Smyth County obituaries for March 29, 2008

Blevins

Gracie Mae Blevins, 88, died Thursday, March 27, 2008 in R.J. Reynolds Hospital in Stuart.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Ann Jackson and Erma Thompson, both of Front Royal; five sons, Lee Blevins, of Martinsburg, W.Va., James Blevins of Martinsville, Howard Blevins and Leonard Blevins, both of Atkins, and Roger Blevins of Saltville; 36 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, March 30, at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. Charlie Marrs Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Miller Cemetery in Whitetop. The family will receive friends Saturday, March 29, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. 
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.

Burnette

John W. Burnette, 84, died Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in Valley Health Care Center.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, a retired employee of Southwestern State Hospital, and attended the Church of God of Prophecy.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ovella Barbrow Burnette.
Survivors include his daughter, Cheryle Thompson, of Abingdon; special granddaughter, Angela Thompson of Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Beulah Jackson of Radford and Billie Henley of Maryland; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in the D.R. Henderson Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Mangrum officiating. The family received friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday evening prior to the service. Graveside services were conducted at 11 a.m. Friday in the Mount Rose Cemetery. 
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Dishner

Ruth Jane Hall Dishner died March 24, 2008.
She was born Sept. 16, 1922. She was a member of Park Presbyterian Chapel. She was retired from Kmart and was previously employed by W.T. Grant Company. She was friend to everyone and an enemy to none.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William H. “Bill” Dishner; her mother and father, Margie Hall and Robert Hall; one sister, Marjorie Atkins; her brothers, Robert, Richard, Harry and John Hall; and one great-grandson, Jamison McAdams.
Survivors include her children, Ruth Ann Dunavant and husband, Billy, William H. Dishner Jr. and wife, Jean, Tessie Hayes, Patrick Lee Dishner and wife, Jan; one sister, Frances “Snookie” Hudson and husband, Jack; one brother, Charlie Bill Hall and wife, Mickey. 
She was the loving grandmother of eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
At her request, her body is being cremated. A celebration of her life was held at Seaver-Brown Chapel on Wednesday, March 26, at 8 p.m.
The family received friends Wednesday evening from 6 p.m. until the time of service at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
Flowers were appreciated or memorial donations can be made to Park Presbyterian Chapel, 627 Hilltop Street 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.

Jackson

John York Jackson, 46, died Tuesday, March 25, 2008 in Valley Health Care Center in Chilhowie.
He was born in Smyth County on Dec. 1, 1961 to the late John F. and Shirley Crigger Jackson. He was employed at Visador Corporation as a boiler tender for 16 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two aunts, Louise Crigger and Idell Sower.
Survivors include one brother, Freddie Dean Jackson and wife, Breanne, of Chilhowie; one sister, Terry Street and husband, Russell, of Marion; his nieces and nephews, Kelly, Nicole and A.J.; a special friend, Doc Odum; and many other family members and friends.
Funeral services were conducted at 8 p.m.Thursday, March 27, from the Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie with the Rev. Dennis Eller officiating. A graveside service was conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, March 28, at the Wassum Cemetery in Atkins. The family received friends Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral chapel.
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.

Martin

Doris Goodman Martin, 73, died Wednesday, March 26, 2008 in Francis Marion Manor.
She was a member of the Laurel Springs United Methodist Church and a graduate of Marion College. She retired from Marion Correctional Treatment Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond “Popeye” Martin; her parents, Thomas and Alma Goodman; and one brother, Gene Goodman.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, David T. and Carol J. Martin of Elkins, W.Va.; two sisters, Peggy Dean and Tammy Winebarger, both of Marion; two grandchildren, Justin M. Martin of Washington, D.C., and Scarlett V. Martin of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Thursday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. John Graham officiating. Graveside services were conducted Friday at 11 a.m. at Laurel Springs Cemetery.
The family received friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. until the time of service.
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.

Norman

Maybrey Evelyn Cress Norman, 82, died Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
She was born in Atkins, the daughter of the late Charlie T. and Hallie Cress. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John “Lefty” Norman, and one brother, Charlie R. Cress.
She was a member of the Marion First Church of God and a lifetime member of the Women of the Church of God (WCG).
She is survived by three brothers, Roy L. Cress and wife, Betty, of Charlottesville, James Lewis Cress and wife, Darlene, of Atkins, and Roger Cress and wife, Brenda, of Marion; five nieces and four nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. Bill McCollian and the Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Interment will follow in Wassum Cemetery, Atkins.
The family received friends Friday, evening from 7 until 9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 West Ridge Road, Wytheville, VA 24382.
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.

Steger

Joe Steger, 71, died Thursday, March 27, 2008 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. 
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Steve Jolliffe of Marion; and one granddaughter, Kelly Charapich, of Marion.
Graveside services were conducted Thursday, March 27, at 2 p.m. at Thomas Cemetery, Marion.
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.