EMMA FORD WATTS

NORTON, VA - Emma Ford Watts was born February 27, 1916 to Pat and Elizabeth (Russell) Ford at Clinchport, VA, and passed away January 27, 2015 at the Norton Community Hospital after a lengthy illness and a brave fight.  She was the wife of the late James Clyde Watts, co-owner and operator of Watts Produce Co. in Norton.  Emma was a talented woman with many interests.  She was an active member of The Church of the Good Shepherd, the Wise Senior Center, and the Red Hat Society.  Emma was also a member of the Norton Community Hospital Auxiliary until she was 92.  That was an accomplishment she was so proud of.  She always enjoyed helping others whenever she could.  She worked in the nursery for 25 years at the First Baptist Church.  She was a wonderful mother and a great cook, and her interests included reading, sewing, crocheting, quilting, working in her flowers, traveling and spending time with her family.  As she grew older, she took an interest in painting.  She painted many beautiful pictures for her family.  Emma loved visits from her many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers:  Dud, Ellis, Holly, Willie Ray, and TM; her sisters, Bonnie McConnell, Sidna Frazier, Lelia Goode, and Stella Ford; and two grandsons, David Jarboe ans William John James Shimmel.

She is survived by two sons:  James Watts, Wayne Watts and his wife Julie all of Wise, VA; five daughters: Shirley Campbell and her husband, Jim, Freda Lyons, Sandy Watts, all of Norton, Brenda Shimmel, Manassas, VA, and Betty Jarboe and her husband, Ed, Dale City, VA; 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Lizzy Watts, several nieces and nephews, and her special friend Mae Smith. 

The family wishes to thank Mother’s caregivers for their tender care over the years. 

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM Friday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  Funeral services will be at 7 PM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor P. Gwen Owens officiating.  Family and friends will gather at the funeral home between 10 and 10:30 AM Saturday, where they will than travel in procession to the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens for burial.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd of Norton, PO Box 1011, Norton, VA  24273 or the First Baptist Church of Norton, PO Box 499, Norton, VA  24273.

NORMAN RANDALL ABSHER

NORTON, VA – Norman Randall Absher, 61, died Tuesday, January 26, 2015 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center.  A native of Norton, he was a son of the late Barney and Hazel (Osborne) Absher, Sr., and was also preceded in death by two brothers, Donnie and Freddy Absher.

He is survived by a son, Neil Parsons, his sisters:  Mable Absher, Joyce Fields, and Kathy Absher; his brothers:  Bill Absher, Barney Absher, Jr., Steve Absher, Roy Absher, Carl Absher, Alfred Absher, Ronnie Absher, and Jeff Absher;  and two grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Thursday at the Ramsey FWB Church in the Sawmill Hollow community.  Funeral services will be at 11 AM Friday at the church, with the Reverend Lyons Smith and the Reverend Steve Powers officiating.  Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton.  Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is serving the Absher family

CHOLLIE B. ABSHER

NORTON, VA – Chollie B. Absher, 90, of Powell Valley went home to be with the Lord on Monday (Jan. 19, 2015) at Norton Community Hospital.

Chollie was born on March 28, 1924 in Jenkins, Kentucky, but lived most of life in Wise County. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who cherished her family get togethers and reunions. Chollie loved gardening, crafts and was an accomplished cook and baker, operating a dessert bakery for many years. Her greatest love was serving the Lord in her church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey and Lillie Beverly, her brothers, James Beverly and Kenneth Beverly, and her husband of 61 years, Charles A. Absher, Jr.

Chollie is survived by two sons, Charles A. Absher, III and his wife Teresa of Salisbury, MD and Gregory Lee Absher and his wife Patricia of Powell Valley; one daughter, Beth Fawbush and her husband David of Powell Valley; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren; sisters, Aldene Stanley, Janet Beverly, Latrisha Kendrick and Theo Beverly; one brother, William D. (Buddy) Beverly and numerous nieces and nephews.

At Mrs. Absher’s request there will be no public services, only a private family service with cremation.

The family would like to thank Norton Community Hospital and Hospice Care, and most importantly her loving in home caregivers, Linda Clark, Lou Sizemore and Peggy Lambert. You will be in our hearts forever..

In lieu of flowers please give memorial contributions to the church of your choice.

Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is serving the Absher family.

ERNEST DARREN VANOVER

NORTON, VA – Ernest Darren Vanover, 51, died peacefully Friday, Jan. 16, 2015 at the residence of his brother-in-law Bobby Bentley in Wise, VA. He was preceded in death by his brother, Douglas Vanover; his mother, Shelby Joyce Vanover and a nephew, Teddy Eugene Vanover.

He is survived by his father, Henry Vanover of Norton, VA; a brother, Robert Ray Vanover of Norton, VA; three sisters, Letha Bentley of Norton, VA, Rebecca Vanover of Norton, VA, Zonna Free of Duffield, VA; special caregivers, Savana Cole and Brandon Collins, several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 PM Tuesday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton, VA. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Tuesday in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton.

The family wishes to thank Wellmont Hospice and the doctors and staff at the Southwest Virginia Cancer Center.

KENNETH R. MILLER

NORTON, VA – Kenneth R. Miller, 70, died Thursday, Jan 15, 2015 at his residence. He was a member of the Steven’s Church of God. Kenneth loved the Lord with all his heart and enjoyed talking about the Bible. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Eddie H. Miller and Zetta Pearl Miller; one brother, Dennis W. Miller; two sisters, Margie L. Miller and Nancy Chapman.

He is survived by his wife, Judy K. Miller of Norton, VA; a daughter, Mitzi Rhea Miller of East Stone Gap, VA; a son and daughter-in-law, Danny R. and Erica Miller of Abingdon, VA; granddaughters, Brooklyn Kay Miller of Big Stone Gap, VA, Laken J. Bowen of East Stone Gap, VA, Presleigh Miller of Abingdon, VA; grandson, Tytus R. Miller of Abingdon, VA; sisters, Mona Elikins and husband Freddie of Wise, VA, Rebecca Stapleton of Logan, W.VA, Kathy Allen and husband Jim of Seattle, WA and Eddie Sue Kricsick and husband Steve of Richmond, VA; several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 PM Saturday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 PM Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Gerald Sloce officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Sunday at the Jessee Cemetery in Wise, VA. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 12:30 PM Sunday to travel in procession to the cemetery. 

KENNETH RAY LAWSON

NORTON, VA – Kenneth Ray Lawson, 87, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 in Belleview, Florida. Kenneth was a former resident of Norton, Virginia and was a WWII veteran having served in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Glenn C. (Lum) Lawson and Robert C. Lawson.

He is survived by two brothers, Billy Ray and Sandie Lawson of Belleview, FL, Jimmy and Joyce Lawson of Bradenton, FL; several nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 PM Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015 at the Gray Cemetery in Norton, VA. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 12:30 PM Sunday to travel in procession to the cemetery.