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In Memoriam

Sterling Gilliam

Sterling Gilliam

Class of 1949
March 1, 2009

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Sterling Gilliam, of Wise, Va., died on March 1, 2009, at Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, Fla.

He is survived by his sister, Martha G. Dean; stepsisters, Florene Pennington, Vivian Brooks, Mildred Brooks and Christine Monk; stepbrother, George Brooks; nieces and nephews, Scott Dean, Amy Vassiliou, Donna Dean, Marck and Margie Dean and Dwight and Alice Dean; step-niece and step-nephew, Holly and Rick Meade; and special friends, Wayland and Faye Jessee.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2009, at 4 p.m. at the UVA Wise Chapel of All Faiths. Dave Henderson, senior pastor of the Wise Trinity United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Donations to the Emory Hamilton Scholarship Fund at UVA Wise, One College Ave., Wise, VA 24293, would be appreciated, in lieu of flowers.

Lozie Couch

Lozie Couch

Class of 1953
February 1, 2009

Kingsport- Lozie Couch, 73, of Kingsport, passed away Sunday morning (Feb. 1, 2009) at Indian Path Medical Center. She was born on April 19, 1935 in St. Paul,Va., to the late Harry Floyd Couch and Maude Witt Couch. She retired from Quebecor after many years of service.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Couch was preceded in death by two sisters, Freida Couch and Agnes Williams; and four brothers, Dule, Adam, Jack and Floyd Couch.

Surviving are one sister, Mrs. Cosby Cox of Castlewood, Va., and several nieces and nephews. The family will received friends in the J. Wayne Hamilton Memorial Chapel of Oak Hill Funeral Home on Wednesday from 12:30 to 2:p.m.

Bobby James Castle

Class of 1961
September 4, 2008

Bobby James Castle, 66, passed away on Thursday September 4, 2008 in San Benito, TX.

He was the owner of the Resaca City Mobile Home Park in San Benito, TX. He was also employed by the Mercedes post office and retired after 20 years. He graduated from East Michigan State and also served in the United States Army. He gave his life to Christ in 1995 and became a born again Christian.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Haskcue and Minnie Castle.

He is survived by his wife, Belia Castle, stepdaughters, Aimee Garcia, Atenea Garcia, Sheryl Robinson; stepsons, Robert Robinson, Ronnie Robinson, Randy Robinson, Robby Robinson; 7 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be on Saturday September 6, 2008 at 10:30 am at San Benito Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Seferino Vasquez and Pastor Matthew St. John officiating.

Arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 West Hwy 77, San Benito, TX. 78586 (956) 361-9192.

Sign the guestbook at: http://legacy.com/ValleyStar/Obituaries.asp

Published in the Valley Morning Star

Mildred Leota Sutherland Hall

Class of 1954
July 17, 2008

Leota Sutherland Hall, 72, of Salem, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 17, 2008. She was a devoted member of Ridgewood Baptist church for 43 years, a member of the Salem Jaycettes, and faithfully volunteered at Roanoke Area Ministries Rescue Mission for 20 years. Leota was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Louella Sutherland. She is survived by her loving husband, Lee Otis Hall; two sons, Reginald B. Hall and fiance, Amanda Mullins, Ronald. L. Hall and wife, Cathy; two daughters, Kimberly S. Pate, Sara R. Bowman and husband, Steve; four grandchildren, Jeffrey T. Pate, Kayla M. Hall, Serena K. Hall, Daniel A. Bowman; two future stepgrandchildren, Jordan R. Mullins, Hannah R. Mullins; one brother, Thomas Sutherland; five sisters, Joan Morefield, Corenia Brummitt, Ellen Anderson, Joyce Kendrick, and Carol Lipps. The visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 20, 2008, at Ridgewood Baptist Church, 703 Hemlock Road NW, Roanoke, VA. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, July 21, 2008 at the church with Pastor Roy Kanode officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family has requests that donations be made to the Ridgewood Baptist Church Building Fund. The Hall Family is being served by Valley Funeral Service, 1609 Peters Creek Road NW. Roanoke Va. 24017, 540-562-1182.

Published in the Roanoke Times from 7/19/2008 - 7/20/2008

Becky Ann Wyatt

Class of 1984
June 2, 2008

CASTLEWOOD, Va. - Rebecca "Becky" Ann Wyatt, age 42, departed this earth for her heavenly home after a very courageous battle with cancer on Monday, June 2, 2008.

She was born on Dec. 29, 1965, in Washington County, Va., a daughter of the late Elizabeth Patrick Farmer.

Becky had many friends who she considered to be her "family" and loved them unconditionally. They included Shellie Ring, who she called "sister" and who cared for her during the last few months of her life with complete love and devotion, carrying out her every wish; Shellie's brothers, Lennie Ring, to whom Becky referred to as the "love of her life," and Michael, who she called her "little brother"; Shellie's mother, who Becky called "Momma Jude"; and Ezra Dye, "Uncle Ez," who Becky said she respected more than any man she had ever known and wished that he could have been her dad. She also cared deeply for childhood friend, Jeannie Whited of Orange, Va., as well as her friends from the law offices of Arrington Schelin & Herrell. She regarded Danny Pritchard, her former brother-in-law as her "brother forever." Along with Danny, she deeply loved his wife, "Miss Pattie," whom she said was an answer to a prayer for Danny to have in his life. Finally, she was forever grateful for the unconditional love, support and lasting friendship that she had with her "best friends," Charlotte Duff, Kim Willis and Linda Childress along with her husband Tim, who Becky also considered a "brother."

