RUBLE HAMLIN

NORTON, VA – Ruble Neal (Aunt Ruby) Hamlin, 91, died Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center. She was a member of Oles Hill Christian Church in Norton. Ruble worked at the former Woolworths Department Store in Norton for over 35 years and was a former bell ringer with the Salvation Army. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Neal and Jane Absher Neal; her husband, Thomas Edward Hamlin; a brother, Palmer Abshire; four sisters, Pauline Orender, Geneva Skorupa, Madge Nichols and Helen Tate.

She is survived by a special niece and her husband, Sharon and Leon Mullins of Wise, VA; a great niece and her husband, Kim and Kevin Collins of Wise, VA; a host of nieces, nephews, church family, friends and her cat, Lucy.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 pm Tuesday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Larry Mullins and Pastor Allen Culbertson officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11 am Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:30 am Wednesday to travel in procession to the cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oles Hill Christian Church, 6572 Pole Bridge Road, Wise, VA 24293 or to the Salvation Army.

ANNE STOKES

NORTON, VA - Anne Lou Bradford Stokes, 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday November 10, 2015 at Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.  She was born in Wallins Creek, KY to the late Robert Clarence and Bertha Howard Bradford.  Anne was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lloyd Stokes Jr.; son, William Lloyd Stokes; daughter, Margaret Elaine Stokes Bush; and sisters, Margaret Randall and Alice Bradshaw.

She is survived by her daughter Allison Stokes West and husband Gary of Loveland, Ohio; son in law Joseph Bush of Greenville, SC ; daughters in law Diane Stokes of Buena Vista, VA,  Ginnie Stokes of Norton, VA; Grandchildren, Leigh Ann Noble (Greg), Benjamin West (Jen), Amanda Gardner (Bill) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Erin Stokes of Norton, VA, Chris Whitt (Regina) of Buena Vista, VA,  Emily Bush of Penndel, PA, Julia Bush of Alexandria, VA, Laura Bush of Norton, VA;  and great grandchildren Austin & Colin Willis, Sean, Aidan & Graham Noble, Marley Stokes, Hayden & Henry West ; sisters Doris Osborne of Baltimore MD, Betty Blanton of  Okeechobee, FL, Lynne King  of Lexington, KY and brother Mike Bradford of Billings, MT.

Anne will be remembered as a wonderful homemaker, beloved wife, loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.  She was a member of Norton United Methodist Church.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:00 PM on Friday December 4, 2015 at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home, Norton, VA.   Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 PM Friday December 4, 2015 in the Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ken Taylor officiating.  Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday December 5, 2015 at Resthaven Cemetery, 3000 Highway 840, Baxter, KY 40806.

Memorial contributions in memory of Anne may be directed to Norton United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 76. Norton, VA 24273.

MICHAEL WORKMAN

NORTON, VA - Michael Workman, 50, of Norton, Virginia, passed away at 12:45 early Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Norton Community Hospital after a long battle with lung cancer.  He was a true fighter, as all who had the privilege to be around him would definitely agree; and true to the man he was, he fought until the very end.  Michael was preceded in death by his father, Lee Roy Workman, a sister, Debbie Bolling, and a nephew, Blake Young.

Surviving are his loving wife Kim Workman of Big Stone Gap, VA, who shared twenty years with him, his loving mother, Virginia Workman, Norton, VA, four loving children:  Typhany Smith, and her boyfriend as well as close family friend, Nicholas Spenilla of Wise, VA, Shaun Smith and his wife, Sara Mullins Smith of Big Stone Gap, VA, Evan Perry, Clintwood, VA, and Alexia Vincer, Big Stone Gap, VA;  his sister, Lisa Workman, Kingsport, TN, two grandchildren:  Alex Vincer, Wise, VA and McKenzie Brooke Smith, Norton, VA; and a host of friends and acquaintances .

The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:30 PM Tuesday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  Family and friends will depart at 1:30 in procession to the Bolling Cemetery for graveside funeral services with Pastor Jeff Reynolds officiating.

IRENE ARWOOD

NORTON, VA – Irene Arwood, 87, died Thursday, Nov 12, 2015 at Norton Community Hospital. She was a Charter Member of the Josephine Community Center which later became the Country Cabin. She was preceded in death by her parents, Kelton and Bertha Houston Bolling; a brother, Franklin Delano Bolling; three sisters, Kilteen Fritz, Corine Frazier and Ada Ruth Bolling; adopted sister, Monnie Rogers.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Bruce A. Arwood of Norton, Va.; a son, Robert Joseph Peters of Woodway, Va.; a daughter, Shelia Arwood Addair of Norton, Va.; brothers, Larry Bolling and his wife Sandy of Wise, Va., William Clifford Bolling and his wife Cathy of Big Stone Gap, Va., Harold Lynn Bolling and his wife Wanda of Norton, Va., Thomas Glenn Bolling and his wife Revona of Coeburn, Va.; sisters, Joan Powers of Norton, Va., Nina Marshall and her husband Kenneth of Norton, Va., Peggy Ketron and her husband George of Kingsport, Tn.; sister-in-law, Sherry Bolling of Norton, Va.; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Monday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 pm Monday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Gwen Owens and Rev. Cliff Bowman officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11 am Tuesday at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:30 am Tuesday to travel in procession to the cemetery.

