OBITUARIES

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      Sunday, November 4 
            W. Ray Burke, 68, Kingsport.
            David Wiley Bush, 65, Castlewood, Va.
            Lawrence Chappell, 70, Church Hill.
            Katherine Churchwell, Kingsport.
            Eugene Cornett, 87, Blountville.
            Hardin Dale Jr., Wrightsville Beach, N.C.
            Kenneth Eaton, 61, Hephzibah, Ga.
            Charles Fleenor, 87, Church Hill.
            Ruth Fleenor, 71, Kingsport.
            Juanita Foster, 58, Gray.
            Ronnie Honaker, 45, Lebanon, Va.
            Owen Hutson, 72, Church Hill.
            Ruth Johnson, 84, Big Stone Gap, Va.
            Eva Livesay, 96, Shirley, Ind.
            James Richardson, 71, Rogersville.
            Rev. Steve Shuler, 77, Exeter, Va.
            Luther Sluss, 80, Dungannon, Va.
            L. Ray Smith Sr., 78, Kingsport.
 

            W. Ray Burke, 68, Kingsport.
               
            Graveside services for Willie Ray Burke, 68, Kingsport, who died 
            Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at East 
            Lawn Memorial Park. Family and friends attending graveside services 
            will meet at the graveside at 1:55 p.m. 
            Pallbearers will be Don Harris, Ronald Hartsock, Harold Patton, Paul 
            Burke, Freddy Baker and Lester Pearson. 
            Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie Tipton, Lawrence Honaker, Gene 
            Bellamy, George Childress, Tim Malone, Steve Honaker, Harold Porter, 
            Charles Salyer, Bobby Paul Porter and Tony Rutledge. 
            Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown, is in charge of the 
            arrangements. 

            David Wiley Bush, 65, Castlewood, Va.

            CASTLEWOOD, Va. - David Wiley Bush, 65, died Friday (Nov. 2, 2001) 
            at Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, Tenn. 
            He was born in Castlewood, Va., the son of the late Offeral and 
            Stella Bush. He was a member and past master of Castlewood Masonic 
            Lodge No. 231 A.F.&A.M., past district deputy grand master of the 
            47th Masonic District, also a member of the Roanoke Shrine Temple 
            and Scottish Rite. 
            Mr. Bush was an honorary member of Lebanon Masonic Lodge No. 25 
            A.F.&A.M. He was a retired coal miner. 
            He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Bush. 
            Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Hubert Kyle "Ginger" Fletcher, 
            Orlando, Fla.; three sons, David Wayne Bush and his wife, Rita, Troy 
            Nelson Bush and Anthony "Tony" Lee Bush and his wife, Brandi, all of 
            Castlewood, Va.; two sisters, Mrs. Shelby Sturgill, Kingsport and 
            Mrs. Clara Nadine Kennedy, Castlewood, Va.; three brothers, Clyde 
            Bush Sr., Danny Bush and Logan Bush, Castlewood, Va.; a special 
            friend, Margaret Ann Phillips; three grandchildren, Bianca Amburgey 
            Bush, McKenzie Fletcher and Taylor Fletcher. 
            Calling hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Castlewood Funeral Home 
            with a Masonic Memorial service at 8 p.m. by Castlewood Masonic 
            Lodge No. 231 A.F.&A.M. 
            Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in the funeral home 
            chapel with the Rev. Lester Ferguson and the Rev. Lanny Powers 
            officiating. 
            Interment will follow in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, Va. 
            Pallbearers will be Jason Bush, Michael Bush, Fred Bush Jr., Frank 
            Tompa, David Austin and Clyde Bush Jr. 
            Honorary pallbearers will be Randy Williams, Steve Banner, Bascom 
            Slemp, Harold Compton, Jim Smith, Dean Crabtree, Sid Jennings, 
            Arthur Phillips, Dwayne Proffitt, Bill Couch, Darrell Hatfield, June 
            Townes, S.A. Fraley and all masonic brothers. 
            Condolences may be sent to the Bush family via e-mail to 
            [email protected]

            Lawrence Chappell, 70, Church Hill.
               
            CHURCH HILL - Graveside services for Lawrence E. Chappell, 70, 412 
            Murphy Ave., who passed away Friday (Nov. 2, 2001) will be conducted 
            at 10 a.m. today at Church Hill Memory Gardens. 
            Pallbearers will be Gene Greer, Keith Chappell, Lee Chappell, Doug 
            Chappell, Travis Chappell, David Chappell, Jess Lewis and Edd 
            Bartley. 
            Johnson Funeral Home, Church Hill, is in charge of the arrangements. 

