FREDDIE L. ABSHER

NORTON, VA – Freddie L. Absher, 62, died Friday, February 27, 2014 at Bristol Regional Medical Center.  A son of the late Elmer and Ruth (Bates) Absher, he was a retired brick mason.   Freddie was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne McCormick Absher, and his sisters: Alice Dotson and Angie Skeen.

He is survived by his son, Clayton Absher and his wife, Holly, a step daughter, Darlene Sanchez, his grandchildren:  Destiny and Preston Absher, Hailey and Chesnea Skeen, and Roberto and Sofia Sanchez; his sisters (and spouse): Mildred Moore, Linda (Carlos) Cooke, Juda Nuchols, Sheila Yuastella, Sharon (Allen) Roy; his brothers: Larry (Charlotte) Absher, James (Gretta) Absher, and Eddie Absher.

The family will receive friends from 11 AM until 1 PM Wednesday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  Funeral services will be at 1 PM in the funeral home chapel, with burial to follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery.

JOYCE FAY (DORTON) KEESEE

NORTON, VA – Joyce Fay Keesee, 79, died Monday, February 23, 2015 at Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport.  Born in Wise County, Virginia, to William “Ves” and Rosa Ann (Belcher) Dorton, she was the widow of Harold “Sonny” Keesee. Joyce was a loving and caring mother, and was of the Church of Christ faith.

Surviving are her daughters (and their spouse):  Rosemarie Keesee, Norton, VA, Pattie L. (Steve) Wilson, Greenville, TN, and Kim (Arthur) Wiseman, Big Stone Gap, VA; a sister, Polly Gautney, Sheffield, AL, her grandchildren:  David Samuel Robinson, Amanda Marie Wilson, Olivia Marie Robinson, Adam McKinley (Ashley)Wiseman, Robert Tyler Wilson ( and his fiancée, Emily Noe); a great granddaughter, Macee Alexia Wilson, several special nieces and nephews, and her close friend, Della Mullins, Appalachia, VA.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Sunday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton, Virginia.  Services will be at 7 PM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Johnny Flanary officiating.

The Keesee family wish to thank the Wellmont Holston Valley Hospital Med/Surg. Sixth Floor Staff for their compassion and care of their mother.  They suggest memorial contributions be made to the charity of one’s choice.

ADAM JAMES BRUMMITTE

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

WISE, VA - Adam James Brummitte, 36, of Wise, went home to be with the Lord unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 at his residence.

Adam was born in Big Stone Gap Aug. 20, 1978. He was a graduate of J.J. Kelly High School. He will be remembered as a loving husband, dad, son, brother and friend. He loved to hunt and fish. He was an avid NASCAR fan who loved the Earnhardts especially Dale Earnhardt Sr.

Most important in his life was his love for his family. The greatest joys of his life will live on in the legacy of his beautiful daughters.

Adam was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Elliot Hope Brummitte.

Survivors include his wife Jennifer Mace Brummitte; two daughters Dakota and Ashley; his parents, Alissa Brummitte and Larry Brummitte; step mother Jewel Brummitte; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Phyllis Lindsay; sister, Amanda Gilliam Hill and husband Charles Hill; brother David Brummitte and wife, Tasha Brummitte; step brother Chris Brummitte and wife Gina; step brother Robert Baldwin and wife, Nicki; nephews William and James Brummitte, Tyler Gilliam and Braxton Brummitte; one niece, Jayden Brummitte; grandparents, Wilma (Grandmama) Morris, Pauline (Nanny Sadie) Brummitte, Nina (Granny B) Baldwin, Jim (Granddaddy) Adams; and a host of other family and friends to morn his passing and cherish his memory.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Tuesday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Tuesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Jeff Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Family and friends are invited to the Norton Rescue Squad Building for a reception following the burial.

Pallbearers will be Robert Baldwin, William Brummitte, Chris Brummitte, Jason Gillenwater, Charles Hill, Daniel Day and Kenny Hale. Honorary pallbearers will be David Brummitte, Burnice Brummitte, Bud Robbins and Rick Powers.

In lieu of flowers an account has been set up at Woodforest Bank in Norton. Donations can be sent to Adam Brummitte Burial Fund, c/o Woodforest Bank, 780 Commonwealth Drive, Norton, VA 24273 (inside Walmart), 276/679-2216.

ROBERT W. BROOKS

SAVANNAH, GA - Robert W. Brooks, 76, died Friday, February 6, 2015 at St. Joseph Hospital in Savannah, Georgia after an extended illness.

Bob was a native of southwest Virginia and had lived in the Savannah area since 2008. Bob was a veteran of the U.S. Army.  After his service in the Army, he went on to hold several key civilian positions within Department of Defense and Army, both in Europe and the US. Through his work and personal travels Bob developed friendships all over the world. Bob was recognized on several occasions by Army and DOD for his human resource efforts especially in the area of diversity and opportunity for all. Bob's mantra was "everyone deserved a smile and hello," and he lived that philosophy each day of his life.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 20 years Dianne Helms Brooks.

Surviving are his daughter, Kelly Brooks of Richmond Hill; a son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Jocelyn Brooks of Centreville, VA; two grandchildren Parker and Harrison; a sister Jewell Ball of Norton, VA; and several other family members.

Memorial services will be conducted 1:30 PM Friday, February 20, 2015 at Centreville United Methodist Church in Centreville, VA.

In lieu of flowers, please send any donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or any charity of your choice in Bob's name.

BRUCE AUSTIN

WISE, VA - Bruce Austin, 61, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away February 2, 2015, far too soon, after a short illness.  Bruce was a retired electrician with the former Paramont Coal Company.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lacey and Bonnie (Hill) Austin, and a daughter, Angela Blevins.

He is survived by a daughter Alison Short, a grandson, Jared Blevins, a granddaughter, Madison Short, his brothers:  James “Buddy” Austin and Roger Austin; his sister, Alice Faye Buchanan, many nieces and nephews, and several special friends.

Services will be held 6 PM Friday, February 6 at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  The family will welcome friends at 5PM.

WALTER DEAN

NORTON, VA – Walter Dean, 89, died Tuesday, February 3, 2015 in Norton Community Hospital.  Walter was born and lived virtually his full life in the Guest River community.  He was a son of Garland and Alice (Gardner) Dean. Walter was a retired UMWA coal miner.  During his work years, he worked with Old Ben Coal Company and its successor, Flat Gap Mining.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude and a daughter, Brenda Dean Blackburn.  He enjoyed his friends at the Friendly Market and was known for telling folks, “I love everybody!”

Surviving are his daughters:  Janice Bolling, Norton, VA and Lynda Stallard, Coeburn, VA; a brother, Howard Dean, Bluefield, VA, four grandchildren (and spouses): Bridgette Blackburn (Justin) Bates, Brandon Stallard, Ryan Bolling, and Orrin (Tesha) Stallard; three great grandchildren, Kaitland, Bates, Liam Bolling, and Adyson Ryder Stallard, several nieces and nephews including Randy Dean.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7:30 PM Thursday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  Funeral services will be at 7:30 PM in the funeral home chapel, with the Reverend Mike Hunsucker and the Reverend Darrell Bolling officiating.  Family and friends will gather between 11 and 11:30 AM Friday at the funeral home where they will then travel in procession to the Kilgore Cemetery on Guest River Road for burial at 12 noon.