She attended public schools in Russell and Wise counties and was a 1984 graduate of St. Paul High School. After briefly attending Virginia Highlands Community College, Becky enrolled at Virginia Intermont College and graduated in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in paralegal studies. While at Virginia Intermont, she excelled academically and was the recipient of numerous honors and awards. She was especially proud to have been selected as part of the Worrell Honors Program for Studies Abroad and shared many memories of her trip to Germany with everyone.

Shortly after graduation, Becky accepted a position at Virginia Intermont as an employee in the J.F. Hicks Library, where she remained for several years. Driven to pursue her interest in the legal field, Becky worked for various law firms in the area as a paralegal until she became too ill to continue. The law firms Becky worked for include Tate, Lowe & Rowlett, Mary Lynn Tate, P.C., Arrington Schelin & Herrell, P.C., and Ward, Bishop & Rasnic, P.C. She will always be remembered for her dedication to the clients she served and for the passion she had for the legal field.

Becky was truly a unique person with many interests and talents. She loved the University of Kentucky basketball team so much that she always remarked, "My blood runs blue!" She was also an ardent supporter of the Bristol Virginia Democratic committee and provided many hours of hard work toward the compilation of a cookbook which continues to be a successful fundraiser.

Becky was a free spirit who loved life, people and laughter. She never met a stranger and always made fast friends with everyone she encountered. To honor Becky's legacy, she would like for everyone to keep love in your heart, share a kind word with a friend, and perhaps give a little of your time to help someone in need.

Special thanks to Grace Healthcare in Abingdon and the Hospice of SouthWest Virginia for the care and loving attention given to Becky.

In keeping with Becky's wishes, her body will be cremated and a celebration of life service will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Becky's name to Virginia Intermont College, 1013 Moore St., Bristol, VA 24201; or the American Cancer Society.

She was preceded in death by her foster mother, the late Johnnie Van Diver.

She is survived by her sisters, Patricia Prichard of Coeburn, Va., and Ruth Hall and her children, Mark, Candace, Shantell, and Dillon, all of Knoxville, Tenn. She is also survived by her foster father, Ralph Van Diver of Coeburn, and her foster sister, Gena Slemp of Coeburn.

Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 6/7/2008.

Robert "Bobby" Walter David Frazier

Class of 1954
February 16, 2008

MOUNT VERNON, OHIO - Robert "Bobby" Walter David Frazier, 72, of Dogwood Terrace, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Select Specialty Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He was born on June 29, 1935 in Dante, Virginia; son of the late Ray and Agnes Frazier. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He worked at Kelsey Hayes in Mt. Vernon before his retirement. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and was active on the Deacon and Trustee boards, and served as a Sunday School Teacher and on many committees. He was also an active member of The Grand Lodge of Free Accepted Masons of Ohio - Mt. Vernon & Mt. Zion #9, The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ohio #26, Grand Council Royal and Select Masons of Ohio #76, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Clinton Commandery of Ohio #5, Aladdin Shriners of Columbus, Ohio, and Baldwin Shrine Club of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He was preceded in death by one brother, Buddy Frazier of Rockford, Illinois .

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; one daughter, Pam Browne and husband, Bruce of Thiensville, Wisconsin; one son, Robbie Frazier and wife, Diane of Dante, Virginia; four grandchildren, Teather Fricano, Tyler Browne, Robert Frazier, and Tracy Frazier; two great grandchildren, Parker Browne and Austin Fricano.

Funeral Services for Robert "Bobby" Walter David Frazier will be conducted at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2008, in the Castlewood Funeral Home Chapel, Castlewood, Virginia with Rev. Bobby Hendrix of First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ohio ! officiat ing. Committal Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 21, 2008 in Temple Hill Memorial Park, Castlewood, Virginia. Family and friends will meet at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery leaving at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Pallbearers will be Family and Friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2008 in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood, Virginia. Masonic Rites will be conducted at 7:45 p.m. by Clinchfield Masonic Lodge #256 A.F. & A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to First Baptist Church, 303 South Edgewood Road, Mt. Vernon, Ohio 43050. Online condolences may be sent to the Frazier family through our web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Gillenwater

Longtime Saint Paul High School Teacher
January 2, 2008

Hermene Virginia Cline Gillenwater died on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, in the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va.

She was born Jan. 23, 1915, in Dante, Va., to the late Herman Vance and Laura Luella Cline. She was married to the late Darwin Edgar Gillenwater for 55 years.