            Katherine Churchwell, Kingsport.

            KINGSPORT - Katherine B. Churchwell, 1005 Ambleside Drive, passed 
            away Saturday morning (Nov. 3, 2001) at Sunbridge Care 
            Rehabilitation Hillside after an extended illness. 
            A native of Sullivan County, she has spent most of her life in 
            Kingsport. She was a member of Clouds Bend United Methodist Church. 
            She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert "Matt" Churchwell. 

               
            Surviving are daughter and son-in-law, Kathy Ann and James "Buddy" 
            Foster, Kingsport; two grandchildren, Elizabeth Littlefield and 
            James Andrew Foster, both of Kingsport; two great-grandchildren, 
            Kayla Anne Littlefield and D.J. Littlefield, both of Kingsport; two 
            sisters, Mildred Bellamy and Lola Brown, both of Kingsport; a 
            brother, Elmer "Bud" Tickle, Kingsport. 
            Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Carter-Trent Funeral 
            Home, downtown. 
            Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home 
            chapel with the Rev. Charles Kilbourne and the Rev. Fred Minnick 
            officiating. 
            Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Old 
            Kingsport Presbyterian Church Cemetery. 

            Eugene Cornett, 87, Blountville.

            BLOUNTVILLE - Eugene Blake Cornett, 87, died Friday (Nov. 2, 2001) 
            in Asbury Center at Baysmont, Kingsport. 
            He was born in Comers Rock, Va. on Dec. 13, 1913, a son of the late 
            Forrest and Effie Sutherland Cornett. He operated the family farm 
            until 1953 when he moved his wife and two daughters to Bristol. 
            Blake was a security officer at Sperry and retired from Univac in 
            1978. He retained his membership in Mt. Zion United Methodist 
            Church, Comers Rock, and was an active affiliate member of First 
            United Methodist Church, Bristol. 
            He was preceded in death by two sisters, Sue Cornett Causey and 
            Irene Cornett Howell; and an infant brother, Dean Cornett. 
            Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Loetta Sutherland Cornett; two 
            daughters, Janet Cornett Lundy and her husband, Ted, Cookeville, 
            Tenn., Kathy Cornett Wagner and her husband, Larry, Blountville; his 
            brother and sister-in-law, J.P. and Lois Cornett, Abingdon, Va.; his 
            sister, Hope Cornett Frazier and her husband, James, Alexandria, 
            Va.; grandsons, Ronald E. Rasnake, Bristol, Tenn., and the Rev. 
            Edward L. Rasnake, Chattanooga, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Lauren, 
            Blake, Michael and Chandler Rasnake, all of Chattanooga; and several 
            nieces and nephews. 
            Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at First United Methodist 
            Church, Bristol. 
            Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Mt. Zion United 
            Methodist Church, Comers Rock, Va., with the Rev. David T. St.Clair 
            and the Rev. Bobby Lorton officiating. 
            The committal service and interment will follow in Comers Rock 
            Cemetery. 
            Pallbearers will be John Delp, Joe Sutherland, Ralph Sutherland Mark 
            Sutherland, Linden Sutherland, and Randall Sutherland. 
            Honorary pallbearers will be Rann Vaulx, Paul Delp, Bert Sutherland, 
            Grant Sutherland, Bill Greer, Jack Morris, Dr. David Morin, Dr. T.C. 
            Greene, Dr. Alan Gorrell, Dr. Ben Cowan, the Rev. Bill Slagle and 
            all special friends of First United Methodist Church. 
            In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to First United 
            Methodist Church, 322 Vance Drive, Bristol, Tenn. 37620 or to Mt. 
            Zion United Methodist Church, c/o Norma Kirk, Grouse Hollow Lane, 
            Galax, Va. 24333. 
            Condolences to the family may be sent via e-mail to 
            [email protected]

            Hardin Dale Jr., Wrightsville Beach, N.C.

            WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. - Private graveside services will be held 
            in Johnson City for Hardin Dillard Dale Jr., who died Wednesday 
            (Oct. 31, 2001) at Cape Fear Hospital. 
            Memorials may be made to St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Nathan 
            St., Kingsport, Tenn. 37664; the Sigma Kappa Foundation, 8733 
            Founders Road, Indianapolis, Ind 46268 or a charity of one's choice. 

            Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel, Wilmington, N.C., is in 
            charge of arrangements. 

            Kenneth Eaton, 61, Hephzibah, Ga.

