Obituaries

Jan 12, 2021

PULASKI, Va.

Beverly Anne Cook, age 88, passed away Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at her home.

She was born in New York in 1932 to the late Clarence and Rose Ella Cruze. Beverly was a wonderful homemaker for her family and will be dearly missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Cook, Sr.

Beverly is survived...

Jan 11, 2021

ROANOKE, Va.

Rudolph T. “Rudy” Richardson age 94, went to be with the Lord Monday, January 11, 2021 at the Virginia Veterans Care Center, Roanoke, Va.

Rudy was born in Grayson County, Va. to the late Muncy and Minnie Richardson and was the last surviving member of his immediate family of 12 children. He was a retired coal miner. Many knew Rudy...

Jan 9, 2021

King, N.C.

David Robert Graybeal, age 58, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C.

David was a loving brother who loved his family, gospel music, going to church and his animals. Although he was sick most of his life, he is now healed and home with Jesus! David's gentle way and wonderful cooking will be...

Jan 9, 2021

FRIES, Va.

June Glass, age 71, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021 at her home in Fries, Va.

June was a cracker jack who loved her family and friends. If she just met you, she loved you, if she didn’t like you, she would let you know and that was the firecracker part of her. Hard work didn’t scare her and downtime...

Jan 8, 2021

Elizabethton, Tenn.

Elda R. “Moe” Norman, age 62, passed away Friday, January 8, 2021 at her home in Elizabethton, Tenn.

Moe was the best friend you could ever have, and a lifeline to her sister. She was crazy about her children and always wanted the best for them. She was the best Nanny to her grandchildren. She loved her cats and living...

Jan 5, 2021

CHILHOWIE, Va.

Frank Keesee, age 69, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, Va.

Frank was a loving father, and a wonderful provider and Nandad to the four grandkids he adored. Frank loved being outdoors – hunting and fishing, he lived and breathed it. He even deer hunted and killed two with a chemo-pump this year. He loved...

Jan 2, 2021

Abingdon, Va.

Robert F. “Bob” Neeb, age 80, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021 at his residence.

Bob was born in Hobbs, N.M. in 1940 to the late Willie and Lois Neeb. He received his Master’s Degree in History from Texas Tech University, and was a well liked and admired History Professor at West Virginia State University.

Bob is survived by his children,...

Jan 2, 2021

MARION, Va.

Peggy Martin Owens, age 86, passed away Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion, Va.

Peggy was the constant caregiver. She loved her boys and dedicated her life to their lives. Peggy took care of her parents, great-aunt and many neighbors in her community. She was a life saver to many, and a constant person of hope,...

Jan 1, 2021

CERES, Va.

Ronald “Ronnie” Houck, died Friday, January 1, 2021 at age 78.

Ronnie was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 4, 1942 to George T. Houck of Ashe County, North Carolina and Dorothy (Beep) Hubble Houck of Smyth County, Virginia. As an infant, Ronnie moved to the farming community of Ceres, Virginia. There Ronnie grew-up with a younger sister, Donna Houck...

Jan 1, 2021

ABINGDON, Va.

James W. “Jimbo” Charles age 58, of Abingdon, VA, formerly of Greeneville, TN, passed peacefully into eternal rest after a brief illness, Friday, January 1, 2021.

He will be fondly remembered for his big personality, his love of Harley Davidson motorcycles, cars, motorboating, and waterskiing. He excelled on the basketball court and was an accomplished cross county runner, in his...

Dec 30, 2020

BRISTOL, Va./Tenn.

Daphne Gibson McCord, age 92, died Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn.

She was born September 12, 1928 in Bristol, Tenn. To the late Claude Gibson and Louise Helms Gibson. Daphne was married to the late Dr. James L. McCord for 62 years. She graduated from North Wilkesboro, N.C. High School at the age of...

Dec 26, 2020

Dec 25, 2020

Glade Spring, Va.

Steven Eugene Rollins, age 71, passed away Friday, December 25, 2020 at Valley Health Care Center, Chilhowie, Va.

He was born in Greenville, S.C. in 1949 to the late Harold and Martha Rollins. Steve was a dedicated warehouse employee of Green Co. Beverage in South Carolina for several years.

Steve is survived by his wife of 33 years, Jan Rollins;...

Dec 22, 2020

WYTHEVILLE, Va.

Delores J. Saum, age 74, passed away Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at Carrington Place of Wytheville.

At her request, there will be no services.

Care for Delores’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.

Dec 20, 2020

MARION, Va.

Charles G. Evans, age 85, passed away, reuniting with family and friends and meeting Jesus on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Francis Marion Manor, Marion, Va.

Charles was born in 1935 to the late Gaylord and Nannie Evans. He was a Deacon at Grove Baptist Church and retired as an inspector from Brunswick after 44 years of dedicated employment. He...

Dec 18, 2020

MARION, Va.

ELEANOR LESTER BURKETT, age 93, passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 at Francis Marion Manor, Marion, Va..

She was a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Eleanor graduated from Rich Valley High School in 1944 and came to Marion at age 16 to begin her work opportunities. She was employed by the Office of Price Administration better known as...

Dec 18, 2020

MARION, Va.

Paul Ayiba Yapo, age 59, passed away Friday, December 18, 2020 at Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion, Va.

Paul was born in 1960 in the Ivory Coast of West Africa to the late Matias and Chia Yapo. He was a self-employed taxi cab driver for many years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Anneli...

Dec 17, 2020

MARION, Va.

Harlan Stuart Pafford, age 92, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Francis Marion Manor, Marion, Va.

Harlan Pafford’s life added up to a well lived journey. He graduated from Emory & Henry where he was class president, and played football. Mr. Pafford worked with the Smyth County School system for 49 years. During that time, he taught math, science,...

Dec 15, 2020

MARION, Va.

Ruth Overbay Pugh, age 101, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tenn.

Ruth entered this world during the Spanish Flu pandemic, and has left it during our current pandemic. She was a loving daughter, wife, and mother and a long term employee of Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute. Ruth spent the last years of...

Dec 14, 2020

MARION, Va.

Robert E. Rhea, age 79, passed away Monday, December 14, 2020 at Francis Marion Manor, Marion, Va.

Robert was a loving husband, dad and “Papaw Money” to all of his grandchildren. He was a collector of junk and if he wasn’t chewing his food – he was chewing tobacco. Always happy and good to people, Robert Rhea was one of...