James W. Baker, 61, Dungannon, Va.

DUNGANNON, Va. - James Wilburn Baker, 61, entered into rest Sunday (Oct. 21, 2001) at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Born April 20, 1940 in Scott County, Va., he was the son of the late Clyde Otis Baker and Cecil P. Owens Baker Begley. He is survived by his son, Joshua W. Baker, Dungannon; sister, Mattie Horton, Kingsport; brothers, Jimmy Baker, Dungannon, Jackie R. Begley, Ft. Blackmore, Va., and James Roy Begley, Ft. Blackmore, Va.; stepbrothers, Ralph Begley, Whitesburg, Ky., and Arnold Begley, Kingsport; several nieces and nephews. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Gate City Funeral Home.

Kenny Barron, 78, Jonesborough.

JONESBOROUGH - Kenny "Papaw'' Barron, 78, 188 Deakins Road, died unexpectedly at his home Sunday (Oct. 21, 2001). He was a lifelong resident of Washington County, Tenn., and a member of Logans Chapel United Methodist Church. Mr. Barron served in the U.S. Army during World War II, retired from Inland Container as a truck driver after 38 years of service. He operated a local lawn care service. He was a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Lillie Mae Barron; a sister, Ruth Chase; a brother, Earl Barnes; and a grandson, John Samuel Glen Barron on Oct. 22, 1999. Surviving are his wife, Goldie McCrary Barron, Jonesborough; one son and daughter-in-law, Samuel D. and Linda Barron, Chuckey; three grandsons, Douglas and Chris Barron, both of Fall Branch, and Jeff Barron, Dallas, Tex.; four great-grandchildren, Katie Barron, Jessica Barron, Samuel Barron, Lexie Barron; two brothers, Elbert Barron Jr. and J. W. "Shorty" Barnes, both of Fall Branch; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Fall Branch Chapel of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes. Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Victor Wallace officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Tri-Cities Memory Gardens with military graveside rites by the American Legion Hammond Post No. 3. Pallbearers will be Mike Barron, Eddie Brewster, Stanley Hall, Lennis Riggs, Wilford Lee Cox, Leroy Brown, Kyle Olsen, Cecil Barnes, and Richard "Dickie" Barnes.

Kenneth R. Bear, 83, Kingsport.

KINGSPORT - Kenneth R. Bear, 83, 1571 Granby Road, died Monday afternoon (Oct. 22, 2001) at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center. Mr. Bear was a lifelong resident of Kingsport and retired from the Penn Dixie Cement Corp. Surviving are daughters, Ruby Begley and Mrs. Robert (Linda) Ward, both of Kingsport; grandchildren, Donna Duncan, Mrs. Randall (Ginger) Tipton, Mrs. Kevin (Susan) Brooks, and Kenny Ward and wife Debra; great-grandchildren, B.J. Pope, Jason Duncan, Austin Rader, Alexis Tipton, Joey Burgess, Amber and Tessa McCall; sister, Louise Cole, Kingsport; brother, James M. Bear, Kingsport; several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, and anytime at the daughter's home at 4316 Hazelwood Ave., Kingsport. Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. today in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Robert L. "Junior" Parker and the Rev. Scott Tipton officiating. Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Old Kingsport Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kenny Ward, Jason Duncan, Austin Rader, Randall Tipton, Kevin Brooks and R.J. Duncan.

Edna Lee Bellamy, 86, Church Hill.

CHURCH HILL - Services for Edna Lee Davidson Bellamy, 86, of 339 Burlington Drive, who passed away Sunday (Oct. 21, 2001), will be conducted in the chapel of Colonial Funeral Home, Weber City, Va., at 2 p.m. today with the Rev. Calvin Tabor and the Rev. Raymond Hammonds officiating. Burial will be at Holston View Cemetery in Weber City. Pallbearers will be Danny Davidson, Randall Davidson, Heath Davidson, Michael Broome, Tony Killen and Steve Killen.

Hazel Dean, 82, Hiltons, Va.