            HEPHZIBAH, Ga. - Kenneth Virgil Eaton, 61, entered into rest Monday 
            (Oct. 29, 2001). 
            Mr. Eaton was a native of Hawkins County. He was a retired Army 
            veteran with 24 years of active service with tours of duty in 
            Vietnam, Korea, France and Germany. He also was a letter carrier 
            with the U.S. Postal Service for 15 years. 
            He was a Mason and a Shriner with the Crescent Temple in Trenton, 
            N.J. 
            He was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Eaton in 1983. 
            He was the husband of Mrs. Glenna Jean McKenzie Eaton. Other family 
            members include two daughters and sons-in-law, Sheri Rene and Steve 
            Jajo, Kaleva, Mi., and Gwendolyn Sue (Wendy) and Rick Simmons, 
            Quantico, Va.; one son and daughter-in-law, Michael Steven and 
            Carolyn Eaton, Atlanta, Ga.; his mother, Pearl Eaton, Kingsport; 
            eight grandchildren; three sisters, Nell Rose Flanary, Kingsport, 
            Judy Coomer, Lafayette, La., and Janie Kennedy, Kingsport; one 
            brother, C.D. Eaton, Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews. 
            Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at Oak Hill 
            Cemetery, Kingsport under the direction of Oak Hill Funeral Home, 
            800 Truxton Drive, Kingsport. 
            Contributions may be made to the Safe Homes of Augusta or to the 
            Salvation Army. 
            Poteet Funeral Home, Augusta, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements. 
 

            Charles Fleenor, 87, Church Hill.

            CHURCH HILL - Charles Jasper Fleenor, 87, 1968 Goshen Valley Road, 
            passed away Saturday (Nov. 3, 2001) at his home following an 
            extended illness. 
            Mr. Fleenor was a lifelong resident of Church Hill and attended 
            McFerrin United Methodist Church. He was a retired employee of the 
            Mead Corp. 
            He was preceded in death by two sons, John and Billy Fleenor; his 
            parents, Thomas and Malissa Fleenor; and four sisters. 
            Surviving are his wife, Douglas Arnold Fleenor, Church Hill; one 
            daughter, Betty Fleenor, Church Hill; two stepdaughters, Phyllis 
            Allen, Tallahassee, Fla., and Geneva Phipps, Kingsland, Ga.; one 
            stepson, Bobby Phipps, Church Hill; two grandchildren; five 
            stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren. 
            Calling hours are from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday at Johnson Funeral Home, 
            Church Hill, and anytime at the residence. 
            Services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday in the funeral home 
            chapel with the Rev. Gale Flanary and the Rev. Joe Monroe 
            officiating. 
            Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Church 
            Hill Memory Gardens. 
            Pallbearers will be Dean Arnold, Richard Laningam, Blanton 
            Christian, Fred Cassell, John Snapp Jr., Kaylee Cradic, John Horton 
            and John Scism. 

            Ruth Fleenor, 71, Kingsport
               
            Graveside services for Helen "Ruth'' Taylor Fleenor, 71, 830 Walnut 
            Avenue, Kingsport, who entered into eternal rest on Friday (Nov. 2, 
            2001) will be conducted at 3 p.m. today at Hawkins County Memorial 
            Gardens. 
            Pallbearers will be Buddy Fleenor, Tony Fleenor, Otis Eldridge, 
            Frankie Hart, Jeff Taylor and Tom Baker. 
            Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Church Hill, is in charge of the 
            arrangements. 

            Juanita Foster, 58, Gray.

            GRAY - Juanita Foster, 58, 128 King Drive, died Thursday (Nov. 1, 
            2001) in the Johnson City Medical Center following a lengthy 
            illness. 
            She was a native of Johnson City and a daughter of the late Ray Lee 
            Hughes and Melva Strickland Coyle. 
            Mrs. Foster was a 1961 graduate of Science Hill High School and a 
            1997 graduate of East Tennessee State University. 
            She was a retired employee of the Eastman Chemical Corp., Kingsport. 

            Surviving are her husband, Ronald S. Foster; and a sister, Sue 
            Vickers, Clearwater, Fla. 
            Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Morris-Baker Funeral 
            Home, Johnson City. 
            Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. today in the North Chapel of 
            the funeral home with the Rev. Carroll Shepherd and the Rev. Wayne 
            Hunter officiating. 
            Pam Wooten will provide special music. 
            Graveside services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Monday in the 
            Monte Vista Burial Park. Those attending this service are invited to 
            meet the family at the funeral home by 10 a.m. to go in procession 
            to the cemetery. 
            For those who prefer, the family suggests memorials to American 
            Cancer Society, 2513 Wesley St., Suite 2, Johnson City, Tenn. 37601. 

