BARBARA BASS

NORTON, VA - Barbara Bass, 64, of Norton, Virginia passed away on November 29th, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her mother, Ursula Bass, of Norton, Virginia, preceded Barbara in death. Barbara graduated from Marion Senior High School in 1970. She then earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Clinch Valley College in 1977 and graduated Salutatorian. Barbara also worked in the school as an aid in Norton Elementary School for over a decade. She taught Sunday school at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Norton for 30 years. Barbara also babysat many children in the family and community.

She is survived by her father Irvin Bass, 90, of Atlantic City, New Jersey; her sisters Diane and Buddy Lucas of Nickelsville, Virginia, Rosemary and Mike Hopper of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Brenda and Richard Janice of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Janet Bass of New York, NY, Greg and Cora Bass of Woodstock, Georgia and Sharon Loughran of Marietta, Georgia; nieces Tara Hensley, Heather Ison, Bridgette Hensley, Daniella and Marissa Bass, and Kristen Loughran; her great niece and nephews (who were her pride and joy) Taylor Hensley, Mason Bailey, Aiden Bailey, and Conner Ison. Although Barbara had no children of her own, she was a mother to many.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton, Va. Mass of the Resurrection will be 11 am Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Norton, Va. Burial will follow in the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens.

PHYLLIS COLLINS

NORTON, VA – Phyllis Collins, 63, died Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Norton, Va. She was preceded in death by her parents, Willard Williams and Pearl Hess Williams; a brother, Homer Williams; and three sisters, Judy Williams, Margaret Williams and Mary Williams. Phyllis was of the Holiness faith.

She is survived by three sons, Michael Eugene Collins and Shannon Bates, Scotty Wayne Collins and Juanita Collins, and Tony Collins and Lynn Beth Brummitte; one daughter, Donna Marie Boatright and Keith Boatright; thirteen grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; a sister, Leslie Banks; and a sister-in-law, Anita Williams.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton, Va. A memorial service will be conducted at 7 pm Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, with Rev. Jeff Reynolds officiating.

LEONARD FALIN

NORTON, VA – Leonard Alfred Falin, 80, died Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, at his home. He attended the Norton Church of God. He was a retiree of Westmoreland Coal Company and was a member of the U.W.W.A. He was preceded in death by his parents, Enoch Falin and Cuba Reed Falin, a son, Douglas Bryon Falin and four brothers, Woodrow James, Lucian Earl, Cecil and G.W.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice L. Falin of Norton, VA; three children, Thomas “Tom” Falin of Norton, VA, Kimberly Falin of St. Augustine, FL and Clayton Falin of Kingsort, TN; four grandchildren, Benjamin Edwards, Cainan Edwards, Ethan Falin and Autumn Rain Kuhn; a sister, Shelby Hall of Norton, VA; a brother, Dedrick Falin of Noblesville, IN; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted at 7 pm Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. T.G. Branson and Rev. Freddie Powers officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11 am Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton. Family and friends will gather at the funeral home between 10-10:30 am Thursday to travel in procession to the cemetery.

BRUCE ROSE

NORTON, VA - In the early morning hours of Thursday, November 24, Bruce Rose, 84, passed from this life to the next.  As husband, father, family, and friend, Bruce lived the essence of kindness, compassion, faithfulness, and courage.  He passed from this life afforded the dignity and respect he had earned.  And, even in the face of fighting a devastating illness, he displayed great courage in his final days.  As he left this world, his family, direct and extended, returned to him a portion of his kindness, although it was only a small fraction of what he had given in his life.   

Bruce Rose was a successful retired law enforcement officer, decorated for bravery, and over his 35 year career had risen to multiple command positions.  In the concluding years of his career, he had become the elected Sheriff of the City of Norton, Va.  In total, Bruce served his community for over 5 decades through his work and volunteerism.  He was active in many local charities, always eager to support local schools and colleges.  His particular passion was making sure young people received the support and help needed to become successful and productive members of the community.  He was also passionate in support of providing medical care to the people of his region.  In retirement, he had become well known for his excellent barbecue and smoked dinners.    

Bruce was a faithful husband to Loretta for over 50 years, who waited patiently for 8 years to help him cross the river.  In life they were devoted to each other, and they are now together again.  In addition to Loretta, Bruce was welcomed to the next life by his mother and father, Fitz Simmons and Ruth Irene Rose.  His is now together again with his sisters Cleo Greear and Norma Jean Armistead, too.  Bruce will be happy to see the many friends who have gone ahead of him.  They now tell the tales of their lives together, and watch those left behind as new stories are weaved for them to enjoy.  

Bruce left behind a legacy of surviving family.  His son, Bill, and his wife Michele, and two grandson's he doted on, Patrick Aaron and Colton Andrew.  He recently traveled to Phoenix, Az, to proudly receive Patrick's wife, Sierra Gabriella, into his family.  Bruce was instrumental in the lives of his broader family, becoming a father figure to many.  Jean Ann Hughes, his niece, and Douglas Bruce Carter, his nephew, were greatly loved by their Bubby, and Bruce saw them as his own children.  Bruce leaves behind many more nieces and nephews, including Burkie Greear, and he loved and supported them all.  Before his passing, Bruce lived to see the birth of his great great great niece, Bailey Nixon, marking the fifth generation of his family. Through the way of his living, Bruce extended his direct family to many others, blending them all together through his own loving kindness into a new greater family.  Their challenge now is to live up to his example, and teach their children the lessons of his life.

