Smyth County obituaries for Sept. 5, 2007

Brown

Charles Raymond “Ray” Brown Jr. of Mechanicsville died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at his son’s home in Marion after a gallant struggle with cancer.
He was born on Feb. 8, 1920, in Richmond to the late Charles Raymond Sr. and Earle Davenport Brown. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Lois Peace Brown, in 2001 and two nephews, Bruce C. Bowles and Charles R. Bowles.
He was a graduate of John Marshall High School in Richmond. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 until 1945. He was an original and the last surviving founder of Colonial Printing and Stationary Company in Richmond. He retired as president in 1982. He had been a member of the Thomas N. Davis Masonic Lodge #351 (Richmond) for 59 years. He served as Master of the Lodge in 1961. He was a member of the West End Rotary Club in Richmond for many years. He served as the club’s executive secretary for a decade and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. At the time of his death he was a member of the Mechanicsville Baptist Church. For many years he was a devoted member of Calvary United Methodist Church in Richmond where he was instrumental in developing a young adult class that he taught for many years. He was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, steadfast and a treasured friend, Christian gentleman, and gifted woodworker.
Survivors include one sister, Eunice B. Bowles of Mechanicsville; one son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Paul G. and Betsy Brown of Marion; two grandsons, Preston Hunter Brown and Aaron Spencer Brown, also of Marion; a niece, Melanie S. Carlton; a nephew, Timothy H. Carlton; and many treasured friends.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, at 2 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home with the Rev. Lewis E. Carson and the Rev. John Bryant officiating. Interment will be in Washington Memorial Park in Sandston.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 West Ridge Rd., Wytheville, Va. 24382. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at http://www.seaverbrown.com. 
The family received friends in Marion at Seaver-Brown Chapel on Monday evening, Sept. 3, 2007. The family also received friends Tuesday evening, Sept. 4, 2007, at the Mechanicsville Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home, 8014 Lee Davis Rd., in Mechanicsville.
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion is in charge of arrangements.

Church

Robert Lee “Toddy” Church, 80, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, in the Smyth County Community hospital.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Church, his parents and several brothers and sisters. He was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Geraldine and Gene York of Gray, Tenn.; three sisters, Pauline Wyrick of Saltville, and Mattie Pickens and Nancy Martin, both of Mansfield, Ohio; two grandchildren, Tammy Vasquez of Gray, Tenn., and Tina and Shawn Howard of Marengo, Ohio; seven great-grandchildren, James, Jessica and Courtney Vasquez, Jeffrey Howard, Tyler Barber, Ethan Howard and Alyson Howard; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Sept. 2, 2007, at the Lighthouse Baptist Church. The Rev. Benny Frye and the Rev. R.L. Frye officiated the services. Burial followed in the Glade Spring Baptist Cemetery.
The family received friends Saturday evening, Sept. 1, 2007, at the funeral home.
D. R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville was in charge of arrangements.

Fritts

Okie Hash Vaught Fritts, 76, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at Grace Health Care in Abingdon.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Fritts.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Rob McDonald of Abingdon; two sons, David Vaught of Roanoke, and Christopher Vaught of Hendersonville, N.C.; four grandsons, Terry Witt, Jason Vaught, Eric Vaught, and Joshua Vaught; and five great-grandchildren; five sisters, Viola Hall of Sugar Grove, Jo Ann Parks of Atkins, Brenda King of Marion, Betty Daniels of Laurel Fork, and Lida Parks of Churchville, Md.; and five brothers, Leonard Hash of Marion, Dale Hash of Aberdeen, Md., Rick Hash of Havre de Grace, Md., Letcher Hash of Snow Hill, Ga., Max Hash of Lakeland, Fla.
Graveside services were held Monday morning, Sept. 3, 2007, at Slemp Cemetery. The Rev. Mike Ward officiated the services. Expressions of sympathy may be made at http://www.seaverbrown.com.
There will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory in Marion was in charge of arrangements.

Fritz

Margaret S. Fritz, 83, of Damascus, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at Wellmont Hospice House in Bristol, Tenn.
She was a native of Laurel Bloomery, Tenn., and was a daughter of the late Joseph and Annie Pennington. She had lived in Damascus most of her adult life and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Damascus. She had served as secretary/treasurer for the Women’s Missionary Society for more than 40 years and she retired from McBee Systems in 1994. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Walter H. Fritz.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Angie Fritz and Tony and Sara Fritz, all of Damascus; three grandchildren, Jesse Fritz, Alesia Hutchinson and Pam Fritz; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral services were conducted Monday morning, Sept. 3, 2007, at the graveside at Sunset Memorial Park. Pastor Brent Nidiffer and the Rev. Wayne Guynn officiated the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to the Damascus Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 458, Damascus, Va. 24236. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting http://www.garrettfuneralhome.com or by fax to (276) 475-5902.
The family received friends Sunday evening, Sept. 2, 2007, at Garrett Funeral Home.
Garrett Funeral Home in Damascus was in charge of arrangements.

Griffey

Teresa Ann J. Griffey, 48, died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at her home in Saltville.
She was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by father, Stoney Jackson.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas S. Griffey; son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Andrea Griffey of Saltville; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and James Broyles of Saltville; mother, Pauline Jackson of Saltville; two brothers, Eddie and Charlie Jackson, both of Saltville; two sisters, Brenda Jackson and Carolyn Call, both of Chilhowie; five grandchildren, Adrian, Tayler, Haley Jo, Shana and Bradley; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Monday evening, Sept. 3, 2007, in the Lighthouse Baptist Church. The Rev. Benny Frye officiated the services. Graveside services were conducted Tuesday morning, Sept. 4, 2007, at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
The family received friends Monday evening, Sept. 3, 2007, prior to services at the church.
D.R. Henderson Funeral Home in Saltville was in charge of arrangements.