HILTONS, Va. - Hazel Mae Dean, 82, entered into rest Monday (Oct. 22, 2001) at Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation, Weber City, Va. She was born Jan. 22, 1919 in Scott County, Va., to the late George Salyer and Belle Dean Salyer. Including her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter; one son; three sisters; one brother; and one granddaughter. Survivors include four daughters and sons-in-law, Martha Osborne, Kingsport, Peggy and Don Burke, Kingsport, Mandy and Glen Burton, Nickelsville, Va., and Faye Dean, Florida; two sons and daughter-in-law, H.K. and Gaye Dean, Virginia Beach, Va., and Ronald Dean, Kingsport; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Taylor, Chad Dean, Daniel Spears, Debbie Dean; two great-grandchildren, Holly and Meagan Taylor; several nieces, nephews and many friends. Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Gate City Funeral Home, and other times at the residence of her daughter, Martha Osborne. Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. today in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Eddie Taylor officiating. Music will be provided by Carol Taylor and Roger Easterling. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Salyer Family Cemetery, Nickelsville, Va. The family will be meeting at the funeral home at 10:15 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends.

John Gilley, 58, Kingsport.

KINGSPORT - John Ronald (Ron) Gilley, 58, passed away at his home while he was surrounded by his loving family on Sunday (Oct. 21, 2001). He fought a courageous battle with cancer for four months. John was a devoted husband, father and grandfather to his family. He loved his home that he had made for him and his loving wife so much. He was a humble, loving man. He brought a special meaning to every life that he touched. John was a devoted Christian and he was a member of the Northeast Church of Christ. He had so many loving, caring, kind friends at his church, who did so much for him during his illness. He will be sadly missed by all of them. John worked at the Mead Corporation for 15 years. He also worked at ORNL Lab in Oak Ridge, Tenn., for 20 years before retiring. His co-workers loved and respected him as a friend. He was preceded in death by his father, John B. Gilley, July 4, 1944; his grandmother, Stella Stair, and his great-aunt, Nannie Blair, whom he will be laid to rest by at Oak Hill Cemetery. They were waiting to welcome him with their open arms in the heavenly home. John leaves his loving wife, angel and soulmate of 38 years, Carolyn Sue Gilley; son, John Bryan Gilley of Maryville; daughter and son-in-law, Jeanine and Eddie H. Simerly of Maryville; four wonderful grandchildren, Justin Gilley of Nashville, Rachel Gilley of Maryville, and Alex and Aaron Simerly of Maryville; parents, Jack and Inez Rhoten of Kingsport; sister, Jackie Rhoten See of Kingsport; brother, Billy Rhoten of Kingsport; special friend, Linda Larkey. Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Oak Hill Funeral Home of Kingsport. Services will be conducted at 8 p.m. today in the chapel of the funeral home with Dr. Joey Gafford officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will meet Wednesday at the funeral home for the graveside. Pallbearers will be Carl Cornett, Sam Cornett, Mark Cornett, Phil Enkema, Dave Clark and Charles Norton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northeast Church of Christ, 2217 Beechnut Drive, Kingsport, Tenn. 37660. An on-line guest book may be signed at www.legacy.com

Wanda Jo Lawson, 55, Eidson.

EIDSON - Graveside services for Wanda Jo Lawson, 55, who passed away Sunday (Oct. 21, 2001), will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Gibson-Lawson Cemetery in Kyle Valley. Colboch-Price Funeral Home, Rogersville, is in charge of the arrangements.

Buford C. McElyea, 83, Pound, Va.

POUND, Va. - Buford C. McElyea, 83, passed away Sunday (Oct. 21, 2001) at Miller Mary Manor, Mooresville, Ind. He was dedicated to his God and was of the Primitive Baptist faith. He was a retired employee of Clinchfield Coal Co., having worked for 40 years, and was a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil S. and Flossie Tester McElyea; brother, Eugene McElyea; sister, Margie Audia; and his first wife, Ethel Mae McElyea. Surviving are his wife, Nora Berry McElyea, Pound; two sons, William McElyea and Darrell McElyea, both of Mooresville, Ind.; three daughters, Brenda Johnson, Greensboro, N.C., Teresa Humphrey, Lafayette, Tenn., and Valerie McElyea, Mooresville, Ind.; one stepdaughter, Reba Wilburn, Pound; two sisters, Louise Howell, Newport News, Va., and Carolyn Eldridge, Indianapolis, Ind.; five brothers, Andrew McElyea, Ronnie McElyea and Tommy McElyea, all of Indianapolis, Ind., Jerry McElyea, Danville, Ind., and Danny McElyea, St. Paul, Va.; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Calling hours are from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Sturgill Funeral Home, Wise, Va. Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home chapel with Elder Donnie Johnson officiating. Entombment will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, Big Stone Gap, Va.

