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Norton Virginia Photos

October 2013


LAWRENCE BLACK

WISE, VA – Lawrence Harold Black, 88, died Monday, October 28, 2013 at Norton Community Hospital. He was born in Harlan, KY to the late Maggie and Hugh Black. Lawrence began his work in the retail clothing business at Geller’s Department Store in 1947. He was owner operator of Black’s Men’s Store in Norton, VA from 1976-1982. He later worked at Federated Store in Pound, VA from 1982-1995 and later retired from Tops and Bottoms in Wise, VA 2012. Lawrence was a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Choir member at the First Baptist Church in Norton and later a Deacon and Choir member at Wise Baptist Church. He was a member of the Lonesome Pine Country Club and always enjoyed his annual golf trips with his golfing buddies. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, John Mark Black a sister, Irene Morgan and a brother Hugh Black.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Irene Black of Wise, VA; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and John Marrs of Madison, VA, Paulette and Ron Phillips of Clintwood, VA, Paula and David Barton of Big Stone Gap, VA; son and daughter-in-law, James and Shawn Black of Louisville, KY; grandchildren, David and Tracy Lobiondo, Anthony Lobiondo, James Daniel and Janice Black, John Michael and Mary Black, Timothy Black, Emily Adams, Glyn Phillips, Mary Morgan Phillips, Stuart Barton, Lindsey Horne and Chris Lawson, Katie Horne and Jeff Gray; seven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5-8:00 PM Friday at Wise Baptist Church. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday at the church with Rev. Mike Winters officiating. Burial will follow at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens.


BRENDA BLANTON

NORTON, VA – Brenda Fields Blanton, 63, died Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 at her home. She was a member of Neon Pentecostal Church in Neon, KY. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie G. (Cue) Blanton; her parents, Vester and Myrtle Fields, Sr.; a brother, Jerry Fields and a sister, Kathy Absher.

She is survived by her sons, Tim Blanton and his special friend Pamela Cline, Eddie Blanton, Jr. and his wife Diane, all of Norton, VA, Jacob Blanton and his wife Hollie of Big Stone Gap, VA; Grandchildren, Tim Blanton, II, Ethan Hunter Blanton, Devan Shane Blanton, Eli Chase Blanton, Stephanie Whitfield, Halie Lynn, Hanady Bardge, Kennedy Bardge and special grandson Jared Woodard; sisters, Norma Bennett, of Wise, VA, Connie VanWinkle, Betty Mullins, Trena Greear, all of Norton, VA; brothers, Vester (Junior) Fields, Jr. and Bobby Fields all of Norton, VA; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5-8:00 PM Tuesday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 PM Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Bob Maggard officiating. Burial will follow in the White Oak Gap Cemetery.


LYNELL HEABERLIN WELLS

NORTON, VA – Lynell Heaberlin Wells, 90, died Friday, Oct. 18, 2013 in Mountain View Regional Medical Center. She was the widow of Ralph Scott Wells. Lynell was a member of the Wise Baptist Church. Lynell was a member of the WMU and Fellowship Sunday School Class at the church. She was a charter member of Preceptor Alpha Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. Lynell retired from the Wise County Department of Social Services.

She is survived by her stepdaughter and her husband, Judith and Rev. Daniel Graham of St. Augustine, FL; her stepson and his wife, Scott and Barbara Wells of Greenwood, SC; granddaughters, Rebekah Saylors and her husband Wes of Boone, NC, and Ann Graham of Roswell, GA; grandsons, Matthew Wells and his wife Sara Rose Wells of Richmond, VA and Adam Wells of Norton, VA; brothers, Billy Heaberlin and his wife Ann of Wise, VA; Norman Heaberlin of Canton, OH; sisters, Neva Jean Branham and her husband Reuben of Kemper, KY, Eleanor Mullett of Canton, OH; several nieces and nephews including special nephew and his wife, Jeff and Linda Heaberlin;

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 PM Monday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Sorority services will be conducted at 7:00 PM Monday in the funeral home chapel. Funeral services will follow with Rev. Dr. Mike Winters officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11:00 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.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wise Baptist Church, P.O. Box 777, Wise, VA 24293.


