NORTON, VA – Velma Jeanelle Ely, 92, died Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at her residence in Jonesville, Va. She was a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Rosa Robinson Brickey; her husband, Manly Ely; four brothers, Miles, Maurice, Bill and Clifford Brickey; her sister, Ruth Parsons; twin sons, Gene and Dean; father of her children, A.J. Gillenwater, Sr.; three grandsons, Matthew Bowen, Jason Gillenwater and Dakota Gillenwater; and a granddaughter, Amber Michele Cline.
She is survived by her five sons, James Wesley Bowens of Lincoln Park, MI, A.J. Gillenwater, Jr. and his wife Johanna of Ben Hur, Va., Wayne Gillenwater of Johnson City, TN, William Eugene Robinson of Wytheville, Va. and Randy Brickey; six daughters, Ruble Ellen Hill of Norton, VA, Sharon Monette Gillenwater, Connie Gillenwater, Karen Louise Tate and her husband Michael all of Jonesville, VA, Lori Elizabeth Davis and her husband John of Rural Retreat, Va. and Betty Ruth Robinson; 15 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; three brothers, Jack, David and Frank Brickey, all of Michigan; three sisters including her twin sister Thelma Jeanette White of Gate City, VA, Irene Burke of Big Stone Gap, VA, and Mary Bundy of Roopville, GA; several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 pm in the funeral home chapel with Allen Culbertson officiating. Interment will be at a later date.
JOSEPH LEE STALLARD
NORTON, VA – Joseph Lee Stallard, 85, died Monday, March 4, 2019, at Tidewell Hospice House in Venice, Fla.
Joe graduated from Norton High School in 1952, Tusculum College in 1956 and received his Masters Degree from Purdue University in 1968. He taught and coached basketball at J.I. Burton High School, Grundy Senior High and Clinch Valley College. While a student at Tusculum College, he played basketball on two Smokey Mountain Conference championship teams. He was captain two years and was all SMAC Tournament for two years. He was active in alumni activities at Tusculum College, served three terms on the Tusculum College Alumni Executive Board and served one year as President of Alumni Executive Board. Honors Joe received from Tusculum College: inducted into the inaugural year of the sports hall of fame in 1981, received their sports benefactor award, was honored with the highest award given by the alumni association, the Pioneer Award.
Joe was inducted into the John I Burton High School Hall of Fame in September 2016. He was also elected and served 12 years as Treasurer for the City of Norton. He was active in the Norton Lion’s Club, served as President twice and served a term as secretary. He was a member of the Norton United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Samuel P Stallard; his mother, Vinnie Markham Stallard; his brothers, Charles, Don, Russell and William; and his sisters, Alma and Peggy.
He is survived by his wife, Pat H. Stallard of Osprey, FL; a daughter, Amy Friday her husband Mark of Gray, TN; sons, Joseph Lee Stallard Jr. and Wesley Neil Stallard and his wife Angelina all of Virginia Beach, VA; Edmund Frank Sowden and his wife Reida and Bradley Paul Sowden all of Richmond, KY; grandchildren, Amanda Crain and her husband Rich, Andy Friday and his wife Miriam, Ryan Stallard, Leleya Stallard, Whitney Sowden, Lindsey Sowden, Lauren Sowden, Joseph Sowden and Abby Jolly; five great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 5-8 pm Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 am Monday, March 11, 2019, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Ken Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Philip Andrew Stallard Bicentennial Scholarship, c/o UVA Wise Development Office, One College Ave., Wise, VA 24293 or to the Joseph L Stallard ’56 Scholarship, Tusculum College, P.O. Box 5040, Greeneville, TN 37743.