The family will receive friends from 5-9 pm Sunday, Nov. 27, 2016, at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 pm Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Robert Fultz, Jr. officiating.  Flowers are welcomed.

Those wanting to honor Bruce's life are asked to make donations to organizations serving the local community.  A favorite of his was the Wise County Shrine Club.

ANTHONY MITCHELL

NORTON, VA – Anthony Quienton “P-John” Mitchell, 46 died Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at his home.  He was a son of the late Frank “Ray” Mitchell and Constance  Laverne Mitchell, and was also preceded in death by his sister, Laverne Woods.  P-John was a graduate of J.I. Burton High School and was dearly loved by his family and friends.

He is survived by his brothers and sister:  Frankie Mitchell and Larry Mitchell, both of Norton, and Virginia Mitchell, Virginia Beach, VA, and his nieces and nephews:  Chad, Eric, Chris, Lorenzo, Jessica, Whitney, Erica, Melkan, Daisya, Dante, Chris, Jr., Yasmine, Cain, Keana, and “baby Legend”.

The family will receive friends at 11:00 AM Monday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon in the funeral home chapel, with burial following at the Highland Cemetery in Norton.

LOTTIE MAE ROBINETTE

NORTON, VA – Lottie Mae Robinette, 92, died Monday, November 14, 2016 at her home.  A daughter of Ernest Franklin Cox and Emma Sanders Cox, she was the widow of Winfred Robinette.  In her lifetime, she was a nurses’ aid at the former Park Avenue Hospital in Norton, and for many years was a sales associate at the former Cohen’s Department Store and the Ben Franklin Store in Norton.  She attended Davis Chapel FWB Church.   She was preceded in death by her brothers:  Clarence and Oscar Cox; and her sisters:  Alba Cox Casteel, Marie Cox, and Ida Cox.

She is survived by her son, Earl Babb and his wife, Karen, and her daughter, Teresa Robinette both of Norton, her sisters:  Shirley Cox and Tessa Cox, both of Fort Blackmore, VA, her grandchildren:  Keith Babb and his wife, Crystal, Chattanooga, TN and Christie Brickey and her husband, Chip, Wise, VA; her great grandchildren:  Autumn Babb, Layla Babb, Tyler Brickey, Savanna Brickey, and Ben Brickey; a nephew Frank Casteel, and a niece Tana Gilliam.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Thursday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  A funeral service celebrating Lottie’s life will be at 7:00 PM in the funeral home chapel with the Reverend Benny Boles officiating.  Family and friends will gather between 10-10:30 AM Friday at the funeral home, where they will then proceed to Laurel Grove Cemetery for a committal service and burial.

CONSTANCE LAVERNE MITCHELL

NORTON, VA – Constance Laverne Watlington Mitchell, 71, died Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at her home.  Connie was a retired nursing assistant at the former St. Mary’s Hospital in Norton, and was a member of the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church. She was the widow of the late Frank “Ray” Mitchell, and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Laverne Woods, and her brother, Steven Woods

She is survived by her sons:  Frankie Mitchell, Larry Mitchell, and Anthony Mitchell of Norton; and her daughter, Virginia Mitchell of Virginia Beach, VA, and her grandchildren: Chad Woods, Eric Woods, Chris Woods, Lorenzo Miles, Jessica Mitchell, Whitney Mitchell, Erica Mitchell, Melkan Mitchell, Daisya Mitchell, Dante Woods, Chris Woods, Jr., Keana Woods, Yasmine Woods, and Cain Woods.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 12:00 Noon Tuesday at the Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, Kentucky Avenue, Norton, VA.  The funeral service celebrating Connie’s life will be at 12:00 Noon at the church.  Burail will follow at the Highland Cemetery in Norton.

SUSAN MARIE NELSON

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

WISE, VA - Susan Marie Nelson, 61, of Wise, Virginia passed away November 7, 2016 in Roanoke, Virginia, surrounded by her family. Susan was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church. Susan was a graduate of J.J. Kelly High School, Mountain Empire Community College, UVA-Wise, and Frontier Nursing University and had most recently worked at UVA-Wise as an adjunct professor. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and working in her flowers. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Pierce Nelson and sister, Sheryl Nelson Bolling.

Susan is survived by her mother, Dorothy A. Nelson of Wise, VA; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Jeremiah and Ann-Delyse Hopkins of Morgantown, WV; son, Matthew Hopkins of Wise, VA; daughter, Andrea Hopkins of Charlottesville, VA; grandson, Boden Hopkins; granddaughter, Adalynn Hopkins of Morgantown, WV; sister and brother-in-law, Sally and Eddie Roop of Pound, VA; sister and brother-in-law, Lisa and Allen McClellan of Kingsport, TN; brother and sister-in-law, Danny and Rose Nelson of Wise, VA; and a host of other family and friends.

 At 2:00 PM Friday a graveside committal service will be conducted at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton.  The family will then receive friends at 3:00 PM at All Saints Episcopal Church in Norton.  A service in memory of Susan will be conducted at 4:00 PM at the church with the Reverend Frances McCoy and the Reverend Robert Beauchamp officiating.  Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home of Norton is serving the Nelson family.