Virginia is survived by her two sons, Edwin Cline Gillenwater of Falls Church, Va., and James Darwin Gillenwater and his wife Connie of Abingdon, Va.; her two daughters, Janice Gillenwater Hansen of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Ruth Gillenwater Gibson and her husband Mike of Charlottesville; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; her brother, Hugh Patrick Cline; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased in death by infant twin grandchildren; her son-in-law, Lawrence Wallace Hansen Jr.; and her brother, Charles Wesley Cline.

Virginia was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, where she served on the Vestry, Altar Guild and Episcopal Church Women. She graduated from Virginia Intermont College and taught many years at St. Paul School. Virginia was a member of St. Paul Junior Women's Club and the Senior Citizens Group and a volunteer for the Alzheimer's Group. She and Darwin were charter members of Lake Bonaventure Country Club. Her varied interests included golf, contract bridge, needlework and reading.

Services for Virginia will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, St. Paul, on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow at the church for family to receive friends. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 1138, St. Paul, VA 24283.

Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 1/4/2008.

Margaret Elise Horton

Class of 1958
November 11, 2007

ST. PAUL, Va. – Margaret Elise Horton, age 68, died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, at her home. She was a lifelong resident of St. Paul. She was preceded in death by her parents, the late G.C. Horton and the late Florence Horton; two sisters, Dorothy H. Hackney and Sadie H. Doyle; two brothers, Edward Horton and Asa Horton; and two infant brothers, George Horton and Frank Horton.
She is survived by one brother, Sam Horton, Winston-Salem, N.C.; three sisters, Gracie H. Helton, Virgie H. Farmer and Edna H. Castle, all of St. Paul; aunt, Eliza Eddy, Alexandria, Va.; two nephews and two nieces, who grew up in the same household and were like her brothers and sisters, Clyde Helton Jr. and G.C. Helton of Castlewood, Della H. Jenkins, St. Paul, and Anita H. Taylor, Castlewood; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews.

A graveside service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, in the Horton Family Cemetery on Gray Hill in St. Paul, with the Rev. Ted Phillips and the Rev. Jimi Watson officiating.
Nephews and her brother will serve as pallbearers. The body has been returned to her residence where friends may call any time. Combs Funeral Service, 291 Fincastle Road, Lebanon, VA 24266, (276) 889-4444, is serving the Horton family.

Published in the Bristol Herald Courier on 11/12/2007.

Doris Ramey Loughrey

Class of 1954
September 6, 2007

Doris Ramey Loughrey, age 71, of New Castle, DE passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday September 6, 2007. Doris was born on October 26, 1935 in Stanford, WV and raised in St. Paul, VA. She worked at DiNardo's Restaurant for 10 years and worked at St. Francis Hospital for over 35 years. She was a proud member of the Women's Club Delaware of Girls Inc. She is survived by her sons, Michael A. Cuomo and his wife, Tammy of Newark, DE, Mark A. Cuomo and his fiance', Debbie McLaughlin of New Castle, DE and Matthew Cuomo of NewOrleans, LA; her grandchildren, Lauren, Rebecca, Lisa, Andrew and Sam Cuomo; her great-grandson, Anthony Cuomo; and her brothers, Joe Ramey and his wife, Joyce of Bristol, TN and Charles Ramey and his wife, Charlene of Willis, TX. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service for Doris at the DOHERTY FUNERAL HOME 3200 Limestone Road Pike Creek on Monday September 10, 2007 at 2 pm, where visitation will begin at 12 noon. Interment will be held privately with the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that flowers be ommitted and contributions in memory of Doris may be sent to the Delaware Hospice, Inc., 3515 Silverside Road Wilmington, DE 19810.

Glenn Wayne Rudder

Class of 1965
July 1, 2007

BLUFF CITY, TENNESSEE - Glenn Rudder, 61, died Sunday, July 1, 2007 at Rudder?s Roost, his Bluff City, Tennessee, home. He was born in Alexandria, Virginia; son of the late Skaggs and Wilma Rudder. He was once an outstanding Southwest Virginia football player. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving in the Vietnam War where he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He attended East Tennessee State and Clinch Valley College. He spent his last years in retirement philosophizing, writing, and enjoying time with his children and grandchildren at his Tennessee home. He was preceded in death by his sister, Tama Rudder. He is survived by his wife, Joy Rudder of Bristol, Virginia; one daughter, Kristen Rudder Morrell of Bristol, Tennessee; three sons, Race Rudder of Abingdon, Virginia, Kevin Ferrin of Oklahoma, and Reason Rudder of Bristol, Virginia; two brothers, Mark Rudder of Marietta Georgia and Mike Rudder of Nokesville, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Shane, Heath and Lindsay Ferrin, Rhett, Elijah, and Johnivan Morrell, and Jacob Rudder; one aunt and one uncle, Jewell and Franc Gonzalez of Nokesville, Virginia; several nieces and nephews. The family will host a gathering for friends of Glenn Rudder from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 5, 2007 in Castlewood Funeral Home, Castlewood, Virginia. Online condolences may be sent to the Rudder family through our web site at www.castlewoodfuneralhome.com. Castlewood Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Hubert Lawson