Smyth County obituaries for Oct. 20, 2007

Blevins

Betty Jo Crowe Blevins, 78, of Mouth of Wilson died Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, at Valley Health Center in Chilhowie.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Greek Blevins; her father, Roy Owen Crowe; and her brother, Bud Crowe.
She was born Sept. 7, 1929, in Roanoke to Roy Owen and Fannie Suitt Crowe.
Survivors include her mother, Fannie M. Hutton of Marion; two nieces and spouses, Melisa and Tony Shinault of Hillsville and Susan and Roger Banks of Creston, N.C.; one nephew and spouse, Greg and Sandy Crowe of Greeneville, Tenn.; a brother-in-law, Virgil Elliott of Mouth of Wilson; an aunt, Cleta Paisley of Mouth of Wilson; and three great-nephews, Justin Crowe, Dakota Crowe and Dane Shinault.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, in Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel in Independence with Pastor Jim Cox and the Rev. Doug Halsey officiating. Interment will be in Hall Cemetery in Volney.
The family will receive friends, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, one hour preceding the funeral service.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Independence is in charge of arrangements.

Keesee

Jerry Scott Keesee, 53, of Chilhowie died in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
A listing of survivors and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Chapel of Chilhowie.

Matthews

Judge J. Aubrey Matthews, 86, died Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007, in Smyth County Community Hospital.
Born April 18, 1921 in Brunswick County, he was the son of the late J. Edward and Patty Sue Matthews.
He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Washington and Lee University. This education was separated by his naval service in the 88th Seabees Battalion during the South Pacific campaign of World War II. He practiced general law in Marion, from 1948 to 1965, during which time he also served four years as Smyth County’s Commonwealth Attorney. He was appointed to the 28th Circuit Court bench in 1965, and served until his retirement in 1986. He was the only Smyth Countian to be appointed as a Circuit Court judge in the 20th century.
An active member of the First United Methodist Church, he served there in many capacities, yet is best remembered for teaching the youth Sunday school class for over 40 years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, James E. Matthews Jr. and Dr. C. Arnold Matthews. He was also preceded by his first wife of 42 years, Helen DeBusk Matthews.
Survivors include his wife, Laura Buchanan Matthews of Marion; one son and daughter-in-law, Joseph A. Jr. and Rita Matthews of Roanoke; three daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and David Brewster of Wadsworth, Ohio, Sally and Don Bryant of Tallahassee, Fla., and Sue Matthews of Decatur, Ga.; one stepdaughter, Betsy Bossaer, and husband, Greg; three stepsons, Robert Hays and wife, JoAn, George Hays and wife, Tami, and David Hays and wife, Lori; sister, Frances M. Clarke; grandchildren, Whitney (and Joseph) Ramseur, Ashley (and Tanner) Shilling, Bradley (and Michael) McLeod, Brenna (and Bruce) Thibault, Lauren (and Michael) Ross, and Jerry Bryant, Matthew Bryant, Helen Tyler Bryant, and Monna Lea Bryant; and five great-grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Marion with the Rev. Jeff Lambert and Dr. Fred Austin officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery in Marion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 115 S. Church St., Marion, Va. 24354, or to a charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, from 6-9 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. 
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Sexton

Carrie Mae Sexton, 77, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, at Smyth County Community Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest “Dempsey” Sexton; her father and mother, Arthur and Mattie Russell; three brothers; and two sisters.
Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Charles “Jim” and Gladys Russell of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Friday morning, Oct. 19, 2007, at Seaver-Brown Chapel. The Rev. Mike Sage officiated the services. Burial followed in Slemp Cemetery in Sugar Grove.
Expression of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
The family received friends Friday morning, Oct. 19, 2007, until time of service at Seaver-Brown Chapel. 
Seaver- Brown Funeral Service and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.

Stamper

Kelissa Faith Stamper, infant, daughter of Kelly and Melissa Stamper of Rural Retreat, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, at her home.
She was born in Smyth County on Sept. 19, 2007, and was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Mitchell Stamper.
In additional to her parents, survivors include two sisters, Kelsey Stamper and Kaylee Stamper, of the home; a brother, Ryan Stamper, of the home; paternal grandmother, Gladys Stamper of Yadkinville, N.C.; maternal grandmother, Joyce Robbins of Rural Retreat; maternal grandfather, Carl Robbins of Rural Retreat; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services were held Thursday evening, Oct. 18, 2007, at the Lindsey Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Chad Dunford officiated the ceremony. A private graveside service was held Friday morning, Oct. 19, 2007, at Mt. Zion Community Church Cemetery in Rural Retreat (the Crawfish Valley).
The family received friends Thursday evening, Oct. 18, 2007, at Lindsey Funeral Home, prior to the services.
Lindsey Funeral Home in Rural Retreat was in charge of arrangements.

Thomas

Laura Marie Dowell Thomas, 85, died Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, at Bristol Regional Medical Center.
She was a widow of Clyde W. Thomas. She was a member of the Grosses Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include one brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Edna Dowell of Chilhowie; one sister-in-law, Blanche Thomas of Chilhowie; one brother-in-law, J.C. Debusk of Chilhowie; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were conducted Friday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2007, at Mt. View Cemetery in Chilhowie. The Rev. Avery Sheets officiated the services. Family and friends met at the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 West Ridge Rd., Wytheville, Va. 24382.
There was no visitation at the funeral home.
Williams Funeral Home in Chilhowie was in charge of arrangements.