Smyth County obituaries for July 12, 2008

Billings

Robert H. Billings, 88, died Monday, July 7, 2008.
He had been employed as a wire drawer at Northwestern Steel and Wire.
He was born Oct. 25, 1919 in Chilhowie, the son of Ambrose and Amy Duncan Billings.
He married Fannie Hicks on June 27, 1941 in Mountain City, Tenn. She preceded him in death in 1992. He was also preceded in death by one son, Daniel Billings.
Survivors include one sister, Ruby David Duncan of Sterling; two brothers, Thomas and Betty Billings and Joe and Locke Billings, both of Rock Falls; and two grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, at the Schilling Funeral Home in Sterling with Pastor William Cherry officiating.
Burial followed at Oak Knoll Memorial Park.
Visitation was from 9 until 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, at the Schilling Funeral Home.
A memorial has been established to the New Life in Christ Church, Sterling.
This is a courtesy announcement by Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion.

DeMerit

Norma Jean Parker DeMerit, 88, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008 in Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport, Tenn.
During her lifetime she grew up in Harborcreek, Pa., and attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio. She served as a lieutenant Army nurse during World War II and was stationed in England. While working for the veterans’ hospital in Coral Gables, Fla., she became a nurse to Merrill DeMerit Jr., whom she would later marry. She later worked as a psychiatric nurse for the veterans’ hospitals in Dayton, Ohio, and St. Louis, Mo.
She was an extraordinary ordinary woman whose enthusiasm and zest for life brought joy to those around her. She touched so many lives and hearts in her career, her friendships, her church and community. She possessed an outward beauty, an inner strength, and an ability to love the best in those around her.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ray Hasenau; her second husband, Merrill DeMerit Jr.; and a son, Jon DeMerit.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Doctor Ralph Parks of Marion and Margaret “Peg” Merit Morgan and William Morgan of Brisbane, Australia; one son and daughter-in-law, James and Anna DeMerit of St. Louis, Mo.; one sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Howard Wilkinson of Harborcreek, Pa.; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Marion, with the Rev. Jonathan Jonas officiating.
Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery, Erie, Pa. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norma DeMerit Spay-Neuter Fund, 122 N. Sheffey St., Marion, Va. 24354.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Hahn

Judy Carol Sykes Hahn, 44, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008.
She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend.
She was a member of the Madam Russell Memorial United Methodist Church in Saltville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Grady and Opal Sykes, and a brother, Tony Sykes.
Survivors include her husband, Ed Hahn; one daughter, Savanah Sykes of the home; son and daughter-in law, Zac Hahn and Kim Olinger; grandson, Nathan Hahn; brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Tina Sykes; sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Bob Stone, Marti and Jay Griffin, Barbara Woodward, all of Saltville; nephews, Michael Stone of Lafayette, La., Jayson Griffin of Raleigh, N.C., Jon Griffin of Emory, Will Woodward of Charleston, S.C., Jacob Sykes of Saltville, and Zach Sykes of Saltville; nieces, Dr. Karen Stone-Hall of Gainesville, Ga., Jill Woodward of Saltville, and Chelsey Sykes of Saltville; aunt, Margaret Maiden of Saltville; cousins, Mike and Debbie Maiden Kirk and Brandy Maiden, all of Saltville, Lonnie and Kathy Maiden of Fayetteville, N.C.; special friends, Mark and Karen Holmes, Kim Robbins, and Marcia Pickle.
A celebration of life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Madam Russell Memorial United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a trust account for Savanah Brooke Sykes, c/o The Bank of Saltville, P.O. Box 1220, Saltville, VA 24370.
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville is in charge of arrangements.