BERNARD SMITH

NORTON, VA – Bernard Franklin Smith, 73 died Tuesday, Oct 15, 2013 in Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, VA. Born in Kentucky, he was a former resident of Norton before moving to Marion, Virginia.

Graveside committal services will be conducted at 9:00 AM Monday at Highland Cemetery in Norton with Rev. Ed Blair officiating.


MILDRED POSTON

NORTON, VA - Mildred Elizabeth Alderson Poston, died at the age of 103, at the Bedford County Nursing Home in Bedford, VA, on Saturday, October 12, 2013.

She was born May 31, 1910 to Robert D. and Ella V. Alderson.  A native of Norton, VA, she was a 1929 graduate of Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, TN, and was a member of the Norton United Methodist Church.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur E. “Joe” Poston, Sr. and her brothers, Jack D. Alderson and R. Hersel Alderson.

Mildred is survived by her daughter, Linda P. Meadows and her husband, Robert of Bedford, VA, and a son, Arthur E. “Pedie” Poston, Jr., and his wife, Lynda, Wise, VA; her grandchildren:  Sarah Meadows, Rebecca Williams, Janis Tester, Dana Fleming, and Cindy Stanley; her great-grandchildren:  Sam Williams, Emilee Williams, Jennifer Tester, Daniel Tester, Dean Arthur Tester, Sydney Fleming, Hannah Fleming, Maggie Buchanan,  and Seth Collier; four great-great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A graveside funeral service will be held at a later date at the Laurel Grove Cemetery in Norton.

Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.


GEORGE SCARBOROUGH

NORTON, VA - At the age of 88, George Yeardley Scarborough passed away on July 28, 2013 at Hubbard House Hospice in South Charleston, West Virginia due to complications from a broken hip.  He was predeceased by his wife of 50-years, Mary Jane Jessee Scarborough in May of 2007, and survived by his sons Jessee Americus Scarborough, P.E, D.GE of St. Albans, WV and Sergeant First Class Edmund Lee Scarborough of Chicago, IL.  He was proud of his naval service during World War II and his Virginia heritage.  He was a loving father and husband; he was a good man.

George was born in Norton, Virginia, son of George Carson Scarborough and Ethel Vivian Paden Stephens Scarborough.   A plank owner aboard the USS Snowden, DE-246, he was a First Class Sonar Petty Officer.  After the war, he studied Civil Engineering at the University of Virginia.  While his graduation was interrupted by the Korean War, he is accounted as alumni of the Class of ’51.  George was a registered Professional Engineer in Fire Protection Engineering, and a Life Member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and the National Fire Protection Association.  While a resident in Norris, Tennessee, he served as a member of the municipal Water Commission for nearly 20-years.

George was a member of the Jamestown Society, The Sons of the American Revolution, The Order of Founders and Patriots of America, the Virginia Society of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the Genealogy and History of the Eastern Shore (GHOTES).  He was a proud member of the Southwest Virginia “Texas Club.”  George Yeardley will be buried in the Scarborough family plot of the Highland Cemetery in Norton, Virginia.

Graveside funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 at Highland Cemetery with Dr. Mike Porter officiating.


JACKIE LYNN STIDHAM

NORTON, VA – Jackie Lynn Stidham, 40, died Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rocky Covey Stidham; her grandparents, Anna and Frank Farmer and Otis Sturgill.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Zachary Ryan and Mary Elizabeth Absher of Norton, VA; her parents, Johnny and Jearline Farmer of Norton, VA; her grandmother, Lula Sturgill of Norton, VA; her brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Tonya Farmer of Norton, VA; several aunt and uncles.

