Smyth County obituaries for Dec. 8, 2007

Burrows

Edith Martin Burrows, 84, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007, in Smyth County Community Hospital. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Louis Burrows; her parents, Lee Hall and Polly Hawthorne Martin; one brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. William E. Martin Sr.; and one nephew, Lee Howard Martin.
She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Marion, was employed by the Bank of Marion for many years and was a member of the Smyth County Community Hospital Auxiliary.
Survivors include eight nephews, William E. Martin Jr. and wife, Laura, of Chilhowie, Harold Burrows, Sam Burrows, Dennis Burrows, Richard Burrows, Michael Burrows, Vernon Underwood and Burl McCuiston; 14 nieces, Linda A. Martin of Chilhowie, Faye Burrows Morris, Joyce Burrows, Betty Larcombe, Bobby Burrows, Lynn Presely, Patricia Johnson, Martha Toler, Doris Coble, JoAnne Fraizier, Jackie Quigley, Dot Reynolds, Helen Aruthur and Sharon M. Karnes; one great-nephew, William E. Martin III, wife, Betty, and their children, Steven and Virginia Lynn, all of Chilhowie.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at Seaver-Brown Chapel at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Jeff Lambert officiating.  Burial will follow in St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery in Chilhowie.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 115 S. Church St., Marion, Va. 24354 or the St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Hugh Jones, P.O. Box 45, Chilhowie, Va. 24319.  Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com. 
The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, until the time of service at Seaver-Brown Chapel. 
Seaver- Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion is in charge of arrangements. 

Cochran

Robert Edward Cochran Sr., 76, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, at his home in Chilhowie.
He was born in Raleigh County, Marfork, W.Va., on April 9, 1931. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee Cochran and Edna Hamilton Cochran.
He attended West Virginia public schools and was a graduate of the class of 1950 in Big Stone Gap. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving his country from 1951-1955. After military service, he enrolled and graduated from ETSU in 1960 with a B.S. degree. He began his teaching career in the field of education. He taught at Pulaski High School, R.B. Worthy High School and Chilhowie High School for 26 years. In addition, he was a supervisor of Smyth County Department of Adult Basic Education Program and administrative assistant at R.B. Worthy High School. He was a member of the N.E.A., SCEA, the Free & Accepted Masons and the Francis Marion V.F.W. Post #4667.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Jenny Belle Maness Cochran; two sons, Robert Edward Cochran Jr. of Chilhowie and Kevin Richard Cochran of Floyd; one daughter, Connie Cochran Brewster of Chilhowie; his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Jessica Cochran Nipper, Robert Joshua Sexton, Aaryn Michael-Jenny Brewster; great-grandson, Cody Nipper; two brothers, Thomas E. Cochran of Fort Worth, Texas, and William “Deis” Cochran of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; two sisters, Florence J. Giefer of Springfield, Mo., and Joyce A. Gardner of Knoxville, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday evening, Dec. 6, 2007, at Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie. The Rev. Bobby Dunn and the Rev. David St.Clair officiated the services along with Masonic Rites rendered. A graveside service was held Friday morning, Dec. 7, 2007, at Westwood Memorial Gardens with full military honors rendered by Francis Marion V.F.W. Post #4667.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Francis Marion V.F.W. Post #4667 or to the Hands on Helpers, c/o Linda Byrd, P.O. Box 566, Glade Spring, Va. 24340. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
The family received friends Thursday evening, Dec. 6, 2007, at the funeral chapel.
Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie was in charge of arrangements.

Edwards

Ellen Elizabeth Burchett Edwards, 82, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2007, at Greendale Nursing Home in Abington. 
She was born in Marion to the late Ellison M. and Cora Lee Gowins Burchett. She was of the Protestant faith and she retired form Brunswick Corporation.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by one sister, Pearl B. Eller; one half-sister, Verna Virginia Rogers; two brothers, Ellison M. Burchett and Howard “John Henry” Burchett; and five half-brothers, Boyd Gowins, Vic Burchett, Tom Burchett, Luther Burchett, and Ralph Burchett. 
Survivors include one brother, William Robert Burchett of Manchester, Md.; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at 7 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Private burial will be at Round Hill Cemetery in Marion. 
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Jones

