Freddie Ray Blevins
Freddie Ray Blevins, 75, died Dec. 24, 2023, at home.
There is not enough ink or paper to write the good things of Blevins. He had his priorities straight: God, family and country. He was a proud Vietnam Marine veteran, loving husband to Cathy for 54 years and a best friend, dad and papaw. He was the most humble and kind person you would find, always smiling and caring. If you wanted to be where the fun was, it was with Blevins, typically a house full of kids who he cared for as his own. He loved being with family, hunting and fishing, he even took Cathy once.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tracy and Helen Blevins and sister, Mary Etta Nicholson.
Blevins is survived by his wife, Cathy; daughters Teresa Burton and husband, Dennis, of Marion and Donna Blevins Cox and husband, Terry, of Rural Retreat; sons Stephen Blevins and wife, Michelle, of Marion and Chad Blevins and wife, Christy, of Groseclose; sisters Donna Sue Blevins and husband, David, of Chilhowie, Treasa Meek and husband, Roger, of Chilhowie and Rhoda Thomas and husband, Joe, of Fort Chiswell; brother, Jimmy Blevins and wife, Debbie, Johnny Blevins and wife, Debbie, and Bobby Joe Blevins, all of Marion; brother-in-law, Frank Catron and wife, Pattie, of Kingsport, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Debbie Watson of Sugar Grove; grandchildren, Nikki, Kelcey, Megan, Joshua, Tanner, Casey, Laken and Ely; great-grandchildren, Braylin, Addyson, Riley and special great-granddaughter, Hailey; several nieces and nephews; and special friend, Jackie Barker of Marion.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 1 p.m. at Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. Mark Totten officiating. Family will receive friends Wednesday from 11 a.m. until time of service. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the U.S. Marine Funeral Honor Guard and Francis Marion VFW Post 4667.
To share memories of Freddie Ray Blevins, please visit www.seaverbrown.com.
James Dalton
James Dalton, 87, of Austinville died Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.
Born Aug. 23, 1936, in Wythe County, he was the son of the late Hobert and Minnie Simpson Dalton.
He liked hunting, fishing and trapping. He loved to spend time with his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by son, Terry Lee Dalton, sisters, Louise Walters, and Luva Jane Melton and brother Ed Dalton.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene Dalton of the home; son Jerry Dalton and wife, Lisa, of Beckley, West Virginia; daughter, Christy Carroll and husband, Kevin, of Max Meadows; six grandchildren, Johnathon Carroll, Zackery Carroll, Matthew Carroll, Skyler Carroll and Justin and Jarrett Shinault; and five great-grandchildren, Izzy, Eli, Willow Carroll, Weslee and Ryelyn Shinault.
Burial was at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.highlandfuneralservice.com
Reese Funeral Home of Austinville is serving the Dalton Family.
Dolores Steele Dempsey
Dolores Steele Dempsey, 85, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at home.
Dempsey was a loving wife, mom and momaw. Her family was her world – especially her great-grandchildren; they were everything to her. She will be missed by her family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Dempsey; parents, Sam and Ellouise Steele; and brothers, Melvin Steele and Tom Steele.
She is survived by her son, William Dempsey of Marion; daughters Sharon Dempsey of Marion and Kathy Almond and husband, Nathan, of Orange, Virginia; two grandchildren, Jason Hash and wife, Sarah, and Casey Hash, all of Marion; four great-grandchildren, Jake, Carson, Tripp and Georgia-Kate; sister, Barbara Orrison and husband, Ronnie, of Vero Beach, Florida; brothers Sam Steele of Vero Beach and Richard Steele and wife, Beth, of Konnarock; sister-in-law, Alice Steele of Marion; and several nieces and nephews and their families.
Burial was at West Cemetery, Marion.
To share memories of Dolores Steele Dempsey, please visit www.seaverbrown.com.
Neveda Jane “Janie” Haga
Neveda Jane “Janie” Haga, 62, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at her home in Marion.
Haga was a blessing and a joy to her family. She loved her family and spending time with them. She loved watching Wheel of Fortune and Days of Our Lives. She also enjoyed her electronics, especially her cell phone. She also loved eating her favorite foods. Her devoted mother took care of Haga, and she received the best care. Her sister, Wanda, also devoted her time and life to caring for Haga in her last years. She will be missed by all who loved and knew her.
She is preceded in death by her father Fred Haga; grandparents Roby and Malinda Jane Haga, and Marvin and Freelove Helton; and a nephew Shawn Berry.
She is survived by her mother Janice Haga; brothers Allen Haga (Teresa) and Tony Haga (Joy); sisters Wanda Hankla and Christina Testerman; along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends to include a special nephew Tyler Poston.
Burial was at Wassum Cemetery in Atkins. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Haga Family.
Verna Hubble Henley
Verna Hubble Henley, 95, of Rural Retreat, (known to many as “G”), born Jan. 5, 1928, died Dec. 25, 2023. S
he is preceded in death by her parents Carl and Margie Huble, husband, Lewis, and siblings Frank Hubble, Evelyn Lundy and Nancy Pickle and stepdaughter Kathy Keesling.
Henley was a faithful member of United Lutheran Church. She always lived by the “Golden Rule” dedicating her life to helping others. She enjoyed reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends. Her mottoes were always “Faith, Family & Friends” and “Always do your best.”