VICTOR L. JONES, SR.

NORTON, VA - Victor Jones, Sr. died Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015 at Christian Care Center in Johnson City, Tn. Mr. Vic Jones was born and raised in Norton, Virginia, where he lived most of his 92 years. The Jones Family was among the first settlers in Norton, and has had a long standing reputation of community service. Growing up in the small town, Vic became actively involved in the community and he continued that work until his placement at Mountain View in January, 2014.

His achievements were numerous. He joined the Lions’ Club in 1948, held many offices, and became a lifetime member. He served 30 plus years as a volunteer with City of Norton Fire Department, serving as both fire chief and president. He was an active member of Norton First Baptist Church where he began his church life with his name on the cradle roll. Later he served as deacon, member of the building and grounds committee, choir, and the men’s Sunday school teacher. He loved the Lord, his Church, and was proud to be called Christian, a title in which he was never ashamed. He served as chairman of the Norton City Christmas Parade and was Norton’s Santa Claus for over 25 years. He was a lifetime member of the Green Thumb Garden Club and Virginia Federation of Garden Club. Vic and June were superintendents of the Virginia-Kentucky District Fair flower exhibits for thirty years. He volunteered many years for the Salvation Army as a bell ringer and paid his business employees when they rang the bell on Christmas Eve. He was a past member of the Norton City Council, Business Merchants, Kiwanis Club, Band Boosters, Masonic Lodge, VFW, Wise County Chamber of Commerce and past Boy Scout Leader. A true patriot, Vic also served in the United States Navy. He also volunteered for many other worthwhile causes including playing music for senior citizens and for “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine” pre-show. He participated in reading programs, career awareness, and PTA at Norton Elementary School. He served as auctioneer for various benefits, volunteered on Norton’s Litter Control and served as chairman. Vic obtained his motorcycle license at 82 years old and used the motorcycle to deliver bibles for the Gideon organization. He was instrumental in establishing a “Sister City” for Norton during Norton’s 75^th year celebration. Vic managed the Norton Sherwin Williams store for 28 years before establishing Vic’s Decorating in 1982, a local business which is now operated by his son, Chris Jones. In 1991, Vic was recognized for his community service as Volunteer of the year. In 2011, he and his wife, June, were chosen as Mr. and Mrs. Norton.

Vic’s hobbies included woodworking, lapidarian (ordering gem stones from all over the world and designing jewelry), avid football fan, gardening, painting, making “rock people”, and golf. He became a member of the “Hole in One Club” at the Lonesome Pine Country Club when he was 72. Vic loved life and interaction with people-never met a stranger, and never failed to be interested in the goings-on around him. He was happiest when he was involved and received pleasure from making himself available to serve his community.

Vic was preceded in death by his parents, Emmet M. Jones and Myrtle Frazier Jones; his first wife and mother of his five children, Catherine McCarron Jones; Daughter Diedre Jones Wells; Grandson Craig Mullins; Brothers George Jones Marvin Jack Jones, Sterling Jones, Greene Jones; Sisters Zena Jones Wheatley, and Juanita Jones Carrera.

He is survived by his wife, June Lovelace Jones; his faithful son Chris Jones and wife Tammie Jones, son Victor Jones and wife Ann Jones and Timothy Kevin Jones and wife Maggie Jones; daughter Robin Mullins and husband Fayne Mullins, sister-in-law Monica Jones and sister Clancy Jones; stepchildren- David, Sherri, and Greg and wife Christiana Milam; devoted grandchildren that he helped raise- Madison, Olivia, and Cole Milam; sister-in-Law, Connie Burgess and brother-in-Law Tom and wife Phyllis Lovelace; and numerous other grandchildren, great grandchildren and many cherished friends. Special Friends- Barbara Collins, Carol “Hazel” Stanley, Misty Mullins, and Anne Newlun.

The family will receive friends from 4-7 pm Sunday, November 15, 2015, at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted 11 am Monday, November 16, 2015, at the First Baptist Church in Norton with Pastor Jim Colley officiating. Military Graveside rights will follow at Laurel Grove Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be members of the Norton Fire Department. Honorary pallbearers will be Green Thumb Garden Club, Norton Lions Club, Vic's former Boy Scouts, Joe Cress, Joe Wolfe, R.D. Miller, Greg Stewart, Bud Stewart, Larry Joe Hill, David Mullins, Gene Mullins, Pedro Hunnicutt, and Duke Riner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to First Baptist Church of Norton, P.O. Box 499, Norton, VA 24273.