Smyth County obituaries for July 19, 2008

Allison

Patsy Taylor Allison died after a courageous battle with cancer Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at the home of her daughter.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Nora Taylor, and one great-grandson, Christian Chapman.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in law, Debbie and Eugene Call; three grandsons, Jonathan Chapman, Channing Call and Skylar Call; two brothers, the Rev. Jimmy Taylor and wife, Charlita, and Manuel Taylor and wife, Sandy; three sisters, Peggy Taylor, Pauline Rhea and husband, Donald, all of Saltville, Debbie Cahill and husband, Jeff, of Wichita Falls, Texas; and a special friend she loved as a sister, Janice Sheets of Chilhowie.
Funeral services were conducted on Friday, July 18, at 2 p.m. at Cardwelltown Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Taylor, the Rev. Kenny Gilbert, and the Rev. Jack Sprinkle officiating. Burial followed in the Mount Rose Cemetery.
The family received family and friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Thursday at the church or at her daughter’s home at 818 West Main Street, Saltville.
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville was in charge of arrangements.

Davenport

Magdaline Melinda Davenport, 91, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at her home.
She was born in Washington County to the late David Winfield Sullivan and Vada Walls Sullivan.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vance C. Davenport, two children, Carolyn Davenport and Stephen Davenport, several brothers and sisters, her lifetime friends and neighbors, Anna Heath, Elizabeth Anderson, Martha Heath, Mary Mann, Mrs. Willie Mann, Sophia Hamm and Mrs. Newton Doss.
She was a member of Little Rock Baptist Church for many years.
Survivors include one son, Larry Davenport; a most special caregiver, Shirley Jupino; two daughters, Sylvia Wheeless and husband, Jerry, of Chilhowie, Barbara Saferight and husband, Elwood, of Rural Retreat; two sisters, Nancy Reagan and Ethel Jackson, both of Chilhowie; five sisters-in-law, Shirley Walton, Penny Heath, Virginia Sullivan, Belle Davenport, and Lucy Davenport; her grandchildren, Jerry Wheeless Jr., Lynn Blackwell, Lesa Wheeless, Lora Powers, Michael Saferight, Stephen Saferight, and Jacob Rolen Davenport; seven great-grandchildren; and very special friends and neighbors, Jane Heath, Dixie Heath, Diane Reed, Leona Anderson, Betty Campbell, Belle Davenport, Helen Blevins, and Virginia Haga.
Funeral services were conducted at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17, at Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie with Bro. Buster Mullins and Bro. Dan Tuell officiating.
The family received friends Thursday evening from 6-7:30 p.m. at the funeral chapel. A graveside service was conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at the Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery.  Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
Bradley’s Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie was in charge of arrangements.

Harris

Norman D. “Giggs” Harris, 83, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at his home.
He was a veteran of World war II, a member of over 50 years at North Holston Presbyterian Church where he served as elder and trustee, and was a retired employee of Olin Corp.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Palmer and Mae Harris, two brothers, Robert and Edward Harris, and two sisters, Mary Ruth Poe and Sadie Holmes.
Survivors include his wife, Kathleen G. Harris; one son, Dayton Harris of Saltville; two grandchildren, Angela Dawn Smith and Bethany Lynn Harris; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at Henderson Funeral Home with the Rev. Bob Thorton officiating. 
The family received friends Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Henderson Funeral Home prior to services.
Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Mount Rose Cemetery.
Memorial donation may be made to the charity of your choice.
D.R. Henderson Funeral home in Saltville was in charge of arrangements.

Plummer

Jim Plummer, 56, died Tuesday June 24, 2008 at New York University Medical Center.
He had been with the New York Mets’ organization since he was Nolan Ryan’s minor league bat boy in 1965.
He had a liver and kidney transplant the weekend of June 21 and died of a heart attack.
He started with the Mets in Marion and moved up to the major league team in 1976. At the time of his death, he was director of corporate sales.
He was given a “Ya Gotta Believe” award by the team last April, and it was presented to him by former Mets outfielder Darryl Strawberry.
Survivors include his wife, Tee Plummer; and his son, Jonathan Plummer.
This is a courtesy announcement by Bradley’s Funeral Home.