Pauline McKinney, 78, Kingsport.

KINGSPORT - Graveside services for Pauline Bullion McKinney, 78, 219 Odessa Road, who died at 1:20 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 20, 2001), will be held at 1:30 p.m. today at East Lawn Memorial Park. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery by 1:25 p.m. today. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steeles Creek Road, Bristol, Tenn. 37620, or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Wanda Grills, 1217 Radcliffe Ave., Kingsport, Tenn. 37660. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is in charge of the arrangements.

Mildred Montgomery, Kingsport.

KINGSPORT - Mildred Montgomery passed away Monday (Oct. 22, 2001) at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center after an extended illness. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Oak Hill Funeral Home.

James D. Mullins, 67, Duffield, Va.

DUFFIELD, Va. - James D. Mullins, 67, entered into rest Monday (Oct. 22, 2001) at his residence. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by the Duffield Funeral Home at Thomas Village.

Lewis Reagan, 90, Winston-Salem, N.C.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Mr. Lewis Sentelle Reagan, 90, formerly of Kingsport, died Monday (Oct. 22, 2001) at the Brookridge Retirement Community in Winston-Salem. He was born June 26, 1911 in Cornelius, N.C., and was the son of the late John Lee Reagan and Bruna Mae McConnell Reagan. He was raised in Statesville, N.C., and was a graduate of Statesville High School where he played football. In 1935, he graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Mr. Reagan then joined Eastman Kodak Company in Kingsport and he retired from Eastman in 1976. He was very active in the Kingsport Kiwanis Club, and he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Reagan moved to Winston-Salem from Kingsport in 1997. He was married to Mary Brown Reagan on Oct. 22, 1938, and they were married 63 years. He was preceded in death by a son, John William Reagan in April, 2000; and his sister, Mary Blanche R. Tsumas, September, 2001. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Robert M. Reagan and wife Ann, Winston-Salem, Lewis S. Reagan Jr. and wife Rita, Knoxville; daughter-in-law, Sarah S. Reagan; and six grandchildren. Nephews from Statesville are Harry L. Tsumas, Paul Tsumas, James Tsumas and Robert Collier. Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Oakwood Cemetery, Statesville, N.C. The family will speak with friends following the services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Nicholson Funeral Home, Statesville, N.C., is serving the family of Mr. Reagan.

Roger D. Steele Sr., Kingsport.

Graveside services for Roger Steele Sr., of Kingsport, who was called home by his loving Lord on Friday (Oct. 19, 2001), will be at 1 p.m. today at East Lawn Memorial Park with military graveside rites provided by the American Legion Hammond Post No. 3. Pallbearers will be Jim Swoager, Bill Swoager, Jody Pierce, Jason Derrick, Mike Ford and Coach Todd Whittemore. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Carters Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Friends are invited to a special memorial service to celebrate Roger's life, his bravery, his character and his accomplishments at the Northeast Church of Christ at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 28. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The American Cancer Society, c/o Mrs. Wanda Grills, 1217 Radcliffe Ave., Kingsport, Tenn. 37664, or the Northeast Church of Christ, 2217 Beechnut Dr., Kingsport, Tenn. 37660. Carter-Trent Funeral Home of Church Hill is serving the family of Roger Steele Sr.

Alpha Vermillion, 96, Gate City, Va.

