NORTON, VA- Allan F. Jones, 68, went to be with his LORD and Savior, Friday, March 18, 2011. Born in Charleston, WV, he was the son of the late John Frederick and Birdie Thompson Jones. Allan was retired from Verizon following 38 years of dedicated service. He was preceded in death by his wife of 44years, Jean Jones in 2008.
Surviving are his children (and their spouses): Cyndi and Skip Payne, Charlottesville, VA, Amie and Murray Nixdorf, Richmond, VA, and Adrian Jones of Melbourne, FL. “Paw Paw” as he was lovingly known, will be missed by his adoring grandchildren: Kirstie and Ariel Watson and Jessica and Sami Payne.
His joys in this life were his God and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, studying scripture, attending sporting events, collecting various memorabilia and he loved music, especially Elvis Presley and the “old time” gospel hymns. In his personal life, Allan exhibited humor, kindness, intelligence, and extreme passion for the Word of God.
Gone from our midst, but not from our memories, Paw Paw will forever be in our hearts.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Thursday, March 24, at the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. John Ellington officiating. Family and friends will gather at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton prior to 1:30 PM, where they will then depart in procession to the cemetery.
Proverbs 31: 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed.
NORTON, VA – Mary Beatrice (Bates) Graham, age 89, our beloved mother went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, March 15, 2011. She was a charter member of Ramsey Freewill Baptist Church and the Ladies Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Graham, son, Claude Eugene Graham, parents, Emmitt and Lina Bates, brothers, Edward Bates, Vermont Bates, Willie Bates and Emmitt Bates, Jr.
Surviving are six sons; Jimmy Ray Graham, Bobby Harold Graham and wife Phyllis, Walter Graham, Charles Paul Graham and wife Sallie, Bruce Marvin Graham, Jr., Billy Wayne Graham and wife Debbie; six daughters, Elizabeth Lee Foutch, Helen Faye Miller and husband Bobby, Neva Bea Miller and husband Randy, Patricia Ann Hess and husband Joe, Edith Victoria Barnette, Norma Jean Ayers and husband Tim; brother, Claude Bates; sisters, Marie Lawson Pleasant and Ruth Absher; 34 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, 11 great, great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5-8:00 PM Saturday, March 19th. at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Sunday at the Ramsey Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Clifford Bevins, Rev. Steve Powers, and Rev. Ralph McFarland officiating. The body will be taken to the church one hour before services. Interment will follow in Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton. The family wishes to express a Special Thank You to Dr. Michael Wheatley and staff, Mountain View Regional doctors and nurses, Friendship Ambulance Service, Norton Rescue Squad, Wellmont Hospice and Bristol Home Health. Memorial contributions may be made to Ramsey Freewill Baptist Church, C/O Mr. Paul Ramey, 219 E. Ninth St., North, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219.
MILFORD THACKER
NORTON, VA – Milford Ray Thacker, 79 went home with Jesus, March 15, 2011 at his home. He was a lifetime member of the First Apostolic Faith Church of God in Norton and had recently been attending The Cave Church. A veteran of the Korean War, Milford was a life member and past commander (twice) of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 4301 of Norton, serving over 35 years with the Honor Guard, life member and a past commander of the Disabled American Veterans 56 of Wise, life member and past commander of the Korean War Veterans Chapter 250 of Norton, a member of the American Legion Post 243 and member of the Odd Fellows, Norton, VA. He served in numerous positions in the local veterans organizations where he received many awards for his services. Outside of his family, his love was working with his veteran buddies and the many service organizations.
Being extremely proud of his service in the Army during the war; he was 100% disabled from wounds he received, with a metal piece in his neck that could not be removed because of the possibility of being paralyzed. Milford received the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Medal, Korean Infantry Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon, Korean Presidential Citation and the Combat Infantry Badge.
He always carried a smile, loved fishing, was an avid Democrat, and was a recipient of the Democrat Hall of Fame award.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl B. Thacker; infant son, David Allen Thacker; parents, Morgan Thacker and Thelma (Donnells) Thacker Nichols, granddaughter, Larae Thacker; step-father Ollie Nichols and step-brother, Ollie Nichols, Jr.
He was the precious father of daughter, Patricia Robbins and husband Michael, Norton, VA; sons; Danny Ray Thacker and wife Beth, Richmond, VA, Teddy Thacker and wife Lisa, Big Stone Gap, VA, Benny Thacker and wife Nancy, Fredericksburg, VA, Ray Thacker and wife Missy, Wise, VA; also surviving is a sister, Wilma Clisso, Wise, VA, 18 grandchildren, 17great grandchildren, a special granddaughter-caregiver, Candie Robbins Gilliam; several nieces, nephews and a host of cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends 6-8 PM Friday March 18th. at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home Chapel. Military Honors will be conducted at 8:00 PM by Local Veterans Groups and the Gate City Unit of the U.S. Army National Guard. A funeral service will follow the Veterans Rites with Pastor Jimmy Mitchell officiating. Private interment will be in the White Oak Gap Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to DAV Post # 56, C/O Douglas Collins, PO Box 761, Norton, Virginia 24273.
LILY GABRIELE
NORTON, VA - Edith Thomasina Maria “Lily” Gabriele of Norton, Virginia was born December 6 1924 and passed away Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Norton, Virginia at the age of 86.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dominic and Maria (Cooch) Gabriele, sisters Delena Bucca, Rose Yount, and Virginia Caruso; brothers Jimmy, Joe, and Tommy Gabriele. Lily was employed in the family businesses, The Breezy Inn and Franks Little Store I and II, most of her life. She was a lifelong member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
In Norton Lily is survived by a special nephew, JT and wife Barbara Caruso and their children, LTC Anthony and Lisa Caruso, LTC (RET) Mark and Carol Caruso and Mary Ann Caruso, a nephew, Darrell and Terry Caruso and his family, and cousin Mrs. Billie Gabriele and her family. She is also survived by many beloved nephews and nieces, who live outside the area.
Visitation will be from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, March 10th at Hagy- Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. The funeral mass will be at 2pm at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 1009 Virginia Ave. NW in Norton. Burial will follow in the Laurel Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flower, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Improvement Fund, 1009 Virginia Ave. NW, Norton, VA 24273.
MARLIN BOLLING
NORTON, VA – Marlin C. Bolling, 72, departed this life and entered Heaven’s gate on Sunday, March 6, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emerson and Opal Hubbard Bolling; his wife, Patsy Bolling; a brother, Lester Bolling and a sister, Monette Church.
His survivors include two daughters, Diana Lovell, Tammy Thompson and her husband, Art; two sons, Greg Bolling and his wife, Lisa, and Lester Bolling; two brothers, Carlos Bolling and James Larry Bolling; 7 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren.
To honor his request a private family service will be held.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.
ELLIOTT HOPE BRUMMITTE
NORTON, VA - Elliot Hope Brummitte, infant daughter of Adam and Jennifer Brummitte, died Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport. Other family survivors include her two sisters: Dakota and Ashley Brummitte; her maternal grandparents: Phyllis and Robert Lindsay, and Donald Mace, Jr.; her paternal grandparents: Larry and Alissa Brummitte; her maternal great grandmothers: Nina Baldwin and Betty Mace; her paternal great grandparents: Pauline Brummitte, Wilma Morris, and J.W. Adams, Sr.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM Friday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens.
