Smyth County obituaries for Oct. 24, 2007

Hancock

Frederick Sevier Hancock, 82, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2007, in Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta, N.C.
He was born in Sevierville, Tenn., to the late Charles Edward and Rosa Mae Church Hancock. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha Akers Hancock; two sisters, Katherine Woods and Eleanor Terry; and a grandson, James S. Kirby.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy having served his country during World War II.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda Kirby Lee of Independence; one brother and sister-in-law, Eugene and Marion Hancock of Camden, Mo.; one sister, Rosa Thompson of Marion; two grandchildren, Deborah McMillan of East Stone Gap and Michael Kirby and wife, Joy, of Independence; 12 -randchildren, six great-great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Donnie Privett.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, Oct. 21, 2007, at Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Dennis Eller officiated the services. Interment followed in Roselawn Cemetery with full military honors rendered by Francis Marion VFW Post 4667.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Twin County Hospice Care in Galax. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
The family received friends Sunday afternoon, Oct. 21, 2007, at the funeral home.
Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Hutton

Roger Gale Hutton, 55, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, Greystone Health Center in Blountville, Tenn.
Survivors include two sons, Gary Lynn Hutton and fiancée, Gerri Christine Graham, and Larry Allen Hutton, all of Marion; his mother, Alice York Hutton of Marion; one sister, Toni Bridgeman of Marion; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Irvin and Shirley Hutton of Vinton, Don and Faye Hutton of Wytheville, and Clarence and Margaret Hutton of Marion; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Tuesday morning, Oct. 23, 2007, at Round Hill Cemetery in Marion. The Rev. Mike Sage officiated the services. Military rites were conducted by Francis Marion VFW Post #4667. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
The family received friends Monday evening, Oct. 22, 2007, at Seaver-Brown Chapel.
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Keesee

Jerry Scott Keesee, 53, died in Albuquerque, N.M.
He was born in Abingdon to the late James Frank and Bernice Chapman Keesee. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Donna Gail Spencer.
He was a graduate of Chilhowie High School and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He attended Mt. Pleasant Church in Saltville.
Survivors include his children, Michael Charles Keesee and wife, Lora, and Amy Keesee Gill; one brother, James Keesee; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Carol and Curtis McAllister and Teresa and Ronald Brooks; his grandchildren, Summer Gill, Jessica Gill, Jennifer Gill, Danielle Gill, Austin Charles and Bobbie Joe Miller; nieces and nephews, April Shipley, Pamela and Stacy McAllister, Heather and Brian Spencer, Terri Stevens and Jamie McCready; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other friends and family.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, at the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Saltville with Pastor Jim Lundy officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Francis Marion VFW Post 4667.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at http://www.bradleysfh.com.
The family will receive friends at any time at the home of Teresa and Ronald Brooks.
Bradley’s Funeral Chapel in Chilhowie is in charge of arrangements.

Lefler

Willis Ray Lefler, 60, died Friday, Oct. 19, 2007, in the Francis Marion Manor in Marion.
A listing of survivors and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion.
Bradley’s Funeral Home in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Rigsby

Helena Rigsby, 53, of Hillsboro, Ohio, died Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2007, at her residence.
She was born Sept. 11, 1954 in Grundy, the daughter of Julian and the late Lula Omega Casey Keen. In addition to her mother she is preceded by one brother, Emory Lee Keen.
She was a member of the Wilmington Bible Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Scott Rigsby; her father, Julian and his wife, Barbara Keen, of Troutdale; three children, Donnie Eoff of Bridgeport, Ohio, Luzmila Jessica and husband, Jonathan Barr, of Marion, and John Garcia of Hillsboro; two brothers and a sister-in-law, David and Donna Keen of Norfolk, and Carol Edward Keen of Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Jonna, Eddie, Karissa, Chloé, and Jalissa; and several nieces and nephews.
Private funeral services will take place at the convenience of the family. 
The family asks that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, Southwest Ohio/Northern Kentucky Office, 8899 Brookside Avenue, #2, West Chester, Ohio 45069.
For more information and to sign the online register, visit http://www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc.
The family received friends Friday evening, Oct. 19, 2007, at the Turner & Son Funeral Home, Hillsboro.
Tuner and Son Funeral Home in Hillsboro, Ohio was in charge of arrangements.