The family will receive friends from 5-7:00 PM Friday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Funeral services will be conducted 7:00 PM Friday in the funeral home chapel with Roger Morgan and Mike Hunsucker officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted 11:00 AM Saturday at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Norton, VA. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:30 AM Saturday to travel in procession to the cemetery.


BARBARA S. GIBSON

NORTON, VA - Barbara S. Gibson, formerly of Norton, died Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville.  Barbara was a daughter of the late James O. and Vivian Stapleton and was the widow of the late Terry Gibson.  A daughter, Michelle Sturgis, preceded her in death. 

Barbara grew up in Pennington Gap where she twirled her baton in the high school band. She moved to Norton soon afterward and lived there most of her life, raising her girls with Terry, attending (often late) First Baptist Church, and going back to school to become a licensed practical nurse. Her family was so proud to see her pin on a nurse’s hat and land a job at the former St. Mary’s Hospital in Norton. For many years, she called the emergency room there her home away from home. Barbara had recently moved to Dandridge, TN, taking with her a fondness for every dog she ever met, a healthy fear of snakes, and a penchant for Coach pocketbooks and super sweet tea. But most of all, she treasured her family and friends, holding them close to hear heart through visits, phone calls, and even Facebook.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Wendi Richert, son-in-law Curt Richert, and grandsons Camden and Benjamin, all of Roanoke. She also leaves behind her boyfriend, Richard Beverly of Dandridge, TN.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Vanderbilt University Hospital’s cardiac intensive care unit for their care and support in her final days. 

The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  Funeral services will be at 7 PM in the funeral home chapel, with the Reverend John Ellington officiating.  Family and friends will gather from 10 – 10:30 AM Wednesday at the funeral home, where they will then travel in procession to the Powell Valley Memorial Gardens for burial.


JOSIE CLISSO CRABTREE

WISE, VA - Josie Clisso Crabtree, 90, died Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at Mercy Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Formerly of Wise, Virginia, she had recently moved to Michigan to be close to family.  A daughter of Pete and Allie (Rossi) Clisso, she was one of  17 children.

Surviving are her daughters and sons-in-law Gladys and Gene Burke, North Charleston, SC, and Janice and Dwaine Starnes, Wyoming, MI; her grandchildren:  Donna Boast, Paula Burke, Scott Swinney, and Steve Swinney; her great grandchildren:  Carter Swinney, Cameron Swinney, Eli Swinney, and Angela Wolff; her brothers and sisters:  Clyde Clisso, Hobert Clisso, Don Clisso, Connie Day, and Sharon Clisso; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Friday at the Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton.  Funeral services will be at 11 AM Saturday in the funeral home chapel with the Reverend Darrell Bolling officiating.  Burial will follow in the Wise Cemetery.


MILDRED RUTH ABSHER

NORTON, VA – Mildred Ruth Absher, 90, died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 at her home. She attended the Ramsey Freewill Baptist Church. She loved cooking, canning and walking to the park to feed the ducks. She was preceded in death by her husband; Elmer Absher; a daughter, Alice Dotson of Ohio; five brothers, Emmett L. Bates, Jr., Vermont Bates, Willie Bates, Ed Bates and Claude Bates; a sister, Beatrice Graham.

She is survived by her daughters, Mildred Moore and Juda Nuchols of Kingsport, TN; Linda Cooke and her husband Carlos of Wise, VA, Shelia Yuastella of Plainville, MA, Sharon Roy and her husband Allen of Big Stone Gap, VA; her sons, Larry Absher and his wife Charlotte of Fall Branch, TN, James Absher and his wife Gretta of Church Hill, TN, Freddie Absher and Eddie Absher, both of Norton, VA; special friend, Amy Everidge of Norton, VA; 21 grandchildren, a host of great and great great grandchildren; a sister, Marie Pleasant of Norton, VA; several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 5-7:00 PM Thursday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 PM Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Steve Powers and Rev. Ralph McFarland officiating. Graveside committal services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday at the Laurel Grove Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:30 AM Friday to travel in procession to the cemetery.