GATE CITY, Va. - Alpha Blanche Stallard Vermillion, 96, went to be with the Lord Friday (Oct. 19, 2001) at her residence. She was a native of Scott County, Va., a former school teacher in the Scott County School System, and a former store owner. She was a member of Midway Memorial United Methodist Church. Alpha was a well-respected member of her community, who will be remembered for her quiet loving ways, and her never-ending ability to give of herself to whomever needed a helping hand or a listening ear. She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie B. Vermillion; parents, Willard R. Stallard and Nancy E. Akers Stallard; sisters, Venus Nickels, Orpha Onks, Tenafair Haynes and Elva Alley; brothers, Malcolm Stallard, Woodrow Stallard and four infant brothers; son-in-law, John Fisher. Surviving are her daughter, Rowena L. Fisher, Gate City; grandchildren, Barbara Stromberg, Anna Edwards and Janet Sapp, all of Gate City, Mary Sapp, Greeneville, James Sapp and Wade Fisher, both of Gate City; great-grandchildren, Michael Hertling, Heather Dougherty, Michael T. Davidson and Christopher Sapp, all of Gate City, and Jena Sapp, Church Hill; great-great-granddaughter, Kayla Dougherty, Gate City; sister, Juanita Stallard, Weber City, Va.; special loving niece, Pauline Stallard Jones, Kingsport; special friends, Howell and Grace Sapp, Claxton, Ga.; several nieces and nephews. Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Scott County Funeral Home, Weber City, Va., and anytime at the residence. Services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Claude Lane officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Midway community. Pallbearers will be Wayne Elliott, Clyde Dean, Larry Stallard, Billy Gibson, Patton Vermillion and John Stallard.

Ann Walker, 59, Fall Branch.

FALL BRANCH - Ann Hensley Walker, 59, 17185 Kingsport Highway, died Monday (Oct. 22, 2001) at her home after an extended illness. Mrs. Walker was born in Kingsport and resided in Fall Branch for the past 32 years. She was a Baptist. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gaines and Edith Hensley; sister, Juanita Hensley; and brother, Jimmy R. Hensley. Surviving are her husband, George M. Walker, of the home; son, Michael Todd Walker and wife Martha Whitener, Mt. Olive, N.C.; grandsons, William Jackson Whitener Walker and George Reid Walker; sisters, Carolyn Beaman, Blountville, Jackie Pickens, Fall Branch, and Jane Shipley, Kingsport; brothers, Fred Hensley, Gray, and Terry Hensley, Jonesborough; several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be conducted at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Fall Branch United Methodist Church with Pastor Jeff Strong officiating. The family will receive following the memorial service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Fall Branch Fire and Rescue Department, c/o Beverly Phillips, P.O. Box 84, Fall Branch, Tenn. 37656. The Fall Branch Chapel of Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes is serving the family of Mrs. Walker.

Fannie Ellen Wallace, 71, Cleveland, Va.

CLEVELAND, Va. - Fannie Ellen Wallace, 71, of the Spring City community, died Saturday (Oct. 20, 2001) at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville. A lifelong resident of Russell County, Va., she was the daughter of the late Luther and Alta Campbell Jessee. Of the Baptist faith, she was a member of the Lebanon Senior Circle. Her passion was cooking and quilting. She was the widow of William H. Wallace. Surviving are one daughter, Kathy Keys and special son-in-law, Kenny Keys, Lebanon, Va.; one brother, Paul B. Jessee Sr. and his wife Juanita Jessee, Lebanon; two very special grandsons and their wives, Mike and Tina Keys and Bobby and Bridget Keys, all of Spring City; brother-in-law, Dan Wallace and his wife Margaret Wallace, Cleveland; one niece, Cindy Rodgers; three nephews, Tim Wallace, Bernie Jessee and Scottie Jessee; and a very special friend, Judy Hicks. Calling hours are after 6 p.m. Wednesday at Combs Funeral Service in Lebanon, Va., and anytime at the home of Kenny and Kathy Keys, Elk Garden Road, Lebanon, Va. Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Darrell Fletcher and the Rev. Rick Meade officiating. Burial will be in the Ketron Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bethel Baptist Church building fund, Lebanon, Va. 24266, or to the Cleveland Lifesaving Crew, Cleveland, Va. 24225. Pallbearers will be Bob Puckett, Wayne Hubbard, Kim Wallace, Bradley Amos, Bill Duty, Harry Horton, Bernie Jessee and Gene Lester. Honorary pallbearers will be Ted Campbell, Max Campbell, Larry Miller, David Watson and George Taylor.

Published October 22, 2001