Charles E. “Pid” Jones, 74, died Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, in the Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie.
He was born on May 22, 1933, to the late Paul “Ernie” and Louisa Fields Jones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Edith V. Jones, and a bother, Paul “Monk” Jones.
He was veteran of the U.S. Army having served during the Korean Conflict. He had been employed with W & L Construction and had attended Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors included one son and daughter-in-law, Ernest Allen and Tracy Jones of Chilhowie; one daughter, Lisa Mae Ellis of Chilhowie; and three grandchildren, Malery Brooke Jones, Casey Andrew Ellis and Chance Anderson.
Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, Dec. 6, 2007, at Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie. Dr. Mark Ross officiated the services. Interment followed in the Mt. View Cemetery with full military honors rendered by the 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 Wednesday evening, Dec. 5, 2007, at the funeral chapel.
Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie was in charge of arrangements.

Jones

Lonnie, better known as Jake, Jones, 64, of Seven Mile Ford, formerly of Rugby, died Monday, Dec. 3, 2007, at Wellmont-Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn.
He was born Aug. 24, 1943 in Rugby to the late Ervin D. and Treva Henderson Jones.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Jones, of the home; daughter, Pamela Jones, of the home; five sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Gayle Henderson of Marion, Susan Coatney of Gate City, Daisy Sage of Rural Retreat, Donna and Ray Henderson of Tequesta, Fla., and Cathy and Ralph Jackson of Seven Mile Ford; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Reeves and Esther Farmer of Seven Mile Ford; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, in Reins-Sturdivant Chapel in Independence with interment in Corinth Cemetery in Rugby with the Rev. Eddie Beck officiating. Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by Grayson County V.F.W. Post #7726.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at the funeral home.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence is in charge of arrangements.

Richardson

Gilmer E. Richardson, 79, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, in Maryland.
He was born in the Walker’s Creek section of Smyth County to the late James H. and Sally W. Richardson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Richardson, and two brothers, Ralph B. Richardson and Avery B. Richardson. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired from Bethlehem Steel Company.
He was an avid beekeeper.
Survivors include one son, James H. Richardson of Maryland; one daughter, Donna Frick of Delaware, one stepson, Wilbur Stone of Maryland; one brother and sister-in-law, Dale S. and Lois Richardson of Marion; one sister and brother-in-law, Ruth R. and Robert Osborne of Marion; seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, five nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and nephews; and special friends, Clyde and Betty Boyd of Maryland and Harvey and Francis Scott of Radford.
Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with Pastor Mike Sage officiating. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, at the Cleghorn Valley Church Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Rodgers

Thomas Hilker Rodgers, 65, died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007, in Smyth County Community Hospital. 
He was an Eagle Scout, and had served as a Scout Master for many years. He was employed by the state of Virginia as an environmental chemical engineer. He was also an active member of the Ebenezer Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Donna Harnisch Rodgers of Marion; two daughters and sons-in-law, Lori Ann and Eddie Haga of Marion and Anisa Leigh and Brian Claffey of Norfolk; one son and daughter-in-law, David James and Theresa Royce Rodgers of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters, Ivy Schmude and Nancy Dewey, both of Illinois; one brother, Robert Rodgers Jr. of Klickitat, Wash.; five grandchildren, Treemont Haga, Cayla Haga, Bridgette Rodgers, Gabriella Rodgers, Ian Royce; and one nephew.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at the Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Marion at 11 a.m. with Pastor Robert Maier officiating.  Burial will follow in the church columbarium. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Association, 207 North Boone Street, Suite 1050, Johnson City, Tenn. 37604.  Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Thomas

Madeline Rae Thomas, infant daughter of Jessica and Michael Thomas, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007, in Marion.
Survivors include her parents, Jessica and Michael Thomas; paternal grandparents, Richard and Shirley Thomas; maternal grandparents, Allen Grubb, Debbie Rasnick and husband, Ronnie; her brother, Austin Thomas; her sister, Madison Thomas; and a host of other family members.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, at the Freedom Tabernacle Church with Pastor Mike Sage officiating. Interment will follow in Resurrection Gardens.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007, from 10-11 a.m. at the church.
Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.