She is survived by her daughter, Beverly Wynn and husband, Roger; grandson; Scott Wynn and wife, Crystal; granddaughter Lori Whittaker and husband, Michael; two great-grandsons, Jacob Wynn and wife, Makenzie, and Josh Wynn; one great-granddaughter, Allie Whittaker; two great-great-grandchildren twins Clayton and Emma Wynn; stepdaughter Pam Caudill; two stepsons Gary Henley and wife, Pam, and Steve Henley and wife, Libby; three step-grandsons, Matthew Henley, Nathaniel Henley and Todd Henley and wife, Tina; two step-granddaughters, Laura Adams and husband, Chris, and Jennifer Crichlow and husband, Tom; two step-great-grandchildren, Henley Crichlow and Hunter Adams; special caregivers, Kaloni Clark, Cathy Lovelace, Linda Ketner and Betty Guynn; special friends, Chuck Miller, Pearl Hanley and Linda Pollard; and several special nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the fourth floor at Wythe County Community Hospital for their excellent care and Wythe Hospice.
Funeral services are Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 2 p.m. at United Lutheran Church with the Rev. Steve Dew officiating. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Mountain View Cemetery. Friends may call at Mrs. Henley’s residence at any time, 419 Parsonage Ave, Rural Retreat, VA. Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, VA is serving the Henley family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.highlandfuneralservice.com
Delores Holmes
Delores Holmes, 75, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at Bristol Regional Medical Center, Bristol, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Georgia Holmes; and several siblings.
Holmes is survived by her husband Raymond “Ray” Holmes of Saltville; daughter, Sherry Saltz of Chilhowie; son, Darrell Holmes and wife, Deanna, of Saltville; sister, Lynn Olinger of Abingdon; grandchildren Jon Olinger, James McCloud, Caitlin McCloud, Phillip Holmes and wife, Katelin, Kelsey Griffith and husband, Travis, and Andrew Holmes; and great-grandchildren, Cayden, Zachary, Chandler, Emberlin, Raiden and Ashelin.
To share memories of Delores Holmes, please visit www.seaverbrown.com.
Danielle Louise Hostetler
Danielle Louise Hostetler, 27, of Rural Retreat died Dec. 19, 2023.
She is survived by two sons, Andrew Dillon Bowman and Isaiah David Bowman; a stepdaughter Auburn Marie Bowman of Atkins; parents Daniel and Tina Hostetler, of Rural Retreat; sisters Crystal and Brandon Umberger, Jessica Lemmon, and Lorrie Hostetler and brother, Will Hostetler, all of Rural Retreat; special nephew Phillip Hostetler of Rural Retreat; aunt Tammy Markle of Rural Retreat; and special fur babies Jaden Elizabeth and Rocky Balboa.
Hostetler was the most generous, honest and loving soul anyone could ever know. She gave what she had even in her own sadness to make others happy. Her smiles came when she was able to make someone else happy even though her heart was breaking on the inside. Now our hearts break to know that she is gone.
She was a loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Never will she be replaced in our lives but always will she be remembered.
In lieu of flowers we ask that donations may be made to Lindsey Funeral Home to help pay for her expenses or to help pay for mental illness awareness.
Lindsey Funeral Home, Rural Retreat, is serving the Hostetler family. Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.highlandfuneralservice.com
Ronald Keith Martin
Ronald Keith Martin, 57, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, at Smyth County Community Hospital in Marion.
Survivors and funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced soon by Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion.
Lt. Col. Johnny Edward McKinney
Lt. Col. U.S. Army (RET) Johnny Edward McKinney, 67, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023 at his home in Marion.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 29, at West Cemetery in Marion. Full military honors will be rendered by the U.S. Army National Guard Honors Team. The family will receive friends from 5 -7 p.m. on Thursday evening at Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the McKinney Family.
William Allen Overbay
William Allen Overbay, 75, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at Abingdon Health and Rehab Center in Abingdon.
Overbay was born in Smyth County to the late George Winston Overbay and Virginia Maxwell Overbay and was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte Ann Call Overbay.
He served in the US Navy, worked at Lincoln Builders for 17 years and retired from Utility Trailer. He was a master carpenter who could turn a piece of wood into anything.
Survivors include two daughters, Karen Overbay Pruitt and husband, Mark, of Marion and Jennifer Overbay and Lonnie Myrick of Marion; two grandchildren, Megan Overbay Robinson of Marion and Marcus Devon Pruitt of Marion; three great-grandchildren; brother Harold Overbay and wife, Ok sun, of Roanoke; a brother at heart, Frank Overbay and wife, Margie; sister in law, Brenda Call Coulthard; and several nieces and nephews.
Burial was at South Fork Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home is serving the Overbay family.
Patricia Ann Pruitt
Patricia Ann Pruitt, 76, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon.
Pruitt was born in Smyth County to the late William J. Schrader and Annabelle Charlotte Schrader and was preceded in death by her best friend Erma Collins. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who worked as a homemaker most of her life. She enjoyed playing bingo and cards.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Charley Pruitt; children Tammy Paynter, Charlie “Chuck” Pruitt and wife, Vicki, and Bobby Dean Pruitt; grandchildren, Lance Alex Pruitt, Scottie Davidson, Josh Davidson, Adam Davidson, Aaron Corvin and Mindy Cregger; great-grandchildren, Isaac Cregger, Adaleigh Cregger, Mary Davidson, Hank Davidson, William Davidson, Sam Corvin and Kat Corvin; sister, Aileen Oakes; brother, William “Bill” Schrader; and several nieces and nephews.
Burial was in Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Rural Retreat. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home is serving the Pruitt family.