            Condolences may be sent to www.morrisbaker.com. 

            Ronnie Honaker, 45, Lebanon, Va.

            LEBANON, Va. - Ronnie Lynn Honaker, 45, died Friday (Nov. 2, 2001) 
            at his home. 
            A lifelong resident of Russell County, he was a son of the late 
            Cecil and Helen White Honaker. 
            He was preceded in death by one brother, Larry Honaker. 
            Surviving are one daughter, Stacy Cook, Lebanon, Va.; one sister, 
            Vivian Powers, Lebanon, Va.; two brothers, Glenn Honaker, Honaker, 
            Va., and Jimmy Honaker, Charlotte, N.C.; several nieces and nephews 
            and two great-nieces. 
            A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the Combs 
            Funeral Service Chapel, Lebanon, Va., with the Rev. Willard Cook 
            officiating. 
            The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the 
            funeral home. 
            Entombment will follow in Ketron Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. 
            In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your 
            choice. 

            Owen Hutson, 72, Church Hill.

            CHURCH HILL - Owen Edward Hutson, 72, 411 E. Main St., passed away 
            Monday (Oct. 29, 2001) at his home following a brief illness. 
            Mr. Hutson was a native of Salem, W.Va., lived in Mississippi for 
            several years before moving to Church Hill in 1972. He was a veteran 
            of the Marine Corps and a veteran of the Korean War. 
            He was preceded in death by his parents, William E. and Cynthia 
            Whaley Hutson; and brothers and sisters. 
            Surviving are one son, Robert Hutson Sr., Appalachia, Va.; one 
            daughter, Patricia Hutton, Staunton, Va.; and five grandchildren. 
            Military graveside services will be conducted at 12 noon Monday at 
            Mountain Home National Cemetery, conducted by Church Hill VFW Post 
            No. 9754. 
            Johnson Funeral Home, Church Hill, is serving the Hutson family. 

            Ruth Johnson, 84, Big Stone Gap, Va.

            BIG STONE GAP, Va. - Ruth Lanelle Johnson, 84, passed away Friday 
            (Nov. 2, 2001) at Lonesome Pine Hospital. 
            She had previously lived in Derby and Stonega before moving to Big 
            Stone Gap. 
            She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, Big Stone Gap, Va., 
            the Loyal Ruths Sunday School Class of the church, and the Lonesome 
            Pine Hospital Auxiliary. 
            She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Paul E. 
            Johnson. 
            Surviving are two sons, Gary Johnson and wife, Cathy, Big Stone Gap, 
            Va., and Bobby Johnson, Duffield, Va.; two daughters, Jo Ann Gibson 
            and husband, Johnny, Big Stone Gap, Va., and Lisa Johnson, of the 
            home; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two 
            great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Margaret Bailey, Kingsport 
            and Mary Henry and husband, Richard, Dandridge, Tenn.; 
            sisters-in-law, Jenell Mullins, Big Stone Gap, Va., Irene McCarty, 
            Las Vegas, Nev.; brother-in-law, J.B. Johnson, Ontario, Calif.; two 
            nieces and one nephew; and a very special friend and caregiver, 
            Betty Fannon. 
            Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Gilliam Funeral Home, 
            Big Stone Gap, Va. 
            Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. today in the funeral home 
            chapel with Pastor Alan Collier and Greg Townsend, minister, 
            officiating. 
            Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Powell 
            Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap, Va. 
            Family and friends are asked to assemble at 10:30 a.m. at the 
            funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery. 
            Grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. 

            Eva Livesay, 96, Shirley, Ind.

            SHIRLEY, Ind. - Eva Cantwell Livesay, 96, died Friday evening (Nov. 
            2, 2001) at St. John's Medical Center in Anderson, Ind. following a 
            brief illness. 
            She was born on Sept. 10, 1905 in Sneedville, Tenn., and was the 
            daughter of the late James and Emma Burchett Cantwell. 
            Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced later 
            by Carter-Trent Funeral Home of Church Hill. 

            James Richardson, 71, Rogersville.

            ROGERSVILLE - James Harold Richardson, 71, 301 Park Blvd., died 
            Saturday (Nov. 3, 2001) at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. 
            He was a lifelong resident of Hawkins County and a son of the late 
            Newt and Jessie Johnson Richardson. Mr. Richardson was in the real 
            estate and auction business since 1968, and owned Richardson and 
            Richardson Realty & Auction Co. in Rogersville and Mt. Carmel, Tenn. 