Powell

Raymond R. “Dickie” Powell, 65, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Johnson City Medical Center, Johnson City, Tenn. 
He was an avid hunter who loved the outdoors. He was a jack-of-all-trades, who could do anything and could make anything work. He was always there for his family, friends and was kind, tender-hearted and compassionate. 
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Powell of Atkins; one daughter and son-in-law, Angel and Chris Anderson of Marion; two sons, Richard Bryan Powell and Randy Powell, both of Atkins; one sister, Phyllis Shakespeare of Atkins; one brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Kathie Powell of Reisterstown, Md.; three grandchildren, Ashley, Tyler, and Dakota; one great-grandchild, Brayden; and several nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services were conducted Friday, July 18, at Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. Mike Sage officiating.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.

Shazor

Margie Marie Shazor, beloved sister, aunt and friend, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, after a period of declining health.
For the last three years she was a resident of Universal Health Care, Raleigh, N.C. Prior to moving to Raleigh, she lived for more than 62 years in New York state. She worked in the garment district and was employed by Stacy Aames Clothier. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at the age of 12, was baptized in West Virginia, and became a faithful member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in New York.
While living in New York, she enjoyed the loving support of her sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Alvin Ferguson; their children, Alvin, Douglas, George, Wilnet Elizabeth and Lorraine; nieces, Carolyn Hairston Armstrong husband, Eugene, Theresa Collins, husband, Donald, and Marsha Johnson. In March 2005, she moved to Raleigh, N.C., to be near her sister, Candida, her niece, Diana, her great-nephew, Terence, and great-niece, Candida (Elizabeth).
She was born in Filbert, W.Va., to the late John Floyd and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Shazor.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Landon, William (Bill), London and Floyd, and sisters, Mary Alice, Elizabeth, Laura, Margaret and Bernetta. Her special friend, Deborah Zabetis of Universal Healthcare North Raleigh, recently preceded her in death.
Survivors include her sister, Candida, of Raleigh, N.C.; sisters-in-law, Neola of Bristol and Patricia, of Dayton, Ohio; an aunt, Virgie Plummer of Chilhowie; many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 20, at Bradley’s Funeral Chapel, 307 Old Stage Road, Chilhowie, with the Rev. Dwayne Mabry officiating.
Burial will follow in Chilhowie Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2 until 3 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
Bradley’s Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Thompson

John Edward Thompson Jr., 84, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008 in Smyth County Community Hospital.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John E. Thompson Sr. and Birdie Chapman Thompson, six sisters, Hattie Harmon, Bess Stumbo, Virginia Henderson, Beulah Sweat, Helen Collins and Elizabeth Sweet, and one brother, Charles “Crossy” Thompson.
Survivors include one sister, Billie Robbins of Glade Spring; several nieces and nephews; a special cousin; and best friend, Ed Thompson.
Graveside services were conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 17, in Pine Ridge Cemetery with the Rev. Bobby Collins officiating.
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville was in charge of arrangements.

Whittaker

Ronnie Dean Whittaker II, 40, died Monday, July 14, 2008 in Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn., from injuries received in a motorcycle accident.
He was preceded in death by grandmothers, Leona P. Nelson and Ann E. Lewis.
Survivors include his wife, Lois Singleton Whittaker of Damascus;
one daughter, Angelica Sykes and husband, Paul, of Meadowview; one son, Ronnie Whittaker III of Bristol; his mother and father, Catherine Nelson and Oscar Lewis of Glade Spring; grandfather, Walter “Shorty” Nelson of Cleveland, Tenn.; brothers, James Martin Lewis and wife, Ann, of Glade Spring, Steven Whittaker of Bristol; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; and very special friends, Sherry Miller and Rick Edwards.
Memorial services were conducted at 6 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the home of Mr. Whittaker, 33609 Widner Valley Rd,. Damascus, with the Rev. Gary Ritchie officiating.
The family received friends from 5 until 6 p.m. Friday prior to the service. 
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville was in charge of arrangements.