Peake

James Elmer Peake, 63, formerly of Marion, died on Monday, July 7, 2008.
He was a member of the Salem Church of God.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Paul and Susie Peak of Marion.
Survivors include his wife of 21 years, Peggy Peake of Salem; ex-wife and mother of his children, Verna Sharpe of Salem; daughters and sons-in-law, Robin and Richard Doss, Stephanie and Phil Lane, and Crystal and Charles Floyd, all of Salem; grandchildren, Courtney and Devin Doss, Jennifer Peake, Leanna Morris, Tyler Lane, and Steven and Hunter Floyd, all of Salem; step-granddaughter, Tristan Lane of Gray, Tenn.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jane and Charles Sage, Maxine and Walter Robinson, Linda and George Jackson, and Susan and Neil Jackson, all of Marion, Eunice and Gerald Sampson of Glade Springs, and Mary Blevins of Pulaski; brothers and sister-in-law, Willis and Patsy Peake of Severn, Md., and Paul Peake Jr. of Odenton, Md.; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Nathan Allison of Tazewell, Betty Robinson of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Helen Robinson of Ormond Beach, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A visitation was conducted on Thursday, July 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. with a funeral service beginning at 7 p.m. at Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, with the Rev. Kenneth Poston officiating. A graveside service was conducted on Friday, July 11, at 11 a.m. at Middle Fork Cemetery in Chilhowie.
In lieu of flowers, donations made in his honor may be sent to Good Samaritan Hospice at 3825-A Electric Rd. Roanoke, VA 24018.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com. 
Bradley’s Funeral Home, Marion, was in charge of arrangements.

Petty

Mildred Roberts Petty, 83, widow of Raymond E. Petty, died Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn.
She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church in Marion.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Ron Arnette of Aylett; one son and daughter-in-law, the Rev. Ray and Alice Petty of Andersonville, Tenn.; one sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Gordon Harris of Broadford; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Marie Roberts of Rich Valley, Gene Roberts of Broadford, Roy and Margaret Roberts of Marion, and George Roberts of Dryden; three granddaughters, Debbie Petty, Cheryl Petty, and Beth Jones and husband, Aaron; one grandson, Brian Thomas and wife, Anita; five great-grandchildren, Ashtyn Thomas, Nate Jones, Anna Jones, Avery Jones, and Michael Lee Bruce; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel, Marion, with the Rev. Mike Teague officiating. 
The family received friends Thursday evening at the funeral home from 6 p.m. until the time of service.  Graveside services were conducted on Friday, July 11, at 11 a.m. in Riverside Cemetery, Rich Valley. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, c/o Helen McIntyre, 738 McIntyre Place, Marion, VA 24354 or to the Marion Life Saving Crew, P.O. Box 784, Marion, Va. 24354.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com. 
Seaver- Brown Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Pullin

David Norvell Pullin, 55, died Wednesday, July 2, 2008.
He was preceded in death by his father, Burlin, and his brother, Robert. 
Survivors include his mother, Henryetta Sprinkle Johnson; stepfather, Earl; sisters, Glenda Sue and Burline; brother, Taylor; children, April and Shane; grandchildren, Tyler and Dylan. 
A memorial service was conducted Friday, July 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Andersonville, Tenn. 
A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday, June 12, with burial at Round Hill Cemetery, Marion. Military rites will be conducted by the Francis Marion VFW Post #4667. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 208 Sunset Drive, Suite 113, Johnson City, TN 37604.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Roberts

Dixie Brooks Roberts, 82, died on Monday, July 7, 2008 at the Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie.
She was born in Clinchburg to the late Eli and Fannie Mae Pierce Brooks on July 18, 1925 and had lived in Saltville most of her life. She was an active member of the former Plasterco United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Eugene “Beanie” Roberts, one son, the Rev David Roberts, her parents, eight brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include one daughter, Sandy and husband, the Rev. Jeff Wright of Athens, Tenn.; two sons, Jerry “JR” Roberts of Chilhowie, the Rev Jeff Roberts and wife, Reesa, of Wilmington, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Jon Roberts and wife, Jodi, Christi Bullock and husband, Stacy, of Maryville, Tenn., Laura Lynn Freck and husband, Andrew, of Decatur, Ga., 2nd Lt. Zachary Roberts of the Vandernberg Air Force Base in California, Jared Wright and Jordan Wright of Athens, Tenn., and Amy Roberts of Wilmington, N.C.; one great-grandchild, Julian Freck of Decatur Ga.; her sister-in-laws, Betty Brooks of Glade Spring, Nell Roberts of Stuarts Draft and Mazie Morgan of Prattville, Ala.; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, July 9, at Henderson Funeral Home with the Rev. David St. Clair, the Rev. Jeff Roberts, and the Rev. Jeff Wright officiating.
The family received friends Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Plasterco Fund, c/o The Holston Conference Foundation, P.O. Box 900 Alcoa, TN 37701
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.