sova, both of Whitesville, N.C.; two brothers, J.R. Patrick and William Patrick, both of Adwolfe; two aunts, Lucille Heath and Elizabeth Anderson; niece, Stephanie Marie Patrick; and great-nephews and nieces, Mattie, Zack and Kelly.
Graveside funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2007, at Middle Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. The Rev. Adam Blackwell officiated the services.
Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie was in charge of arrangements.

Testerman

Hattie A. Testerman, 80, died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007, in the Valley Health Care Center.
She was born in Grayson County on Dec. 22, 1927, to the late Pete and Della Billings Anderson and was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne J. Testerman; her sisters, Carrie Pennington, Gladys Brooks, Hassie Grinstead, Mary Tolliver and Donna Anderson; and her brothers, Bane Anderson, Lloyd “Doc” Anderson, Claude Anderson, Abe Anderson, Ted Anderson and Edgar Anderson.
She was a founding member of the Freedom Tabernacle Church and was retired from Harwood Manufacturing Co. with over 40 years of service.
Survivors include her sisters and a brother-in-law, Dollie Cullop of Troutdale and Silvagene and James Cannella of Joppa, Md.; brother-in-law, Raymond Pennington; several loving nieces and nephews; and special friends, pastor and honorary son, Mike Sage and Pat and Jim Richardson.
Funeral services were held Friday morning, Dec. 28, 2007, at the Freedom Tabernacle Church. Pastor Mike Sage officiated the services. Interment followed in Fairwood Cemetery in Troutdale.
Flowers were appreciated or memorial contributions can be made to the building fund at Freedom Tabernacle Church, 442 Freedom Tabernacle Lane, Atkins, Va. 24311. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
The family received friends Thursday evening, Dec. 27, 2007, at the funeral home.
Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion was in charge of arrangements.