            He was a member of First Baptist Church, Rogersville. He developed 
            several residential subdivisions and commercial sites in East 
            Tennessee. He was a member of the Overton Lodge No. 5 F&AM 
            Rogersville, Jericho Temple and Knoxville Scottish Rite. He was past 
            board member of the Tennessee Auctioneer Commission. 
            Mr. Richardson was highly regarded as a leader in the real estate 
            and auction profession. He enjoyed gospel music and playing the 
            banjo. 
            Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, 
            Charles C. Richardson and L.B. Richardson; and two sisters, Norma 
            Rutledge and Nadine Nolen. 
               
            Surviving are his wife, Jean Pearson Richardson, of the home; one 
            daughter, Connie Richardson, Rogersville; one son, Max Richardson 
            and wife, Angellette; three grandchildren, Caitlin, Callie and Jacy 
            Richardson, all of Kingsport; one sister, Shirley Graham and 
            husband, John; one brother, Kyle Richardson and wife, Joyce, all of 
            Rogersville; and a number of nieces and nephews. 
            Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Broome Funeral Home, 
            Rogersville. 
            Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. today in the funeral home 
            chapel with the Rev. Eugene Hageman officiating. 
            Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday at Highland 
            Cemetery. 
            Memorial contributions may be made to the Rogersville Shrine Club, 
            P.O. Box 28, Rogersville, Tenn. 37857 or Hawkins County Rescue 
            Squad, P.O. Box 213, Rogersville, Tenn. 37857. 

            Rev. Steve Shuler, 77, Exeter, Va.

            EXETER, Va. - Rev. Steve Shuler, 77, died Friday (Nov. 2, 2001) at 
            Holston Valley Hospital after a long illness. 
            He was a pastor of Keokee Pentecostal Church for many years. He was 
            a retired coal miner and a member of the UMWA District No. 20 Local 
            1607. 
            He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorcas Yeary Shuler; his 
            father, Leonard Shuler; his stepmother, Mary Shuler; sister, Roxie 
            Hartsock; brothers, Rudolf and Paul Shuler; and a half brother, 
            Baxter Yeary. 
            Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Ruth Shuler, Exeter, Va.; 
            daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and Noah (N.R.) Burke, Exeter, 
            Va., and Barbara and Kenny Wagner, Exeter, Va.; daughter, Betty 
            Bates, Big Stone Gap, Va.; son and daughter-in-law, William (Bill) 
            and Sue Shuler, Exeter, Va.; sisters, Betty Montgomery, Bernice 
            Adams, both of Rose Hill, Va., Louise Adams, Butler, Tenn., Pebble 
            Herron, Exeter, Va., and Eva Jean Phillips, Anderson, Ind.; brother, 
            Harry Shuler, Smith, Ky.; stepbrother, Leonard Glenn Shuler, Big 
            Stone Gap, Va., James Stidham, Stonega, Va., and Carl Stidham, 
            Norton, Va.; six grandchildren, Jeffrey Burke, Pamela Fawbush, 
            William Wagner Jr., Douglas Barker, Steven Barker and Todd Barker; 
            and five great-grandchildren. 
            Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Hagy-Fawbush Funeral 
            Home, Norton, Va. 
            Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the Powell 
            Valley Memorial Gardens with his grandson, the Rev. William Wagner 
            Jr. officiating. 

            Luther Sluss, 80, Dungannon, Va.
               
            Services for Luther Sluss, 80, Dungannon, Va., who entered into rest 
            Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001) will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at 
            Cassells Chapel Church, Dungannon, Va. with Rev. Rick Mullins and 
            two friends, Sam Brickey and Dale Hall. 
            Music will be provided by Shelby Greear. 
            The body will be taken to the church at 1 p.m. prior to the service. 

            Burial will follow the service in the Osborne and Bush Cemetery, 
            Dungannon, Va. 
            Pallbearers will be Sam Brickey, Dale Hall, Rick Taylor, James Mann, 
            Sam Hyman, Jim Taylor. 
            Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Floyd Osborne, Dayton Sluss, 
            Noah Tom Sluss, Monroe Blevins, Paul Dingus, George Bevins and 
            Darrell Dockery. 
            If anyone would like to make an online condolence, please do so at 
            [email protected]
            Gate City Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 

            L. Ray Smith Sr., 78, Kingsport.

            KINGSPORT - Graveside services for L. Ray Smith Sr., 78, of 1617 
            Osage Drive, who died at 12 noon Thursday (Nov. 1, 2001), will be 
            conducted at 10 a.m. Monday in the Mountain Home National Cemetery 
            with military rites conducted by the American Legion Hammond Post 
            No. 3. 
            Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, downtown, is in charge of the 
            arrangements. 
 

      Published November 3, 2001